Best Business Books for 2006
Books
The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue. Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.
The long tail: how endless choice is creating demand, by Chris Anderson. (2006)
The author looks at new opportunities in the long tail, the misses in online commerce in an Internet dominated age. The book examines the economics of the Internet and the huge opportunities that exist.
Payback: reaping the rewards of innovation, by James Andrew and Harold Sirkin. (2006)
A new look at how innovation can help you succeed. This book is based on the idea of a cash curve which records investment over time.
Origin of wealth: evolution, complexity, and radical remaking of economics, by Eric D. Beinhocker. (2006)
Accounting for the creation of wealth has long challenged humanity's best minds. For business readers and academics, Beinhocker is a zealous and able guide to the emerging economic paradigm shift he calls the "Complexity Economics revolution." Beinhocker rejects traditional economic theory, based on a physics model of closed systems, in which change is an external disruptive shock. Instead, he outlines an open, adaptive system with interlocking networks that change organically, reflecting the interaction of technological innovation, social development and business practice. Publishers Weekly Copyright © Reed Business Information.
Resonant leadership: renewing yourself and connecting with others through mindfulness, hope, and compassion, by Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee. (2006)
"The authors marshal decades of multidisciplinary research and hands-on consulting work to provide a practical framework for how leaders can create and sustain resonance in their relationships, their teams, and their organizations. Through vivid examples from the front lines of organizations worldwide, the book illustrates the ways that three key elements - mindfulness, hope, and compassion - are essential to enabling renewal and sustaining resonance." --BOOK JACKET.
The starfish and the spider: the unstoppable power of leaderless organizations, by Ori Brafman. (2006)
"The authors argue that organizations fall into two catagories: traditional "spiders," which have a rigid hierarchy and top-down leadership, and revolutionary "starfish," which rely on the power of peer relationships. This book explores what happens when starfish take on spiders and reveals how established companies and institutions are learning how to incorporate starfish principles to achieve success." BOOK JACKET
Innovation: the five disciplines for creating what customers want, by Curtis R. Carlson and William W. Wilmot. (2006)
The how-to of innovation--the process for rapidly creating new products and services--is presented by the source that created Tide, the computer mouse, high-definition television, and is now pioneering robotic surgery.
Open business models: how to thrive in the new innovation landscape, by Henry Chesbrough. (2006)
Chesbrough provides a diagnostic instrument for assessing a company's current business model and suggests ways of overcoming barriers to creating a more open model. Particular attention is paid to issues relating to the management and protection of intellectual property. ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Change function: why some technologies take off and others crash and burn, by Pip Coburn. (2006)
As the author explains in The Change Function: People are only willing to change and accept new technologies when the pain of their current situation outweighs the perceived pain of trying something new. Most potential users are afraid of new technologies, and they need a really great reason to change. If you don't give them that reason, then forget it."--BOOK JACKET.
Speed of trust: the one thing that changes everything, Stephen Covey. (2006)
The son of the author of the famed "7 Habits" books launches a new series on the defining principle of personal and economic success for the 21st century: trust.
Working with you is killing me: freeing yourself from emotional traps at work, by Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster. (2006)
“I don't want to quit my job; I want to quit my manager (or coworker).” If this statement rings true to you, then this guide is exactly what you need to separate yourself from the toxic relationship that is ruining your job. The authors call the experience of being caught in an emotionally distressing situation at work being “hooked,” and they provide tools to unhook physically, mentally, and emotionally. They define some of the roles that we play, such as hero, caretaker, rebel, martyr, peacemaker, or entertainer. From BookList, February 1, 2006, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
The number: a completely different way to think about the rest of your life, by Lee Einsberg. (2006)
In this book, Lee Einsberg discusses his retirement and in particular about his Number: the amount of money he will need to have saved in order to be confident that his post-retirement life will meet his expectations. This book provides an illuminating and charmingly written consideration of an aging generation's retirement worries and of the investment business designed to profit from them. BOMC Alternate (Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information
Juicing the orange: how to turn creativity into a powerful business advantage, by Pat Fallon and Fred Senn. (2006)
Explains how to leverage creativity to solve a variety of marketing and branding problems. Addressing business leaders and marketing professionals, the authors describe ten real-world cases illustrating the link between creativity and business results. Topics include (for example) establishing and leveraging a category advantage; reviving a mature consumer brand; and rethinking customer engagement. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Tough choices: a memoir, by Carly Fiorina. (2006)
Behind the headlines, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard tells her own story, along with her unique perspective on leadership, technology, globalization, sexism, and many other issues.
