I have known Ed Curry for years, and in the past he has provided me with invaluable insight and advice in the running of my business. But that doesn’t mean that the following review of his new book is simply a “shill” to sell a few books for a friend; I would recommend this book to my closest family members regardless of my relationship with the author. It is a “must-read” for agency owners and executives, and just about any small business owner.

Ed is a longtime insurance agency management and valuation consultant, and for years served in executive sales manager positions for national carriers.

His new book, “Hunker Down Survival Plan” was published in April 2009 and is only about 100 pages, so it is current and concise. It deals with the current economic crisis. He wrote it in a decidedly “conversational” style, with personal observations that the average small-business owner — or large-business owner, for that matter — can relate to.

While it certainly is not in the style of mega-authors such as Tom Hopkins, Brian Tracy or Steven R. Covey, Ed’s “down home” approach and antecdotes make it a very easy and enjoyable read. He doesn’t load it down with charts and plans and strategies, but rather sets the tone for one to consider what is right and wrong with their business, and what they had better do NOW in order to survive in the economic climate of 2009 and beyond. While Ed’s primary experience is working with insurance agents and agency owners, and much of the book is based on his observations in that field, it translates well into any industry or business of any size.

I read this book on the train while traveling from Baltimore to NYC, and by the time I got to NYC I was already formulating strategies based on Ed’s recommendations.

“Hunker Down Survival Plan” provides tips and hints for making your agency a bit more “recession-proof,” and for this small-business owner, was well worth the investment and time to read it.

Learn more about ordering the book by clicking here or here.