About Competitive Advantages: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance by Michael E. Porter

This book looks in-depth at the foundations of building a competitive advantage over the business competition. Competitive Advantage introduces a new way of thinking about what a company does. Porter shows how competitive advantage can be found through the efforts of the company, but also the efforts of the company’s customers. Competitive Advantage also provides the tools to build a strategy that works and set yourself apart from the opposition. Competitive Advantages has helped countless companies and business school students understand where competition comes from.

Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this book to future leaders:

A competitive advantage is the key to a company's performance in different markets. This is very important in today's global markets where companies must compete against others around the world. The book explains how a business can build and sustain a competitive advantage. In particular, the book bridges the gap that many companies have between creating a strategy and implementing it. The book is a critical read for leaders who play a part in their business’s strategy and for students studying strategic management.

Our favorite part:

The book highlights the need for every aspect of a company to play a role in creating a competitive advantage. Production, marketing, finance, human resources, and others all play essential roles for a business. Porter describes how a firm can put the three generic competitive strategies of leadership, differentiation, and focus into practice. Even if you're not a business-school-type, there is much value to find in this book. It'll also give you a useful framework for studying what your business is doing right and wrong, where it’s vulnerable, and how it relates to the rest of the market. This is key to really find a competitive advantage.

Cydcor is the worldwide recognized leader in outsourced sales teams and customer satisfaction.

When a business can deliver quality customer satisfaction on a regular basis, they tend to have a greater advantage over the competition. A good experience with a company encourages consumers to go with them again and builds company loyalty. When customers are satisfied, so too is the company that provides for them. Building customer satisfaction and reducing customer overturn is a long and sometimes difficult process. Taking the time to focus on boosting employee satisfaction can help drive sales by providing a friendly, professional, and engaging customer experience.

Listening is key to effective customer satisfaction. Not only does it have potential to boost profits, but it shows that you genuinely care about customers. Listening to their words and tone can tell you many things about the target audience of your business. If you can’t respond immediately to their inquiries, be sure to provide a timeline for response and make a note in to do so. Following up is also key to checking for customer satisfaction and completion. Customers have an expectation of the kind of attention and service that is delivered to them. Always strive to deliver quality results.

Excellent employee training can help customer satisfaction quite a bit. Customers can often tell the difference between an untrained employee who doesn’t care much about their wishes and one who provides consistent service and unmatched attention. Companies need employees who are flexible and can understand why customers are buying their services or products. Unfortunately, customers tend to get a company representative who cannot see the big picture with the company’s goals.

Intuitively, people who are at first exposed to customer satisfaction findings believe that the way forward is to examine individual customer responses and deal with each of them in turn. Salespeople understandably want to visit customers who have given them a low score and put them right. However, this isn’t the best approach. Professionals should take a look at the overall score of client feedback and use that to go forward. Typically, employees make the same mistakes with all customers, and these can be corrected easily. Looking at the whole picture and not just a section will always get you farther.

Building customer satisfaction isn’t an easy road, but it can make professional lives much easier. The way forward is to deal with problems within the system and not just focus on individual issues. A company should always seriously look into how they want to handle customer satisfaction. The company that puts a larger emphasis on this tends to do well.

For more information about Cydcor, visit us Flickr!

Since retiring from General Electric in 2001, Jack Welch has stayed busy. Welch led the company for forty years, challenging the competition and learning the best ways to run a large company successfully. With Winning, Welch has written the bible of business, examining the answers to the most difficult challenges people run into on the job and in their personal lives. Welch's words speak to people at every level of business, no matter the size of the company or the importance of the role. Welch's optimistic, no excuses, get-it-done mind-set keeps readers engaged. Winning offers deep insights and solutions to the problems that many people in business face today.

Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this book to future leaders:

Welch begins Winning with an introductory section called "Underneath It All," which describes his business philosophy. He explores the importance of values, candor, differentiation, and voice and dignity for all. Those interested in the human side of great leaders will find this last section especially appealing. In it, Welch answers the most interesting questions that he's received in the last several years while traveling the globe addressing audiences of executives and business school students. Perhaps the funniest question in this section comes at the very end, posed originally by a businessman in Frankfurt, who queried Welch on whether he thought he'd go to heaven (we won't give away the ending). Welch's down-to-earth writing style that helps you understand these timeless principles in a fresh way. As you're reading, you can almost picture him speaking the words in some business school auditorium or a Fortune 100 management retreat.

Our favorite part:

The bulk of Winning is devoted to real situations that many run into while working in business, and it’s split into three sections. The first section analyzes the company, from leadership to choosing employees who can make change happen. The second section looks outside at the competition, with chapters on different strategies that work. The final section of the book, arguably the most important, is about taking your career to the next level. This includes finding the perfect job and achieving a solid work-life balance.

