Imprint: Business Author Interviews

Never Fly Solo

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:58:02 +0000

Never Fly Solo by Robert “Waldo” Waldman

While Hollywood portrays the rogue who can party all weekend, arrive ill-prepared, and still defeat the enemy. That’s not real life for Waldo, and certainly not for the Air Force. Waldo explains the importance of a wingman and how the lessons he learned on active duty translate into the business world. He tells his stories of failure and success, and how he’s learned from both.

I talk with Waldo about why partners are so important, how he overcame claustrophobia, and what a good debriefing does.

More about the book at YourWingman.com

Repositioning

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:58:37 +0000

Repositioning by Jack Trout

No doubt many of you own and recall the classic Positioning book written some thirty years ago. Inside was a chapter about repositioning aimed at how to reposition your competition. Fast forward to today when there is so much competition (how many brands of toothpaste, cars, soda, electronics are there?) placing your stake in the ground is a different challenge than it was back then. Jack returns to lay a course again and navigate through the competition, change, and crisis that is at every turn.

I talk with Jack about Diet Coke, how to find out what your position is, how to pull off having a sale when times are lean and more.

More about the book at TroutandPartners.com

Unfolding the Napkin

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:04:07 +0000

Unfolding the Napkin by Dan Roam

Yes, we know. You’ve got a problem. And instead of talking about it, how about using a picture to describe it instead. Dan finds you can engage your audience in a way you just can’t do with words alone. Plus you can “see” things you wouldn’t otherwise.

I talk with Dan about the person who can’t draw (his #1 question), how this helps you brainstorm and more.

More about the book at TheBackoftheNapkin.com

Go-Givers Sell More

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:31:05 +0000

Go-Givers Sell More by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Building on The Go-Giver, Bob and John return to dispense the practical side of focusing on generosity. Rather than taking every opportunity to close a sale, they have found that its far better to establish a relationship and build trust. They’ve found salespeople who have the heart have more long-term success.

I talk to Bob about how bringing the heart back into sales changes the process, what we do with the sales techniques we’ve been taught, ways to establish a relationship and more.

More about the book at Go-GiversSellMore.com
And more about Bob at Burg.com

Awesomely Simple

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:21:29 +0000

Awesomely Simple by John Spence

In our complex business world, Spence wants you to be Awesomely Simple. That means examining your business in six areas and learning how to excel at the fundamentals:

Vivid Vision
Best People
A Performance-Oriented Culture
Robust Communication
A Sense of Urgency
Extreme Customer Focus

I talk with John about creating a mission statement, listening, hiring and more.

More about the book at AwesomelySimple.com

Getting to Plan B

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:11:12 +0000

Getting to Plan B: Breaking Through to a Better Business Model by John Mullins & Randy Komisar

Behold the 5-year business plan worked through by sweat and toil. The entrepreneur begins the journey to see this vision become reality. Instead of marching through fire and ice to see it come true, realize that Plan A can’t be right, and that another plan will emerge. And another and another and another, until the vision becomes reality. The authors look at how to reduce your risk by gathering data on that “leap of faith” that your business model has.

I talk with Randy about reducing the risk, how Amazon did it, and how to keep cash king.

More about the book at Getting-To-Plan-B.com

Power of 2

admin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:40:50 +0000

Power of 2: How to Make the Most of Your Partnerships at Work and in Life by Rodd Wagner and Gale Muller

Want to scale Everest? It takes 2: Tenzing and Hillary. There are many sports examples like Malone and Stockton, Jordan and Pippen. These are the legendary ones, but many never go anywhere. What do the great examples teach us? That’s where Rodd and Gale and Gallup research come in. They look at the traits that successful partnerships have so we can work them into the partnerships we have.

More about the book at gmj.gallup.com.com

I Love You More Than My Dog

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:04:38 +0000

I Love You More Than My Dog by Jeanne Bliss

We read and hear the stories people tell about Zappos, Trader Joe’s and other companies that don’t just have customers, they have fans. These are beloved companies, as Jeanne calls them. They have created a connection with their customers by how they’ve chosen to interact with them. This book looks at the 5 key decisions they make, and challenges you to find your way to join the ranks.

I talk with Jeanne about trusting your customer, what these decisions are and more.

