Grapevine, Dave Balter & John Butman

It is a book about an alternative form of advertising. It cogently debunks a lot of what is accepted wisdom, such as buzz, viral marketing, shill, and the role of influential in persuading people to buy. The books contribution is in exposing how word-of-mouth, the most powerful form of advertising, actually works. What is word-of-mouth, why do we engage in it, how does it proliferate, and what can it do and not do for products and services? But its value goes way beyond that. It has application to internal corporate communication and more especially to how individuals get their ideas and projects to the positive attention of others.

Why Should Anyone be Led by You? Rob Goffee, Gareth Jones

No copy-cat leadership theory will produce another Branson, or Welsh. Only Branson and Welsh do Branson and Welsh well. So toss those books off your shelf. Leadership is first and foremost about results from people and these are not produced by people who suspect they are being worked. Authentic leaders skilfully balance highlighting their strengths and revealing human weakness, individuality and enough conformity to hold the organization together, intimacy with followers and enough distance to get respect. And much more. The core message is, be yourself more, but with skill, and the book spells out the skills. This is the product of a 25-year study of the field and the people in it and it draws conclusions that are believable! And they know that leaders are not only CEO's, but are to be found throughout organizations, at every level. I can't think of anyone who won't benefit from this book.