Business Books

An excellent book. Guy has managed to capture the essence of the buying process. This book is purely for those who can appreciate the fine principles to be applied during the sales process. It is not meant to be specific. However if applied properly, it will do justice for both the buyer and the seller. It's a guide for ethical and effective selling and how we as sellers can make selling so easy and effortless! Kudos to Guy!

If the redundancy were eliminated, this book would shrink to fifty pages. I kept waiting for the author to share something worthwhile with me, but finally gave up halfway through out of sheer boredom. Anyone looking for a better book need look no further than Brian Tracey.

I don't usually like how to books - because they don't really tell you anything. But this book is different. I learned more about selling from this book than any other sales training class I have ever taken. This book deliniates the essence of selling. The author's understanding of sales psychology is uncanny and intutitive. I would highly recommend this book for any person who is starting in sales or has been in sales for a long time. It is worth studying.

This book gave me a good over view of the sales process and specifics on how to relate to the buyer. I have read many sales books, but this one hits the mark. I would recommend anyone who is either a professional sales person or striving to be one read this book. It goes way beyond basic sales training and gets into the mind of the buyer and the seller. Great Job.

There are hundreds (thousands?) of books now in print which offer information and counsel concerning the sales process. In essence, that process involves cultivation and then solicitation but first an important decision must be made: Whom to cultivate? (In retail sales, obviously, anyone who walks in the door is a prospect.) When conducting workshops for salespersons, I strongly recommend that participants formulate criteria which describe what they consider to be their ideal customer. This profile should direct them to prospects which most closely match up with the criteria. Next I point out that the ideal customers they now have can -- and should -- comprise an extended sales force, serving as referral sources to generate leads. My point is that, except in retail sales, those who sell should select their prospects...not the other war around.

Baker's background is in financial services which presumably require extensive education to understand the specific products and services to be offered prior to the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective buyers of those products and services. The title of his book suggests that understanding motivation (i.e. "hot buttons') is an essential part of the salesperson's preparation and indeed it is. He takes a direct and personal approach to his reader as if he has been retained to provide to the reader a combination of mentoring and coaching services. He carefully organizes his material within 12 chapters, skillfully "Tying It All Together" in the final chapter.

This book be most valuable to those who are new to sales or now considering a career in sales; also to sales managers, especially those who supervise others who are relatively inexperienced. To the former, Baker offers sound basics with a rationale for each; to the latter, Baker offers reminders of basics. (Working as I frequently do with sales managers, I am astonished by the fact that so many of them do not have a sufficient understanding of those basics.) I also recommend this book to another group which Baker may not have had in mind when writing it: Those in executive (non sales) positions who are frequently required to persuade others to support an idea or course of action. By now I am convinced that almost everyone involved in business is constantly selling, themselves if nothing else...and most do it ineffectively. Almost all of the strategies and tactics which Baker recommends can be as beneficial to those not in sales as to those who are.

Individual salespersons as well as organizations need a business plan which is cohesive and comprehensive; also one which prudently allocates resources, especially time and energy, where they will generate the greatest ROI. Given the complexity of the general subject of salesmanship, the art and science of ethical persuasion, it makes sense to consult several different sources (including Baker's book) and then cherry-pick whatever is most appropriate to your own specific circumstances (needs, interests, weaknesses, goals, etc.). Here are some other excellent sources: Dick Canada's The 24 Sales Traps and How to Avoid Them, Linda Richardson's Stop Telling, Start Selling, Paco Underhill's Why We buy, and Gerald Zaltman's How Customers Think.

it is a very good book to read. every time you will find something new, and you will not board. this book is not looks like any selling books it is easy to read, understand and remmebers so have fun. sayed omar - AUC - Egypt

The Zen of Selling filled me not only with the spirit of how to accomplish life goals but it gave me a solid feel to improve my selling. I remember last summer reading the stories aloud to a friend. Me and my friend were enjoying the day taking a boat ride in Central park. As I breathed in the day the clarity Stan gave me made my day complete. A day that I will never forget. Thank you, you are talented man 17.