More about Jeanne at CustomerBliss.com

Why Loyalty Matters

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:09:59 +0000

Why Loyalty Matters by Timothy Keiningham and Lerzan Aksoy

If you were to ask anyone what factor contributes most to being successful and happy, you can be virtually certain that not one of them would mention loyalty. And that’s a problem. Grounded in the most comprehensive study of loyalty ever conducted, Why Loyalty Matters proves that when it comes to business success, relationship success, and even our overall happiness, loyalty is the difference maker.

I talk with Lerzan about the state of loyalty, why loyal customers may not be profitable, and more.

More about the book at WhyLoyaltyMatters.com

Duck and Recover

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:51:39 +0000

Duck and Recover by Steven S. Little

While survival is on the mind of many, Steven wants to not only see you survive, but also to use opportunities around you to grow. So the book is divided into two parts: “Ducking” is positioning yourself at your strongest point. Think of a football linebacker in a three-point stance. “Recover” is growing while those around you are satisfied with just hanging on. He does this by challenging common held beliefs and giving guidance on cash flow, pricing and profit margins.

More about the Steven at StevenSLittle.com

Start With the Answer

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:39:18 +0000

Start With the Answer by Bob Seelert

Bob has had a 40-year long, successful career. He’s been CEO of 5 companies in three different industries. From those experiences he has seen patterns of what works and what doesn’t work, and has compiled his insights for all of us. He dives into eight aspects of leadership—preparation, building and managing a career, business strategy, business operations, finance and economics, leadership, culture and communication, and personal spirit and style. Start with the Answer provides critical insight any aspiring leader can use to succeed in any industry.

I talk with Bob about mergers, following up great idea with execution, and more.

More about the book at StartWithTheAnswer.com

Being Strategic

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:02:32 +0000

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

It’s Not About the Coffee

admin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:46:57 +0000

It’s Not About the Coffee by Howard Behar

During his many years as a senior executive at Starbucks, Howard Behar helped establish the Starbucks culture, which stresses people over profits. He coached hundreds of leaders at every level and helped the company grow into a world-renowned brand. Now he reveals the ten principles that guided his leadership—and not one of them is about coffee.

More about Howard at HowardBehar.com

CEO Material

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:08:59 +0000

CEO Material by D.A. Benton

Debra’s back and this time she’s compiled decades of experience, mentoring, and talks with CEOs and Executives on what it takes to be a leader. Whether you want to make a difference where you work, or in you community, this book has what you’ll need to get noticed and be effective. There’s a leader at every table, and it might as well be you.

More about Debra at DebraBenton.com

Collapse of Distinction

admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:26:46 +0000

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.

Management Rewired

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:42:32 +0000

Management Rewired by Charles S. Jacobs

Businesspeople are taught to make decisions with facts and logic and to avoid emotional bias. But according to the latest research, we almost never decide rationally, despite thinking that we do. Our experiences carry an emotional charge, encoded in the synapses of our neurons. And when we try to deny what our emotions tell us, we lose what we’ve learned from the past. Neuroscience is challenging how we do things. It isn’t about cold, hard numbers anymore.

I talk with Charley about how he’s reaching these conclusions, goal setting, and the potential difficulty of implementing this (since it is not the status quo).

Say Yes to No

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:13:50 +0000

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.

Hit the Ground Running

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:05:50 +0000

Hit the Ground Running by Jason Jennings

Whether your a CEO, or in a new or established leadership role, this book looks at what the top, new CEOs of this decade did it. How did they figure out what to do, get the company leadership in sync, and execute? Jason asked the same thing and details what he uncovered. Yes, Golden Rule still rules, and making things simpler are on the list (along with others). How they carry it out will give you insight into how to impact your teams.

I talk with Jason about where these CEOs come from, the importance of communication, and what he unexpectedly found while he was putting it all together.

How to WIN a Pitch

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:35:12 +0000

How to WIN a Pitch by Joey Asher

If presenting to customers before a sale is a regular part of your routine, this book will be a welcomed gem to your collection. It’s focused on that part of the sales cycle. Joey lays out in clear language what he sees as the clear differentiators in presentations that win clients over.

I talk with Joey about death by powerpoint, using your voice, and more. More on the book at www.HowToWinAPitch.com.

100 Best Business Books of All Time

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:24:09 +0000

100 Best Business Books of All Time by Jack Covert and Todd Sattersten

So many books and so little time. It would be impossible for me to pass up what these book-loving titans at 8CR have put together. Do you remember the book that had a significant impact on you? So do Jack and Todd. In fact, they made a list and share it with you. Use it to find another and another and another.

