|
|
|
We’re talking SERIOUS BUSINESS here! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that spare time (or home based for that matter) business isn’t serious! (for serious read IMPORTANT, VITAL for you, your family, community and UK plc)! DECLARE an interest? You bet! As a reviewer of Spare Room Start Up, the ‘thriller’ first enterprise book from Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones, I anticipated ‘Working 5 to 9’ being an inspiring, invaluable and practical guide to starting and growing a successful spare time business with the potential to take over your life! It lives up to expectations. Yes, learn from the wealth of experience and resources packed into 250 pages, go into ACTION, you’ll jump start your new venture. Those of us who’ve been there can still learn a thing or two! In a job but not sure for how much longer? Want to pursue a passion, hobby or skill for light relief and extra income? Dream of becoming your own boss but not quite sure where to start. Or already out there operating your business for a while? Want spare time to be full time? Then read on! As a serial entrepreneur whose first spare time businesses successfully fledged, I can confirm that with enough determination and the know-how and know-who then “Everything is Possible™” Packed with 50 or so real-life case studies of 5 to 9ers, of all ages, with start up funding in many cases of less than £500 which was quickly recouped from sales income, Working 5 to 9 blows the myth out of the water that every new business needs £thousands to get off the ground. We are still talking SERIOUS BUSINESSES here! Big Oak Trees from Little Acorns Grow with a little help from their friends! Founder of a business centre that provided essential support to help spare time businesses launch, I ought to know. Many were trying their wings to see if their ideas could really fly while holding down full-time day-jobs. Although you don’t have to – we turned out a couple of millionaires and a few with letters after their name on the journey - it’s all about what you really want from life. There’s always a happy medium. Emma has covered all bases to keep you on the right path, help you navigate past pitfalls, over plateaus, backed up by statistics including that 100% of businesses are using social media; 78% holding down a day job; females leading the way by 63% v males 37% - hardly surprising since spare time can be really ‘family-friendly’, which I know from personal experience and as a UK Champion for Women’s Enterprise and former member of the UK Women’s Enterprise Taskforce. Excellent sections include ‘Make Money from Your Blog’. Featured businesses of a wide variety range from social media website owners to accountants, lawyers, electrical resellers, even beer producers and rare breed pig farmers! There’s a wealth of helpful information for artisans and craft-makers, including cost-effective online shop creators and other resources. Jam-packed with ideas if you’re stuck for new ones (no jam-makers though!) and valuable tips for your own short-cuts to success. I met Emma some years ago at her hugely successful Enterprise Nation conference where I discovered psychological insights to what the label ‘serial entrepreneur’ really means! Tell you about that another time! She is an inspirational innovator with a keen eye for potential, so expect to hear a great deal more about her and these featured businesses. This leads me neatly on to the value of joining the Enterprise Nation community of 9 to 5ers and 5 to 9ers where I predict many more serial entrepreneurs emerging - www.enterprisenation.com Working 5 to 9 is a treasure chest of practicality with 50 of the final pages dedicated to taking you from idea to business, covering everything from keeping your employer on side (if you have one) to research, planning, tax matters, shouting about your business and your life on the web. Look out for ‘The Golden Triangle’ and ‘Creating your own private Idaho’. Aesthetically designed into the bargain it’s very tactile. At A5 you’ll need a slightly bigger pocket or bag but this makes easy reading, feels substantial and looks like you mean business! Comprehensive sections with useful links and resources that you can use straight away – what are you waiting for then! In fact, you may find the ‘Useful Links’ section alone worth the price of the book, an investment in improving your existing business or starting something new, franchises included. And yes, whether or not you’ve been humming Dolly Parton’s ‘Working 9 to 5’ there is a ‘Working 5 to 9’ written by Alan Law. While you’re at it be sure and visit www.working5to9.co.uk
Whether you’re a start-up with a clean slate, or have a business that needs revitalising, take a keen peek inside and you’ll find there’s lots of strategic and tactical insight into how these canny women have done it – created their own success stories, sometimes against all odds, and they are living the lives they love! A big bonus is the practical advice and useful help from the author, online and social networking savvy Mumpreneur Coach and Mentor Mel McGee. Millionaire Mumpreneurs soon struck a chord with me. Mel dispenses useful help on many issues including dealing with guilt for mums. Having been there (just like Mel) in the early days of my enterprises, with three young children, I can see how important it is to share with you, if this is you, that even so - yes YOU CAN DO IT TOO! The mum stage is a vital enterprise opportunity that we keep on shouting about, which may be one reason why mumpreneurship is growing at such an enormous rate. And, wherever you want to run your business from, working from home has so much going for it. I’ve done the plush offices bit and home-based businesses and know which I prefer! There are not many offices I can think of where you can fit in a bit of ‘gardening leave’ at lunchtime. ‘Having it all’ and ‘being it all’ by ‘not doing it all’ is Mel’s especially good advice! How very true!! What’s the point of building a booming business to not have a life – whether that’s family or not? We need to work smarter, not harder, a lesson I’ve certainly learned from the days when, running several enterprises, I once flew in from Germany at 3.00am, went to bed until 5.00am and set off again for an important meeting to clinch a deal at 7.00am! Crazy or what? With the development of the internet and our online world, there’s no reason to punish ourselves this way any more. Last year, thanks to a broken wrist, (serendipity) I successfully took my international Coaching, Mentoring, Vision and Strategic Planning and Business Development processes online and have not looked back. Neither have clients and their enterprises! And here’s Mel with her Millionaire Mumpreneurs showing you how to make the most of a wealth of such opportunities, whatever your business. Truthfully now. Are you making the most of the power and flexibility of your online world? With the right attitude, Millionaire Mumpreneurs is life-changing stuff. You know what stops women especially succeeding – fear. Mostly this fear is irrational but women are (thank heavens for it most of the time) emotional beings, so it’s understandable. However, really take note of what you learn in Millionaire Mumpreneurs and no worries (but plenty of planning and ACTION), you’re on your way. If you look at your business brand or model, whether you’re only in the planning stages or you’ve ventured forth, and think you can’t recreate these very revealing and dooable Millionaire Models, ranging from Karen Knowler, founder of ‘Raw Success’ to Fabienne Frederickson, ”The Rainmaker” – think again. I’m telling you – read the book and not only will you begin to see the possibilities, but Mel will guide you into how to make it happen. Find out how to catapult yourself forward to financial freedom at the same time. Handy bag-size edition, 173 pages packed with potential (yours), vital section ‘What Do You Want, Do You Really, Really Want?’ Why vital? Because the most difficult challenge is knowing what you want, your direction, being able to see it, because once you do, as any Coach will tell you, you’re on the way to getting there. The Appendix contains useful resources and weblinks that I encourage you to explore, and I am willing to bet that if you really want to succeed in business and pluck up the courage to contact any of us for help - Mel, the featured Mumpreneurs, me - we’ll be only too happy to respond. When you come across this review, if you’ve any doubt, do invest in Millionaire Mumpreneurs; ask for it for your birthday; beg (don’t steal) borrow; cajole; ask your library to stock it, but get a copy somehow. Go visit http://www.supermummy.com for more and www.facebook.com/Supermummy for the chance to WIN a copy of Millionaire Mumpreneurs before 31st May 2010. Mel is donating 10% of royalties from this book to charities supporting mothers and children. Highly Recommended.
