Best Business Books | 2012

It is estimated that more than

10,000 business books

are published each year.

source:  Forbes

Eleven books catapulted to the top in this year's search for the Best Business Books of 2012. For the fifth year running Beantown Web has conducted a quasi-scientific meta-search to identify the best business books published in the previous year.

This year's search began by identifying 10 "Best of" lists. This resource list is available upon request. Presented here are the results.

A total of 63 books were mentioned on at least one "Best of" list. These 63 books comprise the Honorable Mention list.

Best Business Books | Runners-Up

Here are the eight books that were mentioned on at least two lists and have been elevated to the Runners-Up list:

• 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era
• Daring Greatly
• How Will You Measure Your Life?
• Makers
• Quiet
• So Good They Can't Ignore You
• The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
• The Signal and the Noise

Best Business Books | Second Place

One book was mentioned on three lists and claims Second Place:

• The Advantage

Best Business Books | Top Honors

Two books tied for Top Honors by being mentioned on five lists:

• Private Empire
• The Power of Habit

Personal Recommendations

If 11 books are too many to chose from, then check out the following Short List. The four highest rated books on Goodreads (of the 11 listed here) are as follows:

• Daring Greatly (4.27 rating out of 5.00)
• The Advantage (4.17)
• So Good They Can't Ignore You (4.11)
• The Power of Habit (4.10)

These four books are now on my Short List.

I have read five books from this list of 11. I have also read two books from the Honorable Mention list (not pictured above). As I work through this reading list, I will post my reviews at Goodreads.com and share links here.

• American Icon ★★★★★
• How Will You Measure Your Life? ★★★★
• Makers ★★★
• So Good They Can't Ignore You ★★★★
• The Advantage ★★★★
• The Power of Habit ★★★★★
• Understanding Michael Porter ★★★★★

You can access reviews of all 100+ books that I have read on Leadership and Strategy at Pinterest.

Suggested Success Strategy

No matter what your professional discipline is -- Web technology or some other field -- business is the engine that drives economic well-being. The economy continues to chug along at a less-then-optimal pace. You can help improve your economic prospects by learning more about the business of business.

Goal: Identify one business book from the eleven listed above, read it, practice its principles and shift your career prospects into a higher gear in 2013.

[ NOTE: Follow Beantown Web on Twitter @webapprentices and on Facebook by becoming a Fan of Beantown Web. ]

View recent Best Business Books blog postings.

Boston's Rockstar Recruiters | Q1 2013

 
All hail The Year of The Rockstar.

Companies idolize Rockstars.

Managers cherish Rockstars.

Recruiters profit from Rockstars.

Everyone wants to meet a Rockstar!

If you currently play in a garage band, but aspire to become a Rockstar, you should begin networking with Rockstar companies, Rockstar managers and Rockstar recruiters.

Beantown Web asked the question, "Who are Boston's Rockstar Recruiters?"

Boston's Top 100 Technology Recruiters

To begin the quest, Beantown Web identified more than 250 technology recruiters via LinkedIn.  Most are located in the Boston area.  Some are located in New Hampshire and Rhode Island and do a significant amount of business in the Boston area.

Beantown Web then turned to LinkedIn to identify customer satisfaction scores.  In particular, how many people were willing to provide a public recommendation for that recruiter?

Rock 'n Rollers have gold albums.  Mere mortals have to make due with Recommendations.

The market for Rockstar Recruiters is heating up.  In order for a recruiter to make the Boston Rockstar Recruiter List for the first quarter they had to garner at least five LinkedIn Recommendations.  Last quarter, a mere three Recommendations was enough to merit Rockstar status.

Boston's Top 10 Technology Recruiters

Boston's Top 10 Rockstar Recruiters play to packed houses and receive standing ovations.  The best in the biz have received at least 29 Rockommendations from adoring fans.

Here are the Top 10 Boston Rockstar Recruiters for the first quarter of 2013 [number of LinkedIn recommendations]:

1. Scott Dunlop [95] -- The Bivium Group
2. John VanderSande [62] -- WinterWyman
3. Jamie LeBlanc [50] -- The Bivium Group
4. Robin Napier [44] -- CyberCoders
5. Brendan Andersen [39] -- CyberCoders
6. Leanne Owens [38] -- Onward Search
7. Doug Schade [37] -- Winter Wyman
8. David Honig [32] -- MarketSearch 
9. Luis Perez [29] -- Winter Wyman
10. Bill Sullivan [29] -- Chase Technology Consultants

The Boston Rockstar Recruiter Countdown begins @webapprentices and will continue throughout the first quarter listing all 95 Rockstar Recruiters.  Simply follow @webapprentices and connect with your favorite Boston Rockstar Recruiter each day.

If you are aware of a Boston-based Technology Recruiter who has garnered at least five LinkedIn Recommendations, go to Beantown Web on Facebook and share your Rockstar Recruiter selection with our readers.  Rock on!

