Business communication, etiquette and presentation Books

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Book SynopsisInterpersonal skills and awareness are key to building productive relationships with colleagues, associates and clients; to working collaboratively, solving problems and making informed decisions. With the growing complexity of portfolios, programs and projects, and the increasing geographic dispersion of stakeholders, the skills needed to communicate and understand others effectively have never been a more essential part of the blueprint for management success. Interpersonal Skills for Portfolio, Program and Project Managers brings into sharp focus the importance of these people skills or 'soft' skills to achieving results and ensuring customer satisfaction. With an emphasis on how approach and technique can be adapted to get the best out of the different situations and types of interaction that occur day-to-day in the business environment, this accessible resource includes: - Strategies for building effective, high-performing teams - Guidelines for efficient teamwork in a virtual context - Systems for handling stress and dealing with crises - Methods for motivating and leading your team to success With this wealth of practical advice to draw on and proven tools to put into practice, productive, rewarding interpersonal interaction will soon become second nature.

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Book SynopsisTraditional business analysis jobs are going away and are not coming back. BA tools are growing up, and typical BA tasks are being automated and commoditized. Instead of being regarded as documenters, BAs are being sought out to focus on strategy, innovation, and leadership. Breakthrough Business Analysis: Implementing and Sustaining a Value-Based Practice provides a framework for implementing a BA practice that is strategically positioned and value-based. Realizing the positive impacts of a value-based BA practice could very well mean the difference between success and failure for businesses negotiating 21st century challenges. Value-based business analysis centers on strategy execution, world-class enterprise capabilities, and delivery of innovative products and services. The framework for implementing and sustaining a value-based BA practice involves three phases: 1. Readiness: “Is our organization ready?” 2. Implementation: “How do we build the BA practice?” 3. Sustainability: “How do we institutionalize and continue to improve BA practices?” Take the lead and be your organization’s champion of a value-based, breakthrough BA practice that is focused on value to the customer and wealth to the bottom line.

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Book SynopsisMany experienced facilitators, OD consultants, coaches, and organizational leaders increasingly find themselves âœstanding in the fireâ - working in situations where group and community members are polarized, angry, fearful and confused. Facilitator Larry Dressler has come to believe that simply picking up yet another method or technique wonât help in situations like these. What has a truly transformational impact is what he calls the facilitatorâs presence. Cultivating an ability to access a compassionate presence that people experience as open, authentic and clear in intention during the most difficult situations moves facilitators from being competent professionals to being on a path toward self-mastery. Standing in the Fire offers a set of self-directed principles and practices that enable facilitators to work on themselves to keep their emotional balance no matter how overheated things threaten to become. It brings together profound teachings from diverse fields, including western psychology, eastern spiritual practices, the arts, social sciences and medical research. Dresslerâs grounded, empathetic approach helps readers reawaken and discover an untapped capacity that comes from within and is expressed as a powerful presence standing in service to a group.

