June 25, 2007

Our picks for summer reading (and resources)

In summer, if you're lucky, the manic pace slows down just a bit, which provides a chance to catch up on your "reading" (books, web sites or other resources that build your skills or knowledge). In this issue, Davis & Company consultants offer our hot summer picks—our recommendations for resources to help you take your work to the next level.

Joe DeLuccia

Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath Why do some ideas thrive while others die? This book explores the anatomy of ideas that “stick” and provides practical advice for making your messages stickier. It also includes success stories to illustrate the principles of successful ideas at work.

Kimberly Gavagan

The Wall Street Journal When it comes to staying on top of issues and trends affecting today's business environment, nothing tops The Wall Street Journal. As a bonus, the weekly Cubicle Culture column covers a wealth of topics to which we can all relate: from shared calendar overload to bosses who don't communicate with us.

Catherine Jordan

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell Every time we communicate, we send and receive messages at an unconscious level. This fascinating book explains why honest communication is crucial to business (and personal) success: because people know in the blink of an eye whether someone is lying or telling the truth, whether their intentions are good or bad. Learn how we all know what we know, and consider how these principles work in your organization.

John Kidon

istockphoto.com This is a great site that provides quality, royalty-free, stock photography, vector illustrations and Flash animations at low prices for everyone. There are no subscription fees or extra costs. iStockphoto uses a system of credits to purchase images from their site and credit packages start at 10 credits for $12. A photo can range anywhere from 1 to 15 credits to download depending on its size and resolution. This is the perfect resource for anyone with a limited budget who needs images for a project.

David Pitre

Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie Rules. Processes. The WAY we do things around here. They're all part of the giant hairball that sucks the creativity out of people. This book is a great reminder to avoid the trap of mediocrity and to dip your toe in the “hairball” when YOU need it. “If you are hypnotized by an organization's culture, you become separated from your personal magic.”

Julie Weissbach

w3schools.com Want to learn HTML so you spruce up web content, an online newsletter or group e-mail? W3Schools is a great resource for HTML beginners and experts alike. The site delivers quick and easy learning about HTML (as well as more advanced subjects like JavaScript and XML). Be sure to check out the easy-to-understand HTML tutorials and the try-it-yourself HTML editor.

Woe Is I by Patricia T. O'Conner Former The New York Times Book Review editor Patricia O'Conner has an enthusiasm for English grammar that rivals only that of my fifth-grade teacher. In her book, O'Conner tackles the complexities-- and absurdities--of the language with wit and deference. Punctuation, danglers and oft-misused words such as who/whom and that/which are also explained with humor. It's a great resource for professional and casual writers alike.