Books

The Great Toys “Saga” series uses a novel format to bring to life the leadership issues related to employee engagement and culture.
 
Nick Shepherd, an Ontario, Can.--based former CFO, spent almost his entire career in finance before publishing the books Understanding and Reporting Human Capital and the Cost of Poor Culture, among others. He has now published two novels that tell through a fictionalized story of how “CEOs can reposition their organizations in a holistic way to revitalize the behaviors needed for creativity and innovation – the very drivers of strategic success. CEO’s, board members and leaders concerned about calls for renewed capitalism, responsible business, and other changes to the way we do business will benefit from following Steve’s own personal journey of trials, tribulations, successes and learning events as he repositions his business for success.”
           
Explains the author, the two books, No Fun at Great Toys, and Fun Returns to Great Toys tell the story of Steve who is appointed CEO of their family business, after his brother dies unexpectedly. Steve finds a demotivated and demoralized organization that has been depleted of its innovation and creativity through several years of cost-cutting. The stories tell of Steve’s efforts to understand the problems and rebuild the business into a successful, vibrant, enthusiastic, and responsible business, that returns to growth and profitability.         
 
Shepherd says he wrote the books because “Business has access to literally millions of how to books written by experts in every subject imaginable. There are also legions of management consultants available who will offer solutions to any type of business problem. The challenge is that for many issues there is no silver bullet, no turnkey, broad-base fits-all approach. Educational programs such as MBAs have realized this for many years and used case studies as a holistic approach of putting business problems into a context that reflects reality.”
 
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• Founded in 2008, the Enterprise Engagement Alliance provides outreach, learning and certification in Enterprise Engagement, an implementation process for the “S” or Social of Stakeholder Capitalism and Human Capital Management and measurement of engagement across the organization.
• The Enterprise Engagement Alliance provides a training and certification program for business leaders, practitioners, and solution providers, as well as executive briefings and human capital gap analyses for senior leaders.
• The EEA produces an education program for CFOs for the CFO.University training program on Human Capital Management.
• Join the EEA to become a leader in the implementation of the “S” of ESG and Stakeholder Capitalism. 

• The ESM information portal and The Enterprise Engagement Advisors Network solution provider marketplace cover all aspects of stakeholder engagement, and the EEA information library lists dozens of resources.
• The RRN information portal and Brand Media Coalition marketplace address the use of brands for gifting, incentives, recognition, and promotions. The BMC information library provides information and research resources.

• Enterprise Engagement for CEOs: The Little Blue Book for People-Centric Capitalists. A quick guide for CEOs.
• Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap 5th Edition implementation guide. A comprehensive textbook for practitioners, academics, and students.

• Organizations of all types develop strategic Stakeholder Capitalism and Enterprise Engagement processes and human capital management and reporting strategies; conduct human capital gap analyses; design and implement strategic human capital management and reporting plans that address DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and assist with managed outsourcing of engagement products and services.
• Human resources, sales and marketing solution providers profit from the emerging discipline of human capital management and ROI of engagement through training and marketing services.
• Investors make sense of human capital reporting by public companies.
• Buyers and sellers of companies in the engagement space or business owners or buyers who seek to account for human capital in their mergers and acquistions. 

The Great Toys “Saga” series uses a novel format to bring to life the leadership issues related to employee engagement and culture.
 
Nick Shepherd, an Ontario, Can.--based former CFO, spent almost his entire career in finance before publishing the books Understanding and Reporting Human Capital and the Cost of Poor Culture, among others. He has now published two novels that tell through a fictionalized story of how “CEOs can reposition their organizations in a holistic way to revitalize the behaviors needed for creativity and innovation – the very drivers of strategic success. CEO’s, board members and leaders concerned about calls for renewed capitalism, responsible business, and other changes to the way we do business will benefit from following Steve’s own personal journey of trials, tribulations, successes and learning events as he repositions his business for success.”
           
