Product Description
Real You Incorporated empowers women entrepreneurs. The book provides insights for women on how to discover and love their personal brand, and how to bring it into the market as a real business—unique and different. In the first section of the book, Find It Within You, readers will learn how to express internal personality, passions and essence to define the internal brand. In the second section, The Competitive Advantage, readers learn how to extend the internal message into the world—to their partners, employees and ultimately their customers.

Part branding—the author is a nationally known marketing expert—and part business inspiration, Real You Incorporated includes case studies of real women entrepreneurs from a variety of industries: manufacturing, retail, restaurants, real estate, publishing and many more. Their stories bring the book to life, adding inspiration and role models. The book also includes a visualization tool in the form of a chart that women entrepreneurs can complete and keep with them, to remind them of their Real You, no matter what phase their business is in. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Awesome read and very informative
Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs is a great book. It is very easy to read and very inspirational.Furthermore, this book actually accomplishes what many other books attempt; it helps the reader to define their business in actionable and useful steps.From knowing yourself to defining yourself to creating your brand and articulating it and your passions to the world, Real You Incorporated helps the reader establish their foothold in the marketplace.

Although written for women, I found this book to be very helpful to my own business.Over the next 30 days, I will implementing the strategies offered in this book.Kaira's Real You Incorporated is the tool that will help me in an area where I am weakest.

If you have had any thoughts about starting a business or about bettering yourself as a professional, this is to book to read.Buy it, read it once then read it again and follow the steps then keep it as a desk reference.

Lastly, I really like how Kaira mentions to not lose yourself while trying to build your business.Too often, we as entrepreneurs get so wrapped up in building our businesses that we forget how to be ourselves and to enjoy life.Thanks for the reminder Kaira!

This is a must read. As Kaira states be real and be you!

Osiola Henderson
Author of 28 Day Financial Renaissance

Essential Ready for Women Entrepreneurs - Turn Passion Into Action
Great writers don't just tell good stories. Great business writers don't just map new roads to success and hawk their genius. Kaira Rouda knows that. Kaira Rouda is a great writer. She is a great writer because she reveals the reader to herself.I found myself in "Real Your Incorporated, 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs." Kaira Rouda's book revealed me to myself.

Rouda makes a promise in the first few pages:

"After reading `Real You Incorporated' you will better understand your personal brand and be able to deliver a more sincere, sustainable, and richer business concept to the world."

She delivers on that promise.

I was looking for answers in all the wrong places. I looked where other twenty-first century women entrepreneurs look for inspiration and guidance. Like many new media savvy entrepreneurs, I tapped into my microblogging stream, but an uninterrupted salvo of inspiration from the Dalai Llama and Mother Teresa did not move me to action.

I joined law of attraction devotees who hearken to coaches teaching basic precepts, summoning personal abundance with sheer will and desire. Forget it!

Life seems much simpler after reading "Real You Incorporated, 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs " (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2008).

Kaira Rouda is the most vivacious speaker in real estate. Her book embraces a thought design elegant as the woman who wrote it, pure pedigree. She translates her special breed of vim and vigor and optimism into a blueprint for entrepreneurial self discovery. She led the first major brand with a focus on women and lifestyle marketing. She was the first major player in the real estate industry to promote eco-friendly practices.

Rouda meshes her own life experiences with smart, pithy "Real Story" narratives of 24 women business owners. Their stories share common threads - they have a strong sense of purpose, a vision, and they are in tune with their passions, their customers, and their positioning.Hyper focused market prism serves these women well.They are successful. They are working and playing and living their lives and carving success across a broad spectrum of industries, products, and services-autos, bistros, business development,communications, dance fitness, fashion, floral design, hair salons, marketing, publishing, real estate.

Each woman shares her essence in an eight-layer chart that articulates her essence. I created my own chart based on words that articulate my essence - brutally honest, change champion, consumer advocate, engaging,fearless, intense, loyal, passionate, powerful.

"Turn passion into action. You do not have to be in a place that does not make your heart sing, "says Rouda.

She follows her passions in life and business. Rouda is asuccessful real estate executive with a focus on home buyers and home sellers and agents and sales production. Lifestyle marketing in real estate is about home and hearth ... and heart ... it's about REAL people, wherever they live. Her lifestyle branding shines in passion-based initiative:

"I hadn't given homelessness more than a passing thought. I was captivated by the sadness of the fact there was no homeless shelter for families in our town. Moms and girls went to the women's shelter; men and boys over 12 to the men's shelter ... I became obsessed with helping them, and the results - Make Room Columbus - were the first shelter for homeless families in my community." - Kaira Rouda

The author takes a quantum leap past the heady hyperbole of "The Secret" with a complete primer for business success.She gets it. She walks the talk. She is the real deal. That's because she knows exactly who she is, the REAL Kaira Rouda.

Find the REAL people in your life and stay away from the snarks, she warns. Snarks sap energy. Snarks pop passions. Snarks are culture vultures. Snarks are not REAL.Rouda created a clever Snark Scale to identify six brands of snark. She posted a Snark Guide on her website.

Rouda knows exactly who her customer is. She knows what her business needs are and she knows how to position her brand. She's not worried about how to fit into a man's world because she knows women rule. They make the decisions in the marketplace. They are her customers.Rouda constructs an eight-step plan, a veritable blueprint for success tailored for women. The book's complementary website is conclusive proof the author knows exactly what she is talking about when she discusses her own 360 marketing, blending traditional and new media.

Dreaming of owning your own business? This is a great place to start, plan, and make it happen! Share your passion and commonalities with your target audience. Create your own RYI chart. Articulate your essence, your brand.

The magic of the book is not what you learn about business. The magic of the book lies in what you learn about yourself.

Are you an entrepreneur? What is your essence, your core? Put your passions into action. Be authentic. Be clear. Who a woman is in her heart is the essence of who she is at home, at school, and in the workplace. The passions that make your heart sing are the same passions that will drive your success in business.

Rouda spells it out:"Lesson One:Your future starts now."

Go for it!

Inspiring book!
I am a real estate professional that considers myself a constant student.I have read many business books and found hers to be exceptionally educational and motivating!It was incredibly helpful in helping me to reshape my ideas on how I should be running my business. She has great concepts and her enthusiasm and passion for what she does is inspiring!I highly recommend this book for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit!

You as a Brand
We all have business brands, but we also have person brands. Author Kaira Sturdivant Rouda does a great job in forming steps on how to have a real, authentic You brand which is part of your business and personal brand.

She offers reflective questions, exercises, suggested readings and also personal stories of not only herself, but other women as well.Although this book written with women in mind, the content of the book can be applied to men as well.

An incredible book for anyone with a business, or with a desire to learn more about themselves
A book that truly transformed my business - in fact, our motto comes directly from the work I did while reading your book. Beauty (Find Beauty). Spirit (Nurture Your Spirit). Passion (Live with Passion).

I would recommend (and have recommended many times) this book to gain clarity, focus, and a connection between yourself and your business.

Thank you for such a great book, Kaira!

Shelly Holbrook
President

Plein de Vie
[...]

... Read more

Product Description

Boxing great and business success George Foreman shares his knockout business secrets for entrepreneurs.

