Business Books & Co.

[S5E8] What You Need to Know About AI with James Wang

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0000

Although the field of Artificial Intelligence has been around since the 1950s, it's only in the last few years, with the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs), that the general public has truly taken notice. Apps based on LLMs, like ChatGPT, have already upended the labor market, creating productivity gains in some roles, while eliminating others. In James Wang's new book, What You Need to Know About AI, he walks us through not only how modern machine learning works, but also what one needs to know to stay competitive in an AI-inclusive world. The book provides a wide perspective including historical context, practical advice, recent developments, and enough technical explanation to give everyone a sense of the possibilities and limits of this exciting technology. Join us as we talk to James about the book and this transformative time for our economy.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and free credits toward an audio book.

Show Notes

What You Need to Know About AI via Amazon
Weighty Thoughts
James on X

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E7] Influence by Robert Cialdini

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:26:57 -0000

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini is one of the best-selling books on social psychology of all-time. Influence explains the essential ingredients that make what it calls "compliance professionals" (salespeople, marketers, negotiators) successful. Namely, seven levers of influence: reciprocation, liking, social proof, authority, scarcity, commitment, and unity. In this episode we’ll walk through all seven levers, share some of Cialdini’s memorable examples of each, and some areas where they have applied in our own careers. We’ll also discuss the merits of the book as a whole and what we most got out of reading Influence.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and free credits toward an audio book like Influence.

Show Notes

Influence by Robert Cialdini via Amazon
Season 4 Episode 1 How to Win Friends and Influence People via Business Books & Co.

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E6] The Man Who Solved the Market

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 21:32:44 -0000

The development of quantitative trading has led to an enormous accumulation of wealth amongst a few large hedge funds. A pioneer in this space was Renaissance Technologies and its founder, Jim Simons. Instead of relying on traditional financial metrics and corporate news, quantitative models, like those utilized at Renaissance, look at much larger swaths of data fed into sophisticated machine learning algorithms. In this episode we discuss The Man Who Solved the Market: How Jim Simons Launched the Quant Revolution by Gregory Zuckerman. Join us as to learn about how quantitative investing has changed the financial sector.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and free credits toward an audio book like The Man Who Solved the Market.

Show Notes

The Man Who Solved the Market via Amazon
Renaissance Technologies via Wikipedia

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E5] Apple in China with Patrick McGee

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:36:00 -0000

Apple has deeply intertwined its business with the People’s Republic of China. In Apple in China, this fraught relationship is explored, including its implications for the future of manufacturing, high technology, and Apple’s survival. It's a deep investigative book on an under-reported subject, that's not afraid to dig into the history of Apple, the intricacies of manufacturing, and complex geopolitics. We were pleased to be joined by the author, Patrick McGee, who walked us through the highlights of his narrative.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and free credits toward an audio book like Apple in China.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E4] Source Code by Bill Gates

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 12:00:17 -0000

Bill Gates is known as the aggressive businessman who brought us Microsoft and pioneered the modern software business. But in his recent memoir, Source Code, we discover Trey, the kid with bad grades who resents his parents' authority. From childhood misfit to precocious teenage prodigy, he was a young person who never quite fit in but always had ambition. Source Code takes us through Bill Gates’s childhood, early entrepreneurial ventures, schooling, and the early years of Microsoft. Join us as we discuss the young Bill Gates.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and free credits toward an audio book like Source Code.

Show Notes

Source Code by Bill Gates via Amazon
BASIC: The Democratization of Computing via Kopec Explains Software
Pirates of Silicon Valley via Amazon
Idea Man by Paul Allen via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E3] Doom Guy with John Romero

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0000

John Romero is widely regarded as one of the greatest game developers of all time. In his 2023 autobiography, Doom Guy: Life in First Person, he recounts his journey from a sometimes difficult upbringing to the heights of fame and fortune. An award-winning game designer and programmer, Romero is the co-creator of some of the most influential games of all-time, including the genre-defining Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake. While well known as an innovator in the PC, mobile, and social gaming spaces, Doom Guy also reveals Romero as an inspired and relentless entrepreneur who built the teams, culture, and business models required to create legendary games. We were privileged to be joined by John on the podcast to discuss his life, career, and of course, Doom Guy.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and free credits toward an audio book like Doom Guy, narrated by John Romero himself.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E2] Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:23:40 -0000

