Blog Archives
Stop the Hassle
Stop the Hassle offers a refreshingly practical approach to simplifying business operations and enhancing customer satisfaction. With clarity and precision, the book introduces the Hassle Score Survey (HSS), a tool designed to evaluate and improve customer experiences. It challenges traditional metrics like the Net Promoter Score (NPS) and argues for a more comprehensive framework. By examining four critical dimensions—convenience, price, product experience, and trust—the HSS provides actionable insights to reduce friction, foster loyalty, and drive sustainable business growth.
The strength of the book lies in its practical insights, rooted in decades of business expertise. Bramlett’s critique of the NPS is both insightful and persuasive. He effectively demonstrates its limitations as a single-question metric, making a strong case for a multi-dimensional approach. The HSS system is presented as a superior alternative, supported by logical arguments and real-world examples. Bramlett’s writing style is clear, concise, and engaging. His no-nonsense tone ensures complex business concepts are approachable for readers across the spectrum, from entrepreneurs to seasoned corporate leaders.
Another highlight was the chapter on product experience, where Bramlett recounts his early venture into the restaurant business. He candidly admits how neglecting customer comfort, such as failing to provide enough seating, hurt the business. The chapter on trust, while thorough and informative, focused more on general principles than on specific, fresh examples. That said, the importance of trust is clear throughout, and the emphasis on guarantees, refunds, and proactive communication offers a solid and practical guide for businesses aiming to strengthen customer relationships.
Stop the Hassle is both timely and relevant. With clients demanding seamless experiences and online feedback wielding immense power, the strategies in this book are invaluable. Bramlett offers a thoughtfully structured guide that balances simplicity with depth, making it an essential read for anyone looking to refine their approach to customer experience and business success.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0DGH41JPH
Impactful, Purpose-Driven Workplaces
Purposeful Performance is a guide for leaders and professionals seeking to infuse their work with greater meaning and value while advocating for a shift from profit-centric models to purpose-driven approaches that prioritize empathy, employee well-being, and community impact. Why was this an important book for you to write?
When the company I founded was acquired, I felt lonely and isolated. I went from being deeply connected to a purpose-driven organization to feeling isolated and disconnected in a new environment. My previous company had a clear mission of making a social impact and supporting our community, which gave me a profound sense of purpose.
The transition was tough, and I initially struggled with it. However, I recognized the need to adapt and embraced a new role at the acquiring company. I focused on transforming the organization’s approach from a profit-centric model to one that embraced a purpose-driven ethos. This shift not only re-engaged me but also reignited my passion for work.
Drawing from this experience, I wrote a book to address a critical issue: the broken state of the American workforce. Disengagement at work is at an all-time high, and people are searching for meaning. I aim to help leaders and professionals cultivate a work environment that fosters purpose and meaning. By sharing my journey and insights, I hope to inspire others to create impactful, purpose-driven workplaces that stand out and drive lasting change.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about gaging what is successful in business and life?
A common misconception about success in business and life is the overemphasis on money. While financial gain is often seen as the ultimate measure of success, true success is more about our impact on others.
Many of the most successful individuals I know lead with a mindset of support and service. They prioritize the well-being and success of those around them rather than focusing solely on their achievements. These leaders help others, offer support, and create connections that facilitate growth and progress for everyone involved.
Success, in my view, is about empowering others to reach their full potential and celebrating their achievements alongside them, not simply ahead of them. When you put the interests of others before your own, whether in your professional or personal life, you cultivate meaningful emotional connections.
For example, you demonstrate care and support when you come home and engage with your spouse by asking about their day and genuinely listening. This shift in focus from self to others enhances relationships and contributes to a broader sense of self-fulfillment and success.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In my book, I emphasize that leaders can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people they serve. One key idea is that selling products and services should not be about merely being the best but about positively impacting people’s feelings.
In many boardrooms, discussions rarely touch on a product’s or service’s emotional impact, yet understanding this is one of the best-kept secrets of fast-growing companies. Rather than focusing solely on metrics like increasing sales, businesses should ask themselves how they can change people’s perceptions of their offerings.
For instance, consider what emotions you want to evoke when customers interact with your brand. Identifying and targeting these emotions creates a deeper connection and enhances the customer experience. This emotional engagement can drive loyalty and satisfaction, setting your business apart.
Here’s a quick story that illustrates the power of emotion. I often visit a local convenience store where the staff has consistently made me feel valued and appreciated. However, a new employee has been operating the counter on my recent visits. This individual frequently leans against the counter, engrossed in his phone, and during my last visit, I waited for five minutes before he even acknowledged my presence at the register.
The shift was palpable: I went from feeling valued and respected to completely overlooked and unimportant. The loyalty and sense of belonging I once felt turned into frustration and alienation in a short period.
