Happy #NationalChampagneDay

Tomorrow may be January 1st, tonight may be New Year's Eve, but today is National Champagne Day. From a marketing perspective, what can be called champagne, and which are some of the most famous champagne brands?

First, in order to be called champagne, the wine must be produced in the Champagne region of France. which is located about an hour and a half northeast of Paris by car. And as for taste, champagne has low-to-medium-acidity with hints of toast, yeast, fig, apple, pear and citrus.

According to Food & Wine, "Champagne is a sparkling wine that bears the name of the region it comes from and must be made according to a long, strictly regulated list of requirements that govern every step of the production process from grape to glass. This covers details like the permitted grape varieties, along with pruning, grape yields, the winemaking method (the Méthode Champenoise or Traditional Method), minimum alcohol levels, a minimum storage period (15 months) prior to release, and more."

SHARE THIS: I only drink champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not. ~Coco Chanel #NationalChampagneDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

To quote The Pioneer Woman: "Not every chilled bottle of bubbles is created equal. While prosecco, cava, and other sparkling wines are delicious in their own right, there's something about the rounded flavor and distinct bubbles of the "méthode champenoise" that make it extra special."

According to Insider Monkey, here is the list of the top seven champagne brands, their brief histories, and the number of annual bottles sold, as of September 2023:

1. Moët & Chandon
Annual Production Volume: 30 million bottles

"Since 1743, Moët & Chandon has been passing down unequaled winemaking savoir-faire and an innovative and pioneering spirit from generation to generation. Commonly referred to as Moet, it was the first winery in Champagne to produce only sparkling wine. Moët & Chandon merged with the cognac producer Hennessy in 1971 to form Moët Hennessy, which then merged with Louis Vuitton in a $4 billion deal to form LVMH in 1987. An annual production of 30 million bottles means that a bottle of the company is uncorked every second somewhere on earth, making Moët & Chandon the Best-Selling Champagne Brand in the World."

2. Veuve Clicquot
Annual Production Volume: 19 million bottles

"Recognized as a famous high-end champagne, Veuve Clicquot has been around for more than two centuries, and its history and quality have made it one of the most sought-after Champagnes in the world. The brand is often associated with luxury and prestige, which is why its bottles can be expensive. Veuve Clicquot is also the best-selling Champagne Brand in America, with 647,000 9-liter cases exported to the U.S. in 2021. The brand was acquired by the LVMH group in 1987."

3. Nicolas Feuillatte
Annual Production Volume: 11 million bottles

"In the span of 30 short years, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte has become the number one Champagne brand in France and the world’s third-largest producer of Champagne, now represented in over 80 countries. The trend-setting brand Nicolas Feuillatte stands for creativity, modernity, elegance, and curiosity."

4. G. H. Mumm
Annual Production Volume: 8 million bottles

"For almost two centuries, at the heart of the Champagne terroir, Maison Mumm has been crafting exceptional Champagnes that can be found on the tables of royal courts and the finest restaurants. Mumm was the official sponsor of Formula 1 racing from 2000 until 2015 and provided the Champagne bottles for the podium celebrations after each race."

5. Laurent-Perrier
Annual Production Volume: 7 million bottles

"Laurent-Perrier’s signature style, conceived by Bernard de Nonancourt, aims to provide freshness and elegance in a glass. To do this, its blends are driven by a higher-than-normal percentage of Chardonnay grapes, the least-planted and most expensive in the region."

6. Taittinger
Annual Production Volume: 5.5 million bottles

"Taittinger’s non-vintage Brut Champagne is a refreshing, fruit-driven bottle of bubbles. You have undoubtedly come across it in your local wine store, given that the Champagne House is one of the region’s largest producers."

7. Dom Pérignon
Annual Production Volume: 5 million bottles

"With roots dating back to the 17th century, Dom Pérignon is one of the most long-standing brands in the LVMH empire. LVMH assumed control over the brand when it acquired Moët & Chandon."

According to Luxe Digital, here are the brand associations for the above-referenced brands:

1. Moët & Chandon = Parties
2. Veuve Clicquot = Romantic Moments
3. Nicolas Feuillatte = Family Get-Togethers
4. G. H. Mumm = Five-Star Dining
5. Laurent-Perrier = A-List Events
6. Taittinger = Elegant Toasts
7. Dom Pérignon = Memorable Gifts

Since you now know the key players in the champagne world, get ready to pop the cork and celebrate tonight. Happy new year, and cheers!


Image Credit: DNY59/Getty Images.

8 Business Books for Your Winter and Early 2024 Reading List

This post serves three purposes. First, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the more than two dozen leadership and marketing experts who appeared in my “Fall Back to Reading Series” from late-September to the end of fall, ending with yesterday’s post. These individuals answered an array of questions regarding the importance of reading and provided their favorite business and fiction books. In one word, they INSPIRED me, and I hope you learned about some experts and books from the series.

