Through entertaining and timely anecdotes, Hayzlett coaches small business owners how to thoughtfully yet aggressively evaluate, deconstruct, and then reconstruct one's business in order to focus on its bottom line.
Running a Business
Business & Legal Forms
If you need quick access to a legal or business form then check out the following resources:
Legal Forms from Thomas Gale Provides a collection of small business forms and a wide selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms. Includes real estate contracts, sales agreements, credit contracts, sample letters and much more.
(Legal Forms from Thomas Gale is a database and is available at the library or via the Internet for Skokie Public Library card holders)-
FormNet from Entrepreneur.com This site contains a collection of free customizable business forms covering topics such as accounting, human resources, inventory, office management, sales, shipping and more. 
Essential Government Forms from Business.gov A collection of state and federal forms provided by the official small business site of the US government, these forms cover tax, employment, incorporation and other government related topics.- Small Business Forms & Contracts from FindLaw
Search through a selection of business and legal forms at this site ranging from checklists to sample legal contracts. Available as PDFs and Word documents. - Find a Form from State of Illinois Business Portal
Find business and tax forms provided by a number of state agencies. Search by topic, agency or key word.
Creating Customer Mailing Lists
Lists of Households (with names, addresses & phone numbers)
- ReferenceUSA allows you to create a list of households within a certain town, area code or zip code. Another feature is the ability to get a list of households surrounding a particular location. This list can be downloaded to a spreadsheet format and mailing lists can be printed out.
Note: ReferenceUSA limits downloads to 50 records at a time so if your list is large you will have to do multiple searches and download separately.
Lists of New Households
- Public Record Electronic Database allows you to create lists of owners for newly purchased houses in the Chicagoland area. Search by town, neighborhood or address to get a list of owners.
Lists of Businesses
Reference USA allows you to create lists of businesses that match a certain criteria. Limit by size, number of employees, and location in order to download a list of businesses in a spreadsheet format.
Note: ReferenceUSA limits downloads to 50 records at a time so if your list is lar ge you will have to do multiple searches and download separately.
- LexisNexis also allows you to create lists of businesses limited by size, location and a number of other criteria. There is no downloading limits for LexisNexis as with ReferenceUSA.
Skokie Public Library Small Business Resources
Books
Skokie Library has a large collection of books on a variety of business topics. The latest management books along with guides to help you run a small business are all available at the Library and can be checked out with a library card. This page contains a selection of some of the newer titles or use the library catalog to browse the complete collection.
Magazines & Newspapers
The Library subscribes to a large selection of periodicals and newspapers including Crain's Chicago Business, Investors Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Inc., and Fortune Small Business. Older articles can be retrieved using Factiva, LexisNexis, or our other subscription databases.
Computers & the Internet
There are many computers throughout the library building with Microsoft Office applications, Internet access, and links to the Library's subscription databases. Call the computer lab at 847.324.3179 to reserve one of the computers.
For help there are two databases Atomic Learning and LearningExpressLibrary.com that contain online tutorials on some of the most popular computer applications. Check these out on the Library Database page.
Free wifi is available throughout the building. Bring your own laptop, or borrow one if you have a Skokie Library card.
There are Internet classes and Tech Talks available at the library too.
Small Rooms for Meetings or Study
There are several small rooms on the second floor that you may use to meet with clients, conduct business, or use as your office away from home. Call the Computer Lab staff at 847.324.3179 to reserve one of these study rooms.
Databases
The Library subscribes to a number of databases that are helpful to a small business owner. These databases go beyond what can be found on the Internet and can assist a business in designing a marketing plan, creating mailing lists, or doing basic research. These databases can be found on the Database page of the Library website and are available at Skokie Public Library or via the Internet with a Skokie Public Library card.
To get a Skokie Public Library card you or your business must reside in Skokie. Contact the library at 847-673-7774 for more information via email
Research Specialists
Librarians can help you with your research requests. For assistance:
- Stop by the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor of the library
- Call a reference librarian at 847-673-3733
- Email askref@skokielibrary.info
- Send a chat message via Ask Skokie
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton
Skokie, IL 60077
847-673-7774
askref@skokielibrary.info
Skokie Chamber of Commerce
One of the best ways to 'get known' in business is to join your local Chamber of Commerce. At Skokie Chamber of Commerce events you can network with other business owners and find business leads. Chamber events can be useful. This is where you'll find local talent, just like yourself, who are there to enjoy the company of fellow business owners. New services and technologies, as well as information and a lot of entertainment abound in a 'Greeters' meeting at any given location.
