Business Money Books

I was hoping to find much more detail on how to start this business and more best practices. I went through the entire book in about 30 minutes and did not learn one thing. If you know how to start and run a small business and just want detailed specifics about debt collections this is not the book for you. It seems more about starting a business in general with just a hint of debt collection.

I bought this book hoping to get some really good information about opening a collection agency and what I received was an incredibly simplified book. There's a chapter on "collection terms" like "pay" and "debt" etc. The font is at least 24 type and includes mostly general information that can be applied to any business. I hate trashing books, but I have to say that this was money wasted.

Nicely laid out, easy to read and informative. Good book for beginning agencies.

There is a lot to like about Michelle Dunn's second edition of Starting A Collection Agency. First it is written by someone who really is an expert and knows her stuff. Although she had lots of credit manager experience, she had never worked in a collection agency when she decided to run one herself. Through trial and error and lots of hard work and study, she became successful and later sold the business so she could work full-time on her writing and consulting. She gives practical advice with lots of forms,letters, and checklists to use. In addition, she gives many websites and references for people in the field to contact. She has formed her own website for networking and discussions so that people new to the field can get information that took her years to collect. Her personality shines through and one can tell that she loves this kind of work. She is generous with her information and she really wants her readers to succeed. I highly recommend this book to people who want to start a collection agency. but it is also interesting to anyone who wants to know more about the collection process. I also loved the cover photo which consists of stacks of money.

This book is supposed to combine two subjects: collecting and starting a small business. I was looking for more information about collecting and I suspect some viewers may be more interested in information about starting a small business.

The author's style is conversational, but maybe too much so; the book is riddled with errors that indicate that it was not professionally edited, but that alone isn't too bad. I actually like the folksy tone of the book, but the author confuses the issue by switching between being your friend and selling you other goods and services from her consultancy. Indeed, she is shameless about failing to cover a subject, instead referring you to her other works...at an additional fee. It is also very self-congratulatory without the substance to back it up, which is a real turn-off for me.

This book was not very helpful to me in learning more about collections; in fact, I have since read two other books that were less than half the price and many times superior to this one in that regard. If you don't know collections, get a collections book for much less money.

As an accountant and small business consultant, I can say that if you looking for more information about starting a small business this is not your book. It is very weak, and chapters are often one or two pages, sometimes merely listings of information (such as the respective secretaries of state) that a two-minute Google research stint could unearth. If you want to learn more about starting a small business, many books with real coverage of that topic could be had much cheaper.

All in all, this book was extremely weak on covering either topic. Its information should have been condensed into a single chapter for one of her other books, or else the information from the other books should have been included in this volume. You can imagine how badly I wish I had my forty dollars back.

Ever wondered where the suit and tie brigade known as corporate lawyers originate their quirky self-image? Well look no further. Lincoln Caplan's "Skadden..." is undoubtedly a modern legal classic up there with Michael Stewarts "The Partners". Delving inside the history of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom LLP is congruent to understanding the changed corporate world. From Joe Flom's initial proxy battles and rivalry with Marty Lipton to multi-billion dollar, cross-border transactions to the evolution of the new breed of corporate law firm. Skadden's history is inseparable from that of Wall Street and business in the US since its post-World War II founding and as a consequence is a must for all those interested in business as well as those interested in a legal career. A great no holes barred look into the modern law firm.

Mr. Caplan has gracefully provided readers with an exquisite portrait of the life and times of a twentieth century law firm. Compelling and balanced, the book joyfully tracks the highs and lows of a group of "young turks" who have defined what it means to be a lawyer in corporate America. I am grateful to Mr. Caplan for the time he put into this project, as it gives tremendous insight to law students as to how a law firm operates and what the culture of a law firm embodies. This book is worth reading, worth printing and well worth recommending. Caplan's Tenth Justice, his recording of the Office of Solicitor General is brilliant as well. Joe Flom and Sheila Birnbaum and the rest of the Skadden crew can rest easy as the bard who records their triumphs and tribulations does so with zest and intelligence.

Skadden is an excellent history of both the rise of the modern law firms as well as one of those firms which epitomized that movement. Lincoln Caplan uses an indepth analysis of the practice, politics and people of Skadden Arps to analyze how and why law firms, which had traditionally been small parterships have since grown into businesses as large and competitive as many of the corporations they represent. The story is very well written and insightful and it is obvious that Caplan did extensive research both inside the firm and in legal libraries. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in legal history and it is a good insider's guide to people who do not have experience in a law firm, but are considering working in one or are simply curious what goes in them.

