Social Media Marketing - An Hour a Day
Author: Dave Evans

Book Review: I'm not sure about the 'hour a day' part, but Dave Evans does a wonderful job of defining what social media marketing is and how it came to be. This practical, step-by-step guide for marketers explains and excites readers to further explore the world of social media marketing.

Business Communication: Building Critical Skills, Fourth Canadian Edition
Author: Kitty Locker, Stephen Kaczmarek, and Kathryn Braun

Book Review: Not only a great business communications text book covering everything from building effective messages and emotional intelligence to researching and reporting, but The Art of Marketing Inc. brochure (we lovingly refer to as “the roadmap” is featured on page 239. For business owners or entrepreneurs with little or no previously experience, this is a wonderful how-to!

Top Dog Sales Secrets: 50 Top Experts Show You Proven Ways to Skyrocket Your Sales
Author: Michael Dalton Johnson

Book Review: A compilation of short and easy to read articles and stories, edited by Michael Dalton Johnson, Top Dog Sales Secrets features an eclectic mix of material covering everything from Are You Teaching Your Customers to Mistreat You to Power Pitching for a Personal Edge. Great read for the novice sales person who wants to learn it right the first time. Watch for It’s a Jungle Out There... humourous analogies between animals and customers including peacocks, dodo, crabs and mice!

The Big Switch
Rewiring the world, from Edison to Google
Author: Nicholas Carr

Book Review: It’s not classified a “thriller” – but it should be! In “The Big Switch”, author Nicholas Carr provides us with an entertaining history lesson that sets the stage for a glimpse into the future of cloud computing. Entrepreneurs and business owners alike will flip over The Big Switch, and quickly realize why it has been named to Newsweek’s List of 50 Books for Our Times.

Six Pixels of Separation
Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone.
Author: Mitch Joel

Book Review: When Mitch Joel, president of Twist Image wrote Six Pixels of Separation he set out to demonstrate how the “six degrees of separation” theory has been replaced technologically by six pixels, in that everyone is just six pixels away from being connected to any other person on Earth. If you’ve been wondering what role social media marketing plays in business today, this is an easy to read, insightful and informative how-to guide that will excite and inspire you to jump on board the social media bandwidth!

Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
Outsell, Outmanage, Outmotivate and Outnegotiate Your Competition
Author: Harvey B. Mackay

Book Review: No surprise here! Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive is on the New York Times #1 bestsellers list and is among the top 15 inspirational business books of all time! Harvey Mackay masters the art of sound bites, presenting concepts in short bursts of valuable insight that every small business owner can benefit from. This book is about being better in business, and superb in sales. The “Mackay 66” is by far the most valuable tool I’ve discovered so far!

The Little Blue Book of Advertising
52 Small Ideas That Can Make a Difference
Author: Steve Lance and Jeff Woll

Book Review: The Little Blue Book of Advertising presents 52 helpful tips on how to successfully build a marketing promotion program from the ground up - regardless of company size – or budget. It covers all the essentials that small business owners and entrepreneurs should consider BEFORE embarking on a business-building program. Don’t be misled by the use of the word “advertising” in the title - they are really referring to promotion ideas. Authors Steve Lance and Jeff Woll have won numerous industry awards for their work and are partners at Unconventional Wisdom, a creative resource group.

The Procrastinator’s Handbook
Mastering the Art of Doing It Now
Author: Rita Emmett

Book Review: The book might be little, but The Procrastinator’s Handbook, packs a powerful punch for procrastinator’s from all walks of life and business. Think you’re not a procrastinator? Bet you’ll recognize yourself or someone close to you once you've read and understand more about the self-defeating behaviours that can sabotage success. Author Rita Emmett, unravels the mystery behind procrastination – how and why we procrastinate along with proven strategies for conquering these nefarious habits. What an entertaining and helpful read!

