Resources

Since no one has time to waste, I have only recommended only the resources that I've found to be the best and most practical.  Please let me know if you agree!

Building a top-notch business

The E-Myth Revisited – Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, Michael Gerber

Every small business owner or wannabe should read at least the chapter about the importance of working on your business rather than working in it – but the rest of the book offers powerful insights as well. And for owners who have or envision having other staff or multiple locations, Gerber's guidance on building a turn-key operation is invaluable.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, David Allen

A simple and flexible system to enhance your productivity by organizing your to-dos, paper, calendar, emails and planning.

The Highest Goal: the Secret that Sustains You in Every Moment by Michael Ray

Ray reveals the secret that all the successful people he taught at Stanford University ultimately attributed their success to -- living their life connected and committed to their "highest goal." Essentially, your highest goal is the aspiration that gives meaning to your life, motivates and sustains you. He gives exercises to identify it, then helps you integrate it better into your life. His "live-withs" are simple but powerful tools for shifting your thinking and actions so you can benefit from living with your highest goal every day.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

The classic book about building a business and being successful in all areas of life that’s just as valid today as it was when Hill did his research all those years ago.

Enlist expert support

Financial Planners

Find a Certified Financial Planner™ who will help create a long-term financial strategy -- which can include offering retirement plans, employee benefits and risk management products. A CFP can also help identify and address estate planning and business transfer issues.

Virtual Staffing

Virtual Assistants (VAs) may be the solution if you want business support without hiring a new employee. VAs are independent contractors who can perform a variety of administrative, creative and/or technical services for their clients from their own location. Both the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) and Assist U offer more info on working with a VA as well as directories to help you find the right one.

Enhance your marketing

Attracting Perfect Customers: The Power of Strategic Synchronicity by Stacey Hall

Do you waste time pursuing customers that aren’t really worth your time? This book will help you get clarity about who your ideal customers are and how to attract them.

Make Your Contacts Count, Anne Baber & Lynne Waymon

If you enjoy networking, this book can help you become more strategic and effective. And if you don't like networking, it has tips to make it easier and more enjoyable.

Marketing to Women: How to Understand, Reach, and Increase Your Share of the World’s Largest Segment Market by Marti Barletta

If you think marketing to women is about using the color pink and focusing on emotions, you are desperately in need of this book. If women are your target market you need this book. Many traditional marketing practices actually turn off women—who now control 80% of the purchasing power in this country.

Dancing Deer Bakery - www.dancingdeerbakery.com

My favorite place for corporate gifts. Yummy gourmet cakes, cookies and brownies made with all natural ingredients. Dancing Deer is also known for their innovative business practices, artful, green packaging, and philanthropy.

Direct Mail from Your Desk

Want to print and mail a bunch of postcards to prospects or clients? The U.S. Postal Service now offers a service called Net Post allowing you to create and send postcards, greeting cards, letters, booklets and flyers with just a few clicks.  Prices are reasonable with no minimum quantity. 

Add Humor for Impact

Making your audience laugh is a great way to establish a bond, illustrate a point, or reinforce a message. Cartoon Bank offers classic New Yorker cartoons that can be licensed for use in presentations for as little as $20.

Target Market with Associations 

If there's an industry or activity you want to target, American Society for Association Executives can be a good resource. ASAE's Gateway to Associations lets you search more than 6,500 organizations by category, keyword or geography.

Working the web

iContact

Start sending professional, personalized email newsletters to your prospects and customers with iContact email list management software. Among its many features are easy-to-use templates, the ability to create as many lists as you need, open and click-through tracking, a survey tool and established relations with top ISP providers to maximize deliverability -- starting at less than $10 a month.  If you're interested, iContact offers a 15 day free trial.

Log Me In - www.logmein.com

I never was able to get the Windows remote networking function to work smoothly. Now I can log into my desktop from downstairs, across town, across the country. No more trying to figure out what files I need to take with me on a trip. You can also give access to your desktop to others – for PC repairs or to allow them to update your files. There’s a free and paid version.

Sustainable Business

Donate Leftover Inventory 

Gifts In Kind International is the world's leading charity in product philanthropy and has amazingly low operational costs of less than 1%. The group manages the donation ofproducts and services from companies (some whose names you definitely will recognize) to more than 200,000 non-profits worldwide.

Greening Your Business

Get the scoop on making your business more energy efficient and environmentally friendly with Greening Your Business:  A Primer for Smaller Companies.

Greener Printer - www.greenerprinter.com

Terrific eco-friendly printer with instant online price quoting. They print my business cards.

Stylish supplies

Levenger

Leather monogrammed PDA wallets, notebooks, shoulder bags, lap desks etc.can be found at reasonable prices (and up). Levenger is also a good place to find a gift for that someone who already has everything.

Benefits   

Solo 401(k)s

Need help finding a retirement plan?  The 401(k) Help Center is the place to turn.  I especially like their report listing all the companies who sell solo 401(k) plans.

Health Insurance

The Georgetown University Health Policy Institute has put together a consumer guide for getting and keeping health insurance in each state and Washington, D.C. 

A Note About My Recommendations

In the interest of full disclosure, there are affiliate links to Amazon included above. But when I have found a newer version or better price at the firm's own site, I have linked there instead. If you are ever disappointed with one of these recommendations, please let me know.