Need a few last minute Christmas gift ideas for the designer or entrepreneur in your life? These books aren’t your typical yawn-to-my-toes affair. They’re untraditional looks at everyday problems and topics.
Eloquent Ruby, by Russ Olsen
Whether you’re looking to learn Ruby or brush up your skills, Eloquent Ruby is just as the name would suggest – an eloquent explanation of how this design technique works. Expertly organized, it doesn’t dribble into tangents. Rather, each chapter is roughly 10 pages with a typically format of explaining a claim, sharing code examples and then discussing the real world application. Immediately you can more from understanding the concept to seeing it’s practical application and even trying it out yourself. Few books are better teachers.
Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier
If you’re looking for a traditional business book, this one isn’t for you. Rework breaks business book rules. It throws business plans to the ground and takes off running with an out of the box, investor free, office free, staff free approach that’s both empowering and scary. It challenges you. Whether you incorporate all or some of its message, on thing is clear, stop talking and start doing. Really, it’s just darn good.
The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen
The Innovator’s Dilemma takes an insightful look at why even an outstanding company that does everything right can disappear. But more so, it explores how to capitalize on disruptive innovation. With ideas that seem counterintuitive, Christensen explains how sometimes not listening to customers and investing in lower-performing products can be the smart move long term. Strange advice? Maybe. Good advice? Definitely.
Just My Type by Simon Garfield
While fonts surround us, they often go overlooked. Few folks pay attention to the subtle (or not so subtle) differences between the business like structure of Times New Roman and the more stark presentation of Arial. But the designer in your life knows these subtle differences play a huge role in how the audience receives a message. Garfield not only explores where fonts come from, but investigates how they influence us.
Talkable by Guy Richards and Andrea Willits
The popular notion is brands with the biggest budgets garner the most success. Guy Richards and Andrea Willits prove otherwise. Talkable explores how business that have or are enjoying success have done so because their brand delivers a unique experience which folks can’t help but talk about. Additionally, they shares tools a brand can use to take action that will yield real results.
The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson
Taking a close look at the characteristics of the most successful salespeople throughout multiple industries and geographies, Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson realized one thing - folks that sell challenge their customers. The Challenger Sale explores the secret to sales success in a revolutionary way. Rather than a call for more relationship building, it highlights the need to be assertive and take control. It demands that rather than pitching a product, you take a close look at each of your customer’s needs and objectives, personalizing your service to them.
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
You’ll be hard pressed to find a better book for the animal lover in your life. All Creatures Great and Small is a witty and heartwarming collection of stories about a young veterinarian posted in the rugged English countryside. Based on the author’s own experiences, we see this stranger struggle to learn the regional dialect and local customs. We watch as he tries his best to mend pets and livestock alike. And, we can’t help but reflect as he learns and grows with each new encounter.
Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann & E.M. Ginger
You don’t need any previous knowledge of typography to enjoy Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works. In an easy to follow read, Erik Spiekermann and E.M. Ginger explore how type is both easy to read and understand. But, he also explores how in the hands of an experienced user, it can be a powerful communication tool.
Positioning by Al Ries and Jack Trout
Today’s customers are skeptical. They’ve been marketed on such a large scale and for so long that they’re nearly numb to the idea of a trustworthy brand. Positioning explores how a company can successfully embed itself into the collective subconscious of their target audience. Additionally, it gives you action-ready techniques you can apply immediately for everything from presenting your position to naming a future product.
Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips
Abraham Lincoln’s diverse leadership capabilities allowed him to inspire a wide variety of personality types behind a central goal. Today, these same techniques can be applied to our interactions with customer and employees alike. In Lincoln on Leadership, principals are broken down by chapters, making them easy to follow and understand.
