Industry Books

How do you try again, when your first attempt fails?

Steven Blank has studied the early stages of product ventures and the impact of decisions made by entrepreneurs, and this is his attempt to retell their story. This book can appear at first to be a step-by-step how-to book, but look again. At least five years of a company's life has been condensed into 200-pages. Instead, I think of this book as an outline, with good advice on how the successful entrepreneur will make it to the next step on his or her journey, and a tale of the heroes that have come before and perished. After reading this book you will been forewarned of the common mistakes that have turned even the most well-prepared executives astray.

And you will have something that has not yet been attempted. A framework of what successful entrepreneurs must absolutely do to star their venture and see it through to a fully-grown company.

This book is not just for entrepreneurs who must eventually scale their business, but for those companies whose products have already created some success and growth, and for well-established companies introducing new products. Even a small garage business or a group of teenagers without investment money who must decide how much time to spend building a product and how much time to spend selling it should read this book. After reading Blank's book, its clear that you must do both at the same time, and learn and iterate. There is no way to get around it, and Steven Blank makes a compelling case why you should do it this way.

I learned a lot from this book, and what I learned will definitely have an impact.

Appendix A, about the job titles (he recommends against any) and the roles of the team during the early phases of a startup's life was particularly interesting.

I've only had the book for about two weeks, but I've already bought additional copies for some of the people I work with. I'll eventually need a new copy for myself as my copy is already getting worn and tattered from overuse.

Highly recommended

If your planning to start a startup, this book may save you time and money. And also help you to find an early market soon and really understand the difference from the mainstream. Mr. Blank writes as if he is talking to you at an appoint an fostering your possible problem before the time that you really face them.

Every startup marketer must read this book. I've led two startups from launch to IPO filing as the VP marketing - and despite my experience, I still learned a ton from The Four Steps to the Epiphany. I wish I had this book at the beginning of my career. This is the number one book that I recommend on the startup marketing blog [...].

This book is, without a doubt, the best book I've read about venture validation and the correct process of building a company. It is completely changing the way I look at starting a business.

It helped me explain to myself the "mystery" of why some of my previous internet ventures succeeded and more importantly, why others have failed.

Steven Gary Blank argues a solid case why successful company building can only follow the process of:

1. Customer Discovery - stating (and then testing using the early-market) your hypotheses about the product, problem it solves, pricing, market, business model and competition.

2. Customer Validation - selling to early-market and starting to develop positioning

3. Customer Creation - setting (realistic) year-one objectives according to your market type (new or existing), positioning the company and product, launching the company and product and last, creating demand.

I recommend it to all entrepreneurs and plan to use it myself, step by step, in future ventures.

My only points for improvement for next editions are:
1. Such wide page layout makes reading (especially speed reading) difficult
2. Proofreading, visuals check and design improvement are required to make this book a perfect 5-star

Highly Recommended! This is an excellent book for any one who is in the Music Industry or wants to understand how the Music Industry works. I purchased this book as part of the reading for Berklee Music Online course - "Inside the Record Industry". It helped me a lot with my course work and also in understanding how the Music Industry works. Thank you George !
Paulom

This book will take you step by step through all of the motions of getting yourself signed to a label. From press kits to the qualities that make a good manager, this book will hold your hand through the dark abyss that is the music industry. I would consider this a must read for anyone who would like to perform as a career. I personally have passed this on to all my bandmates, and many many friends. Do yourself a favor, and pick this up!

This is the book I needed when I was 15 years old, and grasping at any information to help move forward with a music career. Define where you are in your development as an artist, define where you would like to go, and more importantly why you want to go there. Then take action with the knowledge and confidence to realize your dreams and goals. Learn what labels look for in bands and artists, and how to position yourself to negotiate a win/win deal for yourself. Learn all the perspectives of the business of music from artist, label, distributor, publicity, and promotion, to management, and booking agents. Basically everything you need to understand to be successful, written in an understandable and accessible style, with a sense of humor. I loved it and learned so much I could write my own book with the research it inspired me to undertake. Don't just dream big, learn what it takes to do the work to become successful.

George Howard knows the music biz inside and out - reading this book is like having a top A&R guy as your personal coach. For everyone out there who wants to start a label or get a deal, the author dispels a lot of myths and helps you to focus systematically on the jobs you could and should be doing yourself. A very enjoyable read, this book is broken down into manageable chapters that give you the information and tools to help you reach your goals.

