Business Related Books

[sungoddesslv]

After reading Joan Lloyd's latest article, I've decided to take her advice and read a couple of business-related books this year.  Before I go searching Amazon or Barnes & Noble, I'd like to know from you, what business-related books have you read that you would recommend?  Are there any real "dogs" to stay away from?



P.S.  If you have not read the latest Joan article, I suggest you do so - don't pass GO, don't collect $200 - go straight to www.joanlloyd.com (or click on the link on the TAA home page). It will be well worth your time.



sungoddess  

[etietjen]

Hi Sungoddess,



Some books I would recommend are more of a self-help variety.  I think we can never try too hard to better ourselves.  Also, there are some skills that will never go out of fashion (i.e., people, comprehending finances, etc.).  Technology may come and go, but people are here to stay.



Under Finance, I would recommend anything by Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad; The Cash Flow Quadrant).  He writes on a human level and illustrates points from his own life.  Those books completely changed how I thought about money.



Under People Skills, I would recommend Dynamic People Skills by Dexter Yager or the old standby How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.  I would also recommend Positive Personality Profiles by Dr. Robert Rhomer (I think that is how you spell his name).  It does some basic personality profiling so that by understanding your own personality and others, you can work with people where THEY are at.



Of course, there is always time management books like First Things First and The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.  I also read a lot of biographies.



Good luck on your search.  I don't think any book is really a "dog", you just can't relate to it from where you are at.  Sometimes you have to "grow" into a book for it to mean anything to you.



-Ellen

[deedeeb]

Try the American Management Association website at amanet.org.  They have an on-line bookstore with very specific  administrative books (just a few, and they call them "secretarial", but still).  Also, I really liked the "Who Moved the Cheese" (is that the right title?) and the Emotional Intelligence books.  Don't know authors, but I'm sure you can find them at amazon.com.

[msrobbie]

For any books you might decide to explore, remember the resources of Half.com and eBay.  I've gotten some books from both sources at 1/4th the list price, and they've always been in excellent shape.



I still have some books in my clutches if you want to borrow them, sungoddess . . .



Zapp, the Lightning of Empowerment by William C. Byham

(this one is for people who supervise other people)



Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles

(this is about customer service and I read the whole thing in one lunch hour)



Financial Tools for Non-Financial Managers (it's at home, so I don't have the author's name with me)

(this one explains different aspects of financial reports, how collections affect a business' financial status, and so on - - mainly for those of us who are not accounting wizards)



I also have The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, but I have to admit that I haven't gotten around to reading it yet (probably because of a bad habit that I could overcome if I would just read the book!)



Let me know and I'll be glad to loan 'em to you.



 Why oh why oh why won't it stop raining in Las Vegas??



Robbie

[daisylee]

Here's a couple I found very helpful...both were given as gifts by co-workers, and I've read them both twice!



One is "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff at Work" by Richard Carlson, Ph.D., and the other is From Secretary Track to Fast Track, by Ken Lizotte and Barbara A. Litwak.  (This one gives some good pointers on how to advance yourself further up the ladder!)



And don't forget to share titles you might try that beg to be read Sungoddess!  I'm always looking for things to read too!



Daisylee

 

[queeperqueen]

One of the best books I've read is John R. Binkerhoff's 101 Commonsense Rules for the Office.  I've recommended this book to all my bosses and some have even ordered it and given it to their subordinates to read!



Another good book is Robert Rosen's Leading People  



Business Intelligence is also good, but I can't remember who wrote it.



If Robbie would actually read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, she'd find out that it too is a great book.  (Truthfully, I haven't actually "read" it either  , but I did go through the week-long course and I'm assuming that the book follows the course materials--I'd recommend any of Covey's books.



There's also Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun, but not sure you'd be interested in that one.



Anyway, Sungoddess, I have these books and you are welcome to borrow them at any time.  



QueeperQueen (enjoying that wet stuff that is coming from the sky in Las Vegas...)

 

[sungoddesslv]

I really appreciate all the suggestions.  



Robbie & QQ - thanks for the offer to borrow but I would prefer to purchase.  It's always good to have them handy for reference.



Keep sharing...these are good suggestions for all of us.



Thanks

[msrobbie]

I don't know, QueeperQueen . . .



I think after our last I.A.A.P. meeting that perhaps Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun might be perfect reading material for sungoddesslv?  Hmm?  :-)



Robbie    

[kkosmoski]

Short but Sweet - "Who Moved the Cheese?"  Great story of mice in a maze searching for food.  Wonderful object lessons to be learned from this book about anticipating, accepting and enjoying change.  The book can be read in an hour or so.  I highly recommend it!

[sungoddesslv]

Ms Robbie, shame on you.  Should I lead with a firmer hand?



And a big welcome to KKosmoski.  I don't remember seeing you post before.  Thanks for the advice.



I have read "Who Moved My Cheese" twice.  It is a great book, with a great message.  I just wish everyone would read it.



Keep those cards and letters coming.....

 

[countrigal]

Steven Covey's book (The 7 Habits...) is a great book and easily read in sessions.  Believe it or not I read this in a college class (it was read the book and right our "lessons" from it or research a business).  It really helped me a lot on both a professional and a personal level.  And any of Steven Covey's books are great tools, in my experience.



I also picked up some books at a Skillpath seminar... And my favorite is "how to deal with difficult people".  Of course, I tend to use that one as more of a deterent.  When someone I know is a difficult person keeps coming to me for help, I'll put the book in a prominent place on my desk.  Don't know if it's the book or what, but they soon become less difficult.  Maybe it's more of my mindset, the book reminds me not to let them get to me.  



My ideas....from AR.



CountriGal

[workerbee]

I'm right in the middle of "Elizabeth I CEO", and it's great!  The concepts that Elizabeth used to transform England from a bankrupt, low-status country to the greatest nation on earth (at that time) are now considered sound business management practices.



Very thought-provoking, plus, you get little "snapshots" of British history at the same time.



Elaine