OBD: Obsessive Branding Disorder: The Business of Illusion and the Illusion of Business
by Lucas Conley
Published 2008 by PublicAffairs

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9781586484682

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Blending whip-smart analysis with colorful reportage and humor, Conley distinguishes what is true and useful about branding as a business strategy, from what is distracting and destructive.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 04/07/2008

Journalist Conley examines the implications of brand-centric marketing in an incisive investigation that illustrates how defenseless consumers are against advertising-on any given day, they are assaulted by 3,000 to 5,000 ads and branding stratagems that subtly dictate every aspect of their lives. Harnessing scientific innovations, branding has become increasing insidious-whether it is the Xbox audio logo or Southwest Airlines' incorporation of the "fasten seatbelt" sound in their marketing campaign-consumers are being conditioned to think in brands. Beyond ad creep and product placement in entertainment programming, viral and word of mouth (WOM) marketing now make even personal recommendations suspect. According to Conley, 1% of American children and 7% of mothers are compensated for participating in WOM marketing. Even social policy is being corrupted-the author asserts that public branding initiatives such as post-Katrina New Orleans' allocation of public funds toward refurbishing its Mardi Gras City image rather than addressing its safety issues shifts resources away from problem-solving in favor of perception. Conley's perspective on branding's encroachment into social areas is as alarming as it is stimulating. (June)

Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000: Running a Business in Today's Consumer-Driven World
by Pete Blackshaw
Published 2008 by Doubleday Business

Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780385522724

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In today's Internet-driven world, even a single disgruntled customer can broadcast his complaint to millions. An interactive marketing expert explains how companies can establish and maintain credibility for their brand by being authentic, listening and responding to customers, and forming relationships built on openness and trust.

REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 04/07/2008

In June 2006, a man named Vincent Ferrari had a shockingly combative conversation with an AOL sales rep; he recorded it and posted it on YouTube. More than 62,827 viewings later, AOL's reputation was irretrievably damaged. In the digital age, disgruntled customers are now in the driver's seat, argues Blackshaw in this thoughtful and engaging book. With the advent of Consumerist.com and other venues where customers can blow off steam about bad service or deficient products, consumer generated media is a force to be reckoned with. Since consumers trust other consumers above companies or brands, a company's success depends on its credibility and its ability to gain the trust and support of Web-savvy, outspoken and influential customers. Through remarkable stories of mass consumer advocacy and the power of bloggers and ordinary Joes with an Internet connection and a bone to pick, Blackshaw advises executives on how to build credibility into their businesses through blogs, Web sites and video postings. Informative, energetic and entertaining, this is a marvelous argument for corporate responsibility and accountability, interesting to laypeople and instructive for executives. (July)

151 Quick Ideas for Advertising on a Shoestring
by Jean C. Joachim
Published 2008 by Career Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781564149824

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101 Ways to Have a Business and a Life
by Andrew Griffiths
Published 2007 by Allen & Unwin Academic

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781741147872

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The simple, practical and easy-to-apply ideas in this guide will help business owners identify the main reasons behind their lack of work-life balance and, most importantly, how to fix it. The experiences, tips, and coping mechanisms of thousands of business owners around the world who were consulted in the writing of the book are compiled into one easy reference that can get even the most out of control business owner back on track. The tips can be implemented quickly and with little or no cost, allowing readers to become the boss in both their businesses and their lives.

Start Your Own Construction and Contracting Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success
by Entrepreneur Press
Published 2007 by Entrepreneur Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781599181233

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Build a Successful Business If you're good with your hands and have a great business sense, now is the time to start your own construction or contracting firm. Independent contractors can earn upwards of six figures a year doing remodels, new construction, home additions and more. Author Gregg Kuehn has 30 years of experience in the industry-and now he reveals his secrets to starting and running a profitable business. Learn how to: Attract clients through multiple channels: marketing, advertising and word-of-mouth recommendations Set a budget and write an accurate estimate for any type of job Price your products and services to be competitive while maximizing profits Hire and train great employees-and handle any employee problems Deal with problem clients, earn their trust and address their complaints Detailed examples and stories from real-life contractors show you what to do-and what not to do-on your path to success. Learn how to avoid the most common mistakes and get started today with your own thriving construction business.