In the post-recession world, where almost every aspect of a business can be replicated and competed upon, customer relationships that create the Unique Value in our business set us apart. This recession has changed what people value. This requires a business re-think to make the right changes to survive and grow. The Relationship Revolution charts a way through, with useful advice on what’s needed before we push the Start Button this time around, ethical leadership at its heart. As a “Learning Organisation” much here that you will need to know about the importance of charting your “Moral Compass”, discovering your “Unique Value” and focus on a “Common Purpose” built upon a solid ethical foundation, the responsibility of everyone within the business. “Word of mouth” and reputation cannot be bought and yet have far more worth than advertising. Larry talks about “Customer Unions” and the power of “focus”. On the (consumer and corporate) search for “value” and it’s meaning, he compares “It’s a Wonderful Life” to its corporate counterpart in asking who would care if your company went under. Larry exhorts us to “keep it simple” – today’s customers want less complication – simplicity and speed. Apple is shown as a great example of creating Unique Value, one of the “Value for Life” concepts posed by The Relationship Revolution. Citing the 2007 run on Northern Rock, when the trust and confidence of ordinary citizens had bottomed out, people clearly felt that they had personally been betrayed. Global Recession soon followed and in 2008 Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. These two examples alone show that far greater value, with wider reaching ramifications, ie not only money, shares and indices, had been lost in the recession. In the financial crash, beliefs and faith were damaged too. Surveys show that customers everywhere were very angry – and rightly so! However, if trust and confidence in business had collapsed, then that for politics and politicians is at an all time low! We’ve all had enough of misinformation. Those of us in business know that reputations take years to build and minutes to lose. How to “Close the Promise Gap”? Well, for a start, ignore it at your peril! Learn how to avoid “emotional contagion”; lethal cynicism = commercial consequences. Think about the powerful potential of emerging “customer unions” from online customer communities. The future’s all about collaboration with customers – together creating the products and services that customers want and need. In this digital online networking age, consumers now want to create, collaborate and participate. Consider the rise and rise of “reality shows”, online media, forums and communities, while newspapers that “talk at you”, are fighting to survive. “User-generated” reviews powerful – “Daily Cinema Living” – video inserts normal in magazines and flyers – ability to compare and contrast intelligence and adaptability are key-post-recession qualities for 21st Century business. We share a favourite quote, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” – reminds me how very true, time and time again! It’s amazing how everything drops into place once we have prepared our strategic plans! Isn’t it just common sense – being closer to and smarter with our customers – after all their success is our success, and vice versa, I’ve never thought differently! But it’s also interesting when and what technology can get in the way! On the “War for Talent”, Larry asks “Is your company a Talent Magnet?” If not, strategic priority, where’s your Corporate Talent Plan? Some issues discussed may seem more relevant to big corporate business, although for me most of this was not new, the customer always was and will be first priority because that’s the only way to operate a truly sustainable business. Many small and medium entrepreneurial businesses are operating these methodologies, even without realising it – or they would no longer exist! Even so, you’ll still find something of interest here. If you think that business could be better, or you’re ready for step-change, you will find something of help in The Relationship Revolution. Peppered with personal anecdotes and examples. Recommended. “Conventional marketing continues to exist within an economic hyperspace in which there are no physical limits on the availability of resources or on the number of holes into which waste can be poured. It also exists within the artificial bubble of ‘the consumer society’….” With comments like this in the preface, expect to be shown a vision for how different the world can be, and the difference that you can make, and you will not be disappointed.
Sustainability Marketing contains a wealth of valid and valuable information that you should know, whether you’re in business or not, a convert to the sustainability agenda or a complete sceptic, to take us towards the aspirational ‘One Planet Economy’. This is an exceptional study text, drawing on the experiences of two experts in their field, emphasising spatially the global nature of the environmental and social issues at the heart of the sustainability agenda. Clear learning objectives, discussion questions, case studies, examples and research data and opportunities to reduce environmental impact. Importantly though, complex ideas made interesting and accessible.
The authors’ noble vision for ‘Sustainability Marketing – The Global Perspective’ is for nothing less than a transformation into a new sustainability-orientated marketing mainstream, helped by the revelations and learning in their book. And we’re not talking as in ‘nice to have’ or ‘opportunistic add-on’ but the kind of change that’s only possible through a brew of ingredients from the strengths of conventional marketing, sustainability perspectives of ecological and ethical marketing and insights from relationship marketing. It’s a heady brew this new fizz of marketing that’s economically, environmentally and socially sustainable – and it’s not difficult to either grasp or do!
A new marketing paradigm? Sustainable, value-based relationships with consumers. Power from online communities now brings ‘exponential potential’ - armed with Sustainability Marketing to guide.
