The Phoenix Partners’s Rachel Hargrave puts aside her cynicism and discovers a challenging read.

Rachel Hargrave, managing director of marketing communications agency The Phoenix Partners, reviews Shaun Smith and Andy Milligan’s How to be Brave in Business and Win.

Cynicism is a dangerous thing, but I have to admit that I approached this book very cynically. Perhaps I’ve just
read too much about business differentiation, making the brand real or focusing on people.

If I’d kept up that attitude I would never have opened the book, and I’d never have moved my thinking on. This book engages its reader from the off.

While the authors’ writing is knowledgeable, it is also warm, conversational and open. However, their style does not overshadow the  stories told by the participating companies.

Each chapter is dedicated to a particular company that tells its bold story. Several people within each firm contribute so that the reader gets a real sense of the business, its values and how it does business differently.

This book quietly challenged me throughout by asking, ‘How is your business bold? How is it different? What are you doing to move your business forward?’

The final two chapters set out a clear plan and ‘how to’. There’s also plenty of online  support and email updates that you can access so you don’t forget your bold plans in the heat of day-to-day business. So, be bold, put your cynicism to one side and have an enjoyable – and challenging – read.