National Book Lovers' Day? Let me count the ways!
I have been a voracious reader since I can remember. I have a distinct memory of being in my bed in second grade surrounded by a mountain of books I got from the library for my "rainy day" reading list. I thought I would read every one cover to cover that day. That early love has not lost its luster, although I don't have the same luxury of time to read as much as I would like (even on rainy days).
I've compiled a list of my top five favorite businesses books that have influenced me as a business owner who is very focused on culture and purposeful growth. Perhaps you'll add them to your list for a rainy day. Summaries below are from the publishers.
How to be a better human:
Give and Take, Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant
For generations, we have focused on the individual drivers of success: passion, hard work, talent and luck. But in today's dramatically re-configured world, success is increasingly dependent on how we interact with others. Adam Grant examines whether giving is the secret to getting ahead. (And, at treetree, we think it is).
How to be a better business strategist:
Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands by Marty Neumeier
In an age of me-too products and instant communications, keeping up with the competition is no longer a winning strategy. Today you have to out-position, out-maneuver, and out-design the competition. The new rule? When everybody zigs, ZAG. (The Agency of Special Projects, anyone?) In ZAG he illustrates the number one strategy of high-performance brands -- radical differentiation.
How to be a better manager:
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Gallup Press
The greatest managers in the world seem to have very little in common. They differ in sex, age and race. They employ vastly different styles and focus on different goals. Yet despite their differences, great managers share one common trait: They do not hesitate to break virtually every rule held sacred by conventional wisdom. They do not believe that, with enough training, a person can achieve anything he sets his mind to. They do not try to help people overcome their weaknesses. They consistently disregard the golden rule. And, yes, they even play favorites. This amazing book explains why.
How to be a better prioritizer:
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
You want less. And you want more. In The ONE Thing, you'll learn to cut through the clutter, achieve better results in less time, dial down the stress, overcome that overwhelmed feeling, revive your energy and stay on track.
How to be a better storyteller:
Perfect Pitch: The Art of Selling Ideas and Winning New Business by Jon Steel Steel (my personal professional idol) explains how you really create presentations that win hearts, minds, and new business. He also draws on intriguing presentation examples from the real world -- including O.J. Simpson trial, Bill Clinton's presidential debates, the speeches of Sir. Winston Churchill and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and even his own marriage proposal. Perfect Pitch covers every aspect of the pitch process, from assembling a presentation team to rehearsals and the preparation of compelling leave-behind documents.