Blog Archives
The Energetic Investor: Nurturing Mind, Body & Investment Mastery for Lasting Prosperity
The Energetic Investor is Kevin Bambrough’s deeply personal and unconventional guide to mastering wealth, health, and mindset. Blending memoir with self-help and investment strategy, the book is structured into three sections: Discover, Diagnose, and Deploy. It begins with a gripping and emotional account of a traumatic event that catalyzed Bambrough’s transformation. From there, he explores how burnout, biology, trauma, and ingrained behaviors sabotage our ability to thrive, not just financially, but mentally and physically. By treating the body like a complex investment portfolio and focusing on energy management at the cellular level, Bambrough challenges readers to align mind, body, and money for lasting prosperity.
What struck me immediately was how raw and real this book felt. It’s not some cookie-cutter investment guide sprinkled with generic life advice. Bambrough doesn’t hold back—he dives headfirst into his personal struggles with addiction, loss, and burnout. That honesty gives his ideas serious weight. His writing veers from high-intensity financial breakdowns to soul-searching reflections, which makes for an unexpected and powerful rhythm. I appreciated that he didn’t talk down to the reader or sugarcoat the truth. Whether he’s discussing dopamine hijacks by modern marketing or the role of trauma in our financial decisions, he keeps things direct, urgent, and human.
The book jumps across biology, psychology, economics, and life philosophy without much handholding. At times, it feels like drinking from a firehose of insight, anecdotes, and science-backed strategies. But oddly enough, I liked that. It kept me on my toes. The passion behind his words is undeniable. He’s not just giving advice, he’s living the transformation he preaches. His investment insights, especially his contrarian thinking and analysis of herd behavior, are gold for any investor who’s tired of shallow market noise. But it’s the blend of personal healing and financial intelligence that makes this book stand out.
The Energetic Investor isn’t for the faint of heart or someone looking for a tidy ten-step plan to get rich. It’s for those who are ready to do some soul-digging and gut-checking. If you’re a driven professional, a burned-out entrepreneur, or someone chasing success but feeling stuck, this book might just knock the wind out of you—and then teach you how to breathe again.
Pages: 236 | ASIN : B0F6D3T26Z
Layered Leadership
Leadership is a decisive factor in any venture’s success or failure, and Lawrence R. Armstrong’s Layered Leadership serves as a compelling guide for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals aiming to refine their leadership skills and grow their businesses. The book lays out the core elements of effective leadership in a structured, multi-dimensional format that reflects its title. Divided into three parts—”The Foundation,” “Develop a Vision, Build a Plan,” and “Strategic Growth”—each section thoughtfully builds upon the last, providing a comprehensive framework for leadership development.
Armstrong begins by emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, balance, and visionary thinking in the first section. Through historical examples and case studies, he illustrates essential leadership traits like decisiveness and empowerment. The second part shifts focus to the creation of a vision and the development of strategic plans, offering practical, actionable steps to outline long-term objectives and implement effective strategies. In the final section, Armstrong delves into growth strategies, exploring key topics such as fostering a positive company culture and identifying “blue ocean” opportunities. His approach to scaling a business through organic growth, nurturing internal talent, and thoughtful expansion is especially beneficial for leaders seeking sustainable growth while maintaining team cohesion.
The conversational tone Armstrong employs throughout the book makes it not only accessible but also highly engaging. His writing is clear, direct, and enriched with anecdotes and personal stories, bringing leadership lessons to life in relatable ways. This personal touch allows readers to easily connect leadership principles with real-world applications, making the material feel practical and relevant. His jargon-free explanations of complex topics such as strategic planning and leadership development further enhance the book’s appeal, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can grasp the concepts with ease.
Each chapter ends with reflective questions and exercises, encouraging readers to actively engage with the material. His introduction of the “Creative Sketchbook” as a tool for personal leadership exploration adds another interactive layer, prompting leaders to regularly assess their skills and identify areas for growth. This hands-on approach transforms the book from a passive reading experience into an interactive leadership manual.
Layered Leadership is more than just a business guide; it’s a source of valuable life lessons. Armstrong’s engaging storytelling, insightful ideas, and practical advice make it an essential read for both seasoned executives and emerging leaders alike. With its blend of personal narrative and actionable strategies, this book delivers a rich, thought-provoking experience that will leave a lasting impact on anyone looking to lead with intention and vision.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B0D3Y12TG2
Embrace Uncertainty
The Business Artist challenges the conventional data-driven business model, advocating for creativity, intuition, and human connection as the true drivers of innovation and success. What inspired you to write this book?