If you missed any of the posts, here is a list of the post dates with the featured experts:

• September 23/Introductory post
• September 25/Eric Jacobson
• September 27/Dennis Geelen
• September 29/Mitch Pisik
• October 2/Shep Hyken
• October 6/Joseph Michelli
• October 9/Erika Andersen
• October 13/Susan Friesen
• October 16/Rebecca Herold
• October 20/James Strock
• October 23/Gail Robertson
• October 27/Leanne Dzubinski
• October 30/David Beaumont
• November 3/Katherine Spinney
• November 6/Stacey Danheiser
• November 10/Dr. Natalie Petouhoff
• November 13/Suzanne Huber
• November 17/Deborah Connors
• November 20/Michelle Redfern
• November 24/Gregory Kennedy
• November 27/Michael McKinney
• December 1/Joni M. Fisher
• December 4/Kim Scaravelli
• December 6/Joseph Lalonde
• December 8/Doug Dickerson
• December 11/Lee Goldberg
• December 13/Russel Lolacher
• December 15/Ludmila Praslova
• December 18/Rosye Cloud
• December 20/Kevin Eikenberry

Second, on January 31st, 2024, I will share a highlight post of all the recommended reads from this series. Watch my Twitter/X feed for a heads-up.

And now, the third purpose of today’s post can be found in the title: “Eight Business Books for Your Winter and Early 2024 Reading List.” As winter begins, it’s a good time to share my recommended business books focusing on strategy, corporate culture and teamwork, leadership, management, customer experience marketing, social media, and gender equality – but first, two important quotes about books and reading.

To quote E.B. White on the power of books: “Books hold most of the secrets of the world, most of the thoughts that men and women have had. And when you are holding a book, you and the author are alone together – just the two of you. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.”

To quote John Coleman, a writer for the Harvard Business Review and other publications: “Reading has many benefits, but it is underappreciated as an essential component of leadership development. Deep reading can make you a better leader, Here are five tips: join a reading group; vary your reading; apply your reading to your work; encourage others to read; and read for fun – read to relax, escape, and put your mind at ease.”

TURNS: WHERE BUSINESS IS WON AND LOST by Steve McKee
To quote Steve McKee, “Straightaways are easy. It’s why they invented cruise control…But business is a twisting, turning road, and whether you’re plotting the future of your products, your positioning, your profitability, or your people, there is always an element of uncertainty about which direction is best… IBM, Lego, Ford, Hewlett-Packard, Starbucks, Caterpillar, and Xerox have all made wrong turns – some more than once. It’s the rare business that gets it right the first time; most turn (pivot) when their original business models don’t pan out.”

McKee further explained, “Story arcs are turns that keep the audience engaged. Modern television series ensure that the falling action and resolution of one story arc is intertwined with the rising action of another, creating ‘cliffhangers’ that compel us to keep tuning in from one episode to the next. The narrative arc is the basic format followed by all great storytellers from William Shakespeare to Walt Disney. Without a turn, there is no story.”

SHARE THIS: Unlike clearly marked roadways, most turns in business come with no pre-posted warning signs. ~@SteveMcKee #DebbieLaskeysBlog

BEST TEAM EVER! THE SURPRISING SCIENCE OF HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS by David Burkus
According to author David Burkus, “All assert that the culture of a team is more important than who is on it. Team culture – the collective values, beliefs, behaviors, and ways of working a member’s share – has an outsized effect on the results a team achieves. You can’t recruit your way out of a lousy culture. Talent doesn’t make the team. The team makes the talent.”

Burkus elaborated that, “High-performing team cultures share three elements: Common Understanding, Psychological Safety, and Prosocial Purpose.”

SHARE THIS: Talent doesn’t make the team. The team makes the talent. ~@davidburkus #GreatLeadership #EmployeeExperience #DebbieLaskeysBlog

REEL LEADERSHIP: DISCOVERING THE HIDDEN LEADERSHIP LESSONS IN MOVIES by Joseph Lalonde
To quote Joseph Lalonde, “I discovered movies and entertainment are a great teaching tool. We can find leadership lessons, we can find moral lessons, we can even find life lessons in movies…I call it the concept of reel leadership, looking at movies while intending to pull out leadership lessons.”

Joe asked, who didn’t cry during Toy Story 3? Who wasn’t pulled into the action in the Indiana Jones movies? And who recalls the advice that Peter Parker received? For clarification, Peter Parker was the alter-ego of Spider-Man, and his Uncle Ben’s timeless advice was, “With great power comes great responsibility.” All good leaders can appreciate these examples of empathy, energy/activity, and responsibility.

Joe recommends that, when watching movies at the theater, your mindset should change from “Let’s have fun” to “Let’s learn something today.” Here’s one example Joe shared in his book: “There’s a terrific scene in Wonder Woman called “No Man’s Land.” In it, Gal Gadot’s Diana (Wonder Woman’s civilian identity) is walking through a war zone with Steve Trevor. Diana hears the call of a woman needing help. She stops to offer what aid she can. Then she continues with Steve to the other soldiers. [While] they’re hesitant to step onto the battlefield, Diana isn’t.” What leadership lessons are present in this scene? Here are just a few: help others, be a role-model, and stand up even if that means others may not join or support you.

SHARE THIS: Movies can touch us, and movies can teach us. ~@JosephLalonde #movies #LeadershipTips #DebbieLaskeysBlog

BRINGING UP THE BOSS: PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR NEW MANAGERS by Rachel Pacheco
One of the nuggets in this book was the importance of feedback. According to Rachel Pacheco, “To be a great manager, not only do you have to be great at giving feedback, but also you have to be great at receiving effective feedback from your team.” Effective feedback results in quality work. It also leads to employees who feel productive, confident, motivated, fulfilled, and valued. These types of employees rise the corporate ladder and remain for the long-term.

