In order to run a business, it's very important to be a good manager of time, money, and people. Time management is very important as it allows you to manage your time more efficiently and prioritize.
In order to make better use of my time, I read time management books on a regular basis. Then, I use what I learn in the books and apply to real life situations.
Here's my Top 10 Time Management Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you too!
1. The 4-Hour Work Week
2. Getting Things Done
3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
4. The 80/20 Principle
5. Get Everything Done: And Still Have Time to Play
6. The Time Trap: The Classic Book on Time Management
7. The 25 Best Time Management Tools & Techniques
8. Never Check E-mail In the Morning
9. Time Management From the Inside Out
10. Successful Time Management For Dummies
Showing posts with label top 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top 10. Show all posts
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Top 10 Home Repair Books
If you're going to get into mobile home and/or real estate investing, it's very important to know the basics of home repair. There will be times when repairs will need to be made. Even if you decide not to do the repairs yourself and decide to hire a contractor(s), it's important to know home repair basics so you know exactly what's involved for each project. (Note: One thing about contractors, you will always want to get at least 3 opinions for each project. This way, you can get a feel for rates in your area. Also, you can always negotiate whether or not you want to provide materials and just pay for labor, or both. The choice is up to you).
Here's a list of my Top 10 Home Repair Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you, too!
1. The Manual For Manufactured/Mobile Home Repair and Upgrade
2. Energy and Repair Guide For Manufactured Housing
3. Mobile Home Repair: An Inexpensive Metal Roof You Can Install
4. Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair
5. Home Improvement 1-2-3: Expert Advice from The Home Depot
6. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair
7. Better Homes and Gardens Big Book of Home How-To
8. Home Improvement for Dummies
9. Dare to Repair
10. How to Fix Everything For Dummies
Here's a list of my Top 10 Home Repair Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you, too!
1. The Manual For Manufactured/Mobile Home Repair and Upgrade
2. Energy and Repair Guide For Manufactured Housing
3. Mobile Home Repair: An Inexpensive Metal Roof You Can Install
4. Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair
5. Home Improvement 1-2-3: Expert Advice from The Home Depot
6. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair
7. Better Homes and Gardens Big Book of Home How-To
8. Home Improvement for Dummies
9. Dare to Repair
10. How to Fix Everything For Dummies
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Top 10 Sales Books
Learning how to sell is one of the most important skills to have in business. To me, selling is not only one-sided - it is finding a need and filling it by creating win/win situations. (By the way, if you're also interested in the topic of "negotiation" check out this link).
Let's face it - most people don't like to sell. Whenever I hear this, I always remember the old saying:
"People don't like to be sold. But, they love to buy."
If people don't like to be sold but love to buy, then how do we sell? Simple. Don't.
Again, to me selling is simply finding a need and filling it. So, what you need to do is find a need (i.e. people who need your products and/or services) and fill that need. That's all there is to it.
I've learned the art of selling by simply reading books on the subject and applying what I've learned - it's more of an art than an exact science. At first, it doesen't come easy. But, with a little practice it becomes natural.
Here's a list of my Top 10 Sales Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you too!
1. Selling With Integrity
2. The One Minute Sales Person
3. Selling 101: What Every Successful Sales Professional Needs to Know
4. Little Red Book of Selling
5. Sales Dogs
6. How to Master the Art of Selling
7. The Psychology of Selling
8. Secrets of Power Persuasion
9. Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale
10. Integrity Selling
Let's face it - most people don't like to sell. Whenever I hear this, I always remember the old saying:
"People don't like to be sold. But, they love to buy."
If people don't like to be sold but love to buy, then how do we sell? Simple. Don't.
Again, to me selling is simply finding a need and filling it. So, what you need to do is find a need (i.e. people who need your products and/or services) and fill that need. That's all there is to it.
I've learned the art of selling by simply reading books on the subject and applying what I've learned - it's more of an art than an exact science. At first, it doesen't come easy. But, with a little practice it becomes natural.
