We hope your summer includes a vacation -- or at least a trip (or two) to the pool. Even if you're physically away, your downtime's a great opportunity to work on the big picture for your business. Enjoy some leisure while not resting on your laurels by cracking open one of these titles (recommended by your peers) next time you get on a plane or sunbathe.
Profits Aren't Everything, They're the Only Thing: No-Nonsense Rules from the Ultimate Contrarian and Small Business Guru
By George Cloutier
Management expert George Cloutier’s tough love tome includes 15 profit rules, such as “love your business more than your family” and “teamwork is overrated. Though provocative, each rule relies on practical business principles: maintain tight controls, pay for performance, and focus on sales at all times. Ready to reevaluate your operations, compensation or family dynamics? This book is loaded with advice to help you stay in the black – recession or not.
No Fishing in My Pond
Rick Rivers
Florist 2.0 member Rick Rivers (bootcampguy) invokes salesmanship of days past, outlining marketing strategies to help florists make the most money they’ve ever made.
See You at the Top
Zig Ziglar
An oldie but goodie, this book by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar has sold more than 2 million copies, been translated into more than a dozen languages, and is widely used by corporations, schools, government agencies and correctional institutions. If self-improvement is your goal, let this book be your guide.
One Minute Manager
Ken Blanchard
For more than 20 years, millions of managers in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses nationwide have followed Ken Blanchard’s techniques to increase their productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. The One Minute Manager is a concise read story that reveals three very practical secrets: one minute goals, one minute praisings, and one minute reprimands.
The Greatest Salesman in the World
Og Mandino
Written as a parable, Og Mandino’s “The Greatest Salesman in the World” weaves mythology with spirituality into a much-needed message of inspiration in this culture of self-promotion. Mandino believes that to be a good salesperson, you must believe in yourself and the work you are doing.
The Magic of Thinking Big
David Schwartz
Dr. David Schwartz, a former professor at Georgia State University and president of Creative Educational Services, presents a program for getting the most out of your job, your family life and your community. His message is that you don’t need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain success and satisfaction – you just need to understand the habit of thinking and behaving in ways that will get you there.
Winning the Customer: Turn Consumers into Fans and Get Them to Spend More
Lou Imbriano
Lou Imbriano, former Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the New England Patriots, shows how identifying your most valuable customers and building relationships with them will earn loyalty and blow out your company's revenue.
It's Not About You, It's About Bacon: Relationship Marketing in a Social Media World
Brian Basilico
If you have been overwhelmed and confused by all the conflicting examples and theories about why social networking works for some and not for others, this book will be an eye-opening breath of fresh air. Brian Basilico demystifies using the Internet and social media to successfully market your business. His tools and methodologies will help you create real interaction and engagement online.
Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service
Ari Weinzweig
Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a beloved deli with some of the most loyal clientele around. It has been praised for its products and service in media outlets far and wide, including the New York Times, Esquire, USA Today and Fast Company. And what started out as a small deli has grown to a flourishing restaurant, catering service, bakery, mail-order operation, creamery, and training business. Co-founder Ari Weinzweig shares the unique Zingerman method of treating customers, giving the reader step-by-step instructions on what to teach staff, how to train them, how to implement the training, how to measure their success, and finally, how to reward performance.
Profits Aren't Everything, They're the Only Thing: No-Nonsense Rules from the Ultimate Contrarian and Small Business Guru
By George Cloutier
Management expert George Cloutier’s tough love tome includes 15 profit rules, such as “love your business more than your family” and “teamwork is overrated. Though provocative, each rule relies on practical business principles: maintain tight controls, pay for performance, and focus on sales at all times. Ready to reevaluate your operations, compensation or family dynamics? This book is loaded with advice to help you stay in the black – recession or not.
No Fishing in My Pond
Rick Rivers
Florist 2.0 member Rick Rivers (bootcampguy) invokes salesmanship of days past, outlining marketing strategies to help florists make the most money they’ve ever made.
See You at the Top
Zig Ziglar
An oldie but goodie, this book by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar has sold more than 2 million copies, been translated into more than a dozen languages, and is widely used by corporations, schools, government agencies and correctional institutions. If self-improvement is your goal, let this book be your guide.
One Minute Manager
Ken Blanchard
For more than 20 years, millions of managers in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses nationwide have followed Ken Blanchard’s techniques to increase their productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. The One Minute Manager is a concise read story that reveals three very practical secrets: one minute goals, one minute praisings, and one minute reprimands.
The Greatest Salesman in the World
Og Mandino
Written as a parable, Og Mandino’s “The Greatest Salesman in the World” weaves mythology with spirituality into a much-needed message of inspiration in this culture of self-promotion. Mandino believes that to be a good salesperson, you must believe in yourself and the work you are doing.
The Magic of Thinking Big
David Schwartz
Dr. David Schwartz, a former professor at Georgia State University and president of Creative Educational Services, presents a program for getting the most out of your job, your family life and your community. His message is that you don’t need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain success and satisfaction – you just need to understand the habit of thinking and behaving in ways that will get you there.
Winning the Customer: Turn Consumers into Fans and Get Them to Spend More
Lou Imbriano
Lou Imbriano, former Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the New England Patriots, shows how identifying your most valuable customers and building relationships with them will earn loyalty and blow out your company's revenue.
It's Not About You, It's About Bacon: Relationship Marketing in a Social Media World
Brian Basilico
If you have been overwhelmed and confused by all the conflicting examples and theories about why social networking works for some and not for others, this book will be an eye-opening breath of fresh air. Brian Basilico demystifies using the Internet and social media to successfully market your business. His tools and methodologies will help you create real interaction and engagement online.
Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service
Ari Weinzweig
Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a beloved deli with some of the most loyal clientele around. It has been praised for its products and service in media outlets far and wide, including the New York Times, Esquire, USA Today and Fast Company. And what started out as a small deli has grown to a flourishing restaurant, catering service, bakery, mail-order operation, creamery, and training business. Co-founder Ari Weinzweig shares the unique Zingerman method of treating customers, giving the reader step-by-step instructions on what to teach staff, how to train them, how to implement the training, how to measure their success, and finally, how to reward performance.
