the business can break you
584912
excellent behind the scenes of the music business. Finally the truth is out. If you're real music fan you'll support your group.
4188924
There is a problem with the electronic version of the book on iPhones if you use the black background and white text.  On many pages the first sentence was cut off making it difficult to join the dots or know the pearls of wisdom being offered.  It was very frustrating. The publishers did mention they are looking into it.

BUT...

Apart from that - this book is a must read for every business big and small.  I am scared for big businesses out there who are stuck in rigid ways of operating and thinking.  They're in for a surprise.  But I am just as scared for my little business who has to follow the recommendations to ensure long term sustainability.  There is so much that has to happen and it is extremely overwhelming for a 2 man business less than 3 years old.  That being said, least we are forewarned and can start designing our customer experiences around their needs.

The book is information overload - I mirror the sentiments above, it's a long read - but an important one.  And we can't say we weren't warned now.  I do think it offers golden opportunities for software developers out there to build the tools we need to manage social business in future.  If you have one, please by all means tell me about it.

Comprehensive research, well written, mostly practical, helpful real world examples, often scary.

I made copious notes throughout the book and believe I will buy the hard copy due to the reading issues I had, and because the book needs to become an operating manual we need to refer to often.

Read this book if you own a business.
3353016
This is a brilliant book that should really be essential reading for the owner of any small business, wherever they are located.

It's an easy to read story of a guy running his own business for 8 years who realises one day that his business ain't worth much to sell. And it's a story of what he does to change his business model, change his product mix, change his staff and even change some of his customers to turn a service business into a product business.

This is NOT a theoretical academic text written for students by some teacher who has never done it himself. It's real.  Fictional, but real. According to the author, it's not an autobiography. It seems to be more of a composite of the author's own experiences coupled with wisdom the author has gained from many years of talking real business with real business people.

So, why read this book?

It's a fairly quick read. Not lightweight, but not imposing either. You can knock it over in a couple of nights. And then you can read it again. And again.

It's well laid out with concise wisdom and advice intermingled with the main story. It's a good story, and the author is a good story-teller.

And at the end, there is a step by step outline of the key stages in the process to turn a service business into a product business.

On the downside, some of the process is skimmed over fairly lightly - probably because it could confuse the key message.  For example, preparing the legalities and contractual side of selling your business is obviously more involved in reality than is presented in this book, but that is a minor issue compared to the clear processes  and advice contained throughout the book for transforming a low-value service business into a saleable asset.

This is not a book with "suggestions" for problems that don't really exist. This is a book with solutions. Solutions that address one of the biggest issues facing the owners of small businesses today - getting some significant value back at the time of sale from the blood, sweat and tears they invested to build their business.

Too many business owners find they simply can't sell their business - or can't sell it for enough - and they sell out on unfair terms, or terms that don't really give them freedom. Or they just walk away battered and bruised when they've had enough.

In Australia (where I live) and in other parts of the Western world, small business is talked about ad being the backbone of the economy - but really gets little support. Small business entrepreneurs often do it tough. I hope this book can help change the lives, fortunes and happiness of business owners throughout the world.

Just read it!  Then read it again. Then start work changing your business - or help someone you love to change their business. They'll thank you for it.
3926015
Nick Duva was a member of a CEO Group (Vistage International)that I chaired.  Meeting with Nick on a monthly basis allowed me to observe over time how he applied the principles in his book to diverse businesses.  His successes rate was impressive and his clients were able to either enjoy a successful turn around or move to a liquidity event. You will see that his book is telling you to do what you know you should, but are too busy or too distracted to get it done.  So, either read the book and implement the principles, or hire Nick to do it for you.  Even if you are a dentist, extracting your own tooth is awkward and could be painful.
303907
This is a story about how unrestricted marketing/sales can crash the market. Now I'll have to read the book.
1763121
The biggest problems I see for business owners is when we get the feeling that the odds are stalked against us.

