Today is World Book Day. Children across the country will receive vouchers to be spent on books whilst dressing up as their favourite literary characters – but those who have aged out of these festivities can still participate by celebrating their love for literature. At Novagram, we’d like to do this by sharing some of our favourite reads.
Here are five reading recommendations for creative-business-minded bookworms:
1. Designing Brand Identity by Alina Wheeler
Late branding consultant Alina Wheeler wrote Designing Brand Identity: a book that, throughout its six editions, has thoroughly earned its place on any designer’s bookshelf or studio coffee table. This book is full of practical wisdom, and inspiration: it’s relevant for anyone in marketing, designers at the beginning of their careers, or seasoned professionals who might benefit from a friendly reminder.
2. Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
There is no doubt that Robert B. Cialdini is an authority on the subject of persuasion—in fact, he’s been studying it for the entirety of his professional life. Since completing his PhD in 1970, Cialdini has gone on to write a number of books on the subject of persuasion. The most popular of these is Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Although this book has a business focus, this is an essential read for anybody who works with, lives with, or wants to know more about, humans.
3. HBR Guide to Better Business Writing by Bryan A. Garner
Bryan A. Garner is an author, as well as an authority on writing, grammar usage, and style. He is editor in chief of the world’s most frequently cited lawbook, Black’s Law Dictionary, and has written many books on writing, including the best-selling reference work Garner’s Modern American Usage. The HBR Guide to Better Business Writing by Bryan A. Garner will introduce you to four characters: Madman, Architect, Carpenter, and Judge – each of whom will guide your writing practice. Whether you want to pen better emails, or write your own business book one day, this is essential reading.
4. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
According to Donald Miller, the single greatest human motivation is the desire for transformation—but what does this really mean? Should brands be leading customers through a period of Kafkaesque evolution? And where does this way of thinking fit in the age of personal branding? Readers who are curious to learn the answers to these questions will find answers in Donald Miller’s Building a StoryBrand.
5. On Strategic Marketing: An anthology of essays published by Harvard Business Review
On Strategic Marketing is a resource that brings together a collection of insightful articles relating to marketing – articles that were originally published as far back as 1960 and as recently as 2010. The book presents a well-curated selection of essays written by industry experts, thought leaders, and marketing practitioners who offer their insights on a wide range of relevant topics.
