Profits Aren't Everything, They're the Only Thing: No-Nonsense Rules from the Ultimate Contrarian and Small Business Guru

Small-business guru George Cloutier offers the controversial message that Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing in this book of wisdom for entrepreneurs everywhere in these tough economic times. With advice such as “forget teamwork” and “micromanage like crazy,” Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing is the reality check that will help small-business owners stay afloat and stay profitable.

When small- and medium-sized business owners first hear George Cloutier's rules, they often think he's a madman. His controversial rules for doing business—rules that aren't taught at Harvard Business School—include:

The best family business has one member.
Weekends are for working, not playing golf or coaching.
Never pay your vendors on time.
Wear your control freak badge with pride.
Quit denial: if your business is failing during a recession, it's your fault.

As the founder and CEO of American Management Services, Cloutier has emerged as "the leading advocate for small business" (Reuters), having spent over thirty years guiding business owners through the tough choices that line the road to profitability. He and his company have worked with more than six thousand companies, averting certain ruin for some and generating seemingly impossible growth and profitability for others.

Cloutier graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Business School, but the lessons in this book aren't from there. Unlike his classmates, most of whom headed straight to Wall Street, Cloutier has been on the docks at 2 a.m. counting heads of lettuce for food distributors to make sure nothing would disappear without a waybill. He's spent long, overnight hours in truck stops, making sure sticky fingers stayed out of the tills. Cloutier and his colleagues at American Management Services become personal pitt bulls to the CEOs who hire them, doing whatever it takes to bring their clients' businesses back into long-term profitability.

Profits Aren't Everything, They're the Only Thing is the long- overdue wake-up call for 23 million small- and midsize business owners across America. This book serves up the hard-boiled, unadulterated truth to aspiring and established entrepreneurs, without apologies. His no-nonsense advice may be hard to hear at times, but it works.

“George Cloutier’s new book is based on his experience with thousands of small businesses in hundreds of industries. It is a candid, “tell it as it really is,” hard-hitting book… A must read for all small and midsized business owners.” - Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director, The United States Conference of Mayors

“This slim but forceful debut by turnaround management expert Cloutier serves as a wakeup call for small business owners who have been hit hard by the recession… Cloutier’s book is loaded with valuable advice on how to get back on track and stay in the black in any economic environment.” - Publishers Weekly

“If your business is not achieving its full profit potential, George Cloutier will force you to face the hard truths. This book can turn your business around-IF you have the guts to follow it. Cloutier will show you no mercy with his tough hitting questions and no holds barred action steps. Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing is THE business owners’ wake-up call.” - John Resnick, creator and host, "Legends of Success with John Resnick"

“Wow! George Cloutier’s new book with its 15 profit rules knocks it out of the park! We have worked with American Management Services for several years and have followed almost every one of his profit rules. Since working with George and American Management, our sales have TRIPLED to a healthy eight figures and our profits have SKY-ROCKETED exceeding our wildest expectations. Read this book or lose real money!” - Bill Gorman, owner and CEO, Gorman Enterprises

“Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing is a pragmatic book that will give you insight to the triggers that can accelerate your business’ performance. The book is a quick read that goes straight to tackling the biggest business challenges facing entrepreneurs and small business owners. At the conclusion of each chapter, the reader will find a “Flash Report” that can be used as a quick reference to ensure you’ve captured the most critical information. This book is a must read for aspiring entrepreneurs and struggling business owners who want to grow a successful enterprise!” - René Street, executive director, American Business Women's Association

“Packed with client examples and a no-nonsense attitude. Many of his regulations will amaze, shock, and awe small-business owners... Harsh ways to work? Yes, yet all his principles are founded on a success that’s hard to argue with.” - Booklist