I am completely captivated by this gentle little book, and I urge you to look past the sometimes-dirty word "selling" in the title. Look instead to the subtitle for the real substance you'll get from reading The Zen of Selling.

Stan Adler tells a number of tales, often introduced and always given meaning by Stan's friend and wise man, Victor. From lessons on balance, appearance, situational ethics and perseverance we learn that the sales process is not a checklist, but a metaphor for living life in the service of others. Adler brings a sense of mild irony to many of his stories; I'm a sucker for a good ironic tale.

As a talk show host, I've been treated amazingly well by the salespeople who knew my name and my occupation. For those salespeople who didn't know what they were doing and treated me poorly, I've never made it a point to say anything bad about them on the air. What I am doing for them these days is admonishing them to get this book and learn their craft, not simply appear at their station. The Zen of Selling is worth ten times the sales price - buy it now before the rest of your competitors do.

There's not much Zen in this book, and all the Zen that is in this book is in the 4-page introduction.

This book talks about Stan's imaginary friend, Victor, who knows everything, everyone, and has done everything. In addition to that, Victor is a great salesman, who has made all the mistakes earlier on so he now knows everything. So, Victor is the guy who you learn all of the sales lessons from.

It's pretty good with the sales concepts. It focuses on relationship selling, and I thought it gave some good lessons and examples.

It's written in a fictional and narrative style, so it's easier to digest than a sales "textbook."

Stan Adler's THE ZEN OF SELLING is a masterpiece of practical philosophy. Yes, it's a book about sales techniques, but it's also a book about being a good person. Typical of the philosopher's approach is Adler's maxim: "When you are doing something for someone else, you are always at your best. . .and that certainly includes people who sell." Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius would agree.

Good people are, by nature, good sales representatives. They understand that selling is not an adversarial relationship, but a cooperative one. "Forget the selling," says Adler. "Let the customer do the buying." In short, the salesperson is the guide, the director, the facilitator--not the marketing hero. A successful sales campaign is really an affirmation of values that the buyer and seller hold in common.

THE ZEN OF SELLING breaks new ground in the commercial world. As such, Adler's book is not a sales primer, but a meditation on sales. In a fascinating collection of stories, maxims, and anecdotes, Adler reminds us that effective salespeople are well versed in the art of "understanding customers as people."

In Adler's world, "Victor" is the protypical sales success. He is a diplomat, a philosopher, and a friend. He understands that "sales" is really another word for "affirmation." Victor is the voice of understanding, the voice of patience, the voice of reason in an overly competitve business climate. Victor's message is clear: People who help others will also be successful. The same rule applies in sales.

Stan Adler's THE ZEN OF SELLING is an important contribution--a book that is both inspirational and practical. But when you visit your local bookstore, do not assume that THE ZEN OF SELLING is shelved with other books on sales. Look around. You just might find Adler's book in the Philosophy section.

--Dr. Thomas Nash, Senior Professor of Ethics and Philosophy, Churchill Honors Program, Southern Oregon University

This book is well written. It lays the basis for why the reasons people leave is mis-understood. It gives specific guidance on things you can do to bring new employees in and keep them.

This was a very informational book. It was a quick read and a great tool. Managers should be reading this book.

Leigh Branham has done it again. The phrase, "a must read" is probably overused and a bit shopworn today, but Leigh's book truly is "a must read" for anyone who leads, serves or depends upon people to get the work of the organization done. As with his earlier book, "Keeping the People Who Keep You in Business", Leigh's style is highly informative and academic yet warmly conversational and user friendly. His clear and compelling guidance will carry the reader to greater understanding and facility with the talent management challenges that are already upon us. The 7 Hidden Reasons is a comprehensive, no-nonsense and energizing learning experience.

Leigh's years of study, focus and practice in this crucial area of the talent management life cycle is clearly evident. Leigh is one of this Nation's leading experts in the world of retention and engagement.