This experience highlights the crucial role of emotional engagement. How we interact with others can significantly impact their feelings and perceptions, underscoring the importance of maintaining a genuine connection in every interaction.
What is the one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
As a first-time author, I was initially apprehensive about sharing my work with the world. The overwhelming support and positive feedback deeply humbled me. One of the most surprising and gratifying aspects has been how readers resonate with the book’s core message about leading with intention.
For instance, one reader shared that the book inspired him to leave his job and pursue his dream of starting a purpose-driven business. While I don’t advocate making such significant changes without careful planning, it was fulfilling to see that my book provided the encouragement he needed to step out of his comfort zone.
Additionally, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to hear that many readers buy multiple copies—one for themselves and one for a leader they work with. This reflects a genuine desire for authenticity and meaning in the workplace, which the book seems to address effectively.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support from leaders and professionals who embrace the book’s message and find value in it.
Author Links: Goodreads | Linkedin | Website | Amazon
From profit to purpose: transform your business for meaningful impact.
The business landscape is shifting. At one time, the profit-first model drove strategic decision-making. Now business leaders are struggling with disengaged employees, unclear plans, and lack of purpose. It’s time to take a step back, get down to the heart of your organization’s mission, and lead with purpose.
In Purposeful Performance, business-strategy consultant and coach Jonathan Stanley gives business owners the key to developing a sense of purpose and meaning within and beyond their organization. Jonathan distills decades of experience as a business owner and CEO into a powerful framework that simplifies strategic planning into just eight slides. The Infinite Loop of Connection is a proven strategic plan that helps leaders define and create meaningful experiences for their employees, customers, and community. By aligning their teams around an authentic purpose and expressing their values, readers will learn how to unleash the full potential of their organizations.
In this book, you’ll discover:
Why the most successful businesses are those that operate with a clear, purpose-driven strategy.The 8-slide strategic plan that simplifies execution and alignment and deeply reflects your mission to drive societal impact.How to create a workplace where every team member is motivated by a shared sense of purpose, vastly improving productivity and satisfaction.Strategies for attracting customers who align with your values and purpose, including how to avoid the mistake of focusing on features over feeling. Tools for measuring and communicating the positive impact your business is making.
If you want to stand out, focus on showing care with an understanding of the advantages of being more human. Combining powerful insights on engagement, customer experience, and social impact into a cohesive approach that is accessible to leaders of small to medium-sized companies, Purposeful Performance is the guide to transforming your business and maybe the world around you. Ensure your next business move is fueled by meaning, and create a legacy that goes beyond the bottom line.
No More Gold Stars: Regenerating Capacity to Think for Ourselves
No More Gold Stars by Carol Sanford is a thought-provoking exploration of how behaviorist principles have infiltrated our educational and societal systems, undermining individual self-determination and critical thinking. The author argues for a revolutionary shift towards nurturing self-directed learning and intrinsic motivation, away from the traditional reward-punishment paradigm epitomized by the ubiquitous gold star. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, theoretical discussions, and practical examples, the book challenges readers to reconsider how we raise children, educate students, and organize our institutions.
One of the book’s strengths is its compelling critique of behaviorism. Sanford does a masterful job of tracing the historical roots of this approach and its pervasive influence on modern education. By pointing out how behaviorist methods condition children to seek external validation rather than developing their own values and motivations, the book sheds light on a crucial issue. The discussions about how standardized education suppresses creativity and curiosity resonated deeply with me. It’s a call to action for educators and parents to foster environments where children can explore and learn autonomously. I also appreciated the practical suggestions offered for fostering self-determination in children. The author’s emphasis on Socratic questioning and reflective practices provides concrete tools that parents and teachers can implement immediately. Some sections delve deeply into philosophical discussions that provide rich, thought-provoking content for those interested in deeper exploration. The intermezzos inserted between chapters are designed to disrupt passive reading and encourage active engagement, offering unique opportunities for reflection. These exercises are crafted to cultivate critical thinking, and while they momentarily pause the book’s main narrative, they enrich the overall reading experience and underscore the book’s core message of fostering independent thought.
No More Gold Stars is a compelling and challenging read for anyone interested in education reform, parenting, or personal development. It will particularly resonate with educators, parents, and anyone disillusioned with the current state of our educational systems. The book’s call to embrace self-determination and critical thinking is timely and essential, making it a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation about how best to prepare our children for a rapidly changing world.
