In a time when unemployment is high, energy prices are on the rise, and quality food grows scarce, it’s very nice to read a book like Abundance: Why the Future Will Be Much Better Than You Think. In some ways, this new book by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler seems too good to be true. But upon opening the cover, it’s clear that there are ideas within that aren’t just intended to raise hype (and false hope).

There are four forces the authors identify that are closing the gap on high privilege and, well, the rest of us: Exponential technologies, the DIY innovator, the Technophilanthropist, and the Rising Billion. These forces, the author’s say, will solve our biggest problems – problems we have faced since the dawn of humanity.

“…for the first time in history, our capabilites have begun to catch up to our ambitions. Humanity is now entering a period of radical transformation in which technology has the potential to significantly raise the basic standards of living for every man, woman, and child on the planet.”

From water, education, rights, and more, the authors explain how technology and the work developing it will expand not only how our economy and business will change, but how we as individuals will within this new system.

Part technology, part business, and part politics, this is a book that might inspire entrepreneurs to focus on specific positive trends, and make us all stop and think about how we might contribute with our own business.  It will be interesting to watch the conversations that come out of this book, and of course, to see some of the actual steps toward making abundance a reality.

And as the authors describe in detail early in the book, the first step toward understanding how to make it possible is to understand that it actually is possible.

The 800-CEO-READ AUTHOR POW WOW
January 13-15, 2013
Austin, TX

**REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE**

NOW THROUGH APRIL 1: $1000
April 1 – October 1: $1250
October through event: $1500

REGISTER HERE!

The Author Pow Wow will not only provide you with all the knowledge you need to do what works, but will also connect you to the people who can help you in the process. During an intimate and intensive two days, authors, soon-to-be authors, publishers, publicists, marketers, agents, speaking experts, social media strategists, and business people who have great ideas to share, gather, listen, converse, and leave more informed and better at what they do. Knowledge and insight are gained, partnerships form, deals get made, and connections are built that lead to possibilities never before imagined.

Hosted since 2005 by 800-CEO-READ at various locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Austin, this year we’ll return to sunny Austin, TX, and the historic Driskill Hotel. More info on panels and presentations forthcoming, but expect a broad overview of perspectives from key people in the industry.

Don’t just take our word about what a great event this is. Read what authors Chris Guillebeau and Sally Hogshead had to say:

“Why go to an 8CR Pow-Wow? Simply put: there’s no other event like it. Where else can you talk book strategy with other authors, receive direct input from publishers, and – but wait, there’s more – meet the folks who run the world’s best business book distributorship? The gang in Milwaukee puts on a good show… make the time to attend!” – Chris Guillebeau, (author of The Art of Non-Conformity)

“My first year attending the 800-CEO-READ Author Pow Wow, I met the agents who changed the course of my career. The next year, I met the team who helped me launch and promote my next book, Fascinate. Last year, I gained the very specific insights that are helping to catapult my business in new ways. This event isn’t just about authoring business books– this is the must-attend conference for anyone dedicated to big ideas, high expectations, and long-lasting results.” – Sally Hogshead (author of Fascinate)

Cost includes event sessions, buffet breakfast and lunch served on each day of the event, plus a special group dinner outing.

Hope to see you at the event!

Presented by 800-CEO-READ.

Sponsored by:

Cave Henricks Communications, Greenleaf Book Group, and Shelton Interactive.

On one hand, this book is not our usual thing. On the other hand, nothing can move forward if our health isn’t in order. So, it’s completely worth pointing out Dr. David B. Agus’ new book, The End of Illness.

The provocative title certainly draws our attention, and we might be expecting a “to-do list” of things we’ve heard before. Certainly, there are some universal truths in here that we’ve heard all our lives (the question is, are we adhering to them?), but also, there are more than a few discoveries in here that might surprise us, about the medical industry, about science, about food, about vitamins (don’t take them?), and about the prevention of a variety of illnesses.

Here are some questions I sent Dr. Agus in reaction to reading it:

Why do you advise individuals to take more control over their own health concerns – isn’t that risky?

Dr. Agus: I advise people to team with their doctor.  Download the personal health questionnaire from www.theendofillness.com and bring all of this information with you to your doctor.  This team approach will yield benefits!

What are some reasons why we need to be more active in maintaining our health more than any other generation?

Dr. Agus: We now have a tremendous knowledge bank on preventive medicine, and I want everyone to use it!  While it is hard to reverse or cure disease like cancer, heart disease or neurodegenerative disease, the data on prevention are real and achievable for all of us.

What are some of the health disadvantages to office work and how might we improve them?

