Here are the review for the last 10 books I read, hope you enjoy the books as much as I did

And don't forget to leave the authors reviews as well, it really helps them with more sales, it only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference to them

Dr. Ruth Gotian and Andy Lopata's Financial Times Guide to Mentoring: A Complete Guide to Effective Mentoring is a masterful resource that seamlessly blends research-backed insights with practical guidance, making it an indispensable tool for both mentors and mentees. The authors draw on their vast expertise to break down the art of mentoring into actionable strategies, emphasizing the importance of building trust, fostering meaningful dialogue, and aligning expectations. From setting up an effective mentoring relationship to navigating challenges and celebrating successes, this book leaves no stone unturned. Its structured approach, complemented by real-world case studies and reflective exercises, ensures readers are equipped with the tools to cultivate relationships that drive growth and transformation.

What sets this book apart is its universal appeal. Whether you're a seasoned executive guiding a protégé or a young professional seeking guidance, Gotian and Lopata address the nuanced dynamics of mentoring with clarity and empathy. The writing is accessible yet profound, blending academic rigor with relatable anecdotes that make the concepts come alive. This guide doesn’t just teach you how to mentor but also delves into the why, illuminating the long-term benefits for individuals and organizations alike. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, engaging, and inspiring guide to mentoring, this book is an absolute must-read.

 

Ryan O'Sullivan's Building B2B Relationships: How to Identify, Map, and Develop Key Relationships to Win More Business is an indispensable guide for anyone looking to elevate their business development game. O'Sullivan combines practical advice with actionable strategies, making this book a must-read for sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The author’s approach to identifying and mapping key relationships is both systematic and intuitive, offering readers a clear roadmap to navigate the often murky waters of B2B networking. What sets this book apart is its emphasis on long-term relationship-building over short-term gains, a philosophy that resonates deeply in today’s trust-driven business environment. O'Sullivan’s insights are backed by real-world examples and case studies, making the content relatable and easy to implement.

The book’s structure is another standout feature, with each chapter building on the last to create a cohesive strategy for relationship development. O'Sullivan’s writing is engaging and accessible, avoiding the jargon-heavy prose that often plagues business books. He doesn’t just tell you what to do—he shows you how to do it, with templates, tools, and step-by-step instructions that readers can immediately apply to their own businesses. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Building B2B Relationships offers fresh perspectives and proven techniques to help you win more business. This is a book you’ll return to time and again as your career evolves. Highly recommended for anyone serious about mastering the art of B2B relationships.

Caroline Florence’s Data Storytelling in Marketing is a must-read for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable insights. This book masterfully guides marketers through the art of transforming numbers into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences. Florence's framework is both accessible and practical, providing readers with a step-by-step process to craft stories that not only inform but also inspire. Her emphasis on understanding the audience’s perspective and aligning data with business objectives makes this book a powerful tool for professionals looking to create a deeper connection between analytics and decision-making.

What truly sets this book apart is Florence's ability to balance technical rigor with creative storytelling. The real-world case studies and examples offer an invaluable glimpse into how data storytelling can be applied across various industries, making it a versatile resource for beginners and seasoned marketers alike. Whether you're looking to sharpen your communication skills, enhance your marketing strategy, or simply make your data presentations more impactful, Data Storytelling in Marketing is an indispensable guide. Caroline Florence has written a modern classic that transforms the way we approach data-driven marketing.

Nick Bennett’s B2B Influencer Marketing: Work with Creators to Generate Authentic and Effective Marketing is a timely and insightful guide for marketing teams looking to harness the power of influencer collaborations in the B2B space. Unlike traditional influencer marketing, which often focuses on flashy endorsements, Bennett emphasizes authenticity, trust, and long-term relationships with creators who truly align with a brand’s values. The book breaks down practical strategies for identifying the right influencers, structuring partnerships, and measuring success, all while addressing the unique challenges that B2B marketers face—such as longer sales cycles and complex decision-making processes. His approach is refreshingly grounded, drawing on real-world examples that showcase how businesses can use influencer partnerships to drive genuine engagement and brand awareness.

