2023 Review Of The Year In 12 Books
Susana Marambio
Marketing Director | Fractional CMO | B2B Marketing | Marketing and Business Growth Strategist | Digital Transformation Expert | Mentor | Speaker
"It is what you read when you don't have to, that determines what you will be when you can't." - Oscar Wilde
As the year 2023 draws to a close, we take this opportunity to reflect on the books that have enriched our reading journey and left an indelible mark on our thoughts and perspectives. These 12 books have provided valuable insights into personal growth, business strategies, and the power of human potential.
January 2023
Our 1st Book Recommendation for 2023: "Super Connector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter" by Scott Gerber & Ryan Paugh.
"The number of contacts and followers you have online does not trump real relationships. Being virtually or offline “connected” is not in itself valuable.
Social capital cannot be measured in likes and shares. ??
Instead, you have to acquire social capital and build trust and meaningful relationships through the right conversations, actions, and value exchanges with the right people."
As the world gets noisier and busier, connecting has never been more important. This book will help you understand the power of connection. The book is easy to read, complex concepts are clearly explained as well as it provides multiple examples and tips to become a Super Connector.
February 2023
Our February Book Recommendation was Atomic Habits by James Clear
A tiny change in your behaviour will not transform your life overnight. But turn that behaviour into a habit that you perform every day, and it absolutely can lead to big changes. Changing your life is not about making big breakthroughs or revolutionising everything you do. Rather, it's about building a positive system of habits that, when combined, deliver remarkable results.?
This book provides a practical and proven framework for creating good habits and shedding bad ones.
Drawing on scientific research and real-life examples, it shows how tiny changes in behaviour can result in the formation of new habits and help you achieve big things.
March 2023
Our March Book Recommendation was "The Compound Effect: Jumpstart your income, your life, your success" By DARREN HARDY
The keys to success are realising that you’re responsible for your life, forming healthy daily habits, cultivating discipline and pushing past your comfort zone.
Getting to your goals at lightning speed can sometimes be detrimental and is often not possible.
Instead, steady progress and patience will get you where you really want to be.
On The Compound Effect, the author DARREN HARDY shows us how to make lasting changes by paying attention to the smallest decisions we make – and their cumulative effect on us.
It’s about the slow burn, not the big gesture.
The book provides examples that will resonate with both, your personal life and your business life.
April 2023
Shoe Dog is the autobiography of Phil Knight, the founder of 耐克 and offers a peek into the mind of the genius entrepreneur and details the rollercoaster ride he went to through to build up his company.
We loved the book, not only because it's about running shoes but because of Phil Knight's passion, grit and resilience.
The 3 main ideas we got from the book:
? When you do something that you love you are able to rise above the stress and uncertainty and solider on.
? Get a mentor or advisor who will complement your skills.
? Don’t tell people how to do things. Let them do their thing.
You'll find many great quotes in the book, but we'll leave you these three:
“How can I leave my mark on the world, I thought, unless I get out there first and see it?”
“There were many ways down Mount Fuji, according to my guidebook, but only one way up. Life lesson in that, I thought.”
“I wanted what everyone wants. To be me, full-time.”
May 2023
Our May Book Recommendation was The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
This book combines Benjamin Zander’s experience as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and his talent as a teacher and communicator with psychotherapist Rosamund Stone Zander’s genius for designing innovative paradigms for personal and professional fulfilment.
The authors’ harmoniously interwoven perspectives provide a deep sense of the powerful role that the notion of possibility can play in every aspect of life. Through uplifting stories, parables, and personal anecdotes, the Zanders invite us to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers whose lives radiate possibility into the world.
The books presents twelve breakthrough practices and by putting these strategies into practice, you can fuel your creativity, enhance your problem-solving skills, and deepen your relationships with others.
June 2023
Our June Book Recommendation was Born to Win by Zig Ziglar.
The book teaches a simple but effective philosophy for success: you have to first plan and prepare to win, only then can you expect to win.
The book demonstrates how to implement this philosophy, from establishing a vision and goals to equipping yourself for success. It also highlights the importance of thinking positively and nurturing your entire being.