Start following the timeline and you realise how long the whole environmental debate has been going on and how much sooner action could and should have been taken, at the very least to ensure a (literally) greener planet with more resources than now, that’s good for business but brilliant even for life and living. Referencing world change in the last quarter century, we kick off with the 1987 Bruntland Report through to our Millenium Goals, Millenium Ecosystems Assessments, release of Al Gore’s shocker ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, the Stern Report to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A more profound truth perhaps though is that 1970’s is where realisation first began!
It is suggested that had we made this paradigm shift earlier, the whole global credit crunch debacle could have been avoided, and explains why we need to step up our game in order to prevent a potential repeat. The world is a system of systems – with every action having an equal and opposite reaction. Study the ‘Three Systems of the Economy’ and clearly see where it all connects and how developments in one area potentially impact neighbours but also those a greater distance away
In helping us see how to make the vital shift from sustainability micromarketing to macromarketing, Belz & Peattie conclude with reference to Kilbourne, that what’s holding us back is the ‘dominant social paradigm’ (DSP), how it must change and when the collective chips are down, as they now are, only “we”, en masse, together will bring about this change. Consumers hold a potentially mighty Power in this equation with global online communities, it’s just that we haven’t fully realised it or consistently organised this potential yet! If so inclined ‘Sustainability Marketing’ is an essential read. Comprehensive and educational in every detail, an essential library addition; worthwhile reading for consumers; study material for everyone at whatever level; for all business, marketing and other disciplines: ideal for CPD; great to come back and pick out what works for you; the overview you need; information to smarten up your business; the knowledge to converse with others intelligently; the guide to bring about change, or the book that you think others should now read.....Highly Recommended
I admit to being a little sceptical before I got to grips with Guilt Trip. The whole arena of environmental sustainability, green issues, climate change is enjoying something of an unfortunate paradox right now from whichever side of the fence you sit on. However, after devoting the time to study as well as read this packed and thought provoking 266 pages, I wanted to give everyone a copy. A review is so limited because whether you are in business, a student or consumer – you need to know all that’s in here.
The authors have first class strategic and marketing credentials, know what they are talking about and do with some humour. What they are calling for, and we all need, is nothing less than a transformation of both action and communication from those organisations that are not yet fully, responsibly ‘green’. What they perhaps don’t emphasise enough is the increasing financial benefit in making this change.
Much you may have already suspected but oh! how much room for improvement there is, not only in marketing and pr of goods and services to businesses and consumers but how far many of us have moved from being prepared to take whitewashing or green washing from companies that aren’t as environmentally friendly and socially responsible as they would like us to believe. For the rest, we’re told why we, as consumers, (whether individuals or businesses) invite it upon ourselves to be misled – the messages suit the stereotypes and categories in our heads, so we lazily accept them – self excluded! Tokenism of the very worst kind is ‘outed’, ‘Trojan Horses’ revealed, once and for all.
We’re told why the simplest, biggest messages of all are the ones that play to ‘communal fears’, that nothing unites people quite like a wholesome and mutual fear, and look at how the exploitation of this fact has created a cultural dependence on being afraid. The quest for ‘extraordinary’ in products and in people’s lives is succinctly explored and explained with an eye-opening look at what happens as our clamour for ‘extraordinary’ meets the power of what we’re prepared to do when we are afraid. But we go a big step further and discover how we ourselves are turning our fears into guilt.
But guilt is a different animal entirely. Guilt cannot be dealt with in the same way as fear so companies and governments need a new approach. Others can give us, then take away our fears with the right product or service – but we ourselves are the only ones, as yet, who can effectively deal with our guilt! And we, as large groups of individuals (power of the net and social networking only one example) are finding mass way of doing it. Think of our reaction to seeing the sweatshops where poor children produce shoes and clothes we crave. Footage of destruction of the rainforests in order to feed some new fad. We are wising up and asking “What are the other effects?” (of our purchases, decisions).
‘Frustrative non-reward’ crops up in reference to our addiction to the ‘new’, our obsession with novelty, in fact we’re perpetually in this state – a situation remarkably similar to simple fear. It’s not surprising then that the authors coin the phrase ‘The Age of Shopping’ to describe the time we’re living through. The fear? Fed explicitly or neurologically from the heart of mass communication messaging. But hold on! We’re into the new age of mass individual communications and social networking – and yes these are covered in some detail.
The Case Studies and examples of companies, politicians, governments and others ‘green washing’, or promoting their own ‘truths’ are most interesting. Read the fascinating example of ‘conditioning’ with a product sold on one continent as a pick-me-up energiser and on another as a sleep inducer. In other cases, we know when an oil company tells us that it is ‘green’ we do have to think twice and you can see here why we remain sceptical – we are wiser and more in tune with the planet (our only real home!) than the conglomerates give us credit for.
Refreshing expose´ but more importantly an educational text for how to make mutually beneficial and worthwhile change. For individuals and businesses, how to be a more savvy consumer, ‘put the power back into your pocket’. For the best business organisations and governments, the ones we personally want to support, how to truthfully capitalise on this new stage in the evolution of marketing communications. All explained within, concluding with excellent simple principles and rules to live by. Highly Recommended
VISION? MISSION? FOCUS? NLP? SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE? HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET? BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE (and how to lose money investing)? ISLAMIC FINANCE? ETHICAL OR SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENTS? OPEN ARCHITECTURE? COMMUNICATION SKILLS? YOUR BRAND? Unexpected references in a banker’s text book. With impeccable credentials, the authors really know about people, cultures, business and the global community as well as being expert in the ultra high net worth banking and financial world. They say ‘clarity about your mission and possibilities’ are key; that ‘clarity is achieved through vision and focus’ and allude to ‘snakes and ladders thinking’ among other excellent ideas and strategies, then go on to share the tools you need to map the reality (of clients) and focus on the issues that will make a (wealth of) difference for them, or you, indeed anyone who wants to get the best out of their advisers!
ENTREPRENEUR? ULTRA HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUAL? (Or aspire to be?) You’ve made your money, now you need the right people to help you secure it, preserve it, grow it slowly or by quantum leaps, whatever! Find a banker, with the right mindset, skillset, colleagues and networks, all working by the holistic rules from understanding the knowledge in this book – you’re in great company! Curious? Then read it! At the very least you’ll discover how much better your bankers could be working with you and you’ll know how to change your relationships and advice received for the better. Pick up lots of useful tips for yourself in the process!
