--Charlie "Tremendous" Jones
I read, constantly. I don't read garbage either. If I am going to invest my money and even more importantly, my time, into a book, I am going to make sure that I can grow and improve from it. In other words, I want to get something from it. The challenge is weeding through the overwhelming pile of books that may, or may not be worthwhile. How do you know? And who has the time to figure it out.
After being an event professional for 15 years, and now working as a consultant to the industry, I have read my fair share of great books and piles of junk. There are those books that can be immediately applied to the event industry, and will produce instant results. These are the books that I have held on to, referenced throughout the years, and use to hone my skills. This is why they have made my Top 5 List for 2009.
1. Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress Free Productivity - David Allen
The power of GTD and Mr. Allen's approach, is the simplicity of its implementation and execution. I love this book because it doesn't require a complete overhaul of your life and work styles. Instead, it helps you to corrall all of your tasks, appointments and responsibilities into a very simple management process. Besides, who wouldn't benefit from a little less stress. If there is just one book an event professional must have, it is this one. I recommend this book to everyone.
2. Moments of Truth - Jan Carlzon
MoT is a short book, that is a quick read, carrying a powerful message of vision, teamwork, and customers service, leading to ultimate success. Moments of Truth serves as the jumping off point for all of my clients, to help them understand the role of their customer, in the organization, and the importance of every customer interaction, from top to bottom. I recommend this book for any conference center, convention center, or multi-level operation.
3. The One Minute Manger - Ken Blanchard
If you aren't already familiar with OMM, where have you been hiding? OMM is probably the single best book on effective management strategies on the market today. Department managers, supervisors and leadership at all levels can save time, money and labor, as well as minimize HR associated headaches through successful implementation of the OMM principles.
4. The Home Office from Hell Cure - Jeffrey A. Landers
This is an interesting book, because the title leads one to believe that the strategies are applicable only to the home office. Quite the contrary. The principles are applicable to any business. The real value of this book is that Landers gives the reader a 100 day plan for networking, engaging the media, and creating exposure for the business. The strategies are easy, executable and fun.
5. How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie
There is little that needs to be said about this timeless classic. Written and first published in 1936, Carnegie builds the foundation for developing long lasting, profitable relationships. Think of this book as the "How to" for networking. Once you master this classic, networking events will be a breeze.
There are very few corporate executives and highly successful business people who plop down in front of the television, night after night, and watch the mindless chatter. Instead of surfing the internet, except of course to read my blog, or watching the tube. grab a book and read. You, in five years, will be better for it.
Eric Tompkins
Tompkins Event Consultants
After being an event professional for 15 years, and now working as a consultant to the industry, I have read my fair share of great books and piles of junk. There are those books that can be immediately applied to the event industry, and will produce instant results. These are the books that I have held on to, referenced throughout the years, and use to hone my skills. This is why they have made my Top 5 List for 2009.
1. Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress Free Productivity - David Allen
The power of GTD and Mr. Allen's approach, is the simplicity of its implementation and execution. I love this book because it doesn't require a complete overhaul of your life and work styles. Instead, it helps you to corrall all of your tasks, appointments and responsibilities into a very simple management process. Besides, who wouldn't benefit from a little less stress. If there is just one book an event professional must have, it is this one. I recommend this book to everyone.
2. Moments of Truth - Jan Carlzon
MoT is a short book, that is a quick read, carrying a powerful message of vision, teamwork, and customers service, leading to ultimate success. Moments of Truth serves as the jumping off point for all of my clients, to help them understand the role of their customer, in the organization, and the importance of every customer interaction, from top to bottom. I recommend this book for any conference center, convention center, or multi-level operation.
3. The One Minute Manger - Ken Blanchard
If you aren't already familiar with OMM, where have you been hiding? OMM is probably the single best book on effective management strategies on the market today. Department managers, supervisors and leadership at all levels can save time, money and labor, as well as minimize HR associated headaches through successful implementation of the OMM principles.
4. The Home Office from Hell Cure - Jeffrey A. Landers
This is an interesting book, because the title leads one to believe that the strategies are applicable only to the home office. Quite the contrary. The principles are applicable to any business. The real value of this book is that Landers gives the reader a 100 day plan for networking, engaging the media, and creating exposure for the business. The strategies are easy, executable and fun.
5. How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie
There is little that needs to be said about this timeless classic. Written and first published in 1936, Carnegie builds the foundation for developing long lasting, profitable relationships. Think of this book as the "How to" for networking. Once you master this classic, networking events will be a breeze.
There are very few corporate executives and highly successful business people who plop down in front of the television, night after night, and watch the mindless chatter. Instead of surfing the internet, except of course to read my blog, or watching the tube. grab a book and read. You, in five years, will be better for it.
Eric Tompkins
Tompkins Event Consultants
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