Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, From the Editor, General Business, Hands-On Management, ethics | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, ethics, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Soundview Live, stephen m.r. covey, Strategic Management
I make it a point to always put my personal politics aside when I sit down to write this blog. But I’ll admit it can be difficult to come off non-partisan, even when writing about subjects that seem devoid of politics. Sometimes I’ll stumble across a headline that I think would make for decent material, like this one that I read today. Then, I think twice because I want this blog to be free of the arguments that clog up so many blogs and message boards.
So, let’s just say that one of the issues at the heart of the above story sparked me to write about trust. A quick title search, courtesy of our friends at Barnes & Noble, brings back more than 2,500 business books relating to the subject of ethics alone. The word “trust” generates more than 500 results. It’s such a delicate subject area in the realm of business. Unfortunately, it seems as though the public stands on one cliff, businesses stand on the opposite cliff, and a mighty chasm divides the two. Actually, it’s somewhat unfair to paint business with a broad brush. Even amongst individuals, the trust level hovers somewhere less than 50%.
Surprisingly, the U.S. is actually one of the more trusting nations in the world. Check out the findings of this social trust survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. There’s some interesting reading in this report, although, it mainly deals with person-to-person trust, not person-to-business. Either way, the financial industry certainly hasn’t done its best to aid consumer trust over the last several years.
One person who is an absolute expert on trust is author Stephen M.R. Covey. We’ve previously summarized his book The Speed of Trust. As he notes, trust is the one thing that changes everything. We’re pleased to announce that he’s about to bring his message of trust directly to our subscribers!
Stephen will be joining us on Tuesday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m. (EST) for our next edition of Soundview Live. Click here to learn more about Soundview Live and to see how you can sign up and join us for an hour of great conversation and insight. Stephen is a dynamic speaker and you’ll gain a lot from listening to this event. Trust me.
Filed under: Books in General, Economics, From the Editor, General Business, Green, Internet, Leadership | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, career skills, college, Economics, graduation, Green, Leadership, special offer
Despite the calendar telling us otherwise, the month of May signals the start of summer for people in many parts of the U.S. It also marks the start of a different season, one that involves caps, gowns and the emptying of dormitories and apartments everywhere. For students, this is a time of farewells coupled with new beginnings. For parents, it can be a time of new anxieties as children enter another new phase of their lives. This year, though, don’t be surprised if you find claw marks on the walls of the dorms as students try to avoid marching headlong into a less-than-friendly job market.
The amazing thing is that this group of future leaders and executives are probably more prepared, at least, from a technological standpoint, for working than any previous generation. They’ve been plugged in and over-scheduled since birth. What’s amusing are the things they don’t know. Every year since 1997, Beloit College in Wisconsin produces its “Mindset List.” This list helps to remind college professors that their incoming students may be unaware of facts that our generation (and previous ones) takes for granted. Here are a few of my favorites for the Class of 2009 (born, on average, in 1987):
- Voice mail has always been available.
- Bill Gates has always been worth at least $1 billion.
- Halogen lights have always been available (with a warning)
The complete list is located here. There are a few other items that I felt should have been included in the list. For example, the Class of 2009 has virtually no memory of a Soviet Union or a divided Germany. The Macintosh computer is older than this group. To these folks, a bank teller is the person they are forced to speak with if the ATM is broken.
After reading this list, I sincerely hope I haven’t depressed anyone with these revelations. But then again, you and I aren’t the ones staring down the most cutthroat job market in decades, are we? To help them along, why not give your graduates a gift subscription to Soundview Executive Book Summaries? At a price of only $79, you can save 34%! This offer is for the online subscription, something this green-conscious and tech-savvy generation will appreciate.
Plus, as a special bonus gift, they’ll receive the Cutter & Buck American classic leather coffee tumbler for their morning coffee. Considering that a certain coffee retailer began overrunning cities with its green awnings the year they were born, these kids have grown up caffeinated. Your graduates will receive an email announcing your gift along with your personal message, and the coffee mug will be sent to them by mail.
Click here to give your grad an extra boost of concentrated knowledge!
Filed under: Books in General, Economics, From the Editor, General Business, Leadership, Strategic Management | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Economics, Financial/Accounting, Leadership, Publishing, Strategic Management
Feel free to come out from under your beds, folks. Happy days are here again.
Really?
Perhaps the people at the above media outlet should check some of the 240+ comments that were logged in the aftermath of this report hitting the airwaves. I’d tell you to check it out as well, but trust me, there are far more productive ways to spend your time. You have to cut through a lot of vitriolic remarks concerning both our current and previous president to get to statements of any relevance. The comments that did discuss the economy seemed to confirm that the public is not ready to accept that all is well from sea to shining sea.
Judging by the reports we receive from various publishers, the public’s desire for books relating to the current economic situation has not decreased. It’s gotten to the point where even individuals in specific fields are looking to address how to ride out the storm in their industries. Some may view this as opportunistic, but the market for this type of information is proving to be larger than anticipated.