Pages: 265 | ASIN : B0CF48NZ12
Supercharging Sustainability: A Big-Picture Overview of ESG 2.0 and Sustainable Finance
As the global environmental crisis deepens daily, the need to integrate sustainable practices into everyday life and business operations becomes increasingly pressing. Achieving sustainability is a multifaceted challenge that demands expert guidance and strategic planning. Bjarni Herrera’s Supercharging Sustainability serves as an essential guide in this arena, particularly focusing on sustainable finance. Herrera demystifies the expansive subject of sustainability with clarity and precision. He argues that a company can more easily model its operations sustainably by aligning with current global realities. Given the complexity and potential frustrations of pursuing sustainability, this book becomes an invaluable resource. It acts as a navigational tool for professionals in the corporate and finance sectors, providing a detailed and comprehensive roadmap for implementing sustainability.
Supercharging Sustainability is rich in practical insights and presents clear, actionable ideas tailored to specific scenarios while maintaining a broad perspective. Herrera’s extensive knowledge and hands-on experience are evident throughout, making complex concepts accessible and digestible. His long-standing dedication to sustainability is reflected in his authoritative and skilled presentation of the topic, supported by thorough research and real-world examples. These examples equip readers with the necessary tools to effectively apply sustainability practices within their organizations. Herrera ensures that the subject matter is accessible without sacrificing depth or thoroughness. Although the book’s comprehensive coverage may initially seem daunting, it rewards readers who engage with its content thoughtfully and methodically. This book equips readers with a deep well of knowledge, enhancing their understanding of sustainable finance and offering practical examples and straightforward writing to aid their learning process. It functions almost like a textbook, both inspiring action toward global sustainability goals and providing clear directions on how to achieve them.
Bjarni Herrera’s approach and expertise make Supercharging Sustainability a near masterclass in the field. This book is an excellent starting point for understanding sustainability and devising effective strategies for sustainable business practices.
Pages: 348 | ASIN : B0D4JFJHZZ
The Passionate Workforce: How to Create and Maintain Maximum Employee Engagement
A company’s success is intricately linked to the people who drive its operations, and Capman’s The Passionate Workforce delves into the critical dynamics of employee engagement and the transformative potential of authentic leadership. Central to Capman’s thesis is the idea that passion in the workplace is not just achievable for any job but essential for creating a thriving and successful organization. Capman sets the stage by sharing personal experiences from his career in various companies, using these narratives to illustrate how passion can be nurtured in any role with the right leadership support. His stories offer a relatable context, bringing his insights on cultivating workplace passion to life. At the heart of fostering a passionate workforce is effective leadership. Capman recounts his own journey from a self-centered CEO to a leader who genuinely prioritizes his employees’ well-being, underscoring that caring leadership is both ethical and strategic for achieving business success.
The Passionate Workforce is a rich repository of ideas and wisdom. One of the book’s standout lessons is the inherent link between leadership and humanity. Capman argues that understanding and valuing employees is fundamental for any leader. He introduces the concept of “self-profit maximization,” which reframes selfishness as a positive force when it involves achieving personal goals to help others succeed. This innovative perspective offers corporate leaders a new lens through which to enhance their employees’ lives. Additionally, Capman advocates for continuous improvement and provides comprehensive, actionable advice throughout the book. The author’s openness and transparency provide a window into his failures and how they fueled his growth as a leader. This honesty makes his advice particularly relatable and inspiring. The book is easy to navigate, with clear language and straightforward sentence structures. Readers will not only find Capman’s journey inspiring but will also be encouraged to reflect on their own paths.
The Passionate Workforce is an insightful and essential read for leaders and managers at all levels. Capman seamlessly blends personal narrative, practical advice, and philosophical ideas into a comprehensive guide for building a motivated and passionate team. The principles discussed are applicable beyond the workplace, suggesting that finding passion in life can lead to profound positive changes.
Pages: 118 | ASIN : B0D413TKNK
Understand the Process and Journey
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days teaches readers about the Profitable Growth Operating System (PGOS), featuring 80/20. Why did you feel compelled to write this book, and what was your hope that readers take away from it?
The journey of getting to the point where I could write this book has taken over 30 years. I have spent my career as a global business executive in various industries and markets focused on industrial and consumer products and services. Much of my experience has been rapidly turning around and then profitably growing a company. Throughout all of this, I have been repeatedly asked by my teams if is there a book that they can refer to help them understand the process and journey.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of your Business in 100 Days is the result of all of the hard work my team put into delivering superior results in both good markets and bad. As my friend Mitch Aiello said, “The book stands as a great step-by-step guide to identify the highest performing quadrant of a business, reduce unnecessary complexity, and redirect valuable resources to accelerate innovation, operational efficiency, and most importantly, profitable growth. The pages are full of fun and interesting historical references as well as humor and real-life case studies of businesses that were course-corrected through the 80/20 process.” I think Mitch is a bit of a genius.
What were some of the key ideas that you wanted to convey through your book?
