End Malaria - out now

I'm a business book junkie - I think it is incredibly important for business owners to think and learn about and properly engage with their businesses.  Probably particularly important for makers like myself.
Today a book has been published by the Domino Project which combines (amongst others) 2 of my favourite provocative writers - Michael Bungay Stanier (Do More Great Work) and Seth Godin.

that would be a good enough reason to buy it.  When you learn that at least £12 from each book goes to fight malaria - well really you should be buying a few and passing them about.

That is what I am doing and I am giving away 2 copies here - comment and let me know what makes your business great and at the end of today I'll randomly pick two people.

You can find out more about the book here and here

Comments

[Helen]

Love business books too. My favourites have been "The Kitchen Table Tycoon" and "Marketing on a Shoestring".

[Sarah]

Run a small web design company and I'm currently working really hard on making speed and customer service what makes it great - I've really struggled there, due to illness, and it's hard work, but I'm slowly getting there.

If you haven't read Delivering Happiness, the book about Zappos, it's really inspiring on that front and definitely worth a read - I avoided it for ages because of the Zappos link (and I was bored of reading about Zappos online!) but it was a brilliant, one-evening read!

[rosiehearts]

Oooh that sounds very interesting. The reason I love my business is that it's finally happened after years of wishing and dreaming I'm actually doing what I love most, and that makes me very happy! x

[Neil Wheatley]

Hi My name is Neil and I have worked for Guides For Brides for nearly six years. We are a small company , only 9 people, but we have such huge ambitions. We are the most comprehensive wedding directory online within the UK. We try twice as hard as the larger directories and you can always speak to a real person. We are based in a Barn at the top of the downs in Wantage, which has great views and amazing wildlife.
I would love to win one of the books as it sounds very interesting.

[Sue]

My florist business is great because the 'Good Florist Guide' says so but I know it's more a glorified hobby which takes all my time and energy. I need to work on turning it into a proper business but have always found self help books nauseating but your thoughts on networking etc have give me a much needed push so thanks x

[Pomona]

I think one of the key things is hard work! Working at the marketing, working at making our B&B the best we can - it's important to believe in what you are doing, and to enjoy it as well, but it doesn't happen by itself! Putting yourself in your customer's shoes is a good start - think about what they want and how they will go about finding it.

Pomona x

[French Knots]

My business is great because people enjoy learning something new at my classes and their pleasure is great to experience.
I've not read many business books but as I would like to slowly grow my little business I will track down some of the ones mentioned.
I'm always looking for ways to improve so your suggestions and ideas are inspiring, social media, networking and so on.

[Sally Waters]

I am just finding my feet with my little business which I am attempting to grow alongside my part-time job and two young children. On some days it all seems a struggle but when I get time to put into it, it all feels worthwhile. The great thing is getting good feedback from buyers which inspires you to make more. The freedom that it gives feels very indulgent - spending time working at something you love to do. I'm really interested to take note from this book of essays. I am sure that the experts have some great advice and inspiring views. I love your blog and enjoy your newsfeed.

[Wendy]

A fab giveaway & I love reading business books!

So what makes my business great? Probably customer service: it's what I get thanked for over and over. Confirming personalisation details, letting them know when an order is posted, sending out personalised items quickly (sometimes even the same day), responding to special requests.

There's never any complacency though, as you're only ever as good as your last customer tells everyone you are ;-)

[Ali Millard]

I'd love to win a book and I'd like to think that excellent customer service is what makes my business great. I aim to give the best service I can in the hope that customers will keep coming back and will recommend me to their friends.

[Jenny]

Hmm, can I call It Speaks To Me a proper business yet? Not sure. But it would have to be Gavins beautiful images & Kims quirky ones that maje it specifl. They are so good but just need to get out there & be seen. For the last couple if weeks I have been mulling ideas & deciding when the right time is to put some proper effort in - Jura is 8 weeks today & life is getting back to normal but still on maternity leave - so now is the time!

[free lance writing jobs]

thanks for the opportunity to read your site. This was great blog ever!

[snapdragonjane]

Comments by Pomona and Sally Waters came out of the hat - could you email me snapdragonjane@googlemail.com with your addresses?
Thanks
J x

[Julie Brammer]

Interesting to see why people think their businesses (fledgling and more established) are successful, it's given me food for thought about my own work as a freelance PR. I offer an ad-hoc PR service with a 'no coverage, no fee' guarantee and my clients seem to really engage with that. Love your blog, and your attitude to life and to growing Snapdragon. I bought the Jon Reed online marketing book on your recommendation, it's great.

[Sally Waters]

Thank-you so much Jane! I'm looking forward to diving in to this.
Sally x

[custom essays]

Hi dude... We try twice as hard as the larger directories and you can always speak to a real person. Thanks for sharing this post with us...

[educational loans]

A fab giveaway & I love reading business books!

So what makes my business great? Probably customer service: it's what I get thanked for over and over. Confirming personalisation details, letting them know when an order is posted, sending out personalised items quickly (sometimes even the same day), responding to special requests.