Jan 04, 2008 - 09:39 AM

By Todd Skinner

Q: What is a good business book to read for a successful 2008 Can you offer any other tips on how to conquer the small business world

A: I have many good business books on my bookshelf, but Good to Great is well, one of the great ones. It was a "must read" in business school. Best-selling author Jim Collins set-out with 21 research associates to answer one question: "Can a good company become a great company and if so, how In his book, Collins points out that most great companies grew up with superb parents -- founders like Sam Walton (Wal-Mart), David Packard (Hewlett-Packard) and Walt Disney -- who instilled the seeds of greatness early on. But in my experience the vast majority of small businesses wake up part way through life and realize that they're good, but not great, Do a quick "Self-Evaluation" and see how you score on the scale of Good to Great - Are the following 5 points a part of your business strategies

1. Deal In Reality

Successful SBOs (Strategic Business Owners) face facts. They don't deal in delusions. They know that whatever the results of their enterprise, they must face reality and make decisions accordingly. SBOs use mind games in a positive way to strengthen their resolve, reinforce their resilience and maintain a positive outlook. SBOs are grounded in reality and face facts head on. They recognize that courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Courage is being able to face your fears head on and not flinch. Courage is contagious. Deal in reality. Face the facts. Develop the courage.

2. Take 100 per cent Responsibility

One of the biggest clues that an SBO leaves is that she/he takes total responsibility for their success and happiness. Others may blame a whole host of outside factors for their results: the economy, politicians, competition, taxes, circumstances or genetics. Masterful leaders don't waste energy making excuses they're too busy making money. Great SBOs know that to give up responsibility is to give away their power. Play the mind game of 100 per cent responsibility -- no matter what! Retain your power.

3. Focus

No business ever grows until the owner is focused, dedicated and disciplined. We've all heard that knowledge is power. Wisdom is knowledge with a focus. Wise SBOs have clarity of focus and direct their attention to the areas that need them the most. All business owners know the 80/20 rule: 80 per cent of the results are generated by 20 per cent of the effort. The successful SBOs not only know the rule they apply it. Do not dissipate your power by trying to do too many things all at once. Focus on the vital few not the trivial many and see your business grow in quantum leap possibilities.

4. Invest In Yourself

Tiger Woods has five professional coaches and not one of them can hit a ball better than Tiger. Even when Tiger was at the top of his game, by far the highest paid golfer in the PGA and with the greatest success, he still used coaches. He invests in himself using coaching tools to sharpen his game and his mindset. Get a coach on your side helping you to work on yourself, your business, life, dreams and goals. Challenge your mind by reading business books, enrolling in a business class, a workshop or attend a chamber of commerce lunch 'n' learn.

5. Get Started!

Read self-help books like 10 Steps to Freedom, Unlock Your Potential in 10-Days or Success for Dummies. The hardest thing about getting started is getting started. Remember you know your business, you know your industry and deep down inside you know what to do, just get started.