Another aspect of leading involves a sense of purpose. Pacheco shared a story of a dog pulling a tire. You’ll have to read the book for the full story, but the dog was much happier when pulling a tire on the beach. Can you say that all your employees have a sense of purpose, and even more importantly, do they understand how their roles impact the entire organization’s mission and brand promise?

Lastly, as Pacheco wrote, “When you become a manager, there is a fundamental shift in how you approach your work, and there is also a fundamental shift in how others think of you.”

SHARE THIS: We have the power to help someone grow, develop, and thrive; we also have the power to overburden, confuse, and wreak havoc. ~@rachelbpacheco #EmployeeExperience #DebbieLaskeysBlog

THE FIRST STEP ON THE JOURNEY TO CUSTOMER CENTRICITY: THE CUSTOMER-BASE AUDIT by Peter Fader, Bruce Hardie, and Michael Ross
The authors explained, “We believe that there are fundamental analyses that are foundational for any executive wanting to gain an understanding of the health of their organization’s revenue and profit streams and the feasibility of their growth plans. We call this the customer-base audit. A customer-base audit is a systemic review of the buying behavior of a firm’s customers using data captured by its transaction systems. The objective is to provide an understanding of how customers differ in their buying behavior and how their buying behavior evolves over time.”

They clarified that they were “not interested in the demographic profile of customers and were not interested in their attitudes.” This was NOT knowing the customer through the lens of traditional market research.

Here are some questions to ask when defining a customer for your organization:
(1)    Is payment required for someone to be considered a customer?
(2)    Does it matter who pays versus who uses? Does it matter who made the decision?
(3)    How long after purchase does a customer cease to be a customer (even if they are an owner and user)?
(4)    Do we factor in legal obligations? (think: warranties)
(5)    Does the presence of a channel intermediary on the purchasing process stop someone from being considered a customer?

SHARE THIS: A customer-base audit provides an understanding of how customers differ in their buying behavior and how their buying behavior evolves over time. ~@faderp #DebbieLaskeysBlog

THE AGE OF INFLUENCE: THE POWER OF INFLUENCERS TO ELEVATE YOUR BRAND by Neal Schaffer
To quote Neal Schaffer, “Being an influencer is not about merely taking selfies, putting them online, and then getting paid thousands of dollars from brands to mention them. Influencer marketing is not about paying someone else to take selfies and put them online. It is about engagement and communication.”

Schaeffer further explained, “Influencer marketing is a shift in communicating and interacting with your customers and audience. It’s also able to deliver results far, far beyond those traditional returns. It’s about user-generated content. It’s about the community. It’s about relationships. It’s about engagement. It is more than just spreading a message. This is the next generation of social media marketing.”

SHARE THIS: Influencer marketing is about engagement and communication, the next generation of social media marketing. ~@NealSchaeffer #DebbieLaskeysBlog

GLASS WALLS – SHATTERING THE SIX GENDER BIAS BARRIERS STILL HOLDING WOMEN BACK AT WORK by Amy Diehl and Dr. Leanne Dzubinski
To quote co-author Amy Diehl from a previous Q&A post here on my blog: “Co-Author Dr. Leanne Dzubinski and I are so excited to bring this book to readers. It will help leaders, allies, and individual women learn how to break down gender bias in two ways. First, we break down gender bias by explaining the six barriers and their subcomponents. These barriers are male privilege, disproportionate constraints, insufficient support, devaluation, and hostility which lead to women’s acquiescence. In the book we tell stories of women who have experienced these barriers. Second, we provide strategies that leaders, allies, and women themselves can use to break down and eliminate each aspect of gender bias.”

Diehl further explained, “While bias and sexism have been embedded into our workplace cultures, we now know how to root them out. Progress is slow with some industries doing better than others, but working together, we can make our organizations inclusive and supportive of all people.”

SHARE THIS: While bias and sexism have been embedded into our workplace cultures, we now know how to root them out. ~@AmyDiehl #GlassWalls #DebbieLaskeysBlog

GOOD GUYS: HOW MEN CAN BE BETTER ALLIES FOR WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE by David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson
As the book explained, "Women are at a disadvantage in the workplace, from unequal pay to sexual harassment to the inability to be promoted in a fair and timely manner. And while organizations are looking to fix the issue, too many gender inclusion initiatives focus exclusively on changing women, leaving men out of the equation. Such efforts reinforce the perception that these are solely 'women’s issues' and that men don’t need to be involved. Research has shown that when men are deliberately engaged in gender inclusion programs, 96% of women in those organizations see real progress on gender equality, compared with only 30% of women in organizations without strong male engagement. GOOD GUYS shows how men can partner with women to advance women’s leadership by breaking ingrained gender stereotypes, overcoming unconscious biases, developing and supporting the talented women around them, and creating productive working relationships with women in the post-#MeToo era.”

SHARE THIS: Women are interrupted midsentence twice as often as men are. This has spawned a new word: manterrupting. ~David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson #DebbieLaskeysBlog


What’s on your reading list for early 2024? Chime in and share.