What sets this book apart is its clear, actionable framework for integrating influencer marketing into a broader B2B strategy. Bennett dispels the myth that influencer marketing is only for B2C brands, proving that when done right, it can be a powerful tool for lead generation and thought leadership. His insights on leveraging LinkedIn, podcasts, and niche industry creators provide a roadmap for companies seeking to cut through the noise and establish meaningful connections with their target audience. Whether you're a marketing leader looking to refine your strategy or a company considering influencer collaborations for the first time, B2B Influencer Marketing serves as an essential playbook for building authentic and effective partnerships in today’s digital landscape.

Mark C. Fava’s Lessons from the Admiral is a compelling blend of practical leadership insights that he learned by working with a 1 star Admiral.  This makes it an essential read for professionals in any industry. Drawing from his extensive experience in the Navy and the corporate world, Fava masterfully weaves stories with timeless leadership lessons, offering readers a fresh perspective on decision-making, resilience, and leading with integrity. His storytelling is engaging, and the lessons are actionable, making this book not just a collection of anecdotes but a valuable guide for those seeking to navigate the complexities of leadership.

What sets this book apart is its ability to translate day-to-day military principles into universally applicable leadership strategies. Whether discussing crisis management, accountability, or teamwork, Fava’s insights are both thought-provoking and practical. His writing strikes the perfect balance between entertaining storytelling and insightful takeaways, ensuring readers walk away with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to lead. Lessons from the Admiral is a must-read for anyone looking to sharpen their leadership skills with wisdom forged through real-world experience.

In "Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI," Yuval Noah Harari embarks on an ambitious journey through the evolution of human communication and its profound impact on society. He posits that our unique ability to create and believe in shared narratives—be it through myths, religions, or ideologies—has been the cornerstone of human cooperation and societal development. Harari delves into historical milestones, from the advent of writing systems to the invention of the printing press, illustrating how each leap in information technology has reshaped civilizations. For instance, he discusses how the printing press not only democratized knowledge but also inadvertently facilitated the spread of misinformation, leading to events like the European witch hunts. This dual-edged nature of information dissemination serves as a recurring theme, highlighting the balance between enlightenment and manipulation.

Transitioning to the contemporary era, Harari examines the transformative potential of artificial intelligence within our modern information networks. He raises critical concerns about AI's capacity to autonomously generate content and make decisions, potentially outpacing human oversight. Harari warns of scenarios where AI could manipulate public opinion, erode privacy, and even challenge the foundations of democracy through pervasive surveillance and control. While some critics argue that his perspective leans towards alarmism and lacks actionable solutions, the book undeniably prompts essential discourse on the ethical and societal implications of our rapidly advancing technologies. "Nexus" serves as both a historical exploration and a cautionary tale, urging readers to critically engage with the information systems that increasingly govern our lives.

Gary Cookson’s Making Hybrid Working Work is an insightful and highly practical guide for leaders and professionals navigating the complexities of hybrid work. Cookson masterfully blends research, real-world examples, and actionable strategies to address the challenges of balancing remote and in-office collaboration. From fostering team cohesion to rethinking performance management, the book provides a comprehensive roadmap for organizations looking to create an effective and sustainable hybrid work culture. What sets this book apart is its focus on practical implementation—rather than just theorizing about hybrid work, Cookson offers concrete steps that can be immediately applied to improve communication, engagement, and productivity in any organization.

Whether you're an HR leader, manager, or business owner, this book is an invaluable resource for adapting to the future of work. Cookson doesn’t just discuss hybrid work as a trend—he positions it as a long-term shift that requires intentional leadership and cultural transformation. His insights on trust, flexibility, and technology integration make Making Hybrid Working Work an essential read for anyone looking to optimize their workforce for success. If you’re seeking a no-nonsense, experience-backed guide to making hybrid work truly work, this book delivers in every way.

"Lead it Like Lasso – A Leadership Book for Life. Your Life." by Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio is an insightful and engaging guide to leadership, inspired by the beloved Ted Lasso character. The authors brilliantly blend storytelling with practical leadership principles, making the book both accessible and impactful for readers at all levels of leadership. Drawing on Lasso’s signature optimism, empathy, and belief in people, Stockman and Coniglio present a refreshing take on what it means to lead with heart and authenticity. Their approach encourages readers to embrace vulnerability, foster trust, and create environments where teams can thrive—whether in business or personal life.