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Book SynopsisGreat Relationships Are Your Key To Business Success. Whether you're just starting your career or have been in the business world for years, this book provides all the tools you'll need to create long lasting success in your life. Why wait to build the life you've always dreamed of? Running your life is very much like running a business, and People Tools for Business is filled with practical ideas to help you run your life more effectively and efficiently.YOU CAN MAKE A CAREER OUT OF BEING HAPPY In this sequel to his New York Times Bestseller People Tools (January 2014), Alan C. Fox shares the most important lessons from his successful and distinguished life. The reader can use the tools described in this book to achieve success both in the boardroom and at home. WHAT ARE PEOPLE TOOLS? "People Tools" are practical life skills that are easy to understand. They are free to use and yet they will significantly improve your ability to work well with other people. From developing self-confidence, to making healthier life decisions to being a better manager, each tool provides a straightforward approach to help you get more effective results.Filled with insightful examples and entertaining anecdotes, People Tools is fun to read but will have long-lasting impact. The stories will charm you; the advice will change your life. TAKE CONTROL: YOU ARE THE SOLE PROPRIETOR OF YOUR OWN LIFE. The time-tested tools outlined in this book are useful shortcuts that you can use to solve everyday problems. You will find the advice applicable not only to business but to all aspects of your personal life as well. GET ADVICE FROM THE BEST IN THE BUSINESSAlan C. Fox has used the People Tools outlined in this book to build a rich and fulfilling life. He has built a commercial real estate company worth more than $1.5 billion, launched a nationally renowned poetry journal, and established a foundation that provides millions in funding to non-profit organizations that work with young people. He has also raised a large and loving family and created a trusted circle of close friends and colleagues.Let Alan Be Your Personal MentorLife and work are full of challenges, but with the practical strategies outlined in this book, Alan will show you how to live the life of your dreams. Trade ReviewWe all want to be happy and successful at work and in our lives. In his new book, Alan Fox shares invaluable insights that can help you make a career out of being happy. -- Tony Hsieh, author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.comThis book is like Dale Carnegie on steroids. -- Small Business TrendsAnyone who yearns for success in both business and life will discover an exceptional guide in Alan C. Fox. -- Dana Ardi, author of The Fall of the Alphas and founder of Corporate Anthropology AdvisorsWith refreshing candor, Alan Fox shares the invaluable lessons that he has garnered over an extremely successful, forty-five-year career. -- Brent Kessel, CEO, Abacus Wealth Partners and author of Itâs Not About the MoneyWise and playful. These charmingly straightforward and practical tools will assist you and add joy to your business life. -- Jack Kornfield, author and founder of Spirit Rock Meditation CenterMaya Angelou would love this book. Why? Because as she said, - People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel, - and People Tools is so rich with wonderful stories that you won't forget the lessons in it, because of how Alan Fox makes you feel. -- Mark Goulston, author of Just ListenFox is a die-hard optimist, and his enthusiasm, good humor, and belief that all situations can improve for the better carries over into this sequel to the bestselling People Tools. Designed to appeal to people at all levels of business, from student to manager to retiree, this guide to constant self-improvement urges readers up the "glass staircase." A play on the "glass ceiling," this phrase refers to steps which any person can take to reach the top. The five stairs are Confidence, Home, Education, Assertiveness, and Passion - CHEAP. The book's concept is a toolbox, comprising 50 "people tools" that will help readers achieve more in business and life. Illustrating his points with entertaining stories from his own life, Fox encourages readers to adopt tools such as "advertise your mistakes," "don't run out of cash," "be a contrarian", don't try to be right all the time, and focus on the future. The tone is homey but not condescending, and the mix of practical, emotional and behavioral tools make this a guide likely to inspire across the board. "You are the sole proprietor of your own life," proclaims Fox - and it's hard to imagine the reader who wouldn't respond to this upbeat message. (Sept.) -- Publishers WeeklyFox's writing is crisp, informative, and engaging, and it deserves to be read and contemplated by every businessperson - indeed, every person - who truly wants to have a successful business and fulfilling life -- Jeff Friend -- Foreword Book Reviews

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Book SynopsisMost people want partners in their personal lives, and many businesses start with some form of partnership structure. Yet so many personal and professional partnerships disintegrate, sometimes quickly. That’s one reason why our own partnership seems so amazing, even miraculous, to people who know us. “How do you do it?” they constantly ask. “How have you spent so many years living and working together 24/7 without killing each other?” A general business/how-we-did-it-book, Smart Partners outlines the methods and thinking we’ve used to achieve financial success while also keeping our personal partnership alive and interesting. Drawing on our unique experiences both personally and professionally, we present principles for building, sustaining, and growing not merely serviceable relationships in business and life, but true partnerships. Partnerships are a big deal—not just specific partnerships, but the very idea of partnership. That’s why, from the very inception of a relationship, partners should proceed slowly, cautiously, thoughtfully, going “all in,” and doing whatever they can to keep the relationship vibrant and healthy. They should honor their relationship at every turn, and with all their strength. No matter what business you’re in you can transcend your sense of “me” to create a very powerful “we.” It’s a matter of concentrating on partnership, committing to it, and embracing the right practices—such as choosing your partner well, negotiating proper roles, planning for your mutual success, and adjusting so as to overcome challenges as they arise. Fundamentally, it’s about looking beyond yourself so as to share business and life with another person. None of this is easy, of course, but it’s so worth it. Read our stories, learn our partnership principles, and apply them to your life. We think you’ll discover what we have long known: We is better than me. And the truth is, anyone can be a smart partner.Trade Review"Want to be a smart partner? Then follow the stories and principles in this book. You'll learn how to pick the perfect partners, make your partnerships work, and create success in your business and personal relationships."--Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California "Smart Partners offers valuable and real-world insights on how to create and sustain successful business relationships, from the view of very successful partners. Relationships make the difference."--Bill Marriott, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Marriott International "Over the years I have known Burba and Hayes, I have watched them thrive professionally and personally; they have inspired me, and I am thrilled to see them now inspire the world through Smart Partners."--Ross Mathews, Television Personality and Bestselling Author "Burba and Hayes share their decades of experience in making partnerships work for them in their business, as well as their personal lives. Smart Partners is a must-read."--Jason Collins, Former NBA player "I have had the pleasure of watching Jim and Bob develop an amazing business by not only working hard, but by making very smart decisions about collaborations. Smart Partners is a must-read for every entrepreneur who dreams big."--Chip Conley, Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, Airbnb, Best-selling author "This chatty, friendly how-to guide is a cheerful read for budding entrepreneurs looking for inspiration...Burba and Hayes, a married couple who cofounded the event-organizing company Burba Hotel Network, have put together the story of their rise to success, and what's worked (and not worked) for them along the way. According to them, the greatest advantage in life is partnership, whether business or romantic. Using stories from their own work, they discuss the importance of attaining self-knowledge and self-understanding, how to choose a partner carefully, building a romantic relationship, treating people with kindness, building strong communication and negotiation skills, and always relying--first and foremost--on a strong sense of integrity. "--Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisEver been to so many meetings that you couldn't get your work done? Ever fallen asleep during a bulletpoint presentation? Ever watched the news and ended up knowing less? Welcome to the land of Blah Blah Blah.The Problem: We talk so much that we don't think very well. Powerful as words are, we fool ourselves when we think our words alone can detect, describe, and defuse the multifaceted problems of today. They can't-and that's bad, because words have become our default thinking tool.The Solution: This book offers a way out of blah-blah-blah. It's called 'Vivid Thinking.'In Dan Roam's first acclaimed book, The Back of the Napkin, he taught readers how to solve problems and sell ideas by drawing simple pictures. Now he proves that Vivid Thinking is even more powerful. This technique combines our verbal and visual minds so that we can think and learn more quickly, teach and inspire our colleagues, and enjoy and share ideas in a whole new way.The Destination: No more blah-blah-blah. Through Vivid Thinking, we can make the most complicated subjects suddenly crystal clear. Whether trying to understand a Harvard Business School class, or what went down in the Conan versus Leno battle for late-night TV, or what Einstein thought about relativity, Vivid Thinking provides a way to clarify anything.Through dozens of guided examples, Roam proves that anyone can apply this systematic approach, from leftbrain types who hate to draw to right-brainers who hate to write. This isn't just a book about improving communications, presentations, and ideation; it's about removing the blah-blah- blah from your life for good.

