BUSINESS BOOKSHELF

A look at what we're reading and recommending this month.

YEAR TO SUCCESS

Year To Success draws on the wisdom and words of model success stories, sharing the insight of dozens of political leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, inventors and modern-day celebrities. This roster includes: Mary Kay Ash, Ben Franklin, J.K. Rowling, Albert Einstein, Helen Keller and Jackie Chan.

The author spotlights how to handle mistakes, recognize a dead end, make a strong first impression, sacrifice, make decisions and create something good from a bad situation. Readers are encouraged to create a “dream collage,” which is a collection of photos, magazine articles or images that define our ideas of success and read like a photo album of the life we’d like to live. It serves as an inspiring reminder, says the author.

Bo Bennett’s foundation for success is education plus inspiration plus action equals success. Bo warns us that one of the biggest mistakes people make in the pursuit of success is “giving up on single ideas, beliefs, skills and concepts because they see little or no change from them. They change to a successful behavior, notice no change, and then revert back to the old behavior. This is a like taking a step up your ladder, not being able to see the top any better, then stepping back down. With this pattern, you can easily see why so many never reach success.”

The author believes in action and writes, “Taking action is what this book is all about. It is doing the action steps that bring you closer to success. Or as Walt Disney said, ‘The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.’”

WE GOT FIRED….
And It’s The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Us
By Harvey Mackay
(Ballantine Books, $23.95)

Why does everyone love books by this author? He presents material in a fresh way and writes in and accessible, rock-solid manner. In his new book, Mackay covers an impressive list of successful sports, political and business figures who share their very personal stories of being fired and the subsequent effects on their careers and lives.

Like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, Larry King, Joe Torre, Billie Jean King, Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, Staples founder Tom Stemberg and Jesse Ventura redefined their lives after being fired. We might not have Mayor Mike Bloomberg today if he hadn’t been fired from Salomon Brothers in 1981. But on the fateful day that he was let go, the idea of starting Bloomberg L.P. germinated in his mind, propelling him to his destiny.

The book is a great read because it is sheer Mackay. He shares his homespun wisdom and practical advice. Tips on handling the rejection of being fired; recognizing signs that you’re about to be fired; job hunting advice and even recommendations on how to fire someone round out this book. No book like this would be complete without Donald Trump, the “You’re Fired” King, and he is here to present a list of dos and don’ts of handling a firing.

Harvey Mackay is the mega-selling author of Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt, Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty, and Pushing The Envelope. His weekly column appears in 52 newspapers around the U.S. He is chairman and founder of the Mackay Envelope Company and lives in Minneapolis.

DECIDING TO SELL YOUR BUSINESS
By Ned Minor
(Business Enterprise Institute, $24.95)

Many small business owners fail to adequately prepare for the day when they will decide to sell their business, and as a result they are not ready to deal with the conflicts, the overwhelming personal issues and the actual nuts and bolts of the sale.

Ned Minor seeks to change all that with this thoughtful book. He’s been coaching hundreds of business owners for the past 25 years and has compiled that experience and knowledge into this book. We recommend it to anyone who thinks they might sell their business, and that could be just about any small business owner.

Minor challenges us to answer the following questions:

• What will I do after I have sold my business?
• Why should I sell the business?
• When should I sell?
• Should I feel guilty about my employees after the sale takes place?
• Can I sell the business myself?

The book also tackles the key issues of the sales transaction and will help put you in control of the sale. Included are some very helpful appendices and checklists to help you get through the entire process.

Ned Minor writes, “Remember one inviolate truth: eventually every owner leaves his business. The question is, will you leave feet first on a stretcher or will you sip champagne in celebration of your victory? The choice is yours. By answering the questions you have been asking yourself, I hope to help you crystallize your thinking and make that choice.”

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