Daniel Kahneman is an award winning psychologist who made Nobel Prize winning contributions to the field of behavioral economics. In Thinking, Fast and Slow he recounts his research journey and makes digestible to the reader some of the key insights that may help them improve their decision making. Kahneman’s book introduced many now common terms into popular culture and helped illuminate the cognitive biases that we all face both at work and in our personal lives. Instead of tediously covering every facet of this long and sophisticated work, in this episode we will delve into the ideas that we found most interesting and that we think you can apply to your work and financial lives.

Thank you to our friends at Audible for sponsoring this episode. Check out AudibleTrial.com/biz for a 30-day free trial of Audible and credits towards a free audiobook.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S5E1] The Juggling Act with Pat Gelsinger

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 19:21:58 -0000

Silicon legend Pat Gelsinger joins us to discuss his book The Juggling Act: Bringing Balance to Your Faith, Family, and Work. How do you live a balanced life, including prioritizing your faith and family, while achieving ambitious goals in the workplace? Pat, the former CEO of Intel, provides key strategies and insights that can help any working professional master the juggling act. We also discuss with Pat the appropriate place for faith and politics in the workplace.

Show Notes

The Juggling Act by Pat Gelsinger via Amazon
Pat Gelsinger on X
Pat Gelsinger on LinkedIn

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E10] Season 4 Finale

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Season 4 of Business Books & Co. was comprised of nine highly regarded books, three author interviews, and one special guest. Join us as we look back at the highs and lows of the past season of the show. And we won't hold back—we'll tell you the books we loved, but also the ones we didn't. Plus we'll tell you what we're planning for season 5!

We want to hear from you! Please fill out the feedback form linked below.

Show Notes

Season 4 Feedback Form via Google Forms
Thinking Fast & Slow by Daniel Kahneman via Amazon (our first book of Season 5)
Wrestling with Life by George Reinitz via Amazon (David K's pick)
The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman via Amazon (David S's pick)
Devolution by Max Brooks via Amazon (Kevin's pick)
Business Books & Co. on YouTube

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E9] Atomic Habits by James Clear

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:09:31 -0000

First released in 2018, Atomic Habits by James Clear has quickly become one of the best-selling self-help books of all-time. Clear meticulously studied the psychology and practical side of forming good habits and eliminating bad habits. He then created an easy-to-read how-to manual that can be applied to just about any habit. We discuss the book's key takeaways and how they apply to our careers and personal lives.

Show Notes

Atomic Habits by James Clear via Amazon
Atomic Habits Website

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[S4E8] Reminiscences of a Stock Operator with Brad Mills

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 01:24:11 -0000

There are timeless principles that underlie stock trading. In this episode we discuss Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, considered by many to be a classic work in the space. First published in 1923, Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefevre is a fictionalized biography based on the career of legendary stock trader Jesse Livermore. Through the first-person recounting of protagonist Lawrence Livingston’s career, Lefevre imparts hard won stock trading lessons. Through many booms and busts Livingston grows and forms a deeper understanding of the principles that underlie the market as well as the forces that propel it. The fictionalized biography has minimal personal anecdotes, concentrating almost wholly on Livingston’s career and the events that shape the US economy during his exploits from the 1890s through to the 1920s.

We were pleased to be joined by investor and entrepreneur Brad Mills on this episode, a huge fan of the book.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E7] Becoming Trader Joe with Patty Civalleri

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:03:42 -0000

Trader Joe's is an iconic American grocery chain. And yes, there was an actual Trader Joe. In this episode we interview Patty Civalleri, the co-author with Joe Coulombe of Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys. Founded as a small chain in California in the 1960s, Trader Joe’s has gone on to become one the most unique and influential grocery retailers in the United States. Through that journey of growth, Joe Coulombe, its founder, battled government regulations, competitors, and many preconceived notions about how a grocery store should operate.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E6] Am I Being Too Subtle? by Sam Zell

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:02:33 -0000

We discuss the 2017 memoir Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel by Sam Zell. Zell was the billionaire founder of Equity Residential, Equity International, and EQ Office. In addition he had controlling interests in several other large enterprises, perhaps most controversially Tribune Media. Am I Being Too Subtle? describes Zell’s upbringing, career, business philosophy, and success transforming troubled assets into productive capital.