It was Spring of 2019. I had just completed a series of workshops and sales enablement sessions as part of my client’s annual sales kickoff events. I was discussing with my colleague, Kyle Dean at BTS how fortunate we were to be invited back year after year by some of these clients. This led to what I started calling the “arrows in the quiver” problem.
“Kyle, imagine all these skills we’ve trained you on represent arrows in your quiver. I load you up with all the acumen you need – customer acumen, industry acumen, product acumen, financial and business acumen. You’ve got all these arrows, but when you go out to the customer battlefield, do you know which one to fire and when, how, and why to adjust each time?”
This realization brought guilt. Had we just loaded sellers with new arrows each year, or had we truly prepared them for battle? More importantly, is all skills training about following a repeatable, data-driven process from some consulting or training framework, when what we really needed was to learn adaptability, creativity, and improvisation with those skills.
I needed to learn for myself – is there a way to teach the “artistry” of sales, and if so, how? Speaking with several sales leaders, I started to understand that you need both: process and creativity. Knowledge of the process, and the “permission” and ability to be creative. Thus, the term “The Business Artist” was born.
Once I started using that term and unpacking its meaning, I became obsessed with understanding if it was just salespeople or a broader group of us that had over-rotated away from the creative processes that make us human. Observing sellers and business leaders across my career in some amazing Fortune 500 companies, I realized that those who consciously and intentionally saw the world through an artistic lens followed a pattern. Their creative approach wasn’t about ensuring the repeatability of the process but ensuring the repeatability of success.
I have to give credit to Neil G. McGowan, who was VP, Global Sales at NetApp at the time and is now the CRO at Hitachi Vantara. An unorthodox, creative mind and leader, his team loved him. When discussing my book, he and I went off on a tangent about music, and he was the first to say to me, “Adam, selling is like jazz.”
“You have to learn all the scales, but when you stand up in front of an audience, they don’t want you to play from the sheets. You need to read the room, listen to the vibe, and feel where to take the melody next” Of course, there are still rules and processes, just like in business, but there is improvisation, experimentation, and creativity, just like in art.
How did your background in business and the arts shape your concept of the “business artist,” and what was the turning point that led you to develop this philosophy?
Growing up – I always enjoyed musical theater, comedy shows, and jazz music. There was something organic and live about their performances. That one would never be quite like the other. In studying music theory, I realized there is a very scientific method or in a sense constraints for creativity – but then you can at times break those rules and achieve something new and different. In business, as a consultant, I felt I was part of the problem of trying to optimize human performance through a scientific method, but in reality the most successful business people I encountered were constantly improvising and flexing their style to the situation. As I looked around my personal network outside of business, all my friends I realized are creative and artistic in some way – seeing the fullfilment they all enjoyed from their creative and artistic styles, it occurred to me the same sense of creative fullfillment can be realized in business where we often see business and art as separate passions.
Are there any current companies or industries you believe embody this “business artist” approach today?
Outside of traditional business are several examples of Business Artists including attorneys, athletes, medical doctors, and software engineers. On the company side, my former employer BTS has some tremendous business artists. This company required you to be a “triple threat” someone who could sell, develop, and deliver. Most of the successful consultants were able to master live delivery, co-create with clients, and develop innovative content. Some of the tech companies I’ve worked with, like Google and Salesforce, are known for fostering creative environments where employees are encouraged to innovate and challenge the status quo. Rather than companies themselves, I see the Business Artist approach varies at company growth stages, you can call this the “passion to process” path. For example:
- Startup Stage (Early Growth)
At the startup phase, companies are typically driven by innovation, passion, and creativity. This is the most natural environment for the business artist approach, as founders and small teams are often improvising, solving problems on the fly, and developing creative solutions to stand out in the market. - Scale-Up Stage (Growth and Expansion)
As companies begin to scale, they face growing complexity—expanding teams, operations, and markets. While there is a need for more structure, the business artist approach remains essential to maintain the innovation and agility that brought early success. - Mature Stage (Established Companies)
In the mature stage, companies tend to focus on optimizing operations, maintaining market share, and extracting value from established products and services. This is where the business artist approach is most critical yet often neglected, as large organizations may become rigid and overly reliant on data-driven processes.