I am a folk singer/songwriter in Maine, and I purchased this book for use in a Berklee School of Music on-line course (taught by the author!)

This book answered all of my most pressing questions about record labels, their business processes, and what it takes to get their attention.

The information is anchored securely in the real world, and focuses on practical, down-to-earth details about how labels work, what you need to do to get noticed, and the preparation that you need to do in order to be successful in getting signed. Demo prodcution, promo package development, gigging, assembling your professional team, publicity and promotion, contract terms, it's all here.

The book also tells you how to find your own way as a label/artist, and what you need to do that will help you perform all the services for yourself that a lable would do for you.

I totally recommend this book; George Howard is an experienced music industry and record label pro, and knows what he's talking about. The book is fun, too - George has a sense of humor and knows how to use it to keep the reading interesting and engaging.

Definitely buy the book.

An easy read. plenty of useful, practical(as the title implies) information, especially for the uninitiated.It covers a lot of territory broadly. A good overview of the Music business for beginners.

I found this book very helpful. It broke down the material step by step and gave great examples. I think anybody entering into any aspect of the music industry should read this book!

Really easy to read, gives a fantastic broad view over the music industry. The author writes it like it is and he gives us information straight and clear, gives practical advice and the book is FUN to read. Buy it or regret it forever!!

A very important work for musicians written by someone who hates to see people get screwed. This book reads easy and is comprehensive.

Well, I read this book cover to cover. It's a definite must read for the serious musician who wants to learn about the music business and how it works. The music business is pretty confusing but this book is written in a way that is completely understandable. It has a lot of information such as music publishing, legal topics, and agreements. It also has Q&A sections from Henry Rollins, Fred Croshal (Maverick Records) and Neil Gillis (VP of A&R at Warner/Chappel Music). Bobby Borg was my instructor and I know he knows his stuff. The music industry is an arcane language, but this book makes everything easy to understand. Everyone in our class was happy to be able to study of off such a book. Buy it! it's worth it.

Want to open a restaurant? This is certainly THE book you need.
It covers every little detail - from the best skin protecting gloves your prep cooks should use to the type of silverware you should have based on your restaurant's style.
It's like a restaurant bible, I just got mine today when I was about to step out to the gym, and alas, this arrives.

Boy was I tempted to bring it with me and plop it on top of the treadmill while I exercised, but I didn't want to get strange stares hahaha.
Overall, it's an excellent excellent book. All of my questions are being answered. Highly recommended!

This book offers information on starting a restaurant from the ground up. If you have just the idea of starting a restaurant, this book will take you by the hand and guide you through every step of making your idea a reality. My family owned a restaurant and I can not imagine any knowledge I gained from that experience that was not covered in this handbook. The writer goes into great detail about how important it is to pick the right location for your restaurant and match your restaurant's theme to your target market. It covers the all important factor of cleanliness and how it could make or break the success of your business. There are several worksheets in the handbook that would serve as great templates to use in real life work situations, everything from budgeting to how to write an efficient business plan.

Advertising for a small business can be very expensive, but there many great tips in the reading that will help spread the word about your establishment that are absolutely free. There is a section that will give you great ideas on hiring and keeping the best staff available. There is also advice for those who want to open a franchise, instead of going it alone. The instructions on writing a menu should be very helpful in attracting customers into your establishment. There are strategies on forecasting expenses to insure you get the maximum benefit from your cash flow. The author provides great design guidelines to set up your dinning room in order to appeal to your customers. This book would be a great resource for any restaurant owner and would serve anyone in restaurant management well.

This book is very detailed and to the point. It covers all areas of the restaurant business. Then menu planning section is great. It gives so much foresight.

