Best read on marketing all year
The Marketing Playbook. Zagula and Tong.2004. ISBN 1591840384. Here is one of the two best books for me for 2004. This plus Christensen makes a go to market specialists day! Lots of the content is allover their blog, http://marketingplaybook.com/ But the book is a library keeper. If you have been around the product launch block at least once, you will really see the merit of the content of this book. The two authors developed and launched MS Office, Backoffice, NT Server and other key MSoft technologies. Learn from their chronicled mistakes, which go beyond the obvious. And hey they are both VCs now! You can also catch them in various talks in Seattle still. They keep it simple, straight forward, and no not easy, since this involves very hard work to get it right! Easy, fast read, that I will reread a few times. Thanks to Troy for pointing this one out to us!

Book reviews for the business side of the technology industry.

The World Is Flat. A brief history of the 21st century Thomas l.
Friedman. 2005. ISBN 037429. I like books written by good journalist.
This book is required reading if you have a business, children,
investments, or a desire for personal growth. This is an insightful perspective changing book. Easily the most relevant book I read this year. Why have China, India and other countries been able to so rapidly create an explosion of middle class wealth, using the recent convergence of technologies and events on the world global supply chain scene? Why has not Mexico done the same? Why should we worry about Pakistan, Sudan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia? Why is having oil a curse? What are the implications for Canada , Why is our productivity such an important issue? We are in a marathon and it seems Canada is resting and looking backward (and Roger Banister is passing us in the other side). This book is full of hope, insight and challenge to our generation. Plus it is very easy read, but it is a good size. Every Politician should read this one.

Book reviews for the business side of the technology industry.

Everything I needed to know about business…I Learned From A Canadian. Len Brody and David Raffa. This is a reader’s book.The initial reviews led me to believe it was a series of interviews with ho humm Canadians. But the jewel in the book is that the authors took the time to set a context first before introducing each personality. This is very important as there are some real nuggets in the context. I was very intrigued by the words of Craig Dobbin (CHC Helicopter), Rob McEwen (Goldcorp) , Jeff Skoll ( Ebay), Moshe Safdie (Habitat/Vanc library) and Ben Weider( Weider – Kick sand in my face?). Easy read.

Book reviews for the business side of the technology industry.