In Summary
Startup: Focus on improvisation, creativity, and rapid problem-solving.
Scale-up: Balance structure with innovation; avoid becoming a process-driven company that stifles creativity.
Mature: Continue fostering artistic thinking to prevent stagnation and reinvent products or processes.
Renewal: Embrace bold, disruptive creativity to reimagine the company’s future and find new growth paths.
At Mature companies, there is a great need for Business Artists and I see them in various roles all the time. Particularly within those who lead large global account teams. For example, this role at SAP is called a GAD (Global Account Director). Rather than following a rigid sales script, GADs improvise and adapt their strategies based on real-time interactions with their clients. This role is about fostering collaboration, thinking outside the box, and aligning SAP’s solutions with the customer’s evolving needs, which perfectly exemplifies the concept of a business artist.
What advice would you give to leaders or entrepreneurs struggling to break free from conventional, rigid business models in favor of more intuitive, creative approaches?
My advice would be to embrace uncertainty and give yourself permission to experiment. The key to being a business artist is to stop imitating what others are doing and start creating something original. Don’t be afraid to improvise, take risks, and try new approaches. Most importantly, focus on building deeper human connections in your business dealings, whether with clients, colleagues, or customers. Relationships, storytelling, and empathy are what drive meaningful interactions and innovation. Leaders should cultivate an environment where creativity is valued and processes are flexible enough to allow for spontaneous, intuitive problem-solving. It’s about balancing structure with fluidity, much like the improvisation in jazz.
Author Links: GoodReads | TikTok | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Have we lost our way as business leaders?
Algorithms. Artificial intelligence. Big data. No matter what your industry, you can’t escape the influence of technology in every facet of your business. But in spite of their incredible potential, these and similar technologies are forcing us to face a vital question: are we in danger of gaining the world but losing our souls?
Using stories and case studies from business, entertainment, psychology, and history, seasoned sales leader Adam Boggs uses the metaphor of jazz to remind us that storytelling, innovation, and human connection are crucial for good business. If you’re in business, you’re also an artist with the potential to craft meaningful work.
In The Business Artist, you’ll come face-to-face with a simple truth: as we head into a data-driven future, the only way forward is by becoming more human.
The Start of All Things Good: A Complete Guide to Building Your Business
Starting and running a business demands a unique combination of resilience and grace. The grace to make informed decisions that have a lasting impact, and the grace to forgive yourself when things don’t go as planned. The Start of All Things Good serves as an unofficial textbook for entrepreneurs, offering a wealth of valuable insights without the jargon often found in business literature. Danielle Billetz-Reppert aimed for comprehensiveness and achieved it flawlessly. The book covers every essential aspect of launching and growing a business, from developing a growth mindset to raising capital and conducting market research. It provides a holistic view of what it truly means to be an entrepreneur in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world.
Billetz-Reppert’s writing is both informative and engaging, making this book accessible to a broad audience. Her straightforward language, paired with an inspiring tone, draws readers in and keeps them motivated. She uses a conversational approach, offering a guiding hand through the often-complicated realm of entrepreneurship. This style, combined with practical examples and personal anecdotes, transforms abstract business concepts into easily digestible lessons that readers can quickly grasp and apply. The structure and pacing of the book are particularly well-executed. Each chapter builds logically on the one before it, guiding readers step-by-step through the entrepreneurial journey. Billetz-Reppert starts with foundational concepts like the entrepreneurial mindset, then gradually moves on to more complex topics such as business planning and securing financing. This seamless progression allows readers to build their knowledge incrementally, without feeling overwhelmed by too much information at once. By focusing on specific aspects of entrepreneurship in each chapter, she creates a clear roadmap that readers can follow from the initial idea stage to turning that concept into a successful business.
Billetz-Reppert offers tangible steps and strategies that readers can immediately apply to their own entrepreneurial ventures. Her ability to intertwine motivational content with actionable advice keeps readers both informed and inspired. She emphasizes the importance of vision, persistence, and creativity, nurturing a growth mindset and encouraging optimism throughout the entrepreneurial process. For Billetz-Reppert, entrepreneurship is not just a career choice but a transformative journey filled with opportunities for innovation and personal growth.
