Just in time for holiday gift-giving, here are a few of our favorite business books:
Power Questions, Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas. 2012, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Powerful questions provoke thought, reframe a situation to find new answers, develop a relationship, and more. Through engaging stories that illustrate their points, Sobel and Panas have put together a practical guide for applying the right questions to various situations. While no one can possibly memorize all 337 questions, it’s not necessary in order to get benefit from the book. Especially as you’re planning important meetings, be sure to keep this book nearby as a handy reference.
The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, 2012, Random House: We all know that individuals have habits, but this book shines in showing how organizations, governments and societies have habits as well. Duhigg clearly explains how both good and bad habits get started and can become firmly entrenched. He also shows through stories about CEOs, Olympians, and others, what it takes to develop new habits that make the difference between failure and success. Leaders who are committed to transformation and growth will benefit from this book.
Conversational Intelligence, Judith Glaser, 2014 Bibliomotion, Inc.: At its heart, this book is about the power of trust and what it really takes to develop it to the level necessary to achieve unparalleled success in organizations. Glaser explains the science behind how our brains are programmed to interpret reality, and brings it down to earth with easy to use tools to boost Conversational Intelligence and strengthen the relationships that are foundational for creating extraordinary results.
Contagious, Jonah Berger, 2013 Simon & Schuster: Why do some ideas, messages, products, and services go viral while others go nowhere? Berger, who is a marketing professor at Wharton, conducted groundbreaking research that clears up this mystery. He also explains through facinating stories what it takes to make a big impact. We especially recommend this for anyone with a strategy that requires quickly impacting a large number of people so they take action.
The Age of the Customer, Jim Blasingame, 2014, SBN Books: This book is a wake-up call for companies! Blasingame tells us that with profound shifts in technology and culture, our customers will only tune into what they perceive as “relevant” to their interests and well-being. He provides a compelling case for why this is the new world order. He also offers practical guidelines to leaders for engaging with and winning over customers now and in the future as the world continues to change. We strongly agree!
Preventing Strategic Gridlock, Pamela S. Harper, 2003, Cameo Publications: What can we say? It’s natural that Pam’s book would be one of our favorites. However, this book actually has more value today than it did when it was first published since most of the predictions Pam made about the companies came to pass. Following the logic Pam used to make these predictions can help you see more clearly into the future yourself. This book also includes practical guidelines for how to overcome inertia and accelerate to the next level of success.
Here is part of a new review that appears on Amazon: “Preventing Strategic Gridlock is a great book for anyone who wants to run a successful business. I loved her examples of how even the biggest corporate giant have stumbled in their business journeys. … The author also gives you brilliant advice for preventing the gridlock circle with her U.N.L.O.C.K. formula. Preventing Strategic Gridlock is a great road map for getting high business performance and Pamela S. Harper guides you through the journey with expertise and authenticity. Great book!” —Linda Hollander, “Wealthy Bag Lady” Click here for Full Review.
If you’d like to hear more about these books, and why business books are still relevant in the age of Twitter, listen to Pam’s recent interview on The Small Business Advocate Radio Show with host Jim Blasingame.