If you want to influence someone – and don’t we all – before your next pitch, read “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive.” This book is a superb starting point for preparing your case when you have an overriding need to persuade someone.

Books

“Yes!”  50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive 
Noah Goldstein, Steve J. Martin and Robert B. Cialdini.

This is a timeless book on how to influence someone. While you might not use the term “sale,” in the end, it amounts to the same effort, whether it’s a financial transaction or swaying someone to your opinion. The book offers numerous real-world examples that stimulate your thinking about how to influence someone.  Some maintain that persuasion is an art. This book supports its advice with more than 60 years of scientific research on persuasion. 

Find it here. 

The First-Time Manager
Jim McCormick 

If you’re in charge for the first time, grab this book. It’s a big jump when you first become a manager, and everyone wants to calm the butterflies when you realize that now you’re in charge. Don’t let the new role overwhelm you. The First-Time Manager offers insights into essential managerial skills like leading a meeting, hiring employees and overcoming resistance.   

Find it here. 

The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon 
Steve Anderson with Karen Anderson. 

Amazon is the fastest company to reach $100 billion in valuation. Anderson reviewed, distilled and analyzed Jeff Bezos' letters to shareholders for more than 20 years. He arrived at 14 fundamental growth principles that helped to unlock the lessons, mindset and steps that Bezos took to create a giant company. Now you’ll know the Bezos approach to business, too.

Find it here. 

Podcasts

Freakonomics Radio
Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? This former New York Times writer is an insightful interviewer who also covers business topics. A recent podcast covered “Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses?” I love these freaks.

Find it here. 

This Week in Startups
JasonCalacanis

The podcast’s host, Jason Calacanis, covers startups, tech, markets, media, and all the hottest topics in business and technology. He also interviews the world’s greatest founders, operators, investors, and innovators. Calacanis authored a book titled "Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000"[3] on angel investing. In 2018, Calacanis invested in Calm, a meditation app that is valued at $1 billion. 

Find it here. 

Entrepreneurs on Fire
John Lee Dumas

Host John Lee Dumas talks shop with exceptional entrepreneurs, including business leaders like Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, and Gary Vaynerchuk. The actionable ideas they give make this award-winning entrepreneur podcast one of the best in the business category. Dumas is the author of The Common Path to Uncommon Success, which outlines a roadmap to financial freedom. The Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast has a similar theme, with insights and tips that help you follow in the footsteps of successful entrepreneurs.

Find it here.