The Start of All Things Good is a well-rounded, inspiring guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. With its clear writing, practical insights, and logical structure, it stands out as an excellent resource for anyone looking to embark on or deepen their entrepreneurial path. Billetz-Reppert has crafted a compelling blend of inspiration and actionable wisdom, making this book a must-read for those ready to take on the challenges and rewards of building a business.
Pages: 446 | ASIN : B0DHYQWK91
The Keys to Charisma : The Elements of True Connection, Genuine Relationships, and Irresistible Charm
Charisma is often the word we associate with strong leaders and magnetic personalities, but what about those who don’t seem to possess it naturally? In The Keys to Charisma, Laurette Paquet presents charisma not as an elusive, innate trait but as a skill set that anyone can develop. Through practice, self-awareness, and refinement, she argues, charisma can be cultivated. Paquet unpacks the mystery behind this magnetic quality, breaking down the behaviors and traits that define it in a way that makes it accessible to all.
The book delves into both the theory and practice of charisma. Paquet expertly weaves together psychological insights, the science of body language, and conversational strategies to provide a comprehensive guide. She organizes her teachings around fundamental pillars: mastering body language, harnessing the power of storytelling, and making a lasting first impression. Drawing on well-researched examples of charismatic individuals, she demonstrates how universal traits like generosity, confidence, and emotional intelligence are within reach for anyone willing to work on them. One of the book’s most reassuring messages is its attention to introverts. Paquet makes it clear that charisma isn’t reserved for extroverts alone. In fact, she argues that introverts, with their natural empathy and listening skills, are uniquely positioned to form deeper, more meaningful connections. This approach is both encouraging and empowering for those who feel lacking in social charm, offering practical advice on how to leverage their strengths to exude confidence and warmth.
Paquet’s writing is not only clear but also highly relatable. She fills the book with real-world examples and practical exercises that readers can immediately apply. Her chapters on non-verbal communication, like perfecting the “Duchenne smile” or maintaining effective eye contact, stand out for their scientific backing, which adds credibility to her advice. Moreover, she reframes how we think about influence and leadership, explaining that charisma is just as much about making others feel valued as it is about standing out in a crowd.
What distinguishes The Keys to Charisma from many other self-help books is Paquet’s approach. She doesn’t just tell you what to do—she explains why it works, diving into the psychology behind successful social interactions. Whether she’s discussing tone of voice, small talk, or the art of asking the right questions, Paquet offers a deep understanding of each strategy, ensuring readers know how to apply these techniques in their everyday lives. The book strikes a fine balance between introspection and outward action, making it as much about personal growth as it is about improving your interactions with others.
The Keys to Charisma is a book for anyone looking to enhance their interpersonal skills, whether in social settings, the workplace, or personal relationships. Paquet offers a masterclass in charisma, providing a valuable guide for those who want to boost their social influence, become more captivating, or simply feel more confident in their own skin.
Page: 221 | ASIN : B0D216DNX8
Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat.
Colin C. Campbell’s Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. is an indispensable resource for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. The book is structured into four sections: building a solid foundation, mastering business mechanics, understanding the importance of timing, and learning from real-world entrepreneurial stories. Campbell’s approach is practical and grounded in experience, offering readers not just the “what” but the crucial “how” for every stage of a business.
What sets this book apart is Campbell’s ability to blend inspiration with hard-earned wisdom. He writes with the authority of someone who has been through the trenches of entrepreneurship, and it shows in the way he carefully guides the reader from one stage to the next. The first section, which focuses on establishing a strong foundation, is particularly insightful. Campbell stresses the importance of a passionate “why” that fuels the entrepreneur’s drive, likening it to the spark that ignites a successful venture. This emphasis on having a clear purpose resonates deeply, making the reader think critically about their motivations and long-term goals.
The book’s middle sections are where Campbell truly shines as a mentor. He breaks down complex business mechanics into manageable steps, discussing key elements like identifying unique value propositions, tracking performance indicators, and scaling a business. His comparison of scaling to throwing gasoline on a fire is apt—done right, it can propel a business to new heights, but it must be approached with caution. Campbell doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges; instead, he offers clear, actionable advice that feels both realistic and empowering.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Campbell’s writing is his honesty about the uncertainties and risks involved in entrepreneurship. He acknowledges the role of luck but emphasizes that success is primarily about making informed decisions and taking the right actions. This blend of transparency and practical guidance makes Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. more than just a business manual—it’s a roadmap that prepares you for the highs and lows of entrepreneurial life.