Moonlighting on the Internet: 5 World-Class Experts Reveal Proven Ways to Make an Extra Paycheck Online Each Month
by Yanik Silver
Published 2007 by Entrepreneur Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781599181578

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Turn the Internet Into Your Money Machine "Well-written, practical, useful, money-earning advice for anyone interested in using the internet to create an extra $500 to $5,000 a month. Yanik Silver, one of the internet's truly remarkable success stories, holds nothing back. Instead of lots of meaningless claptrap contained in most books about the internet, the author shares the inside secrets of what really works. And what doesn't." -Ted Nicholas, author of "Billion Dollar Marketing Secrets" ""Moonlighting Online" is a breath of fresh air. Yanik Silver doesn't claim you'll become a millionaire online, but he can show you 5 effective and simple ways to pull in a lot more money than you're earning now-and do it month after month. This is brilliant advice from a true professional. I strongly recommend this book." -Joseph Sugarman, chairman, BluBlocker Corporation "Forget all the hype and B.S. you see about making money on the internet-Yanik Silver has truly provided the easiest and most down-to-earth ways of legitimately socking away a little (or a lot of) extra 'life-changing' money each month online." -Robert Scheinfeld, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Busting Loose From The Money Game" "Imagine waking up every morning and finding orders waiting for you in your email box. While you were sleeping, customers from around the world were sending you money. I've been doing just that for over 12 years and Yanik Silver shows you how you can do it, too. It's a thrill every day." -Melvin Powers, author of "How to Get Rich in Mail Order" "If you want to get rich overnight, this isn't the book for you. If you want simple-to-use strategies for making an extra $500+ per monthonline with minimal effort, listen to Yanik. He is one of the few who truly knows how this works." -Timothy Ferriss, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The 4-Hour Workweek"

Streetwise Meeting and Event Planning: From Trade Shows and Conventions to Fundraisers and Galas--Everything You Need for a Successful Business Event
by Joe LoCicero
Published 2007 by Adams Media Corporation

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781598692716

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From Trade Shows to Conventions, Fundraisers to Galas, Everything You Need for a Successful Business Event

ECOpreneuring: Putting Purpose and the Planet Before Profits
by John Ivanko
Published 2008 by New Society Publishers

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780865716056

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Powerful social trends toward green living, relocalization, and self-sufficiency have fanned the fires of would-be ecopreneurs in North America, driving a shift toward prioritizing purpose over profits, and building community over building market share. A nation of nine-to-fivers is giving way to a spirited bunch of innovators, searching for ways to make a life instead of simply making a living.This accessible and inspiring guide includes profiles of successful ecopreneurs and provides an in-depth exploration of: Eco-business basicsPurposeful managementMarketing in the green economyRunning a lifestyle business"Ecopreneuring" shows how we can earn our daily bread on a local or regional level while saving money, strengthening the economy, and helping restore the planet to ecological health and social stability.Part small business manifesto, part personal finance primer, "Ecopreneuring" is essential reading for small business owners, prospective entrepreneurs, and anyone who dreams of a livelihood based on independence, creativity, passion, and a commitment to green practices and sustainability.John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist are innkeepers of the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, which is powered by renewable energy. This husband-and-wife duo are national speakers, organic growers, marketing consultants, and authors, whose books include "Rural Renaissance" and "Edible Earth" and a number of Global Fund for Children multicultural books.

