Do you believe knowledge is power?
Given how much knowledge a person can find on the internet, then it is reasonable to presume there would be far greater business, professional and personal success. The plethora of business consultants, executive coaches, career coaches to fitness coaches reveals just the opposite.
Knowledge is power is a false axiom. Until knowledge is applied, until one knows if the knowledge will work, only then does knowledge become powerful. Actually, the axiom applied knowledge is the real power has always been present.
In speaking with another local business consultant, he was amazed at the number of entrepreneurs who meet with him and have not applied any of the knowledge available to them. These eager entrepreneurs do not have any marketing or sales plans, have never thought to put together a budget less alone a strategic plan and are clueless about how to run a business. What is so ironic is all of this knowledge is readily available and free on the internet.
Many believe they can get grants from the government or everybody else will be as mesmerized by their products or services as they are. They believe the product or service will sell itself.
Yes, they have drank from the Knowledge Well of “I want to be successful and rich” without realizing the depth of that well. Many of these future business owners are full of knowledge is power, but have not invested the time to apply that knowledge.
Each summer since I began this column in 2007, I have provided a list of books that go beyond knowledge is power. I have personally read and have applied at least one concept from each of these books. By the way, did you know the desire for self-improvement is a measurable talent as well as a talent that motivates, according to the Innermetrix Attribute Index?
As a business columnist, I receive weekly requests to read this or that newly published book. My reading pile sometimes looks like the leaning Tower of Pisa.
Here are my top 20 books for your 2016 applied knowledge summer reading. These are not in any particular order except for the first five, which I believe are must-reads.
1. “Why We Do What We Do,” by Edward L. Deci
2. “Managing in a Time of Great Change,” by Peter F. Drucker
3. “Fanatical Prospecting,” by Jeb Blount
4. “How to Get a Meeting with Anyone,” by Stu Heinecke
5. “To Sell is Human,” by Daniel Pink
6. “The Effective Executive,” by Peter F. Drucker
7. “Edgy Conversations,” by Daniel Waldschmidt
8. “Start with Why,” by Simon Sinek
9. “Out Sell Yourself: Go from Hello to Sold with Ethical Business and Sales Techniques,” by Kelly McCormick
10. “Unlock the Sales Game: New Trust Based Selling,” by Ari Galper (I recommend the eBook only)
11. “Quit Whining and Start SELLING,” by Kelly Riggs
12. “Selling Fearlessly,” by Robert Terson
13. “LinkedIn Marketing: Hour a Day,” by Viveka von Rosen
14. “New Sales Simplified,” by Mike Weinberg
15. “High-Profit Selling,” by Mark Hunter
16. “DISCOVER Questions Get You Connected,” by Deb Calvert
17. “Selling is Better than Sex,” by Alen Mayer (Published as eBook only)
18. “Be Bold and Win the Sale,” by Jeff Shore
19. “The Concept of the Corporation,” by Peter F. Drucker
20. “Fail-Safe Leadership,” by Linda Martin and Dr. David Mutchler (One of my all-time favorites)
The challenge I leave with you is to go beyond the false self-evident truth of “knowledge is power” and embrace the true axiom of “applied knowledge is the real power.” Read at least one book and take one or more nuggets to be applied immediately to your business, your professional or personal lives.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith is an author, speaker and executive coach. Her weekly column explores issues that impact the bottom line of firms with fewer than 100 employees. She can be reached at 219-508-2859.
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