Picture this for a fast-paced meeting for a team that is dead serious about moving forward.You sit together:you each have a multi-page book synopsis handout.You listen together to a book synopsis presentation (an audio recording), following along with the handout.The book synopsis is of an important, current, valuable book.You learn about leadership; or you learn about working well as a team; or you learn about improving your personal productivity.In other words, if you listen, learn, and implement, you get better.Over time, a lot better.Those books are sitting there, ready to teach you.This is a way you can learn together.The meeting elements:45 minutes in length20 minutes listening together20 minutes what do we do with this? conversation5 minutes next-step planning with your personal action plan This white paper is about one way to make this happen By Randy Mayeux A First Friday Book Synopsis White PaperYour Company Needs Some Business-Book Book Clubs The library (i.e., your personal library) should contain as much of what you do not know as your financial means, mortgage rates, and the currently tight real-estate market allow you to put there.-Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan Photo Credit: Jonathan Miske (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) Summary: ! Each B-BBC session should focus on the content of one business book that deals with a current issue, or a training/development goal. ! Each B-BBC session should be divided into:content learning and retrieval;analysis and understanding of the content for this company and these circumstances; followed by lessons & takeaways, and action steps to take, for each participant involved; and an expectation to report back on progress and results at the next B-BBC gathering. ! Each B-BBC group should commit to meet in a series of sessions, to be determined by the groups needs and participants.A minimum of three sessions seems to help provide the necessary jump-start for a group. ! (Although, there may be special circumstances when a single session is needed for a new initiative, or a specic challenge). Problem: With low levels of employee engagement throughout the corporate landscape, and the failures of so many training programs to produce lasting results, along with the dearth of and deciency of leaders and e#ective leadership, people need better tools to help them become better supervisors and managers, and leaders end even, simply, better employees.Assumptions: #1 Gaining and understanding the content of the best business books, along with putting the lessons of these books into practice, is a worthwhile endeavor.It is one way, an e#ective way, to help people within your company become better supervisors, managers, and leaders. #2 There are book-readers, and non-book readers.Companies must acknowledge this reality.Most book-readers have established this practice and discipline by the time they enter their early adult years.Turning a non-book-reader into an actual book-reader is a monumentally challenging task, and a leader should not assume that he/she will succeed at this. #3 Studies show that the average American does not read many books a year (average:somewhere between 4-11); does not remember all that they read;and in the mix of books they read, business books is fairly low in the overall total, even for people serious about developing their work skills. Randy Mayeux Copyright 2015 www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com Page2 People need better tools to help them become better supervisors and managers, and leaders end even, simply, better employees. Photo Credit: Jonathan Miske (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) In investigating the reading habits of adults, there appear to be three categories of readers.Percentages come from a 2014 Pew Research Center Survey: " The non-readers these are people who read fewer than 5 books a year app. 54% of adults " The casual readers these are people who read 6-10 books a year-- app. 17% of adults " The more dedicated readers these are people who read 11 or more books a year app. 28% of adults " (The percentage of more dedicated readers has fallen noticeably over the last 3 decades) #4 And yet, reading books is a great way to learn.The best leaders are readers.(Although, there is evidence that many top level CEOs read few business books, and instead, read a wider-range of books -- history, architecture, biography, science, and of course novels, among other areas of interest). Conclusion: Therefore, people need to know what is in the best business books, and put the lessons-learned into practice.And yet, many (especially the non-book-readers) are unlikely to practice the discipline of such book-reading and learning on their own. Thus, a Business-book Book Club (B-BBC) is an option worthy of exploring.A B-BBC is one important tool to add to the development arsenal. B-BBC, Version #1 -- for front-line supervisors or managers lacking business cultural literacy B-BBC, Version #2 -- for emerging, future-leaders, andB-BBC, Version #3 -- for executive teams. The Three Audiences for Business-Book Book Clubs (B-BBC): Companies can actually benet from three B-BBCs, one for each audience within the company. Randy Mayeux Copyright 2015 www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com Page3People need to know what is in the best business books, and put the lessons-learned into practice.And yet, many (especially the non-book-readers) are unlikely to practice the discipline of such book-reading and learning on their own. Photo Credit: Jonathan Miske (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) B-BBC, Version #1 -- for front-line supervisors or managers lacking business cultural literacyFor this group, the books need to focus on the fundamentals, such as:how to improve in your own personal productivity (books on time management; energy management); how to function well as a team (team-building books deal with this, but the need may be even