Product Description

Focusing on the internal blocks, obstacles, and struggles all entrepreneurs face sooner or later, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Mastering the Inner World of Business shows how these unrecognized self-imposed barriers make it difficult to work at peak levels of performance. This guide will help readers explore perceptions of themselves, utilize leadership competencies, and identify weaknesses, frustration, and fears, managing each of these factors to enhance business growth and profitability, work performance, and a more satisfying life.

Each chapter of the book concentrates on a difficult, universal problem entrepreneurs may face, such as managing doubt, worry and indecision, remaining innovative even during stressful times, coping with loneliness, confronting overwhelming "busy-ness," discovering the meaning of success and managing it, climbing up from failure and despair, and knowing oneself. "Ask Yourself" questions help the reader identify the particular issue within him/herself. "Practices" suggest proven solutions for those issues based on those the author has taught to thousands of business leaders.

Customer Reviews (5)

The Real Scoop - every business owner should read this
Okay, I'm biased.But I loved this book from the moment I first started to read it.There are lots of technical how-to books for entrepreneurs, but this is the first one that takes an entrepreneur into someplace they may never have been before - inside their own mind.This book teaches entrepreneurs and business owners how to remain calm in the face of a crisis.How to decide if they should keep their business or let it go.How to look for the best in their employees, so their employees look for the best in them.This is a book that no business owner or senior leader can afford to be without.

A must read for entrepreneurs!
The Entrepreneur's Guide to Mastering the Inner World of Business gives you a rare peek behind the curtain into the world of the entrepreneur. Whether you are a seasoned businessperson or just planning to start your business, you will "profit" from the author's insights and straightforward practice exercises that enable you to apply the insights to your own business and personal life. It's a book written from knowledge, experience and heart. Just read it!

Entrepreneurial Success - from the Inside Out
It's not every day that such a book comes along. Nanci Raphael's insightful look at the challenges that nearly all entrepreneurs go through is spot on - and even better she offers solutions and practices that will help! If you are an entrepreneur - or thinking about being one - read this book. You'll be glad you did.

An excellent entrepreneur resource
If you're an entrepreneur or a business leader in corporate America who has ever faced self doubt, seen your passion dwindle, been challenged to understand and live out success on your own terms, or felt isolated in your leadership role, you need to read The Entrepreneur's Guide to Mastering the Inner World of Business. When I first picked up this book, I found the title intriguing and was hoping it wasn't going to turn out to be another "how to be successful" business book or a step-by-step book on starting a business. It turns out the title was just the beginning of a fascinating ride. This is a book that is hard to find out there and finally someone had the courage to write about it. Nanci Raphael seems to be able to capture the challenges business leaders face today and understands how to help them define and realize their own individual success, yet also overcome and grow from obstacles, fears and inevitable setbacks. The book captures the authenticity of being an entrepreneur and it comes from the author's heart. . . because Nanci has been one her entire life.

The book is an easy read, yet jammed with real-life business challenges and extraordinary tools to get past them.I love that in every chapter she talks about a different challenge we may face day-to-day as we manage our business. She then gives us easy to follow steps to walk ourselves through when facing a similar barrier. I think this is a must-read for anyone who knows the solitude of leadership, the frustration of growth with limited resources, and the roller coaster ride of success and failure. It's comforting to know that someone else has been where I'm at and has the time-tested tools to help me through difficult times. This book can help be your guide and companion, even in the darkest hours.

A Must Read for Every Business Owner with a Vision
Once in awhile, you come across a book that touches your very core.This is one of those times.From the first page, I could not put this book down.Now I am on the second go around - but this time at a measured pace so I can slowly absorb all of Nanci Raphael's wisdom. No doubt about it, this book is a game changer for me and I am grateful to have found it. ... Read more

Product Description
15 Bedtime Stories that Keep Entrepreneurs Awake at Night is a book that offers clever advice about dispelling the worries of owning a business. Author Dave Ingram shares about his personal challenges as an entrepreneur and offers some practical tips so you can manage or avoid similar situations. This book gives you the feedback you crave about running a successful business and handles the worrisome details that keep you awake during those long night hours. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

15 Bedtime Stories
I have been in business for 18 years now and wish I had had this book when I started. What a wonderful down to earth easy to understand strait forward no holds bared chronicle of starting and running a business. David not only points out the warm fuzzy parts of owning your own business but the work, pitfalls, and disasters we all have to deal with sooner or later and usually learn the hard way. They are all spelled out in this book. If you are starting or currently running a business this is a must read.

Simple advice for entrepreneurs
I finished the book on a flight from Phoenix to Charlotte yesterday and have to say that it was an enjoyable read and very down to earth.The author's experiences about starting up his own companies are easy to relate to and the advice he offers for new businesses is helpful.My wife has recently entered into a new business partnership and several of the points the author makes hit home - it opened my eyes to areas of opportunity within her business.It is not a step-by-step "how to", which is nice.It is simple advice and experiences that can be shared across all industries and company sizes.

Great Gift for the Entrepreneur in Your Life
As a serial entrepreneur, what I love about this book is each chapter is a nice synopsis of the many of coffee, lunch, dinner meetings I have had with those that want to start their own business (or already are in the throws of doing so).Starting a company is a very lonely thing - most people think you are crazy and the support systems don't exist as they should.This book sheds light on the areas a new business owner should worry about and does it in a way that's reinforcing through the use of real business examples.Great stocking stuffer for that person in your life who has always dreamed of "going out on their own".

15 Bedtime Stories
Being a small business owner myself, I found 15 Bedtime Stories to be a great resource.It is an easy, quick read full of great information.In fact, I found the book so useful, I have it sitting right next to my deak.I particularly liked the chapters on how to make good hiring decision as well as the authors suggestions on how to fire the ones that aren't working (this is so difficult to do).In addition, the author is a two time Inc. 5000 honoree--this represents the fastest growing companies in the US.Inspiring to learn from someone who has made it to the other side....

The One Minute Manager meets the First Time Entrepreneur
15 Bedtime Stories is a must read for entrepreneurs working on their first venture.It will save a lot time, money, and most of all...sleep. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Practical advice for business growth
In "The Woman's Advantage," Mary Cantando does an excellent job detailing how women can grow their businesses in today's crazy marketplace. She clearly articulates key strategies that entrepreneurs must embrace for maximum success in the least possible time.

The book's greatest strength can be found in the 20 stories of women entrepreneurs that illustrate each strategy. Their journeys to success are filled with golden nuggets of practical advice at the same time they're highly inspirational.

The info on WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) Certification is also extremely useful. It goes far beyond the actual steps, into how to leverage the certification to acquire new customers and drive incremental growth with existing ones.

Even though I've had my own company for nearly 20 years, I got a lot of new ideas I can use to take my own business to the next level. I don't say this often!In fact, right now I'm wondering why I didn't do some of these things 5 years ago.

Buy this book if you want to grow your business dramatically or create a predictable revenue stream. Mary will cut your learning curve and give you the kick in the pants you need. She challenges you to step outside your comfort zone and learn new behaviors that can make this growth easier.

Jill Konrath
Author, "Selling to Big Companies"

Excellent Source for the Smart Entreprenurial Woman!
The Woman's Advantage is a excellent business book! Filled with essential tools and ideas for developing business clients, helpful contacts, and maneuvering a growing startup through the business world. It charts ways to take advantage of rarely tapped resources that provide real advantages for a woman developing a business. This is the perfect gift for small and medium startup's looking to expand their "cottage" industry into a thriving and growing business.

A must read!!
This book is a must readfor women business owners and I only wish it had been around 5 years ago when I started my business.It is unlike any other business book I have read and the personal anecdotes that accompany the business strategies are inspiring and encouraging.It's easy to read and packed with information it's taken me years to learn on my own!

A must have!
I can't begin to tell you how much time, money and frustration I would have saved if I had read this book when I was starting my business. Even though I've missed out on it's resourcesfulness over the last 8 years, I plan to use this book to help me take my business to the next level.

