New Book Examines the Give and Take of Business Success

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Nov 15, 2011) - In his new book, "The Joe Dial," (www.friendesha.com), contractor and real estate developer Joe Scott evaluates the personal qualities that can predict an individual's business success -- or lack thereof.

"In life and in business, there are givers, there are takers and then there are those who balance in between," writes Scott, who launched his career with just a truck and a tool box. "In my experience, the third group is always more successful than the other two."

If people recognize themselves as more of a giver or more of a taker, they can take steps to achieve more balance, Scott writes.

"The positivity will ripple outward and you'll begin experiencing more successes," he writes.

Are you a ...

• Giver - Typically honest and sincere, givers see it as their duty to leave the world better than they found it. The danger for givers is that they're taken advantage of by takers, who will take all a giver is willing to offer and then some. The pure giver fails to ensure his best interests are protected because he doesn't understand the taker mentality.
• Takers - Taking in and of itself is not a bad thing in moderation and takers are not necessarily bad people. They're often people who were given too much as children. Pure takers try to maximize the gain in every situation and always assume there won't be enough to go around.
• Taker-Givers - These folks strike a balance between taking and giving, and instinctively know when to give and when to take. As a rule, they don't want to take advantage of anyone, nor do they want to be taken advantage of. Courtesy is both extended and expected in return. Some key characteristics include:

• They let you pay for lunch one day but insist on paying the next time.
• They offer help and might ask for help.
• They listen about as much as they talk.
• They carry their weight on a team, but don't allow themselves to be used.
• They're not excessive with either lending or borrowing.

About Joe Scott

Joe Scott is a contractor and real estate developer who drew from his experience negotiating thousands of business deals for the theories in "The Joe Dial."