Dr. Agus: The big disadvantage is that you have to sit at a desk normally all day.  Figure out a way to move around.  When someone is coming to meet with you, it is a great sign of respect to have them go on a walk with you and talk, instead of sitting at your desk.  Try and get up and walk around every 20 minutes or so if you can.

How might we be more certain that we’re eating healthy?

Dr. Agus: Eating healthy shouldn’t be complex.  The details are in The End of Illness, but in brief:

1.       Regular schedule
2.       Know where your food is from
3.       Moderation
4.       Variety
5.       Fresh foods
6.       Stay away from processed foods, vitamins and supplements

Is the end of illness really possible?

Dr. Agus: I believe presently (with the current state of science and medicine) we can delay illness to the ninth decade of life.  As to the future, who knows!!! I am optimistic. . .

—

This is a highly interesting book written in a sensible, well-thought out and researched method. None of it shocks the reader into adopting a new lifestyle that seems freakish, yet the simple reality presented here is a logic that very few of us are likely completely in tune with.

You want to be a better manager and leader? You want to create a successful company? You want to work in smarter ways than you have before? Then start with this book, start with your health, and the rest will follow.

I first met Shawn Kent Hayashi when she spoke at our 2010 Author Pow Wow. Much of her talk focused on how to make better connections with people through conversation, but also how to inspire change through these same conversations.

Her new book is titled Conversations for Creating Star Performers: Go Beyond the Performance Review to Inspire Excellence Every Day. In it, she furthers her ideas on the power of conversations, and now explains how management and leaders can engage with people to help them on a regular basis, not just at planned review sessions. The critical part of the conversation stems from understanding and being able to help develop what other people really want out of their lives. Shawn frames this with the questions:

“Imagine yourself having fun – what comes to mind? Now, consider what causes you
to want to perform well at work. Does work trigger the same emotions that playing does for you?”

How might a manager understand this about their employees? And more importantly, how can they help bridge the two experiences to be more similar? In Ms. Hayashi’s experience, it can be done through conversations.

This is an interesting book that focuses not just on what we speak, but how we listen, think, and consider skills, ambitions, and the lives of those around us, and how we might help contribute to the process of making them better. After reading the book, I sent Shawn a few questions about it:

What was your biggest reason for writing the book?

Shawn Kent Hayashi: The desire to serve my coaching clients in ways that enable them to grow to the next level in their leadership ability.

How do conversations turn into action?

SKH: A conversation can help us get unstuck.  Have you ever been tangled up in an idea and then in a conversation with someone who asked great questions you discovered clarity in your thinking? Some people are verbal processors, in other words they have to speak the idea out loud before they are clear about what they want or need to do.  Knowing what questions to ask, when, and how to listen is vital for coaches, managers and leaders who want to develop star performers and teams that excel.  Being the manager who is known for developing and inspiring people creates momentum — we are naturally drawn to these leaders because good things happen in their presence.

What if some people are resistant to a conversation? How might the same goals be achieved?

SKH: We are all resistant to unwanted change and intense criticism. Sometimes demonstrating that we are willing to have an on-going exchange about a challenging topic can break through the resistance.  Showing that we want to hear what the other person thinks and feels and that we are sincerely listening can shatter walls. The same goals can be achieved with a meaningful dialog in email if the listening is woven into the back and forth replies — the questions and conversation tips in this book work equally well in email too.

How might managers determine the right questions to ask employees in order to accomplish their goals?

SKH: Conversations for Creating Star Performers introduces readers to 10 different types of conversations that all managers, coaches and leaders need to know how to create.  Each type of conversation comes with its own phrases to begin and ideas for how best to apply to the current issue. Each of these conversational strategies are fully blueprinted in the book, including:

• Building Awareness:  Do employees know what their strengths and blind spots really are?  This chapter shows how to talk about what team members do best and where they need support.

• Identifying Motivators:  What motivates the team members?  How should individual motivators be addressed in conversation?

• Identifying What Team Members Do Well:  Find ways in which employees add value to their teams as well as where their developmental needs are and will likely bubble.

• Creating Development Plans:  Preferred communication styles provide a key to identifying each employee’s likely developmental needs.  How can a manager write great development plans that are focused on each of the team members?

• Developing New Skills:  “Work on one’s strengths” does not mean ignoring blind spots.  Playing to one’s strengths is smart business; however, blind spots can create a derailment if left unnoticed.

• Getting Back on Track:  The value in learning how to get people unstuck and back on track is worth its weight in gold.

• Accountability:  Engage others in positive ways, build caring relationships that explore what matters to other people as it relates to creating a meaningful future, and then have ongoing check-in conversations about how the group is doing – this is the spirit of accountability conversations.

• Performance Reviews:  The goal is to create conversations about how performance is going regularly, and summaries monthly, so that the employee is inspired and focused.

