Michael Lewis Books
A Guide to the Books by Michael Lewis

Business Books

“Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.” – Isaac Asimov|

Are you aware of the Personal MBA? It’s a concept created by Josh Kaufman (following an idea by Seth Godin). Going off the assumption that business schools don’t have a monopoly on knowledge and wisdom, he suggests that every one of us passes a personal MBA by reading a selection of the best business books that exist, around 77 published in 2008 (93 with supplements) in 12 different categories :

1.Quick Start
2.Productivity and Efficiency
3.Psychology and Communication
4.Design and Production
5.Marketing, Sales and Negotiation
6.Entrepreneurship
7.Management and Leadership
8.Strategy and Innovation
9.Finances and Analysis
10.Personal Finance
11.Supplement : Business History 12.Supplement : Business Reference

My crazy project involving the Personal MBA consists of 52 books from this list. I am approaching this project seriously, and I am preparing for it in the same way I would train for a marathon: I know that the challenge will be long and hard, especially once the initial drive – as well the enthusiasm of getting started – wear off.

How shall I undertake this task? Here are the rules of the challenge:

1) Choose 52 books from the actual list of The Personal MBA.

2) Read one a week for 52 weeks. Write a relevant summary, that includes an overall summary as well as chapter by chapter, if the book lends itself to that.

3) Sacrifice only what is useless. I don’t plan on giving up my other activities – my business, improv theater, sports, my two entrepreneur clubs, my other blogs, my leisure time, my personal life. I am going to try and organize myself better and get rid of only what is useless – casually surfing the web, video games, YouTube, everything that wastes precious time in general. I can’t cut out TV, since I hardly watch it anyway.

4) Take action. To think without doing something is just as stupid as to do something without thinking. Thought is based both on our experience – in the field – and our knowledge – acquired from books, school, in conversation with others.

I don’t plan on necessarily reading the books in this order, but I will try to read everything one category at a time so that it is easier to compare and connect my new awareness. It will be a difficult challenge, but a really interesting one ! :)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    Business Books?
    What are the best business books ever published related to managing, leadership, and small business

    • ANSWER:
      Stephen Covey
      Ken Blanchard
      Og Mandino
      Norman Vincent Peal
      Dale Carnegie

  2. QUESTION:
    Business books?
    What are some good business or entrepreneurship books for starters?

    • ANSWER:
      Buffett-The making of an american capitalist-
      Rich Dad/Poor Dad-Kiyosaki
      The Richest man in Babylon-Og Mandino
      Hardball-Chris Matthews

      * read bio’s of famous rich men/women, no better way to see consistent success paths than this

      Carnegie, Rockefeller, Astor, Munger, Presidents, Etc

  3. QUESTION:
    business books?
    please recomand me good business books

    • ANSWER:
      For business management, there are a few books about the ex GE CEO Jack Welch. For investment, I recommend “Learn to Earn” by Peter Lynch.

  4. QUESTION:
    What business books should every business student read?
    I am a Business Administration student at the University of Oregon and want to start reading more than just my course books. I have read some classics like “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu and more recent business books like “The Little Red Book of Selling” and “Good to Great.” What are some other books that every business student should read before going into the real world. Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      Rich Dad, Poor Dad and The Millionaire Next Door

      http://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Money-That-Middle/dp/044656740X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301984824&sr=8-1

      http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/1589795474/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301984884&sr=1-1

  5. QUESTION:
    What are your best business book reads? Which business books have helped you the most and how?
    I know some common books in business are

    Rich Dad Poor Dad
    Think and Grow Rich
    and Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

    If these are some helpful books, feel free to mention them again and state how they’ve helped you. Otherwise I’m open to hearing other suggestions on good business books you’ve read!

    • ANSWER:
      Mark my words do read these books it’ll change you for ever
      Atlas shrugged
      Straight from the gut– jack welch
      Biography of Lee icocca

  6. QUESTION:
    What business books do you recommend as the most informative/useful?
    I would likto read some books on business. All suggestions backed by reasons for being chosen would be very welcome.

