Net Worth
Good Info I've Collected
- Debt Calculators and Debt Reduction Resources
- Financial Calculators
- Free Stuff
- Increasing Your Income
- Keeping Motivated
- Living Frugal
- Random Money Saving Tip
Site Design By
Site Hosted By
- Dreamhost - use code GIVEME50 and you will save $50 off your first year of hosting (I make $47).
Larry Winget, the “Pitbull of Personal Finance,” has a book geared towards those who are an employee or an employer - It’s Called Work for a Reason (aff. link). I won an autographed copy over at All Financial Matters back in August of last year and I’m getting things done so here is a long overdue review 
The book really focuses on two things that I will detail below.
The Employee
Larry looks deep into an employee’s mind and debunks common thoughts that employees have. How about the answer to this question - What are they paying you for? Even I would answer with, “They pay me to work hard.” Larry argues that you are paid for results. That makes perfect sense to me. If you produce results, you are kept around and paid. The hardest worker in the world probably wouldn’t be kept around long if they couldn’t get the job done.
My favorite part of this book is the tidbit Larry shares about becoming invaluable. He shares his story about Carolyn at the UPS Store. She handled Larry’s shipping for over five years and he always knew she would take care of his packages and they would get to their destination. Then one day Larry found out she was leaving. He wasn’t sure he could bring his packages to that location anymore. His feelings about the business as a whole were shaky now, because the one employee he associated the business with was leaving. Carolyn was invaluable. Larry argues that you should be the invaluable employee and open yourself up to new opportunities. You want your employer to say that they couldn’t run their business without you.
The Employer
As an employer, your goal is to have great employees that do their job and do it well. Profit is always important and great employees can increase your bottom line. Larry gives suggestions on how to make that happen, from creating the right work environment to communicating your expectations of your employees. He goes into detail on what he perceives as the eight ATE’s of leadership: create, communicate, educate, delegate, participate, hibernate, evaluate and amputate. Even though I’ve never been an employer, I found myself thinking of past employers and there were certain ones that brought out the best in me. I think Larry is pretty darn close with his list.
Then, in Larry style, he tells you “How to Absolutely Destroy the Competition.” You may think that it involves bashing the competition, but Larry doesn’t think so. Rather, you have to stop believing in it.
“Discover your uniqueness and learn to exploit it in the service of others, and you are guaranteed success, happiness, and prosperity.”
A great example of one such business that has exploited their uniqueness is Apple. Sure, they make a computer, but they do it differently than other companies. As a result, they are doing quite well.
Conclusion
There is so much more to this book and I just skimmed a few of the tidbits that I thought were particularly interesting. As an employee, I didn’t get bored by the employer parts. That’s because I was taking it all in because learning how employers can get great employees can help you become a better employee.
I’ve been trying to stay pretty neutral when it comes to personal finance/development gurus, but I have to admit…I like Larry. We share a lot of the same views and he also has accomplished a lot in his life. He tells me things like he sees it and I respect that.
If I had to choose between reading It’s Called Work for a Reason (aff. link) and You’re Broke Because You Want to Be (which I reviewed last month), I would choose It’s Called Work for a Reason. If you asked me before I started this debt reduction journey, I would have said You’re Broke Because You Want to Be. I think it’s just the phase in my life that I am in right now.
Since I won this book, I’m going to give it away to one of you!
To be considered, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.
The deadline to enter is 10:00pm EST on Wednesday, February 13, 2008. I will use random.org to select one random commenter. I will announce the name on here no later than Thursday, February 14, 2008 as well as email the commenter. At that time the commenter will need to email me back to confirm their address (US addresses only, please). If I do not hear back from the commenter selected by midnight on Saturday, February 16, 2008, I will randomly select another commenter. Your chances of having your comment selected will depend on the number of comments received and only one comment per person please.
Random Posts
About This Site
Credit Card Debt
- Starting = $37,614
- Paid Off = $28,616
- Current = $8,998
- $25 ING Savings Bonus
Savings Account
- Current = $3,203
| BlogHer Ad Network |
| More from BlogHer |
| Advertise here |
| BlogHer Privacy Policy |
Posted: February 11th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I’m in
I love Larry, even though he totally dresses like a cowboy throwback.
Got to have a gimmick, I guess
Posted: February 11th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Enter me!
Posted: February 11th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I’m extremely sick of my job right now. I’m not sure if this will be good to read, or not good at all to read! Guess I’ll find out if I win!!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Terrific review Tricia…
I’ll never forget the first time I viewed his “Big Spender” television program - I was mesmerized. It was awesome!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Larry’s pretty fun to watch, and a blast to listen to. Basically, he says the things out loud that I’m afraid to write on my own blog.
Gotta get over this fear of flaming…
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 2:13 am
I’d love to read this, his books aren’t readily available here in Australia.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Larry is AWESOME! PLease enter me!
Valerie
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Wow…this sounds like a great read! I know a couple of people in our house that should read it.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 11:26 am
You made me play tag, so I figure you owe me a book!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Thank you for entering me. Love to watch Larry on television.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I would love to win this book. I think it’s something that I would have to end up giving to some of my peers at work!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Enter me. I would love to read this book!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Keep up the good work, Tricia!
Thanks.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Would love to win this. Thank you!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hey I’m always open to a new book. Rob
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
As always a good review - I’ve added this book to my list of reading to be done. I have to say I’m intrigued by Winget’s style; a lot of PF bloggers really seem to enjoy his work.
Definitely sign me up for the contest.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Hi Tricia, I’ve been popping into your site ever since you received your loan on prosper.
I’d like to be entered into the drawing. My husband and I have our own 2 person company and I think it would be interesting to see what Larry has to say about employers.
Keep up the good work.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Sound like an interesting book - would love to win it!!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I love the Big Spender. I like the fact it just cuts to the chase and tells it like it is. I’m sure people on the show must really hate him at first, but what a difference he can make in their lives if they listen and follow his advice.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your debt reduction journey. I enjoy your blog. I feel kind of out of it since I haven’t heard of Larry Winget. I will have to check him out.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I love Larry too! He is a straight shooter and breaks it down. You’re Broke …. was awesome, I can’t wait to read They Call It Work…. Thanks for sharing your journey. You are an inspriation to everyon else!
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Good review, I’ll have to check out this book. Hiring good employees is key to building a business. I had an employee that worked for me that helped build the business at my store. I got promoted to a different position. The new manager didn’t get along with this person and subsequently let them go and the business dropped right back down to where it was before she got there. Especially in a position where these people are on the frontlines (i.e. retail), it’s amazing that there is the mentality that people are just disposable and replaceable.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I know my job is work and I want to get out of my job for a reason.
Posted: February 12th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
This sounds like a book I need to read, to make myself that invaluable employee
Posted: February 13th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Sign me up!! The waiting list at the library is too long
Posted: February 14th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED - TIME TO DRAW A NAME
Posted: February 14th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
[…] Tricia: COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED - TIME TO DRAW A NAME
[…]