It is summer, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, time to wind down and re-energize. Also time to read some more than in an average working week will be done. My reading-list for this summer vacation has for now three books on it:
- Today arrived in the mail the book “Strategic Alliance Management” by Brian Tjemkes, Pepijn Vos and Koen Burgers. Knowing two of the three writers myself I have already heard a lot about this book and they created high expectations!
- Already a while on the stack of books to read is “Mastering Alliance Strategy” by James D. Bamford, Benjamin Gomes-Casseres and Michael S. Robinson. It is one of those books that arrives, is on top of the list to read and stays there for a while, simply because of other priorities getting in the way.
- The last business related, but not specifically alliance related, book on the list for this summer is “Influence” by Robert Cialdini. It is about the psychology of persuasion; why do we say “yes” to certain offers and do we not respond to others.
- One book that I just finished and can highly recommend if you are interested in reading about business startup is “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau. In this book Chris shares 50 case studies out of 1500 startups he investigated across the world. These startups share that they all started small with virtually no money and are very successful at the moment. The book is well written and is an easy read, it is a great inspiration to see how companies started sometimes by accident and are now doing quite well.
How about you, what is on your reading-list for this summer?
Out of that list I have only read Influence so far. It is a crakcing read and ideally suited for holiday reading I would suggest. Cialdini’s writing style is based in storytelling and he generously peppers his anecdotes with personal experiences and observations.
I think you will enjoy it immensely. I hope you enjoy the others to a similar extent.
On your recommendation I’m going to order the $100 Start-Up and Strategic Alliance Management, if only for that gorgeous lime cover with grape coloured lettering!
Thanks Neil, I read the first pages of Influence and seen the first story, I certainly like Cialdini’s style of writing!