Customer Reviews

The 12 Factors of Business Success: Discover, Develop and Leverage Your Strengths

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Before I begin, please know that Dave Lakhani and Kevin Hogan, two of this book's authors, are my friends. Does this make me biased? Perhaps. But there's no doubt in my mind that I would write as strong a review for this book if complete strangers had written it. It's that good. Here's why...

Many of today's books on business and success are almost indistinguishable from fairy tales. They come across as slaphappy, you-can-do-it pabulum that promise magical solutions to almost any imaginable problem.

Law of attraction. Manifestation secrets. Magic beans. Flying carpets.

In the end, something magical is promised that makes all the scary stuff go away and everyone lives happily ever after.

Not so in business. Especially not in today's business climate. And nobody understands this better than Kevin Hogan, Dave Lakhani and Mollie Marti.

If you're looking for touchy-feely, warm-and-fuzzy guaranteed ways to success, turn back now. The 12 Factors of Business Success is filled with the kind of reality-based strategies and tactics that give New Agers nightmares.

Now, if I haven't scared you off yet, there's a very good chance you are exactly the kind of person who will get the most out this book.

Is the material new and revolutionary? No. It's better. It's been battle-tested and proven effective in virtually every area of human endeavor. Ideas such as self-discipline, directed action, mastering criticism, self-control, resilience and more.

Have you heard these topics discussed before? You bet. But the way that Hogan, Lakhani and Marti treat them is anything but common - and that's what makes this a must-read for anyone hoping to get the most out of life.

Here are three things that make their treatment of these topics different:

First, they recognize that risk is an inherent part of life, that there are simply no guarantees of anything. And unlike so many "success gurus", they do not insult their readers' intelligence by pretending to have found some "magic path" to riches. Thus the title of this review: sometimes the good guy gets eaten. Sad, but true.

Second, the ideas they share are based on real-world research and experience, not airy-fairy, pseudo-science or metaphysical mumbo-jumbo that is stinking up so many bookshelves these days. Again, if you want magic beans, run. But if you want real tools you can swing with both hands, this book is full of them.

And third, the authors are masters at delivering compassionate kicks in the rear to help get their material off the page and into your life. They have all "been there, done that" when it comes to adversity and challenge and have an almost uncanny way of getting under your skin and motivating you to take action.

And if you think I'm just blowing smoke, consider this:

Out of the thousands of books I own, there are about 12 that I have set aside for my kids. These are books I'm convinced will prove to be invaluable to them in their lives. Books that could make the difference between them realizing their dreams and regretting their lives. And now, The 12 Factors of Business Success is a part of this group.

I don't plan to waste my kids' time and I won't waste yours. This book rocks. Read it, and you will too.

The subtitle of this book describes its content more accurately than its title. You won't find very much about the mechanics of growing a business in this book. None of the usual `cash-flow-is-king', staff empowerment, company culture, raising capital or marketing tactics you get in most business books.

The focus of the book is on you as an entrepreneur or manager. It details strategies on how to overcome the habits that may be slowing you down, and how to develop those that will help your business growth.

I found the approach quite insightful and got some very useful and practical ideas on how to deal with criticism, overcome my tendencies to procrastinate, and improve my planning and decision making. Probably worth reading a couple of times.

What a relief!

Finally, someone is willing to tell you to get up and actually take action! When other books talk incessantly about planning, research, data mining, and strategy, this book advocates action. Rest assured, the authors do stress the importance the other steps play in the process (i.e. get a game plan) but they correctly point out that they are completely worthless without following up with action.

The fundamentals touted in the book like directed action, passion, confidence, self-control, and decision making(among many others)are self-evident truths in business. You cannot argue with them. They are truly the bedrock upon which the great wonders of successful businesses are built. One of the book's strengths is that there isn't anything strikingly new. It is powerful because it lays out what we SHOULD do to succeed. However, most writers and business people are terrified to put it into print because then commitment and action must follow!

The authors handle each of the 12 factors in a relaxed and conversational tone yet they are very direct and engaging. They don't sugar coat nor side step. They leave no wiggle room for you to get around their arguments or continue on the path that got you to where you are now. If you actually read the book you MUST change for the better.

The question & answer format followed by action steps is refreshing because it always gives you something that will guarantee you can move toward success immediately as opposed to just getting information that rots in your brain and never affects your life.

Actions are key and this book is packed with actions!

If you aren't afraid to be punched in the face with the truth...and be much more successful EVERY DAY because of it...buy this book.