Chowda Chat | Larry Ullman

Chowda Chat is a periodic Beantown Web installment that features a conversation with an influential member of the Web technology community.

The purpose of Chowda Chat is to provide Web technology professionals with information to help advance their careers. The format involves three questions and responses followed by one final thought.

Today's Chowda Chat presents the insights of Larry Ullman, writer, Web and software developer, trainer, instructor, speaker, and consultant.

You are the author of 23 technology books.  Do you ever run out of topics or ideas?

"We're fortunate to be in an industry in which lots of new and exciting developments are constantly occurring, so it has not been difficult coming up with topics and ideas. Basically, I write about what I use and find interesting.  That being said, after I finish my current book on the Yii PHP framework, I have no idea what I'll write about next."

What is your best selling book of all time?

"My best selling book is PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide, put out by Peachpit Press. Second, is my beginner's guide to PHP, PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide.  My Modern JavaScript: Develop and Design book has only been out not quite a year, but its sales look like they'll be in the same ballpark as those other two. These sales make sense, I think, as PHP and JavaScript are two of the most important and used Web technologies."

You are visiting Boston to present "How to Become a Web Developer."  Is there one highlight from your presentation that you would like to mention here to entice aspiring web developers to attend?

"One thing I'm doing in the presentation, which is harder to find, is discussing how one goes about the business of being a Web developer. This includes starting up, finding clients, and working with clients. I have some good insights to share in these areas, which should be quite useful to those in attendance."

Final Thought

"If I had to summarize who I am (from a work-related perspective) in a single sentence, it’d be this: I’m not a computer geek, but I can speak their language."

Spend an FREE evening with Larry Ullman on Wednesday, December 12 in Cambridge, MA and join 300 other geeks and wannabe geeks in learning How to Become a Web Developer.

Follow Larry Ullman on Twitter.

Previous Chowda Chats

• Chowda Chat | Brian Rinaldi
• Chowda Chat | Leah Busque
• Chowda Chat | Margaret Meloni
• Chowda Chat | Dan Keldsen
• Chowda Chat | Dean Fossella

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The Power of We | Virtual Self-Study Groups

Today is Blog Action Day. This year's theme is The Power of We, a celebration of people working together to make a positive difference in the world.

The Power of We in Boston

Here's how we are making a difference in Boston.

The Challenge: Companies are looking for technology workers and they are not finding workers with the skills they need.

The Solution: Form virtual self-study groups to train workers on technology skills.

Narrowing the Skills Gap, One Chapter at a Time

Boston PHP Meetup , the largest Web technology Meetup in the United States with more than 3,000 members, launched this virtual self-study group initiative in January 2011. 

The format of a virtual self-study group is as follows:

~ Each participant purchases the same textbook.
~ Each participant commits to read one chapter per week, complete the exercises and post a link to their completed work.
~ Each participant obtains assistance by posting questions to a discussion area set up on the Boston PHP Message Board.

One group is currently under way: PHP Percolate! Season 4.

Two groups are about to begin on November 4: jQuery jAM, Season 2 and HTML5 Brunch, Season 2.

More than 80 alumni are enshrined on the Self-Study Group | Wall of Accomplishment.

Training is Virtual

Since training is virtual you do not need to live in Boston to participate.  If you are interested in learning Web technology, then join us and help narrow the skills gap, one chapter at a time.

[ NOTE: Follow Beantown Web on Twitter @webapprentices and on Facebook by becoming a Fan of Beantown Web. ]



 

Boston Web Tech Job Market | Q4 2012‏

"The need for open source programming language skills that power a huge number of Web applications and technologies is evident in requests for Python and Ruby. Both have hit all-time highs in six of the 10 months in 2012."

On a national level, The Dice Report for October states that eleven technology skills reached all-time demand highs in early October.  Leading the pack is "software developers."

Boston Web Tech Job Market

On a local level, the Boston technology job market confirms the ongoing need for programming skills.  Although the market has softened somewhat over the past three months, demand for Web tech professionals continues to be strong.

The list of Top 20 Web Technologies in Boston has been updated for the fourth quarter. The list is based on keyword searches in job postings at Boston.com. The most in-demand technologies are listed more frequently than less in-demand technologies.

Here are the Seven Biggest Movers from early July to early October, listed by percentage increase:

1. SaaS  | 127 listings 26%
2. C#  | 292 listings 07%
3. jQuery  | 170 listings 06%
4. XML  | 278 listings 04%
5. ASP.NET  | 148 listings 03%
6. SharePoint  | 128 listings 03%
7. JavaScript  | 356 listings 01%

Go forth and develop Web-based applications.  Your skills are in demand, especially if have SaaS (software as a service) experience.  The demand for software development skills does not appear to be platform-specific.  Demand is strong in a Microsoft environment (C#, ASP.NET, SharePoint), as well as, in an open-source environment (jQuery, XML, JavaScript).  No matter.  Multiple job offers await.

