Unmistakable (and other Good Reads)

I think I read Seth and Hugh because they make me think. They make me question my approach, my outlook, my work. (I hope you have someone like that too.)

I am reading Unmistakable with much head nodding. The author (Srinivas Rao aka “Srini”) and James Altucher are both honest, outspoken writers like I try to be.

Tom Peters re-vamped his website recently. (When was the last time you re-did YOUR website?) TP was in Tampa Bay last year (I missed it), giving a talk at Jabil, one of Tampa Bay’s largest employers. His talk was about Excellence obviously, since his fame comes from his 30+ year old book, In Search of Excellence. However, one slide stands out: “Everything in existence tends to deteriorate.” Talent, Hiring, Execution, XFX (Cross-Functional Excellence), GRG (the Great Relationship Game = the only game in town), Managers, Listening, Branding (Brand = Talent), Training, Risk and Failing are all topics in the 160 slides. These are just the ones on Strategy.

“Execution is Strategy.”

“Costco figured out the big, simple things and executed with total fanaticism.” —Charles Munger, Berkshire Hathaway

“In real life, strategy is actually very straightforward. Pick a general direction … and implement like hell.” —Jack Welch

“The art of war does not require complicated maneuvers; the simplest are the best and common sense is fundamental. From which one might wonder how it is generals make blunders; it is because they try to be clever.” — Napoleon

There is so much valuable information available today – free and cheap – that can be consumed easily – video, audio, PDF, blog, books, power point, webinar – that your people should be encouraged to seek improvement, knowledge, skills and personal development. Invest in them and they will invest in you.