Dennis Becker is right to talk about mindset. There are risks in everything, but once you plan a strategy, the odds are in your favor. Go for it. You'll be better for the experience regardless of outcome.

Get an Abundance Mindset and you are halfway there
1959753
I read "A Tale of Two Owners" after reading Patrick Ungashick's other book "Dance In The End Zone". I started my business more than thirty years ago and both books are loaded with information and insights that would have helped me through many challenging phases over the years. I can certainly relate to the story within A Tale of Two Owners. It's uncanny how many similarities there are between my business, my partners and myself in the characters of Al and Robert and their business. If you share ownership of your business with others, you will enjoy this book and learn some valuable lessons from it.
4912596
Heard RUN YOUR OWN CORPORATION: HOW TO LEGALLY OPERATE AND PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR COMPANY INTO THE FUTURE (Hachette Audio), written and read by Garrett Sutton.

The author, an attorney, author and member of Robert Kiyoaskis Rich Dad Advisers series, has written several other informative books . . . this one is no exception.

It follows three teams of entrepreneurs through the ups and downs of their first five years in business, during which time they learn such tidbits as the following:

* There is only one entity that we call bad, and that is the sole proprietorship. One lawsuit, and you can lose all your assetsboth business and personal.

* You don't have to incorporate in the state where you do business. Nevada, Wyoming and Delaware are states that offer favorable corporate and laws and low taxes.

* You can avoid the hobby loss rules by one of two ways: 1. Make a profit at least three of five years; or 2. Run your business in a businesslike fashion.

* You want to make sure the corporate name, the domain name and the trademark are all clear for you to do business before you start the business.

And

* Hiring the right bookkeeper gives you more time to go out and make money.

Im not sure that anybody could run his or her corporation by just listening to these CDs. However, if you do, you will at least have a better sense of what you need to

do . . . and what help you need to hire.
3324748
If you're in a business or profession, you should read this book. It's not Dolly's 9 to 5--but it moves just as fast. The book centers on how Christ would run a business, if he came back today. Probably not like most of us. Hensley's book makes you stop and think whether you're going in the right direction. And if you've gotten off the path, he shows you how to find it again--and still be financially successful!
11150
Change can be a pain...  And if you want to do business the same way we did in the past you will be left in the dust.  Learned alot about the importance of using social media to grow my income and project myself as being an expert.
2415323
Worth Every Penny has one basic message, but it is important and needs to be understood by most entrepreneurs. Authors Sarah Petty and Erin Verbeck argue persuasively that if you are starting a small business you need to differentiate yourself by offering more personalized service or a product that isn't available elsewhere.

They call this being a ''boutique'' business, because it is clear in today's world a small business isn't going to be able to compete with the big boys on price or volume. It simply isn't possible. Instead, offer real value for the money and that will be the key to your success.

Because they have only one basic message, the book does feel a bit padded. The examples are very good, however, and their suggestions on how to price your goods and services seems really valuable.

This won't be the only business book you may want to read if you are planning on opening a business, but it sure won't hurt. For more of my book reviews please search for ''goldenrulecomics'' on hubpages.com.
2384628
This will be a must read for every business owner. Tom Crossleys insights in his chapter will really put things in to a clear perspective. the way business is today and the amount of hacking going on you can not afford to be protected.. Look at Fairoaks and Tom for help.
2023238
Book Review: Thursday, March 18, 2015

Kettle Corn Business Journal by Eric Bickernicks. Velma's Kettle Corn www.wickeddelicious.com

To become an entrepreneur, there are several things one must consider. There are, of course, the goods or services you plan to offer. There are times that what seems to be a sure thing can go belly-up in a flash wiping out your entire investment. Which brings me to the second thing. You need a good business plan. Simply throwing money and hoping for the best won't cut it.

In your business plan you need to consider the costs of starting up the business, the monthly debts, and how much goods you will have to sell to make any sort of an ROI (return on investment.) Investing in any business is something of a gamble. You are betting that the goods or services you offer will do well enough to make a reasonable profit margin.

