Feb 22 08
Art’s Picks: February Top Six
By Art Bell
Each month I’ll suggest a handful of great short books—“airplane paperbacks”–that you may have missed in your business reading. Usually these won’t be the mass market, heavily hyped books about swimming with sharks, moving your cheese, and coloring your parachute. I’ll dig out the hidden jewels that the rest of your crowd probably hasn’t seen. No insider trading here: SNP and I have no financial connection to the books we recommend. Anything coming from SNP authors is clearly identified in the “From Our Shop” section at the end of this space.
This month’s “must reads”:
1. Offshoring by Diane Farrell
Harvard Business School Press (2006)
ISBN-13 978 1422110072
Amazon.com
The best 180 pages I’ve found on the facts and fallacies in the offshoring debate. Read this book and feel infinitely superior to the news pundits and political hacks spouting nonsense on this important issue.
2. The Business Ethics Activity Book by Marlene Caroselli
AMACOM (2003)
ISBN-13 978 0814472002
Amazon.com
Most books on business ethics quickly turn to yada, yada, yawn. This one provides 5 to 30 minute games, cases, exercises, and other activities you can use with your people to get them thinking and talking about integrity at work. Punctuate your next meeting in a memorable way by taking a short time out for one of Caroselli’s ethics activities.
3. The Sustainability Revolution by A.R. Edwards
New Society Publishers, 2005
ISBN-13 978 0865 715318
Amazon.com
You’re seeing it everywhere: “erase your carbon footprint,” “go carbon neutral,” “buy green, even at a premium price.” This short book takes you on a fascinating stroll through the otherwise dense terrain of sustainability. You’ll observe the goals, methods, players, and pitfalls of this leading issue of our time.
4. The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
Thomas Nelson (2007)
ISBN-13: 978-0785289043
Amazon.com
Get smart fast about what you’re doing right or missing entirely as a leader in your company. This short book pays immense dividends right away in what you say and do in your next department meeting, work group briefing, or interview.
From Our Shop
At SNP Communications we think it’s good to give as well as receive. Therefore, we work to keep a steady flow of our ideas moving forward to you and the marketplace of business ideas. Here are a couple titles to consider:
5. Business Communication by Marty Brounstein, Art Bell, and Dayle Smith
Wiley and Sons (2007)
ISBN 978 0471790778
Amazon.com
Your complete guide to the rapidly changing world of business communication, including how to:
- Incorporate active listening, assertive speaking, and non-verbal communication techniques into your daily communications.
- Resolve conflicts effectively.
- Choose the best words and voice for your audience.
- Craft persuasive business letters.
- Avoid common writing mistakes.
- Plan and lead successful business meetings.
- Overcome your fears of public speaking.
- Write winning business proposals.
- Create a resume that helps you get the job you want.
- Present yourself professionally in an interview.
6. You Can’t Talk to Me That Way! Stopping Toxic Language in the Workplace by Art Bell
Career Press (2006)
ISBN 978-1564148223
Amazon.com
Toxic language in the workplace causes people to withhold their best effort, transfer to a different division, or quit outright. Productivity and team spirit wither under a cloud of language meant to humiliate, hurt, and demean. To all those who spew such language at their co-workers, subordinates, and bosses, this book insists “You Can’t Talk to Me That Way!”
The book takes on verbal abuse in several ways:
- Presents a set of personal strategies for ending verbal assault and recovering from its effects.
- Investigates the motives and methods of verbal attackers: who they are, how they operate, and why they torture others by verbal assaults.
- Examines the psychology and circumstances of those targeted for verbal assault. Suggests specific, practical steps companies can take to become aware of destructive environments and act quickly and legally to combat them.
- Makes readers aware of their legal options if toxic language at work is damaging their reputations, career progress, and/or physical or psychological well-being.
- Offers a vision of the compatible, decent workplace where employees can do their best work without fear of demeaning verbal assaults from work associates at any level.
Tags: corporate communications, executive communications, leadership training, snp communications
Two others for the list
Leadershock by Greg Hicks
-great for dealing with the increased responsibilities of leadership
How To Reduce Workplace Conflict And Stress: How Leaders And Their Employees Can Protect Their Sanity And Productivity From Tension And Turf Wars by Anna Maravelas
-practical ways for keeping things sane and civil
It’s about as basic as negotiation can get, but the Harvard Negotiation Project’s “Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In” is a quick, practical approach.
And, for those who believe in a “if we don’t remember history, we’re doomed to repeat it”… “The Leaders Companion: Insight on Leadership Throughout the Ages”. Great historical overview of leadership - successes and shortcomings.
Great suggestions. Keep them coming!