Image Credit: Debbie Laskey’s library.

If you’d like to read some previous “Fall Back to Reading” posts on my blog featuring business books, check out the following:

Fall Back to Reading with 9 Thought-Provoking Books
September 22, 2022
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/09/fall-back-to-reading-with-these-9.html

Fall Back to Reading with 12 Thought-Provoking Business Books
October 11, 2019
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2019/10/fall-back-to-reading-with-12-thought.html

Fall Reading: Leadership, Branding, and Voice of the Customer Marketing
October 12, 2018
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2018/10/fall-reading-recap-leadership-branding.html

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Kevin Eikenberry

This year, as the seasons change and we enjoy fall, I’ve launched my FALL BACK TO READING SERIES. The series will feature two dozen leadership and marketing experts, who will share their inspiration in both fiction and nonfiction, and hopefully, provide the impetus to read more. To quote New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Harmel, “If you give a person a book, you give him the world.” For today’s post, I’d like to introduce Kevin Eikenberry.

Kevin Eikenberry is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent 30 years helping organizations and leaders from over 50 countries become more effective, and Global Gurus has listed him on the list of most influential thinkers on leadership for the last two years. His books include: Remarkable Leadership, From Bud to Boss, and The Long-Distance Leader, The Long-Distance Teammate, and his newest, The Long-Distance Team.

QUESTION: Which three business books have made the biggest impact on your career?
KEVIN EIKENBERRY: This is a great question, and when you read 70+ business books a year (and I have most years in the last 35), it is useful to step back and think about this. I have learned so much from so many, and in so many different parts of my own learning journey. Let me answer with three books, in three different areas of focus. I’m picking books I read further back because they have had a longer time to provide guidance, and impact. And I have read each of these more than once.

(1) Flawless Consulting by Peter Block. This book helped me understand what it means to consult successfully (I’m confident I haven’t been flawless), and pointed me towards a myriad of skills I have worked to build ever since my first reading.

(2) In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters and Bob Waterman. In many ways, this book created the genre of business books as a major category. It helped me understand the importance of how to do research and create models, methodologies that have helped me throughout my career – but also the content itself helped me shape my perspectives.

(3) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. A classic in every sense of the word. I continue to work to build and strengthen these habits everyday.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite author, and why?
KEVIN EIKENBERRY: Such hard questions, Debbie! All the authors mentioned in my other answers are on my list of favorite authors, so I will add two not yet mentioned – and both are fiction authors (though you will soon learn I don’t read much fiction anymore): James Michener - I have read most of his epic historical fiction, starting in the 8th grade; and Og Mandino, whose short parable books are among the most memorable and powerful that I have ever read.

QUESTION: What book did you read in high school or college that, to this day, you still remember vividly, and why?
KEVIN EIKENBERRY: Again, narrowing it down to one is difficult, so I will go with the first one I thought of. I was in high school the first time I read See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar. I still have my notes – as my first reading was from a book in the library. I have since (long) learned that some books aren’t best for me to get from the library, but to own so I can mark up, write in, and use - not just read. Zig helped frame my mindset with that book (and so many others), and ultimately getting to know him a bit was a highlight of my professional life.   

QUESTION: Do you intersperse fiction with your business reading? If yes, what was the last work of fiction that you read, and what caught your attention about it?
KEVIN EIKENBERRY: I do not read much fiction, but I am not proud of that fact! Reading about 50 books/year to prepare for my conversations on The Remarkable Leadership Podcast (link below) is one reason, but that's mostly an excuse. Whenever I do read fiction, I gain value from the perspective about human nature and historical contexts, as well as the enjoyment of it.

QUESTION: If you created a nonprofit organization to promote reading to children and young adults, what would you name it, and why?
KEVIN EIKENBERRY: I’ve never thought about this – but promoting reading and literacy is certainly a worthy goal. Since the phrase Reading is FUNdamental is taken, I would want something that spoke to both the value and enjoyment of reading. Either reason for reading is enough, but when you put the lifetime benefits alongside the sheer enjoyment, it is a power life habit. Maybe something like: Read for Fun, Read for Life.

 

SHARE THIS: When you put the lifetime benefits of reading alongside the sheer enjoyment, it is a power life habit. ~@KevinEikenberry #DebbieLaskeysBlog #Reading

My gratitude to Kevin for participating in this year’s fall back to reading series and for sharing his inspiring recommendations!

Image Credit: Gaetano Cessati via Unsplash.

Read Kevin's previous appearance here on my Blog:
Effective Leaders Don't Need to be the Smartest Person in the Room (June 2021)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/06/effective-leaders-dont-need-to-be.html

Connect with Kevin at these links:
Podcast: https://www.RemarkablePodcast.com
Blog: https://KevinEikenberry.com/blog
LinkedIn: https://wwwlinkedin.com/in/kevineikenberry
X (formerly Twitter): @KevinEikenberry
Websites: https://www.KevinEikenberry.com
and https://www.KevinEikenberry.me

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Rosye Cloud

This year, as the seasons change and we enjoy fall, I’ve launched my FALL BACK TO READING SERIES. The series will feature two dozen leadership and marketing experts, who will share their inspiration in both fiction and nonfiction, and hopefully, provide the impetus to read more. To quote New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Harmel, “If you give a person a book, you give him the world.” For today’s post, I’d like to introduce Rosye Cloud.

