Run Your Business So It Doesn't Run You
This book targets small business owners, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who are experts at their trade or profession but who need help putting the business picture together.The introduction to Francis’ book tells the true story of the hurried and harried owners of a plumbing service company.  Good, hard working people overwhelmed by their business.  Turning proactive, they implement the techniques described in this book, which invigorates their business and their lives.  The result is people who make more money, have happier employees, happier families, and time to support community activities.The author’s approach gives the reader the equivalent of a face-to-face consultation.  For example, while reading the chapter on how to create a job description, one feels that Frances is speaking directly to them. As she shows the reader how to judge which job they need filled, when they need it, how it affects other jobs, and what pitfalls to avoid, it seems as if she has individualized the presentation for a particular business.  Examples are given, and practice problems are presented.  The author then shows how to type up the job description so it can be an effective tool in a performance review. The result is a complex task that seems simple.  It is. æ Simple, but not simplified.Into the book’s 13 chapters and 176 pages Frances infuses her common sense and practical business philosophy with humor, personal stories, examples, and worksheets.  The reader is guided along at a comfortable pace.  The book covers the owner’s role, time management, how to use your financial information, planning, budgeting, hiring and firing, personnel policies, and more.  Each chapter gives practical problem solving tips that can be integrated into any business and then shows how to establish a business that will avoid problems in the future.  Frances even assigns homework!Linda Francis’ background includes a M.A. in Education, ten years running her own successful business, twelve years consulting businesses throughout the nation, along with national speaking engagements.  The language patterns used in the text are pulled from this background.  It is a unique publication, because Linda has crafted essential business concepts into an easy to read and easy to understand format.