Created by BFuniv.com (contact me)
Allan R. Wallace trains visionaries.
Allan is Rector of Bastiat Free University and Junior Partner Ministries. He is also author of Speculation Rules.... (more...)
Well Begun Is Half Finished - but you have to begin!
Our doubts are traitors
and make us lose the good we oft might win,
by fearing to attempt
Shakespeare
Define and achieve your own success.
"Liberty consists in doing what one desires." - John Stuart Mill
Arturo came into the dock early one morning with his small boat full of lovely fish, one for himself, others to sell. Bill, an Ivy League MBA on vacation, saw Arturo return to the dock while all the other fishermen were still out with almost empty boats.
Bill asked about Arturo, everyone agreed that Arturo was the best fisherman on the coast.
Bill walked down to Arturo and asked how he spent his days. Arturo said he fished a bit in the morning, went home to spend some time with his wife and play with his kids, then in the evening Arturo met his friends at a local restaurant for songs and games.
Bill got excited and proposed a partnership. Together they would build a fleet of ships that would benefit from Arturo's knowledge. They would Move to a big city, and later run offices and fleets around the world.
Arturo asked about the future beyond the world wide ventures. Bill expounded on the glories of the great cities and high society, finishing with the statement that when Arturo decided he was ready to retire he could go anywhere and do anything he wanted. Bill asked what Arturo would do with such a fine retirement.
Arturo replied, " I would fish a bit in the morning, go home to spend some time with my wife and play with the kids, then in the evening I would meet my friends at a local restaurant for songs and games."
And Arturo walked away.
Which are the best business books for budding entrepreneurs?
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Start your business with your own business idea today - keep learning how to improve it for the rest of your life. Gaining wisdom within your passions can become a 24/7/365 adventure.
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurma
Rate the following books by clicking arrows. Add a personal favorite start-up business book you want to share. Make this business book list a resource to assist emerging entrepreneurs searching for answers.
Be sure to click on the books you have not yet read to take a closer look, or to purchase from Amazon.
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
Get the edge to start your business ahead of the m more...2 points
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
The subtitle of this great book is "why most more...2 points
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson
The future of business, and the best opportunities more...1 point
Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised by Napoleon Hill
A classic, credited by many as powerful in their s more...1 point
See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition by Zig Ziglar
Zig was the source for "You can have anything more...1 point
The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey
Read it -- do it.1 point
Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out by Farrah Gray, Fran Harris
A remarkable teenager who went from public assista more...1 point
StartupNation : America's Leading Entrepreneurial Experts Reveal the Secrets to Building a Blockbuster Business by Jeff Sloan
There is no mistaking this book for a business sch more...0 points
Weekend Entrepreneur: 101 Great Ways to Earn Extra Cash by Michelle Anton
Do you want to start slow and careful?0 points
Fired Up!: How the Best of the Best Survived and Thrived After Getting the Boot by Harvey Mackay
This common malady may become an epidemic.0 points
Small Business Ideas For The Internet
"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals." - Larry Bird
* Your competition is getting on the net.
* Google maps now points out local businesses.
* All the search engines are starting to reference local business in a more logical manner.
* Your customers use the net to get information.
* Did I mention your competition is on the net or thinking about it?
There is a learning curve to getting effective net coverage. This is not like the yellow pages - although for some of you it may be bigger.
There is a value to having bought and used your online name in terms of how the search engines will treat you. Pick your name and get something up today, you can re-do it next year if you wish. Web names are like wine - a little age is a good thing.
While one will come to the door to sell you a standard internet business format. There are kids and professors at the local college that can get you started for little money - or you can build yourself a quality online presence for very little cash, just some time.
Perhaps you are already busy landscaping, drilling teeth, selling real estate, or doing lawyer stuff. There is a good do it for you option that will not cost too much and profit too little -- SiteSell Services may be for you. SiteSell services can also help if you have a web site, but it is not bringing you clients.
If you use other Internet professionals - expect to pay what you would for any professional services. A great web master is part advertiser, copywriter, public relations agent, and web navigation specialist. If your site is done right - your customer will enjoy the site just as much as the search engines.
If you want to do it yourself; investigate here and now, or click to one of these free internet business creation and training courses in pdf format:
* Professional Service Sellers Internet Course
* WAHM, Work At Home Moms, with case studies (ok for dads too, it is about starting an at home internet based business)
* Write For The Internet - tools, tricks, and techniques
As the Cluetrain Manifesto declared; your customers are human, to succeed you must deal with them as humans.
Think of it this way - when your customer is on your site he has chosen you. You have his undivided attention to communicate with him.
Make that time valuable for your customer.
the #1 idea for your business success
"If you wish to prosper,
let your customer prosper."
Bastiat
Start Your Own Business -- Part Time
Not everyone wants to start an entrepreneurial enterprise. You may just want to earn extra money while learning new skills.
You education, training, passions, hobbies, interests, or creative ideas are a great starting point.
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
Amazon Price: $10.15 (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $12.95
The 4-Hour work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $24.95
Make Money Teaching Online: How to Land Your First Academic Job, Build Credibility, and Earn a Six-Figure Salary
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $24.95
The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Making Money from Home, Revised 2nd Edition: Choosing the Business That's Right for You Using the Skills and Interests You Already Have (Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide)
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $15.95
The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $21.95
Once you have started your business - persist.
Entrepreneurial success can come with your first business venture, or your third - you will need to cultivate the drive to persist until success.
The key to success once your own business is started is to keep learning. Cultivate your natural abilities.The act of starting or growing a business is a valuable education. Using your own business idea to start your own business will be a less expensive education than attending a brick and mortar college - and you can learn more useful and actionable information.
You can also create an income using your entrepreneurial business idea, instead of deferring income while in school.
