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The Making of Star Trek by Stephen Whitfield & Gene Roddenberry ©1968
You don't have to be a "Trekkie" to appreciate this book! It is a one of a kind in that it is the first book (and only one that I know of) that goes behind the scenes to show what it took to create the most expensive, complicated, and creative show of its day. The book goes deeply into the inspiration, creativity and innovations that it took to pull off one of the most difficult shows ever (and the beginning of an entire franchise). Rating: 5 |
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The Way We're Working Isn't Working by Tony Schwartz ©2010
This book was a true eye-opener! It details how the current system of work today is counterproductive and actually serves to ultimately bring people down and not support their long-term interests. Rating: 4 |
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ReWork by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson ©2010
This book has a very unique take on modern business that is a must read for any intra- or entrepreneur. Although I don't necessarily agree with all of their views and propositions, I do agree with most. I actually found myself questioning how I currently do business while reading it which by itself says a bunch about the value of the book. If nothing else, it will cause you to examine yourself and current business practices. Rating: 5 |
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Winning the Money Game by Adam Carroll & Chad Carden ©2009
The focus of this book is to help people (primarily college age and young adults) make good decisions related to money management and its effect on personal leadership. This book is an easy read and actually offers great advise to everyone regardless of age. Rating: 5 |
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Bounce by Matthew Syed ©2010
This book makes a great case related to the importance of investing lots of time in practice to become an expert or master of something versus relying on the false premise of "natural" talent or ability. The book is a really interesting read, however, about two-thirds into it, Bounce takes a really unusual turn and literally bounces into the realm of politics and morality (which takes away from its central thesis). Rating: 4 |
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Change by Design by Tim Brown ©2009
The focus of this book is on how design thinking can dramatically improve strategic business outcomes (regardless of context - i.e., profit, non-profit, etc.). Although most of the principles in the book are great for inspiring innovation (which I personally think is now more important than ever), the author spends a little too much time focusing on some personal issues that not everyone may hold as equally important. Rating: 4.5 |
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Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath ©2008
This book discusses the reasons why some ideas thrive while others do not and provides some tools to help the chances of improving the quality of ideas (thus making them “stickier.”) Rating: 5 |
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Clued In by Lewis Carbone ©2004
This book focuses on the current “experience-based” economy and what organizations have to do in order to effectively compete today for customer loyalty. Rating: 5 |
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Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles ©1993
Written in the typically “storytelling” style of Ken Blanchard, this classic, quick read looks at customer service and what it takes to create loyal, “raving” fans. Rating: 4 |
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You, Inc. by Harry Beckwith and Christine Beckwith ©2007
Written in a number of short vignettes, this is an excellent book for gaining ideas on how to improve both self-leadership and the leadership of others. Rating: 5 |
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How Toyota Became No. 1 by David Magee ©2007
This book examines the history and rise of Toyota to become one of the best carmakers in the world by focusing on the leadership aspects that helped make them successful. However, based on what the company is dealing with today, it also illustrates what happens after a company works hard to reach number #1 and then becomes complacent and loses site of the customer. Rating: 3.5 |
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The Advantage-Makers by Steven Feinberg ©2007
This book focuses on the qualities of exceptional leaders and how they are able to create opportunities by becoming more aware of their surroundings, more effective collaborators, more powerful influencers, better at handling adversity, and dramatically more successful at execution. Rating: 4 |
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