In business I've discovered that “you” and your “people skills” are far more important than your technical skills e.g. Your “accounting skills”. This is what Bob talks about when he explains his “5 keys to stratospheric success”. Some of them sound almost “anti-business” e.g. What you're worth is determined by what you give not what you receive, your influence is determined by how abundantly you place the interests of others first etc. It gives valuable insight e.g. Your network as in business network doesn't necessarily refer to your prospects and clients but that group of people who know, like and respect you. Your own personal walking ambassadors who will advocate on your behalf to whomever they meet. This is important to know because as a rule of thumb, people only do business with those they know,like and respect. In a nutshell these rules state that working on yourself (and being yourself) + giving + placing others interests first = business success. If you are business person who seems to be struggling and an honest self-appraisal suggests it has nothing to do with your “technical” business skills, it may have to do with yourself. I recommend you read this book (in conjunction with a few others like Dale Carnegie's “How to Win Friends & Influence People”). If you're not a bookworm fear not. It's a small book and an easy read. I finished it in less than a day.
