Tag: business

SCORE! By Jeroen Derwort Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Jeroen Derwort shares the way his passion for Soccer turned into an online empire in the book “SCORE!”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

One attic. One idea. A hundred million players.

Jeroen Derwort was just a teenager when he started coding Online Soccer Manager (OSM) from his bedroom in The Netherlands. His dream? To let football fans experience the thrill of managing their favorite club.

He didn’t know he was building a global empire.

SCORE! takes you behind the scenes of a startup that exploded from a hobby project into a tech giant with fifty employees and millions of obsessed users worldwide. It is a candid, unfiltered account of the chaos behind the success: the high-stakes encounters with corporate giants, the fight against digital hooligans, and the boardroom clashes with the world’s biggest football clubs.

But this is more than a business book. It is the personal journey of a shy nerd who had to learn to lead, negotiate, and survive in the Champions League of the gaming industry.

From a lonely attic to the “Top 100 Self-Made Millionaires” list—this is the ultimate playbook for anyone who dares to dream big.

The Review

This was such a heartening and empowering read. The author found a great balance of passion for soccer, the gumption to strive out on his own to create a business for that passion, and the power that comes from finding your own community in the process. The insight into the lessons the author learned from a business perspective and the attention to detail the author poured into the book while maintaining a fairly fast pace was the perfect reading experience.

The heart of the story was in the author’s honest and personal writing style and the heartfelt connection the author made with readers. Many readers, especially those growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, will recognize the author’s feelings as they struggled with having a mind for education and what today is celebrated as nerdom, and yet back in the day was an isolating thing that kept most people alone amidst their student peers. The way the author used that feeling to not only find a community but build a business around it and the way each chapter also showcased how the author learned from each failure and venture into this online world made for a brilliant read.

The Verdict

Memorable, engaging, and thoughtfully written, author Jeroen Derwort’s “SCORE!” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and empowerment. The entrepreneurial spirit courses through every chapter of this book, and yet retains the heart and passion for the author’s special interest in soccer and the rich and recent history of online business building that allowed the author’s personal experiences to come across to readers in an impactful way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Jeroen Derwort is a tech entrepreneur who turned a childhood passion into a global phenomenon. In 2001, while still a computer science student living with his parents, Jeroen launched Online Soccer Manager (OSM). Critics were skeptical, but twenty years later, his “attic project” had evolved into a powerhouse with 50 employees and millions of players worldwide. After securing partnerships with top-tier international football clubs, Jeroen successfully sold the company to Miniclip (a Tencent subsidiary).

https://www.jeroenderwort.com

The Post-Managerial Era of Capitalism: Organizational Design as the Next Innovation Frontier (Elements in Reinventing Capitalism) by Hunter Hastings Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Hunter Hastings shows readers how old school business structures are being replaced by more innovative and constructive ideas in the book “The Post-Managerial Era of Capitalism.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Traditional business management was the machinery of control for industrial organizations that had sprawled beyond the oversight of their founders, an organizational innovation that became a profession and a science. The aim was the stability and predictability the financial sector demanded. But control brought increasing costs: (1) slow response to market changes, leaving established firms behind innovative newcomers; (2) bureaucratic inertia that strangled flexibility; (3) disengaged employees who felt their creativity and agility stifled. These failures weakened firms and lowered economic productivity. In the Kuhnian framework of scientific revolutions, the management paradigm entered crisis mode. Consistent with the Kuhnian framing, businesses are moving beyond management. Self-organization and enterprise flow are revolutionizing business models. Interconnected ecosystems replace bounded industries. Experimentation and feedback replace traditional strategic planning. Dynamic, autonomous teams replace hierarchies of authority. Liberated companies embrace dynamic cohesion rather than the rigidities of business administration. They operate in a post-managerial era.

The Review

This was a powerful, straightforward and insightful read. The author does a remarkable job of covering both the history of management from the nineteenth century factories to the modern day, as well as the new integrations of various technologies into the field. The level of detail and education the author is able to incorporate into the book was astounding considering the fast pacing of the book overall. The author’s writing style took on a commanding and informed tone throughout the book, allowing readers to feel engaged in honest discussion with the author rather than talked “at”. 

