Bookshelf

Books by WIC Members

Linda Alepin, Partner, Center for New Futures and WIC member publishes article, “Rethinking our Thinking” in Leading Organizational Learning – Harnessing the Power of Knowledge, a Jossey-Bass publication and part of their Leader to Leaders series. Note: Proceeds from this book go to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Inside Intuit: How the Makers of Quicken Beat Microsoft and Revolutionized an Entire Industry
By Suzanne Taylor and Kathy Schroeder

Inside Intuit tells the inside story of one of the most successful companies in Silicon Valley. As other high–tech and Internet companies have risen only to fall by the wayside, Intuit has prospered by keeping a rigorous customer focus at the center of the company. Strong, explicit values underline the human stories of Intuit's employees over the company's twenty years in this inspiring, entertaining and educational book.

Strong Voices, Real Choices
By Kate Purmal and Chris Bennett

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have mentors who could give you the "inside scoop" on working less than full time? Strong Voices, Real Choices is an inspiring look at how women have created successful professional and personal lives while working fewer than 40 hours per week. Based on in-depth interviews with more than 70 Silicon Valley workers and survey data from hundreds more, this book offers unique insights into keys for success and pitfalls to avoid. If a part-time option sounds attractive to you, you owe it to yourself to check out the real choices made by women who have successfully transitioned to less than full time work.

Entrepreneur/Freelance/Consulting

Free Agent Nation
by Daniel H. Pink

Reviewed by Laurie Kretchmar:
Daniel Pink explains the rise of free agents, which he defines as soloists (aka independent consultants), temps and microbusinesses. Each chapter has a concise summary of highlights, statistics and quote. Pink also discusses the challenges of being a free agent, including dealing with health insurance, taxes and zoning.

Getting Started in Consulting
by Alan Weiss, PhD

Reviewed by Laurie Kretchmar:
He covers the basics such as how to finance a consulting practice, write strong proposals and set fees (he's a big proponent of “value pricing” and, in fact, believes it's far smarter than charging by the hour). Highly recommended!

Mompreneurs: A Mother's Practical Step-By-Step Guide to Work-At-Home Success
by Ellen H. Parlapiano, Patricia Cobe

From barnesandnoble.com:
It is packed with good tips on writing a business plan, getting a loan, setting fees, creating office space, and finding the right mix of child care.

Soloing
by Harriet Rubin

Reviewed by Rosemary Brisco:
Rubin covers the trials and tribulations of going it alone from the financial to the life changes that occur during this process. You'll find more about what led the author to becoming a consultant, than the normal guidebook “3 easy steps” to becoming a consultant that you might expect.

Marketing/Sales

Cold Calling for Women: Opening Doors and Closing Sales
by Wendy Weiss

From barnesandnoble.com:
Wendy Weiss clearly and succinctly outlines the what, why, and how of cold calling, dealing step-by-step and specifically with issues faced by women in sales.

A Crash Course in Marketing
by David H. Bangs and Andi Axman

Reviewed by Laurie Kretchmar:
Covers the basics such as determining your customer base, positioning your company, growing it, plus helping you think about such things as why certain clients are your favorites. It cuts to the chase.

Guerrilla Marketing Handbook
by Jay Levinson and Seth Godin<

Reviewed by Laurie Kretchmar:
Good but very thick, over-sized book on how to handle various types of marketing including advertising, direct mail, trade shows and how-to's for each. Some might find it handy as a resource.

Marketing Management — The Millennium Edition
by Philip Kotler

Reviewed by Laurie Kretchmar:
Considered the bible of marketing, this is a serious, comprehensive classical book. Good as an academic overview of advertising, sales promotion and public relations but other books such as A Crash Course in Marketing cut to the chase with practical ideas that may be far more relevant to independents.

Taxes

J.K. Lasser's Tax Deductions for Your Small Business
by Barbara Weltman

From the back cover:
“Written by an expert, this is an excellent home reference tax guide for the small business owner.”—Martin Edelston, President, Boardroom, Inc.

General Life

Taking Charge When You're Not in Control: A Practical Approach to Getting What You Want Out of Life
by Patricia Wiklund, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Randi S. Brenowitz:
Wiklund provides clear examples and case studies for every concept she introduces. At the end of every chapter, there are a series of exercises that show how to integrate these concepts into our daily lives.

Other Book-related Resources
Excellent books from Nolo Press on the legals ins-and-outs of setting up and running a business

For good books to read in a discussion group or on your own, check out Bookmuse, started by a Bay Area book discussion leader.