ULTRA HIGH NET WORTH BANKER? (Or aspire to be?) This book is a ‘must have’. When you understand and apply what you learn from this book you’ll create a virtuous circle that not only keeps your client but keeps them happy while also profitably increasing your target client base. This is a must read – it is where you should be to reach the pinnacle of your career and make everyone else happy at the same time.
Really, all any of us want is the best advice, from someone completely savvy that we trust implicitly, who not only knows our exact financial situation, our risk profile, our future ambitions, (and much more…) plus on their part - what they are doing with finances, (not only cash but bankable assets, insurances, private equity vehicles, everything!), the markets, best deals, tricks of the trade, law, taxation, IHT, Capital Gains, (and much more….) and if not them – they know a man (or team) who can – but they also understand our fears and concerns and share our resistance to losing everything through someone else’s dealings - and they’re a brilliant coach and mentor as well - we’re not asking for much!!
Packed with tools and techniques, you’ll learn or renew your understanding of beliefs and behaviours. Motivation, optimisation, opportunity net, risk management, negotiating fees, tax, disputes, lack of diversificiation. Concluding ‘Our Personal Recommendations’ with the ‘most important questions for success’ (who said questions are often more important than answers?), global Case Studies, excellent bibliography, useful websites, detailed index. Put The ULTRA HIGH NET WORTH Banker’s Handbook on your reading list right now, whether you’re an adviser or advisee! (Or aspire to be) Want to change for the better in 2010? Buy your own copy - and keep it safely by your side! It could well take wings and fly!! Recommended
‘Fulfilled’ comes with a WARNING!!! It isn’t for the faint hearted, or the grazing reader, dipper in and out, searcher for fad of the moment or quick fix. Finishing this book is not the end of the story – it’s the opening of a door/crossing of a bridge into a new country for those with the humility, honesty and courage to stay the course. It has the potential to seriously change your life – however you will need to really work at it. Remember though that everything worth having – is worth working at. There’s no learning like, and none more powerful than, life experience. Deirdre shares the gift of her own transformation – that’s priceless!
Fulfilled is for those with the courage to change and a burning desire for personal fulfilment. By reading ‘Fulfilled’ you’ll experience change – but work through the programme and you’ll change your life and the world around you! You’ll learn how to ‘tap into the fourth dimension’ – your inner resource – the true intuition that all we human beings possess but many have been denying. Dedication to discovering your ‘true purpose’ will be rewarded. Perhaps thankfully, I am not sure, not everyone has the opportunity to experience the critical ‘life or death’ or ‘near death’ moment, that ‘vital spiritual experience’ as Carl Jung described it, that for many of us has stimulated us to reassess the way we live our lives.
Deirdre was kind enough to inscribe the front of the review copy that she sent me with the words “It’s never too late to be Fulfilled, Deirdre x” How very, very true. If you’ve read what I say about ‘Attitude’ elsewhere, then you’ll agree. It’s important to share with you the context for Deirdre’s book. “From a tough childhood, subsequent addiction and uncertainty, Deirdre Bounds climbed her way out of a rock-bottom situation, started a business with no experience, and became a self-made multimillionaire, eventually selling www.i-to-i.com to a FTSE 100 company. Deirdre attributes her success WHOLLY to this 7 Step programme, which not only helped her overcome her addiction problems, but also allowed her to create the happiest possible family life and find real and lasting fulfilment in every other area of her life”. What better endorsement can you want?
Deirdre asks “Have you ever said “There’s got to be more to life than this?” A whole lot of people will answer ‘Yes’ but even faced with the potential solution, have they got what it takes to turn it around? I admit it - I found ‘Fulfilled – A Personal Revolution in 7 Steps’ a challenging read. That’s because as a Serial Entrepreneur, Coach and Mentor, who has also been challenged (and boy how so! Every decade of my life in particular but that’s waiting for my own book to reveal) but came at the solution from a different perspective, I nevertheless persevered. And it was worth it! You see, however you go about it, to really change your life takes work and in some cases more work than in others. What is common, in even different approaches, is the need to persevere – persistently – and believe that you’ll make it!
Fulfilled is a complete work to take you from A to B. How long will it take? As long (or short) as you want it to. Does it work? Well, clearly it did for Deirdre and for the thousands who signed up to the original programme as it was intended. The hardest part is often admitting the problem – some say that once that’s done you’re half way there. OK, sometimes there’s a lifetime of ‘baggage’ but what the hey! Dump it! Although even that’s easier said than done – but Deirdre shows how. There’s a necessary process. In fact all the necessary processes are structured and ready to work through. I don’t say follow because it’s a ‘work through’ book and process. You’ll need to set some ‘me time’ and be determined.
My review has nothing to do with the fact that Deirdre and I are both registered as motivational speakers with the same agency www.womenspeakers.co.uk, and also have life similarities (I don’t believe in coincidences) in what altruistic ventures and charitable activities we support. Deirdre’s an Ambassador for Young Enterprise and I’m a Champion for Women’s Enterprise www.womensenterprisetaskforce.co.uk You know, even though it’s a small world, you don’t always know who is standing next to you. I don’t believe in coincidences, so how this will pan out is anybody’s guess. What I do know is that if you’ve ever really hit rock-bottom; if you’ve attempted to change your life for the better and still haven’t managed it, invest the £10, be luckier still and sign up for our Winspiration ™ newsletter before 2nd September 2009 and you’ll access a 24-hour time-limited REALLY SPECIAL OFFER BONUS PACKAGE WORTH OVER £500! I was impressed enough to work out this special deal with Deirdre for you! If that’s a problem ask someone for your birthday present and if that won’t do it, go to the library, get the book, set aside the time and space and put in the groundwork at this. It’s not a quick fix, will not happen overnight (let me know if it does!) but I can see the potential….Do also go look at www.thepersonalrevolution.net the website to help on your Fulfilled journey. Do visit www.deirdrebounds.com as well. Who knows what this budding serial entrepreneur will come up with next
Highly Recommended. If you’ve got true grit to stick at it and make the life change that you say you want - get Fulfilled!