    • ANSWER:
      No lie:

      Sun Tzu, Art of War – classic tactics
      The Way of Kings – classic philosophy
      Leadership secrets of Attila the Hun – Classic Strategy
      I could do anything if I only knew what it was – Goal setting
      Wishcraft – open minded goal setting, planning.
      The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make – Leadership good reference.

      Above All:
      Tony Robbins Books—
      Awakwening The Giant Within
      Powertalk! Tapes series.
      – Goal setting, all around. It’s an unusual format, but it is definitely an effective path, i.e. Set a goal, work every day, monitor am I getting there, evaluate. Changed my life, I retired at 32. One day, I will shake his hand for helping me to set myself up for life.

      Studying Japanese philosophers won’t hurt, either. The Shambala Books series, tiny paperbacks crammed full of knowledge & wisdom.

      Stay away from the taoist Chinese stuff for a while, until you are very advanced, it is confusing for the average person who is not ready, but later on, once mastery is there, its like a nice frosting for the soul.

      Good Luck.

  7. QUESTION:
    What business books are good for beginner?
    Except “for the dummies” books of course. I’m trying to gain some knowledge about business. Books that easy to understand and grasp the basics are preferable. All answers are very appreciated.thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi, Friend ! Each book can be good for you if you think about it and do action if you want to do business. You can read self development books or business guidance books, or Entrepreneurship books, and other books that drive the traffic to what you will do. You can join the business seminar or marketing clubs to get more experiences as you are still beginner.

  8. QUESTION:
    What are some of the best must read business books?
    I want to open my own little business… Maybe even expand later on
    (Small business on the internet preferably)
    Just need some guidance on what books I should read.

    • ANSWER:
      . The Goal, Eli. Goldratt
      . Breakthrough Thinking: The Seven Principles of Creating Problem Solving, Gerald Nadler, Shozo Hibino
      . Smart Questions: Learn to ask the right questions for powerful results, Gerald Nadler, William Chandon
      . Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, Larry Bossidy
      . Good to Great, Jim Collins
      . Built to Last, Jim Collins
      . First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently, Marcus Buckingham
      . The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell
      . The Leadership Pipeline: How to Build the Leadership Powered Company, Ram Charan
      . Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers: Developing Change-Ready People and Organizations, by Robert Kriegel & David Brandt
      . Managing the Change Process: A Field Book for Change Agents, Team Leaders, and Reengineering Managers, David Carr, Kelvin Hard

  9. QUESTION:
    What are some business books that focus on mistakes made by companies?
    I want some business books that focus on mistakes made by companies and I do not mean a book that is trying to give me advice on how to start up a business or something like that. I want one that is talking about a real company that made alot of mistakes.

    • ANSWER:
      The Oz Principle has real-life examples of mistakes made by the CEOs of major companies.

  10. QUESTION:
    I want to know some books on business for beginners?
    I want to know if anyone has any recommendations on business type books for beginners, I would prefer investments,stocks, finances types of business books…I’ve just recently taken a keen interest in business and would like to learn more, any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks a lot everyone

    • ANSWER:

  11. QUESTION:
    I wana open my own business need some help on some business books?
    Of course I wana start small but I really can’t afford formal education. My plan is to major in business n minor in finance. Till then I’d really like to read some books to help me avoid silly common mistakes made by some small inexperienced business owners such as myself. I hope you understand. Thanks for u help

    • ANSWER:

  12. QUESTION:
    How can i build my own books business while i don’t have finance for it?
    I am Afghan 30y old marriege, Graduate in Economics & Sociology from Balochistan University Quetta. having experience in firm management with NGOs & ferms UAE and Afghanistan. i am totaly business minded and aim to have books business internationaly. Afghanistan has a huge market for acadimic and text books. firms are required to support me in any way to gain this business opportunity.

    • ANSWER:
      Try selling ebooks. The cost are a lot lower and you could make a large profit.

