Books I enjoyed reading

The Startup Way – by Eric Ries

The way most companies innovate today is too slow, too expensive, too risky, and too much driven by hierarchical cultures stimulating hockey-stick projections of future revenue streams.

In his first book ‘The Lean Startup’, Eric ries describes minimum viable products, testing, and other approaches common to tech- and IT startups. Since then, he has helped a large number of companies including what you would call large-multinationals-in-‘old’-industrial-areas to apply new methodologies to accelerate innovation and install continuous development driven by real market insights.

This book is a must-read for anyone working just close to innovation, development, and overall business management.

Turn the Ship Around – by L. David Marquet

A real-life story from the US Navy of a submarine Captain taking responsibility for a ship with all the right and high-calibre people on board.

Poor performance was driven by a culture of obeying all orders from superior leaders. No matter what the order was and how much or little insight the leader had behind his order eventually called for change. Radical change.

L. David Marquet turned the (leader)ship around, pushed decisions as low in the hierarchy as possible. And shaped a crew with growing morale, outstanding performance, and a proof to the world that people can and do want to take responsibility, once allowed by senior leaders.

Insight-full on leadership along with an exciting journey in the same book.

Small Data - by Martin Lindstrøm

A fundamental understanding of consumers and customers is still the key to develop successful concepts, products, and solutions.

Despite growing amounts of data, sophisticated research methodologies, Martin Lindstrøm advocates, demonstrates and proves the value of the simple exercise of going into the field, getting your fingers into the ground, and observing what happens and how people behave in real life.

And he provides input to the methodologies of translating observations into meaningful insights – the key to unlocking solutions addressing real needs of the market.

No matter the amount of data you have access to, real insights remain the key.

The 80/20 Principle – by Richard Koch

I know – we’ve heard about the 80/20 principle so many times.

Reading the original book by Richard Koch, and looking at the amount of potential distractions that we all meet during life today, makes it worth reading again.

Focus and attention is becoming a scarce resource, and reading the 80/20 principle forces one to consider what actually matters.

Certain fundamental principles are worth being reminded about – this is one of them.

Who Moved My Cheese - by Dr. Spencer Johnson

On the surface, this short and easy-to-read book is the story about mice looking for cheese. But as you read through it, it quickly becomes clear that their stories reflect what we all go through: Our pictures of the world influences our thinking and decisions, and in adaption to change, the ability to observe what is actually happening is crucial.

Short, fun, and leaves a thought for reflection after reading.