Like Having Lunch with SuperStar Women Entrepreneurs
Even with an MBA, many of these ideas were new to me. The author's easy, innovative writing allowed me to learn without the "labor pains" I've experienced in so many business books. But the greatest thing about The Woman's Advantage is that each business concept is presented through the story of one woman who started with nothing...implemented that idea...and now owns a multimillion dollar business.

Each chapter is like having lunch with a superstar woman entrepreneur and learning all her secrets! How cool is that? ... Read more

Product Description
Small firms in Chicago employ more than 1.6 million individuals-nearly 50 percent of the private work force, according to a new study released this fall by the Small Business Administration. The survey, which defines small firms as those employing less than 500 people, also shows that these businesses generate 47 percent of the area's total receipts of $278 billion dollars. However, SBA statistics also reveal that, on average, of the small businesses starting today,53 percent will not be in business four years from now. Of these closings, it's estimated that 15 percent will close due to business failures. Chicago businessman Jay Goltz understands what it takes for a small business to succeed. During the past twenty years he has owned and operated Artists' Frame Service in Chicago. Goltz started the business in 1978, and today it's the largest, custom retail picture framing facility in the world. Now, Goltz shares some his secrets of success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

One of 133 can be enough
A lot of us business people have management ideas...but few of us ever come to grips with how to implement them in any meaningful way.

Jay Goltz was smart:He offers the simple idea...shows how he learned (usually the hard way) how that concept applied to his business...then suggests action stepls.

The short but sweet resenttion of each keeps the reader interested.

If only one idea w worthwhile, this book would have been a good investment.

For me, it was a GREAT investment, for I continue to review it (so easy to do) and add to the list of changes I want to make in my own buisness.

Nice going, Jay.

Thank you Jay
Look; the US economy is all about small business. 90% of what we read is written by accountants or academics, (and I count people who write and/or advise other people based on research - instead of 'doing' - as academics also.)

Once in a while you get real street smarts. This book is one. here's your chance to spend a few bucks, read for a few hours, and learn a few things that will save you grief and aggravation if you are running a business. What else could you possibly want from a business book?

Great Book
Sometimes I think would be entreprenuers can get too wrapped up in reading books on entreprenuership instead of taking action. There are so many books out there to choose from and occasionally I'll get into book reading mode which when done in excess is not a good thing. This is one such book that is an exception. Any entreprenuer has their tales of failure and I know from experience that some such tales are quite expensive. This book's lessons on hiring people will probably save me MUCH more than the $12 or so that the book cost. In buying the book I thought of all the mistakes I'd made and figured if this book lets me read about instead of make just one such mistake then it'll pay for itself. It has. And what's more... it's very easy to digest and fun to read as it's broken into simply 1-2 page lessons. There are sesions on Employment, Marketing, Being the Boss... etc. Each lesson is presented with a leader line of what one might think and then goes on to talk about the reality of the principle in running a daily business. What more can I say... great book.

Truly a Unique Read
This book stands out in a crowded field of business books. Each topic is listed at the top of a new page, making the book easy to read and reference. From the importance of customer service and finding quality vendors, to dealing with employees and the government, Golz provides real-world advice that is valuable for any new entrepreneur.

I read a lot of business books and many get recycled, but this one is a keeper. It's the kind of book you want to share with an entrepreneurial friend--a great read for anyone entering into entrepreneurship.

This Picture Framer Gives It 5 Stars!
This is probably the only entrepeneurial book I have ever read, but I would highly recommend it to anyone contemplating going into retail.The lessons Jay Goltz shares in this book are important, whether you're a 'lone ranger' going-it-alone retailer, or an administrative type.How, as a picture framer and administrator, he juggles all his balls in the air, and hats he wears, is impressive indeed.My own hat goes off to him.An aquaintance of mine (like myself, a picture framer)recommended this book to me, and I'm glad he did. The author speaks in broad enough terms so that you certainly don't need to be a picture framer to apply the valuable lessons he's sharing. Definitely worth reading for anyone at all interested in getting it right in business.Go Jay! ... Read more

Product Description
Launching a business in China? Give yourself a "second mover advantage." China-bound entrepreneurs and small business owners: learn from experienced China hands before you bring your business to the world's largest and most dynamic consumer market.

Preparing to manage a small business in China, the world's largest, most dynamic consumer market? Hundreds of thousands of other international businesspeople are too, but only a small percentage of them will succeed in bringing their start-up dreams to life in the Middle Kingdom.

Give yourself a huge head-start by learning directly from experienced China pioneers. CHINA ENTREPRENEURS delivers street-tested advice on launching, growing, and operating your own business in China. Authors Juan Antonio Fernandez, professor of Management at the China Europe International Business School, and Laurie Underwood, accomplished journalist and Director of External Communications at CEIBS, use their combined 26 years of China experience to interview 40 successful international entrepreneurs who have launched and built businesses in China.

These entrepreneurs share their first-hand advice, anecdotes and best practices in tackling the key challenges of winning in the China market, from negotiating with government and winning necessary start-up approvals, to hiring and keeping the right staff, to collecting payments and to safeguarding intellectual property. In addition, the experiences of the entrepreneurs will be juxtaposed against insights from experienced China consultants who assist start-ups in operating in China. Thus the book will balance extensive, on-the-ground business advice against the insights of consultants who have risen to prominence in the China business environment by advising SME business operators on succeeding in China. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A must read for doing business in China
This is as good a book on doing business in China as I've read, partly because it's an easy read and partly because it's easy to find the main points (in margins and end of chapter summaries), but mostly because the authors and their interviewees really hit on key points very succinctly.

The focus is on, and to help, small entrepreneurs and start-up businesses but the information will apply to almost any business situation at most levels.CEO's of multinational companies may have leverage and clout with their corporate and government peers, but they will need to know what is going on at the local grass roots level.These are integral need to know basics for doing business with China business people.-- an old China Hand

Doing Business in China
A "must" to read for everyone who plans to do business in China. Highly recommended!

A must read for (future) entrepreneurs in China

After publishing China CEO in 2006, CEIBS professor Juan Antonio Fernandez and Laurie Underwood managed to write an even better book about doing business in China. For this book they interviewed 40 international entrepreneurs in China (full disclosure, I am also featured in it), capturing their insights and experiences about how to successfully set up and run a business in China. I am quite impressed with the result and spent several hours today reading the book.

The 40 entrepreneurs that the authors talked to for the book come from 25 countries, so the book offers a truly international perspective on entrepreneurship in China. It is not a book with 40 separate interviews, which would have been boring, but the experiences of the entrepreneurs are neatly woven into the structure of the book, which makes for an interesting and highly entertaining read. As the book says, every single entrepreneur has met trouble somewhere during their China experiences and many of these problems (including how they solved them) are in the book. Some in the form of short case studies, others in the text itself.

Although the book is well-researched scientific book, it is quite easy to read. For me it was even a fun read, because of all the real-life examples that are in the book, many of which I recognize from my own experiences. Next to that many pages contain useful short quotes by the entrepreneurs in the margins and the most valuable tips for potential future China entrepreneurs are highlighted there as well.

The book is divided into several chapters, each describing a particular aspect of doing business here. Among the subjects covered in the book are:
- Getting started: understanding the business environment and dealing with the Chinese government
- Obtaining a business license and choosing the right legal form
- Choosing the right Chinese business partner
- Getting paid by customers
- Human Resource Challenges
- Ethics and Corruption
- Business negotiations

The book also has a chapter on living in China (hardships, hurdles and work-life balance) and a chapter to find out what traits are necessary in order to set up a business in China. It's a book about blood, sweat and tears, but also how these can lead to big successes. Nothing is easy in China but everything is possible.

I found it a great read and I highly recommend it to anybody who plans to do business in China. If you plan to be, or already are, an entrepreneur or if you are working as an expat in this country, this is a book you will learn a lot from. Not everything may be applicable, but it prepares you for the worst and also shows you that there are almost always solutions for everything in China. ... Read more

Product Description

Turn Your Blog Into Big Bucks

Blogs are one of the internet's fastest-growing phenomena-and one of the best and easiest ways to make money online.Learn how to choose a topic, start a blog and attract thousands of avid readers. Then use your blog to generate income from advertisers, promotions, affiliate links and other techniques-all from your own home.

