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Cydcor Reviews Platform by Michael Hyatt
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
By Michael Hyatt
Review by: Gail Michalak
Description of this book: Getting noticed is getting increasingly more difficult. The Internet has made is free and easy for anyone to fill the world with information. If you are a writer or a business owner, having a strategy to build and audience is key to sustaining income. Publishing executive Michael Hyatt explains how to create a compelling product and combine it will a meaningful platform. This book has been endorsed by marketing guru Seth Godin, best selling author Dave Ramsey, and former Yahoo! Executive Tim Sanders. Hyatt explains how to get traffic to your website over and over again and build the life you want to lead.
Why people should read this book: Whether you want to drive sales, promote yourself for a job, publish a book or become a blogger, this book explains how to build an audience and make a good impression. Hyatt also guides you through using all the major social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. This book will help you navigate an increasingly digital world. It is important not to get left behind.
My favorite part: Michael Hyatt writes with honesty from his own experience. He is not afraid to expose his own stories of failure before he hit success. His words are encouraging but also honest, he assures you there is no “quick fix” when it comes to building your platform, but that hard work can pay off once your strategy is in place.
Gail Michalak is the VP of Marketing and Communications for Cydcor. Gail overseas all of Cydcor's digital media, public relations, corporate communications and marketing efforts.
Cydcor review by: Gail Michalak, Chief Marketing Officer at Cydcor
Book: Talent Masters by Bill Conaty and Ram Charan
Description: This book is a description of how to judge exceptional talent within organizations and how to leverage that talent into success for the business. Bill Conaty has worked closely with legendary CEO Jack Welsh of General Electric and Ram Charan is a consultant that has worked for large corporations all over the world. Both authors contend that smart leaders put their people first, which leads to better revenue and company culture. Much like Talent Wars, the previous Cydcor Review, Talent Masters details an effective system for managing talented team members and getting the best results.
Why people should read Talent Masters: Leaders should read this book to learn ways to move talent from the lower rungs up the corporate ladder. This is the best way to assure teams perform at their top level. Entry-level employees should read this to take notice of what traits to embody and how to prepare for success at a higher level. Any professional can benefit from this book by learning how to think about running a team or an organization more effectively. The book is also a good reminder that top performers at one level won’t necessarily perform the best at all levels.
My favorite part: Differentiation breeds meritocracy, sameness breeds mediocrity. This is a good way to summarize the idea of celebrating the individual talents of employees and how to capitalize on their strengths. It is also important to remember that recruiting people from other companies is often a good way of bring fresh ideas and more energy to a position, as long as the new person can assimilate into company culture.
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At Cydcor, we believe strongly in personal and professional development. We want our sales rock stars to move on to become management super stars. Part of our effort to do that is to provide advice and resources for team members to build their communication and leadership skills. We like to collect our favorite books that have inspired us to be better leaders and share them with you on our Cydcor Reviews website. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite book reviews from Cydcor team members.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg is a memoir by the Chief Operating Officer at Facebook. Sandberg discusses the importance of women sticking up for themselves and advancing in the workplace.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne discusses the laws of attraction. Many people believe that success lies in the realm of the mind, and that you can bring yourself to your goals through positive thinking. The book has many stories and examples to help you get in the right mindset to achieve the things you want in life.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is a deep look at that moment where a marketing campaign becomes a success. What does it take to make something viral on the web? According to Gladwell, it’s very much like how a disease becomes an epidemic. All it takes is one person, a small and targeted push, to make a campaign worthwhile.
Why We Buy by Paco Underhill is a variety of case studies that make up the mind and behavior of consumers. Underhill tells us what customers really want and what you can do to get their attention.
What’s your favorite sales book? Who are the authors and business people that inspire you?
Want to join the team at Cydcor and be in a work environment that values your professional development?
Title: The War for Talent
Author: Ed Michaels, Helen Handfield-Jones, and Beth Axelrod
Review by: Suzzanne Fleet
Description of this book: This book uses information from thousands of executives from dozens of companies on how to keep a high level of talent and performance from employees. Acquiring, retaining and developing talented individuals is essential for companies to succeed. It is important to pinpoint high performers and low performers, reward high performers, and move low performers out of the organization. The book talks about keeping a "talent mindset" that keeps recruiters and managers focused on developing talented employees. It is also important to bring in talent from other companies at multiple management levels. The book details how to design performance reviews for team members, as well as a recognition system. Authors also discuss how create incentives to make your company attractive to top level jobseekers. Cydcor works to develop our talented team of sales professionals, which is why we are frequently chosen as on of L.A. County's Best Place to Work
Why read this: Managers and recruiters alike will benefit from this book by refreshing the priorities of developing people within their organization. In an age where many employees bounce around in their career, fostering talent is an easy and important aspect of both retention and productivity.
