Book review of “Thinkertoys” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

If you’re looking for a way to increase your creativity or If a significant part of your life requires creativity, particularly creativity that is attached to solving real-world problems, , the second edition of Thinkertoys may just be what you’ve been searching for. this book is tremendous. Thinkertoys is filled with exercises designed to make you think outside the box and help stretch your creative abilities. It offers tons of creative exercises along with a lot of detail on how to really squeeze the juice out of each one. It’s basically a book where you can sit there and try several specific techniques on each page as you read it.

The author, Michael Michalko, prefaces the book by stating that Thinktoys is for “monkeys,” not “kittens.” He defines “kittens” as people who ask for help, but are not willing to make the effort necessary to make changes. “Monkeys,” on the other hand, take the initiative and face challenges head-on. Michalko states that the activities contained within the book must be used, not merely read, for them to make a difference in the reader’s way of looking at problems.

I found this book enlightening. I was surprised over and over by the simple exercises that I couldn’t figure out until reading the explanation. I didn’t even make it into the first chapter before realizing my shortcomings. For example, in the introduction, there is a picture of the word “FLOP.” However, if you look closely, the center of the “O” contains an “I,” so the complete message is “FLIP FLOP.” I’m embarrassed to say that I would never have picked up on that on my own. It gave me an immediate desire to read more and work on my creative skills.

Thinkertoys is the best single collection of quick creative thinking exercises that I’ve found in a single book, ever. It’s not a be-all end-all compendium of these exercises, but many very good ones are in the book, including a few great ones that I knew before reading it and several more that I added to my repertoire after reading it.

Don’t miss out Go buy this book and use it to gain the creative edge. Click here and pick up a copy.

Robert Biro
513-238-0744
rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com

Book review of “The E-Myth Revisited” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

Book review of “The E-Myth Revisited” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

Do you find yourself overworked, understaffed, or worse have a feeling you’re going broke at your company? Have you felt that if things don’t change you may come to hate the work you do. “The E Myth Revisited” book is a guide to success for small business owners. Author Michael Gerber observed that most small businesses are started by what he calls "technicians", that is people who are skilled at something and who enjoy doing that thing. (For example that can be anything from a computer programmer to plumber to a dog groomer to a musician or lawyer.) When these technicians strike out on their own, they tend to continue doing the work they are skilled at, and ignore the overarching aspects of business. Rather than owning a business, they own a job, and they find themselves working for managers who are completely clueless about how to run a business- -themselves.

The solution, Gerber suggests looking at franchises as a model. In comparison to the dismal rate of ordinary small-business start-ups, 75% of franchises succeed at 5 years. The reason they succeed is that they are set up so that any unskilled person off the street could walk in, buy a franchise, run all operations in the franchise, and have a fairly good chance of success. The product of franchise companies is a business model, not food, hotel rooms, etc. In order to meet this level of success, franchise companies have clear operations manuals, procedures, consistent sales approaches- -every detail of running the business is specified down to dress codes and wall paper.

By asking us to consider the franchise approach, Gerber is not saying to go out and buy a franchise license. Instead, he says to imagine that you want to sell your business as a successful franchise within a finite period of time. If so, what will you need to do regarding your business plan and management in order to meet this goal? That is, if you were going to make your business fool-proof so that any unskilled person could take over as owner after a few years and succeed with it, what will you need to do?

Overall, I found the ideas in this book extremely insightful and incredibly useful. He can be a bit wordy and choppy at times. If you're a small business owner whose business is out of control, stagnant, or worse, this book can be a light in the dark.

Don’t miss out Go buy this book and use it to build your business. Click here and pick up a copy.

Robert Biro

513-238-0744

rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com

Book review of “Dot Boom” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

Another title Dot Boom could be called is “Marketing to Baby Boomers Through Meaningful Online Engagement”  Written by David Weigelt and Jonathan Boehman this book goes with that amazing thought process if we understood the customer more we could sell more to them.  Our job as communication professionals is not to simply market to people. Our job is to move people, to inspire them, and to help them process their lives. We should understand what truly motivates consumers and the need to develop marketing campaigns that proactively engage them in authentic and meaningful relationships.”

They went on to do just that. They formed a company called Immersion Active. Specifically this business was geared to marketing to the “baby boomers.” This 50-plus market is a consumer group that is the web’s largest and fastest growing constituency, yet remains the most underserved by online marketing.

