Quotes that make you say, “I wish I’d said that!”
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As featured in the Communicate! Newsletter and then some!
Samoan Proverbial Expressions / Alaga’upu Fa’aSamoa
Erich Shultz
Samoan culture is one which involves a great deal of talking and oratory (as seen by the phrase “Ua vela le fala”, which means “the mat is warm” i.e this speech has gone on too long). However the wisdom and culture of Samoan oratory is largely hidden from palagi (European) eyes.
That’s no longer the case, however, with this book of Samoan Proverbial Expressions and their meanings.
A fascinating look at an ancient culture that still thrives today. As featured in the May 2000 Communicate! Newsletter.
Order Samoan Proverbial Expressions / Alaga’upu Fa’aSamoa from Amazon.com.
Pocket Positives
Maggie Pinkney and Barbara Whiter, editors |
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A great source of smart sayings and genuinely encouraging quotes. Subjects from curiosity to procrastination, understanding to beauty and everything in between.
Great source material for speakers and writers. (Why do you think I’ve got it?) It’s easy to appear smart by quoting people such as Sir Winston Churchill, Mark Twain or T.S Eliot – nobody knows you only know that one quote out of everything they’ve written! |
Enquire about Pocket Positives at your local bookstore.
The Book of Celtic Wisdom
Michael Scott |
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Like the Samoans, the Celts have a lot to say. And whether it’s in Gaelic or in English, it makes a lot of sense to somebody!
Phrases like “There is no bone in the tongue, and yet the same did often break a man’s head.” really hit the nail on the head. And that’s just a sample of what’s in this little book. |
There are also great insights into Celtic history, folklore and culture. I love that sort of understanding into the background of a proverb, don’t you?
Enquire about The Book of Celtic Wisdom at your local bookstore.
The Little Book of Bad Business Advice
Steve Altes |
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This book is funny, but be careful – you may just see your own behaviour written in these pages!
Rocket scientist (yes, I’m serious) Steve Altes has put together a whole bunch of “must-not’s” in the business world. Advice like: “Never answer phones promptly. You don’t want to appear too desperate for business.” |
Or how about this one: “If your staff presents you with new ideas, keep ‘em in line with, ‘Hey, if I had wanted creativity, I would have asked my accountant. You’re a doer, not a thinker. Get back to work.’ “
Undoubtedly powerful motivational stuff. A great laugh, and a great gift for anyone starting their own business!
Buy The Little Book of Bad Business Advice from
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Robert Laidlaw – Man for our Time
Ian Hunter
Here’s a book that every business owner should read!
It’s the story of one man who from small beginnings established a retail chain that still thrives today, Farmers Trading Company.
In fact he did even more – he inspired thousands to live better, dream bigger and aim higher. |
This book continues that legacy by telling Laidlaw’s story from start to finish.
Here’s what I wrote about “Robert Laidlaw – Man for our Time” in the January 2000 issue of Fortune Small Business :
” …He was indeed a “Man for our Time” and ahead of his own time, exploring mail-order when it was considered a quaint novelty, then becoming a pioneer in socially responsible business, launching chain stores into New Zealand, and becoming an efficiency expert before F.W Taylor’s classic “Scientific Management” was ever published.
Also impressive was Laidlaw’s integrity. He frequently had customers send him blank checks with their order because they trusted him to fill in the right amount. That kind of trust doesn’t just happen — it’s earned!
The book contains many inspirational quotes from Laidlaw’s internal business magazine, and speeches from lectures to management students.”
And here are some words from the man himself:
” Someone has said, ‘Opportunity knocks at a man’s door but once.’
I say emphatically this is not true. Opportunity is everywhere around us. She is beckoning us continually if we only had eyes to see. Some men expect opportunity not only to knock at their door, but to knock the door down, come in and lead them gently out.
No – opportunity is not a nurse … No bar or padlock stands between you and the opportunity you seek.
Its door is always open and you can pass in whenever you will, if you can show the passport of competency.
Success has its price – you can pay it if you will.
But ability is the only coin that passes current in its purchase.”
Find out more about Robert Laidlaw – Man for our time direct from the publishers.
Email john@daybreak.co.nz or write to:
Castle Publishing
Box 68-800
Newton
Auckland
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Iacocca: An Autobiography
When I first saw this guy sitting back in his office chair, looking smug … and when I read the controversial things he’d said on the back of the book, I thought “what an arrogant git!”
But my mother taught me something a long, long time ago: never, ever judge a book by it’s cover (literally!). |
| Lee Iacocca is an inspiration. From humble beginnings as the son of Italian immigrants who couldn’t even speak English, to president of one of the world’s largest car firms, to saviour of a car company that was almost beyond help – boy this guy deserves some credit!
The thing I like most about Iacocca’s story, though, is his honesty.
Not many successful people – especially men – are willing to share their mistakes as well as their successes. But Iacocca is, and despite my original impressions of the book, I have found his tone to be almost grandfatherly – he’s a great mentor!
Even though this book was written in the distant past (1984!) and deals with a business totally unrelated to mine, the principles that Lee Iacocca lives by can teach anyone a lesson. And the way he has tried to live by those principles.
Buy Iacocca:An Autobiography from
Phrases that Sell
Edward Werz and Sally Germain. |
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No matter how ‘creative’ your advertising or marketing materials, there are certain things that are proven to increase sales. After all, fashions change, but people stay the same.
Phrases that Sell is a collection of phrases that have sold, promoted or inspired trust in products over the years. |
| The blurb on the back says Phrases that Sell is “the ultimate resource for anyone needing hands-on, instant access to the key phrases, slogans and attention grabbers that will gain more attention and sell more product”. That’s why it’s on my shelf right next to the Thesaurus and Dictionary.
There are also some great introductory chapters on copywriting and branding your business. (I’d better stop recommending it now, otherwise I might give away some trade secrets!)
Buy Phrases that Sell from
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