The heart of this book was in the direct way of approach the author took to the subject matter and the emphasis on self management. The ability to move with the changing needs of a customer based and do so without constant overhead decisions slowing down the process is a valuable bit of knowledge for companies moving forward, as is the integration of technology like digital networks. The way emphasis is placed on elements such as empathy in a company’s hierarchy was inspiring as well, putting focus on the workers making a company successful instead of the 1% at the head of it all.

GRAB XL PUPPY PADS HERE ON AMAZON!

The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and enlightening, author Hunter Hasting’s “The Post Managerial Era of Capitalism” is a must-read nonfiction business book. The fast pace of the book’s core material, the use of diagrams and charts for educational purposes, and the ability to reference this book time and time again are just a few reasons why the author’s book works so well, and why the need to change perspectives on how to grow a business and manage it need to happen now. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Hunter Hastings is founder of The Value Creators, a business education brand that aims to bring a new perspective on value creation to the young professionals and young entrepreneurs operating the new breed of digitally enabled companies.

YOU ARE UNFORGETTABLE BY HARVEER SINGH REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Harveer Singh shares the process of not only accepting oneself but using that to build their brand in the book “You Are Unforgettable.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

You were never meant to blend in, you were meant to be unforgettable.

If you’ve ever felt invisible despite your talent, unsure how to communicate your value, or frustrated watching others succeed while you stay unnoticed, this book is for you. You Are Unforgettable is not just another guide, it’s a powerful roadmap to help you build confidence, clarity, and a personal brand that truly represents who you are.

Rooted in lived experience and real-world results, this book speaks directly to readers who love self help books, motivational books, inspirational books, and self improvement books, while offering something deeper and more practical. Blending personal transformation with business strategy, it shows you how to stop hiding, show up authentically, and turn your story into influence and income through identity-first growth, without pretending to be someone else.

What makes this book different?

This is one of the rare personal development books that combines mindset, confidence, and strategy. Whether you are a sales professional, entrepreneur, creator, coach or corporate professional this book gives you practical tools to grow personally and professionally.

Inside, you’ll discover:

  • How to build a strong and authentic personal brand built around your personal story
  • How to communicate your value with confidence
  • How to stand out in today’s crowded markets
  • How to attract aligned clients and opportunities
  • How to monetize your knowledge, skills, and story
  • How to ensure you have an unshakable mindset to weather the ups and downs of sales and entrepreneurship


That’s why readers who love entrepreneurship books, marketing books, and personal branding principles find this book transformational.

A mindset shift that lasts

At its core, this is a powerful growth mindset book rooted in real life transformation. It helps you overcome self doubt, fear of judgment, and the habit of playing small, not through borrowed theory but through lived experience and practical application. Readers of personal growth books, self growth books, and self development books will recognize the emotional depth and appreciate the clear, actionable guidance that moves them from insight into execution.

It also serves as a modern self care book, reframing self care not as indulgence, but as the daily work of building confidence, clarity, and self belief as the foundation for lasting success.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

  • Self help books that are practical and inspiring
  • A modern inspirational book with real-world application
  • Personal branding book strategies that actually work
  • Personal branding guidance rooted in authenticity


Part 1 helps you identify what truly makes you unique. Not despite your past pain, awkwardness, or insecurities, but because of them. This is where you stop hiding your story and start seeing it as your advantage. It is time to look within.

Part 2 teaches you how to build a personal brand rooted in those truths. One designed for connection, trust, and client attraction. You are guided step by step so your brand reflects who you are and what you stand for.

Part 3 strengthens your mindset so you can confidently put your message into the world. You will learn how to stay consistent when motivation fades and how to handle criticism or self doubt without shrinking.

The Appendix includes a practical 30-Day Personal Branding Challenge that helps you build your personal brand one intentional action at a time.

Let’s build you an unforgettable personal brand that gets you paid. Buy your copy today!

The Review

Such an inspiring and empowering read. The author does a remarkable job of writing in a way that feels both conversational and uplifting all at once, relating to the reader his own personal struggles with maintaining his identity and not letting others erase who he is, while also showing the reader the steps that can lead to someone owning themselves and building a brand that reflects that. The author’s writing conveys a tone of duality, that of understanding and a fast-paced fire that instantly motivates the reader.