I talk with Jack and Todd about that experience of finding the book that nails it, how they came up with the 100 and how to use it. More on the book here.

It’s Not What You Sell

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:58:01 +0000

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

Strengths-Based Leadership

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:16:34 +0000

Strengths-Based Leadership by Tom Rath & Barry Conchie.

Playing to your strengths has many advantages, with the first in my mind being it definitely more fun! And in fact, trying to be good at everything makes you least effective. Continuing in the footsteps of Now, Discover Your Strengths and StrengthsFinder 2.0, this book looks at Leaders, Teams and Followers. All leaders have strengths, but not all the same strength. What they are good at is assembling a team that have all the necessary strengths covered. With the book comes a code for an assessment to discover your strengths. After you take the assessment, if you’d send me an email with some of your strengths, I’d be curious to know what my audience is strong at.

I talk with Barry about the foundation laid in the previous books, how leaders are not exceptional at everything, what a team needs to be good at and more. More on the book at Gallup.com. Buy it at Amazon.com

The Power of Who

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:22:05 +0000

The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need to Know by Bob Beaudine.

As an executive recruiter, Bob wants you to know that traditional networking is not the answer. Instead of going outside to connect, he wants you to look at who you already know. Instead of starting cold, start warm, where there are people who already know you and care about you. Unemployment is at a 16 year high in the U.S., and the release of this book couldn’t be more timely. If you fill your days sending resumes to “Dear Hiring Manager”, this book will give you a different approach designed to find the work you truly want to do.

I talk with Bob about looking inward, what social networks are good for, and Bob explains what a recruiter is thinking when they talk to a candidate (as he puts it, it’s like knowing the questions on the test before the test).

Remarkable Leadership

admin — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:07:15 +0000

Remarkable Leadership – by Kevin Eikenberry.

Kevin believes that you can learn the skills necessary to be, not just a leader, but a remarkable leader. Think of this book like a workout that covers the major muscle groups. As you challenge yourself to improve in each of the 13 areas, you’ll find yourself growing in your skills and effectiveness.

I talk with Kevin about how to learn, how to be relational, and how to own your stuff. The book website has a free chapter and other goodies.

The Brand Bubble

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:27:27 +0000

The Brand Bubble – by John Gerzema.

On one hand we have businesses giving high value to their brands, and on the other hand we have consumers who are showing less and less loyalty to brands. Have you seen this before? A high-perception of value? This is The Brand Bubble. Now that we know the problem, let’s work on a solution. Inside you’ll find a 5-step process to invigorate your brand and give it momentum.

I talk with John about loss of consumer loyalty, what to do about it, and the BrandAsset Valuator, a tool to see where thousands of brands stand in the marketplace.

More about John at www.TheBrandBubble.com.

Talent is Overrated

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:09:54 +0000

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.

Failure to Communicate

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:27:30 +0000

Failure to Communicate :How Conversations Go Wrong and What You Can Do to Right Them by Holly Weeks.

Since few of us like being involved in confrontational or highly emotional conversations we tend to procrastinate, hoping the situation will improve on its own. However, do not fear, Holly has examined these intense dialogs and provides for us a way to handle them. Don’t let ‘not knowing how’ be the reason you keep waiting, or worse, catch you off guard.

I talk with Holly about what kinds of conversations turn heated, how to deal with crying and more.

More about Holly at HollyWeeks.com.

Relevance

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:55:41 +0000

Relevance by Tim Manners.

Becoming and maintaining a solid brand is no easy feat. Stare at the numbers too long and too much and you lose the connection to your customer, which happen to be human, not a piece of data. Rather than find yourself in the position of having your advertising try to talk someone into something, join Tim to discover how to find innovation that keeps your brand something people want.

I talk with Tim about the overabundance of advertising and its effect, whether its better to be who you are or let the customer decide, and what “Relevance” looks like.

More about Tim at Reveries.com and TimManners.com



Iconoclast
admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:20:24 +0000
Iconoclast by Gregory Berns.



Being different or thinking different is a common theme in business growth and innovation. The approach in other books is looking at ways to be creative and generate new ideas. Greg’s approach is from science; he’s looking at what’s going on in the brain while all of this is going on. Come to find out, the brain wants to be efficient, so it takes shortcuts all the time. If you want innovation, you’ll have to take a different approach if you want to see things differently.
Greg discusses the characteristics of an iconoclast, what might help in uncovering a new idea, and advice for teams.



