You Can't Go Wrong by Doing It Right: 50 Principles for Running a Successful Business

This book is refreshingly reminiscent of "The One Minute Manager." There are so few gems like this that simply and clearly give the important substance of a topic without wandering through needless arcane rhetoric that sounds intellectual but leaves the reader wondering what to do. Concrete information that every fundraiser needs to know - from creating a budget to finding and asking for money to appropriately recognizing donors is presented in a step-by-step, plain-spoken way. And it all makes immediate sense. Just to make sure the reader grasps and personalizes each concept, Dr. Goldstein makes every chapter interactive. Each principle is reinforced with a few questions for the reader, such as: "List 3-5 `sizzles' that would sell a potential donor," "write a snappy `p.s.' that prompts a potential donor to donate," "list 5 lawyers who specialize in wills and estates who might work with you to find major donors." As a brilliant and most useful caveat, Dr. Goldstein lists different resources specifically related to each principle that the reader can utilize for more information. I recommend this book to those in traditional sales positions as well as fundraising because many of the principles - compelling sales letters, relationship-building, face-to-face sales calls, choosing the most likely leads, record keeping, effective public relations campaigns and web site development - obviously pertain to both fields. As a former College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, I sent many staff members to workshops that only seemed to promote the mystery of fundraising. This book was really all they needed.

This is a business book that sifts through the superfluous and presents an abundance of concise, effective and time-tested principals for doing business. It is destined to become a classic. "You can't go wrong by doing it right" speaks to the business novice as well as the seasoned executive; it should be required reading in the classroom and boardroom. Kudos to Dr. Goldstein for resurrecting the lost art of doing business the right way. Perhaps the title should be, "You can't go wrong by reading this book." I highly recommend this book without reservation.

There are 50 invaluable principles for being successful in business in this book. The writing was succinct, powerful and to the point. Very easy and enjoyable reading. I loved learning about the history of Burdines and the Burdines' family. The founder of Burdines was inspiring having failed dramatically 2 times in his life then in his 50's beginning the mega successful "Sunshine Fashions" department store. I highly recommend this book. It should be in every business person's library.

I highly recommend "You Can't Go Wrong By Doing It Right" to anyone who wants to be a success in business, whether you have an established business or are starting a new one. In this age of high tech, there is one constant -- people. If you do not understand and know how to deal with people, all the high tech will not help. This book is a breath of fresh air for people like myself, who are tired of dealing with companies by voice mail and endless menus to make selections that only lead you further and further away from a real person. "You Can't Go Wrong By Doing It Right" is about real people, real situations and the kind of genuiness that keeps customers for life. As I read each of the 50 principles with each entertaining example, I found myself saying I would like to be treated that way both as an employee and a customer. Not only is the book a roadmap to success in business, it is beautifully written.

My husband, who recently started his own business, and I loved reading this clever and complete presentation of sound business practices. As we all know, the best way to succeed is to emulate the successful. Dr. Goldstein has given us the history of a famous South Flordia family by outlining their strategies in an easy-to-follow guide. There is something for everyone here from the independent entrepreneur to the corporate executive. You really can't go wrong by doing it right - and by reading this book.