Last week I shared the books that changed my life and helped me on my journey to The Confident Mother. This week I am sharing some of the books on business that have influenced me at work, whether in my career or in my business.
In no particular order …
Who moved my cheese
by Spencer Johnson
When I was Head of IT, Europe, my CIO gave a copy of this book to his senior managers when we were in Chicago for a departmental meeting.
I must admit (ahem) that I didn’t ‘get’ this book. He was really excited about the book and its messages, but all I could see was a bunch of mice scurrying around trying to move cheese. It went completely over my head until one day, one of my team was talking about this fantastic change management book she’d read at the week. Doh! Lightbulb moment. Not. I now understand the analogy however it doesn’t really resonate with me.
Why do I include it? Because so many others love this book and it had significant impact on the people that I worked with.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
by Gary Keller
I don’t just have one copy of this book, I have two. It’s American in style which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I love the philosophy presented in the book. In the past, in business, because I am an action taker and hate to sit still, I have found that I am trying to do too many things; the ‘need’ to look and feel busy. Over time I am learning to better manage my own expectations. Yes, it’s true, you get more done when you focus on just ONE thing.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
First, Break All the Rules
by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
This might have been another gift from my CIO or maybe from my Dad. I enjoyed this book in which Buckingham and Coffman explore what great managers do differently. This most definitely influenced my management and leadership style. One examples is rather than trying to fit individuals into roles, make the role fit the individual. Use their talents and strengths effectively rather than forcing them to do stuff they’re just not good at.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
by Richard N. Bolles
Like many other law firm professionals, I received the gift of redundancy in early 2009. This was a great recommendation from a friend. It includes useful exercises to help you identify your skillset, your talents, and strengths, especially useful when you are trying to figure out what you want to do with your career.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
Talking From 9-5: Women and Men at Work
by Deborah Tannen
I first came across author Deborah Tannen when I read You Just Don’t Understand:Women and Men in Conversation when I was studying as a counsellor. I loved her explanations of language and the gender differences. In particular this book helped me to understand some of the other department managers who had come from a US military background. I started to appreciate why when our CIO said “Jump”, their instinctive response is “How high?” and my response is always “Why? Why do I need to jump?”
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
Watertight Marketing
by Bryony Thomas
As you’d guess from the title, it’s a book about marketing however it’s aimed very clearly at small businesses. It talks in simple practical language with lots of case studies and stories. It’s not full of theory – it offers sensible advice in an easy-to-read conversational style.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
Find Your Thing
by Lucy Whittington
I loved this book so much, I became one of Lucy’s clients. Her style doesn’t suit everybody but her marketing advice and consultancy is perfect for my audience. Lucy’s ‘thing’ is helping you to work out what you’re really brilliant at (your Thing) and then turning that Thing into a business that is just right for you. Her philosophy being that she can only help you market your business, if you are in the right business in the first place. This book helps you to find your thing.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
The Copywriters Compendium
by Jonathan Gabay
This book was a gift from Jonathan Gabay when I attended a CIM workshop on writing newsletters and press releases. As Global Head of IT Services, I was responsible for all the internal IT communications: IT newsletter, change management communications, monthly report to senior management, crisis management communications and more. I love this compendium packed full of useful metaphors, similes, tips, inspiration, rhyming words, bizarre facts and advice on the whole writing process.
Click HERE to discover more about this book.
Those are my favourite business books; books which have influenced my career and my business. What would you include in your top business books?
