Selling in a Crisis. 55 ways to stay motivated and increase sales in volatile times. Jeb Blount. 2023. ISBN 9781394162369. This is a truly motivational sales book. At times I felt he was channeling good Zig Ziglar vibes. Many sales people today have not experienced a down turning economy and need this book to help them reset. The strongest takeaway for me is that now is the time to stick to the basics of sales and not be lazy. Those of us who do that will succeed despite what the economy does. Easy quick read, but very useful.

The Escape Artist. The man who broke out of Auschwitz to warn the world. Jonathan Freedland. 2022. ISBN 9781529369076. The story of Rudolf Vrba ( Walter Rosenberg) who along with his partner Fred Wetzler were successful at escaping Auschwitz and found their way to the Jewish underground in Slovakia to get the story out. The description of life, and death, at Auschwitz is thorough, detailed and enough to make your blood boil. Then you have Vrbo’s life after he escaped and tried to get the story out as they had found out that The Nazi’s were preparing to exterminate all the Jews in Hungary. He was shaped by his years in the camps and afterward. Really gripping book.

Building a Story Brand. Clarify your message so customers will listen. Donald Miller. 2017. ISBN 978071803333. To quote the author, ” If you confuse you lose”. This is the ultimate book on using stories to build your business. One of my clients pointed this book out to me and I am so glad they did. I read it in one sitting but I know I will go back to it many times. Many of the problems I find in my coaching clients have to do with the basic weakness and lack of clarity in their stories they take to prospects. Miller covers this topic very thoroughly – in all facets of your business including internally. Well worth the read and should be on your desk for years.