More than 11,000 business books are published every year—an overwhelming choice for busy professionals. Therefore, in partnership with getAbstract, Training brings you February’s top three business books recommended to our readers.
“The Employee Experience Advantage. How to Win the War for Talent by Giving Employees the Workspaces They Want, the Tools They Need, and a Culture They Can Celebrate” by Jacob Morgan (Wiley, 2017, 304 pages, ISBN: 9781119321620; $26)
A 2015 Gallup study found that only 32 percent of U.S. workers feel engaged in their jobs. To combat this epidemic of disengaged employees, embrace the concept of providing a positive “employee experience” in every facet of your organization: cultural, physical, and technological. Author Jacob Morgan explains how and why companies that give their employees positive experiences become corporate winners. He provides vital information—down to a catalog of specific metrics—on how to make your employees happier while boosting your profits. getAbstract recommends Morgan’s affirmative manual to senior executives.
Rating (out of 10): 8
Applicability: 9
Innovation: 7
Style: 8
“The Art of Connection. 7 Relationship-Building Skills Every Leader Needs Now” by Michael J. Gelb (New World Library, 2017, 272 pages, ISBN: 9781608684496; $16.95)
Leadership expert Michael J. Gelb explains that many great businesses base their success on face-to-face communication. The leaders of these companies depend on seven personal relationship skills, such as practicing humility and becoming a better listener, to increase the scope and the depth of their organizations. Gelb presents a compelling case that learning these skills can help you connect more profoundly with other people and with yourself. His supporting testimony from noted authorities becomes a little overwhelming, but his motives are clearly supportive. getAbstract recommends Gelb’s advice to everyone seeking to build better relationships, especially those in customer-facing jobs or in human relations.
Rating (out of 10): 7
Applicability: 8
Innovation: 7
Style: 8
“The Millennial Myth. Transforming Misunderstanding into Workplace Breakthroughs” by Crystal Kadakia (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2017, 184 pages, ISBN: 9781626569560; $18.95)
A Millennial herself, Crystal Kadakia offers a guide that explains her generation—born between 1981 and 1996—to its older colleagues. She explains Millennial behavior and suggests the best ways to engage members of her generation at work. Kadakia compliments older readers who keep an open mind and are willing to learn about Millennials. Despite wielding a broad brush, she provides well-researched data, bold insights, and a thought-provoking presentation. Perhaps, however, it’s a bit of a Millennialist slip to describe her own work as “groundbreaking,” “invaluable,” or a “great resource”—although it is a solid resource. getAbstract recommends her insights to executives and managers—including those who are Millennials themselves.
Rating (out of 10): 7
Applicability: 8
Innovation: 7
Style: 7
For five-page summaries of these and more than 15,000 other titles, visit http://www.getabstract.com/affiliate/trainingmagazine
