Hi bellabella,
Thanks for asking! I'm an avid reader and former owner of two service
businesses which comprised 17 years of my adult life. I have read
literally dozens of business related books, and I have just what you
need!
Leadership qualities and techniques, which translate into actions
towards employees --all stem from our belief system. My first book
recommendation will turn your thinking upside-down. "The E-Myth
Revisited" is controversial, people either love it or hate it,
although the majority love it, as you'll see from the reviews. Either
way, you will look at your business, and employees, in a new light.
The E-Myth describes the small business model in layman's terms and
gives simple and clear instructions on how to get the most from
employees and how to avoid the most common entreprenueral mistakes. I
do want to alert you, it is a very different book, and because of the
"out-of-the-box" concepts, I wouldn't give it to any of my employees
to browse through, or leave it laying around the office. You'll
understand after you get into the book a ways.
The reviews are at the links, there are several for each book.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to
Do About It
Barnes and Noble: http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=34AVQKXP1U&btob=Y&isbn=0887307280&itm=1
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0887307280/qid=1056743859/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-9597834-1758302
There are reviews at both links.
Although I have not read it (didn't know it was out), AND, since you
asked about leadership and motivational techniques, I would read this
as well, but AFTER the first one, which I would consider to be a
prerequisite:
The E-Myth Manager: Why Management Doesn't Work--and What to Do About
It
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=34AVQKXP1U&isbn=0887309593&itm=3
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0887309593/qid=1056743859/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/104-9597834-1758302
To balance the experience of learning about the principals described
in the E-Myth, I would read these books as well:
The Art Of Leadership
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005X7CA/qid=1056745445/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-9597834-1758302?v=glance&s=books
A classic. Excellent and easy to read.
Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1576751740/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/104-9597834-1758302?v=glance
Another excellent read that will have you pondering your methods, and
motivations, for days...
And no collection of Management books is complete without this:
The One Minute Manager
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425098478/104-9597834-1758302?vi=glance
Another classic. A short story that demonstrates quick and effective
management techniques.
As a side note, my Father was self-employed for over 40 years. He
taught me many things, and the one I'd like to pass on to you is that
ALL PEOPLE are motivated by one of three things:
1) Loyalty
2) Greed
3) Fear
Keep this in mind when deciding how to reward or compensate your
workers. Someone very loyal to you would take offence at something
that threatened their job. A money motivated person would scoff at the
"please do it for the company" method because they are not loyal, they
want you to give them more money for anything they do. Some employees
seem to never get on the ball until they hear from the grapevine that
you have a Help Wanted ad placed in the newspaper, and the job
description is "theirs."
What I'm saying is that you have to widen the bag of tricks you use to
motivate folks. Think about your workers one at a time and it will
become apparent which employee is motivated by what. Tailor your
rewards and benefits to match the employee instead of giving everyone
the same thing.
Ayway, I hope I have been helpful, and I'd sure like to hear back
after you read the books. I'm almost certain you can come back and
make a Comment, even after the question closes...
Small business management (and "start-ups") is one of my specialties,
so if I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.
As far as this question goes, if you want me to recommend a couple
more books, just ask me in a "request for answer clarification" ...
Sincerely,
~~Cynthia
Search Strategy:
None. 17 years business experience. |
