Kit Prendergast, PCC
Kit brings you a wealth of expertise and experience as well as a wonderful spirit, energy, and a gift for inspiring you to create the life you truly want for yourself.Kit's Tips & Books
Kits Tag Cloud
Brain Science business Career change coaching communication cross-cultural Emotional Intelligence energy engagement entrepreneurship Global Volunteerism happiness inspiration Leadership learning management millenials motivation Multigenerational Networking optimism Positive Psychology Relationships resiliency social media strengths success Talent Development teams training transition VisioningKit's Favorite Resources
-
Blog Archive
- October 2016
- September 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
Category Archives: Kit’s Resources & Book Reviews
That Used to Be Us
That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back, 2011, Thomas Friedman & Michael Mandelbaum.
This brand new book was recommended to me by a coaching colleague, Priscilla Binder. As our year winds down, I’ve been reading more of these books that address our country’s economic situation -because of the ripple effect on people’s lives and careers.
Friedman’s book is probably the best I’ve read. It’s not a quick read because there is so much there – it is filled with powerful insights backed up with a wealth of research and statistics – but you will walk away thinking and possibly shifting some of your own career plans for 2012.
Accelerating Out of the Great Recession
Accelerating Out of the Great Recession: How to Win in a Slow-Growth Economy, 2010, by David Rhodes and Daniel Stelter, The Boston Consulting Group
This is an excellent book for all of us that want to understand what has happened in our global economy and what we, as small business owners, can do to ensure that our businesses grow in the new year.
It’s not a quick read but rather one that requires your full attention. I enjoyed the historical perspective, particularly learning why certain companies thrived in the Great Depression. The authors go on to provide a clear assessment of what our new economic realities are and what this means for business overall.
There is a great section on “Leadership During a Crisis” with six very practical, concrete actions leaders, managers, business owners etc. should take each day during this turbulent time to ensure that the company and the employees are thriving in our new work world.
The Introvert Advantage
The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World, by Marti Olsen-Laney, Psy.D. 2002.
This is a great book! Olsen-Laney is an introvert herself and she writes this book to help other introverts understand and appreciate themselves – the gifts and talents they bring everyday to their work places, their families and their communities.
I especially liked her chapter on introverts at work which is filled with concrete, practical tips on how to excel at work without changing who you are – a proud Introvert! And the flip side of each tip are excellent suggestions for the managers and leaders in an organization who want to know their introverts a bit better.
The Starbucks Experience
The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary, by Joseph Michelli, 2007.
There is a wealth of wisdom in this short, easy to read book about how to get and keep loyal customers that come back to you over & over. Michelli takes us through the Starbucks “Five Ways of Being” that have created a company that “aspires to enrich the human spirit”. Starbucks knows what’s important to all of us – a sense of connection – and has consciously built that into their business plan very successfully. Enjoy reading each of the five principles and learn how to turn the ordinary of your business into the extraordinary of your future.
Intern Nation
Intern Nation: How to Earn Nothing and Learn Little in the Brave New Economy, by Ross Perlin, 2011.
Just on impulse I picked this book up at Barnes & Noble because my college-age daughter and niece were both starting internships here in Reno in June. In this brand new book, Perlin examines the explosion of the internship phenomena.
He delves into the history of unpaid employment – why young, aspiring people want these experiences and what they are willing to do to have these connections listed on their future resumes. But Perlin also exposes another side of this “contingency labor” – the trend for non-profits and mega companies to replace paid employees with either non-paid interns or minimum wage interns.
The chapter on the Walt Disney Corporation is fascinating. Perlin gives us a lot to think about as we launch these college kids into the real world of work.