399 episodes

Alison Jones, publisher and book coach, explores business books from both a writer's and a reader's perspective. Interviews with authors, publishers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, tech wizards, social media strategists, PR and marketing experts and others involved in helping businesses tell their story effectively.

The Extraordinary Business Book Club Alison Jones

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 42 Ratings

Alison Jones, publisher and book coach, explores business books from both a writer's and a reader's perspective. Interviews with authors, publishers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, tech wizards, social media strategists, PR and marketing experts and others involved in helping businesses tell their story effectively.

    Episode 405 - The insider's guide to London Book Fair

    Episode 405 - The insider's guide to London Book Fair

    I’m just back from an exhausting, exhilarating few days at London Book Fair. My ears are still ringing slightly, my feet hurt, I need to spend a few days on my own in a darkened room and I can’t even tell you how many follow-up actions are on my to-do list – in other words, it was a great Fair.
    But what does that mean? As publishers, we at Practical Inspiration Publishing are all about selling books, but we don't actually sell our books at book fairs: so what DO we do? Here's an insider's guide to what actually goes on at London Book Fair for book trade professionals and for authors and illustrators, and what you can expect (and what you can't) if you decide to rock up to Olympia next year.

    • 24 min
    Episode 404 - LinkedIn mastery with Louise Brogan

    Episode 404 - LinkedIn mastery with Louise Brogan

    Louise Brogan helps entrepreneurs and professionals elevate their LinkedIn game. In this week's conversation she explains why LinkedIn is so important for businesses and why most people are so dreadful at it. From fundamental mindset to the most effective tactics right now, it's a masterclass in maximising your profile on LinkedIn without losing your soul.  
    She's also in the throes of writing her first business book, so this is a great report from the frontline if you're in that place and want some comradely advice and support. 
    And finally, Louise's no-nonsense, super-helpful LinkedIn how-to videos have also made her something of a YouTube star, so I made sure to ask her all about that too... 

    • 36 min
    Episode 403 - Disrupting HR with Lucy Adams

    Episode 403 - Disrupting HR with Lucy Adams

    "It was fantastic, just as a sheer exercise in putting something out there and being brave and saying, these are my thoughts, what does everyone else think?"
    Lucy Adams spends her days helping HR leaders reimagine their profession, and her classic work HR Disrupted and its sequel, The HR Change Toolkit, are critical to this mission.
    Her message is simple: treat employees as adults. But the implications are profound.
    In this conversation, we talk about how HR is changing (or not), the impact of COVID on the profession and on Lucy's decision to write a new edition, the delight of writing and the grind of editing, and the exhilaration and terror involved in opening your freshly minted book for the first time...

    • 35 min
    Episode 402 - The BRAVE Leader with David McQueen

    Episode 402 - The BRAVE Leader with David McQueen

    'The beautiful part of it, which is also the hardest and the most painful part, is the editing... [if] you put a book out into the world which will be around longer than you, you might as well put in the effort to get it right.'
    David McQueen has never been one to shy away from tough conversations. In his book, The BRAVE Leader, he challenges all leaders to lean into the difficulty, to be more courageous and ambitious in their decision-making for inclusivity. 
    And it turns out that willingness to engage and that refusal to settle served him well when it came to writing his first book. More at home on the stage than the page, David found this a steep learning curve, and he's open and honest about what he discovered along the way. 
    But just like those tough conversations, the hard work of writing and editing paid for itself in spades, and the book is now the 'centre of gravity' for his talks and other activities.  
    If you need to be braver with your book and/or your leadership, this week's episode is for you... 

    • 34 min
    Episode 401 - Pushing through discomfort

    Episode 401 - Pushing through discomfort

    Following last week's quadricentennial episode, a slightly belated but still brilliant best bits episode, showcasing the shiniest gems from the last few Extraordinary Business Book Club conversations. 
    The theme is pushing through discomfort, and it brings together extraordinary stories, illuminating insights and gloves-down challenges from: 
    Errol Doebler on emotional regulation and the discipline of writing;  Sir John Tusa on the traits of people who Get Things Done; Bonnie Wan on writing her way out of the darkest moments;  Andy Brown on taking ideas further;  Sara Dalrymple on getting through the discomfort of selling;  Gillian Camm on getting through the discomfort of editing;  Naren Aryal on breaking through the trust barrier;  Sara Lloyd on how publishers, and writers, face up to challenge.  Includes ice baths, coffee, deep breaths and showing up. 

    • 29 min
    Episode 400 - Ask me anything!

    Episode 400 - Ask me anything!

    How can I start running when I absolutely hate running? What's your one big, albeit lesser known, tip for writing your first book? Have you tried smoked chili peanut butter yet? When I put out the call for questions for this quadricentennial episode, I could never have imagined the response. From the playful to the profound, these questions have got me thinking and I hope they, and my answers, will get you thinking too. 
    So for one week only, to celebrate this 400-episode milestone, you're asking the questions in the Extraordinary Business Book Club and I'm in the hot seat. Very strange, but very fun! 

    • 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

Ollieedits ,

Leaders are Readers

This Podcast is well worth a listen, especially for Leaders or Learning Specialists who like to keep an ear open for leading edge thinking. Alison does the legwork, highlights worthy reads and credible thought leaders. The 99p deal on new titles is a great bonus too.

Ian Truscott ,

An essential listen for the writer and reader in you

A splendid podcast, not only is Alison an accomplished writer/coach/publisher - she’s a great podcast host, guiding some wonderful conversations with some fascinating guests. She explores not just the craft of writing, but also the inspirations behind the books and the people behind them, inviting us into her journey of curiosity. A must listen, if you are writing a business book, looking for an inspirational read, or just love books and publishing.

meal out with mate ,

Inspiring and makes you take action

I was introduced to this podcast by a friend who’s book is coming out in Jan. I didn’t even know what podcasts were until covid happened . Listening to other peoples stories has inspired be to take action on my own book and I will be in touch with Alison to join her next 1 week masterclass in Jan . I highly recommend others who have a book / idea in there mind to start listening to these amazing story / shares . I am feeling excited ... and it’s not even Christmas .
Thanks for sharing all . Love Kulwinder Dhillon

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