Review

Rating: 8

Let’s get this out of the way - my wife is convinced - and probably correct - I have a man-crush on Bill Rancic. No big deal, nothing weird, but certainly a lot of respect and awe for a guy that certainly rose from the unknown to a celebrity in a matter of months by starring in, and winning the first (and best) season of Donald Trump’s, “The Apprentice”.

Bill and his family grew up in a town that borders mine called Orland Park, Illinois. So as we watched the show, certainly we rooted for the home town favorite, but little did we know early on that Bill would rise to the top as the elite candidate and win the job to work alongside Trump.

I’ve met Bill, and you’ll see my picture with him at a book signing (I was not stalking him). I was privileged to hear him speak to a small group at a local library near me and he was charming, entertaining, and inspiring.

Lest you think this all about how great Bill is - you’re wrong - I want to tell you about Bill’s book titled, “You’re Hired”.

The book is a fast read, and pretty thorough and entertaining account of his childhood and how the entrepreneurial bug was in him at a very early age. You’ll love his story of making pancakes for a group of elderly ladies in the neighborhood. You’ll also love his story about the boat washing business he ran in New Buffalo, Michigan, and how he turned a catastrophe into an amazing display of customer service that business owners should take serious note of.

We also learn about his car restoration business, his early failures in the real estate business, and explicit details about his highly successful Cigars Around the World business. Of course, the book would not be complete without the behind-the-scenes look into Season 1 of the “The Apprentice”. Bill sheds light on many of the challenges and actions that never get developed or told on camera. It’s amazing to learn how things developed off-camera and what they turned into on-camera.

As you read this book, you’ll see Bill was deliberate in crafting it into a mini-seminar. Each chapter has some gray pages sandwiched in-between that reveal “Lessons Learned…” Bill’s theme in the book is to inspire people to success in business and in life. His lessons learned are great primers for newbies in the business world, and very appropriate for students that are in high school and college. (I would urge parents to give this book to their children that are thinking of going into business for themselves).

There’s a lot you can learn from this book and could write chapters on all the lesson I learned in this book. I’ll share 3 lessons from Bill that especially hit home for me.

First, Bill urges the entrepreneur to “visualize the end result”. Literally, see, taste, feel, hear, and smell what the end product and success will look like. Make real. then, work your way backwards from that point so you make a straighter line to get there.

Second, he talks about under-promising and over-delivering. It’s not something new, it’s not something I haven’t heard before. It’s just a good reminder that it’s better to not exaggerate the solution or service you intend to deliver - be true to what you are and what you can do, and then over deliver on your original promise. You’ll have less trouble with clients this way.

Last, read. Yes, read books. I was not a reader in 2005 when I read this book, but Bill reminded me of a principle my parents insisted on as a child. Reading opens your mind, stimulates thought and creativity, and helps you grow as a person and a business owner. Always be reading, always be learning, always be curious.

You may not find this book on shelves anymore, it’s the nature of the business. However, the book is in ample supply at Amazon.com, so why note get a copy and read through the book next week. You’ll thank me later! — Bob