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Business text books

I teach the business classes at my school. Lately, I've been getting feedback from students that the curriculum I have to follow that is created by the school is not answering many of the MBlex questions, mostly which are tax related. The focus on the curriculum is how to make a business plan. We use Cherie Sohen Moe's book, which I really like. However, I'd like to hear whatever text books other schools use. What supplimental books do you use to cover things like business tax questions?

Thanks!

Kay

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Renee Robb-Cohen on March 10, 2010 at 12:49pm

I took a workshop on taxes for the massage therapist, which was very helpful. There were two main points with this class: what constitutes a home office, and keep up with your mileage! And of course, hold on to all your receipts. This is their link: http://www.lmtsuccessgroup.com/business.php?classes=12

Laura Allen also has a book on marketing massage called One Year to a Successful Massage Practice, which is great! It's very readable and she uses her own experiences that led to her success.

Renee

Permalink Reply by Kelly Grounds on March 11, 2010 at 12:56am

Thanks! My next business class starts Monday, so I unfortunately won't have time to take the class right now...but I'll definitely take one. I have the One Year by Laura Allen, and I reference it quite a bit. The test questions my students keep getting on the Mblex are rather obscure ones that I'm not sure I'd answer right! Of course, I'm getting the phrasing second hand from students.

Permalink Reply by Michael A. Breaux on March 28, 2010 at 7:46am

I've taught the business class at our massage school and I have to recommend Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice by Susan Salvo, published by Elsevier (now in its 3rd edition). Tbe business chapter is very informative.

Good Luck!

Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on July 8, 2011 at 3:29pm

It escapes me why business questions would be on an exam that purports to certify that a therapist has the knowledge and skills to work on people's body. On their bodies...not inside their accounting software.

Thank you, you just made up my mind for me. I will sit for the NCBTMB exam instead. Harder questions, I'm told, but related to the performance of massage.

Permalink Reply by Karen M. Hobson, LMT, CMT, NCTM on July 8, 2011 at 3:48pm

Hi Gary! The NCETM I took had some business questions on it, mostly of the variety of the difference between setting up as a sole proprietorship vs. independent contractor vs. employee. That is a tax-related issue and an important one in a profession where so many either go into business for themselves or go the 1099 route--some may not be aware that their IC work is essentially the same as sole proprietorship and find themselves faced with a tax problem at the end of the year (or worse, on audit by the IRS). I'm no tax accountant but I believe you have to file quarterly estimated taxes as an IC same as for a sole proprietorship.

Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on July 8, 2011 at 5:19pm

Yeah, just remembered taking a practice exam that had a couple such questions. But my original comment stands. I don't think a certification exam should concern itself with anything other than the art and science of massage therapy-- you know, subject like anatomy & physiology, pathology, nutrition, medical terminology, palpatory kinesiology, MT law & ethics, that sort of thing.