“Your time is precious. So why spend it reading this book?”
These are the opening lines in all three of Andy Birol’s new books on business growth. The books are part of the Owner’s Series and designed for small business owners.
Andy Birol is a small business authority — a consultant, speaker, author.
Andy is a colorful guy who works large. Where most other authors write one book, Andy publishes not one, not two, but three books at once. I highly recommend you read them all.
Each book in the series stands alone, although they also complement each other as a set.
Each book targets businesses facing different circumstances:
- “Accelerating Your Growth” is all about growing a business during the good times, by capitalizing on your firm’s opportunities.
- “Returning Your Business to Growth” is about growing in turnaround situations or during times of problems.
- “Growing Your Business During Succession or Transition” is about growth during periods of change.
The books are based on articles that Andy has written and case studies. They are extremely timely and up to date. Each chapter is written in a crisp distinctive voice that makes it interesting to read.
These books are part of that new breed of books best described as street smart. The author has a knack for cutting to the heart of matters for small businesses. Consider some of his advice:
CRM software – few small businesses “have the resources or the needs to use the features of some of today’s hottest products.”
Strategic plans – “analyzing market share is a waste of time for smaller businesses” that could be better spent analyzing what share of your customers’ needs you could be meeting.
Pricing – “never base prices on costs.”
The unmistakable focus in each of the books is on how to make money and avoid going down paths that waste time with little or no return. The author says that sales and marketing goals should come down to three things: finding customers, keeping customers, and growing customers.
If you are focused on making money for yourself and your company, this set of books is a must-read. And if you aren’t focused on making money you might want to ask yourself what you are doing in business.
Finally, to answer Andy’s question at the beginning of the books, yes, your time is precious. That’s exactly why you should read these books, because you want results fast.
