There is little job security left in Corporate America. International competition is ravaging our mainline companies, Wall Street is rewarding companies that "streamline" (read: cut staff), and we are now "outsourcing" even white-collar jobs to India and China. Those seeking a way out of this dilemma must risk more than ever in these turbulent economic times. Which is why both beginning and seasoned entrepreneurs need 401 Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask, an invaluable, comprehensive reference resource. Jim Silvester brings 27 years of professional and educational experience to this work. 401 Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask reviews 25 functional areas of operation of the typical entrepreneurial firm. It then poses the hundreds of questions any entrepreneur should ask, the answers to which will essentially create an "operational X-ray" of your business operation. After posing a question, Silvester explains its importance to the overall health of your company, discusses the business consequences of a negative answer, then instructs you on how to correct or avoid the unwanted consequences. You'll learn the need to ask questions such as:

Do you have a written statement of your company’s mission or purpose?

How do you predict future developments in your industry?

Have you planned for technological changes that may affect your business?

How do you stay on top of cash flow?

How involved are your managers in planning, operations, and finances?

Do you have someone ready to take your place in case of an emergency?

I was ordering last time much of the books covering the topics like e-mail marketing, e-commerce, SEO, etc. This book came out as big dissapointment - there is a lot of "water" inside, and it definetly looks like author knew about 50 or 60 really good advices (though those are found in any another business book), and other are just "sucked out from finger", just to add the magic number of 401. Do not waste your time, in case you are in e-commerce - no value there.

This is a great read! It covers many areas that other entrepreneur-type books miss. For example; the international trade section was particularly helpful. The Q and A approach is especially helpful and is perfect if you would like to use it as a reference guide and have only a few minutes or have all afternoon to read. Don't start your business without this useful tool in hand!

While I haven't read Silvester's other books, this one seems to be the perfect starting point for forming your own business. With indepth analysis of all the important factors like funding, taxes, marketing, even whether you are even the right type of person to own your own business. This book could scare some people away from taking the jump into their own business, but those who follow Silvester's advice will most definately be ahead of the curve

Bought this book in a bookstore last week and buying here for a friend. If this book is good enough for the Governor of Virginia to write the foreword its good enough for me. I've read it and its the best book on entrepreneurship on the market today. Silvester lays it out nicely and his questions are thought provoking and informative. Both simple and complex issues are approached, dissected, and resolved. Bought Silvester's first book over 20 years ago and I bought and sold 3 businesses with his advice and made some nice money. This book may be his finest work yet and I hope he keeps writing. The man's got the talent, skills, education, and business experience to help out a new or existing entrepreneur. Take his advice and now go make some money.