Woodwork Book Delves Into Details of the Business

This book is a compendium of more than 40 years of woodworking business experience accumulated by the author, Bill Norlin, who is now a well-known woodworking business consultant.Unlike most of the business books targeted at woodworkers, this one is hardbound and carries a hefty price tag. But the book covers in great detail such subjects as marketing, managing, manufacturing, personnel issues, finances, the business plan, and dealing with government agencies.

Some small shop professionals may be put off by the tone Norlin sets in the first sentence of his introduction, saying, "This book tells you what you need to know about the Wood Manufacturing Business." But, even if much of the book is targeted to medium-size to larger woodworking businesses, there is a lot to offer for smaller shops.

For example, Norlin goes through item by item, formula by formula in a detailed pricing and cost analysis discussion that may be an eye-opener to shops that are more use to "guestimating" costs and "ballparking prices" He covers how to estimate waste and figure in overhead costs, as well as, providing information about acceptable profit margins. There are even sample contract forms that can be used as a guide.

Of course, when Norlin turns his attention to the actual manufacturing process, it's hard to escape his connection to bigger shops. Some of the more elaborate suggestions he makes for tracing projects and production performance will draw a smile to the lips of the small shop pro who wears the hats of manager, builder, and salesman all at the same time.

Similarly, the diagrams and discussion of plant design and product flow are a bit out of reach for the one-to-five-person shop.

Where Norlin is best is in his down-to-earth, practical advice. Here's where his long experience as a consultant and convention speaker show in the text. When he covers the issue of buying or selling a woodworking business, for example, he uses a realistic and entertaining dialogue to analyze typical buyer and seller positions and appropriate reactions. It's a good lesson in negotiating, no matter which side of the deal you're on.

In fact, the whole tone of the book is very personable, as if Norlin the consultant were walking through your shop, offering you tips and encouragement as you go from one end of your business to the other.