Christopher Richards Ink: ghostwriting for business leaders
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. Alan Alda uses this epigraph, usually attributed to George Bernard Shaw, to orient the reader. If I understood you, would I have this look on my face? My adventures in the art and science of relating and communicating by Alan Alda is a must-read for anyone who seeks to be understood. Continue reading “Book review: If I understood you… by Alan Alda”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
Payoff by Dan Ariely is a short book about meaning and motivation. The central thesis is that intrinsic motivators shape long-term beneficial results, whereas extrinsic rewards don’t. Continue reading “Book review: Payoff by Dan Ariely”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
Which messages cause people to comply? Robert Cialdini’s new book addresses this question. Pre-Suasion is a revolutionary way to influence and persuade. Pre-suasion operates by creating favorable conditions a few moments before trying to influence. This is a powerful book, and not without its ethical concerns. Continue reading “Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
Whether you’re speaking to a child about putting on her shoes, or you’re head of an organization trying to solve a global problem, you need to understand and be understood. Continue reading “The Master Communicator’s Handbook”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
If you’ve ever tried to convince someone of your point of view, (and who hasn’t?) then Negotiating the Impossible: How to Break Deadlocks and Resolve Ugly Conflicts (without money or muscle) by Deepak Malhotra is a must-read. Negotiating the Impossible is a high-value book which offers its readers accessible and practical lessons in the art of negotiation. Continue reading “Negotiating the Impossible”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the ax,” said Abraham Lincoln. Fauzia Burke’s book, Online Marketing for Busy Authors: A Step-by-Step Guide, is about preparing to generate readership for your book. Continue reading “Online Marketing for Busy Authors”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
Any style guide’s purpose is to make writing understandable—with the possible exception of academic writing. Style Guide by The Economist offers sound advice for business writers, particularly for people writing articles. Continue reading “Style Guide”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
The Lean Product Playbook: How to innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback, by Dan Olsen, is aimed at software developer teams. But it has much to say to anyone building and marketing a product or service. Continue reading “The Lean Product Playbook”
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
The End of Average by Todd Rose is about a widespread institutional perception of how individuality doesn’t matter, and why it should. Mr. Rose’s book could have been called, How We Came to Have Screwed-up Ideas, and What to Do About Them.
Reviewed by Christopher Richards
Everyone needs to decide, yet deciding is no simple matter.
In Decisive: How to make better choices in life and work Chip and Dan Heath explain why the process of decision making is more effective than analysis. They then go on to show what a nuanced process looks like. In this short and popular book the authors have made a significant attempt to simplify complexity. Stories from businesses and personal life bring the concepts to life. Continue reading “Decisive”