The Wal-Mart effect: how the world's most powerful company really works and how it's transforming the American economy, by Charles Fishman. (2006)
Fishman argues that the issues raised by Wal-Mart's supporters and detractors should be the subject of national debate: e.g., business freedom vs. impact on local community interests, inexpensive prices vs. living wage jobs. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Girl's guide to being a boss (without being a bitch): valuable lessons, smart solutions, and true stories for suceeding as the chick-in-charge, by Caitlin Friedman. (2006)
The keys to the corner office should come shrink-wrapped with this must-have guide for novice women bosses by two pros who know how to lead effectively with style, grace, and humor.
The world is flat, by Thomas L. Friedman. (2006)
With his inimitable ability to translate complex foreign policy and economic issues, Friedman explains how the flattening of the world happened at the dawn of the twenty-first century; what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals; and how governments and societies can, and must, adapt. The World Is Flat is the timely and essential update on globalization, its successes and discontents.
Stumbling on happiness, by Daniel Gilbert. (2006)
Psychiatrist Daniel Gilbert explains why it is so hard to make ourselves happy.
Little black book of connections: the 5.5 assets that get you from who you know, to who knows you, by Jeffrey Gitomer. (2006)
Gitomer offers a fresh take on networking to success. It is full of edgy, witty, and practical resources.
Blink: the power of thinking without thinking, by Malcolm Gladwell. (2006)
Looks at how we can develop our instinct to become better decision makers in every aspect of our lives, both at business and at home.
Small is the new big: and 183 other riffs, rants, and remarkable business ideas, by Seth Godin. (2006)
"Collected here for the first time are eight years of Seth Godin's very best blog posts, magazine columns, and e-books. Small is the New Big offers ideas and stories that can change how you work, what you buy, and how you see the world." "It's a snapshot of Godin's fiercely original brain. Who else would argue that Fluffernutter was a brilliant business model? That we need a service that charges to send e-mail? That you can learn more about design at Hershey Park than at an Apple store, and more about marketing at a summer camp than at b-school?"--BOOK JACKET.
The undercover economist, by Tim Harford. (2006)
Explains in a new way the principles of the world's modern economy.
Twenty good summers: work less, live more and make the most of your money, by Martin Hawes. (2006)
Written by a financial expert, this book shows how to improve your lifestyle once you reach 50. Explains how to arrange your finances to receive the income you want for the rest of your life. Topics include: plan the life you want; maximise your financial potential in your earning years; recognise the time is right to make the break; and reorganise your finances to sustain your new lifestyle.
China shakes the world: the rise of a hungry nation, by James Kynge. (2006)
"Through stories of entrepreneurs and visionaries, factory workers and store clerks, China Shakes the World explains how China's breakneck rise occurred, the extraordinary problems the country now faces, and the consequences of both for the twenty-first century."--BOOK JACKET.
The box: how the shipping container made the world smaller and the world economy bigger, by Marc Levinson. (2006)
"The Box tells the story of the container's creation, the decade of struggle before it was widely adopted, and the sweeping economic consequences of the sharp fall in transportation costs that containerization brought about." BOOK JACKET.
Freakonomics: a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. (2006)
Noted economist Steven Levitt removes the jargon from economic theory to examine the riddles of everyday life. The authors' central idea is “if morality represents how people would like the world to work, then economics shows how it actually does work.”
One billion customers: lessons from the front lines of doing business in China, by James McGregor. (2006)
The book shows how to navigate the often treacherous waters of Chinese deal-making. Brilliantly written by an author who has lived in China for nearly two decades, the book reveals indispensable, street-smart strategies, tactics, and lessons for succeeding in the world's fastest growing consumer market.
The difference maker: making your attitude your greatest asset, by John Maxwell. (2006)
Leadership expert John Maxwell believes attitude is one thing that can make all the difference in someone's life---and now shows how to make it one's best asset.
Setting the table: the transforming power of hospitality in business, by Danny Meyer. (2006)
The author shares the lessons he's learned while developing the winning recipe for doing the business he calls "enlightened hospitality." This innovative philosophy emphasizes putting the power of hospitality to work in a new and counterintuitive way: The first and most important application of hospitality is to the people who work for you, and then, in descending order of priority, to the guests, the community, the suppliers, and the investors. This way of prioritizing stands the more traditional business models on their heads, but Danny considers it the foundation of every success that he and his restaurants have achieved."--BOOK JACKET.
The Starbucks experience: 5 principles for turning ordinary into extraordinary, by Joseph A. Michelli. (2006)
This book presents a rich mix of ideas for businesses that want to learn how to apply the secret behind Starbucks' phenomenal vision, creativity, and leadership within their company and in their field.
Purpose: the starting point of great companies, by Nikos Mourkogiannis. (2006)
"The author argues that a company must satisfy the need for Purpose - a set of values that defines it and inspires and motivates its employees. Rather than organization and structure, ideas are what cause companies to go from good to great." In an era of corporate scandals and declining morale, the principles revealed here will be indispensable for companies that aspire to meaningful success."--BOOK JACKET.
