Uninspiring

As someone keen to learn from entrepreneurs I didn't find this book useful; it is too brief and lacking in substance to be of any real use in that respect. I like Richard Branson and feel that he surely has much more insight to offer than is contained within this short book, so I will probably buy his full autobiography.<br /><br />

Essential Tips for Entrepreneurs...

I have a lot to owe to this book. As an entrepreneur, I was making the classic mistake of playing the roles of the technician, manager and entrepreneur all at once. But after reading this, I learnt about the importance of working ON your business rather than IN it. <br /><br />I have since outsourced many of my low-value activities like admin and concentrated on the activities I enjoy doing such as meeting and teaching people about entrepreneurship and financial freedom.<br /><br />E-Myth teaches you the importance of making yourself replaceable so that your business system can be run without you (think not having to check your emails on holiday!) and can be replicated should you wish to franchise this model for further expansion and higher profits. <br /><br />It's certainly helped me free up more time to spend with my family or go on holidays, knowing that I am earning without needing to be physically present all the time.<br /><br />There are essential, practical and usable tips for all Entrepreneurs lacking in time, energy, profit and hope!

Excellent introduction but you will need more detail

Well maybe not a complete book of self sufficiency but certainly a very good place to start.<br /><br />Some people have criticised this for being more a book for dreamers than realists but as every ambition starts as a dream is that such a bad thing. Large sections of this book are really aimed at the smallholder so if you have five acres and a cow you are pretty much the target audience for this book but even if you have just a semi and an allotment you should find something of value in here. A lot of it is also an introduction rather than a complete manual. So, for example, covering how to keep chickens in just three pages is never going to be a complete guide but it does have a place, it let's me know that putting chickens in my back garden is a viable idea and that really is its value this is usually the first place to look for a start to my next downsizing project.<br /><br />Of course that breadth of subject and shallowness with which each is treated is also it's problem; the range of subjects covered here is probably unrealistic for any one person to cover and if you do try any of them you will probably want more detail. So while it's inspiring and might encourage you to believe you can do more than you thought you could you it really is just the first step. Nonetheless it's an excellent place to start and for inspirational value alone I'd recommend this.

A very good introduction to coaching

Coaching for Performance by John Whitmore describes the skills and the art of coaching, as well as the benefits. The book is a very good introduction to coaching and is written in a very easy to read style.

Wikinomics - Tap your business into the worlds knowledge

This book has to be read by anyone doing business in 2007 onwards who is serious about building up their business capabilities using the concept of collective intelligence<br /><br />For some reason the authors seem to be obsessed about creating new jargon such as Ideagoras, Prosumers etc. and if not a challenge to the not so technical reader, they may come across as a fraction nausiating at times. This aside the book is gripping and will completely<br />explode your mind with ideas on how to apply these wiki frameworks in your day to day business and even if these ideas are not so new, the case studies of businesses who have had great success through online project collaboration, will not fail to inspire. Wiki's are by no way a new concept in terms of businesses, people and organisations working together and centralising information through the use of the net, although the various orchestrations that businesses can use to work together is simply awesome.<br /><br />This book is a tip of the iceberg on the subject of collective intelligence although it certainly is groundbreaking in terms of opening our minds to the possible and even the actual of the ways we can orchestrate our activities with others to achieve more.<br /><br />One area I felt that it could have touched on in much greater detail is on the drivers behind people 'wanting' to contribute to Wiki's. In my experience setting up Wiki's, Sharepoint and other tools of a similar nature tend to work very well within the IT departments where intellect is gladly shared (and gladly expressed at times !) as the return is more tangible and obvious, although when it comes to other departments gaining the motivation from others to share and contribute to these online tools can be more of a challenge.

Jewels of wisdom from Richard, I just craved more!

I'm glad I read this book, the chronology of it flows exceptionally and it's like finding a real gem of understanding reading his anecdotes and reactions to situations that come his way. The most interesting parts for me was understanding his business start-up and development (the first half I would say), this could sell the book on its own. <br /><br />Problems: Ok, I'm not sure about everyone else's reasons, but the reasons why I chose to read this book in the first place was to understand how and why Mr Branson approaches business in the way he does and what EXACTLY his methodology and thought processes are/were. Perhaps it's curiosity, tips, self-evaluation, whatever. Anyway, all the other peripheral stuff like his ballooning trips (multiple and repetitive) and the social conscience he develops and promotes toward the end just really slow down the momentum of the book. <br /><br />I guess I wanted consistent and unadulterated nitty gritty insight into the grey matter of a stupendously successful businessman but there were only snippets and cryptic clues throughout that verged on frustrating. But whatever, it's Richard: he and his philosophies are awesome and you should buy this book just to contribute to the Virgin Empire.

The leading change process model

Organisations need change. We all know that. But how can an organisation adopt great ideas, tools, and methods, absorbing them in a way to stimulate change and get superior results?

