EntreLeadership

September 1, 2011

Popular talk-show host and bestselling author Ramsey (The Money Answer Book, 2010, etc.) shoots business leadership advice straight from the hip in a substantive title refreshingly devoid of theory.

The author "paid his stupid tax" in his 20s when his successful real-estate investment business failed due to massive debt. Broke and humbled, Ramsey embraced Christian principles in every facet of his life, including his work. This framework would lead to his new venture, a financial consulting firm, which, more than 20 years later, has earned the author tens of millions of dollars in revenues and helped countless others find success as well. Ramsey's faith may serve as his foundation, but any entrepreneur will find inspiration in his nuts-and-bolts advice. He touches on everything from time management and organization to the three things successful businesses never skip: contracts, vendors and collections. "Entreleaders," he writes, know how to blend their entrepreneurial passion with servant-like leadership that motivates employees through persuasion instead of intimidation. The first step is the interview process. While it may seem harsh that Ramsey wouldn't hire a woman because of her political beliefs, he encourages targeting potential employees who will fit well within an organization's personality. Hiring individuals who "light up" with excitement over their jobs is also key. He doesn't sugarcoat any of the difficulties, including problem employees, offering advice for reprimands and releases. As Ramsey fans expect, there is inspiration here, too. He cites Jane Delaney, who began her business in 2003 with a crumpled five dollar bill and an idea to build an online tool to help families plan and budget meals. Today, E-Mealz grosses nearly $4 million per year.

Decent advice for small-business entrepreneurs.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

August 1, 2011
Perhaps the most dissonant note in this otherwise folksy and entertaining how-to-build-a-business book is Ramsey's protestation that this is not a Christian evangelic tome. Wrong! His proselytizing is low-key and noninvasive, though. His EntreLeadershipthe process of leading to cause a venture to grow and prosperis a philosophy broad and vague enough to cover all the book's topics, from setting dreams and goals to micromanaging. Many concepts here, such as servant leadership and setting SMART goals, among others, are retreads, but he explains them without much embellishment and in language any budding entrepreneur will understand. The exposition meanders through personalized stories drawn from his financial education company's annals. More distinctive ideas include a formula devised to inspire the growth of a company, Fi/T(G)=M (the momentum theorum, which decodes to focused intensity over time multiplied by God equals unstoppable momentum), and his incredibly positive outlook on success.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)