Posts Tagged ‘Reading List’

“Open Leadership”
by: Charlene Li
ISBN: 978-0-470-59726-2

Every once in a while you come across a new book that just knocks the ball out of the park.  And, so it is with Charlene Li’s Open Leadership.  As an active proponent of social media I’ve read a number of books on the topic.  Yet Open Leadership is the first that has a presented a practical, pragmatic, and far-reaching discussion about how to integrate it into the fabric of existing companies.  Not only how, but why, and why now!

Someone looking to do a ‘power-reading’ of the book might tend to dismiss it as a social media ‘how-to’ manual after the first couple chapters.  There’s much more to it though.

Social media is the book’s consistent thread and is pervasive throughout. Yet it’s not about social media itself.  Social media is the contemporary reference to a broad sea change involving how we communicate.  This communication has made it as easy for the CEO to interact directly with customers as it is for the individual employee, and that employee with the CEO his or herself.  When it seems everyone can communicate with everyone else, how can you effectively lead anything? This is the crux of Open Leadership.

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Two things triggered the following post today. First, was a stop at the local mall. Second, was happening across an online article on ereaders.

This afternoon my wife and I happened by the local Apple store. It was my wife’s first iPad interaction. She’s seen, and briefly used, my Sony eReader PRS-505. She ‘gets’ the eReader. Over lunch, I was surprised when she asked me where the iPad ‘fit,’ and who it was best suited for.

Darn good question…as the sole device for someone…it’s a narrow market. I think she said it right. In her mind the iPad’s a luxury device. Most of us need a computer first, iPad later. It’s been said elsewhere, of course. But I found it very interesting coming from someone who focus is elsewhere; not worrying about ‘iPad dominance’ or ebooks and ereaders..

Eventually, Read the rest of this entry »

“Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door”
by: Harvey Mackay
ISBN: 978-1-59184-321-4

Yes, this is a ‘job search’ book, written by one of our nation’s (U.S.) best business authors: Harvey Mackay.  And, there’s one thing in particular that sets this job search book apart from the others: Mr. Mackay’s desire to help others, to help you, is very apparent.  Yes, he offers some very good suggestions for the over 14,000,000 people currently looking for work.  The content alone is worth the read.  But it is his desire to truly help that puts it over the top.

This ~330 page book is his latest.  It took me longer to read than most business books—and it’s his own fault!  Throughout the body of the book there are a number of other authors and their own books that he cites with recommendations to read.  And, I did.  Matter of fact, I read two other books he recommended, before coming back each time to continue where I left off in his book.

For instance, he spends time discussing the critical need for people to do research now, more than ever.  With so many people vying for the same exact job you’re after, a few minutes googling a company or browsing their website is insufficient.

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“The Real Secret to Finding a Job: Make Me Money or Save Me Money!”
by: Rick Gillis
ISBN: 142519138X

A friend put me in touch with Rick Gillis a few weeks ago and he sent me a copy of his book in electronic form (Thank You).  The primary focus is Rick’s making the case for an updated resume format in light of contemporary, online job search tools.

Gillis outlines the concept of what he has trademarked, the ‘Pre-Resume.’ This is a one-page resume emphasizing minimal contact information, selected achievements, and only (if applicable) the most recent 20 years of work history.

The basis and justification for his Pre-Resume are laid out as he discusses online and resume filtering systems, the need for keywords, and chapter’s specific to the needs of IT professionals, entry-level, Professional Mom’s, and the like.

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From my perspective, Seth has written perhaps his most impactful book yet. The Linchpin is a new category of person, one who engages their personal ‘art’ in what they do, who can see the course to take when a map doesn’t exist.

This book is a mix of looking at how we think; how we decide; how we got here; and, what is going to be needed to be successful moving forward.

To become a linchpin is to become indispensable.

Seth does a good job encouraging the reader to apply their ‘art’, that ‘extra something’ you enjoy doing, to become indispensable, to leader your organization forward–regardless of your position within it. Rather than simply be a cog in the boss’ machine, do more, be more, whether you reap direct reward (e.g. $$) or not.

Along the way, you might learn a few other things. One of which, led me to post, "Mid Life Crisis Explained.”

The world has changed. Permanently. We can struggle to maintain status quo, or, at least contemplate the options Seth presents.

Recommended.

“How We Decide”
by: Jonah Lehrer
ISBN: 978-0-618-62011-1

Thinking about how we think.  That’s the gist of Jonah Lehrer’s book, “How We Decide.”

I’ve read books in the past about how the brain works. What the amygdala does, what the prefrontal cortex does, and so on. They’ve all been rather clinical, dry in nature.  Certainly not engaging. In surprising contrast, Lehrer has not only crafted a book on the topic of the brain and it’s constituent parts, he also puts it all in context of our daily lives.

Going all the way back to Plato’s day

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As is the tradition this time of year, we exchange gifts.  Some years it is harder than others to find a gift to give, especially for you, friends, colleagues, and visitors to my blog.  This year, has turned out to be easier than most.

Earlier this month, Seth Godin released a free ebook, “What Matters Now.”  It is a real gem of contemporary wisdom, a collection of one-page essays by over seventy of today’s recognized big thinkers.  To give you an idea, just a sampling of the contributors includes: Tom Peters, Fred Wilson, Tim O’Reilly, Elizabeth Gilbert, David Meerman Scott, Chris Anderson, and Guy Kawasaki. (Links for your convenience, I have no monetary interests.)

I’ve really enjoyed reading this compilation of fresh thought.  It’s down to earth, refreshing, and thought provoking.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Merry Christmas!

ps: Thank you to Seth Godin and all of What Matters Now’s contributors.

Closework, Consulting

“Closework”
by Adam Lury, Simon Gibson
ISBN-13: 9781904879008

This is a business novel commissioned by Celerant Consulting. The essence of the book has merit, success comes by virtue of better -doing-; less so from smarter ‘thinking.’  While I did find the book worth having read, I’d rate it a 6 out of 10, overall.

If you’re interested in consulting, particularly for Celerant, then this book serves three basic roles: *Introduction for potential candidates; *Corporate values intro for new hires; and, *primer for customers looking to engage Celerant.

You won’t find this in a bookstore; you’ll need to specifically know about it and place an order.

“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 »