In for a Penny says ‘Plain speaking has never held Peter Hargreaves back’. It’s true, now a multi-millionaire, Peter built his investment company Hargreaves Lansdown with Stephen Lansdown, in the most savvy, practical and cost-effective ways possible and was never afraid to ask for what he wanted, especially if it did not already exist! He may have cut a few corners, but innovation is a key theme throughout this business career, revealed warts and all. The bonus is an insight into investment products but will not, however, teach you how to invest. The real lesson for us all is in the first two pages of Chapter 1 - how important it is to be exposed to entrepreneurship at an early age, that's when we absorb it without even knowing.
Reviewing this book is a shift from my usual themes but I wanted to because Peter’s company is one that I have watched with interest from the outset – from receiving his first newsletter and continuing to receive updates – knowing how well his company plays the waiting game for potential customers and must have been well rewarded for doing so! There are clear lessons about customer (and alliances) relationship development and insights into how to (and not to) treat people. And there’s a theme going on here – we’re both good Yorkshire stock, say as we find - though it may offend some people from time to time but isn’t it better to know the truth? Barriers? What barriers? Where there’s a will – there’s a way! We’ve each been good for the people we’ve employed – so it seems. Peter started his company in 1981 – just as I was launching my first business centre – so we’ve similar timelines but my itchy feet led me to be a serial entrepreneur with over ten businesses, while Peter persevered brilliantly with his one core business, pioneering new ideas, to make it a leader in the investment industry.
And now, even though they floated the company in 2007 for £800 million (and I admire the way that Peter and Stephen went about it – and must mention ‘The Rochdale Cowboy’ and Tracey Taylor), their typical Yorkshire stringent financial and economical thinking is still something that we can admire in terms of sustainability and knowing that the founders are still at the helm.
Peter’s comments have stirred quite a few memories from my own early days in business when he talks about some of his business issues. Makes me think of how I taught my staff to look for the easiest solution whenever anything went wrong, especially with equipment, as inevitably in business it does. For example, when the machines don’t work, think twice before calling in the engineers and technicians, for heavens sake look and see if the fuse in the plug has blown!! You’d be amazed at how many times, in those early days of my new business empire, that really was the problem. This one simple mantra saved us a fortune!! Memories also flood back of early days of computers and word-processing (in our case Amstrads then - thank you Sir Alan) and compatibilities (or not)! We all know that nature abhors a vacuum and will fill it – so the ingenuity (or foolhardiness) of leasing twice the necessary space and hiving half of it away behind false walls before staff knew about it, ready to expand into which they did from rapid business growth– is an interesting example of his belief in and passion for success.
I love Peter’s reference to the perfect example of what not to look for in a boss, Merryl Streep in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, although I have to say this is one of my favourite films but you’d have to be a woman (leader) to understand!
Peter says that he’s been interested in money since he was 11 – must have had a great upbringing then? I have to say that my entrepreneurial discovery of the value of money began when I was just three – but hey Peter got to the IPO and I get to talk to and inspire thousands of people to achieve their potential (from a serial entrepreneur’s perspective) through being a Coaching and Mentoring Enterprise Champion, keynotes at conferences Valerie Dwyer at Women Speakers and blogging!
This book will not turn you into an investment expert – that’s what Hargreaves Lansdown do! If you’re looking for a straight forward, tell it as it is, streetwise, tale of a business start up that became, and still is, a £ multi million success – you may just learn something, but don’t expect it to be totally PC. All said, I encourage you to read the book, and visit http://www.h-l.co.uk/
Time Management for Manic Mums
by Allison Mitchell. ISBN 978-1-4019-1563-6
TIME? – WE NEVER HAVE ENOUGH!!! But ever thought about how fast your future yearly supply is shrinking while you’re complaining of not having enough every day? Don’t have time to read this? WRONG! Right up front Allison Mitchell gives you the secrets of how to find time as she takes you in seven short weeks, only ten minutes a day, on the journey you need - ‘From Manic to Marvellous’. Don’t be fooled by the title – this book is for YOU! Be prepared to lose every excuse you’ve ever made about why you don’t have enough time - for whatever!
Now is the time to take control and make more time – for you and for the most important things in your life. Don’t put it off any longer!
“With only seven chapters to read, over seven weeks you can learn all you need to know in as little as ten minutes a day! With everything broken down into tasty, digestible morsels, this is as easy as eating ice cream”
Discover your brain’s SATNAV that’ll take you wherever you want to go! Look into your ‘Eye of Time’. Concentrate on your ‘Life Focus’ and ‘Values Focus’ you’ll feel much better for it!
The secret of this book’s success – train your brain! Like riding that bike – once learnt, never forgotten. No expensive course to go on – or systems to buy – it’s all here and it’s fun and memorable! I especially love the ‘Wine Bottle Theory of Time Management’ with all those healthy Apples, Blueberries and Cranberries…
Is your time more precious than gold? Or do you treat it like the sand in your egg timer? Would you like the secret of how to have a 25th hour each day?
If you’ve struggled through every time management book and system there is to no avail – this is the ultimate answer to what you were looking for.
Meet your amazing Internal Management Team, recognise and learn how to get them on side to help you. Learn to live in and savour the moment..
Time Coach Allison Mitchell has condensed her practical individual approach, amazing tools and techniques into manageable bite-sized chunks – to help you reorganise time and create more…Make plans now for what you’ll do with that extra hour each day!
Procrastination busters, creating new habits, it’s all here…Stark questions include “What do you really want to do/achieve before you die?” Now that’s a big question. And will we have time…the way we’re living now….
Time Management for Manic Mums (and everyone else!) is your best investment this year - for yourself, but also for everyone you know who is under constant time pressure. They’ll thank you for it. Be prepared to do the work and results are guaranteed. Come on – end the days knowing that you’ve done everything you said you would do!
Highly recommended
Supermummy™ - The Ultimate Mumpreneur’s Guide to Online Business Success - Highly recommended - Buy it here and now to boost your business....
