Networking Insight

Book Review: The Joe Dial by Joe Scott

The Joe Dial was written by Joe Scott who is a contractor and real estate developer who built a thriving business from a truck and a toolbox. During his career, he has negotiated thousands of business deals with a variety of people.  By working on these deals, he has learned that almost all people fall into three types.  A major factor to his success is knowing how to deal with each type of person.

Below is a sample of the chapters in the book:

• Givers and Takers
• Emotions
• The Role of “Nature”
• Striking the Right Balance
• Guidelines for True Giving
• The Business of Give and Take

Based on his experience, the author shares some basic truths about human nature through the book. While dealing with thousands of people over the years, he came to the conclusion that three types of people exist:

• A Taker
• A Giver
• A Take-and-Giver

According to the author, the most important thing you need to know about someone is which category this person falls into so you better build a relationship.  Humans are easier to understand, manage, and to do business with if you view them through this lens.

The author wrote this book for the following reasons:

• To give you a tool for assessing the relationships in your life.
• To give you a simple tool to self-analyze.
• To encourage you to change.

Throughout the book, the author references a tool that he calls “The Joe Dial”. He developed it as a simple visual model to assess people as to where they fall on the Taker, Giver, and Take-and-Giver spectrum.

The author shares a variety of stories and insights about how people act so you can better understand how to analyze others. By reading this book, you will gain a better appreciation about human nature and how to better interact with others in both professional and personal situations.

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Book Review: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

The Compound Effect was written by Darren Hardy is the publisher and editorial director of SUCCESSS Magazine. He has been a leader in the personal development industry for 16 years. As an entrepreneur, he was earning a six-figure income by age 18 and owned a company producing $50 million a year by age 27.  Darren is a popular keynote speaker and has appeared on national radio and tv shows for ABC, CBS, CNBC, MSNBC, and Fox.

Below are the chapters of the book:

• The Compound Effect in Action
• Choices
• Habits
• Momentum
• Influences
• Acceleration

The author has lived a successful life based on the fundamental principles that have guided his amazing achievements in business, relationships, and beyond. He learned about “The Compound Effect” early in life from his father, which is about how making decisions, right or wrong, can multiply your success or failure. So, little everyday decisions are critical to your success.

The book takes you back to the basics of the core fundamentals that matter to achieving success. The author shares exercises and time-tested success principles that you can immediately implement.

Throughout the book, the author shares either personal stories of success or those of others, which demonstrates “The Compound Effect” in action.  None of these achievements happened overnight. With a lot of hard work, discipline, and making the right decisions, the people in these stories achieved great success.

At the end of each chapter, the author has a list of action steps so you can immediately start working on your success. The author writes in a very conversational tone so the book is an easy read.  If you want to learn how to achieve more success, then this book may be worth a read.

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Book Review: The Big Enough Company by Adelaide Lancaster & Amy Abrams

The Big Enough Company was written by Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams who are the founders of In Good Company, which is a community, business learning center, and workspace for women business owners in New York City. In addition, they also are consultants and advisers and have been featured in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and MSNBC.

Below are the chapters of the book:

• What’s In It For You?
• What Will Your Business Be Known For?
• What Do You Do Best?
• Where Do You Go From Here?
• Progress Makes Perfect
• Perfection Is A Trap
• Enough Is Enough
• Don’t Go It Alone

The authors have written this book based on their research of approximately 100 successful female entrepreneurs. Through this research and their own experiences, they realized that the reasons that many entrepreneurs start businesses (i.e. to have more freedom, be their own bosses, and work on their own terms) does not actually happen as planned.

In fact, they found that entrepreneurs who start businesses are often encumbered by their businesses and wind up working for their firms, which is not what was envisioned.

Throughout the book, the authors share several real world examples from entrepreneurs, which help to guide the reader through the principles that matter when you work for yourself. Rather than grow fast, be more profitable, and imitate other startups, the authors suggest that entrepreneurs need to focus more on values and motivations for starting a business.

Here are few ideas that are explored:

• Figure out what’s in it for you
• Find a role that suits your strengths
• Embrace experimentation

If you want to be inspired about entrepreneurship, then this may be a good book for you.  As an entrepreneur, it is important to continuously learn from others. So, the lessons learned in this book are worth learning. 

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Book Review: The 11 Laws of Likability by Michelle Tillis Lederman

The 11 Laws of Likability was written by Michelle Tillis Lederman.  She is the founder and CEO of Executive Essentials, which provides customized communication and leadership programs.  In addition, she teaches at NYU’s Stern School of Business and is a faculty member of the American Management Association. She has delivered seminars internationally to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and universities.

Below are the major sections of the book:

• Before the Conversation: Get Real
• The Conversation: Always Have It
• After the Conversation: Build Relationships

Here are a few of the laws that can be found within the major sections:

• The Law of Authenticity
• The Law of Perception
• The Law of Listening
• The Law of Giving

The whole premise of this book is to educate the reader about how likability is an important component of relationship building. Let’s face it, people do business with people they like.  So, why not become liked by more people?