Readers remember George Foreman as the former Heavyweight Boxing Champion and the spokesman for the popular George Foreman Grill. What they may not know is that he is also a successful entrepreneur whose portfolio today boasts the George Foreman Grill, George Foreman's Knockout Cleaner, a line of clothing with Casual Male, fitness videos, Elgin watches, and much more. In Knockout Entrepreneur, Foreman shares his success secrets with aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

Customer Reviews (81)

For a Boxing Fan
While encouragement is always refreshing, this book may rank a bit higher for those who have an interest in boxing as Foreman often refers to his own life and the lessons he has learned along the way. I found the material to be a bit more focused on Foreman's history than I had originally hoped when I got the book. Certainly we can all learn from the lives of others, but this didn't quite suit me personally. The book is one of Thomas Nelson's Nelson FREE books which means you are really buying 3 books in one- hard copy, ebook, and audio. This might not be a top rating book on my shelves, but the exposure to the Nelson FREE material is certainly incentive to pursue more of their books in that program.

By George - he knocked my socks off
I loved George Foreman's style of writing. Simplicity and Humility are two hallmarks of this book. He stays close to the boxing ring metaphor through out, understandably and some of the stories he narrates to make a point border on the incredible.

He is a role model as a sportsman and a businessman, so I was curious to see how he views his life, his legacy and business among other things. I must confess that I was not disappointed.When the competition gets vicious he strikes not neccessarily in the same manner he gets it, but in a more tactful manner to seize the advantage. He lays out life's lessons for young entrepreneurs, executives or young people. The book is full of wisdom, as it engages you in a conversational tone.

George you knocked my socks off...

Knockout Entrepreneur Review


Have you ever wondered what motivates a champion like George Foreman?Not only is Foreman one the greatest heavy weight fighters of all time, but Foreman continues to knockout great money making ideas, one after another.George Foreman was a great fighter in his time, but now Foreman is an awesome entrepreneur.Foreman leaves no punches out as he knocks-out million dollar babies.

In the book Knockout Entrepreneur (Foreman & Abraham, 2009), the reader will be given time tested knowledge on how to be a successful entrepreneur because this book is enlightened by the entrepreneurial spirit of the great George Foreman.

Foreman and Abraham tell the reader the secrets of being a successful entrepreneur and several historic stories about how Foreman became and continues to be the champion.

The book was fun to read, insightful and most of all, Knockout Entrepreneur is an up-lifting book.Like most budding business people struggling to make a mark in this world, entrepreneurs are always seeking ways to be inspired, get the inside scoop, and know how to be successful.In this book, Knockout Entrepreneur, you will get all of this.With the help of Knockout Entrepreneur, entrepreneurs (young and old) will gain tremendous invaluable knowledge.I recommend you go to the library, book store, or online and read this book immediately so you can be the next knockout entrepreneur.

Reference:

Abraham, K & Foreman, G., (2009), Knockout entrepreneur. Nelsonfree publishing (available on audio and ebook formats). ISBN: 978-0-7852-2208-8.

Suprisingly Great Book
This was not a book I would normally read, but I must say I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to read something different. Even if you don't consider yourself an entrepreneur maybe you could become one.

I like the way he pointed things out and held people accountable. A lot of the things that impacted me was that entrepreneurs do not just happen upon great things, they are actively looking for opportunities. I have now changed my way of looking at the things around me. I am now trying to look for money making opportunities. Hopefully I will find one and when I do I can put the rest of his book to practice as well such as surrounding yourself with like minded people.

Book Review: Knockout Entrepreneur by George Foreman with Ken Abraham
"Champions of business are not born. They are made."
From Back Cover



In his book the Two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World and businessman George Foreman, describes what a Knockout Entrepreneur is and how you can become one.

Focusing on faith, family and community, Foreman provides insightful information and solid practices for readers to follow.

Forman provides advice, principles and key strategies for getting ahead in the business world even when the economy is not so great.

Providing you with his own personal experiences and how he came to succeed, you can see the effort and understand he was there, just like you.

This book is aimed for those who seek success in their career and their lives.

I found this book to be much more than expected. I was initially hooked with the personal writing of it. This book feels very personal and in turn it is easy to relate to. To see yourself.The principles are ones he has used in his career. Its not a book on how to get rich quick, it's a book on how to discipline yourself and use hard work to get ahead.

I recommend this book to anyone, who feels they are needing a new insight on career, life, discipline and has the desire to achieve success.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their[...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
... Read more

Product Description
Maybe you've always wanted to start your own business. Or perhaps you're already a member of a small start-up dot.com and you have no idea what you're doing.

You're not alone.

Entrepreneurship is the hottest growth area in America today -- there are 30 million entrepreneurs now, and 60 million more say they would like to be. Do you have what it takes -- do you know what it takes -- to compete and succeed with a small business?

Rob Ryan will help you find out. Ryan founded Ascend Communications in 1989, which in nine years grew from zero to over $2 billion in sales. He now runs the Entrepreneur America "boot camp" from his ranch in Montana, where startup wanna-bes come to develop their entrepreneurial skills. Two of Rob's boot camp companies, Silicon Spice and LookSmart, have market capitalizations of over $1 billion.

If you can't get to Montana, however, come here. In Entrepreneur America: Lessons from Inside Rob Ryan's High-Tech Start-up Boot Camp, Ryan shares his techniques for developing a successful team, product, pitch, and, eventually, business.

Ryan focuses on methods he's developed over the years for building a sustainable business that makes money. He emphasizes the importance of testing your idea on customers, building the product, and making sure that product offers something new and important to those customers.

Through anecdotes and advice, Ryan shows you how to:

Be a red polka-dotted zebra. Make sure your customers can pick you out of a crowd.

Find out if the dogs will eat the dog food. Are you giving your customers exactly what they want?

Learn the 10x rule. Your product must be either 1/10 the cost of your competitors', or ten times the performer.

Stay ahead of the pack. Construct a business model so advanced it'll take a year or more for your competitors to catch up.

Business ideas are like belly buttons, says Ryan -- everybody has one. Entrepreneur America will show you how to turn your idea into a real product, take it to investors, and get your startup started.Amazon.com Review
With $2.5 million in venture capital, Rob Ryan founded a tech company that sold for $22 billion 10 years later. He now operates a "boot camp" in ruralMontana for wannabes from promising start-ups interested in following in hisfootsteps. In Entrepreneur America, heshares personal experiences along with lessons learned from his mentoringprogram of the same name. Chapters titled with Silicon Valley slang (like"Do the Dogs Like the Dog Food?" and "Sucking the Air out of the Room")help readers assess their readiness to meet with venture capitalists,determine whether consumers really need what they're offering, examine corecompetencies and market position, measure how the product or service matchesthe intended audience, and compile a winning business plan. Two additionalchapters focus on "how to become number one and stay number one" bymanaging and hiring effectively, dealing with directors, and handling otherresponsibilities that become critical once an idea gets off the ground.Ryan shows how some of the 50-plus concepts that passed through his programproceeded afterwards, and includes exercises and other tools for thosehoping to replicate their victories and avoid their mistakes. The resultshould prove practical and inspiring for anyone shaping a new business intoday's increasingly demanding environment. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Good coverage on getting $ from venture capital firms
The book is 6 years old, yet the topics covered here is still useful for anyentrepreneur to get $$from venture capitals (VC):

1.Borrow $$ from friends/relatives to build a prototype
2.Beta test this on large and small firms, to build up clients
3.Build a better product/service based upon their feedbacks
4.Write a concise business plan with killer PowerPoint slides
5.Get the insider VC to arrange meetings
6.Answer intelligently on any VC concerns
7.Get the $$$, start the firm
8.Grow the firm for 3-5 years with track records
9.IPO and make Billion$$$

Sounds like a great formula!But this is 2007, VC is not the only game in town.They are Private Equity, Hedge Funds, Debt Financing, many otheravenues to get $$$.Rob Ryan, are you contacting them?

Incredible Book For Entrepreneur
If you are an entrepreneur. Do not do anything before reaqding this book. It is easy to read and understand... No business jargons or anything...