Dot Boom provides insight into the baby boomer markets, their online motivations, online behavior and online preferences,. As you read Dot Boom, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what baby boomers want and need from an internet marketing campaign. You’ll also explore a framework you can use to create these campaigns in a replicable effective manner.

So does it work? Absolutely it works. Best part you don’t need to understand why it does as long as you just follow the framework they outline.  Who wouldn’t want to tap into the 138million people in America who are over 40 and by 2025 another 30 million with cross that threshold?

Not sure if you are savvy enough to design a campaign for the internet crowd.  You happen to be in luck this time.  Several people in our group can help.  Myself, a retired IT professional turned entrepreneur has recently formed a business to address this specific need. I can provide a complete marketing campaign customized for your business from Start to finish, leaving you with the ability to take over future campaigns from there.  Don’t need your hand held through the process?  Chuck Holder and Alice Buchman have a great way to help you.

This book is definitely worth the read. If I had to pick something bad about this book it would have to be it can get a bit technical in some marketing techniques.  But you have to ask yourself, “Do I have the over 50 market buying consistently from my business?” If not go and get this book. Find out if you could be missing out on the largest segment of consumers currently purchasing today.  If you are selling consistently to the over 50 crowds, ask yourself,” are you marketing to them online?”  As you see there are very few reasons to not get this book.

Don’t miss out Go buy this book and use it to build your business. click here and pick up a copy.

Robert Biro

513-238-0744

rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com

Book review of “The Like Economy” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

It’s finally happened. Marketing on Facebook is no longer optional - Facebook users now number over 500 million users. 147million are users here in the United States. Facebook isn’t just a place for kids anymore. Did you know that 5% of Facebook users are over 65, 8% are 55-65, 13% are 45-54.  This book written by Brian Carter will help you understand how to tap into this huge market as he has for companies of all sizes, including well-known entities such as Universal Studios, the U.S. Army, Hardee’s, and Carl’s Jr.

The Like Economy: how to make money on Facebook written by Brian Carter is your complete, start-to-finish plan for making money on Facebook! Brian Carter offers step-by-step techniques and practical lessons drawn from his 11 years of experience helping companies double and triple their revenue online. This revenue-focused book is packed with up-to-date ideas and proven solutions with all the details you need to execute crisply, avoid costly mistakes, and reap big profits. You’ll learn how to identify your best Facebook profit opportunities…craft Facebook programs that reflect your unique offerings, brands, and customers…use Facebook to supercharge your existing marketing programs…attract super-affordable targeted clicks and fans with Facebook ads…repel negative "brand-bashers."…increase visibility…deepen your customer interactions…translate "community" into cash!

This book includes

·         How to leverage the five most direct routes to Facebook profits.

·         Construct your most powerful Facebook marketing mix

·         Transform FaceLookers into FaceBuyers

·         Master the 13 best Facebook sales and influence techniques

·         Avoid six missteps that destroy Facebook marketing programs

·         Learn from the pioneers’ costly mistakes

·         Achieve non-revenue goals while you’re earning bigger profits

·         Gain branding and positioning benefits at the same time as you’re building sales

I can't tell you how excited I am about this book. Almost every book I've read about social media has been either just concepts or too general. Not only is this book focused on goals and profits, but it tells you how to do it step-by-step.  With the Timeline Changeover going into permanent effect in 8 days, this March 30^th. I’m glad that I came across this book this last week, because I’m able to get prepared. But the skills that this book has unlocked will allow me to ride the huge wave that is Facebook.

Don’t miss out Go buy this book and use it to build your business. click here and pick up a copy.

Robert Biro

513-238-0744

rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com

Book review of “The Referral of a Lifetime by Tim Templeton” for Entrepreneurs' Connection



Don't Wait! click here to buy it now at Amazon!

Like Who Moved My Cheese?, this book is a management tome in the form of a simple, readable narrative. In The Referral of a Lifetime, Tim Templeton shares a system for building a business on continuing relationships with customers and "center of influence" referral sources, and referred customers.

This extremely quick read has a handful of business principles woven into the story of a disheartened businesswoman, Susie McCumber, and her desperation to boost her career. Along the way she meets a spiritual and corporate mentor, David Highground, who spews various prescriptions that aren't all that shocking: business is about relationships; create a massive network; "Keep in touch, consistently, personally and systematically"; and so on. Templeton shows how understanding one's type allows one to showcase strengths while improving weak areas in this simple, easy-to-use guide to success in business and in life.

