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What's on your Reading List? Part One
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 by Susan Julien-Willson
Reading is a way to learn new skills, inspire ideas, broaden your perspective. I read to become a better writer, a better businessperson, a stronger leader, a better person.
My favorite business books are not just about sales and marketing. They're about leading, about teaming, about design, about writing, about blogging, about creativity, and about communicating-particularly listening.
Today, I'll talk about what I've read and enjoy ... and later this week, I'll continue with the list. Next week, I'll write about my Books to Read list. It just keeps getting longer and longer. So many books, so little time!
Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer
by Jeffrey Gitomer
I love Gitomer as much as I don't like him. His language and humor seems unprofessional to me, but for the most part, this guy knows his stuff. He's not a writer, but he can make a point. And this little book is easy to read and refer to often - I also subscribe to his newsletter. He reminds me that it's about relationship and being real. It's about value, not just about price. This book is worth reading if you can handle his language. He apparently did not have the same English professor I had-this professor told the class if you had to resort to four-letter words to make a point, you needed to work on your vocabulary and your writing!
The Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer
by Jeffrey Gitomer
Another good sales book by Gitomer. Meatier than the Little Red Book ... I refer to this book often for tips and advice. And I mean often!
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
A parable that makes many good points about dealing with change in your work and in your life. If you haven't read it, do so. It's a quick read and worthwhile.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
by Stephen Covey
I took a 3-day seminar on this - and also read the book. Highly recommend reading this and applying the principles to your professional and personal life. I think I need to re-read it!
Naked Conversations by Robert Scobel/Shel Israel
by Robert Scobel/Shel Israel
This is all about business/corporate blogging and how it's changing the way businesses talk with customers. It's about being real and transparent in a blog and allowing the customer to talk back so you're talking with each other, rather than at each other. Great read. Loved it. It was the first book I read on blogging and it's still my fave. If you want to read about blogging, pick this book up.
Lovemarks by Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi
by Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi
Heard about this book at a National Catalog Conference a few years back. It's about lovemarks with emotional resonance that are "owned" by the people who love them-about connecting with consumers and understanding them. It's about passion for the brand, involving consumers in new product development, celebrating loyalty, find and share great stories/testimonials from people who love the brand/products. It talks about the mystery, sensuality and intimacy of lovemarks like Olay, Tide, Coca Cola, Lexus. Very interesting.
The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier
by Marty Neumeier
This was given to me by an ad agency and it's a little gem. It's about bridging the distance between business strategy and design. It really clarifies what a brand is - a person's gut feeling about a product, service, or company.
BrandSimple by Allen P. Adamson
by Allen P. Adamson
I can't say enough about this book. It's an easy read and enlightening and informative. Really like the discussion of the best brands keeping it simple and succeeding. Rdknyver recommended it on Sales Speak awhile back. I recommend it, too.
The Identity Trinity by Glenda Shasho Jones
by Glenda Shasho Jones
This is a book about brand, image and positioning for catalogs. Not sure it is still in print, but I believe the author presents at catalog and direct marketing conferences. She's great. The book is a tad outdated, but the principles of good cataloging presented in this book still ring true.
More books coming later this week in Part Two. Until then, keep reading, keep writing, keep sponsoring, keep SELLING!
P.S. Many of these books are available at our Partner Store, Barnes & Noble.
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2 comments:
Not a bad list, but it mainly focuses on selling. What about personal improvement? What about relationships? What about persona finances?
Now I know that this is just an Alticor employee who is posting this. I just hope their education is not just sales and how to make yourself a better salesman. What about "The Magic of Thinking Big" "Think and Grow Rich" "How to Win Friends and Influence People" "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" "The Five Love Languages" "Personality Plus" I could go on and on.
Books are critical. But not just books on sales. Books that stretch you and help you grow. Help you better relate to the people around. Timeless wisdom and life principles.
This is my concern with Quixtar University. Will it really help you grow as a person, or just as a salesman. If so, then your potential, even as a salesman, is limited.
Hmmmmm, as much as I hate to believe in conspiracy theories, do you suppose the original posting was designed to suggest that Quixtar/Amway/Alticor really is in the "tool" business and therefore some other person's "tool" business is a competing business with Quixtar/Amway/Alticor?
Nah, I must be imagining things...
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