Very informative and through!
Rob have wrote a book that should have been use during the crazy internet start- up era. Maybe all those companies would be thriving if they have gone through Rob's boot camp. Ok maybe not all of them but I feel that 80% of the dot com companies may be still existence.

I am still working on my hi-tech company but I have not been able to because they are not up to my standards. I got good ideas but I am just not feeling ready to go solict for funding just yet.

But anyway this is a great book! Rob gives a lot of good information that you would normally pay big money for a consultant to tell you the same thing!!

The only problem with this book...
...is that it's not out in paperback so that I can buy 50 copies and give them out to people to show them why I babble on about it.Rob Ryan's "Entrepreneur America" is the *single most practical* book about entrepreneurship you will find on the market today.

Rob founded Ascend, and he tells you exactly how he did it.And even though Ascend was a pure technology play, his lessons are broad enough that they can be applied to non-technical inspirations as well.

Kudos also go here to Phaedra Hise.She has captured the voice, verve and essence of Rob Ryan and got him down cold on paper.Quite anachievement.

Must reading for anyone in a technology startup
This books is a must read for anyone involved in a hi tech startup.I am with my second private technology company, and it provided some great insight into where we are, and what we need to do.For someone planning to start their own company or join someone elses, you should actively answer all of the questions put forth in the book.It will help you understand what the real chances for success are in a world full of great ideas without markets! ... Read more

Product Description
Uncovers all of the hidden secrets of doing business in the real world.Provides an ideal personal reference and an invaluable resource for instructors of international trade, training programs, executive education, undergraduate courses, and fast track MBA programs.Softcover. DLC: Export marketing--U.S. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Excellent Resource for International Trade Professionals and Newcomers
Foley's book, The Global Entrepreneur, is an excellent resource for anyone interested in international trade, and the multi-faceted considerations one must give to the endeavor.It is particularly helpful to those interested in export sales, and marketing, with an insightful view to a variety of approaches a business person can take to the marketplace.The book addresses Self-assesment and Market Research, Business Preparation and Developing Global Partners, Logistics and Finance, and Sustaining Success. Foley successfully demystifies global business, and walks the business person with an interest in global markets from the idea stage through to long-term customer relationship management.This is a great read.

Perfect
Exciting, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, helpful, informative, clear, comprehensible, easy to read. Excellent book!!! Knowledge, experience, and passion towards discussed topics just shines through every page. Written in a easy to understand language, the book is a perfect aid to not only beginning exporters/importers, but also experienced ones. Lexicon doesn't belittle reader's mental abilities by chewing on every elementary detail; at the same time it doesn't bombard anybody by heavy concepts and trade jargon. Author uses great approach to delivering information - logical, clear and ordered.

The best �How-To� book I�ve found on international sales
Mr. Foley takes it right from the start - from solid information on whether to even consider making international sales, all the way through to direct foreign investment. Along the way he provides detailed examples, reference materials, and a number of excellent resources that take the mystery out of international sales.

Perhaps most importantly, this is not a regurgitation of MBA material on the subject - Mr. Foley has directly relevant experience, having spearheaded international expansions earlier in his career and now advising companies on how to achieve their global potential.

This is an excellent reference that our company continues to use as we expand to new markets globally and work to increase our share in markets we're already addressing.

Excellent
This is an excellent source for everything from foreign market evaluation to the documentation for your first sale. Well written and enjoyable to read. While startng out in the game of global enterprise, I have a lot of questions.The questionsare being answered, plus all the ones I didn't know I needed to ask.The book excites me to pursue the markets.Before hand I thought it would frighten or discourage me, reading about all the work and risk involved.It was encouraging to hear that international business is where to see the world and its cultures, not just a way to increase profits.I plan to use this book as the guide when our company goes global.

Global Entrepreneur Excellent Introduction to Global Arena
As a newcomer to the "world of global business," I was searching for one resource that would quickly build my understanding of the various aspects of the international arena. I was thrilled to discover The Global Entrepreneur, by James Foley. This book covers everything from basic definitions to the broad issues of "how," "why," and "when" to go global, while also providing solid information on specific topics such as logistics, marketing, relationship building, strategic planning, and using the internet.
And it accomplishes all this in an informal, easy to read and understand style. Mr. Foley writes in a conversational manner, taking information that could be quite dry and boring, and making it interesting and exciting. As an added benefit, the book also includes numerous other resources to enhance your research and exploration of the global arena.
The Global Entrepreneur offers a wealth of information and is a practical resource/reference book for anyone involved in, or becoming involved with, global business. ... Read more

Product Description
As a recent college graduate, there is no better time to take risks especially when it comes to making career choices. All too often, young employees find themselves in unfulfilling jobs with little chance of advancement. But with the right advice, they can strike out on their own and chase their dreams. Through personal experience as a one-time stock broker-trainee turned successful entrepreneur, Robert Tuchman knows what it's like to be stuck and what it takes to break free of a frustrating job and build your career on your own terms. In "Young Guns", he shows readers how to start out on a business venture, how to gain a client base, how to keep those clients, and what they need to sacrifice along the way in order to succeed. He reveals the myths and realities about starting a business when you're young. Filled with real-life examples of entrepreneurs under 35 who have made it to the top, this is the book that will show readers how to go for the gold and lead a passionate, daring and successful life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great practical and academic resource
I've worked with dozens of entrepreneurs of all ages and levels of expertise. Young entrepreneurs have special opportunities and challenges. Rob's book addresses both of these in a way that is encouraging, reality-based and highly instructional. It is the best resource I've seen for young entrepreneurs written by someone who has been there. As a professor of entrepreneurship and sports business, I've used the book in my class and will continue to do so.

Young Guns - Robert Tuchman (Amacom)
Robert Tuchman believes you should fulfill your professional dreams. He should know. After graduating college, Tuchman, who had always wanted to be a sports writer, became a stockbroker trainee. When that quickly became an unfulfilling life pursuit, Tuchman broke out and reconfigured his plan to put himself back on track. Now, as a successful businessman in the world of sports and corporate events, Tuchman shares his insights as to how a young person (the ones who have `nothing to lose') can make their way creating their own business dream.

`Young Guns' is a well-balanced primer for newbies in the business world who want to learn things like how to identify big ideas, find valuable partners, nurturing important vendor relationships, the all-important first year and how to get started whether you're ready or not. Along the way, Tuchman cites examples of entrepreneurs who utilize the techniques outlined in the book and how those methods have benefitted their companies.

`Young Guns' is neither complex nor hard to follow and in that respect it is perhaps most useful to those who are truly just starting out on their personal business journey - even for those who may already have a job, but are yet to begin the journey to their dream career.

An Inspiring Story
Young Guns is a must read for anyone between the ages of 22-30. It teaches you valuable life lessons that aim to help the average person succeed. What I liked most about it, is that the book maintained a realistic mindset. It did not aim to achieve impossible goals. It talked a lot about the basics. While most people think they know how to organize their time, manage their money, they don't. Rob Tuchman teaches these valuable life lessons that can not be learned in a classroom, nor can they be learned out on the streets. The most important lessons come from someone who has gone through the experience of trying to achieve their goals at the highest level. It is no wonder that Tuchman has become so successful on his own.

Overall, a great read and an awe inspiring book for young people that are entering the business world.

Well written
This book provides insight into the minds of some highly respected 'movers and shakers'. They share their views of how to run a successful business/organization.
It is very inspiring. Great gift for that college grad, or anyone who wants to learn some secrets for success in life.

