BOOKS, when chosen carefully, can make great gifts. They enrich, open up closed minds and immerse the reader in another world other than his own. But before books can please, there must be a pleasure found in reading.
All of us have that privilege; it is only whether we want to make time to nurture it. Because reading takes up so much time, it tends to compete with other seemingly more interesting pursuits.
Depending on style, language and other dynamics, there will be certain titles and authors who will appeal to us. The onus is on us to find the time to sate that need within us, for he who reads is richer for it.
In the season’s spirit of giving, here is a selection of hardcover books, suggested by three leading bookstores, for the person at the helm in mind. A couple of them, like Tiffany Pearls, are chosen with the women CEO in mind. The majority of them will appeal to both men and women.
Some titles will take time to chew like David A Lax and James K Sebenius’ 3-D Negotiations. Others titillate and tickle like Shoes. Andy Grove’s biography inspires, while Oprah’s Live Your Best Life leaves little gems along life’s sometimes weary way, when there is only time to browse.
KINOKUNIYA'S SELECTION
Andy Grove by Richard S. Tedlow, RM109.90 (ISBN 1591841399)
Harvard professor and historian Tedlow gives a close-up portrait of Andy Grove. Grove rose from being a penniless Hungarian refugee to an engineer hired as Intel’s third employee, eventually heading one of the most profitable companies in history. A year-by-year account of Intel’s history, punctuated by Grove's musings, drawn from his private notebooks. A primer on Grove’s writings and management philosophy and why his tenure as Intel CEO was so successful despite his personal ups and downs and his fight with cancer.
The Way of the Shark: Lessons on Golf, Business and Life by Greg Norman, RM119.90 (ISBN 0743287746)
In the 1980s and 1990s, Australia's Greg Norman ranked as the world's top golfer for six consecutive years. Despite that, the linksman nicknamed the Great White Shark is perhaps best remembered for some of his final-round heartbreaks in major tournaments. Even after those setbacks, Norman laughed all the way to the bank. His endorsements and investments have made him one of the richest men in the history of sports. The free-swinging star explains his best game tips on and off the course.
Dynasties, by David Landes, RM103.54 (ISBN 0670033383)
Award-winning historian David Landes scrutinises powerful family businesses in Europe, Japan and the US to determine the factors that can cause a dynasty to flourish or fail. He provides fascinating insights into business legends, like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. The life stories of these remarkable individuals contain all the drama and passion expected when extraordinary money, power and kinship interconnect, and are essential reading for anyone with an interest in business and world history.
China Shakes the World, by James Kynge, RM98.03 (ISBN 0618705643)
A journalist in Asia for two decades, Kynge was the China bureau chief of Financial Times until 2005. Drawing on his years in the country and his fluency in Mandarin, he probes beyond the familiar statistics to unearth the surprising reasons for China's explosive growth. He sounds the alarm as China's systemic weaknesses threaten greater global disruptions. Kynge traces the tremors from Beijing to Tuscany to the Midwest as China’s hunger for jobs, raw materials, energy, and food, and its export of goods, workers, and investments drastically reshape world trade and politics.
Alwaleed: Businessman, Billionaire and Prince by Riz Khan, RM106.50 (ISBN 0060850302)
Though Prince Alwaleed bin Talal came to public attention in the US when Rudy Giuliani rejected his US$10mil donation to the Twin Towers fund, Alwaleed's real significance is as a global financial powerbroker. The Saudi royal is the biggest single foreign investor in the US economy and the world’s fourth-richest man. Khan, who has interviewed high-profile figures for CNN International, tags along with Alwaleed and his entourage as they conduct business in Riyadh and Paris, holiday in Cannes and trek into the Saudi desert for a weekend getaway. The resulting reportage has the breezy flavour of a magazine profile awkwardly stretched to book length.
Ideaspotting by Sam Harrison, RM59.30 (ISBN 1581808003)
There is nothing like great ideas. But where do they come from? Harrison, through anecdotes, interviews, quotes, tips and success stories from the biggest corporations in the country, shows you how to think outside the box – then throw away the box, for good. You are encouraged to listen and observe, explore through travel, leave your daily routine and look for ideas from nature. A book for desperate people.
Tiffany Pearls by John Loring, RM196.07 (ISBN 0810954435)
Symbols of perfection, pearls are the most classic of gems, bringing an air of elegance and sophistication to the women who wear them. No name in fine jewellery says “classic” more than Tiffany & Co., and the venerable institution’s long-time design director traces the dazzling history of pearl jewellery at Tiffany, from the mid-19th century to the present, including fascinating accounts of many of the world’s most famous pearls since the Renaissance.
Shoes: A History from Sandals to Sneakers, RM189.83 (ISBN 1845204433)
Shoes are now much more than just things to walk in. They say something about you. But, beyond style, this most object communicates much more – our aesthetic sense, social status and personality. Before they became objects of desire, shoes had a history. From ancient times to the present, shoes have had a cultural as well as a practical purpose. Within these pages is pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about shoes. War, sex and the high heel, the irresistible rise of the sneaker, and the cult of shoe designers are all found within these pages.
BORDER'S SELECTION
Trump 101: The Way To Success by Donald J. Trump & Meredith Mclver, RM63.80 (ISBN: 0470047100)
A collection of hard-charging pep talks, inspiration and advice from the world’s most famous businessman. Trump explains 33 success principles that got him where he is today. With a detailed account of a week in Trump’s high-flying life, and a list of 10 books he recommends you read, Trump 101 is a bible for success in business and life.
