Amazon’s Kindle Application Available for iPhone

Since my book “A Journey with Mac: Rediscovering the Fundamentals of Business” is now available on Kindle, I was very excited to learn that free Kindle app showed up in the iPhone App Store for use on iPhones and iTouches—making all 240,000-plus Amazon titles available for the millions of iPhone users. Amazon’s Kindle feature called “Whispersync” made this deal possible as it allows a user to read the same book across multiple devices. I found some reports on-line from those who tried reading books on both, Kindle2 and iPhone, and seems that Kindle is still a more convenient device to read books, after all it was invented for that. The future is certainly here.

Creating much-needed hope amid economic troubles

Please read my article in Charlestoncurrents.com about rediscovering the fundamentals of business and what steps businesses can take to create much needed hope amid economic troubles and survive in 2009.

http://www.charlestoncurrents.com/issue/09_issues/09.0226.htm#focus

My New Book is Now Available on Kindle

This February, Amazon launched a new version of its popular e-book reader Kindle 2. The Kindle 2 is thinner (thinner than an iPhone), has a crisper black-and-white display, turns pages much more quickly and should hold its battery charge for about 25 percent longer than the previous model. New features were also supposed to include text-to-speech and the ability to transfer content to other devices (such as mobile phones and other Kindles) at the same price as the original Kindle model of $359. Amazon started shipping the new product on Feb. 24. However, today Amazon announced that it will let publishers decide whether they want the new Kindle e-book device to read their books aloud. In any case, Amazon maintains that the feature is completely legal as”no copy is made, no derivative work is created, and no performance is being given.”

The text-to-speech feature allows Kindle owners to have books read to them in a male or female computerized voice. My new book, A Journey with Mac: Rediscovering the Fundamentals of Business that is helping businesses and organization get back to basics and survive this recession, is now available in Kindle on Amazon.com.

Take Two Aspirins and Call Me in the Morning

Sound advice if you are trying to cure the symptoms!  So many businesses today are desperately trying to cure their symptoms and settling for temporary relief.  But like so many of us, four hours after taking the first dose we are repeating the medication trying to ease the familiar pain.

In the majority of the businesses I have coached, I have observed how the owners or managers are focusing only on the symptoms of their business.  While treating these symptoms they are only experiencing temporary relief or in many cases no relief at all.

Why?  The symptom is not the cause of any given problem; it is only the indicator of what lies underneath the surface.  While discussing business with a potential client I hear frequently how sales are off, profits are falling, and/or morale is poor. By no means are these the problems or issues—only the symptoms of the “root cause.”

Peeling the layers back and digging into the situation one can begin to uncover the issue causing the pain.  What is causing my headache is the same question that should be asked in business, what is causing poor sales and profits or low morale?  These are the headaches.

Morale can be the result of many events in a company.  Poor communications, disrespect of employees/employers, not understanding what is expected, and poor working conditions can be a few of the issues leading to low morale.

Falling sales are often blamed on the economy.  Upon closer examination poor sales could be the result of not having the right product, pricing issues, poor product knowledge, ineffective advertising, lack of training of the sales staff or not understanding the competitive situation. 

When a principal or manager or supervisor is working in a crisis environment any immediate help is welcomed.  Multiple concerns hitting these individuals from all directions often lead to “just get it done.”  “I don’t have the time to deal with this right now,” becomes a mantra.  But these same individuals somehow find the time to correct the things they didn’t do right the first time.  This is far more costly and time consuming. The result typically leads to a downward spiral that can impact sales, profits and morale all at once.

What should I do?

Look at the symptoms as just that: symptoms.  They are not the problem or the issue. Physicians have lab tests, X-rays, and EKGs to evaluate the symptoms of their patients and then can prescribe accordingly.  Business leaders need to learn the techniques to define their “root causes” and spend their time and resources on addressing the real problem or issue.  Remember:  It is the issue not the symptom that is the target that needs the attention and focus.  Take care of the issue and the symptoms will likely disappear. 

So is it going to really be a “Happy New Year?”

Now that the New Year’s celebrations are over and the newly promised resolutions are starting to wane, what’s the plan for your business in 2009? Is it business as usual, has panic set in or are you positively dealing with our challenging environment?

