Left untended, knowledge and skill, like all assets, depreciate in value – surprisingly quickly.
~ David Maister, Business Author and Consultant
I used to be a consultant for Oracle Corporation back in the 90s when the ERP boom was happening. Technology was moving fast (and continues to do so!) and I had to keep up to remain relevant and show value to my clients. I had to learn how to quickly learn.
I thought I had good study habits while attending Brigham Young University to study business and accounting, however, at Oracle I realized I had to raise my game. I studied constantly and put in practice a reading / study habit that has benefited me throughout my career.
I receive many of the popular business magazines and use my plane time to read them. My magazine list is Inc., Fast Company, Wired, Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur and Money. I also recommend Harvard Business Review.
I read magazines to stay on top of business trends and get inspiration from the innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs. I read business books to get a deeper dive on business principles and strategies. I recommend all books by Jim Collins and Patrick Lencioni. Check out my book reviews in this blog for other recommendations. I recently have been working through Zappos’ recommended reading list. Check it out here.
Final tip: Like you, I don’t have a lot of time to sit and read a book, so I have an Audible.com subscription and listen to books while I am driving. I have found this to be an effective way to get my reading in. I encourage you to try it out. Any smart phone and an adapter cord found at Best Buy will work.
Books and magazines are great mentors and teachers. I encourage you to read a lot! Give up some TV time if necessary to stay on top of your reading. It is worth it.
~ SLE
Steven Lee Elder 