Celebrating Success

Ron Finklestein
Morgan James (2006)
ISBN 1600371647
Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (10/06)

Mr. Finklestein, the Small Business Success Expert, brings us an excellent book, a guide for all small business owners, and anyone aspiring to that direction.  He provides a simple, profound, and usable outline and guidelines that the reader may immediately implement – and, more importantly, get results.  I like the way he sets up the basics of a small business, then describes the elements of a successful model piece by piece, then how each relates to the other.

He additionally provides a number of cases studies, using a variety of settings and circumstances, designed to reach a wider audience.  These case studies alone are worth far more than the price of “Celebrating Success.”  The advice is fundamentally sound and well worth reading.  Mr. Finklestein clearly earns his reputation.  Well done sir.

Reviewed by Erika K. Oliver for Reader Views (11/06)   

Red, yellow, blue and green Post-its adorn my copy of Ron Finklestein’s, “Celebrating Success!: Fourteen Ways to Create a Successful Company”. As I read the book I flagged information to help my own business, information to share with my corporate clients and just plain important stuff that I know but lose sight of in the everyday busyness of growing my empire. The book centers on the experiences of companies attending the Northeast Ohio Business Conference held in Akron, Ohio. As the “fourteen ways” are presented, quotes and wisdom from conference attendees are shared.

In the chapter on “Discipline,” I am encouraged to “focus on just one or two things” (p.23) and not chase every opportunity. I will be sharing the results of developing a business strategy (p.57) with one of my current clients who is resisting the planning process. And, as most business owners know, the key to success is their expertise and unique offering which I often forget when I’m caught up in the day-to-day.  Finklestein reminded me, “to know your limitations.” He goes on to say, “Spend your time on issues that play to your talents and strengths.” (p.98)

At the end of each chapter the reader can find a self-assessment checklist of questions designed to help understand the material in relation to their own business and begin the task of implementing the fourteen ways. The last chapter shares stories from the conference attendees which allow the reader to see real-life, 3D application of the fourteen practices. I was glad to see the last chapter, “Bringing It All Together – Taking Control of Your Destiny,” because fourteen items to work on in my business suddenly seemed like too much! Finklestein advises to address three attributes first: attitude, business strategy, and focus. I would have liked him to go into more detail on how to first approach these attributes but was thankful for the starting place.

“Celebrating Success!” is an easy-to-read book with real-life examples to illustrate the “Fourteen Ways to Create a Successful Company.” The author organizes the text to allow assessment of where you are and steps to institute the ways at the end of each chapter. I recommend this book to people considering starting or buying a business as well experienced business owners. Finklestein reminds the reader of principal attributes to be successful in business …something all business owners need to revisit throughout their entrepreneurial journey.  Finklestein really sums it up when he says, “Know what is important and let the other ‘stuff’ take a back seat.” (p. 129).

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