Mel McGee -ISBN 1905430515. Reviewed by serial entrepreneur Valerie Dwyer, founder of My Wonderful Life™ Coach, ‘Everything is Possible™’ and other enterprises. www.mywonderfullifecoach.co.uk
POWERFUL POTENTIAL to change your business and your life from the first few words – We’re having a …Business!!! – and it’s all yours with what really is the ULTIMATE GUIDE to Online Business Success!! The sooner you buy – and try – the sooner, like Supermummy™ and her followers, you and your business - will fly! Packed with ‘SUPERTIPS’ - this compelling guide is one of my best reads this year! Forget finding the work-life balance….this guide does it for you! Written by mother of three, Mel McGee, she distils the secrets of running a profitable anywhere business while getting the best out of her family life. As a mother of three myself, a serial entrepreneur with more than 10 enterprises under my belt, Mel’s advice resonates with my own experiences and so I know that what she says works! This IS the ultimate guide to online business success – to profiting from your experience as well as your products and Mel takes to through every step of the way to earning while you sleep 24/7!
But this guide is not only for Mumpreneurs – it is for everyone beavering away in every type of small businesses across the UK. This is the book that I would have been proud to write. Since I gave a pre-mention of the book launch on 5th March 2009 in our newsletter I have had the opportunity to met Mel – her business is really going places and she would like you to go along with her. Visit her website and join to receive special offers and get instant access to tips and resources - www.supermummy.com
Handy sized paperback that you’ll be happy to pick up anytime, anywhere – in fact, let anyone try and stop you, once you begin!! Highly recommended
Wannabe a Writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones and other hilarious books As reviewed by Valerie.... wannabe a writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones www.janewenham-jones.com and www.wannabeawriter.co.uk ISBN 9-781905-170814 Wannabe a writer? Whatever your answer, make sure and buy this brilliant book now. Witty, inspirational, funny, insightful, motivational, frequently side-splitting and almost, but not quite, irreverent. This talented author gives very practical ‘how to’ advice, avoids techno-speak or rubbish, cuts to the quick of what writing, and getting published, is all about. How wonderful that the author has been there, (four books) done that, (lots of published short stories, magazine and other articles) and got several t-shirts while, as it seems, quality testing immense quantities of wine! Don’t be surprised to discover your inner writer at last..this could trigger a whole new writing boom - or a very happy country!
Unputdownably frustrating when pressed for time, this is THE fantastically practical ‘how to succeed in writing’ book that I could have done with 20, 10, even 5 years ago. I cannot count how many ‘writing’ books I have used as doorstops, flower presses, packaging and firelighters! It is the happiest of accidents that I came across ‘Wannabe a Writer’ and better late than never!
Laid low on several occasions (years apart thankfully) by life’s little idiosyncratic knocks – pulmonary embolism, spine damaging road traffic accident, then shingles followed by rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis – with time to reflect I took up my trusty pencil and began to write ‘my book’ before more mundane things, such as daily living, could distract me yet again. I definitely tick Jane’s box that says whatever happens, do at least kick off and begin to write. Yes, I have produced 90,000 words several times over – one book at least – pity then that my musings are not all in one location so alas although I meet the ‘keep on writing’ I’ve yet to hit the ‘for heavens sake finish it criteria’ – but will one day…
Sensible advice abounds, from Jane and fellow authors, agents and publishers. The look at different genres emphasises the challenges with writing one’s ‘memoirs’ - something that rings bells because in my case truth really is stranger than fiction. Thankfully I have found that liberal use of humour and huge doses of optimism enable me to turn my life’s perverse experiences very successfully into inspirational keynote talks. Yes, the presentations and talks flow easily, but writing that elusive book is another matter and when you are being chased with requests left, right and centre, aye – there’s the rub!
Jane and I are definitely devotes of the ‘Attitude determines altitude’ school of thought, although I do wonder whether, if I followed Jane’s route to success, the future may hold a few too many ‘under the table’ moments than may be good for someone with my health record and medications.
Writing this now, I realise how much I have learned from Jane and also the many other authors who gave their tips. This book, indeed all of Jane’s other exciting titles that I have now discovered – ‘Perfect Alibis’, ‘Raising the Roof’, ‘One Glass is Never Enough’ – should not only be on your ‘to read’ list but also – for would-be writers and everyone who enjoys a good laugh – on your present lists. Christmas 2009 is coming….and birthdays, anniversaries, graduations…..Well that’s my present list sorted – how about yours??
Jane, if you should happen across this, fancy a spot of ‘ghost-writing?’ Seriously though, take your own medicine and get on with writing ‘Bugger the Diet and Everything Else That Life’s Too Short For’?? And be sure and send me the first copy!! Highly Recommended
Reviewer Valerie Dwyer is a serial entrepreneur, (founder of 10 enterprises, 3 of which were home based); coach, mentor and agent of change for over 1,000 other entrepreneurs; author, writer and inspirational speaker. A recognised Champion for Women’s Enterprise, she is a member of the UK Women’s Enterprise Task Force set up to increase the quantity, survivability and growth of UK women’s enterprises. Find out more at: www.womensenterprisetaskforce.co.uk; www.womenspeakers.co.uk and www.workingwoman.org.uk
Spare Room Start Up - by Emma Jones - the enterprising book that everyone of every age should read...... As reviewed by Valerie..... Spare Room Start Up -Emma Jones www.spareroomstartup.com ISBN 1-905641-68-0 Spare Room Start Up could potentially be exactly what we need to propel UK plc into the top spot in the world economic performance league tables. This book should be essential reading, available for everyone in the UK that we want to encourage and inspire... |
Gripping as any thriller, for an entrepreneur that is, this is the book to take you from rags to riches quicker than Cinderella – when you take the lessons on board. Oh! that this enlightened read had been around when I started my first enterprise at the tender age of 18. On my travels, speaking at conferences and high-powered events, I have met some of the featured entrepreneurs from these Case Studies and also had the privilege to work with and share platforms with a number of home business start up entrepreneurs, including the late Dame Anita Roddick, and Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation. All lovely people, and this book should get the message across that they are just like us. I speak from experience when I say that starting a business from home is life changing but EASY! – when you know how.