How the Wise Decide
admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:33:21 +0000
How the Wise Decide: The Lessons of 21 Extraordinary Leaders by Bryn Zeckhauser.



A day for firm decisions… or is it? We’re gathering info and making choices all the time. How do excellent leaders do it? How do they decide A or B, and see it through? How do they handle the tough calls? The authors interviewed 21 long-standing successful leaders in business (and life) to find out what the common traits were. It looks at how they gather information, decide, and then execute.
I talk with Byrn about how to get politics and turf wars out the decision, and how to “fill a room with barbarians”, and have anything good come out at all.   
More at the book website.



Nice Guys Can Get the Corner Office
admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:29:28 +0000
Nice Guys Can Get the Corner Office by Russ Edelman.



Nice guys (and gals) are who we want to work with (who wants to work with a jerk?), but in the process get ‘run over’ by giving in at their expense. What’s the solution? Taking on the Nice Guy Bill of Rights – the formula for being assertive without being aggressive.
I talk with Russ about what a ‘Nice Guy’ is, how nice is mistaken for weak, and what to do once you realize you’ve been getting run over.
More at the book website.



The Innovator’s Guide to Growth
admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:03:57 +0000
Innovator’s Guide to Growth by Scott D. Anthony.



There’s nothing like a good innovation to create a market and drive your company’s growth. This book looks at how to:

 Identify potential innovation opportunities
 Formulate and shape ideas
 Build an innovation business
 Build innovation capabilities

I talk with Scott about where to look for innovation, how to increase your odds of success and how to handle an innovation that’s a paradigm shift – solving a problem that people don’t know they have. Scott blogs at HBSP, and is the president of Innosight. Tools for innovator at the book website.



How You Do What You Do
admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:39:56 +0000
How You Do What You Do by Bob Livingston.


What you do is what gets the sale, at least in the short term. How you do it is where repeat customers and sustained sales kick in. A satisfied customer returns, a dissatisfied customer goes elsewhere. Bob dives deep into the elements of service excellence and what it takes to implement them. They include how to:

Develop and live your Purpose and Values
Understand your clients’ soft needs, and create plans to satisfy them
Seek continuous improvement by stimulating creativity and innovation
Keep your service-oriented culture growing
Create a passion for Service Excellence

More about Bob at REL Communications.



Where’s Your Wow?
admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:34:11 +0000
Where’s Your Wow? by Robyn Spizman and Rick Frishman.



This book looks into the recipe to create a special sauce in your company. That’s what makes you different and more importantly, appealing for customers. From finding your edge and knowing your customer to hiring people and putting people first, it’s sixteen steps to connecting your product or service to the market and your consumers. Links: Book website, Rick’s website and blog, and Planned TV Arts.



Navigating For Success
admin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:36:38 +0000
Navigating For Success by Moss A. Jackson, Ph.D.



Moss is a clinical psychologist that has taken that practice and helped business people for over 30 years. He looks at what your doing to drive your ship to its destination – are you in charge, or are the waters tossing you about? The book looks at mapping your course, dealing with fear and danger, obstacles and finding high performance in your passions. More about Moss at Corporate Initiatives.
I talk to Moss about dealing with people conflict, and Moss gives a simple, yet easy way to start getting a handle when you find yourself in a fearful situation.



Big Ideas to Big Results
admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:18:21 +0000
Big Ideas to Big Results by Michael Kanazawa and Robert Miles



You probably know where you want to go, it’s the getting there that’s the problem. You’re not alone as Fortune 500 companies to the shop on the corner have experienced the same frustration. Based on a methodology that started some 25 years ago at Harvard, the authors have worked to enable businesses of all sizes see their ideas become reality.
I talk with Mike about the beginnings, how this book aides in getting an idea launched (rather than have it stall), and aligning the troops.
Link:

www.BigIdeasToBigResults.com

Big Ideas Blog



The Milkshake Moment
admin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:46:02 +0000
The Milkshake Moment by Steven S. Little



