Nominated: "Forbes Top 20 Most Influential Business Books of the Past 20 Years"

---

Burke, judging by the evaluations, notes, and comments, your presentation was very well received. “Excellent” and “Good first-hand information” were typical of the comments we received.
- Ellen Gerl, Conference Program Planner, National Business Incubator Association

---

I would like to suggest you consider Mr. Burke Franklin's "Business Black Belt" for best book of the year. I have used others products developed and provided by JIAN and found them to be an excellent source of business information. They concentrate on organization, prioritization and business focus. Mr. franklin's straight forward, yet, effective methods demonstrate that value is derived from useful thought rather than complicated formula. Thank you, Steve Atkinson The Energy group of America, Inc. Steve Atkinson Bus. (407) 293-8870 ext.201 Cell. (407)252-6741

---

Burke Franklin is a modern day muse for the business community. His methods are insightful and relevant. This book is a must for new and old businesses alike. Whether your looking to regain that cutting edge, or simply trying to avoid the pitfalls this book is for you ! I highly recommend Anything Burke the Jian does, and Business Black Belt is hands down one of the most important business books of the last 20 years!
- David M. Lemon, President, webTEAM Incorporated Cooperative Developers Network http://www.webteam.c

---

Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin
This is an author who has been on the front line of experience in the
business world and I trust his words based on that experience, which is
a guiding light in the world of business.
- Tara Grace, Haiku, HI 96708

---

I nominate a great book, Business Black Belt to your list. It is easy to read and very informative in the business world.

Louise Bijesse
9 Marion Ave, Stony Brook, NY 10016

---

Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin
I am a Black Belt myself (a 'real' one - Sandan or third degree in Goju-ryu Karate) and though I sometimes find the Business Black Belt concept trite, the book is a benchmark of the "no fluff" style of writing. It certainly covers the basics, doesn't talk 'down' to the reader, and is one of the few business books I've gone back to after the first reading.
 - David L. Harrington, CMSE (Certified Manufacturing Systems Engineer), President,E-TECH, Inc.

---

Business Black Belt encourages those hesitant to take the plunge into entrepreneurship and gets them motivated. It does so by not only revealing effective tactics and useful coaching but by going deeper and giving the reader basic principles to follow. It should be read by anyone involved in a growing business, whether as owner or investor.
- Leon S. DilPare, MBA CPA, 20109 Grevillea Ave, Torrance, CA 90503-2127
LDilpare@socal.rr.com, 310-213-6822

---

Business Black Belt by M. Burke Franklin—The book pulls no punches and it does not belabour the obvious. Generally a very good book for people starting up in business or still in business. Thanks!
- Henry Fajemieokun, DialogBox

---

I understand that you are reviewing the subject book, and would like a few comments from readers of the book. I am a small business man, and have been running my own manufacturing business for several years. I have used Jian software to help me write my business plan, with quite positive results. I also found Business Black Belt to be an invaluable resource for in terms of providing many ideas to run and to continue building my business. The book is clearly written and easily gets the points across that the author is attempting to make.
- R. Haig Hachadoorian

---

Business Black Belt, by Burke Franklin

It is full of GREAT ideas and is a great resource for those of us building our businesses. THANKS!

Jane Johnson
inwdjrny@aol.com
www.master-quest.com
718 Griffin Ave. Suite 239
Enumclaw, WA 98022
800-545-4384

---

1) The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People- a little scholarly, but valuable

2) The On-Purpose Person- helps one to define what their most effective at then encourages it to be achived

3) The Wealthy Barber- managing personal finances

4) Rich Dad, Poor Dad- entrepeneurial insight

5) Servant Leadership- what better way is there to lead?

6) The Magic of Thinking Big- expand your vision

7) How to Win Friends and Influence People- timeless classic on interpersonal relationships

8) World's Greatest Salesman Parts I & II- what list of valued classics would be complete without classics from Og Mandino?

9) Bringing out the Best in People- how to work with others to maximize their effectiveness

10) Life Is Tremendous- see life's joys not is challenges

11) Personality Plus -learning about how others (and yourself) operate, think, feel..

12) Five Love Languages- a "relationship" book, but aren't businesses built on relationships? Learn about how to communicate with others...

13) The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell- understanding the decision making process and hisotorical basis for the formation of a solid personal leadership philosophy

14) Smart Marketing- what business can grow/remain viable without a growing/ satisfied client base? this book teaches how...