Leigh's 7 Hidden Reasons really are hidden, quite real and too powerful to ignore. Enjoy reading this one . . .

Branham has given us powerful and practical tips for running a better enterprise. The implications of understanding why good people leave their employer are far-reaching. The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave book tells us what tell-tale signs to look for, and how to conduct exit interviews so that we can collect the real reasons people jump ship and act on them. If you've ever experienced turnover and scratched your head about why folks are leaving (as I have), you will benefit from reading this book. It is very easy to read and a good reference book for the office bookshelf.

I am in the sales department of a top pharmaceutical company. Retention of top performers is a real concern in our industry. This book offers practical steps you can take immediately to improve retention. It not only shows what you need to do to be an employer of choice but also reinforced for us what we were already doing right. A must for all managers who care about the bottom line and know that taking care of your high performers is the way to see the best profits.

I have read about half the book so far.

One thing that irks me is all the footnotes. I have not counted them but they must total in the thousands. While I agree that it is important not to use somebody else's work without acknowledgement, this book seems to take it to the extreme. I can tell that the author(s) must be English majors because normal people would simply not use so many footnotes. It would have been better to use the "shotgun" approach - a statement something like "some statements in this book are not entirely those of the authors, other works have been used blah, blah, blah...."

As for the content of the book, there is the overwhelming hint of inside advertising for various companies. Examples are good, I agree, but I get the feeling there are many hidden advertisements for various companies.

A lot of the information is common sense. I thought this book would give me more insight into the way advertising works, so far I have been underwhelmed to the point of disappointment.

I can only hope the rest of the book will make up for a lackluster beginning.

If I had to choose one book as a survival book in the adfield, this would definitely be my weapon of choice.
It has down to earth and truthful advertising insights about how things work or don't in the advertising universe.

It really, really is a must have for all us who deal from the agency side or the marketing side of the ad business.
Better if any agency and client read this before to fully understand one another, in working better off as one team aiming to one vision.

This book details and focus everything from the psychological point of view.
This one is definitely a keeper!

I was introduced to this book several years ago when I was in the ad agency industry.
Since then, my issue has been read and re-read, referenced countless times.
My copy mysteriously disappeared (hey who could blame them??) so have just rebought the newest version of this book.
The book is brilliant because it gets behind the psychology of the buyer, allowing you to really and simply understand the thought process behind the buying decision.
Others who have touched on the subject of the psychology of reasons why we buy have made the content too heavy, too theoretical and let's face it - Boring with a capital "B" ... but not these authors.
It has great examples of ad campaigns throughout the book.
Personally this book has helped me design and write more responsive advertising campaigns as the many learnings from this book have stayed.
This is a must-read for anyone in an ad agency, students of marketing and advertising, and anyone in the marketing industry.
Buy this book, you won't regret it.

and you should read it. it keeps it's promise(advertising and the mind of the consumer:what works what doesn't and why).its all there in the book, explained, with plenty of examples and pretty complete. if you are interested in this field buy this book, and then consider other books if you really want to, but dont miss out on this book.simply a very good book. we should have more books like this.

The most clearly illustrated book about the once mysterious mechanics behind advertising. I wish I would have read it ten years ago when I joined the ad. industry.

I think you could use the ideas in the book without taking them so far, and making the mortgage companies so much money.

The subject that most intrigued me in this book was the discussion about Effective Percentage Rate. It's amazing how considering the home as an investment can change your strategy and overall wealth creation over time.

I wish my family would read this book! They don't realize how they are throwing away countless opportunities to enhance their financial plan and protect their assets. I know they would benefit from the tables within the book that illustrate how choosing a loan strategy can dramatically impact the accumulation of assets over time.

As someone who truly cares about financial independence, this book educated me on how I can take advantage of my real estate holdings and increase my wealth. Using a counterintuitive way of thinking really opened my eyes. Utilizing these simple strategies of leverage, liquidity, tax savings and arbitrage will increase anyones balance sheet. If you are serious about keeping your hard earned money, and don't want to transfer your wealth to financial institutions, you must read this book. People who understand interest earn it, people who don't pay it! Make sure you understand this simple concept as explained in this book.

