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Ten Business Books to Read in July
By Marc Kramer, For The Bulletin
Although layoffs continue to happen, I believe the economy is starting to stabilize and that the various stimulus initiatives are going to take hold over the next six months to a year. Every company leader and aspiring entrepreneur should be revaluating their strategy and thinking about how to improve their company’s competitive position. In many cases leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs are also in the hunt for capital.
To that end it is important to read as much as possible to avail one’s self of different ideas and concepts that will allow one to take advantage to seize potential opportunities. Here are 10 books to consider:
1. “Winners Never Cheat,” by Jon Huntsman, a self-made billionaire and serial author. Huntsman, who has a pristine reputation, provides a path for building a successful career through integrity and following your moral compass.
2. “Internet Businesses You can Start for Under $5,000,” by Melissa Campanelli. A good book for leveraging the Internet for primary or secondary income.
3. “Inspire: Why Customers Come Back,” by Jim Champy. Customer loyalty is more critical now than ever. This book provides ideas on innovating new products, picking the right channel partners and how to improve customer relations.
4. “From Lemons to Lemonade,” by Dean Shepherd. This book provides examples of how companies learned from their mistakes to build great products that opened up wallets.
5. “Work Wanted,” by James Walker and Linda Lewis. Few people can afford to retire and this book helps retired professionals get back into the game.
6. “Four Seas: The Story of Business Philosophy,” by Isadore Sharp. Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of Isadore Sharp, although I had stayed and eaten at his hotels. Unlike the Marriott’s, the Hiltons and Trumps, Sharp is not a name that people readily know, yet he developed and built one of the finest hotel chains in the world. Mr. Sharp started with Motel 6 type properties, but went the extreme other way. He realized that people wanted and would pay for the very best on consistent basis. It’s a great book for learning about how to move your product/service upstream and how to provide superior customer service.
7. “Early Exits” by Basil Peters. Mr. Peters is an experienced venture capitalist and angel investor. The book is focused on exit strategies, which is the number one concern when an investor writes a check. I heard him speak at the Angel Capital Association conference recently and I thought this book was a good read for entrepreneurs looking to raise venture capital and what they should ask for and expect from investors.
8. “Retail Superstars,” by George Whalin. You probably think from the title the book would focus on Wal-Mart, Target and other household names. This book focuses on how 25 retailing concepts where the founder focused on a particular niche and showed that being the best at something attracted serious buyers, plus built long term loyalty.
9. “Faith-Based Marketing: The Guide to Reaching 140 Million Christian Customers,” by Bob Hutchins and Greg Stielstra. I thought what was interesting about this book was the various ways of marketing to people of faith and using it as a case study to market to anyone who is passionate about something. So if you love bicycling and plan to open a bicycle shop this book shows you how to tap into the emotional side of people who also are excited about bicycling.
10. “Double Your Income Doing What You Love,” by Raymond Aaron with Sue Lacher. I know so many people who are unhappy with what they are doing and looking for more professional and financial control over their lives. This is an excellent book that provides a process for figuring out what you enjoy, how to go after it and set reasonable goals to build sales.
When times are tough many of us feel hopeless and rudderless. Books re-energize us and give us hope. Take the time to read.
To that end it is important to read as much as possible to avail one’s self of different ideas and concepts that will allow one to take advantage to seize potential opportunities. Here are 10 books to consider:
1. “Winners Never Cheat,” by Jon Huntsman, a self-made billionaire and serial author. Huntsman, who has a pristine reputation, provides a path for building a successful career through integrity and following your moral compass.
2. “Internet Businesses You can Start for Under $5,000,” by Melissa Campanelli. A good book for leveraging the Internet for primary or secondary income.
3. “Inspire: Why Customers Come Back,” by Jim Champy. Customer loyalty is more critical now than ever. This book provides ideas on innovating new products, picking the right channel partners and how to improve customer relations.
4. “From Lemons to Lemonade,” by Dean Shepherd. This book provides examples of how companies learned from their mistakes to build great products that opened up wallets.
5. “Work Wanted,” by James Walker and Linda Lewis. Few people can afford to retire and this book helps retired professionals get back into the game.
6. “Four Seas: The Story of Business Philosophy,” by Isadore Sharp. Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of Isadore Sharp, although I had stayed and eaten at his hotels. Unlike the Marriott’s, the Hiltons and Trumps, Sharp is not a name that people readily know, yet he developed and built one of the finest hotel chains in the world. Mr. Sharp started with Motel 6 type properties, but went the extreme other way. He realized that people wanted and would pay for the very best on consistent basis. It’s a great book for learning about how to move your product/service upstream and how to provide superior customer service.
7. “Early Exits” by Basil Peters. Mr. Peters is an experienced venture capitalist and angel investor. The book is focused on exit strategies, which is the number one concern when an investor writes a check. I heard him speak at the Angel Capital Association conference recently and I thought this book was a good read for entrepreneurs looking to raise venture capital and what they should ask for and expect from investors.
8. “Retail Superstars,” by George Whalin. You probably think from the title the book would focus on Wal-Mart, Target and other household names. This book focuses on how 25 retailing concepts where the founder focused on a particular niche and showed that being the best at something attracted serious buyers, plus built long term loyalty.
9. “Faith-Based Marketing: The Guide to Reaching 140 Million Christian Customers,” by Bob Hutchins and Greg Stielstra. I thought what was interesting about this book was the various ways of marketing to people of faith and using it as a case study to market to anyone who is passionate about something. So if you love bicycling and plan to open a bicycle shop this book shows you how to tap into the emotional side of people who also are excited about bicycling.
10. “Double Your Income Doing What You Love,” by Raymond Aaron with Sue Lacher. I know so many people who are unhappy with what they are doing and looking for more professional and financial control over their lives. This is an excellent book that provides a process for figuring out what you enjoy, how to go after it and set reasonable goals to build sales.
When times are tough many of us feel hopeless and rudderless. Books re-energize us and give us hope. Take the time to read.
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