Show Notes

Am I Being Too Subtle? by Sam Zell via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E5] Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 05:59:35 -0000

Love him or hate him, Elon Musk is perhaps the most accomplished and influential leader in today's business landscape. Dive into the definitive biography, Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, on our latest episode. Spanning 700 pages, this epic authorized account lays bare the polarizing man behind the innovations, exposing both triumphs and flaws. We dissect the biography's strengths and weaknesses, and discuss how it sheds light on the controversies encircling Musk. What insights does the book offer about Musk's persona, both personally and as a manager? Join us for an immersive exploration into Isaacson's detailed narrative, as we share our thoughts on the best book about this multifaceted personality.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E4] The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs with Carmine Gallo

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:59:35 -0000

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience by Carmine Gallo is a self-help book for anyone who regularly makes presentations. Whether you're an executive, analyst, marketer, or teacher this book will help you improve the impression you make on an audience. By utilizing the legendary keynotes of Steve Jobs as a model, the book presents tips, tricks, and technical techniques to make better slides, tell a better story, and captivate any crowd. We are pleased to be joined by the author of The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, Carmine Gallo.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E3] How the Internet Happened with Brian McCullough

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

How the Internet Happened: From Netscape to the iPhone by Brian McCullough is a history of the companies, entrepreneurs, technologists, and financiers who launched the modern online world. Covering the years 1993 to 2008, this sweeping volume helps the reader understand not only who the important players were in fostering online communities, e-commerce, social networks, and connected mobile computing, but also the context from which they emerged. We are pleased to be joined by the author of How the Internet Happened, Brian McCullough.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E2] The Lean Startup

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:54:44 -0000

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is a modern management classic. It's about bringing the scientific method to the forefront at the start of a new enterprise. Instead of following a classic waterfall development methodology, Ries emphasizes the importance of building quick MVPs that are easily testable based on actionable metrics. Although just a dozen years old, The Lean Startup philosophy has already gone from controversial to common wisdom. In this episode we’ll break down the key ideas and terminology that the book has popularized.

Show Notes

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S4E1] How to Win Friends and Influence People

Mon, 01 May 2023 13:40:26 -0000

This month we read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. First published in the 1930s, How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the most popular self-help books of all time. Carnegie’s suggestions for how to achieve the title’s objective are largely based on anecdotal wisdom, but the anecdotes are numerous and often hard to argue with. While some of the advice is old-fashioned, and much of it is common sense, the vast majority of the outlayed principles have stood the test of time. In this episode we systematically discuss every major principle in the book and explain how they have applied in our own lives.

We apologize about some minor audio issues in this episode.

Show Notes

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E10] Season 3 Finale

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 23:13:24 -0000

Season 3 was a landmark season for our show. We read some amazing books and interviewed some award-winning authors. In this episode we discuss the highlights of Season 3. We pick the best and worst books we read. And we provide a behind the scenes look at our author interviews. Plus, we preview Season 4.