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Book SynopsisBy now it's clear that whether you're promoting a business, a product, or yourself, social media is near the top of what determines your success or failure. And there are countless pundits, authors, and consultants eager to advise you.But there’s no one quite like Guy Kawasaki, the legendary former chief evangelist for Apple and one of the pioneers of business blogging, tweeting, Facebooking, Tumbling, and much, much more. Now Guy has teamed up with Peg Fitzpatrick, who he says is the best social-media person he’s ever met, to offer The Art of Social Media—the one essential guide you need to get the most bang for your time, effort, and money.With over one hundred practical tips, tricks, and insights, Guy and Peg present a bottom-up strategy to produce a focused, thorough, and compelling presence on the most popular social-media platforms. They guide you through steps to build your foundation, amass your digital assets, optimize your profile, attract more followers, and effectively integrate social media and blogging.For beginners overwhelmed by too many choices as well as seasoned professionals eager to improve their game, The Art of Social Media is full of tactics that have been proven to work in the real world. Or as Guy puts it, “great stuff, no fluff.”

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Book SynopsisThis book is about restoring wholeness to ourselves, our families, communities, and organizations by unleashing and igniting the brilliance and genius inherent whenever two or more are gathered. We are all born perfect and whole; now is our time to experience that in one another. Through the principles and practices of The Art of Convening (AoC) anyone can learn that âœeveryday communionâ is not only possible, it is an imperative for the world to work for everyone. There are myriad titles on facilitating and hosting meeting methodologies, but none that prepares the individual with the skills and practices to handle the demands of being an inspired convener in a time when stakes have never been higher to make collective decisions that affect life on this planet. The work addresses the essential principles and practices for those âœcalledâ to convene and lead meetings and gatherings that produce transformational outcomes for the people in them and their organizations, communities and the world. The authors take the reader through nine critical steps that are part of three larger motives: The convener engages with him or herself clarify the issues, intent, and how to extend the invitation. The convener engages with participants to set context and receive all feedback and opinions The participants engage with each other to create essential conversations and a commitment to action

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Book SynopsisVocal expression is a part of nearly everyoneâs workday, yet most of us are unaware of how much influence our voice exerts over our effectiveness. Even before the content of our speech is processed, others make assumptions about who we are based not so much on what we say but how we say it our voice quality, facial expression, and physical posture. Though many of us feel self-conscious about our voices, we have no mechanism for making a lasting, authentic, effective shift in how we express ourselves vocally. McAfeeâs work shows how we can deliberately marshal the power of our voices to support our intentions, aspirations, and relationships. She identifies five different vocal tones or qualities Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, Airâexplaining how to cultivate each voice and when and when not to use it (for example, donât use an Air voice if youâre trying to persuade a roomful of skepticsâuse your Fire voice). She shows how heightened awareness of our voice can promote a deeper and broader understanding of who we are, the limits we place on our identity, and the choices we make about how we appear to others. Full Voice offers a clear and tested process for stretching well beyond the comfort zone of our regular speech into the full range of sound available. Readers will explore the edges and colors of their vocal ranges in a playful, embodied, and authentic way, and can incorporate new skills into their daily work and personal lives.

