Business Money Books

I would recommend this book only to the complete novice to angel and venture investing. I was hoping for more details regarding the angel investing process. One thing it teaches, though, is that angel investors are much less sophisticated and organized than professional venture capitalists (the way I understood it). What it feels like is a collection of experiences with the interpretation left mostly to the reader. Great if that's what you're looking for.

A real gem! In over 35 years as a serial entrepreneur, investment banker and angel investor, I've come across dozens of books addressing various aspects of raising money, writing a business plan and/or finding investors. Most rehash existing theories and consolidate existing sources of research and advice on the topic. Brian and Dee have done a remarkable job of gathering fresh information through direct interviews, original essays and new surveys. The result is a truly enlightening, useful and very readable work which should become The Bible for anyone thinking of starting a business, financing an existing one, or investing as an angel themselves.

A must read even for someone just interested in learning more about Angel Investing, a little known area of our economy which just happens to be one of the most powerful drivers of our free enterprise system.

Bob Geras,
President
LaSalle Investments Incorporated

I am planning a new business, and payed for this book, along with express shipping, since it is very topical. I feel cheated since the book is completely worthless. My only consolation is writing this review.

There is not enough information in this book to make a newspaper article. Aside from very short interviews with Angels that are scattered randomly among the pages, the book consists of constant repitition of a few very simple ideas:

1. Angels invest their own money, VC invest other peoples
2. Some Angels may be able to help you with your business. Some may not.
3. Don't waste potential investors time, make sure your business plan is short and reasonable.

Thats the whole book. Many other reviewers (who signed themselves "A Reader") praised this book. I have to question their impartiality.

If you are planning a new business and looking for investors, I can offer you some free and valuable advice. Don't waste your time reading this book.

"The complexity of business in economically demanding times makes finding constructive angels that much more challenging. The advice and tips in Attracting Capital from Angels are, therefore, invaluable. The wisdom offered here is not just for start-ups or neophytes, but is a well-timed companion to already existing resources and approaches to helping a business in all phases of development. It's also a great manual for people who want to share their knowledge (and invest capital) as an angel. I plan to recommend Attracting Capital from Angels to every entrepreneur I run into in the future who asks for mentoring sources. Great job!" (Bob Bozeman, General Partner, Angel Investors, LP)

How to find angel investors, how to approach them, what they look for, why they invest - it's all here. Not just one person's opinion, "Attracting Capital" is based on solid research and interviews with over 30 accredited investors. If you only buy one book on angel investors, make sure it's this one.

"This program works. I give you my word on that," Jerry Mundis writes in the introduction. And I believe him. Although the focus is an inward journey towards changing our relationship with money, it's not a book that one just reads and puts on the bookshelf but works in order to get the most benefit from it. It contains both insights and practical exercises that bring changes in our attitudes and then our actions towards money.

The chapters are divided into different areas of our relationship with money--debt, spending, generosity, vision, etc.--with each chapter containing essays, exercises and then quotations, anecdotes or meditations on that particular area. This book seems to take off where Mundis's first book, "How To Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt and Live Prosperously", left off. I found his first book to be more matter-of-fact with a 12 step program foundation for debtors and only a relatively small amount of space dedicated to the attitude changing or more spiritual aspects of money problems. "Making Peace with Money" addresses debt in the first chapter but then is more focused on changing inner thoughts and attitudes about money. Therefore it's more useful to a larger number of people, those who may not have a debt problem but want to come to terms with their money relationship.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the last chapter that addresses special circumstances such as being out of work or problems with being able to spend money on oneself, what the author calls 'Anorectic Spending'.

I think this book would be especially useful to the person with serious debt problems when coupled with Mundis's other two books, "Getting Out of Debt,..." and "Earn What You Deserve". By diligently doing every practice in these books, one's attitude towards money couldn't help but change. Don't positive attitudes plus positive actions equal positive results? No wonder Mundis guarantees his program.

Every management book has to be considered in light of the need for consultants to avoid offending clients, so at first I had a hard time taking General Motors and Kentucky Fried Chicken seriously as examples of how to motivate workers. BUT...I gave Mr. Katzenbach his chance, and his insights were excellent.

The point of this book is to explain what will motivate people to do their best independent of money. Whether you are a greedy, power hungry executive or a benevolent business leader seeking the happiness of your employees, this book outlines the problems with and approaches to encouraging your workers to do their best. Paying more money isn't a viable option for front-line workers, but encouraging pride in a job well done, team spirit, and a winning tradition cost nothing but effort and sincerity.

As I said, at first it was difficult to understand how GMC could be held up as a role model, but I was missing the point. Mr. Katzenbach is trying to show how good leaders can motivate people even in difficult circumstances, so GMC turns out to be a great place to look for managers succeeding in spite of the environment. The same can be said for why Aetna was used as an example--a company in trouble where some people still moved forward by rallying their troops.