This brings me to a third requirement. You need to do a thorough study of the marketability of your particular wares. Many a business has failed because it turned out few people wanted the product. It doesnt do any good to have a great product or terrific services if you cannot sell them.

You also want to check out the competition. The question here becomes one of supply and demand. Is there enough demand for your product or services that you can make a real inroad into the market? Or will you have to go to so great lengths to deal with the competition that there is no profit left?

And you need to learn about advertising. You cannot sell a product or service if no one knows about you.

This is the story of Eric Bickernicks and friends who wanted to start a business selling the popular treat known as Kettle Corn. In perusing this book, the reader can learn from someone whos been there the ups and downs of starting and maintaining such a business.

Eric and companys Kettle Corn business wasn't the overnight success that so many people dream about. At times after paying fees to set up at a Farmers Market or Fair, they barely broke even. And often the money had been taken from somewhere that required it to be returned, pronto.

Eric goes step by step with the reader, showing how to get started, avoiding some of the most common pitfalls, and how to build your enterprise from scratch to success! Along the way he gives us humor and tears as he begins to sell the Kettle Corn, the good times, and the disasters of owning a small business.

This book would make a great guide to those beginning or thinking of beginning a small business. I give this book, as targeted for a specific audience, four out of five stars.

Quoth the Raven...
3891620
If you are a small business owner or Human relations manager, this is a book you should have. For that matter if you are a Planning/ Finace manager, it is still worth a read.

Healthy Employees, Healthy Business, talks about the cost involved in having unhealthy and or unhappy employees, and some ethical things to do about it. The book explores the cost of absenteeism, as well as presenteeism, the concept that how much more effective are your brightest and best if they are operating closer to 100% instead of at average or below.

The book gives ideas about dealing with obesity, diabetes and mental health concerns. So my advice is, if these things are concerns to you, reading this book is worth the effort.
3012151
Donald Mitchell and Carol Coles present a  thorough argument that all companies, large and small, are compelled to improve upon their current business model.  If it works, don't fix it, is not a viable mindset in a age where competitive challenges are always right around the corner.  The major idea behind this superb book "is that business model obsolescence is the major unperceived opportunity and threat to all businesses now."  Human beings are inclined to play it safe and take few risks.  What was considered prudent behavior a few generations ago will likely doom one to irrelevance in a future shock environment.  Many companies are regretfully similar to the frog who is unaware that he is slowly being boiled alive.  If you did not improve your business model in the last five years---then almost certainly you have missed out on some golden opportunities.
Mitchell and Coles aptly deal with issues concerning pricing a company's products and services.  How do business leaders distinguish between winning and losing business models?  What role does the low level employee  play in this regard?  "What is the stupidest thing our company does that reduces the purchase and consumption of our offerings?" is a question best not left unanswered.  Try pretending "for several hours that you are a specific person who doesn't buy from your company (or even your customer's customer)" is also not advice which should be ignored.  Ecolab, Iron Mountain, Business Objects and Paychex are among the companies cited that refuse to be seduced by complacency.  Even a humble barber who cut the hair of many of Harvard University's leading teachers and students is a quintessential example of a business owner who never took anything for granted.
I have already spent countless hours reading "The Ultimate Competitive Advantage."  Alas, there are still more gems of wisdom that I've yet to internalize.  This book will continue to enrich my understanding of business models long into the distant future.  I'm sure that you also will find it of great value.
293229
If you work an hourly job this book won't do you any good.
If you're looking for ways to start a company, this book won't do you any good.
This book is for those who are already running their own business and want to reduce their OWN work load by offsetting it to others and finding ways to do so.

The book is well written but it's not for the average Joe who wants to get out of a dead end job and make a living on their own. It's a nice read but of limited use.
2484098
This book shows how there are the Extorters from all levels in our government system, who milk the business community, the Extortees, for all they can get.  Our politicians are using both threats and promises to enrich themselves.
Business leaders like Donald Trump have been subjected to this extortion and had to treat it as a cost of doing business.