Personal development is an important part of growing as a person, manager or team player.  Some extra reading can help you to find solutions to ongoing problems or ideas to compliment existing business practices.

Some of our managers take time to read up on leadership styles, management practices and other areas of business so that we can promote the best possible working environment and continue to develop personally. Some of our properties have little libraries going on so they can pass onto reception team leaders as well.

Here are our top five business books our managers recommend:

1.  The One Minute Manager By Kenneth Blanchard.
This book may seem small and simple but it is highly effective for new managers to read and understand the basic principles of management through three practical management techniques.  These techniques combine discussions on motivation, consistency and working towards maximum potential.

2.  Trust Agents – Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation & Earn Trust By Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.
The importance of web marketing is no longer avoidable and this book is a good start to highlighting the importance of building your brand through the web, how social networking sites can improve all areas of business and, importantly, how the online world can promote or harm your businesses reputation.

3.  The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for new leaders at all levels By Michael Watkins.
This book acknowledges the importance of the first three months as a manager, team leader or any leadership role.  The book offers systematic steps to prevent failure and achieve a smooth and effective transition through this vulnerable period.

4.  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey.
The hostel and tourism industry needs staff to display certain characteristic attributes and this book helps to determine the importance of a person’s habits and characteristics in relation to productivity and how to work interdependently with both leaders and team players.

5.  Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results By Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen.
High staff turnover is not uncommon within the tourism industry and so creating a stable and energised workforce is a huge benefit to a company and its brand.  Fish! is an entertaining read unlike other academic literature discussing how to boost morale and encourage a de-motivated team whilst remaining customer focused.

If you have any thoughts or comments on any of the above or can recommend any other beneficial and effective literature please comment below.

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