Show Notes

Season 3 Listener Survey via Google Forms
David Kopec on Return to the Little Kingdom via CFO Bookshelf
David Short on Nostr: npub1fl8yl9m9n6mn9c90drxhltylgph3vtcguzlzdq9uth4pd7nnnzgsyweqxm

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E9] Layered Money with Nik Bhatia

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 01:50:05 -0000

Layered Money: From Gold and Dollars to Bitcoin and Central Bank Digital Currencies by Nik Bhatia is one of the most popular books in the world of bitcoin. But it's much more than that. The first half of the book is a history of monetary systems. This sets the stage for a dive into the world of bitcoin, including what makes it special and how it differs from the currencies that preceded it. Finally, Layered Money takes the reader through current developments in the Bitcoin world and how central banks will likely respond to it with their own digital currencies. We are pleased to be joined by the author of Layered Money, Nik Bhatia.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E8] Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 23:34:54 -0000

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. is an epic biography of the industrialist by acclaimed author Ron Chernow. Rockefeller was the founder of Standard Oil, a company that was notorious for its monopolization of the oil industry in the late 19th century. An adept businessman and talented strategist, Rockefeller was demonized throughout his career for his sometimes brutal tactics. During the latter half of his life, Rockefeller became America’s foremost philanthropist, establishing a pattern of giving that has been emulated by many later tycoons. In this episode we’ll discuss John D. Rockefeller’s life, work, the economics of the late 19th century oil industry, and the lasting legacy of Standard Oil.

Show Notes

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow via Amazon
Ron Chernow via Wikipedia

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E7] Never Split the Difference with Chris Voss

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 01:17:16 -0000

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It is considered one of the best books of all time on negotiation. Instead of focusing on economic theory or game theory, it focuses on practical techniques and psychological insight. Voss uses anecdotes from his career as an international hostage negotiator for the FBI to enliven the narrative while alternating with everyday business negotiation scenarios. We are thrilled to be joined by author Chris Voss to discuss his book.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E6] The Founders with Jimmy Soni

Fri, 06 May 2022 23:53:37 -0000

The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley is a comprehensive portrait of the early era of PayPal—predominantly focused on the years between its founding in 1998 and its sale to eBay in 2002. A deeply researched and well written narrative, The Founders provides the backstory of the group of individuals who became known as “The PayPal mafia.” We are privileged to be joined by the book’s author, Jimmy Soni.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E5] King of Capital

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 02:09:34 -0000

King of Capital: The Remarkable Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Steve Schwarzman and Blackstone by David Carey and John Morris is more than just a book about Blackstone—it’s a history of private equity. Carey and Morris explain the sometimes esoteric world of this segment of high finance. They recount its cycles of booms and busts from the 1980s through the 2010s, and explain how Blackstone navigated the sometimes tumultuous waters to ultimately become one of the most influential alternative investment management companies in the world. In this episode we explain the basics of private equity and discuss the history of the private equity as recounted in the book.

Show Notes

King of Capital via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E4] The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 01:34:51 -0000

In The Hard Thing About Hard Things, venture capitalist Ben Horowitz recounts lessons he learned about how to run a Silicon Valley startup, largely from his time as the CEO of Loudcloud, which later became Opsware. Horowitz provides specific advice about hiring, firing, managing emotions, handling growth, deciding whether or not to sell, and everything in-between. His thoughts are sometimes unconventional and often punctuated by relevant anecdotes from his experience as a CEO or venture capitalist.

Show Notes

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E3] Instant: The Story of Polaroid with Christopher Bonanos

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 22:08:15 -0000

Instant: The Story of Polaroid covers the rise, heyday, and decline of Polaroid Corporation. It has a particular focus on the personality and management style of Edwin Land, Polaroid’s innovative and dynamic founder, who was an inspiration to Steve Jobs. Polaroid’s niche in the marketplace and the strategic mistakes that led to Polaroid’s decline are other major themes of the book. We were pleased to be joined by the book’s author, Christopher Bonanos, for an interview about his work.

Show Notes

Instant: The Story of Polaroid by Christopher Bonanos via Amazon
Christopher Bonanos on Twitter
Flash: The Making of Weegee the Famous by Christopher Bonanos via Amazon

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E2] Measure What Matters by John Doerr

Sat, 13 Nov 2021 03:40:55 -0000

Measure What Matters, by venture capitalist John Doerr, is about OKRs—Objectives and Key Results—an approach to goal setting. Doerr evangelizes the use of OKRs and explains how they can help any organization better align its direction and continually evaluate its success. OKRs are a simple concept, but the book elucidates them with many anecdotes about their use in varying organizations, including startups, large corporations, and charities. We discuss the key takeaways from the book and how they're applicable to our careers. By the end of the episode you'll have a strong understanding of OKRs.

