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What We're Reading:
Current Picks
from
the Watermark Staff
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July 11, 2007
In this issue:
Tell me a little about yourself.
Book reviews.
* "The Women & Money" by Suze Orman.
* "Trust" by Kathy Bloomgarden.
* "Follow the Other Hand" by Andy Cohen.
* "The New Rules of Marketing & PR" by David Meerman Scott.
* "No More Ramen" by Nicholas Aretakis
* "12" by Rodd Wagner and James K Harter, PH.D.
Two cookies short.
Upcoming events.
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TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.
Now that I have introduced myself to you, I would love for you to return the
favor! You see, for the last six years as inventory manager at Watermark, I was
reminded everyday, with each person I met, how books are personal. And now that
I've been working as the head of Watermark's Business and Group Sales, I'm
constantly reminded of all the other things that are personal... whether it’s a
perfect client gift, an employee appreciation reward, or a last minute catering
for a brainstorming session. And that basil leaf on the tea sandwich which
arrived on that lunch tray? Personal... from my own garden.
So, what do you have on your plate? What can I help with? Whether it’s a
recommendation of the latest, greatest, newest business book to hit the shelves,
or an idea for a corporate, personal gift... I'm here to help. You won't be
treated with cookie-cutter business approaches. We hatch new ideas daily.
Drop me a line, e-mail, or just say howdy when you are in the store. Tell me
what you're thinking. I'd love to come up with a solution with you. Even if
you're only interested in the soup of the day!
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BOOK REVIEWS.
"Women & Money" by Suze Orman (Spiegel & Grau, ISBN 9780385519311,
$24.95)
When it comes to matters of personal finance, women hand over control and refuse
to take responsibility as they do in no other area of their lives.
And so Suze Orman, the nation’s most trusted expert on personal finance, decided
to write a book that would help women once and for all overcome the blocks that
have kept them from acting in the best interest of their money and of
themselves.
With penetrating insight into how we arrived at this condition and a careful
assessment of the far-reaching consequences of this reckless behavior for
ourselves and for our daughters.
With "Women & Money," Suze Orman offers not only the possibilities of what a
life of wealth can be, but also the power and the tools to attain that life.
"Trust: The Secret Weapon of Effective Business Leaders" by Kathy Bloomgarden
(St. Martin’s Press, ISBN 9780312349844, $23.95)
In today’s environment, leaders who add the most value to their companies tend
to make decisions based not on short-term financial goals, but on strongly held
values. They develop a reservoir of trust among their key stakeholders and use
it to speak frankly as challenges arise.
"Trust" brings into vivid focus the characteristics that make today’s leaders
successful and the principles and techniques they use to earn the confidence of
employees, customers and the public. Using dozens of interviews with top
business leaders, as well as real-life anecdotes and situations, Kathy
Bloomgarden offers practical recommendations that can be applied by anyone.
"Follow the Other Hand" by Andy Cohen (St. Martin’s Press, ISBN
9780312357931, $22.95)
Told in the form of a fable, we follow Jonathan West as he tries to save his
troubled family owned olive oil business. So what does Jonathan do?
He engages the services of a consultant who is considered a magician. Literally.
The magician takes Jonathan and his team on a journey of creativity and
innovation that helps them to revive and energize their entire business
strategy. Together they learn how to abandon old assumptions and discover
creative new solutions to business. And they learn a magic trick or two along
the way.
Andy Cohen is an expert in helping the world’s largest companies think
differently about branding, marketing and change management. He is also an
expert magician and a board member of the Society of American Magicians, parent
assembly #1.
"The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs,
Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly" by David
Meerman Scott (Wiley, ISBN 9780470113455, $24.95)
The internet has profoundly changed the way people communicate and interact with
eachother. It has also changed the way businesses communicate with current and
potential customers.
