Plan B

""No hype or theory here. Plan B gives you the good, the bad, and the ugly about the four ways to create a business. Kathleen offers you the secrets most new business owners don't know until it's too late. You learn what lies ahead so you can start with your eyes wide-open.""-Joe Pici, Speaker, Trainer, Author Sell Naked on The Phone""As a long-time promoter of strategic and tactical planning, I have always advocated the need for a ""Plan B"" (and, sometimes, a Plan C and a Plan D), I am delighted to recommend Kathleen's Plan B book. It is chock full of practical ideas for making your business dreams come true. Buy it; study it, and don't lend it out.""-George Morrisey, Author Creating Your Future: Personal Strategic Planning for Professionals and Morrisey on Planning.

• IntroductionA Few Rabbit Holes Can Be A Good ThingA World of Wisdom and Tips—All in One PlaceNASA Space Shuttle Program’s End Was Actually a Great Beginning—Who Knew?Make Fewer Mistakes and Enjoy More SuccessesWho Will Benefit From a Plan B?This Real Deal Guide Shares It All—the Good, the Bad, and the UglySpecific Benefits of the Real Deal GuideYou Now Have What It TakesChapter 1I Worked Hard, I Played by the Rules, and This Is All I Get?Why Is Plan A Not Working Anymore?The Mythical Promise of Plan AFinancial Security Is Still PossibleHow Did We Get Here?Who Is Going to Pay the Bills When You Retire?Social Security BenefitsRetirement Plans Designed to Benefit…Whom?Wrap UpChapter 2Is Your WHY Bigger than Your BUT?Determine Where You AreDetermining What You Are Ready to ImproveLife Values ModelIdentifying What You Don’t Want and Do WantWhat You Have Created So FarWrap UpChapter 3The Real Deal about You The Hero’s JourneyDepartureInitiationReturnIt Doesn’t Take a Rocket Scientist to Launch a Plan BFive Requirements for Successful ChangeListening to the Right PeopleWrap UpChapter 4There Are Many Paths to a Plan BStart Packing for Your JourneyFour Ways to Create Your Plan BOverview of the Four Plan B OptionsThe Wealthy 1%Starting Your Own BusinessBuying an Existing BusinessBuying a FranchiseNetwork MarketingWrap UpChapter 5Thinking It Through: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Wrong (and Costly) DecisionsA Structure for Thinking Through Your Plan BCritical Resources for All BusinessesTimeMoneyFinding Your Work LifestyleType of WorkType of PeopleLocation of Your WorkEnergy Required, i.e., Your Physical and Mental StaminaEmotional TollExit StrategyWrap UpChapter 6Six Key Ingredients of the Most Successful BusinessesFavorable Market TrendsConsumable Products or Ongoing ServicesPerfect TimingStrong Compensation or Attractive MarginsPowerful PartnershipsUnique Products or Exclusive TechnologyUniversal Truths for Business SuccessWrap UpChapter 7The Real Deal about Starting Your Own BusinessStarting a New BusinessTwo Types of Start-Up BusinessesDuplicationInnovationThe Real Deal ChecklistWrap UpChapter 8The Real Deal about Buying a BusinessWhat Happens When You Ignore the Experts, the Resources, and the Information?Buying a Business 101, and MoreAdvantages and Disadvantages of Buying a BusinessApplying What You Have LearnedBeginning the SearchProtecting the Seller’s Information and Proving Your Financial ResourcesConducting Your Due DiligenceMeeting with the SellerMaking the OfferWrap UpChapter 9The Real Deal about Buying a FranchiseFranchising 101Franchises Have Many AdvantagesFranchises Also Have DisadvantagesFranchise Controls and RestrictionsFour Franchise ModelsSelecting a FranchiseSix Key Ingredients for Evaluating a FranchiseThe Real Deal ChecklistShopping for a FranchiseInternet SearchShopping at a Franchise ExpositionUsing a Franchise BrokerAdvantages of Using a Franchise BrokerDisadvantages of Using a Franchise BrokerFinding a Franchise BrokerInterview Questions for Evaluating BrokersFranchise Advisors Work for YouFinding a Franchise AdvisorConduct Your Due DiligenceShould You Buy a New or an Existing Franchise?Wrap UpChapter 10The Real Deal about Network MarketingGiving You the Real Deal Guide on Network MarketingNetwork Marketing AdvantagesNetwork Marketing DisadvantagesNetwork Marketing: Ponzi Scheme, Pyramid Scheme or Path to Profit?Network marketing Controls and RestrictionsNetwork Marketing 101Percent of Sales by Major Product GroupsIs Network Marketing the Best Plan B Option for Me?Six Key Ingredients for Evaluating a Network Marketing CompanyUse the Real Deal Checklist to Evaluate a Network Marketing CompanyThe Two Methods to Make Sales in a Network Marketing CompanyHow Network Marketing Sales are Typically MadeTypical Network Marketing Compensation PlansDue Diligence for Selecting a Network Marketing CompanyWhat to look for in a companySelecting Your Up-LineUp-Line Due Diligence ChecklistWrap UpChapter 11Putting Your Plan B into ActionPlan B Success StoriesGet Busy Narrowing Your OptionsPlan B Option You Are EvaluatingResearching Your Chosen Plan B Option Starting a BusinessBuying a BusinessBuying a FranchiseNetwork Marketing Veterans, Active Military, and Trailing SpousesWrap UpThe Increasing Popularity of Plan BAppreciation & AcknowledgementsResources and OffersAbout the AuthorIndex