  13. QUESTION:
    what is the niche markets in used books business?
    I`m starting a used books online business.I`m getting more enquiries for fiction books, but it is very cheap,i need to sell huge amounts to make profits.

    • ANSWER:
      Leather-bound editions.

  14. QUESTION:
    Recommend marketing and promoting business books?
    For both offline and online small business. I don’t have a product, I am focusing on services. Help recommend quality books to promote and market my service for both offline and online ways.

    • ANSWER:
      I’ve read a lot of books about small business promotion. If i have to single out one that is simple, easy to read and with guidance to have results, I’ll say: Action Plan by Robert Middleton. http://www.actionplan.com/

      You’ll be amazed.

  15. QUESTION:
    How and where can I sell my business text books?
    I have a massive number of business and marketing text books which I am trying to sell. They are all in excellent condition and I am willing to sell them at the lowest price.
    The books are in excellent condition and I am willing to sell them at low prices as I dont need them anymore. Only problem, they are very heavy and will cost me a fortune to post.

    • ANSWER:
      take on ebay and other auction sites online… :D

  16. QUESTION:
    Is there any account software that is going to make the job of keeping the business books in order easier?
    at the moment i write everything into a ledger i know its old fashioned but it has worked for our business and me but now i need to put a real effort into these books so what is going to be quick and easy for me to use .( we are not vat registered)

    • ANSWER:
      I still use written ledgers and we are quite a large, vat registered company. I find it a lot easier to follow and easier to find any discrepancies.
      The only alternative that I would consider is Sage – but you would need some training for that.

  17. QUESTION:
    What are the best business books out there to read?
    Specifically marketing, advertising, sales, management and real estate books. There are many books by people such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, but what kinds of books out there are best to read for these certain categories? Please specify which books cover which category, thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      Think and Grow Rich is an excellent book, however I believe it has more to do with success mentality than specific marketing techniques. (In my opinion, this is the more important skill to master)

      Joe Vitale is a best selling author in the marketing (both conventional and internet), advertising and sales categories. I’m personally familiar with some of his work that is more concerned with success mentality, and I can vouch for the quality of the information he presents. He is very highly regarded in his field in general, so I’m confident in recommending his work to you.

      Wish I knew more, but I’m also looking for good books along these lines. :)

  18. QUESTION:
    We want to start a family pool hall / billiards business. Do you know of any books specific to this topic?
    We have several general small business startup and business plan books and resources already. It would be great if we could find a book specific to starting a pool hall business. Thanks for your help!

    • ANSWER:
      Try contacting the pool table companies. But this is not a rocket science business, and general marketing applies.

  19. QUESTION:
    Can you find a series of books titled Modern Business volumes 1-24 printed in 1918?
    This series of business books were used at the Alexander Hamilton Institute. Each one of books has a different topic of discussion and a variety of authors. Volume one is Business and the Man, volume two is Economics of Business, volume three is Organization and Control, volume four is Factory and Office Administration, volume five is Marketing Methods, volume 6 is Advertising Principles, volume 7 is Salesmanship and Sales Management, volume 8 is Credit an the Credit Man, volume 9 is Accounting Principles, volume 10 is Cost Finding, volume 11 is Coporation Finance, volume 12 is Business Corresponce, volume 13 is Advertising Campaigns, volume 14 is Railway Traffic, volume 15 is Foreign Trade and Shipping, volume 16 is Banking, volume 17 is Domestic and Foreign Exchange, volume 18 is Insurance and Real Estate, volume 19 is Merchandising, volume 20 is The Exchanges and Speculation, volume 21 is Accounting Practice and Auditing, volume 22 is Financial and Business Statemnents, volume 23 is

    • ANSWER:
      eBay turns up several hits on this product. See the listings I located below. You may need to get an incomplete set and watch eBay or similar sites to fill in the missing volumes.

      Good luck!

