Week 52: Unmanageable & "Funfetti Shortbread Bites"

WHY THIS BOOK?⁠

Before I get into why this book, I want to share that reading 52 books this year has been quite the journey and I will share more in the coming weeks. I am really proud of myself for taking this on and also want to say I will not be choosing this goal in 2023. I want to thank Judie, Brenda and Alex for being contributors to the 52 weeks. Most of the books I read this year were really great and I am impressed with the equity, diversity and inclusion practitioners who have helped me become better at my job. Thank you to Tara Robertson who recommended this book as the final book.⁠

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As I read unmanageable I found I was re-living the pandemic through the eyes of the authors. The book is a collection of their newsletters starting March 2020 to May 2021.⁠

It is funny, sarcastic and so real. ⁠

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Instagram limited the amount I could share here - but find me on LinkedIn, and read more there.⁠

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I really loved this book also because they just call it. It is really refreshing to see a book that is so real with managers. I am curious, have you read this book? If not again go get it. PS: it's only 217 pages.⁠

Week 51: The Starbucks Experience & Pizzelles

WHY THIS BOOK: ⁠

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I started my career working at Starbucks and was a supervisor in my early 20s. I had a pivotal moment in my career where in 1999 I was going to go back to school and learn computer programming (a 1 year intensive programming, database, web development program) or potentially move up at Starbucks. Those days at Starbucks were fond memories of getting to know the customers and learning about the 3rd place. So needless to say in my 20s it was great. ⁠

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If I could sum up this book it would be discipline and consistency when it comes to making great coffee. Starbucks spent years trying to solve the issue of spoilage because in the early days the beans would spoil after 7 days. Starbucks would take the beans back because they did not want restaurants serving bad coffee. They found that a 7 cent valve would allow gasses out of the bag but not allow air to enter and this increased the shelf life of the beans from 7 days to 6 weeks. This is how they were able to expand into the Northwest.⁠

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The saying retail is detail speaks to me. Knowing your regular customers and their drinks was really important to me when I worked there. In the morning if there were 5 people in line I would already start making their drinks and the regulars would really appreciate it. You have a few minutes in the day to potentially brighten up someone’s day and the details matter. ⁠

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The book has 5 principles:⁠

Make it your own-being knowledgeable about the coffee and listening to the customers⁠

Everything matters-missed details produce dissatisfied customers who go elsewhere⁠

Surprise and Delight-your efforts to surprise others are a contagious force⁠

Embrace resistance- when errors are made, take responsibility and fix them⁠

Leave your mark - people want to do business with, work for and invest in socially conscious companies⁠

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The book was written in 2007 so you may have read it years ago. If so, tell me what you think?⁠

Week 50: The Last Lecture & "Strawberry Coconut Tarts"

This week is dedicated to "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch and Strawberry Coconut Tarts.⁠

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📚️ WHY THIS BOOK⁠

This book is an inspirational look at life when you do not have a lot of time. The author is diagnosed with terminal cancer and decides that he wants to share his last lecture providing wisdom to his students. You would think this book would be quite sad but was actually quite uplifting with great wisdom.⁠

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Here are 5 pieces of advice on how to live your best life:⁠

➡️ Do not believe in the no-win situation⁠

➡️ Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show us how badly we want something⁠

➡️ Give yourself permission to dream⁠

➡️ Ask the questions ⁠

➡️ Not everything needs to be fixed⁠

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Have you read this book? What quotes or advice did you like?⁠