I have seen many of these principles attempted to be used by insincere and manipulative managers with disastrous results (e.g. dramatic downturns in employee morale due to cynicism). If you don't really, really care about your people, you might as well use a whip beause at least they will respect your honesty. I have been a consultant for many years, and take my word for it--executives do not fool the rank and file.

But if you are a leader interested in everyone's welfare, then this book may enlighten you as to what to do. What I particulary liked was the pragmatic orientation of how to make your department or division excel even if the company as a whole was mediocre. Of course, when everyone works hard and becomes hugely productive and successful, don't forget to reward them financially, too!

The title of this book put me off. Why did I want to learn about how appealing to peoples' pride compared to paying them more?

When I got into the book, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the subject is how living in accordance with your values is more motivational than being paid more. I would have read the book much sooner if I had realized that.

The basic point is that focusing on money as a motivational tool causes game-playing where the individual and the organization are pitted against one another. Where the organization and the individual see themselves as living the same values, constructive, mutually supportive behavior follows.

The book has an extensive discussion of what the author learned from his mother and from Marvin Davis, former head of McKinsey & Company. That part could have been a lot shorter.

I was intrigued to read in detail what the author feels is important about Marine training. Many books refer to Marines as having good values, but assume that the reader already has mastered the subject. I found the approach described here to be revealing and helpful.

Many who are stuck in organizations that are not doing well and have limited options will find the examples from General Motors to be valuable for seeing how the desire to do a good job can overcome many obstacles. Like a team that has had a good meeting of the minds at half-time, you can come back to take on all comers before the game is over. It's very fine material.

Unless you like to read lots of cases, how to implement the book's lessons is summarized nicely in an article-length epilogue beginning on page 181. If you already agree with the author's premise, you can start reading there and save a lot of time.

Where else in life are values important? How can you help bring them out in a positive way?

Coincidentally, I read Pride after reading Authentic Happiness, by Martin Seligman. Pride was filled with stories of various interest highlighting why money isn't always the compelling motivator. While I could relate to many of the examples, I was annoyed with his declarative conclusions based on those anecdotes. Seligman's book, on the other hand, was replete with descriptions of studies relating to the value (and power) of positive emotions (aka happiness). Applying what I learned from Seligman, I found Katzenbach more credible. (And Katzenbach will probably sound more credible in the business environment.)

The author does acknowledge the influence of money in motivating people in the US economy. But only for self-serving pride. He says "feelings of pride based upon self-serving or materialistic gains are short-term, transient, and risky..." Money by itself doesn't create pride in the institution. He cites examples with The Home Depot, US Marine Corps and Southwest Airlines and how they create pride in their organizations. Read the five paths offered and a starter list for pride-building when seeking a process to instill greater institution-pride. According to the author, "the secret to success is applying the discipline and focus required to sustain institution-building pride among those employees who make a competitive difference to you." If you think it's all common sense to create pride, why do many organizations try to spend their way to success? Read the last page of the book first. Great story about an organization with lots of pride for 227 years [Semper Fi].

This was a strange book. I'd read Katzenbach's 'Wisdom of Teams' many years ago and really enjoyed it. But I didn't enjoy this book.

I wholeheartedly embrace the sentiments expressed on the flyleaf, such as "pride in one's work ... and in the sense of accomplishment, camaraderie and emotional attachment that comes with it is the key to success ..."

But what did I actually 'learn' from this book that I could take away and use, to change myself or to share with others? The answer is -- nothing. Contrary to the flyleaf, I found it neither "inspirational" nor "practical", just 'light'.

Maybe the 19-page Introduction should have served as a warning, but there was just no substance to the book. If a College Student had turned this in as a paper, then I would have accused them of stringing together a number of disparate stories, but never once did it actually come to any conclusion as to 'why', 'what' or 'how'?

It just relies on the innate 'sensibility' that "show me the money" isn't the answer, but it didn't explain to me what 'is' the answer.

Mr. Jenkins' use of humor and provision of very practical ways of solving financial woes, is dynamic. Using questions that everyday people ask, he addresses issues that are very relevant to today's economic crisis.

I really appreciate Lee Jenkins addressing the Black Community on financial issues. I ordered these books for my nephew in Detroit. I have copies. They really like his writtings. As a Pastor...I share a lot of the information with the congregation...even this morning!
Thanks Lee...we need you!
Pastor Rene' Whimtore
Denver,CO

What is the key to actually making money with your writing? According to Writing for Quick Cash, the answer is perseverance, planning, and putting pen to paper.

So many individuals want to become writers. They know that they have something to say but aren't really sure what to do next. They write an article, a short story, a poem, or a book and send it off to every magazine or publisher they can find. After months of no replies or worse yet a desk full of rejection letters, they get discouraged and give up on their dream. Others never even get a word written on paper before they get discouraged and give up.

Writing for Quick Cash states that there is another alternative. Want to be writers need to continually practice their skills so that their writing improves. They need to build up their clips so that they can move onto bigger projects. Most importantly though, they have to learn to match their writing to suit what a particular editor wants to read.

