Replies

1. 
   Scrapr | Apr 22, 2009 05:07am | #1

   Here's a couple on Sales

   http://www.gitomer.com/The-Sales-Bible-by-Jeffrey-Gitomer-pluSBS.html

   I think I have the Little Red Book of sales

   Heard very good things about the Black Book of Connections, although I do not own it. Probably next.

   http://www.gitomer.com/Jeffrey-Gitomer-Little-Black-Book-of-Connections-pluLBBC.html

   I don't get a commision here. Just have helped me in the Branding/Sales environment

2. 
   JerraldHayes | Apr 22, 2009 05:22am | #2

   Biff Loman — "I'm wondering what other 'must-reads' might be on the list."

   Biff you might want to check out this list in my blog:

   My Suggested Syllabus and Texts for for a Hypothetical Contracting 101 Class

   As for comment about the E-Myth Contractor being short on specifics I really don't think that was part of intended purpose of the book. It was trying to get across a message about how we really need to think about our operations as entrepreneurial businesses for them to really succeed.

   What kinds of specific were you hoping to find? How to set up a job control system? How to set up a sales and estimating process? How to set up etc.... That would be a pretty huge book if it covered how to design and set up all the systems that every different kind of contracting business could possibly need.

   But that said about that kind of book being a tough herculean task to write I do think Linda Leigh Francis' book Run Your Business So It Doesn't Run You does give you at least an outline of the kinds of systems you will need to work on setting up.

   By the way, I find it interestingand a bit ironic trying to field a business question from someone with such an infamous screename. How did you come to pick it?

   ---

   View Image

1. 
   Scrapr | Apr 22, 2009 05:29am | #3

   and ironic I would suggest Sales books for him

   <g>

1. 
   JerraldHayes | Apr 22, 2009 06:13am | #4

   Yeah I grinned at that.

   View Image

2. 
   Biff_Loman | Apr 23, 2009 05:16am | #10

   I'll probably end up reading every one of those books. I am a voracious reader.As for the screen name, well. . . heh. I first called myself that almost ten years ago. It's possible I was feeling discouraged that day. Anyway, I got so used to it that I've been "Biff" online ever since.Edit: Maybe it's a generational thing. On forums with younger people, very few understood or commented on the reference.

   Edited 4/22/2009 10:19 pm ET by Biff_Loman

1. 
   jimAKAblue | Apr 23, 2009 06:21am | #11

   I must be younger than because i have no clue about the reference.

1. 
   Biff_Loman | Apr 24, 2009 02:45am | #13

   That's fine.

1. 
   mike_maines | Apr 24, 2009 04:07pm | #14

   I never even thought it wasn't your real name, until I googled it just now. 

2. 
   jimAKAblue | Apr 23, 2009 06:25am | #12

   I like the list so far. One that I like to suggest is; First, Break all the Rules. Its a study about the successful managers and what they do differently.

   Another is: Who Moved My Cheese...a book that is quite germane given the economic times we are in now.

   One more is "The Richest Man in Babylon''.

   For the record, I've read a lot of these books and then promptly went out and ignored what I've learned....to my detriment lol.

3. 
   shelternerd | Apr 22, 2009 08:16am | #5

   I agree that the E-myth Contractor is too light. The E-myth revisited however is very worth reading and I also like Small Giants by Bo Burlingham (who has been writing for Inc Magazine for a long time and co wrote "the Great Game of Business" and "A stake in the outcome"

   Many people smarter than me like "Good to Great" by Jim Collins but I found it too dense to read for very long.

   I love love love "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie. Give it to all me new hires. Best basic text on leadership skills ever.

   ------------------

   "You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."

1. 
   wood4rd | Apr 28, 2009 07:30pm | #17

   I just wanted to say I ran across Dale Carnegie's book, "Lifetime Plan for Success" in the bargain book section at Barnes & Nobles for $9.98.It's a hardcover and includes BOTH books, "How to Win Friends & Influence People" and "How to Stop Worrying & Start Living". Its a bargain since each book is about $15.00 in the paperback version.    

4. 
   Hazlett | Apr 22, 2009 01:45pm | #6

   Biff,
   2 books at the top of my list

   1)" the millionaire next door " by thomas j stanley & william d danko
   ( briefly--it's a discussion of how NOT to be an example of "all hat and no cattle" )

   2) " the jewish phenomenon: seven keys to the enduring wealth of a people" by steven silbiger
   ( briefly?-- it will change how you view a lot of things- the purpose of education- what to place value on, what isn't important, what attributes are crucial for success and so forth)

   read them both--- but if you want to be the best person you can be in all facets of your life---- silbigers book gets my nod

   stephen

   
   

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   Edited 4/22/2009 7:12 am ET by Hazlett

5. 
   BarryE | Apr 22, 2009 04:30pm | #7

   My top 5, for starting up:

   1. Running A Successful Construction Company by David Gerstal....down to earth and common sense book on starting a company...arguably the bible for startup

   2. Markup and Profit by Michael Stone....essential to understand the difference

   3. Mastering the Business of Remodeling by Linda Case & Victoria Downing

   4. Secrets Of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar....need to get this one out again

   5. any of the Guerrilla Marketing series by Jay Levinson...great low cost ways to get your name out

   okay, can't stop:

   6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

   7. Building With An Attitude by Al Trellis & Al Sharp ...just an easy uplifting read

   8. Marketing Your Services by Carol Davitt.. basic read with a lot of good info

   9. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie..always a good idea

   10. Making & Managing Money by Linda Case...usually a downfall for craftsmen turned to business

   I'm sure I'll think of ones that would bump some down the list later.

   ---

   Barry E-Remodeler

    

1. 
   Biff_Loman | Apr 26, 2009 02:05am | #15

   I'm currently reading Levinson's book on Guerilla marketing. What a read! I'd never thought a business book could get my pulse going like that.It really has me thinking. I've been quizzing people on how many local remodeling contractors they can name. Not too many.

1. 
   BarryE | Apr 26, 2009 02:32pm | #16

   It's one I pull out now and again to get back to the basics

   Barry E-Remodeler

    

6. 
   mike_maines | Apr 22, 2009 08:46pm | #8

   I like First Break All the Rules: http://www.amazon.com/First-Break-All-Rules-Differently/dp/0684852861/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240422302&sr=8-1

   It's about managing people.

7. 
   thebozer | Apr 23, 2009 02:36am | #9

   Absolute best business book I've ever read (although not specific to construction)...

   "Selling The Invisible" by Harry Beckwith.