We'll reveal how to:

• Attract visitors and hold their interest
• Entice advertisers to promote their products on your blog
• Earn an affiliate fee when your visitors shop at some of the most popular websites
• Promote your blog and get listed on top blog search engines

Successful bloggers reveal their expert strategies for maximizing profits.Pick up this book and get started on the road to riches-without leaving your desk! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Start up your own Blogging Business
A very insightful book... Talks abound the life of being a real business. See most people don't look at on line stuff as an oppurnity of making money... Tells you the different blogging site that are on the internet.Which to me is a time saver... Things of sharing and getting your blog a lot of trafic ... Do pick up a copy ... It is a couple years old but you will get a lot out of this book...

This was very basic book
This book covers very basic topics and some that I could not imagine would be interest to anyone just starting.Such as the information about hiring extra staff or incorporating your business. There was much good information.But frequently you will be thinking, "Well yeah I think I already know that".

It's 96 pages, NOT 200
Upon searching for a blogging book I came across this one. Amazon.com had the book listed at being 200 pages. I bought it and was very disappointed to see when I got it that it was only 96 pages! I have written Amazon.com asking them to correct this error and hopefully they do by the time others buy the book. It's making it look like the book is double the size it really is, which would mean it's packed with more info than it really is.

Having informed you of this gross error in book size I can tell you my thoughts on it. Save your money. Seriously, this book is for the very beginner, like someone that doesn't even know what the word "blog" is. Plus, it's so small that all the information could be found by doing a couple of quick google searches on how to start a blog or make money from a blog. It's very disappointing and not worth the price. A book this size and with this little info should have cost around $5 tops. It's very light on content and hypes the amount of money that can be made from them.

Another thing that really bothered me with this book is that the author doesn't know that it's "Web site" and not "website" and "Internet" and not "internet." For someone writing a book about Web sites or the Internet you would think they would have learned the correct way to spell/write them. While they are frequently spelled wrong by the masses, they could log right on tom-w.com and verify the correct spelling, especially since it's a writer that is making this mistake. Every time I read it spelled wrong it made me cringe... which was a lot of times!

If you know nothing at all about blogs and have money to burn then I would say buy it. You'll have it read in a couple of hours. But if you know what a blog is, do a few searches online and save your money... instead just put it into your blog!

Follow up a week later: After hounding Amazon.com they finally updated the site to reflect that the book is 96 pages and not the 200 it was listed as having before. I'm thrilled they made the change, but can't help but to wonder how many thousands of people bought a book thinking it was 200 pages when it was really 96 when they got it in the mail.

Good for startups wondering how to set up a blog
Start your Own Blogging Business is short but dense with info. With absolutely no fluff, the book offers quick tips on setting up a blog to complement the small or home business.

Information (briefly) covers: choosing your blogging platform, planning your blog style, choosing a domain, selling ad space, optimizing layout and setting up news aggregators. Short passages introduce why you need to use something - for example, trackback URLs - and how to install them.

The section on making your media kit is unique among the blogging books I've seen, and useful enough to copy and stick in a business plan.

The last chapter inexplicably discuses whether your business should be a sole proprietorship, partnership, S or C corp, or an LLC. This is an odd choice for this kind of book, which until now has been all about blogging. Setting up the legalities of your business is something one would probably buy another book for! This was an odd choice to add to an already short blogger's book.

At under one hundred pages, much of the richness of the blogging world just isn't expressed. I am sure some readers will find this is all they actually need. Otherwise I suggest purchasing this *with* Blogging for Dummies and using them together.

Recommended for home and small office owners seeking a quick read about blogging, or for showing one's boss how easy it can be to set up and run a blog for your business.

Helpful, answers many questions.
My title says it all. The book inspires though and fills in many of my questions. Good job!
CliffordS ... Read more

Product Description
This book will tell you everything you need to know to get started in the lawn care business. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great Book
This book is a great read. Lots of helpful information. The seller also did a good job. I never had any issues during the transaction

Great starter book
I will use this book as the go to information source in making my business grow. Love it.

Good book.
This book gives you a lot of great information that a lawn care operator would not think about when starting up a business.It takes a lot more than a push mower and a trimmer to make money in this business and this book lets you know what a professional in this occupation does.This is not a book that tells you how to cut grass, fertilize, ect.It deals with what it takes to run a lawn care business and it has a pricing list, checklists, etc. that helps you calculate your start up costs.Good book.

LESS THAN I EXPECTED
THE BOOK WAS VERY SHORT AND DID NOT EXPAND VERY MUCH IN A LOT OF IMPORTANT AREA'S...THIS COULD OF ALMOST BEEN A START UP BOOK FOR ANY TYPE OF SMALL SERVICE BUSINESS.I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FACT THAT SEVERAL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS LISTED WERE EITHER NO LONGER FUNCTIONING OR NEVER DID.THE CONTACT NUMBERS AND WEB ADDRESSES ARE ALL DEAD ENDS.THE BOOK DID HOWEVER HAVE GOOD POINTS ON OUTLINING THE START OF YOUR BUSINESS (HOWEVER GEARED FOR SOMEONE WITH A LOT OF MONEY TO START).I ALSO THINK THE BOOK BARELY TOUCHED UPON THE AREA'S OF HOW TO ATTAIN LICENSE'S AND PERMIT'S.OVERALL I WAS DISAPPOINTED BUT IT WAS NOT A TOTAL LOSS, I LEARNED A FEW THINGS THAT I WILL PROBABLY USE IN THE START UP OF MY BUSINESS. ... Read more

Product Description
Clear, comprehensive advice from an intellectual property lawyer--for every artist, inventor, and small business owner.

Today, virtually all companies, artists, and innovators run the risk of losing their competititve edge-and big money-by not adequately safeguarding their intellectual property. Written by an expert in intellectual property law, this is the first book to address the full range of legal protections available-patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing-with innovative information you won't find elsewhere, including:

€ Legal landmines every successful entrepreneur must avoid
€ Business practices that can be
protected-but are often overlooked
€ Protecting your intellectual property on the Internet
€ What are your ideas and the rights to them really worth?
€ Why trade secrets are a powerful and under-utilized protection
€ Lessons learned from Amazon.com, Microsoft, and other elite entrepreneurs
€ How even smart, savvy AOL lost exclusive trademarks, including "YOU'VE GOT MAIL!"
The Entrepreneur's Guide to Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets and Licensing is the definitive guide for the entrepreneur and innovator who is ready to protect what he or she has created-a ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Excellent Coverage of the Subject Matter
This is a wonderful book. For starters, it's well written, nicely organized, and easy to read. Just as important, it's targeted to entrepreneurs and does a great job of focusing on the issues that relate to starting and growing a new business venture -- rather than simply covering the technicalities of patent drafting, for example.

Perhaps the most valuable contribution this book can make for most entrepreneurs, especially those involved in technology-based ventures, is that it provides a strong foundation for conversations with an attorney. At the end of the day, most of us rely on the expert counsel of a patent attorney (or corporate attorney specializing in licensing transactions, for example). Being prepared to ask the right questions, present the relevant information, etc. is invaluable. It is also cost-effective. Beyond the simple fact that you'll learn a lot by reading this book, if you're using (paying for) patent counsel in any US city this book will pay for itself in about 10 minutes or less.

Steven K. Gold
Author, Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture

Common knowledge stuff
I was hoping to learn some really helpful information about licensing, but I was disappointed finding that the writer only scratched the surface. I learned more in a 15 minute conversation with an attorney.

Comprehensive and Fun
This book provided a very enjoyable read, as well as comprehensive information that every inventor and entrepreneur would find useful.It answered my questions about the law, and allowed me to really understand how IP law applies to small business, artists, inventors, etc.The tone of the book is very entertaining, and to the point, which makes for a good read.

This book is not a patent cookbook, but rather an excellent reference that allows its readers to really understand the big picture of intellectual property, and how it affects them.

Not of much use
There was very little useful information in the book about the details of obtaining patents or trademarks - a lot of legal definitions and the like but few nuts and bolts for anyone looking to apply for them.