Andrew Carnegie, by David Nasaw. (2006)
"Andrew Carnegie, whose lifetime spanned the era from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution to the First World War, was America's first modern titan. In his biography, celebrated historian David Nasaw brings to life this period of unprecedented transition - a time of self-made millionaires, scabs, strikes, and a new kind of philanthropy - through the fascinating rags-to-riches story of one of the most iconic business legends." --BOOK JACKET.
Zag: the #1 strategy of high performance brands, by Marty Neumeier. (2006)
In a new consumer environment, everyone must "zig zag" to stay ahead of the competition. Looks at how to build a high performing brand.
Why most things fail: evolution, extinction and economics, by Paul Ormerod. (2006)
Paul Ormerod draws upon recent advances in biology to help us understand the surprising consequences of the Iron Law of Failure. And he shows what strategies corporations, businesses and governments will need to adopt to stand a chance of prospering in a world where only one thing is certain.--BOOK JACKET.
Hard facts, dangerous half-truths, and total nonsence: profitting from evidence-based management, by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton. (2006)
The authors argue that there is a need for evidence-based management. Without such an approach to management, organizational leaders will tend to rely on half-truths and nonsense derived from conventional wisdom. In separate chapters, they consider such half-truths as "work is fundamentally different from the rest of life and should be," "the best organizations have the best people," "strategy is destiny," "change or die," and "great leaders are in control of their companies." Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Success built to last: creating a life that matters, by Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery and Mark Thompson. (2006)
This book challenges conventional wisdom about success through stories of world-renowned leaders and unsung heroes who've learned how to find the courage to follow their passions.
Naked conversations: how blogs are changing the way businesses talk with customers, by Robert Scoble. (2006)
According to these experts, blogs offer businesses something that has long been lacking in their communication with customers-meaningful dialogue. Devoid of corporate-speak and empty promises, business blogs can humanize communication, bringing companies and their constituencies together in a way that improves both image and bottom line. This book uses more than fifty case histories to explain why blogging is an efficient and infinitely more credible method of business communication.
Small mart revolution: how local businesses are beating the global competition, by Michael H. Shuman. (2006)
Defenders of globalization, free markets, and free trade insist there's no alternative to mega-stores like Wal-Mart. Shuman begs to differ. In this work, the author makes a compelling case for an alternative business model, one in which communities reap the benefits of "going local" in four key spending categories.
Making globalization work, by Joseph E. Stiglitz. (2006)
The author puts forward radical new ways of dealing with the crippling indebtedness of developing countries, a new system of global reserves to overcome international financial instability, and an economically incentivised framework for dealing with energy pollutions which create global warming and which threaten us on a planetary scale. He argues for the reform of global institutions such as the UN, the IMF and the World Bank to make them truly capable of responding to the problems of our age. AMAZON.CO.UK
Radical collaboration: five essential skills to overcome fedensiveness and build successful relationships, by James W. Tam with Ronald J. Luyet. (2006)
Outlines the benefits of collaboration in professional and personal relationships.
Wikinomics, by Dan Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams. (2006)
With examples based on five years of research, this book explains the deep changes in technology, demographics, and business that will allow people to participate in the economy like never before.
The Mavericks at work: why the most original minds in business win, by William C. Taylor and Polly LaBarre. (2006)
In industry after industry, the old guard is cutting back and losing ground. Meanwhile, organizations that were once dismissed as upstarts, as wildcards - or mavericks - are making waves and growing fast. There is a reason: In an age of hypercompetition and nonstop innovation, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something truly original. That's the lesson behind the companies, executives, and entrepreneurs you'll meet in Mavericks at Work.--BOOK JACKET.
12: the elements of great managing, by Rod Wagner. (2006)
Grounded in Gallup's 10 million employee and manager interviews spanning 114 countries, "12 "follows great managers as they harness employee engagement to turn around a failing call center, save a struggling hotel, improve patient care in a hospital, maintain production through power outages, and successfully face a host of other challenges in settings around the world. Written for managers and employees of companies large and small, "12" explains what every company needs to know about creating and sustaining employee engagement.
Your money diet: an any-age guide to getting rich, by Bruce Wallace. (2006)
Written for New Zealand, this book gives simple financial advice so that you can live your life the way you want to. The advice is based on three principles: spend less, save more, and earn more.
Knowledge and the wealth of nations: a story of economic discovery, by David Warsh. (2006)
In 1980, the twenty-four-year-old graduate student Paul Romer tackled one of the oldest puzzles in economics. Eight years later he solved it. This book tells the story of what has come to be called the new growth theory: the paradox identified by Adam Smith more than two hundred years earlier, its disappearance and occasional resurfacing in the nineteenth century, the development of new technical tools in the twentieth century, and finally the student who could see further than his teachers. Fascinating in its own right, new growth theory helps to explain dominant first-mover firms like IBM or Microsoft, underscores the value of intellectual property, and provides essential advice to those concerned with the expansion of the economy.