We are in the throws of a recession that I have not experienced in my business career. Black Monday in October of 1985 was the economic nosedive prior to what we are experiencing today—but it was not as severe.

I have noticed that many businesses are electing to take the reactive-negative approach to dealing with the times. Dramatic discounts are being taken to stimulate sales and/or excessive cuts are being made in expenses particularly payroll and advertising; these are occurring far too often.

I am working with my clients to take a more positive approach: determining what can be accomplished in 2009 to minimize overhead, increase market share and prepare for the turnaround predicted for early 2010. How to survive in 2009 and be properly positioned for better times in 2010 is the short and long-term strategic plan of today.

I encourage the companies I coach not to take a “knee-jerk” approach but to analyze how to be more productive with less people and not make cuts that in the long term will cost more than the short term gain. 2009 is a year of reckoning. It is a year to force us to answer the hard questions that we so conveniently put off. Questions such as: Can I afford to keep an under producer because he has been with the company so long? Can I continue not to hold people accountable for their actions? Will I continue to allow my employees to delegate upwardly to me? Will I make sales only to swap dollars with no intent to make a profit? These and other pertinent questions must be answered. But it is essential to ask the right questions to achieve the proper solutions.

The competition of any business is going through the same dilemmas. But the smart ones are positioning themselves for the better times that lie ahead. How to capture increased market share in 2009 is at the top of the agenda.

These companies are not being overly aggressive in slashing expenses but are examining where the “fat” is and how to become “lean and mean.” Under producers are being asked to leave and being replaced with energetic, creative and most of all accountable individuals. Attention is being given to competitive weaknesses to gain market penetration and customer service to create “raving fans” is paramount in the thoughts of forward thinking entrepreneurs.

So I leave you with this question. Will you succumb to the “dire straits” of today, put your head in the sand hoping all this will go away, or are you willing to take a stand and strengthen and position your business for your future, your family’s and that of the business?

More Book Endorsements

“A Journey with Mac” is a delight.  Al Katz provides the reader with all the tools necessary to effectively lead an organization.  His creative story telling leaves a lasting impression, and helps each of us to absorb his business leadership Process.  The concepts are not new, yet the approach to solving the most basic and sophisticated business issues are fresh, on target, and proven.  You will enjoy the ride.”

 

D. Maybank Hagood

President/CEO Southern Diversified Distributors, Inc.

 

“In today’s world where many get wrapped up in the “concept-of-the-day” we loose sight of what common sense would require. (I suggest that some of today’s economic problems are a result of this blindness). ”A Journey with Mac” presents business basics in an interesting story that not only allows us to grasp and be reminded of these basic concepts but affords a means to actually employ them.

 

James J. Kerr, Sr.

President

Asset Management & Consulting Services

Testimonials

“WOW! What a Brilliantly Simple & Simply Brilliant book about how to have
a better business and a better life; with a comfortable & wise friend as a
guide.”

Ed Pendarvis ’65
Founder, Chair Emeritus, Sunbelt Network
Author, “Buying a Business to Secure Your Financial Freedom”

“Journey with Mac”  written by Al Katz is an easy and fun read regarding business and management applications that can help any manager of people improve communication, accountability and time management.  You will find yourself rooting for the main character Greg, and may find some similarities in your own life. Al Katz will show you a way to improve your life and help you find a way to have fun again.”

Jack R. Krapf, CIMA, First Vice President – Investments, The Krapf Group, Merrill Lynch

Christmas gifts

I have received many emails regarding the availability of my book “A Journey with Mac” during this holiday season. If you would like to purchase my book for your colleagues or loved ones, please visit www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. Thank you so much for all your support! Happy Thanksgiving!

“A Journey with Mac” Launching this November

My first book “A Journey with Mac” is now available on www.amazon.com. I poured decades of experience working with hundreds of businesses into the main character of the book “Mac.” The book introduces concepts that put “fun” back in business, and along the way, you’ll rediscover the fundamentals of business. I wrote this book to teach readers how to take their business to the next level and at the same time learn how to work more effectively and spend more quality time with families and friends, traveling or just enjoying the fruits of their hard work. In a unique and engaging way Mac takes a failing businessman named Gregg on an inspiring and life changing journey, offering him powerful tools for success in both his business and personal life.