My favorite part: There are some great case studies in the book that provide real life stories and philosophies. For example, Dee Hock, founder of Visa, tells the authors, “Without integrity, motivation is dangerous; without motivation, capacity is impotent; without capacity, understanding is limited; without understanding, knowledge is meaningless; without knowledge, experience is blind.”
About the reviewer: Suzzanne Fleet is the director of human resources at Cydcor, so managing talent is her area of expertise.
In this edition of Cydcor Reviews, our VP of Marketing endorses a key guide to sales. Anyone interested in direct sales can benefit from studying the habits of shoppers. Enjoy!
Title: Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping
Author: Paco Underhill
Review by: Gail Michalak, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cydcor
Description of this book: Paco Underhill is a market researcher who has spent his life collecting comprehensive data on our shopping habits. He is the founder and CEO of Envirosell, INC and has done consumer research for Microsoft, McDonald’s and Estee Lauder. Along with his team of trackers, Underhill records everything from how many times products are touched and for how long to how many signs are read. He divides the book by sales techniques and demographics, discussing simple ideas that are often taken for granted (ie: you only have two hands to carry merchandise with). If you think you know your shopping habits, this book will blow your mind!
Why read this?: This book is an essential for anyone in business, especially anyone selling directly to consumers. While most helpful to retailers, Paco can also offer insights on the changing demographic: how busy women are creating a growing market for male consumers, how the aging population should shape marketing and merchandising, and how positioning of your message affects shoppers. As a salesperson, this book will help you think about what customers are looking for (men, women and seniors respectively) and how to build comfortable relationships with your demographic.
My favorite part: My favorite part about this book was all the stories about overheard conversations or observations during Underhill’s work. The first chapter talks about watching an old couple shopping for underwear. The wife mentions wearing her husband’s boxers at one point, providing insight that it is difficult to find comfortable underwear for older women. It is amusing and insightful at the same time!
About the reviewer:
Gail Michalak is the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Cydcor. She is the leading officer for marketing, corporate communications, public relations, and events for Cydcor and its network of nearly 300 independent sales companies. To learn more about Gail and her team, head over to Cydcor's corporate website.
Title: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Author: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Review by: Gary Polson, CEO
Description of the book: How do you approach a touchy, but important, subject with someone at home or at work without damaging the relationship?
This has always been a challenge for me, and for most people I know. Because we are afraid the conversation will damage the relationship we tend to avoid it or dance around the issue, which in the long-term is more damaging.
Why should you read this? People need to learn how to communicate efficiently and productively. An effective conversation starts with first understanding what you are trying to accomplish with the conversation. Do you want to show who is boss? Win an argument? Shame them? Defend yourself? Dump your uncertainty, anxiety on them?
My favorite part: The objectives of crucial conversations are to:
(1) Get facts
(2) Learn
(3) Build the relationship
(4) Get a productive result
If I focus on this and not on any emotions, anxieties, etc., it will go well. I try to avoid these conversations when I am upset or have strong emotions. It makes it about me rather than the four objectives. Is it a good time for them? I try not to be the coach to yell at the kids in the outfield to “keep your eye on the ball” right after they drop it. They are too embarrassed and self-shaming to listen to coaching at that time.
Timing is important.
The basic outline that often works is a 3-step approach.
1.Give the facts (no one can dispute real facts)
2.I wonder… (express your concern)
3.“How do you see it” (get their perspective)
I start with the belief that I do not know. I just have a hunch. Also, I try not to be accusatory and have a calm tone. “Why would an intelligent, reasonable person do this” is a good mindset.
“Joe, I observed when you were talking to Cindy that you interrupted her three times in the conversation; I noticed you interrupted Juan twice when he gave his side of the story. I am wondering if interrupting people is a reason you are struggling building your team. What is your perspective?”
Then LISTEN.
Categor(y)(ies): Development, Corporate Culture
Title: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Review by: Vera Quinn, COO
Description of the book: These “Seven Habits” express a simple yet compelling idea: To be effective, we must adopt a principle-centered, character-based approach. We must work from the “inside-out,” guided by the habits that correspond with each stage along the “Maturity Continuum.”
Why should you read this? My copy of Stephen R. Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is signed by the author and constantly referenced. Most noticeable is that it is dog-eared, and well worn,—a sign not of neglect, but rather of its indispensability and enduring appeal over the years. I find its ideas as relevant and meaningful today, as when they were first introduced over 20 years ago.
At whatever stage along the path to maturity we may be, the “Seven Habits” offer us a powerful framework to solve problems, maximize opportunities, enrich relationships and continually learn and grow. For over two decades, the “Seven Habits” have given us the tools to create the lives, livelihoods and relationships we most desire—effective, productive and purposeful.
