In a recent article posted to Entrepreneur.com, author and communications coach Carmine Gallo explains “How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds or Less.”  She explains, “Unfortunately, many small-business owners don’t think enough about their company’s story and how it comes across.” That’s why she’s developed four questions designed to enable business owners to develop an effective 60-second sales pitch.

1. What do you do?
2. What problems do you solve?
3. How is your product or service different?
4. Why should I care?

Your answers should be quick and to-the-point.  The following is an industry-specific example:

My name’s Sharon West and I enjoy doing what most people don’t: I file taxes, helping individuals and small business owners maximize their returns.  I’m a professional tax preparer [what your business does and what problems it solves].  You see, many paid tax preparers haven’t received any formal training in filing taxes and working with individuals on their tax planning.  That’s what I do and I’ve been trained to do it [how it’s different].  And if business owners are concerned that my fees will eat up their profits, I can guarantee that what I charge will come back to them at least 100% in tax savings.  Now how many tax professionals do you know of that come with that kind of guarantee? [why you should care]. Here’s my business card.  If you know of individuals or small business owners who could use a trusted tax professional, please refer them to me.

Practice your delivery so that it doesn’t sound canned or monotonous.  It should be exciting and engaging, communicating your passion for what you do and how well you do it.  And it’s important that you not drone on and on; that’s why it should be no longer than 60 seconds.  In fact, you may consider having two versions of your 60-second sales pitch: the 30-second version and the one minute version.

Ultimately, the 60-second sales pitch is designed for any networking situation where you can introduce yourself and your business to potential clients.  This may be at a convention, a conference, the grocery store, or the dentist’s office.  Remember that anyone can be a potential client or can refer you to a potential client.  And with your 60-second sales pitch on the tip of your tongue, you’re ready to sell yourself in any given situation with comfort and ease.

What’s your 60-second sales pitch?

If you’re interested in learning more about securing and retaining new clients, watch our free video on marketing. It will forever change your business approach!

Resource

Gallo, Carmine.  “How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds or Less.”  19 December 2011 Entrepreneur.com

Okay, so it’s not that bad, but it will consume the majority of your time for the next few months.  So why not ensure that you’re making the most of that time?

A 2005 Microsoft survey found that professionals only average about three productive workdays every week.  When you’re paid by the hour, that reduces your income by 40%.  That’s a painful statistic for the self-employed.

But it doesn’t have be that way.  When you apply effective time management techniques, you use the workday to your advantage, maximizing your income by using less time to accomplish more work-related tasks.  Here are 6 tips we strongly recommend:

Delegate and outsource when possible. In a Small Business Review article, author John Egan lists this as his number one time management tip.  In his article he references Dave Durand, a time management expert who says small business owners should never engage in “minimum-wage work.”  He suggests handing those tasks off to someone else so the small-business owner can keep their “eye on the horizon.”  Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to do everything yourself.  It’s wise to delegate and outsource some of those tasks that are too time-consuming for you, whether you partner with another professional to do them, or whether you assign the responsibility to someone within your organization.

Avoid time traps. No profession is immune to time leaks—interruptions, distractions, tangents that lead you off-task and make it difficult to be productive.  And it is impossible to plug those time leaks unless you know what they are.  Take a week or so to log interruptions, noting all those things that distract you from your core work tasks, specifically billable hours.  Once you have the information, you can evaluate it.  Which interruptions could have been avoided?  Which were of no value?  Perhaps someone regularly calls you for information that you could teach them to find themselves?  While the teaching moment may cost you an hour now, it may save you hours in the end.

Avoid multitasking. Most time management experts agree that splitting your attention amongst a slew of tasks can lessen productivity while generating more errors.  Focusing your attention on one task is the best way to accomplish more in less time and with greater accuracy.

