Laurie Buchanan PhD

Laurie Buchanan’s latest book, The Business of Being combines a business manual, a memoir of establishing a French restaurant and a self-help guide for living a successful life into an enjoyable, entertaining and informative read.

I was totally absorbed in the engaging story of nine people who set out to open a French restaurant, La Mandarine Bleue, in Boise, Idaho, much the same way I would be if I sat down at a table and was served a feast, a delicious and varied menu of culinary delights. She skillfully weaves in business principles gleaned from extensive research, quotes and anecdotes from the business world as the group plans and transforms their ideas into reality. Interspersed throughout the chapters are mouth-watering French recipes-- appetizer to dessert--that corresponded with the phases of their planning.

Through vivid sensory images and believable characters, the experience came alive on the page. I honestly felt like I was a part of the planning committee. Through her master storytelling, she correlated select business principles –the plan, mission and vision, core values, goals and objectives, market segmentation, competitive environment, definition of offering, marketing positioning and strategy, marketing and selling model, product launch, operations and organization and financial analysis—with the story.

As an added bonus, she asks us to “think of ourselves as a business” and serves as a gentle guide in learning about ourselves and creating a plan for living an intentional life. This book is a new and refreshing look at thinking of ourselves as a business and applying business principles to our everyday lives.… (lisätietoja)