This is the time of year to step back from your business and get new ideas. One of the best ways to do that is to review the latest small business books on the market. Here is what I am reading this summer:
Surge: Time the Marketplace, Ride the Wave of Consumer Demand, and Become Your Industry’s Big Kahuna – Mike Michalowicz
What it’s about: To achieve entrepreneurial success requires the ability to spot the next big wave of consumer demand in your industry. Why read it: Use Mike’s 5-step process for identifying trends in your marketplace to get ahead.
Momentum: How to Propel Your Marketing and Transform Your Brand in the Digital Age– Shama Hyder
What it’s about: How to conquer the complexity of marketing for a small business in today’s digital age. Why read it: Learn how to transform your current haphazard approach into an effective, struggle-free, and ROI-driven process.
The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future– Steve Case
What it’s about: It’s a memoir, manifesto, and playbook for the future of business from one of this country’s most accomplished entrepreneurs. (Steve co-founder AOL). Why read it: Learn from about the next technologies that will reshape the business world and how you can take advantage of them.
What it’s about: We mostly stink at presenting ourselves anywhere. This books helps you make the most of every interaction and presentation. Why read it: In order to be successful in business, Michael teaches you how to present your ideas in in big and small gatherings.
Hug Your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints and Keep Your Customers– Jay Baer
What it’s about: 80% of small businesses say they deliver great customer service. Only 8% of customers agree. This book helps close that gap. Why read it: Hate is spreading across this country during the presidential election. Ever small business owner needs to know how to deal with the critics of their own business both online and in person.
Deal Storming: The Secret Weapon That Can Solve Your Toughest Sales Challenges– Tim Sanders
What it’s about: How business to business (B2B) sales have changed over the past decade and why you are no longer succeeding. Why read it: Tim teaches you how to improve your B2B sales with his seven-step process to drive results and team oriented approach.
The Courage Solution: The Power of Truth Telling with Your Boss, Peers, and Team– Mindy Mackenzie
What it’s about: How do you balance security and the desire for change inside a small business. Why read it: Make effective change happen in your business by first telling the truth.
Workplace Poker: Are You Playing the Game or Just Getting Played?– Dan Rust
What it’s about: Talent and skill don’t always get you ahead in small business since there is a game being played inside. Why read it: Learn the strategies you need to accelerate your career and prevent setbacks. Dan teaches how to recognize your own “blind spots” and enhance your personal likeability.
The Marketing Revolution in Politics: What Recent U.S. Presidential Campaigns Can Teach Us About Effective Marketing– Bruce Newman
What it’s about: The current presidential election has turned conventional marketing on its head. Why read it: What you can learn from US presidential campaigns that have adopted the latest marketing techniques and how organizations in very sector can benefit
Tough Cookies Don’t Crumble: Turn Set-Backs into Success– Dr. Susan O’Malley
What it’s about: Susan writes about strategies she used to transform from a college drop-out and secretary to emergency room doctor and successful entrepreneur. Why read it: Susan shares not only her secrets, but also her shame. She bears her soul on how she overcame bad choices and still came out on top.
Primed to Perform: How to Build the Highest Performing Cultures Through the Science of Total Motivation– Lindsay McGregor and Neel Doshi
What it’s about: How to use the cutting edge of human psychology to build high performing workplace cultures. Why read it: If you company is to be successful, it needs a high performance culture. This can’t be left to chance. Learn to proactively shape and maintain it through their ToMo tool.
The Art of People: 11 Simple People Skills That Will Get You Everything You Want– Dave Kerpen
What it’s about: The toughest people don’t always win. It’s actually those with the best people skills who build the right relationships with their peers, their customers, and vendors. Why read it: Learn the 11 people skills that will get you more of what you want at work and home.
What are you reading this summer?