My View of The Entrepreneur's Guide to Patents, Copyrights,Trademarks, Trade Sectrets, & Licensing
Attorney Jill Gilbert has given us a well written, well researched, highly informative, and easily understandable book on patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc.There is something for everyone, be it businessman, artist, musician, or entrepreneur. ... Read more

Product Description
A successful entrepreneur shares his views on how the standard business maxims are not always true and offers practical advice and anecdotes to help readers make going into business for themselves work. 35,000 first printing. Tour."Amazon.com Review
How to Succeed in Business by Breaking the Rules: A Planfor Entrepreneurs, by self-made millionaire Dan S. Kennedy, is anunorthodox blueprint for small-business success. It is based on theauthor's contrarian position that all rules are made to be broken, andis articulated clearly with colorful real examples drawn from the wellknown (Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino) to the unknown(a group of airport massage therapists). Forget widely acceptedprinciples such as blind optimism and arrogant self-promotion, hewrites. Instead, break out of the box using the unconventional ideasand nontraditional techniques that he describes withcliché-busting glee. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

From the Heart.....

This book is the equivalant of playing Russian Roulette with a "Full Clip".

DS tells it like it is. Straight from the heart.

**True to the Game, as long as blood is blue inmy vein**

ND ------> Comin soon...

A great book!!!
I would reccomend this book to anyone. Even a person that has no interest in business can learn something from this book. It has real world advice and examples of how to succeed in business(and life.)

Read it !!!
I really enjoyed this book a lot. I am planning to start my own business and feel more confident after reading this book. It is funny, full of wisdom and makes you feel like you can overcome anything

THIS BOOK KICK BUTTTT.GREAT BOOK, GREAT READING>>>>>
THE TEXT WAS, THE BEST I HAVE READEDIN A LONG TIME. TO THE POINT AND BLUNT.NO HOLDS BAR. THE BOOK IS REAL.......... VERY REAL AND TO THE POINT.IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PICK ME UP.. READ ON MY FELLOW MAN!!! READ ON!! BUY IT NOW!!!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Thinking Like An Entrepreneur is a yes-you-too-can-achieve-your-dream-power-of-positive-thinking self-help motivational book coupled with some very serious business analysis. While some people dream of coming up with a hot idea and taking the next great Internet company public, this book focuses on building a real business with real profits. Such businesses can make the founder worth millions of dollars in only a few short years without the company ever becoming public. This book is written for entrepreneurs who want to make their company profitable ASAP.

But to build such a business demands an understanding of simple financial and business decision making. Thinking Like An Entrepreneur teaches you to understand the fundamentals that underlie intelligent decision making for your small company.

The book covers many important topics (cash flow, profit margins, and the time value of money, etc.) and will help get a new entrepreneur started. Whether or not you wish to grow your company to a substantial size, this book will help you succeed in business by teaching you to think more like successful entrepreneurs--to make fundamentally sound decisions. Some of the book's highlights:

If you choose not to grow your business, but just to do "your own thing," Chapter 23 covers becoming a consultant in some depth. This is a viable avenue for computer programmers, graphic artists, videographers, and, of course, web page designers today. The chapter is a short primer for deciding if you want to become a consultant and is an introduction to some of the basic issues consultants face. The new area of online consulting is briefly discussed.

If you choose not to start from scratch, but rather, buy an existing business, Chapter 26 goes into detail into buying a business. You will learn how to value a smaller company, including valuing intellectual capital. A rather lengthy chapter you might choose to skip unless you really are going to seek a business to buy.

Chapter 17 shows you why it is important to incorporate your company and discusses the option of creating an S-corporation. Issues of taxation and liability are discussed. The chapter helps you understand how to minimize your overall tax bite and get the best liability protection possible.

Chapter 9 discusses the role of personality type in building a company. It is important that you start a business that is suited to who you are as a person. A great market opportunity is not a great personal opportunity if you won't enjoy the business. This chapter is written to help you find a business suited to you.

Chapter 4 and 5 go into detail explaining how thriving businesses bootstrap themselves to financial success. You are introduced to the concept of compounding intervals and rates of return (which are further developed on Chapter 16 which is dedicated to the nature of compounding money within a business). Proprietary products are discussed. This tread of thought is continued in Chapter 12 which deals with cash flow and how cash flow issues can affect your company's growth rate. A hypothetical game company making "Lifers" is considered. These chapters alone probably make the book worth reading.

Chapter 7 discusses the author's personal views on how the Internet is changing business today and what the Internet means for Microsoft and other established companies. An easy-to-read chapter, but with no hands-on advice on how to create your site.

Chapter 13 is a comparison of the fields of computer programming and computer-based training (CBT). The goal is to get the reader to see where value is created within the type of business he or she will start.

Chapter 15 discusses the role of luck in business and explains why Bill Gates is the richest man alive today. You will learn how to play the "game" of business appropriately allowing for the role of luck.

The book is written in an irreverent fashion, and might be subtitled, "Entrepreneurship Less ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Some useful info and an easy read
A sense of humor and sarcasm guaranteed to make you cringe, a very limited set of cases (mainly IT), examples and industry references and too many mentions of Bill Gates are the bad points of this book, but all in all I found it useful. A sort of business and entrepreneurship for dummies guide. Highly recommended starting point for those want to become business people but know that their knowledge of business basics is lacking. Perhaps not so useful for people not in this position. Sections on compounding and cashflow stick as two of the more useful.

Very good for a newbie entrepreneur
Mr Hupalo's book is a very informative read for a newbie business person or wannabe entrepreneur. He explains some of the great things about a business and why it's important to choose the correct, high margin business. The book is well written and informative but could have been edited a bit better to make the read clearer.

The chapter on corporations I don't agree with. Mr Hupalo feels all entrepreneurs should establish a corporation rather than a sole proprietorship. This is not the way June Walker feels in her excellent book: "Self Employed Tax Solutions". This book lists the advantages for an entrepreneur for using a sole proprietorship such as:

* You and your business are one and the same.
* A sole proprietor and his business use the same tax year.
* It's income or loss is your income or loss.
* It's debts and assets are your debts and assets.
* Assets, originally for personal use, can immmediately be used in your business without paperwork and without negative tax consequences, and there can be positive tax consequences without any cash outlay.
* It's the easiest, quickest, and cheapest business structure to set up and maintain with regard to recordkeeping, accounting, legal procedures, and fees.
* It does not require a separate tax return (a Corporation does).
* A sole proprietorship allows for a simple, direct deduction of home office expenses.
* A SP can immmediately reduce your other taxable income.
* A SP allows for the most advantageous tax remedy when husband and wife work in the same business.

Mr Hupalo has written a good book about business which any new entrepreneur should read but just skip the chapter which advises incorporation immediatly. For most single person businesses a Sole Proprietorship works best. After you have an employee or two, then you should think about incorporating.

Smart Choices for Entrepreneurs -- Great Stallbusting Ideas!
The title of this book is a little misleading. It is not helping you learn how to think like an entrepreneur. In fact, the book teaches you how to more accurately make assessments that entrepreneurs have to make. If you do that, your entrepreneurial success should be higher.

I like books about avoiding thought patterns that delay or derail progress, and thoroughly enjoyed this one. In many ways, the book parallels the outstanding book about personal decision-making, Smart Choices, that I strongly recommend you read as well.

Why, then, did I rate the book at four stars rather than five? Basically, the book didn't quite get the editing it deserved. There are some minor misspellings of the sort that should have been caught. More seriously, the book indulges in unnecessary vulgar language in a few places. If those things don't bother you, see this as a five star book. It certainly is in every other way.

Some of the subjects include how to overcome risk aversion, how to lay off risk, picking the type of business to go into, establishing a business model that has the best chance of success, and how to have the business match your personality and preferences. These are subjects I feel are important for any entrepreneur, and are often not covered by business books. I was especially impressed by the focus on ethics and high moral tone of the advice.

This book will have value both for people who are thinking about becoming entrepreneurs and those who are already running small businesses. Since the book often focuses on computer consulting and computer-based training, those who are in those fields will find the book to be especially valuable.

