Een bedrijf is geen goed doel

Partnerschappen tussen bedrijven en maatschappelijke organisaties zijn hot. Zo werkt het Wereld Natuur Fonds al jaren samen met onder andere Eneco, FrieslandCampina en de Rabobank. Steeds vaker zijn publiek-private partnerschappen (PPP’s) in staat snel in te spelen op maatschappelijke ontwikkelingen, denk bijvoorbeeld aan de alliantie tussen Manpower en Vluchtelingenwerk. Het doel van die samenwerking laatContinueContinue reading “Een bedrijf is geen goed doel”

What makes a good life?

This unique 75-year long Harvard research followed more than 700 men from teenager to old age, with one simple goal; to understand what makes them happy and healthy.The short answer is: good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Three lessons can be drawn: 1) social connections ensure a longer life, healthier life. 2) it’s notContinueContinue reading “What makes a good life?”

Superforecasting – Philip Tetlock (2015)

Most important take-away: don’t take ‘experts’ too seriously, especially not the famous ones. They are very prone to looking at the world through the lens of a so-called hedgehog: there is only one truth and reality has to adapt to it. Tetlock has even demonstrated an inversed correlation between fame and accuracy. The more famousContinueContinue reading “Superforecasting – Philip Tetlock (2015)”

Magie in al je communicatie – Bas Mouton (2015)

A self-help book that promises magic in all our communication by getting rid of the well known tricks (where to put your hands, how to capture the audience with your eyes etc), and have the guts to show yourself and convey a genuine message. Bas Mouton has formulated 9 rules, ranging from “give compliments toContinueContinue reading “Magie in al je communicatie – Bas Mouton (2015)”

Simple Rules – D. Sull and K. Eisenhardt (2015)

Simplification is not necessarily a form of stupidity – it can be a form of intelligence. Even of brilliance. Simple rules are, simply put, rules of thumb. And simple rules are applicable to almost every area. They do three things very well: Confer flexibility to pursue new opportunities while maintaining some consistency Can produce betterContinueContinue reading “Simple Rules – D. Sull and K. Eisenhardt (2015)”

Essentialism, the disciplined pursuit of less – Greg McKeown (2014)

Without bringing surprising new insights, this books makes a compelling case for achieving more by doing less. ‘Less but better’, clarity and focus as guiding principles for a good life. A real ‘essentialist’ knows to set priorities, to say ‘no’ more than he says ‘yes’ – in order to perform better, to have more impact inContinueContinue reading “Essentialism, the disciplined pursuit of less – Greg McKeown (2014)”

En nu laat ik mijn baard staan – Leen Zevenbergen (2007)

I had expected more insights and surprising lessons from the Dutch management book of the year 2007. The book stresses the importance of creativity, inspiration and how to have more fun in your job as manager and leader, by breaking through the barriers set by big corporates, the with-coming expectations and the limitations of workingContinueContinue reading “En nu laat ik mijn baard staan – Leen Zevenbergen (2007)”

Good to Great – Jim Collins (2001)

With millions of copies sold this management classic has taught managers all over the world how to run their business and how to go from a good to a great company. There are some really valuable concepts in it (as the hedgehog principle and type-5 leaders), but reading it a decade and a half after publicationContinueContinue reading “Good to Great – Jim Collins (2001)”

Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman (2011)

Brilliant. If I had to choose one book to take with me to a deserted island, this is the one. It’s insightful, erudite, innovative (at least to me). It took me a while to read, because every single page is interesting and makes one think. For example; we all suffer from focusing illusion: nothing inContinueContinue reading “Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman (2011)”