"The New Rules of Marketing and PR" shows you how to leverage the potential that
web-based communication offers large and small companies, nonprofits, political
organizations and churches. Finally, you can speak directly to customers and
buyers, establishing a personal link with those who make your business work. You
can reach niche buyers with targeted messages that cost a fraction of your big
budget advertising campaign. Rather than bombard with them with advertising
they’ll likely ignore, you can focus on getting the right message to the right
people at the right time. This one of a kind guide to the future of marketing
includes a step by step action plan for harnessing the power of the Internet.
Including a wealth of compelling case studies and real world examples, this is a
practical guide to the new reality of PR and marketing.
"No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide" by Nicholas
Aretakis (Next Stage Press, ISBN 9780977622405, $14.95)
Nicholas Aretakis has listened to hundreds of 20-somethings from coast to coast.
Now, with straightforward, practical advice, Aretakis provides the tips,
strategies, tools and resources you need to go from college to the real world,
from floundering to fulfilled, from hungry to happy in your 20s. Best of all,
Aretakis reveals his three-steps-ahead philosophy and the real-life secrets he’s
discovered for achieving balance.
With an endorsement by Dr. Jon Wefalb, President of Kansas State University,
this a great book for the 20-something in your life. Hey, it may even get your
20-something off the couch in your basement!
"12: The Elements of Great Managing" by Rodd Wagner and James K Harter, PH.D
(Gallup Press, ISBN 9781595629982, $25.95)
More than a decade ago, The Gallup Organization combed through its database of
more than one million employee and manager interviews to identify the elements
most important in sustaining workplace excellence. These elements were revealed
in the 1999 bestseller "First Break All the Rules."
"12: The Elements of Great Managing" is that book’s long-awaited sequel.
Gallup’s study now includes ten million employee and manager interviews.
The authors weave the latest Gallup insights with recent discoveries in the
fields of neuroscience, game theory, psychology, sociology, and economics.
Written for managers and employees of companies large and small, "12" explains
what every company needs to know about creating and sustaining employee
engagement.
"The Exceptional Presenter" by Timothy J. Koegel (Greenleaf Book Group
Press,
ISBN 9781929774449, $21.95)
"The Exceptional Presenter" takes the mystery and the misery out of presenting.
It breaks down the art of presenting into a series of skills and then provides a
systematic formula to master each skill.
A quick read and quick reference, it is perfectly suited for today’s busy world.
The techniques in this book will improve all of your communication efforts one
on one, small groups or large audiences.
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TWO COOKIES SHORT.
The other day I was walking into the back room of the café (following the mouth
watering aroma of fresh baked cinnamon rolls) when I passed dozens of custom
decorated sugar cookies for a customer. I have a, well -- let's just say kind
of a "problem"-- with sugar cookies. They call to me; they want me to eat them.
And these cookies were calling my name like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The
café
was very lucky my willpower was actually working that day, or they may have
found themselves a few cookies short for that order.
In addition to those tempting cookies, we can also deliver items from our menu
to your business. Or cater a menu for you in our basement meeting room that can
hold up to 25 people. With a room, catered lunch, and a projector screen for
your power point presentations, we can take care of most of your meeting needs.
A word to the wise, if you order the frosted sugar cookies and I'm working that
day, you may want to double count the cookies.
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UPCOMING EVENTS.
Thursday, July 19. 7:00 p.m. Alafair Burke will read and sign from her new
book, “Dead Connection.”
Friday, July 20. 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
release party.
Saturday, July 21. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Crowsons will play their signature
brand of acoustic bluegrassical music in the Watermark Café.
Monday, July 23rd. 7:00 p.m. Michael Yates will read and sign from his book,
Cheap Motels and a Hot Plate.
If you’d like to explore ways in which Watermark can assist your business,
please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at Watermark Books and
Café: (316) 682-1181, on my cell phone: (316) 833-0395, or by e-mail to
lisa.johnson@watermarkbooks.com.
I look forward to your call.
Best,
Lisa
Business & Group Sales
Watermark Books & Café
4701 E. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67218
(316) 682-1181
www.watermarkbooks.com
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