Harvard-professor John P. Kotter has been observing this process for almost 30 years. What intrigues him is why some leaders are able to take these tools and methods and get their organizations to change dramatically - while most do not.

How many times have we not seen somebody get very excited about some new tool (CRM, e-business, etc.)? Yet two years later there is no performance improvement at all. Often because most of the organisation has rejected the change needed to make it happen.

When people need to make big changes significantly and effectively, Kotter finds that there are generally eight basic things that must happen:

1. INSTILL A SENSE OF URGENCY. Identifying existing or potential crises or opportunities. Confronting reality, in the words of Execution-authors, Charan and Bossidy.

2. PICK A GOOD TEAM. Assembling a strong guiding coalition with enough power to lead the change effort. And make them work as a team, not a committee!

3. CREATE A VISION AND SUPPORTING STRATEGIES. We need a clear sense of purpose and direction. In less successful situations you generally find plans and budgets, but no vision and strategy; or the strategies are so superficial that they have no credibility.

4. COMMUNICATE. As many people as possible need to hear the mandate for change loud and clear, with messages sent out consistently and often. Forget the boring memos that nobody reads! Try using videos, speeches, kick-off meetings, workshops in small units, etc. Also important is the teaching of new behaviours by the example of the guiding coalition

5. REMOVE OBSTACLES. Get rid of anything blocking change, like bosses stuck in the old ways or lack of information systems. Encourage risk-taking and non-traditional ideas, activities, and actions. Empowerment is moving obstacles out of peoples' way so they can make something happen, once they've got the vision clear in their heads.

6. CHANGE FAST. Little quick wins are essential for creating momentum and providing sufficient credibility to pat the hard-working people on the back and to diffuse the cynics. Remember to recognize and reward employees involved in the improvements.

7. KEEP ON CHANGING. After change organizations get rolling and have some wins, they don't stop there. They go back and make wave after wave of other actions necessary for long-term, significant change. Successful change leaders don't drop the sense of urgency. On top of that, they are very systematic about figuring out all of the pieces they need to have in place before they declare victory.

8. MAKE CHANGE STICK. The last big step is nailing big change to the floor and making sure it sticks. And the way things stick is through culture. If you can create a totally new culture around some new way of managing, it will stay. It won't live on if it is dependent on one boss or a couple of enthusiastic people who will eventually move on.

We can divide these eight steps in three main processes. The first four steps focus on de-freezing the organization. The next three steps make change happen. The last step re-freezes the organization on the next rung on the ladder.

I've personally used Kotter's change process in several e-business projects. It has helped me a lot. I highly recommend that you buy this easy-to-read and affordable book. Alternatively, read his Harvard Business Review article from Mar/Apr 1995 on the same subject.

Peter Leerskov,
MSc in International Business (Marketing & Management) and Graduate Diploma in E-business

This book is the Business!!!

This book is absolutely superb!! It really gives you a unique insight into what's required in running a successful business. Cheryl really knows what she is talking about. There are millions of books out there on how to start your own business, but I think this one really does stand out from the crowd. A pleasant and enjoyable read. Keep up the good work Cheryl!!!!

Brilliant

I have just started my online business with this book at my side, it tells you about copyright laws, international laws and lots of other legal stuff that is required in setting up as a LTD, Partnership, Sole Trader or a LLP. <br /><br />The book tells you how to write a business plan, how to get sponsorships from the Princes Trust and banks etc, it tells you what you should do in terms of laying people off if that should ever happen, <br /><br />How to draw up terms of sale, disclaimers, how to employ staff, how to choose your products, search for competition, price your products accordingly, too high or too low is bad for your business. <br /><br />The book also tells you how to advertise, forge links and register for PayE in the UK, Make sure you get the UK version as the American one uses the US Laws which are different from UK ones!! DONT SCREW UP HERE. <br /><br />The book also tells you on how to sell your product, website? telephone directory? check the market before starting? does the product already exist? can you legally start a business? if you ran a previous business that went into debt etc. <br /><br />It tells you about Bank Loans and how they are tied to you and your business, which i found very helpful. The book has useful links to companies house and various other organisations that you need to contact in the process of starting up. <br /><br />The only bad thing is, I have lost my copy, I will have to root it out at some point...<br /><br />Hope this helps you, this book is fantastic in telling you how to start up, brilliant book, love it!<br />Dom<br />

Best Books for Business Starts

This book along with THE BLACK BOOK OF OUTSOURCING (Brown & Wilson, Wiley Publishers 2005) gave us the best start we could as for.

If you’re starting a business, don’t go another step without reading these two books. They will put you on track to successes you didn’t even know possible.

Great books!

JUST WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!

Having recently set up a small business and being useless with"tax things" I really had to get to grips with tax. This book's straight-talking, non-nonsense style told me exactly what I needed to do. I have only owned the book a few days but I am already more confident about tax.<br />What I liked about this book was the fact that I didn't have to read it all - but I read more than I thought I would. <br /><br />The first three chapters got me started. I then read chapter 5 to see if I was working out my business profits correctly, chapter 7 to see how much tax I would save by buying equipment and chapter 10 because I was wondering whether to register for VAT. Excellent - Thanks sooooo much!

