Leverage Consulting

Something else we suck at!

I was shocked when I read this article about reading books. 

Here are a few of the facts I pulled...

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

Here's the article.

I personally prefer non-fiction books and even more specifically business books.  I'll be the first to admit that I don't always finish every book I buy.  And I'll also let you know that I have probably not read 3 fiction books front-to-back in my entire life.  But to not read anything at all is absolutely crazy!

I'm also the guy that has about 7 magazine subscriptions (again, all business mags).  I think I may have crossed the line with the mag subs...I don't get them all read each month.

The main point that I would like to make is that I didn't used to be a book/mag reader.  I read alot more now than I did in college (and I was supposed to be reading then).  But, I find the amount of knowledge I gain by reading subjects of choice is unmeasurable.  I literally apply some of the written wisdom into my life on a daily basis. 

Anyhow, pick up a book on something you enjoy this week.  You won't become less intelligent by doing so!

Great book...

I read a great book that I wanted to pass along...

"What Got You Here, Won't Get You There" - Marshall Goldsmith

Here is a link to it...

Marshall Goldsmith is an executive coach for Fortune 500 companies.  He suggests that most executives don't need help in obtaining success in business, what they need is help in learning what not to do.  He suggests that when people get to a certain level of success that their behavior is what holds them back.  He describes these annoying behaviors and provides solutions on how to better control these behaviors. 

The great thing (or bad thing) is that these annoying habits are a part of our personal and business lives, and controlling them will undoubtedly help you be more successful in all of your relationships, not just your 'business' relationships.  So the point is that you stand to gain in every aspect of your life just by reading this book. 

 

Marketing...

I want to let you know that in this blog I am attempting to build a brand.  I am the brand, so I am trying to let you know how I think and what I do to give you better insight as to how my 'business mind' works.  You be the judge on whether it's good or bad...

Anyhow, an article struck me the other day...it was about the 100 top advertising campaigns in history.  Here's a link to it.  When you look over the list it is interesting how long some of these 'catch phrases' have been around.  Some companies have 50 years riding the success of a catch phrase, other companies have to re-invent themselves periodically to change with the times. 

I have also starting reading a book that deals with this subject, it's called "Made to Stick" -Chip Heath, Dan Heath.  A buzz word used in marketing is 'sticky', i.e., how 'sticky' is that product, idea, statement, etc.  When I finish it I will let you know how it was.  Also, feel free to take a look at it yourself.

I want to help people utilize the most efficient and effective ways to accomplish whatever it they are trying to accomplish...leverage their resources...hence, Leverage Consulting.  When you utilize a 'lever' of sorts, you accomplish more than the sum of the resources...'do more with less'.

This is what I did in coming up with a name for this brand I am attempting to create...I tried to say what I am trying to do in the simplest way possible, but by still getting my objectives across. 

Leverage Consulting...do more with less!