Each month or so we’ll list some different books that are especially useful for business people. Let us know your thoughts about these selections, and contact us with your own recommendations which we’ll share in future months!
Inspiration
Crossing The Unknown Sea: Work As A Pilgramage of Identity by David Whyte
Author David Whyte is a Welshman and a poet who writes about work using the metaphor of crossing the ocean. His wit and wisdom articulate how it really is for us who are in transition. He draws from many spiritual traditions and from his own Celtic origins to help those of us ensconced in Western busy-ness find the vision to stay centered and successful at the same time.
Nuts & Bolts Business
Guerilla Marketing Handbook by Levinson & Godin
This book is well designed for the small business community, with fresh ideas about crafting a marketing program and executing it in a cost effective way. Practical and timely, this should be on every business owners’ bookshelf.
Philosophy of Business
The Lexus & The Olive Tree by Thomas Friedman
Thomas Friedman is a three time Pulitzer winner for the NYTimes. His depth and breadth of experience inform his very readable book on the tension between technology and achievement (The Lexus) and the need to remain rooted in mother earth (The Olive Tree). All of us in business need to be thinking about getting this right – how to be aggressive winners in business while still living from the heart. This is an outstanding choice to enjoy as an audio book while traveling for business reasons because it’s long, but accessible and easy to absorb.
Winning by Jack and Suzy Welsh
Jack Welch became a legend as the CEO of General Electric. He wrote numerous books on leadership and management and in his book tours, developed conversations and shared experiences with hundreds of business people. Jack’s wife Suzy too had a remarkable business career, and together they synthesized much of their most important learning about business – from their own experiences as well as from the experiences of others they invited into the conversation. This is an excellent compilation of the nuts & bolts of business as well as philosophy from seasoned veterans.