  20. QUESTION:
    How do I record a payment from insurance on the business books? Is it revenue or what?
    Our business had a fire. We have received several payments from the insurance company… for loss of profit and for equipment replacement etc. We have rebuilt and are open again. Are these cheques considered revenue or what? What is the entry I need to make to record these?

    • ANSWER:
      It offsets the account that you charged for the loss

  21. QUESTION:
    what are some how to do business books for newbs?
    I will be taking over my dad’s business in two years, and I really want to do some preparations.
    I thought about working as a part time (on the weekend) at my dad’s place, but his company is a bit complicated due to partnership and etc.

    • ANSWER:
      That’s really great. Most people have to start from scratch. It’s nice knowing you’ve got your dad’s business.

      My personal favorites are:

      - “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty” by Harvey McKay
      - “Swim with the Sharks without Getting Eaten Alive” by Harvey McKay
      - “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyasaki
      - “Sales Dogs” by Robert Kiyasaki
      - “One Minute Manager”
      - “One Minute Millionaire”
      - “What Color is Your Parachute?”

  22. QUESTION:
    What are some good business books to read?
    I’ve read the rich dad books, e-myth books, richest man in babylon, etc…. i need more!

    • ANSWER:
      Check your library for the same area as the books you have enjoyed. I liked the Finish Rich books by David Bach and the streams of income books by Robert G Allen. I also enjoy reading personal finance books by Suze Orman. I usually get 2-3 books a week from the library … some I read and others I skim through.

  23. QUESTION:
    What are some good Introductory Business books?
    A small part of my job is taking minutes at meetings for some of our subsidiary companies and I need some help understanding what goes on in them. Specifically, something about financial statements (statutory and GAAP) and anything about investments (conventional and alternative) may be helpful. I’m looking for a really basic book or books, to increase my own understanding. Any ideas?
    I have basically no understanding of business or financial statements. I need the most basic, beginner level information.

    • ANSWER:
      Not sure where you are financially (literacy-wise) or how much you want to learn, but I suspect something along the lines of
      accounting for non-accountants
      would work. I suggest stopping by the library and looking around the
      657 section
      as you’d find accounting books there. Feel free to ask the librarians if you need more help.
      This would allow you to look the book over as well, so no regrets if it’s not quite what you want.
      My basic accounting days are so long ago nothing would be current.

      As to investments, again not sure what level you’re looking to go from.

      Somewhere near the
      332.6 section
      should get you what you’re looking for. If you mean more generalized investments, then 332 in general is a good area to browse.

  24. QUESTION:
    What business books should I read?
    I want to become a business man in marketing/international business and I was wondering what business books should I read to open my own business and how to manage it properly. I want to know as much as possible about business world and so I wanted to know where could I get all this information? Could anybody help

    • ANSWER:
      Here are the greatest books that I have found on business (especially on the topic of marketing):

      http://www.effensource.com/successpackage.html

  25. QUESTION:
    What are the best business books for start-ups?
    Marketing, PR, Business, Entrepreneur, Music Business, Public Relations

    • ANSWER:
      QUICK BOOKS, or PEACHTREE – both are pretty user friendly. But be sure and do your due dilligence when setting up the charts of account

  26. QUESTION:
    Can you tell me some great business books to read please?
    Hi i would like to know some great business books to read i have some of the obvious ones like think and grow rich and tony robbins anymore you highly recommend please people anything to do with business ,marketing business psychology anything interesting as i like to learn new things Thanks Paul

    • ANSWER:
      You requested for it,then you got it! I appreciate you Paul for enhancing your knowledge of business by reading books.I’d suggest you download the ebook about internet marketing here:http://tinyurl.com/237cvqj .

      It’s a simple and straight-forward ebook with step-by-step instructions that can produce a lot of traffic, leads and income for you if you’re willing to put in the small amount of time and effort to do it.

      The truth of the matter is that the ebook is proven to be effective when it comes to marketing business. So if your trying to build an online income without a powerful Marketing System you will always be climbing a slippery slope.

