Let's Talk Business
Let's Talk Business
Stuff Your Boss Wishes You Knew
About the Book
This book is retired. Read this article to find out why, and what it's been replaced with.
Most of us work for a living, right? And that means most of us work, if not for a commercial business, than for some organization that conducts itself in a businesslike manner. Unfortunately, that means too many of us are playing a game where we not only don't know the rules, we don't even know the point of the game or how to tell when we've won or lost. Look: businesses can be complex, opaque things a lot of the time, but understanding some key points can not only help you be more successful in your career, it can help you be happier when you wake up and go to work every day.
Over the years, I've had to learn a lot about working in businesses, helping to manage those businesses, running those businesses, and more. I've worked with business managers and leaders, and heard their comments on what they wished their employees knew. So why keep all that a secret? I've written dozens of books, and have earned a reputation as a straight-talking, plain-English kind of writer, and I'm bringing that voice to the world of business. I truly believe that, by understanding some of the under-the-hood realities of business, anyone can at least feel they're living in a world of basic rules and sense, not random chaos. And for those who are interested, I also believe that embracing the basic physics of business can lead to a more successful and satisfying career.
Let's Talk Business isn't a business self-help book. It's not necessarily going to make you a better person. But it will help you understand why businesses are the way they are, teach you how to analyze and understand the specifics of the business that you work for, and show you how you and your employer can become a better fit for each other in the long run.
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Want to make a bulk purchase or obtain a site license for your entire office? Please contact the Author directly at DonJones.com/HMU.
About the Author
Table of Contents
-
- Introduction
-
Part 1: Know Your Business
- Businesses Are People, Too
- How Businesses Really Make Money
-
What Does Your Business Sell?
- A Problem of Perspective
- Terri’s International Bulbs
- Martin’s Theme Parks
- Pat’s Fruity Clothing
- Know the Details
- Understanding Risk
- Love the One You’re With
-
Part 2: Running a Business
-
OKRs, Rocks, and Pebbles
- Rocks ‘N’ Pebbles
- OKRs
- Priorities, Priorities
- Opportunity Cost
- Good, Better, Best
- It Isn’t Personal
- Time Is Money
- Making Mistakes Positive
- Be Data Driven
- Negotiating
-
OKRs, Rocks, and Pebbles
-
Part 3: Business Mathematics
- Fully Loaded Salaries and Recordkeeping
- Reading a P&L
- Understanding Averages
- Selling It
-
Part 4: The Part About People
- A Measured Response
- Communicating
- One Team
-
Part 5: Business Terminology
- Functions, Processes, Services, and Capabilities
- Conclusion
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