Come on, admit it. The idea of becoming an entrepreneur and becoming your own boss is cool. Perhaps you want to strike out in a new direction and make your first million. Maybe you wish you could do it or maybe already are doing it.

Whatever your situation, The Rules of Entrepreneurship is your guidebook for getting it right.

This is the fifth in the New Rules series of books. The other books in the series focus on topics such as chasing promotions, dealing with office politics, networking, and developing your emotional intelligence. All of those topics are to do with managing your career when working for someone else; this book looks at moving outside of the corporate hierarchy and doing your own thing.

Any ordinary person can become an entrepreneur. Yes, you read that correctly. Entrepreneurship isn't about experience or special training. It's about using your brain, motivating yourself, and building relationships with the right people. So, yes, anyone can do it.You could become self-employed, set up a partnership, invest in a franchise, buy a business, build an empire, invent a new gadget or launch a new service. You could work from home or lease an office, set up a website or showroom, work on your own or in a team of 20. You could set up a tiny outfit to target a niche market or a giant company to sell to the masses. Entrepreneurship is about any or all of these things, and more.

I've had the pleasure of working with top business people and entrepreneurs in companies large and small. In the last few years, I've had the pleasure (and pain) of growing my own consultancy too, so much of what I advise I know from first-hand experience.

There are plenty of books that take you through the practical aspects of setting up your own venture – from opening a business bank account and tracking your finances to chasing customers for payment and calculating your tax bills – but this book isn't one of them. Businesses don't succeed or fail based on whether you pick the right bank account. Don't sweat the small stuff.I want you to think much bigger than that.

This book is about the spirit of entrepreneurship – the stuff that truly distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from wannabes and failures. Look at famous entrepreneurs in the world today. Icons such as Michael Dell, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, and Li Ka Shing grew their businesses by identifying opportunities and persisting in the face of adversity, selling ideas and brokering deals, inspiring their employees and engaging their customers.

Business is fundamentally about people – your mental toughness and ability to build relationships with others. Let's focus on the stuff that matters: the mindset and way of thinking, and let's help you succeed.Perhaps you don't yet have an idea for a business but know that you want to strike out on your own. That's okay, this book can help you find the right concept for your business. Maybe you have the seed of an idea but don't know how to grow it into a full-blown business, or you have already taken some initial steps but want to take it to the next stage. You might even be a thriving entrepreneur, but realize that the competition is tough and want to become a better one. Whatever your situation, this book will help you to raise your game and become a self-made entrepreneur.

Work hard and succeed well!
Rob Yeung