The title may be a bit of an understatement - The Restaurant Manager's Handbook goes well beyond the basics of restaurant management, ultimately encompassing the entire scope of owning and running a full-service restaurant. In an industry where, as this book points out, a large percentage of ventures fail, a comprehensive resource like this can prove an invaluable tool for restaurant owners and managers, one that you'll return to again and again.
The Restaurant Manager's Handbook runs a full 1,057 pages, making it a reference tome that covers all the bases - from "pre-owing" business planning and research to active operation and management practices . The guide offers hard-line business advice, but presents it in a way that's easy to read and eminently accessible to the novice restaurateur .
Never written a business plan? It's in there. Don't know the first thing about effective public relations? It's in there. Need the lowdown on menu planning? Yep, that's in there too. Linen service. Music licensing. Kitchen layout. Food preparation safety. Employee relations. Planning to open a bar, not a restaurant? Don't let the title fool you - it's covered.
The guide also includes numerous valuable resources - from reproducible forms (for everything from food facility compliance checklists to acquisition and inventory to cook's lists, and more) to detailed lists of suppliers for everything from flatware to point of sale systems. And if you still need a little encouragement, check out the case studies of successful restaurant ventures with practical advice from those who've been there . . .

this is a solid, almost academic, handbook. it's points you toward the things you need to figure out but you'll still need to get additional information on your local regulations. personnaly, it discouraged me from opening a buisness at this time.

This book probably presents every scenario you can think of if you want to protect your estate. Reading this book will provide you with intelligent questions while you discuss your estate planning with your attorney.

The book is not only informative, but also entertaining and easy to read. No legaleez to wade through. I highly recommend it.

I felt the book was easy to read. Not one to be read in one sitting, however. I have done extensive estate planning, will preparation, and will updates. However, this book presented some options that I am considering. It also showed me a couple of loopholes that I thought I had closed, that I probably don't. Well worth the money and time to read. I expect to go back to this book several times. I will be taking it with me to an attorney appointment.

Estate planning is so important if you don't want your son in law running off with half your estate in the event of your kid's divorce. This book was a great asset to me ... and a real eyeopener as to what can happen at the reading of your will if you haven't equalized everything. the author even gives you his phone number that readers can call and ask questions free. The book is so good I bought 4 extra copies for friends.

Only estate book I've seen written in an easy-to-read, mini-case-study format. Very practical and thought-provoking advice. Tends to focus on little worst-case scenarios in an attempt to get people to plan properly for all the things that can go wrong in an estate.

For what it's worth, I thought the book was generally best-suited for estates with $100,000 to about $2,000,000 in assets. Don't get me wrong, there's something in here for all estate sizes - especially for people just starting the process of developing a plan. However, don't buy this book looking for technical discussions of advanced tax-minimizing strategies. If you or your clients have estates over this $2MM mark, this book can be a great thought-provoker, but some of the advice isn't really suitable for larger estates.

I have several estate planning books...the "how to" type and they are great. This is the book you need to read before you start filling in the blanks. I wish my parents had read this book. It would have saved my family relationships. This book gives you the basic information you need before drawing up your trust. Protect your beneficiaries and prevent family conflict by reading this book!

"For many who work in health care today, overwhelming business pressures and perceived barriers to change have nearly extinguished their flame of passion to help others.

Join Quint Studer and thousands of Fire Starters nationwide on an awe-inspiring journey of purpose, worthwhile work, and making a difference.

Hear Quint's personal story and learn how you can apply specific prescriptive tools and practices to create and sustain a worldclass organization... a great place for employees to work, physicians to practice and patients to receive care.

LET YOUR FLAME BURN BRIGHT."

[from the book of the back cover]

Whether one is in healthcare or a non related industry, this book provides superb solutions to providing excellent customer care. As a certified brand strategist, I greatly appreciate Mr. Studer's articulation that one must, and can, hardwire the processes in order to achieve true and perpetual customer service. And he points it out so very well - if one first focuses on superb employee relations, then one will achieve a high level of customer relations.


It is my observation that too many consultants go into companies, identify the customer service issues, hold one or more rah rah events, and then move on to their next project. More correctly, I believe a consultant's responsibility is to work with organization clients to, as Mr. Studer so clearly addresses, hardwire the processes which then will indeed achieve the relationship with employees, channel partners and customers that will so clearly set them apart from their competitors, thereby creating customers who become advocates.

If you are looking for a way to make a difference in your organization from a leadership perspective,(or even on a personal level) you must read this book. Rather than focusing on the negatives, it focuses on the positives of creating excellence-for the patient, the staff, the physicians and all who come in contact with the organization. It is well worth the read!!

Leadership and managment roled into one do-it-yourself manual. There are many books out there about management and leadership theory. Theory is important because creates the mindset that is the foundation for success. We are often then put to task creating our own application. Or we could read and implement the systems laid out in Hardwiring Excellence, the singule best book on HOW TO manage and lead to greatness. Could I be any more clear?

