Top 5 Books Recommended by Business Professional Joel Chery
With a continuously evolving business landscape, books can serve as a source of inspiration, contributing to both personal and professional development. Taking the time to further educate oneself is a proactive means to prepare for the inevitable challenges one will face when navigating the business world.
Experienced business professional Joel Chery is a member of the Worcester Business Journal’s 2009 list of ’40 under 40’. He takes the time to discuss his inspirational reads for 2019:
1. To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink
The Surprising Truth About Moving Others
To Sell is Human by New York Times Best Selling Author, Daniel Pink, offers a fresh perspective on the art and science of selling. He argues that despite data set forth by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicating that one in nine Americans works in sales, the majority of the workforce earns a living by persuading someone else to make a purchase. Pink further states that with an evolving professional landscape, businesses are not just selling specific products, they are also selling ideas and techniques, and we are constantly persuading, negotiating, and pitching.
To thrive in this type of environment, Pink provides new insights to the classic elevator pitch, outlines three rules for understanding another’s perspective, and provides innovative improvisation techniques. He utilizes entertaining anecdotes and verbal reasoning to effectively illustrate his points and present a compelling argument. Joel Chery claims that this piece of literature is ideal for those looking to succeed in a highly competitive professional landscape.
Other interesting reads by this author include Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us and When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.
2. David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
In his best-selling work, Michael Gladwell utilizes the classic narrative of David & Goliath to challenge how we think about discrimination and adversity in a professional capacity. He draws from various cultural examples and analyzes the complex ways in which we approach difficult situations. He uses the example of start-up companies and corporations, claiming that many individuals fail to recognize the advantages newer, smaller companies have over Goliaths. He claims they are often able to develop innovative solutions to old problems due to their adaptable nature. Larger organizations often have established policies and defined expectations, making any form of change a slow process.
Gladwell ultimately provides various tales which offer a sense of conventional wisdom. Joel Chery claims that this book is great for those looking to challenge adversity and strategize effective solutions to professional issues.
Be sure to check out his new work titled Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know
3. Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
Described as a ground-breaking work of non fiction, Predictably Irrational refutes the common assumption that we behave in fundamentally rational ways. A though-provoking work, Ariely states that seemingly misguided behaviors are neither random or senseless but highly predictable and systematic. As an expert in behavioral economics, Ariely applies psychological insight into human behavior to analyze economic decision-making patterns. He utilizes various anecdotes to help drive home his points and many readers enjoy his method of storytelling. Ultimately, the book highlights repetitive behaviors and provides effective solutions to help mitigate systematic mistakes.
Another popular work includes The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home
4. Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo
The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds
TED conferences LLC is a media organization that posts talks online for free distribution. Encompassing a wide range of cultural, political, and academic topics, TED talks have re-defined the elements of a successful presentation. The talks gained popularity in recent years having reached over one billion views and have allowed a wide range of individuals to provide their unique perspective on various social issues.
Carmine Gallo explores the widely acclaimed TED talks, which have brought together some of the world’s most innovative thinkers. He breaks down hundreds of popular sessions and devises a step-by-step method of what it takes to deliver a stellar presentation. Some of his top tips include the use of humour to make an audience more receptive to your message, draw-dropping moments to keep their attention, and the use of images to generate ideas.
Talk Like TED draws from various scientific sources to explain what best grabs the attention of an audience. Joel Chery claims that this book makes it possible for individuals of varying public speaking abilities to communicate in an engaging and persuasive manner.
Related works include: The Storyteller’s Secret: From TED Speakers to Business Legends
5. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
A Philosophical Outlook
First published in 1960, Green Eggs and Ham has withheld the test of time and has become a literary classic. Although fun to read, the book raises important philosophical questions concerning the relationship between belief and experiences. The protagonist spends the length of the text trying desperately to convince the narrator to sample the delicacy. After adamantly refusing to sample the dish, the narrator ends up loving the combination and proceeds to list the places he would like to try it
Joel Chery claims that the fundamental idea of the book is to highlight the fact that most times experience is required to form a judgement. He claims that this often parallels the business world as success is often the result of real-world experiences.
Looking Ahead
As a qualified professional, Joel Chery understands the importance of continuously learning and in the past was a member of the Worcester Young Businessmen’s Association. He claims that reading is a proactive means to gain valuable insight and further develop skills that are essential to long-term success.