Rosye Cloud is a social impact entrepreneur who leads STRATA9, a management consulting practice specializing in transformative solutions for not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations. She is a first-generation Hispanic American and former military spouse spending decades supporting military well-being by managing critical social services on military installations and oversight of national programs. Her work to reduce Veteran suicide, eliminate homelessness, increase employment, and ease the strain of transitions led to multiple informed executive orders and wide-reaching, impactful government policy. She speaks on the importance of ethical leadership, increasing equity, and the need for bold strategies to increase American social and economic mobility. As a senior leader and advocate for College Promise programs, she has worked to expand access to post-secondary education programs across 48 states and Washington, D.C. As a public official, she held multiple leadership and management positions, including leading community services in support of NATO and key assignments with the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Management and Budget, and the White House National Security and Domestic Policy Councils as the Director of Policy for Veterans, Wounded, and Military Families.

QUESTION: Which three business books have made the biggest impact on your career?
ROSYE CLOUD: "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, "Deep Work" by Cal Newport, and "Antifragile" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb have been foundational in shaping me and my approach to leadership.  

(1) "Meditations" delves deep into leadership philosophies, emphasizing resilience, ethical leadership, and understanding amidst external chaos, virtues essential for any effective leader. In today's society, the inundation of information and segmentation of work removes accountability and ethics from being top of mind. Written in a journal during his military campaigns, Marcus Aurelius ruminates on philosophical questions concerning our place in the world, the nature of good and evil, and the impermanence of all things. He explores the idea that our reactions, rather than external events themselves, determine our peace and happiness. There's an emphasis on self-discipline, personal ethics, humility, and duty to oneself and others.

Two of my favorite quotes are:

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature."

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."

(2) "Deep Work" accentuates the unmatched value of focused, undisturbed labor in producing quality outcomes. In our age of constant distractions, Newport's emphasis on depth over breadth has immense relevance for leaders aiming to prioritize essential tasks. The notion of mutli-tasking has left far too many, mainly women, exhausted and unable to rally their creative gifts. Leaders are constantly seduced into Shallow Work, believing it vitally necessary. Shallow Work demands minimal cognitive effort and is often performed amidst distractions. While they may seem urgent, they seldom contribute to meaningful and lasting value, gradually diluting our potential for profound achievement. Usually, the satisfaction of crossing off dozens of activities is confused by leaders to be significant, impactful work. In truth, CEOs stuck in this cycle rarely leave.

(3) "Antifragile" is a manual for managing uncertainty and a call to action for leaders to embrace it. Taleb introduces and explores the concept of "antifragility," which he describes as a property of systems that increase in capability, resilience, or robustness as they are exposed to stressors, shocks, volatility, noise, mistakes, faults, attacks, or failures. It's more than just being resilient or robust; antifragile systems improve when exposed to adversity, unlike merely robust systems, which resist breaking. Taleb contrasts this with fragile systems often overoptimized and overprotected, thus succumbing to adverse events and getting worse off rather than better. Throughout the book, he criticizes modern societal and educational systems, seeing them as too focused on order, predictability, and avoiding stressors, thereby becoming more fragile.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite author, and why?
ROSYE CLOUD: Isabel Allende has always resonated deeply with me. Through her vivid and evocative storytelling, she skillfully weaves genuine human experiences, reminding me of the tapestry of our shared histories. Each narrative of hers is a journey brimming with culture, passion, and deep-rooted heritage. Allende's writings are more than just fiction; they serve as a bridge, connecting my present with my ancestral past. For any leader, her works underline the significance of understanding one’s roots to make meaningful connections in an increasingly globalized world.

QUESTION: What book did you read in high school or college that, to this day, you still remember vividly, and why?
ROSYE CLOUD: "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas remains an indelible mark on my memory. Beyond its enthralling narrative, the book is a master class in the human spirit's resilience and capacity for love, understanding, and redemption. Dumas intricately unravels how personal transformation can emerge from deep despair, a lesson in perseverance and hope for any leader. The philosophical questions raised include the moral righteousness of personal vengeance, the effects of prolonged suffering on the human psyche, and the transformative power of knowledge and wealth.

The journey of its central character from darkness to light offers timeless insights into human nature and the fortitude of spirit, reminding leaders of the regenerative power of hope and persistence. I find this book still relevant today, as society struggles with these themes, and we find ourselves more polarized versus united.

QUESTION: Do you intersperse fiction with your business reading? If yes, what was the last work of fiction that you read, and what caught your attention about it?
ROSYE CLOUD: Absolutely, fiction offers nuanced insights into our shared human experiences.

"Circe" by Madeline Miller is a testament to this belief. This retelling of an ancient myth encapsulates the challenges faced by women, especially when thrust into leadership roles. Readers resonate with her transformation, as it mirrors the human experience of growth, self-acceptance, and harnessing inner strength. Her punishment on the island of Aiaia symbolizes the profound human feelings of isolation and loneliness. This theme is deeply relatable, particularly in the digital age, where many feel isolated even in a connected world.

As a mother, I related to her important relationship with her son, Telegonus. The book captures the complexities, challenges, and depths of love associated with motherhood. It touches on the sacrifices made, the fierce protective nature of a mother, and the pain of letting go.

Like Circe, many women leaders tread the fine line between societal expectations and authentic leadership. The tale is a reminder that leadership is an intricate dance between power and vulnerability, with Circe's odyssey echoing the multifaceted challenges faced by women leaders today.

SHARE THIS: Fiction offers nuanced insights into our shared human experiences. ~@RosyeCloud #DebbieLaskeysBlog #Reading

QUESTION: If you created a nonprofit organization to promote reading to children and young adults, what would you name it, and why?
ROSYE CLOUD: If I were to lay the foundation for a nonprofit dedicated to young bibliophiles, it would undoubtedly be christened "EDESEO."

This name, a bilingual blend of 'Education' and 'Deseo' (Spanish for 'desire'), mirrors my grandfather's teachings. He firmly believed in the transformative power of books, instilling in me a fervent desire for continuous learning and growth. He never received a formal education, and into his eighties, he would visit his local library and discount bookstore.

"EDESEO" for me, would be a tribute to his legacy, epitomizing the union of formal education with an intrinsic, burning desire to learn, grow, and evolve.


My gratitude to Rosye for participating in this year’s fall back to reading series and for sharing her inspiring recommendations!

Image Credit: Daniele Levis Pelusi via Unsplash.


Connect with Rosye at these links:
Website: www.rosyecloud.com
X (formerly Twitter): @rosyecloud
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosyecloud

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Ludmila Praslova

This year, as the seasons change and we enjoy fall, I’ve launched my FALL BACK TO READING SERIES. The series will feature two dozen leadership and marketing experts, who will share their inspiration in both fiction and nonfiction, and hopefully, provide the impetus to read more. To quote New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Harmel, “If you give a person a book, you give him the world.” For today’s post, I’d like to introduce Ludmila Praslova.

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, is the author of “The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work” (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, April 2024). A Professor of Graduate Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Accreditation Liaison Officer at Vanguard University of Southern California, she is a global inclusive talent strategy expert with extensive experience in global diversity and neurodiversity. Dr. Praslova is also the editor of “Evidence-Based Organizational Practices for Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity” (Cambridge Scholars, 2023) and the special issue of the Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, “Disability inclusion in the workplace: From “accommodation” to inclusive organizational design.” She regularly writes for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and SHRM blog and is the first person to have published in Harvard Business Review from an autistic perspective.

QUESTION: What book did you read in high school or college that, to this day, you still remember vividly, and why?
LUDMILA PRASLOVA: I was a voracious reader, gifted, autistic, working class, under-challenged by the school curriculum, and feeling out of place in the mundane world of chores and responsibilities. I read everything I could get my hands on. I raised myself on a combination of French adventure, British romanticism, loosely defined, Russian poetry, and a good dose of everything else. My middle school and early high school reading was everything by Alexandre Dumas, read over and over again (The Three Musketeers, in particular), plus the poetry of Robert Burns and Mikhail Lermontov. But in the later part of High School and college, I graduated to The Soul Enchanted by Romain Rolland, a much more mature read with themes of gender roles, economic inequality, WW1 – and also incredibly vivid details in descriptions of human emotions and nature.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite author, and why?
LUDMILA PRASLOVA: Defined as the author that most impacted my formative years from about 10 to 20 years old by a wide margin, Alexandre Dumas. I am not sure why. I think the extraordinary richness of his imagination opened up multiple worlds to play in, and presented a fleshed-out cast of distinct, powerful characters to get to know.

SHARE THIS: The extraordinary richness of Dumas' imagination opened up multiple worlds to play in. ~@LudmilaPraslova #DebbieLaskeysBlog #ReadingOpensMinds

QUESTION: Which three business books have made the biggest impact on your career?
LUDMILA PRASLOVA: Considering my early reading list, to even have a career in a world that had very little to do with honor, chivalry, and adventure, I NEEDED help with getting my head out of the clouds and at least somewhat into reality. For that, I should credit Dale Carnegie and How to Win Friends and Influence People. I probably owe this book my ability to keep a job and understand the basic American practicalities of life.

A business classic I keep referring to in my work as an Organizational Psychologist is Deming’s Out of the Crisis. Deming’s thinking transcends times and cultures and points to foundational truths about organizational functioning.  

Finally, a recent favorite business book that is quite close to my own genre of justice and inclusion in the workplace is Winning with Underdogs: How Hiring the Least Likely Candidates Can Spark Creativity, Improve Service, and Boost Profits for Your Business by Gil Winch. This book is focused on creating workplaces that welcome disabled and other marginalized people, and is written with a passion for justice and humanity rarely found in business books.

QUESTION: Do you intersperse fiction with your business reading? If yes, what was the last work of fiction that you read, and what caught your attention about it?
LUDMILA PRASLOVA: Not necessarily the last, but pretty recent: Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao. I think I saw an excerpt on Goodreads and HAD to read it. It is a hard, painful story, and mournfully beautiful. The raw power of Rao’s writing and her exposure of the glaring injustices of the world, along with very relatable characters, and the glimmers of good among the horrors of poverty and abuse are hard to describe. Think Victor Hugo and Dostoevsky, but set in modern India and the US, and undeniably female.