101 Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars: For Stay-At-Home Moms and Dads
by Heather Lee Shepherd
Published 2007 by Atlantic Publishing Company (FL)

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9780910627887

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Most students have a tough time economically. They have to be at school so they have little time, and the jobs that are available are often low paying. Since most students are looking for work, jobs are very scarce and the competition is fierce. Students face inconvenient hours working mostly in retail, fast food, or doing manual labor. Detailed in this new book are more than 100 business ideas that can be started for very little money and yet provide the striving student with more money than is being paid by the hour. Many of these businesses can actually be started with less than one hundred dollars and some can really be started with next to nothing. Many can be operated from home. Starting and managing a business takes motivation and talent. It also takes research and planning. This new book is intended to serve as a roadmap for starting your business. It is both comprehensive and easy to use. It also includes numerous web links for additional information. While providing detailed instruction and examples, the author leads you in developing a winning business plan, handling legal concerns, using proven sales and marketing techniques and pricing formulas, and more!

Start Your Own Day Spa and More: Destinaton Spa, Medical Spa, Yoga Center, Spiritual Spa
by Preethi Burkholder
Published 2007 by Entrepreneur Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781599181226

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Get started with Entrepreneur Magazine's Start-Up Series Balancing the technical components of starting a spa with the aesthetic, this valuable guide provides the tools you need to succeed in this $12.4 billion industry, one of the fastest growing in the United States.

Family, Inc.: How to Manage Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Children, and In-Laws in the Family Business
by Larry Colin
Published 2008 by Career Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781564149855

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In this witty, engaging blueprint for maintaining peace within the family without busting the family business, the authors use characters straight out of real life to provide uncommon insights mixed with commonsense solutions. After all, they know that firing Uncle Bill is a bit more traumatic than firing just any Bill.

Competency-Based Performance Reviews: How to Perform Employee Evaluations the Fortune 500 Way
by Robin Kessler
Published 2008 by Career Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781564149817

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Business and Sales Correspondence: Trait-Based Strategies That Improve Writing and Save Time
by Verne Meyer
Published 2007 by Upwrite Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781932436242

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Business and Sales Correspondence Trait-Based Strategies That Improve Writing and Save Time 112 pages, softcover, ISBN 978-1-932436-24-2 This book helps you get the most out of business correspondence by teaching you to ? choose the best type of correspondence. ? use real-time correspondence to manage projects. ? write memos that get results. ? write business letters for good news or bad news. ? write sales letters that convince customers. ? write customer-service letters that keep clients coming back. ? improve correspondence through the seven traits of writing. The book includes step-by-step guidelines and real-world models for each basic form of correspondence and also for these specialty forms: ? form sales letter ? targeted sales letter ? sales letter following a contact ? sales letter following a sale ? sales letter to an inactive customer ? invitation ? positive adjustment ? positive reply to an inquiry ? bid rejection ? claim denial ? unsolicited sales

Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success
by Jennifer Dorsey
Published 2007 by Entrepreneur Press

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781599181035

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Get started with Entrepreneur Magazine's Start-Up Series Covers evaluating book ideas to developing an effective marketing plan, getting books reviewed, finding sales channels, and more.

The LLC and Corporation Start-Up Guide
by Mark Warda
Published 2007 by Sphinx Publishing

Paperback, English. ISBN: 9781572486119

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Filled with essential forms and advice, The LLC and Corporation Start-Up Guide will help you avoid problems and save you immeasurable amounts of time, effort and money.

The LLC and Corporation Start-Up Guide is a must-have resource for the aspiring business owner who needs to know about organizing or incorporating his or her business. While anyone can start a new business venture, the smart proprietor knows that putting the right legal protections in place is the most important step for the business.

--Learn advantages and disadvantages of setting up a corporation or an LLC

--Protect yourself from personal liability

--Master start-up procedures and tax regulations that you need to know

--Discover step-by-step procedures for setting up your business

--Learn how to run your business

--Find out how to get more information from your state

Additional features include:

--An extensive appendix of the rules, fees, forms, and requirements for starting your own business

--Specific information on each of the 50 states

--Sample start-up forms

Start your business ahead of the game!

Mark Warda received his law degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign. He has written or co-authored more than seventy-five titles, including Incorporate in Florida and The Complete Nonprofit Corporation Kit.