Customer Reviews

Six Steps to Creating Profit: A Guide for Small and Mid-Sized Service-Based Businesses

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sigmon offers up innovative ideas for small business owners that can be implemented in a wide range of businesses. Her easy writing style and helpful checklists make this a must read for any small to mid-sized business owner looking to maximize profits. I highly recommended it!

I really enjoyed this book because of the easy reading and the organization. In addition, it truly does apply for the small to mid-sized business. Even as a solopreneur, I can easily apply the concepts and ideas to what I do. (Granted, my business can probably fit on a single sheet of paper!)

Here are some of my thoughts...

=>There are six areas and then smaller areas with those six. I've always been a fan of the step approach: three ways to, five do's and don'ts, etc. This has a solid hierarchy of main ideas, sub ideas, and so on. This makes for much easier reading as you can move past the sections that really aren't a fit for you particular situation.

=>Each chapter starts with a few bullet points - graphically set out - for the chapter. I have generally only seen this type of information formatting in training materials; I was excited to see it used here. It allowed me to understand exactly what I should plan to "take away" from the chapter, as well as have the light bulb go off in my head to say, "this is really important for me."

=>While I am a big fan of having appendices and indexes, I am pleased this book has both. Another reader might be daunted at the length of both Appendix A and B (which is close to 50 pages), but don't let this scare you away. If you're 100% committed to making money, the questions and checklists in these sections cover all the bases and are a tremendous help. You can easily read the lists, and see what applies to you. Here are two examples:

==>In Appendix A under "Covering All the Bases," there is a great list of questions -e.g., do I have a marketing plan, social media presence, etc. These are all important questions that apply to what my business is doing: it's great to have them all in one place.

==>In Appendix B under "Decreasing Expenses," a few of the items apply to someone who manufactures a product (which I do not); thus, the items about price checking with distributors/manufacturers, etc., is applicable for me.

All you need to know before reading this book is (a) what your business truly is as the core (and that sounds easier than it appears on the surface), and (b) that you are willing to *invest* in your business to make it profitable (and this book is well worth the investment)!

Pat's book is a very useful tool for all business owners. It is a must read for all and spells out the basics of business with simplicity and great insight.

I have run an IT services business for 23 years. This book proves that we all can learn from our successful, intellegient, and creative peers. I picked up several ideas that I was able to immediately bring to my team. Thanks for a good read with some great ideas, Pat!

I picked this book up for my research on pricing. It seemed to be aligned with that topic. However this is not totally the case. What the book is is a small handbook on getting and retaining the profits you have worked for. This is often called controlling the margin waterfall. It is a very useful book, with a valuable set of checklists to cover any and all operational issues that end up draining your company profits. In our experience with technology firms, all of them could have used some or all of this books guidance. If you are a smaller player , without a large support staff and suspect that there are things that could be improved, you will enjoy this book. It is written in a quick no nonsense style, making it immediately useful. I also recommend it to to turnaround specialists as a helpful reminder.

After spending 30 years with IBM in Sales and Marketing ( not a small buisness ) I can assure you that Pat Sigmon's
principles and guidelines apply equally well across all size operations . Her six steps " make sense " and after all profit is what we all should be looking for . Pat's book will keep you on track. I recommend this book highly .

A great gift! Have just purchased a number of copies of Pat Sigmon's book to give to those who are either presently involved in - or are considering starting up - a small to mid-sized business. Easy to read and an excellent reference book.

Ms. Sigmon dishes out an insightful, informative and easy reading resource for navigating your business through these rough times and offering practical tips to keep growing and ensuring a profitable business. I've already begun to utilize the checklists with great success. This is a must read for anyone contemplating starting a new business, or for anyone interested in maximizing the potential for an existing endeavor. It will also read well for those who advise their client's on remaining successful and profitable in their businesses. You'll read it once and certainly refer back to it for all the great tips and advise. You won't be disappointed.

This easy read was straight forward and illuminating for non businees trained attorneys. Ms. Sigmon's sage advise translated nicely into our legal practice which is first a profession but also a small service business. Beside the lawyering, much of a law practice is devoted to customer satisfaction and client base growth. Ms. Sigmon's effort has easily and quickly helped us focus the business aspects of the practice allowing us more time to accomplish our clients' legal needs.

As a business owner, I was feeling overwhelmed and unable to define what we needed to do to increase profits. Pat Sigmon's book has helped our compaqny to focus and implement the changes needed to grow the business. I highly recommend the read for all who are responsible for managing their business and increasing profits.