Best "Self Help Business" books?

MrNightly

Ok, not sure if Self Help is the right word, but I picked up the book, Good to Great the other week and am reading it right now. What an amazing book. If you are in a business and haven't read this one, you need to. Go buy it now! I guess I'm looking for business books that are going to help you become even more aware... of what to do to change and succeed in the world as it is now...

If you haven't read a book, or don't have personal experience with it, please don't chime in stating, "This is the best book blah blah blah..." as fact... looking for serious opinions here, because I want to pick up a few good books with my little bit of Xmas money after the 25th.

"How to win friends and influence people" style I suppose. I found this one online, Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done but don't know if it's fluff or worth it's weight... so I decided to get some opinions here.

Not sure the specific genre these would fall under, possibly Business books, but I know there are some very savvy business folks out here... so I want to know what you know!

Thanks for the time! And Merry Christmas!!!

beardog03

great question..I would also be interested..

Is the book that you are reading called "Good to Great" ?....who is the author

If you don`t mind me posting in your thread...not meaning to threadjack

MrNightly

Yes, Good to Great by Jim Collins. I haven't read a whole lot of business books, but this one is a must own for any business owner out there... or for someone that may eventually become a CEO or VP or whatever...

Now that I finished my semester, I will have some time to actually sit down and finish this book... can't wait! Plus an 11 day vacation from work starts Friday! Yah baby!

Dennis Gardner

I would suggest these two............http://www.amazon.com/QBQ-Question-Behind-Practicing-Accountability/dp/0966583299

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805431888/bookstorenow600-20

MrNightly

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

I would suggest these two............http://www.amazon.com/QBQ-Question-Behind-Practicing-Accountability/dp/0966583299

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805431888/bookstorenow600-20

Thanks..

Regarding the second one, is that to help you actually change careers? Or what? I've heard that title mentioned before, but wasn't sure what it was about. I love the type of work I'm currently doing, so I didn't know it it would be applicable.

Thanks

jdhdiggs

Anything by or with Gene Woolsey. Love the guy, only guy I know that bought a Norman Rockwell for $5 His books are hilarious and very applicable if you have to do anything in the real world.

Dennis Gardner

"48 days" is about finding that special gift that you have to build a career around or help a person get off dead center when dreaming about creating a business around hobbies etc.

Vital info for those not getting the most out of their skills...........

markmarc

What Color is my Parachute.
I can't tell you how many people I've talked to over the years said that book helped them discover their true calling.

MrNightly

markmarc wrote: »

What Color is my Parachute.
I can't tell you how many people I've talked to over the years said that book helped them discover their true calling.

Ya, I feel that I've found my gifting and calling in the business arena. Now I'm looking at increasing my value as an employee until I either move up to a VP or greater in a company or start my own...

Any other's?

Demiurge

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

If you're going to start your own business it means you're probably starting small and you'll need to know all about marketing. This book is pretty much a must read for anyone in business and it's all about common sense, which these days, seems to be uncommon.

I wouldn't recommend Al Reis and Jack Trout's other 'Law Of' books.

MrNightly

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

I would suggest these two............http://www.amazon.com/QBQ-Question-Behind-Practicing-Accountability/dp/0966583299

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805431888/bookstorenow600-20

The QBQ book... wow where do I start? If I paid more then $4 I would probably try to sue for my money back

No, seriously... it was a book about nothing. He could have printed one page and communicated the exact same thing. Think about the question behind the question, accept responsibility, ask good questions, don't point the finger and you'll get ahead... There, now you people that haven't read it, don't go buy it While his points were all true, they were mostly fluff in my mind.

Just got the Execution book in the mail today... looking forward to reading that over the next few weeks.

Any others?

mhardy6647

The only one I ever managed to read all the way through was called Swim with the Sharks by (IIRC) Harvey McKay. I thought it was excellentn and I still quote some of his more interesting ideas (e.g., NEVER let someone who is leaving an organization suggest, recommend, appoint, or ordain his/her own successor).

The whole concept of a "self-help" book written by someone other than oneself is sort of ludicrous though, isn't it? :-P

cambir

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for but, the books by Marcus Buckingham:

First, Break All the Rules: What The World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780684852867&itm=1
Now, Discover Your Strengths
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780743201148&itm=1
Go Put Your Strengths to Work: Six Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780743261678&itm=1

I have only read the Now, Discover your Strengths, but have found it to be a worthwhile and interesting read. It includes a code to do an online series of questions to determine your strengths. I am now beginning the "Go" book.