Fire your Accountant & Hire a Partner

Books that changed my life! Part 1

Posted on 26 February 2010

I can read a good fiction novel and have a great time. I can escape my world for a while and live out my life as the main character. I love to read, but do the fiction books I read make a difference in my life?  Do they challenge me to grow? No.

The first book that changed my life and might just change yours is…..

Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence people”.  Why would this rediculously titled book change anyones life?  Well…..

But wait. What does this have to do with accountants, accounting or small business? Everything! If you are running a small business, working with people or you are an accountant, raise the bar and watch your results improve.

On with the story:

There once was a young man who had a large “chip on his shoulder”. He was angry, defensive and always looking to make sure “no one puts one over on him”.  That young man wanted respect, worked hard and believed that you could get ahead through that alone.  He thought, “I don’t care if people like me, they just have to respect me”.  He tried and tried to get ahead but never seemed to go anywhere.

Then one day, someone told the young man that he had a “chip on his shoulder” and people felt uncomfortable around him. What? Yes, it’s true – uncomfortable. In addition, he was not approachable and this would prevent him from reaching his goals. WHAT? No way! It can’t be true???

To make a long story shorter, the young man was me and I knew it was true when I heard it.

If this resembles you, time to change. Lets start with some good advice: how about reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.   Why, you might ask?  So you can achieve your goals too!  You need more than an accountant to succeed – read my post about “Your Small Business Success Team“.

What’s so good about this book, you ask?

It is a clear, easy to follow, prescription for learning to make a difference in peoples lives.  It teaches you how to give first, from a caring place.  Why is this important?  Because you can’t do it by yourself.  Yes, it’s true. If you are running a small business, you need help.  You don’t know everything and not getting help from others, (like accountants who act like partners), may be what is preventing you from succeeding with your goals.

Here is a gift. The essential elements of a great book that will change your life. It changed mine!

The book has six major sections. The core principles of each section are quoted below.

Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

1. Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.

2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.

3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Six Ways to Make People Like You

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.

2. Smile.

3. Remember that a person’s name is to him/her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

5. Talk in the terms of the other man’s interest.

6. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.

Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking

1. Avoid arguments.

2. Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never tell someone they are wrong.

3. If you’re wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.

4. Begin in a friendly way.

5. Start with questions the other person will answer yes to.

6. Let the other person do the talking.

7. Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers.

8. Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.

9. Sympathize with the other person.

10. Appeal to noble motives.

11. Dramatize your ideas.

12. Throw down a challenge.

Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.

2. Call attention to other people’s mistakes indirectly.

3. Talk about your own mistakes first.

4. Ask questions instead of directly giving orders.

5. Let the other person save face.

6. Praise every improvement.

7. Give them a fine reputation to live up to.

8. Encourage them by making their faults seem easy to correct.

9. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.

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So this may not be directly on the subject of increasing your profits for small business, but I can tell you this: if your customers look at you as a friend, you won’t ever be poor. If you want to have different experiences, you have to change your point of view.  This requires a new mind and a new paradigm. Get yours today.  Buy the book!

On your team,

Mark

Click on the book to go to Amazon and buy it, you won’t believe the price!

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