The author’s emphasis on the importance of the self and self-expression was remarkable. The creativity the author uses in utilizing stories from history and mythology, from the Rubicon River Caesar himself crossed to the rising of the Phoenix, and so much more, was enthralling and memorable. The reader is not only able to connect to the author, but the author is able to balance the reader’s ability to build self-confidence with the skills they need to turn that confidence into a brand that works for them.

The Verdict

Inspiring, authentic, and engaging, author Harveer Singh’s “You Are Unforgettable” is a must-read nonfiction book. The book is both a tool to better yourself and a reminder that, while also giving readers the skills they need to build that self-image into a brand others can identify with and be inspired by. The remarkable honesty and compelling writing the author displays will have readers returning to this book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Harveer Singh is a personal branding strategist, speaker, and author of You Are Unforgettable: Build a Personal Brand That Gets You Paid. He has almost two decades of experience in Sales within the Commercial Insurance and Real Estate Sales industries. As a first generation Sikh American, Harveer rebuilt his career after identity based challenges and major income loss during the pandemic, ultimately becoming one of the most recognizable personal brands in his market. His work blends personal branding, mindset shifts, confidence growth, and practical business strategy to help entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and creators stop hiding what makes them different and use their story to stand out, attract opportunities, and grow income. Through speaking, coaching, and content, Harveer helps people turn authenticity into visibility and visibility into results.

https://www.theharveersingh.com/

https://amzn.to/4jGKqql

THINK LEAD REPEAT by London Porter Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author London Porter shares hundreds of lessons to help leaders grow in the book “THINK LEAD REPEAT.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Think – Lead – Repeat offers 369 days of practical wisdom and bold leadership insight—one day at a time. Designed for modern professionals who balance ambition with authenticity, this book delivers bite-sized lessons on influence, emotional intelligence, strategy, and communication. A great conversation starter for team meetings. Each daily read blends inspiration, reflection, and actionable guidance to help leaders at every level think sharper, lead stronger, and make things happen—with purpose, confidence, and a touch of swagger.

The Review

What a compelling and insightful read. The author delivers each chapter with gusto and wit, offering lessons in business and personal growth that will resonate with readers daily. The personal empowerment and business development lessons will reinforce the reader, emphasizing the author’s expertise and knowledge and making the tone feel incredibly real and relatable at the same time.

The thing that stood out to me as a reader was both the unique way the author crafted these lessons and the way readers can interact with the book. The author breaks these micro-lessons into 1-page lessons, divided by month and day, allowing the reader to follow them almost like a daily motivational page to keep the day moving forward. On top of this, readers can pick up this book at any time and often return to it time and again to engage with the lessons they need most in times of crisis or uncertainty.

The Verdict

Authentic, honest, and engaging, author London Porter’s “Think Lead Repeat” is a must-read nonfiction motivational business read. The expertise and heart with which the author writes and the way readers are able to take in these lessons at their own pace and put them into action to see the change in their leadership skills will resonate with readers and keep them returning to this book anytime they need more drive and inspiration to move forward in business. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

London isn’t your average HR executive — he’s a LinkedIn mini-sensation who leverages his charismatic personal brand to redefine leadership conversations in addition to everything HR.

Known for his engaging short videos that develop work competencies under 2 mins, he enthusiastically spotlights his brother and sister public service organizations, nation wide. His savvy yet cheeky style has cultivated an impressive following — enough to earn him 2025 HR Professional of the Year.

With a knack for writing popular books, inspiring thousands, and consistently adding straight whiskey value across the HR and business communities, London has pledged his personal life to helping raise the vibration of the work place and the planet, one conversational competency at a time. And c’mon, when was the last time competency training was binge-worthy?

https://amzn.to/49BwAkJ

Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance by Duane Deason Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Duane Deason shares the practical use of a cost management center to make a company leaner and more profitable in the book “Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Operationally Svelte Unleashes Growth, Innovation, and Profit

An “operationally svelte” organization means it is lean, flexible, and efficient.

Organizational bloat creeps into companies as they grow. It dulls cutting-edge innovation, slows responses to changing economic conditions, whittles down profitability, and hinders growth. You will not curtail it by doing what you have always done. Companies need a new strategy.