Great read for a young entrepreneur
I enjoyed reading this book, a lot of motivation and real life stories.This book has motivated me. ... Read more

Product Description

A new brand of entrepreneurs has arrived on the business scene, carrying with them a whole new set of values. They possess a sense of mission – to be socially responsible, protect the planet, and do the right thing for all of their stakeholders. Rather than focus exclusively on financial gain, they aim to achieve a balance between profits and one or more causes of their choosing. In fact, they view for-profit entrepreneurship as a vehicle for social change. The authors call these pioneers "values-centered" entrepreneurs.

Some of the values-centered entrepreneurs have been around a few decades. In recent years, however, the numbers have proliferated and the nascent movement has started to make a true impact. These entrepreneurs’ approach to management questions our basic assumptions about how businesses should be run and what their role should be in society.

Several of these entrepreneurs have attained high visibility. Yvon Chouinard of sportswear manufacturer Patagoina has been a role model for integrating environmental protection to every aspect of Patagonia’s business operation. Howard Schultz of Starbucks has been able to build one of the strongest brands in the world while being the first retailer to offer comprehensive health benefits and stock options to its part-time employees. Paul Newman, legendary actor and racecar driver as well as a leading maker of salad dressings, gives 100% of Newman’s Own brand’s profits to charity.

This book explores how these highly unorthodox leaders have built their profitable and socially responsible business enterprises, and what lessons can be learned for the next generation of entrepreneurs. The authors examine a group of over 40 entrepreneurial companies and how each balanced the profit objective with social responsibility in key aspects of their business operation – from their initial company formation, through growth, to exit – to build successful triple bottom-line companies. Choi and Gray particularly focus on how these firms’ commitment to values affected their company missions, hiring and organizational policies, marketing strategies, financial practices, exit options, and giving programs, and vice versa. In some cases, the authors find that the entrepreneurs’ social objectives have actually strengthened, not weakened, their business enterprises. Based on their extensive studies of these companies, he authors have distilled a set of commonalities. The book presents ten of the most dominant and interesting of these commonalities with a focus on those policies and decisions that appeared to depart from conventional business practice.

In addition to devoting chapters to each of the core principles learned from these companies, the authors also include in-depth case studies of four of the ventures featured in their study.

Product Description

John Wood discovered his passion, his greatest success, and his life's work&#8212not at business school or leading Microsoft's charge into Asia in the 1990s&#8212but on a soul-searching trip to the Himalayas. Wood felt trapped between an all-consuming career and a desire to do something lasting and significant. Stressed from the demands of his job, he took a vacation trekking in Nepal because a friend had told him, "If you get high enough in the mountains, you can't hear Steve Ballmer yelling at you anymore."

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World chronicles John Wood's struggle to find a meaningful outlet for his managerial talents and entrepreneurial zeal. For every high-achiever who has ever wondered what life might be like giving back, Wood offers a vivid, emotional, and absorbing tale of how to take the lessons learned at a hard-charging company like Microsoft and apply them to one of the world's most pressing problems: the lack of basic literacy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (75)

Fast read -- unbelievablely good story!!
A friend suggested I read the book and I was not disappointed.Amazing story about one man's quest to change the world after he found that his career with Microsoft was not all there was to being happpy.His passion is contageous and his journey riveting.

Wonderful
This book is great. It's enlightening to see the impact that an idea for positive change can have on the world. The current Room to Read site speaks for itself. Over 7.4 million books have been donated, 10,000 libraries have been created, and over 1,100 schools have been built.

Wood balances narrative and introspection well.

dated and disappointing
This book really needed an editor. There was so much unimportant information in here, like what type of coffee Mr. Wood had with his breakfast, the amount of flights he took, where he sat in the airplane, or the mention of donors names, for no other fact then they donated money. What happened to modesty?

It read like a long acceptance speech with EVERYONE listed who works, donates or volunteers for Room to Read. I could see Mr. Wood thinking, if these names are in the book more money will be spent by these people to buy this book, and more schools will be built.

If this frivolous text was removed and replaced with facts and advice for others that may have similar businesses, the book would read better, and be about 1/8 of the size.At the end he mentions that Room to Read publishes more than 200 local language titles, was this anywhere else in the book? I was really disappointed that the nitty gritty details of how a business like this was run were totally looked over.

Wisdom
This was definitely one of my favorite reads this month, mixing a nonfiction story, a biography, and a business book in one coherent prose. It's full of wisdom of a man succeeding in his original career and following his newly-found passion afterwards -- with a clear thinking-big mentality in the process. The original goal stated for Room to Read, John's founded charity and deep passion, included goals like the desire of building hundreds of schools instead of a one or two, founding thousands of libraries, and operating fund-raising chapters in most of the world's money centers. John attributes this mentality to his 8 years of executive experience at Microsoft's rapid growth period -- the 90s.

Speaking of Microsoft, there was a very interesting number of lessons drawn from its second-in-command CEO Steve Ballmer. Ballmer was characterized as over-passionate with his company's results, data-driven: getting mad at people who "don't know their numbers", and by deep loyalty to his employees, trying to know everything about them and supporting their backs. Each of these points was supported by a number of well-told stories from the author's personal experiences.

It was also surprising to know that with only $250 per year, one can change the entire future of a girl in the developing world. According to John, these $250 are enough for securing a 'lifelong git' of education to a student there throughout the full year by paying school fees, two school uniforms, two pair of shoes, a book bag, school supplies, health insurance, a bicycle since schools tend to be sparse there, _and_ a strong female mentor to look after the group of young scholars!

All of these points were only a very small portion of the great ones explored in the book. It seems John takes his journal whenever and wherever he goes, which might be a good habit to acquire. Who knows, someone, somewhere in this world, may have an equivalent great story to tell in the future.

The beginning was only a request for a few books
The story of a man, John Wood, who acted on a small request that led to an inspired and inspiring saga of making educational opportunity possible for millions of children across the globe. Read the book and get hooked on a way to make a difference in the world through books, schools, libraries and scholarships for girls in developing countries. The more people who connect with this story the more I have hope for a peaceful future for mankind. ... Read more

Product Description
The Fastest, Easiest Way to Write a Business Plan ... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

You rock! Super quick delivery!!!
This is a great book if you want to do a quick and really easy business plan.

Great Starter Plan
I have been operating a small business for 5 years. While I have enjoyed success I knew I needed to refocus and redouble my efforts in order to take my business to the next level. This book is down to earth and very thought provoking. I have already begun to implement some changes in my business and am very pleased with the results. I no longer feel like I am just "winging it". I know I will be using this book annually to stay on track.

Loved this business plan
I really liked this book. It was recommended to me by my virtual assistant. I was dreading doing a business plan because they looked so complicated and boring. But this book is very simple and easy to use. The CD helps you to answer all the questions about the business that you have in your head but need to get on paper. Once I got started, I realized that I had a lot of ideas for my business and that I didn't have to do them all at once. I would definitely recommend this book to any entrepreneur who is not very analytical and who does not enjoy the tedium of a typical business plan. This is THE book for the more creative types who need to get plans on paper but don't wantto do itthe traditional way.

A multimillion dollar tool
This book makes writing a business plan so easy.The way of business today shows that the one-page plan is the best tool for putting your ideas out there.I haven't work with all of the tools, but what I've work with was enough to land a few angel investors.This could easily be the first tool to start your way towards working for yourself.
While I haven't used anything, what I've found the software lacking is an org chart to show investors who you plan to structure the company, a tool to prepare a statement of incorporation, and a Gantt chart program to lay out the timeline for all that goes into starting up a business.Unless you have that 1% of businesses that can start the second you turn on the lights for the first time, it's irrelevent.For the remaining 99% of us, we need something like this.

