Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Conference/Event, Marketing
This week is going to be an exciting one here at Soundview. On Thursday, November 19, we’ll be hosting our latest Soundview Live event with author Jim Champy at Noon (EST). As with all of our Soundview Live events, this one is free to our subscribers. The topic of this conversation will be Champy’s recent book Inspire: Why Customers Come Back. If your job description involves interacting with or procuring more customers, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
I get the opportunity to participate in some of the pre-event discussions with the authors. It’s always a joy for me when an author is vocal and passionate about the subject of his or her book. Champy’s enthusiasm for the companies he profiles in Inspire is readily apparent. When we asked him about some of these companies, such as beverage maker Honest Tea or grill maker The Big Green Egg, it was clear that he was impressed by the same attributes that impress the companies’ customers: originality, authenticity and a sense of purpose. It was the last point of the three that made the largest impression on me.
While a large percentage of companies today are encouraged to play up their philanthropy or involvement in a community for purposes of public relations, customers occasionally view these efforts with a degree of apprehension. There tends to be a strange split in public perception. Companies are either “for profit” and not capable of true purpose-based business or they are “non-profits” who do great work for a cause but struggle financially. One of Champy’s insights is that a company can both have a purpose and still be for-profit. I was so struck by his message that I wanted to share his exact words with you.
“Let’s not forget that there are also companies that sit right in-between,” Champy told us. “They’re for-profit, but they are also very noble. One of the most important things in presenting yourself is to maintain a real base of authenticity and have a genuinely high sense of purpose. The Honest Tea example is one where the company is profitable and it makes decisions based on profitability but still is highly respectful of its suppliers. They are highly respectful of the people in India and the Asian subcontinent that grow these teas. It’s highly respectful of everything that it puts on its label in terms of content. You can attach a very high sense of purpose to what is a very simple product or service but you better be true to that sense of purpose!”
Rather eye-opening, isn’t it? Consider this a bit of a preview of what’s to come this Thursday at Noon (EST) when Jim Champy offers insights and takes your questions on the next edition of Soundview Live.
Filed under: Conference/Event, Leadership, Soundview Live | Tags: Business, Leadership, books, business books, business book, Conference/Event, Soundview Live
I just wanted to remind everyone that we’ve got a fantastic Soundview Live event coming up on Thursday, 10/15 at noon Eastern. We’ll be hosting an interactive Web event with the authors of The Inspiring Leader: John Zenger, Joseph Folkman and Scott Edinger.
Leadership is one of the most popular topics with our audience. We probably receive more requests to cover leadership titles than any other subject area. I think this is what has me looking forward to the event on Thursday. We’re pleased when we can offer our subscribers a chance to interact with authors who are experts in the audience’s major area of interest. I was lucky enough to get a preview of some of the material that will be covered in the authors’ presentation and I can say that it will definitely open the eyes of anyone who feels he or she needs to improve his or her leadership abilities. I learned a couple things about my own leadership habits that I had never considered. I also love the fact that the authors’ presentation is just the launching point for the overall Soundview Live experience. Our audiences have been fantastic at driving the conferences to new heights with their questions and interpretations of the authors’ material. Join us Thursday at noon Eastern and get the answers to your leadership questions!
One other advantage to being able to peek “behind the scenes” is that I can see how many of our subscribers are taking advantage of this FREE interactive Web conference. Not to put any pressure on anyone reading this, but if you haven’t signed up, I wouldn’t wait too much longer. Subscriber response to this event has been tremendously … inspiring, one might say.
If you are currently a subscriber, or are interested in subscribing to attend Thursday’s event, visit this link for all the information you need.
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, Leadership | Tags: Business, Leadership, books, business books, business book, Conference/Event, Soundview Live, Inspiring Leader
I was interested to read about Bank of America’s continuing search for a new CEO. As the massive financial institution narrows its list of candidates to replace retiring CEO Kenneth Lewis, I began to wonder about the multitudes of staffers that work in the various Bank of America branches. A charismatic, level-headed leader can instill workers with a tremendous amount of purpose and pride. Media outlets have frequently pointed to Steve Jobs as an example of a leader who can affect remarkable change in an organization simply through straightforward communication and a dominant presence.