Have you found yourself frustrated trying to get, what in your mind is not a difficult thing, but the business you’re dealing with has some crazy rule in place that makes the process complicated when it doesn’t have to be? Now look on the inside. Are there rules in your company that prevent you from connecting and delighting your customers? The Milkshake Moment looks at getting rid of those because they are the biggest barriers to a growing business.
Link:

www.StevenSLittle.com



Self-Marketing Power
admin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:42:42 +0000
Self-Marketing Power by Jeff Beals



The more we build a personal brand and gain popularity within our respective areas of interest the better off we are, and the company we work for. When marketing yourself there are many avenues to use, and many tips to make it worthwhile. I’m going to go out on a limb (not too far) and guess that you are familiar with blogging and podcasting, and yes those are certainly on the list, but there are many other things also. From public speaking, and writing to better networking, Jeff details the things you can do to advance your name.
Link:

SelfMarketingPower.com



Lead Well and Prosper
admin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:04:26 +0000
Lead Well and Prosper by Nick McCormick



Managing people in itself can make the role challenging on it’s own not to mention the ever-increasing levels of responsibility being required. Few managers want to do poorly even when companies to not make the time to invest training and other resources to help. Nick has compiled 15 keys he’s found to be helpful to managers to boost their personal and their teams performance. The book’s style makes it easy to pick up, capture an idea and get you going to prosper your team.
I talk with Nick about the difficulty of managing, how to encourage your team to develop themselves and how to handle it when a new policy comes your way that isn’t the best for your group.
Links:

BeGoodVentures.com

Blog



The Tripping Point in Leadership
admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:02:05 +0000
The Tripping Point in Leadership by David Byrd



Companies often look at why things are not better by listing off things that are usually comprise of people problems. David however, doesn’t see those as the problem, but just the symptoms of apathy. Now who wants to admit they have apathy? Not to fret. Once we understand what apathy is, we can begin to overcome its forces in us and our organizations.
I talk with David about this nasty little word “apathy”, what it takes to cure it and how long it takes to leave it behind.
Links:

www.TheTrippingPointInLeadership.com

www.lmi-usa.com



Zero to One Million
admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:01:33 +0000
Zero to One Million by Ryan Allis



Ryan built a company to $1 Million in sales by the time he was 21. And now he’s written out how it happened, and provided all the steps you’ll need to take to work at building your own successful company. I could write more fluffy words, but that sums it all up.
I talk with Ryan about teamwork, how to gauge if your idea has merit, and how internet sales are different from door-to-door sales.
Link:

www.ZeroMillion.com



Why Should the Boss Listen to You?
admin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:32:01 +0000
Why Should the Boss Listen to You? The 7 Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor by James E. Lukaszewski

Sales are down, morale has tanked, management is clueless but not to worry – you know what to do. However, how do you convince the boss that your idea has merit? How do you position yourself as someone who’s advice is worth hearing? Jim details the steps that his longstanding career in “crisis PR” has shown him that you’ll need to take to become a trusted strategic advisor.
Link:

www.e911.com



Hug Your People
admin — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:42:39 +0000
Hug Your People by Jack Mitchell

Jack’s first book Hug Your Customers, showed just how powerful it is to make a human connection to your customers. Now he explains how to create a culture in your company that will attract and inspire those you work with to love to come to work in the morning. Do you say you trust your employees but hire “secret shoppers” to check up on them? Do you say you value their input but use a suggestion box? This book gives the blueprint and also the real muscle behind it all – appreciation.
Link:

www.HugYourPeople.com



Something Really New
admin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:28:53 +0000
Something Really New by Denis Hauptly

A topic like innovation can be met with mental resistance because we’ve all been duped and marketed things that either aren’t innovative or not practical for us to use. “In the world of product and service innovation, utility is the driving force,” writes innovation expert Denis Hauptly. “The right questions…let us understand usefulness and create product innovations that enhance usefulness.” Innovating is not a mystery, in fact, the process is much simpler than you might expect.
I talk with Denis about what companies can be innovative, how to define it, and how to know you’ve got an idea worth running with.
Link:

www.SomethingReallyNew.com



What Made jack welch JACK WELCH
admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:11:36 +0000
What Made jack welch JACK WELCH by Stephen H. Baum

