Book2Use - Confessions of an Entrepreneur - How to survive the highs and lows of starting up

Confessions of an Entrepreneur - How to survive the highs and lows of starting up by Chris Robson



"This is not a textbook about writing a business plan or choosing the right business idea. Those books exist already. This doesn't"

"As Nick Wheeler, founder of Charles Tyrwhitt, said:'It wasn't the idea - it was about doing better. The idea wasn't the issue. The vast majority of businesses are trying to be different. People say that they can't start a business because they don't have any idea. They don't need a new idea!'"

This is another book I like; Clear in delivering and simple in language. Chris presented his emotional journey in this book when he started his company. This is valuable for Entrepreneurs who are starting or started a company or business.

Let me share with you the lesson is important to me:

The key lessons for any entrepreneur who hits rock bottom:
1. Don't retreat ignominiously
2. Make a simple plan to move forward
3. Don't be bitter about what happened
4. Don't see what happened as a failure
5. Recognise that you many need more safety nets next time
6. or recognise, as Seb James did, that being an entrepreneur was not the right career: 'It has taught me that I am shit at starting things'

You can review the book here:
Confessions of an Entrepreneur: The Highs and Lows of Starting Up

Book2Use - Socialnomics - How Social Media Transforms The Way We Live and Do Business

Socialnomics - How Social Media Transforms The Way We Live and Do Business by Erik Qualman

I read this and I find Erik has given best views and ideas on the impact of social media onto business. Below are some of the points that I find it useful to remember and use.


"Content and Conversation will drive awareness - not advertising


World of Mouth is an advancement of Word of Mouth as: 1) it disseminates the information quickly and globally; 2) its digital aspect allows the original integrity of the message to remain intact; and 3) it is traceable to an original source


Businesses don't have a choice on whether or not to DO social media, their choice is how well they DO it.


Ineffective companies spend time attempting to obfuscate or manipulate negative comments within social media. Good companies spend time addressing and resolving customer complaints.


Try to use social media to get hired vs. fired.


Social media is the new inbox: Younger generations find e-mail antiquated and passé. 


The main threat to Google in the search wars is not another search engine, but the rise of search queries within social media. More and more, products and services will find us (as opposed to us finding them).


Marketers' jobs have changed from creating and pushing to one that requires listening, engaging, and reacting to potential and current customer needs.


It's better to live a social media life making mistakes than living a social media life doing nothing.


Don't forget that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and social media go hand in hand.


Don't build your own Field of Nightmares by creating or replicating a social network for your company. If you built it, they most likely will not come. You are better connecting to the best in class social media tools that exist.


The overall achievement of individuals and companies will be largely dependent on their social media success.


Proactively build your digital business network before you need it."

You can find more information here:

Book2Use - The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea

This is a simple to understand and easy to read book about some of the laws for becoming Success. I find that all these laws are very fundamental and easy to exercise.

Let me give you the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success at the end of the book.

The Law of Value
Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.

The Law of Compensation
Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.

The Law of Influence
Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.

The Law of Authenticity
The more valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.

The Law of Receptivity
The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

Visit http://www.thegogiver.com/