Simplifies business plan writing
Strong foundation for writing a business plan. Very easy to read. Very concise information. A tremendous resource for business planning. Simplifies things very well. I highly recommend. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Great title to a very disappointing book
I am a designer and have an invention that I am working on and need all the help I can get. This book was recommended in CA so I jumped at it. The bulk of the book is made up of small two page scenarios from people who have and have not succeeded in creating and marketing a product. They are asked about 7 different questions which gives very little insight on why their product is successful. (Which by the way most I have never heard of.) I would not recommend this book at all, what a disappointment.

A nice looking book that doesn't deliver
The cover and description of this book are misleading. It claims to be about products that sell, but the many of the projects in the book make very little money, or are even losing money. Some examples are from the authors' students and I would rather read about products/projects that have been around longer and had more concrete results. The design of the book is nice, and the photos are nice. The non-interview portions of the book are very general, boring, and don't offer much practical advice. The interviews themselves give insight into the creator's thinking, but most don't address any specifics or the process they went through to get a final product. I started out trying to read the whole book, but ended up just skimming my way through most of it. Overall, I was disappointed and feel like I wasted my money on this one. If you want to read about why designers decide they want to create their own products and how happy they are (even if they don't make money at it) then this is the book for you. If you've already decided to make your own products and want specific practical advice about production, pricing, etc. look elsewhere.

Good starting point for designers looking to branch out
Designers are naturally entrepreneurial, but relatively few of them have taken that road to success. This book, co-written by the prolific design writer, Steven Heller, is a good starting point as a resource for designers who want to take that next step. In fact, I do not know of any other book which tackles this subject, so it may well be the only resource specifically for designers.

The interviews with design entrepreneurs are interesting to read, and there is much to be found in the resource section, but I feel the book falls a bit short in providing the specific information that designers truly need. For example, Chapter 2: From Idea to Product is a mere 5 pages long and amounts to a checklist. It's a good checklist, but it skimps on specifics.

The chapters of examples from designers offer some greater detail, but you have to dig through and consolidate the vital information for yourself. For instance, if a designer says that he or she first had a prototype made, that is fine to know. But it would be far more valuable to additionally learn something about the person who made the prototype, and how the designer initially found that person.

The sub-title of the book, Turning Graphic Design Into Goods That Sell, gives the impression that the book is going to help designers learn how to do that. There are some good tips, but any designer hoping to turn their ideas into products will have to go farther than this book for more specific help.

I do like this book for the inspiration it provides, as well as the list of resources at the back of the book. Heller and Talarico have included examples and interviews from a very wide swath of design styles and experiences.

inspiring
This is a great book for creatives- its very inspiring and motivational (but in a good way- not a "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it people like me" kind of way). I love it.

This book is for a very targeted audience
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R18XMT61G6502A This is red softcover book that's housed in a black die-cut cardboard case. I wonder why the designer included the case, which has no particular use.

This book is for graphic designers, specifically those who want to turn their designs into products, and product designers.

There are three chapters with talking about the general process of conceptualizing an idea to selling of the product. These tips on selling the product is good to know, but they are really general. Any entrepreneurial book from the Dummies series will provide much better depth, and be a better complement to this book. Further reading on the business starting is compulsory if you're really starting a business. There are many details to take note of.

If you do decide to go into creating your own product, this book offers a lot of insights. They come from more than over 60 interviews with designers who have designed and sold their own products -- they are the clients themselves.

It's inspiring to read about their success stories, to learn some tips and gain some experience off them. The number of interviews ensures that most of the business aspect to be talked about, such as distribution, business strategy formulating, funding and other stuff from the perspective of a designer.

I'll recommend this book to designers who are thinking of selling products designed by themselves.

My rating for this book is 4-stars because it's a book targeted to a very niche market. And even so, there should be more written on challenges and obstacles. Selling isn't as simple as the examples in the book suggest.

Side note - I once drew a calendar, got it bind and sold it. Only manage to sell 20 copies but it's fun. It's really hard work.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.) ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (21)

Screw it, let's do it.
If you enjoyed "Losing my Virginity" and are interested in Richard Branson's more recent business adventures, then this is it - incidentally, if you haven't read the former, you should really start there. The book is written in usual Richard Branson style, that is, no nonsense, fast-paced business adventure and is an enjoyable read if entrepreneurship is something you like reading about. Or, as the Richard Branson said himself: "Screw it, let's do it."

The Title Doesn't Lie
I read Richard Branson's "Losing My Virginity" and was instantly consumed by the stories, both personal and business, of how he got where was in the early 2000's. I mean how many Billionaire's can you think of that are open and honest enough to tell some their most personal situations to allow us to gain a better understanding of who they really are? One that I know of now. Richard keeps that same tone and openness in "Business Striped Bare" and explains the foundation behind what makes Virgin as successful as it is, in a non-business jargon and easy to understand way. He is not giving the magic bullet that will work for everyone in every situation, but what he is giving is an inside look at how Virgin does what it does and how it does it so well. Well worth the read and the concepts are easily applied in just about any area of life, not just business.

Same ol' Richard, fresh ideas and thoughts
I have read also Losing my Virginity, Screw it, let's do it so I can tell I still have found new and useful stuff in this new book. I liked a lot the down to earth approach to what does it really mean a brand and how your company can live by it on a day to day basis. Also I was always curious how Richard's notes are looking alike so finally found out. As always I fell very energized and encouraged to go in unknown territories after reading Richard's books so this time is no exception.

Branson's a Better Leader Than a Writer
I am a huge fan of Richard Branson's.There is no questioning his global success, charming nature and humanitarian ideals.He is not, however, a great writer.

I found it difficult to complete each chapter as the book reads more like a doting mother speaking of her beauty queen daughter than as a serious guide to building and managing a successful enterprise.Most stomach-turning was his description of what makes a Virgin employee so "special."You'd think Mother Teresa was "just the stuff" they require because "even the best isn't good enough for Virgin."Gag me.

I can't in good conscience give the book a one-star rating, but two stars is about all I can muster.I really wanted to love this book but just couldn't do it.

Richard Branson owes me a beer for my time.(And if you're reading this buddy, I'm serious.)

A good inspirational and motivating book
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from Richard Branson.This is a good inspirational and motivating book that is very easy to read.I knew that there were a number of Virgin companies prior to reading this book, however I was not aware of how many different industries Virgin is involved with (music, mobile, space travel, planes, trains, finance, health clubs, ...).

The culture of Virgin is a key component of the why the Virgin companies have been successful.Whilst there is not a step by step guide for how to build a successful company, there are many useful insights and lessons learnt.Caring and Encouraging your people, Customer-focus, Innovation, Embracing leadership, Fun, Learning from mistakes and Social Responsibility are key attributes I now associate with the Virgin brand. ... Read more

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Discover if you have what it takes to join the ranks of successful entrepreneurs

In this interactive book,William F. Wagner can shape your destiny. He can tell you which of your traits will catapult you to success, what type of business will let you excel, and which traits will lead to failure if left unchecked. His accurate insights come from years of meticulous research of thousands of successful entrepreneurs. Now he uses that data and an amazingly simple yet accurate online personality test to tell you about yourself--and what you can do to be successful.

You can take the test available on the companion website to discover how they stack up against model entrepreneurs. Additionally, quizzes are included throughout the book for immediate feedback. You’ll learn how to mimic the behaviors of thriving millionaires and avoid the mistakes of those who've failed.

Customer Reviews (12)

The Entrepreneur Next Door
The idea of having your own business and being your own boss sounds like a fantasy come true. Unfortunately, although many individuals have the dream, not everyone actually follows through on entrepreneurship. Furthermore, off those people who do start their own businesses, many fail within the first three years simply because the entrepreneur doesn't have the skills, the know-how, or the right personality to do the job at hand.

