Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. A solution to a thorny problem is likely right in front of you, but you know how easily things can be overlooked and that can cost money. So counteract any oversight. Fix the issue by looking for these great business books …
It’s human nature to have occasional weak points in attention. Fatigue and familiarity happen. But read “Unseen: Blind Spots and Why We Miss What Matters Most” by David Lewis and Keelan Leyser (Bloomsbury Sigma, $28) and look again.
Magicians love that you don’t notice things, as do snake oil salesmen. But your customers? Not so much. Here, you’ll learn how inattention shapes the world and how you can spot problems and overcome them for yourself and your staff.
When was the last time you did a self-assessment? Whenever it was, “What Do You Really Stand For?” by Paul Ingram (Harvard Business Review Press, $32) will get you thinking again about your values, morals, integrity and how you want to present yourself. Knowing the answer to one single question could change your life. Ask it and it could change your business, too.
And when you’re done thinking about this book, take things further with “Q: The Hidden Power of Questions in a World That Wants Answers” by Lani Watson (Viking, $32).
How do you pose a good question, framing it properly to get a good answer? This book takes a look at queries, basic and not-so-simple, so you can learn to harness who, what, when, why and how in the most beneficial way.
So what is your company’s stance on social media? Twenty years ago, you barely had to think about it, but “The Story of Your Life: How Social Media Shapes the Way We Experience Everything” by Kathryn Jezer-Morton (Viking, $30) shows why this method of touching and keeping in touch is essential in today’s world.
By sharing her deep research and interviews with people in the know, Jezer-Morton explains how social media has become a soapbox and a podium, just limited to a handful of friends or pronounced to the world at large. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok even MySpace have all influenced the way we communicate and share. They’ve changed our language, our wants and our demands.
We can’t put this online cat back in the bag here, and this book will show you why you really don’t want to anyhow.
And, finally, if you’ve noticed a subtle (or not-so-subtle) imbalance in your team, “Fair Share: How Men and Women Can Create a More Equitable Workplace Together” by W. Brad Johnson (Harvard Business Review Press, $35) might be a good solution for you this fall. Learn why the status quo don’t work no mo and how looking for and enacting equality is better for all. For sure, making the workplace a better place can help the bottom line.
Not enough to fix your problems? Then check with your library or bookstore because of course you’d like a more prosperous business, wouldn’t you?
Terri Schlichenmeyer’s reviews of business books are read in more than 260 publications in the U.S. and Canada.