Show Notes

Edited by Giacomo Guatteri

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[S3E1] Liftoff with Eric Berger

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 21:00:09 -0000

We interviewed Eric Berger, the author of Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX. It's about the journey of grit, resilience, and unbridled optimism that turned a scrappy startup into the premier space company of the 21st century. Eric utilized full access at SpaceX to get the inside story from employees and Elon Musk himself. Most of the book focuses on the exciting early period of SpaceX from 2002 - 2009 when there were experimental rockets, tropical islands, and even some explosions.

We also welcomed our new co-host, Kevin Hudak, and learned more about his background. Welcome to the show, Kevin!

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S2E12] Season 2 Finale

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 23:48:38 -0000

Over the past year we've read some fantastic books... and some that were not so fantastic. In this episode we break down the best and worst books of season 2. We also discuss our picks by category including entrepreneurship, career, and story. Finally, we have a meta discussion about the show and say goodbye to our valued co-host, Eli.

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S2E11] Amazon Unbound

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 15:06:33 -0000

Amazon Unbound is the story of how Jeff Bezos has managed his business empire over the past decade. It picks up where author Brad Stone’s last Amazon book, The Everything Store, left off circa 2013. Stone chronicles Bezos’s incredible attention to detail on Amazon projects like the Echo and the Fire Phone, as well as his stewardship of The Washington Post and Blue Origin; and controversies from his personal life. We get an inside look into the trials, triumphs, and tribulations of this living legend and the organizations he runs.

Show Notes

Amazon Unbound by Brad Stone via Amazon
Eli's Dog's Instagram

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[S2E10] Radical Candor

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 02:02:00 -0000

This month we read Radical Candor by Kim Scott, a people management guide developed through Scott’s years of working as a manager in high tech. Scott led the AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google and served as a faculty member at Apple University. Radical Candor is about fostering relationships where people sincerely care about one another but are also able to challenge each other directly. The book is a guide to developing these relationships in the workplace while avoiding the traps of ruinous empathy, manipulative insincerity, and obnoxious aggression. We discuss the key takeaways from the book and how they relate to our own career experiences.

Show Notes

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[S2E9] Brick by Brick

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 23:02:59 -0000

This month we read Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry by David C. Robertson and Bill Breen. After facing lackluster growth in the 1990s, iconic toy brand LEGO undertook a program of radical innovation under a turnaround artist CEO. Unfortunately, the turnaround resulted in an even worse situation, with LEGO facing a deficit so large in 2003 that it threatened the survival of the company. Brick by Brick is about how LEGO turned around the turnaround by focusing on its core product and thoughtfully choosing sustainable innovation initiatives. Today, LEGO is one of the most valuable brands in the world.

We were privileged in this episode to be joined by special guest Cory Cunningham, Senior Manager of Global Insights at The LEGO Group. Cory's opinions were his own and not representative of his employer.

Show Notes

Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry by David Robertson and Bill Breen via Amazon
Radical Candor by Kim Scott via Amazon
Gold Diggers: A Novel by Sanjena Sathian via Amazon (Eli's plug)

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[S2E8] Lift Off: The Story of Conzerv

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:33:41 -0000

When Hema Hattangady became the CEO of Bangalore, India based Conzerv in 1996, it was a struggling producer of energy meters. Over the next decade Hattangady led the transformation of Conzerv from a family-owned enterprise with $1 million in revenue into one of India’s leading energy management corporations. In 2009 the company was acquired by Schneider Electric. In Lift Off, Hattangady tells the story of Conzerv’s transformation.

Show Notes

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[S2E7] No Filter

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 00:16:27 -0000

No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram by Sarah Frier covers Instagram’s rise from a two-person startup to the second largest social network in the world. Along the way, Frier explores Instagram influencers, the network’s effect on teens, and its sometimes rocky existence within the confines of its parent company, Facebook. Frier had significant access to key players in the story and chose to spotlight the relationship between Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. We discussed the book, its key takeaways, and our own use of Instagram.

