Finding the Best Business Books

It's been awhile since we've posted a book review, which must mean the books we have read (and recommended) are doing the trick--keeping us busy doing what we love! In the meantime, I wanted to share a resource I have found valuable when sorting through the massive quantity of business books available.

Jack Covert and Todd Sattersten of 800ceoread.com review 120 business books a year! WOW! That's a lot of reading and a lot of sorting through repetitious marketing drivel in search of relevant, practical information. They have also published a book, The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. I like the format of their book reviews and aspire to write so concisely about business books. They have made sorting through hundreds of reviews easy, finding a solution (or the book that contains the solution at least) a breeze!

In addition to reviews on their website, you'll also find a list of recent releases, audio interviews and their daily blog. I also like a sister website to this one, My Favorite Business Book. If you are a fellow business book geek, check it out. It's mini-reviews from readers like us.

Our Reading List

With several book reviews just about ready to share, here's a little something to tide you over. We've created a list of our favorite business and marketing books. You'll find it in the sidebar to the left.

We do make a few pennies from your purchase if you click through to Amazon. We will donate all of the proceeds to non-profits that are close to our hearts.

For the first quarter of 2009, any book sale profits will be donated to Operation Breakthrough, a KC organization that does so much for children living in poverty. It's one of my favorite places to entertain and they are super-appreciative folks. That makes giving easy!

In the second quarter of 2009, profits will be donated to Helping Hands, Monkey Helpers for the Disabled. A favorite of Laura's, this organization is a national nonprofit serving quadriplegic and other people with severe spinal cord injuries or mobility-impairments by providing highly trained monkeys to assist with daily activities. How great is that?!?

Watch for more book reviews soon and in the meantime, visit the list to the left to start building your library!

Business Books for the Balloon Community

Hi there. It's Laura Caldwell and Johnna Perry. We both love, love, love business books and we thought we'd share some with you. Originally we were going to do a BHQ column but we thought it would also be great to get some discussion going. So, here are our opinions on the first book, Michael Port's Book Yourself Solid.



Johnna:
Book Yourself Solid (or The Best $25 You Can Spend on Yourself, Your Business and Your Future)

As a skeptic of books that include the words marketing or selling on the cover, I did not expect to learn or like any of the information shared by author Michael Port. By the time I finished the first chapter, I had been propelled into a new thought process, one sure to push my business forward. That’s right—just one chapter of this book made a difference in how I think about marketing. As I completed the first chapter (and several written exercises), I was excited to dive deeper into this book...I had the can’t-put-this-book-down, I’m-staying-up-all-night-to-read-excitement!

Book Yourself Solid contains a simple system of 7 Core Self-Promotion Strategies, but more importantly it contains foundation and credibility building strategies. Self-promotion is pointless without having a strong foundation and being recognized as credible by those you provide service to. Perhaps this is where my disillusion with marketing and selling themed books began. I read at least one business book each month. There are many books sharing self-promotion strategies. How is this one different?? It’s different because the methods work! The reason those *other* methods fail is due to lack of foundation and credibility.

Michael Port states in this book that he was never comfortable marketing via traditional paths, such as the Chamber of Commerce or networking events where the goal is to shove your business card into as many stranger’s hands as possible. After reading this book, I know it is possible to never again attend one of those dreadful events—it was explained step by step! It’s a relief to know it is possible to market in better ways and skip the speed networking/yawn fest events. Also included with the book is access to a downloadable workbook. The exercises require thought, plenty of writing and a lot of action. Be prepared to exit your comfort zone and get ready for a new way of thinking…one that WORKS!

As an added bonus, I have found a network of authors and service providers connected with the author. Buy the book, do the exercises, sign up on his website and listen to every word he says. He is well-connected to other experts that will change the way you think about the service you provide to your clients. Since reading the book, I’ve listened to podcasts, read free e-books and attended tele-seminars, all from authors suggested by the author. He is a wealth of knowledge and willingly shares it.

So there you have it, my first two-thumbs up, four bags of popcorn, five star review. I can’t believe you are still reading this instead of running out to buy this book! Now go on….get moving…


Laura:
When I first read this book, it was a confirmation of how I’d been running my business for the last few years. Michaels’ “Red Rope Policy” really rang a bell with me.

After Michael spoke at Diamond Jam, I’ve been actually going through the workbook. I completely agree with what Johnna said (she just beat me to it).

Get this book. Do all of the exercises. You’ll learn some things about yourself you may not be ready to know, but if you want to be a successful businessperson (and a successful artist), you need to go here. It’s a great book to read and it’s inspiring but you’re throwing away most of the incredible value of this book by not doing the exercises.

I give it 5 stars.