Dirty Business

A "must read" by the Daily Telegraph

Reviews


  1. On the one hand, there are things I really dislike about this book. On the other, there are some good ideas, and I am actively using one of them. So I guess it is fair that I write about it.

     

    What did I like?  Here goes;

     

    • 'Predictable is beatable' - I like that idea. Be unpredictable. I've just been through the pain of seeing Ireland thoroughly beaten by Wales this morning. However we did manage one try - when something went wrong and the ball ended up somewhere totally unexpected, thereby breaking the Welsh defence.

     

    • Use a diary for task management and relentlessly follow up. Remember when people agreed to do something and make sure you check up - people will soon learn that you follow up which will improve their performance. I have done that for 1 day, it's improved my productivity and I got one of my team to take action on something he has been avoiding.

     

    • Better to pay two great people at a premium than three mediocre people at a mediocre price. Compete for the best people and you will get the best results. Absolutely.

     

    • Success is achieved through determination and persistence - everything else just helps. I agree.

     

    So there we go. David describes himself as a lively, lippy guy who has succeeded four times and failed twice. Maybe he would have failed less often if if he liked his fellow man more, but then maybe I am being naïve. I can't deny he has some great ideas and isn't afraid of learning from failure.

    Jean - betterbusinessbooks.co.uk

  2. A Great Read !!! talks so much sense and reminds me of my FOSS and STAR training days !! Well worth a read even if you have been running your own business for 8, 10, 20 or 50 years

    Tony Kenny - Code Blue Group

  3. David I just wanted to say the book is great, I found my self laughing and crying at the sheer memories of our all:sports days. I even texted Ron to remind him of his fame......I have read the book already and I only received it last week....It took me back to my retail roots!!.....I so miss those days, they will stay with me forever....for better or worse!!!!.......great REAL read....take care both. regards Karen Smith from Sunny Scunthorpe

    Karen Smith

  4. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Dirty Business' by David Hughes. The first thing I will say is that it is refreshingly light on 'management speak', which makes the key points that David makes easy to take in and more importantly easy to remember. That is the main thing that sets it apart from other business books I have read where flowcharts and tables make it seem as if a computer program could be successful in business! The book covers a wide variety of topics from marketing to man-management, and on each topic it gives two or three deceptively simple, straightforward pieces of advice that leave the reader thinking 'I can do that'. Indeed the beauty of this book is that anybody can pick it up and gain something from it, whether you work on the market selling fruit or are already at the helm of your own big company, there is something in here for everyone to help them be more effective in whatever they are doing. David has a way of crystallizing his business philosophies into simple, easy to remember phrases, which, if you keep them in your mind when approaching any situation will definitely stand you in good stead. As well as this, David illustrates the points he makes with lively, funny and sometimes controversial, real world examples of how he has put his philosophy into practice. So - to paraphrase one of David's famous mottos - 'Buy it now!'

    Dan - TSR Limited

  5. "Entrepreneur-turned retail guru, David Hughes shares his 30 years hands-on business experience. A mix of real personal events and some golden nuggets to put in your treasure chest of tips. I would definitely recommend it."

    Paul Harvey - PTM Limited

  6. "After decades working in retail, Hughes has put his experience to good use. He talks about everything from PMA to being cynical about the security of your business. In his own words, an unputdownable book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will refer back to it again and again, I'm sure."

    Tony Jenkins - R L Solutions Limited

  7. "Guess what? You too can be successful if you want it badly enough. That's the hidden message in this new book by David Hughes. He says all you need is a 'can-do' attitude and some simple tried and tested tricks. A great read."

    Suzanne Aldridge - TSR Limited

  8. "A relentlessly optimistic view on business and how to learn from the author's own mistakes. An easy read that you can dip in and out of".

    Mike Johnson - MJ Limited

  9. "WOW!  There are some valuable lessons to learn from this book.  CHAPTER 14 is hard-hitting, but makes you think! Read it and pass it on."

    Nick Jones - Single Resource Limited

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