The amount of information a small business owner needs to read and retain can seem daunting, but with the help of pocket business handbooks created just for entrepreneurs, you can learn the basics on everything from tax law to marketing to complying with state and federal regulations. Many of these business pocket handbooks are free and available for download on the Internet, while more comprehensive, print versions can be purchased online. And by creating a thorough business handbook for your employees, you can be assured they have access to all the information they need to understand and follow your company's rules and procedures.

Where to find business handbooks:

1. Business publishers
2. Companies that specialize in creating business templates, employee manuals and other handbooks for businesses
3. Government agencies that oversee business, workplace and employment regulations
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Download or buy business handbooks for entrepreneurs

If you're an entrepreneur, you need to know everything from how to hire and retain employees to how to market your product or service. Business handbooks aimed at this audience can guide you through every phase of your enterprise.

I recommend: Download free business handbooks at the Small Business Administration website. Topics covered include marketing, financial planning and crime prevention, among other basic issues. For an overview of basic concepts entrepreneurs need to know when starting their business, order the Quick & Smart Entrepreneur's Handbook from Heard Management.

Create a more informed staff with small business employee handbooks

Putting together a comprehensive employee handbook can help ease some of your workload, by ensuring that employees understand their roles and what's expected of them. It can also create a more unified staff, because everyone is playing by the same rules.

I recommend: Business Training Media sells employee handbooks covering everything from conflict management to sexual harassment. At Personnel Policy Service, download an employee handbook template.

Stay current on federal laws and regulations with business handbooks for employers

Employers must comply with a multitude of federal laws, regulating everything from workplace safety to hiring practices and fair wages. Fortunately, the government agencies that oversee these laws make them easier for employers to understand, by publishing guides and handbooks covering everything a small business owner needs to know.

I recommend: At the website for the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, download the free OSHA Small Business Handbook. At the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, download or order employer handbooks on a wide range of issues in employment law and regulations. At the Internal Revenue Service website, download free tax guide handbooks for business owners.

Learn how to grow your company with business research handbooks

Once you've started your company, you'll probably want to learn what your target market thinks of your product or service, or survey what other companies are doing. Business research handbooks can introduce you to the research methods you need to take your business to the next level.

I recommend: With the Business Research Handbook from Juris Research, learn how to compile company profiles, conduct market research and investigate your competition or potential business partners. Purchase the current Retail Business Market Research Handbook from MarketResearch.com. The handbook includes market info such as year-end market data, and assessments of holiday and back-to-school shopping. Executives at healthcare organizations can benefit from the most current healthcare industry data by purchasing the Healthcare Business Market Research Report.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to handing out business handbooks to your employees, organize a training session in which a member of management goes over your policies with staff members, to ensure everyone is introduced to your company's procedures.