I like finding obscure business books, biographies, and well-written historical pieces that read like narratives. I’m also constantly watching upcoming releases that fit these criteria. The list below is in order of release date.
[Read more…] about Upcoming Book ReleasesWhat CFO Bookshelf Is Reading Now
I’ve never been one to share what I’m reading on social media, yet friends and acquaintances still frequently ask me what I’m reading.
I read between one and three books at any given time. I also walk every evening in my neighborhood, and I prefer audiobooks over podcasts. Accordingly, my reading is refreshed regularly.
[Read more…] about What CFO Bookshelf Is Reading NowOur Favorite Books in 2023
Since starting the CFO Bookshelf podcast, I have released a ‘favorite books’ show each January. I’ve always been reluctant to do so because my reading tastes may differ from yours. However, these episodes are some of the most downloaded in our podcast catalog. In this discussion, I list my Top 10 books, honorable mentions, fiction, and even books that I did not like. Other insights include what and how much to read and if fiction matters.
[Read more…] about Our Favorite Books in 2023Entrepreneur Upskilling
The objective of Topgrading® is finding, acquiring, onboarding, and keeping A-players. However, what is the Topgrading® equivalent of entrepreneur A-players? I don’t think there is one, but perhaps we need a definition for Entrepreneur Upskilling.
[Read more…] about Entrepreneur UpskillingThe 4 Best Books on Sales Management
I love working on cash flow management problems. I approach cash flow management through two different lenses. One lense is upstream cash flows and the second is downstream. Most articles on cash flow directed toward small business owners are downstream in nature such as improving AR collections and speeding up inventory turns. I prefer focusing on upstream cash flow–marketing and sales.
[Read more…] about The 4 Best Books on Sales ManagementThe Best Accounting Books Ever Written
I know many seasoned accountants who are lifelong learners and readers. If you ask them about their favorite accounting books, expect a pause, and possibly a very long one. However, I’ve found several titles worth reading or referencing periodically from this narrow business genre.
[Read more…] about The Best Accounting Books Ever WrittenYou Finished a Great Book, Now What?
What happens after you finish reading a great book? You know, the one you tell everyone about or the one you can’t quit thinking about. I know, you want a similar follow-up, right?
[Read more…] about You Finished a Great Book, Now What?Best Books about Financial Fraud
I guess I have a pea-sized brain. While working for KPMG, first-year accountants (aka grunts) were inundated with internal controls training (alums, remember SEADOC?). But I just didn’t get it. How did/do accountants learn how to steal? If only I had these two books at my fingertips nearly 30 years earlier.
[Read more…] about Best Books about Financial FraudMy 15% vs Ownership Thinking
Numerous CEO friends continually extol the employee virtues of ownership thinking. I’ve never jumped on that bandwagon. I’ve met my share of passive and disengaged, country club-like, and unsophisticated owners. With that jaded imagery in my mind, I don’t want employees thinking like owners, even if the bad ones represent a small minority of all entrepreneurs. Instead, I prefer a stewardship mentality.
[Read more…] about My 15% vs Ownership ThinkingEnding the Negative Connotation of Planning
When you think of planning, what springs to mind? In your organization, is planning a positive experience or a negative one?
Many of us, including this writer, have suffered many tortuous planning exercises that never gained steam once they were finalized. Future planning events continue with similar results.
Perhaps we need a reminder of what planning is and its primary aim. I’ll keep this short by referencing a page from Peter Senge’s masterful business playbook, The Fifth Discipline.
[Read more…] about Ending the Negative Connotation of Planning