Recommended Reading

The 4 Disciplines Of Execution
Author: McChesney, Covey, Huling

Set “Wildly Important Goals”, lead & lag measurements, and get your team to deliver. This is a brilliant book that will teach you organizational and self-management skills that will drive sales and profits.

The 22 Immutable Laws Of Marketing
Author: Al Ries

Simple, straightforward and compelling explanation of the fundamentals of modern marketing. These guys simplify complex theories and make them real. This is a must for all of us that sell ideas or products (that’s all of us by the way).

KEEP THE FAMILY BAGGAGE OUT OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS
Author: Quentin J. Fleming

Family businesses have lots of interesting and challenging dynamics that can create dysfunctional actions. Learn how to avoid and correct the problems that tear apart family firms.

THE E MYTH REVISITED
Author: Michael Gerber

The absolute primer for all small business owners. Superb for start-ups and early stage firms. Although is sneaks up on the experienced CEO and makes you challenge your thinking in fundamental areas.

THE ONE MINUTE TO-DO LIST
Author: Michael Linenberger

I use this book with all of my clients. The best self-management book that I have found. If you are serious about getting organized, this is the one.

21.5 UNBREAKABLE LAWS OF SELLING
Author: Jeffrey Gitomer

Could be the best book about selling ever. It really challenges traditional selling tactics and challenges all of us to think differently. Very tactical and in your face but you will write a long list of notes.

THE LITTLE BIG THINGS
Author: Tom Peters

163 ways to pursue excellence. Improve yourself, your business, your career, and your attitude. Compartmentalized suggestions that will make your think and act.

THE STORY FACTOR
Author: Annette Simmons

Your associates learn from you all of the time, but the most effective way to teach is through stories. Learn the skills of story-telling here. I read it years ago and tried the techniques in a speech and I was a convert to story telling from that day on. You don’t realize it but you have a lifetime of stories to share.

THE REFERRAL ENGINE
Author: John Jantsch

Word of mouth referrals drives business today. Science shows that people can’t help recommending products and services to their friends. Harness the power of personal referrals.

I CAN SEE YOU NAKED
Author: Ron Hoff

If you want to have better stand-up speaking skills, this is the one that helped me shake my speaking fears. I love books that are action oriented and this one is all about how to do it.

INSTANT CASHFLOW
Author: Bradley J. Sugars

Brad’s first book and the primer for any small business owner. Chock full of implementable strategies that will deliver results.

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF CONNECTIONS
Author: Jeffrey Gitomer

Gitomer’s book about developing your networking strategies. Most people will think that this is primarily for business owners, but corporate folks don’t see the value in networking and they should.

FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY
Author: Susan Jeffers, Ph. D.

The decision and ability to get over our fears lies within us. Confidence will breed power. We have the choice of listening this higher self or to our inner chatterbox that tells us we will fail.

THE ULTIMATE BLUEPRINT
Author: Keith J. Cunningham

Businesses must be steered using a dashboard of metrics or KPIs. Keith is the master at proving it and helping you design what will work for your business.

THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP
Author: John C. Maxwell

Maxwell is one of the best leadership thought leaders. He makes his theories simple and easy to learn in this book. A must read for entrepreneurs and corporate executives. “Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less.” He is right.

OUR ICEBERG IS MELTING
Author: John Kotter

A simple fable that shows how Eight Steps produce needed change in any sort of group. It really makes you think about how to approach change.

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, HOW TO DISCUSS WHAT MATTERS MOST
Author: Stone, Patton and Heen

Resolving conflict is one of the most avoided responsibilities of leaders. Be brave and learn how to do what you hate.

Who
Author: Smart & Street

In business you are who you hire. This is a simple, easy-to-follow list of steps that will put the right people in place for optimal success.

NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS
Author: Buckingham & Clifton

Written by the Father of Strengths-Based Psychology. We have been conditioned to work on our weaknesses rather than exploit our strengths. The book sends you to an online survey to test and learn about yourself.

DELIVERING HAPPINESS
Author: Tony Hsieh

This founder designed Zappos as a truly unique company that is entirely focused on execution, customer delight and loyalty. I visited their HQ and it is crazy but they are insanely profitable and a model for all of us to consider.

THE COMMITMENT ENGINE
Author: John Jantsch

A how-to overview of how to establish lasting commitment in their employees, customers, and businesses. Build a fully alive business that attracts customers for life.

A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD
Author: Roger von Oech

Creativity and how people are wired to think that way, has always fascinated me. I loved this book because it really made me think. If you need some new ideas, give this a try.

THE GOAL
Author: Eliyahu M. Goldratt

Every manufacturer should read this. You will be motivated to challenge your processes and your thinking. I was inspired by this book.

MAGIC NUM8ERS
Author: Peter Temple

Corporate executives will benefit from understanding the financial ratios that the market uses to evaluate performance. This is the language of business and if you learn to think the way investors do, you become more effective and valuable.