5 Books Singapore's Generation T Honourees Are Reading

What are the trailblazers and game changers of the generation reading? We ask our Generation T 2018 listers to share about a book that has changed their life, or given them a fresh new perspective in their respective professions

Blue Ocean Strategy

by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

"It gives you a new perspective to learn from, and offers advice on differentiating yourself from competitors and creating value by thinking outside the box."

Who is reading it Brian Chua, CEO of Tsuta Global

What it is about The global bestseller challenges traditional competitive strategy, urging readers to chart their own path to success, where the competition isn't. The book is the culmination of a decade-long study of 150 business strategies across 30 industries, and presents a systematic approach to competition by creating "blue oceans" instead of plunging into a "red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool". The book has sold over 3.5 million copies.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

by Jim Collins

"The book studies 1,000 companies in the United States and examines what differentiates a great company from a good one."

Who is reading it Paul Gabie, co-founder and CEO of The Proof Collective

What it is about What's the difference between a great company from a good one? In Jim Collins' management book, a "great" company is one that boasts financial performance that is several times above the market average over at least 15 years. The book identifies elite companies based on a series of benchmarks, including cumulative stock returns, and examines the leap they took that made the difference. It has sold over four million copies.

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

by Danny Meyer

Who is reading it Marilyn Lum, co-founder of Crib and director of Lum Wen Kay Holdings

What it is about For anyone working in hospitality—from a waiter to a manager—award-winning restauranteur Danny Meyer (Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Shake Shack) shares his philosophy of Enlightened Hospitality to survive in the competitive industry. Recounting Meyer's success story, the book emphasises on strong in-house relationships and attention to customer satisfaction that sets a successful hospitality business apart from the competition.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

by Mark Manson

"This book changed my perspective and taught me that sometimes letting go doesn't mean not caring."

Who is reading it Cherin Tan, founder and creative director of Laank, and Teresa Lim, artist and illustrator

What is it about A self-help guide that is nothing like any self-help guides you've read, this book by blogger Mark Manson is candid, entertaining, and insightful. Instead of striving to be happy and positive all the time, Manson advises readers to "f**k positivity" and learn to live with it instead, because "not everybody can be extraordinary... and some of it is not fair or your fault". The humorous read is especially inspiring for people-pleasers and the modern generation who are fixated on living the picture-perfect life.

Start With Why

by Simon Sinek

"Why is Elon Musk building Tesla? Why are you starting the business? The book probes you to ask the 'why' behind everything you do."

Who is reading it Kelvin Lee, co-founder and CEO of Fundnel

What it is about Why are some leaders or organisations more successful than others? Because they started with "why". Simon Sinek asks the important questions in this study, and decodes how the best leaders are able to inspire action and results by thinking and behaving in a similar way, opposite of everyone else. He calls this idea The Golden Circle, and his TED Talk based upon the book has attracted more than 28 million views—awarding it the position of third most popular TED video of all time.

Topics

generation t gen.t business books entrepreneurs business book leadership