As a test of the value of the book's content, I applied the concepts to my own management consulting firm and found that the analyses were accurate and useful. So you can add management consulting as another business type for which this book is good.

One of the things I liked about the book is that it realistically encourages people to think about entrepreneurship. Even if you decide that having your own business is not for you, this book will give you a better basis for feeling confident about that decision.

If you do decide you want to buy or start a business, I suggest you share this book with your spouse and a person who already has a business in the same area. Then discuss your ideas with each of them in terms of the concepts in the book. Their feedback will help you form a more realistic view of your ideas.

A must read for existing and future biz owners
Finally a book written on entrepreneurship that has so much to offer! A guide for fledgling IT entrepreneurs as well as a resource for those faced with the myriad problems of the modern business environment. It is also an introduction to computer consulting and building a multimedia company. Readable, concise, precise, and pragmatic. The in-depth coverage and sound counsel make this a book that should be in every business person's library. I've read my copy twice. It's twenty-seven chapters of very good, easy-to-read inspirational reading. A must read for anyone thinking about starting or expanding their existing business. Highly recommended!

Entrepreneur Highly Informative
This book's got a lot of good stuff in it--those critical factors that help contribute to making good business decisions.I've already seen some improvement in business growth.In fact, the usefulness of Entrepreneur's information is a lot like Guerilla PR: Wired:both have tons of really useful info to entrepreneurs on how to build their business. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great Tool For All Leaders and Hopeful Visionaires
Lorin Beller does a beautiful job of taking readers on a ride through self discovery with practical and uplifting steps for success.

Read this and soar to new heights!
A Big Fish is a different kind of entrepreneur that we all want to emulate in our lives, bringing big things to not only our business, but also to ourselves.Lorin Beller Blake is a thought leader in being your best self through your business.Entrepreneur or not, this book is a must read for anyone wanting more from their life.

An exceptional and inspirational book!
I read this wonderful book while my son was spending six hours in surgery.The uplifting tone and encouragement to tap into life's positive forces was not only inspirational but brought me peace during a trying time.

Lorin Beller is clearly one of today's top thinkers in the realm of taking control of your business and life.I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about starting a business or anyone owning a business that feels they may be loosing their edge

Take your business to the next level
This book speaks to the entrepreneur who wants to take their business to the next level with ease not added stress. The author has actual experience and knowing of the challenges business owners face.She shares practical principles to live and work by that take the guess work out of success.Add happiness, fulfillment and profit to your personal and business life.Read 'From Entrepreneur to Big Fish: 7 Principles to Wild Success' I did and loved where it took me.Also check out the Big Fish Nation Program that helps the Entrepreneur align their business with the life style they wish to create by utilizing a skilled business coach and a year long tele-class www.bigfishnation.com

This is one I am VERY glad I found...
Lorin Beller's book, From Entrepreneur to Big Fish, is a valuable addition to the good "success" material already available. If you have aspirations to be more successful in business or even to find more happiness and inner peace, her book is a worthwhile read.

I don't think that any single idea is actually new and she doesn't pretend they are. What she does do is bring them together and in a very refreshing way. The concepts are quite simple, fundamental and powerful. The book covers both attitude and execution. Ms. Beller delivers it all as your coach and your fan.

Sometimes, knowing something isn't enough. You need to have someone motivate you to take action. Maybewith From Entrepreneur to Big Fish, Lorin Beller will do that for you! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (52)

This author wrote a horrible book in desperation to become an entrepreneur.
This book would be half the size if he this guy didn't just copy and paste a bunch of statistics in the book.Literally takes up pages and pages and it does absolutely nothing for the material.Shane repeats the same thing over and over again, not just within a chapter, but in multiple chapters.This book could literally be 2 pages long with just his points that he is trying to convey.I really tried to give this book a chance but the only thing I kept thinking while reading is that the Shane is either too scared to start his own business, or he has failed in his attempt(s) to start one.The only people that could have given this book any credibility would have to be family members of this author.Readers and seekers, do yourself a favor, get a book where the author isn't wasting your time....I want my money back.

Up'd my business I.Q!!!
Scott Shane has experience developing business's with high growth potential financially. He's an insider which makes his advice more than credible. But it doesn't stop there, he is a professor of entrepreneurial studies meaning that he combines his business acumen with real world experience to bring you this book! Instead of telling you what he thinks will work, as he more than qualifies to do, he puts the powder on the fingerprints and lets you decide for yourself. For instance, research shows that 90% of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. serve other companies, not individual consumers, or, entrepeneurs who start businessess with high financial motives perform better on average than those who do not. I could go on but you get the picture. Any other business guru will tell you what they feel will sell books, he on the other hand literally, tells it like it is, based on the scientific data! Anyone who wants to build a business with high growth potential, such as Wal-Mart and Google, and anyone who wants to develop an enterprise that runs itslef, should definitely read this book like the bible!

Eye opener
I bought the book this morning and finished reading it by late afternoon. Enjoyed every bit of it. This is a real eye opener. I am both a successful entrepreneur myself (20 years) and a seasoned academic. The book appealed to both my personal experiences and scholarly knowledge. I found it particularly revealing and important regarding policy making, especially in emerging economies. I agree to a very very large extent with the author about the marginal contribution of 'average'/'typical' entrepreneurs to economic growth and employment and believe strongly that policy support regarding start-up business should focus on high growth enterprises in high growth innovation industries. In fact, I am publishing a book next week in Turkey with the title "The New Entrepreneurship", which distinguishes the entrepreneurs with high growth potential in technology industries from the 'average' start-ups in traditional no-growth sectors and argues for the amalgamation of all existing support funds for new business formation in this new area of entrepreneurship. The New Entrepreneurs are those in high growth areas and the Traditional entrepreneurs are the ones the author provides quite illuminating evidence about. I am also arguing for the elimination of financial support towards the typical traditional entrepreneurs.

Antidote to Entrepreneurial Disneyland
Selling dreams to entrepreneurs is big business. Thoughts of boss-free financial independence are seductive. Having your own business is, in my experience, much the most satisfying way to work. But every benefit has its costs. Working in your own company means more work, worry, and ambiguity than your salaried friends.

Scott Shane's book is the single best antidote to the reckless optimism proclaimed by the entrepreneurial hype industry. No happy talk here, just a systematic destruction of common myths. Some of the biggest myths blown away include:

1) The U.S. is especially entrepreneurial. According to Shane, it's close to the bottom of OECD countries in self employment rates, and in thebottom third when measured by the number of young businesses per capita.
2) Entrepreneurs are young, Silicon Valley types. Research in the book shows the average entrepreneur is a white man, married, and in his forties, who started his business because he didn't want to work for someone else.
3) Entrepreneurs get rich. They don't. The median earnings of people who have run their own businesses for ten years is 35 per cent lower than what they would have earned working for someone else.

Nothing beats working for yourself, you just need extreme realism, and this book provides it.

The Business Case Checklist: Everything You Need to Review a Business Case, Avoid Failed Projects, and Turn Technology into ROI

[...]

Not about "entrepreneurs" as the term is generally understood
What disappointed me about this book is that it is not really about "entrepreneurs" as I and many other people understand the term, that of people who create businesses that are generally meant to employ others, but rather about the self-employed.Many of the self-employed, such as freelance writers, podiatrists, those working as consultants for tax-reasons, are not entrepreneurs in the same sense as Bill Gates, Michael Dell, or the founder of a restaurant near your home are.To my mind it's a bit of apples and oranges to lump these two widely disparate groups together, and then draw conclusions about them, and even worse, to push for policies that do not differentiate between these two groups.

Using this definition, which includes many people not working full-time, and many who cannot find full-time jobs, Shane arrives at conclusions such as that entrepreneurs earn less than than the industry average, that striving to work as an entrepreneur is generally unwise, and more.In my opinion Shane's conclusions do not "shatter myths," but merely reiterate what has long been known, thereby confusing his readers.