The Starbucks Experience by Joseph Michelli, RM87.80 (ISBN: 0071477845)
Michelli interviews Starbuck’s leadership and pinpoints five principles driving the chain’s success: Make it your own, constantly look for ways to add customers, increase efficiency, sell more to existing customers, and generate breakthrough products and service. A rich mix of ideas for businesses that want to learn about Starbucks’ phenomenal vision, creativity, and leadership within their company and in their field.
3-D Negotiation by David A Lax and James K Sebenius, RM119.80 (ISBN: 1591397995)
This book adds depth and complexity to our understanding and practical approach to negotiations. The 3-D perspective focuses on the surface process and the hidden, potential value to be unlocked with skillful “deal-design.”
Jeremy Oliver The Australian Wine Annual 2007, RM58.40 (ISBN: 0958103259)
Australia’s most influential wine writer releases the latest edition of his best-selling guide to Australian wine. This title goes through the best and best-selling Australian wines, maker by maker, vintage by vintage, offering a huge amount of easily understood information at a glance. It includes a full-colour image of each wine label, what is happening with each winery, its most important details and reviews of current wines.
The Culture Code by Clotaire Rapaille, RM99.90 (ISBN: 0767920562)
Cultural anthropologist Rapaille reveals techniques he uses to improve profitability and practices for Fortune 100 companies. He sheds light on how business and every human being acts and lives. His notion is that we acquire a silent system of codes as we grow up within our culture. It is these codes that make an American an American and a German, German.
Blue Ocean Strategy by W Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, RM119.80 (ISBN: 1591396190)
Kim and Mauborgne suggest that the only way for tomorrow’s companies to move ahead will be to make competitors irrelevant. The duo highlight six principles – how to reconstruct market boundaries, focus on the big picture, reach beyond existing demand, get the strategic sequence right, overcome organisational hurdles and turn execution into strategy.
Live Your Best Life from O, The Oprah Magazine, RM119.90 (ISBN: 0848731050)
A goodie bag for everyone whenever you want inspiration, advice, a shot of comic relief or to pop a confidence pill. Divided into three sections. Your Personal Best is about getting you into shape, to be happier, healthier, fitter and thinner. Relationships takes you from meeting your match to dealing with his annoying habits and Living in the World includes conversations with celebrities, politicians and activists.
Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die by Chris Santella, RM99.90 (ISBN: 1584794747)
Santella interviews 50 golfers about their favourite courses around the world. From Ballyiffin, Ireland’s northernmost course, to New Zealand’s Cape Kidnappers, photographs capture the histories and ambience of the different venues for one of the world’s most popular sports.
MPH'S SELECTION
Tough Choices by Carly Fiorina, RM80 (ISBN 1857883918)
Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, writes with brutal honesty about her triumphs and failures, her fears and painful confrontations, including her sudden and public firing by HP’s board of directors.
Mavericks At Work: Why The Most Original Minds In Business Win by William C. Taylor & Polly LaBarre, RM89.90 (ISBN 0007244088)
Unconventional ideas and groundbreaking strategies can become your business plan for the 21st century. In an age of hyper-competition and non-stop innovation, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to be original. This book will help you think bigger, aim higher, and win more decisively.
The Leader's Guide To Storytelling by Stephen Denning, RM79.80 (ISBN 078797675 X)
The role of storytelling in a meeting is among the most important leadership challenges today. It motivates others to act, builds trust and helps to transmit one’s values in a non-aggressive way. Denning offers a detailed account of why and how each type of story works, with examples from business settings.
The Business Of Changing The World by Marc Benioff & Carlye Adler, RM111.80 (ISBN 0071481516)
When Benioff founded salesforce.com, his vision was to change the model for philanthropic giving. Along with 19 other leaders, he shares how giving back to the community creates a win-win situation for both businesses and the public.
Break From The Pack: How To Compete In A Copycat Economy by Oren Harari, RM79.00 (ISBN 0131888633)
Everywhere, products are being commoditised, services are being imitated, and traditional barriers to market entry are collapsing. In today’s Copycat Economy, companies must break from the pack. Harari identifies 10 common mistakes that keep companies trapped in the pack and six strategies that will propel your organisation forward.
Ocean, RM204 (ISBN 1405312920)
Explore the last wilderness left on Earth. From the geology of the sea floor and the interaction between the oceans and atmosphere to the extraordinary diversity of marine life, the ocean is a fragile resource for man. A beautiful visual essay celebrates the drama of the sea, while illustrations and the satellite-derived maps explain and illuminate each natural process and phenomenon.
IWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon – Getting to the Core of Apple’s Inventor by Steve Wozniak with Gina Smith, RM72.50 (ISBN 0755314077)
A memoir of cult icon Steve Wozniak, the Apple co-founder and inventor, and how he changed the face of the computing industry.
Fred Factor: How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by Mark Sanborn, RM35.90 (ISBN 184413816 X)
This is not a new book but its message is timeless. Motivational speaker Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who loves his job and who cares about the people he serves. Because of that, he is constantly going the extra mile in handling the mail of the people on his route. Where others might see delivering mail as monotonous drudgery, Fred sees an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those he serves. Sanborn illuminates the simple steps each of us can take to transform our own lives from the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Cars by Enzo Rizzo, RM84.70 (ISBN 88 544 01722)
From classic to dream cars, sports to luxury wheels, this compendium features the finest luxury cars produced by Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, Lancia, Bentley, Triumph and Jaguar.
Masterpieces of Modern Architecture, RM193.45 (ISBN 8854401455)
Architecture is probably the most tangible reflection of the transformation affecting human societies. This book examines the new trends in architecture from the end of WWII to the beginning of the new millennium, highlighting new modernity, from gargantuan structures and hi-tech to postmodernism and minimalism.
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