The story follows a simple path. Mr. Highground, introduces Susie to four successful people. They show her how they transformed their businesses and their lives by determining how others view them and how they view themselves as both human beings and businesspeople. Each of the four represents a "type" in this schema - from the "relational/business" type who puts the relationship first but thinks strategically when the talk turns to business, to the "business/business" type, who avoids relationships unless they work to a business advantage.

This is a great book that you can pick up and read in one night. I highly recommend this book  for anyone who has a team they work with and want to relate better or for anyone who wants to improve themselves.

If you would like to read this book then click here and pick up a copy.

Robert Biro

513-238-0744

rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com

How to Make People like You in 90 Seconds or Less



Book cover for How to make people like you in 90 seconds or less

Book review of “How to Make People like You in 90 Seconds or Less” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

Making people like you in ninety seconds is no big deal if you know how to do it. As a matter of fact, if people don't like you in those first few seconds, it's going to be difficult (Not impossible though, mind you) to make them like you later anyway. So the first few seconds are critical.

 How do you use those first few seconds? Is that really possible? Author Nicholas Boothman, a lecturer and licensed master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming, believes yes! In How to Make People like You in 90 Seconds or Less he introduces a revolutionary approach to face-to-face communication that will help anyone succeed at making meaningful, and immediate, connections.

Boothman breaks down the process of connecting with people into discrete steps--meeting, establishing rapport and opening up communication--and provides simple examples, self-assessments, exercises and sample dialogue. He contends that a key to establishing rapport lies in synchronizing behavior or mimicking the other person's pose, facial expression, gestures, body language and tone of voice. According to the principles of neuro-linguistic programming, Nicholas Boothman recommends categorizing people according to how they take in information (e.g., visually, aurally or by feel) and responding in kind.

Can the book how to Make People like You in 90 Seconds or Less really teach you to form a favorable impression in such a small amount of time?  I would say it’s definitely helped me. Just knowing and practicing some of the steps has increased my ability to get more appointments and sit downs in both my personal and business circles.  Understanding the framework and process alone will give you a better understanding on how or why someone connects with you.

This book is a great read and Boothman’s writing style is very easy to get through. I don't think all of the ideas Boothman suggests could be fully utilized in 90 seconds, but it was still an interesting read. Good tips that I look forward to trying out!

If you would like to read this book then click here and pick up a copy.

Robert Biro

513-238-0744

rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com

Book review of “Questions that sell” & “Questions That Get Results” for Entrepreneurs' Connection

Most salespeople talk too much.

They too often forget that the sales interview isn’t about them or their product or service; it’s about gaining the trust of their customer, learning about the customer’s problems, and educating the customer about how their product or service can help solve those problems.

Salespeople are also afraid to let their customers do most of the talking because they are afraid they will lose control of the interview. They don’t understand or have forgotten that, using questions, you can lead the customer to discover the value of the product or service you are offering and get their agreement to buy.

Questions That Sell is an exploration of how to use questions to lead a customer through the sales process. Although the book focuses on corporate sales, with a little thought and imagination the concepts can be extended to consumer sales or other selling situations.

By using questions to better understand the customer’s situation, the salesperson is assuming the role of a consultant instead of a peddler, which helps to build a relationship of trust with the customer.

Oh and don’t forget,

Most managers talk too much.

Have you ever dealt with an employee, a boss, or a colleague who can’t seem to adhere to pressing deadlines? Or says he’s too busy? Or can’t seem to prioritize what’s important and what’s not?

Despite your best efforts, it’s a struggle to motivate this team member to be more accountable. Yet this person is vital to you and your organization’s success. He or she has expertise and great ideas. If only you can get this person focused, you could eliminate the headaches that get in the way to achieving great outcomes.

Questions That Get Results provides innovative ideas for managers to discover the hidden motivation and potential of their teams and employees who resist change. Questions That Get Results will explain that to be a great manager, you need to ask great questions. Power probing questions that cut through the superficial and dig deep to uncover the real issues to empower, motivate and inspire your team to act.

Robert Biro

513-238-0744

rbiro@wbhomebuyers.com