4 Books on Going Out-of-the-Box for Results

THE DISNEY WAY
By Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson
(McGraw-Hill)

BUSINESS LEADERS & SUCCESS
By 55 Top Business Leaders
With an introduction from William J. O’Neil
Founder of Investor’s Business Daily

The Book of NO
By Susan Newman, Ph.D
(McGraw-Hill)

WORDS THAT SELL
By Richard Bayan
(McGraw-Hill)

Every time I go to the USA, I am drawn to the theme parks of Walt Disney Company. Disney, indeed, explores beyond and delivers results. There is always something new in their facilities or they seem to be always new. So there is always a sea of young and young-once moving in a pattern around the park.

“Peter Drucker once said, ‘When you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.’ Those who have prospered despite a pathway of obstacles have done so with an inner compass that steers their course: deeply held values that have crystallized and led them to achieve tangible results. Walt Disney, the great storyteller and innovator, had such a compass that defined his enviable empire. His four steps were simple:

1. Dream beyond the boundaries of today.
2. Believe in sound values.
3. Dare to make a difference.
4. And then just go out and do it: Dream, Believe, Date, Do.

“Walt Disney explained his success this way: I dream, I test my dream against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true.

“Dream, Believe, Dare, Do. These words reverberates across the decades of Disney achievement. Everything Walt did—every choice he made, every strategy he pursued—evolved from these four principles.”

In subsequent pages of this paperback, the authors shared the details of Walt’s four steps. Easy read and usable ideas.. Last word from him: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Among the top business leaders who shared their success in this book are: media innovator Oprah Winfrey (staying positive helped her climb to the top); publisher Katharine Graham (built her career on persistence and integrity; Paychex’s Thomas Galisano (built business by hiring for guts instead of know-how); Barney creator Sheryl Leach (relied on common sense to help her build a purple empire); aviation pioneer William Boeing (in building his empire, he bowed to just one authority); Nvidia’s Jen-Hsun Huang (his laserlike focus helps keep his company on top); IGT’s Charles Mathewson (relationship-building helped him win big); Nokia’s Jorma Ollila (with innovation and insight, he made his company no. 1 and Starbuck’s Howard Schultz (kept his passion as fresh as the morning coffee).

Let’s focus on 99 Cents Only Stores’ David Gold and how he ignored status quo to break new retailing ground. “Gold’s success story reads something like those of other retailers. He works hard, finds and sells products with good value and focuses on serving customers. But the parallels stop there.”

He was sure that he needs dedicated, loyal employees to grow his company in the healthiest way. So Gold decided award options to every member of his stores. “The one thing that gratifies our family the most is that every single employee gets stock options after six months whether they’re part time or full time. The firm granted options worth 985,444 shares to employees in 1999 alone. No options went to Gold, his two sons, Howard and Jeff, or the president and Gold’s son-in-law, Eric Schiffer. The options hold the potential to enrich each employee, and they also inspire a company-wide drive to succeed.”

On the other hand, Intel co-founder Robert Noyce thought the best way to make a leap forward was to give talented people the tools they needed and then get out of the way. He saw his job as: “People come here because of their abilities. My job is to remove all impediments to progress and give them as much freedom as possible. Optimism is an essential ingredient for innovation. How else can the individual welcome change over security, adventure over staying in safe places?”

Very engaging and inspiring read.

To move forward, we need to say NO!, mean it and stop pleasing people forever so says Dr. Newman. Let’s examine these examples, The Scenario 1: “I have another question. Do you have a minute?” What’s going on here: It’s not yet noon and the guy in the next cubicle has been in yours four times with different questions on the same problem. As this point you want to say, “Just leave it on my desk and I’ll do it.” Don’t!

Response: “Work with the information you have and we’ll talk later.”

Alert: You have to take a strong stand in order to get your own work done and not be manipulated into doing someone else’s work.

The Scenario 2: You boss says, “A new client, a rush job. Can you take it on? What’s going on here? You can feel the weight of the job as soon as the question hits your ears. You can’t imagine squeezing in one more client, and a rush job to boot. Before answering think about what’s on your plate already and if this new client may or may not move you in the direction of your goals.

Response: “Not me, not unless you take me off several projects.”

Alert: When you carry a full load, doing more doesn’t necessarily equate to increased job security. It will, however, greatly add to your anxiety and exhaustion.

Sounds familiar? Dr. Newman has 248 other examples of how to say no with friends, family, really difficult persons and at work. Read the examples, try them and live and work in peace.

Many times the reason we couldn’t move ahead is the negative words in our vocabulary that condition our minds to act and think negative. Author Bayan put together more than 6,000 words and phrases to help you promote your products, services and ideas.

For example, instead of the usual new/advanced, use just published, just released, now available, fresh, sleek new, shiny new, newly minted, amazing new, bold new, innovative, ultramodern,, starling, futuristic, revolutionary, groundbreaking, breakthrough, the next generation of and many others. Hmmm, cutting edge!

For the word suitable, you could use a perfect match, ideally sized, it’s the real you, mirrors your, a welcome addition to your collection, designed to suit your needs, the ultimate in versatility, etc. Try feisty, gutsy, scrappy, sharp, astute, shrewd, potent, daring, forceful, goes the distance, commanding and masterful to mean competitive.

Wow, amazing words that make perceiving and thinking easy. This book is handy reference for when you are stuck with a word and kept repeating it monotonously in the same page.