Every small-business owner should have a well-stocked bookshelf.
Sage advice from book authors can give your biz a spark, help you untangle a confusing situation and even make you aware of potential pitfalls just around the corner.
Think of business books as self-help. And help yourself with some of these books.
1. “The Positive Power of NO: How That Little Word You Are Afraid to Use Can Make or Break Your Business” (Facts on Demand Press, 2003), by Kim DeMotte
It’s hard to say no and turn down business. But it’s a fact that some customers are more trouble than they’re worth. DeMotte shows you how using a little two-letter word can actually boost your business.
For this book, management consultant DeMotte asked business experts to talk about why and when saying no is preferable to say yes. The perspectives may be just what you need to put “No” in your business vocabulary.
You’ll learn how to:
Set ethical standards for your business
Evaluate what you don’t want in your business
Let go of unproductive customers and products
Identify potential clients that you don’t want
2. “Take Back Your Time: How to Regain Control of Work, Information, & Technology” (St. Martin’s Press, 1999), by Jan Jasper
You don’t have to be a neat freak to be organized and work efficiently. And Jasper’s book proves it.
Jasper, a consultant and author, works with individuals to help them better manage their time. She uses many of her clients as examples in the book, giving practical suggestions for getting organized and saving time.
Unlike other time management gurus, Jasper’s focus is on making decisions – about what paper to throw out, about what priorities to set, about using your time wisely. The result is a book packed with usable strategies for small-business owners who want to take back control of their desks and their time.
3. “What No One Ever Tells You about Marketing Your Own Business: Real-Life Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs” (Dearborn Trade, 2004), by Jan Norman
Jan Norman is a nationally syndicated business columnist who has talked with thousands of small-business owners. And she’s gathered much of their real-world advice for her marketing book.
You get tips, techniques and step-by-step instructions about marketing your small business – from other entrepreneurs who have walked in your shoes.
The book is an easy-to-follow guide divided into 10 sections. It covers everything from business cards and packaging to trade shows and launching new products. Each section provides a business story as an example, followed by quiz or checklist you can use to perfect your own marketing strategies.
4. “The Small Business Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Small Business” (John Wiley & Sons, 2004), by Steven D. Strauss
For answers to common questions that every small-business owner asks, turn to the pages of this book.
Strauss is a lawyer, business columnist and a leading small-business expert. In this comprehensive book, he covers all of the basics of small-business operations and strategies. You’ll find real-life success stories, online resources, tips, hints and a wealth of information you can use – whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned pro.
5. “Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days” (Entrepreneur Press, 2005), by Jay Conrad Levinson and Al Lautenslager
This is the latest offering in the guerrilla marketing series. And it’s another hit.
At just 240 pages, the book presents the most up-to-date guerrilla marketing tactics in a concise, readable package. You’ll learn about:
Best of all, the book gives you 30 action plans that depend more upon time and imagination than a big budget.
(Posted April 2005)
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