The heart of what separates the average leader from the truly inspirational is a commodity that business authors have frequently attempted to quantify. Next week, Soundview is very fortunate to offer subscribers the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the subject of inspirational leadership. On Thursday, October 15 at Noon (Eastern), Soundview Live will hit the online airwaves featuring an exclusive interactive event with John Zenger, Joseph Folkman and Scott Edinger, the authors of The Inspiring Leader.
Our Soundview Live Web events are generally very lively. However, I get the distinct feeling that this topic will bring even more intense discussion than we’ve previously experienced. The Inspiring Leader is one of a handful of books that generates a great deal of debate because so many people have an opinion about what makes a leader inspiring. Attempting to pin down the elusive qualities is not an easy task, but in my opinion, Zenger, Folkman and Edinger have done an excellent job of focusing on key characteristics which anyone can emulate.
If you’re not a subscriber, this would be a great time to come on board and gain FREE access to this Soundview subscriber exclusive. For more information on Soundview Live, or to subscribe, visit this link. I hope you’ll join us next Thursday at Noon (EST)!
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event | Tags: Business, books, business books, business book, Conference/Event
Just wanted to put up a quick post to remind all subscribers that this Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Noon (EDT) is our next Soundview Live event!
This interactive Web event is delivered FREE to subscribers. Soundview Live will feature Clayton M. Christensen, lead author of The Innovator’s Prescription. In light of the on-going debate over health care in the United States, this could be one of the most important discussions we’ve featured on Soundview Live. The best part is that our subscribers will be the ones who provide the bulk of the questions that Clayton Christensen will answer! You can get direct access to the person behind the theory of disruptive innovation.
If you’re not currently a Soundview subscriber, free access to an event like this is a great reason to start your subscription today.
Current subscribers who wish to attend Soundview Live featuring Clayton M. Christensen and non-subscribers who want to start their subscription to Soundview can both visit this link for more information.
If you’re attending, I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, health care | Tags: Business, books, business books, business book, Conference/Event, health care, Innovation
The debate continues to gain momentum concerning the potential changes to health care in the United States. I took a few moments to read (and reread) this article from the Wall Street Journal that discusses the impact on small business of the proposed $1.04 trillion health care legislation. Our client base is quite diverse, something of which we’re very proud, but small businesses make up a vital (and vocal, I might add) segment of our subscribers. So many of the books that we summarize are intended to provide the information that can help entrepreneurs and small business owners to propel their businesses beyond the corporate equivalent of living paycheck to paycheck.
While it’s not my intention to offer any political commentary on the bill that is currently circulating in the House of Representatives, I will say that I was glad to see the Wall Street Journal put the issue “above the fold” as they say in the newspaper business. (Quick editorial aside: With the way newspapers continue to move away from print and toward online-only offerings, what will editors say in future? Above the scroll?). Small businesses are often glossed over while the two sides of the aisle lob legislative shells at one another.
While this goes on, we at Soundview continue to refer back to The Innovator’s Prescription. We’re only two weeks away from our Soundview Live event with the book’s lead author Clayton M. Christensen. Will you be joining us? If you’re currently a subscriber, visit our Web site and sign up FREE. If you’re not a subscriber, just click this link to learn more about how easy it is to become a Soundview subscriber and receive free admission to our Soundview Live audio events.
The upcoming edition of Soundview Live will feature extensive Q&A with Clayton Christensen. This is driven largely by the questions submitted by our subscribers. I, for one, hope our friends in the small business sector ask Christensen’s opinion of the proposed legislation and how it relates to the vision outlined in his book. Should make for great listening!
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, Innovation, Politics, health care | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Conference/Event, health care, Innovation, Soundview Live
If we’re able to push aside the celebrity-related news for two seconds, what remains on the front page is an intense focus on the health care system here in the United States. Opposing sides are dissecting and scrutinizing every aspect of this hot-button issue. Today, with great interest, I checked out the story of Wal-Mart weighing in on the issue.
As the summer rolls on, this issue may generate the most heat of all. This is partly pleasing to me since we opted to select The Innovator’s Prescription as one of the 30 best books of 2009. I have to tell you, this was a book that generated some considerable debate amongst our selection committee. It had nothing to do with the quality of the content. We knew it was great material. We were somewhat concerned that our existing subscribers may feel the book didn’t have direct application to their own business. How times change, eh? With the prospect of major shake-ups in health care, there’s never been a better time to arm oneself with much-needed info about the health care industry and possible ways to improve it. This summary gives an in-depth look at a top-to-bottom overhaul of the health care industry via disruptive innovation.
