Numerous
aspiring entrepreneurs around the world dream about starting their own
high-tech business. Many of them have a strong technical background, but lack
experience and formal education in entrepreneurship and general business
administration. While their new product ideas may be attractive to the market
and financially very promising, a large majority of these ideas will not be
transformed into commercial products for various reasons, such as: the
inventors' lack of courage to start his or her own business, lack of proper
financing, inadequate management, fierce competition, poor market timing or
ineffective product launch.
Modern
business environment has become very challenging for new entrepreneurs, due to:
increased global competition, increased pressure to minimize the operating
costs, increased technological complexities and demands for multidisciplinary,
virtual teams, limited financing opportunities, and increased pressure to
protect the intellectual property.
What is the purpose of this book?
Too many inspirational business books have already been
published, trying to persuade the readers to start a new business, and teaching
them how to write a business plan. However, the majority of these books end
right there - at the start of the business. Not so many books tell aspiring
entrepreneurs what happens after the start, i.e. what they should know once
they are on their own.
Instead of trying to persuade the readers to start their
own businesses, this book provides a balanced insight into the challenges and
issues that a new entrepreneur should be aware of in different stages of his or
her business. The author invites the readers to think critically whether their
entrepreneurship ideas are right for them, and how to transform an idea to a
successful enterprise.
Who should read this book?
Aspiring, first-time entrepreneurs interested to learn how
to start, develop and sell an independent, small business or consulting firm in
the high-tech industry. These readers may be recent college graduates,
experienced or retired professionals and military, whose background includes
electrical engineering, computer science, telecommunications, project
management and any other relevant disciplines. Their areas of expertise may be
very diverse, including: digital and logic design, digital signal processing,
wireless technology, telecommunications, computer architecture, computer
networks, software engineering, Web design and applications, multimedia,
multidisciplinary projects, project management, data warehousing, data mining,
database management, information systems, nanotechnology, distance learning,
telemedicine, robotics, mechanical engineering, etc.
International entrepreneurs, who own and/or manage
high-tech businesses, and are interested in pursuing potential business
opportunities with the U.S.-based companies through joint ventures, spin-offs,
offshoring, and outsourcing. Their interests include: leveraging on information
technology, understanding intellectual property rights and other issues related
to business laws, financing and ownership.
Educators and consultants in Entrepreneurship, Technology
Management and General Business & Technology programs. For these readers,
this book can serve as a basis for programs, courses and seminars targeting new
potential entrepreneurs and innovators planning to start their own businesses,
or ventures within larger organizations.
Why should you read this book?
Because it is:
Credible - This book is based on the author's extensive
experience and expertise in high-tech entrepreneurship. The author holds a
Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Master's degree in Computer Science and
Master's degree in Business Administration, combined with 4 international
patents and more than 25 years of industrial experience, out of which 13 as an
entrepreneur. The author has founded three successful high-tech businesses so
far.
Comprehensive - The book provides details and illustrative
examples related to most important milestones and situations related to
starting, growing and selling a high-tech business. After the Introduction
(Chapter 1), Chapter 2 focuses on important issues that should be addressed
before an entrepreneur starts a new business. Chapter 3 describes activities,
challenges and responsibilities that an entrepreneur deals with in the starting
stage of a new business, from the first official day of its operation until the
first product is launched to the market. Chapter 4 presents major challenges
that the entrepreneur and his or her company go through while the business is
growing and transforming from an informal startup into a structured, organized
enterprise with formal processes, procedures and chain of command. Chapter 5
discusses various scenarios after the entrepreneur's successful exit from the
business - either through a buyout or through an initial public offering.
Timely - The book provides contemporary perspectives and
projections related to a wide scope of high-tech entrepreneurship, such as:
global competition, multidisciplinary applications, innovative business models
and financing alternatives, virtual and global teams, strategic alignment of
business and technology (leveraging on integrated supply chain, customer relation
management (CRM) systems, etc.).
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact
the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7479. Tear sheets may be sent by regular or
electronic mail to Marketing Services. To purchase copies of the book for resale,
please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x 7876.
