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BusinessTools ENTREPRENEURISM

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Of the thousands of resources available to business leaders, which ones are right for you? By Vicki Ikeogu

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truggling to be a good leader? There’s a book for that. Need advice on how to successfully run your company? There’s a trade publication for that. Management advice? Yup, you guessed it. There’s a podcast for that. “There’s so much information out there,” said Neil Vig, Great River Regional Library patron services coordinator. “It’s definitely difficult to find the right information that is really going to be applicable to you. And because there’s so much information, there are many different ideas and not everything is going to work for one person. You have to try different things.” Many library patrons still request tried-and-true business savvy publications like The Wall Street Journal and the Harvard Business Review, Vig said, but many are also opting for other sources to

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help them become successful business leaders. “I see a lot of people going toward podcasts,” Vig said. “Podcasts have definitely become more popular in the last few years. And there is a wide variety of different types of podcasts, too, on pretty much any subject.” Vig encourages people to peruse a variety of podcasts. Some of his suggestions include: Marketing Smarts, $100 MBA, 5 Leadership Questions, Off the Charts Business Podcasts, and his current favorite, Getting Things Done. “Getting Things Done just really helps you, even in your personal life, keep things organized, make lists, and actually accomplish things,” Vig said. For those who choose to explore websites, Vig cautions them be vigilant about the content. “There are a few websites that have been around for quite awhile

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now and it all depends on what type of information you’re looking for,” Vig said. “Sometimes it takes some digging to find exactly what you want.” Annualreports.com is a good site for business owners to consult for research based on what companies within similar industries are doing. “With annualreports.com you can compare what your business is doing and maybe how you can use what other companies show is working for them,” he said. Ted Talks are another solid suggestion for those looking for a more motivational tone to help inspire employees to think outside the box. Even though there are more online tools, print publications still play a major role in the toolbox for successful business owners, Vig said. “While not all books are created equal, the reader can make the final determination for their success.” “The biggest benefit from all of these materials is implementing new ideas, which might be a struggle,” Vig said. “It’s important that you not only gather the information on how to be a better manager or leader but that you actually apply what you learn.” Vicki Ikeogu is a freelance reporter and transportation planner with the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization.

READING CHECKLIST

Are You Fully Charged? The Three Keys to Energizing Your Work and Life by Tom Rath.

The Captain Class: The Hidden Force that Creates the World’s Greatest Teams by Sam Walker.

Eyes Wide Open: Overcoming Obstacles and Recognizing Opportunities in a World that Can’t See Clearly by Isaac Lidsky.

Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice by Clayton M. Christensen.

Designing Your Life: How to Build a WellLived, Joyful Life by William Burnett.

First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham.