1 comments about Marching Up Madison Avenue: How I Beat the Entrepreneurial Odds Armed with a Pencil and My Imagination..

1. if your are at all interested in the recent history of the 60's and 70's new york advertising business, this very engaging personal memoir is a must. it illuminates the rise of one of the finest and creative "boutique" agencies on mad ave when print advertising was still king and television commercials of 10, 30 and 60 seconds were just beginning to run...a time of exciting, ground-breaking advertising when a new breed of ad men followed the folks featured on the currently running cable tv series, "mad men".

2 comments about Expat Entrepreneur: How To Create and Maintain Your Own Portable Career Anywhere In The World.

1. The title of The Expat Entrepreneur, by Jo Parfitt, is slightly misleading. The book is in fact much more a motivating reading about how to become self-employed from home as an expat, doing what you are passionate about, and how to use your creativity in the development of new activities that can eventually bring money - all this based mostly on 23 interviews of expats who "have been there & done it".
   
   There are a few practical parts, like the assessment "Do you have what it takes?" and the resources that are classified by countries. Despite the assessment, the first part of the book is rather in the style of the American self-help books, something like "if you want it, you can do it". The 23 interviews of "expat entrepreneurs" are quite interesting and there are a few specific resources behind each of them, which can provide food for further thoughts and research.
   
   As I mentioned, the book is certainly about expats who became self-employed and it also motivates to do the same. But it cannot be considered a business book for budding entrepreneurs.
   
   Many of the examples that are provided in the 23 interviews belong to the areas that I wouldn't really call a business, like painting, although I am always happy to see artists making a good living. Among the more "business-like" examples, I saw one case of a company that I know well and that has been constantly operating on the verge of bankrupcy for many years, and another one of a person who runs among other things a translation agency, but has a website in French that is very miserably translated, which is not a surprise considering that the translations into French are done... by a Danish person. Therefore, a better selection of the examples would have been needed.
   
   I also regret that, although the book is written by a woman and its intended readers are expat spouses, i.e. mostly women, the examples that are provided are the typical traditional female occupations (teacher, artist, image consultant, women in various helping professions, etc.) as if we were still in the 50s. The very few examples that are more business oriented are the rather obvious ones that can provide a portable career for expats: relocation, web design and consultant.
   
   What about women who are freelance engineers? Or who have a PhD and work as independant researchers and consultants for international organizations? And what about the people in the biotechnology sector who come from the US or Asia, in order to create a company in Europe in one of the recently created biotech clusters? Or the young finance specialists from Asia who come to London or Geneva in order to create a company in the financial sector? Aren't these people expat entrepreneurs too?
   
   I also regret that, although the book is supposed to help budding expat entrepreneurs, such elementary words like a business plan or a marketing strategy are not even mentioned, although they are key elements of success for entrepreneurs of any kind. How to deal with bankers is also absent from the book, although, if we consider the missing examples that I mentioned before, it would even be appropriate here to mention examples of expat entrepreneurs who managed to get financing through business angels and venture capitalists.
   
   I also regret that the book doesn't make a clear distinction between the businesses that are created on a permanent local basis, like a bed-and-breakfast in France, by people who in fact are not expats, but immigrants probably for the rest of their life, and what I call the real "portable businesses", i.e. those that are run mostly through the Internet, indepently from the location of the business person, and which allow expat spouses in particular a huge flexibility.
   
   Therefore, this book is a good resource specifically for expat spouses who are just looking for ideas and need some encouragement in the form of examples from real life. But expatriates and expat spouses who really mean business will have to find the resources they need about how to create a small business in a foreign country somewhere else.



2. Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (5/07)
   
   Jo Parfitt found herself traveling the world with her husband. This made it difficult to have a normal career. She felt like a tag-along wife. She wanted her own identity. She began her expat entrepreneur career. She used her writing skills to start her own business.
   
   "Expat Entrepreneur" came to me at a perfect time. My military husband thinks that we are going to have to move. Though that is part of the job, it really upsets me to leave all that I have established. In "Expat Entrepreneur," Parfitt explains that I need to see it as an adventure and an opportunity.
   
   Parfitt explained that it is an opportunity to start anew. She advised to establish what the reader is good at, what they have a passion for. Then, take that and start an expat career.
   
   She explains that not all people have the skills necessary to be an expat entrepreneur. She also informs the reader that there are different laws in different countries that put constraints on expats working. Also, many professions are not in demand in different countries. Many of the requirements for nursing, teaching, and etc... are different in other countries. Throughout the book, websites and other books are mentioned to guide the reader to the appropriate resources.
   
   Parfitt explains that a career no longer consists of a daily attempt to climb a corporate ladder. It is now an opportunity for adventure and enlightenment.
   
   Twenty-three expat entrepreneurs share their adventures in half the book. This was inspiring for me. They explained what it took to get started in their businesses. They told of their struggles. They share advice.
   
   Today's society is global. Many have spouses who have to travel internationally. Unless the tag-along spouse has a portable career, they will feel isolated. "Expat Entrepreneur" is a practical guide for tag-along spouses. It is hopeful and inspiring. I recommend "Expat Entrepreneur" for all tag-along spouses, especially military spouses. Read and be on your way to an exciting portable career.

No comments about Edsel: The Story of Henry Ford's Forgotten Son [R-239].

No comments about Lots of Lehmans: The Family of Mayer Lehman of Lehman Brothers.

No comments about The Autobiography of Henry Merrell: Industrial Missionary to the South.