Use “50% of your time engaged in the thoughts, activities and conversations that produce most of your results.” This tip comes recommended by authors Joe Mathews, Don Debolt and Deb Percival in an Entrepreneur.com article entitled “10 Time Management Tips That Work.”  It makes sense to focus your energy on those tasks that bring in the bacon.  However, often what we focus on isn’t necessarily what produces results.  Shifting your perspective on how you prioritize your time may be all it takes to put this principle into effect.

Plan each day.  Mathews, Debolt and Percival recommend you take 30 minutes each morning to schedule your workday.  Determine which tasks are most important and timely.  That way you ensure that you’re not only productive but responsible, completing those jobs that need your attention first.  Then, referring to that list of tasks, make a to-do list (and don’t forget, 50% of your day should be dedicated to those activities that produce the most results).

Plan for the big picture. While it’s important to plan your daily schedule, you should also look ahead and make plans for how you’d like to accomplish your vision.  This includes the big picture on where you see your business going, taking steps that will ensure you get there.

UAC’s QuickBooks Training Program

The Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide (PBG) to QuickBooks is designed to help you master all the software’s features and shortcuts, enabling you to work much more efficiently.  With 16 instructional CDs that contain 15 hours of training and an 800-page full-color instruction manual, you will have access to all you need in order to address your every client’s needs.

Upon completing the program you will be able to do the following:

• Pay bills quickly so that you and your clients never incur late penalties
• Be reminded when bills are due
• Write checks with one single click
• Create invoices quickly and effortlessly
• Become more organize by streamlining the process of tracking customers and vendors
• Keep on top of incoming and outgoing payments
• Access easy-to-read financial reports NOW
• Earn valuable certification as a QuickBooks Specialist

UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks (PBG) will enable you to master this accounting software, saving yourself time and energy as you work with your own and/or your clients’ accounts.  To become more efficient by learning all the time-saving features QuickBooks offers, call Universal at 1-877-833-7909 to enroll in the PBG Program today!

Resources

–.  “Survey Finds Workers Average Only Three Productive Days per Week.”  15 March 2005.  Microsoft.com

Egan, John.  “Time Management Tips.”  SmallBusinessReview.com

Mathews, Joe, Don Debolt and Deb Percival.  “10 Time Management Tips That Work.”  Entrepreneur.com

And Roth should know.  In 2005 he found himself overwhelmed by debt.  He made a personal decision to change that and read everything he could on money and financial management.  In 2006 he started the website Get Rich Slowly which quickly became a popular personal-finance blog.  He now gives advice to a community one-half million readers strong.

This information could be invaluable to your own clients.  Sure, you help them manage their business financials, but where they really might be struggling is in their personal financial management.  One way you could assist them is in distributing a tip sheet on effective personal money management; in fact, you could send it as part of your holiday well wishes for them and their families.  Consider including Roth’s proven strategies:

1. Stash savings. Many individuals have lost their jobs with no savings buffer to fall back on.  While many different sources recommend how much money you should save in a fallback account, Roth says the exact amount doesn’t matter.  It’s just important that you have enough to prevent unemployment panic.

2. Limit debt. Roth explains, “A mortgage isn’t a bad thing, and neither are student loans.  A car loan is borderline, though, and borrowing to buy a television is foolish.”

3. Practice thrift. Some of the richest people in America are thrifty, so it shouldn’t be considered a poor-man’s practice.  In fact, frugality is a good habit even in economically “fat” years when most individuals experience “lifestyle inflation.”  To embark on a frugal life, Roth recommends starting by reducing regular monthly expenses.

4. Invest wisely. Roth says, “Don’t let the news lead you to make emotional decisions.  …be sure your investment portfolio matches your risk tolerance.”  Do the research and stick with those financial investments that best suit your financial philosophy.

5. Ignore financial news. Roth uses the example of the housing bubble during which time many individuals followed the media hype and invested in real estate only to encounter its collapse, a reality that has left many in foreclosure.  As mentioned in tip number four, it’s important that you ponder your financial decisions and how they relate to your personal situation without giving in to the media hype, positive or negative.

