November 30, 2010 81 Comments

2011 Business Book Club

I’m thinking of starting a business book club for 2011. If you subscribe to my free newsletter, you are invited to participate. The idea is simple: instead of just reading books, what if we experimented with some of the business suggestions in the books, and then report back to each other? I recommend five books in this video, but it’s up to subscribers to the newsletter to vote in their needs and wants.

So, subscribe to the newsletter, and I’ll ask you to vote in the books you want in the next issue of the newsletter. Good?

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http://mydarabell.com/ Dara Bell

Read this while travelling to Ireland. I took away that Branson was open to experimenting, flexible in how he does business with regards his dirty businesses.

I immediately tried to become more open, more flexible. Also I am taking this is as his manifesto on Africa and the Environment. His natural flair for PR came accross strongly, much of the PR he is not paying for as it includes publicity stunts. These are executed better than your average publicity stunt.

I think this is great advice about executing while reading. Already trying to have open mind also he too seems a fan of personal branding.
http://cindyking.biz/ Cindy King

Great idea! You can count me in if you do start it. I already have 3 of the books you mentioned.
http://cindyking.biz/ Cindy King

Count me in if you do start it! I’m already a fan of 3 of the books you mentioned!
Anonymous

GREAT idea. Looking forward to participating.
http://matthewm.org Matt Medeiros

Let’s do it
Johnny Russo

Great initiative! Count me in.
Johnny Russo

Great initiative! Count me in.
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Yay! I need this more than you know…
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Yay! I need this more than you know…
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Yay! I need this more than you know…
http://twitter.com/susangiurleo susangiurleo

Yay! I need this more than you know…
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

I guess I have to add the other 4 to my list especially the Business Model Generation book.

I agree with the Referral Engine it’s a great book and I have bought a few copies for friends and clients.

I am up for the “Little” book review club count me also in.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

I guess I have to add the other 4 to my list especially the Business Model Generation book.

I agree with the Referral Engine it’s a great book and I have bought a few copies for friends and clients.

I am up for the “Little” book review club count me also in.
http://www.brianhamlett.com Brian Hamlett

Love the idea! I own and have read at least 2 of those books already.

Would recommend adding “Influence” by Robert B. Cialdini, PH.D. as a great book on the psychology and application of persuasion; a key element when starting a business and trying to get customers.
http://twitter.com/TheresaDelgado Theresa Delgado

Great idea Chris! You have such great ideas. My goal for 2011 was to broaden my knowledge, so this is perfect timing! Count me in!

Thank you – Theresa
Rob Huff

Good idea Chris! I look forward to participating.
http://twitter.com/saraoliver_prmk Sara Oliver, LLC

Great idea. I look forward to participating. What about the book ‘The New Rules of Marketing & PR” by David Meerman Scott? I’d love to discuss the concepts that he brings up in that book. How we communicate to our audience is continuously developing and it might be interesting to see if his bullet points are accurate or if there are more or even less points to add to them.

Anonymous

So glad you recommended that. I just added it to my Kindle!

http://twitter.com/saraoliver_prmk Sara Oliver, LLC

It is a great book! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it
http://twitter.com/saraoliver_prmk Sara Oliver, LLC

It is a great book! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it

Vinnie Sestito

Chris I love the idea. In working with thought leaders, one of the challenges we often face is information overload, capturing mindshare and heartshare simply yet powerfully…

A book for consideration…Being Strategic by Erika Anderson. Erika provides a simple but powerful strategy model that applies both personally and professionally. Thanks for the Book Club!
http://www.ricardobueno.com Ricardo Bueno

Loved “The Referral Engine” from John! Great read and great simple but effective concepts that I think a lot of businesses often fail to implement. It’s a fresh reminder and great primer on how to set your business up for referrals (IMO)… And something that’s especially important to the small business owner.

I think this is a neat idea Chris. The question is, how will you follow up with folks for discussion on the steps? Via the blog (through posts), strictly through the newsletter, or…?
http://mydarabell.com/ Dara Bell

I like Vinnie Sestitos comments. Sara’s choice is awesome. Gonna have a look at Brians choice too.

Cheers for the ideas guys.

Dara
http://mydarabell.com/ Dara Bell

I like Vinnie Sestitos comments. Sara’s choice is awesome. Gonna have a look at Brians choice too.

Cheers for the ideas guys.

