A Little Summer Reading

Want to have a few laughs during your summer holiday? Don't leave home without these reading "gems" from business columnist Lisa Nirell.

A Little Summer Reading

One of the toughest things I have to do as an executive mentor is to convince my clients--most of whom are tough-as-nails, driven workaholics--that they're more effective when they routinely take some time off. Recharging your batteries isn't optional for growth; it's mandatory.

The good news is, the power of escape is at our fingertips. All you have to do is get in your car, fight off the Del Mar Fair traffic, jockey for the last parking spot at the Beach, and stake your claim on the sand.

Or, just close the office door for 30 minutes every day, and savor some classics. When the going gets tough, the tough get reading. With tongue only slightly in cheek, I'd like to recommend some personal favorites, slotted into "traditional categories." Remember: The point is to enjoy. This isn't homework. Laugh a little. 'Tis the season for light clothing, light food, and light reading.

Fiction and Poetry Birth of the Chaordic Age. Dee Hock (1999, Berrett-Koehler) The Founder of VISA International explains the magical birth of VISA’s creation, revealing how chaos and order merged to allow competing banks to peacefully create a $1.25 trillion organization for a time (who can forget the 1998 Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against VISA and Mastercard?). Hock has a magical way of discussing the impact the “monkey mind” (aka “inner voice” or “doubting Thomas”) on the success of new projects.

Non Fiction The Princessa: Machiavelli for Women. Harriet Rubin (1999, Dell) Rubin offers practical examples of how women, ranging from George Eliot to Golda Meir, have gained power using ease and grace. She outlines a critical distinction between winning the battle versus “besting” your enemy, and demonstrates how a battle strategy defeated Hilary Clinton’s efforts to launch her Health Care Initiative (her own husband’s team was sent in to work against her!). Who needs fiction when you can learn age-old lessons from real-life political drama?

Mystery Cyber Rules. Thomas Siebel, et. al. (2000, Doubleday) Want to learn how to write a company brochure disguised as a hardcover visionary book? Add this flavor of the month from days gone by to your paperweight list! In this high-tech “whodunit,” protagonist Siebel carefully orchestrates twists, turns, and surprises that finally culminate in the revelation of The Secret Of Success. (If you hate spoilers, skip ahead to the next book.) The real twist in the plot appears when Siebel asks a Board member – Charles Schwab – to write the Foreword. Later, the big secret comes out: "Put the Customer First." While the real mystery might be how it took civilization 2000 years to figure this out, Cyber Rules remains a relatively good read. Auctioned copies start at $.09, so hurry and order your copy today.

Science Fiction The Road Ahead. Bill Gates (1995, Penguin) Wherein Mr. Gates describes his future dream home: “A house that tracks its occupants in order to meet their particular needs and combines two traditions: Unobtrusive service, and that an object we carry entitles us to be treated in a certain way.” (Does this mean I can program the bulletin board to refuse to give my husband the Mercedes keys when he's just going to the grocery store? Sign me up!) The title appears to have been a mix-up; I am convinced that it really meant to say, George Orwell goes to Redmond. Still an amusing read after all these years.

Children’s Books The One Minute Millionaire. Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen. (2002, Harmony) Here’s a novel idea for an industry that once prided itself in get rich quick schemes, high margin products and services: What if you gave away a percentage of your profits each year to mentor young people, or to support worthwhile non-profit endeavors? The storybook layout of this book keeps things entertaining and light, yet the messages are compelling. If you want to create new prosperity possibilities for yourself and your family, read on--especially the story about Millionaire Michelle.

What Should I Do With My Life? Po Bronson (2002, Random House) Two years have passed since we saw early signs of the dot-com collapse's impact on millions of careers. This turn of events inspired Bronson to listen to the life stories of more than 900 people who have challenged their own career choices. "What makes this a children's book," you ask? Many of Bronson's subjects dug deep into their childhoods to remind themselves of what fuels and inspires them.

Isn't that what summer is all about?

Lisa Nirell, President of Nirell & Associates, mentors high-tech entrepreneurs and executives to accelerate growth. Lisa also writes for ComputerWorld, San Diego Daily Transcript, and Software Strategies and has served on three Boards of Directors. For more information, visit http://www.nirell.com." target="_blank">www.nirell.com.

About the Author

Lisa Nirell, President of Nirell & Associates, advises high-tech entrepreneurs and executives who want to accelerate growth. With more than 20 years in software, consulting, and sales, Lisa has served on 3 Boards of Directors and has published in ComputerWorld and Software Strategies. For more information, visit http://www.nirell.com." target="_blank">www.nirell.com.

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