As part of Adobe Summit earlier this year, Eric Matisoff and I shared some of our findings during Analytics Tribe of Mentors: Achieving Rockstar Status. Inspired by Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss, we set out to collect practical advice from industry-leading professionals on how to become a recognized and invaluable member (rockstar) of your organization. We used the same 11 questions that Tim uses to interview the likes of Tony Hawk, Brene Brown, Gary Vaynerchuk, Arianna Huffingon, and so on.
During this interview process, question 1 turned out to be the most prolific and popular question among the Analytics Tribe, which is: What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?
As we collected each book recommendation, slowly but surely, we built a list of books that resembled a curriculum for success. With over 50 books to choose from, below is a curated list of recommendations to dive into during this time of social distancing - a perfect opportunity to pick up a book, download to a Kindle or listen on Audible. We hope you enjoy this list.
Company Culture
A guide to innovation & disruption? Yes. Please.
Recommended by Jeff Chasin
Innovator's Dilemma by Clay Christensen
Innovator’s Dilemma is a Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Businessweek bestseller, and The Economist named it as one of the six most important books about business ever written. Christensen highlights how the most successful businesses can do everything right and still lose market leadership.
Productivity
Gain a better understanding of the good and bad habits that underlie everything we do
Recommended by Ben Gaines
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Power of Habit is a New York Times bestseller by award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg that scientifically explains why habits exist and how they can be changed.
Business
A collection of 248 simplified concepts to help you think about business in a new way
Recommended by Lauren Kress (and Jennifer Yacenda)
The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
Josh Kaufman writes a comprehensive go-to business primer with The Personal MBA and it is a perfect read if you are considering business school, starting a new business, or looking to improve an existing one. As an alternative to business school, Josh Kaufman collected and distilled his findings from reading the thousands of business books across Marketing, Sales, Finance, Value Creation, the Human Mind, and so on.
Cognitive Psychology
If only the late Hans Rosling could bring his expertise to telling COVID-19 data stories
Recommended by Jim Kultgen
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
A New York Times bestseller from 2018 where Hans Rosling uses data and statistics to change the way you look at the world. The book dives into ten instincts that distort our perspective and prevent us from accurately seeing the world. [Book Bonus: If you haven't seen his TED talks: check them out here]
Data Storytelling
For anyone looking to up their data storytelling skills, Cole’s workbook guides the process
Recommended by Tim Wilson, Jennifer Yacenda
Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice! by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
Let’s Practice is a follow-up guide to Cole’s first book Storytelling with Data (also recommended) that provides a hands-on learning experience for becoming a powerful data storyteller. Inspired by her data storytelling workshops, this guide encourages you to pick up a pen and paper to dive into the exercises.
Building Skills
For anyone getting started or needing a refresher on Adobe Analytics, this is THE book
Recommended by Jennifer Yacenda
Adobe Analytics for Dummies by Eric Matisoff
If you're a marketer in need of a non-technical, beginner's reference to using Adobe Analytics, this book is the perfect place to start. Adobe Analytics For Dummies arms you with a basic knowledge of the key features so that you can start using it quickly and effectively.
Business Leadership
As the world resets and the global economy looks to reopen, learn how to deal with competition
Recommended by Cleve Young
Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive by Harvey B. Mackay
A New York Times bestseller that outlines business lessons that stand the test of time. Harvey Mackay, a self-made millionaire, writes a handbook for how to succeed - highlighting tactics to Outsell, Outmanage, Outmotivate, and Outnegotiate.
Marketing & Sales
An informative and practical framework for entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, etc.
Recommended by Lea Pica
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
New York Times best-selling author Donald Miller provides a storytelling framework using the seven universal elements of a story - character, problem, guide, plan, calls to action, failure, and success. Building a StoryBrand will help readers rethink how they communicate and connect with customers.
Memoirs & Fiction
2020 is the perfect time to learn from others and the experiences that shaped their lives
Recommended by Katinya Lilly
Becoming by Michelle Obama
A New York Times bestseller and selected to Oprah’s Book Club in 2018. In her memoir, Michelle Obama brings readers into her world and the experiences that have shaped her from her childhood in Chicago to her first time meeting Barack to her life before and after the White House. She challenges her readers to ask ourselves - who are we and who do we want to become?
Personal Development
Develop new brain muscles and discover untapped powers from C-Suite coach and advisor
Recommended by Julia Tolstunova
Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine
Shirzad Chamine, a New York Times bestselling author and Chairman of CTI, the largest coach-training organization in the world, reveals how to achieve one's true potential in Positive Intelligence for both professional and personal success. His research exposes ten well-disguised mental Saboteurs and provides PQ tools and techniques to overcome them. [Book Bonus: Positive Intelligence comes with a Free Assessment to uncover your personal Saboteurs]
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