• Recognition:  Point out what people are doing well and celebrate successes and small steps in the right direction; this will create a positive emotional wake and inspire people in new ways.

• Succession Planning:  Who are the future leaders and are they being developed now to be ready for those roles?

What a better time to think about innovation than the start of a new year? As we attempt to make this year more successful and fulfilled than the previous, we think about new ways to do what we do, ways to refine our efforts, and ultimately, grow as individuals. Innovation might be the way to achieve those things, but the problem is that we’re often not sure exactly what innovation even means, let alone how to practice it.

What does innovation mean to you?

Scott D. Anthony, in his new book, The Little Black Book of Innovation: How It Works, How To Do It, defines innovation simply as: “Something different that has impact.” On the surface, that might seem too simple, but Anthony explains how ‘different’ means something per individual, which then can be directed at various audiences, and impact is a measurable result whose parameters are set by the innovator.

So, now that we first understand what innovation means to us, we might have an easier time getting to the ideas and actions that will be recognized as innovative. There is a fair amount of philosophy in the book, and with a subject so ill-defined, yet so sought after, it makes sense to begin the approach to it in a way that helps each reader come to the same understanding. Anthony, a student and researcher for Clay Christensen, was fascinated by his approach to the topic, which lead him on the path to produce this book – a fairly compact, straightforward collection of his own thoughts, as well as the brightest minds of the discipline – Drucker, Edison, Rita McGrath, of course Christensen, and many more. His goal with the book is for it to be a reference guide that can be read through, and picked up again and again for helpful info anytime some inspiration for innovation is needed.

But it’s not all philosophy. Sections on starting a 28-day innovation program, how to compete against nonconsumption, finding nonobvious opportunities, and being certain that an opportunity is real, are very helpful in putting the ideas into action.

Powerful for a team, this is the kind of book that can help a group of people start producing innovative ideas rather than getting bogged down in the creative thinking process. Here’s to the new year being your most innovative yet.

Eric Ryan, co-founder of the home care and personal products company Method, and also co-author of the book The Method Method, stopped by our office today to do some work with Bob for our upcoming KnowledgeBlocks product.

It was great to hear his insight into starting, and running, such an innovative company. For years, my wife and I have been not only customers, but huge fans, as we both long wondered why the stuff that was supposed to make our homes, and us, clean, seemed coincidentally harmful in so many ways. It didn’t make sense, and we waited for someone to do something about it. Well, Method did it. If you don’t know their products, look into them. They’ll change your world, and ours, in general. From the business standpoint, the book is a great lesson in innovation, strategy, culture, and sustainability.

Before Eric left, we couldn’t help but keep him a bit longer for a table tennis match. We hear the Method folks have a pretty serious annual competition, and of course some of us here think they’ve got some pretty strong chops. Our programmer Zach stepped up. Watch the video below to see how it all turned out (but Eric learned a bit about our very own ‘Method’). Thanks again for stopping by, Eric!

Years ago, I started an email list with some of our InBubbleWrap audience called “Ask 8cr!” Each month, I’d collect emails from the group about what business challenges they faced, then I would pick a book and review it in light of that situation, and send a copy of the book to the submitter.

Later, we incorporated some of these interactions at our blog. Now, we want to try to extend that to an even larger audience on Twitter.

Not only do we absorb a ton of books on a daily and weekly basis, but we’ve been doing it for over 27 years. We know this knowledge is helpful. As information continues toward overload, it can be difficult to find value for each individual challenge or situation. Assisting with that is part of the role that we play.

So, if you’re on Twitter, send us a tweet with your challenge and we’ll respond. We’re betting that others likely have a similar issue, but haven’t had a chance to ask. This will offer help in an even bigger way. And occasionally, who knows? We might even send you the book for free.

Best-selling author Les McKeown is back with his new book, The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success. In it, he first identifies three types of people most of us are likely familiar with: The Visionary, who likes big ideas but not executing them, The Processor, who insists on micromanaging every detail, and The Operator, who sees meeting for ideas and updates as a distraction from getting back to work.

When this group of people are on a team together, McKeown states, they slow down progress, resulting in high costs in lost productivity. What’s needed to avoid this gridlock? A fourth type of person, The Synergist. The Synergist understands each of these types of people – why they think and behave the way they do, and what issues cause their interaction to back things up. From there, the Synergist works with them as part of a team to address concerns, but solve them before they become the usual barriers to the project.

The book is written very clearly and explanatory, and McKeown definitely has the experience to back his words up, having helped companies like T-Mobile, Microsoft, Bose, and many more. The result is a book for anyone that wants to have a better role in teamwork. If you manage a group, or are simply part of one, understanding how the Synergist helps processes work more efficiently is a skill most of us can benefit from.