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About Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur
Business Model Generation features powerful strategic tools and ideas to change up a business’s model and plan for whatever tomorrow brings. Whenever an organization needs to adapt to a new market, a strategy that is different than anything before is key. Acting as handbook for leaders and visionaries, the book strives to put a new spin on outdated business models. It also includes a beautiful, highly visual design that was co-created by 470 “Business Model canvas” practitioners from 45 different countries.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this book to future leaders:
Popular companies worldwide use many of the techniques and strategies found in this book, including 3M and Deloitte. This book would definitely be recommended for any business professional that is ready to break the mold or change the rules regarding their business strategy. If this topic is new to readers, Business Model Generation is easy to pick up, a one-stop resource for a variety of broad strategies that would otherwise require going through multiple books. Its visual presentation is simple to follow and presents critical points well without the reader getting lost like many other business books.
Cydcor's favorite part:
This book was written within the last five years, so many of the strategies still ring true today. Case studies bring up interesting examples of businesses that reworked their business strategy for the better, such as Amazon’s large focus on online services and Apple’s line of mobile products. Many businesses today rely on the Internet economy, and this book doesn’t fall short of covering ways in which to make the most of reaching customers on the online. Combined with its easy-to-read visual aspects, Business Model Generation is another great addition to the list of books for potential business leaders.
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As the halfway mark for 2015 approaches, it’s time to reflect on the best business books that have been released so far this year!
For more business book recommendations, check out Cydcor Reviews!
Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth, and Impact the World by Peter H. Diamandis
Bold is an exciting how-to guide on creating wealth while still having a positive effect on lives around the world. The book is divided into three parts: part one is about technology that is allowing entrepreneurs to run their companies faster than ever. Part two focuses on psychology and insights from billionaire entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Elon Musk. Finally, the book closes with opportunities to make the most of the connectivity between people today.
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams
An autobiography by Mr. Adams, this book covers how he went from constant failure to creating one of the most famous comic strips in the world—“Dilbert.” Adams shares his strategy for dealing with failure and how you can use it to your benefit. Advice regarding success and looking to others for inspiration allows any reader to see that failure doesn’t mean anything if you can bounce back.
Marissa Mayer and the Fight to Save Yahoo! by Nicholas Carlson
This is a book that covers the inside story of how Marissa Mayer became Yahoo!’s CEO in 2010, as well as her desperate fight to save one of the internet’s biggest icons. Mayer’s story is an inspirational one, showing that reinvigorating a tech company for modern times is possible if the right person is selected for the job.
No One Understands You and What to Do About It by Heidi Grant Halvorson
Have you ever felt you’re not getting through to the person you’re talking to or not coming across the way you intend? There are a few things to help with that. Heidi Grant Halvorson is a social psychologist and bestselling author who explains why we’re often misunderstood and how we can fix it.
I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time by Laura Vanderkam
Instead of relying on scattered stories, time management expert Laura Vanderkam set out to add hard data from women willing to share their work habits. Overall, the women worked less and slept more than they assumed they did. They made time for things that made them happy, fitting the pieces together like a puzzle. They focused on having a balance with their schedules that wouldn’t eliminate flexibility and spontaneity. With examples from hundreds of real women, Vanderkam proves that you don’t have to give up on the things you really want to live a fulfilling life.
About The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
If you’ve ever wondered what it truly means to be an effective executive, this is the book for you. Drucker states that the measure of an executive is their ability “to get things done.” This is a book that was written nearly forty years ago, but many of the principles of decision-making are still relevant today. Effectiveness isn’t something you’re born with. Every day, executives are faced with problems that help them develop their leadership skills. Unimportant tasks are systematically eliminated, allowing for more time to focus on things that are important.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this to future leaders:
Drucker lays out five simple but effective practices for an effective executive. These include time management, contributions to the organization, finding where and how to mobilize strength for best effect, choosing the right priorities, and putting them together with effective decision-making. The book also offers fresh and effective insight into regular business situations. Drucker constantly reminds leaders how scarce time is, and if it’s not managed, nothing else will be.
Our favorite part:
The Effective Executive is a great way to expand potential. As change only happens when the person is ready, it typically comes when a lack of change starts to have a negative affect on a leader’s work ethic. Executives need to be sympathetic thinkers, getting to the core of issues fast and effectively. If we reverse the order of activities to make the most of our time, results will almost always be better. Drucker echoes the main point of the book throughout: “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” If you only read one book about how to improve your personal effectiveness as an executive, you will find this to be a rewarding choice.
