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Business Mensch: Timeless Wisdom for Today's Entrepreneur
In Business Mensch, author Noah Alper gives you the practical skills you need to make your business the best it can be. Written with Los Angeles journalist Thomas Fields-Meyer, this book will ignite a national conversation about why being a mensch* is not only good for the soul... it is good for business, too. Learn entrepreneurship from a business leader with 35 years of experience and start down a path to success using timeless wisdom as your guide. Just as Noah's Bagels with its distinctly Jewish roots appeals to all kinds of appetites, Business Mensch provides nourishment for a variety of readers, helping them excel in both business and life. * moral, upstanding person
- GenresBusiness
167 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2011
The title and the over of the book state right up front that the author is proud and unapologetic of his Jewish heritage. Being a shiksa myself (a non-Jew married to a Jew) I am always interested in learning more of the Jewish tradition and I also have an entrepreneurial heart, so I was anxious to read this book and I was not a bit disappointed.
The first couple of chapters lay the foundation for the author's incorporation of his entrepreneurial spirit and his upbringing and basic values. He is open and honest to the point where a time or two I was a bit taken aback (the lemonade stand, hershey bar incident!) As I completed the book, I appreciated him being honest and candid about his past and what he learned.
The middle of the book discusses important lessons: treat others with decency and fairness, have faith in people, give others the tools and a chance and watch as they grow and reach their potential and use their talents, never hire someone you can't fire, etc. Basic lessons but worth the time to be reminded. Alper correlated important business principles into the practical values and traditions of Judaism. By doing so, he reminds us that these traditional values are as universal as the wisdom of conducting fair business and treating others with dignity and respect. We can all learn from many types of people, and anyone who can square their personal values with the importance of making a living, and doing so in a manner respectful of humanity is a wise person.
Personally, my favorite part of this book was toward the end and the chapter on Shabbot or rest. I teach yoga classes and the longer I teach, the more I recognize that giving others a sense of permission to take a time out, take a breath, and renew and re-energize is like water in a hot, arid, desert. We are a people who never stop working (myself included!) and the importance of stopping, breathing, and resting is becoming something much further down on our list of "to-do's." Also emphasized toward the end of the book is the importance of purpose and using our unique gifts to contribute and love those around us.
The glossary at the end of the book was a great addition.
Easily read in a couple of hours, this book is worth the time.
The first couple of chapters lay the foundation for the author's incorporation of his entrepreneurial spirit and his upbringing and basic values. He is open and honest to the point where a time or two I was a bit taken aback (the lemonade stand, hershey bar incident!) As I completed the book, I appreciated him being honest and candid about his past and what he learned.
The middle of the book discusses important lessons: treat others with decency and fairness, have faith in people, give others the tools and a chance and watch as they grow and reach their potential and use their talents, never hire someone you can't fire, etc. Basic lessons but worth the time to be reminded. Alper correlated important business principles into the practical values and traditions of Judaism. By doing so, he reminds us that these traditional values are as universal as the wisdom of conducting fair business and treating others with dignity and respect. We can all learn from many types of people, and anyone who can square their personal values with the importance of making a living, and doing so in a manner respectful of humanity is a wise person.
Personally, my favorite part of this book was toward the end and the chapter on Shabbot or rest. I teach yoga classes and the longer I teach, the more I recognize that giving others a sense of permission to take a time out, take a breath, and renew and re-energize is like water in a hot, arid, desert. We are a people who never stop working (myself included!) and the importance of stopping, breathing, and resting is becoming something much further down on our list of "to-do's." Also emphasized toward the end of the book is the importance of purpose and using our unique gifts to contribute and love those around us.
The glossary at the end of the book was a great addition.
Easily read in a couple of hours, this book is worth the time.
Want to read
October 16, 2009Thanks to the Nonprofit Times email of October 13, 2009 :
What’s behind philanthropy? Maybe something like this: Act like a good, decent person. That’s also the definition of a mensch that Noah Alper offers in his book, “Business Mensch.”
Alper applied the advice he received from his parents to business and found success doing so, but the principles he advocates can work for any organization, nonprofit or for-profit.
The principles of a mensch:
* Repetition is reputation. As Alper's father taught him, if you do things repeatedly, that's how people remember you.
* Do the right thing, even when no one is looking. When there is a lot of money or power involved, people find it easy to lose their moral bearings. That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
* Be a generous boss. It's all about keeping the rank-and-file happy and productive. Instead of marginalizing employees or tempting them into taking from the organization, make them feel like a part of it.
* Respect your employees. Act as if you think they have intelligence. Ask them about their opinions, and be willing to act on them.
* Never lose sight of the customer. Business is all about attentiveness to the customer. Nonprofit operation is about attention to the client.
* Give a little, get a lot. Nonprofit work is about community outreach. So, reach out to the community.
What’s behind philanthropy? Maybe something like this: Act like a good, decent person. That’s also the definition of a mensch that Noah Alper offers in his book, “Business Mensch.”
Alper applied the advice he received from his parents to business and found success doing so, but the principles he advocates can work for any organization, nonprofit or for-profit.
The principles of a mensch:
* Repetition is reputation. As Alper's father taught him, if you do things repeatedly, that's how people remember you.
* Do the right thing, even when no one is looking. When there is a lot of money or power involved, people find it easy to lose their moral bearings. That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
* Be a generous boss. It's all about keeping the rank-and-file happy and productive. Instead of marginalizing employees or tempting them into taking from the organization, make them feel like a part of it.
* Respect your employees. Act as if you think they have intelligence. Ask them about their opinions, and be willing to act on them.
* Never lose sight of the customer. Business is all about attentiveness to the customer. Nonprofit operation is about attention to the client.
* Give a little, get a lot. Nonprofit work is about community outreach. So, reach out to the community.
December 14, 2010
Disclosure - I am paid to promote this book.
That being said, I only promote books that I believe in, and that I enjoy. This book is particularly inspirational to entrepreneurs, and those who have wondered if you must give up your personal morality in exchange for that of a more established business persona. I found myself anxious to discuss this book with friends and family. If you are looking to understand the concepts that made Noah's bagels successful, you will find that here, as well as a truly entertaining look at the process.
That being said, I only promote books that I believe in, and that I enjoy. This book is particularly inspirational to entrepreneurs, and those who have wondered if you must give up your personal morality in exchange for that of a more established business persona. I found myself anxious to discuss this book with friends and family. If you are looking to understand the concepts that made Noah's bagels successful, you will find that here, as well as a truly entertaining look at the process.
January 11, 2011
Won this one off Goodreads... the founder of Noah's Bagels gives insight and tips based on his own personal story of incorporating ethics/morality into business. Through a mix of business savvy, Jewish faith, and volunteerism, Alper created, maintained, and sold (for $100 million) a successful business...
Want to read
June 24, 2011I won this book from First Reads Giveaway. I will read it soon. Thanks.
June 25, 2012
My first step into the Gift economy.
How Business can rhyme with ethics.
How Business can rhyme with ethics.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews