Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

In Sticking to My Story: The Alchemy of Storytelling for Startups, Donna Griffit provides a valuable book of stories and guidelines for pitching and selling your startup ideas. You will learn how to use storytelling to polish your offering and get investors to sign the deals you hope for. The book reveals that looking at human history and the clues from our ancestors shows us how storytelling has always been a part of us. Donna also presents what she calls the four "chunks" of a startup pitch deck, which is an effective, smart structure for telling your story and getting investors to understand the needs you hope to meet. Additionally, the book examines the elevator pitch, how to get VC meetings, the future of storytelling, using AI in storytelling, and other useful topics.

This is not just a startup resource but is great for learning key communication skills. Recently, I was wondering how many problems to state before bringing up the solutions while writing about a solved problem. From the book, I found that the problems should pale in comparison to the solutions. Sticking to My Story exemplifies the reality of telling a great story, as the book is a joy to read. It's concise, filled with intriguing stories, and brimming with convincing ideas. Since Donna shares her experience with multiple startups and quotes from clients and friends in Silicon Valley, I felt convinced that her tips are trustworthy and genuine. No matter how solid your startup idea is, you will be better off reading this book and tapping into its knowledge reservoir. Let Sticking to My Story's brilliant success stories inspire you and guide you to become a success story yourself!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Not everyone is enamored with the modern corporate approach to selling, where businesses prioritize profit margins over client satisfaction. After working for noted companies such as Goodyear, GE, and Honeywell, Stan Gwizdak finally had enough of the corporate culture of greed and opened his own consultancy firm, The Kormac Group, to help clients get what they want. In Karmic Selling, Gwizdak explains how helping others without an agenda helps forge connections that inevitably lead to success. The author describes how prep work is the key to building connections. It includes researching the person, not just the company, on a professional and personal level. The book will teach you to plant the seeds for long-term relationships, how to approach the first, second, and third meetings, identify the needs of the clients, and much more.

With Karmic Selling, you will learn to use questions to direct conversations, anticipate uncomfortable questions, and build trust through conversations. Learn to differentiate between hard and soft follow-ups and always offer clients the opportunity to say no. Stan Gwizdak emphasizes the importance of having a system of taking and organizing notes and expanding one's circle of business friends. With each chapter, Gwizdak provides case studies and reflection exercises to help readers better grasp the points discussed within the chapter. The author uses personal anecdotes and stories from his life that led him to open his own firm, and this helps readers relate to the author and the subject matter on a personal level. This is one of the most unique books on selling I've ever read. Stan Gwizdak's approach is refreshingly authentic and very much needed for our times. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

In Cultural Intelligence for Marketers, Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel speaks about the imperative for brands to move beyond stereotypes and superficial gestures and demonstrate a true understanding of cultural nuances and power dynamics. She writes about the evolution of cultural intelligence, proposing the Culture-Strategy-Innovation framework, which integrates cultural insight, strategy, and innovation while prioritizing inclusivity and equity. Gabriel introduces the Cs of Cultural Intelligence, leaning toward positive engagement with cultural communities and critical consciousness in marketing. She explores the complexities of representation and the decoding of cultural symbols, and the importance of context in consumer insights. Gabriel also discusses the transformative potential of culturally intelligent marketing, cautioning against tokenism and advocating for authenticity and accountability. Through case studies, conversations, figures and frameworks, she encourages brands to align with cultural movements authentically, promoting societal dialogue and fostering a more equitable future.

When I was growing up and started to dabble in cosmetics as a teen, I couldn't understand why I had to spend four times more on make-up than my friends, buying Shiseido because Revlon didn't make powders and foundations for the yellow undertones of East Asian skin. On the flip side of this, there was, and still is, the perplexing use of the word “oriental” as a perfume note. What does that even mean? For this reason, the standout part for me in this book is the section where Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel addresses the need for brands to implement brand accountability by considering the impact of their actions on the communities they interact with. And yes, this includes acknowledging historical exploitation and actively working toward equitable relationships with cultural communities. As Gabriel points out, we've come a long way, but there is so much further to go, which is why Gabriel's work is so important. Dozens of takeaways will positively impact all businesses in this book, and I do not doubt that moving toward implementation can only lead to greater success. Cultural Intelligence for Marketers is very highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Imposters on the Zoom! is penned by author team John Buie and Jason Hagerman in the marketing, sales, and self-improvement subgenres. This comprehensive and engaging work offers practical guidance for marketing managers, sales leaders, owners, and operators of B2B companies to generate more sales leads and overcome imposter syndrome. The book outlines strategies to generate revenue, direct and audit staff better, and master B2B lead generation, emphasizing the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome and setting new records for sales lead generation every month. This accessible and engaging volume is sure to provide valuable insights and actionable strategies for B2B professionals, both established and aspiring. Buie and Hagerman's comprehensive approach to lead generation and overcoming imposter syndrome takes on a really interesting personal, psychological, and emotional perspective that is accommodating and empathetic to readers' individual needs and limitations.

John Buie and Jason Hagerman's step-by-step plan, accompanied by templates, guides, and examples, makes it easy to implement the strategies outlined to achieve tangible results and to bend those ideas to meet specific needs from a suitably general initial format. The book covers a wide range of topics essential for sustained sales lead growth and revenue generation, and everything is well-organized and formatted so that readers can refer back to relevant sections for easy reminders. As they follow along with the detailed walkthroughs and learn about overcoming personal challenges, readers are sure to feel empowered to take control of their professional growth and drive success in their desired future roles. Overall, Imposters on the Zoom! is a valuable resource for anyone looking to thrive in the competitive world of B2B marketing and sales and one that I definitely recommend.

Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

Using Behavioral Science in Marketing (Drive Customer Action and Loyalty by Prompting Instinctive Responses) by Nancy Harhut is a scientific marketing manual on increasing sales. The author gives strategies marketers can inject into their advertising campaigns to attract customers. Each strategy influences human behavior and is backed by scientific research. From making advertisements that trigger emotions to using wording that will stimulate customers to buy your product, this book has it all. The author explains how you can use loss aversion, social proof, storytelling, scarcity of products, multiple options, and many more tactics to make your product more desirable and memorable for customers.

Using Behavioral Science in Marketing is a fully packed book that can be used for academic or business purposes. Nancy Harhut left no stone unturned on each topic. She provides well-researched information and offers practical and visual examples of implementing these strategies. She refers to case studies on human mental and social behavior and how the outcomes apply to marketing and sales. The book also contains graphs and charts presenting data and experiment results. The author gives random quotes throughout the book that will make you view marketing in a different light. I related so much to what she wrote because I have made purchases based on the principles found in this book. We all want to sell something to make some cash. Whether you are running a small operation or a big store, I advise you to get a copy of this book because it will give you the perfect guide to advertise your goods or services to increase sales.

Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite

Living On A Smile: 16 Ways to Live a Big Life and Lead with Love is an accumulation of wisdom from a successful corporate executive. Jo Ann Herold started at the bottom in the food service industry and worked her way to the top. She shares what she learned in this book. Some of the chapter titles are “Progress - Go For It, Go Get It,” “Positivity: Be a Positive Light in the World,” and “Practice Joy, Feel Happiness.” The book is interactive in that readers are often asked to fill in their values, goals, and personal thoughts. There are what Herold calls “GoGos,” or personal to-do lists, at the end of each chapter, which readers are encouraged to complete. There are also ditties, which are fun, and creative summaries of that chapter’s teaching. Herold makes use of bulleted lists and charts for easy reading and effective explanations of her concepts.

I enjoyed reading Living On A Smile. Not only has Jo Ann Herold much wisdom and knowledge to share, she knows how to do it effectively. The interactive nature of the book is most helpful. One doesn’t merely read this book, you experience it, and that’s extremely important in a guide of this nature. I also liked the liberal use of bullets and charts, which are a great help in understanding the ideas under discussion. The ditties help make the book fun to read as well, but that is not to say that it’s not valuable. It is, and anyone at any stage of their career could profit from it. Every chapter contains useful information that, if applied, will help change readers’ lives. Read it for inspiration, to advance your career, and to learn from someone eager to help others achieve the same kind of success she has.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Assemblage: The Art and Science of Brand Transformation by Emmanuel Probst is a comprehensive guide that delves into the process of transforming a brand. It blends artistic and scientific approaches to achieve a successful brand overhaul. The book provides a detailed and practical guide for businesses, entrepreneurs, and marketers seeking to revitalize their brands in today’s dynamic and competitive marketplace. Featuring interviews with leading marketers, and modern techniques to revolutionize marketing and brand management, Probst has the recipe for a successful game plan. The book takes readers on a journey through the various elements of brand transformation, including understanding the current state of the brand, conducting market research, defining objectives, creating strategies, developing a brand identity, implementing touchpoints, and measuring performance.

