Black Belt Dojo

For your bookshelf

I'm currently reading The Art of SpeedReading People - how to size people up and speak their language, by Paul D Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger.

It's an easy to read and accessible look at the Myers Briggs personality types. Previously I've found books about MBTI a bit dull and treacle-like, but this one takes you through what each of the four Myers Briggs elements mean and then has a section for each of the individual types, including tips for communicating with them and 'attention grabbing phrases'.

Whenever I read my profile (ISFJ) in these things I always look enviously at all the 'E' profiles and wish I was entertaining, witty and the life and soul of the party instead of quietly friendly and helpfully 'nice' (and therefore easily taken advantage of by others, says this book cheerfully - great!)

It's a good read compared to others I've come across, anyway, and Tieger & Tieger seem to have written other books on how MBTI relates to anything and everything from careers to relationships.

Sue

 

Clicking - Faith Popcorn

  Whilst decluttering our bookshelves this weekend, I came across a copy of a book that inspired me at a time in my life when I needed direction, it was recommended to me by Jason Orange of Take That who had also used it for a personal journey . I've not looked over for sometime but think I will revisit a few of the chapters.

Clicking - 17 Trends That Drive Your Business--And Your Life - Faith Popcorn

Faith Popcorn has been called "America's most highly regarded trends forecaster" (Newsday). She first identified the concepts of Cocooning, Female Think and Icon Toppling; predicted the fall of New Coke; and has helped create and market many of America's most successful new products. Her astonishingly accurate predictions are an invaluable asset to the American business world, and Clicking, which sold over 100,000 copies in hardcover, appeared on bestseller lists ranging from the New York Times and USA Today to the Chicago Tribune and Business Week.

Now Popcorn, co-author Lys Marigold, and Popcorn's company, BrainReserve, share even more of their remarkable insights about how we will conduct our businesses and live our lives in the future. Clicking is about positioning one's business, and one's self, to be poised to take the fullest advantage of upcoming trends. Loaded with telling anecdotes and inspiring examples, packed with ideas, products and people who have successfully mastered trends, or "clicked," this up-to-the minute revised report (including a major trend not identified in the hardcover) reveals the shape of the future.

Let me know your thoughts!

All the best Sarah

December books

We've posted new links on the 'recommended books' section.

How to be Brilliant, by Michael Heppell, was recommended by Darren Crozier.

The Long Tail, by Chris Anderson and Dialogue, by William Issacs, were recommended by Timm Suess.

Alex Manchester has recommended The Google Story by David Vise.

We'd love to hear more recommendations. Post any references in the comments box below and tell us why you're recommending them. We'll add links to the recommended books section.

Sue