A simple little bible

I loved this book. Despite being a little out of date in style, the basics of business never change and for those setting out on a new venture who are unclear about what they are tryng to achieve, this is like a little bedside bible.

This book will be your friend

As its title states, it will really help you throughout each stage of the process and be a step-by-step guide for building up a first class dissertation in any discipline. This book was literally my friend throughout the whole nerve-racking experience, as what I found to be most important was how it helps to keep you calm at times and really tells you what you need to hear, and how it gives you the inspiration and the drive to keep going. 5 stars to my old friend :). And Goodluck to you :).

All you need to know

I was self employed for 15 years, and now teach a 'Start Your Own Business' course at evening classes. This is my recommended course book, as it contains everything you're likely to need to know. It's the only book I know that is updated and reprinted every year, with revised financial information and phone numbers etc. Practical down-to-earth advice written in an easy to understand way. Thoroughly recommended.

An update on a legend that rings true...

At last we move on from the dated Craig Copetas book written way back in 1985 (Metal Men: Marc Rich and the 10-Billion-Dollar Scam). Copetas's sensationalist work of part-fact/mostly-fiction has framed the discussion on Marc Rich for far too long. Daniel Ammann has done his homework and produced an eminently readible and balanced piece of work which allows Marc Rich to present his own case (through a series of interviews), while at the same time presenting other view points out there on this controversial man. The most interesting parts of this book are the incredible story about how Rich went about accumulating his more than $1USbn fortune (a lasting testament to his single-mined trading brilliance), his views on the morality of dealing with some of the most evil regimes on this planet (the most controversial part of this book is Marc Rich's assertion that business and politics don't mix ("business is neutral") which is debateable to say the least but what is amazing is how Marc Rich was able to do business with regimes of any colour including pre- and post-revolutionary Cuba, the Shah of Iran and Iron after the revolution, apartheid South Africa and the ANC!), and the reasons behind his pardon by former US President Bill Clinton (mainly due to the recognition by Clinton and his team that the original case against Rich was based mainly on politics (the book highlights how bad a US president Rudolph Giuliani would have made!)). A great book to read even for those who know nothing about the commodities business, but a wonderful book for those with some knowledge of the business.

Insight into the world of Change

One of the best books on strategic change resistance and gaining sponsorship you will ever read. I have used and continue to use the eight step framework for all my change programmes. <br /><br />Well written, easy to read and practical.

Savvy guide to developing a moneymaking, personal brand online

Although many people advise against turning your hobby into your day job, Gary Vaynerchuk, an Internet and business phenomenon, vehemently disagrees. He boldly promotes quitting your job to pursue a profession that is your passion. An immigrant from Belarus, Vaynerchuk rose to fame in his mid-30s because of Wine Library TV, the popular, highly publicized video blog he started in 2006. Through his imaginative Internet Webcasts, Vaynerchuk has made himself a leading authority on wines and a respected expert on online brand development and marketing. His style is unpretentious, a welcome change from the reserved mien of tuxedoed wine critics. Vaynerchuk provides step-by-step explanations on how to create a personal brand and promote it using social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Although the advice is overly simplistic - Vaynerchuk somewhat naively assumes anyone can emulate his success - and the topic is well-worn, getAbstract appreciates Vaynerchuk's sincere advice and recommends his clear, lively book to new entrepreneurs and others who want an introduction to the world of social media.

Business, pleasure, pain...... this man has done it all

What a book! <br /><br />Looking at modern Britain you might be persuaded that we are a bunch of snivelling, dole hungry, left wing layabouts with nothing better to do than discuss than reality tv shows and fad diets, and you'd probably be right!<br /><br />However after reading this book you may begin to breathe a sigh of relief, there is hope out there, and hope has a name..... Branson, optimistic to the core, generous, kind, smart, he is the kind of inspiration that this dire country needs to lift it's ugly head out of the gloom of the New Labour years, read this book, I love it.

Excellent, excellent read!

A well written and thoroughly enjoyable read. From page one to the end this is an amazing story of a man in his thirties who woke up one day and realised he was fed up with going through the motions of life and partying it all away at the weekend. The book details Duncans journey from extreme poor beginnings in scotland to sitting alongside some of the UK`s wealthiest entrepreneurs in the Dragons Den. An inspirational and simple story for those people who have always thought about starting there own business but feel that they dont have the right education (if any at all) or tools to do so. Read this book! Anyone can do it!

I can only recommend

Well written book from Ms Turner who shares her hard-gained knowledge of trading in a clear synopsis. I recommend this book packed with all necessary info to anyone who is new to trading; it really gets into all the elements necessary to successful trading. Additionally, the author shares her personal experience and proves that with hard work, success in trading is at hand.

Easy but inspiring read

I agree with some of the other reviewers who claim this is a lightweight history of one of the most ambitious and successful businessmen in the country but why do all books about serious subjects have to be heavy? I found this really interesting and unlike many auto-biographies it was a real page turner - there is obviously a lot of finer detail missed out but the milestones in his life are all here as well as some nuggets of advice for anyone who is as daring as the man himself. James' voice is clear throughout and there is enough advice in there for those wanting to try to follow in his very successful footsteps. What you are left with is a picture of a well-rounded, highly dynamic, family man who wanted to make money to spend and live the high-life rather than to count his fortune - and who can blame him?