Dara
http://nothingbutsocnet.blogspot.com/ Zena Weist

Like the idea. For me, I get caught up in the day-to-day “running the business” tactics and think that a business book club would help with perspective, strategic direction and proactive “staying ahead” idea sharing. I’ll make time for reading as well – I’m in.
http://mydarabell.com/ Dara Bell

Think I will take a look at the Referal Engine, getting a few refferals

Dara

http://www.kherize5.com Suzanne Vara

Dara

I read it and it is fabulous. I highly recommend referral engine. If you were nearby, I would run it over to you so you could get a jump start on reading it.

http://ivanhernandezonline.wordpress.com/ Ivan Hernandez

Great idea! I have just subscribed and I am looking forward to taking part on it and adding value to the community.
Cheers,
Ivan
P.S. By the way, great recommendations! I love the Business Model Generation book. I use the business model canvas for e-v-e-r-y project/business I work on, and it is definitely an extremely helpful tool.
Anonymous

Awesome idea, Chris. Looking forward to being involved with this. Great use of the web!
Sean Carpenter

Chris – Nice idea on a larger scale with many diffeernt communities and voices that could chime in. I absolutely love Jantsch’s The referral Engine and use much of his stories and concepts in my real estate classes.
http://scottgould.me/ Scott Gould

Been prepared to do this myself but now I’ll appear like a copy cat!
http://scottgould.me/ Scott Gould

Been prepared to do this myself but now I’ll appear like a copy cat!
http://twitter.com/norahcarroll Norah Carroll

I’m looking forward to participating! I love reading business-related books, but so often find that I need a group with which to discuss the key concepts and actual application of them. Great idea!

Anonymous

Norah, I agree – it is much more helpful to read business books when there is an opportunity to share with another (or more than one) interested party.

Valasie August

Better than good…awesome idea!
Mondayblur.com

Awesome idea, Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kristen B.

This is a great idea Chris! I would like to suggest “Seizing the White Space: Business Model Innovation for Growth and Renewal” by Mark W. Johnson. This book takes a practical approach to fuel game changing growth through business model innovation. I am looking forward to the conversation!
http://www.dcpracticetools.com Michael Beck

Love the idea. It’s application that will have a lasting effect on your business, not just how many books you read this year. One of my favorites from last year was “How the Mighty Fall” by Jim Collins. Second place would be “Priceless” by Poundstone.

http://www.theemotionmachine.com Steven

I haven’t read a business book since Jim Collin’s “Good To Great.” I would love to dive into other material. Good idea Chris!

I wonder if Dan Ariely’s, “Predictably Irrational” counts? Not exactly a business book but some really fascinating stuff about consumer behavior that can definitely be applied to a business setting. Maybe we can all read his newer book “The Upside of Irrationality.”

Barbara Stafford

Great idea, would love to start with Richard Branson’s book!
http://www.josephwesley.com Joseph Wesley Putnam

Reading less can equate to reading more when you implement more of what you read, even if it’s less. In other words, it’s better to read two books and act on what you read than read 100 books and never act.

This reading club seems like a great way to make this happen.
http://mazakaro.com Rahul@MazaKaro

oh Why Not !! great idea i guess
http://www.kherize5.com Suzanne Vara

Love the idea as it would be nice to fall asleep with a book on my lap instead of the laptop =-).

How would this work though? Would it be interactive where we would have a place to share our thoughts and engage with one another about it, like the threads in 3T? Just curious.
http://www.kherize5.com Suzanne Vara

Love the idea as it would be nice to fall asleep with a book on my lap instead of the laptop =-).

How would this work though? Would it be interactive where we would have a place to share our thoughts and engage with one another about it, like the threads in 3T? Just curious.
Anonymous

Love this idea, I’m in. When do we start! :)
http://ianmrountree.com Ian M Rountree

I have to say, I’m really interested in getting into the Referral Engine. I think referential business is a great sustainable model – and sustainable business is good business. How exciting – can’t wait to get started!
http://www.rerockstar.com Matt Stigliano – @rerockstar

Chris – Hmmm, which one to choose. I hate to say it, but I’m sometimes terrible with the whole reading thing, which is a shame, because I actually like to read and learn.

I have not read any of those books, so I’m going to go with the masses on this one. “Talk about money?” Nah, who cares about that stuff. (In case you’re wondering, I’m kidding.)
http://www.connercoaching.com Dorethia Conner

I’m in – let’s start with ‘The Referral Engine’
http://mydarabell.com/ Dara Bell

Suzzane,

Thanks, will have look.

Dara
http://mydarabell.com/ Dara Bell

Suzzane,

Thanks, will have look.

Dara
http://www.adrianswinscoe.com/blog/ Adrian Swinscoe

That’s a great idea, Chris. You can count me in. Looking forward to learning and contributing.

Adrian
Anonymous

Great idea. You’ve peaked my interest.
Anonymous

I personally likes your idea and good things that different people if show their interest to participate in our program and this would be an good things towards the new comer you just join out in the business…

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Jon Mehlman

I know this will be educational and worthwhile regardless of which book we dive into first. My vote though would be the Referral Engine. Can’t wait!
Anonymous

I think it makes sense to pick a sixth book, then we can spend a full two months on each book. I don’t have a great recommendation for what that book should be, however….

It would seem like the business model book will cover what I sent you in the email, Chris, so I look forward to that. I think the referral engine is a valid first choice as the entertainment industry has always bee about not what you know, but who you know…. Thanks!
http://www.tremployee.com/ Jerry Yu

Very curious about this, Chris, anyway, I am in and it seems that I must hurry up for my new book.

2011 Business Book Club

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