"The typical entrepreneur usually has a dream--be it an innovative product or a service--which he or she believes would take the world by storm. But for every Google and eBay, there are thousands of other entrepreneur wannabes who fall by the wayside. Using his considerable experience in counseling start-ups as part of the Service Corps of Retired Executives, Cannon details a fine-grained blueprint that holds the entrepreneur's hand every step of the way. While myriad books on the market provide advice to ambitious business owners, this current one stands apart on several fronts. First, it is comprehensive and details both the external and the internal environment that the entrepreneur faces. Second, it is practical, as each chapter offers several dos and don'ts. Third, it relates the material to real-life insights that Cannon has gleaned from his practical experience. Cannon's advice to entrepreneurs is in the form of ten key lessons (e.g., targeted marketing, customer service, and dynamic business planning) that provide plausible take aways. Recommended. Collections supporting practitioners and entrepreneurship programs." - Choice

"Cannon's book describes successful strategies for small business CEOs and managers and start-up entrepreneurs. He covers externally focused strategies that position the business in the marketplace and managerial and operational strategies for implementation of this goal. He follows ten keys to create success, involving end-user benefits; pricing; infotech-strengthened channels and supply chains; sales and marketing; customer service; business planning; teaming; leveraged development, production, and outsourcing; problem solving; and linking growth strategies with profit plans. Many case examples are incorporated. Cannon is a marketing and strategic planning consultant specializing in startups and small businesses. The bibliography is annotated." - Reference & Research Book News