In this summary, we will explore the central themes of the book, including the importance of self-image, the impact of goal setting, the value of perseverance, the significance of building healthy relationships, and the role of attitude in achieving success.
July 2023
Our July Book Recommendation was The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey.
"The 8th Habit" by Stephen R. Covey is a groundbreaking book that builds upon his earlier work, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
In this sequel, Covey explores the concept of finding your own voice and inspiring others to find theirs, ultimately unleashing the full potential of individuals and organizations.
The 8th Habit encourages individuals to find their voice, define their purpose, and become leaders in their own right. By embracing personal greatness, aligning actions with values, and fostering trust, individuals and organisations can unlock their true potential and make a positive difference in the world.
August 2023
Our August Book Recommendation was The Paradox of Choice by Barry D. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Schwartz masterfully unravels the complexities of decision-making in a world flooded with options. Three key takeaways emerge as invaluable lessons for business leaders seeking to optimise productivity and employee satisfaction:
? Acknowledge the cost of infinite choices and streamline options to facilitate more effective decision-making for customers and employees alike.
? Understand the differences between maximisers and satisficers to create a balanced decision-making approach within your team, harnessing the strengths of both styles.
? Cultivate a positive work culture that discourages the tyranny of comparison, promoting individual growth and collaboration while staying true to your brand's core values.
September 2023
Our September Book Recommendation was Start With Why by Simon Sinek.
Simon gave his first TED Talk in 2009 at the TEDxPugetSound event in Seattle. His talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” has since been viewed over 60 million times on the TED website.The book is based on his TED Talk. Sinek explores the concept of purpose and its importance in leadership, business, and life.
It is very probable that you already had read the book, a summary or a book recommendation before, however we understand that for many, "finding your why" sounds theoretical or even a lot of corporate nonsense.
Finding your why is not only important for your personal life, but it is the most important step before defining your strategic goals, that's why in our process we call it "Personal and Business Vision".
On this article, we also share some practical tips to help you find your 'why' and how you can communicate it with your employees and your customers.
October 2023
Our October Book Recommendation was Scaling Up by Verne Harnish
This book is a valuable resource for any entrepreneur or business owner seeking to take their company to the next level.
It's a guide that understands the practical challenges faced by businesses and provides clear, actionable steps to overcome them.
Verne Harnish's straightforward approach and focus on the fundamentals of scaling, make this book a must-read for those who are serious about growing their businesses.
November 2023
Our November Book Recommendation is The 1% Rule: How to Fall in Love with the Process and Achieve Your Wildest Dreams by Tommy Baker.
The book advocates for small, consistent improvements over drastic changes. By identifying daily actions and visualising goals, individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve significant results.
It emphasises process over outcome, consistency over intensity, and persistence over motivation.
The book provides a set of principles or "Code of the 1%," that guide you on your journey of continuous improvement.
? Process over Outcome
? Dream Big but Start Small
? Consistency over Intensity
? Persistence over Motivation
? Endurance over Speed
Practical examples and "Your Turn" prompts empower you to apply these principles and transform their lives through small, consistent steps.
December 2023
December Book Recommendation: The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
In "The Checklist Manifesto" Atul Gawande challenges the notion that checklists are mere bureaucratic relics and reveals their transformative potential, demonstrating how these simple tools can enhance performance, minimise errors, and even save lives.
From the complexities of surgery to the rigors of aviation, checklists have proven their worth. They provide a systematic approach to mitigating human fallibility, ensuring consistent adherence to best practices and minimising the impact of cognitive biases.
For business leaders, checklists offer valuable insights for streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and enhancing overall performance. Whether onboarding new employees, conducting quality control inspections, or managing complex projects, checklists can serve as a structured framework for success.
Assistant Manager (Skills to Advance) Cork College of FET Bishopstown Campus
1 年Some great recommendations Susanna, ones to add to my list!
Project Manager at Ervia (formerly Bord Gais Eireann) - Small Business Advice Programme
1 年Thanks Susana Marambio.