Young CEOs Out to Conquer the World - A Book Review for You

As a retired franchisor, I am often contacted by future startup entrepreneurs, and they ask advice from me on how to run their future business. Generally I am contacted during the business planning stage, or right after the businesses started, and they are looking for tips on expanding their business, marketing to customers, or increasing their cash flow. Much of the advice I give is technical, and specific to their industry, but not all. Sometimes they're looking for a little philosophy.

At times I've had trouble giving advice to young entrepreneurs and CEOs, although I am not without experience in this regard as I started my first business when I was 12 years old washing airplanes, long before I could drive a car. I know what they are going through, as I have been there, and I know how hard it was, and what it takes to succeed. Sometimes a little philosophy can actually go a long way.

Luckily, I ran across a very good book which has helped me more recently assist young entrepreneurs with words of wisdom. This is a book that I do own in my personal library, and I'm very glad to have it. It is also a book that I would like to recommend to you, in case you ever find yourself in the position of giving advice to Young CEOs who are out to conquer the world. The name of the book is;

"Wisdom for a Young CEO - Incredible Letters and Inspiring Advice from Today's Business Leaders" by Douglas Barry, Running Press Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, (2004) pages, ISBN: 0-7624-1831-1.

This book dives into some of the inspirational advice that has been given by corporate titans to young entrepreneurs, in the forms of letters, e-mails, and other correspondence. The book imparts passion, respect, integrity, and a little bit of humanity. Perhaps some of the tips and ideas, or concept and advice given in this book will help you help someone else on their way to the top.

Everyone knows it's not easy, but it's much easier knowing that there are those who a blaze the trail before you, and are willing to help you on your journey. Not only does this book bring back memories of all the folks that have given me advice along the way, but it also helps me return the favor. Indeed I hope you will please consider this, and perhaps purchase this book for your own business library. It's well worth reading and you can read the whole thing in one evening. Please think on this.

Lance Winslow is an Online Author, his latest eBook about Boat Detailing is now available in the "Lance Winslow Small Business Series" titled; "How to Start a Boat Cleaning Business" (a Nook Book available at the Barnes and Noble Website). Lance Winslow is semi-retired and Founder of the Online Think Tank http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - You may contact Lance Winslow by email for dialogue, discourse, discussion, or debate on interesting topics.

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What I Didn't Learn in Business School: How Strategy Works in the Real World - A Review

In What I Didn't Learn in Business School, Justin Campbell, with a brand new MBA degree, is hired on by a business consulting firm and sent off to Chicago to help an old and established company decide what to do with a new technology they have accidentally discovered. It isn't a smooth ride as Justin finds there are nuances in the corporate world that aren't always taught in school.

Although this is one of the many business books available today, it is also one of the few written in this genre; the business text thinly disguised as a novel. There are probably so few business novels that clearly teach specific points because writing such a creation is difficult. Jay Barney and Trish Gorman Clifford have pulled it off well.

Justin, the protagonist, is a well educated and very naive business school graduate. In fact, his naivete is a bit obvious. Justin's gullibility is necessary though to provide the canvas on which the authors can illustrate the pitfalls of relying only on academic learning without considering the human element that is always involved in business situations. Justin, the intrepid hero of the story again and again approaches each situation as a school case study, missing the influence of the other character's motives. He does eventually come around, after some mentoring from the boss, and by the end of the story he...well I won't spoil the ending for you.

Barney and Clifford have added an element that is somewhat novel for a novel. Each chapter ends with a series of questions. These aren't easy Management 101 questions, but thought provoking questions with no simple answers. In fact, they look a lot like the essay questions on a test! In fact, I suggest reading this book all the way through; then, for the serious student, returning to the questions. That's probably not what the authors had in mind, as some of the questions are at least partially answered in later chapters, but I don't think such an approach would diminish the learning opportunity.

Another great resource provided by the authors is a reading list for the main subject of each chapter. Again, for the serious student, this list transforms the novel into a very comprehensive source for learning about making strategic decisions.

There is a sub plot that plays out in this novel; group dynamics and team management. Both the management of the company and the team of consultants that includes Justin have some problems and could be run better. For instance, the consulting team seems to rely very heavily on virtual communication, which, as it turns out, has varying effectiveness with different team members. Likewise, the subject company's leadership team seems to lack a company-wide single focus.

What I Didn't Learn in Business School is a good read. If you're looking for an easy to read text on strategy development and execution, this is it. I really appreciate the author's emphasis that academic education is useful, but the real world also requires concentration on people and how they act and interact.

Bob Mason is a speaker, trainer, and author of "Planning to Excel: Strategic Planning That Works." After 30 years of leadership experience he founded RLM Planning and Leadership to transform leadership by developing great leaders. Bob works with organizations that want to excel by training managers to lead and creating great strategic plans to keep leaders focused. See what he can do for you at http://www.planleadexcel.com/

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