The Myth of Multitasking by Dave Crenshaw

subtitled: how doing it all gets nothing done

This is written in the business fable style popularized by Who Moved My Cheese.

In 100 pages and one quick exercise Crenshaw manages to convey why multitasking (which is actually switchtasking) is not as effective as people believe. My only complaint is the author didn’t really explain how background tasking (watching TV while folding laundry) can be effective. However, I think the point is that really 90% of what people consider multitasking is actually something called switchtasking, which is where you’re switching rapidly between two tasks, which is neither efficient or effective. The key is to schedule the interruptions you can control (such as regular meetings with key staff, only answering/responding to email or the phone at certain times) and to minimize your passive interruptions (the times you need to get up, think to look something up) and just focus on the task at hand.

This is a small book with a big impact. And I highly recommend it to everyone who juggles multiple things.

Get Motivated by Tamara Lowe

subtitled: overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal and accelerate your success with motivational DNA.

I liked the author’s explanation of the six factors which motivate you and related to my type, as revealed by the quiz in the book. The author’s chatty tone was pleasant at first, but I found it more grating as the book went on. I skipped the section on motivating kids since I don’t have any and thought had an odd placement in the book.

It’s an interesting premise and definitely worth a skim.

Basic Black by Cathie Black

subtitled: the essential guide for getting ahead at work (and in Life)

This was immensely readable, and compelling. Cathie offers practical advice sprinkled with anecdotes from her career as a magazine executive. Her advice was spot on and I enjoyed how each chapter was a major topic (such as leadership, attitude, passion).

Cathie is the president of Hearst Magazines, which publishes such titles as O: the Oprah magazine and Cosmopolitan. She was also president of USA Today when it was first starting up and also worked for Ms. Magazine when it was starting up. She has fascinating anecdotes about the media world she has worked in, and also a little bit of what is like to be a businesswoman at a time when there weren’t that many.
This was a great, uplifting and inspiring read which I would recommend to any fresh college graduate, as well as any female professional looking for some inspiration and a fresh look at their workplace skills.

The Cluetrain Manifesto by Rick Levine

I’m late to the game on this book too – which was published in 2001 and began as a website, talking about how the Internet is changing business.

I found it interesting and thought provoking, and while the Internet has changed a lot since this was published, the basic premise of the book does hold up.

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller

Subtitled: What to Really Ask Yourself to Eliminate Blame, Complaining, and Procrastination

The cover also says: “practicing personal acountability at work and in life.”

I read this because Dave Ramsey mentioned it on his radio show. It’s a slim volume packed with realistic wisdom on taking responsibility and making things happen.

The QBQ has three parts – your question begins with “What” or “How”, contains “I” and focuses on action. It is the opposite of blaming, shaming and energy sucking “Why” questions.

I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to those looking for a quick thought provoking business read.

Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street

This was an excellent, short, practical book on hiring.

The authors reveal their proven method for hiring A players. I especially loved their first step, which was developing a scorecard which clearly defines the outcomes you want from the new hire and the competencies the individual should have. The book then talks about how to generate a flow of A players (recruitment) and the most worthwhile chapter is where the authors describe their four interviews for spotting A players. The book wraps up with a chapter on how to sell the job to the individual (close the deal). Even though this is aimed at corporations, I got a lot of ideas for ways to improve the hiring process in my organization.

Because as Jim Collins said in Good to Great “The most important decisions that businesspeople make are not what decisions but who decisions.”

Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000 by Pete Blackshaw

Subtitled: Running a business in today’s consumer-driven world.

I really enjoyed this book. Very eye-opening and engaging. The author makes relevant points about engaging with your customers via the Internet and the consumer generated media, that is really the norm these days.

It’s a small book, but packed full of useful and relevant tips and hints of how a company should respond to CGM and how to become a transparent organization. I’d recommend it to anyone in charge of marketing, public relations, customer service, or the director of an organization.

Here’s a link to the author’s blog. And a link to the book’s web site.

Managing Brand You by Jerry S. Wilson

Subtitled: Seven Steps to creating your most successful self.

I’ll admit I mostly skimmed this. It’s an interesting combination of information on how companies create strong brands (with good case studies on Tide, Coca-Cola, Harley Davidson) and how you can apply the author’s seven step approach to creating a strong brand for yourself. So on one hand it’s a good business book with interesting information on how to brand, and on the other hand it’s got this self-help feel to hit. WIth worksheets and exercises to discovering your brand and creating an action plan. Which I found quite intesting and useful.

Good in a Room by Stephanie Palmer

This is an excellent business book for anyone who presents ideas at work, owns a small business, attends networking events or is involved in any type of selling. It’s subtitle is: how to sell yourself (and your ideas) and win over any audience.

The first section I skimmed a lot but once I got to the second part I really started to understand what Palmer was driving at and went back and re-read the first few chapters. Based on her experience as a movie studio executive who was pitched ideas day in and day out she tells you how to handle presentations. This is full of great practical tips and provides excellent examples through the use of four fictional case studies. A particular thing I liked was later in the book when discussing how to write an effective pitch email she footnotes the email to explain why something was good or bad. Very good advice and this book goes the extra step by showing you specifically how to apply it.

Definitely going on my recommended list.