With the economy being a little, ahem, slow, these days, it’s a good time to take Mel Lim’s advice to refocus and evaluate your business plan.
There are lots of business books out there. Here are a few that we at delphine turn to on occasion for help:
“Craft, Inc.,” by Meg Mateo Ilasco. This is a great resource for anyone who is thinking about starting a creative business. It has helpful info about how to price your goods, when to exhibit at trade shows, and how to market your business. I wish this book had been around 10 years ago when I started working as a designer!
“Mommy Millionaire,” by Kim Lavine. For anyone who wants to mass produce a product… learn from Lavine’s mistakes and her successes. Her insight into the trade show world is about as true and honest as it gets. And her behind the scenes peek into QVC/HSN is eye-opening.
“Meatball Sundae”, by Seth Godin. Godin, who, I think, is the master of common sense & telling it like it is, says that to be successful with “New Marketing” (i.e. social networking, websites, blogs) you must integrate them into a marketing strategy, not just slap them on top of your business plan. His book “explores the 14 trends that are changing our world and how organizations can either embrace them or be punished by them.” If you
We are also devoted to HOW magazine here at the delphine studio. We especially love the articles about running a design business (articles like “Are you an Accidental Workaholic?” and “5 Ways to Focus your Design Business”), but even if you’re not into design there is lots of info here that can be helpful to any business. This month’s cover story explores the handmade design trend (I was honored to be interviewed for this story).
Joan of Green Paper Company recommends “The Silicon Valley Way: 45 Secrets for Successful Startups,” by Elton B. Shell.
And she also recommends “The art of Woo,” by G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa.
Michael and Douglas rave about “The E Myth Revisited,” by Michael E Gerber “This book changed my life,” says Michael.
Mel of Joy by Mel Lim said “Career Bliss,” by Joanne Gordon “made me realize what kind of a businesswoman I am … and I am NOT crazy!”
According to Emily of Orange Beautiful, “Small Giants,” by Bo Burlingham is a “genius book that I would recommend to anyone wanting to start, or who is already immersed in running, a small business. It really focuses on the idea of GOOD business over BIG business.”
Emily had a fantastic post about business books last year while she was a guest blogger here on Design*Sponge: That Paul Arden book is one of my all time favorites; I have given away nearly a dozen copies as gifts to friends starting their own businesses!