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Book SynopsisâœThere are two times when youâre alone in life: one is when you die, and the other is when you present to senior management.ââRick Wallace, CEO, KLA-TencorUnless you're lucky enough to be the CEO, you'll need to present your ideas to people up the chain to get anything doneâand those presentations can sometimes be brutal. Careers and projects can come unwound in a matter of minutes if the presenter doesn't know the rules at the top level. Tactics and techniques that work wonderfully with peers, subordinates, and immediate supervisors suddenly crumble in the tense meeting room with the "bigwigs." A psychologist by training, Gilbert offers revelatory insights into the minds of the men and women who make it to the topâcritical information if youâre going to understand what theyâre looking for from you. He keeps it simple by focusing on three key imperatives for "speaking up:" 1. know the people, 2. get to the point, and 3. improvise. Gilbert's research suggests that 67% of middle managers break one or more of these rules. Based on ten years of research and hundreds of interviews, Gilbert's book is unique in featuring extensive comments from C-level leaders explaining exactly what they want and donât want in a presentation, as well as mid-level managersâ stories of triumphs and tragedies and what they learned as a result. This is a must have book for surviving the high-stakes meeting.

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Book SynopsisDoes your business feel lifeless in today''s fast-paced marketplace? Tired of struggling to stand out? Can''t seem to clarify your message? You may be a zombie and not even know it. Zombies are confused, haphazard and indistinguishable. Businesses act like zombies when empty communications alienate customers, supporters and partners. THE ZOMBIE BUSINESS CURE gets to the heart of many communication problems: identity. A lack of focus on identity negatively affects your bottom line and can damage your reputation. The best organisations are simply more like humans and less like zombies. Humans realise the importance of having a strong sense of self, maintaining a consistent message and communicating effectively to build relationships. THE ZOMBIE BUSINESS CURE will help you:Realise identity is the foundation for success.Discover identity problems that commonly lead to communication failures.Prevent zombie-like behaviour by tackling the five most common zombie traits.Approach new communication efforts in a more mindful way.You''ll learn from actual case studies and, also, gain practical tips and exercises that will help your business. THE ZOMBIE BUSINESS CURE is the antidote for lifeless communication that repels customers. By using the principles in this book, you''ll attract the right audiences and increase your success.

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Book SynopsisBuilding a productive work culture doesn't have to invite burnout and stress—The Productive Leader empowers you and your team to build effective habits for accomplishing your goals. Exhaustion not required. To achieve efficiency, productivity, and significant results, you need to make the best use of the resources available to you. Productivity expert Maura Thomas helps you nurture the crucial resource that is your work culture and build productive habits for yourself and your team, without letting work take over your life. The Productive Leader empowers you to define what productivity means for your team and to create conditions that support your own productivity. Starting with yourself, Thomas's holistic advice will help you develop productive strategies for your whole team, such as: Efficient company-wide communication strategies Achieving the organization's most significant results Off-site work with healthy boundaries Office design that supports collaborative and focused work Holistic well-being of your whole team

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Book SynopsisCollaborating in the Workplace arms readers with tips to help teams collaborate and create more powerful outcomes. Focusing on the key skills necessary for effective collaboration, along with practical exercises to help improve these skills, the goal of this informative volume is to encourage the creation of connections that lead to powerful communication and better results. The authors cover such topics as: how stress impacts daily interactions; ways of listening that create a deeper understanding and connection with others; preparing for, practicing, and learning from difficult conversations; tricky workplace communication issues that tend to trip people up, such as interrupting, giving feedback, and being clear about requests. With step-by-step exercises and guidelines for practice, readers can learn the skills necessary to make any team work better together.Trade Review"A wonderfully practical guide for building teams and getting the best out of everyone. If you are looking to build collaboration in the workplace, start by reading this book!" DANIEL L. SHAPIRO, PhD, Author of Negotiating the Nonnegotiable"Comprehensive, focused, and immediately useful, Collaborating in the Workplace is a highly practical synthesis of current research on what makes an effective team. Our work teams found Lasater's exercises to be simple and easy to follow. This guide should be recommended reading for leaders and team members alike." LU QING, President, DongFeng Nissan University, DongFeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company, Guangzhou, China"This important book addresses the interpersonal skills needed to be a productive team member with a simple eloquence that is practical and easy to follow. If you are concerned about your ability to play well with others . . . do read this book! You'll learn everything you need to know to get along and add value to your team." JOHN FORD, Author, P eace at Work: The HR Manager's Guide to Workplace Mediation , founder of The HR Mediation AcademyCollaborating in the Workplace: A Guide for Building Better Teams provides practical, step-by-step exercises that you can use to develop crucial skills to help you and your teammates connect with each other in ways that foster superior collaboration.

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