There's usually something important to be learned by the absent minded habits of the great and powerful. This book includes one about Joe Flom: He likes to fill the margins of his notes with tightly wound, intricate geometric patters that are uniquely his own design. The author doesn't read much more into it, but there's no reason we readers can't. According the author, Mr. Flom can also be a little brusque in private.

For law students in particular, this book is a good dose of reality if they are wondering what it's really like to work in a big firm. Interesting critique of the usefulness of this book: I recently asked a Skadden associate (not in their NY office) how he liked this book, and he had not read it. He had to look it up on the firm's website to determine what I was talking about. So this book can help the non-Skadden population understand the Skadden firm perhaps better than the firm understands itself. That would be the ultimate tribute to the author, and a Delphic oracle to Skadden's leadership.

Since reading this, I cannot help thinking of Joe Flom whenever I'm trapped in some boring meeting, or sidelined in court, waiting for my case to be called. "Can I doodle as well as him?" I ask myself. Then the case is called, or the meeting accelerates, and--poof!--the evanescent reminder of old Joe Flom disappears along with it.

Sick of reading titles that are meant to impart wisdom on how I could be a better lady rather than a better business woman, I admit to a certain hesitancy regarding first purchasing amBITCHous... All of my concerns were for naught -- by the time I finished the introduction, Dr. Condren had a new fan.

I've always considered myself an ambitious woman -- but I immediately recognized some of the problems that the case studies in this book exemplified: I've stepped down from taking credit for things I've done, I have felt myself emotionally battered by those who wish to "steal my thunder," and -- goodness knows -- I've battled with the idea that I am a bad mother, woman, person for wanting a career as much (or sometimes more than) my male counterparts.

Just recognizing those conflicts would've made this book a keeper. But by adding tools and suggestions for overcoming them? Like I said... Dr. Condren has a new fan.

-- Nadia Cornier
CEO, COO, CFO, janitor, mother, author and anything else you can think of
Firebrand Literary
[...]

I thought this book was an excellent read and I felt very empowered after reading it. I highly recommend this book for any woman at any stage in her career.

I think the author addresses several issues that women encounter. I really, really enjoyed it and I will pass the word about this book.

Ambitchous is Condren's way of describing the double standard facing women. As she puts it, "Ambitious men are go-getters, but ambitious women are bitches."

Through interviews with other women and her work as a business coach, Condren has developed strategies to help women overcome the fear of being ambitious. She bemoans the fact that many advice books suggest that achieving "balance" requires career sacrifices. Nonsense, she says. Putting your career ambitions first makes you a better person, she argues, because you will be a happier one. "You must regard your deepest career aspirations as unconditionally sacrosanct," she writes.

While the pep talk is inspiring, the real value of this book lies in its concrete tips. She recommends asking for the raise you deserve, claiming credit when it's due, asking for advice from women you respect, and taking regular sabbaticals to make sure you are dreaming big. All of it is great advice.

After hearing Debra Condren interviewed on a podcast about how women undermine their own ambitions, I couldn't wait to read her book. I related to her thesis. Sometimes, out of fear of looking like I have a huge ego, I don't even try to take on projects that I know I'm capable of. In other words, I need to learn how to be a little more ambitchous.

That word is Condren's way of describing the double standard facing women. As she puts it, "Ambitious men are go-getters, but ambitious women are bitches." She illustrates her point with Madonna and Carly Fiorina. Media stories about both of them tend to focus on their faults instead of their accomplishments. (Perhaps we could add Paris Hilton to that list.)

Through interviews with other women and her work as a business coach, Condren has developed strategies to help women overcome the fear of being ambitious. She bemoans the fact that many advice books suggest that achieving "balance" requires career sacrifices. Nonsense, she says. Putting your career ambitions first makes you a better person, she argues, because you will be a happier one. "You must regard your deepest career aspirations as unconditionally sacrosanct," she writes.

While the pep talk is inspiring, the real value of this book lies in its concrete tips. She recommends asking for the raise you deserve, claiming credit when it's due, asking for advice from women you respect, and taking regular sabbaticals to make sure you are dreaming big. All of it is great advice that I plan to incorporate into my life.

And when I'm done with this book, I can think of more than a few friends I'd like to pass it on to.

The data still come in that women earn about 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. 44% of that wage gap can be attributed to WHAT women do (pink collar jobs, taking time to raise children) and a further 18% of the gap was associated with workplace characteristics such as WHERE women work. But the remaining 38% of the wage gap cannot be explained.

Author Condren attempts to teach women skills to bridge that considerable gap. Not since Hardball for Women has someone tried to instruct women how to play the game to win.

