Matt Burgess

Bit Literacy (2007), Mark Hurst

To be free of overload and the problems it causes, users must choose to become bit-literate. -Mark Hurst

Bit literacy is an interesting topic in our modern times of dramatic technological change and information overload. I've noticed how new technologies are often adopted for their novelty without consideration to their practical use or their best use, and I've seen how mis-management of information can cause the most efficient of people to drown. Mark Hurst does an excellent job explaining at a low level how technology works and what is means for us. He also goes into some techniques of making effective use of the more widely accepted technologies and ramifications of those less known.

Being in the information technology industry, most of the content was not new as it might be to most people. Despite my expectation to quickly become bored, I didn't. I found his explanations, tips and foresight very well written and to the point, which happens to be one of his own tips. If you are bogged down on a daily basis like most people in the digital world, consider reading Bit Literacy. Throughout your experience, I bet you will gain a better understanding and appreciate for what bits do for us. You might even take advantage of their original intent...to make life easier.

Little Green Book of Getting Your Way: How to Speak, Write, Present, Persuade, Influence, and Sell Your Point of View to Others (2007), Jeffrey Gitomer

Reading Jeffrey Gitomer reminded me of attending a Zig Ziglar talk where a lot of information was presented to nodding heads, a lot of motivation was conjured, and takeaway was drowned by the overwhelming amount of information. For being such a short book, there is a lot of information there. Luckily, it is organized very well into chapters then into lists, which makes the book a great reference for subjects like presenting, sales and persuasive writing.

Throughout my reading experience, I felt I was reading an informercial for Jeffrey Gitomer. Each list has an extra half point, so the 8 Elements of Persuasion turns into the 8.5 not because one point is half complete, but because Jeffrey Gitomer wants you to remember his unconventional lists. Oh, and it worked. I can't remember what any list was about, but I remember Jeffrey Gitomer had an 8.5, 11.5, 15.5 and 28.5 list of something. I found this annoying along with entire pages devoted to Gitomer quotes, but sort of expect it from someone whose business is himself.

I feel the real meat of the book is found in the first few chapters where he outlines what it takes to be persuasive. Most of these look and feel like common sense, but I think its worth some thought in the context of persuasion. Without further ado, getting your way requires the following characteristics:
-Personal Conviction
-Believability
-Truthfulness
-Value

There you have it.