Bear Necessities of Business

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) is one of the most successful retailingconcepts in recent history. Starting with just one location in1997, the company now operates more than 200 stores worldwide. Leading the way is Maxine Clark, the company's founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Bear. Clark is widely recognized asone of the nation's leading and most creative entrepreneurs. In TheBear Necessities of Business, she reveals how she built thisamazing global business from the ground up, while arming you withthe tools you need to start, run, and market your own company intoday's tough competitive environment. While primarily drawing onreal-life experiences from Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), Clark alsooffers wisdom gained throughout her entire thirty-plus-year career, including lessons and examples from some of the other greatcompanies that do so much right.

Straightforward and accessible, The Bear Necessities of Businessis divided into seven parts, each built around an essential elementthat will allow you to stand apart from the crowd. The short, accessible chapters show you everything you need to:

Get your business started

Become a great boss

Connect with your customers

Add value to the overall experience

Effectively market your company

Plan for future growth

Give back to your customers, employees, and community

Best of all, these principles can be applied to any industry andare proven to work whether your target audience is children, teenagers, baby boomers, seniors, or any age in-between.

Whether you're looking to start a new business, improve anexisting one, be a better manager, or hire the best employees, TheBear Necessities of Business contains the insights and informationyou need to succeed. Even if you work for some-one else and have noplans to strike out on your own, you'll still benefit from theadvice found in this book. After all, the best employees--andthose who consistently rise to the top--are those who thinklike entrepreneurs!