Marketing is always changing and evolving over the years. A great way to learn about some of the best marketing practices is by hands-on experience in the field or by learning through the experiences of marketing gurus through various books they have written. So, for those looking to up their game, here are seven B2B marketing book recommendations you must add to your reading list.
Alchemist: Challenges the Status Quo.
Rory Sutherland, the vice president of Ogilvy, blends stories, behavioural science and branding magic on his mission to turn us all into idea alchemists. In his first book he reveals why abandoning logic and casting aside rationality is the best way to solve any problem. The book explores the idea that businesses, governments and economists have all got it wrong – human beings are not rational creatures who make decisions based on evidence. Instead, the big problems we face every day, whether as an individual or in society, could very well be solved by thinking less logically. To be brilliant, you have to be irrational.
Buy your book here.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It
This book is written by Chris Voss, former international hostage negotiator for the FBI and Tahl Raz, an award-winning journalist and coauthor of Never Eat Alone. It talks about how one can approach high-stake negotiations, whether in the boardroom or at home. Negotiations are a part of daily life and one should be prepared to negotiate well. The book teaches us how to take emotional intelligence and intuition to the next level.
This practical guide to negotiating talks about the nine principles and tactics that can be used to become more persuasive in your life. Learn more about the book and buy your copy here.
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Phil Knight, the founder and board chairman of Nike, talks about how they grew the startup into one of the most iconic brands in the world. Phil takes us behind the scenes of the early days of the company and shares their milestones and key learnings along the journey.
Learn more about the book and place your order here.
The Human Brand
Chris Malone, Founder and managing partner of Fidelum Partners, a research-based consulting and professional services firm, talks about how people choose companies and brands. We see companies and brands the same way we automatically perceive, judge and behave towards one another. It is even more essential, therefore, for brands today to build genuine relationships with their customers for the best results. The book features analysis of various companies such as Hershey’s, Domino’s, Lululemon, Zappos, Amazon, Chobani, Sprint and more, to highlight various aspects that support their findings.
The Human Brand is essential reading for understanding how and why we make the choices we do, as well as what it takes for companies and brands to earn and keep our loyalty in the digital age. Learn more about the book and place your order here.
The Choice Factory: 25 behavioural biases that influence what we buy
Richard Shotton, the founder of Astroten, a consultancy that applies behavioural science to marketing, talks about what really influences people’s decisions and what drives them to make their choices. In this book, he takes you through a typical day of decision-making, from trivial food choices to significant work-place moves to point out how our behaviour is shaped by psychological shortcuts.
It is absolutely essential to understand what drives decisions before you try to influence them and the behavioural science concepts taught in this book can be easily applied to marketing. Learn more about the book and buy your copy here.
Marketing to Mindstates: The Practical Guide to Applying Behaviour Design to Research and Marketing
Design plays a major role in marketing today and Will Leach, the founder of TriggerPoint Design, a leading behaviour research and design consultancy specialising in using behaviour economics and decision design, talks about the basics of design in his book. Marketing to Mindstates takes you through the various ways marketers can reach today’s customers and influence their purchases through a process called Behaviour Design.
Learn more about Marketing to Mindstates and order your copy here.
