NEW BOOK
“Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists,” edited by Gene Marks, Adams Media, $19.95
Whether you’re thinking of starting a business or you own one, you need this book. Calling it a “Book of Lists” truly undersells its value as a reference tool for small business. There’s an abundance of “how to” and solid operational information in this tool, too. Here are some examples:
These days every small business needs a technology consultant. Yet how many owners know enough about IT to ask prospective consultants the right questions? The Geek Section (Chapter 6) provides 10 questions and explanations of what to look for in the answers. The chapter also contains information about setting up the “right” system for your business, how to use the Web and extranet and software choices. There’s a list of small-business resource Web sites, too.
Also, do you know the 14 “must haves” and seven mistakes of business plans? What about the 21 slowest growth industries for small business? How to evaluate a franchise opportunity? The answers are there.
–Jim Pawlak, BizBooks
NEW BOOK
“The Go Point: When It’s Time to Decide,” by Michael Useem, Crown Business, $25
Procrastination: the enemy of progress. The Go Point is the time when you make your history and shape your future. A bond trader’s go points come in rapid succession on the trading floor. A manager’s go points include project deadlines, a sudden change of priorities, staff changes or the quarterly financials.
Useem developed seven pointers for getting past procrastination to the go point. Here are a few key elements:
– Look to the future instead of rethinking the past. While experience counts, the future isn’t likely a replay of the past. Only doing things differently will get you from Point A to Point B.
– Break hard decisions into smaller steps. Unless you’ve completely ignored the warning signs, it’s unlikely that situations requiring hard decisions will suddenly materialize. Time allows you to implement short-term goals and the ability to tweak your plan.
–Jim Pawlak, BizBooks
