Vasu's book world

Some of the books read by Vasu

Liberation Management by Tom Peters

An analysis of how world’s best 30 companies are run. In in depth analysis on what makes them agile and successful. Must for everyone interested in constantly improving the company’s performance.

The magic of thinking BIG

Tells how your choice to think BIG makes you take actions that will make you BIG

 

EXECUTION By Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan

An advice on the ground level execution. What works and what does not. Built based on authors’ rich experience at GE, Allied Signal and Honeywell.

 

Imagining India by Nandan Nilekani

Analyses different problems India faced since independence and how they were tackled. Gives lots of good ideas on the potential for change.

 

Fooled by the Randomness by Nikolas Tayyab

Explains how people get fooled and get a sense of “I am intelligent” when actually it is luck that has made them rich. He analysis such cases and tells that your basics are the ones which will stand with you always. If your basics are strong and financials are weak, you will most likely take actions that will make you rich. On the other hand you are rich and your basics are not as good as they should be, you tend to take actions that will not make you poor. So, focus on basics!! Give many examples around this.

 

Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do by Robert Harold Schuller

 

The church pastor who built a church from scratch, started a radio station and make it a common name in America has written this book. Based on collection of what he has been teaching at church, this books gives multiple examples of how being tough can help you survive tough times. Super one.

 

Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough

Read long back. Tells stories of how Lincoln overcame so many difficulties during the civil war in America.

 

Be hungry stay foolish Rashmi Bansal

Stories of 20 IIM MBA Graduates who made it big in the business world by starting and running companies

 

Connect the dots by Rashmi Bansal

Stories of about 20 non MBAs who made it big in the business world by starting and running companies

 

 

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Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

This is one of the greatest books that I have ever read. It truly brought a transformation in me. Each of the habits explained is absolutely essential to be effective. The habits are simple too. Private victory and Public Victory and then sharpen your saw. Simple. It is a must read. 

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Till I read this book, I shrug it off saying I do not need. As I read, I realized what I missed. Whether you are a student or a professional, you must read this book. Explains rules of interpersonal relations true for ever. Do not miss it. 

One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard 

This was the first management book I read and still the greatest. Simple to use three techniques of management you never forget. This 100 page book is worth million pages read. 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

How high you can fly? Read this book. You will settle for nothing less than exemplary performance. 

Manasse Relax Please by Swami Sukhabodhananda 

Simple book that will sooth your mind and body. Short stories of not more than two pages. It will calm you down. 

What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School 

Simple explanation of items from office politics to organizational excellence. Read on. 

Business and Its Environment by David Baron 

A classic book on how organizations are affected because of non market actions. I especially liked the portion on how lobbying works at government levels. A big book. But worth it. 

Marketing Management by Philip Kotler 

Kotler is the Guru of Marketing Management and this book is his bible. If you are a manager, you do not want to miss reading this book. 

22 Immutable laws of marketing by Al Ries

Basics of marketing common sense. Very helpful when you need to plan your marketing moves for your product.

Who moved my cheese? By Ken Blanchard 

If you are worried because something un fair happened to you, you should read this book. A short simple story that catches your attention. You will be energized. 

The World is Flat by Tom Friedman

I have not read this book fully but have read excerpts and his radio interview. Especially if you think you have an advantage, think what others have. You are not safe. 

Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove

You must successfully move through the inflection points, points which cause big changes in your business. If you fail, you are gone. Note that for failure you must fail only once. But for success you have to keep on winning. So, you never want to miss any inflection points that can cause a down fall.

Competing for the Future by C K Prahalad and Gary Hamel

Unfortunately the employees who are the least decision makers are affected by decisions of big decision makers in a company. Hence big decision makers have responsibility of implementing "strategy" that can build "core competence" in their organization and help them keep winning for "years and even centuries". It takes much more than "rapid turn around", "quick restructuring" to create a winning organization. Read this book.