Everyone always pay attention to the management of their assets, few people realize the management of their liabilities can create as much or more wealth. Being a mortgage lender who for 25 years encouraged everyone to pay their mortgage off as soon as possible I have in the last few years learned that is not always sound advice. The financial planning revolution in the mortgage industry has accelerated in the last 5-6 years as a result of planners such as Douglas Andrews ("Missed Fortune 101") and Ric Edelman ("Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth" among his many) showing the industry and the public that in most cases paying your mortgage early is a bad strategy. We all think that we want to be "mortgage free" and for the most part this is because our parents and grandparents have always advocated this. This thinking goes back to the depression where banks could foreclose on a house even if the payments were current. The banks did this because they had to have liquidity to fund the run on cash from stock investors facing margin calls.

The basic premise is to use only a small part of your downpayment on the mortgage and invest the rest. The government allows you a tax savings that subsidizes your mortgage payment and you have the rest of your funds to invest in a side account. This account will grow and through compounding will increase to a point that in most cases far before the mortgage term is up you have sufficient assets to pay the loan off in a lump sum. However it is wise to keep that liquidity and let it grow. Besides the investment growth you are keeping your funds liquid in case of a financial emergency. If you lose your job or your house is destroyed by nature (Katrina) you have funds to live on because the bank won't loan you money against the property in either case. By being liquid you can weather whatever situation arises.

While financially carrying a large mortgage is the smart thing to do I have many clients that say peace of mind is worth more than the wealth growth or liquidity. Regardless of the financial advantages, to many people peace of mind is more valuable than additional money. No matter how you feel you owe it to yourself to investigate the options and make up your own mind. I have seen a lot of people totally change their mindset from this book and the others I mentioned.

Definitely a must read for anyone seeking to become financially sophisticated in his understanding of how real estate, particularly his home, functions in terms of overall wealth creation.

In this country, we are taught to consume rather than conserve. With the looming threats of the government eventually eliminating social security and corporations no longer offering pensions, we need to protect our future and you can do this more confidently by following the 7 Steps to Borrow Smart and Retire Rich!

The "7-Step Borrow Smart Solution" is an exciting process that provides all of the necessary tools for deciding how best to finance your home. Most people don't realize that there are things to consider other than interest rates and loan fees.

Reading this book will help you to tear down the wall of financial misconceptions acquired in your life, and will give you new knowledge and the confidence to apply what you have learned in a more practical way in order to obtain the results you once thought impossible.

I want my clients and my fellow advisors to understand how owning your home can affect many areas of one's net worth and that there is a new and better way to evaluate one's financing decisions. I've learned ways to increase my family bank safely and conserve it by following the tools provided in this book.

Many fortunes,
Chuck Oliver
CEO American Equity Advisory Group
The Chuck Oliver Team

Having been a start-up company within the past twelve months, BREAKTHROUGH NETWORKING was the perfect guide in developing my personal networking style and identity. Lillian Bjorseth provides clear and easy-to-apply examples of "How to Introduce Yourself" and "How to Work a Room," among many others. I'd recommend it to any businessperson interested in either defining or revising their business identity and actions to maximize success.


Dino Romano
President
www.GreaterCashFlow.com

Breakthrough Networking: Building Relationships that last - delivers huge and is considered a must read for the Progressive Intelligence, LLC members. Each page is loaded with an infinite amount of wisdom creatively outfitted with substance that provides you the understanding to unlocking the whole premise to life - building relations. This is one of those books that you most definitely will keep reading over and over again, as you continue to build your networking arsenal in your quest for certainty in your business and personal lives. This book was so inspiring that it has caused to seek further into Lillian's intellect and experience, where we found, and were inundated with a wealth of information not only during numerous seminars, but through her various other books and publications. Thank you Lillian for helping us set the foundation of Progressive Intelligence, LLC as we continue on making our social contribution in society.

