Author's note: This was originally posted at an old blog, dated November 20, 2008. Previous blog posts also came from other blogs which I have edited and moved to this blog.
Short reviews of books to obtain ideas for improving one's balance in life and work.
Rapid Development, Apostolic Letter of John Paul II to those Responsible for Communications
Rapid Development teaches that we are called to integrate the message of salvation in the "new culture" of the Web. This "new culture" is continuously evolving with every new technology that is introduced year after year. As baptized lay Catholics, we are called to inculturate the ideals and values that the Letter promotes into this "new culture" through the ordinary situations of our life and work. We need to be responsible in balancing both the use of our freedom and obeying ethical norms. Although the booklet is primarily intended for those in the Church who work in the social communications media, it also gives basic guidelines for lay people, especially those who work in their professions or small business. For those who work directly with the Church's apostolate, the booklet teaches that responsible use of the internet involves giving religious information, catechesis and evangelization, formation of pastoral workers, and education towards mature and responsible use of the Web.
The Holy Use of Money, by John C. Haughey
Fr. John C. Haughey is a Jesuit priest who ministers to people in the business world. In his ministry, he has discovered how to inculturate the Catholic faith in the world of business. This book gives many scriptural references by which one can see a better way to handle one's personal finances or small business in a Christian manner. It can also provide some answers and solutions to the difficulties that money can cause in our moral lives. The book stresses very much that the solution to financial woes is simply the placing of our trust more in God, and to learn how to share whatever goods we have with others. For those who wish to find insights to the right attitude towards money, the Catholic perspective given by John C. Haughey is well-presented and can be understood well. It just needs some basic background in theology and business or economics.
The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell
This book is very interesting. It is an international bestseller good for those who want to brainstorm ideas for their life, work or business. It provides clues towards solving the need to make one's work or business grow according to what Gladwell calls the "tipping point" phenomenon. Gladwell mentions three means by which people can succeed in promoting their causes: whether it be in politics, business or social concerns. These three means are: the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context. The ideas Mr. Gladwell presents are truly effective, if applied well and customized to your life and work situation. It can provide ideas for those who work and are responsibility for social media and news coverage online.
HyperWars, by Bruce Judson with Kate Kelly
To be in the internet is not easy, especially now that work and business is connected to it. Hyperwars can help you survive, thrive and be successful for the long term in your work online. The book gives 11 ideas that are rooted in customer service. It takes note of the difficulties of being a small business in a hypercompetitive environment such as the Net, and helps small business with strategies towards better customer services. Even if your business is among so many others online, you can be part of a mainstream that supports and helps other small businesses. Though the situations given in the book are quite dated, as late as 1999, some strategies are still applicable up to now.
Profitable Customer Relationships, by the CEO Speak Series, Various authors
There are 13 authors in this book; business leaders who write about customer relationship management from their years of experience in established corporations. It is a practical book that gives practical ideas with the proper attitudes for acquiring and retaining customers and clients. The writers of the book present the "blue ribbon" of customer success: customer loyalty - an important factor in the building of any business. The basic and underlying cornerstone for all their teaching is the goal of pursuing profitable customer relationships: a win-win situation where both sides of the business relationship profit.
Intellectual Capital, by Annie Brooking
This is perhaps one book that will revolutionize our way of thinking in doing business in the information age. It is truly a book which will make one aware that the trend of business today is to depart from "brick and mortar" businesses [businesses that rely much on buildings and tangible assets], and to enter into businesses that invest heavily on intellectual capital. In this book, Annie Brooking defines intellectual capital as the intangible side of business that includes: customer loyalty, good business-to-business relationships, intellectual property, electronic infrastructure, and innovative know-how. The book is very educational and can give many ideas that will vitalize any business.
Merriam Webster's Guide to International Business Communications, by Toby D. Atkinson
The internet is such a global communications medium that we encounter so many cultures who can communicate with us in English. However, each culture and each country often have different forms and standards of addresses and contact information. The book gives ways of addressing people from 47 countries. Also, it helps in making one's English more understandable to people who use English only as a second language. This is a very practical book which will surely be needed whenever we are called to communicate in a understandable way with business contacts in one of the 47 countries listed in the Guide.
Summary
One, more, or all of the 7 resources above can help with ideas to improve your balance in life and work - especially in working out the attitudes needed for that balance. Your own Catholic faith can work out this balance - seeing life, work or business not only from the material point of view, but also from the perspective of goodwill and customer loyalty. Businesses that ground themselves in these perspectives can operate better, and grow not only materially, but also in social responsibilities, and the ethics needed to succeed in the long term. This is a good mix of excellent material, that will provide you with ideas as you browse and scan the pages in your own pace. The list of resources mentioned can be a kernel, a starter collection, to help you in your own batch of resources.
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