The Constant Entrepreneur: Advice for Running a Productive Business

Favorite Books

I am an avid reader and generally have one fiction and one business book going at a time. Here are some of my favorite business books that I recommend to business owners. To my knowledge all of these are in print and readily available at book stores or Amazon.com:

The E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber. This is a quick read subtitled “Why Most Buisinesses Don’t Work and What to do About it”. It is packed with easy to understand advice on operating a small business.

Broken Windows - Broken Business by Michael Levine. Mr. Levine explains how the slightest flaw can dampen or ruin a customer’s experience and thus be detrimental to your business. A must read for retailers or any business that has a lot of direct customer contact.

Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson. How often I have heard small business owners tell me that they know they should market, they just don’t know how to do it and can’t afford it. The answer to both these concerns is found in Guerrilla Marketing.

Get More Referrals Now! by  Bill Cates. One great marketing tactic, of course, if by getting referrals. This book explains the techniques of mastering the “skill” of getting referrals.

Questions That Sell by Paul Cherry. Selling is not about you or your product. Selling is about understanding what the customer wants. Paul Cherry explains how to gain that understanding through effective questions.

Stop Telling .. Start Leading! by Frank D. Kanu. A good book on leadership and team work. The subtitle is ” The Art of Managing People by Asking Questions”.    (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

These are just a few top selections from my library. I will most likely be sharing others in future blogs.

Will Limkemann
Limkemann Business Advisors
440-871-0976
www.neobizadvisor.com

The Constant Entrepreneur: Practical Advice for Running a Productive Business

Exercise Excellence in Management: Be a Leader

Imagine a ship without a captain. The crew would be in chaos. The ship would likely not get to its destination on time (or at all). A ship is an enterprise not unlike a private business.

Like a ship, a business needs a captain – or a leader, who knows and can articulate the vision and direction of the enterprise, and keep order among the employees. The employees of a successful small business look to the CEO not as a friend, but as their leader. The number one job of the CEO is to lead.

What does it mean to lead?

First and foremost is the ability to communicate the vision of the organization in such a way that all employees, customers, and vendors, fully understand the vision.

Second, all actions of the leader must be consistent with the vision – keeping the business focused and pointed in the right direction.

Third, the leader must respect all employees and assure that they are the right ones for the jobs they are in, are properly trained for their jobs, and are properly equipped to do their jobs.

Fourth, the leader must clearly explain his or her expectations of each employee, make them responsible for doing their jobs, empower them to make decisions, and hold them accountable for their actions.

Fifth, allow employees to make mistakes they can learn from.

Leadership is a learned skill – very few of us is born a natural leader. Many business owners can benefit from a business mentor or coach who can assist them with their leadership skills.

Will Limkemann
Limkemann Business Advisors
440-871-0976
www.neobizadvisor.com
will@limkemann.net