The book will help you to identify and leverage your most likeable characteristics.  In this book, the author shares real-world examples that will demonstrate how you can interact with others in a more natural and authentic way.  As a result, you will have a better foundation for building relationships.

In this book, you will also learn how to:

• Start conversations and keep them going with ease
• Avoid coming across as manipulative or self-serving
• Convert acquaintances into friends
• Tweak your own personal style

If you want to learn how to more effectively build relationships, then this book may be for you.  Your personal brand is very important for your likability. Make sure that you do what you can do build your brand in a positive manner.

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Book Review: Knock ‘em Dead - Secrets & Strategies by Martin Yate

Knock ‘em Dead: Secrets & Strategies for Success in an Uncertain World was written by Martin Yate.  For over 30 years, he has worked in career management including stints as a Silicon Valley headhunter, Director of HR for a technology division of a public company, and a Director of Training and Development for a multi-national employment services company. He is a best-selling author and has written the Knock ‘em Dead series of books.

Below are a few of the chapters that you will read in this book:

• Wake Up, Stand Up, Lively Up Your Life
• We Are All Professional Schizophrenics
• Your Resume Has to Be a Killer for You to Survive
• How to Build Networks for Today and Tomorrow
• Job Sites, Resume Banks, Headhunters, and Direct Research
• Prepare to Win
• The Five Secrets of the Hire
• Knock ‘em Dead at the Interview
• Job Offer Negotiations
• Climbing the Ladder of Success

In today’s challenging and ever changing economy, the job market is more uncertain than ever.  The author helps you navigate your career by sharing proven strategies of landing a job to adjusting with the ups and downs of your career.  He is a global thought leader on job search and career management so you are learning from a very credible source.

In addition to his own advice, he enlists some of the country’s smartest recruitment and career management professionals who provide their thoughts as well throughout the book.

Here is some of what can be found in the book:

• Get the insider secrets on resumes that win job interviews
• Learn the tactics that turn interviews into job offers
• Discover the secrets behind job security and promotions
• Develop strategies that build a strong professional brand
• Understand key career-choice and career-change strategies
• Find out how to turn your dreams into income streams

For anyone wanting to take more control of their career, this book may be worth a read.  You will come away with practical advice that you can start implementing immediately.

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Book Review: Managers, can you hear me now? by Denny F. Strigl

Managers, can you hear me now? was written by Denny F. Strigl who is the former CEO and President of Verizon Wireless and has four decades in the telecommunications industry. He serves on the board of directors for Eastman Kodak, PNC Financial Services and PNC Bank, and Anadigics Inc. 

The co-author of the book is Frank Swiatek who is a performance consultant and speaker who has worked for more than 25 Fortune 500 companies and has had more than 3,400 speaking engagements and seminars.

The book is divided up into the following chapters:

• Why Managers Struggle
• The Power of Trust: Integrity, Openness, and Respect
• The First Obligation of a Manager: Get Results
• Keeping Things Simple
• The Leader Models Accountability and Builds It In Others
• The Mindset of Successful Managers
• Managing Distractions
• Building a Culture of Performance

The information shared in this book is based on the real world experiences of Denny F. Strigl who had a remarkable career in the wireless communications industry.  He shares all of his skills and techniques that he used to build Verizon Wireless into a great growth company. 

In the book, you will learn how to:

• Create a corporate culture where trust, respect, and integrity flourish
• “Eliminate the fluff”, get focused, and stop wasting time on things that don’t matter
• Address issues proactively before they become problems
• Get past your “blind spots,” reinforce priorities consistently, and communicate with clarity
• Master the Four Fundamentals of Management: growing revenue, getting new customers, keeping the customers you already have, and eliminating costs

For any manager struggling to get results, the author will motivate and inspire you to get the job done. Much of what is learned in the book is through the author sharing examples from his career. He shares both his failures and successes and how he learned to become a better manager. 

In addition, at the end of each chapter, the author summarizes the main points and has action items. By implementing these actions, you will stay focused and move your management skills to the next level.

Managers, can you hear me now? is worth a read for managers who wants to bring out their best and make a difference in their companies and employees.

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Book Review: Full Engagement! by Brian Tracy

Full Engagement! was written by Brian Tracy who is one of the top business speakers in the world and is President of Brian Tracy International.  Each year, he addresses more than 250,000 across the world. He has written 50 books and produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on management, motivation, and personal success. 

The book is divided up into the following chapters:

• Chapter 1: Happy for Good Reasons
• Chapter 2: The Psychology of Motivation
• Chapter 3: Ignite the Flame of Personal Performance
• Chapter 4: Make People Feel Important
• Chapter 5: Drive Out Fear
• Chapter 6: Create That Winning Feeling
• Chapter 7: Select the Right People
• Chapter 8: Results Are Everything
• Chapter 9: Be the Best You Can Be

The author wrote this book as a result of decades of research and thousands of hours invested in maximizing personal and organizational performance. Full Engagement! is a manager’s guide on how to inspire, motivate, and get your employees to reach their peak performance. 