Ryan J. Lewandowski
Chief of Sales and Marketing
Progressive Intelligence,LLC

Now in an newly updated and expanded second edition, Breakthrough Networking: Building Relationships That Last by syndicated columnist Lillian D. Bjorseth is a truly "user friendly" guide to building networking skills in order to control one's own career path and uncover bright future prospects in an era where corporate cradle-to-grave job security is a thing of the past. From presenting the best possible personal image; to staying in touch; to engaging in ice-breaking activities; to dealing with gender-specific discrepancies, and a great deal more, Breakthrough Networking is particularly recommended reading for aspiring and practicing free-lancers in any vocational category or job level.

Breakthrough Networking offers practical, hands-on suggestions for building on networking and communication skills. I have found it a useful and informative resource.

"Breakthrough Networking: Building Relationships That Last," by Lillian Bjorseth, addresses problems that many people have with meeting people, building relationships, and projecting a professional image. In an era where cradle-to-grave job security is a thing of the past, it is beneficial to continue building relationships throughout your career.

"Breakthrough Networking" makes it easy for anyone to network. Bjorseth discusses different networking styles, and through a series of questions about everything from appearance to desktops to office enhancements, the reader can establish his or her own networking personality type. Bjorseth addresses each networking style separately, listing strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. This personalized approach helps the reader understand how to effectively communicate with other networking styles.

In addition to networking styles, "Breakthrough Networking" also examines the effects of the personal and printed images. Bjorseth explores the positive and negative connotations of different colors, gender-specific discrepancies, and even the importance of seating arrangements.

Another valuable tool is Bjorseth's insight on setting networking goals. She includes checklists of questions to help readers refine their target market and networking strategies. Also included are suggestions on how to find groups to join in order to build a networking pool and how to get more specific results from those suggestions.

Bjorseth also includes a section of ice-breaking activities, games, and workshop exercises to flex the networking muscles such as "Networking Bingo" and "Networking Poker."

"Breakthrough Networking: Building Relationships That Last" is a guide to networking and building relationships from which anyone, regardless of profession, will benefit.

We liked this book so much, we bought it for my father-in-law who just started his business. If you have a burden to approach your business with Christ at the center, read this book!

I handed this book to my project managers and am already experiencing a ground swell of blessing. The late great Larry Burkett lays the prinicles out in an easy to understand and thoughtful way. I would highly, highly recommend this book if you are interested in doing Business the way God intended.

THE AUTHOR COVERS BUSINESS PRINCIPLES IN A MANNER THAT YOU DONT COVER IN ANY BA OR MBA PROGRAM THAT I EVER HEARD. DEFINETELY WORTH THE READ!

This book is not for someone wanting to get rich quick! If you are a Christian business owner wanting to run your business according to God's word, this book explains God's word and gives helpful tips to follow through with His word.

In a world where the current business ideology seems to be about maximizing short term profits, climbing over others, and getting the maximum return possible with the minimal effort or investment Larry Burkett draws a sharp contrast.

Using referenced Biblical principles throughout the book Mr. Burkett outlines what it means to run a business by God's standards. This does not mean becoming a non-profit or lossing money - but it does mean completely changing the way we view the business, our employees and customers, and our role as business leaders. The principles laid out are challenging and often contrary to the advice you are used to hearing.

I found it to be an extremely useful and informative resource that helped me to see how I could not only run a business successfully, but also not sacrifice my concience or ideals. One of the primary tenents of this book is that we are stewards of the resources God gave us, meaning that the money we have and the business we may own ultimately belong to God, not us, and he has entrusted us with them to use in a manner he would approve of. If you are comfortable with this premise I believe you will enjoy the book and find it challenging. If you are not comfortable with this premise you will probably have difficulty accepting the concepts he has outlined.

I have to say that I find this book to be one oriented to men. And there are not many books on the marriage subject to be aimed at men. That alone sets it aside as a landmark in the firld.