The Entrepreneur Next Door primarily looks at personality types. The book identifies seven different personality types: Trailblazers, Go-Getters, Managers, Motivators, Authorities, Collaborators, and Diplomats. These groupings are based upon levels of dominance, sociability, relaxation, and compliance. The first four personalities in this list are labelled generalists and tend to be natural entrepreneurs while the final three categories include specialists that tend to be more successful when they find a particular entrepreneur opportunity that matches their area of expertise.

I found these personality categories very interesting and helpful. At first, it didn't seem like the category closest to my personality actually suited me. However, after going through the chapters on how each personality type leads, learns, sells, and what ticks them off, I realized that the information was quite insightful and useful in my business planning and strategies.

Discover the Secrets to financial independence and learn how to make it happen!
The Entrepreneur next door explains just what makes up the entrepreneurial spirit and how it is different from others.This book will help you to understand why entrepreneurs can start a business while others can't seem to get past dreaming, take a test to find out if you have what it takes to start your own business, be succesful and make more money.

Call to action
Great business books not only tell you how it is - but also call you to action.Read it and act!

Getting the right people on the bus
WOW!I couldn't put it down.I read the entire thing in one sitting and it is full of notes and stars and underlines. It is like having Bill Wagner in a Book! I've known something about the science of psychometrics for years now, and this work makes it more understandable and user friendly, but more importantly, it reflects compassion and a balance for using it in a way to grow people and organizations using Bill's four tier process.This is a complete tour de force on unveiling the secrets of getting the right people on the bus. (And making sure you are prepared to drive) I will be recommending it as required reading to my CEO clients.

The Entrepreneur Next Door
Excellent book that gave me helpful insight for my own career and that of managing others. ... Read more

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Product Description

Making Partnerships Work

Most partnership books focus on the technical aspects of "how to." The more important question is "how do." How do I make this succeed?Experienced corporate attorney Ira Nottonson covers both areas by exploring real-life examples that have generated success or failure in numerous partnership situations. Nottonson offers you a complete do-it-yourself guide to forming a partnership as well as the critical information necessary to navigate the various partnership relationships and make them work.

Nottonson covers:

• Putting the partnership together
• Bringing a partner into a new or existing venture
• Smart strategies for dividing responsibilities and profits
• Joint ventures, implicit partnerships, investors and family
• Building a decision protocol
• Cash flow for growth and profit

Give yourself a business advantage as Nottonson takes you step by step through the legal and personal issues of forming a partnership.

Critical Checklists and Sample Contracts on CD-ROM!

Sample documents include:

• General Partnership Agreement
• Partner Ledger
• Minutes of Partnerships Meeting Form
• Action of Written Consent of Partners
• Summary of the Uniform Partnership Act
• State of Delaware Certificate of Limited Partnership

Plus critical checklists for:

• Analysis of Partnership
• Developing a Partnership
• Reviewing Cash Flow
• Protecting Proprietary Information
• Arbitration and Mediation
• Building a Decision Protocol
• Bringing in New Partners
• Family Partnerships
• Attracting Investors
• And more!

For more than 28 years, Entrepreneur has provided the most trusted business advice available to business owners.Our legal guides continue that tradition by offering current and cost-effective legal information so you can resolve the business and legal issues you face on a daily basis. We'll also strive to help you identify when it's in your best interest to seek the personalized advice and services of a practicing lawyer. ... Read more

Product Description
Build an empire step by step

Don't risk a small fortune trying to make a big one. Let acclaimed consultant Don Debelak show you how to get your exciting new product off the drawing board and into the marketplace—without losing your shirt! In this book, you'll learn what every inventor and entrepreneur needs to know about manufacturing techniques, product design, distribution channels, patents, licensing, and cash flow. You'll also discover how to handle some very tricky issues that are crucial to your success, including

• Knowing when your product is market ready
• Creating a step-by-step product-to-market strategy
• Adjusting your strategy to changing market conditions
• Finding financial help from investors, manufacturers, and distributors
• Having manufacturers pay development costs prior to licensing

Also available from the Entrepreneur Magazine library:

• The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Advisor
• The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Answer Book
• Guide to Integrated Marketing
• Human Resources for Small Businesses
• Making Money with Your Personal Computer
• Small Business Legal Guide
• Starting a Home-Based Business
• Starting an Import/Export Business
• Successful Advertising for Small Businesses

SPECIAL OFFERS!

FREE issue of Entrepreneur Magazine

• 50 0iscount on Entrepreneur Magazine subscription
• 1/2 price admission to any Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Expo
• Discount on American Entrepreneurs Association membership

See details and coupons in back of book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Loved this, would like to see it updated!
If there was only one business book, this would be it! Everything you need to know to launch a product or open a small service business. Smart, savvy been around the block advice not couched in business buzz. This is real business with very frank advice. I would like to see this updated with information about social media incorporated. Real world problems and solutions presented in a logical fashion. So many business books are not written by people who actually "do business"-this one is.

Couldn't Put it Down!
As a first-time product inventor and longtime Webpreneur, I found Debelak's book both refeshingly creative and rooted in solid business principles that will help usher entrepreneurs along the right product development path -- continually arming them throughout the process with tips and tools to test (and re-test) the validity of a new business idea as it moves to market.

Bringing Your Product to Market is chock full of litmus-test-type checklists and common-sense (yet far from obvious) ideas, such as reaching out to product packaging specialists to get a more accurate forecast of how many units a product might sell.

In short, this is a **must read** for anyone serious about introducing something new or unique into the marketplace.

I'm eager to continue putting Don's tenets to work (and the test) and am moving on to a more formalized product testing stage.Stay tuned for more case study updates!

You Can Do It -- Often At Low Cost
This book's author, Don Debelak, is a strong believer in inventors marketing their ideas. However, he also covers the licensing approach. He realizes that raising money is the number one problem and he covers the whole spectrum -- from doing it with zero dollars to how to raise a million dollars.

His advice is based on ten years as a new product marketing consultant. Throughout the book, he gives examples of the right and wrong moves people have made. My quick count (examples are in italics) indicated 106 examples.

Don estimates that in any given year, in the USA, about 200,000 individuals are working on product ideas but, at most, 500 will succeed in introducing their idea. In other words, one in 400 will succeed!

He stresses that in addition to the money problem, inventors should recognize the importance of three things -- that many revisions will be needed, that you can do it, and that you will need help from people experienced in your specific market area.

The author emphasizes entrepreneurs believe many myths about money. One common myth is that you should not borrow money until you have spent all of yours. Actually, in startup situations, banks expect you to have cash on hand equal to the loan requested. He emphasizes getting investors early in the process. If more money is then needed, investors will generally seek to protect their investment by investing more money.

Inventors often have no idea as to what the ratio of the selling price is to the cost of manufacturing. Quite often the selling price must be four to five times the cost of manufacturing the item. Few inventors seem to be aware of what sales, marketing and administration costs will be.

Many inventors fail to do even elementary market research. Can you communicate your product's benefits in 5 to 10 seconds? Is it significantly better? Have you consulted an impartial panel or are you still in the dream world of kind words from friends and relatives? The author gives several suggestions for doing low-cost market research.

You know your invention inside and out -- but do you know your buyers "hot buttons"? That is their motivations for buying products like yours. Don describes four basic reasons why people buy products. Unless you understand these, your sales pitches and your ads may fail miserably.

He points out that everyone loves a winning product. Therefore, it is vital to give your product the appearance of gaining momentum. Don't crank out a mountain of product and hope it will sell -- get a mountain of orders and work around the clock to fill the orders.

