Business Books

Niche Marketing For Coaches Hannah McNamara Review

Niche Marketing For Coaches by Hannah McNamara

Business Book Review - 4 Stars

Coaching is becoming a big business, if lots of small businesses can be combined in that way and I am seeing more marketing experts identifying the "marketing advice to coaches" as a flourishing niche to target.

In fact I wonder whether the marketing for coaches niche is already filled to capacity but probably not as Dan Bradbury (another marketing expert specialising in coaches) believes that the coaching schools are churning out novice coaches on false promises (see the Life Coaching Conspiracy on my Business Coaching blog))

Hannah McNamara has written "Niche Marketing For Coaches: A Practical Guide For Building A Life Coaching, Executive Coaching or Business Coaching Practice" to help coaches build a thriving business.

The Decisive Moment / How We Decide Jonah Lehrer Review

The Decisive Moment / How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer

Book Review - 4.5 Stars

I read this book as "The Decisive Moment: How The Brain Makes Up Its Mind" but in the United States it is called "How We Decide" (based on the Amazon reviews and the look inside feature)

Regardless of title it is a fascinating book which looks at how the emotional and the logical brains work individually or  together to help you to make decisions at work and in your personal life.

It also helps to explain how the people around you also make decisions.

Finance On A Beermat Review

Finance On A Beermat by Mike Southon, Chris West, Stephen King and Jeff Macklin

Book Review - 4 Stars

The Beermat series of books are a simple and clear explanation of how to build and grow a successful entrepreneurial business.

Finance On A Beermat continues with the traditional and regular authors Mike Southon and Chris West receive help from Stephen King and Jeff Macklin, two of the main people behind FDUK, the franchise for part time finance directors which has been taken over by The FD Centre.

It looks at the idea of finance cornerstones and provides an explanation of finance and accounting.

Instant Cashflow Brad Sugars

Instant Cashflow by Brad Sugars

Book Review - 4 Stars

Brad Sugars or Bradley Sugars is the founder of Action Coach, the world's biggest franchise of business coaches.

He is also responsible for a series of insipid books on management which only seem to be lowed by those connected to Action Coach but, guess, what?

How To Sell And Manage In Tough Times And Tough Markets

How To Sell And Manage In Tough Times And Tough Markets by Tom Reilly

Book Summary Review

This very topical book, "How To Sell And Manage In Tough Times And Tough Markets: You Can Thrive, Not Just Survive, In Tough Times!" was written not in 2008 or 2009 as you might think but back in 2001.

I think the USA had seen a mild recession at the turn of the millennium but it was nothing like what we have just seen.

Whilst most economies are now back into growth, the strains and stresses of the credit crunch and excessive borrowing from both the public and private sectors will take a long time to recede.

Crunch Point Brian Tracy

Crunch Point by Brian Tracy

Book Summary Review

I find that Brian Tracy delivers consistent quality across his wide range of interests and "Crunch Point: The 21 Secrets to Succeeding When It Matters Most" maintains the record of delivering important information concisely.

In fact that's why I have a Brian Tracy blog which features many articles written by Brian including topics connected to Crunch Point.

Crunch Point is written to give you practical help when the going gets tough and you need advice from a clear head.

Irresistible Offer Mark Joyner

The Irresistible Offer by Mark Joyner

Book Review - 4.5 Stars

"The Irresistible Offer: How To Sell Your Product Or Service In Three Seconds Or Less" by Mark Joyner is regularly referred to in my blogs because it focuses on the very centre of business.

What you give and what you want in return.

Mark Joyner makes an irresistible offer because you can get the book for free as a PDF - see The Irresistible Offer (affiliate link)- but interestingly it's not The Irresistible Offer, in the sense intended by the book.

The offer is the basic concept that any commercial transaction is based on although Mark Joyner has lifted up his concept to focus on your identifying offer.

Successful Project Management In A Week Mark Brown

Successful Project Management In A Week by Mark Brown

Book Review - 4 Stars

This project management book is a short guide which explains the basics to anyone who has to manage a project for the first time or forms a very nice refresher for someone who is experienced in project management but hasn't managed a project for some time.

Best Copywriting Books From Gary Halbert

I have seen various lists of books from top marketing men recently and I've decided to start sharing these lists with you.

Where better to start with the late, great Gary Halbert and the copywriting books and resources that he recommended to his followers.

Here is the list and Gary Halbert says that you need to read each of these one after each other, very quickly. No notes or anything. Then read again and take your time to note properly on your second reading.

Gary wasn't shy so it's no surprise that it includes two of his own resources...but I think they'd be on the list of essential copywriting resources from most of the truly great copywriters.

Who Killed Change? Ken Blanchard Review

Who Killed Change? by Ken Blanchard with John Britt, Pat Zigarmi and Judd Hoekstra

Book Review - 2 Stars

The full title "Who Killed Change? Solving The Mystery Of Leading People Through Change" gives some hints that this shocking book is business training wrapped up in a murder mystery story.

Triggers Joe Sugarman Review

Triggers by Joe Sugarman

Review Rating - 4.5 Stars

Triggers is a terrific book by Joe Sugarman, one of the leading direct marketers in the world who uses these very factors to make a fortune in direct response mail order advertising.

In fact I wish that I had read it years ago.

The sub-title of Triggers explains the purpose -  "30 Sales Tools You Can Use To Control The Mind of your Prospect to Motivate, Influence and Persuade".

(Update - April 2011 I have just heard about a free mp3 interview of Joe Sugarman taking about Triggers - Triggers mp3 - affiliate link - over 4 hours of amazing tips)

Just Ask Leadership Gary Cohen

Just Ask Leadership by Gary B. Cohen

Preliminary Book Review

I have been sent a free review copy of "Just Ask Leadership: Why Great Managers Always Ask The Right Questions" by Gary Cohen and this is my preliminary review.