I can appreciate that 'reading turtle' isn't pleased but after teaching from this approach for roughly 20 years, most recently with online classes, I can tell you it's far from 'an outright lie.' In fact, it works. It's worked for me and for many, many others.

Former students went onto sell successful books to commercial publishers and many dozens more used the course and text (this book) to sell fillers, greeting cards, short and longer feature articles, newspaper pieces, you name it. Others have used it to launch successful freelance endeavors in the business writing realm such as public relations projects, web design businesses, etc.

No where did I imply that by reading only one chapter you can get published, nor that the knowledge in the journalism chapter equals what you get with a bachelor's. It's merely to let the reader know that to get started, this is sufficient. Having more education/experience, of course, always helps but lack of it shouldn't deter any aspiring writer. There's a niche out there for most everyone who wishes to get published.

Most of turtle's complaining has been taken out of context so it makes me really wonder what the motive for offering such a negative review might actually be. Hmmm.

Indeed you can propose a non-credit course fairly quickly. In addition, you can write captions, fillers, and short material, and begin the makings of longer projects quickly as well.

The essence of the "quick cash" approach -- turtle missed this completely -- is that you start small and build your skills from the quicker writing assignments. Therefore, you invest most energy with the greatest opportunity toward getting published fast -- to boost self-esteem as writer AND to boost your bank account.

Turtle is entitled to an opinion, but since my courses have been quite popular, the diatribe seems to reflect the minority opinion. Those who would like to know more about this book are welcome to contact me through my website [...] and I'll be happy to answer any questions. -- Loriann Hoff Oberlin

This book serves as an excellent guide if you are a freelancer looking for outlets for your work. Chapters cover everything from writing tips to query submissions to suggestions on areas to focus your writing for "quick" cash. By quick, I got the sense the author compares writing shorter pieces to perhaps writing a book. A book, she states, not only takes longer to produce, but requires significant publishing and marketing efforts to be financially successful. Writing short pieces and tarketing specific markets has the potential to bring in steady cash -- though the author points out that you will probably not get especially rich from this.

Each chapter ends with informative "Starting-out Steps." These tips should get your juices flowing with creative ideas about the topic covered in that chapter. The subtitle of the book, "Turn Your Way With Words Into Real Money," provides key insight into the premise of the book: 1. It assumes there is some writing skill (or way with words); and 2. It also assumes some degree of "newness" to the area of publishing your work for money.

Though I found the book informative, I would have liked a few of the sections expanded on, like the section on writing fillers. Overall, I would recommend the book if you have good writing skills and little experience writing for cash. It is definitely a good reference guide that offers innovative ideas for selling your work.

When I purchased Writing for Quick Cash, I was looking for ideas to expand my writing opportunities, for new markets for shorter work. I found Loriann Oberlin's book extremely helpful in that regard. She has a quick, bright writing style that is easy to read, and includes sidebars and examples to illustrate her text in a very concise way. Whether you are looking to enter the writing market for fillers, greeting cards or newspaper articles, or beginning to research the non-fiction book world, Writing for Quick Cash will be a great way to start your journey. Highly recommended.

I bought this book to take with a corresponding course. I must say both were exceptional. As a writer for a local paper, I am constantly looking for other outlets for my writings. This book opened my eyes to a lot of opportunities. I would recommend this book for the beginer to the experience writer.

One review mentioned that it really isn't "quick". As someone who is semi familar with the writing business, you must understand that Quick is not the next day. The book gives clear steps on how to get your writing career off with a jump start.

You already know all this stuff. Or I hope you do. I sent for this and was happy that Amazon has a liberal return policy.

THE FRUGAL SENIOR: HUNDREDS OF CREATIVE WAYS TO STRETCH A DOLLAR covers everything from handling rising energy costs to recycling old clothing, simplifying garden maintenance, reducing the costs of gift-giving, and more. All the common expenses of daily living are dealt with here, with solutions to throwaway habits and rising costs focussing on re-use and refinement. An excellent, basic guide consumers will welcome.

And I thought I knew it all. Just glancing through this book at the library, I decided to buy it. It's taught me more about phone techniques for all the services than the phone book does. The scope of the book is so vast I'll leave it to buyers to discover.

I'm recommending it to quite a few people since it's the best advice book I've seen yet on just about everything, including subjects I didn't know I needed.

This book was fabulous! Worth every penny and more. I have reccommended it to everyone I know.

The Frugal Senior: Hundreds Of Ways To Stretch A Dollar by Rich Gray is an innovative and quite "user friendly" guide to understanding and applying the short-cuts, manipulations, and practicalities of working with very little money to obtain personal financial and lifestyle goals. Introducing the reader to a humorous format of the every in and out of resourcefulness and situational remedies and availability utilization, The Frugal Senior is an excellent reference for the aging "frugal" lifestyle in essence and hopes of truly stretching the every dollar, and is very highly recommended to all readers (regardless of their ages or economic circumstances) who are searching for answers to their financial problems and plans.