The author provides many practical ideas and strategies that provide a manager with instant tools that can be used immediately with employees.  The book will show you how to:

• Create a high-trust work environment
• Drive out the fears that hold your people back
• Set clear goals and objectives
• Unlock the potential in each person
• Motivate and inspire employees to greater heights

You ability as a manager is in part measured at how well you can increase your employee productivity.  As your employee productivity increases, you will be able to deliver consistent and excellent results for your company. At the end of each chapter, the author provides Action Exercises that you can begin immediately to inspire productivity.

Full Engagement! will teach managers how to become more effective and engaged with their employees. If are you serious about becoming a better manager, then this book may be worth a read.

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Book Review: The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success by Wayne Breitbach

The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success was written by Wayne Breitbach who is a seasoned professional who shares his passion for social media through his private consulting business as well as his presentations to local and national audiences.  He was once a skeptic but now an outspoken proponent of LinkedIn.

The book is divided up into 20 chapters, which includes the following:

• A New Way to Look at Social Media
• Your 30-Second Bumper Sticker
• Resume on Steroids
• What Do You Want to Find?
• I Found You-Now What Do I Do with You?
• Keywords are King
• How Do Companies Fit into the LinkedIn Landscape?
• Revving Up Your LinkedIn Efforts by Joining Groups
• Your Account, Your Settings – Your Way
• A Job Seeker’s New Best Friend

The premise of this book is to help you better understand LinkedIn and how it can help you accomplish your business goals. While much of the material is geared towards the novice user, more experienced users should come away with some new ideas.  At a minimum, it will help to reinforce some of the aspects of LinkedIn that you may already know about but are not using very much. LinkedIn has many tools that most of us are probably not utilizing to their fullest.

The author does a deep dive into LinkedIn to discuss key features such as the following:

• Your profile
• Recommendations
• Searching
• Groups
• Application and tools
• Introductions
• Keywords

What is interesting about this author is that he is relatively new to LinkedIn but once he saw the power of it for business, he quickly became an advocate and power user.  The content in this book demonstrates his expertise and passion for LinkedIn. He does a great job explaining all of the core features. 

For the novice user, you can use this book as a guide as you learn to better navigate LinkedIn.  For the power user, you can use this book as a refresher and may come away with a couple of new ideas.

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Book Review: Engage! by Brian Solis

Engage! was written by Brian Solis who is a global thought leader and author in new media. He is principal of FutureWorks, which is an award-winning consultancy in San Francisco. In addition, he has led social program and change management initiatives for various firms including Fortune 500 and Web 2.0 startups.

The book is divided up into 26 chapters, which includes the following:

• The Social Media Manifesto
• Make the Case for Social Media: The Five Ws+H+E
• The New Media University
• Fusing the Me in Social Media and the We in the Social Web
• Learning and Experimentation Lead to Experience
• Defining the Rules of Engagement
• The Conversation Prism
• Unveiling the New Influencers
• The Human Network
• The Social Marketing Compass

The premise of the book is to demonstrate how social media is leveling the playing field for individuals and businesses. Now more than ever, there are many tools that exist to build your brand, generate an audience, and bring in more business. The author recommends that you become a champion or leader of social media so you can make your company more visible. 

It may take some time to learn all the nuisance and tools of social media. However, it is important to keep up with the social web and all of its interconnectivity. You can influence conversations through the empowerment of social networks, which in turn can generate more revenue for your business.  As a result, the author suggests that this is our time to “engage” with our brand and customers who are seeking solutions today and tomorrow. 

Throughout the book, the author shares tools, methodologies, and stories that will reveal a wealth of principles and strategies to help you in your marketing efforts. In a world of two-way and one-to-many communication, you need to have a good handle on how to interact with others. Engage! can serve as a reference for all of your social media efforts.

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Book Review: Change Anything

Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success was written by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. All of the these people are three-time New York Times bestselling authors, world-class speakers, and leaders of VitalSmarts, which is an innovative training firm that has taught 2MM people worldwide. In addition, VitalSmarts has consulted with more than 300 of the Fortune 500 companies.

The book is divided up into the following parts:

• Part I: The Science of Personal Success
• Part II: The Six Sources of Influence
• Part III: How to Change Anything

Most of us are stuck in one or more areas of our life and are having a difficult time changing. This is due in part because most of the promising solutions don’t work. According to the authors, willpower is not the answer but rather the Six Sources of Influence that affect our daily decisions. 

Below are the Six Sources:

• Source 1: Love What You Hate
• Source 2: Do What You Can’t
• Source 3 & 4: Turn Accomplishes Into Friends
• Source 5: Invert the Economy
• Source 6: Control Your Space

Throughout the book, the authors explain the six sources and how you can make them work to help you change. Change Anything is based on research findings from studies of thousands of people who have dramatically improved their lives. Reading about real-world examples is inspiring and motivational.

After reading this book, you will start to examine your own habits and will realize that you may need to change in order to become more successful in life and business. Take control of your future by better understanding your hurdles and what you need to do to get ahead.

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