Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (This is Gregory Kendall)

Once more for credit, THIS IS GREGORY KENDALL.

Outliers is a book that is about socio-economic background and how it effects talented people. Malcolm Gladwell makes the claims and has very valid points to backup his information. ONe fact is that many of the very successful athletes were born in January or February and this enabled them to be bigger and stronger than their peers. Having this edge from their childhood enabled them to be so dominant for so long. Another interesting point Gladwell makes is that the reason that the Beatles were so big and talented was the fact that they lived in Germany during a musical revolution that the West had not heard of. They were able to take these talents and styles and be successful in the UK and the rest of the West. The final big statement he makes is tha Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Bill Hewlett, David Packard, and Steve Jobs are all about the same age. When they were starting their companies they had just graduated college but had not started familes yet. This made it easy for them to take the risks that were necessary to create their hardware and their business. Overall it is a very depressing book. You could feel like you will never be successful because you don't fit his positions but I don't. My ego and ability is too great to be silenced by some author. Other than that, it's a great book. Read It!!!!

The Dip by Seth Godin

The book, The Dip, by Seth Godin is a short 80 page book about when to quit or persevere in one’s career and in one’s life. Do not let its lack in length steer you to think that it was written on a whim. Godin does a good job of being thorough and getting straight to the point without any unnecessary fluff. The book is filled with short excerpts on steps to evaluate whether you should stick with the “dip” or in other words, a slump, in your job or quit and take another route. Godin also provides the reader with examples of successful individuals who decided to stick with the dip or quit the dip. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to others to read. I enjoyed Godin’s preciseness in writing and wittiness that is sprinkled throughout the pages of this book. If you are not sure whether to quit or stick with it, whether in your job or life, take some time to read The Dip.

The 12 Simple Secrets to Microsoft Management

For anyone who is interested in taking their company to the point where it is rivaling some of the top competitors in its industry, I suggest you read David Thielen’s, The 12 Simple Secrets of Microsoft Management. Make no mistake about it, Microsoft is one of the most powerful companies in the world. Thielen gives us some insight in to how it is that they conquer almost any business they set their sights on. He says the secret, lies in their management. Hire only the best, and you will receive only the best results.

The Dip by Seth Godin

The book I decided to read for book review number one was The Dip by Seth Godin. “The Dip”, as explained by Seth Godin, is a situation in which almost everyone falls into when starting something new and the fun begins to end. This book teaches you how to identify “the dip” and how to overcome it if you want to be the best in the world in whatever you are doing. Godin also talks about quitting and how sometimes quitting something is better than being in the “Cul-de-sac” dip, where no matter how hard you try, you never get anywhere. The best thing to do when you fall in the “cul-de-sac” is to quit.
Another good point that Godin talks about is that we should always analyze and plan everything before we start anything new (ex. Dancing classes, singing, a new sport, music lessons, starting a new business, ect). That way, you know before you start if you have a shot at making it and if you are willing in overcoming the dip. If you start something new and then quit when you fall in the dip, everything you did before will be worthless and you just wasted your time.
This book is relatively short and easy to read. I recommend it!!

The Dip by Seth Godin

“Quit or be exceptional. Average is for losers.” This quote by Seth Godin is the theme of his short, yet inspirational book, The Dip. Godin explains that when we do things in life, whether that be going to school, starting a new hobby or even engaging our everyday jobs and careers we will always face a “dip” or challenging portion of the activity. The dip comes after you have started the activity but before the activity has taken you to where you want to be. Godin’s challenge for society is to know when to stick it out and push through the hard parts of the dip or to know when to quit. His advice is basic and to the point. If you can’t make it through the dip, don’t start the activity. If you are going to do something, he wants you to be exceptional or as he says, “be the best in the world!” I agreed with Godin’s blunt ideas and realistic take on how to handle situations in life. I would recommend this book to college students in particular because it makes you re-think some of the decisions you have made, are making and those you will make in the future. We must know when to quit and when to keep pushing through the dip.

Season Finale -- Tales of the WB & UPN

Season Finale -- by Susanne Daniels, Cynthia Littleton
This book tells the story of the rise and fall of the 5^th and 6^th networks, the WB and UPN. Told by two former execs from each network Season Finale dives deep into the creation and dismantling of these hopeful networks. Season Finale also goes behind the scenes on some of the extremely popular shows that these networks pumped out in their short lives. This is a book that can be read by a TV novice or an expert, and both will learn about how the internal affairs of television go down. Hands down if you’ve ever been interested in how come two networks disappeared and a new one, the CW, came to be , read this book!

Book: "Get People to Do What You Want"

The book, Get People to do What You Want: How to Use Body Language and Words to Attract People You Like and Avoid the Ones You Don’t by Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch, is a book that teaches its readers about people’s needs, wants, and behaviors.  It teaches its readers how to manipulate and use those needs, wants, and behaviors to their own advantage in a business setting. 

In the book, a lot of psychology is reviewed. First, the book talks about Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.  It states that we first need fill our biological and physiological needs, then our safety needs, belonging and love needs, and then esteem needs in order to achieve self-actualization.  In terms of the business environment, the book states we are most driven by one of those needs, the need to belong.

In the work place, we strive to belong, and then after, we strive to differentiate.  This book teaches us how to recognize this and teaches us how to differentiate ourselves by making ourselves stand out in a work environment.  For example, the book teaches its readers how to be more charismatic and how to apply those charismatic traits in a work environment. 

The book also discusses how people become leaders and it tells us the difference between formal and informal leaders.  Formal leaders have the title, but informal leaders are natural leaders that come out of a group.  The book points out the qualities of leaders and tries to teach its readers how to become a great leader.  If you’re a formal leader, it teaches you how to make people respect and follow you.  If you are not a leader, it teaches you how to become a great informal leader.

The book, Get People to do What You Want, is a good and informational read that will help you achieve goals, learn to become a leader, and learn how to improve your work in your workplace.   

Book Reviewed by: Rachel Perey