In Operationally Svelte, author Duane Deason presents a refreshing approach to making an organization lean and unleashing its potential: create a Cost Management Center. Think of it this way—while your Sales team focuses on revenue, your Cost Management Center team focuses on managing and controlling costs throughout the organization.

Get step-by-step guidance to establish a Cost Management Center and eliminate the common culprits of waste and inefficiency. Then dive into strategies to maximize its effectiveness and transform your company for optimal performance, enhanced growth, superior innovation, and increased profit.

AudiobooksNow

The Review

This was such a powerful and insightful read for those in leadership roles within a business. The author found a great strategy that greatly balances the need to manage a business’s daily costs while also allowing staff to innovate and grow as a company. The author’s writing style is very detailed and practical, speaking to innovators and business leaders who have a firm grasp of the technical details but can connect with the author’s messaging and outline for the cost management center.

The concept of a svelte organization is a powerful one: running a lean, mean operation that improves sales and growth. Yet oftentimes, overreaching to cut costs inefficiently can stifle that growth. The author’s deep dive into the ways a cost management center would help create the necessary oversight over the expenses incurred by your business was remarkable to get into, from understanding the differences in costs per items/tasks, to tackling the use of technology and emerging AI, to creating a cost management center by finding key team members and outlining the responsibilities of the center going forward. The author also covers many areas in this realm, from those that incur higher costs to those on the horizon, giving readers a wealth of details to engage with.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable, author Duane Deason’s “Operationally Svelte” is a must-read nonfiction business read. The depth of information and the clear, precise way the author writes and conveys it through solid, insightful frameworks that business leaders can follow thoroughly. This is one book readers and leaders can return to time and time again for guidance. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

I am the author of Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance. I wrote the book to take cost management out of the shadows, to explore why current strategies are failing, and to provide a more optimal solution. Companies owe their employees, customers, and shareholders an organization that is lean and best prepared to fend off competition, weather economic downturns, and adapt to organizational change. Svelte companies are not only more profitable but also experience a higher level of performance and innovation when compared to their peers.

I spend much of my time advocating, speaking, and educating on the topic of cost management. To pay the bills, I serve as President of The Efficacy Group, where I provide cost management advisory and consulting services. My early career was with PwC followed by starting my first business that provided financial support for companies undergoing transactions. After selling the business, I assumed the role of CFO at one of my former clients that was doing the typical titanic after the dot-com bust in the early 2000s. It was during that time as CFO when I fell in love with cost management. The feeling of saving a company from certain bankruptcy felt more rewarding than the prior acquisitions and initial public offerings that I had supported.

The last 25 years of my career have been dedicated to cost management in one form or another. I’ve had the privilege of working with many companies of varying sizes and industries. Through that, I observed patterns that resulted in success and others that led to deterioration. Among these patterns was the realization that companies that failed to prioritize cost management would eventually fail. Just like life, companies can’t outgrow their problems. Hence, I decided to dedicate my career to helping companies lower costs and operate more efficiently without hindering growth or innovation.

I am a Certified Public Accountant and have an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

https://amzn.to/48w3a8h

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/operationally-svelte-duane-deason/1148299225?ean=9798998846700

How Not To Flip A House by Jackie Coffey Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Jackie Coffey shares the lessons she learned to build a real estate empire by flipping houses in the book “How Not To Flip A House.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Jackie has an incredible personal story. When she was 7, the FBI raided her house – her family had no idea her stepfather was a high-level heroin dealer. Her childhood was marked by financial instability, relocations, and survival.

At 22, as a broke single mom with zero real estate experience, she decided to flip a house. No connections. No mentors. Just grit and a willingness to learn the hard way. One flip at a time, she went from living paycheck-to-paycheck to building a multi-million-dollar real estate empire.

The book is:

  • Laugh-out-loud funny (even when things go horribly wrong)
  • Packed with red-flag checklists and practical “don’t do what I did” wisdom
  • Fast-paced and story-driven
  • Relatable for anyone who’s ever tried to build a business from the bottom
Holiday Bundles

The Review

What immediately struck me upon reading this book was the honesty and upfront way of writing (or talking, depending on how you read it). The author presented the lessons and experiences that she accrued over her time flipping houses. The writing feels both descriptive and real, as if the reader is in the midst of a full-on conversation with the author. This, combined with the book’s fast pacing, allows the reader to feel invested in the author’s lessons and messaging.

