Posts Tagged ‘Book’

“The New Rules of Marketing & PR”
by David Meerman Scott
ISBN:  978-0-471-37928-8

Becoming a  professional book reviewer or critic isn’t my desire, nor a core focus of this site.  Just in case you wonder;).  However I have been surprised from time to time by the people indicating they appreciate my write-ups.

If you are even remotely attuned to what’s going on in the world around us, particularly the online world, you have likely developed your own hodge-podge of knowledge.  Perhaps you have picked up bits o’ info about viral marketing, online media or ‘social’ media, blogging, podcasting, and the like.  Quite likely, you’re also wondering about the difference between online media, social media, and social networking.  If so, you’re also curious about how they intertwine; how to leverage them; and, what the heck does it mean to you!

David Meerman Scott has put together a 286 page book that does a masterful job of showing the reader just how all the pieces can work together.  For instance, people wonder why he uses ‘Meerman,’ Read the rest of this entry »

“Networking Magic”
by Rick Frishman & Jill Lublin
ISBN: 1-59337-020-2

Today, we are beginning to see a resurgence in networking.  In many ways it seems so ‘old school’ to folks.  After all, we have the internet now, job boards, email, social networking, blogs, and a billion other ways to avoid talking with one another directly.  So why should we do what our ‘Dad’ did, picking up a phone, or UGH, getting in the car and driving to meet with people at some drab event?

The reality is that people, in my opinion, are slowly starting to realize that nothing can trump an established personal relationship with another person.  In times of need, who are you going to count on more?  The g’zillion Twitter followers you have?  Or, Sue, who you’ve come to know at the local coffee shop?  The internet is indeed a productivity multiplier for the networker, the likes of which we’ve never seen before.  But even so, again, in my opinion, it represents but one facet of how we should develop our networks.

Like so many things, Read the rest of this entry »

“Mastery”
by George Leonard
ISBN: 0-452-26756-0

In 1992, George Leonard wrote the book, “Mastery.” And he did so from the perspective and life experience of one who has become a martial arts master, an experienced instructor, an experienced learner. Written following the late 80s S&L debacle, it is as current for today’s events as it was then, 17 years ago.

The notion of mastery is one that struck a chord with me. Each of us may be considered a master of something depending upon the perspective of a friend or colleague viewing us. Business colleagues may view me as a master of problem solving; I have patience to look at a problem, the ability to address the root cause and not just symptoms. Fellow motorcyclists may view me as a master rider, smooth in execution, skilled, competent, and experienced. Internally, we may agree with these external views, or not.

But when asked how to achieve mastery of something, regardless of what it is, we need to realize we are on an endless path toward mastery. We must always be learners, always learning something new, always practicing what we know…even the basics.

From a business-oriented, professional side this is why I elected to develop this blog. How better to understand the mechanics of something I’m asked to provide guidance on, than to do it myself, to practice, to lead. But I could only have gotten here by learning something new. And, this is a point to which Leonard talks-learn to love the plateau. As we learn, we experience momentary ‘jumps’ in ability that eventually settle back into a plateau, after which we (at some point) are likely to experience another ‘jump.’ Think of this as the notion of two steps forward, one step back. And so it is with my first blog. I learned, a good chunk, I’ve put it in place, and now I’ll settle into the plateau, practicing.

We cannot experience endless steps forward without a period of recovery. As our nation, our economy, and we ourselves find a plateau (there’s no saying a plateau has no bumps), use the opportunity to prepare. For as dark as things may actually be at times, see what you can possibly do to continue practicing your art, perhaps to learn something new, to be ready to appreciate that next great leap upward when the time comes.

Recommended Reading:

“The Brand You 50″
by Tom Peters
ISBN: 0375407723

When you buy a car, all of a sudden it seems ‘everyone else’ has the same car. And so, working on my own re-branding in recent weeks, this book jumped out.

Tom Peters does not fail to deliver. Written in ’99, it’s as current as if written only 18 months ago. Peter’s approach is very direct, blunt with the reader, the way a good friend or mentor might be. He provides positive guidance (50 ways) to effectively brand yourself: Brand YOU!

If you’ve not yet effectively branded yourself, if you’ve not made it a structured process, you really should read this. If you’re an employee-thinking-about-being independent, then you REALLY should read this.

A nice bonus, at the end Tom provides a 2-page recommended reading list.

Recommended Reading:

"A Sense of Urgency"
by John P. Kotter
ISBN-13: 9781422179710

This is a 3/4 size hard cover book of ~200 pages. The book analyzes three typical states of performance in any organization, complacency, false sense of urgency, and true urgency. Of course, a state of ‘true’ urgency is desired.

This is one of those books where, you’ve likely heard, read,  and seen much of the content before  Having someone put it together in a fresh package, and do a review with you, isn’t a bad thing.

The book is as applicable for an individual as it is an organization.  Some of my favorite aspects, are how Kotter puts together specific examples where un-urgency may be found, serving to act as a spark for action on your own part–on either personal or professional levels.