Here's a list of my Top 10 Sales Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you too!
1. Selling With Integrity
2. The One Minute Sales Person
3. Selling 101: What Every Successful Sales Professional Needs to Know
4. Little Red Book of Selling
5. Sales Dogs
6. How to Master the Art of Selling
7. The Psychology of Selling
8. Secrets of Power Persuasion
9. Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale
10. Integrity Selling
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Top 10 Negotiation Books
In my prior post, I mentioned the importance of learning essential business skills - one very important skill is negotiating.
Most times, when people hear the word "negotiate" it gives them a bad feeling - it makes people feel like someone is taking something from them, creating a win/lose situation.
However, negotiating is nothing like that. To me, negotiating is having the ability to create win/win situations for everyone. Now, I know that maybe we all won't get exactly what we want but we can try to at least come to an agreement that makes all parties feel comfortable.
In order to learn the skill of negotiating, I read and learned from books. Then, I used the techniques from what I learned and used them in real life situations - this is where you really learn the skill of negotiating.
Here's a list of my Top 10 Negotiation Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you too!
1. The Art of the Deal
2. Getting to Yes
3. Getting Past No
4. Negotiate This
5. Secrets of Power Negotiating
6. You Can Negotiate Anything
7. Trump-Style Negotiation
8. The Negotiating Paradox
9. Harvard Business Essentials Guide to Negotiation
10. Negotiating For Dummies
Most times, when people hear the word "negotiate" it gives them a bad feeling - it makes people feel like someone is taking something from them, creating a win/lose situation.
However, negotiating is nothing like that. To me, negotiating is having the ability to create win/win situations for everyone. Now, I know that maybe we all won't get exactly what we want but we can try to at least come to an agreement that makes all parties feel comfortable.
In order to learn the skill of negotiating, I read and learned from books. Then, I used the techniques from what I learned and used them in real life situations - this is where you really learn the skill of negotiating.
Here's a list of my Top 10 Negotiation Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you too!
1. The Art of the Deal
2. Getting to Yes
3. Getting Past No
4. Negotiate This
5. Secrets of Power Negotiating
6. You Can Negotiate Anything
7. Trump-Style Negotiation
8. The Negotiating Paradox
9. Harvard Business Essentials Guide to Negotiation
10. Negotiating For Dummies
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Top 10 Ways To Find Motivated Sellers and Buyers
I get a lot of questions from people interested in mobile home investing about the one thing they have problems finding - motivated sellers and buyers.
So, I've decided to make a list of the Top 10 Ways To Find Motivated Sellers and Buyers that have worked for me. Here they are:
1. Park Managers
Get to know the park managers in the parks you want to work with - they will play a key role in the success of your business. Park managers know everything that is going on in the park - they talk to everyone including sellers and buyers. If you get to know the park managers and establish a good relationship, they might just start sending leads your way.
2. Flyers
Post up flyers in the local businesses around the parks you want to work in - find the community bulletin boards. Make sure you are in compliance with the rules posted on the boards - if you're not sure be sure to ask for permission first. Some examples of places that have local bulletin boards include gas stations, laundry mats, car wash, etc.
3. Bandit Signs
Put up some signs around the areas that you work. Be sure to check with your local city ordinances to see where and when your signs can be placed/not placed.
4. Manufactured Home Dealers
Visit a couple Manufactured Home Dealers. Introduce yourself. Tell them that you are looking to buy, sell and finance mobile homes. Leave some flyers with them. Tell them you are looking for motivated sellers and buyers. Keep in contact with them. They might just send some leads your way.
5. Calling On Newspaper Ads
Check out the local paper in your area - keep to small publications such as The Recycler, The Thrifty Nickel, etc. Find ads you see advertising from sellers and buyers for manufactured homes. Call them and find out more information. Keep looking everyday and you may just find some leads this way.
6. Placing Newspaper Ads
Place an ad in your local paper stating that you buy, sell and finance mobile homes. Be sure to include a local number where you can be reached.