If you’re interested in sharing other tips that will help your clients better manage their financials, consider the following two books which enable businesses to establish a healthy financial foundation:

In the Black—Written by Universal president and CEO, Allen Bostrom, this book will guide you in effectively increasing your clients’ profitability using improved accounting and business metrics – a must for organizations of all sizes.  Are you In the Black?

Red to Black in 30 Days—The recession is hitting small businesses hard, and many are failing right and left.  Red to Black in 30 Days, also written by Allen Bostrom, will teach you the Universal Project Management Model, enabling you to help save failing businesses.   Using this valuable book as your guide, you can add turnaround services to your offerings.   Buy your copy today.

Share your financial tips for clients here in our comments section!

Resources

GetRichSlowly.com

Roth, J.D. “How to Regain Control over Your Personal Finances.” 1 November 2011  Entrepreneur.com

The typewriter has long been a staple in the workplace since its inception in the 1800s. Writers stuff a sheet of paper into the machine and fill the page with ink as they type. Mistakes were permanently stuck to the page until the advent of White Out and typewriter correction tape. Even with these tools, the process often left writers wanting a more efficient and less permanent way to put their words onto paper.

The personal computer has been the answer to the cries of office writers. Before a drop of ink hits the page, writers can easily backspace over mistakes and do a full review of the paper. Spell check and grammar check are tools inaccessible to most typewriters. I think we all can attest to the beauty of this particular technology.

Where does your paper go once it leaves the computer (or typewriter)? Most offices still have the space hogging metal file cabinets. These archaic beasts not only became the depository for thousands of sheets of paper, but also have wreaked havoc on the lower back of movers! Those working in a paper environment have witnessed the “disappearing paper” syndrome too, where the filer of the document swears it was placed in the proper place. However, the document later disappears. Personal computer hard drives have now become the archives for documents.

If you’re having a hard time finding the electronic file, you can easily sort through the storage space by date or by file type. Products like ArkWorks have made the e-file cabinet a reality. It’s much easier digging for those files on a computer then digging through mountains of paper.

It hasn’t been that long that we’ve had the luxury of digital products in our age of electronics. You can count on computers becoming faster, and office efficiency being greater. In 20 years from now we’ll reflect on how archaic our technology was in the 21st century. What about the typewriter? It won’t be long until it sits in a museum or antique shop.

To find help for getting organized visit online at http://www.1040works.com/.

We invite comments on how you’ve managed to electronically organize your professional documents.

Recognizing Four Different Thinking Styles Can Help You Be a Better Manager

The question is not what you think, but how you think it.  In a recent BNET.com article, Kimberly Weisul, author of the column Leadership Lab, suggests that knowing the thinking styles used by yourself and those you work with can help you run a better business.

According to Thunderbird professor Denis Leclerc, the fact that individuals use different thinking styles can be problematic, especially when it results in poor communication and sometimes even hostility.  Recognizing these thinking styles and being able to anticipate the questions from different thinkers can, according to Leclerc, save your sanity.  So what are they?

Deductive Thinkers

Apparently Sherlock Holmes is classified as a deductive thinker, always questioning why before plowing forward.  In fact, deductive thinkers are the least likely to follow a boss’ orders without question.  They need to understand the logic underlying the tasks they’ve been asked to complete.  Questions they are likely to ask: Why are we doing this?  Why is this project more important than others? Why should I care?

Inductive Thinkers

These thinkers are most likely to ask “how” rather than “why.”  They like to work with lots of specific information in order to create general knowledge.  For example, Charles Darwin, a famous inductive thinker, gathered an incredible amount of information regarding the finches of Galapagos in order to create his more general theory of natural selection.  Questions they are likely to ask: How did we make this decision?  How will we change?  How did we do this last time?

Linear Thinkers

While you may think your lectures about vision inspire everyone in the office, you’re missing the mark with these thinkers who simply want to know how they’re going to get from A to B to C which means they want detailed instructions on how to accomplish assigned tasks.  Questions they are likely to ask: When is it due? What needs to happen first? Who does what?