  27. QUESTION:
    What are good books to read while on a vacation?I don’t like stories more like business books. Suggestions?
    I want to learn about something that can make money while reading this book. A book that will keep me interested while on vacation in a small town. I want to learn. I like Real Estate, or Marketing Books, Any good recommendations? Let me know!

    • ANSWER:
      Try a book about Nuero Linguistic Programming. It is a great tool in how to use your own body language to get the best of a situation and being able to understand others body language to be able to read them better.

      Hope that helps

  28. QUESTION:
    Can anyone recommend any good text books for Business Development Managers? I am 22 and have a career in this?
    I often have to compose marketing plans and stratagies. Can you suggest great books to assist me in becoming better at my job and excelling as a Business development manager.
    Also any books or programmes that help with the actual format and templating of business plans, marcom plans, business strategy etc would be appreciated.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi,

      I’ve listed a couple of good resources for you below: The first is my recommended sales/marketing books. The second is a useful resource for marketing plans and strategy.

      You also should check out the Marketing Plan Pro package: http://www.software-marketing-advisor.com/marketing-plan-pro.html You can use it to easily put together winning marketing plans and strategies. They also have a business plan version (Business Plan Pro) available as well – just follow the links.

      hope that helps,

      Joanna

  29. QUESTION:
    Any books on how to start a brokerage and agency business?
    Any books on how to start a brokerage and agency business?
    Any popular books out there on how to start a brokerage business, or how to start an agency business? I am not talking about mortgage brokerage, or securities brokerage, rather general brokerage and or agency How-tos.
    Also,
    is there any other books specialising on How to start brokerage business of goods and services?

    • ANSWER:
      Will this help?

  30. QUESTION:
    What are some good start up business books for graphic designers who are freelancers?

    • ANSWER:
      You dont need any just fill out the correct tax and VAT forms. If you are from the UK go and see your local business link or the princes trust. Its just common sense really.

  31. QUESTION:
    Which publisher of business books is a good employer?
    I am looking for a sales, marketing or business development job in publishing.

    • ANSWER:
      I wouldn’t know who is a good employer but your best bet is to go with a well respected and well known publisher. Try Random House, Penguin, etc.

  32. QUESTION:
    What three business books about entrepreneurship can you recommend me?
    I want to learn how to recognize business opportunities, how to form business model,…

    • ANSWER:
      Think and Grow Rich, Napolean Hill.

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0449214923/sr=1-1/qid=1137111500/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-0168774-3443901?%5Fencoding=UTF8

      Bag the Elephant, Steve Kaplan

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885167628/qid=1137111547/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-0168774-3443901?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

      Real Money, James Cramer

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743224892/qid=1137111607/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-0168774-3443901?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

      After reading those three you will recognize opportunities, form winning business models, and be on your way to earning real wealth in business.

  33. QUESTION:
    Is it legal to start a lending library? I want to lend out business books to small businesses for research.?
    All of the work is factual, mostly accounting and business skill building books. I want small businesses who are customers of ours to be able to use these guides to research and hopefully better themselves and their business. I do not intend to sell or copy the materials, just lend them out to whomever is interested. Does this qualify under the “Fair Use” act of US Copyright law?

    • ANSWER:
      I have never hear of any restrictions on lending books, my concern would be if you implied that it was ok for the customer to copy any of the material.

      I been told that it is not consider Fair Use to copy material for business use, but that is ok WITHIN LIMITS to copy material for personal use.

  34. QUESTION:
    What Are Some Good Business Books?
    What are some good business books to help someone like me (age 20) as I get ready to head into my 2nd year of running a business. I’m looking for business and self-improvement books such as motivation and things like that.

    • ANSWER:
      Although I don’t recall the author’s name, I found the book “Good to Great” to be a phenomenal read. It talks about companies that, using objective criteria, went from being good companies to great. He lays out his criteria for you so that you can judge for yourself and he explains what it was that helped these particular companies excel.

