Overview:

As someone who has been interested in the car industry for any period of time, or If you’re interested in Toyota and what makes the company and cars great, you’ll enjoy this book. Jeffrey and Gary cover lean principles, and explain how to apply this methodology, as well as what not to do. Regardless of your company or industry, you can gain valuable perspectives from this timeless leadership book.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Offers perspectives and views on lean methodology, as well as case studies based on the authors’ experience implementing lean at other successful large manufacturing firms. There are multiple examples of what to do, as well as what not to do.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Generally hard to criticize this book as it offers valuable content, and is both direct and honest. It was a very dry book however, and was hard to stay engaged at times. Earned a 3.5 out of 5 based on the valuable information and that the authors lived the case studies referenced in the book.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Some concepts are repeated multiple times; i.e. you cannot repeat the success of Toyota, lean I unique to the company implementing it, focus on long term rather than short term diet-like methodologies for leadership.

Link to Book:

Overview:

Have you ever wondered who are the people behind famous car brands such as Mercedes Benz, Ferdinand Porsche, or BMW designer Chris Bangle? For those of us car lovers, read on! The life of the automobile covers the history and social impact of the global automobile industry from its invention in the late 1800s, to today’s electric cars.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Steven Parissien writes essentially about world history from the perspectives of the people behind the world’s cars, telling the interesting stories of great brands, and personalities, the troubles they faced, and how they survived, or died. The Life of the Automobile is a book about auto industry that is will capture the imagination of car enthusiasts, history buffs, as well as those interested in business.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Comprehensive history, great information, and enjoyable; however only earned a score of 3.5 out of 5 due to it being somewhat of a hard book to finish.    

Other Thoughts on The Book:

While reading this book, you may find yourself imagining how a car looks; and if this is the case it may be better to watch a documentary rather than reading a book about cars.

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Overview:

Today’s most successful tech companies design, develop, and deploy great products that are used by billions of people around the world. Is it because they are focused on the customer? Marty Cagan’s book teaches you about discovering and delivering technology products that customers love―and that work for your business.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

While many books talk about software development approaches, i.e. agile or scrum, Inspired is a how-to guide for product teams on how to think about their roles, focusing on delivering value to customers. Focus is on the product manager, rather than other roles. Product managers have a very difficult role, and this can be used as a guide for those new to the role, as well as seasoned product managers who want to up their game and build great products.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Ranked 4.5 out of 5 based on the practical lessons, and direct way of communicating the author has. Many of the lessons can be applied on your teams immediately.  

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Marty Cagan is a thought leader, well respected in the industry, and guide to leaders at the worlds greatest tech companies. In order to really make traction at your organization by using the lessons of this book you need leadership alignment. Teams should be missionaries rather than mercenaries, and great products should be valuable, viable, & feasible.

Link to Book

Overview:

Why do some people achieve success, while others do not? Why do great hockey players all seem to be born in January? What do Bill Bates and Steve Jobs have in common besides the fact that they ran successful computer companies? If you’ve ever wondered about the secrets of success in the areas of sports, technology, and business than you’ll find outliers to be an interesting book and well worth your time.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Kids born in ‘lucky’ months are selected into an all-star team at an early age and have a chance to work harder than their peers. The book is more about encouraging diligence, hard work, and inspiring the reader, than defining a scientific approach.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Ranked 4.75 out of 5 as it was very inspirational and its lessons are actionable. Malcolm makes a compelling argument for the need to work hard and take advantage of opportunities. Some argue that the examples are cherry picked to make a point however its hard to argue with the main premise of the book. Well written!

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Gladwell is a great author for a reason, his books offer a unique perspective and are well researched and polished. This has proved to be a timeless book that you should read again and again.

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Overview:

If you’ve been following the history of Tesla, interested in how the car company got started and basically want to get up to speed on all things Tesla, then look no further than Tim Higgins’ new book.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Higgins covers the early days, the initial founders and motivations behind the company and its car. Interesting anecdotes are used throughout the book to give readers additional perspective on personality, letting you have deeper insight into the company and key people.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Power Play earns a 4.85 as it told the story well, was well researched and in my view, a clear illustration of excellent journalism.  Could be improved by offering more background on all of the founders however that would have made the book longer and readers can simply search on their own. Higgins comes across as trustworthy, experienced, and avoids introducing bias in the narrative.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Overall the author did an effective job researching and promoting this book; journalism at its best. Additionally this book may spark your interest in the global automotive industry.

Link to Book

Overview:

Did you read Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why and ant to go deeper and actually find your own personal why? Do you want to better understand yourself, past motivations and the key people who influenced you to be the person you are today? This book is for you.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Find your Why offers a solid framework, step by step how to guide for find your purpose cause, or belief. There are a number of similar books in the category however this one stands out due to its practicality.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Find your why earns a 4.7 as it was well written, clear, and practical.  

Other Thoughts on The Book:

There are online resources that go along with the book that you should definitely check out so you can practice the techniques, find your why, and help someone find their why.

Link to Book

Overview:

Here is a basic question: Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees alike? Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over? The answer is intriguing and will inspire you.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Potentially life changing book that offers a formula for success in business called the Golden Circle. What, How, Why. What you do, How you do it, Why is your purpose. Great leaders star with Why.

Rating: (1 to 5)

4.5 out of 5; everything was great about this book however some of the concepts were repeated and not all of the examples were that great. Overall I think you will enjoy this book very much.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Onboard your customers and employees to work together towards a shared goal. Very inspiring.

Link to Book

Overview:

A solid management book that inspires with ideas on how to think about leading your team, regardless of industry, written by someone with startup experience at the executive level.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

A solid management book that inspires with ideas on how to think about leading your team, regardless of industry, written by someone with startup experience at the executive level. The author is personally connected to many powerful silicon valley leaders such as those from Twitter, Facebook, Apple, and Google. Many of the insights and tips come from her experiences with these great firms.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Solid 3.85 based on the relevance and influence of the author; you can continue learning about the topic by going to the book’s website and even hire their team to consult with your organization.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

The framework is pretty good way to think about how you are communicating outside of work as well.

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Overview:

Great book for anyone involved in data, machine learning, and curious about how the historical aspects of a shift from big hits, to small niches. Very interesting perspective from a major influential player in the industry.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

This book has been called the most important book since Tipping point. So essentially, a business book based on the statistical long tail. Chris Anderson coined the term.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Solid 4.15 based on the fact that while this book was written in 2008, every prediction made by the author seems to have come true. He may not have predicted the death of myspace or that google would purchase youtube however the trend has indeed played out as he outlines in the book.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Audible offers an interview with the author in the final chapter. Very insightful and interesting to read in 2021.

Link to Book

Overview:

Are you interested in technology and the entertainment industry? Have you ever been curious about the math, economics, and story behind “moneyball” and how that is playing out in the entertainment industry? If so, then this book is well worth your time.

Here Is What The Book Was About:

Well researched and somewhat academic narrative on how big data is transforming film, TV, music, and book businesses. Excellent case study on Netflix and how they went about producing the hit show “House of Cards” in a way that was considered at the time a completely new approach.

Rating: (1 to 5)

Solid 4 based on the valuable content and solid authoritative delivery by the authors who are professors of Information Technology at Carnegie Mellon University. Although valuable content was presented, the book was a little dry at times.

Other Thoughts on The Book:

Well researched book by respected professionals who had access to tremendous amounts of data to analyze and produce this book, which hit the market in August of 2016. I found it particularly interesting that after so many years many of the authors’ predictions are indeed coming true today.

Link to Book