The Extraordinary Business Book Club

 'This is all a web that's woven together, and how it all works is really important. You can't just do one piece of it. And a great partner is someone who understands that this is a marathon, not a sprint.' You think writing a book is hard? Well, ok, yes it is, but it comes as a nasty shock for most authors to realize that writing the damn thing isn't enough - then they have to promote it. Luckily, there are people out there who do this really, really well. And even more luckily, one of them is about to give you a book publicity masterclass.  Marissa Eigenbrood, President at Smith Publicity, specialises in the art of connection, matching the right authors to the right platforms, so the right readers can find the right books. While marketing is great for creating a buzz at launch, publicity helps establish enduring credibility. Marketing directly engages your readers; publicity harnesses the power of established media to supercharge your authority and reach.  The good news is that there's a wealth of opportunities out there. The even better news is that you don't just get one chance to shine; long after publication day, savvy publicity means you can continue to use your book to build an enduring professional presence. Here's to the long game.

Wendy Smith, Dana J. Johnson Professor of Management and author of Both/And Thinking, shares her insights on navigating life's complexities. She emphasizes the importance of embracing paradoxical thinking to enhance creativity and decision-making in both personal and professional realms. Wendy reveals her struggles as an extroverted writer and discusses practical strategies for establishing effective writing routines. The conversation also touches on the transformative power of writing and the significance of community collaboration in fostering new ideas.

' I really like to read other people's ideas and then add my own ideas... you start with the brainstorming together and say, so what could be in here?' Petra Molthan-Hill is a professor of Sustainable Management and Education for Sustainable Development at Nottingham Business School, and a prolific academic writer. But when it came to The Handbook of Carbon Management - which was named Change & Sustainability Book of the Year at the Business Book Awards 2024 - she knew she wanted to take a different approach. She knew this had to be a practical book for anyone, at any level of the organization, and in any size of organization, wanting to make more sustainable decisions. It had to contain not just evidence-based theories, but pragmatic, easy-to-implement solutions grounded in research and real-world impact. And it needed to get out there quickly and start making a difference, because this is a crisis that demands a response and there is literally no time to lose.  So Petra turned to a trusted group of her peers, and between them they created something that is more than the sum of its parts.  In this week's episode Petra tells me about their collaborative, creative writing process, and the way in which reading and writing more generally can provide some of the most satisfying conversations you'll ever have, even when there's noone else in the room.  

'I have learned to have a different relationship with resistance... when we're actually really on track with things, resistance comes up.' Sarah Rozenthuler is no stranger to the art of conversation at work. With over two decades of experience as a business psychologist, she's seen both how energizing high-quality conversation can be, and also how most people, most of the time, would do almost anything to avoid difficult topics (or difficult people).  Her latest book, Now We're Talking, addresses the deep-rooted reasons for this - the fear of our own and the other person's emotions, the challenge to our fragile self-image, the risk of the bad outcome, and more - and also the transformative power of leaning into the resistance and engaging with each other more effectively. And we discover along the way that sitting down to write a book involves much of the same fear and resistance. Sarah's own journey as a writer, the false starts and the slow burn, is as relatable as it is inspiring. So here's a nudge to lean into the discomfort - in writing, in conversation and in life - because it's a sign that we're doing the work that matters. 

'How do you make a strategy a story? The best leaders and the best communicators do that. They turn something that's functional and rational into something that's a story.' John Dore, head of London Business School's Senior Executive Program and founder of Wave Your Arms, wants you to reimagine your idea of 'glue': as the magic ingredient that holds organizations together. Creating glue, he argues, is a core leadership capability: building real connection, delivering not just strategies but stories that resonate, that are galvanizing and engaging.  Storytelling is a key ingredient in glue, and as you might expect from someone with a side hustle in screenwriting, John is a genius at telling stories. You can see it in his book, Glue: Transforming leadership in a hybrid world, which was the winner of the 2024 Business Books Award Leadership Category.  In this week's conversation, we get stuck in to the idea of glue in organizations, and also how as a writer you can create a different kind of glue, the kind that keeps a reader engaged with your book, and makes your ideas stick in their minds. 

Claire Pedrick, a Master certified coach and co-author of 'The Human Behind the Coach,' discusses the evolution of coaching beyond asking questions. She emphasizes the importance of human connection in coaching conversations and how being curious and iterative can enhance both coaching and writing. Claire shares insights about the challenges of crafting their award-winning book and highlights the need for meaningful communication. Listeners will appreciate her thoughts on maintaining authenticity in an increasingly automated world.

Explore the transformative power of writing as a tool for self-discovery and clarity. Dive into the art of merging personal experiences with business insights. Discover how vulnerability in writing can lead to personal growth and understanding. Hear from various authors about the joy and challenges of the writing process. Gain practical tips for enhancing your own writing journey. Plus, discover new impactful reads for business professionals that can boost personal and financial growth.

 'That's my goal here is to hopefully provide an inspirational story that can be a catalyst for the reader to go out and do amazing things.' Per Wimmer has spent his life soaring to new heights, metaphorically in global finance and quite literally as an astronaut. It's a fascinating mix, but the two spheres have more in common than you might think.  When you've lived a life so full of variety and adventure, it's a double bind: this is exactly the kind of life worth writing about, and yet how do you choose what to include, and how do you link it all together? We talk about the challenge of making sense of one's own life in order to create sense for others.  And how do you give people a reason to read, beyond the mere act of goggling? Per's solution: catalyse inspiration and action in everyone. Winning Business Journey Book of the Year at the Business Book Awards 2024 meant everything to him, as it was a sign he'd achieved just that.  (He's not one for being constrained by limits, and he's not done yet; this is just Volume One.)

In this engaging conversation, award-winning entrepreneur Kate Toon, a digital marketing guru and bestselling author, debunks the myths surrounding passive income. She reveals that all income streams require initial effort and ongoing maintenance, challenging the notion of earning money effortlessly. Kate emphasizes the importance of marketing and community-building in achieving sustainable success, urging listeners to value patience and relationships over quick sales. Get ready to rethink your approach to financial freedom!

Explore the idea of designing your life instead of making fleeting resolutions as we enter the new year. Emphasize your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions while using AI as a supportive tool, not a dictator. Discover the power of exploratory writing to deepen personal growth and maintain human connections. Consider how current global events shape our aspirations and the importance of intention in enhancing well-being. Let's make intentional choices that lead us to become slightly better humans in 2025!