Book about business successes and failures

A few weeks ago I got a book in the mail called Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life.

I get lots of books in the mail – far more than I have time to read, much less review.  But this book caught my eye for two reasons. 

First, the author included a sheet of paper with a printed blog post where he talked about discovering blogs.  He also mentioned Lisa Haneberg, a blogger I respect and whose work I read.  That got me to open the book because I recognized Lisa’s name.

Second, the book starts out with the author, John L. Herman, talking about all the businesses he’s owned over the years, and how some were successful and others were failures.  It’s refreshing to read an honest assessment of what it takes to succeed — and to admit when you failed. The honesty appealed to me. That’s what kept me reading. Before I knew it, I had read half the book.

The book is set up as 77 “Hermanisms” or lessons contained in short chapters.  Here’s a short excerpt from one lesson that I’ve learned the hard way myself:

Hermanism #21: Know math or no money.

If you do not understand the number details of what you are trying to do, you probably won’t enjoy a big payday. Regardless of what field you’re in. *** You have to be willing to study the numbers. Know the numbers. And know what buttons to push to change the numbers if you want any money left over at the end of the month.

The author has a blog that he calls The Herman School of Business. Do check it out.

[Source: Anita Campbell - smaalbusinesstrends.com - Sept 2007]