People starting out in business tend to seek step-by-step formulas or guidelines, but in reality you will find zero magic bullets. Rather, says veteran company-builder Norm Brodsky, which mentality that assists street- smart business owners solve problems and pursue opportunities as they occur.

Brodsky shares his hard-earned wisdom every month in Inc. publication, in the greatly popular ‘Street Smarts’ column he cowrites with Bo Burlingham. Now they’ve adapted their best advice right into a extensive guide for anyone running a small company.