Top Business Books For 2012 – John Goodpaster

Last year was a great year for nonfiction business books, but if you didn’t get a chance to read as many as you would have liked, here are several to add to your 2013 reading list. From a study on human habit to the strengths of introverts in the workplace to a new approach to customer service, the books listed below will keep you entertained and intellectually stimulated.

THE POWER OF HABIT: WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO IN LIFE AND BUSINESS, CHARLES DUHIGG (2012)

We think we do, but much of the time we really don’t make decisions. We do what we’ve done before, and that makes us less productive, less effective, less healthy and fit–less everything–than we could be. Be honest: Don’t you have at least a few habits you’d like to change? Here’s how. -Jeff Haden, Inc

In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explores how habits shape our lives —and how savvy businesses can shape them. Febreeze, for instance, flopped when it launched as an odor killer, because, as Duhigg says, “the people who needed it, who lived with nine cats, had adapted to (it).” After noticing that people look proud after making their beds–a habit to capitalize on–P&G rebranded the spray as a post-cleaning reward, one that now makes $1 billion a year. -FastCompany

THE ART OF THE SALE, PHILIP DELVES BROUGHTON (2012)

In “The Art of the Sale,” Broughton argues that sales might just be the noblest of business callings … Broughton knows that as customers we have all had terrible sales experiences, but he reminds us of an American tradition—stretching from Benjamin Franklin to Sam Walton—that considers sales the great leveler. “It holds that in a properly functioning democracy, no matter the condition of your birth, if you can sell, you can slice through any obstacles of class, status, or upbringing in a way inconceivable in more hidebound societies,” Broughton writes. “Selling well, in this view, is also a reflection of a healthy character. It means you are the sort of person people are drawn to—hardworking, clean living and trustworthy.” -L. Gordon Crovitz, The Wall Street Journal .

UNCOMMON SERVICE: HOW TO WIN BY PUTTING CUSTOMERS AT THE CORE OF YOUR BUSINESS, FRANCES FREI AND ANNE MORRISS (2012)

Do you have the guts to disappoint customers? Many businesses don’t — and lose money kowtowing to demands. Great companies dare to make profitable tradeoffs rivals won’t risk, argue the authors. For example, despite its rock-bottom interest rates on savings accounts, Commerce Bank saw deposits rise in 2012. Why? It keeps many branches open seven days a week — a perk patrons love. -CNN money

QUIET: THE POWER OF INTROVERTS IN A WORLD THAT CAN’T STOP TALKING, SUSAN CAIN (2012)

While American culture and business tend to be dominated by extroverts, business consultant Cain explores and champions the one-third to one-half of the population who are introverts … Cain gives excellent portraits of a number of introverts and shatters misconceptions. For example, she notes, introverts can negotiate as well as, or better than, alpha males and females because they can take a firm stand “without inflaming [their] counterpart’s ego.” -Publishers Weekly .

If you prefer to listen instead of speak or you feel most creative when you’re alone rather than in a group, Quiet will help you not only embrace but also take advantage of those differences–and help you take advantage of all the people on your teams. And if you’re a classic extrovert, read it anyway: You’ll learn how to get the best from the rest of us … which means you’ll get more from yourself. -Jeff Haden, Inc

John Goodpaster _ Loan Officer

John Goodpaster can be reached at:

W.J. Bradley Mortgage Capital, LLC
Office: 949-729-9200 EX. 485
Cell: 949-291-4201
Fax: 949-272-3753

Editors Note: We have to toss is our parent publications also, How the Market On Facebook For Free, and The Easy Guide To Internet Marketing….

 

 

 

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