Systemic Thinkers

These thinkers don’t ask many questions simply because they’ve got their eye on the prize with little concern on what it’s going to take to get there. Steve Jobs is a good example of a systemic thinker.  Apparently when he instructed his team on creating the first iPod, his vision of the end product was all he provided.  He told them he wanted something that 1) didn’t use any screws, 2) could be controlled with the thumb and 3) changed the way people listened to music forever.

Recognizing the thinking style used by colleagues, clients and employees can help you engage in more meaningful discussion about goals, tasks and even prospective problems.  What kind of thinker are you?

Unassuming topics like this can help you better manage your business and advance your career.  Consider how Universal can help you sift out what will and won’t help you become a better professional.  Join our free accounting and tax forums, follow us on Twitter and like us on FaceBook.  You’ll be surprised at how community encourages creativity and career enhancement.

We welcome your feedback in our comments!

Resource

Leclerc, Denis.  “Embrace Four Thinking Styles to Save Your Sanity.” 25 July 2011 Thunderbird Knowledge Network

Weisul, Kimberly.  “Four Styles of Thinking, and Why You Need to Know Them.” 11 August 2011 BNET.com

In a recent Entrepreneur.com article entitled “How Young Entrepreneurs Can Bridge the Generation Gap,” author Matthew Toren suggests three remedies to this problem, especially for those who may appear young and inexperienced to a more ‘mature’ clientele:

1. Know what you’re talking about.

The truth is, if you’re a true industry professional, your knowledge about tax preparation is all you need to demonstrate your expertise.  When you try to wing it, you’re perceived at a flippant upstart, and that won’t get you anywhere.  If you need training, get it.  If you lack knowledge, acquire it.  Once you do, it becomes much easier to talk the talk and walk the walk.

2. Admit that you don’t know everything.

Only God is omniscient.  No one else can be expected to know everything.  Once you admit that to yourself, it becomes easier to admit it to your clients.   Toren explains, “Most young entrepreneurs try to overcompensate for inexperience by talking as though they’ve got it all figured out.  The only thing worse than not knowing all you should know is not knowing, and then acting like you do.”  He suggests finding a mentor to help walk you through those trouble spots you encounter; that way, instead of telling clients you don’t know something, you can instead say, with confidence, “I can find the answer to that for you.”

3. Clean up.

Regardless of what you think is trendy, the truth is that current and prospective clients will judge you, and possibly your professionalism, by the way you present yourself.  While this may not be fair, it’s expected.  So if you want to be taken seriously, you’re going to have to dress the part.

You may think the age gap won’t impact your ability to perform well for clients, and you would be right.  But their perception that it will is where your problem resides.  Following these three simple tips will help you eliminate those concerns.

Universal Accounting Will Help You Walk the Talk

If you find your skills and knowledge lacking, Universal’s tax training will help you acquire the expertise you need.   UA’s Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) program will also enable you to hone your skills and comply with the new IRS tax preparer regulations while establishing your home-based tax business.  Not only could you earn a professional designation, but you could also learn everything you need to know to pass the IRS Competency Exam and receive up to 60 CPE credits, depending on the number of modules you complete.  The four models include the following:

1. Establishing the Tax Foundation. Learn the entire process for determining income and adjustments to income, which will factor into the Adjusted Gross Income.  In fact, you’ll cover all the information necessary to prepare Page One of Form 1040.

2. Becoming the 1040 Expert. This module deals with background information and forms that go into the 1040, Page 2.  We also discuss all the adjustments that can be made to gross income, including credits that are allowed and different types of deductions and exemptions that can be taken against that adjust gross income number.

3. Profitable Business Returns. Here we introduce you to the world of business organizations and their tax concerns.  This module is a practical companion to Module 2, as it give you experience in completing each of the schedules and forms common to business organizations.

4. Building Your Successful Tax Practice. Get a head start in creating and running your own tax preparation service.  You will find yourself light years ahead of the competition as you put these strategies into play.

