I did a LOT of reading last year. While some of it was actually listening (to audio books) and some was reading on the iPad, most of it (and still my favourite mode) was done with a highlighter and postit notes in hand and a paper book. The BOOKED for Lunch series of webinars is basically ME, interviewing some of the best business book authors and YOU participating and improving your business knowledge. Perhaps you even have some lunch while listening. In preparation for the BOOKED for Lunch webinar series, I read 10 great business titles, each one of them adding new tools to my business toolkit. Over 7,000 of you spent those lunch hours with me listening to these author interviews (and that number doesn’t include those that listened to playbacks on iTunes). You dropped in to the webinar from your desks and mobile devices from all over the country to hear the authors themselves. You tweeted along the way, made comment and offered feedback. And, I thank you. These webinars are very rewarding to present. Here are the 10 books we featured this year. They’re not in order of preference. I recommend you add them all to your library. (Where a link to the recording was easily accessible I have added it so that you can take a listen.)
The Zappos Experience – Joseph Michelli
What is it about Zappos that makes their customers so delighted? Author Joseph Michelli was granted full access to employees across the organisation and shared the strategies that Zappos on this webinar which was proved to be our most popular BOOKED for Lunch topic for the year. — This is a great book for any team to study together. One team reported: “12 staff members around the boardroom table to listen to webinar and then discuss the webinar (over assorted sandwiches) :)”
The Power of Foursquare – Carmine Gallo
Location-based marketing lets you provide targetted offers and develop more meaningful interactions between your customers and your products and services. Millions of times a day, people use the mobile networking application foursquare to check in and share where they are. Whether checking out a new restaurant, meeting up with friends, or visiting a favourite store, they are recording and sharing their experiences. — I’m a foursquare fan and while it’s not been adopted by Australian businesses at the rate it has been in the USA, Carmine’s lessons on mobile were invaluable. One listener said: ” I had pretty much given up on using foursquare for many of my clients as they are non location based businesses. The webinar gave me some great ideas on how they may be able to capitalise on this. “
Pitch Anything – Oren Klaff
Oren Klaff teaches you how to set the frame of your argument, control the agenda to your advantage, pull back just when the audience leans forward – and take home the purse. He explains the steps towards creating a potent cocktail for conquering the deal. His method helped an investment banker raise $400 million. — Oren was very direct and his tough negotiation skills were translated into steps any business owner can take and use. One reader said: “More than what was expected, really enjoyed the frankness and information in which it was delivered.”
Digital Leader – Erik Qualman
Digital leaders are made, not born — you have it within you to become an effective digital leader. As a leader in the digital age, your reach is boundless. With advanced technologies, you can exert more direct and indirect influence than ever before–anywhere at any time. And everything you do, fail to do, and wish you didn’t do is documented forever in the digital universe. — It was wonderful to have Erik back. He’d been my guest on a podcast when his first bestseller, Socialnomics, was released. What I enjoyed most about this book was that he asked the reader to look at themselves rather than the tools that are available to them and he encouraged personal development. The webinar also offered practical tips, as commented on here: “I like learning leadership tips that help me be more efficient.”
The End of Business as Usual – Brian Solis
The End of Business As Usual proposes a new approach to business based on trends in the mobile web, social media, gamification and real-time technologies. This approach focuses on engaging consumers as co-creators of brands using social media and networking devices. — There was so MUCH in this book that I struggled to bring the questions down to the number that would fit into a one-hour webinar. Brian was very gracious and thorough in his responses.
The Power of Unpopular – Erika Napoletano
Every successful brand in history is inherently unpopular with a specific demographic. Somewhere along the way, people felt they had to be popular in order to be successful, when in fact, the opposite is true. The brands playing in the space you want to dominate have already figured out the inherent power of being unpopular. In The Power of Unpopular, you’ll discover the difference between flash-in-the-pan brand tactics and those designed to place you miles above the competition. — I met Erika at the SXSW conference in March and was so moved by her presentation I ‘locked her in’ as soon as I could as a BOOKED for Lunch speaker. The black sheep in me could relate to the message in this book. Erika, you’re a sweetie and a professional and I loved working with you. The webinar was a hit with listeners, one of whom told us that she thought Erika provided “sharp, intelligent and witty answers” to the interview questions. We agree.
Your Best Just Got Better – Jason Womack
How did you spend your time today? What did you do really well? Were you running behind for every meeting? Feeling stressed? Constantly struggling to maintain your focus? If your performance today was your best, then it’s time to make your best better. Working longer hours doesn’t make up for a flawed approach to productivity and performance. Productivity expert Jason Womack believes that we need to clarify our habits, build mind-set based strategies and be proactive. — This was one of my favourite books for the year as it was a ‘right place, right time’ kind of situation. I was very overwhelmed by my many todos and projects at the time and Jason’s work helped my get more clarity and direction.
Power Stories – Valerie Khoo
What are Power Stories? What makes them so effective? And why do you need eight of them? Prepare to harness the lost art of storytelling as you transform your brand into an icon and your customers into loyal advocates! — Stories to tell on your website, about your passion, when at networking events. Valerie’s clear message is an important one for businessowners who want to differentiate themselves from the noise. We’re fans, Val!
Killing Giants – Stephen Denny
Being small could be the greatest advantage for a business that employs the right strategies against their rivals. Small businesses can move, change, control the message and use speed as a competitive weapon against big business. — This webinar focused on how the underdog can become the wonderdog! Regardless of your size, you can outsmart the competition by using Stephen’s 10 Goliath-topping strategies.
The Impact Equation – Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
Are you making things happen? Or are you just making noise? How do you make people truly care about what you do and what you have to say?
- Have you got great ideas but are unsure which platform best suits your message?
- Do you have access to great platforms but are unclear on your goals?
- Do you have a great way with people but you’re ideas are not solid?
— We loved having Chris back on BOOKED for Lunch. As the description above suggests, we stripped away some of the the fallacies about social media and focused on what really matters if you want to put your stamp on the world. “Enjoyed Chris’ perspective on packaging your quirks to create contrast and including the emotional aspect to your content – a different way of doing business. Also his emphasis on serving your customer and making it easier for your buyer. Good stuff! “ I trust those that listened in to the webinars felt like they’d received the precious gift of education from these talented and generous authors. I hope you’ll take my recommendation and get a hold of these books. They’re an important part of my library.
2012 BOOKED for Lunch – Look who’s coming
We are thrilled to welcome Guy Kawasaki, Seth Godin and Daniel Pink as our first three guests for 2013. Thrilled. Thrilled. Guy joins us on 31 January to present on his book APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur – How To Publish A Book. Seth joins us on 12 February to coincide with the local launch of The Icarus Deception, which is receiving rave reviews already in the US. And Daniel Pink launches To Sell is Human with us on 26 March. (Registrations for Daniel’s event open soon.) I hope you’ll join us. Suzi