Explains the author, the two books, No Fun at Great Toys, and Fun Returns to Great Toys tell the story of Steve who is appointed CEO of their family business, after his brother dies unexpectedly. Steve finds a demotivated and demoralized organization that has been depleted of its innovation and creativity through several years of cost-cutting. The stories tell of Steve’s efforts to understand the problems and rebuild the business into a successful, vibrant, enthusiastic, and responsible business, that returns to growth and profitability.         
 
Shepherd says he wrote the books because “Business has access to literally millions of how to books written by experts in every subject imaginable. There are also legions of management consultants available who will offer solutions to any type of business problem. The challenge is that for many issues there is no silver bullet, no turnkey, broad-base fits-all approach. Educational programs such as MBAs have realized this for many years and used case studies as a holistic approach of putting business problems into a context that reflects reality.”
 
 [return to top]

• Founded in 2008, the Enterprise Engagement Alliance provides outreach, learning and certification in Enterprise Engagement, an implementation process for the “S” or Social of Stakeholder Capitalism and Human Capital Management and measurement of engagement across the organization.
• The Enterprise Engagement Alliance provides a training and certification program for business leaders, practitioners, and solution providers, as well as executive briefings and human capital gap analyses for senior leaders.
• The EEA produces an education program for CFOs for the CFO.University training program on Human Capital Management.
• Join the EEA to become a leader in the implementation of the “S” of ESG and Stakeholder Capitalism. 

• The ESM information portal and The Enterprise Engagement Advisors Network solution provider marketplace cover all aspects of stakeholder engagement, and the EEA information library lists dozens of resources.
• The RRN information portal and Brand Media Coalition marketplace address the use of brands for gifting, incentives, recognition, and promotions. The BMC information library provides information and research resources.

• Enterprise Engagement for CEOs: The Little Blue Book for People-Centric Capitalists. A quick guide for CEOs.
• Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap 5th Edition implementation guide. A comprehensive textbook for practitioners, academics, and students.

• Organizations of all types develop strategic Stakeholder Capitalism and Enterprise Engagement processes and human capital management and reporting strategies; conduct human capital gap analyses; design and implement strategic human capital management and reporting plans that address DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and assist with managed outsourcing of engagement products and services.
• Human resources, sales and marketing solution providers profit from the emerging discipline of human capital management and ROI of engagement through training and marketing services.
• Investors make sense of human capital reporting by public companies.
• Buyers and sellers of companies in the engagement space or business owners or buyers who seek to account for human capital in their mergers and acquistions. 

The Great Toys “Saga” series uses a novel format to bring to life the leadership issues related to employee engagement and culture.
 
Nick Shepherd, an Ontario, Can.--based former CFO, spent almost his entire career in finance before publishing the books Understanding and Reporting Human Capital and the Cost of Poor Culture, among others. He has now published two novels that tell through a fictionalized story of how “CEOs can reposition their organizations in a holistic way to revitalize the behaviors needed for creativity and innovation – the very drivers of strategic success. CEO’s, board members and leaders concerned about calls for renewed capitalism, responsible business, and other changes to the way we do business will benefit from following Steve’s own personal journey of trials, tribulations, successes and learning events as he repositions his business for success.”
           
Explains the author, the two books, No Fun at Great Toys, and Fun Returns to Great Toys tell the story of Steve who is appointed CEO of their family business, after his brother dies unexpectedly. Steve finds a demotivated and demoralized organization that has been depleted of its innovation and creativity through several years of cost-cutting. The stories tell of Steve’s efforts to understand the problems and rebuild the business into a successful, vibrant, enthusiastic, and responsible business, that returns to growth and profitability.         
 
Shepherd says he wrote the books because “Business has access to literally millions of how to books written by experts in every subject imaginable. There are also legions of management consultants available who will offer solutions to any type of business problem. The challenge is that for many issues there is no silver bullet, no turnkey, broad-base fits-all approach. Educational programs such as MBAs have realized this for many years and used case studies as a holistic approach of putting business problems into a context that reflects reality.”
 