The way the author presented each lesson through a personal experience really drove home the realities of real estate investing and flipping houses. That honest approach works so well in this context, allowing readers to see both the harsh realities and the rewarding aspects of this field. One chapter early on really stood out, speaking on the integrity she held onto in the face of a seemingly lucrative offer, only to find her moral stance paying off later on. The book hones in on the ethical and moral stances that arise in this business, as well as the physical and mental toll it takes, and the author expertly lays out the process with honesty and ease. 

The Verdict

A memorable, heartfelt, and engaging read, “How Not To Flip A House” by author Jackie Coffey is a must-read nonfiction book on real estate and investment. The authenticity and relatability of the author’s experiences and writing voice, as well as the in-depth detail the author provided for the lessons found in each chapter, will keep readers returning to this book time and time again to learn what not to do and what to do in this real estate field. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Do you ever catch yourself dreaming of the type of life you want to live? Filled with the excitement of endless possibilities. The Magic of success, the Freedom of time, the freedom to live YOUR life on YOUR terms, and achieve the happily ever after you dream about and IGNITE your entrepreneurial spirit! 

You close your eyes and let this thought resonate through you until you can feel the butterflies piling up inside of you and the excitement wrapping around you like a warm summer day. Then the moment you open your eyes, a harsh reality sets in. One full of fear and uncertainty. You begin tell yourself all of the reasons you can’t, should’nt, or don’t deserve that life. 

If you feel this way, you are not alone.

Jackie understands the personal struggle of self-limiting beliefs. Striving for a future she could picture and that she wanted so badly, but everyone telling her it wasn’t possible, feeling like she couldn’t, or even worse, telling herself she didn’t deserve it. 

After seemingly constant insurmountable adversities, starving for her own success, and not being able to give her daughter the life she deserved, She reached her breaking point and decided she had to flip her mindset if she wanted to flip the narrative of her future. 

She knew anything was possible with enough nerve, and it was time.  Time to IGNITE her inner entrepreneur! 

She had enough of the self-limiting thoughts, enough of the excuses, enough of the fears. It was time to show up. She set out on an adventure to discover her value, and strength and test her courage to find out what she was made. It was time to face her fears, hold herself accountable, and come to terms with failing and trying again, and most importantly, it was time to learn her true value. 

After two decades and flipping her narrative to achieve personal and professional success, Jackie’s mission is to Flip YOUR mindset so you can change the narrative. She believes in a life fueled by persistence, passion, and the courage to take risks. With Jackie’s framework, she will give you practical strategies so you can develop an optimistic mindset and learn to use accountability to gain control of adversities, Learn to Harness fear and use it in your favor as a means of motivation. You will find the freedom in failure and gain the understanding that you must fail to succeed and finally Learn the power and value of your worth all while igniting confidence, excitement, and empowerment within you. Through her insights, you’ll face adversities head-on, self limiting beliefs, and embrace success so you can live a life you want on YOUR terms. 

If you are ready to IGNITE your inner entrepreneur and live the life you deserve on your terms, let Jackie show you how. 

Never Fire Anyone: A Leader’s Guide on How to Lead People Not Companies by Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh shares the power of leading a business by working with people and not focusing on the company’s optics and bottom line in the book “Never Fire Anyone: A Leader’s Guide on How to Lead People Not Companies.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Delightfully obvious, just like All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. This book takes some unique and colorful perspectives on Leadership, Business, Talent, Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Contradictions, DEI, Giving Up, Slowing Down, Forgiveness and the Stupidly Obvious. A lot we may already know, but forget to practice.

When you grow up in Vineland, NJ you grow up everything Philly. Broad Street Bullies. Today’s Brotherly Shove. Sarcasm that can almost pierce skin. It really is the City of Brotherly Love. Tough Love. Mark Morgenfruh lives and writes in blunt, colorfully-worded, provocative and logical Philly-style prose. Not everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure.

