I’m a sucker for reading lists. Not sure why. Maybe it’s the endless summers of being told what to read but nonetheless, when I see a list, I always check it out. If you’re looking for additions to your chamber reading list, keep reading.
That’s part of the reason I thought to do this post. The other is this post from April Rome Wehrs from the Chamber of Commerce Professionals Group on Facebook.
Her suggestion is going to start off our list:
Summer Reading for Chambers
Tribes by Seth Godin
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything from Godin. He breaks down thoughts in such a simple way, you’ll be saying “I knew that. I just didn’t know how to say it.”
April said, “Just finished reading this – and everyone in this industry should read it. I didn’t know about it till I knew about it. Now I know.”
Don’t have time to read it? Here’s his TED talk on the subject.
Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt
Lots of great information in this book about how to get heard in a noisy world. While he writes it for someone who wants to work on personal branding the lessons can easily be related to a business/chamber. This is the type of book you’ll underline (or highlight if you’re on an e-reader) and refer back to over and over.
Engage by Brian Solis
What’s the Future of Business? and The End of Business as Usual are all great books by Brian Solis. In these two most recent books, he tells interesting stories with real life examples. But most of us are more concerned with action these days than theory. If action is what you need for your chamber, Engage is a must. In it, Solis talks about creating a space that represents your business in which you can expand your unique culture and reach you audience. He also writes about the importance of cultivating online champions and change agents to your cause.
Will the Real You Please Stand Up? by Kim Garst
People buy from people they know, like, and trust. This book tells you how to be more transparent on social media and get people to like you because of who you are. Kim Garst is extremely likable in her own right, so you know her tips work. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “There are REAL people on the other side of those computer screens, with real lives and interests outside of your product or service.” Lest we forget.
What If? by Randall Munroe
This book has nothing to do with chambers, and I stole it from Bill Gates’ suggested reading list, but it’s just so darn interesting I had to add it to the list.
What If? covers all those zany questions four-year-olds ask but provides real scientific answers. Questions like “Are fire tornadoes possible?” Yep, now you’re wondering.
What’s on your chamber reading list this summer? Fiction or nonfiction? Maybe both? Join the conversation here.