Dr. Curtis has a background in both marriage and business counsulting. What he has produced here is a book that bridges the two. It's a book on marriage, but it is written in a style and using words that will be familiar to any MBA student. He uses words like Funding the Partnership, Branding and Marketing Your Relationship, Job Descriptions for Couples, Compensation and Benefits, Meetings and Retreats, Mergers and Acquisitions.

I'm not so sure that women, who approach life differently than men, will appreciate what this book is saying. But men will. It plays on the way men think, talk and understand.

I perhaps should re-word this comment. I like and understand the approach given in this book. It makes me think differently about the whole marriage situation. I don't think my ex-wife would have read it at all.

Until I read this book I would never have equated business with love. They appeared miles apart to me but now I see the connection. I am almost 80 years old and was married at the age of 18 in a different time with different concepts. I always felt that my marriage was better than most of my friends but realize it could have been improved by using some of the ideas brought out in this book. I hope others will read this enlightening book and benefit from it.

Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (11/06)

Dr. John Curtis has a background in both business consulting and marriage therapy. I suppose it is inevitable that he would combine the two into a recipe for marital success. Dr. John Curtis penned "The Business of Love" to save the most important business venture anyone will ever delve into--marriage. If you do not think that marriage is a business, try getting divorced. I believe that you will see things differently.

Why does Dr. Curtis believe that marriage is a business venture? Dr. Curtis views each individual as a sole proprietorship. They have functioned on their own for many years. When they marry, they merge into a couple or a consolidated company. Dr. Curtis points to the unity candle that is used in weddings symbolizing the joining of the couple. Anyone who has studied business knows that mergers create complications in cultures.

Sometimes it is the small things that grate on a spouse's nerves. Does one person let the laundry pile up on the bathroom floor while the other loathes that horrible habit? Maybe one spouse expects all the canned goods to be faced the same direction. The other spouse may consider that to be over-the-top.

Dr. Curtis teaches his readers to discover what their expectations as a couple are before they become a couple; however, this book will help couples who did not do so. He teaches that everything needs to be laid out. Couples must discuss topics from religion to bill-paying. He also encourages couple and couples-to-be to discuss sex. Even if you have refrained from sex until marriage, it must be discussed.

Dr. Curtis approaches the start-up of marriage as a start-up of a small business. The first question you are supposed to ask yourself when starting a small business is, "What business are we in?" This leads to the formation of the vision statement, mission statement and objectives. For those who have not studied business, "The Business of Love" details each step. For those who have studied business, the application of business planning to marriage will seem like a no-brainer, but how many of us really have utilized this brilliant plan?

"The Business of Love" has many lists of topics to discuss with your significant other. Some of the items may not be relevant now. For instance, maybe you do not have children yet, so you may not think that those questions are relevant. Think about them anyway. Even those of us who do not plan for parenthood are surprised by it sometimes.

Vision statements, mission statements, and objectives are subject to change. Look over them from time to time. Alter them accordingly. From time to time look over the checklists in "The Business of Love." This is not a book to read and give away. Keep it and expect to reread it throughout your dynamic relationship. Dr. John Curtis brilliantly wrote "The Business of Love" to help all couples--married or not, male or female. Read "The Business of Love" and may your relationship grow splendidly.

A business trainer I worked with guaranteed that he could improve your company's bottom line. His main thrust was to improve employee performance one step. Employees at A level were given more responsibility. B level employees would become A's; most C employees moved up to B level. BUT he fired all D and E level employees. Working only with A, B and C level employees, annual personnel turnover dropped to single digits, and the most reliable employees were promoted to supervisory and administrative positions.

"The Business of Love" appears to me to follow the same strategy. Magic words do not exist that can transform slackers, beaters and cheaters into successful partners. Wasted years cannot be brought back. A major problem necessitates evaluating the person who is, or might become, your spouse. This does not mean remaking the partner, as much as developing yourself to the fullest to attract the best partner.

Curtis states in his dedication: "the key to a happy healthy intimate relationship is not to find the right person, but to be the right person."