QUESTION: If you created a nonprofit organization to promote reading to children and young adults, what would you name it, and why?
LUDMILA PRASLOVA: Probably Journeys, to stress the many worlds opened up by reading.


My gratitude to Ludmila for participating in this year’s fall back to reading series and for sharing her inspiring recommendations!

Image Credit: Amazon.


I "met" Ludmila after reading her article entitled, "The Radical Promise of Truly Flexible Work" in the Harvard Business Review in August 2023 - here's the link:
https://hbr.org/2023/08/the-radical-promise-of-truly-flexible-work


Connect with Ludmila at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludmila-praslova
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/ludmila-n-praslova-phd
FastCompany: https://www.fastcompany.com/user/ludmilapraslova
The SHRM Blog: https://blog.shrm.org/author/1451
Vanguard University: https://www.vanguard.edu/about/vunews/posts/~board/news/post/this-is-ludmila-praslova

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Russel Lolacher

This year, as the seasons change and we enjoy fall, I’ve launched my FALL BACK TO READING SERIES. The series will feature two dozen leadership and marketing experts, who will share their inspiration in both fiction and nonfiction, and hopefully, provide the impetus to read more. To quote New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Harmel, “If you give a person a book, you give him the world.” For today’s post, I’d like to introduce Russel Lolacher.

Russel Lolacher is an international speaker and founder and host of Relationships at Work, the leadership guide to creating a workplace we love, a show digging into timely and relevant topics with global experts on how to create healthy organizations. He’s held successful leadership and communication roles for almost 25 years, retaining one team for almost 12 years. His work in building employee and customer trust has been recognized on international stages, in multiple publications, and as a 4-time-named Top Thought Leader by the International Customer Management Institute (ICMI).

QUESTION: Which three business books have made the biggest impact on your career?
RUSSEL LOLACHER: In no particular order but certainly all sharing a profound impact on how I viewed work relationships and motivation.

(1) Start With Why by Simon Sinek. Motivated by seeing his TEDTalk on the Golden Circle, this book hit me at a time in my life where I felt my communication was very much 'going through the motions.' It seemed for anyone I was writing for (including myself), it was only about the what and the how aka 'we’re awesome and look how awesome we are!' This book took away that default and helped me see the importance of purpose, not only in telling our stories but also in building connections with audiences. It was a 180-degree shift in how I did my work and helped others.

(2) The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott. I was a year or two out of my communications degree, looking to apply it in the business world. I had a background in traditional PR with news releases and media advisories but hadn’t really considered the social media thing. This was a paradigm shift. I’ve always been motivated by talking WITH rather than talking AT people, and this book gave me the inspiration and blueprint to use new platforms in ways most weren’t. To try something new. I devoured this book and used it to fuel multiple 'spaghetti against the wall' tests in engagement and community building.

(3) How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I’ve often said this is the best digital engagement, leadership, customer service, and community building book that I’ve ever read. Even though it was written in 1936, the idea to design our communication and relationship building by considering others is timeless. Whether you show genuine interest, give sincere appreciation, or become a good listener, etc., I would dare to say reading this book inspired me to be more human-centric and enter communications as a career.

SHARE THIS: I’ve always been motivated by talking WITH rather than talking AT people. ~@RussLoL #DebbieLaskeysBlog #Marketing #PR

QUESTION: Who is your favorite author, and why?
RUSSEL LOLACHER: Adam Grant. He’s killing it with book after book on how to view the world and our interactions with each other differently. He could be stuffy with all the research he does, but instead, I love how relatable, accessible, and relevant he is, and regularly gives me pause to think how I could show up better. Adding some of his self-deprecating personality, and open-ness to question some of his own ideas, and I’m a fan.

QUESTION: What book did you read in high school or college that, to this day, you still remember vividly, and why?
RUSSEL LOLACHER: Hamlet. I know, I know, it’s a play. But it was the first time I remember really digging into the depths and layers of a book. We spent a quarter of our school year just focusing on this work of Shakespeare: playing out scenes, discussing motivations, watching different interpretations of the play.

It opened my eyes to deeper storytelling and complexities of character that I wasn’t used to and actually inspired me to want to read more. It’s rare that we consume literature at this level, and it’s one of best reading experiences I’ve ever had. You’re making me want to go and read more fiction now.

SHARE THIS: Reading Hamlet opened my eyes to deeper storytelling...and inspired me to want to read more. ~@RussLoL #DebbieLaskeysBlog #Reading

QUESTION: Do you intersperse fiction with your business reading? If yes, what was the last work of fiction that you read, and what caught your attention about it?
RUSSEL LOLACHER: Speaking of reading more fiction...You caught me. I really don’t. It’s a space that I haven’t explored much as an adult. I’m looking at a sword and sandal type book right now on my book shelf, gathering dust. I certainly find my fiction in other forms of entertainment, but it’s often a regret that I don’t dip my toe into more varied and fantastic storytelling. Maybe this conversation will finally push me to get back into it.

(Note from Debbie: I definitely hope so, Russel!)

