The talentsmoothie team have written several books and numerous articles.

A selection with relevance to our work include:

The Right Thing

Sally’s latest book  is ‘The Right Thing: An everyday guide to ethics in business’ (Wiley , September 2010).

Business ethics have never been more important. In the post 2008 financial crisis and following the corporate and political scandals of recent years organisations have a way to go to prove that they operate ethically.

Most people have no idea how to tackle ethical issues – this leaves them and their companies exposed to a great deal of risk. ‘The Right Thing is practical and gives specific guidance on how to tackle tricky issues.

Here’s what people have said about the book.

“This is a timely book. It’s a user’s guide, rooted in practical examples. It is a handbook for good management – in every sense – and worth its place on every manager’s, or would-be manager’s shelf”.

Michael Buerk, BBC journalist and presenter of Moral Maze

“Useful, common-sense advice to help navigate the complicated world of ethical choice. The Right Thing makes you feel that a sensible and trusted friend is on hand to help settle confusing problems”

Stefan Stern. Management Writer, Financial Times

“A hearts and minds, root and branch perspective on ethical business”

Katie Alcott, Founder, Frank Water

Generation Y for Rookies

Sally Bibb

Packed with practical tips, the book is a tool-kit for understanding and appealing to Generation Y employees and consumers.

The book helps the reader to understand:

• Who Generation Y are and how/why are they so different from the other generations in the workplace?
• How to attract, manage, engage, develop and keep them.
• How to make the most of their knowledge and talents
• How to stand out from the competition and become a Generation Y magnet.

We all have Gen Y mentors at talentsmoothie. Sally’s mentor, Ed Fox, reviewed the book as she was writing it. Here’s what he said:

‘Generation Y for Rookies’ is impressively engaging while dealing with ideas that matter. Ideas that will shape the way you think. Ideas that will help you discover the vital importance of seeking to understand and tolerate the perspectives of others. Ideas, indeed, that will help you recognise the value that lies in everyone and help you to harness the collective intelligence of all generations in order to make a difference.

Published by Marshall Cavendish in February 2010. Contact us to order your copy.

A Question of Trust

Sally Bibb & Jeremy Koudi

A Question of Trust, was shortlisted for the Management Today writing awards in 2004. It is probably even more relevant today than it was when first written. Lack of trust in politics and business is a topic that gets lots of media coverage and is becoming an issue of serious concern, with all generations, but particularly with Generation Y.

Those companies who can build trust-based cultures will certainly do better at attracting and retaining Gen Y. Trust is important to them. And they are much less susceptible to slick marketing messages and spin than the other generations are.

“A serious account of how trust lies at the heart of business and personal success.”

Financial Times

“A stimulating read if you believe that trust is an essential ingredient in making organisations tick. If you do not… this is essential reading!’”

Martin McCourt, CEO, Dyson

The Stone Age Company

Sally Bibb

This book talks about outmoded ways of managing and why change is needed. The Stone Age Company definitely does not appeal to Generation Y. Sally argues the case for some changes in structure, management and people practices. Here’s what Dan Germain of Innocent Drinks says about it:

“So many businesses go to the wall because they refuse to change their belief in archaic ways of managing. Sally plots a new course for decent modern enterprise. She challenges the basis of what many obese and ageing companies stand for, in a clear and refreshing manner. Nice to hear some plain talk in a business book for once”

Management f-LAWS

Russ Ackoff, Herbert Addison and Sally Bibb

Management f-Laws is an ironic take on how business functions despite itself. The book was the brainchild of Russ Ackoff, Professor Emeritus of the Wharton School. Sally gives her own feisty responses to the wisdom of Russ as he sets out his f-laws on what is often wrong in business. It is a conversation between two different generations and the conversation between the authors is funny and wise and brings a light touch to the debate on change

“This book is fun – not something one can often say about a management book. It’s also a compact piece of distilled wisdom.”

Charles Handy – Management Today, February 2007

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