The Brand Bubble The Looming Crisis in Brand Value and How to Avoid It

By: John Gerzema and Ed Lebar

More than products or human capital, supply chains or customer service, a strong brand is the single most valuable asset a company can own. But upon close examination, many of the world's biggest brands are squandering their most important investments, losing control of their brand images. Traditional business models and strategies that marketers have employed for generations simply no longer work in today's high-tech, socially-networked, consumer-as-creator world. Metrics like trust and awareness (the backbone of traditional brand building) no longer apply. In their book The Brand Bubble, John Gerzema and Ed Lebar examine those brands that defy the odds with wild success, and prescribe a solution for the thousands of others that are declining and stagnating.

Driving Results Through Social Networks: How Top Organizations Leverage Networks for Performance and Growth
By: Rob Cross and Robert J. Thomas

Most leaders still rely too heavily on formal structures when designing their organizations and implementing strategy. However, these formal organizational structures often overlook the fact that every organization also has an informal "invisible" organization. Although these networks have traditionally formed serendipitously, it is becoming increasingly important for leaders to cultivate them in targeted ways.
Driving Results Through Social Networks explores the business applications of network analysis and offers a unique set of insights into ways that network analysis can be used as a strategic tool to generate value in organizations. By quickly revealing previously invisible networks, organizational network analysis makes it possible to for leaders to identify areas where collaboration thrives, as well as to monitor critical points of value creation.

Going Lean: How the Best Companies Apply Lean Manufacturing Principles to Shatter Uncertainty, Drive Innovation, and Maximize Profits

By: Stephen A. Ruffa
Unpredictability and crisis have become the norm in today's corporate landscape. Many organizations have been crippled by events such as September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, and economic downturn. However, some companies demonstrate an uncanny ability to thrive under the same conditions. What is it that differentiates these organizations from their competitors? What practices and philosophies help to facilitate their growth in spite of the harsh external conditions that devastate others?
In Going Lean, author Stephen A. Ruffa suggests these resilient companies rely on a set of practices and principles called lean dynamics. Rather than offering superficial techniques for tweaking existing organizational structures, lean dynamics represents a transformational approach designed to produce meaningful and sustainable results. Relying on research and case examples, Ruffa demonstrates how companies can experience unprecedented success in an environment of crisis.

High Altitude Leadership: What the World's Most Forbidding Peaks Teach Us About Success

By: Chris Warner and Don Schmincke

In High Altitude Leadership, Chris Warner and Don Schmincke, apply the lessons learned in the world of extreme mountaineering to the world of business. According to the authors, the dangers faced mountain climbers have parallels in the world of business, and it takes a specific type of leader to overcome – a high altitude leader. Warner and Schmincke describe the dangers that these leaders face, and how they overcome them. These dangers include the fear of death, selfishness, tool seduction, arrogance, lone heroes, cowardice, comfort and gravity. By overcoming these dangers, high altitude leaders are able to achieve top-of-the-world success.

Creative Capitalism: A Conversation with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Other Economic Leaders

By: Michael Kinsley 

Creative Capitalism focuses on the possibility of expanding capitalism into new areas and using it to solve problems that were previously assigned to charity or to government. The idea originated in a speech given by Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2008. He advocated a new approach for business which he termed “Creative Capitalism.” Gates defines Creative Capitalism as large, global corporations integrating “doing good” into the way they conduct business. Editor Michael Kinsley explores the possible meanings for Creative Capitalism with the input of numerous experts who participated in online discussions of the topic.

Authentic Conversations Moving from Manipulation to Truth and Commitment

By: Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir

In Authentic Conversations, Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir show the way to change the ways in which you communicate with both your peers and your subordinates at work. Functional and ordinary conversations can lead to a workforce that is engaged and energized, or to one that is alienated and uninspired. All too often workplace conversations create what the authors call parent-child relationships. People hide facts, sugarcoat reality, and claim helplessness to try to control the interaction and get what they want. Authentic Conversations demonstrates how we can move to honest and authentic interactions: adult conversations that create increased commitment, true accountability, and improved business performance.