If you are not ready to start with your own business idea -- choose one of these inexpensive and thoughtful business ideas discussed at Speculation Rules. Most of these business ideas come with a bit of e-mail follow-up training to keep you on track. "The hardest thing about getting started is getting started." - unknown
A person that graduates with a business degree and is hired into a corporation has not failed, they have completed a step toward their definition of success.
An entrepreneur that shuts down a failed business and then starts a new business has likewise completed a step toward becoming free to live life by their own rules.
Take your prototype on the road and sell it, if there is demand build a company to support it. You can learn or hire MBA methodologies later.
Your start-up business will have a steep learning curve. Start your first business small and manageable; making your mistakes as inexpensive as possible. Wait to "ramp up" your business until you are sure of the demand. Then persist.
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." -Thomas Edison
It will not be easy. This is not a get rich quick scheme, this is business!
Your business.
Your chances of success as an entrepreneur increase if the business idea you develop is based on passions that drive you. Create what is for you a natural enterprise and you can make a very good income - while enjoying the journey.
The Direction Of Business
entertaining video with a nice "Twilight Zone" twist about the future
Think about the future of your business idea. ( if it fails to load quickly click the comments button)
Day of the Longtail
Movie Trailer: In celebration of the publication of Chris Anderson's book, "The Long Tail," The old world of media faces an invasion from another planet. The horror. The horror. (By Michael Markman, Peter Hirshberg, Bob Kalsey; Produced for The Computer History Museum)
Runtime: 2:13
429188 views
10 Comments:
What is your dream business?
Where do your passions intersect with other's needs?
Don't compliment me if you want your comment saved; offer an additional idea to help small business owners. Or tell us about your business, the one you own, or the one you want to start.
"It is no use saying 'We are doing our best.' You have to succeed in doing what is necessary." - Winston Churchill
Your personal liberty will arrive when you solve problems for folks that are willing and able to pay for your product. Listen to what people say they want; try it, and adapt it.
| poddys
Nice lens, lots of useful information. It's still very much necessary to find your niche though... still looking for mine... Posted May 05, 2008 |
| BFuniv.com
Shair, Yes, I've made a bit of money with Squidoo - all of it going to Bastiat Free University. The major value is not the per lens income, it is the outbound links, Google juice for other sites, and for many a significant affiliate income. Check out Captain Squid's blog to see what hard work can yield -- and Captain Squid is still growing fast. Posted May 03, 2008 |
|
Profit-Machine
is it worth to start squidoo lens for business have any one earn anything BFuniv have you earned something so far web hosting lee Posted May 03, 2008 |
| NightSquid
Hi Allan Posted May 03, 2008 |
| beachbum_gabby
my dream business is about web development. Nice lens and lots of information. Posted April 21, 2008 |
|
Photochopper
Good info and resources. I especially loke the qoutes. Posted April 15, 2008 |
| WENDYSRASCALS
Without question businesses have benefited from use of the Internet. Love the Arturo story, it wouldn`t surprise me if it was true. Posted March 30, 2008 |
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Tom_Antion
Great lens! Love the information. Please visit my The Great Public Speaking Shoppe right here on squidoo. Get great deals for all my stuff on eBay and be the best speaker you can be! -TOM Posted March 26, 2008 |
| samie-wilson
this is really cool.. Posted March 13, 2008 |
| samie-wilson
hmmm..i'm starting to think of a business to start.. Thanks for sharing info. Posted March 13, 2008 |
|
janetwilkinson
An inspriational lens, Thank You Posted March 08, 2008 |
|
the-secret
I love your lens. Very informative. You might like my free marketing tips at Achieve Success On The Web. You'll find them when you scroll down on this page http://www.achievesuccessontheweb.com/ Posted March 02, 2008 |
|
sara08852
Don't you love Larry Bird's definition of winner? Posted February 25, 2008 |
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natdg
Good lens. True, persistence is important. So we have believe in our selves and our capacities to push our limits. Posted February 20, 2008 |
| amanda-outsource
this lens is really helpful..it contain valuable content.Really useful for beginners in business..or for those who are starting up a business of their own. Anyway, my lens is also, related to yours, check it out if you have time. here it is: Employee leasing solutions Posted February 18, 2008 |
| RedMarketeer
Thanks for sharing this valuable stuff. I know success doesn't come easy and cheap. If we want succees we have to earn it. Nobody will lay the golden eggs for us. So thanks again and hopefully if you have free time you could check out my Top Paying Affiliate Program lens. Posted February 17, 2008 |
A great news and very great precaution. Thanks for promoting wonderful topic in your lens.
This is really a hard job to quit. Earlier, I tried once but was not successful to control on my Addictions,i am trying to quit this habit. Anyhow, as I have changed bit, I wish the regular decline in this habit ,,,,,
I would also want to introduce to you about Addictions recovery lens which helps for your Addictions problems.
Thanks.
Posted February 13, 2008
|
CarlaFox
I see you have "Think and Grow Rich" on your book list. I try and tell everyone that they MUST read that book. I've read it and listened to the audio tapes and read it again. Oh, and I've implemented what it says. Start by writing stuff down. Like you said, "..you have to begin." Posted February 09, 2008 |
| VestRite
Nice resources! Persisting is so important. I know that when creating my online home based business, I couldn't give up! There is no upfront money that just spills in the door. It's a lot of hard work! Posted February 07, 2008 |
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Your_Profit_Coach
Great lens whcih I enjoyed reading. Posted February 07, 2008 |
|
MarcNorris
The part on persistence really got to me. I can remember starting my first website almost seven years ago, and today after a lot of persistence and challenges, I finally was able to let my "real life" job go. Posted January 31, 2008 |
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