Show Notes

No Filter by Sarah Frier via Amazon
Instagram via Wikipedia
David K's Review of No Filter
Article about Sanjena Sathian's Novel 'Gold Diggers' going to TV

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[S2E6] Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 22:53:38 -0000

Shoe Dog is a memoir by Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. Knight recounts building Nike on a shoestring budget by importing shoes from a Japanese manufacturer, battling banks and supply issues to grow the company, innovating with their own designs, and sustaining the morale of a motley crew of colleagues through the process. We discuss Knight’s powerful memoir and its insight into entrepreneurship, managing growth, and finding your mission in life.

Show Notes

Shoe Dog via Amazon
Phil Knight via Wikipedia

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[S2E5] No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 20:30:27 -0000

No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer goes into the details of Netflix's corporate culture of "Freedom and Responsibility." Hastings and Meyer relate how Netflix achieved this culture, and espouse its many supposed benefits. It includes some controversial policies (or lack thereof) and harsh realities for employees. In this episode we discuss the tenets of Netflix's corporate culture, including talent density, candor, no approvals required, and more. We relate them to our own experiences, and discuss their applicability to businesses other than Netflix.

Show Notes

No Rules Rules via Amazon
Erin Meyer via Wikipedia
Reed Hastings via Wikipedia
Netflix vs. the World documentary via Amazon
David Kopec's Review of No Rules Rules

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[S2E4] Tape Sucks

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 06:22:45 -0000

Data Domain was an innovator in the data backup market, and Frank Slootman was its CEO from 2003 until its acquisition in 2009 by EMC. Data Domain used a technique known as data deduplication to make hard disks a viable backup medium for replacing traditional tape based backup solutions. Slootman wrote Tape Sucks as a series of short advice vignettes from one successful startup CEO to others managing high growth ventures. In each short chapter Slootman tackles one subject and tries to get his point across with an anecdote from Data Domain. In this episode we discuss Tape Sucks, Data Domain, and Slootman's advice.

Show Notes

Tape Sucks via Amazon
Data Domain via Wikipedia
Magnetic tape data storage via Wikipedia
Data deduplication via Wikipedia
Amp It Up! a blog post on LinkedIn by Frank Slootman mentioned in the episode
On Taking Criticism David Kopec's blog post that he plugged in the episode

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[S2E3] Let It Go by Stephanie Shirley

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 05:13:53 -0000

Stephanie Shirley has been a pioneer all of her life. After coming to England as a child refugee from Nazi Germany, she started one of the first software consulting firms, Freelance Programmers. But it was first in a number of other ways too. It was almost entirely run by women, despite discrimination against women in the technology industry. Its business model, employing women in their free time to do programming tasks, was a predecessor to today's "gig economy." In her memoir, Let It Go, Shirley not only recounts her entrepreneurship journey, but also her concurrent personal struggles including bringing up her child with severe developmental difficulties. Shirley went on to become one of the leading figures in philanthropy in Britain. Shirley concludes her memoir by explaining her philanthropic philosophy and the strategies that have tied her many successes together. In this episode, we discuss this raw, honest, and profound memoir.

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S2E2] Creativity Inc.

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 00:00:18 -0000

This month we read Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace. Ed Catmull was the cofounder and longtime president of Pixar. Part memoir and part advice for managers of creatives, Creativity Inc. tells the story of Pixar from dream to animation powerhouse. Then it gets into Catmull’s strategies for managing Pixar’s creative success. We discuss the history of Pixar, our key takeaways from the book, and instances of its lessons in our own careers.

Show Notes

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[S2E1] The Power of Broke

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 01:03:52 -0000

Daymond John is best known as an investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, but he is also the award winning fashion designer who founded the multi-billion dollar brand FUBU. In The Power of Broke, Daymond explains the strategies that helped him start FUBU, with almost no resources, out of his mom’s house in Hollis, Queens. He then examines the stories of other entrepreneurs who started from nothing.

