Regardless of your business’s size , industry, or location, you’ll always be “G.O.I.N.G.” through the one of the following 5 phases:
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The Gathering Phase: Gathering Research, Document Preparation & Filing.
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Researching your Industry, Market, & Location.
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Creating your Business Plan, Pitch Deck &/or Portfolio.
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Incorporating, Licensing, & Filing of Permits.
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Drafting Agreements, Contracts & other Document Preparation Needs.
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Preparing Pitch Deck & Portfolio.
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The Optimization Phase: Preparing for Opportunities by Acquiring Key Skills, Training & Hiring.
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Learning the Basics to Running an Organization
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Sales & Marketing Coaching
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Management Consulting
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Freelance/Remote Hiring (Accounting, HR, Legal, etc.)
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Live On-Going Consulting & Training Sessions (Onsite or Remote)
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The Implementation Phase: Implementing Sales & Exposure Campaigns.
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The Product (Logo & Graphic Design)
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The Pricing (Sales Strategy & Implementation)
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The Placement (Online/Offline Marketing)
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The Promotion (Advertising)
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The People (Public Relations & Customer Service)
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The Networking Phase: Networking to Develop Strategic Alliances.
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Finding Suppliers & Distributors
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Acquiring Govt. Contracts & Vendor Opportunities
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Developing Joint-Marketing Opportunities
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Assistance in Brokering (Acquisitions & Mergers)
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Other Types of Strategic Partnerships
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The Growth Phase: Acquiring Funding.
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Lending & Credit Building Opportunities
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Grant-writing Opportunities
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Investor Opportunities
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Non-profit Fundraising Opportunities
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Crowdfunding & Other Alternative Funding Source
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With hundreds of business checklists & guides about how to start a sustainable business, ever wonder why none of them are the same? Because most of them are the authors’ singular experiences into a “one size fits all” form. But today’s experiences in entrepreneurship are more in-depth than what is currently be offered. So we’ve come up with the acronym “G.O.I.N.G.” through our real-world, hands-on experience with building hundreds of startups, small businesses, & non-profits since 2006. Compare G.O.I.N.G. w/ the Small Business Administration’s Official “10 Steps to Starting a Business”:
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The Gathering Phase: Document Preparation & Filing.
SBA Step 1: Write a Business Plan
SBA Step 3: Choose a Business Location
SBA Step 5: Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business
SBA Step 6: Register a Business Name (“Doing Business As”)
SBA Step 7: Register for State and Local Taxes
(Note: Half of these outdated steps can now be done early in the 1st phase to determine if it’s even necessary before further investment!)
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The Optimization Phase: Learning Key Skills, Training & Hiring.
SBA Step 2: Get Business Assistance and Training
SBA Step 9: Understand Employer Responsibilities
(Note: You’ve done your homework in the 1st phase so you’ll actually know what help & training to focus on; as well as what work can be outsourced inexpensively!)
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The Implementation Phase: Running Sales & Exposure Campaigns.
SBA Step 8: Obtain Business Licenses and Permits
(Note: Since most were done in phase 1, the focus will be the obtaining of licensing & permits specific to operating & selling in your field, market, &/or location. And considering annual fees, you’ll maximize the time-value by getting these licenses & permits when you’re truly prepared to use them!)
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The Networking Phase: Creating Strategic Alliances.
SBA Step 10: Find Local Assistance
(Note: When you already have traction, more people will want to work with you!)
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The Growth Phase: Acquiring Funding.