Summer Reading for Marketers

Why do we think that there are more hours in the day during the summer time?  Must be the longer days and the distant memories of being lazy and care-free.

Whatever the reason, I piled up a summer reading list that I’m still working through that I thought you might enjoy at least ast much as I did.

More than a Minute.  How to Be an Effective Leader and Manager in Today’s Changing World by Holly Green

If you’re familiar with the “One Minute Manager”, then this book will be no surprise for you.  Holly Green was the former president of The Ken Blanchard Companies and now works with Fortune 500 organizations.  The wonderful thing about this book is that it’s all those management basics you may have thrown to the side because the world “is so different now.”  Pick this one up and read a few pages every day.

Creating Competitive Advantage by Jaynie L. Smith

This is a critical book for every small business owner and job seeker today.  We marketers like to go on and on about differentiation.  But competitive advantage is like differentiation with a kick of reality.  Janie Smith will help you figure out what’s true and unique about your business.  This little tid bit of knowledge will not only set you apart, but will answer the question of why anyone should choose YOU instead of someone else.

The Facebook Era. Tapping Online Social Networks to Build Better Products, Reach New Audiences and Sell More Stuff by Clara Shih

There are hundreds of books out there on social networks, most of them are written by self-described gurus who have only played online and worked a few things out.  There are very few books written from the perspective of someone who has actually been part of building these networks.  Clara Shih has actually created the first business application on Facebook – so she knows what she’s talking about.  This book is loaded with case studies and examples and will give you real perspective of where social media for business is going.