The advice covers quite a range, from avoiding self-sabotaging female behavior (submissive, apologetic false modesty) to blowing your own horn, deactivating detractors and saboteurs, acquiring allies, getting coaching and negotiation skills. Landing a job with the right pay can have cascading consequences downstream to the rest of your career, so this is advice you really can't afford to ignore.

I'd say "RECOMMENDED" but I think the right word here is "ESSENTIAL."

I am glad I stumbled upon "Stop Sitting on Your Assets", it is an amazing book that I believe should be picked up by anyone who cares about taking charge of their financial future. I know a lot more now than when I started, am not groping in the dark about concepts of mortgage, equity and real estate. The H.E.R.O. Solution taught me significant financial concepts so that I can be capable of being my own bank -- which is one of the things that author Marian Snow promises. Apart from learning, I have started to apply these principles, and I am reaping the financial rewards. I'd like to give a hefty thanks to Marian Snow for sharing these secrets. It's about time somebody changed Americans think about equity and mortgage.

Very sad and full of danger.
Get rich by writing a book for to help loose your money.

Stop Sitting On Your Assets is far more than just a fun and intriguing title. This book will put you on the course to amass a retirement nest egg that is beyond what you thought possible. Marian Snow provides a clear, concise message with a strong call to action. I have purchased dozens of copies to loan or give my financial planning clients.

I haven't finished the book, but I think I want to raise a question here. Any different thoughts are welcome.

I feel the comparison table on page 26 is questionable. Since Harry did not need to pay mortgage, he could put a total of $240,000 into a side account over the 15 years and let them grow, this will be easily more than double the account at the end. The earning of this side account should be added to Harry's Net Worth. So nobody actually getting ahead.

Who is the winner actually should depends on if the investment outside the mortgage outgrows the mortgage interest (if ignoring the tax benefit to make it simple in the calculation).

I agree the home equity is not safe and illiquid. But saying the side account borrowed from mortgage will definitely outperform is not true to me.

Yes, there is tax benefit. But outside account needs to pay capital gains too. Insurance policies? I need to dig into this more, but at least you need to pay the insurance premium. There is no free lunch really.

For whom who wants to take out mortgage to buy life insurance policy, think a little deeper before doing so, at least for me.

I'm an avid reader and have ordered dozens of books through Amazon, but this is the first one I've taken the time to write a review for, because I believe this book can help others in the same situation I was.

I ordered this book when I was applying for Life Insurance. I wanted to review another reference on creative uses of mortgages and insurance to learn more about them. (I'm working with a financial planner who recommended a particular plan, and has largely focused his practice on Marian Snows' strategy). This book gave me a lot of the information I needed to ask my agent questions about my financial plan. In fact, he was impressed with my questions and wanted the name of this book.

This is a very easy to read book, with plenty of understandable illustrations as examples. I have also found it to be very objective, discussing the tradeoffs. The intent of this book is clearly educational- there's no hidden agenda or bias that I can detect. The author has credentials from 20 years in the financial field.

Will know in a month or two when I do the actual Will papers.. and will probably update with more at that time.. looks pretty good so far..

Overall the Will and Trust kit is very easy to use. It is a bit glitchy on the Mac, but when I switched to the PC I was able to produce all the documents I needed. What I like most is that after creating the Trust document, the program walked me through funding the trust. It does not matter how much you know about Wills and Trusts, all you need to know is who you want to get what when you die. As a bonus you get the Living Will document. This is something I wish my father had when he was sick and finally died.

The software does not give enough info about what this software is capable of doing. For example, I found out in the middle of interview questions that the software can not do AB trust. THis makes this software totally useless.

This is okay for people who have never been exposed to wills or trusts. Does not allow you edit easily or transfer docs to legal size etc like Willmaker. I'm sure it has to do with compromising their advice but you just don't have any leeway whereas other programs flat out tell you that if you modify their language it's your responsibility. Probably ok if you know NOTHING about trusts and still want to investigate doing them yourself. I expected more.

It is more fun to eat live snails than to sit down and do trusts and wills, not to mention the dreaded Advanced Directive.

Everyone puts off this very necessary chore because they know that going to an attorney is expensive and that all this is necessary because of death, a subject we avoid when possible.

Now there are many software programs that promise to make it possible for many people to do this work at home and without the expense of an attorney. Be aware, though, that attorneys say that people trying to do it themselves can make expensive mistakes and that the fee for professional services is money well spent.

I suspect that many people with uncomplicated estates can probably do ok with a software program, but that complicated estates really need an attorney. The question of what is fairly simple and what is complicated can only be answered by the individual.