Don't assume a big blast of advertising is the answer. Many of the big advertisers succeed because they have established their brand names by years of advertising. Ads are expensive. Advertise, but analyze your results. He lists eight factors to be considered when analyzing the results of your ads.

While Don feels making your own product is better than the licensing approach, he does list 12 key steps to licensing an idea. Ideas don't sell themselves. Dramatic presentations and your ability to create a sense of urgency are vital when going the licensing route.

He gives an extensive check list for growing a company and for making it a smooth-running operation.

Surprisingly, he does not discuss business plans until later in the book. He feels they are overrated. A budget is vital at the very start, but until you gain some experience from producing and selling your product, a business plan will probably consist of wishful and wild estimates.

In summary, the message to inventors and entrepreneurs is that you can do it -- often at low cost -- but you must be prepared to work hard and, most of all, to work smart.

Why didn't I find this book before?
This is the book that I have been looking for! Finally, a book that walks me through step by step market analysis and determining if a product will sell.From inception of the idea, through the "Why does the world need my idea" to testing the idea, to actually setting up how to ask the consumer the RIGHT questions in deciding if the product is sales worthy, this book leads one through all of the steps.Items like price vrs cost of production was detailed.Will I be able to make a profit?Now I can tell!I found the "How to approach prospective clients" section extremely helpful with details on a presentation package to a list of the right questions to ask the prospective distributer.As an idea person, I needed to learn the marketing and the market reasearch part of the business.This book has done it.This invaluable book is worth every cent! Thanks!

Booyah!
The Debelak's rock my face off! GTO says: This book is amazing - such good stuff happens!! Marketing banzai!! ... Read more

Product Description
"The Entrepreneur in Youth" offers one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of African American, Latino, and white high school students' aspirations, knowledge, opinions and educational views related to entrepreneurship and philanthropy. A key strength is its longitudinal approach to analysis and interpretations, made possible by extensive surveys of over 11,000 respondents from high school youth and other groups, including adults and business owners. The key findings exhibit an extraordinarily high level of interest in entrepreneurship among youth as well as a strong desire to give back to their communities. However, they lack the knowledge and experience to achieve their aspirations.The book's major recommendations and guidelines include challenges to education and other policymakers to expand and enhance opportunities to access entrepreneurship education and early entrepreneurship mentoring shadowing experiences - especially for those who demand it the most: African Americans and Latinos.Meeting these challenges not only will contribute to economic growth and social reform initiatives but also will increase economic and social mobility and access to opportunity for a still largely untapped pool of future entrepreneurs. This book will appeal to academics in entrepreneurship, economics, business and education, as well as policymakers, educators and business leaders. ... Read more

Product Description
Entrepreneur Stuart Skorman—the founder of Elephant Pharmacy, Hungryminds.com, Reel.com, and Empire Video—grew up in a retailing family in Ohio. He worked every kind of job, from cab driver to professional poker player to CEO. In this entertaining, personal account of his coming-of- age in the business world, Skorman gives an insider’s view of what it takes to start a business from the ground up.

Stuart Skorman offers his hard-won lessons in business for any entrepreneur or small businessperson who wants to create a company that has a heart and soul. He reveals what he learned about marketing while working a stint as a rock band manager and bares his soul about his failure during the dot-com bubble. He describes in vivid terms the roller coaster ride of the entrepreneur in good times and bad and explains how to survive in today’s uncertain business environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Fun, Business Philosophy & Many Start-ups
Confession of a Serial Entrepreneur is an entertaining book of, well, the book titel says it all, a serial entrepreneur. The interested would-be & entrepreneur can have hear a laugh while learning some deep level business philosophy; like the importance of heart & soul of a company and to look fora business with the potential to be deeply satisfying. It's neither the funniest book i've ever read nor the best book on entrepreneurship ... but a good mix of both. Worth reading.

Interesting Read but a Bit Light on Entreprenuership How To
Good quick read about a man that stumbled into being a lifelong entreprenuer because he could see opportunities and was not afraid to start businesses to exploit them.I admire the author because he is introspective enought to realize what he is good at and what he is not and how that effects his ability to start and grow companies.He admits his mistakes but gives you insight into what are the key lessons he learned. The author recognizes that fanatical focus on providing a great customer experience and customer service will build customer loyality that will allow you to overcome the mistakes that small-growing businesses make. Larger established companies should re-learn this lesson. The bottom line from this book is the Nike slogan, "Just Do It!".If you want to learn more about starting a business I would suggest other books like the Art of the Start The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything, or the classic entreprenuership book by Paul Hawken, Growing a Business Growing a Business.

A great read
If you think you've got the entrepreneurial spirit and want to embark on the startup journey, read the book by someone who's taken the trip.

Even if you're not an entrepreneur this book will provide a window into how extraordinary people take business risks.

What a ride and a great read.

Thanks for sharing it.

p.s. in addiiton to a great startup story, if you are interesting in the process of startups there are some good tactical texts on how to avoid some of the bumps i.e. see: The Four Steps to the Epiphany or for pure strategy The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business (Collins Business Essentials)

Laugh out loud funny!
Skorman gives an insider's view of what it takes to start a business from the ground up. He offers his hard-won lessons in business for any entrepreneur or small businessperson who wants to create a company that has a heart and soul.

[...].

Painful Entrepreneurial Lessons Reported in Good Humor
People who think they want to be entrepreneurs should read this book.In life, you can either fall down to learn all of your own lessons or you can pay attention to and learn from other peoples' experiences.I recommend the latter approach and Mr. Skorman provides an easy-to-read memoir that you can easily absorb.His range of experience will probably cover something that you are thinking about doing.I commend him for choosing to ask Catherine Guthrie to help him write the book; it flows more smoothly than 99% of the business memoirs you'll read.

I work with dozens of would-be entrepreneurs at any given time.Their motivations vary.Some want to create a huge business.Others just want to establish a business they would be proud of.Still others want to establish a certain kind of lifestyle.Some want to escape the humdrum qualities of their lives.A few have an idealistic vision of what a business could do for others.At various times, Mr. Skorman tried all of these approaches and candidly assesses the pros and cons of those perspectives.

When I first meet them, the would-be entrepreneurs have three things in common:

1.They have no idea of how to prepare to be an entrepreneur.
2.They don't understand the various processes to use in establishing a successful new business.
3.They are in a hurry.

In addition, most of would-be entrepreneurs have no understanding of how to think about customers and what might appeal to customers.

As a result, they employ what I like to call the "fire, ready, aim" school of entrepreneurship.That approach can work just fine . . . as long as you have enough energy, capital, and patience.

Most entrepreneurs are self-taught: They learn by accumulating bumps and bruises.That learning process is, however, so painful that they either don't want to talk about it or develop amnesia as time passes.

Stuart Skorman's memoir is a great resource for inexperienced entrepreneurs because he does remember how he got where he is and is willing to share with you.You follow along while he goes from starting up one venture to another and get a candid look at what he did right and wrong, and why that happened.In his biggest success, he freely describes how not paying enough attention to a deal he needed to make and to technological development cost him most of what he could have gained.You'll be there, too.When you are, remember his example.

I also find that would-be entrepreneurs think they will be married to their business for life.In drawing that conclusion, they deny themselves the opportunity to experience the joy of creation all over again . . . but with more resources and experience to guide them.I don't recall another book where an entrepreneur so often moved on to start a new enterprise and in another industry as often as Mr. Skorman has.You'll be fascinated.

