Because I am most interested in the cultural aspects of the corporate world, I do not read many business books. I tend to get more insights into our working world through other non-fiction writing such as:
Post Office by Charles Bukowski
On Human Nature by E.O. Wilson
Breakfast at Buck’s by Jamis MacNiven
However, one business book I enjoyed recently is:
Winning Smart After Losing Big by Rob Stearns
And the only startup book that I can wholeheartedly recommend is:
Startup by Jerry Kaplan
A few other great books that deal to some extent with biz, but which don't need a huge justification to read (that is, no need to harvest big important takeaways to implement on Monday Morning...):
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain. You can just about read this in one sitting. And it is great. Mildred Pierce, which tells a great story about a female restaurateur, ain't so bad either.
The Van by Roddy Doyle. I love the movie too.
If you have the patience, JR by William Gaddis, and Gain by Richard Power. Very impressive books with big ideas about business and commerce...
And Bonfire of the Vanities is really a delight to read. IMHO.
But here's what's interesting. There really should be many more books that come easily to mind. Yet by and large, the vast vast majority of fiction, whether serious or not, has little insight into business. Writers just don't find this incredibly rich subject very rich, apparently.
Posted by: Tom Ehrenfeld at February 23, 2005 07:16 PMCongrats on your Business Blog Award.
The book I'm into right now is Sun Tzu - Strategies for Marketing. It reminds me of How to Drive Your Competition Crazy by Guy Kawasaki.
Both books sum up my modus operandi.
Posted by: Greg Hoffman at February 23, 2005 11:26 PMMutual Respect: The art and practice of the Quid Pro Quo selling approach by Bob Beck.
Great, practical read. Most sales people tend to pander to the executives that they try to sell to. Beck shows real life examples of how to create a give and take relationship based on mutual respect.
Posted by: Scott Jones at February 28, 2005 10:38 PMYou might enjoy some of the essays in my blog which deal directly with many aspects of going into and running a business. As my little blurb says: It's what every CEO in America should tell, but won't. It's the truth, and it will surprise you.
Posted by: Hugh at March 15, 2005 12:45 PMYou might enjoy some of the essays in my blog www.businesswisdom.blogspot.com which I failed to indicate earlier. Sorry about that.
Posted by: Hugh at March 15, 2005 12:47 PM