A more accurate, and less myth-making, title for this book would have been "Aggregate Data about the Self-Employed."Somewhat worryingly, this book lists "East Germany" as a "country" existing in 1999!Might there be other crass inaccuracies in it?I cannot recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Roberts’ New Business Ventures and the Entrepreneur, 6e stands out as a text designed to guide tomorrow’s entrepreneurs down the difficult road ahead. Specifically, the Roberts team addresses the entrepreneur before, during and after the decision to create a new venture. Entrepreneurs need to realize that they are assuming a managerial role- both in a product and people sense. New Business Ventures, 6e will leave students with the skills needed to grasp and implement the general managerial responsibilities required to be a successful entrepreneur.The text provides an innovative approach to teaching the core general management skills via the lens of the entrepreneur.The course upon which this book I based is now the new core required course in general management at Harvard Business School. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

yeah right
Well this review would be alot easier to do if I would have actually received this product.I will never be ordering anything and I mean anything from amazon ever again.

Good book with supporting data
What's best about this book is that it gives supporting data for its claims and models.Typically, "entrepreneurship" is considered a soft skill that can't be taught or shown with data, but Roberts does this with plenty of research and supporting charts.

Amazon customer service stunk
I ordered this book for my MBA course and had a case study due prior to the beginning of the class. I ordered and paid for expedited shipping. The book was supposed to arrive the weekend before the beginning of the class. It didn't-nor did it arrive before the class started.

I called Amazon customer service on the first day of class. The rep didn't give a care about the issue I was having and simply told me to refuse the shipment when it came and my money would be refunded.

When the book finally did arrive, the post office told me it was shipped by regular 3rd class mail. It is funny...I get better customer service by the private sellers on Amazon than I do from Amazon. I probably will not order another text book from Amazon directly.

Boiling down mentorship into bite sized analytical pieces
I think I consumed this book from a different perspective.As a repeat entrepreneur, I see what makes the technical workings of a functional business starter.

I liked specifically
- being able to learn from another person's mistakes
- confirming what needs to be addressed before even starting a business
- once in a while taking inventory (I never define success so I am never successful)
- focusing on the important (and not just the urgent)

I recommend this book to people in the midst of running a business (or those that can take downtime to re-read the book over the holidays).If you're travelling with the book you might want to check it because it does weigh a ton.

Excellentpractical cases from real life!
I require this text in my graduate New Venture course at Western Michigan University.The real life cases and fundamental concepts covered provide a great foundation for New Venture teaching. I also require my start-up consulting clients to read Chpt 1,2 & 3 along with the case study "R&R". Good way to find out if they have what it takes. I first used and enjoyed this book from the other side of the class during my MBA studies at the GSB - University of Chicago. ... Read more

Product Description
With your head buzzing with innovative and creative ideas welcome to the Fashion Entrepreneurs' world of glamour, style and wealth. This book outlines the traits and techniques fashion designers use to set up small businesses. The topics include: creativity and innovation, writing business plans, raising finance, sales and marketing, and the small business management skills needed to run a creative company on a day-to-day basis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Inspiring- a MUST HAVE!
This book is excellent for students and any one wanting to start up a business in the fashion and creative industries, and even covers the entrepreneurial skills that you actually need to get a job!! It is a really easy to understand, step-by-step guide and is also full of inspiring fashion illustrations and images. The examples and case studies of those that have started their own businesses are very encouraging.
I highly recommend this book - a must have !!

Basic information about business and fashion
I bought the book because I already got the two other books in the series. For me, this book provided not much information that I didn't already know somehow. The other two books are much more inspiring.

Fashion Enterpreneur
This book is very informative and well illustrated. It takes a person step by step through the maze of the fashion industry, and what occupations are actually available. I wish this book's format was available for other creative industry career choices. As a career counsellor I find it immmensely useful and helpful. ... Read more

Product Description
How do you make the right decision in a situation you ve never experienced before? What do your customers really want and how do you recognize trouble and change your strategy accordingly? The answers to these and other questions are revealed in The Naked Entrepreneur. It is the real life story of Troy Hazard, a successful entrepreneur who has been there and done that. It depicts the two colliding worlds of business and spiritual. This book is the authors alliance to the naked truth. No doubt this incredibly revealing story will leave you contemplating what true wealth is as you too begin to face your fears and walk a life of truth, freedom and honesty both personally and professionally. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

YES!Someone finally tells the truth
This is truly a great book!A must read for any business leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking to find true wealth (which is all of us).Troy and Maria each tell their stories and they hit home.Finally a true account to what to expect out there.

A good read for entrepreneur facing current issue
The current uncertain economy is giving many entrepreneurs and business executives many sleepless nights.Worried about the declining sales, huge payroll and the unpredictable future, what should companies do?
Many businesses choose to lay off employees and cut down expenses. Is this the best decision for the business?Naked Entrepreneur addresses this issue.
If a business layoff people because they just want to cut their expenses, then they are making a decision based on their fear, not the truth (fact).Naked Entrepreneur wants you to "get Naked" and facing your truth.Making an important decision based on fear might solve your short term problem but it creates more headaches down the road.Do you layoff your people because they are "high expenses" or they are "non-productive"?
Naked Entrepreneur is an interesting book to read for entrepreneurs and business executives during this recession. It makes you think about now and your future.

Troy's journey makes for an incredible read!
Troy's journey is certainly one any current or up-and-coming entrepreneur should consider reading. I actually saw Troy speak recently, and in 1 hour he made more "real" sense about client relationships and how to really look after clients than any marketing degree, seminar I've attended or book I've read. His thoughts are so simple yet powerful and you know he's coming from a place of freedom, heart and power all at the same time. His book will really make you think about what's important in your business and personal lives. ... Read more

Product Description
You learned to give a great massage or teach a great yoga class, but did anyone show you how to get more clients and students?

Did anyone show you how to leverage your networks, advertise online and off and create multiple streams of passive income with NO investment?

The Spiritual Entrepreneur is a manual to help people learn to balance spirituality, business and money.

This easy to use manual will show you how to;
**Develop multiple streams of passive income
**Use Other People's Money and Other People's Resources to build your business
**Use the most efficient types of income to help you accomplish your goals
**Get started quickly, efficiently and inexpensively
**Use Digital Downloads to create passive income
**Market your new business online and offline
**Develop a large network and then leverage that network to work for you
**Know the difference between a job and a business
**Use your new business to fund your charities and help change the world!

Originally written for holistic healers and teachers, this simple manual can help you to start a small business with no investment and then use that business to help others.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The Spiritual Entrepreneur
A lot of entrepreneurs trying to make a difference in the world, myself included, are at odds with money. Many of us feel we have been called to do our work. We love what we do and are passionate about it. We really would do what we do even if we weren't paid a cent. Unfortunately, bills still need to be paid. The money has to come from somewhere.

The Spiritual Entrepreneur makes a very valid point. Not so long ago, the community took care of their lightworkers. Since that's not the case today, we have to do so ourselves. Moreover, today we have the option of seeing money as a resource that can we can use not only to support our own work but also causes that are close to our hearts. To make our abundance in all its many forms really count. I like that.

The Spiritual Entrepreneur suggests that we lightworkers look to passive income to help bring in money. In this way, we set up an affiliate account, create an ebook, or start a blog to bring in multiple streams of income while indirectly promoting our business. Because these things don't demand a large commitment, we are freed up to do other things. If nothing else, every dollar earned does help pay the bills and expand the possibilities.

Practical, insightful, powerful spiritual principles for entreprenuers.
I began searching for a spiritual approach to starting a business. I keyed in the words "Spiritual Entreprenuer". I was so amazed that a book by this title with all the information I was looking for had already been written. I am so excited to have found this inspiring and practical information for starting a business from scratch using spiritual insight and viral marketing methods. This book can help you with the right steps to take, keeping balance in your life through the process,and improving the world with your business, and helping charities.

Inspiring and Easy to Read
Robert hit the nail right on the head.When I finally learned that my business does not have to be hard, and I don't have to sacrifice and be stressed all the time my life joyfully changed. Yes, most likely you will work and spend time at your business if you want to be successful.However, the spin you put on it makes all the difference.As Robert explains so eloquently in his book do you business from joy.Look to serve others, be a blessing to others. I wake up every morning thanking my creator for the blessing of my business and I wonder who will be lucky enough to talk to me today?Whose life can I enhance?Thank you Robert for your inspiring words of wisdom.

