My Favorite Reads in 2019
I’m a voracious reader. Every week, I’m gobbling up knowledge via audio or e-books – it’s the most accessible and least expensive way to educate yourself! In 2019 I read or listened to about 2 books/week, and the following were some of my absolute favorites of the year:
The Healthy Workplace Nudge by Rex Miller. https://amzn.to/2FBqR0N
Rex has done an exceptional job of taking a topic that has historically been overlooked and calls attention to the seriousness of workplace wellness. Rex wakes us up to both the measurable and hidden costs of employee health issues, backing up his claims with coherent facts and projects future impact. The business case for wellness at work becomes exceptionally clear when reading this book. It’s a must-read for every real estate and HR professional.
Rethinking Real Estate by Dror Poleg
Newly published last November, this is a comprehensive book describing the impact of technology on every category of real estate. Comprehensive, fact based, well-researched and full of relevant examples, this book will delight any CRE professional working in any area of real estate.
The Devil in the White City
by Erik Larson
I usually don’t have a lot of time to read non-business books, and when I do I tend to read historical fiction. This book is a true story (with embellishments but, on the whole, it’s factually correct). It’s a book about real estate, innovation and true crime, and how they all converge around the Chicago World’s Fair. This period of human history had more innovations introduced than any time, many of which we use today. It was period of change and vision that inspired everyone from Edison to Walt Disney, and the entire profession of architecture - what a backdrop for this story! If you’re a real estate professional and appreciate a suspense-filled nail-biter of a story, this one is for you!
This is Marketing by Seth Godin
I love all of Seth’s books! This one is a refresher on how to point your messages in all of your marketing and communications. In a time of information overload, here’s an outstanding reminder on how to be heard and stand out when it matters.
Bank 4.0: Banking Everywhere, Never at a Bank
by Brett King
This is one of the most important books I’ve read in a long time. Bank 4.0 shows how many disruptive influences are primed to completely transform the banking industry. Fasten your seatbelt- the financial industry in in for a rough ride! In fact, changes are already here…
The Future Workplace Experience
by Jeanne Meister
I re-read this extremely important book in 2019; it does an exceptional job at explaining the crossover between HR, CRE and technology. Well researched, easy to read and one of my all-time favourites.
Be Our Guest by The Disney Institute
with Theodore Kinni
Disney’s model of customer service has set the bar for all other industries, challenging us all to evolve our businesses to an elevated standard of excellence. A key message of this book: happy employees are productive and loyal, allowing us to cultivate space and service to make happy customers.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
by Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Harari is one of my favourite authors of all time. 21 Lessons is a fascinating look at the new, uncharted territories we are entering as we embrace new technologies. The author asks some very important, existential questions about what how we should respond to our rapidly changing world.