7. For Sale By Owner
Drive around the areas you want to invest in and call/visit For Sale By Owner signs for manufactured homes. Find out all the information you can when you call/visit. Be sure to always leave a flyer or business card with each property you visit.
8. Banks
Find out which banks in the area handle manufactured homes in the areas you like to buy. Call on them and ask them if they have any ones for sale.
9. Other Real Estate Investors
Network with other real estate investors. Find out what they do and tell them what you do. Build up a rapport and maintain an ongoing relationship with them. Suggest a reciprocal lead swap should you run across leads for them and vice versa.
10. Contractors
Establish relationships with local contractors, especially those that specifically work on mobile homes. Tell them about your business and what you are looking for.
Also, you want to learn more about their business as you will need some good contractors for future work on your mobile homes. On my team, some of the types contractors I keep handy are an electrician, plumber, air conditioning and heating, cleaning crew, handy man, etc. (I will have a post in the future about the types of contractors you want to have on your team and how to hire contractors).
There you have it. The Top 10 Ways To Find Motivated Sellers and Buyers that have worked for me.
A word of caution: Most people when they start out only focus on one method to find motivated sellers and buyers. Why? They hear from someone else that only one method works the best.
In my own experience, there is no one method that works the best for everyone. You have to do what works for you. What works for one person may not work for someone else.
So, I advise not focusing only on one method to find leads. I suggest trying a number of methods, sticking with them and finding out what works best for you.
As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
So, I've decided to make a list of the Top 10 Ways To Find Motivated Sellers and Buyers that have worked for me. Here they are:
1. Park Managers
Get to know the park managers in the parks you want to work with - they will play a key role in the success of your business. Park managers know everything that is going on in the park - they talk to everyone including sellers and buyers. If you get to know the park managers and establish a good relationship, they might just start sending leads your way.
2. Flyers
Post up flyers in the local businesses around the parks you want to work in - find the community bulletin boards. Make sure you are in compliance with the rules posted on the boards - if you're not sure be sure to ask for permission first. Some examples of places that have local bulletin boards include gas stations, laundry mats, car wash, etc.
3. Bandit Signs
Put up some signs around the areas that you work. Be sure to check with your local city ordinances to see where and when your signs can be placed/not placed.
4. Manufactured Home Dealers
Visit a couple Manufactured Home Dealers. Introduce yourself. Tell them that you are looking to buy, sell and finance mobile homes. Leave some flyers with them. Tell them you are looking for motivated sellers and buyers. Keep in contact with them. They might just send some leads your way.
5. Calling On Newspaper Ads
Check out the local paper in your area - keep to small publications such as The Recycler, The Thrifty Nickel, etc. Find ads you see advertising from sellers and buyers for manufactured homes. Call them and find out more information. Keep looking everyday and you may just find some leads this way.
6. Placing Newspaper Ads
Place an ad in your local paper stating that you buy, sell and finance mobile homes. Be sure to include a local number where you can be reached.
7. For Sale By Owner
Drive around the areas you want to invest in and call/visit For Sale By Owner signs for manufactured homes. Find out all the information you can when you call/visit. Be sure to always leave a flyer or business card with each property you visit.
8. Banks
Find out which banks in the area handle manufactured homes in the areas you like to buy. Call on them and ask them if they have any ones for sale.
9. Other Real Estate Investors
Network with other real estate investors. Find out what they do and tell them what you do. Build up a rapport and maintain an ongoing relationship with them. Suggest a reciprocal lead swap should you run across leads for them and vice versa.
10. Contractors
Establish relationships with local contractors, especially those that specifically work on mobile homes. Tell them about your business and what you are looking for.
Also, you want to learn more about their business as you will need some good contractors for future work on your mobile homes. On my team, some of the types contractors I keep handy are an electrician, plumber, air conditioning and heating, cleaning crew, handy man, etc. (I will have a post in the future about the types of contractors you want to have on your team and how to hire contractors).
