20 Jul, 2009
Being Strategic by Erika Andersen
Everybody talks about strategy, but there is a big gap between discussing strategy, defining strategy and actually being strategic — so you can accomplish something. This book helps you approach business strategically, explaining what strategy is, why it’s important, and how to do it. “Being Strategic” offers you a step-by-step model and skills for strategic thought and action that are broadly applicable and thoroughly practical.
More about the book at BeingStrategic.com
25 May, 2009
Collapse of Distinction by Scott McKain
We live in a “Sea of Sameness”. Your mall is like my mall, and the same fast food restaurants are found on Interstate highways all across America. Can you compete? Of course you can, but not by offering the the same thing as everyone else. Scott lays out the way to become distinct: Clarity, Creativity, Communication, and Customer-Experience Focus. And I’ll warn you now, he’s going to challenge you on these points because everyone says they do it.
More about the book at http://CollapseOfDistinction.com. Scott blogs at http://mckainviewpoint.com.
9 May, 2009
Say Yes to No by Greg Cootsona
So many things to do and so little time? You are not alone. Everyone is busy. Everyone has an overflowing email inbox and a never-ending list of to-dos. And in Greg’s case, he found he had to make a choice. He couldn’t do it all, and to do the things that really matter to him, he’d have to say “No” to other things. While this applies to business, it will obviously apply to the other parts of life, too.
I talk with Greg about what caused him to change, how to say no and not be negative, and the changes he’s made to be more effective.
22 Feb, 2009
It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For by Roy M. Spence Jr. with Haley Rushing
For some, it seems out of place to think that a company is out to make a difference in the world. Rather it is looked on as a way to make and keep a customer and produce a profit at the end of the day. That perspective, however, looses the power that highly-valued brands have. Done correctly, a purpose rallies the employee, solidifies the brand, and makes customer crazy about you.
I talk with Haley about the fear that what you love to do won’t be sustained by the marketplace, the question of shouldn’t business be concerned first with profit, and some ideas on how to find your purpose. More on the book here.. Buy it at Amazon.com
30 Nov, 2008
Talent is Overrated – What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin.
The good news is, we really do start out on equal footing. While it might seem that some have the knack or raw gift, Geoff has found that the research doesn’t support it. So if you want to be world-class, you’ve got to work and put the time in, but not just any kind of work, a very specific kind called “deliberate practice”. The bad news is that this “deliberate practice” isn’t fun. But more of it equals better performance, and tons of it equals great performance.
I talk Geoff about what really does get us ahead and what we can do to be truly excellent.
More about Geoff at www.TalentIsOverrated.com.
