THE RIGHT LEADER: Selecting Executives Who Fit

By Nat Stoddard with Claire Wyckoff

"I wish that all the interviews I did where ascomfortable and professional as yours, and that the interviewers came as well-prepared with relevant questions as you did. You really made the entire experience a pleasure." -----Nat Stoddard

As I read the author's credentials, "Chairman of Crenshaw Associates, former CEO of a leading kitchen products manufacturer and a former president, and CEO of GE's Canadian appliance affiliate, Camco, Inc.," I was very impressed. There is no doubt that Stoddard knows what it looks like from the top. My initial question was "What does this book have to do with someone like me? I am just a regular employee. I have always looked up at the top executives in the organization from somewhere in the middle."

As I read the book, I began to understand the importance it has for me and for anyone else involved in an organization.

The book is well-researched, interesting and thought provoking. The statistics about the failure rate for top executives in corporate America are staggering. The amount of money wasted would sustain a small country for at least a year. Why do organizations give top executives such "golden parachutes" when they do a bad job and are replaced? Why can't Boards and Teams select the right person for the job in the first place? They seem to be looking at the wrong things and not asking the right questions.

Stoddard and Wyckoff present a Match-Fit Model that makes a lot of sense. There is also information about how to put together the selection team. There are recommendations for questions that should be asked as well as a discussion of the organization's culture. Doesn't it make sense that if there is success at the top there will be success at the bottom of the organization? Don't we all want to be part of a successful and stable organization with solid leadership?

I believe this book contains ideas that are useful to any group choosing new leadership, whether it's a church group, a non-profit organization or a major corporation. The idea of actually choosing the right person the first time just seems like common sense. but I read a quote the other day that says, "Common sense isn't so common any more." What do you think?


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EXITING YOUR BUSINESS, PROTECTING YOUR WEALTH

By John Leonetti

Are you one of the "Baby Boomer" business owners thinking about retirement but you just can't quite bring yourself to leave your business? This is the book for you.

Exiting your business is quite likely one of the most important financial events in the life of any business owner. What do you do? Do you just sell it? That may not be as easy as it sounds and it may not be the right solution for you. This book provides an insightful look at a simple process to plan your exit. You will find information about creating an advisory team to advise you, set your exit goals, determine legal and tax issues, and much more.

I had no idea there were so many options for exiting a business. This book opened my eyes and gave me a different perspective on the whole idea. It's well-written and a must-read for the individual contemplating retirement. What do you think?

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THE INTEGRITY DIVIDEND:Leading By The Power Of Your Word

By Tony Simons

Trust in government and corporate leadership at an all time low.  Most of us don't believe what politicians say, we don't believe what the CEO of the company we work for says and we don't believe what our bosses say.  If credibility is considered the foundation of effective leadership, it seems to be in short supply.

You may look at the title of this book and think "Oh!  Another ethics book."  However, that's not the case.  The author actually has research data that puts a bottom-line dollar value on business leaders who live by their word and actually do what they say.  The book shows how the personal integrity of it's leaders drives the profitability and overall success of organizations.

Why doesn't everyone just "do the right thing?"  Simons points out that although that idea sounds simple enough, it's just not as easy as it sounds.

Fascination and thought provoking, this is a must-read business book.  The reader will come away with new insights and a greater understanding of just how important it is to do what you said you would do.  What do you think?

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THE INSIDE ADVANTAGE: The Strategy That Unlocks The Hidden Growth In Your Business by Robert H. Bloom

I really like this book. Maybe I like it so much because the author, Bob Bloom, said something when I interviewed him for dallasbookdiva.com that really hit home with me. One of the first things he said was that his book was about a simple process, not a complex process. Simple always works best for me. I also liked talking with Bob. He has such a passion for what he is doing and for what he has written, it is a pleasure to talk to him. I didn't want to stop! Listen to the interview and you will see what I mean.

The book is basically divided into four segments or steps with chapters supporting and explaining each step. The four parts of his Growth Discovery Process are CORE CUSTOMERS (the WHO of your business), UNCOMMON OFFERINGS (WHAT can you offer them), PERSUASIVE STRATEGIES (HOW can you convince them) and IMAGINATIVE ACTS (OWN IT!). Bob delivers his message in an easy-to-read style that includes illustrations from his own illustrious, successful career. The whole process made so much sense to me that I plan to apply these strategies to my own small business. Tell me what you think.

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THE AGE OF SPEED: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World by Vince Poscente

I could hardly put this book down. Vince Poscente has such an interesting message about the speed of our lives! He uses many stories and examples of how the speed of society is affecting us and, in many cases, adding to already high stress levels. The hypothesis is that we should change the way we view both speed and time. We need to think in more of a “value-based” way about the choices we make about using our time and energy.

Vince talks about the “blur” between home, business, leisure and family time. He also discusses that we are using a mindset about time that comes from the 50’s! He identifies four styles of utilizing time: Zeppelins (resist speed); Balloons (resist speed but are often successful because of the nature of the business); Bottle Rockets (start fast and burn out); Jets (learn to use speed and agility for success). Vince gives real world examples and his ideas are intriguing. I found myself really interested in his ideas and I’m going to try some of them! I think this fascinating book will equally captivate you.

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RUN WITH THE BULLS WITHOUT GETTING TRAMPLED by Dr. Tim Irwin

Tim Irwin’s book begins with a story about he and his son running with bulls in Pamplona. The event can be viewed on-line at Tim’s website. It’s worth your time to watch! From the experience, came the idea for the book.

I have worked for and with corporate “bulls” and so have many of you. I love one quote from the book: “…These organizational bulls are indifferent to us-not caring whether or not we reach our goals but only whether or not they reach theirs.” For me that summed up the attitudes of some of the various individuals I have worked both for and with!

This is a grounded book with good advice. The research was done with interviews of over 10,000 individuals from all levels of organizations, from the top to the bottom. I thought the ideas translated well for individuals who feel “stuck” in their organizations and need something to renew them as well as for the newbie in the job market who just graduated and is in the world of work for the first time. Tim’s writing style is engaging and informative. I liked this book.

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SMALL BUSINESS, BIG LIFE: FIVE STEPS TO CREATING A LIFE WITH YOUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS by Louis Barajas

What a pleasure to interview Louis Barajas. I enjoyed his down-to-earth approach. His "5 Steps" are logical and make sense on a real-world level.

The 5-Steps are:
1. Your Life Blueprint - The Purpose of Your Business is to Give You More Life

2. Your Vision - The Source of Leadership

3. Your Business Blueprint - Your Business Is Your Business, Not Your Product or Service

4. Your Business Systems - Make It Easy To Build Success

5. Your Team - The Bigger the Dream, the Better the Team Needed

This is a book aimed at so many of us. If you're starting your own business, have been down-sized, or are looking at starting "something new" after retirement, this book will be an invaluable tool.