12 Factors of Business Success by Kevin Hogan, David Lakhani, and Mollie Marti.
So you've read the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you've listened to The Secret on CD and you've even studied some vintage Napoleon Hill. You know how to write a business plan, you've branded your product and you have your networking in place. What's next? When you need to be reminded of who you are, what you are building and where you are going, this is the book to pull off the shelf.
12 Factors of Business Success is not about the nuts and bolts of building a business. It is about how you, the reader, can change your behavior to become the most successful person you can be in business and in life. It addresses the qualities and commitments that are needed to become excellent in whatever you endeavor.
Self discipline, directed action, passion, self control and resiliency are five of the twelve success factors presented. Each chapter has a question and answer section that delves further into the attributes covered.
If you've already gotten your feet wet on what it take to be successful in business, this is the book to coach you to the next level. The authors have created a succinct and engaging meld of their individual specialties in psychology, marketing, and interpersonal communications, producing a book that is both directive and inspiring.
Whatever you have read, studied, or practiced so far; whatever coaching, networking, or training you have experienced; 12 Factors of Business Success will guide you, remind you, and encourage you on your journey of excellence and accomplishment in your field!

The 12 factors of Business Success is essential reading for anyone in business, or thinking of starting a business. All too often people get into entrepreneurship...without realizing what it takes to be successful.

This book takes each factor and explores many of the common issues, breakdowns or challenges that people face and how to apply the necessary success actions for a huge payoff.

One of my favorite factors is "mastering criticism." An every day occurance for many who hit the limelight, but something that can make even the strongest person crumble. Knowing what criticism really is and how to leverage it to make your business better is a powerful tool.

I highly recommend this book for anyone in business -- knowing these factors and how to take the appropriate action around them will help you catapult forward and keep your eye on the ball.

Melanie Benson Strick
Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach
& Virtual Team Building Expert
successconnections.com

Just finished reading this book- and it only took me three days. That's because the book is good. It's easy to read, but the concepts make you think. I enjoyed the questions and answers in the book; they made me realize that most of us are struggling with the same issues in business. I thought the 12 principles were well thought out and seemed to touch the core of what it takes to be successful. I guess this is what happens when you get three powerhouses together in one book. I'd say get it, read it, and apply it.

After reading this book, my first thought was "Wow, what an eye-opener!" Not only do these three amazingly talented individuals define the 12 factors of business success, but they also discuss what you may be doing incorrectly now, what you need to be doing, and most importantly, how to do it. You will learn how to set yourself on a path to success and how to take the appropriate actions to assure you will succeed. This book covers everything from self discipline, perseverance, and goal setting, to decision making, conquering procrastination, and how to think like successful people think. I could easily relate to the examples in each section and see exactly what I've been doing wrong. It was like having a checklist of what to do and what not to do. Now I finally have a roadmap to success thanks to the brilliance of Kevin Hogan, Dave Lakhani, and Mollie Marti.

The combination of Hogan, Lakhani & Marti cuts right through all the noise and fluff. If you want to move on with your career, your business or your life these clearly laid out 12 factors will do it. Knowing and having worked with Hogan & Lakhani, the content has been tested, evaluated and it works. They also make it very clear that these factors work as long as you do. Willing to make a difference? Get this book and get to work! The plan is laid out very clearly and concisely, all you have to do is act!

Harlan Goerger, Author "The Selling Gap"

A Checklist for SUCCESS!

What a gem. Thank you to these 3 powerful success trainers who took the time to share their research - and personal experience - on what it truly takes to make it the business world. They are not afraid to say that ACTION is key. If you want to get things done, live the life you want, accomplish your goals, and create success (however you define it), you need to take smart, consistent action.

This book puts together the backdrop for the action - the dreaming, the game plan, the passion and all other important concepts - and then it continually brings you right back to taking the first action step, and then the next one. Each answer to their clients' questions includes "Action Steps That Work". It's a checklist for success that is staying front and center in my business and life success library.

You get a sense that these authors have not only "been there, done it" but have seen it all in their years of researching, consulting and helping others on the path to success. So it's probably not surprising that this book goes beyond business life in an acknowledgment that if your "life" isn't working, your business won't be running as well as it should either. They even include a client's question on how to raise success minded kids. This broad approach appealed to me especially since those successful minded kids will soon be running our country!
This is a MUST READ in taking your business and life to the next level!

This is a book full of great information from three very successful and respected experts in their respected fields. I like the format, the writing style and the usefulness of the information. When I think about what it takes to differentiate oneself from the masses, applying these 12 principles will provide anyone with a huge advantage on the road to success. Buy it, read it, apply it and see what happens!