Wellington City Libraries’ Business Blog

Army of entrepreneurs : create an engaged and empowered workforce for exceptional business growth / Jennifer Prosek ; foreword by Darren Hardy.
Army of Entrepreneurs is a great book for any entrepreneur, business owner, senior executive, or manager. The idea that every employee can contribute to building the business, no matter what their level of experience, seems obvious. Employees have a lot to offer. And, helping them understand the business, by having an open environment where the CEO or top people communicate and let people know how the business operates, makes sense. Often employees don’t feel ownership in a company, don’t feel appreciated, and do not even realize how integral they can be to the success of the company. This book shows how you can “show the love” to your employees, by investing in them, playing to their strengths, and engaging them in your business or department. (Amazon reviewer)

The hidden power of your customers : four keys to growing your business through existing customers / Becky Carroll.
“Practical insights for every business leader…Becky Carroll does a great job distilling her considerable experience into a book that belongs on every CEO’s bookshelf. The customer-centric ones, at any rate…This book is filled with cogent advice and illuminating examples of how a company can grow with a customer-oriented culture, relevant marketing, memorable experiences and great service. Thankfully, you won’t find hype about social media, technology or a “silver bullet” methodology.” (Amazon reviewer) 

If you build it will they come? : three steps to test and validate any market opportunity / Rob Adams.“Very Readable Exploration of Market Validation Adams is a great writer and the subject is well organized. The book emphasizes the simple truth that the only way to find out what customers “may” buy is by digging down into the pain they are experiencing and working with them to deliver a product that addresses that pain in a timely fashion….The focus on keeping perspective (not deluding yourself) and on failing early are appreciated. There is always a tension between persistence and knowing when a project/product is going no-where….While we could all use an “easy” solution, the message is clear. It will take many hours of seeking out people with needs, soliciting feedback, and building an on-going partnership with them; and this through-out and after the initial development cycle. Adams is blunt about the number of contacts required per nugget of truth. This is work!” (Amazon reviewer) 

Listen first! : turning social media conversations into business advantage / Stephen D. Rappaport.
“In his important new book, Listen First! Turning Social Media Conversations into Business Advantage, Steve Rappaport takes marketers back to their research roots. It has become too easy, and habitual, to ask customers questions that are important to us rather than listen to learn what is important to them. Accessible social media conversations present an opportunity to mend our ways and Rappaport shows us how we can make the most of listening. Rappaport has written a book that’s a pleasure to read. He avoids the shallowness of many popular “business advice” books by providing solid support for his premises without redundancy. Much of what he says should cause brands and agencies to pause and reflect on their strategies lest they become out of touch and irrelevant….If you’re looking for another social media “cookbook,” Listen First! is not for you. It’s something more — guidance on how to stock your strategic “pantry” so that you can cook up initiatives that are better researched and therefore be more likely to succeed.” (Amazon reviewer) 

 Jumping the S-curve : how to beat the growth cycle, get on top, and stay there / Paul Nunes, Tim Breene.
“Thinking about success and performance in new ways… The S-Curve concept is central in business strategy and often used as a way to describe leaps between classes of technology. Its concept is simple: new things start out slow, and then scale rapidly, the taper off with each action defining the bottom (incubation), middle (growth), and top (stabilization to trailing off) parts of a market….The idea behind the S-Curve is not new, but Nunes and Breene take this simple model and use it as a way to explain the complexities of high performing companies. The result is a book that is has deep and provocative ideas blended with many examples to influence the way you think about your business, what you are doing and where you may need to change.” (Amazon reviewer)

Managing your manager : how to get ahead with any type of boss / Gonzague Dufour.
“Managers come in all varieties, and unfortunately you don’t get to choose your preference. Too often, we find ourselves working for people who are tough to work for, difficult to “decode,” or brilliant but inaccessible.Managing Your Manager is the answer to dealing with a problematic supervisor. Placing manager “types” into real-world categories-from the Bully, Scientist, and Star to the Geek, Parent, and Con Artist-it provides everything you need to make your work life more satisfying and productive. Managing Your Manager gives you the tools to:Categorize your boss based on telling traitsCreate a solid working relationshipAvoid common pitfalls associated with certain typesBecome a strong leader based on lessons learned from various bossesManagers of all types can provide invaluable learning experiences that can enhance your career. Managing Your Manager empowers you with the knowledge, skills, and savvy for dealing with any type of boss and excelling in your job. Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)