Author: Ray Silverstein

ISBN 1-4022-0766-2

The Best Secrets of Great Small Businesses is a sampling of ideas from peer groups -- "made up of small business leaders, such as company presidents, owners, CEOs, COOs, and partners." The peer groups are advisory boards of people from small non-competing businesses who have come together to exchange ideas and help each other. They come together to discuss business issues, challenges, and the pressures of daily business.

The Power of Peer Groups outlines what a peer group may offer you -- insight, solutions/ideas, connections, feedback, and camaraderie. It also mentions other "business groups and boards" -- chamber of commerce, trade associations lawyers, accountants, friends, and family.

Silverstein writes that The Best Secrets of Great Small Businesses may be used as "your daily insight" since the book is "organized into short, easy-to-read segments." You may also use it for ideas, inspiration, problem solving, a training aid, for planning, and testing your company for its strengths and weaknesses.

Being a small business owner is no easy task. Not only must you be good at what you do, but at some point, you must also be a good leader. Silverstein writes, "Somewhere along the way, you must move your thinking from "me" to "us," if your company is to grow. At some point, you will have to assess your responsibilities as a company leader -- asking yourself, "What is my roll?" Next, you will want to recognize your "management style" and "surround yourself with people who respond to that approach."

Meetings are essential in business. And, there should be rules -- meetings start on time (even if a member or two is not present); there should be a "clearly stated objective"; a written outline of the meeting's agenda (a place for people to take notes may be a nice touch); "responsibility for each portion of the agenda should be assigned to one or more attendees in advance"; and the meeting should end with a "stated conclusion." Attendees are responsible for learning what they missed if they arrive late. One way to combat tardiness has proven to be to start the meetings at odd times (i.e. 2:09 versus 2PM).

The S.M.A.R.T. method for setting goals is a wonderful idea. S for specific, M for measurable, A for achievable, R for realistic, and T for timely. There is also a segment of curbing "runaway legal and accounting expenses," reducing your shipping expenses, and recognizing savings in relocation.

SWOT is another tool to help you study your company. S for strengths, W for weaknesses, O for opportunities, and T for threats.

In sales, you would do well to craft a 30-second introduction that cracks the ice and leaves a lasting impression. A fertilizer salesman may say, "I talk dirty." Knowing the "sales funnel" seems to be a sure way to make the sale -- direct marketing campaign, prospects identified, appointments set, appointments kept, proposal prepared, proposal presented, and the sale.

The Best Secrets of Great Small Businesses is the "entrepreneurial guidebook" that a small business that wants to be great can't do without.

The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here