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Inspiring Business Books

Have you ever wanted a really good book to help you get through a challenging time in your career but been overwhelmed by all of the titles in the business section at the bookstore? Most promise to change your life and lead you to great success, but do they really have sound advice? To help us wade through all of the possibilities, we asked some local business leaders about books that made a positive difference in their business or professional lives. Here’s what they recommend reading.

If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails & Other Lessons I Learned From My Mother by Barbara Corcoran with Bruce Littleton (Portfolio Trade, $15) (originally published in hardback under the less provocative title Use What You’ve Got & Other Business Lessons I Learned from My Mom).
Corcoran is a truly self-made New York business tycoon. She started with little but always planned big, and in the end, when Donald Trump sold the Trump Tower, her agents represented both seller and buyer. Her book is funny, inspirational and I’ve read and recommended it many times. Even though her business was real estate, I’ve found the lessons (from both her and her mom) work just as well for my business. —Amy Fair Gunnar, Portage Bay Café

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber (HarperCollins, $18.99).
The must-have read for any entrepreneur. Although it sat on my shelf for three years, I picked it up recently and can’t believe how many of the scenarios apply to my business. I am excited and am implementing changes as I type this to assist in delivering the best service and products to my clients. If anyone told me they were quitting their corporate job, I would buy them this book. —Heather Quintans, Heather Quintans Photography

Why Women Earn Less: How to Make What You’re Really Worth by Mikelann Valterra (Career Press, $14.99).
This is the one book for any woman whether in the workforce or contemplating entrepreneurship. Most of us know “how to do what we do” but have no idea how to accurately set a real market earning value to what we do. Mikelann’s science has guided me well. I give this book to every female high school and college grad in my life. Wish I had it when I was their age! —Nancy Ferrell, MS, Home Computing Coach

Rules for Renegades: How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career, and Revel in Your Individuality by Christine Comaford-Lynch (McGraw-Hill, $24.95).
There are two things that stand out the most from this book (although there were many lessons learned). The first one is thinking outside the box. If both the front door and back door are closed, look for a window and make your way in. The second thing that most struck me was building a Rolodex (or network) of people who you like and care about and who like and care about you. These are two fairly basic things, but things that aren’t always the easiest to do. This book helped me a ton in moving forward with creative thinking and networking. —Kerri Wood, Adventure On! Life Coaching and Retreats

Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (Crown Business, $22).
I have been running my own business mostly based on intuition and common sense, and it was extremely helpful to see many of my approaches validated, some things confirmed and some concerns lifted by this sharp book. The authors are successful business owners themselves and they take the less popular approach of small is better, good is good enough, and they tell you that you have all that is needed to get started now, no excuses. It is very motivating to learn from their experience and to know that I am on the right track to success with my business following the principles outlined in the book. —Alice Kupcik, Salsa Retreat

The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube by Michelle Goodman (Seal Press, $14.95). This book is great for any woman who wants to freelance, start her own venture, or break away from the typical 9-to-5 grind. I have been a freelance designer for almost two years now and this book helped me reevaluate my business goals and reaffirm the idea that it is possible to create a business on my terms that fits my unique lifestyle. I would highly recommend this book to every woman I know. —Deja Engel, designer

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen (Penguin, $16).
I highly recommend Getting Things Done and the followup, Making It All Work. They are about Allen’s system for personal organization. It is fairly simple to implement and will help you keep your e-mail, your paperwork, your stress and your life under control. With Dave’s system I spend much less time trying to remember what I need to get done and much more time doing. —Tom Dyer, Ed. D., Argosy University, Seattle

NEW RELEASES

Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction by Marcia Reynolds (Berrett-Koehler, June 2010, $17.95). In her role as coach to high-achieving women, the author noticed that even women who are extremely successful in their careers tend to move restlessly from job to job, sometimes without much forethought, looking for greater satisfaction and purpose. She explores why successful women are still anxious and frustrated in their job settings and offers strategies for finding new ways to thoughtfully plan a career move, whether it is to climb higher on the corporate ladder, find satisfaction in a current position or strike out on your own.

Impact!: What Every Woman Needs to Know to Go From Invisible to Invincible by Nancy D. Solomon (Wiley, November 2009, $29.95). You may have had a chance to hear Seattle-based human potential expert Nancy Solomon speak about how to step up and live your life passionately and with purpose. Now you can follow up with her book, using exercises and activities to help you figure out just what you want out of life and how to go about getting it.

Branding Basics for Small Business by Maria Ross (Norlights Press, May 2010, $15.95). You’ve certainly heard the term “brand” bandied about as something crucial to you business. But do you really know what your brand is and what it should be doing for you? In this new book, local marketing expert Maria Ross walks you through the basics and teaches you how to think about and use your brand to strategically support your business.

©Copyright 2010, Caliope Publishing Company