In Fast-Track Your Business, author Laura Patterson offers step-by-step guidance for acquiring customer insights, creating customer-centric outcomes, and developing strategies and measurable executable plans.

NEW RULES FOR A NEW BUSINESS WORLD Thinking about starting a photography business? The first thing you need to know is that the rules have changed. Yesterday’s business models have collapsed. Creating a successful business in today’s "Digi-Flat" era requires a sharp new approach, one that Dane Sanders has practiced successfully and taught at Fast Track workshops and seminars all around the world. Some of the things you'll learn in this book: How to turn the very technologies that are "killing" professional photography—such as the Internet—into your tools of success -How to lead your business, not let your business lead you -How systematizing, scaling, and outsourcing are critical concepts even for a one-person business -How to radically rethink marketing, sales, and customer service for the 21st century -How to hone a creative vision that works—the most powerful step you can take as a businessperson The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan is not about building a "traditional" business plan that looks good on paper and impresses investors. It's about creating a vibrant, living business plan that will help you thrive in today's digital "Wild West," where creative content is freely distributed, where no one plays by the rules anymore, and where customers have unprecedented freedom in choosing what to buy and whom to hire. It's a groundbreaking look at running a creative business. Whether you're an amateur looking to go pro or a professional whose business has stalled, Dane's practical, on-the-ground advice will launch you on the fast track to business success. Includes free access to Dane's online "stress test" to diagnose your business's strengths—as well as where it needs help!

If you want to accelerate your career development and transform your skillset, but without the price tag and two-year commitment of the MBA, this is the book for you. The 30 Day MBA covers the 12 core disciplines of business: accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behaviour, business history, business law, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics and social responsibility, operations management, research and analysis and strategy. It provides the tools and techniques you need to seize business opportunities and implement strategies successfully. Complex concepts are explained in simple and practical terms, helping you to apply high level concepts to the real-life world of business. The 30 Day MBA also contains insightful case studies from leading organizations including IKEA, Cisco, Cobra Beer, Heinz, Shell, Hotel Chocolat and Chilango, to help keep you right up-to-the-minute with current trends and inspire you to explore new concepts. This book equips you with essential hard knowledge, but also helps you understand how business and current thinking is shifting in today's turbulent global markets, and broadens your mind with the knowledge and confidence to excel in a competitive career.

Shortcut is the new catchphrase that identifies high-quality, influence and value in employees and executives. Be A Shortcut is a business book that provides new frameworks and tactics to help a broad range of individuals become the professionals their company can't live without. The book shows you how to actually become a Shortcut using Halford's proven, Shortcut success formula. You'll gain more influence, become more valuable, get promoted faster, find better customers, get better raises - no matter what you do. Shortcut is a way of thinking, a way of doing, a way of being - and when you commit yourself to it, you'll write your own ticket to wherever you want to go.

"The Definitive Business Plan" delivers fast-track advice, aimed at competent business people who want to get beyond the basics and produce definitive, cogent and intelligent plans.

Learn the financing fast track strategies used by successful entrepeneurs and investors.

Along with her daughter, Mason has written a guide for young women who are facing the tough decision of when--and if--to start a family. The result is a roadmap of new choices for women facing the sobering question of how to balance a successful career with family.

