Small-business owners are typically time-poor, firefighting or managing employees and clients, but it is these very leaders that should be sharing their years, or often decades, of rich expertise and knowledge. Here’s why writing a business book could be the smartest business move you make this year.
Reinforces your thinking
The fast-paced nature of small business life leaves little room for real reflection on what you’ve learned, or how it can shape future decisions.
“Career journaling, where you read technical content and answer structured questions about your experience, is a form of reflective writing. It doesn’t just create space for self-expression, it also helps to hardwire your learning into the long-term memory, making it accessible for the future. Really knowing yourself, what you stand for and what you can personally bring to the table are the foundations of any successful career” Elisa Nardi, founder and CEO of Notebook Mentor, mexplains.
Challenges old ways of thinking
Businesses, of all sizes, are guilty of being stuck in old ways of thinking which stand in the way of the necessary and inevitable change sustainability demands we implement.
“To focus your business on helping achieve the goals that are going to make a difference to the world will, in most cases, first require a change of mindset. The old ways of running a business are obsolete and stand in the way of the kind of progress people, be they employees, customers or investors, are increasingly demanding. I wrote my books with the sole intention of sharing a proven alternative that challenges the old ways of getting things done, and provides the practical steps necessary to help make change happen,” Neil Gaught, a strategic advisor, sustainability expert and author of two books, CORE and CORE – The Playbook, says.
Reaches a wider audience
Writing a book provides the opportunity to reach many more people than would be possible through the efforts of a single consultant or business. This is one of the main reasons why Teresa Boughey, a Diversity & Inclusion Thought Leader and founder of Jungle HR wrote her bestselling book Closing the Gap.
“I want to enable over 2.5 million people to feel a sense of belonging when they come to work; to be in an environment where they feel respected and valued for their unique difference. My vision is for both the organisation and its people to step into their brilliance and achieve their true potential,” Boughey says.
How to write like a professional
If you are keen to write a business book, but not sure where to get started, Mindy Gibbins-Klein, Founder of The Book Midwife and Managing Director of Panoma Press, has shared some tips.
- Be smart with your time – The average business book can take around 200 hours of time to plan, draft, edit and perfect. However, you can work smarter by following a specific methodology, setting aside specific writing time and avoiding perfectionism.
- Be realistic throughout – Your initial draft is just the first step towards your published book, so always be open to suggestions, willing to change approach and adaptable when your plans might need to change. As a leader, you know that things can take time so be kind to yourself throughout.
- Welcome and embrace feedback – Working with professionals is important, however sharing the unpublished book with some sample readers provides invaluable feedback. This is a real gift, getting help from peers, friends, colleagues and other industry leaders in your network will mean the book is the best it can be.
There is no doubt that writing a business book can be a challenging experience that requires dedication and commitment, but the potential rewards are plentiful.
