Essential Business Reading: May 22, 2017

May 22, 2017—To better assist shop owners with their production management, marketing tactics and leadership styles, Ratchet+Wrench has compiled a short list of essential reading material from some of its favorite sources.

Business Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide - Entrepreneur

Every business owner knows he or she needs to have a business plan. But when it actually comes to writing a business plan? When it comes to outlining your goals and strategies for growth? And when it comes to carrying out that business plan? It can seem daunting and time-consuming. Entrepreneur seeks to ease the intimidation of this "inherently strategic" task by offering a copmrehensive how-to guide for writing and executing a business plan.

The Power of Patience and Perseverance - The EntreLeadership Podcast

As the CEO of Grab the Gold, Danielle Ontiveros knows a thing or two about growing a business—in fact, considering her company is now a national brand that has millions of customers, she's almost too qualified to speak on the subject. Yet, despite her massive growth, in the latest episode of The EntreLeadership Podcast, Ontiveros' focus remains on one key formula for success: the willingness to grow steadily. She lays out the keys for slowly growing your business to reach its full potential.

This Question Can Make Your To-Do List A Lot More Manageable - Fast Company

As the owner of your shop, the leader of your team, the face of your business, the idea factory for your entire operation...well, you get it: The duties can pile up. And it's not always easy to effectively manage your time. To ease the stress, Fast Company suggests asking yourself one question: “Which items on my list of tasks and projects are the most important?” It's a simple, yet often ignored question that takes time to truly find an answer to. This article details how you can make the solution your reality and free up your time for your most important business-building tasks.

When a Worker Is Grieving: How to Handle Everything from Condolences to Time Off - Society for Human Resources Management

It's a difficult situation every business owner hopes to never encounter ... yet, it may be inevitable: when an employee is grieving. As the leader of your team, such a scenario needs to be handled delicately, sympathetically—and, from a business standpoint, intelligently. From conversing with the employee to granting time off to folding the employee back into work life, it's an art that must be mastered. Luckily, the Society for Human Resources Management has some tips for managing the situation.