Business Acumen for Project Managers: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed as a Project or Program Manager.
Steven Haines' "Business Acumen for Project Managers" focuses on equipping project managers with the essential business understanding needed to excel in their roles.
Imagine moving beyond just checking off tasks on a project list and truly understanding how your work fits into the bigger picture of your company.
Steven Haines' "Business Acumen for Project Managers" guides you on that journey. It's about recognizing that projects aren't just about deadlines and budgets; they're about driving real business results.
This book helps you develop the skills to see the connections, understand the "why" behind your projects, and speak the language of senior leaders. It's like gaining a new perspective, allowing you to contribute more strategically and ultimately, make a greater impact on your organization's success, while boosting your own career. So, if you're ready to elevate your project management game and become a more valuable asset, this book offers practical tools and insights to help you get there.
Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manage with a Plan, Prioritize Your Time.
Do What Matters Most by Rob Shallenberger is a practical guide to achieving peak performance through intentional planning and prioritization. The book introduces three foundational habits—developing a personal vision, setting clear annual goals, and managing time through pre-week planning—to help individuals and leaders focus on what truly matters. Backed by research and real-world applications, Shallenberger provides actionable strategies to enhance productivity, leadership, and work-life balance. Whether you're a busy executive, an aspiring leader, or someone looking to take control of your time, this book offers a structured approach to maximizing impact and achieving long-term success.
The Power of Remote: Building High-Performing Organizations That Thrive in the Virtual Workplace
The Power of Remote: Building High-Performing Organizations That Thrive in the Virtual Workplace by Cynthia Watson and Shane Spraggs is a comprehensive guide to mastering remote work in today’s evolving business landscape. The book highlights the critical elements of creating successful virtual teams, including building trust, fostering effective communication, and ensuring accountability.
Through practical frameworks, real-world examples, and actionable advice, the authors provide leaders with the tools to navigate common challenges such as employee isolation, collaboration breakdowns, and balancing flexibility with structure. From leveraging technology to cultivating a cohesive company culture, The Power of Remote offers a strategic roadmap for organizations to not only adapt but excel in remote and hybrid work environments.
Perfect for leaders, project managers, and team members, the book redefines remote work as a transformative opportunity, equipping readers with the skills to build resilient, high-performing teams in the virtual workplace.
After Steve: How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul
After Steve by Tripp Mickle delves into the tumultuous period following Steve Jobs' passing, exploring how Apple navigated its transition from a visionary company under his leadership to a corporate behemoth. The book focuses on the contrasting approaches of Jony Ive, the renowned designer, and Tim Cook, the former COO turned CEO.
The book highlights the internal struggles and tensions within Apple as it sought to maintain its innovative edge without Jobs' guiding hand. Ive, initially driven by grief and a desire to uphold Jobs' legacy, gradually became disillusioned with the company's increasing focus on profit over innovation. Meanwhile, Cook, though respected for his operational skills, faced challenges in inspiring the same level of creativity and passion that Jobs had fostered.
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things
Adam Grant's Hidden Potential is a game-changer. It challenges the conventional wisdom that success is solely determined by talent or luck. Instead, Grant reveals that our character, motivation, and the systems we work in play a far greater role.
By exploring these key factors, Grant offers a fresh perspective on personal and professional growth. He argues that while technical skills are important, it's our character traits like curiosity, resilience, and humility that truly set us apart. Additionally, Grant emphasizes the importance of finding meaningful work that aligns with our values. This intrinsic motivation can fuel our efforts and help us overcome challenges.
Finally, Hidden Potential delves into the impact of systems on our potential. Grant explores how organizations can create environments that foster innovation, learning, and growth. By understanding the role of systems, we can work to improve our circumstances and maximize our opportunities.
If you're ready to unlock your full potential and achieve more than you ever thought possible, Hidden Potential is a must-read.
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You
Julie Zhuo, a tech executive, who mostly worked at Facebook, offers a valuable guide for aspiring and current managers in The Making of a Manager.
Drawing from her own experiences and insights, Zhuo provides practical advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, including building relationships, setting expectations, handling conflict, and fostering a positive team culture.
Brainy Glue: Making Change Stick
Brainy Glue: Making Change Stick
Paperback – 14 september 2021
by Ian Richards and Filip Hendrickx
"Brainy Glue: Making Change Stick" is a compelling business novel that brings to life the principles of business analysis and change management. Through the story of Abbie Townsend, readers experience the practical application of business analysis techniques in a corporate setting. The book is a must-read for professionals seeking to understand the incremental steps of innovation and the vital role of business analysis in driving successful change. Perfect for project managers and business analysts alike!
When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach
When the Heavens Went on Sale
Hardcover – May 9, 2023
by Ashlee Vance
When the Heavens Went on Sale” by Ashlee Vance is a captivating non-fiction work that delves into the fascinating world of space startups.
In this book, Vance sheds light on the triumphs, challenges, and larger-than-life characters behind companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, but also Rocket Lab, Planet Labs, Firefly Aerospace, Astra and some government agencies.
Some of these private enterprises have boldly taken the reins of space exploration, pushing boundaries and racing to put space within reach.
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Unreasonable Hospitality' is more than just a business manual; it's a deeply personal narrative of ambition, setbacks, and ultimately, a profound discovery. Will Guidara doesn't shy away from sharing the challenges he faced building world-renowned restaurants like Eleven Madison Park, revealing the long hours, the relentless pursuit of perfection, and the moments of doubt that shaped his understanding of true hospitality. This book charts his evolution from a driven restaurateur to a leader who understands that genuine human connection is the key ingredient to creating exceptional experiences. It's a story of transformation, demonstrating how focusing on 'unreasonable' generosity can not only elevate a business but also enrich one's life.
Sprint: How To Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days
Three design partners at Google Ventures developed a five-day process called the "design sprint" for tackling tough problems through design, prototyping, and customer testing. This method, initially created by Jake Knapp during his time at Google, has been used successfully on various projects, including Google Search and Gmail. Collaborating with Braden Kowitz and John Zeratsky at Google Ventures, they have collectively conducted over 100 sprints with portfolio companies, spanning industries like healthcare, finance, and retail. "Sprint" is a practical guide suitable for businesses of all sizes, providing a quick and effective way to address crucial questions and test solutions, whether for startups or Fortune 100 companies.
Clean Code - A Handbook Of Agile Software Craftsmanship
Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship
Paperback – 14 augustus 2008
by Robert C. Martin
Clean Code is divided into three parts. The first describes the principles, patterns, and practices of writing clean code. The second part consists of several case studies of increasing complexity. Each case study is an exercise in cleaning up code―of transforming a code base that has some problems into one that is sound and efficient. The third part is the payoff: a single chapter containing a list of heuristics and “smells” gathered while creating the case studies. The result is a knowledge base that describes the way we think when we write, read, and clean code.