The people that rise through the ranks to the corner office come from all walks of life. They have different economic and educational backgrounds, and yet they find themselves running some of the largest and most challenging companies. Jack Welch was an ‘ordinary guy’ when he joined the ranks of GE and wasn’t eying the C-suite the first day on the job. Stephen interviewed dozens of executives and reveals the patterns and experiences that are the foundation of extraordinary leaders.
I talk with Stephen about what some of those common elements are, gauging when it’s “your moment” and dealing with crisis.
Link:

www.stephenhbaumleadership.com



The Opposable Mind
admin — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:58:23 +0000
The Opposable Mind by Roger Martin


When a big problem comes our way often our normal reaction is to divide and conquer, take all the pieces and knock them out one by one. This book turns that notion on its head. The best solution to a complex question must keep the entire question in focus.
I talk with Roger about what an opposable mind is, how simplifying leads us astray, and how to not be overwhelmed. To get a taste of the “how to”, I’ll refer you here.
Link:

Rotman School of Management



Growing Great Employees
admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:14:18 +0000
Growing Great Employees by Erika Andersen


Erika looks at all aspects of managing employees, from finding the right people, to finding out what motivates them, to transitions (good or bad) and all the rest. She covers the what and the how to do it. It contains plenty of examples of what to do and stories to round out the discussion.
I talk with Erika about the distractions that make us lose focus, how to handle employees who you don’t think can be extraordinary, and how to improve ourselves.
Link:

www.GrowingGreatEmployees.com

http://thesimplestthing.typepad.com/erikas_blog



The Art of Woo
admin — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:12:39 +0000
The Art of Woo by G. Richard Shell and Mario Moussa


If you’ve ever have had a great idea, but found that was all the further it went, now there’s hope. Being able to ‘woo’ (win others over) is dissected between the covers of this book. Everything from assessing your style of communication to packaging your idea in the most effective way to removing the barriers that prevent you from getting your message across. If you want to be able to take your ideas and see them be launched, here’s how it’s done.
I talk with Mario about how Woo-ing is different from selling a product or service, signs to know your idea is ready to go and how to prevent that awkward feeling that you’re not getting your message across to the person you’re talking to.
Link:

www.TheArtOfWoo.com



The Leaders We Need
admin — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:28:58 +0000
The Leaders We Need and What Makes Us Follow by Michael Maccoby


The qualities of a leader have changed along with everything else over the past 30 years. Integrity and trust are still essential, but not enough for leaders today. Investigating the psychology behind why people follow will allow you to be the right kind of leader because you must lead from not only your head but also your heart. The book looks at the leaders we need for knowledge work, health care, education and government. It considers the relationship between the leader and follower and how to understand the people you work with.
I talk with Michael about what followers look for in a leader, what a knowledge worker needs to know, and what leaders should be doing to improve themselves.
Link:

www.Maccoby.com



Think Better
admin — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:24:43 +0000
Think Better: An Innovator’s Guide to Productive Thinking by Tim Hurson

We all strive to be more productive but do we make the connection that how we think is the foundation of where we’re going to get? Improving the typewriter is only going to get you a better typewriter, which is about what we get when we take a business problem and run with the first idea we come up with to fix it. Thinking better is about taking what’s at hand through a process and arriving at a more creative and innovative solution.
Links:

www.TimHurson.com

www.Thinkxic.com



Hug Your Customers
admin — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:58:21 +0000
Hug Your Customers by Jack Mitchell


Are customers the center of your world? Of course we say they are, but are they treated that way? Jack wants you to treat them like kings and queens. Impress them by remembering their nicknames, favorite sports team and anniversary. Have their favorite beverage on hand when they stop by. Create a culture that appreciates and personally interacts with your customers. It not only creates a place that’s fun to work, but it creates loyal customers that come back time and again.
I don’t know a business owner who wouldn’t say the customer is the most important part of their business, so I asked Jack how he would know if an owner or CEO really believes that or is just kidding themselves. See if you pass the test.
Links:

www.HugYourCustomers.com

www.MitchellsOnline.com



We
admin — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:38:55 +0000
We: The Ideal Customer Relationship by Steve Yastrow


Wouldn’t you like to have every customer be your best customer? Isn’t it reassuring when you know they won’t flock to a competitor if it moves in next door. They won’t leave because there is more than just the exchange of products and services – there is a relationship involved. I know you’d like to think there is no business like yours but the reality is (with rare exception) the average consumer doesn’t see it that way – what you offer is duplicated by others in the marketplace. What isn’t duplicated is the relationships that you have with your customers. Strong customer relationships are the best marketing tool you have.
Links:

www.Yastrow.com

Steve is a regular contributor at www.TomPeters.com

Closing music from www.Shakshuka.com



Macular Degeneration
admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:16:03 +0000
I did something off-brand this week, so only those of you who visit the blog will see this – I’m not putting it in the main feed. I was inspired by Jim Harper’s story – his journey of macular degeneration, and hooked up with him and his son Steve to record it. Jim was legally blind a few years ago… that’s right, “was”. Steve’s blog explains more. The guitar at the end is from Larry Hansen.