While Quint Studer focuses on what he know best, big healthcare, this book can and is being applied to every industry. (I have applied its systems to hospitality, customer service, and production.) The fact that Quint focused on what he does best is a great example of leadership, and an example of how Quint practices what he preaches.

I have the priviliege of living the same city as Quint Studer and interacting with his organization on a regular basis. I can attest that they practice everything they preach and have excelled wilding while doing it.

I just re-read this book in anticipation of Quint's new book, Results that Last (I think it's due out in October). The practical recommendations for healthcare leaders found in this book just make sense for leaders in any industry. I am really looking forward to seeing how he builds on these ideas in a book that is aimed at business in general.

I checked this book out from my local library and now plan to buy it. The chapters about recognizing "quality" in materials and construction are so useful and well written. In fact, I went out today as the book recommended and "inspected" suits, blouses and pants at several different vintage/consignment stores using the suggestions in the book. And wouldn't you know it--I struck GOLD in the form of a Rena Lange tweed suit for $37. I'll never get duped into purchasing a poorly made garment again (and for that matter, I may never pay retail again either!).

This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to find unique fashion in unusual places. Christa Weil not only provides good advice on how to spot fabulous finds but she provides terrific tips on taking care of quality clothes. Everyone who loves clothes will love this book. But the best result of getting this book is the reaction of my 12-year old daughter. After reading the book she has been motivated to take better care of her clothes and has turned her room into a clothes boutique...dress forms and all!

I received this book as a Christmas present from my mother last year. It was so fascinating that I ended up reading it cover-to-cover on Christmas day. My mother has been sewing for almost 40 years, and Weil included many details that even my mother didn't know. I really liked how Weil included a section on fibers and their origins (including synthetics). I'm not much of a consignment shopper, but the information on construction and spotting quality have been more helpful than I could ever imagine. Not only did it help me go through my closet and spot things to dontate to Goodwill, but it also helped me spot a beautiful vintage raincoat at Goodwill today for $5.

This is oneof the best books to read if you're interested in, or if you collect and wear, vintage clothing. From how to read the quality of materials and workmanship in a garments, to how to take care of cleaning them, the information is presented in a witty, informative, useful way. Weil has not only great information, but a way with words and the turn of a phrase, which made the book that much more enjoyable to read. While I personally would love to have seen more illustrations than the many that are already in the book (e.g. of the different button holes styles, zippers, etc.) and pictures of some outfits having the design elements discussed, as I'm greedy for more vintage info all the time, not having these included doesn't detract from this book in the least. One can only hope that Weil continues to write about this subject, as she's thorough, knowledgeable, and writes well. Her book is a pleasure for the senses in all ways. If you buy one book about vintage clothing, buy this one. You won't be disappointed.

Christa? You really did it well! This is a comprehensive, funny, well-researched resource book on the fabrics, markers of quality clothing, labels, and flaws in secondhand finds. It is the best single source of information for secondhand shoppers that I have ever come across! Cheers!

awesome book. who knew how important bananas were to the WORLD?? Fascinating story with important questions for the future of hungry people around the world. I'll never think of bananas as a simple food again. The banana has global impact. Great read.

A bit America-centric for European readers but nonetheless great to have all this info in one place.

Buy fair trade organic every time.

I was amazed by this book. It begins with an introduction to the Banana and explains there is even a reference to this fruit in the Bible. Describes history and the impact the Banana has had on the world. Everyone assumes that only Cotton, Gold, and Oil impacted the world and trade & consumerism. But this book details the "hidden" history about the yellow fruit. Concerns about the future of the Banana (due to Panama Disease) are discussed. I reccomend this book to anyone interested in history or botany, or anyone just curious about this fruit!

I gave 4 stars because towards the middle the book got a little mundane and a lost interest for awhile. Overall, well written and interesting.

Upon my hubbie's recommendation I read your book: Banana, The fate of the fruit etc.
Brilliant! I never imagined that bananas had, and still have, so much influence on America's life.
I recommend the book to everybody and is going to become my favorite gift to give to friends.
Every time I go to the market I cannot look at produce in general (or even coffee, meat, cheese etc) without thinking about the global impact of that crop or its implications in social and political life.
Can a book change your life? I guess yes, it changed mine!

