Jim Sobeck and “The Real Business 101: Lessons From the Trenches”
Upstate entrepreneur Jim Sobeck has followed a winding path to author of “The Real Business 101: Lessons From the Trenches.” The president and CEO of New South Construction Supply, Sobeck said he didn’t intend to write a book filled with business advice. However, as he served on multiple private and nonprofit boards, he ended up sharing stories about how he handled certain situations.
Several people encouraged him to write a book compiling his advice, which loomed as a daunting task.
“If I had decided to sit down and write a book, I would have quit at noon on the first day,” he said.
However, Sobeck discovered that despite his busy schedule, he could manage a blog post each week. For three years, Sobeck wrote his blog on business and had entries reprinted in several trade magazines, including ProSales. He was soon receiving positive feedback and subject ideas, he said.
With more than 150 blog entries, he had plenty for a book. He said he published on the digital platform Smashwords because it works on all devices – and he wouldn’t have to leave his business for a book tour required by some publishers.
The book focuses on everything from hiring and firing to insurance for businesses. Sobeck said his favorite chapter is on hiring.
“Hiring is the most important job of a manager, as good hires make your life as a manager easy and bad hires make your life a nightmare,” he said. “It amazes me how many companies hire without background checks, references checks, intelligence and psychological testing, drug screens and in-depth interviews.”
Since its release in September 2013, more than 500 copies of “The Real Business 101” have been downloaded. Sobeck is now investigating a hardcover version because of demand for gift copies and companies requesting copies to distribute to their sales staff, he said. Readers can purchase a copy at smashwords.com or amazon.com.
