Running a franchise, like all small businesses is time-consuming. Who has time to read?
Good question. The answer is that if you don’t carve out time to reflect on your business, how you can do better, how you can manage people better, improve your sales, get back to being energetic about your business if busyness has sapped your strength, and other important questions that take thought and quiet time, you run the risk of burnout, frustration, isolation and going through the motions, otherwise known as a rut, commonly known as a grave.
All good managers take time away from time to time to get some perspective and strength. Sometimes a little less time at the business can make your time there more effective. So can drawing on the wisdom of others – hence our summer reading list for franchisees.
Street Smart Franchising by Joe Matthews – Experienced franchisees and franchisors tell entrepreneurs what they need to know before they buy a franchise. Second edition includes a sample copy of the entire UFOC plus 40% new and updated examples. This straight-shooting franchise guide goes beyond the “how to” to teach potential franchisees what to expect when starting a franchise. Real life stories from the trenches illustrate how to cope with the difficulties a franchise presents. The author reveals the personality types most likely to succeed at franchising, and identifies entrepreneurial traits that may increase risk of failure. Plus, it takes an in-depth look at the research and investigation of a franchise, something glossed over in most franchise books. (Publisher Description)
The e-Myth Revisited – Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work And What To Do About It by Michael E. Gerbner – This book has been hugely popular, especially among franchisees and is still #5 on Amazon’s list on entrepreneurship. Gerber dispels some myths on starting businesses, and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way.
What’s Your Purple Goldfish?: How to Win Customers and Influence Word of Mouth by Stan Phelps – This builds on the Purple Cow concept of Seth Godin and emphasizes that it is the little things you do that sets you apart and wins you repeat business. Maybe the key to growing your business is in the little things, not the big idea.
Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful People Audio Version (13 hours) – we’re kidding right? It’s been out for years. Yes, and it is still high on Amazon’s list of the best-selling books on small business and entrepreneurship, for good reason.
15 Marketing Trends In 2013 And How Your Business Can Use Them by Rohit Bhargava – if you have Amazon Prime you can rent the Kindle version for free. This is a quick and easy read with honesty and humor. Everyone should try to stay up with important trends. Applying them in your business is key.