      One “for instance” that I can think of is when he explores Nucorp Steel. He explains how Nucorp excelled at a time when Bethlehem Steel was crying poverty. He explains how Nucorp did it and where their thinking excelled.

      Overall, this was just a great book for a small businessperson. His other book, “The Tipping Point” was not nearly as impressive. I read “Good to Great” first and was tremendously renewed after reading it.

      Hope this helps. Good Luck!

  35. QUESTION:
    What are good ” starting your own business / company” books?
    For the past couple of months i have been planning to open a bar/ lounge ; however this project has been put on hold. While im waiting to obtain my liquor license ive decided to get all the knowledgeable information about opening my own business . Can anyone suggest some books for me

    • ANSWER:
      If you want some books on how to start your own bar, here are some (check out the reader reviews, at the middle part of the web page):

      - The Professional Bar & Beverage Manager’s Handbook: How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Bar, Tavern, and Nightclub: With Companion CD-ROM [Hardcover] – http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Bar-Beverage-Managers-Handbook/dp/0910627592

      - Running a Bar For Dummies [Paperback] – http://www.amazon.com/Running-Bar-Dummies-Ray-Foley/dp/0470049197

      - Start and Run a Money-Making Bar [Paperback] – http://www.amazon.com/Start-Run-Money-Making-Bruce-Fier/dp/0830642463

      Also try “Start Your Own Business” by Rieva Lesonsky (check out the reader reviews, at the middle part of the web page):
      2nd edition: http://www.amazon.com/Start-Your-Own-Business-2nd/dp/1891984217
      3rd edition: http://www.amazon.com/Start-Your-Business-Entrepreneur-Magazines/dp/1932156658
      4th edition: http://www.amazon.com/Start-Your-Own-Business-Start-Up/dp/1599180812

      Also, here’s a huge collection of good books to read about starting your own business: http://www.alibris.com/blog/alibris/bestselling-books-on-starting-your-own-business-october-2010 … This includes:

      1. Raving Fans (by Blanchard, Ken, and Bowles, Sheldon M, and MacKay, Harvey)

      2. Your First Year in Network Marketing: Overcome Your Fears, Experience Success, and Achieve Your Dreams! (by Yarnell, Mark, and Yarnell, Rene Reid, M.A., and Poe, Richard)

      3. Small Business Kit for Dummies (by Harroch, Richard D)

      4. Small Business for Dummies (by Tyson, Eric, MBA, and Schell, Jim)

      5. Entrepreneurship: Starting and Operating a Small Business (by Mariotti, Steve)

      … and a lot more, with good reviews and ratings.

  36. QUESTION:
    How does one start a second hand books business ?
    What accounting books are necessary to maintain ? There are no receipts for books purchased from roadside vendors so what does one do ?
    One buys old books and antiques, collectibles from those selling on road or small stalls, and they never give receipts or even their name or address.
    How does one enter such details in accounting books ?

    • ANSWER:
      The IRS requires you to keep a log of all transactions in some format. This could be as simple as a spiral notebook with each title, date bought, date sold, price bought, price sold.business expenses (i.e.utilities, rent) should also be documented by amount paid and date.

  37. QUESTION:
    I have a small amazon book business, but I am looking for ways to get more books to sell, any ideas?
    I received a large number of books from some of my professors who were throwing out textbooks so I put them online but I am running low. How do people get low cost books to sell online?

    • ANSWER:
      Check with your local libraries. After so many years, they throw out hundreds of books. Our local library has a room full of boxes of books they are getting rid of and anyone can take them…for free! Also check your local flea market because alot of people buy, sell, and trade books there. You can find them for like a quarter a piece!

      Good luck to you!

  38. QUESTION:
    Are there books on business majors, and what you can do with them?
    I am going into college and want to start reading what are the ups and downs for business majors, and what type of career path they will take me on. I really need a books that explores possiblities of each major like Economics, Finance, etc. Can anyone recomend a book for me to read that covers these issues? I am looking for a paper back preferably under 400 pages. But please recomend me anything that would help.