What sets this book apart is its engaging narrative style, weaving in humor and real-world examples that make leadership lessons easy to digest and apply. The authors emphasize that leadership isn't just about strategy and decision-making—it’s about relationships, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Whether you’re a seasoned executive, an aspiring leader, or simply someone looking to inspire those around you, Lead it Like Lasso offers a compelling roadmap for leading with kindness and confidence. Fans of the show will appreciate the nods to Ted Lasso’s wisdom, while newcomers will find timeless lessons that transcend pop culture.

Maria Santacaterina’s Adaptive Resilience: How to Thrive in a Digital Era is a must-read for leaders navigating the complexities of AI-driven transformation. With compelling insights and real-world examples, Santacaterina makes a strong case for why resilience is no longer just about bouncing back—it’s about continuously adapting in an era of rapid technological change. The book blends strategy with actionable frameworks, showing organizations how to cultivate a mindset that embraces AI, automation, and digital disruption while maintaining their core values and competitive edge.

What sets this book apart is its focus on practical resilience, not just theoretical change management. Santacaterina provides a roadmap for businesses to not only survive but to thrive in the face of uncertainty, offering a balance of case studies, leadership principles, and step-by-step guidance. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or strategist, Adaptive Resilience delivers the insights needed to future-proof your organization in an AI-dominated world. Highly recommended for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

Irene Yam’s Build a World-Class Customer Advisory Board (CAB) – How to Create Deeper Relationships and Validate Strategies is an insightful and practical guide for companies looking to harness the power of customer feedback at a strategic level. Yam, a seasoned expert in customer engagement and advisory boards, provides a step-by-step blueprint for establishing and optimizing CABs to drive business growth. With a keen understanding of the challenges organizations face, she offers actionable advice on selecting the right members, structuring productive meetings, and leveraging insights to make informed business decisions. The book is rich with real-world examples and best practices, making it a must-read for executives, marketers, and customer success leaders seeking to deepen client relationships and gain a competitive edge.

What sets this book apart is Yam’s emphasis on the dual value of CABs—not only as a tool for gathering strategic insights but also as a means to strengthen long-term partnerships with key customers. She goes beyond surface-level advice, delving into the nuances of fostering trust, managing stakeholder expectations, and translating discussions into tangible business outcomes. Whether you’re building a CAB from scratch or refining an existing one, Build a World-Class Customer Advisory Board provides a clear and compelling roadmap to ensure your board becomes a powerful asset for customer engagement and strategic validation.

I wrote the first edition of "social selling - techniques to influence buyers and changemakers - 1st edition" (the one with the white cover) back in 2015 and it was published in 2016. It was the first book on social selling to be published. With so many changes that have taken place in social media over time, when Kogan Page, my publisher, approached me and asked for a second edition (the one with the yellow cover), I agreed.

This second edition, has been totally updated from 187 pages to 306. I explain how the world of business has changed with digital and how that impacts the modern buyer and it's a business imperative that we change our sales and marketing.

Many people often think that social selling is some sort of future state. It's not, it's the here and now. DLA Ignite, my company, for example, has clients doing $multi-million deals using social media. If your not doing $multi-million deals on social, your competition are and you are losing market share and revenue.

With this book, I contacted people I knew that were using social media to drive revenue and got them to tell their story. Chris Fleming the CEO of Cyberhawk, shares how he transformed his business to social and digital 3 years ago. Putting that another way, if you haven't transformed to a social selling methodology by now, you are 3 years behind the market.

In my second book, "Smarketing - How to achieve competitive advantage through blended sales and marketing" published through Kogan Page, we looked at the age old problem of marketing and sales working together.  At the time there was a lot of conversations on social media about how on earth do we get sales and marketing to be one team?

The book, takes a case study, which we cannot mention, it works through the strategy, how to implement a program to implement sales and marketing, the political risks and measures and governance. The book finishes with a look into the future of sales and marketing.

I would admit that if we wrote the book today, we would probably call it Rev-ops (revenue operations).

 

Please note that some reviews (but not all) I had Chat GPT or Google's Gemini to help me.