2020 Holiday Business Books
We are more aware of our friends, neighbours, and family members who run small businesses in these unusual times. Retail shops on our main streets that make up an essential part of the fabric of our neighbourhoods have had to close down or conduct business in a very limited capacity. So my annual holiday business book wish list has a decidedly more homegrown flavour this year, with a majority of my eight picks written by the home team.
The pandemic makes an appearance as a number of this year's picks suggest ways the content can be helpful in these turbulent times.
My Holiday Business Book List
Two tech start-ups in New Brunswick built their business and became takeover targets. In this fascinating book, through the stories of tech companies Radian6 and Q1 Labs, Pitts explores how high-tech innovation and value creation can happen just about anywhere. Pitts is an award-winning business journalist and best-selling author of seven books. Anyone interested in recent business history, specifically in technology, will revel in the behind-the-scenes innovation that defies geography because geography doesn't matter when bright minds and an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit meet opportunity. In this case, Radian6 and Q! Labs sold for more than $1 billion (combined). The book features many fascinating b&w photographs—nothing like reading about success to start a new year.
Michael Bach couldn't have known that his new book, penned well before the Black Lives Matter events of 2020, could be timely and helpful. Bach has been working in Canada and globally in the diversity, equity and inclusion space well before many of us knew what DEI was. He opens the book by helping us understand the language of DEI by defining race privilege, diversity and inclusion, and how they differ; reverse discrimination; equality versus equity; and much more. He then explains the two models for DEI used across the globe and creates an easily accessible roadmap for employers. This is a must-read for anyone wanting to go beyond the feel-good statements and truly impact an organization's ability to do diversity, equity and inclusion right.
Tulgan brings to light the challenges of wanting to be a go-to person, or in other words, our well-intentioned desire to be of service to our colleagues. He highlights the wave of collaborative strategies, initiatives and collaboration apps that lead a generation of workers to the cliff edge of what he calls the "overcommitment syndrome." He argues that this malaise of inefficiency and stress is fuelled by well-meaning individuals being inundated (without accountability by their bosses) and embracing a misguided "everything is my job" approach. The author helps his readers tackle the insidious nature of overcommitting by reinforcing and providing practical tools around setting boundaries, collaborating selectively and becoming indispensable without burning out.
The authors of the popular New York Times bestseller The Carrot Principle centred on employee recognition have now authored an accessible business book that puts gratitude in the workplace under a microscope. The authors explore all of the myths around ingratitude, such as fear as a motivator, the lack of time that lets leaders off the hook for praising their teams, as well as offering a series of gratitude practices that we all can incorporate into our work life.
Rubenstein, himself a noteworthy business luminary and recipient of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, spoke with a who's who of primarily American leaders from business, the performing arts, professional and collegiate sports, and other walks of life. He takes the highlights from the interviews conducted on his PBS television series and weaves a conversation that friends or, at the very least, co-admirers would have. It is a fascinating glimpse into the motivations and perspectives of the leadership elite.
Recent Canadian Titles You Won’t Want to Miss
I had given this detailed and highly informative book to salespeople and sales leaders and often got this response: "Where was this book when I was trying to figure out what sales is beyond the obvious, what sales leaders should do and how to do it well?" It is clear that Welch has done his time in the trenches and has expertly advised, coached and trained sales leaders in various sectors. I thoroughly support his desire to "professionalize" the sales and the sales management profession. Each chapter closes with key questions for the reader to reflect on and answer, key takeaways, and actionable priority actions. This is an instrumental, helpful, and important book for anyone wanting to understand professional sales, build a high-performing sales team, and lead for sales growth and favourable outcomes.
Carolyn Swora adeptly walks readers through "why work isn't working" as she explores how to succeed in the new world of work. Along the way, she leaves readers with her take on four rules of engagement and her trademarked action plan, Purposeful Workplace Experience.TM She intertwines many worthy leadership lessons with a compelling family narrative. She adds vigour with helpful short stories and instructional vignettes from her remarkable career as a senior leader with a global pharmaceutical company.
Full disclosure, I'm a big fan of Gerry and his work, and he stands alone as one of Atlantic Canada's recruitment and career transition thought leaders and practitioners. His book is informed by his decades of experience and provides advice on recruitment and job search. The book's layout works brilliantly in helping readers develop a job search plan, build their toolbox and understand how to navigate the job search process, including how to interview and negotiate and offer successfully. Gerry adds his life stories, tales from the war for talent and his humanity to the book. This is an essential book for job seekers.