5 comments about Suge Knight: The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Death Row Records: The Story of Marion 'Suge' Knight, a Hard Hitting Study of One Man, One Company That Changed the Course of American Music Forever.

1. Miss the days when Suge's mere pressence would put the Ether on Busters. there are alot of Sponge Bob,Corny Pickle Leaf Turkeys out here who could use a good reminder of Suge Knight. Suge Knight ran a tight ship&had hits when Death Row was going strong. His acts didn't have to be on Rap City all Ashy&desperate to be remembered. Suge Knight kept it real when he was rolling. Suge Knight ran Product never had to be pushed on VH1 Soul, what Death row put out spoke for itself.Suge left Busters hanging over the Balcony, we sure could use that Suge vibe now again.



2. IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR RECORDS, I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER SEVERAL THOUSAND WITH YOUR COMPANY IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE THIS BOOK AND I WOULD LIKE AN ANSWER IMMEDIATELY. TRULY YOURS,
   
   BRIAN D. WHITE



3. Is more like a collection of articles on various topics on Suge ( i.e, his incarceration , relationship with 2pac , etc... ) hastily compiled into a book. rather than a 'flowing' autobiography. As well, it's pretty annoying when the author repeats a lot of stuff every few pages. Also , there is too little solid info of the guy ( e.g. too few interviews from people in Death Row or those connected with him. ) Hence, can't really get a solid picture of what the man is really like. Overall, is more like an academic ' analysis ' of Suge Knight based on few, random bits and pieces of information, rather than a solid ' story ' of the guy.



4. ...

   Jake Brown has woven a web of interest and intrigue when penning this nonfiction masterpiece. Come one and all...you won't know what you're missing..until the last copy is gone.

   [URL]




5. This book explained points of view that I never thought I'd consider. Thank you, Jake Brown, for writing an great book. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone!

   BD

2 comments about The Deal Maker: How William C. Durant Made General Motors.

1. This is another good book on my hero Mr. William C. Durant the creator of GM. Mr. Durant defiantly affected the early automobile history more than any other one man ever. He was the worlds largest cart maker back in Flint Mi. & went on to save Buick from certain bankruptcy. Also creating GM with Buick as the cornerstone car & then adding Olds, Cadillac & Oakland (the forerunner to Pontiac) & many others that didn't pan out. He also started Chevrolet with his famous Buick race car driver Louis Chevrolet. Some other good reads are The Dream Maker 1979 by Bernard Weisberger and Billy Durant by Lawrence Gustin 1973. ... Sincerely Lance Haynes President Durant Motors Automobile Club



2. It's a story of a vibrant, fast acting dreamer named William Durant who had his start making horse carriages in Flint, Michigan with his partner Dort. He being the salesman, then pre-sold orders for their carriages at a fair, contracted the work out, then worked in a frenzy to fulfill all those orders. It wasn't long until those working on the carriages understood what Durant and Dort were doing, and wanted their own piece of the pie. With a little luck, they managed to survive intense start up competition the first few fragile years, then, in 1908, Durant alone established General Motors through the strategic acquisition (and even more luck) of several existing auto manufacturers (including Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac). He also actively pursued vertical and horizontal integration into the manufacturing process by acquiring rubber plantations, etc. at the closest level to the source. It's fascinating to listen to the "who" behind the names of today's leading auto lines (ie. Louie "Chevrolet" - was a race car driver), etc. and to imagine that Henry Ford and William Durant considered a viable merger that would have completely changed history! From a financial standpoint now, it's easy to see Durant's forecast for financial ruin. It was his tremendous speed and passion which he acted, but often lacked methodical planning or prudence. His pursuit of being "big" and acquiring at least one new company every month, led to a repeated pattern of over-extension and debt feeding his ego; which eventually ruined him, not once, but three times. He then became involved with Dupont, Morgan and the other "high powered" names of history in an effort to re-build his own auto "empire" with a different name - each failed. Each time, his persistence kept him going - and that's truly admirable. He never gave up after each failure! It's inspiring to read (or listen to if you get lucky and find an audio version.)

No comments about Pride of the Rockies: The Life of Colorado's Premiere Irish Patron, John Kernan Mullen.

No comments about How Any Tradesman Can Build A Million Dollar Business In 24 Months.

4 comments about Shelf Life: How an Unlikely Entrepreneur Turned $500 into $65 Million in the Grocery Industry.

1. Hi Dad, You have two wonderful grandsons that would love to spend some time with you. The values and stories in your book provide great motivation and lessons on diligence and drive for success.
   
   John



2. Shelf Life: How An Unlikely Entrepreneur Turned $500 Into $65 Million In The Grocery Industry is the story behind the amazing life and achievements of A. J. Scribante (Founder and CEO of Majers Corporation, a national marketing information consulting firm). Autobiographically depicting a life of corporate success, Shelf Life tracks Scribante's small businessman's rise to entrepreneurial power and productivity through times often difficult and assaulted with many hardships, which were met with great persistence and an enabling "self-power". An exceptionally well written memoir, Shelf Life is very highly recommended reading, especially for entrepreneurs, as well as the non-specialist general reader, for its instructive, informative account of an entrepreneur who made his fortune in the grocery business.



3. What a terrific read -- excellent textbook on how to build a company. This is a must book for any entrepreneur looking for guidance and direction on how to successfully grow a business.
   Net, net -- selecting talented people is the key to building a dynamic company.
   A.J. Scribante story is an example of what makes our country great. Loyalty to ones self, family, company and country -- hard work and a determation to succeed spells success.



4. This should be a text book for every college business student.It is the most informative and instructional text for anyone starting a business.