My favorite part: One passage in particular always strikes a chord:
“…[I]f you want to have a happy marriage, be the kind of person who generates positive energy and sidesteps negative energy rather than empowering it. If you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathic, consistent, loving parent. If you want to have more freedom, more latitude in your job, be a more responsible, a more helpful, a more contributing employee. If you want to be trusted, be trustworthy. If you want the secondary greatness of recognized talent, focus first on primary greatness of character.”
What resonates is the premise that we must look within to find the change we seek and to become our best selves. We must first earn self-mastery and develop great character—what Covey calls achieving the “private victories.” Only then, can we achieve the “public victories” of teamwork, cooperation, communication, social recognition and influence. And to sustain this success, we must internalize “Seven Habits” that embody fundamental principles at the foundation of true effectiveness, such as fairness, integrity, honesty, dignity, service, quality, potential and growth.
Categor(y)(ies): Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Management
This is the ninth installment of our book reviews project designed to introduce you to books that Cydcor team members find especially valuable. This review is by Megan, Cydcor technology consultant, and is the first review she has done for us.
Title: The Tipping Point; How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Description of the book: The Tipping Point is a succinct look at that moment where a marketing campaign becomes a success. What does it take to make something viral on the web? According to Gladwell, it's very much like how a disease becomes an epidemic. All it takes is one person, a small and targeted push, to make a campaign a success.
Why should you read this? I highly recommend the Tipping Point to anyone in sales, but it's also just an incredibly enjoyable look at human nature and how we function as a society. One gets the feeling that Malcolm Gladwell is one of those people who just really enjoys diving into data and research, and he definitely brings the reader along for the ride.
My favorite part: My favorite part of the Tipping Point was his description of the 1967 small world experiment by social psychologist Stanley Milgram. Basically, Milgram distributed almost 200 letters to students in Nebraska and asked them to try to get them to a stockbroker in Boston by passing it to people that they knew and asking them to do the same.
The study found that it took an average of six people to deliver each letter. But, more interesting, of the letters that came through to the stockbroker a vast majority passed through a single person, a travelling salesman.
This illustrated one of Gladwell's points, that success of any social epidemic is dependent on a few important types of people. That salesman was one of those types of people, a connector.
We all know connectors in our lives. They are people who know large numbers of people and who are in the habit of making connections, a sort of hub in the middle of social wheels. But the reason why this resonated with me so much is that my mother is clearly one a connector, and reading the Tipping Point helped me understand why she has been so successful, and some of the struggles that she has experienced.
This is the eighth installment of our book reviews project designed to introduce you to books that Cydcor team members find especially valuable. This review is by Brianna, Cydcor Peoples Services and Field Recruiting Intern, and is the first review she has done for us.
Title: The Secret
Author: Rhonda Byrne
Why should you read this? It is so inspiring and shows how changing your thoughts can truly change your world!
My favorite part: Real life testimonials about people who have found success after reading The Secret.
This is our seventh installment of our book reviews project designed to introduce you to books that Cydcor team members find especially valuable. This review is by Gary Polson, Cydcor CEO, and is fourth Gary has written for us. Gary has previously reviewed other books for us, including Wooden: A lifetime of observations and reflections on and off the court and The Effective Executive.
Title: Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager
Author: Ken Blanchard, Susan Fowler, and Laurence Hawkins
Description of the book: Ken Blanchard uses situational leadership to discuss building entry level people's confidence in his One Minute Manager series. Briefly, if someone is new at a skill or goal, he or she needs to be patiently shown how to do it. The person needs direction and frequent follow-up for feedback.
Once the person has learned the skill fairly well, he or she needs little direction and more support. If they are frustrated, they may need to vent and hear another’s perspective for support.
Why should you read this? As managers, when someone is new at a skill we often do not give enough direction or appropriate follow up. We show them one time and expect them to know it. When they feel frustrated, we either shame them for not getting it right or give them support rather than more direction. We should observe them doing the skill and then show them how to do it better.
This is our sixth installment of our book reviews project designed to introduce you to books that Cydcor team members find especially valuable. This review is by Kelli, Cydcor Field Solutions Manager, and is the first review that Kelli has done for us.
Title: The Leader Within
Author: Ken Blanchard, Drea Zigarmi, Micheal O’Connor, Carl Edeburn
Description of the book: Knowing who you truly are is the first step towards becoming an outstanding leader. This book will help you understand yourself as a leader and after reading, you will have the tools to change and grow to become the most effective version of yourself.
Why should you read this? This book challenges you to become introspective and discover who you truly are.
My favorite part: The idea that we have a "shadow self" that is the person we truly are and a "persona", which is the person we show to the world was fascinating to me. It caused me to look at who I am and what I show to the world and determine if those 2 were congruent.