Spare Room Start Up is an excellent tool not only for helping people to make that start, but it is a call to stand up and take pride that a home based business is the most sensible and cost-effective way for many people to test, launch and grow their business idea in a safe environment. This applies to everyone but perhaps especially for people with illnesses, disabilities, children or caring responsibilities – all conditions which I have personally experienced. And let’s be clear, the lessons in this book also apply equally to all businesses.
Full of practical business and personal stuff; lots of brilliant Case Studies; easy to follow hints, tips and ideas; useful website links plus templates that you can use straight away for everything from sorting out your marketing plan to getting the pages of publicity that every business needs.Not only is Spare Room Start Up fascinating, educational, practical, easy to read and understand, with valuable lessons taking you through the process step by step, it is also a very tactile book, lovely texture, packed with beautiful colour photographs – it its unputdownable!
An ideal present (Christmas is still coming) for students, this book should be in all libraries and a recommended text for schools, colleges and universities. Make it available in crèches for the new generation of Mumpreneurs! Spare Room Start Up should be the handbook of all business advisers and business support agencies and organisations, including Business Links.
What’s more, this is an excellent coffee table book for every home and reception area even doctor’s surgeries – because it is great medicine. But watch out – it’s just the right size to pop into your bag and walk away with! Come on Emma - I’m already eagerly anticipating your next book – “How to grow your business from home”. Highly Recommended
Biased? Perhaps! Reviewer Valerie Dwyer is a serial entrepreneur, (founder of 10 enterprises, 3 of which were home based); coach, mentor and agent of change for over 1,000 other entrepreneurs; author, writer and inspirational speaker. A recognised Champion for Women’s Enterprise, she is a member of the UK Women’s Enterprise Task Force set up to increase the quantity, survivability and growth of UK women’s enterprises.Find out more at: www.womensenterprisetaskforce.co.uk; www.womenspeakers.co.uk www.workingwoman.org.uk
The eBay Business Handbook - Robert Pugh - how to beat the recession with an eBay business... The eBay Business Handbook – How anyone can build a business and make money on eBay.co.uk by Robert Pugh – Harriman House - ISBN 978-1906659-03-5 Reviewed by serial entrepreneur Valerie Dwyer, founder of My Wonderful Life™ Coach and other enterprises. mywonderfullife@btinternet.com
Welcome to ‘The Good Life’. Learn ‘How anyone can build a business and make money on eBay.co.uk’. No need to rack your brains inventing a new money-making machine – Robert Pugh hands it to you on a plate! The book for everyone who has ever considered the idea of owning their own business and being their own boss; part-time to supplement other income, or a full time venture, but not yet taken the plunge. Already in business? There’s still some useful learning, much of which applies to offline businesses. For many, this will be possibly the best investment and opportunity of 2009!
What a fantastic time to start your own business, equipped with Robert Pugh’s eBay Business Handbook, almost no capital outlay required, a work pattern you choose and rewards limited only by your own actions!! Alternatively – a wonderful gift to encourage someone else into low risk exploration of entrepreneurship for themselves. Where else would you find all the information and advice you need to start and build a significant business with as little as 10p to invest at the start?
Dreams of giving up the day job – or heavens forbid – being pushed?? Read on. Billed as ‘Beat the recession with an Ebay business’, this fully revised and updated version of his best selling guide to succeeding on eBay now comes with Robert’s free www.ebaybulletin.co.uk Sign up now for his current adventures, new success strategies and latest tips and advice as they all unfold. Reflecting on the challenges of starting my own first major retail outlet at just 18, this global shop-window with secure online payments is in another dimension entirely- within everyone’s reach!!
Comprehensive, easy to understand, plain English, this step by step guide through the stages to maximise eBay business success also anticipates how to deal with and overcome potential problems. Whether you’re an eBay novice or more experienced, you’ll learn something new. It does exactly what it says on the cover and comes first hand from a ‘man who can’, from a standing start selling his first LP to making money serious enough to focus on his niche, give up the day job, employ another, reach eBay ‘PowerSeller’ status and trade worldwide.
Packed with practical, easy to follow tools and techniques plus tips and hints to maximise success; effective marketing strategies; oft-elusive USP’s; money saving html shortcuts to create enticing shop windows; powerful sales tools, winning strategies on the timing of your auctions, plus pages of useful internet links, this is a both a reference book to dip in and out of but also a thoroughly useful and inspirational cover to cover read with a humorous intro diary. I am delighted that Robert mentions the excellent www.enterprisenation.com the home based business website started by long-time friend Emma Jones, author of Spare Room Start Up www.spareroomstartup.com most of which advice might so easily apply to your new eBay business.
Developing your online business, getting paid, managing the paperwork, exporting and the ‘legals’ (self-employment – if you’ve not already stepped over this threshold, income tax, NIC, vat) it’s all in here. It’s a must for everyone who has dabbled as an eBay amateur and wants to turn pro’ – however high your ambitions – you’ll find what you need to safely test out, begin and build your own online business. As with any business venture though, you’ll need to dedicate the amount of time relevant to your level of aspiration. At the very least, by using Robert’s techniques to refine your auctions, you will improve sales of personal items and easily recover the cost of this book.
A great reference book for anywhere there’s an opportunity to inspire people of all ages to have a low risk go at their own enterprise adventure. Highly recommended! mywonderfullife@btinternet.com
Reviewer Valerie Dwyer is a serial entrepreneur, (founder of My Wonderful Life Coach ™ and other enterprises); coach, mentor and agent of change for over 1,000 other entrepreneurs; author, writer and inspirational speaker. Recognised Champion for Women’s Enterprise, she is a member of the UK Women’s Enterprise Task Force set up to increase the quantity, survivability and growth of UK women’s enterprises. Find out more at: www.womensenterprisetaskforce.co.uk www.womenspeakers.co.uk www.workingwoman.org.uk www.mywonderfullifecoach.co.uk
Entrepreneurship, as with everything in life, It's all about Attitude - so take our test now, then again when you've read 'Making it' Check my attitude right now
Free eChapter Making it - women entrepreneurs reveal the secrets of their success It’s all about ATTITUDE – how right – how true!! The theme running through this entire book is the power of belief to make the life and business that you want. This resounds with me because when running ‘visioning’ sessions with women entrepreneurs my focus on success strategies emphasises the importance and power of belief, so this is definitely a good read for everyone searching for or refreshing their personal or corporate (small businesses definitely included) vision. While this book is aimed at motivating women to put their foot on the enterprise pedal –even seasoned and successful entrepreneurs would benefit from time out to read it.
