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Joanne Eglash
Previous area resident authors new e-biz guide
Book focuses on writing a successful business plan
By Michelle Alaimo
Every day it seems as though another dot-com business is either launching or biting the dust. But what is it that makes some Internet businesses more successful than others? Joanne Eglash hopes to answer this question in her first book, titled How to Write a Business Plan: The Entrepreneur's Guide.
"My book separates the hype from the reality and includes interviews with successful entrepreneurs and e-biz experts, as well as detailed information on how to create the different sections of a business plan and a directory of online resources," Eglash said.
Since its release in November, the former Cupertino/Sunnyvale resident's book has received rave reviews from many in the business community.
"Concise, yet thorough and witty--this book is a timely resource for those who are looking to build an online business," Christine Harmel, CEO of The Interactive Recourse, said.
Eglash has more than 15 years experience in the computer industry, including 18 years at the International Hewlett Packard Users Association (INTEREX) in Sunnyvale. As one of the experts for StartupFailures.com, Eglash developed an interest in e-businesses and why some are successful while others fold. These experiences watching e-businesses inspired her to write this book.
The whole process began more than two years ago when Eglash's curiosity about dot-com businesses peaked and she began researching dot-coms and conducting interviews with e-business experts and entrepreneurs. She asked business experts the same questions including: What makes an entrepreneur successful? What does it take to create a successful e-biz? And why do some dot-com businesses make it, while others fail, despite seemingly great premises?
While Eglash will make very little money from this book--she estimates about a half-cent per book--she is already thinking about writing another one.
"I'd love to do some sort of biography of a high-tech figure, or a history of some type of high-tech phenomenon," Eglash said.
But she says getting a book deal in the first place took some work. After having no success with publishers, she hired a literary agent that she "clicked" with. The agent was also interested in high-tech business and worked as a liaison between Eglash and book publisher McGraw Hill. Once her book proposal was accepted, Eglash began the long interview process.
Eglash's advice to others seeking to write a book is to choose a fascinating subject that you are passionate about. Hence, writing and researching the book is a pleasurable experience, rather than a tedious one. The former Sunnyvale Library volunteer said that this practice is the reason why her book was able to make it into print.
In her spare time, Eglash holds a "day job" as a technical publications manager. She also writes freelance articles, works as a website content consultant-creator and, occasionally, as a business plan or marketing consultant.
For more information on her book, visit her website for entrepreneurs at http://www.dotcom2000.bigstep.com. How to Write A Business Plan: The Entrepreneur's Guide can also be purchased from Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
