How not to

Today I am torn apart.

I have read a very good book which I like to share but unfortunately the image the author portray in his book is that of somebody who’s moral standards I do not exactly agree with. Seems like this guy’s libido is the driving force of his life.

But if we ignore all the unnecessary reference to wild sexual relationships we can learn quite a lot from this otherwise well written book. My personal opinion is that all his sexual comments does not contribute to the book at all. (perhaps I am just a bit old fashioned)

It has been written in a very relaxed, comical and straight to the point style.

At least it does not feel as if you are reading a Business Book.

The book is aimed at those who want to start their own business or those who have just started a new business and do not know where to go next.

The author, Scott Cundill, gives you excellent advice on How NOT to Start and Run Your Own Business.

Too many people think that starting and running a small business is about spending thousands on offices, company names, structures, attorneys, etc. But it is not.

If you read this book you will see how easy it actually is to get started in your own business. You can even do it tonight if you have the right product or idea.

Scott Cundill shares the pitfalls he experienced in his own businesses which lead to the failure of many of his businesses. Thus he talks of experience (lots of it) and warns his readers not to fall in the same traps he did. He tried the hard way and discovered that there is an easier way to do it. He shares the easy way with you.

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Cundill on some of the advice like “stay way from financial advisers, do not spend much on offices, do your own sales in  the beginning” and many more.

Here some excerpts of the book:

Don’t take too much notice of what “they” say. “They” will tell you all kinds of things, motivating you to go against your natural will. If you head off and do your own thing you will lose money, that’s a given so you may as well do it your way. Some people you speak to will uplift you and some will bring you down, including your family and friends. You will fail in many ways, but rather make your own mistakes than follow someone else and make theirs for them. You will learn faster this way.

and

Don’t share your business with anyone. Giving away equity means there is another person you have to constantly negotiate with and another person to share the spoils of your hard labour. Fight to keep the maximum shares in your business. You must be the one to take the risk and you must be the one to reap the rewards. As things pick up, you are going to get offers left, right and centre.

There are also some points where I disagree with him.

I know where he comes from.

One can see that he obviously crossed paths with Amway some time in his life and I can sympathize with him. But in his book he advice that you should not read business or motivational books, listen to motivational CDs or attend motivational seminars. Well, my experience is that if it was not for motivational CDs, books and seminars I would most certainly not be where I am today. At a time when I was ready to look for a job again it was a motivation CD by Randy Gage that saved my life and gave me the courage to go on. Ever since I have learned a lot from people like Randy Gage, John Maxwell and Jim Rohn

He also give excellent advice on how to handle stress and what the difference is between those who are really successful and those who would like to make others believe that they are successful.

So, besides the unwanted sexual remarks and the misconception about motivation books, CDs and seminars (according to my experience) it remains an excellent book to read and worth the couple of bucks you pay for it. If you are thinking about starting your own business then this book is the place to start before you make mistakes that could have been avoided. You can put this one on your “Must Read” list.

You can get it at Kalahari.net or I presume it will also be available at most book stores. Click here to get it from Kalahari

How not to Start and Run Your Own Business