All nine steps of business practices require hard work, and the spouse who is willing to invest time, energy and money into building or saving the marriage can learn those steps and apply them. The best place to find a person who will help build a successful marriage is not at the singles bar, not at the ball game, nor even at church. Look first in your mirror. Then read and apply the principles from "The Business of Love."

"The Business of Love: 9 Best Practices for Improving the Bottom Line of Your Relationship" is a self help book that applies successful business practices to marriage relationships. To approach marriage as a business joint venture may be radical, but due to the percentage of marriages that fail, perhaps this revolutionary new outlook is justified. Appealing to the success-driven members of generations X and Y, "The Business of Love" is reassuring in its practicality and specificity. The nine best practices include creating a vision of your relationship, developing your relationship's objectives, funding the partnership, branding and marketing your relationship, growing the relationship: mergers, job descriptions for couples, relationship feedback for partners, compensation and benefits, and meetings and retreats. A plethora of tables and graphs and illustrations are used to demonstrate the sound business principles that are applied in "The Business of Love." In all, Dr. Curtis' background as an organizational development consultant, business trainer and researcher has been put to innovative use. Billed as a practical book to help normal men and women with normal challenges, "The Business of Love" promises to decrease the failure rate of marriages (50% of all first marriages fail), based on sound business concepts proven to work.

Our software firm needed something reliable that we could use to pitch to private equity investors. This easily did the trick. The book was written by investors who reveal what their interests are.

I would highly reccommend this for anyone in the business community. It also gave me deeper insights into the investment area and it also gives clear insight into how to grow businesses that can have a lasting global impact.

It also was quite fun (made me chuckle abit) and concise =)

Great starting point to writing a business plan. Took a class along with the book. I would recommend getting some supplemental information as well. Check out www.schuylersilva.com

This book is aimed at those entrepreneurs who are seeking a substantial equity investment for their fledgling going concerns. The focus is the view from the perspective of the professional investor, the venture capital firm officials; the people who say yes or no about fairly large sums of money. These professionals are most responsive to management teams, teams which have a decent quantity of the right experience and which include members who cover the management and necessary technical disciplines well.

Business plans, however, are needed and should be used in many other business situations including sole proprietor startups as well as established companies aiming to launch special projects, new products or other ventures.

The good news about this book is that

It is easy to read

It has sound wisdom to impart to virtually all who are considering the preparation of a business plan

It steers the reader away from "forms" (fill in the blanks formats & software) as well as sample plans.

On this last point the authors write: "Sophisticated investors disagree strongly with such "cookie-cutter" approaches to writing business plans simply because the financiers believe that each business is unique, with its own special marketing, sales, production, and other issues." If the book convinces the reader of this key point it will have performed a great service.

From my perspective the content covers all of the important issues that make up the business planning process. The advice is very sound if you can make appropriate adjustments for your particular business situation. Conveniently each chapter is neatly and briefly summarized with the key points to be retained by the reader.

Virtually all entrepreneurs need to sell their business concept. It may be to family and friends, to key customers or suppliers, to potential partners, private investors or key employee prospects and to one or more lenders. All potential entrepreneurs should read the final chapter titled "And Now It's Show Biz". This chapter tells how to cap off an efficient and effective business plan with an equally effective oral presentation.

For the book's primary audience this post-plan interview procedure is critical in securing venture capital funding. The advice contained in this last chapter, however, can be applied by any entrepreneur talking to any important audience (with appropriate adjustments). This chapter is, as the saying goes, "worth the price of admission."

Highly recommended as the "one book" if you should limit your reading to just one.

Neither a textbook not a novel but very well organized common (and not so common) sense advice how to prepare a winning business plan. I used the book while I wrote one myself and I couldn't finish reading - every few pages or so I returned to my PC and edited my business plan which I believe now has better chances for success thanks to Mr. Rich.

