Yes Is More: Tangible and Timeless Ways to Differentiate Yourself from Your Competitors

by Howard L. Brown

What makes customers want to do business with you when your products may be virtually the same as anyone else's in your industry? Saying yes instead of no--and being ready to show the customer you re prepared to go the extra mile--is businessman Howard Brown's answer. He should know. He built and sold three thriving office supply businesses, going up against big-time competition and winning every time. In a friendly, matter-of-fact style, the author provides classic personal wisdom that never goes out of style in the pursuit of outstanding profit and success. Some of his points include:
- You can never have enough good people.
- When you find good people, take care of them so they will stay.
- Whatever you put into relationships will benefit you in the end.
- Lead by example.
- Know every aspect of your business, and make sure you can do everyone's job.
- Don't ask people to do anything you are not prepared to do yourself. In the end, and in good times and bad, loyalty to your employees, your manufacturers, and your customers--along with that unique something special--will always lead your company to a place at the top. Brown makes a point of showing how you can create that unique added value for customers that will make your business stand out, and how you can give customers something special, regardless of what you are selling. Entrepreneurs of all stripes will take away insights and value from Yes Is More , and they'll thank Brown for the time he put into this very individual book about saying yes and making it big.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business

176 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Brigitte Delery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent business book from an experienced business owner who has gone through all the stages from starting a company to selling one.
In general, the principles are good ones and there are plenty of personal examples by the author of how he used the principles described to build multiple successful businesses.
I didn't find any particularly stunning revelations in here- much of this is fairly straightforward things that aren't too hard to figure out. I think someone who is new to business or just starting to think about becoming an entrepreneur might find it useful to have the specific examples and to see all of the advice compiled in a single book, but more experienced entrepreneurs will already have a lot of this figured out. (Treat your employees well. Build loyalty with customers and vendors. Find creative ways to give customers what they want. Like...no business book is going to advise you to be mean to employees, betray all of your clients and tell customers no a lot, right?)

Disclaimer: Won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All opinions are mine.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes Is More By Howard Brown is a short, informative and helpful book that shows solid and positive tenants for good business practices. It is written with practical step by step fundamentals with real life illustrations from the author who successfully owned, ran and retired from three businesses. The end of the chapters have a short review of the main points which is helpful. Mr. Brown takes you from the basics like dressing professionally and putting the customer first to selling your business and everything in between. The only drawback is the title doesn't let you know that this book, is primarily for business with products to sell and not so much for the service industry. That said there are still some gems that apply to any situation that can be useful. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a personal approach to business and leadership. I love how the author emphasized the need to respect, love and more so interact with people- it seems that most books on business mention this but rarely do they delve into forming and sustaining these relationships.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Alex Vasai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The correct title, in my opinion, would be "Principles for buying or selling businesses." Howard Brown sold about 40 companies and reveals the lessons for us.
I was more moved by the old American values expressed in the beginning. The key idea I got from this book is to sell my services to everyone I know, but mostly to the companies I often buy from.

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We’re going to say yes and we’re going to figure it out later." What a fresh approach. Howard believed in company and people, no matter what a customer asked for, he never said no.

Great book about leadership (by example) and business.

I highly recommend it.


***Thanks NetGalley!***

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting and inspiring. A lot of lessons throughout author's entrepreneurial journey. Every journey has its start and the way it develops but it is always interesting to learn from others.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is clearly successful and has a lot of great advice, but he comes across as incredibly arrogant.

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!

[Gertrud · Rating 3 out of 5]

THis book is packed with information if your in the corporate world. Mr. Brown tells you how he built up three different companies