The 80/20 Management Practice, also known as the Pareto principle, 80/20 is a management concept based on a natural law: 80% of results come from 20% of causes. It is a tool used to prioritize and manage resources, focusing on the most important and impactful activities that generate the majority of results. The principle suggests that organizations can achieve significant improvement by focusing their efforts on the 20% of activities that generate 80% of their results, rather than spreading their resources non-strategically across all activities.
The 80/20 principle can be applied in various ways, including time management, problem-solving, decision-making, and resource allocation. For example, in time management, individuals can use the 80/20 principle to identify the 20% of tasks that generate 80% of desired results and prioritize these activities. In problem-solving, the principle can be used to identify the root causes of issues and focus on solving the most impactful problems.
The 80/20 principle is a useful tool for organizations to achieve more with limited resources, but it is important to remember that it is an approximation and not a strict rule. It is a useful guideline that can help organizations focus their efforts and resources more effectively.
What do you think is the most common misconception people have about business growth, and how does your book address it?
The reason that 80/20 is so valuable is that it is counterintuitive. We tend to expect that all causes will have roughly the same significance, that all customers are equally valuable, or that every bit of business, every product, and every dollar of sales revenue is as good as another.
What is the next book you are writing, and when will that be published?
I am currently writing Earn the Right to Grow. It should be available in the Fall of 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
PGOS is based on the five management practices 80/20, strategy, talent, M&A, and lean. It is for all senior-level executives, established, rising, or aspiring, who want to lead their organization in strategic growth. PGOS was born in the intensely growth-focused environment of middle-market companies held by private equity, but it applies to virtually any business intent on improving and growing.
The middle market is a powerhouse for the U.S. economy. Yet many of these companies are little known to the general public. PGOS will help them break through with a proven process to double the company’s sales in three to five years.
Excerpt from the book:
EVEN GOOD COMPANIES lose their way.
When that happens, what do you need?
Profitable growth on demand. Now, in fact.
But who yuh gonna call?
The guy who’s got the operating system. And since I’m that guy—me—you now have access to the profitable growth operating system (PGOS) playbook that will show you how to turn your business around in 100 days, use the 80/20 principle to earn the right to grow and position it for long-term profitable growth. This book will walk you through all the strategic actions needed to prioritize everything possible on the 20 percent of investments, processes, products, and customers that generate 80 percent of your revenue. (80/20—that’s a thing. And not just a thing; it’s a natural law. Just 20 percent of what you do or spend generates 80 percent of your revenue. Don’t get too happy, though, because the other 80 percent of what you spend generates just 20 percent of your revenue.
About the Author:
Bill Canady has been leading companies to profitable growth for over 30 years. Working in a variety of industries and markets focused on industrial as well as consumer products and services, he brings to the table a unique Operating System and uses it in a 100-day campaign to position the company for profitable growth. Combining vision and process, Canady aligns leadership and other critical stakeholders to earn the right to grow and then to claim that right with a 3-to-5-year business plan for targeted strategic growth. He believes in bringing the right tools to the job and developing strong leaders and management teams to use them. His experience encompasses global public, private, and sponsor-owned firms.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days by Bill Canady is a practical and insightful guide for aspiring CEOs, department heads, and leaders across various sectors. Canady’s book is methodically structured into three sections, each addressing key aspects of business and leadership.
The first section lays a foundation, posing and answering pertinent questions that often challenge business leaders. This part emphasizes understanding your business, strategizing effectively, meticulous planning, and execution. The subsequent section dives into growth and expansion, enlightening readers on setting goals, developing strategies, structuring the organization, and formulating action plans. Particularly noteworthy is the practical guidance for navigating the initial 100 days in a leadership role. The third part of the book seamlessly extends this discussion, offering strategies for sustaining and advancing business operations beyond the first 100 days. Canady’s work is distinguished by its depth and comprehensiveness in covering leadership and management topics. His experience and extensive research are evident throughout the book, making it an indispensable resource for current and aspiring business leaders.
Canady provides an array of tips, industry insights, and advice beneficial for both novices and seasoned professionals. His approachable writing style, engaging anecdotes, and thorough explanations of unfamiliar concepts and phrases make the book accessible and enjoyable. Canady’s authenticity and reliance on facts, research, and established statistics set his work apart. The inclusion of tables and figures interspersed within the text enhances understanding of complex topics such as customer engagement, growth, investment, and business framework development. The author’s concise and direct writing ensures that key points are conveyed effectively and efficiently.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days by Bill Canady stands out as a valuable resource for anyone aiming to gain control and excel in a business leadership role within a short timeframe. It’s not just a book about leadership—it’s a comprehensive guide for transforming theoretical knowledge into practical, actionable strategies for business success.
Page: 264 | ASIN : B0CRGM9674
LITERARY TITAN 