Reading List – How to Win Friends & Influence People in the Digital Age by Dale Carnegie & Associates

Why read this book?

So much more than about networking, this book is an up- date of the original classic written by Dale Carnegie in 1936. The original title is often cited as the book that launched the entire self-help genre—currently an $11 billion industry, according to New York Magazine.

Adapted from my book, Career-ology: The Art and Science of a Successful Career, Chapter 3: Professional Networking. Click here to download 2 chapters of the book for free. Available on Amazon today.

Reading List – The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Why read this book? This is a superbly written parable whose main message is that in business, as in life, it is better to give than to receive. The Go-Giver is both inspirational and aspirational as you build your professional network. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Adapted from my new book, Career-ology: The Art and Science of a Successful Career, Chapter 3: Professional Networking. Click here to download 2 chapters of the book for free! Available on Amazon today.

Reading List: Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

Why read this book? Written by the international best-selling author and leader in professional development, Eat That Frog will help you jump- start your professional development (or any other task in your work) with twenty-one proven methods and techniques. These methods are integral to accelerating your career: #7 Focus on Key Result Areas, #10 Take It One Oil Barrel at a Time, #11 Upgrade Your Skills, #13 Identify Your Key Constraints, #21 Single Hand Every Task.g your career: #7 Focus on Key Result Areas, #10 Take It One Oil Barrel at a Time, #11 Upgrade Your Skills, #13 Identify Your Key Constraints, #21 Single Hand Every Task.

Adapted from my new book, Career-ology: The Art and Science of A Successful Career, Chapter 2: Accelerate Your Career Experience. Click here to download two chapters of the book for free!

Reading List: Who Moved My Cheese?

This book tells the story of 4 characters– Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw– and the different ways they interpret and ultimately deal with change in their environment.  This story of adaptability is parable which makes the story fun and easy to read.  The characters in the story include two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two mice-sized people named Hem and Haw with all of the human traits and flaws (human characteristics).  The four characters live in a maze and search for cheese which represents food and happiness– the ultimate prize.

The story is woven around several key lessons about change: Read more

READING LIST: The Startup of You

Reid Hoffman is the co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn and knows a thing or two about the power of networking.

The Start-up of You is not a technical “how to” book about the world’s most popular professional networking site, but instead a philosophical discussion about approaching your career with the mindset of entrepreneur.  Hoffman along with his co-author, Ben Casnocha suggest that you consider your career in permanent beta– as a professional, you are never complete, but instead always aiming to grow, expand and improve.

Who should read this book? Read more

Reading List: Mastering LinkedIn in 7 Days or Less

Jan Wallen's BookJan Wallen’s Mastering LinkedIn in 7 Days or Less  is a must read for LinkedIn newbies and experienced users alike.  Because of Jan’s extensive professional experience in Fortune 500 and Big 5 firms, her book focuses on the very practical aspects of utilizing LinkedIn to find a job, identify new clients and grow your business.

The book covers the basics from creating  your initial profile to searching for and connecting with people in your network.  As an extensive user of LinkedIn for her own business, Jan provides many of her own insider secrets, tools and services throughout.

There are specific steps for days #1-7 starting with determining your LinkedIn philosophy.  On Day #6, you’ll learn about The Most Important 10 Minutes You’ll Ever Spend in LinkedIn.  This information alone is worth the price of the book and the time spent reading it.  Each day covers a different topic and by Day #7, you will have had the full tour.  Some of the other important topics include:

  • Why LinkedIn shouldn’t be used as your electronic resume
  • Maximizing your LinkedIn profile with Recommendations & Answers
  • Determining your purpose and goals for using LinkedIn
  • Why to include the link to your LinkedIn profile in your email signature and how to get your “vanity” link
  • 10 Ways You Never Thought of Using LinkedIn

There are many books covering LinkedIn.  This is one of the best.

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Reading List: “How to REALLY use LinkedIn” – 2nd edition Available for Free Download

Jan Vermeiren and Bert Verdonck have written the second edition of “How to REALLY use LinkedIn” and are making it available for free.  Vermeiren’s first edition is one of my top recommendations on the subject of LinkedIn.

The 2nd Edition has been completely revised and there are 53 extra pages which include:

  • Passive, active and proactive strategies for people who are looking for new customers, new employees or a new job.
  • How to be better prepared for offline events using LinkedIn.
  • A brand new chapter about how organizations can use LinkedIn (versus individuals) including the new LinkedIn Strategy Matrix© for Organizations.

Finally there is the new free “Video & Tools Library” with video tips, assessments, tools and webinar recordings.  The book can be downloaded for free from http://www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com (the library can also be found on that website).

Reading List: Working Identity

Working Identity – Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia Ibarra is a must read for those currently in or contemplating a career transition or career reinvention. Ibarra is a Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD.

The book is not a “how to,” but instead offers a summary of Ibarra’s research focused on the question: how do people change careers?  Read more