Changing the face of how business is done
I want to give accolades to Robert's new book.I am and have been a holistic healer for years, and have struggled with the business side of things.Robert gives great advice and also gives us all hope that business can be done from a more spiritual and higher calling.

Thank you Robert,

Tracy
www.godgoddessconnection.webs.com

Great Info and a HOOT to Read!
After deciding to focus on building my own spiritual businesses, I decided I needed some help (or maybe some distraction from actually WORKING)...anyway, I came to Amazon and began looking at various Spiritual Marketing titles. This book was one of a couple I picked up and I am thrilled I did!

It is written in a very conversational style...easy and FUN to read. I could not put it down when I started reading...plus, I just could NOT stop. The ideas are easy and presented in a manner that even the most computer or marketing shy lightworker can grasp (I hope). The concepts also make sense and anyone should be able to see how your business wil grow exponentially!

Ironically (hmm, is anything ironic?), I had just gotten back from a big conference in a networking marketing opportunity and was grappling with some of the VERY ISSUES that Robert covers in his book! So, if you had been considering that type of route...lots of good info here.

If you are ready to build your business, take control of your own destiny and get going on financial freedom...buy this book! I am going to be recommending it to all of my friends...and their friends...and their friends... ... Read more

Product Description
Felix Dennis is an expert at proving people wrong. Starting as a college dropout with no family money, he created a publishing empire, founded Maxim magazine, made himself one of the richest people in the UK, and had a blast in the process.

How to Get Rich is different from any other book on the subject because Dennis isn't selling snake oil, investment tips, or motivational claptrap. He merely wants to help people embrace entrepreneurship, and to share lessons he learned the hard way. He reveals, for example, why a regular paycheck is like crack cocaine; why great ideas are vastly overrated; and why "ownership isn't the important thing, it's the only thing." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis
First, don't let the title fool you.This book is a gold mine of tidbits and insights into the nature of the entrepeneur.It's a quick read written in plain English.No buzz words, no hype, no fast track jargon.Felix Dennis has put in a nutshell what it's all about.

If you expect to read the book and be indowed with the superhuman ability to make millions, put it down and walk away.That is not what this is about.If you want to understand the mindset and begin to develop that mindset, then devour it.Read it several times.Make it part of your daily reading and once you've worn that book to dog eared pages, broken spine, and pages falling out, get another copy.Do not put this on the shelf after you've finished it.You may as well hand it to someone who will read it and learn from it.

Think of this as a cook book.It lists all the ingredients and it's up to you to have the pots and pans (your brain)and stove (your efforts) to make it happen.Not everybody will make the grade after reading this book but those that do, you have my respect.

Excellent, no BS book
This is an excellent book on the art of getting rich.I wish I had a book like this 15 years ago.It's filled with timeless wisdom and some painfully obvious musings as well.

My only big complaint is that I think a lot of what Felix Dennis did to get rich does not necessarily apply in businesses that require a bit more brainpower--like software or technology vs. printing words and pictures on paper and finding people to buy it.Regardless, this book is pure gold--if not a bit obvious to some of us who have been around the block but are still merely "comfortably poor."

I also wonder if Felix would change his opinion on Steve Jobs as he wrote it in this book circa 2006.Since the printing of this book, Jobs has transformed the entire mobile and consumer electronics industry with the iPhone and toppled Microsoft in market cap.Perhaps Felix's skeptical tone is different today.

Definitely give it a read!

So-So reading about a guy who got reach by being lucky
This book was so-so reading. I never ended it. I got the feeling that author tries to show how smart he is, how his decisions made him rich, but actually he got rich by luck - he was starving businessman until Bruce Lee died. He was lucky enough to have a book finished about Bruce Lee at that time. Sure, it's not enough to be lucky, but I didn't get much inspiration from this book, nor ideas. I'm a businessman too, doing fine, always looking into improving my own business. "Loosing my Virginity" by R. Branson was soo much better book.

Great, if you are interested in learning all about the magazine industry...
First, the guy is pretty wild and obviously a risk taker. He does have some experience obviously from his success and is a talented writer. The book is sprinked with nuggets about concepts on buisness.

The problem I have with the book is that EVERY page is about his magazine company, Computer shopper, and any other publisher that was around at the time. I really don't need to hear so much about magazines. If you read the book you will have magazine stories out your ears. Perhaps that is good for a publisher, but for the general public, it is about as interesting as watching paint dry.

I find myself skimming through parts about rambling on about the magazine industry. The book is not a total waste and you will probably get some good ideas from it. It's just that you are going to really work to find the ideas in between all the magazine industry fluf. Each chapter I kept thinking, whew glad that was over. Then another chapter about the magazine industry.

WARNING: Read This before you buy
If you are over 40 and you still have not become rich, you might not like what Felix Dennis has to say. This book is tough talk and the author doesn't believe everyone is made to be rich. Most business books make you feel that anyone can be rich. Dennis doesn't believe so and he explains why. Read this book and expect some straight talk on getting rich.

======
Christopher Jay Sewell
"Get $250K in business financing!"
[...]. ... Read more

Product Description
Game Plan is not the typical, traditional, how-to business book. It is different in numerous ways from most business books that either bog you down with information overload or bore you to tears with text book techniques. The book is written from a lighthearted standpoint with simple examples and can be read in less than two hours. If a reader needs specific help with a concept, for no additional charge, they can check out gameplanbook.com for articles, examples and resources that address their specific issue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Superficial
The book is mostly a superficial pep talk, devoid of analysis.It may make a nice supplement to more substantive reading for entrepreneurs.

PAGE TURNER!
Excellent read!!! Barhorst takes a very serious subject and uses a quirky sense of humor to make this business book a great read.I enjoyed getting a walk through of how to handle sales and marketing since I have never owned or run a company.This book was truly an intuitive look at how to become successful in our ROUGH economy.

Success on the Horizon
Warren, I hope you are considering the perspective of writing another book!After reading the book I felt like I was right there every step of the way on your journey "from the outhouse to the penthouse."This was an inspiration for me to follow my dreams and become my own boss!

Great Ideas
...a number of insightful, creative ideas...a good read for anyone starting or thinking about starting a business.

Advice You Can Use
Finally an understandable common sense approach to starting and growing a business. This is not theory to be used later but practical advice that a small business can use today.An "in-the-trenches", often humorous, look at what it takes to succeed in your business without having to suffer the pitfalls yourself. Great stuff! ... Read more

Product Description
Praise for The Book of Entrepreneurs’ Wisdom "A great tool, not just for entrepreneurs,but for anyone trying to improve their business skills. It sure would have been nice to have had this book twenty-three years ago!" —Jim McCann, President, 1-800-Flowers Pearls from The Book of Entrepreneurs Wisdom "The secret to success: Plunge into the uncomfortable, push, or be lucky enough to have someone push you, beyond your fears and your sense of limitations." —Barry Diller "I sometimes feel like I’m behind the wheel of a racecar. I need to keep my eyes on the horizon, but I also need to keep my attention on the rear-view mirror to see who’s gaining on me." —Steve Case "A business which starts off quickly, makes money at once, and seems to be in every respect a gold mine, often does not last long." —Harvey Firestone "Did I want to risk an embarrassing and costly failure? Absolutely." —Michael Bloomberg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

an excellent book on entrepreneurship
Peter Krass has compiled 50 essays by different spectacularly successful entrepreneurs, among them Barry Diller, Michael Dell, Richard Branson, Harvey Firestone and Steve Case, in which they share lessons they learned in their life the hard way.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking about a career as an entrepreneur, and to any parents wishing to plant the idea of being an entrepreneur in their children's' heads.

