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At Southwest Michigan First, we love to burden ourselves with knowlegde that helps us to become better at what we do. We do a lot of reading here among the staff and have decided to share some of our favorite books with you. Please see below for a listing of the books we have chosen for our Southwest Michigan First Book Club and click on the links for more information.
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April 2007
Mavericks at Work by William C. Taylor and Polly LaBarre
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Business as usual is bust. In industry after industry, the old guard is cutting back and losing ground. Meanwhile, organizations and entrepreneuers that were once dismissed as upstarts, as wildcards - as mavericks - are making waves and growing fast. There's a reason: In an age of hyper-competition and nonstop innovation, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something truly original.
That's the lesson at the heart of Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win. In this agenda-setting book, William C. Taylor and Polly LaBarre provide a set of provocative insights and a collection of instructive case studies that amount to a business plan for the 21st century'a smarter way to lead, compete, and succeed.
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November 2006
Faith and Politics by Senator John Danforth
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As a respected former senator, special envoy for peace in Sudan, priest, as an author, Senator Danforth writes openly about his political life and ambition, humbly about his achievements, and above all with clarity and reason relevant for both Republicans and Democrats.
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August 2006
Management by Baseball by Jeff Angus
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'The skills in Management by Baseball work ... Angus keeps us focused and motivated on the process of performing.'
- Rick Peterson, Pitching Coach, New York Mets
In Management by Baseball, Jeff Angus arms you with practical examples and proven techniques you can use to improve your managerial effectiveness at work, at home -- anywhere. As you dash from first base to home plate, Jeff Angus makes learning to become a great manager a great reading experience:
Managing the Mechanics
Managing the Talent
Managing Yourself
Managing Change -- and Driving It
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May 2006
The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson
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In The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson, you will learn of the nature of innovation. Johansson, demonstrates how the intersection of diverse people and the expression of their good ideas are critical to generating great, innovative results.
'As I look at the exploration of Mars through the lens The Medici Effect offers, I see pathways ahead that were previously invisible, and possibilities that we must consider. Any book that has this effect on anyone is far more than a good read. Let the sleeper awake!'
-Dr. James B. Garvin, Chief Scientist, NASA
'Diversity in ideas and experiences breeds the remarkable fruit of invention. In The Medici Effect, Johansson has brought this simple notion to us in a way that is entertaining, informative and very valuable. Drop what you're doing and read it!'
-Dr. Gil Amelio, Former CEO, Apple Computers & National Semiconductor
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April 2006
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
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Ferrazzi's form of connecting to the world around him is based on generosity; helping friends connect with other friends. He distills his system of reaching out to people into practical, proven principles. Among them:
Don't keep score: It's never simply about getting what you want. It's about getting what you want and making sure that the people who are important to you get what they want, too.
'Ping' constantly: The Ins and Outs of reaching out to those in your circle of contacts all the time - not just when you need something.
Never eat alone: The dynamics of status are the same whether you are working at a corporation or attending a society event - 'invisibility' is a fate worse than failure.
In the course of the book, Ferrazzi outlines the timeless strategies shared by the world's most connected individuals, from Katherine Graham to Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan to the Dalai Lama.
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