The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth

Sarah Bosch continues her reviews this week, with a look at Steven S. Little’s The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth.

For years, I’ve immersed myself in the study of business growth. Who does it? Why do they do it? Why does this owner make it work and not that one? What do the academicians say on the subject? Successful entrepreneurs? Other self-proclaimed experts? The media? It’s a fascinating subject and one in which your sources of information are never exhausted.

So what have I learned? For one thing, I’ve learned that back when I thought I knew everything I could on the subject of growth, I actually knew very little. I’ve also learned that the more I know about my chosen field, the less definitive I can be. In other words, the more I see and hear and experience what it takes to grow a privately held business, the less able I am to make sweeping pronouncements and general statements of truth.

I have to say that The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth was NOT one of the books that was difficult to read. Witty, expressive, communicative, entertaining and rich with information in useable form – Steven S. Little knows his audience and what they need to survive small business endeavors.

I enjoyed Little from the very first page. His tone is personal, entertaining, and conversational, but he immediately came across as someone I could trust. It was immediately obvious to me that Little has lived in the “real world” and didn’t sugarcoat the information I needed to know.

Although many of the rules are without surprise, the great part about this book is found in Little’s expansion on these topics. Rules such “thoroughly understand the marketplace” and “attract and keep the best and the brightest” – we’ve heard these before. But the stories and unique spins on these facts help to process the information differently, and that is what sets this book apart.

One of the most unique inclusions is Little’s suggested Next Steps section at the end of each rule, which highlights key points, helps us to implement the things we’ve learned, and gives us things to watch for in the future.

The many anecdotes and stories were wonderful and took the book from great to excellent. I especially loved his discussion of the printing company, Printing For Less, which is used as an example throughout the book. I have worked directly with Printing For Less and respect them greatly as a printing company. Learning about how they started from a six-person team in Livingston, Montana to becoming such a fantastic company was great to read, and one of many fascinating stories in the book.

Little effectively suggests strategies to survive, sustain, and finally attain the results each unique businessperson is after, but reminds us that small business growth is extremely difficult and many lead to failure. Realistic, yet optimistic at the same time - it is a strategy book for small business entrepreneurs.

The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth delivers the goods. Regardless of your current position in the business world, this book is a must read. Rarely is business so entertaining!

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