    • ANSWER:
      The Occupational Outlook Handbook. It’s way more than 400 pages (It’s 885 pages) but it’s thorough and covers just about every job you can imagine and many you never thought of. Big plus, it’s online for free. http://www.bls.gov/OCO/ or, you can buy it for in paperback http://bookstore.gpo.gov/actions/GetPublication.do?stocknumber=029-001-03482-2

      If you want a simple read that’s also pretty cheap (but not as thorough) then the ‘old stand-by’ is ‘Great Jobs for Business Majors’ by Lambert http://www.amazon.com/Great-Business-Majors-Stephen-Lambert/dp/007140581X about and less than 250 pages.

      I suspect though that you will have better career prospects and be happier if you look at this college major thing a different way. Instead of deciding what you want to major in and then trying to make that fit into some job/career – you should consider what job/career you’d like to pursue and then get whatever education is required for that. Picking a major first is like plowing a field with a cow when you could have bought a horse (or tractor) instead. The cow works but a tractor works a lot better.

      As for career exploration – the Strong Interest Inventory (your school counselor can probably provide it or can refer you somewhere that can, ask for it by name and they’re sort of stuck offering it) is a great tool to start with and the now famous ‘What Color is Your Parachute’ http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2010/dp/1580089879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277495428&sr=1-1-spell is good career tool too.

  39. QUESTION:
    Where is it good to buy monthly appointment books for my business ?
    I’m going to expand my business in Virginia and I should to get a number of nice quality monthly appointment books for this. Help me to find a good website to purchase them.

    • ANSWER:
      You can try to buy monthly appointment books here: http://seerch.com/category/1753/Monthly-Appointment-Books-and-Planners/ . It’s my favorite shop.

  40. QUESTION:
    do you know any good websites that I can find good books which talking about business ?
    I want a good website talking about business and management and I can down load books from it and know the best writers who write books about business and how to be a good biz gay and the ideas to make money by the internet and the ideas for small business?

    • ANSWER:
      Use any of the major Search Engines to find free e-books on the subject. To keep up with changes I have used a company for audio called Nightingale-Conant for more than 30 years; and it is a company that has been in business for more than 40 years. Go to http://www.nightingale.com; the also have on-line personal business coach. The information oftentimes can be found in international languages. Yahoo has business center information as well as Microsoft and Google.

  41. QUESTION:
    How do i start a new year on quick books for my business?
    I used quick books for the first time for my business last year 2009.. i want to start inputting 2010 information. How do i start again at zero.

    • ANSWER:
      Day after night after day search

  42. QUESTION:
    how would one start a home business for writing books?
    I want to start a business where i help others get books published. I am getting published and would like to market my books but help others get published

    • ANSWER:
      You basically want to become a book publishing agent, where authors would come to you and you help them get published. Your role as an agent would be to make the process of finding a publisher for writers easier, faster, and hopefully, more lucrative.

      You help writers craft better book proposals, you pitch the proposals to publishers and you help negotiate the deal between the writer and publisher.

      Literary agents have different ways to earn. Typically, they earn by commission basis (often 15 percent) on the books they sell and everything relating to that book, such as excerpted magazine articles, audio tapes and films (but not speeches and personal appearances). Agents usually receive 20 percent for overseas sales. Some agents charge reading fees just for looking at book proposal, and many charge for the costs incurred in making the deal happen (e.g. photocopying costs, telephone costs, etc) over and above the 15% commission.

      Other types of agents charge by the hour the work they do on author’s proposal – from reading the book proposal to marketing the proposal. So even if they failed to get a publisher interested in the book and publish the book, they get paid for the hourly work done for the prospective author.

  43. QUESTION:
    What are the most inspirational business books you have ever read?

    • ANSWER:
      I suppose many years ago it was the famous Dale Carnegie book “How to win friends and influence people”. I also read and went back to John Adair’s book Great Leaders, and any of various biographies of business and political leaders. Perhaps the most inspiring was Nelson Mandela’s ‘long walk to freedom’.