The E-Myth Physician
Why Most Medical Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Author: Michael E. Gerber

Book Review: In true E-Myth fashion, author and small business pioneer, Michael Gerber points out what every medical and complementary health care practitioner needs to know about running a business versus owning a job. With laser sharp precision, concrete examples, and down to earth advice, Gerber guides entrepreneurs in creating and implementing a turn-key system for assured growth and predictable results. For every business owner who thinks the only way to grow a business is by yourself – this book is for you!

The E-Myth Contractor
Why Most Contractors’ Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Author: Michael E. Gerber

Book Review: Similar in format to The E-Myth Physician, The E-Myth Contractor nails down the reasons why contactors in the construction industry aren’t as successful as they could be – and what to do about it. While the book is eerily similar to others in the series, author Michael Gerber builds a solid foundation with specific industry-related examples that helps small business owners recognize themselves.

Blue Ocean Strategy
Author: W. Chan Kim / Renée Mauborgne

Book Review: If you have fallen into the trap of thinking the only way to compete in the marketplace is through head-to-head competition, you will love this book! Authors W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne provide specific examples and valuable how-to advice so that all businesses, large and small can create ‘uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant’. It’s a refreshing read that will prompt many ‘ah-ha moments’ for entrepreneurs.

Developing the Leader Within You
Author: John Maxwell

Book Review: My copy of John Maxwell’s, ‘Developing the Leader Within You’ is probably the most written in, highlighted, and corner cropped of all the books in my library. Right from the start, the author details in clear and easy to understand AND implement language, what leadership is, its most important ingredient, the ultimate test of it, along with its price and rewards. For business owners and entrepreneurs managing their most valuable asset (people), this book will help you become a better leader, inside and out.

Who Moved My Cheese: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
Author: Spencer Johnson

Book Review: If you have been affected by change at work or home and you're not coping as well as you'd like, this book will help you feel better fast. In less than 100 pages, the quick read, Who Moved My Cheese? tells an inspiring story of how 4 mice, Sniff and Scurry, and Hem and Haw are confronted and deal with change. Valuable lessons for all human beings.

Brands That Rock: What Business Leaders Can Learn from the World of Rock and Roll
Author: Roger Blackwell, Tina Stephan

Book Review: For every baby-boomer turned business owner/entrepreneur, who grew up with Elton John, Madonna, KISS, and The Rolling Stones, you’ll love this book and the parallels between bands and brands that marketed their way to success. Valuable lessons from the world of music that can be applied to any business!

Never Eat Alone
...and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

Book Review: Mind-set, skill set, turning connections into compatriots, trading up and giving back... these are the 4 sections of Keith Ferrazzi’s masterpiece, “Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time” that will help you build lifelong connections with clients, contacts, and friends. Delightful to read and difficult to put down, the author probes our inner most fears (like public speaking) and guides us in not only overcoming them – but mastering them! Every business owner who wants to do more business by referral will benefit from this book.

Inside the Magic Kingdom: Seven Keys to Disney's Success
Author: Thomas K. Connellan

Book Review: I love this book! As a Disney fan, I have a better understanding of what makes Disney so magical and how I can apply the same concepts to my small business! Author Thomas Connellan tells an engaging story using different people and personalities to make his point. I highly recommend this book!

The E-Myth Revisited
Author: Michael Gerber

Book Review:Whether you’re starting a small business, getting ready to grow your business, or thinking of closing your business, The E-Myth Revisited is a must-read. Don’t make any decisions before you commit to reading this small – yet mighty tale of Sarah, a struggling small business owner, exhausted and ready to throw in the towel. Other authors have tried (and failed) to imitate what Michael Gerber has achieved in his E-Myth series. This is small business coaching at its best!

Be a Sales Superstar: 21 Great Ways to Sell More, Faster, Easier in Tough Markets
Author: Brian Tracy

Book Review:“Be a Sales Superstar” is a great read and how-to manual for people who are starting out in the sales arena or have been selling for a while, and are ready to kick it up a notch (or twelve). Author, Brian Tracy boldly points fingers and describes bad selling habits, pitfalls and traps sales people can fall prey to, regardless of whether they are selling a product or service. Small business owners and entrepreneurs, if you want to sell better – or help your salespeople sell better, read this book.