Skokie Chamber of Commerce
5002 Oakton Street
Skokie, Illinois 60077
847.673.0240
Fax: 847.673.0249
info@skokiechamber.org
Industry Information
If you are trying to market to a particular industry and you need to get a run down on relevant details then you may want to run a report from First Research.
First Research contains industry reports for more than 600 business sectors such as Engineering, Dry Cleaning Facilities or Insurance Carriers.
Each industry reports contains an industry overviews along with recent developments, and an industry forecast and rating. Reviewing a report can get you up-to-date quickly so you can be prepared and aware of importantindustry issues when interacting with companies.
On the right is a sample of the Fast Facts section for the Framing Contracting Industry.
First Research is available free at one of the many research computers at Skokie Public Library or via the Internet with a Skokie Public Library card.
Books on Running a Business
An encyclopedia for running a small business covering topics such as market research, leases and licensing, writing a business plan, securing financing, record keeping, pricing, ...
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This cutting-edge book provides an in-depth look at how companies can effectively leverage mobile marketing. It offers strategy, tactics, and analysis that will help marketing professionals determine what type of mobile engagement will be right for their customers.
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Want to attract more customers today, keep them tomorrow, and make far more money? You need killer new marketing techniques to attract and engage customers online better than ever before!
e-Riches 2.0 will show you examples of how to rethink and remake everything you do online-without missing a day of...
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This book covers what small-business owners need to know before calling a lawyer, such as choosing a business structure, taxes and the IRS, employees, independent contractors, and much more.
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Both beginning and seasoned entrepreneurs need "401 Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask," an invaluable, comprehensive reference resource.
The sixth edition of this guide to marketing your own business has been expanded to include current marketing trends on the Internet. Patten, who is the head of his own marketing agency in the UK, instructs novice business owners on how to develop a...
Jennifer Kaplan founded Greenhance LLC, a business consultancy dedicated to providing marketing and communications strategies to small businesses going green. She lives in Washington, DC. Visit her website at...
Author and blogger Jaffe, president of crayon, a consultancy advising clients on new media and social media, contends that far too many companies are using yesterday's marketing strategies to deal with today's customer. In his trademark no holds barred, tell it like it is style, Jaffe says it is indeed time for marketers to "flip the funnel"--to turn what they typically do upside down and toss their old marketing strategies. (booknews.com)
The most complete guide to an employer's legal rights and responsibilities, this book shows how to comply with workplace laws and regulations, run a safe and fair workplace, and avoid lawsuits.
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1500 great marketing tricks that will drive your business through the roof.
Discover how to access your creative power to boost your success in business Success in business demands constant creativity. Generating fresh solutions to problems and the ability to invent new products or services for a changing market are part of the intellectual capital that gives a company its competitive edge. "...
A collection of proven tools and tactics woven together in a step-by-step marketing system that shows small business owners exactly what to do to market and grow their businesses.
Companies on a Mission explains that mission-driven companies appreciate and leverage traditional strategic principles—with a twist—to win in the marketplace. By clearly and pragmatically laying out this argument, author Michael V. Russo crystallizes for enlightened...
Venture capitalist and entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki, the author of the bestselling The Art of the Start, has compiled his best wit, wisdom, and contrarian opinions to show listeners how to ignore fads and foolishness while sticking to commonsense practices.
Almost everyone who runs a business recognizes the value of generating high-profile attention for their company, product, or service. Unfortunately, the high cost of hiring an outside marketing or PR firm can put these kinds of efforts out of reach for many small businesses and individual professionals. In...
Attention-grabbing, money-saving ideas. Now small to mid-sized companies, entrepreneurs, and their marketing staff can expand their customer base in new and exciting ways....
"How to Launch and Grow a Profitable Business" helps would-be entrepreneurs navigate the potential minefields facing any start-up, from assessing the profit potential of new business ideas, to raising funding and...
The essential tax-strategy book for entrepreneurs who call themselves "boss." Named a "Best Tax Book" by Entrepreneur magazine Develop the best tax plan for your small business, learn the...
Pricing a product or service can make or break a small business. 'Pricing Strategies for Small Business covers the many different pricing strategies and helps readers to determine which methods are best for their small businesses.
Steve Savage, master salesperson and coach, teaches you how to: * Get high productivity without high pressure. * Soft sell with a soft approach, soft presentation and soft close. * Build a great sales force by drawing out the "inner fury" in each person. * Motivate with praise, not...