  44. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know what is needed in order to begin a small business writing personalized books for children?
    I have no idea about how to help my associate launch her business. If you know of some quality but affordable book printers, information about illustrators, software to begin creating at home, or anything relevant, please share. Thank you in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      It can be extremely expensive to publish books, especially if you are personalizing each one. The cost of printing is very high these days and most publishers will look to print en mass, thus making this route unsuitable for your associate’s needs. Her best bet is to research self publishing on the web for companies that print on demand. Because they are printed as they are sold these companies may allow for some personalization for each printing. Start with Lulu as they are one of the premier self-publishers. (www.lulu.com)

      As for illustrators, she can go to Elance (www.elance.com), a website of freelancers that will bid on her project. She will be able to post the job that she wants performed (for free I believe) and people will bid on what they are willing to do the work for. Many bids are very inexpensive but you will get what you pay for. If she does not find a suitable bid she can try again or not, there is no commitment.

      As for software, MS Word is probably the best bet for doing the layout. She can probably do 90% of the work here since it is a book. If publishers will not accept Word’s .doc format and require a PDF, she can download DoPDF for free (www.dopdf.com)

      Hope this helps.

      Mike
      M&G LaserWorks
      www.mglaserworks.com

  45. QUESTION:
    Please help me to buy several weekly appointment books for my business needs?
    I’m willing to get a number of good quality and cheap weekly appointment books for my business needs. Where can I get them in Virginia Beach?

    • ANSWER:
      Nice quality weekly appointment books can be obtained at this website: http://seerch.com/search?q=weekly+appointment+book&p=&c=1476&sto=1&swc=1 .

  46. QUESTION:
    Can some body help me or tell me how much investment i need to start a new business in Books and stationery sh?
    Please help me to get a proper information and business mindes ideas to set up my small business.
    many thanks for your kind help.
    regards.

    • ANSWER:
      comfortably 4 to 5 lakhs

  47. QUESTION:
    Do you know the process involved in recording business transactions and various books of accounts?
    Various books of accounts is the one that is used to determine the financial result of a business at the end of each accounting period.

    • ANSWER:
      There are a lot of processes involve in recording business transactions and various books of accounts before it can be used to determine financial result. These processes are collectively known as the accounting cycle.

      The process of recording business transactions is called journalizing, because it is recorded in a journal.

      Then the journal entries are classified per account and posted to the ledgers.

      The ledgers are summarized to a trial balance. Necessary adjustments are made and income statement and balance sheet are prepared. These financial statements shows the financial results after an accounting period.

  48. QUESTION:
    Where can i download free quick books for my business?
    Where can i download free quick books for my business?

    • ANSWER:
      Legally? You can’t.

      I hope this helps.
      Gary

  49. QUESTION:
    Any business books to recommend?
    I’m starting undergraduate school at Berkeley this coming year and I’m going into Business (Finance) and eventually investment banking. Are there any books I can read that will give me a head start in college? Some books to prepare me a bit on the subject, give me a head start, before I start college would be deeply appreciated. Thank you!
    P.S. I already read Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

    • ANSWER:
      My business writing book really helped me become a better business writer. I’m an English major and I took it as an elective and was the only English major in the class. Everyone else was business/finance/marketing. It was a 300-level course. Here’s the link to the book:

      http://www.amazon.com/Business-Communications-Premium-Content-Student/dp/0077314069/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1307594075&sr=1-8

  50. QUESTION:
    Hi, where can I buy books (cheap books) for Business Administration?
    Like marketing, making decisions in marketing. Books that deal with budgets, spending, planning any books relating with business administration. I want to go to college for that and get my degree. I just want an early start because it would be a lot less easier for me. when I graduate from my high school I would like to go to college.
    People please give me websites. Links even.

    • ANSWER:
      You can buy them from http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Business%20Administration&tag=189-20&index=books&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325


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