A Godsend....

I am new to investing in property and found the that book answered many of the questions that I had in relation to investing in the property market. <br />It is written in a clear and intelligent way with many helpful tips.

Some golden nuggets - worth buying

If you've studied a reasonable amount of NLP and body language before you'll probably find this book covers too much old ground without really going in to detail - for example the chapter on body language offers you nothing other than stating obvious facts such as a person's facial expressions can give you clues to what they're really thinking.<br /><br />That said this book is very helpful in improving communication with others. Even if you've studied body language and NLP there's still information that's new with a fresh angle that I have never heard of before. In particular how we unintentionally present blocks to people and how to encourage responses from others. I've started implementing the few golden nuggets and have noticed some tangible results.<br /><br />My recommendation is skip over the common knowledge background and extract the essense of the new material. Overall it's definately worth buying even if you're a reasonale practicioner - it could just be distilled better.

For team members and managers in any job, anywhere..

I purchased this book after being offered a managerial role in retail. Knowing little about the industry, I was looking for a book that could tell me everything... from shop floor to staffing.

This book not only taught me all I needed to know but gave me confidence and passion to go ahead and be a great team member. I made notes all over it as by page 2 I knew I wasn´t going to be passing it on to anyone else!

Easy reference, interesting to read - I took it on holiday - excellent section on people management and lots of information and advice that would apply to most office jobs, work teams and managers everywhere, not just in the retail industry. Also written by a normal guy who has had a long and successful career in retail, not a stuffy professor with a PhD. Thoroughly recommended.

A step-by-step strategy without the nonesense

Initially I was searching for a book about how to develop a simple website for my partner's decorating business. Having never done this before, I was attracted to 'Internet Riches: The Simple Money-making Secrets of Online Millionaires' because the synopsis made it sound so easy to do, though I admit I was expecting a book with lots of hot air and of little practical use.<br /><br />I was very pleasantly surprised when I read the book. In fact,I was so excited that I started a book of ideas (recommended by the author, Scott Fox) immediately and have ended up with such a raft of ideas for ME to make money that I don't have the time to develop a website for my partner's business (sorry Mick!).<br /><br />Don't let the American examples in the book put you off - the internet is the same both sides of the pond and UK versions of everything referred to in the book are readily available with a bit of Googling. Anyway, the simple step-by-step guidance would probably apply to any country.<br /><br />Mr Fox has a unique way of connecting with his readers, as though they know him personally, creating trust and inspiration. His book is straightforward and full of information that even a British grandmother can follow, without all the padding that often fills self-help books. Every time I turn a page I find many ideas on how best to create my perfect e-business.<br /><br />In all, if you want to be an Internet Entrepreneur - buy this book. If you are only remotely interested in setting up a website - still buy this book. You might find that it takes you somewhere you weren't expecting it to!<br /><br />

Excellent Book

Very interesting stuff on Google - I haven't actually finished the book, I'm halfway through but so far, I love it. The book is written in a documentary style and it's a great read.

Does what it says on the cover

An excellent read. Thorough, easy to read, comprehensive without being patronising, PLUS aimed towards eBay.co.uk, so no American jargon and legislation to wade through. I read it in two days and now can't wait to get started! Keep it by your PC to refer to when starting up your own eBay business, you'll need it! <br /><br />

a great read

Written clearly, without patronising the reader. A book created by masters of innovation. Good techniques and tips as well as really interesting applicable cultural perspectives for an organisation wanting to move it's product development strategy forward. <br /><br />This book is well worth 8 quid as it will help shape/structure your thinking on being innovative, as well as providing you with a 'toolkit' of language to encourage supportive innovative behaviours in others, who are determined to think too critically about fledgling ideas before they have had a chance to grow into potential winners.<br /><br />Whatif also was 2004/5 best company to work for in the UK which in itself gives weight to the ideas in this book.

It really is the bestselling guide to buying and selling on eBay

If there is something you need to know about growing your eBay business then who better to turn to than Dan Wilson! Dan's experience at working at eBay UK for many years' shows, there is nothing this guy doesn't know about eBay!<br /><br />He guides you gently from the selling basics to ramping up your business to the next level with in depth information on eBay's advanced features (Turbo lister, Seller Manager Pro, Marketplace Research, Pulse, Shops to name but a few!) he gives you practical advice on making your business more efficient and profitable. There is also clear advice on selling beyond eBay (Amazon, Websites, and Google etc)<br /><br /> I have on many occassions picked this book up and browsed through chapters again and again and have been inspired each and every time. I can honestly say this book has made a huge difference in how our ebay business is run and it is certainly the better for it! The savings we have made by following Dan's advice has paid for this book many times over.<br /><br />An excellent easy to read no-nonsense guide, a must for any ebay entrepeneur!<br /><br />