Bee useful book

This book is very clearly written and produced. The author speaks from great experience of his subject and communicates his enthusiasm for this fascinating hobby. Useful for the newcomer to beekeeping and even those with more experience will still find plenty to learn.

Easy read book, but it tells sooo much! Read it please

I Can definely recommend this book. <br /><br />I work in a large organization, which is based on teams. All of these dysfunctions definitly apply to wha i have experienced. <br /><br />This book helps to bring it to your attention. <br /><br />Read it ;)

Excellent!!

Excellent for someone who's starting a small business. Good information about the E-commerce business as well!

Informative and well written book

A very informative and well written book. It provides all the facts, figures and considerations that need<br />to be taken into account when considering setting up, and running, a Sandwich Bar/Coffee Shop.<br />This is backed up by the author's own experiences and tips which makes it a pleasure to read.

No special information

I did not benefit much from this book. I know almost all the information. The book is missing to mention few other third-party tools used with eBay. I rate this book as AVERAGE.

Don't expect to learn much

This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

This book is my little"friend".

A little story (and stories sell as you'll find out from Hugh and Johnnie)<br /><br />I decided, like so many wage-slave dreamers, to finally take the big step and set up my own coffee bar about two years ago. I bought all the slightly tedious books that were out there about setting up coffee shops and worked my way through them. I also pored through the various bits of"set up a business" guff from the banks and then read a few"Go on, you can do it..." motivational books. <br /><br />Armed with a remortgage, a nervous wife, our savings and a healthy slice of naiveté I opened my coffee bar. None of the books that I read or indeed none of the advice I received was wrong - it just wasn't enough. It just didn't fully prepare me for how bloody hard it is to make money out there and how far from being the idyllic lifestyle and dream it actually is.<br /><br />I lost a clean fortune in the first two years (well a fortune to me anyway) and gradually realised that this is pretty much exactly what everyone does. I then chanced upon this book by the Ireland's"Coffee Boys" after seeing them speak at a conference. It may not be filled with lots of plans or tedious checklists but these guys really, really know their stuff. <br /><br />Suddenly it felt like it was all"okay". It felt like here were people who really knew what they were talking about. They had either personally owned or advised dozens of businesses. They hadn't just written a book based on one personal example or because they'd been to business school. They'd made all the mistakes and come out the other side battered and bruised but capable of knowing exactly what it takes to make money in this type of business - even if you have a Starbucks or a Costa opening up right beside you. And they wrote in a refreshingly honest and entertaining way. <br /><br />So armed with my new"friend" I have set about restructuring my little business in a number of crucial ways. I have finally understood that it is"about the money" and not about ego as they keep emphasising. I have finally understood the importance of stars on the menu, telling stories, keeping my eyes on the costs (every pound isn't equal don't forget) and indeed how to avoid"sour faced hags" and the"Grannie rule". <br /><br />I walk the shop every day like a customer and have my staff do the same. I now have spotless toilets and have totally changed my customer flow. It's all common sense really but you sometimes need a book like this to keep the common sense at the forefront of your mind and keep some perspective from the madness and claustrophobia of running a coffee bar.<br /><br />So what's wrong with it? Well I wish it was longer and I wish they had maybe shown a couple of physical examples in the direct marketing section. I also wish they'd give a little more information on recruiting and retaining staff. That continues to be a huge issue for me. But I'm nitpicking really. <br /><br />So if you currently own or are vaguely thinking of opening a coffee bar or any type of coffee shop you really should buy this. It could save you a lot of money. I only wish it had been out when I was first opening my shop. <br />

A valuable insight!!

I bought this book to read alongside the counselling skills course Im currently attending part time. I have found it to be an indispensable tool to underpin the theory and practice that I'm learning on the course. I've bought many titles in this subject and this is the first one that has been easy to read and understand at beginners level. No fancy words and clear explainations have made it a joy to read and with examples of counselling excerpts so you can see the theory in practise!!<br />An excellent addition to any bookshelf at any learning level.

Successfully addresses a broad range of reader profiles

You may be an assistant store manager, a visual merchandiser, a senior operations executive or a small shop owner... No matter what your relationship with the retail business is, there is quite a lot to find in this book. It's easy to read with its friendly language and effective layout.

Mezrich Nails It

History, they say, is written by the winners and this account of the genesis of Facebook on the Harvard campus is largely seen through the eyes of computer geek Mark Zuckerberg and his pal Eduardo Saverin, who had access to angel cash necessary to get the project off the ground. The Winklevoss twins Cameron and Tyler, both Olympic oarsmen, also loom large in the early chapters. They subsequently sued Zuckerberg, alleging that he had ripped off their code, and they have been paid substantial sums to go away. Once Facebook took off, there were other litigants too, but in the author's version Zuckerberg has the bright idea himself. Mezrich is especially good on describing the Harvard milieu and its elite clubs, which formed a backdrop for the Facebook nerds trying to make an impression. Mezrich holds the book together by focusing on the friendship between Zuckerberg and Saverin, which also sundered as the company accelerated into its growth phase and the VCs came on board.