A Preview of People Tools For Business with Alan Fox

Wade Danielson — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:28:32 +0000

A summary of things you should know about People Tools for Business according to Alan Fox

Introduction

In this episode Alan Fox gives a deep dive of his book, People Tools for Business, where he shares 50 strategies for building success, creating wealth, and finding happiness.

In his book, Fox provides easy and practical tools, organized into 50 chapters, that each address a specific issue and gives a strategy you can use to overcome it. The goal of the book is to help you gain success in areas such as developing self-confidence, improving management skills, and how to respond to being fired.

This book is perfect for entrepreneurs who need a handy book of business shortcuts that are time-tested and help solve everyday business related problems.

The Book’s Unique Quality (2:23)

I’m not so serious about it and I have short chapters. You do not have to start at chapter one and read all the way through.

The Best Way To Engage (2:49)

You can read it from front to back or you can jump around from chapter to chapter.

The Reader’s Takeaway (19:59)

The one chapter that is really the most important I call Stick it Out. In harsh economic times you need to stick it out. If your marriage isn’t working stick it out. You have got to stick it out and ultimately you will succeed by sticking it out.

A Deep Dive Into The Book (3:13)

I start with the importance of leaving your grumpy attitude at home and putting a smile on your face every day.
One of my favorite chapters in People Tools for Business is called The Magic Piano. I think if you look at the world as a magic piano you will have more fun and get deeper in to life. In terms of business I have a different take than almost anybody.

In my book I go over the dreaded annual review and how I believe it shouldn’t be something that we do at the end of the year but rather every single day or at least once a week. If we change our annual review to something we do daily or weekly perhaps it won’t be something that is dreaded and more useful for you and your employees.

I also go over hiring and firing in my book. I think that if you look at firing as an opportunity to get a position which is more suited to you and your talents I believe that you will do better. A number of people that I have personally fired are now doing much better in the new positions that they are now in.

I have a chapter about advertising your mistakes. When I make a mistake I advertise it to people and people seem to like me better because I admit I am human and secondly they own up to their own mistakes.

In another chapter I talk about the importance of delegating some of your work. Delegate all that you can and trust them to do a good job because when you show your trust they are more likely to do a better job.

These are some of the many ideas and business tools that I give in my book People Tools for Business.

Notable Quotes From The Book (21:29)

“There will be days when the universe seems to conspire against you and when it does take a deep breath, give silent thanks that your misfortune wasn’t worse, and enjoy a good laugh.” – Alan Fox

The Credibility/Inspiration Of The Author (0:39)

I am 74 years old and I’ve had a long and very successful business career. At first I was a CPA with a national CPA firm, then an attorney with my own law practice for a number of years and finally I formed a commercial real estate company at ACF Property Management Inc.

I think that you can do what you want to do and have fun while doing it. People Tools For Business is about doing things a little differently in business and enjoying yourself at the same time.