We’ve answered this response ourselves in recent times. Visit Summary.com to see our Survive and Thrive Collection, one of several products we’re currently featuring that are the result of reader demand. We’re committed to providing the most relevant advice from the top business minds.
While nothing would please us more than to remove these items due to lack of need, we’re prepared to continue the flow of information for the duration of the recession. Don’t believe the hype. The road to recovery is long, but we’re with you every step of the way.
Filed under: Books in General, Hands-On Management, Strategic Management, Technology, health care | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, health care, Innovation, Leadership, Strategic Management
Health care is on everyone’s mind right now. A quick scan of today’s headlines tells you all you need to know. The American system of health care draws its share of bullets, both domestically and (especially) internationally. Yet there are hundreds of individuals who have made it their goal to help the public become aware of ways to fix what’s wrong. An informed populous can in turn influence its leaders, but with so many lives and so many dollars at stake, the right moves must be made. Maybe this is why so little has been done.
Fortunately, into this breach steps author Clayton Christensen and physician Jason Hwang. They collaborated, along with the late Jerome Grossman, MD on The Innovator’s Prescription: A Disruptive Solution for Health Care. This book is a comprehensive solution plan to enact needed change in the health care industry. The authors leave no stone unturned when addressing a variety of targets: hospitals, prescription plans, medical schools, even patients. Each subject area is given careful analysis and the solutions provided should probably line any Congressional legislation relating to health care. It’s a unique book from a set of authors whose passion for the subject matter is matched by their intensity in providing answers while others only offer complaints.
The best part? This summary is on its way to subscribers in the June edition of Soundview Executive Book Summaries. And now if you’ll indulge my secret dream to appear in an infomercial, “But wait, there’s more!” In the month of June, we’ll be featuring audio of an exclusive interview with Dr. Jason Hwang on Summary.com. I got the chance to listen to a preview and I came away with a new appreciation for how great an impact The Innovator’s Prescription could have on health care. Dr. Hwang is fascinating! While you’re counting the days until it debuts, take a moment to check out his blog.
If any of the authors’ suggestions come to fruition, it should certainly take some of the sting out of your next check-up … that is, unless it’s time for an injection of some sort.
Filed under: Books in General, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Leadership, Personal Development, Strategic Management, Success, iPhone app | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, iPhone app, Leadership, management, Survival Skills, Technology
I confess that I occasionally drag my feet when it comes to adopting new technology. Between GPS systems, Web 2.0, and my cell phone, I’m wired and traceable to the point where even I wonder if Big Brother is bored with me. Still, it’s hard to deny the overwhelming appeal of certain devices.
There are a large number of people who would put their iPhones at the top of the list of devices they can’t live without. Hopefully, we’ve just added three more reasons to keep it at the top of your list.
I mentioned earlier this week about our Entrepreneurship application. If one application is good, how does a total of three new apps sound?
In addition to the Entrepreneurship app, Soundview is also debuting Survival Skills Vol. I, as well as Innovation Vol. I. Each app features three crucial titles that will help you with the app’s specific subject.
These three apps are the latest in a growing collection of Soundview iPhone apps. Click here to see the complete list!
The convenience of having these apps at my fingertips is something that I underestimated. It makes me glad that I got on board with this technology more quickly than my usual pace. Now if only I could force myself to upgrade my DVD player to a “ray” of a certain shade (For trademark reasons, I’ll let you figure out the obvious).
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, From the Editor, General Business, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Personal Development | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Chris Warner, Conference/Event, Don Schmincke, Hands-On Management, High Altitude Leadership, Leadership, Personal Development, Soundview Live
I hope all of our subscribers enjoyed theSoundview Live event on Monday with Chris Warner and Don Schmincke, co-authors of High Altitude Leadership. After listening to Chris discuss his various expeditions, I decided to check out some of his footage from the K2 trip. In a word, WOW! Check it out for yourself here.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one taken with Chris and Don’s message. The response from the audience was overwhelming. You flooded us with questions for the authors and we didn’t have time to get to every person’s point. We’ve received many e-mails asking when the questions will be answered. As you know, being an executive comes with a heavy burden on one’s time. Chris and Don are no exception. In fact, I spoke with our moderator for the Soundview Live event, and he said that Don literally concluded the interview, shook hands with everyone, then dashed to the airport to narrowly make a flight to Toronto. Of course, he did it all with a smile on his face, and we’re grateful to him.
With that in mind, the authors agreed to attempt to answer your questions in a timely manner. They ask (as do we) that everyone be patient. If you asked a question during the course of the event on Monday, we will do our best to make sure that it is answered. Answers will be posted on Summary.com. Stay tuned to this blog, and I’ll let you know when the first set of answers becomes available. Soundview Live is a truly interactive event and its success is largely dependent on how well author and audience collaborate. I think this expedition certainly reached its summit.
While we’re on the subject of keeping customers happy, we’ve received a few requests for more information about customer retention. As a result, we’ve put together a new collection of summaries to help with this process. These 10 essential titles will help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to retaining your key customers. Check out the Keep the Customer Collection today!