Manager’s Desktop Consultant
admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:52:35 +0000
Manager’s Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night by Louellen N. Essex and Mitchel E. Kusy


Working with employees is an art unto itself. Inside the covers of this book are concise, condensed advice on how to handle the full range of manger duties. From dealing with under performers and star performers, to working with an angry employee or boss. It’s perfect for something you can pick up and use to help guide you through a situation.
I talk with Louellen about dealing with underperformers (which the answer may surprise you), the stars on your team, and handling office politics.
Links:

Louellen – www.LouellenEssex.com

Mitch – www.MitchKusy.com



Authenticity
admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:16:28 +0000
Authenticity by James H. Gilmore and B. Joseph Pine II


What does today’s customer want? Isn’t that the magic question. Yes, today’s consumer wants quality, service and price, but beneath those wavelengths is something of even greater power and momentum for your company – Authenticity. 
I talk with Joe about how to render authenticity, being who you say you are and how to be true to yourself. To thine ownself be true, And then it follows as night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Links:

Website – www.AuthenticityBook.com



Drop Dead Brilliant
admin — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:19:37 +0000
Drop Dead Brilliant by Lesley Everett


A company or personal brand doesn’t stop with marketing brochures and websites. Don’t overlook your first impressions, appearances, and body indicators. We don’t normally include those things when we discuss branding but how we present ourself matters when it comes to relating who you are to those you interact with. Put your best foot forward with your dress and appearance!
Links:

Website – www.WalkingTall.org



Beyond Buzz
admin — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:00:56 +0000
Beyond Buzz by Lois Kelly


We’re all familiar with conventional marketing – the company talking about itself. Then there’s buzz – customers talking about the company. The next step is the place to be – a dialog between the company and its customers. But where and how do you start to have a back and forth dialog with customers? What can you do to get people talking? And how do you align your staff to do it right? Lois explains how to take this new and greatly beneficial journey.
Links:

Website – www.Foghound.com

Blog – www.blog.Foghound.com



Manager’s Book of Decencies
admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:33:50 +0000
Manager’s Book of Decencies by Steve Harrison


With the 24/7 pressures of corporate life, we can quickly dismiss pleasantries, courtesies and just plain ‘being nice’ if we are not careful. However, there is more harm that what first meets the eye when these decencies are overlooked. And the benefits to an organization when they are performed are worth more than what might be first realized. Forget the bottom line for a moment (although it will flourish)… connecting with coworkers will build a great company in the most amazing ways.
Links:

Website – Book of Decencies



Executive Charisma
admin — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:58:37 +0000
Executive Charisma by D. A. Benton


It’s the edge that makes you personally effective. Yes, you have to be skilled, hard-working, full of integrity and intelligent. That’s substance. Executive Charisma is how you package it. That’s style. Add the two together and you create a winning combination that sets you apart as a leader and allows you to stride past the competition.
Links:

Website – CEO Whisperer



The Confident Speaker
admin — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:52:50 +0000
The Confident Speaker by Harrison Monarth and Dr. Larina Kase


Do you have a fear of public speaking? Or how about just the fear of speaking up? It doesn’t have to be the masses that get our hearts racing. The Confident Speaker tackles the gamut of situations and shows you the practical steps to handle and present yourself. Whether you have high, medium or low anxiety, Harrison and Larina want to improve your skills and develop a stronger belief that you can communicate and engage others confidently.
Links:

Website – The Confident Speaker

Blog – Larina Kase



Voice of Authority
admin — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:19:53 +0000
The Voice of Authority: 10 Communication Strategies Every Leader Needs to Know by Dianna Booher


You may be hired for your technical ability, but your ability to communicate effectively is what will allow you to climb higher. When it comes to information it seems that your options are: information overload, buzzwords, and spin. But none of those options are for you. Dianna has dissected the building blocks of communication to ensure what you say is understood, trustworthy and compels people to action.
Links:

Website – Dianna Booher

Book – Voice of Authority



Hermanisms
admin — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:14:16 +0000
Hermanisms by John L. Herman, Jr


Starting something? Start here. Behind that pleasant gold-foiled book title, you’ll find a plethora of business vignettes based on over 30 years of experience in the business world. Herman has worked with over a thousand failing businesses and from that has pulled out nuggets to keep you from being in that camp. And when, even in the best of situations, what you’re doing isn’t going to float – what you should do about it.
Links:

Website – Hermanisms



Fired Up or Burned Out
admin — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 19:16:52 +0000
Fired Up or Burned Out by Michael Stallard


A company who has employees who show up and do their job and go home is no where near as effective as a company whose employees are connected to each other. From your perspective you may see that gap but you might not know how to change the culture to get your team fired up. This book isn’t about getting people hyped-up or about turning everyone into a lemming. It is about the nuts and bolts of having people work together and be engaged. And the stories about real-life leaders at the end of the book are fantastic.
Links:

Website – www.FiredUpOrBurnedOut.com

Blog – MichaelLeeStallard.com

www.EPluribusPartners.com



Never Bet The Farm
admin — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:07:26 +0000
Never Bet The Farm by Anthony Iaquinto & Stephen Spinelli Jr.


Entrepreneurs are made, not born. And while it may look like the successful ones fly by the seat of their pants, it is not sheer charisma and talent that make it work. There are methods to reduce risks, increase your chances of success, and keep you in the game.
Links:

Website – www.NeverBetTheFarm.com



The Ripple Effect
admin — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:37:26 +0000
The Ripple Effect by Steve Harper


You’re going to networking events to increase your sales and all you ever hear is: So, What do you do? And it causes you to think: Please, somebody tell me there’s more to business life than this. Well, there is. There are people all around us that are there for a reason, and that reason isn’t always to make your next sale. Steve has a different way of looking at all the connections and potential connections in your life, and it’s contained in The Ripple Effect.
Links:

Website – www.RippleCentral.com



Why Johnny Can’t Brand
admin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:44:45 +0000
Why Johnny Can’t Brand by Bill Schley & Carl Nichols Jr.


You would think that the Superbowl, with it’s reputation for great commercials, would be a first-class example of branding and advertising. Unfortunately, it’s not. With all the advertising ‘noise’ that impacts us everyday, what does it take to break through and connect with your audience so they hear you? Bill and Carl are a lot of fun to talk to and have great advice on creating a winning brand.
Links:

Website – www.DavidID.com



QBQ
admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:07:27 +0000
QBQ: The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller


What do you do when things don’t go your way? And what do you do if you’re not exactly happy with what the answer to that question is? John’s got a plan that start and ends with each of us individually and it all starts with learning to ask better questions.
Links:

Website – www.QBQ.com

Newsletter – http://qbq.com/features/subscribe.php



Selling to Big Companies
admin — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:41:16 +0000
Selling to Big Companies by Jill Konrath


If you find yourself struggling to get a return phone call from a decision maker in a big company, there’s a reason. You’re using the wrong bait. Toss out all those Nightingale Conant tapes in your backseat – those techniques might do you just fine for B2C and some B2B selling, but if you want to catch a whale, listen in to what Jill has found out.
Also, Steve Gershik interviewed Jill on his Innovative Marketing podcast.
Links:

Website – www.sellingtobigcompanies.com

Blog – www.sellingtobigcompanies.blogs.com



Some Assembly Required
admin — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:34:09 +0000
Some Assembly Required by Thom Singer


Forming business relationships don’t just happen by accident. If you want to have a strong network it’s something your going to have to work at. Thom talks about myths, making a plan and a lot of other tools to make your network rock solid.
Links:

Website – www.ThomSinger.com

Blog – www.thomsinger.blogspot.com



Stand Out from the Crowd
admin — Tue, 29 May 2007 02:46:35 +0000
Stand Out from the Crowd by Jay Lipe


Another book on Branding? Not quite. This one does it with the small business owner in mind. You don’t have to be IBM, Ford or some other publicly traded company to tackle branding.
Links:

Website – www.EmergeMarketing.com

Blog – http://jaylipe.typepad.com/smart_marketing

Newsletter – http://www.emergemarketing.com/e-newsletter.shtml