10 books that will change your (business) life
November 15, 2005Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba from Church of the Customer blog list their top ten books that “provide a foundational understanding of grassroots marketing, word of mouth and customer evangelism“. I liked this idea, but have widened my criteria to match their blog title of “10 books that will change your (business) life”.
This was a lot harder than it looks. Here’s mine (in no particular order):
1. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
There are not too many books that I have read more than once, but I have read this one cover-to-cover twice and often pick it up to read sections. A challenging read, but well worth the effort.
2.The Cluetrain Manifesto
An epiphany occurred to me when I read this book. Its main thesis is that “markets are conversations†among humans who use language that is “natural, open, honest, direct, funny and often shocking†and above all “unmistakably genuineâ€.
3.The Cathedral & the Bazaar
Eye-opening stuff. A discourse on the philosophy and mechanics of “Open-Source” software.
4. A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age
“Abundance, Asia, and automation.” If you don’t take these three words into serious consideration, there is a good chance that sooner or later your career will suffer because of one of those forces.
5.Sleepers, Wake!
I credit my passion for technology to this book, which I read in my first year at Uni. In Sleepers, Wake! Jones looks at the impact and future implications of Information technology on the labour market and society in general.
6.Mind Maps at Work
The title says it all. Unleash your creativity and get things done with Mind Maps.
7.The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
This book provokes thought and causes you to challenge your thinking. Based on Buddhist teachings, outlines how to defeat day-to-day depression, anxiety, anger, and jealousy.
8.Emotional Intelligence : Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Our emotions play a much greater role in thought, decision making and individual success than does IQ.
9.The Seven-Day Weekend : A Better Way to Work in the 21st Century
Semler’s manifesto of work/life balance and strategies for achieving it.
10.The Circle of Innovation
There is one line from this book that is indelibly etched into my brain …”All Value Comes from the Professional Services”. A must read for any white-collar professional or consultant.
What are your top ten?
The Sex & Cash Theory
June 17, 2005I’ve just been reading Hugh McLeod’s “How To Be Creative” manifesto over at ChangeThis and came across this nugget …
Keep your day job. I’m not just saying that for the usual reason i.e., because I think your idea will fail. I’m saying it because to suddenly quit one’s job in a big ol’ creative drama-queen moment is always, always, always in direct conflict.THE SEX & CASH THEORY: The creative person basically has two kinds of jobs. One is the sexy, creative kind. Second is the kind that pays the bills. Sometimes the task in hand covers both bases, but not often. This tense duality will always play center stage. It will never be transcended.
Sage (and timely) advice … thanks Hugh!
First Published Work
May 6, 2005In keeping with my word …my first published work was pre-released today — “Linux - A view from the Market”. It’s a piece I was asked to write in relation to future technology direction in the industry in which I am currently working. The book that my chapter is in is being launched on Monday, and is designed for a specific audience (industry segment).
The book concept itself is not that much to rave about … but it was an interesting challenge to write a chapter and its kinda nice to see it published (with minimal edits). Watching/contributing to the process was also a first time experience, which was interesting.
What is Quality?
May 4, 2005I’m reading Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintanance again! … which poses some serious philosophical questions about the definition of quality. It struck me that I posted the other day about Software Quality. What did I (do I) mean by quality? Like Phaedrus, I have difficulty defining quality — because it is not defineable! The following quote, epitomises open source software therefore assisting an explaination as to the difference in quality over commercial/proprietary software
…by turning our attention to Quality it is hoped that we can get technological work out of the noncaring subject-object dualism and back into craftsman like self-involved reality again.