QUESTION: If you created a nonprofit organization to promote reading to children and young adults, what would you name it, and why?
RUSSEL LOLACHER: Bound to Happen.

Why? Even though it’s a fun play on words, I like the idea that, eventually, children and young adults will understand that one of, if not THE, best source for new ideas and stories come from books. And further to the BOUND comment, I like reinforcing that it’s been shown that physical (not digital) books actually help with retention. What better way to get lost in a book?


My gratitude to Russel for participating in this year’s fall back to reading series and for sharing his inspiring recommendations!

Image Credit: Max Muselmann via Unsplash.

Read Russel's previous appearance here on my Blog:
Tips to Improve Your Brand's Employee Experience (September 2021)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/09/tips-to-improve-your-brands-employee.html

Connect with Russel at these links:
Podcast: https://relationshipsatwork.buzzsprout.com/share
Website: www.russellolacher.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/relationships-at-work-show
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relationshipsatwork
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@relationshipsatwork

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring Lee Goldberg

This year, as the seasons change and we enjoy fall, I’ve launched my FALL BACK TO READING SERIES. The series will feature two dozen leadership and marketing experts, who will share their inspiration in both fiction and nonfiction, and hopefully, provide the impetus to read more. To quote New York Times Bestselling author Kristin Harmel, “If you give a person a book, you give him the world.” For today’s post, I’d like to introduce Lee Goldberg.

However, before I introduce Lee, I need to set the stage. I have been a fan of television police and lawyer dramas for a long time, but when the show MONK starring Tony Shalhoub appeared in 2002, I was immediately hooked. Monk was a character that quickly became a member of my family, and when the series ended in 2009, I was very sad. But then, as an answer to my prayers, author Lee Goldberg started writing books to continue Monk's adventures. I read all the books and met Lee at a book signing in Southern California. So, I'm honored to include Lee in my Fall Back to Reading Series, to introduce you to him, and to share his insights.

Lee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nearly 40 novels, including Malibu Burning, Lost Hills, 15 Monk mysteries, five Fox & O'Hare adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Calico (published in November 2023). He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, Monk, The Glades, and co-created the hit Hallmark series Mystery 101. He's also the co-founder of Brash Books, which has published over 100 crime novels and thrillers.

QUESTION: Which three business books have made the biggest impact on your career?
LEE GOLDBERG: I'm a writer/producer, so these aren't business-books in the strict-sense of the term. These are books about a career in writing. I'd recommend Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block, Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman, and Storytellers to the Nation by Tom Stempel.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite author, and why?
LEE GOLDBERG: That is such a tough question. But I guess it would have to be Larry McMurtry, and specifically his novel Lonesome Dove, my favorite book. He imbues all his characters, even the "bad guys," with humanity and humor. When I say "humanity," I don't mean sensitivity, warmth, and kindness, but with emotions, and with their own hopes, dreams, and tragedies. There's an amiability to all of his characters that gives his stories an incredible richness.

But if you asked me this question tomorrow, I could easily give you a different answer based on whatever I'm reading. Right now, I'm loving Mick Herron's spy novels...and nobody writes police procedurals better than Michael Connelly.

QUESTION: What book did you read in high school or college that, to this day, you still remember vividly, and why?
LEE GOLDBERG: I read Elmore Leonard, Robert Ludlum, Robert B. Parker, Ian Fleming, John Irving, Larry McMurtry...so many, many authors. But the book that changed my life, because it made me believe I could be an author myself, was Gregory MacDonald's Fletch.

That's not because it was great literature. It was popcorn. But it was a novel driven almost entirely by dialogue that was so good, a page of it was reproduced on the cover. Seeing how he used dialogue to reveal character and move the story forward was a revelation to me - it was the first time I believed that yes, I could do this.

QUESTION: Do you intersperse fiction with your business reading? If yes, what was the last work of fiction that you read, and what caught your attention about it?
LEE GOLDBERG: For me, the question should be reversed, so that's what I will do. The last business book I read was Running the Show by Jeff Melvoin. It's a long overdue, nuts-and-bolts guide to TV showrunning that should be required reading before any writer-producer is put in charge of a TV series. I'll go further than that. Every TV writer who joins the WGA should get a copy of this book with their membership card so that they understand exactly what they are getting into. And the book should also be required reading for network and studio executives, many of whom, it would surprise you to learn, don't actually realize what goes into producing a TV series (ignorance often reflected in their notes).

QUESTION: If you created a nonprofit organization to promote reading to children and young adults, what would you name it, and why?
LEE GOLDBERG: "Adventures In Another World" because that's what books are. They transport you to another world, to another time and place. It's virtual reality without the headset, software, and equipment. And you can do it anywhere.

SHARE THIS: Books transport you to another world, to another time and place. ~@LeeGoldberg #DebbieLaskeysBlog #Reading

Did this Q&A make you want to be a TV writer? My gratitude to Lee for participating in this year’s fall back to reading series and for sharing his inspiring recommendations!

Image Credit: Debbie Laskey's Library.

Connect with Lee at these links:
Website: www.leegoldberg.com
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/LeeGoldberg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLeeGoldberg

Check out Lee's previous appearance here on this Blog:
Leadership in the Most Unsuspected Places (January 2012)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2012/01/leadership-in-most-unsuspected-places.html