Even if you have doubts about doing it yourself, it makes sense to get a program and do it anyway. You will know the kind of questions you have to answer and generally get an idea of the process. Then you can go to an attorney with some backround that will make the process easier, maybe saving an hour or three of expensive attorney time.

The Orman program is heavily advertised and Suze herself is kind of a celebrity. It is also reasonably priced and the advertisements seemed realistic. I went with Suze and successfully filled everything out, got the appropriate forms witnessed and notarized and copies sent to relatives, doctors and hospitals. Felt a lot better afterward as I am sure most people do.

A will is like having a colonoscopy. Everyone knows they should have one, but put it off as long as possible. I was forced into action because I was facing a serious time in the hospital and thought that if I left feet first, that my wife and kids would have a terrible time dealing with stuff a will would make easier. All turned out well, but I am really glad I did the paperwork and do not have to think about it unless things change.

The advanced directive, in case some people don't know, is a legal document that allows a hospital to cut off life support when you are brain dead in case your spouse is not available to give the word. This is not an uncommon occurrence as you could both be dead or incapacitated in a crash, for example. You can be free to go without interference from politicians who think they can raise the dead or from relatives who can't make the decision. Doctors know when it is time.

The Orman program is probably about as simple as it can be, but it deals with legalities, life and death, money and real estate and other property. That is all hard stuff. Attorneys will likely charge close to $2000 to do this because it takes hours of work. So, it is not an easy even for professionals. I managed to complete everything in about five hours. Those that have used tax software will find the process familiar.

Suze gives you stuff to read and also does a voice-over in some cases. Other experts also chime in now and then. I thought this was going to be annoying, but actually found it to be useful. I do suggest earphones or decent speakers if you are forced to operate in a noisy environment.

In California, at least, some of the forms need to be witnessed and notarized. The witnesses cannot be beneficiaries, so you have to get two strangers to sign some ominous documents for someone they do not know. I was lucky to find a couple in the hair salon next door to the notary. This is not the fault of Orman, but still you have to line people up. You might call the notary for advice. Stupid requirement.

There are multiple forms, several pages each. You need to make copies for relatives, your doctor and hospitals. That adds up to a lot of copies and a lot of paper that needs to be accurately collated. I suggest you get a stapler and a bunch of manila mailers that are addressed.

You also need cover letters. For example, the copy of the advanced directive that goes to your doctors should have a cover letter explaining that you are sending the directive so it will be in their files in case the need should arise to use it some day.

I also emailed my relatives and told them their will and directive copies were coming and what my general expectations were. I guess it is more traditional to keep it a secret until the end. Depends, I suppose.

Oh, and one of the forms is a narrative that details the disposition of your property. For example, you could say that aunt Mary gets your collection of pornographic statues, Uncle Bill gets the tv and so on.

So, it took me all day to complete the program, get witnesses and notary, collate and mail everything. That is about as fast as possible I think. Afterward, I felt relieved and accomplished. I had more than one drink in celebration.

There is nothing as nice as getting nagging odious tasks done. And the colonoscopy saved my life, so there.

I gave Suze five stars. I have not compared her program to any of the others. The legal requirements are the same and I figure Orman is in a position to hire competent legal and technical people. There is no way to know if everything will go smoothly for my heirs. One could hire an attorney to look it over and that shouldn't take too long.

The program does a good job of guiding you through a complex procedure. You still have to make decisions, of course, but the fact that this all went smoothly and everything printed was very impressive. This was done on a Mac, which is good since programs like this are usually ported to Windows first. Now that Macs also run Windows makes it even more likely to work for you on any computer.

I am impressed with this program and recommend it. I doubt that there is any way to make a will/trust/directive program any easier and I trust that the people behind it are competent. So, five stars.

This book is a compilation of clichès about making money that serves no purpose. Even if you want self-help literature you might find this too basic. Nothing to see here...

Don't let the amateur graphics on the book cover fool you.

I have ready most self-improvement books for entrepreneurs on the market, and this one stands out. Truly.

The chapters are short, so it's an easy read. Some very unique concepts in here that I've enacted already. This book runs circles around every other book for entrepreneurs. It's a combination of Donald Trump, Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, and John Maxwell.

Best $25 I've spent in years.