“It’s true! Not everyone has a ‘God-given’ talent for etiquette, but my friend Isabelle Vladoiu has both talent and blessing from God and shares the Business Etiquette Secrets as a friend and a professional that will turn any lack of talent into your business treasure! I have seen Isabelle apply her etiquette secrets in several diplomatic settings and witnessed how she turned partisanship into friendship for causes that really matter. Read, study, memorize this book, and find that Business Etiquette Secrets will open doors for you, too, that have been previously unimagined!” James E. Schaefer, Franklin Fellow, U.S. Department of State, and Chaplain, U.S. Army “I have traveled the world on business for decades. I wish Isabelle’s book had come out before I made some of the faux pas that are only humorous in hindsight. Some are costly. Thank you, Isabelle for helping the rest of us get it right!” - Brian J. Grim, Ph.D., Founder and President, Religious Freedom and Business Foundation "Business Etiquette Secrets is a fresh, well-structured book, providing the reader with a clear outline of absolutely all aspects of protocol. It is a must-read for anyone who aspires towards a professional ascension." - H.E. Cristina Balan, Former Ambassador of Moldova to the USA About the book: Business Etiquette has, for ages, helped people crack lucrative deals or get that dream job. The lack of knowledge of Business Etiquette, however, has led to people losing many game-changing, career and business growth opportunities. If you want to get noticed in a conference or a networking event, if you want people to walk up to you and say ‘Hello’, if you want to be surrounded by people when you talk, if you want to leave a lasting impression on influential people, if you want to learn how to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing), then you need to become a master of Business Etiquette. Some people think that Business Etiquette is equivalent to the knowledge of table manners and which fork to use when, but fortunately, that is not the case. Business Etiquette is about standing out in the crowd, knowing exactly how to blow people’s minds, knowing exactly how to stamp yourself in people’s minds so that they remember you for a long time to come. Business Etiquette is about presenting yourself in such a way that people can’t take their eyes off you. Business Etiquette is about ruling the party, being the Hero, being the one everyone wants to talk to, mesmerizing everyone with your mannerisms, your style, your language, your approach. Strong knowledge about Business Etiquette can lead you to become the star of the show. ; Unfortunately, many think that only some have this ‘God Given’ talent. What they don’t know is that Business Etiquette Is A Skill That Can Be Developed. All you need to have are the right tools to build this muscle of Business Etiquette and you can become UNSTOPPABLE. This book gives you step by step instructions on how to build that muscle, especially focusing on ; - Differences between etiquette, protocol, politeness and good manners - Rules of business etiquette in oral communication - Rules of etiquette regarding business cards - Rules of etiquette in written communications - Protocol at social events. Hosting guests and VIPs ; - Dress codes and proper attire for men and women - Table etiquette. More than dining etiquette

Who’s pulling for you? Who’s got your back? Who’s putting your hat in the ring? Odds are this person is not a mentor but a sponsor. Mentors can build your self-esteem and provide a sounding board—but they’re not your ticket to the top. If you’re interested in fast-tracking your career, what you need is a sponsor—a senior-level champion who believes in your potential and is willing to advocate for you as you pursue that next raise or promotion. In this powerful yet practical book, economist and thought leader Sylvia Ann Hewlett—author of ten critically acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking Off-Ramps and On-Ramps—shows why sponsors are your proven link to success. Mixing solid data with vivid real-life narratives, Hewlett reveals the “two-way street” that makes sponsorship such a strong and mutually beneficial alliance. The seven-step map at the heart of this book allows you to chart your course toward your greatest goals. Whether you’re looking to lead a company or drive a community campaign, Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor will help you forge the relationships that truly have the power to deliver you to your destination.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER A complete resource to show you get ahead as a manager faster by gaining a clearer understanding of risk management. Fast Track to Success brings together the latest business thinking, practical techniques and cutting edge online material. Risk management has become a hot topic since the economic downturn. By the end of 2009 half of all companies employed a dedicated risk manager, compared with only12% in 2008. Fast Track to Success: Risk Management shows you how to quickly assess your current state of risk management effectiveness using a simple framework. It goes on to show you how to develop your own approach to risk management. FAST TRACK books all feature the following: - A combination of skills development and career development that includes a framework to help you develop your career as well as produce terrific results. - A clear structure which makes it easy to navigate information quickly. Summaries, quick tips, FAQs and Expert Voices help you find information quickly. - Fresh, contemporary full colour design. - Real life stories to give examples of what works and critically what doesn’t. - Custom-designed, highly interactive companion website www.fast-track-me.com