Fall Training Opportunities

Here are two virtual training opportunities to consider joining this fall.



jQuery jAM, Season 2 -- a virtual self-study group focused on learning the basics of jQuery Mobile.

HTML5 Brunch, Season 2 -- a virtual self-study group focused on learning the basics of HTML5.

Both programs begin Sunday, November 4.  The only cost is the purchase of a textbook (under $30).

Full Disclosure: Gene Babon created both programs in his capacity as Co-Organizer of Boston PHP Meetup.  Merlin Calo will be coordinating HTML5 Brunch, Season 2 under the HTML5 Boston Meetup banner. Gene Babon and Jeremy Osborn will help launch HTML5 Brunch, Season 2 at an HTML5 Boston Meetup on Monday, October 29.

Top 20 Web Technologies in Boston

Here is an abbreviated list of the most in-demand web technologies in Boston. [ or from early July ] listed by number of job postings at Boston.com/Monster.com:

1. SQL | 815 02%
2. Java | 541 04%
3. Oracle | 450 26%
4. JavaScript | 356 01%
5. SQL Server | 336 00%
6. C# | 292 07%
7. XML | 278 05%
8. Social Media | 220 01%
9. "Web Services" | 200 02%
10. HTML + CSS | 187 12%
11. jQuery | 170 06%
12. Perl | 161 15%
13. Python | 159 17%
14. ASP.NET | 148 03%
15. Ajax | 144 01%
16. MySQL | 133 18%
17. SharePoint | 128 03%
18. UI | 127 07%
19. SaaS | 127 22%
20. PHP | 126 31%

An expanded version of this list -- Boston's Top 50 Web Technologies -- is being counted down throughout the fourth quarter @webapprentices.

[ NOTE: Follow Beantown Web on Twitter @webapprentices and on Facebook by becoming a Fan of Beantown Web. ]

Boston's Rockstar Recruiters | Q4 2012

Everyone is looking for rockstars.

Companies are looking for rockstars.

Hiring Managers are looking for rockstars.

Recruiters are looking for rockstars.

If you are currently in the job market, why shouldn't you look for rockstars, as well?

Beantown Web asked the question, "Where are the rockstar recruiters?"

Boston's Top 100 Technology Recruiters

To begin the quest, Beantown Web identified more than 240 technology recruiters via LinkedIn.  Most are located in the Boston area.  Some are located in New Hampshire and Rhode Island and do a significant amount of business in the Boston area.

Beantown Web then turned to LinkedIn to identify customer satisfaction scores.  In particular, how many people were willing to provide a public recommendation for that recruiter?

Rockstars have gold albums.  Mere mortals have to make due with recommendations.

In order for a recruiter to make the Top 100 List they had to garner at least three LinkedIn recommendations.

Boston's Top 10 Technology Recruiters

It takes courage to show up at open mike night and play in front of a crowd of strangers.  It takes talent to impress them enough to give you a standing ovation.  Boston's Top 10 Technology Recruiters have been brought back for an encore by delivering rockstar performances to least 20 cheering fans.

Here are Boston's Top 10 Technology Recruiters [number of LinkedIn recommendations]:

1. Scott Dunlop [95] -- The Bivium Group
2. Jamie LeBlanc [45] -- The Bivium Group
3. Brendan Andersen [39] -- CyberCoders
4. Leanne Owens [33] -- Onward Search
5. Luis Perez [29] -- Winter Wyman
6. Bill Sullivan [28] -- Chase Technology Consultants
7. Chris Mitchell [27] -- Winter Wyman
8. Andrea Williams [26] -- Career Minded Recruiting
9. Debbie Strevens [25] -- Jobspring Partners
10. Scott White [23] -- HireMinds

The Top 100 Rockstar Recruiter Countdown begins @webapprentices and will continue throughout the fourth quarter (92 days).  Simply follow @webapprentices and connect with your favorite Rockstar Recruiter each day.

If you are aware of a Top 10 Technology Recruiter who should be on the list, go to Beantown Web on Facebook and cast your vote for your favorite Top 10 Rockstar Recruiter.

MassTLC Start-up to Watch | 2012

Who would you vote for?

Start-up to Watch | Finalists

• Content Raven
• Native Brain
• Practically Green
• SessionM
• Vsnap
  

Find out Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the 2012 MassTLC Leadership Awards Gala.

[ NOTE: Follow Beantown Web on Twitter @webapprentices and on Facebook by becoming a Fan of Beantown Web. ]

MassTLC Private Company of the Year | 2012

Who would you vote for?

Private Company of the Year | Finalists

• Acquia
• HubSpot
• Neolane
• uTest
• Visible Measures

Find out Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the 2012 MassTLC Leadership Awards Gala.

[ NOTE: Follow Beantown Web on Twitter @webapprentices and on Facebook by becoming a Fan of Beantown Web. ]