Business consultant Steve Chandler and self-made millionaire Sam Beckford present 100 Ways to Create Wealth, a self-improvement guide to mastering the emotional and personal aspects of earning a respectable living. 100 Ways to Create Wealth lives up to its title by offering valuable tips, tricks, techniques, and attitudes to adopt; all suggestions are quite general and applicable to individuals enacting any business plan or enterprise. The recommendations, each of which is spared a few pages of discussion, include "Don't be a Wealth Wannabe", a warning against getting sucked into false moneymaking schemes such as pyramid scandals or dubious popular real estate trends; "Know Your Customer Better", an encouragement to focus on what the customer needs and stay in a positive mindframe rather than focus on one's own shortcomings; and "Open an Easy-Earned Money Account", which suggests creating a bank account solely for the money one didn't have to sweat bullets to obtain, and use that money to pay for guilt-free luxuries. An excellent supplemental guide for anyone going into business for themselves or otherwise looking to get ahead, without leaving principles or quality of life behind.

"100 Ways to Create Wealth" is the third in Steve Chandler's "100 Ways Triology." Steve and Sam Beckford collaborate again to provide the reader with inspiration, wit, and motivation. They draw on experience from their own careers for stories as well as using illustrations from their clients and from those who have coached them along their journey to success.

The book is packed with action steps to take to think like an entrepreneur, ways to invest your energy, providing transformative direction. These steps will help you, whether you are on your own way to your first million dollar success story, or well along that journey to becoming a multimillionaire. I personally gained new creative insights that will help me put into practice Steve and Sam's powerful principles.

The format of the book lends itself to a quick perusal, reading for specific personal application. It is a book I want to keep as a ready reference, available as a stimulating resource. This is must reading for anyone wanting to produce and benefit from the advantages of wealth. "100 Ways to Create Wealth" is a very positive reading experience.

The typical Steve Chandler book takes some things you already know and expresses them in a pithy and effective manner, and takes a few that you don't know and amplifies them in the same pithy and succinct manner. Those new thoughts invariably make you sit up, wrinkle your brow, and evaluate carefully. Dale Carnegie said "The ideas I stand for are not mine. I borrowed them from Socrates. I swiped them from Chesterfield. I stole them from Jesus. And I put them in a book. If you don't like their rules, whose would you use?" Well Steve does the same thing, which sounds simple, but is really quite difficult. He looks carefully at the world and offers you some ideas about how you can do better in whatever piece of it you are in.

I am not an entrepreneur, nor am I in a business where I can be promoted or hope to advance my career. I'm staying where I am, and happily doing so. Yet even for me there are many useful tidbits scattered around, little provokers to make me say "Hmmm, that's interesting." I'll focus on one tale which captures the spirit of their thinking. Sam Beckford is the owner of a string of music and dance studios. He was at a conference where the other participants were mostly martial arts studio owners. As they mentioned the size of their student bodies, the answers came "100," "175," "200." When Sam's turn came, he said "3000." Now every one there was at this conference looking for ways to increase their enrollment. Yet though they had a guy who had done precisely what they were hoping to do, no one came up to Sam and asked him what the heck he was doing. Their resource was the official program, the thing they had paid for. Staring them in the face was a resource that they knew had accomplished something, yet they ignored it. How often do we look at the established, designated, or approved sources, and not open our eyes to the data available to us?

I always enjoy Steve's mix of autobiography and humor peppered with quotes from innumerable great thinkers. And I like how he and Sam break the ideas presented into concrete pieces. I truly believe that nearly every problem, no matter how enormous, is just a collection of small problems, and solving the big one means solving the small ones in the proper sequence. Nice discrete ideas, small, implementable, and tidy, make this a book well worth reading.

This book is a must have for those taking the necessary steps to a bright financial future. This book provided necessary information on all aspects of investment clubs from startup to management. I highly recommend this book.

The author based this book on the official gude from the National Association of Investors Corporation, which is like the bible to organize investment clubs. But this book adds a lot of practical experience from other investment clubs that the official guide doesn't have. Go ahead and buy it if you are thinkiing of getting a good hold in organizing your investment club.

Let's face it. Personal finance is a drag. So many books, so much advice, and so much confusion. That is until you read the Millionaire's Club. Surprisingly, the author Brown does an excellent job. I say surprisingly because most personal finance writers seem to be just as dense as the very books that they keep churning out to the general public. Brown's book, however is short, clear and helpful. She's a straight shooter that believes in serving up no fuss and no muss personal finance. Millionaire's Club has got to be one of the best how-to investment club books currently on the market. I should know. I started an investment club three weeks after reading the book.

churning out.do a poor job of explaining difficult of little to of cutting through the morass of information involved in started starting ersonal finance jargon boiling down difficult concepts and Starting an investment club is Brown's book is not original, but it certainly is