Book Smarts

Good Is Not Enough by Keith R. Wyche with Sonia Alleyne

 

Author and president of U.S. operations for Pitney Bowes Management Services, Keith R. Wyche, uses personal stories and those of friends and colleagues to illustrate paths and pitfalls for passionate people eager to move up in business. It’s a book expressly for young minorities, written by an African-American.

Long before you sign an acceptance letter, Wyche says, be sure that the corporate culture is going to be a good fit for you. Are you willing to do what it takes to assimilate?

Never underestimate the power of networking. Nurture your contacts and look for a mentor (someone you choose) and a sponsor (someone who chooses you) to help navigate this job and beyond. Utilize those people to garner inside information, and be ready to sponsor or mentor someone when it’s your turn to do so.

Be willing to stand out and be seen. You may already be visible by virtue of your minority status, but Wyche says you should also volunteer for extra work and off-hours events, and seize every opportunity for face time with senior-level management or out-of-town corporate visitors.

Demand (nicely) a quarterly progress report and heed it. Be willing to make lateral moves. Always prepare better than your colleagues. Be ethical, because you won’t get a second chance.

If all else fails, have a good exit strategy and never give up.

Be aware that this book is heavy on corporate America-type careers.  But if you’ve got your eyes on the corner office and the salary to go with it, reading “Good is Not Enough” is a pretty good start.
$24.95, 242 pages

—Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez

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