UAC’s income tax training will not only give you hands-on training in completing full individual (1040) and business returns (1065, 1120, 1120S), but it will also provide you with step-by-step instruction in becoming a sole practitioner, one year of follow-up support from expert tax preparers and our iron-clad, risk-free guarantee.

Hone your skills, earn a designation, and comply with IRS regulations.  Three birds, one stone.  Call Universal Accounting at 1-877-833-7909 to enroll today.

We want to know what you think!  Please post feedback.

Resource

Toren, Matthew.  “How Young Entrepreneurs Can Bridge the Generation Gap.”  5 August 2011 Entrepreneur.com

Over the last few years, it has become more and more popular to Go Green. There has been increased evidence of global warming and with it, increased awareness of how to help the problem. A lot of companies have focused their advertising on the environmental benefits their products offer, actors have endorsed products that save energy, such as low energy light bulbs and hybrid cars, and even the former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, starred in the documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth, which addresses the harmful effects of global warming.

Paper Waste

Evidence suggests that CO2 emissions are the cause of global warming. The development and use of paper products is contributing to the CO2 emissions problem. According to MDF Systems, the average US office worker generates 2 lbs of paper waste per day. A midsized company with 1,000 employees produces 30 million pages of paper per year, which is equivalent to cutting down 1,369 trees–approximately 300,000 pounds of CO2 per year.

The needless use of paper in offices not only expends natural resources by way of cutting down trees (which includes the energy used for tree cutting tools and for manufacturing paper), but also wastes a large amount of energy with paper processing machines. A copier, two printers, and a fax machine consume 1400 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy each year. Offices are full of these machines. Captaris Corporation claims that an estimated 80 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in New York City are generated by office buildings.

Paperless Solution

The obvious solution to reducing emissions produced by paper and paper processing machines is to reduce the use of paper in the office. Paperless office software allows offices to securely file and transfer documents without printing a thing. Documents can either be stored as PDF files or remain in their original format, such as Microsoft Word or Excel.

Paperless Benefits

The benefits of going paperless go beyond saving money on paper and energy. They can also save a lot of time, which equates to saving more money. A paperless filing system brings all documents in the system to your fingertips. If you need an invoice for a specific customer, even if it is from ten years ago, you can do a quick search and email the document in minutes or less. Paperless office software provides many other features that prove its superiority to a traditional filing system.  For example, audit trail records who has viewed or moved documents.  Security features keep documents from being seen by unauthorized eyes.  A maturity date feature easily controls how long documents are retained.  And much, much more.

The Best of Both Worlds

Every office can make a positive impact in the fight against the planet’s growing problem of global warming while saving time and money by using paperless office software.

To find help for getting organized visit online at http://www.arkworkspro.com.

The IRS reminded small business owners and their tax preparers of the Small Business Tax Center.  The center provides links to useful IRS tools like their Video Portal which archives copies of all webinars intended for small business and tax professionals (the one that ran last week entitled “Small Business Advantage” will be posted two weeks after it originally aired). There you can also find a downloadable tax calendar, common forms, instructions on securing an Employer Identification Number (EIN), information on starting, operating, or closing a business, and more.

The IRS also used the opportunity to remind business owners about important tax credits they can claim, including the small business healthcare credit which encourages small businesses and tax-exempt organizations to offer their employees affordable health care.  Tax relief can also be found in Depreciation and Amortization: Form 4562, through which small businesses can deduct most of their costly purchases in new property and equipment.  Small business owners can take advantage of these benefits when filing their 2011 returns.

Universal Accounting is Also a Valuable Resource

Now that tax season has ended, you might have some extra time to invest in yourself and your tax practice.   UA’s Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) program will enable you to hone your skills and comply with the new IRS tax preparer regulations.  Not only could you earn a professional designation, but you could also learn everything you need to know to pass the IRS Competency Exam and receive up to 60 CPE credits, depending on the number of modules you complete.  The four models include the following:

1. Establishing the Tax Foundation. Learn the entire process for determining income and adjustments to income, which will factor into the Adjusted Gross Income.  In fact, you’ll cover all the information necessary to prepare Page One of Form 1040.