Making it is easy reading material and has an extremely useful format. Carefully constructed chapters combine a clever balance of ‘mentoring moments’; personal ‘entrepreneurs’ experiences’ shared by the authors’; interviews with successful women entrepreneurs; ‘making it happen for you’ that stimulates further thought and includes a useful ‘check your attitude’ section followed by the workable and well worth doing (and all important) ‘three steps to action’ – without which all ambitions are destined to remain just dreams and visions.
A gentle and easy introduction into the power of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) in which we effectively programme our conscious, sub-conscious and unconscious mind for success. NLP has been around for a long time, is a key technique in the toolkit of most professional Coaches, quality training courses and networks of NLP professionals abound. Whether they know they are using it or not, (some people instinctively use this once natural trait, others still need to tune in), this mind programming is also a characteristic skill of successful entrepreneurs. Try out the practical tools for boosting your positive beliefs (useful at any time!). Believe me, if you have not yet tried this, it really works!
One reference that I especially welcome is the mention about the power of music in inspiring thoughts and ideas – an essential element of vision creation. Innovation and ideas are the lifeblood of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organisations so Chapter 4 in particular resonates with me. I know the featured entrepreneur role model Dawn Gibbins of Flowcrete Group plc – admittedly predominantly through our emails after I launched the North West Regional Development Agency’s Women’s Enterprise Ambassadors programme in my capacity as a member of the UK Women’s Enterprise Taskforce. Dawn’s emails buzz and her thoughts are a clear indication of an amazing entrepreneur at work.
At 194 pages, this small but easy digest packs a punch beyond its size. Whatever you do though, don’t start reading it on your way to speak at a major conference or event if you do not want distracting, it will get you thinking in all sorts of worthwhile and, for some, possibly new directions. Pick this up when you have time out and can do the exercises and follow up action - perhaps on the train home or, should you have the luxury of a driver, it’s a great backseat read. While you’re at it – visit their website www.makingit.biz Recommended.
Why Women Mean Business – Understanding the emergence of our next economic revolution by Avivah Wittenburg-Cox & Alison Maitland-ISBN 9780470725085 Reviewed by serial entrepreneur Valerie Dwyer, founder of My Wonderful Life™ Coach, Everything is Possible™ and other enterprises. www.mywonderfullifecoach.co.uk
Seeking competitive advantage? It’s under our very noses! Want to ready your business/organisation for success in the ‘new economy’? Miss this revelation at your peril! You need to know! Here’s your route forward. Simply by understanding how to tap the dynamic potential of the women in your business or organisation and unleash their enterprise and creativity, you will boost business and gain economic leadership.
Whether you’re heading up a global corporation, government agency department, public or third sector organisation, SME (Small and medium enterprise), or a freelancer, adviser, researcher, writer in any way involved in the economics of success this is the book that you didn’t know you have been waiting for. Learn the language of ‘womenomics’ (go to www.WOMEN-omics.com sign up - welcome to the ‘gender-bilingual’ world.
I am on record as saying that the Board of any organisation without a balance of male/female thinking and decision making is not fit-for-purpose for C21st success because male and female’s think differently. Combine to bring the ultimate combination of logic and creativity. Why Women Mean Business provides compelling evidence of the economic corporate benefits. Fact and evidence-based reading for corporate and political leaders, futurists, in fact everyone working for a stable, balanced yet thriving economy. Chairmen, Boards, Executive Committees, Senior Management owe it to themselves to innovate, using ‘WWMB’ to make and sell the business case for balanced leadership and integrated workforces before setting targets and budgets.
Remember the old chestnuts - companies aren’t hiring women because ‘not enough of the right calibre apply’, and ‘recruitment agencies don’t provide enough female candidates’- tales told at all levels from Board, through Senior Management across organisations. If I had £1,000 for each time I heard these I’d have a big enough Trust Fund to support all those women’s enterprises that I am committed to helping to survive and grow!!! On looking more closely, I have always found that the right channels of communication and right networks were not being used to reach the target audiences and with a little tweaking the results substantially improve. This is also backed up by empirical research – so a little education and re-thinking would vastly improve the recruitment potential. Beware unconscious bias and subliminal discouragement – for heavens sake – such logic – make use of your female Role Models and also ask women to contribute to all material designed to attract women and ensure that women are involved in the recruitment and selection process!!!!
I am on record as saying that any Board of any organisation without a balance of male/female thinking and decision making is not fit-for-purpose for twenty-first century success. Why Women Mean Business provides the compelling evidence of the economic corporate benefits and is fact and evidence-based reading for corporate and political leaders, futurists in fact everyone working for a balanced and revitalised economy. The basic business issue is that Chairmen, Boards, Executive Committees, Senior Management, whoever, must see, make and sell the business case for balanced leadership and workforce before setting all targets and budgets.
Countries and companies that innovate to be more ‘women-friendly’ in the fullest sense (and I do not advocate positive discrimination – women want to be treated as equals) will be better placed to overcome the bourgeoning age, ‘loss of talent’, geo, socio and all other demographics and challenges to benefit the new resurgent economy.
Read up! Data monitor says that women in the US will control a mind boggling £22 trillion by 2010. In the UK, women are expected to own 60% of all personal wealth by 2025. There are now more female than male millionaires aged between 18 and 44, and more female than male millionaires aged over 65. (Carter 2006). Goldman Sachs “Women’s Thirty” basket of stocks has out performed all global equities over the last decade, and predicts similar trends over the next decade. Staggering statistics aside you’ll find the evidence, references, tips, and solutions that you need to make your case for capitalising on the women’s enterprise economy.
Why Women Mean Business is essential reading and reference material to dip in and out of. Use it as a tool for yourself and others to become more enlightened about the untapped new potential for you and your organisation. 349 valuable pages. Highly Recommended
| |
|