Campbell’s experience and straightforward approach make this book a must-read for anyone serious about building and growing a business. Whether you’re just starting, looking to scale, or planning an exit, this book has valuable insights for every step of the journey. Campbell’s blend of inspiration, cautionary advice, and practical tips make Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat. an essential companion for entrepreneurs.
Pages: 473 | ASIN : B0C75PWPD8
Your Multimillion-Dollar Exit: The Entrepreneur’s Business Success(ion) Planner: A Blueprint for Wealth Guide
Your Multimillion-Dollar Exit, by Wayne M. Zell, is an invaluable resource for anyone contemplating a successful business exit. Zell addresses critical questions such as: Who will run your business if health issues or a tragic accident prevent you from doing so? How will you replace the income lost from the business when you are no longer in charge? If these concerns resonate with you, this book provides the answers you need.
Zell underscores the importance of beginning exit planning at the inception of your business rather than postponing it until later stages. Regardless of where you currently stand, the book offers insights on structuring an ideal business succession plan, selecting the right exit strategy, and preparing for the years following your exit. Packed with practical exercises and introspective questions, this book allows readers to personalize and apply the knowledge they gain.
Zell’s thorough and meticulous approach offers clear, actionable advice. For instance, he emphasizes the importance of implementing “ironclad NDAs to prevent potential buyers from stealing your secrets, employees, and customers.” Additionally, readers benefit from QR codes that link to interviews, chapter summaries, a comprehensive glossary of key terms, and concise charts. A notable mention is Chris Long, a former NFL and University of Virginia football star, who founded a charity that funds well-building projects in East African communities.
Zell’s Your Multimillion-Dollar Exit is essential reading for all business owners. It serves not only as a guide for planning a business exit but also as a strategic manual for avoiding common business pitfalls and ensuring a positive legacy for your loved ones. This no-nonsense, high-value book is a must-read for any entrepreneur. Each time you delve into its resourceful pages, you will uncover something beneficial for your business.
Pages: 367 | ASIN : B0C2F2R753
Efficient and Effective Service Management
Fit for Service: Navigating the Crossroads of FitSM and ITSM for Seamless Implementation provides readers with an explanation of complex service management methodologies as well as case studies to give readers a better understanding of the information. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing Fit for Service was a significant undertaking for me because I wanted to demystify the complexities of service management methodologies. FitSM and ITSM are critical frameworks in the IT service management landscape, and yet they often seem inaccessible due to their complexity. By providing clear explanations and practical case studies, I aimed to make these methodologies more understandable and applicable for professionals in the field. I believe that by bridging this knowledge gap, I can help organizations implement these frameworks more seamlessly, leading to more efficient and effective service management.
The use of case studies to explain the methodologies you present is a great asset to this book. How did you go about collecting them, and what were the criteria you used to select the ones you did use?
The case studies in Fit for Service were collected through a combination of personal experiences, industry research, and collaboration with professionals who have successfully implemented FitSM and ITSM frameworks. The criteria for selecting these case studies were based on their relevance, the diversity of challenges they addressed, and the practical insights they offered. I wanted to include examples from various industries and organizational sizes to ensure that the book provided a broad perspective and was useful to a wide audience.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Several key ideas were important for me to convey in this book. Firstly, the importance of understanding the principles behind service management methodologies and not just the processes. Secondly, the value of adaptability and flexibility in implementing these frameworks in different organizational contexts. Lastly, I wanted to highlight the significance of continuous improvement and the role of feedback in refining service management practices. These ideas are crucial for anyone looking to implement FitSM and ITSM effectively.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Fit for Service?
If there is one key takeaway I hope readers get from Fit for Service, it is the understanding that implementing service management methodologies like FitSM and ITSM is not just about following a set of rules, but about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. I want readers to feel empowered to tailor these frameworks to their unique organizational needs and to see them as tools for enhancing service quality and efficiency rather than as rigid prescriptions.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Designed to be accessible and informative, the book targets a wide audience, offering valuable insights for IT managers, consultants, and decision-makers spearheading service management transformations. It thoroughly navigates critical areas such as framework selection, overcoming implementation challenges, and navigating organizational change, enriched with real-world case studies and expert insights.
Embark on a transformative journey with this guide, crafted to arm professionals with fundamental knowledge and tools for achieving service management excellence in our ever-evolving technological and business landscape.
LITERARY TITAN 