2. Becoming the 1040 Expert. This module deals with background information and forms that go into the 1040, Page 2.  We also discuss all the adjustments that can be made to gross income, including credits that are allowed and different types of deductions and exemptions that can be taken against that adjust gross income number.

3. Profitable Business Returns. Here we introduce you to the world of business organizations and their tax concerns.  This module is a practical companion to Module 2, as it give you experience in completing each of the schedules and forms common to business organizations.

4. Building Your Successful Tax Practice. Get a head start in creating and running your own tax preparation service.  You will find yourself light years ahead of the competition as you put these strategies into play.

UAC’s PTP program will not only give you hands-on training in completing full individual (1040) and business returns (1065, 1120, 1120S), but it will also provide you with step-by-step instruction in becoming a sole practitioner,one year of follow-up support from expert tax preparers and our iron-clad, risk-free guarantee.

Hone your skills, earn a designation, and comply with IRS regulations.  Three birds, one stone.  Call Universal Accounting at 1-877-833-7909 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-877-833-7909 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to enroll today.

We welcome your feedback and comments.  Please post!

Resources

–. “IRS Marks Small Business Week by Showcasing Tools, Resources; Spotlights Tax Benefits Available in 2011.” IRS.gov

IRS Small Business Tax Center– http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

IRS Video Portal—http://www.irsvideos.gov/SmallBusinessTaxpayer

Letters Notify Tax Preparers of Incorrect Returns

The IRS is sending out letters (approximately 10,000) to tax preparers as a reminder of the importance in submitting accurate returns for their clients.  The letters are being sent to preparers who completed returns with common errors; also included is an enclosure reminding tax preparers of their responsibilities as well as the penalties for filling incorrect forms.

The IRS also plans on sending representatives to visit approximately 2,500 recipients of this letter to “further discuss their responsibilities as a return preparer and to verify their compliance with existing requirements.” These measures follow recommendations made by IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman in January after a comprehensive six-month study of the tax return preparer industry.

The IRS notes that while they recognize the majority of preparers are honest professionals, some make careless errors while others engage in illegal and fraudulent activities.  This letter and the scheduled visits are intended to monitor such activity.  This IRS and the Department of Justice continue to pursue civil or criminal action as appropriate.

Taxpayers should exercise discretion when choosing a preparer.  Expect reputable preparers to request their receipts and ask numerous questions in order to determine which expenses qualify as deductions or warrant favorable tax treatment.  Such preparers are helping their clients avoid penalties, interest or additional taxes that could result in further IRS scrutiny.

For more information, visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=231944,00.html.

Interest Rates for 2011 First Quarter Decrease

On December 15^th the IRS announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning the first day of 2011 will decrease by one percentage point.  According to a recent press release, the rates will be as follows:

• three (3) percent for overpayments [two (2) percent in the case of a corporation];
• three (3) percent for underpayments;
• five (5) percent for large corporate underpayments; and
• zero and one-half (0.5) percent for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000.

For more information on the calculation of these rates, visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=232163,00.html.

Reminder of New Registration Requirement for All Return Preparers

According to new IRS regulations, all paid tax preparers are required to obtain a Preparer Identification Number (PTIN) by the end of December, 2010.  If you do not currently have a PTIN, or if you obtained one prior to September 28, 2010, you can use their new online application system to obtain one.  All paid tax preparers who prepare all or substantially all of a tax return are required to use the new registration system.  It costs $64.25 to secure or renew a PTIN which you can receive immediately after completing your online application.  Or you can submit Form W-12 in order to mail the request, which will take 4 to 6 weeks.

For more information on the new requirements for paid tax preparers, visit Universal at http://www.hometaxbusiness.com/new-irs-tax-regulations.html.

