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I read a lot. I guess I’m trying to make a good impression on my kids, to get them to read more. Actually, both my boys are pretty good readers, but hey, a little ‘positive modeling’ can’t hurt, right?
To be sure, I ended up in 2008 with a lot of books I bought but didn’t get all the way through. And that’s the way it is with books. Most books are never read all the way through. So if you make it completely through a book, it’s usually written well enough to hold your interest! Here are the best business-oriented books I actually read all the way through this year. I have a number of others with book-marks that I intend to finish at some point – but these are the winners, and in my opinion, worth readying.
Dave Lakhani -The Power of an HourPower of An Hour: Business and Life Mastery in One Hour A Week What can you get done in an hour at a time? Well, according to Dave, quite a bit. This demonstrates the results you can get with some focus and self-discipline, and shows you how to do it.
Timothy Ferris – Four-Hour Work Week: I think this was the second-most entertaining and useful book I read all year. Even if I don’t ever get my work week down to four hours (Oh, man!), I found several ideas in here that I immediately put to good use.
Mike Michalowicz – Toilet Paper Enterpreneur: This one tops my list for most fun and useful book of 2008. It’s sassy, crude and rude, but ultimately Mike shows us the way to make it work. if you’re in a small business and trying to make it from one week to the next, this is packed full of excellent ideas. Plus with his attitude, which comes across loud and clear, he makes no bones about slapping you around a bit if you don’t put your mind and heart and soul into it – with effort. A terrific book. I’ve got a podcast interview set up with Mike and he’s looking to feature us on his blog soon (although that all happened AFTER I finished the book). So look for more about the TPE soon.
Michael Port seems to be one of the more genuine authors in the business world. Plus he’s becoming quite prolific. I think he just published his 4th or 5th book. This is his first, and shows his understanding of small business entrepreneurs and how to present your value to prospects and customers. I’m in the middle of his second book now, and looking forward to more.
David Allen – Getting Things DoneGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Yes this has been out for a few years, but I only heard of it this year. Need to figure out how to organize your life? Read this book.
Richard Maxwell and Robert Dickman – The Elements of PersuasionThe Elements of Persuasion: Use Storytelling to Pitch Better, Sell Faster & Win More Business Extremely entertaining and useful. If you’re a writer or speaker, adding stories to your pitches is the best way to become memorable (Roger and I have taught this for years). Maxwell and Dickman tell great stories and show you how to come up with your own.
I also read Malcom Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point” and *“Blink”*this year. Cool books, highly recommended. Gladwell is probably the best journalist going these days and everyone should read both of these books.
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2009-01-06
Tim and Roger discuss upcoming projects, speaking engagements, camping in a yurt and how important social media will be to your business success in 2009.
See our show notes for upcoming speaking engagements in Salem with Cascade Employers Association.
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Total Run Time » 13:15
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2009-01-06
In a quick look back, Tim ‘Gonzo’ Gordon checks up on some of our favorite interviews of the past year.
First, Tim discusses the aspects of training and seminars with long-time seminar teacher Phil
Stella, to uncover the differences (and similarities) between a keynote
or luncheon speech and a seminar.
Public Speaking Coach Lisa
Braithwaite talks about how she works with clients to help them become better
communicators and public speakers.
Former classic rock DJ in Houston Dayna
Steele discusses her new book “Rock To The Top: What I Learned about
Success from the World’s Greatest Rock Stars.”
Dayna also unveils some strategies on how to get booked for speaking gigs,
and what it takes to put on a great presentation – which gets you more
bookings!
Dentist Dr.
Joe Capista discusses his business and life success and his new book, and
how public speaking plays a big part in his success and life satisfaction.
Roger
Steffens is probably best known for his 2-hour multi-media show “The
Life of Bob Marley.” He tours the world giving the presentation.
This is a fairly long and meandering conversation with Roger, who’s written a number of books, hosted a long-running reggae show in Los Angeles, narrated
audio books, been an actor and more.
When he and I met up in March a his home in Los Angeles, I asked about interviewing him about his new book, the “Reggae Scrapbook.” But when I told
him about Communication Steroids and that it may be fun to interview him about his public speaking career, he jumped at the chance.
“No one has ever interviewed me about my public speaking!”
So I did, we did and it was a gas.
Kathleen
Gage is an award-winning public speaker; here she discusses her early days
in public speaking and some of her thoughts on what it takes to succeed in public
speaking.
John
Fallon has an astounding self-published book out, which is really a curriculum
on how to teach public speaking. It’s aimed at high school teachers, but anyone
who wants to learn about or teach public speaking will benefit from this great
resource.
Terry
Brock: An in-person interview as Terry stops by Salem, Oregon for a quick
meal and discussion about marketing – and captured it on video.
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Total Run Time » 6:33
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-12-23
Seriously, you probably don’t have enough time in a day to check in with all of those places. Or even to figure out which ones should be on your stopping list.
It’s crazy, all of this Social Media networking. Even to someone who’s been involved for a few years with Facebook, MySpace and more recently with Twitter and FriendFeed, it’s a hard call: how should I spend my time? And what should my objective be?
If you are just having a little fun connecting with friends, then have fun, Twitter all day, check in with Facebook and MySpace whenever the mood strikes you.
But if you are hoping to capitalize on the networking opportunities to bring folks into your business world and expose them to your products and services, it takes more than random postings.
Yup, you need an education.
First place I stopped (well, recently anyway) was Why Facebook? (http://whyfacebook.com/) by Mari Smith: Social Networking for Fun and Profits. Just reading a handful of posts will help you bone up on ways to built interactivity within your Facebook page(s), show you how to create a ‘Group’ page and more. All good stuff.
One of our favorite folks in the world of Publicity is Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound. She’s always looking for things on the cutting edge, and now has a new audio program that can explain in detail How to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business or Non-Profit.
You can get the programs in either MP3 or audio CD with the electronic transcripts.
Lots to learn if you want to effectively spend your time in the Social Media world.
Make sure you’re learning the right things and getting the most out of your investment of time, energy and money. After all, that’s really what we’re putting into our life to get back the things we want, right?
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-12-20
Every time you put your fingers onto a keyboard, jot a few thoughts and publish, you’re revealing a bit of yourself. It’s been said that writing is the way to wealth, so if that’s the case, how are your writing skills? Tim ‘Gonzo’ Gordon and Roger Pike discuss writing styles for the various outlets you may encounter.
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Total Run Time » 12:07
Communication Steroids :: Show Liner Notes On This Date: 2008-12-16
What can you get done in an hour at a time? Well, according to Dave, quite a bit. This demonstrates the results you can get with some focus and self-discipline, and shows you how to do it.