I have tried to find other how-to-books on business plan writing but no other gives you the concise step-by-step instructions this one does. I have written plans for others as well as myself using this book. $$$ have been raised and compliments have been received on the no nonsense approach to business plan writing. I have used this book for over 15 years and have given them to others to use.

This book got my attention from the first sentence. It provided great ideas for improving my customer service, including many that cost little money ... a real PLUS for me. I recommend that all business owners and sales people read this book.

This ground breaking book should be read by everyone working in the elercare industry. Yes, yes, we all need to be aware of treating each other better and her thoughts and examples of this are brilliant but FOR ONCE DONNA STOOD OUT ABOVE THE REST BY POINTING OUT THAT THE CELEBRITY EXPERIENCE APPLIES TO OUR ELDERS TOO. These hidden and forgotten people are given their rightful place in the Celebrity Experience as Donna gives voice to how our elders should be treated. She has included celebrity care of our elders along with all of her other examples of celebrity and made it just as important. Eldercare sharing print time with Starbucks, imagine that. Thank you Donna for putting eldercare in with the "big boys" where it deserves to be.

You know what I was completely unprepared for when reading this book? The way my blood started--literally--vibrating! My brain was whirling around with this vision: what would it look like if I treated the people I work with in extraordinary ways? Who would I become? Who might the people around me become? What would have to happen in my life in order to, quite simply, start seeing the world through a different lens: the lens of treating someone like a star!? The book is fantastic--a totally unexpected surprise. It's SOOO easy to read, so well laid out, such a nice mix of professionalism and fun, such a great showcase for inspiring story after inspiring story. But really, now, folks: It is a really good thing the last four pages of the book are blank. WERE blank, I should say. I could NOT STOP flipping to the back and scribbling down one incredible idea after another for ways to treat my customers in a manner that would blow them away. A lot of the ideas I wrote down came straight out of the book. You don't have to work too hard--Donna's more than happy to lay it all out and make it easy for you. But, you know what? TONS of the ideas I wrote on those back pages came straight out of my own brain! I got inspired. The stories and suggestions turned out to be just a springboard for my own revelations about just how engaged and creative and attuned I am actually capable of being with my clients! I read the book yesterday, in one fell swoop! I filled up those four blank back pages as I went. And today--no kidding--I have spend the entire day creating amazing emails, making amazing phone calls, and concocting plans for a whole new way of thinking about honoring those people who are good enough to cast their lot with me! Take a deep breath, pick up this book, and get ready to amaze YOURSELF! I am a total and utter "Celebrity Experience" convert!

If you are in any sort of service-related field, do yourself a favor and buy this book! As the manager of a service department I know I will be using the tools I learned in The Celebrity Experience for years to come. I was not a third of the way through when I realized I already wanted to read the book again. The first read to just enjoy it and let the concepts and stories wash over me. The second read to really drill down and discover how I could use it as a guide to help my department provide better service and to help me celebrate my own staff. It showed me how to lay out the red carpet in both directions. And it didn't hurt that the book was so entertaining. After just finishing three dry, snooze-inducing business books, The Celebrity Experience was a refreshing joy to read. I laughed, I cried, I learned something. Bravo Donna Cutting!

I'm so glad that Donna has written this book. From the very first chapter my head started jumping with ideas that we could implement immediately for little or no cost. In fact, many of the pratical ideas and suggestions Donna has are all about thinking in new ways about ordinary events - which can then change how we are acting in those moments - which creates the opportunity for WOW!

Donna shows how easy and fun it is to treat each other well; you will be asking yourself, "Why in the heck haven't we been doing this from day one?" Even if your goal is only to create more fun in the workplace, this book will have you waking up in the middle of the night to write down the deluge of ideas that will come.

For example, we have some new job titles, like SURPRISE and DELIGHT,and DIRECTOR of WOW. At staff meetings everyone gets to spend time "bragging" about how they fulfilled those roles; exchanging ideas for even better service. A very simple change, with powerful influence as people take the roles seriously.

Donna has shown us that we can do anything we want and have a great time doing it.