Universal Accounting’s Tax Training

If you would like to become eligible to prepare taxes under the new regulations established by the IRS, consider training with Universal Accounting.  Not only could you earn the Professional Tax Preparer Designation, but you could also learn everything you need to know to pass the IRS Competency Exam and receive up to 60 CPE credits, depending on the number of modules you complete.

Be prepared for the changes that will impact all future tax preparers.  Enroll in the Professional Tax Preparer Program today, and improve your competitive advantage while securing your professional standing in the tax industry.

“The best effect of any book is that it excites the reader to self activity.” – Thomas Carlyle

“I often feel sorry for people who don’t read good books; they are missing a chance to lead an extra life.” – Scott Corbett

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney

Whether you have an established tax practice or you’ve been thinking about starting one, you can benefit from the advice of others who have gone before and, in one way or another, achieved success.  Once again, we’re helping you find books that will enable you to achieve your business goals.  This week we took a cue from Entrepreneur.com to supply you with 5 book recommendations that others have found helpful, in no particular order.

Bill & Dave: How Hewlett and Packard Built the World’s Greatest Company by Michael S. Malone (Portfolio, 2007)

This book follows the rise of corporate giants William Hewlett and David Packard, examining those characteristics that made them both successful.  The San Francisco Chronicle calls it “a lesson plan for managers…” while Businessweek calls it “…a biography, management guidebook, and business history, all in one.”  What sets this book apart from others is that Malone focuses on the honesty and integrity upon which Hewlett and Packard built their empire.

New Ideas from Dead CEOs: Lasting Lessons from the Corner Office by Todd G. Buchholz (Collins, 2007)

Author Todd Buchholz follows the lives of 10 successful CEOs, including Estee Lauder, Ray Kroc, Walt Disney and Mary Kay Ash.  Buchholz himself describes the book’s purpose upfront: “I dare you. Search this book for the solitary secret that will guarantee riches while protecting you from being flung against the wall by competitors. You won’t find it.  Not because I have failed to divulge the lives and lessons of great CEOs, but because I tried to reveal the simple truth about making it big: It does not take a village, a Harvard MBA, or even a rich uncle. It takes passion, and obsession with turning a great idea into a sweeping revolution.”

Your Management Sucks: Why You Have to Declare War on Yourself…and Your Business by Mark Stevens (Crown Business, 2006)

This book enables anyone in a management position to reevaluate his/her approach and identify weaknesses that must be overcome in order to run a successful business.  In fact, this book presents a week-long “battle plan” that, in Stevens’ own words, “challenges assumptions about success and provides a road map for taking your business to the next level.”

Buddha: 9 to 5 – The Eightfold Path to Enlightening Your Workplace and Improving Your Bottom Line by Nancy Spears (Adams Media, 2007)

This book takes the Buddhist practice called the Eightfold Path and gives it a corporate spin, complete with practical exercises and case studies that enable readers to see the Eightfold Business Path in action.  Focusing on the Buddhist concepts of intention, mindfulness, and right action, this book provides a very zen approach to better managing your business, your employees and your work environment.

Red to Black in 30 Days by Allen Bostrom (Universal Accounting Center, 2008)

Small businesses are failing right and left; we hope yours is not one of them.  Red to Black in 30 Days enables readers to learn the Universal Project Management Model that will enable them to save failing businesses.   This book is a guideline for financial professionals who work with disheartened small business owners in need of a good turnaround plan.

Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process. Simple steps are outlined from initial contact through stabilization and profitable growth. This can be the guide through your first turnaround experience or it can enhance the management skills of even the seasoned tax preparer.  You may find that in offering turnaround services your business (and those of your clients) will be the few that thrive in these difficult financial times. For the cost of this one book you can enhance your value to current and prospective clients.  Order your copy now.

Resources

Edelhauser, Kristin. “10 Biz Books to Read This Summer.” 31 May 2007  Entrepreneur.com

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