Assemblage analyses global brands and provides real-world examples, case studies, and practical tools that readers can use to implement effective strategies. Emmanuel Probst emphasizes the importance of encouraging a brand culture and maintaining brand identity throughout the transformation process. I loved the way that the author uses business and pop culture references to drive the point home. Business is personal, and it should be treated as such. Unless you have a direct consumer-business relationship, your brand isn’t going to survive. Probst’s passion for branding, combined with his expertise in the artistic and scientific fields, makes this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to unlock the true potential of their brand in today’s ever-changing business landscape. The narrative style is simple, the information is plentiful, and the execution of it all is perfect. A must-have guidebook to help new businesses become brands.

Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite

The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing by John Egan is a step-by-step guide to starting, flourishing, and succeeding in the content marketing game. With a wealth of experience as a content marketing specialist and examples of real-life on-the-job experience of what works and what doesn’t, Egan provides an in-depth and insightful look into the reality of content marketing. Covering key topics like SEO, content creation and promotions, the values of pillar content and blogging, and the importance of brand storytelling and authority, this easy-to-read guide makes content marketing a manageable endeavor for anyone interested in entering or improving their content creation and management journey.

The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing by John Egan is an absorbing, concise, and resourceful guide to understanding and implementing a content marketing plan. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, especially the reference to personal anecdotes like finding local angles to stories that resonate with specific communities to drive traffic to a site and never underestimating the amount of traffic that so-called boring companies like lawn and storage businesses can get through well-crafted and implemented content strategies. These two elements stood out most because we often read about the content success of glamorous and desirable brands like fashion and the automotive industries. Still, Egan skilfully demonstrated how he achieved notable content marketing success for companies most would consider unlikely, proving the value of skilled content creation and the difference it can make to any brand. The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing is a valuable resource for content creators, written in a reader-friendly and authoritative tone backed by actionable insights.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Having a personal brand is one of the most critical tenets of marketing. It has become indispensable in an increasingly competitive world where how you project yourself determines your success. In Sell Yourself: How to Create, Live, and Sell a Powerful Personal Brand, Cindy McGovern takes you through a step-by-step process to help you build a brand of authenticity that showcases your talents to sell to a broader audience. The five stages of selling your brand consist of planning, looking for opportunities, establishing trust, asking for what you want, and practicing gratitude. The book also explores the three critical components of a successful personal brand. Choose a brand that leads to selling your message and positions you to help yourself and others. Live your brand by incorporating it into your everyday life. Finally, selling your brand requires you to live up to your personal brand.

In Sell Yourself, readers will also learn the in-depth steps to sales success and how to differentiate between being a manager and a leader. What I loved about the book was Cindy McGovern's ability to provide the guidelines in a thorough and accessible writing style with meticulous organization of the subject matter. After finishing the book, you will better understand the whys, hows, dos, and don'ts of creating, living, and selling your brand. This is one of the most detailed and well-researched self-help books I've read in recent years. McGovern also provides anecdotes and examples of people who have created authentic personal brands in their journey to success—for example, Dolly Parton. So, grab a copy and start working toward building a brand and leaving a legacy you can be proud of.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Brands Don’t Win: How Transcenders Change the Game is a work of non-fiction that focuses on business, marketing, and branding. It is intended for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Stan Bernard, MD, MBA. From the mind of this globally renowned and award-winning consultant comes a concise but comprehensive guide to how major successful companies corner their market by changing the rules of the typical brand game. The work explains how these businesses break and remake the rules, and how any aspiring business and/or marketing professional can do the same.

Even as a total layman to the world of marketing, I found it absolutely fascinating to explore the inner workings of some of the world’s most successful companies, especially with someone as eloquent and knowledgeable as Stan Bernard as my guide. One of the features I particularly enjoyed about this work was the balance of accessibility versus professionalism in the narrative style, which conveys Bernard’s wealth of experience and knowledge in his field, but also makes the text engaging and easy to understand, even for total beginners to the marketing world. I also thought the work was very well organized and easy to refer back to as a handy learning guide. Those aspiring to work in this field, and indeed those who already do, will surely find Brands Don’t Win to be an invaluable guide to creative thinking, innovation, and transcending to find success. A highly recommended and engaging read for one and all.