1
Always keep in mind that the complaining customer is your very best friend, someone to treasure
2
Just do the business; the costs will take care of themselves
3
Always give your customers more than they bargained for
4
Don’t research the market; test it instead
5
Always keep in mind that you can never win an argument with a customer
6
Always return every electronic communication - phone call, FAX, and e-mail mesage - the same day you receive it
7
Always run your business for the convenience of your customers, not for your or your employees’ convenience
8
Never impose a minimum charge or fee on people who want to do business with you
9
Always have an immediate, right-now, risk-free, money-back, no-hassle return policy
10
Whenever company policy gets in the way of customer satisfaction, change company policy
11
Never use either government statistics or “the state of the economy” as a basis for decision-making
12
Never squeeze your suppliers dry. Always see to it that they make money on you
13
Don’t ever give a consultant final say on anything
14
Always treat your small customers as though they were big customers
15
Always take the word of an expert with several grains of salt
16
Always start your business on a shoestring
17
Always be suspicious of statistics when they’re about people; learn to rely on anecdotal evidence instead
18
Cultivate your street-smarts and let your school-smarts atrophy
19
Forget about luck; there’s no such thing
20
Never be faked out by “problems”; they exist only in your head
21
Hang out with successful people as much as you can; their optimism and confidence are contagious
22
When choosing business associates, shun talkers, embrace doers, and stay away from people who start things but never finish them
23
Don’t ever seek or take the advice of an economist
24
Always keep your eye on the ball - scoring points, not just gaining yards
25
Never raise a white flag in response to a challenge
26
Always keep in mind that every setback in business can be a blessing in disguise
27
Don’t compete in terms of price alone; compete on the basis of quality as well
28
Don’t ever be penny wise and pound foolish
29
Just do it!
30
Never forget that when you’re in business, the buck stops with you. Period
How to Get a Copy of the Book in Hardcover

 

 

What Readers Have Said
About the Book

he following unsolicited comments were all received from readers of Harry Shapiro's Legacy. We're very proud of what they had to say about the book.

From a prominent business consultant

“[Dr.] Shapiro’s book is a 'must read' for any businessman or woman from entrepreneur to executive. He reminds us of the oft forgotten basics of business and the required character traits to success. Whether you wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Shapiro or not, he will likely change how you approach the business of your business and you will be the better for it."

From a successful salesman

“For anyone interested in starting a business, this book is impossible to put down... Finally, some simple advice that makes sense . . . It amazes me how simple customer service is and how few companies even know it even exists ... Growing up in a small family-run retail store, I was proud to see that my family lived by many of the maxims in Harry Shapiro's Legacy. We’ve been in business since 1935, so we must be doing something right!"

From a retired industrial relations consultant

“You have a business? You want to have a business? Either way, you have a friend in Dr. Shapiro, who tells you in Harry Shapiro's Legacy how his father became an excellent and wealthy business owner . . . Read the book. You’ll be glad you did."

From a “self-made" man

“If your business isn't where you want it to be; if your business has ever lost money; if your business lacks customer loyalty and stickiness, Harry Shapiro's Legacy is the solution. But this is no normal book about success; this is about business the way it was run to make America the economic powerhouse it is today. If you prefer clinging to conventional wisdom or the way you've always done things, don't bother. It'll only make you mad. If on the other hand you want your business to flourish ‘Beyond your wildest dreams,’ Read it. Reread it. Act on it. Reap the rewards. I enjoyed every page. Bravo."

From the owner of a direct sales company

“Consuming and acting on Harry Shapiro's Legacy will do more for business than all the bluster of Congress, Business Schools and Alan Greenspan combined. If you own a business, run a corporation, or just dream of being ‘The Boss’ one day, you cannot allow one more tick of the clock to pass without putting this book to work. It is like striking gold and oil with the same spade and, I believe, will be embraced by entrepreneurs everywhere for generations to come."

From a budding entrepreneur

“This is a must read for anyone who is considering the possibility of starting a business. The art of customer service is broken down into basic, hit you right in the face, maxims that are impossible to ignore. Do not even consider opening your own business if you do not follow these maxims, unless you do not plan on having customers!"

From a middle-management executive

“. . . Harry Shapiro's Legacy provides useful insights to propel your business to the next level! It is an excellent read."