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About Choose Yourself! by James Altucher
This book stresses the point that with the way the world works today, it’s never been a better time to “choose yourself,” or make yourself into the success you’ve always wanted. The support and assistance that may have once been there for people to succeed is missing, and it’s up to us to choose our own destiny. Altucher has created the perfect guide through case studies, interviews, and his own inspiring story to get a person on track to where they truly want to be one day. By putting in the required effort to build one’s own personal path, a new future can be built from ways of the past.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this to future leaders:
Leaders will find value in this book whenever they feel a loss of confidence in their endeavors. Although success can’t be earned overnight, hard work and dedication are key to making it a reality. There’s a fire burning in every person, and you are the only one capable of cultivating it. The global economy has shifted, and it’s up to use to make adjustments to find success. Leaders will also find the combination of practicality and idealism valuable. Choose Yourself! is an approachable book with some teeth.
Our favorite part:
Altucher points out that in order to truly succeed, we need to understand the importance of mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional harmony. He offers useful advice on making these things possible for any business professional. The concepts presented are honest, challenging, accessible, and relatable to any aspiring entrepreneur. The book as a whole is encouraging due to its repeated focus on the importance of believing in yourself. Altucher also offers a daily practice routine for readers to mold to their own personal preference. All that is required is a solid amount of effort and belief that success can be achieved by working on ourselves.
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About The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
Hard Things is Ben Horowitz’s guide to things you don’t typically learn in business school. Most of this book is a summary of practical wisdom about handling the hardest problems related to starting a business. It may be exciting to jump into the business world, but it is difficult as well. Horowitz analyzes the different kinds of problems that leaders deal with today, even ones that people tend to not think about. This includes insights on managing, selling, investing, and developing a business. This is an ideal book for veteran entrepreneurs.
Why Cydcor recommends this to future leaders:
Horowitz never glorifies starting a business; he tells it straight that many people fail, and why. Many entrepreneurs or start up business owners will agree. It takes a certain type of person to succeed in this world, and that person must make hard decisions on a daily basis. Horowitz does great at defining what it means to be a CEO and summarizes it well. It requires courage to stand up for your decisions and to be able to sell others on your choices.
Our favorite part:
Although the book doesn’t make any guarantees, it’s still very insightful for anyone interested in seeing behind the scenes of the business world. What you hear on the news or read online is nothing close to the real thing. Someone would find a lot of value in this book if they planned to open a business in the near future. Horowitz is also a hip-hop fan, and he uses lyrics form his favorite songs to prove a few of his points. His playful attitude is a great way to understand difficult decision-making.
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About Non-Obvious: How to Think Different, Curate Ideas & Predict The Future by Rohit Bhargava
Non-Obvious is a road map for any professional to thinking outside the box. By analyzing the landscape of trending marketing and business tactics, the not-so-obvious solutions can be found. Although many companies try to throw many different strategies at the wall, hoping for new results, the correct answer is usually the most non-obvious. This book features strategies and case studies that many companies have used to reach the next level. It acts as the perfect guide to think differently than the competition, cultivate ideas correctly, and get stronger at looking at the bigger picture. What works today will not always work out tomorrow.
Why Cydcor recommends this to future leaders:
In order to do well in the business world today, business leaders must keep up with the latest trending strategies and understand how people will react in the future. Bhargava does an excellent job of combining visual thinking with business strategy, and this book acts as the perfect pilot to getting ahead of the pack. Leaders will appreciate the easiness of the read, as well as the author’s humorous take on why businesses are failing to look at an alternative approach.
Our favorite part:
Although this book has an adequate amount of useful substance, it really shines when examining trends that business predictors aren’t focusing on. These include what the popularity of “The Batkid” has taught audiences about creating a celebrity, and why brands are focusing on content marketing and customer experience. Bhargava focuses on a total of 15 trends to help readers analyze the changing landscape of how business works today, as well as how it may well work later. You can’t go wrong when planning for the future.
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About Artistry Unleashed: A Guide to Pursuing Great Performance in Work and Life by Hilary Austen & Roger Martin:
This book examines the importance of artistry in many professional careers, no matter what kind of vocation may be calling. Artistry Unleashed explores how artistry can help many professions (including painters, athletes, and scientists) put their passion to better use. Mastering the arts can lead to improvements in business, daily life, and education.
Why Cydcor recommends this to future leaders:
It can be tough to appreciate art when you’ve invested so much in objective thinking. Business and leadership requires a certain set of skills, but improving upon these skills isn’t the easiest job. This book is the perfect road map to taking artistry and applying it to aspects of life that we’d never think would work. Artistry Unleashed can help leaders find value in knowing how to turn their originality into something useful, beneficial, and innovative in their professional life.
Our favorite part:
Austen’s and Martin’s book acts as both an introduction and guide to characterizing artistic style, while also applying it to all aspects of life. The “knowledge system” is a term describing the collection of elements that generate artistic desire. In the book, this system is validated using a diverse set of artists and case studies.
For example, readers might learn about a photographer or a chef, how they used their artistic passion throughout their workday, and how that passion aids them in finding more motivation in their profession. The book serves as the perfect compliment to someone trying to find his or her artistic potential and how they might harness it to benefit their career.
