Surviving Entrepreneurship Book
I am in the process of writing a book called "Surviving Entrepreneurship" which will be released at the end of this year. Below is a rough draft of the chapter outlines. Do you think I am missing anything significant?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
COMPETITION
Know Your Competitors (But Do Not Obsess Over Them) - Chapter on what is essential to know about your competition and what is irrelevant
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Gather, Analyze, Repeat - Chapter on how to develop proper data collection processes and how to analyze the data to obtain meaningful information
FINANCE
Adapt and Cut Your Losses - Chapter on why it is essential to not base decisions on sunk costs but on market conditions.?Pivotal when necessary.?
Forget About Walmart - Chapter on why you should avoid targeting a few big clients and focus on several small ones instead
Have a Frugal Mindset - Chapter on why it is essential to control all finances.
Minimize Uncle Sam's Bill - Chapter on how to minimize your personal and business tax liabilities
Pay Yourself? First - Chapter on why you must make sure to pay yourself first.
Plan For The Worst (Build A Long Runway) - Chapter on why you need to minimum your expenses (burn rate) in order to extend your timeline (runway).
HEALTH
An Apple A Day Plus A Good Bed - Chapter on why you need to take care of your health (diet, exercise, and regular doctor visits) And good sleeping habits
Enjoy the Water - Chapter on why you should take vacations with your spouse / kids - two separate ones if possible,?One with just spouse, the other with spouse and kids
Give Your Dog Ball-Time - Chapter on why you need to take time to relax everyday?
Success is Meaningless if You Can Not Share It - Chapter on why it is imperative?to make the spend regular time with loved ones and attending important events with them
Turn It Off - Chapter on why it is imperative you turn off your phone and computer during meals and your downtime
MARKETING
Be Social (But Not to Everyone) - Chapter on why you need to embrace social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) yet limit your circle of friends and connections.
Build Brand Ambassadors - Chapter defining?what a "Ambassador" is and why they are essential to marketing your brand
MINDSET
"I Do Not Know" Is OK - Chapter on why it is important to be totally honest with people.?No one knows everything.?But you can find someone who does.
Be A Turtle - Chapter on why it makes sense to have slow steady properly controlled growth.?Small and stable is better than large and chaotic.
Continuous Improvement - Chapter on why it is important to create a MVP (minimum viable product) then launch then enhance / perfect.
Could Be Anyone - Chapter on why it is important to consider comments, feedback, and suggestions from anyone (employees - CEO to Janitor), customers, competitors, supplier, contractors, etc.
Criticism is Crucial - Chapter on how to use feedback from critics into better product / service offerings
Cut the Deadwood - Chapter on why it is important to eliminate employees and clients / customers that no longer provide you great value.?This can include good clients that can be replaced with better ones.
Dress the Part - Chapter on why dressing properly (even when working from home) is important to your success.
Fail Your Way To Success - Chapter on how learning from failure helps you ultimately succeed
Feed Your Brain - Chapter on why you need to continuously learn (education, seminars, reading)
Focus on the End Game - Chapter on the importance of first determining what your ultimate goals are and why they are important?
Focus on the Exit - Chapter on why it is imperative you do not fall in love with your business.?Grow it to sell it.
Give And Receive - Chapter on the benefits of both mentoring others and being mentored yourself.
God Comes First - Chapter on why you should always operate in a manner that is pleasing to God.
领英推荐
Good, Bad, or Indifferent - Chapter on why it is essential to practice radical transparency in your business (start by defining what it is)
Jump Out of the Plane - Chapter on why you need to face and conquer your fears - get out of your comfort zone
Needs vs. Wants - Chapter on why you should focus on your needs instead of wants?And how to determine the difference.
Read, Read, Read (But Not That Trash) - Chapter on why it is essential to read often, what you should be reading, and what you should avoid
Status or Success? - Chapter on why chasing status is futile and how it impact your likelihood of success
NEGOTIATION
Concessions Are Beneficial? - Chapter on why you need to make concessions in negotiations and how it will benefit you in the long run
That Is Not Good Enough - Chapter on why you should negotiate everything (and I do mean everything)
PERSEVERANCE
Asking 1100 Times Lead to a Yes - Chapter on why being persistent in essential to your success
PRODUCTIVITY
A 50 Foot Commute - Chapter on the immense benefits of working remotely (whenever possible)
Be The Dumbest Person in the Room - Chapter on the considerable benefits of surrounding yourself with very smart people
Celebrate Often - Chapter on why celebrations increase employee morale and productivity
Outsource When Possible - Chapter on why outsourcing?is important to increased productivity (include schools - internships, work credit, etc.)?plus services like Fivrr, Thumbtack, etc.
Short Bursts of Interrupted Focus (With Frequent Breaks) - Chapter on the benefits of working 50 minutes without interruptions and then taking 10 minute breaks
QUALITY
Know Your Stake Holders - Chapter that defines typical stake holder(s) and their role in your organization and life
Stake Holder Updates (Frequent and Honest) - Chapter on why communicating often and honestly with all your stake holders (employees, board members, suppliers, customers, the communities in which you operate, etc.) is highly beneficial
Surpass Expectations - Chapter on why it is vital to not just meet but exceed customer expectations
STARTING OUT
Are You Properly Structured - Chapter on the pros and cons of various entity structures in the United States
Do Not Burn Your Ships - Chapter on why you should not immediately quit your current job and go all in
Public or Private - Chapter on whether or not you should stay private or go public
Starting A Startup - Chapter on an overview of what being an entrepreneur is all about.
TIME MANAGEMENT
1,440 Daily Opportunities - Chapter on the importance of proper time management and how it leads to numerous opportunities
Eat Frogs for Breakfast - Chapter on why you should do your hardest most unpleasant tasks early in the day
Get This Straight - Chapter on why it is important to be organized
Just Stop - Chapter on why you need to set work boundaries (do not work weekends, holidays, 16 hour days)
Minimal Meetings - Chapter on why a meeting must have a purpose, be short, and stay on point.?Also must provide real value.
One Thing at a Time - Chapter on why multi-tasking is counter productive to your success.
Quitting is Essential to Your Success - Chapter on why quitting bad habits is vital to effective time management
Experienced project coordinator and marketing professional specializing in finance, client relations, leadership, digital marketing strategies and communications.
2 年Steven, thanks for sharing!
CFO / Co-Founder at Desired Email, LLC
2 年Thank you. Will let you know when the book is available
CFO @Chris Harp Construction
2 年Looks good. I’m excited for the final draft.