Wednesday Morning Musings... Business Books

      

I was reading an article yesterday that talked about a must read business book - "The Innovator's Solution". All I could think about was, here we go again. I've heard so many people telling me that I had to read these "must read" business books. From "Good to Great", "The Tipping Point", "Blink", whatever the hot book of the month is. This is my take on most "hot" business books. They're garbage. I mean, sure, they provide some insight, but that's only in the first few pages/chapters of the book. Literally. I put down about half the business books I read because I can't stand the reiteration of points compounded with the most common sense advice you've ever heard. So here's my advice. If you're writing a business book - cut it down by at least half. Write it in Cliff's Notes form. Entrepreneurs don't have the patience. And if you're a business book fan. Don't jump on the bandwagon and tell me to read this month's NYT Bestselling business book, unless it's really worth it.

I recently read "The Starbuck's Experience" and "Search" - and I had to put both of them down. They weren't particularly bad. But midway through I'd had enough - as has happened with so many others before them. I will happily plug two essential business books though that I think are great! One of them is "Winning" by Jack Welch. Say what you want about the way Jack's management style outwardly appeared or the way his personal life turned out - the book and his lessons are great. Also - this one may be a little bit of a reach for some of you, but "The Diamond Cutter" by Geshe Michael Roach. It's a Buddhist approach to doing business. Basically, it discusses business ethics with a Buddhist twist. And yes, Buddhists can make money - and he makes a ton of it - so don't be turned off by that. Also - it's a book you can constantly refer to throughout the years. I find myself picking it up every now and again to be reminded about some of the principles in the book. You don't need to follow everything it says, but it provides some good guidance.