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About Leading Outside the Lines: How to Mobilize the Informal Organization, Energize Your Team, and Get Better Results by Jon R. Katzenbach and Zia Khan
Focusing on the modern workplace, Leading Outside the Lines is a great book for managers and leaders who are looking for success with their team. Katzenbach is one of the better sources for tips on organization and leadership, and this book is a great example. It’s tough to find success with organization in the 21st century, but looking at the right research and striving to live a life with value can help discover that success. Katzenbach also offers great guidelines for company leaders and provides examples of companies that use these strategies, including New York City schools systems and Home Depot.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this to future leaders:
Developing skills on how to think correctly about the informal systems at work is key for many business owners today. This book provides a well-written overview for developing these informal aspects of any organization. Since the book reflects the current times, most notably the advent of social media and its affect on organization. This is a great book for people who will find benefits in becoming a better leader.
Our favorite part:
Most management books find it difficult to simplify the challenges that workplace cultures tend to face. Katzenbach and Khan provide a clear explanation of ways to tackle this type of culture. Being a manger is far from easy, but this book is a great place to start if you lead a team and need a way to think outside the box. The case studies are great examples that can be applied for any organization and are just one of the book’s many strengths. Cydcor recommends this book for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills.
About The 24-Hour Customer: New Rules for Winning in a Time-Starved, Always-Connected Economy
The 24-Hour Customer argues that corporations need to pay more attention and strategize around the customer’s time and attention in the world today. Customers live in a world where time is tough to come by. Author Adrian Ott explores why customers can devour hours to social networks, but still feel they have no time to get things done. The book is filled with many case studies, including lessons from Amazon, and gives great tips on making the most of the time a company can hold a customer’s attention.
Why Cydcor recommends this to Future Leaders:
As the world continues to evolve, so does our time to do things that we love. Consumers are thrown brand new information on an hourly basis, and don’t have the patience to wait on anything that’s slowing them down. Ott offers a great amount of insights and recommendations to make an impact on consumers in our world today.
Our favorite part:
Adrian Ott has written an amazing guide that is efficient and cuts right to the chase of why time matters. She is one of the most sough-after strategists in Silicon Valley, and this book validates that prestigious standing. The book includes in-depth research and detailed findings that demonstrate how time has increasingly become valuable to consumers and has had a large effect on why consumers make the decisions they do. Our favorite part has got to be the great case studies, the standouts being Netflix and FreshDirect.
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Here is Cydcor's Review of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard:
About Switch:
Switch is a story-driven narrative of why making changes to our everyday lives is difficult, but worth the trouble. This can be applied to companies, communities, and our own personal lives. Switch demonstrates that a successful change can be completed, and the steps you take to make that change can be applied to any other change you’d like to make as well. All it takes is creating a game plan that aligns well with changes that can result in the success we’ve always wanted to achieve.
Why Cydcor recommends this to future leaders:
The business world is tough, especially these days. Although it may be difficult, a few small changes can make a world of difference. The authors do a great job of explaining why change is important, and that it’s achievable. The motivation to want to change comes from one half of our mind; the other half wants to stay the same. By having a balance, any positive change can be achieved. It’s up to leaders today to realize this, and make these kinds of changes a reality.
Our favorite part:
Switch uses great examples of every day people that mastered balancing the two minds – and achieved excellent results. One of these stories regards a manager who took his customer-support team to the next level. Without spoiling anything, the manager removed a tool that most customer service teams use regularly. This resulted in a positive change for the company, creating the customer support team that customers have always wanted. By providing these examples, the authors showcase that anything is possible, if we’re willing to make the changes necessary for success.
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The following is a review by a Cydcor employee of For Better or For Work: A Survival Guide for Entrepreneurs and Their Families by Meg Cadoux Hirshberg.
About For Better or For Work:
This book is a remarkable guide to navigating the perfect balance of entrepreneurial business building, while still being able to enjoy a happy life at home. Hirshberg continually reminds readers that this is no easy feat, and will require great amounts of effort. Very few people have mastered running a business successfully with a balanced personal life, but the tips found in this book can get any person on the right track. For Better or For Work is a reminder that a balancing both lives is possible, using small successes that can be simple to find.
Why Cydcor recommends this to future leaders:
Entrepreneurship can be a stressful career choice. Late nights, extravagant scheming, and taking chances are all aspects of being a great entrepreneur. This book gives practical advice on building your support system together to maximize motivation and determination. Family and friends can sometimes take a back seat to an entrepreneur when they’re focused. For Better or For Work is a wake up call for any entrepreneur to spend their time more wisely, and be able to have the personal relationships they’re looking for. Any aspiring leader can find beneficial advice in this book.
Our favorite part:
Meeting challenges are difficult for all relationships, personal or professional. Hirshberg outlines useful tips on how to handle things when they get tough, like when a startup fails or a company owner resigns due to a serious illness. There are plenty of books and articles to help an entrepreneur and their company exceed; this book instead focuses on succeeding with interpersonal relationships, while still balancing the hectic life of an entrepreneur.
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