There you have it. The Top 10 Ways To Find Motivated Sellers and Buyers that have worked for me.
A word of caution: Most people when they start out only focus on one method to find motivated sellers and buyers. Why? They hear from someone else that only one method works the best.
In my own experience, there is no one method that works the best for everyone. You have to do what works for you. What works for one person may not work for someone else.
So, I advise not focusing only on one method to find leads. I suggest trying a number of methods, sticking with them and finding out what works best for you.
As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Top 10 Motivational Books
In my last post, I talked about the importance of believing in yourself and what you are doing to help you push forward with your investing goals. Building confidence is very important and one of the traits of successful people - if you believe in yourself and what you are doing, you can achieve anything.
Some people question why I spend so much time focusing on the mental aspect - it's very important. If you are not prepared mentally, it will be very hard for you to achieve your investing goals. For many people, they think all they have to do is get out there and start doing things.
However, if your heart is not in it and your beliefs are shaky it will be very difficult. Before going forward with any type of investing endeavor, I highly suggest examining yourself and your goals. (Here's a post I made about getting your personal finances in order first before going out and starting to invest). Once you are mentally prepared and have the confidence, you will have the power you need to push forward with your goals for investing.
One of the things I've done to boost my confidence is read motivational books - it has truly been helpful and has contributed to my success investing in mobile homes. I recommend reading books that inspire you and motivate you to be all you can be.
Here is a list of my Top 10 Motivational Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you, too!
1. Awaken the Giant Within
2. Unlimited Power
3. Think and Grow Rich
4. The Magic of Thinking Big
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
6. Who Moved My Cheese
7. Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions
8. Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude
9. The Law of Success
10. The Magic of Believing
Some people question why I spend so much time focusing on the mental aspect - it's very important. If you are not prepared mentally, it will be very hard for you to achieve your investing goals. For many people, they think all they have to do is get out there and start doing things.
However, if your heart is not in it and your beliefs are shaky it will be very difficult. Before going forward with any type of investing endeavor, I highly suggest examining yourself and your goals. (Here's a post I made about getting your personal finances in order first before going out and starting to invest). Once you are mentally prepared and have the confidence, you will have the power you need to push forward with your goals for investing.
One of the things I've done to boost my confidence is read motivational books - it has truly been helpful and has contributed to my success investing in mobile homes. I recommend reading books that inspire you and motivate you to be all you can be.
Here is a list of my Top 10 Motivational Books that have helped me. I hope it will help you, too!
1. Awaken the Giant Within
2. Unlimited Power
3. Think and Grow Rich
4. The Magic of Thinking Big
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
6. Who Moved My Cheese
7. Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions
8. Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude
9. The Law of Success
10. The Magic of Believing
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Top 10 Personal Finance Books
Thought I'd post a list of the Top 10 Personal Finance Books that have helped me understand the subject of money. Before going out and starting to invest, I needed to make sure I had my own financial house (aka personal finances) in order.
There have been countless people who go out and invest without even having their own finances in order first. By having your financial house in order, you will know how much money is going in and how much is going out, and what areas you need to work on - this is basic stuff most people don't even know.
Here's my Top 10 Personal Finance Books:
1. The Richest Man In Babylon
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad
3. Cashflow Quadrant
4. Guide to Investing
5. The Millionaire Next Door
6. The Automatic Millionaire
7. Your Money or Your Life
8. Four Pillars of Investing
9. The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing
10. A Random Walk Down Wallstreet
There have been countless people who go out and invest without even having their own finances in order first. By having your financial house in order, you will know how much money is going in and how much is going out, and what areas you need to work on - this is basic stuff most people don't even know.
Here's my Top 10 Personal Finance Books:
1. The Richest Man In Babylon
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad
3. Cashflow Quadrant
4. Guide to Investing
5. The Millionaire Next Door
6. The Automatic Millionaire
7. Your Money or Your Life
8. Four Pillars of Investing
9. The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing
10. A Random Walk Down Wallstreet
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