Book Review: Step Up - How To Win More And Lose Less In Business By Daniel Grissom by Simon Barrett
plug itThe average bookstore is awash in self help business books, entire sections are dedicated to the subject. They also tend to have a common theme. How make a better 'widget' and more importantly, sell these better and more profitable 'widgets.' Sure they may reorder the chapters, change the occasional graphic, but it is the same old tired story! The soporific effect of this genre makes it a good alternative to sleeping pills, and the books certainly are not addictive!
What attracted me to this book though was Daniel Grissom's client list, few people can brag of working with Google, IBM, Eli Lily, and a host of other household names. His message is global: he has spoken to sales teams in Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA. As an insider into excellence for close to two decades, Grissom has discerned what works (and doesn't work) in the achievement of superior sales results. Even more interesting is the very different corporate cultures or as it is known in the trade 'branding' that these companies have adopted. How could a business plan work within the staid gray suited world of IBM also work in the denim clad, freewheeling, and pizza eating world of Google? With 20 years in the 'business coaching' world, if nothing else he might have something new to say, were my thoughts, so I decided to delve in.
Step Up is not the usual 'corporate' master plan, but rather it is aimed at a much more personal level, it does not matter if you are part of the sales force, line management, or part of the upper echelon of an organization, there is something to be learned, and that, Daniel argues comes from within yourself, not from external forces.
Step Up is actually an acronym, S-Standards, T-Talent, E-Evaluations, P-preparation, UP-Unleashed Potential.
I found the style of writing to actually be quite readable, which is another first in the Business Book category! The author sprinkles the text with short stories either from his own life, or about the problems and resolutions that actual business and sports figures have faced. These vignettes could form an entertaining book all by themselves. From Tiger Woods and how he made it to the next level, to Daniel himself, not getting his dream job at the first try, they are engaging, entertaining, and thought provoking. To quote from the text, "sometimes you have to slow down to speed up," meaning that sometimes you have to step back and re-evaluate what you are trying to do, and what your destination is.
Much of the final section of Step Up is geared to 'Coaching,' which in itself is not part of the basic Step Up acronym, but is a vital part of personal and corporate success. Coaching in the business world is no different to coaching in the sports world. Essentially it is someone who may be disassociated with you personally, but can evaluate your performance, and help you to the next rung on the success ladder. It could be your boss, it could be a friend, it could be a professional.
Step Up can be ordered through Amazon, he also has a web site at Daniel Grissom dot com.
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