In our season 2 opener, we welcome our new co-host, Eli. We discuss the key lessons Daymond is trying to impart. Finally, we recall our favorite (and least favorite) entrepreneurship stories from the book.

Show Notes

The Power of Broke via Amazon
Daymond John on Wikipedia
Insights from The Power of Broke by David Short
Eli's Travel Blog
MacHeist on Wikipedia
Dart for Absolute Beginners via Amazon
Creativity Inc. via Amazon

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E14] Season 1 Recap

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:45:15 -0000

We recap the qualities of some of the books we read over the last year in Season 1 of Business Books & Co. Each of us discuss our favorite and least favorite books. We say goodbye to one of our co-hosts, but we will be back next month to start Season 2!

You can find our book list from the last year on our website.

Other books we recommended:

Made in America recommended by David Short
One from Many recommended by David Short
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter recommended by Molson
Alchemy recommended by Molson
Game Over recommended by David Kopec
Creative Selection recommended by David Kopec

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E13] Only the Paranoid Survive

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 19:26:09 -0000

13. Only the Paranoid Survive

This month we read the 1997 book Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove. Grove was the long-time storied CEO of Intel. Only the Paranoid Survive is about strategic inflection points in a business. Grove explains how to detect these events, how to respond to them, and recites some war stories. We discuss the book, some strategic inflection points in our own industries, and the computer business during Grove's tenure at Intel.

Show Notes

Andy Grove on Wikipedia
Only the Paranoid Survive on Amazon
The Right to a Nonconsensus Opinion by Molson Hart
Products & Payments by David Short
Kopec Explains Software by David Kopec

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E12] Zero to One

Thu, 21 May 2020 06:00:06 -0000

12. Zero to One

We discuss the 2014 book Zero to One by Peter Thiel. In Zero to One, Thiel, a cofounder of Paypal and Palantir, as well as an early investor in Facebook, describes what conditions make for a great startup. Part history lesson, part economics lesson, and part business advice, Zero to One is a succinct book full of powerful ideas.

Show Notes

Zero to One via Amazon
Peter Thiel via Wikipedia

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E11] Iacocca: An Autobiography

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 03:11:01 -0000

11. Iacocca: An Autobiography

Lee Iacocca was responsible for the introduction of iconic Ford products like the Mustang and Thunderbird. He rose in the ranks to become President, second only to Henry Ford II. As CEO of Chrysler during the early 1980s, he saved the company from bankruptcy and introduced the minivan. He was one of the biggest celebrity executives during the Reagan era. We discuss his autobiography, in which he recounts his life’s journey from the son of Italian immigrants to the height of the business world.

Show Notes

Iacocca: An Autobiography by Lee Iacocca with William Novak (via Amazon)
Lee Iacocca (via Wikipedia)

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E10] The Ride of a Lifetime

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 20:45:14 -0000

10. The Ride of a Lifetime

The Ride of a Lifetime is a 2019 memoir about Bob Iger’s journey at Disney. It begins by relaying Iger’s time climbing the corporate ladder, and then does a deep dive into his fifteen years as the company’s CEO, with a focus on acquisitions and mergers. We discuss Iger’s career, the key lessons he learned, and the mergers of Disney with Pixar, Marvell, Lucasfilm, and Fox.

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E8] Founders at Work

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 08:01:19 -0000

8. Founders at Work

Founders at Work is a 2009 compilation of interviews with startup founders by Y Combinator founding partner Jessica Livingston. Interview subjects include the founders of famous brands like Apple, PayPal, and Adobe, as well as lesser known founders with equally remarkable stories. In this episode we discuss recurring themes of the interviews, founders that offered particular insight, and broad takeaways from the entire volume.

Show Notes

Founders at Work on Amazon
Jessica Livington on Twitter
David Kopec's review of Losing the Signal
Venture Capital - Silicon Valley Ponzi Scheme - Chamath Palihapitiya via YouTube

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E7] Setting the Table

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 21:30:35 -0000

7. Setting the Table

Setting the Table is a 2006 autobiographical book on management in the hospitality industry by noted restaurateur Danny Meyer. It tells the story of Meyer building his restaurant empire, and recounts many of the lessons he learned along the way. We discuss key takeaways from the book, the book's applicability to management more generally, and our own experiences at Meyer's restaurants.