But if you can get past the initial cold-water shock, and believe kick-ass leaders can be taught to stop the avoidant “happy talk” that’s fatal to teams and organizations, the level of success you’ll have is obscene.

Let’s disagree. Let’s even get angry. Then when all the cards are on the table, let’s talk it out and solve problems, lead others with clarity, and go have an ice-cold beer when it’s all done for the day.

The Review

The first thing that stood out about this book was the author’s straightforward writing. The unapologetic way the author confronts the need to step up as a leader in business was powerful to feel, covering everything from the bias that exists when hiring, to being able to be empathetic to others in a work environment, and even how to confront and properly work with those who may be underperforming in their duties. 

The author’s honesty and bold writing style really do a great job of connecting with readers. Authenticity and accountability seem to be two cornerstones of the author’s leadership philosophy, tackling the truth behind why DEI in the workplace is so important and why it needs to be appropriately utilized to maximize potential and foster a culture of growth. The book also tackles topics such as AI integration and so much more.

AudiobooksNow

The Verdict

Detailed, compelling, and thought-provoking, “Never Fire Anyone” by author Mark Kenneth Morgenfruh is a must-read nonfiction book on leadership and business. The practical applications managers can apply to their leadership skills, and the way the author relates to those in management positions and connects with them to confront the things that make life difficult, make this book invaluable and well-written. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Mark Morgenfruh is an HR practitioner with more than 30 years of experience across mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, compensation and benefits, cultural transformation, organizational development, performance metrics alignment, and HR technology. He is a trusted Senior Advisor to multiple organizations, offering expertise in human capital due diligence, post-close integrations, total rewards design, and HR strategy, delivery, and technology.

Since 2017, he has successfully operated his own consulting practice, building on a foundation of leadership experience from executive roles in prominent global and domestic organizations.

Recently publishing his first business book, Never Fire Anyone, Mark has started to distill more than three decades of observations and experience into his first of what he hopes will be many creative works. It is a brilliant new model and way to think about how we should stop leading “companies” and start to lead the people that are the cause of success.

https://amzn.to/47s3q6j

Team Up for Cloud Success: Building High-Performing, Customer-Obsessed Crews by Joe Vandermark Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Joe Vandermark shares the steps to take in order to create  customer-obsessed teams to work with in the book “Team Up For Cloud Success: Building High-Performing, Customer-Obsessed Crews.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Team Up for Cloud Success shows how lasting impact comes from building teams with heart, trust, and a relentless focus on clients. Drawing on decades of experience at Microsoft and beyond, Joe Vandermark shares real-world stories of wins and setbacks, offering practical frameworks for hiring with empathy, empowering people to lead, uniting across silos, measuring what matters, staying resilient, thriving remotely, and fostering a culture of learning. The book’s core message is clear: when teams trust each other, obsess over customers, and grow together, they don’t just deliver results—they create a legacy of success that endures

The Review

The experience and detail were very prevalent in this book. The author did a great job o balancing personal nonfiction storytelling in using his own experiences both in business and in life with the experiences that drove home his knowledge of business and technical insight as well. The book even includes technical aspects of business, such as using Azure, and the use of metrics and so much more all came to fruition in this quick-paced guide.

The thing that really drove this book forward was the emphasis the author put on hiring with heart and leading with empowerment, two concepts that are inspiring and engaging to get behind. The way the author applies these lessons to remote workers as well to build a team and the details given to working with a customer first mindset was great to see, as it promoted a more natural approach to business that created clarity and purpose within a team setting.

Grafton Mini Pen

The Verdict

Insightful, honest, and driven, author Joe Vandermark’s “Team Up For Cloud Success” is a must-read nonfiction book on business. The knowledge, the engaging dialogue, and the personal connection the author is able to form with the reader makes this book the perfect guide for anyone looking to build a great team to drive business forward. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Joe Vandermark is a seasoned customer success and cloud technology expert with over three decades of experience. As a Managing Director of Cloud Solution Architecture at Microsoft, he specializes in transforming reactive support teams into proactive, customer-focused powerhouses.