15) As a Man Thinketh- another classic that evokes positive self-talk

16) Building Your Bright Side- bringing out the best in yourself as a way to bring out the best in others

17) Think and Grow Rich- another classic that inspires positive self talk as a way to "riches"

18) Jesus CEO- learning valuable lessons from the leader of the largest organization this world has seen

19) Business Black Belt - vignettes of valuable insight into operating your business in a peak manor

20) The Deming Management Method- understanding that QUALITY is what counts

---

Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin is:

1. Straight to the point & simple to read
2. Tons of innovative great ideas that can be applied right away
3. It uses the Karate comparison tastefully which make it even easier to understand
4. Practical, Common sense idea that easy to implement

- Boon Siong

---

I nominate Business Black Belt as one of the most influential books I have come across in the past 20 years. It has helped me tremendously.
Rgds
Alexi E. Cotran

---

I'm very impressing with Jian's products. I began my success with BizPlan Builder and I continue with "Business Black Belt".
This book changed my point of view , I understand that regardless of your skill, behavior, education and/or experience, if your sub/unconscious preconceived notions are working against you, there's no way you can win.
I learned that changing my thinking and attitudes I began to be successful ..........
I recommend this book for its own personal, spiritual and enterprise growth !!!
Best Regards
Martin Gutierrez Lopez
System Manager of Peruvian's Five Star Hotel
PD : For any communications you can write me to :
4405 N.W. 73rd Ave. suite 718-6564
Miami, Florida 33166
USA

---

Dear Forbes I purchased Business Black Belt and use this book for reference on a daily basis. I recommend this book to every business person in Canada and the United States. Plain, detailed and to the point. Thank you.
- Michael P. Maciuk

---

I LIKED BUSINESS BLACK BELT FOR ITS NO NONSENSE APPROACH.

JAIME TORRES
--
www.velauno.com
Puerto Rico’s Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Pro Shop
2430 Loiza St. € San Juan € Puerto Rico € 00913
Tel. 787-728-8716 Fax. 787-982-0543
Sales € Rental € Service € Instruction € Events

---

I nominate Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin as one of the most influential business books for its application of the results proven techniques that can be mastered by any forward thinking business person. Mr. Franklin has brilliantly taken the core of the martial arts and given the ordinary person the tools to become a master of them in business: practice, dedication, believe, value, discipline and perseverance.
- Henry Goudreau, C.S.L. , HG & Associates, Inc.

---

I would recommend Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin to anyone interested in starting a new business. I found it very informative.
- Kim E. Zacherson, kimzae@hotmail.com

---

Gentlemen,
I propose Business Black Belt as a winning business book because Mr Burke's
business practical ideas helped me start my own business and the simplicity
of his advice helped with my first business loan.
- Patrik Clarke, Oxford, England

---

My nomination for Top 20 Business Books: BUSINESS BLACK BELT by Burke Franklin This concise, useful resource book belongs on every business owner's bookshelf. I recommend this book to many fellow business owners!
- Anne Bedinger Orlando, FL

---

Burke Franklin is a modern day muse for the business community. His methods are insightful and relevant. This book is a must for new and old businesses alike. Whether your looking to regain that cutting edge, or simply trying to avoid the pitfalls this book is for you ! I highly recommend Anything Burke the Jian does, and Business Black Belt is hands down one of the most important business books of the last 20 years !
- David M. Lemon, President
webTEAM Incorporated Cooperative Developers Network http://www.webteam.cc

---

Business Black Belt!

It's a fast read, doesn't belabor the points, and it's full of great ideas
you can use in today's changing business climate. It certainly rates with
the other top 19 in terms of innovation, relevance, and immediate
usefulness.

Larry H. Heppner
704.453.4594

---

We love Business Black Belt and recommend to all the clients of the Small Business Development Center. It is to the point and gives great inspiration!
Susan Lentz
Manager
Small Business Development Center on the Westside
Santa Monica CA

---

To Forbes Magazine :
Here is my nominee for the most important business books of the last 20 years.  Business Black belt : 'Distilled business wisdom ; Like what an old Chinese proverb says- 'Fools learn by experiencing themselves, while wise men learn from others' experience'
- Shebu Raphael, 12 A, Cedar Ln, Highland Park, NJ 08904

---

I would like to recommend to your list of the twenty most influential business books of the last twenty years, Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin I realize that there are many important books out there. Business Black Belt is an invaluable resource for anyone who is starting, running and building a business. It's a fast read, doesn't belabor the points, and it's full of great ideas. It is innovative, relevant, and well written.
- Amber Flynn, San Diego, CA