 [return to top]

• Founded in 2008, the Enterprise Engagement Alliance provides outreach, learning and certification in Enterprise Engagement, an implementation process for the “S” or Social of Stakeholder Capitalism and Human Capital Management and measurement of engagement across the organization.
• The Enterprise Engagement Alliance provides a training and certification program for business leaders, practitioners, and solution providers, as well as executive briefings and human capital gap analyses for senior leaders.
• The EEA produces an education program for CFOs for the CFO.University training program on Human Capital Management.
• Join the EEA to become a leader in the implementation of the “S” of ESG and Stakeholder Capitalism. 

• The ESM information portal and The Enterprise Engagement Advisors Network solution provider marketplace cover all aspects of stakeholder engagement, and the EEA information library lists dozens of resources.
• The RRN information portal and Brand Media Coalition marketplace address the use of brands for gifting, incentives, recognition, and promotions. The BMC information library provides information and research resources.

• Enterprise Engagement for CEOs: The Little Blue Book for People-Centric Capitalists. A quick guide for CEOs.
• Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap 5th Edition implementation guide. A comprehensive textbook for practitioners, academics, and students.

• Organizations of all types develop strategic Stakeholder Capitalism and Enterprise Engagement processes and human capital management and reporting strategies; conduct human capital gap analyses; design and implement strategic human capital management and reporting plans that address DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and assist with managed outsourcing of engagement products and services.
• Human resources, sales and marketing solution providers profit from the emerging discipline of human capital management and ROI of engagement through training and marketing services.
• Investors make sense of human capital reporting by public companies.
• Buyers and sellers of companies in the engagement space or business owners or buyers who seek to account for human capital in their mergers and acquistions. 

Lead author Denny Hatch, founded Who's Mailing What newsletter and is consulting editor for Target Marketing magazine.

NTC Business Books. 368pp. Paperback. Cost: $16.47

Explores how marketers must look beyond traditional media to communicate with consumers in the changing field of advertising and promotion. Describes the shift from conventional methods to implementation of an integrated marketing communications strategy and reviews the promotional tools available to help make the transition.

McGraw-Hill Companies. 67pp. Hardcover. Cost: Varies with seller

A comprehensive handbook on advertising and sales promotion, covering strategic and tactical issues. Includes examples of creative advertising campaigns. The four parts of this textbook cover: Introduction to advertising and sales promotion, Communication strategy, Sales promotion strategy and Planning advertising and sales promotion.

Prentice Hall. 475pp. Hardcover. Cost: $138.40

The definitive advertising and promotion management text for students at the MBA level. Emphasizes corporate communications and business products/services in addition to the traditional focus on consumer packaged goods.

McGraw-Hill Companies. 672pp. Hardcover. Cost: Varies with seller

Uses sales data generated by in-store electronic scanners to explain sales promotion strategy and its place in an integrated marketing program.

Dartnell Corp.; 2nd edition. 226 pages. Paperback.

Best Face Forward talks about obtaining success through employee motivation. This book reveals how to determine the optimal division of labor between people and machines, discover innovative ways to combine people and machines to mediate critical customer interactions, and more.

Harvard Business School Press. 262pp. Hardcover. Cost: $24.05

Reviews 126 of the best recent sales promotion campaigns. Readers will develop a better understanding of what constitutes a successful promotion and of what a good promotion can—and can't—do. A straightforward book that is useful for readers with all levels of experience.

McGraw-Hill Companies. 240pp. Paperback.

Beyond the Brand provides an in depth look at the importance of certain customers in the marketplace. With case studies and practical step-by-step methods, readers learn how to engage customers in a dialog that can fuel real product and marketing innovation. Readers will learn how to develop a bottom-up strategy, hone intuition and find inspiration to drive innovation, find your company's center of gravity, and identify and find new ways to listen to the key voices in your marketplace.

Kaplan Business. 304 pages. Hardcover. Cost: $7.43

Guides managers in the implementation of strategic brand leadership. Citing such brand-focused companies as Virgin, L.L. Bean, and Nike, the authors provide hundreds of case studies to support theories on building brand equity.

