Tailoring a book program for managers: Why and how

Offering testimonials from a range of sources, we assert that managers’ book programs benefit participants and their organizations. Managers gain sophistication through such programs, and by sharing what they learn via one-page summaries, they can more easily apply that sophistication. Other advantages for the organization include showing visible interest in developing managers’ capabilities and also cost savings if a book program reduces the need for seminar attendance. An additional benefit is the likelihood that reading becomes enjoyable and leads to further reading if the program is voluntary and the book list is carefully chosen. To demonstrate how a book program tailored for an organization might work, we initiated a prototype among working master of business administration students, each of whom read one book individually as well as another book read by all. Each participant summarized his/her unique book, and as a group, all participants analyzed the one book read by everyone and selected its most and least useful suggestions. Thus, critical thinking became a component of the undertaking as well as familiarity with a variety of authors’ ideas on a range of topics pertinent to managers.