Go for it! And then do it!
Peter Krass has edited the Wisdom Series series which includes this volume. Each anthologizes brief essays by various executives who are most highly regarded as leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, etc. Following an insightful Introduction, Krass provides a brief bio of each author which precedes her or his essay. Here we have "classic writings by legendary entrepreneurs" whose essays are organized by Krass as follows:

Part I: The Start-Up [eg Michael Bloomberg, Kim Polese, and Doris Drucker]

Part II: The Maverick Element and Other Qualities [eg Warren Avis, Andrew Carnegie, and Mark McCormack]

Part III: Venture Capital, LBOs, and Going Public [eg Tom Monaghan, Conrad Hilton, and Henry R. Kravis]

Part IV: Risk and Strategy [eg Richard Branson, Dave Thomas, and Steve Case]

Part V: Inventors Turned Entrepreneurs [eg Henry Ford, Steven P. Jobs, and Benjamin Franklin]

Part VI: Branding. Image, and Selling [eg Howard M. Schultz, John H. Johnson, and P.T. Barnum]

Part VII: Entrepreneurial Management [eg Alfred C. Fuller, Debbi Fields, and Anita Roddick]

Part VIII: Personal Stories [eg Herman W. Lay, Kenneth H. Olsen, and Samuel Goldwyn]

Krass has done a brilliant job of selecting and then organizing the 54 essays, many of which are otherwise unavailable or virtually inaccessible. (For example, Doris Drucker's "Mrs. Drucker Starts a Business." Yes, she is the wife of that Mr. Drucker.)If you enjoyed reading this book as much as I did, I urge you to check out each of the other volumes in the Wisdom Series, also published by John Wiley & Sons.

Wisdom from the world�s leading entrepreneurs
This book is a collection of 50 essays and speeches by the world's leading entrepreneurs-from the past to the present.

Barry Diller, Michael Dell, Richard Branson, and Phil Knight are among the successful entrepreneurs whoshare their best advice and strategies in the pages of this book. Filledwith insights on a wide variety of entrepreneurial issues, the bookdiscusses such topics as how to set and meet personal goals, how to createthe right image for your company, problem solving, generating ideas, goingpublic, and effective management. Editor Peter Krass introduces eachselection and provides interesting and relevant background information oneach entrepreneur. He also highlights significant comments and advice fromeach entrepreneur.

This book features each entrepreneur's ideas inhis/her own words. Informative and inspiring, this book will appeal notonly to entrepreneurs, but to all general business readers.

Peter Krassis an author and editor. He is the editor of The Book of Investing Wisdom,The Book of Leadership Wisdom, and The Book of Business Wisdom (allavailable from Wiley).

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Formerly BusinessDevelopment Manager with KPMG, Azlan is currently Managing Partner of Azlan& Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, an education andmanagement consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. Heholds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from theWestminster Business School in London.

Truly makes you realize you can do it
This book is a fantastic accounting of many famous business owners and their stories.It shows the would be business owner that through hard work, dedication, and commitment, dreams and goals can be reached. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (61)

Inspirational, entertaining, but misguided and poorly edited
I read this book the year my husband and I first started our organic vegetable farm (five years ago). It was a VERY inspirational book, and at the time I wanted EVERYONE I knew to read it. Salatin is highly entertaining and motivating -- the book is well organized into topical chapters with lots of lists and bullet points. It's a great read, and several chapters are RIGHT ON (such as the chapter on what to avoid and how to deal with moving to the country).

However, there are also some big scary flaws in the book that make it somewhat dangerous in the wrong hands. First of all, Salatin's list of BEST farming enterprises is very persuasive but doesn't account for differences between farms, regions, and markets. He ranks poultry operations as being highly profitable, but today chicken feed prices in the west (can't speak for elsewhere) are so high that all the small-scale poultry operators I know have gotten out of the business. Meanwhile, new farmers keep trying to do poultry because of Salatin's book, but I have yet to see it pencil out in reality for anyone.

Also, there's a big math error in that chapter as well. While he endorses vegetable growing as a viable enterprise option, he kills it with faint praise when he says this:

"In order to move $30,000 worth of stuff, you need a lot of pounds of stuff, and you need a lot of customers. If the average person spends $600 per year on fresh vegetables (which I'm sure is a high estimate), you would need 500 customers in order to gross $30,000. Because the price per pound and average purchase is higher for animal proteins, we here at Polyface can do that volume with fewer than 100 customers, on average. That's a hefty difference."

The problem with this analysis? $600 x 500 = $300,000!!!!!!! To make only $30,000, you would actually only need **50** customers paying $600 each. Big mistakes like this really bother me, especially when they're paired with such a strong argument in favor of one thing over another ... I just wonder how many uncritical readers have read this point and turned towards livestock production rather than fresh veggies (which is what we grow on our farm -- and we have found to be HIGHLY profitable). And, by the way, our average customers spends almost $1000/year on vegetables.

I also have a hard time swallowing Salatin's aggressive marketing techniques. He admits to GIVING AWAY free pullet eggs at market even though there were other farmers selling eggs that same day. He's even proud of this decision! Here in Oregon, the best resource we have are other farmers. We try our best to cooperate, even as we compete in the same markets (some call it "cooperatition"). Giving away product or undercutting others prices is not a good way to make friends with (or be fair to) other farmers.

Finally, I think that in Salatin's enthusiasm he verges on making farming sound TOO do-able. Let me tell you: farming is hard. You CAN farm, but new farmers need to have training, knowledge, good health, physical strength, money, land, time, and energy (and much more too). I have seen so many people start up farms with big dreams but not enough resources. Some of them have made it after fumbling a lot, but many others quit.

The advice in this vein that annoys me the most is when Salatin claims you can hypothetically farm without a tractor (and goes on to recommend buying a large BCS tiller, which is nowhere near as versatile as a tractor). Meanwhile, Salatin himself has a tractor. Every successful farmer I know has a tractor. Maybe on a very small scale you can make it without a tractor, but the reality is that to really succeed, YOU NEED A TRACTOR! They're useful for so many things besides tillage. And, getting a tractor is just not a big deal -- tractors are available used in all scales and price ranges, and they're not that hard to learn how to operate.

So, in conclusion, I'd still recommend this book to a wanna-be farmer, but with some big caveats: Salatin is a highly opinionated, fairly extreme (Libertarian Christian) man who offers his advice from his particular point of view. Take it ALL with a grain of salt and be prepared to tailor everything he suggests to your own farm, region, and market.

Very moving.
Wow!I have just finished reading YOU CAN FARM and I am very sad to have to set it down.I found it very informative and entertaining.I read over several of the reviews before I decided to write my own and wondered if I read the same book as everyone else.The book isn't designed to teach you how to farm...it's designed to make you think about whether YOU should be farming.It's also one man's idea of farming.I didn't think that Mr. Salatin stated that you have to live with nothing in order to farm.His suggestion was that of any start up business.Things will be tight, put your money where it needs to be and enjoy "reep" the benifits of your hard work.Not everyone finds value in expensive cars, gadgets, and big houses.It's about living!I am very encouraged by this book and am looking foward to reading more by Joel Salatin.He has taken his love, his passion and family and done what makes him happy!That is fabulous!What is even more fabulous is that he encourages everyone else to go out and make THEIR OWN mark...not his.If you don't get anything from this book, dig it out of the trash and re-read it.You missed the point.I loved it!I will take from it alot...I will use some of it and I will share even more!Well done Joel Salatin!Keep doing what you are doing and may you be blessed!

Excellent manual to starting your own farming business.
Joel Salatin is one of America's most impressive and sophisticated farmers. If you want to start your own small scale farming operation, I very much recommend this book.

GREAT BOOK!
Joel Salatin writes a great book.It was very informative and an enjoyable read.It's as if he is sitting in the room with you telling you exactly what you need to do to be successful at farming on your own terms, as it should be done.I would recommend this book to anyone the slightest bit curious about how America can improve its food supply and help its rural economy.The techniques that he describes begin with respect for the land, respect for the animals, respect for the environment, and respect for the people that produce the food.It really is a better way than the industrial farms that we have now.I intend to read his other books, as well.Also, this book has a wealth of information for an entrepreneur in any field of business.It is helpful for everyone.

Great book
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in getting into farming, or thinking of alternative ways to do things. It is not a be-all, end-all resource, but it is a excellent starting place to get ideas rolling. ... Read more