The Tipping Point. Malcolm Gladwell. 2002. ISBN 0316546624. Recommended by Christensen, this is a very enlightening book. Gladwell melds Crossing the Chasm, with the Network router effect while analyzing real world viral marketing, and he has nothing to do with the technology world. The Tipping Effect is a chronicle of how a small change ion a society equilibrium can make dramatic changes in a concepts acceptance and its stickiness. Essential reading if you believe, as we do, that sales before good marketing is very very expensive and wasteful. He is a journalist, so it reads well. He uses many case studies and examples (crime, disease, suicide, smoking, Airwalk shoes, Columbine, HIV etc) to clearly illustrate his thesis. This is a very uplifting book for our ideas about the power of guerrilla marketing to gain the mind share of Trendsetters. Get it from the library, but it is $20 at Book Warehouse

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14 Reasons Corporate Speeches Don’t Get the Job Done. Marian Woodahl. 1993. ISBN 0941159930. A $3.99 bargain at Book Warehouse. If those of us who gave presentations read this book and followed these practises, we would …have wildly successful speeches, sell much more and get more funding much more easily. Very good…Get it from the library, read it and be surprised at some of the bad habits you may have. This book is all about engaging your audience and helping you be a much better salesman/communicator. Oh – its a quick easy read.

Execution. Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan. 2002. ISBN0609610570. A long time Jack Welsh disciple, Bossidy turned around Allied Signal and Honeywell as wewll as being GE Vice Chair. This is a personal bookshelf keeper. A blend of smart practise and a healthy dose of how to get things done. COO and CEO plain jane six sigma stuff that rings very true. A great mix of people, strategy and operations processes. Don’t wait to get this one and read it often, it reads well.