Why is it that most entrepreneurs cannot repeat their success in another industry?Success is very much influenced by being in the right place at the right time with the right resources and skills. Miss one of those elements and the next enterprise may be a loser.

Mr. Skorman is also a very interesting fellow when he's not starting-up businesses.He spent the Summer of Love in San Francisco.He did a cross-country bicycle jaunt by himself.He spent two years earning a living as a professional poker player.He also managed a rock band.You'll enjoy those parts, too.

In understanding Mr. Skorman's perspective, it's helpful to remember that he is primarily a marketing thinker who sees deep needs that aren't being met and can conceptualize very extreme ways to improve on what exists.That talent is best exhibited in his experience with Empire Video where he conceptualized a whole new approach to video rental stores that greatly expanded the market in the geographies that he served.I suggest that you read that case with the most attention for what's needed to succeed.There were few false steps because he deeply understood the needs of video renters.I was so impressed with this case that I summarized it for some of my entrepreneurial students.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, read the case of Elephant Pharmacy to show you how wealth and comfort can induce bad habits into what may well be a good business idea.As the ultimate story of "ready, fire, aim" I commend his story of HungryMinds.com.

Although the chapters end up with entrepreneurial lessons, I suggest that you think of these not as general lessons . . . but rather as the lessons than you can draw from Mr. Skorman's example.He didn't study what other entrepreneurs do and don't do, so you shouldn't treat this book as a literal business text.It's more like an annotated series of cases.

As his career evolves in the future, I hope Mr. Skorman will favor us with an updated edition of this book at some point.
... Read more

Product Description
Every business starts with a bright idea, and many a bright idea has been hatched in a pub scribbled on a nearby discarded beermat. But how do you turn the moment of inspiration into a well oiled plan? who do you need to talk to? How do you find the cash to back the idea? How many people do you need to work with to get the idea off the ground? And how on earth do you find them? This book tells you exactly how to convert your jotted notes into a big and successful business. It takes you step-by-step, with no jargon, no complex theory and no visits to arrogant pinstriped venture capitalists who aren't really interested in just 'an idea'. This revised edition follows the same successful format of the previous editions with new up to the minute advice including: how to work with a bank to your greatest benefit, a new expanded section on growing your business and how to handle the 20-plus employee stage.Using these tried and tested techniques, your beermat inspiration could become reality. ... Read more

Product Description
Truly a practical guide to better business planning. The book is friendly and easy to read. It is especially helpful in developing the correct thought process, which is so essential to effective strategic planning. An indispensable corporate tool. Peter N. Tan, Senior Vice President, Hambrecht & Quist Preparing and presenting an intelligent business plan is a challenge that both entrepreneur and senior executive alike face. Whether the goal is raising start-up finance for a new business or requesting venture funding from a corporate parent, a good business plan must deliver all the information decision-makers are really looking for. The Definitive Business Plan ensures you do this. Accessible to the newcomer and detailed enough for the experienced planner, this guide explains how to tailor a plan for specific readerships and to meet specific objectives. If you want people to part with their cash, you need a business plan that has substance. In this highly regarded book, Richard Stutely will help you make sure your plan is robust enough to start, run or revitalise any business enterprise.The Definitive Business Series will ensure you get up to speed fast with all the business essentials you need to be a success. With their guided step-by-step approach the latest practical business techniques and concepts and their easy-to-read style, The Definitive Business Series cover every aspect of the topic from the business basics to the essential skills needed to progress in your career. The Definitive Business Series. Your fast-track to business success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

All you ever need
This book is a hit! I have raised well over £100m in total for three different companies, including an IPO on the Main Market of LSE based on the teachings of this book. Investors love the style and it pays off. What else do you need in addition than a brilliant idea put in a right format? If you are serious about raising money, look no further.

It's all in the title
This is the only guide you will ever need to understanding how to put a business plan together and in so doing you gain invaluable lessons on what makes business tick, from a master.I have used this book in an earlier edition, as a blueprint to attract finance for 3 ventures so I can vouch for its easy style and elegant solutions. Highly recommended whether you're starting, running or turning around a business.If you are in business you need to read this book from cover to cover and you don't need to be Einstein to understand it.

The Definitive Business Plan - review
An excellent book that takes you through start to finish on the operating principles of a business and the reasons behind each process. This provides a good framework for you to fashion what is appropriate for your business given the circumstances you are in at this point in time. The book is logically laid out, explained in simple language and very easy to apply in a practical business environment. This is the best book I have read on establishing a business plan that can either be highly operational, tactical or strategic in nature or have these elements combined in a manner that meets your current needs.

Excellent Book
I think this is an excellent and practical introduction to writing business plan.

Peter

Very informative and also more internationally oriented
I find this book way superior to many other books on the subject. At the same time, it approaches business plans with small boxed anecdotes and an easy-going attitude (alla "...for dummies" but a far better level). Also differences between British and U.S. accounting terms are explained, giving the book a touch of international reach. At all times you have the feeling of being in company with a very talented and experienced author. ... Read more

Product Description
The biggest business publication of 2009 — Branson's business secrets now in paperback.

In Business Stripped Bare, Sir Richard Branson shares the inside track on his life in business and reveals the incredible truth about his most risky, brilliant and audacious deals. Discover why Virgin tried to take on one of the world's biggest superbrands, how Virgin Mobile USA holds the record as the fastest company in history to generate revenues of over one billion dollars (faster than Microsoft, Google and Amazon) and how Richard is the only person in the world to have built eight billion-dollar companies from scratch in eight different sectors.

Combining invaluable advice with the remarkable and candid inside stories of Virgin's greatest achievements, as well as some of its setbacks, Business Stripped Bare is a dynamic, inspirational and truly original guide to success in business and in life. Whether you are an executive, an entrepreneur or are just starting out, Richard strips business down to show how you can succeed and make a difference.


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

I learned so much
I am an engineering student, but I love to read about all kinds of topics. Before reading this book I had an idea that business was hard, that it was reserved to a specific group of people, that it was all about economics and money. Well guess what? It's not. Branson takes you on a journey that skims through some of his experiences in a wide variety of fields and shares his thoughts, feelings, ideas, and enthusiasm. It was an excellent read, and that's coming from someone who hated anything to do with business or economy. Thank you Mr. Branson.

Barely worth it
Not that much meat for starters.Was hard to understand while driving as Branson's voice is to soft and and constantly shifts from very low to moderately higher.I think it was a book done simply to make a buck by trading on the mans fame.

Here's to hopeful, philanthropic capitalism at its true best!
For years it's been frustrating to me that none of Richard Branson's books were available on audio, so when this one came out I jumped on it.

Okay, this book is not as instructional and detailed as books like Good to Great. However, as wonderful as those other authors are, none of them have founded multi-billion dollar international firms. So what advice is here is coming straight from a source.

I know some are probably scoffing at the idea, sure that this book is ghost written, but I doubt it. Branson is a brand fanatic, who has made himself the living symbol of the brand.

Unlike Trump and others who espouse a cut-throat, zero-sum philosophy, Branson shows that entrepreneurship and conscience are not mutually exclusive. You can be a good person and a good businessman.

So if you want some sound business advice and a solid dose of hope this is the book to read... or listen.

Must read for any entrepreneur
I am an aspiring entrepreneur. I was coming up with several business ideas and was looking to find a meaning and mantra for my business, and was looking to get some insight into other entrepreneurs experience. Came across this book and bought it, and read it. It is a valuable read for entrepreneurs and for others thinking about entrepreneurship. Do not forget to read the inside of the covers on the front and the back. Several valuable lessons that can be learnt from Sir Richard Branson's experience, while you are going about your startup. Make sure you have fun reading this book! ... Read more