a little simpler, like how to work well with others).B-BBC, Version #2 -- for emerging, future-leadersEvery company needs to be on the lookout for those next leaders ready to emerge.The good companies have training strategies in place to help identify such leaders, and then to give them the right training to help them move forward into later leadership positions.One municipal government in Texas, in a mid-size and fast-growing city, has had such a program for the last decade.Each participant is invited to apply by their supervisor to the program by writing an essay explaining why they would like to be part of the emerging leaders group.And then, if accepted, the selected individuals take part in ve once-a-month book club sessions. One obvious need for emerging leaders is that they need to develop a greater business cultural literacy.One way to accomplish this is with carefully planned exposure to current business books.(Note: Randy Mayeux and Karl Krayer present synopses to groups, especially leadership teams, within many organizations. These extended sessions provide opportunity for facilitated conversations covering implications and transferrable principles from the selected books.)B-BBC, Version #3 -- for executive team members. This is the obvious, and most frequent, B-BBC.Leaders at the top of an organization need to step back, think about big-picture issues, and discuss future possibilities. However, if they do so just shooting from the hip, without some form of guided conversation, the discussion may not be as focused as needed.Choosing the right book, and focusing on the content of that book, may provide just the right jump-start to the needed discussion. For all three of these audiences, a B-BBC can be a valuable tool. Select the Right Business Books for your B-BBCsSowhere to start?How often should the group meet?The first, and simplest method, is to simply select the volumes that the CEO or President demands.(Always please the boss!) But, let's take a deeper look at this challenge. Each business book deals with a specic issue facing business leaders.Take a look at the graphic, Elements of a Healthy Organization, to see an overview of issues that are constantly in need of ne-tuning within an organization. Randy Mayeux Copyright 2015 www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com Page4 Assuming that you have Assuming Process Excellence A product or servicethat others will pay for Excellent business processes such as: logistics, accounting,billing (collecting) Marketing and Sales (Customer Acquisition) Customer Service/ Customer Experience (Customer Retention) The Healthy & Growing Organization Constantly Adapting & Innovating Randy Mayeux 214.577.8025 r.mayeux@airmail.net Strategy Leaders Communicate Remove Bottleneck(s) Meaning {core value(s);the why} Team(s) Alignment (Corporate Culture) Measure Execute Talent Elements of a Healthy Organization Photo Credit: Jonathan Miske (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) Here is a table (see below) with one-to-more book suggestions for each issue area.This is simply a representative list;many other books could be added to this table, or substituted for other titles. Note:some of the biggest business best sellers are not listed.One reason is this; the really big business best-sellers are di%cult to categorize. They deal with so many issues, all at once. Some titles that t in this meta-category are: Good to Great; Steve Jobs; Lean In; The Innovators; Freakonomics (and follow-up volumes); The Second Machine Age; The World is Flat; Exponential Organizations; BoldThis list can go on and on Because of the big-picture thinking of executive teams, such books are not part of the table below. Here is the table of recommended volumes to get you started (this, of course, will be updated as new books are written): Randy Mayeux Copyright 2015 www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com Page5 Audience Issue/ThemeSuggested Book TitlesSuggested Book TitlesSuggested Book TitlesFront Line SupervisorsTime & Energy ManagementGetting Things DoneThe Power of Full EngagementThe Other 90% & DriveBasic LeadershipEncouraging the HeartThe Checklist ManifestoEmerging LeadersCustomer Acquisition (Marketing & Sales)Contagious To Sell is HumanThe Why, (Purpose) Start With WhyStrategic Planning and ThinkingGood Strategy, Bad StrategyMastering the Rockefeller Habits (& follow-up, updated version, Scaling Up)LeadersEncouraging the HeartGreat by ChoiceWooden on LeadershipTeamsThe Five Dysfunctions of a TeamWiserThe Wisdom of CrowdsTalent The Rare FindAlignment (Corporate Culture)Buy-In Smart Tribes Tribal LeadershipCommunication Words that Work Made to StickExecution ExecutionMeasuring ResultsThe Checklist ManifestoThe Signal and the NoiseRemoving Bottlenecks The Goal Photo Credit: Jonathan Miske (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) Choose the Best Format for your B-BBCs Youve decided to have some business-books book clubs within your organization.You have selected some specic books to begin with.Youve accomplished the easy part.Now, the much tougher assignment:what should the format be for your book club? Ideally, every member reads every book fully each and every word and understands what he/she has read, and knows exactly what to do to take full advantage of newly-understood knowledge, insights, skills. But back to lets be realisticThis is not going to happen.The only people who will do that are the truly devoted book-readers.And, most of your folks do not t that category. Lets look back up to the summary above:what should each book-club session accomplish in each session? Each B-BBC session should be divided into ve tasks/elements: ! Task #1 -- content learning and retrieval(What do the books say?) ! Task #2 -- analysis and understanding of the content for this company and these circumstances (What does this mean to our company, in our circumstances?) " Task #3 -- followed by lessons & takeaways (What are the most important lessons