In my continuing quest for knowledge about how to make my business a success, I try to read as much as possible about how others have succeeded or failed. Much advice and/or wisdom doesn't apply, but once in awhile I run into some gems that really shine -- things that I wish I had written.

Someday I hope to have the experience and wisdom to write a book on bootstrapping a business -- not another basically useless book on the latest management fad, but a book that an entrepreneur can read, understand and use often during the tough years of starting out. Until then, I'll pass along the things I come across that I feel are good reading and I hope you pass along the things that you feel are worth my time.

Embedded Systems Programming magazine has a monthly column by Jack G. Ganssle called "Break Points". The 11/95 column is entitled, "Call Me Consultant", and deals with starting a consulting business. However, his advice is applicable to any new business and is some of the best I've read in a short column.

Upside magazine bills itself as the magazine for the "technology elite" -- which leaves me out -- but for some reason they send it to me anyway. I page through it and usually don't find a lot that is useful. However, the 01/96 issue had an "On the Soapbox" column entitled, "The Ten Commandments", written by Jim Geisman. He lists ten commandments which he says are the difference between success and failure. They are on the mark and I re-read them often.

If you get the chance to read these articles, let me know what you think. If you have recommendations of you own, I'd be interested in hearing them. I am dead set against re-inventing the wheel and am always sifting through tons of gravel for the golden nugget of advice or wisdom that I can use to help our enterprise be successful.