---

Dear Forbes,
I think you should pick Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin.
It's a fast read, vital with business people who have limited time, and it's full of great ideas to use in today's changing business climate (rollercoaster, I should say!) that have been beneficial to guiding me in my business. It gets my vote for being considered!!
Terry Bigio, President, Bigio Concepts Agency

---

Thank you for the book, I really do have a waiting list for it. My parents are considering making it required reading for their employees. Best of luck and take care, Patricia

I would like to nominate Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin as one of the most influential books of the last twenty years. The beauty of this book is the amount of information packed into a succinct, easy to comprehend format. I have a waiting list of people wishing to borrow this book from my library. Thank you for your time.
Patricia Andrew, Contracts Manager, Simon Brothers Precision Machining, Inc.
20600 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Tel: 818-773-9980 x 35, Fax: 818-772-4672
Email: PatriciaAndrew@SimonBros.Com

---

I am nominating the book, Business Black Belt, by Burke Franklin. I LOVE this book. Not only is it clear, concise, and relevant to the everyday challenges of building and operating a business, but also highly motivational and Inspirational.... to think outside the box.
Thanks, and I hope to see this book on your list. We all need it!
Best Regards,
Sue Welch, Spa Director
Spa Atlantis Oceanfront Health & Fitness Resort
1350 North Ocean Boulevard
Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
Phone: 954-590-1000
Fax: 954-590-1034
spa@spaatlantisresort.com
www.spaatlantisresort.com

---

Date:  Tue, 10 Sep 2002 09:54:35 -0700

Business Black Belt (book)
Hello, about a year ago I ordered your Business Black Belt book.  I just finished it today and feel as satisfied as if I have eaten a 10-course meal. 

I decided to read the book in doses, when needed, and unrushed.  There is a saying in the book, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." That's what happened, as I got what I needed, when I needed it.  I loved the advice, the straight forward language, the thought-provoking quotes. 

I even didn't mind the JIAN product plugs because the value of what I received was so great that I respected the company enough to want to know what you are doing (and learn from it). 

Thanks for producing this book.  I initially had a challenge getting the book (in Canada) but it was worth the effort.

Sincerely,

Jane Djivre
MIRARCO -- Mining Innovation
Business Services Officer
Sudbury, Ontario
jdjivre@mirarco.org
705)6751151 x5071
 

---

My vote goes to this valuable resource in understanding business start-up.
"alfav" <alfav@flash.net>

---

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 08:39:50 -0400
I nominate Business Black Belt as one of the most influential books I have come across in the past 20 years. It has helped me tremendously.
Rgds
Alexi E. Cotran

---

Dear Sirs: I would like to nominate Burke Franklin's Business Black Belt to this exclusive list; because is a book that presents truly new innovative ideas that can be used in todays changing business climate. Is one of the few that meets every entrepreneur criteria for it's innovation, relevance and inmediate usefulness.
Kind Regards,
Luis Fernando Salguero gua 580 8424 N.W. 56th Street Miami, FL 33166
"wipa" <wipa@intelnet.net.gt>

---

My vote for the most influential books are: Rich Dad, Poor Dad - it has a universal appeal that everyone can see themselves in its content Think and Grow Rich- it tells how others did it, providing inspiration and example for me Business Black Belt- the approach is innovative and practical for the busy business person
Thank you,
Kathy Johnson" <kljohnson@charter.net>

---

I would like to nominate Business Black Belt to your list of the top 20 business books over the last 20 years.  The refreshing writing style and Mr. Franklin's ability to "think out of the box" make this book a must read for any business or prospective business owner.

William Barrows
President
B&H Motorsports and Marine

---

I am nominating the book, Business Black Belt, by Burke Franklin. I LOVE this book. Not only is it clear, concise, and relevant to the everyday challenges of building and operating a business, but also highly motivational and Inspirational.... to think outside the box.
Thanks, and I hope to see this book on your list. We all need it!
Best Regards,
Sue Welch.
Spa Director
Spa Atlantis Oceanfront Health & Fitness Resort
1350 North Ocean Boulevard
Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
Phone: 954-590-1000
Fax: 954-590-1034
spa@spaatlantisresort.com
www.spaatlantisresort.com

---

Business Black Belt (book)
Hello, about a year ago I ordered your Business Black Belt book.  I just finished it today and feel as satisfied as if I have eaten a 10-course meal. 