Making the most of feedback, positive or negative, is a crucial skill for professionals, especially those that are on the Cydcor team. In order for us to grow, we must know what we’re doing right, but also we need to know what we can improve on. It can be tough to accept feedback because it’s coming from an outside source. We’re used to doing things a certain way, and when someone says it should be done in a different manner, we can get defensive. Accepting feedback isn’t the easiest task, but with experience, we can make the most of it. Here are three steps to accepting feedback:

Listen. Be attentive and listen carefully to what this person is saying. This communicates that you value the feedback, and it ensures that you understand the feedback being provided. Everyone deserves to be heard, so always give people a chance.

Assess. Either the feedback will support the work you’ve been doing, or go against it. If it’s positive, then you have earned another supporter. If it’s critical, you either go with it or go against it.

Negative feedback can hold within it a lot of useful information that is simply too valuable to ignore. Sometimes even when you agree with the contrary feedback, you will be inclined to defend your position. Don’t waste time on this sort of defense! Accept the feedback, analyze its value, and apply it.

Act. If you ask for feedback but do not apply it, then there wasn’t much reason to ask for it in the first page. Take action as soon as possible after you receive feedback, and show your appreciation. If we aren’t able to at least consider some changes after receiving feedback, there’s no point in hearing it at all.

A key thing to remember about accepting feedback: it is one opinion coming from another individual's perspective. It is up to you thoughtfully reflect about it, compare it to other feedback you have received, and do something about it. It’s extremely difficult for us to see ourselves as others see us, but it’s also very important that we don't allow blinders to get in the way of opportunity. As you learn more about yourself, feedback will become less painful. You will learn how to put it into a larger perspective and how to use it to better yourself for the future. Feedback is honestly one of the best gifts to receive from colleagues, and us at Cydcor always try to make the most of it.

A few sentences will rarely ever change our lives for the better. It’s up to us to go out every day and actively seek a better self. Words are just words, but when applied to our behavior in life, they can create a new meaning. The following are excellent quotes that are meant to not only inspire, but to help others think about the potential they have within. In Cydcor’s opinion, these are the most inspirational quotes ever spoken:

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill

Putting things off until later or waiting to start a positive habit on Monday never gets us anywhere positive. Time is never going to be perfect; take action today to start seeing results.

“Do What You Can, where you are, with what you have.” – Teddy Roosevelt

Many people fall victim to feeling helpless, so Roosevelt makes a good point. Doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re located, or how much wealth you have. Do anything you can to keep yourself growing toward positive habits.

“Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.” – Arthur Christopher Benson

Changing habits and things you don’t like about yourself is key, compared to just moving to a new place. Although there will be benefits to starting somewhere new, no real change can happen if you don’t look in the mirror and see what needs to be changed first.

“The creation of a thousand is in one acorn.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quotes is largely focused on potential. We tend to look at tough situations and automatically think there’s not much to work with. The potential of each little step we take to better ourselves means a lot. The moral of the story is that big things come in small packages.

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand

Never worry how life is going to working out. The only thing we ever need to worry about is if we are putting in the necessary effort. Ayn Rand makes an excellent point that it should never be a question of if what we’re doing is the correct path. Trust in yourself and never let anything get in your way of fulfilling your dreams.

“Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

This is a great quote that speaks to taking the action necessary for any situation. If change is what we seek, it’s required for us to put in the effort. Never just dream about where you could be; get out there and get where you want to be today.

Cydcor here, for all your business, sales, and leadership advice!

The amount of companies and brands on social media continues to grow. A large part of reaching an online audience requires excellent social media skills, and companies only hire the best to represent their online interests. The following are a few tips to remember when managing a company profile on social media, and how you can grow your company page into something bigger and noteworthy.

Consistency is Key

Posting on a consistent basis is the first step to managing a company page well. No one wants to follow a company that only updates their account once a month. Post updates on a regular basis, but don’t post so much that you annoy your followers. Balance is always the best way to handle things.

Establish a Voice

A company page’s updates should have a professional voice that can still be approachable. While your posts should be consistent, it’s also important to note the way sentences are phrased and whether or not they fall in line with the voice your company represents. Depending on the type of audience, an online voice can be playful or stern. Realizing which one suits you best is key to establishing a good rapport with followers.

Check out Cydcor on Flickr for our latest photos of company events and office going-ons!

Know Your Audience

Who are your followers? An online audience on social media for a company is typically made up of fans, employees, family members of employees, and potential employees. Be sure to tailor updates to each part of your body of followers. It’s also a good idea to take note of what times of day you receive the best engagement--use this to guide when you post in the future.

Be Respectful

The worst thing that can happen on social media is to offend a large part of an audience and receive negative feedback. Always try to play it safe while still taking chances and being innovative. Audiences like brands that have a sense of humor but are still respectful of everyone’s feelings.

Showcase the People Who Make Up the Company

People who follow your pages want to know more about the people that make up your company. Be sure to showcase any office goings-on or charitable events. These posts tend to do very well with engagement.

Are you a big pinner on Pinterest? Follow Cydcor today!

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.

For more updates from Cydcor, head over to our website at https://www.cydcor.com.

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.

Head over to Cydcor on CareerBuilder for our latest job openings.

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.

Check out Cydcor's latest photos on our Flickr photostream.

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.

Keep up with what Cydcor is up to by checking us out on Flickr!