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E6] Ogilvy on Advertising

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 10:22:29 -0000

Ogilvy on Advertising

Ogilvy on Advertising is a 1983 book of advertising advice from award winning industry veteran David Ogilvy, the namesake of the advertising agency Ogilvy. It includes advice about working in the advertising industry, developing ads, and appealing to consumers. We discuss key insights from the book and our own experiences in advertising.

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E5] Hackers & Painters

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 03:17:02 -0000

5. Hackers & Painters

Hackers & Painters is a collection of essays by noted entrepreneur, programmer, and founder of startup incubator Y Combinator, Paul Graham. Graham touches on social, business, and cultural issues related to technology and entrepreneurship. We discuss our key takeaways from the book, pose questions to each other that it ponders, and learn about Molson's experience testifying before congress.

Show Notes

Hackers & Painters via Amazon
Paul Graham's Home Page
Y Combinator
Lisp via Wikipedia
Molson Testifying at Congress about Big Tech via YouTube

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E4] Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 03:17:45 -0000

4. Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony

Akio Morita was the co-founder of Sony and one of the most influential Japanese business people of the 20th century. We analyze his 1986 autobiography, Made in Japan. Made in Japan explains what made Sony so successful and also spends a good deal of time contrasting Japanese and American business practices. We have a wide ranging discussion on the contents of Made in Japan, and how Morita’s thoughts apply in a modern context.

Show Notes

Made in Japan (Amazon)
Akio Morita (Wikipedia)
Sony (Wikipedia)
Steve Jobs wanted Sony VAIOs to run OS X (The Verge)
How Did George Soros Break the Bank of England (Investopedia)
Hikikomori (Wikipedia)
Hackers and Painters (Amazon)
Little tech companies speak out about Amazon (Youtube)

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E3] Trillion Dollar Coach

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 03:46:11 -0000

3. Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell

We analyze the 2019 book Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell. Trillion Dollar Coach is the story of a former football coach turned fortune 500 CEO, who became the mentor to some of the most notable business leaders of our time. The book, written by some of his mentees, including the former CEO of Google, Erich Schmidt, covers a brief outline of his life and his executive coaching strategies.

Show Notes

Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, Alan Eagle (Amazon)
Bill Campbell (Wikipedia)
To Pixar and Beyond by Lawrence Levy (Amazon)
Startup: A Silicon Valley Adventure by Jerry Kaplan
Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony (Amazon)

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in your podcast player of choice, leave us a rating on iTunes, and follow us on Twitter @businessbooksco.

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E2] Ross Perot: My Life & The Principles for Success

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 03:47:26 -0000

2. Ross Perot: My Life & The Principles for Success

This 1996 pseudo-autobiography was written by Ross Perot during his second presidential campaign, but you won't find any politics within it. Although it's clearly written through a "please the public" lens, the focus of this book is Perot's business career. The first half tells Perot's life story through the founding of his company EDS. The second half outlines general principles for success in business.

In this episode we discuss the book's highlights, its most important takeaways for a business career, and areas where it fell short. We dedicate this episode to the memory of Ross Perot, who sadly passed away last month (July, 2019). Next month, we'll be reading Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell.

Show Notes

My Life & The Principles for Success by Ross Perot
Ross Perot on Wikipedia
Electronic Data Systems on Wikipedia
Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast in your podcast player of choice, leave us a rating on iTunes, and follow us on Twitter @businessbooksco.

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com

[S1E1] High Output Management

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 08:06:08 -0000

1. High Output Management by Andy Grove

On our premiere episode, we discuss the management classic High Output Management by the late, great, former Intel CEO Andy Grove. We provide some of Andy's key takeaways regarding industrial organization, key management skills, handling employee issues, and managing meetings. We also debate how applicable some of this classic's insights are in the modern world.

Show Notes

Find out more at http://businessbooksandco.com