I decided to read the book in doses, when needed, and unrushed.  There is a saying in the book, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." That's what happened, as I got what I needed, when I needed it.  I loved the advice, the straight forward language, the thought-provoking quotes. 

I even didn't mind the JIAN product plugs because the value of what I received was so great that I respected the company enough to want to know what you are doing (and learn from it). 

Thanks for producing this book.  I initially had a challenge getting the book (in Canada) but it was worth the effort.

Sincerely,

Jane D.
Sudbury, Ontario
Jane Djivre
MIRARCO -- Mining Innovation
Business Services Officer
jdjivre@mirarco.org
705)6751151 x5071

---

For you Survey - 2 business books I really like are Business Black Belt (Burke
Franklin) and Working with Emotional Intelligence (Daniel Goleman).

Regards - Cathy Tonne

Catherine L. Tonne, PMP
Exodus - a Cable & Wireless Service
Strategic Alliance Manager - EMC/Cisco
2525 Seventh Street
Livermore, Ca 94550
Phone: 415-738-4557
Email: cathy.tonne@exodus.net

---

I propose Business Black Belt as a winning business book because Mr Burke's business practical ideas helped me start my own business and the simplicity of his advice helped with my first business loan.
- Patrik Clarke, Oxford, England

---

It's a fast read, doesn't belabor the points, and it's full of great ideas you can use in today's changing business climate. It certainly rates with the other top 19 in terms of innovation, relevance, and immediate usefulness.
- Larry H. Heppner 704.453.4594

---

Business Black Belt by Burke Franklin as one of the most influential business books in the last 20 years. Not only is it interesting to read, but it has real suggestions that I can use in my business now - suggestions that I haven't found in other business books that I've read.

- Nancy Villella, Systemize To Organize
602-359-5001
organize@ispvip.biz

---

I have been acquainted for four years with Burke Franklin and JIAN's market-leading product, BizPlanBuilder.  I began to understand Burke personally through his excellent presentation to the Marketing SIG of the Software Forum, held at the Center.  Now, I think I know Burke through his self-sharing book, Business Black Belt.

For $25, one can get a large multiple of that in value just by a quick read of the chapter starting quotes of others, followed immediately by the quotes of Burke, then the chapter summarizing, brief Business Black Belt Notes.  But that glimpse of the book would miss the insights Burke provides which are an even greater value-multiple of the cost. 

I thought the title just a catchy come-on.  I learned the clear association of how Franklin, a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a private pilot, ties these disciplines into the discipline of business. 

Now I understand why the manuals for JIAN's products can have value alone.  I have said the best stand-alone text on writing business plans happens to be the manual for BizPlanBuilder software.  It is worth the price even if you do not have a computer.  Now, I can say, the book Business Black Belt is the manual to what type of human being you and I should be to both write a successful business plan and then to conduct a high quality, value-added business.  This book has WISDOM.  And it is also a fun, weekend read.  This is because we are meeting the person Burke Franklin as with are reading the author's textual advice. 

The part this reviewer liked best:  The chapter,  More Than Five Senses You Can Use.

It begins with a quote from Hans Margolius "Only in quiet waters things mirror themselves undistorted.  Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world."  How's that for saying slow down and pay attention?

Then Burke says, " In addition to your five senses, many other senses provide quality direction -- beyond the limited scope of your intellect."

Burke reminds us the five senses are sight, smell, sound, feel and taste. Then he submits, defines and gives justification for: Sense of Appropriateness, Sense of Balance, Sense of Being, Sense of Belonging, Sense of Direction, Common Sense, Sense of Commitment, Sense of Humor, Sense of Rejection, Sense of Rhythm, Sense of Space, Sense of Style, Sense of Timing, Sense of Urgency and Sense of Value.  This culminates in the suggestion, "Team up with others to combine sense strength." 

Finally, for this eight page chapter, which I wanted to be a book itself, Burke offers
his Business Black Belt Notes:
*  You have more than five senses.  Develop and use all of them
*  Our additional senses are like gut feelings
*  Our additional senses are in the 95% of the brain we don't use
*  Exercise and train your senses to use them
*  You improve your ability to do business when you become conscious of these other senses.

R. Bruce Ricks, Ph.D.

Chair of the Board and Director of Planning

Silicon Valley World Internet Center

The Stanford Barn, 700 Welch Road, Suite 250
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1502
phone: 650 462 9800
fax:   650 462 9818
e-mail: rbricks@worldinternetcenter.com
Web:    www.worldinternetcenter.com