In his first book, A Guide to Cloud Success, Joe outlines strategies for building high-performing teams that prevent issues before they arise. He expands on this foundation in his latest book, Team Up for Cloud Success, which focuses on practical tactics for creating resilient, client-obsessed teams that drive significant impact in the cloud.

Known for his unique blend of deep listening skills and a talent for making complex tech topics engaging, Joe is a trusted advisor to clients across various industries. He lives in Minnesota with his family and is committed to bringing empathy, authenticity, and a good dad joke to every interaction.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joevandermark/

https://amzn.to/3JfHMKs

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/team-up-for-cloud-success-joe-vandermark/1147926695?ean=2940181082014

The Visible Ops Cybersecurity by Scott Alldridge Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Scott Alldridge shares the methods for integrating unique cybersecurity programs with business goals in the book “The Visible Ops Cybersecurity.”

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Scott Alldridge, holds an M.B.A. in Cybersecurity and is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), ITIL Certified expert, and Harvard Certified in Technology and Privacy and is a nationally renowned expert. Scott is a distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience in IT management and cybersecurity, specializing in protecting critical IT systems that businesses rely on today. As the CEO of IP Services, Scott has played a pivotal role in delivering advanced managed IT and cybersecurity solutions across various industries. His strategic use of the TotalControl™ framework aligns technology investments with business goals, ensuring enhanced security, operational excellence, and resilience.

“Cyber-defense is not a thing you buy, or something you learn. It’s an information-driven machine you must design and operate in order to create and manage visibility, changes, and improvement. In VisibleOps Cybersecurity, these foundational elements are brought together with cyberdefense techniques to allow organizations to manage the complexity of cyber risks by building a resilient, effective program of improvement – one that you will need no matter the attacker or threat.”

Tony Sager / Center for Internet Security (CIS)

Senior Vice President and Chief Evangelist

The Review

Instantly, this book distinguishes itself from typical cybersecurity books by being more business-driven than anything else. The author’s clear, direct, and informative writing style immediately delves into how this technology benefits businesses, particularly for small and aspiring entrepreneurs starting a new business in a technological age. Yet the author writes in a way that also cuts through the technical speak, instead worded in a way that companies and owners, from CEOs and board members to small online shops, can understand the technology fueling their businesses.

The world is moving at a rapid pace, and online business has accelerated this speed, making it even quicker. Therefore, developing a business with security in place to protect it is vital. The author clearly outlines the steps that business owners need to take, from the importance of automation to installing compliance frameworks that can improve IT departments’ operations and more. The emphasis it places on business owners is remarkable, and it even outlines what business owners need to ask their IT providers and develop plans and responses to incidents that occur, so that those unfamiliar with the tech scene can understand. 

Grafton Mini Pen

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and insightful, author Scott Alldridge’s “The Visible Ops Cybersecurity” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and technology. The information and the fast-paced nature of the book serve as more than a guide, but a call to action for business owners to take control of their business from a cybersecurity perspective and understand the needs of their IT department, making things run much more smoothly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Scott Alldridge holds an M.B.A. in Cybersecurity and is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), ITIL Certified expert, and Harvard Certified in Technology and Privacy, and is a nationally renowned expert. Scott is a distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience in IT management and cybersecurity, specializing in protecting critical IT systems that businesses rely on today. As the CEO of IP Services, Scott has played a pivotal role in delivering advanced managed IT and cybersecurity solutions across various industries. His strategic use of the TotalControl™ framework aligns technology investments with business goals, ensuring enhanced security, operational excellence, and resilience.

In his role as President of the IT Process Institute (ITPI), Scott co-authored the renowned VisibleOps series, with over 400,000 copies sold globally. His expertise spans IT management, cybersecurity, risk management, regulatory compliance, and cloud computing. Scott is also a recognized thought leader in modern cybersecurity strategies, including Zero Trust and Integrity Management, which are critical to safeguarding today’s complex IT environments.

Through his leadership, Scott has guided organizations in strengthening their security postures and navigating the complexities of today’s threat landscape. His contributions, including white papers, keynote addresses, and innovative frameworks, continue to shape the cybersecurity industry and influence best practices for protecting essential IT systems.

Home

https://amzn.to/4mQ35QL

Subscribe

Enter your email below to receive updates.