Brush Up With Brand-New Books

Selling Blue Elephants, by Howard Moskowitz and Alex Gofman. I am not a believer in focus groups, because people often tell you what you want to hear. Coca-Cola was told the original Coke needed to be put out of their misery, and that New Coke would bring in billions. We all know how that story ended. This book takes you through examples of how successful companies developed products for which there was no immediate demand, but which inventors believed had a practical purpose. The book takes readers through a process for enhancing their chances of developing a commercially viable product.

Blooding at Great Meadows, by Alan Axelrod. Alan Axelrod is one of the best writers at taking a leader's successes and failures and condensing them into an easy-to-read, substantive book. I have read everything he has written, and his books are all well done. This book talks about George Washington's time as a young lieutenant colonel in the British army and the defeat he suffered at Great Meadows, Pa. Every great leader will tell you they learn more from failure than success.

Take advantage of the beautiful spring and summer weather and enjoy a good book. Make it part of your routine and you will notice an increase in your performance and in those around you.