Top Tools For Entrepreneurs

[Scunizzo]

We've decided to change around our Entrepreneur Poll this month for the Young Entrepreneur blog. Every handyman has a set of tools that he uses to go to work. And just like a good handyman, every entrepreneur should also have a set of tools to help make work a little easier.

We would like to know what's in your toolbox? It is a particular book that you read? A business plan template? A search engine optimization resource? A CRM tool? A new productivity software release?

What are the tools that you just can't live without in your business! We're hoping to put together a top 10 list of the best tools for young entrepreneurs so please share your ideas and help the rest of the community!

Looking forward to your replies!

[Sererena]

I really like the Interactive Business Planner. IBP: New User Registration

It's a really good business plan wizard. Each section is broken down into bite-size pieces, has clear explanations and an example excerpt from a business plan. It's provided by the Government of Canada but I don't think there is any reason it wouldn't be useful to anyone else.

[iMediaPro]

Every Entrepreneur needs tools to set them apart. Those of us who have a business card, compete for business and have a need to set themselves apart from the rest (which includes every single one of us)must have a tool that tells their story; lists their attributes; their accomplishments; their special designations; their charitiy work and hobbies; awards and accolaides. A paper business card does none of that!

The Fully Customized Multimedia Business Card and Way To Wealth Marketing System does all of that for you and more!

We all know that clients buy differences, not similiarities.
The Lexan Cover with your picture embedded into it is an impressive presentation that's all about you! The CD ROM inside is a 3 to 5 minute presentation that's all about you!
The weight and thickness of the Multimedia Business Card gives it percieved value which buys it automatic shelf life, unlike a paper business card.

The Multimedia Business Card is a necessary tool in this challenging marketplace. Today's consumer is educated and discerning. We all need an edge that we've never needed before.

[andrewrichardgale]

my #1 tool is Young Entrepreneur Forums - An entrepreneurial and small business site , if i need help, best friendly people here, if i need inforimation i can get it, if i need anything someone is always willing to help. its really the only tool any entrepreneur needs ;]


(i sound like a person writing a testimonial)

[Tibado]

Pen, Paper, A imaginitive brain, A product you are passionate about.

[Kduffy42]

My most valuable tool I believe to be my network. Being successful in anything is not so much what you know but who you know. Everyone should keep an email list of people that they need to look to for certain things for example when ever I have a legal question I have a lawyer that I have built a relationship with and he is part of my network. I have the same thing for a tax guy, mortgage guy, and so on. So you have a network of resources and that is key. Then you need a network of test customers, have a list of people who might always be interested in investing in an idea you have or might even purchase what ever it is that your are offering or what ever service you provide. One of the best networks I have is a network of veteran business owners and or investors, its a group of people that I can email when ever I have a quesiton or concern very similar to S.C.O.R.E. (Sales core of retired executives) they are great because they lived it and can give you real world exp. The most important tool any business man or woman can have is without question their network, build it big build it smart make it work. NETWORK

[rico]

A few tools I like that I think others might find useful:

Management Methods | Management Models | Management Theories - I find it useful as a quick reference/refresher tool.
Docstoc.com – free legal forms and business templates - It's a great repository to quickly find free templates for business documents (e.g. b-plans, legal templates, etc.).
Online Project Management, Group Collaboration and Document Sharing ~ Huddle - Have found it useful for collaborating on projects.
Scan, copy and fax with your camera phone or digital camera - Sort of an odd tool, but can be useful for digitizing information you put on a whiteboard.

A few sites that are useful for finding news tools:
Business Hacks | BNET - Mix of new useful apps and general business tips.
Free Small Business Tools & Resources - Mix of free business tools, apps, freebies.
Webware : Cool Web apps for everyone - CNET - Profiles new online apps.

[IceDog]

Pen, Paper, A imaginitive brain, A product you are passionate about.

You beat me to the punch.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

[Aletheides]

You beat me to the punch.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

lol last time I checked online tools weren't violent

[JaytheCreative]

The tangible tools:

1. My HP Compaq nw8440 mobile workstation w/ dual processor, built in wireless, etc. etc. etc. This thing is my professional, educational, and personal life-in-a-laptop. Quick, handles more, quicker, and effectively than any PC or laptop I've used. And I use the latest Windows XP 2007 Pro. To me, it seems to be closer to the user-friendliness and attractiveness of a Mac than Windows has ever been...that and Vista is a no-no for me right now.

2. My books on management principles, project management, to autobiographies such as Redstone Sumner's, and Thomas Friedman's last edition of "The World is Flat"...granted I need to get the books that recently contested his book. And, of course, Rich Dad Poor Dad.

3. My Mentors. All of them have found vast success in their fields, and have obtained a wealth of knowledge. Surround yourself with winners, and your chances at winning are greater.

4. Independent and major media news: Yea, there is a lot of bad stuff going on in the world. Which is terrible. But, I have a philosophy "today's jobs will come out of emergency response". We're facing new issues, which means new needs...new solutions. Tomorrow's economic leaders will be the one's who provide them.

5. My peers. Surround urself with a diversity of people, in completely inconclusive environments. Share, debate, and exchange ideas. Mega-successful entrepreneurs are multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary individuals.

[Jessica-FrankTeam]

In my toolbox:
- Passion to help
- Endless desire to improve and do things better and smarter
- Opportunity glasses: always on the look out
- Effective systems to run the business, including my to-do list
- Reading material: BRW (Business Review Weekly) magazine, How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie), A New Earth (Earkhart Tolle), Loosing my Virginity (Richard Branson)
- A blank notebook and colourful textas to note down ideas as they come
- A good quality internet connection
.....ah list could go on.....but those are a great start

[Scunizzo]

We’ve asked you what the most useful tools are to your business to build a valuable list for young entrepreneurs to be able to refer to. So far the top results are:

#1: Pencil /Pen and Paper

#1: Websites
(Young Entrepreneur Forums, Interactive Business Planner, valuebasedmanagement.net, Docstoc.com, Huddle.net, Scanr.com)

#3: RSS Reader / Google Reader

#3: Books
(Redstone Sumner’s, Thomas Friedman’s last edition of “The World is Flat”, Rich Dad Poor Dad, How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie), A New Earth (Earkhart Tolle), Loosing my Virginity (Richard Branson)

The other ideas that have been submitted so far are:

* A virtual assistant
* Twitter
* Your own blog
* iPhone3G
* Business cards
* Your network
* A personal computer
* Mentors
* Independent and major media news
* Your peers
* An internet connection

So far it has been an impressive list of suggestions! Is the pen / paper combination the most useful tool for entrepreneurs or are various online tools more helpful? Do you find RSS readers or business books to have been more valuable to you or perhaps another one of the suggestions listed?

[allysa]

Rich Dad Poor Dad and Who Moved My Cheese? books for personal development before I'll picture out and plan something for my business.

[AOCenteno]

I agree with the passion and open mind ......but to be very specific, I recommend reading some classic books such as

Competitive Strategy - By Michael Porter
Blue Ocean Strategy - by Chan Kim
Gentleman, A Timeless Fashion - by Roetzel
Market Based Management - by Roger Best

[loviexox]

Research! I hopefully want to open a clothing boutique but for now am using Ebay to start out. I research into what I believe people will buy. It helps me to read into my target buyers and not waste time listing items that nobody will purchase. I use the internet and websites aimed at the types items I sell as well as Ebay itself. Also, I like Excel to manage and organize my sales. Although I wish there was some other more detailed sales software that I could also get for free that could help me... Excel is becoming tedious.