from this book?) ! Task #4 -- action steps to take, for each participant involved (What should I do with what Ive learned?)" Task #5 -- and an expectation to report back on progress and results at the next B-BBC gathering. (How will I demonstrate to the group that Ive put what Ive learned into practice?) How shall you conduct your book club sessions? Option #1 No presenter of content.It is assumed that all arrive at the session having read the book.Thus, the chosen leader of the session leads a guided conversation, working through the ve tasks (see above). Option #2 One or more participant presenters of content.One participant presents the key content of the book; or, the content of the book is presented in sections (chapters) by di#erent participants in the group.This can be done either in one session, or, di#erent participants can take a chapter each, and you can spread one book over a number of sessions* (*the number of sessions to be decided by the group). Option #3 The group listens to a presentation of the key content of the book from a book synopsis provider, while each participant follows along with a comprehensive handout* (*see below for a way this can be done). With options #2 and #3, a member/facilitator of the book club will need to lead the group through tasks 4 & 5. Randy Mayeux Copyright 2015 www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com Page6One by-product: The more that a company values and provides interactions between people over the content ofbooks, the more likelihood that those who might become book-readers will be exposed to enough books that this practice will ignite such interest and discipline.This would be a good thing. Photo Credit: Jonathan Miske (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) Randy Mayeux Copyright 2015 www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com Page7One Final Note: How long should the B-BBC last?The simple answer isforever.There is always the next new business book worthy of careful reading and attention.In other words, making B-BBCs a regular part of a schedule is a valuable way to help a company keep rening its skills, stay current, and even stay ahead of the changes coming just around the corner. *A Book Synopsis from 15MinuteBusinessBooks.com - your ideal book club catalyst tool: We have engaging synopses of the latest, most relevant business books, perfect for your team business-book club meetings. Every month since April, 1998, we (Karl Krayer and Randy Mayeux) have presented synopses of best-selling business books. We present these at our live event, the First Friday Book Synopsis in Dallas, Texas. Each synopsis is available for purchase, and comes with the audio recording of our presentations (about 15 minutes in length), along with our comprehensive handouts. A company can purchase these synopses, and use them in their own B-BBCs. (Synopses are available at www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com.)An ideal way to end your book club meeting is to have each participant complete their own individual action plan. A printable version is at the end of this white paper. One Other Business Book Club Approach;lets call this the Just for Fun Book Club There is one other kind of business book club.This one serves a di#erent purpose.Call this the Relationship Building, Fun for the Reader, Book Club. Some companies encourage and enable book clubs just for the sheer enjoyment that comes from reading and discussing a book together.These book clubs may not have overt business or training objectives.They are simply lets enjoy discussing a favorite book together sessions.These can be led by anyone in the company, and participants can nd each other.Such book clubs focus on best-selling novels, and/or maybe works of general nonction. These are morale-building groups, even though they may not lead to the same kind of skill development that more structured B-BBCs might provide. !&One place that has experimented with such book clubs is Warby Parker.Check out: The Warby Parker Book Club -- Book Clubs Are Something Many Of Us Do In Our Free Time. At Warby Parker, They Do It At Work. Here's Why. www.fastcompany.com/3030178/agendas/the-warby-parker-book-club Check out my e-book, 12 Vital Signs of Randy Mayeux 214.577.8025r.mayeux@airmail.net@Randy1116 Check out my e-book, 12 Vital Signs of Organizational Health Randy blogs about business books at: www.FirstFridayBookSynopsis.com Synopses available at www.15MinuteBusinessBooks.com A word of explanation: the author of this white paper could not nd many studies on the e#ectiveness of business-book book clubs. There are anecdotal descriptions, but no seriously compiled and evaluated/analyzed data on the e#ectiveness of such book clubs. Thus, this may be a new area for study. But, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence (personal testimony) that such book clubs can be e#ective, if conducted with the right purpose and in the right format (with the most e#ective approaches). Consider this white paper as a tool to help a company get started in this worthwhile endeavor. (One place to read of such a successful e#ort is www.betterbookclub.com.) I learned this from this session or, at least, I was reminded of this, which I had been neglecting: Based on this session, I will tweak my own behavior (practice), in at least the following three ways: Based on this session, I will tackle this major personal challenge: Based on this session, I will have the following conversations: Based on this session, I will work with the following people in the following ways: Based on this session, I will tweak and/or even change, the processes and procedures in my department/area, in the following ways: Name: ________________________ Topic: _____________________________ Name: ________________________ Topic: _____________________________ Name: ________________________Topic: _____________________________ My Individual Action Plan Session: ___________________________Date: _______________