BOOK REVIEW - Small Business Ru!es - 52 Essential Rules To Be Successful In Small Business - Virtual Assistant Forums

Marian · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009

Small Business Ru!es by Mathew Dickerson is an engaging and bluntly honest book about running a small business.

The book is comprised of 52 rules with a single page of text explaining each rule and a corresponding cartoon on the facing page. The cartoons are all done by Paul Zanetti, a famous Australian editorial cartoonist.

Dickerson is a technological consultant who has owned and operated at least 6 businesses, including his first IT company at age 21. He's won many awards and is a frequent presenter on technological topics around the world.

The rules are presented in a fun, easy to read format. You can read at any point within the book, or reference them by different sections such business management, marketing and client relations. Each rule has a unique title that references a fairly simple idea, such as "Wash[ing] your dirty laundry in private," and "let[ting] the client make the decisions."

While the rules themselves are well explained. Some of Dickerson's statements seem to be bit inaccurate, or at least too simplified to fit in a single page of text to accommodate the format of the book. Rule 31, for example, addresses the idea of paying one's creditors immediately and not stretching them out. He correctly points out that quick, positive payment history will often keep you in a good position with creditors who may be willing to help you out when you really need it. The odd thing is that he states that there are only two reasons businesses don't pay their bills on time: lack of money and being downright mean or greedy. I submit that a third reason is simply disorganization and lack of fiscal control. I know of plenty of businesses who have the money to pay their bills and who are genuinely good-hearted individuals who intend to pay their creditors... but they lack discipline and organization needed to properly handle their finances. (Side note: This is, of course, where a good Virtual Assistant sees an opportunity to gain a new client. )

It's important to point out that the author of this book (and his artist) are both Australian and the book is written in Australian English. As such, there may be vocabulary, grammar and cultural references/concepts that are unfamiliar or confusing. Let's use Rule 31 again as an example. The author mentions the idea of going to jail for "trading while insolvent." Readers from Australia or the UK will understand this, because it is an illegal business practice in those areas. However, readers from North America and South Africa may be unfamiliar with the concept because it's not something dealt with under their corporate laws or business culture. These differences should not worry a reader too much, though, as they are generally insignificant to the overall point the author is trying to make.

Dickerson is a successful business owner and throughout the book, he is generous with his advice and "secrets" that are really common sense, yet not so commonly used. In fact, several seem in direct, ironic opposition to standard business practices as we know them. He is honest in pointing out how small details make a huge difference in the success of a business. It's obvious that he has a desire for other small business owners to succeed. Small Business Ru!es may, at first, look like a gimmicky, motivational work but its beauty is in its simplicity and is worth a cover-to-cover read. The book is fun and light-hearted, but packed full of excellent advice that all small business owners should heed.

Click here to buy now!

Do you have any thoughts, queries, or feedback on Small Business Ru!es? Share your comments or questions by replying directly to this post!

The author, Mathew Dickerson, will be hosting a chat event on December 8th right here at Virtual Assistant Forums. Check the events calendar for more details, including the chance to win a copy of his book.

Haveaproductiveday · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009

I will defiinitely purchase "Small Business Rules".

Tess · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010

Just wanted to follow this up with a link to the archived chat we had with this author - it was a lot of fun, great info, etc. You'll find a link to the archive here.