Book recommendations from our members

Black Hole Focus by Isaiah Hankel

Recommended by Walter Blackburn from Presenting Success
I love this book. It’s subtitled “How intelligent people can create a powerful purpose for their lives”. Apparently the old idea of black holes is that they absorb everything in their path and destroy it. The new view is that they absorb everything and transform it. Isaiah Hankel believes that our life purpose is a black hole for each of us, in that it should absorb and transform us.
It’s powerful, hard-hitting and realistic. Using his own experience, inspirational examples and practical exercises he sets out a map of how we can discover and realise our life purpose. It’s easy to read in lots of short chapters. He’s a medical scientist so it’s full of scientific evidence, but it’s also spiritual and human in its outlook. For example, he believes there are only 3 skills that will matter in 5 years’ time: “your life purpose will always be tied to oral communication, physical action and mental choice”.
For me it’s inspirational; it lifts my spirit every time I pick it up and dive into it. One of my friends gave it to his son who’s a very successful salesperson in his 30s. After reading it he was in tears as he realised how he could achieve what he really wanted.
If you’re feeling a bit lost or confused as to what it is you should be doing, or how, read this book. He makes the point that we live by stories: “If your story is not inspiring you it’s time you changed it”
Available from all good booksellers (no commission due to me!) – here’s one – Waterstones

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It Paperback
Recommended by Nigel Temple from www.nigeltemple.com
I have been recommending this book since it was published. It shows how systems and processes can make all the difference, when it comes to running a business. The book is based around Mr Gerber’s system and tells the story of a small business owner who is running around being busy but who is not seeing the big picture. You can buy it on Amazon here.

Winning Decisions: Getting it right first time

by Russo and Schoemaker
Recommended by decision-making speaker, writer and influencer David Knowles-Leak from www.dk-l.com
Distilled during 30 years of research, this book contains worksheets, tools, questionnaires, case studies and stories relating to  major decisions made by companies including British Airways, NASA and Shell Oil.
* Reframe issues to ensure that the real problem is addressed
* Improve the quality and quantity of the available options
* Convert conflicting opinions into useful insights
* How to make diversity of views and conflict work to your advantage
* Foster efficient and effective group decision making
* Learn from past decisions
…and a great deal more. You can buy it from Amazon here.