Like Sir Gerry himself, this book gets straight to the heart of the matter. The twinkly-eyed troubleshooter condenses his TV series I'll Show Them Who's Boss into 'six secrets of successful management', including 'Doing the dirt' and 'Blood is thicker than water'. Robinson provides a tough-talking, no-nonsense guide to running a family business, and draws on the experience of his TV victims to illustrate his advice. A recommended read - just don't expect miracle cures.
Unconventional Wisdom; John Ward; John Wiley £24.95
If you're not a Gerry Robinson fan and want a more academic read, try this textbook. Written and edited by a leading expert on family business, it tackles the challenges that every owner of a family business will confront sooner or later - family rivalries, succession planning and strategy. The theory is well balanced, with plenty of practical advice. One to keep on the desk or kitchen table.
Family Business; Denise Kenyon-Rouvinez & John L Ward; Palgrave Macmillan £15.99
Edited by two business-school boffins, Family Business should be read by families toying with the idea of going into business, rather than those already in at the deep end. The book's academic approach suffers the usual dose of management-speak, but if you can get past this you'll be rewarded with some real food for thought.
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