Free Press. Cost: currently unavaible through amazon

D'Alessandro, CEO of the John Hancock insurance group, offers principles for improving a company's understanding of brand usage. He succeeds at reminding everyone from the CEO to the people on the assembly line that their company's brand is its most crucial asset.

McGraw-Hill. 240pp. Paperback. Cost: $11.53

The authors of 20 essays look at branding from a wide range of perspectives, from the creation of a new brand and development of brand names through packaging design and advertising. For executive-level managers who are either directly or indirectly involved with marketing and branding, this is a must read.

New York University Press. 544pp. Hardcover. Cost: $50.00

Brandscendence explores what makes certain brands prevail over others. According to author, Clark, there are three elements that are essential for brand endurence: revelence, context, and mutual benefit.Clark also outlines his formula for branding success and illustrates how it's applied by the world's most prominent brands.

Kaplan Business. 272pp. Hardcover. Cost: Varies with seller

Written for creative marketing professionals, this book covers the basics of turning copy and graphics into sales. Also contains useful production information.

McGraw-Hill/Contemporary; 2nd edition. 502 pp. Hardcover.

A former senior level marketing executive at companies such as Macy’s, Eastman Kodak and Bank of America, author Aubryn Thomas has learned why certain brands generate energized reactions from customers and how these brands remain profitable by out-thinking the competition instead of overspending. In "Customer Inspired Marketing," Thomas has created an 8-step plan for companies to follow in order to create a successful marketing/branding campaign.

AuthorHouse. 148. Paperback.

Emotional Branding discusses how to access, with intelligence and sensitivity, the true power behind human emotions. It shows how to bring a new level of credibility and personality to a brand by connecting with your consumer.

Allworth Press. 352pp. Hardcover. Cost: $16.47

• Increase long-term profitability
• Maximize customer loyalty and referrals
• Capture the commitment of dealers, agents and distributors
• Increase sales and improve customer service
• Maximize quality, productivity, quality and wellness
• Foster greater prosperity through a focus on people 

Bruce Bolger, Allan Schweyer & Richard Kern . 242 pp. Cost: $36

Based on the business practices and history of Enterprise Rent-a-Car, this book focuses on how the company has achieved financial results by creating happy customers, successful business partnerships, and an engaged and motivated workforce. It discusses the relationship between the company's employee satisfaction, retention, and profitability, and shows how Enterprise makes and reinforces those connections.

Currency . 256pp. Hardcover . Cost: $16.47

Offers a good introduction to the new thinking about market research. It's a handbook of the latest trends, strategies, and techniques of marketing in today's global community. Blackwell illustrates his points with examples from companies that already employ such practices, including Kinko's, The Limited, and Banc One Corporation.

Collins. 272pp. Hardcover. Cost: $20.48

How to Drive Your Competition Crazy is for any entrepeneur, small business owner, independent relatiler, not for profit crusader, marketer, or business traveler who is looking to get a competative edge and get ahead of their competition. With real-life examples with companys like Haagen-Dazs and Sears, this book is perfect for any company looking to crush their competitors.

Hyperion Books. 234pp. Hardcover.

The authors unveil the Brand Portfolio Approach, a strategy that they claim increases the value of brands by exploding them beyond the boundaries of their division or their parent company. Covers brand extensions and repositioning, as well as an organizational design for implementing brand-portfolio management.

Harvard Business School Press. 238pp. Hardcover. Cost: $20.90

This book details the challenges of promotional marketing through a chronological history starting in the 1950s. The last section looks to the future.

McGraw-Hill. 178pp. Hardcover.

"The Anatomy of Buzz" explores the most powerful form of marketing: word of mouth. With over 150 interviews from executives, marketing leaders, and major researchers, the author discusses proven techniques for stimulating customer-to-customer selling. This book is indespensible for any company or salesperson looking to market a new product or increase sales on already existing ones.

Doubleday Business. 303pp. Paperback. Cost: $10.85