Forget that the book’s about food. What’s truly interesting is that Pollan talks of creating your own “policies” for eating food. Just like government policies (that can be followed generally, but occasionally broken), Pollan suggests you treat your eating habits as ‘policies’ – setting high standards, but allowing yourself to fail from time-to-time. We like that pragmatic approach–but are confused why he called the book “Food Rules” when he’s advocating something different to rules. So buy the book, read it, and then create your own ‘policies’ – not just about food – your policies for living and leading. And then cut yourself some slack when you don’t always live up to them.” – Scott
Frontier Bookshelf
We spend a lot of time reading. Books, journals, magazines, street signs, billboards – we read everything we can get our hands on. Even stuff that isn’t about business. Below are a few reviews of our latest perusals.
Cross Pollan-ation
Giving Good Mind
“We’ve just posted a talk by Dan Pink to engagethinking.com, which reminded me that I didn’t post a review of his book, A Whole New Mind. So here it is. In a nutshell, if you’re a client of ours, then buy this. If you’re interested enough in this subject to be working with us, then the subjects that Pink covers will be of interest to you. Like me, you might be a little frustrated with the style of the book in the way that it jumps between theory to self-help, though his attempt to present the arguments in favor of left and right brain thinking is admirable. If nothing else, if the book inspires you to find a labyrinth, not a maze, in your neighborhood, it’s worth it. Buy it here.” – Scott
Perfect Pitch
“Okay, so Jon Steel is clearly an accomplished closer-of-deals, and he’s so good that (Sir) Martin Sorrell creates a position for him at WPP that allows him to take a pile of time off to write books. My problem with this book is that a) it’s expensive and should be in paperback. b) it focuses less on technique, more on war stories of closing deals. If Jon issues a second edition, would love to see the book divided in half – the first with techniques, the second purely war stories. Both would be eminently readable. Buy the book here (and Frontier will make 0.000003% of the sale price in commission from Amazon, or something like that): Perfect Pitch: The Art of Selling Ideas and Winning New Business (Adweek Books)
The Black Swan
“The Black Swan puts events that unexpectedly impact our lives into perspective, explaining how these events make an impact in unexpected ways. The lessons from this book easily translate into explanations of decision-making of all sorts when uncertainty makes the right choice difficult to discern.” – Mike
Small Giants
“If I remember correctly, Ryann hates this book. Thinks it’s a bunch of stories that fail to give guidance on how to run a profitable, small operation.
I disagree somewhat. I think there’s enough in here to persuade the reader that big isn’t always optimal and size can be self-destructive. But then, I’m not the tallest guy on the block…” – Scott
Nine Lives
“I was one of those people who questioned why people didn’t evacuate New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Katrina. The news coverage didn’t shed much light on why some people decided or needed to stay. This book takes readers inside the lives of nine people who played different roles before, during and after the storm. It was so powerful to experience the storm from this perspective – how it impacted and devastated the lives of the people of New Orleans. It looked tragic to us on the outside, but this book details how truly horrific it was on the inside.” – Ryann
Brand Camp
“Tom Fishburn is a friend of the firm. Last time we checked, his day-job was running the European operations of Method – www.methodhome.com.
His book of cartoons reflecting modern business life are well worth a ready. Sardonic, cutting and harshly true. Great for calling out the realities of today’s business world.” – Scott
Indexed
“You know those books that you like to have close at hand? The ones that provide inspirational spark or gets the creative juices flowing? I found this on Frontier’s bookshelf the first week I was working here and now have a habit of pulling it out at LEAST once a week. My current favorite: the ability to ignore a problem gradually rises the further away you are from it. (Honey, let’s move to the suburbs.)” – Corey