And for you subscribers out there, you’ll be able to sign up for FREE for our Soundview Live event featuring Dr. Clayton M. Christensen, co-author of The Innovator’s Prescription. This live audio broadcast on the Web will give you the chance to send your questions in to Dr. Christensen. Who knows? By the end of the month, we could be looking at a whole new landscape in health care. I, for one, can’t wait to hear what Dr. Christensen has to say about it!
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, From the Editor, General Business, Technology | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, career skills, Conference/Event, Technology
You may or may not know, but we offer a free e-newsletter entitled Soundview Executive Book Alert. The writer of this monthly look into the hot and the hidden in the world of books is a good colleague of mine. When he reviewed Grown Up Digital, by Wikinomics author Don Tapscott, my friend wrote, “What else are you doing while reading this review?” The implication is that no one can simply sit and read anything anymore. Looking at one screen isn’t enough, so the average reader is probably texting or checking e-mail while reading any article or blog post (this one included, I’m sure).
Apparently, this prevailing trend is starting to irk more than a few people, particularly in today’s sensitive business environment. Here’s one story that gives a perspective on this new era of digital rudeness. In the first five to seven years after e-mail became the standard of communication for the modern office, we were treated to dozens of business books that included a chapter on “e-mail etiquette.” In fact, it became so prevalent that my editorial colleagues and I would groan if we saw a top-ten list that started with “Don’t use all caps. This gives the appearance of shouting.” WE KNOW!
In contrast to e-mail etiquette, the digital distraction debate brings up some questions of genuine merit. Is there such a thing as being too plugged-in? As noted in the article above, the inability to focus on one task for a concentrated period of time may lead to more careless errors. Additionally, the evaporation of our attention spans creates changes in how we present and receive content. It’s possible that we’re reaching a point where even the shortest message isn’t safe from being knocked aside by distraction. How do we differentiate in a world where everything is labeled “urgent?” How people answer this last question, combined with the evolving world of PDA etiquette will make for interesting analysis over the next few years.
If you can look away from your iPhone long enough, catch Soundview at the annual conference of the Special Libraries Association. The show takes place from Sunday, June 14 through Wednesday, June 17 in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Soundview will be located in BOOTH #1142. Stop by and inquire about our corporate site license program. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
Filed under: Books in General, Conference/Event, From the Editor, Publishing | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Conference/Event, Marketing, Publishing
I saw an interesting item from Publishers Weekly that I thought I’d bring to your attention. This feature deals with the impact of the economy on the business book market, and is worth a read, but in particular, I was pleased to see them mention the following:
“Amacom executive editor Ellen Kadin says, ‘Most companies manage using two sets of rules: the playbook they use for better times and the one they adopt in anticipation of—or in response to—economic downturns. But Philip Kotler and John Caslione, the authors of Chaotics: The Business of Managing and Marketing in the Age of Turbulence, point out that when economic turbulence hits, traditional strategy is worthless, and even skilled business leaders tend to make bad management mistakes.’ Kadin notes that not only does Chaotics have a global message but it seems to have global appeal as well: translation rights have already sold in 22 languages.”
Sound intriguing? Well, if you’re a subscriber, you’re in luck. Let’s just say there is an excellent chance that Chaotics could be featured in an upcoming edition of Soundview Executive Book Summaries. Our editorial staff also conducted an interview with co-author John A. Caslione. He gave us some great insight into the heart of the Chaotics management method. We were really impressed with Caslione’s explanation of the point that Kadin makes above. Businesses are more likely than ever before to know periods of feast and famine, and these eras will be shorter in duration yet more frequent in occurrence. With that in mind, Chaotics gives readers an excellent method to use one management style that operates under both sets of conditions. Stay tuned to this blog and I’ll let you know when and where this exclusive interview will be available.
Also, I wanted to remind our subscribers that tomorrow is the big Soundview Live Web event with Stephen M.R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust. If you’re not a subscriber, go to this link to learn how you can sign up and join us for our next FREE subscribers-only event!
