I know we’ve joked before as these long weekends have approached that when you run a small business then the idea of a weekend, long or otherwise, is sometimes a little tenuous. Whenever you might get some time to grab even 10 minutes, then each of these books offers something a bit different. No particular theme this time, although I think they are all thought-provoking, and inspiring.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard
Patagonia is one of those businesses I both admire and love. Though I have to admit I’ve never shopped with them, probably because I’ve never thought of myself as particularly outdoorsy. But when a business has values this strong, then it makes me want to be.
I love stories like this, and people like Yvon. Driven by a vision, with strong values that guide every decision, there are many imitators but not many that live it heart and soul. Read this if it’s pouring with rain on Bank Holiday Monday, it’ll transport you on adventures around the world, and inspire your thinking about all kinds of things.
Superfandom: How Our Obsessions Are Changing What We Buy and Who We Are by Zoe Fraade-Blanar
What are you obsessive about? Even if it’s a mild obsession, then it’s probably easier to find through the internet than even 20 years ago. Want wine from the little vineyard on a small island you visited in Greece? I imagine you could find it fairly easily.
Obsessive fans drive the conversation about what you do. They do your job for you. They can make or break a product, so it’s a fine line, but done right, it’s incredibly powerful. It’s part of why you should be asking for testimonials. Great book, focusing on everything from Ikea to Polaroid, and the effect fans have had on their businesses.
Range: How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Now, this one you’re going to have to wait for this one, but what’s a bit of delayed gratification amongst friends? I find the premise of this book fascinating, as it’s pretty much the reverse of everything we’ve previously been told. If Malcolm Gladwell says it made him enjoy the experience of finding out that everything he thought was right might be wrong, then that’s good enough for me.
Maybe the Jacks of all trades had it right all along. You’ll have to wait until 27 June to see if you agree.
Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better: Wise Advice for Leaning into the Unknown by Pema Chodron
There’ll be fraught teens, and probably parents as well, at this time of year as we’re in peak exam season. I’m not sure if this is helpful for teens right in the heat of exams, but maybe after. We should all be more prepared to fail more, and I like the idea of failing better.
It’s hard to consider making ourselves this vulnerable, and it’s definitely the reverse of all the stories we’re told around failure not being an option. It’s not a very long read, but it’s quite thought-provoking.
Curation: The Power of Selection in a World of Excess by Michael Bhaskar
One of the things about us being able to get hold of everything we’re obsessive about is that there is just so much stuff. Where businesses are making strides is in helping people through the mass of things. Whether it’s Spotify with your playlists, or just showing what’s trending on a shopping site like Not on the High Street, it helps you cut down the options.
I think there are things every kind of business can take from this book. You might think there’s nothing to curate in your business, but I think this book might just change your mind. See what you think.
What’s on your reading list that you’d recommend? That’s curation in action.
As an additional recommend if you want something fictional, then I highly recommend The Immortalists. Interesting premise, if you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life? It’s definitely a page-turner.