We've all heard the term "Banana Republic," even before a store decided to use it as a name. The thing was, not too many people knew just where the whole concept of such a government came from. The banana IS one of the most popular fruits in the U.S., if not the world, but who knew governments rose and fell on it?

Dan Koeppel's "Banana" tell us all about the ramifications of this food crop, and provides further information about its creation, breeding, and perhaps doom. I heard Keppel interviewed on NPR, so I already realized how fun this book was probably going to be, but was a bit put off on how much information was going to be crammed into it. Surely something would be shortchanged in the telling. Worse still, it wouldn't be as interesting as it sounded. Nope. Koeppel's writing style is just as fresh and dynamic as his verbal summaries.

In this day of commodities being more than just about how much they cost in money, it's worth taking a step back and seeing how they can have an effect on the lives of people involved in growing them, shipping them, marketing them, and selling them. A lot of governments rose and fell in Central and South America to bring us cheap and delicious bananas. There also didn't seem to be much thought in quality-of-life issues for folks living in what would become for us the banana heartland. Folks in Guatemala say suffered a lot from the meddling in civic affairs brought about by Standard Fruit et. al. "Banana" gives as much of a comprehensive look into this as can be, showing how U.S. fruit companies and the U.S. government's needs overrode the needs of people outside the United States.

It sounds depressing, but there's more to "Banana" than government meddling. Koeppel also gives us a thorough look into the science of bananas - how they're raised, how they were crossbred to bring us the banans we eat now, and how work is going into the next strain of banana that will be immune to the blight that caused the end of our grandparents' breed.

"Banana" is an interesting read and may be just the non-empty "beach book" for intellectuals curious into the total effect of something we may have thought of as "inconsequencial."

Fox captures a time and place that is so hard to replicate, Hollywood circa 2007. Buzzkill is a winner, I couldn't put it down. The characters are all people you know, even though you're not willing to admit it. The only thing better than who actually done it is how Fox gets there.

I've read tons of books in my day, so when a friend recommended Rob Fox's "Buzzkill" I felt obligated to at least skim through it. Well, I'm glad I did! This truly is a book I couldn't put down! As I entered the world Mr. Fox created...right here in my hometown...I couldn't stand to leave! I kept trying to figure out how this was going to turn out, and I was constantly wrong!
A real updated Hollywood Film Noir, with characters that jump off the page and a lead character you just cheer for the whole way. You might not want to live next door to these guys, but you'll be glad they do!
Thanks Mr. Fox for a terrific ride! I look forward to reading more of your work.

Buzzkill is an entertaining read, filled with bizarre characters and plot twists that are still somehow believable. Rob Fox's sharp wit and ironic observations of the Hollywood industry hit spot on. I especially enjoyed the hilarious and mocking physical descriptions of the characters.

Buzzkill by Rob Fox is smart, sexy, and funny. Fox's insider view of Hollywood is spot on. His characters are wonderful. Buzzkill is an entertaining book that makes you think!

"Buzzkill" is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud, dead on Tinsel Town murder mystery. Rob Fox's rich characters and frenetic pacing made it impossible to put it down until the very last page.

This was my last purchase to complete my Industry Yellow pages set. I also have The Industry Yellow Pages: The Official Club & Venue Touring Directory, listing over 1700 Music Clubs & Venues in the U.S. and Canada for Your Touring ... Deserve and all the others. We truly use these because they are a great reference for any indie musician!

This volume 5 of the series is all i needed to complete my collection of the best industry yellow pages on music business there is. With full detail and a structure so easy to search through you can ask a 5 year old this collection will make your work more valuable and provide you with quality recommendations

Great Volume, the best so far and I am looking for the next. It's complete and a good structure and you can find whatever you need very easy! A perfect book!

I also bought the other volumes for this book and I must tell you this is the most complete of them all. Good structure and easy to find names. Whatever you need whenever you need it!
It works great when you are in a hurry and you can't find the right person for the job!
It made my job easier and I even fired some of my assistants because this book is all I need!

This is the most complete book of this type I have ever read! It gave me a lot of information and I am very glad I bought it! I want to recommend it to all the people that have a music business because they will find here a lot of tips to increase their business and also to gain access to some areas where they normally wouldn't.