Franchise Focus Business News…

Does anyone in your workplace baffle and frustrate you?

Do you often wonder how to deal with some of your employees?

Becoming your own boss, and starting your own business is exciting. However, taking on employees and becoming their boss may be a bit daunting. This week, small business owners were warned that if they do not address the stress issues of their staff then their productivity will be harmed. Recent research by the firm Investors in People and YouGov has found that 38% of employees in the UK say that stress levels are higher than a year ago, but only 29% think their business is doing anything to address this. So how do you keep everyone happy in your business?

How People Tick is a fun but helpful book which could well be the business advisor you need!! The author Mike Leibling has used his experience as a mentor and coach to profile all the varying types of personalities which can cause problems within a team and how, as the boss or team leader, it is best to deal with each person so as to turn harmful attitudes around in an encouraging and proactive manner.

In this second edition, Leibling outlines over 50 different types of characters present in the office and business environment and how you, as the boss, should interact with them in order to achieve the best results from their capabilities. The characters include Gossipy people who can cause mistrust in a team environment; Patronizing people who can belittle everyone around them; and Difficult people who are just plain difficult.

Each profile lasts just a few pages and provides the reader with a scenario where the individual’s personality could harm the performance of a team, and how the team leader should deal with the individual. The recommended method of interacting with each character surprised me, because instead of addressing the individual head on and saying “you’re being difficult”, he suggests going through exactly what the person “needs” and what you and the team “need” and what possible way you can both achieve these needs without feeling compromised.

How People Tick is a really good read. You can easily dip in and out this book and pick up helpful tips which will not only help you interact with fellow work colleagues and employees but also help you interact with people in general. It’s also a fun read too - already one of my work colleagues wants to borrow it!

Click this link if you want to buy How People Tick

Publisher: Kogan Page Ltd

Start Up & Run Your Own Business
By Jonathan Reuvid

Published date: November 2008

Paperback
Edition: 7th Edition
Publisher: Kogan Page Ltd

From writing invoices to exit strategies, the 7th Edition of this book provides the reader with advice on starting and running a business in a renewed economic climate. This is a book that will quickly become a bible for any entrepreneur. “Start Up & Run Your Own Business” takes the reader through the initial brainstorming of business ideas right through to the point when a well established business owner decides it is time to call it a day.

Jonathan Reuvid has written the bulk of the content available, but has brought in experts for specific trickier fields to increase the quality of advice and information in the different sections.

Part one deals with assessing your business ideas and creating a business plan. It gives a good introduction to the business start up environment, with interesting facts about survival rates; statistics of those who start their own business; as well as important factors to consider before you decide on your business plan. These are validated by case studies from individuals who have set up their own business from scratch in a variety of different industries. Throughout the book there are checklists at the end of each section which offer coherent summaries of the information provided.

Part two progresses to deal with the difficult topic of business funding. This section is written in conjunction with Kevin R Smith who is an independent financial consultant. This section outlines in great detail the wide variety of funding options available to an individual starting up their own business.

Part three addresses the issues and problems facing management when the business is up and running. It gives tips for effective and strategic marketing; advice on effective financial management for when the business is set up; guidance on the use of administrative systems; navigating your way through complicated tax laws; as well as managing employees.

Finally part four deals with issues within a more developed business. Reuvid takes the reader through the more complicated aspects of the export business, and larger problems that face a mature business such as finance, personnel and process. Closing the book with the final topic of any business which is ownership, which features an interesting case study on how things can go horribly wrong.

“Start Up & Run Your Own Business” is a book that can be used throughout a business’ lifetime and will be referred to again and again. It’s a wonderful addition to any budding entrepreneur’s book shelf.

If you would like to purchase “Start Up & Run Your Own Business” by Jonathan Reuvid please visit Kogan Page’s website by following this link.

Jonathan Reuvid graduated in PPE from Oxford University and is an experienced international business development manager, having worked in many of the EU member countries in senior line and staff management positions.

Alongside management consultancy he has pursued a parallel career in publishing as a writer and editor of international business books.

He is Managing Director of the Management Consultancy Business School which, in collaboration with the University of Surrey, offers the first European Master of Science degree in Management Consultancy.