Being human

Learning from evolution for the future.

• Kai Michel and Carel van Schaik
• Publisher: Rowohlt
• Publication year: 2023
• Pages: 384
• ISBN: 9783498003272

Current cultural critiques and social analyses lack the fundamental question: What is the human being? For bestselling authors Carel van Schaik and Kai Michel, one thing is clear: only the answer to this question will tell us why we are in a kind of permanent crisis in various areas of life today. From the perspective of biology and anthropology, the answer is that evolution has prepared us for a different life than the one we currently lead. With their evolutionary perspective, van Schaik and Michel shed new light on well-known diseases of civilization. Worth reading!

Collaboration in the flow

How to successfully bring flow to your team, projects and company with 10 tried-and-tested tools.

• Nadja Schnetzler and Laurent Burst
• Publisher: GABAL
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 215
• ISBN: 9783967392012

The flow of work and collaboration in organizations are repeatedly slowed down and disrupted by many factors. Unproductive meetings are annoying and small misunderstandings escalate into conflicts. Unfinished tasks pile up and cause delays. The authors believe that none of this is necessary. Work can be organized in such a way that it flows. They present ten tried-and-tested tools that help to create the desired flow. However, they also write that in order for these tools to be effective, the major and minor obstacles to flow need to be tackled.

Playbook Resonance

Find the emotions that really drive brands.

• Bernhard Fischer-Appelt
• Publisher: Murmann
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 215
• ISBN: 9783867748063

Brands must not only appeal to the mind, but also to people's emotions. Says advertising expert Bernhard Fischer-Appelt and takes us on an entertaining journey through the world of innovative brand experiences. There is just as much to learn from Taylor Swift as from the legendary techno club Berghain or the sports retailer Decathlon. Unfortunately, the broad selection of case studies comes at the expense of a more precise definition of what the "affective arrangement" is that should make brands tangible. Nevertheless, it is an amusing and inspiring read.

Committed to the future

Modern entrepreneurship for a country worth living in.

• Thomas M. Fischer
• Publisher: Westend
• Year of publication: 2025
• Pages: 192
• ISBN: 9783864894831

Thomas M. Fischer is an entrepreneur himself - and wants this book to make you think: Why do we still define success in terms of growth, even though the world has long needed other answers? Fischer shows what potential lies in a value-oriented economy. He sees sustainability as an opportunity for companies, society and every individual. Fischer is convinced that life in a sustainable society will be better than many believe. An inspiring read for anyone thinking about the future of our economy and society.

Save the diversity

Manifesto for a biodiverse society.

• Helmuth Trischler, Jens Kersten and Katrin Böhning-Gaese
• Publisher: Klett-Cotta
• Year of publication: 2025
• Pages: 208
• ISBN: 9783608966497

Species extinction and climate change threaten the earth and our existence. Both are caused by humans. If we want to avert the impending catastrophe, we have to radically change our way of life. Faced with this mammoth task, some people may resign themselves. However, the authors show that the worst can be avoided with a variety of practical measures, some of which have already been taken. Above all, we need to recognize the value of all that ecosystems provide. We can live in harmony with nature instead of ruthlessly exploiting it.

getAbstract rating: 10

Qualities:

• Controversial
• An eye-opener
• Explosive

Digital diagnoses

Mental health as a social media trend.

• Laura Wiesböck
• Publisher: Zsolnay
• Year of publication: 2025
• Pages: 176
• ISBN: 9783552075429

It is in the logic of social media that they exaggerate complex issues and draw users into a maelstrom of similar content. As private companies, the large social media groups also obey the laws of the market and competition. Both of these are the worst possible conditions for a differentiated approach to mental illness. The author cleverly analyses the mental health trend in social media, highlights problematic developments and argues for a move away from the individualization of healthcare.

getAbstract rating: 9

Qualities:

• Analytical
• An eye-opener
• Explosive

Implement ESG reporting

Reporting requirements and IT solutions.

• Peter Preuss, Neele Baumann and Lukas Kister
• Publisher: Schäffer-Poeschel
• Year of publication: 2025
• Pages: 163
• ISBN: 9783791064369

The EU's ESG reporting obligations, in particular the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are considered a bureaucratic monster. This directive requires companies to disclose comprehensive information on their environmental, social and governance practices. The complex legislation is delaying its transposition into German law. However, companies subject to reporting requirements should already be doing their homework. This book offers them guidance in the jungle of regulatory developments - with a focus on the use of suitable IT.

getAbstract rating: 8

Qualities:

• Feasible
• Systematically

The resilience plan

Strategies for optimizing mental health to stay mentally strong at work.

• Marie-Hélène Pelletier
• Publisher: Vahlen
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 170
• ISBN: 9783800675296

Burnt out? Not me! Managers often wrongly assume that they don't need to do anything for their resilience. They underestimate the demands placed on them and overestimate their resources. In her well-structured and easy-to-understand book, mental health expert Marie-Hélène Pelletier encourages you to take care of your mental health in good time, taking into account both your professional and private life. Individual actions are not enough. Neither is copying others. An individual plan is necessary.

getAbstract rating: 7

Qualities:

• Feasible
• An eye-opener
• Systematically

Valuable Mistakes – The Right Kind of Wrong

The Practical Science of Intelligent Failure.

• Amy Edmondson
• Publisher: Vahlen
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 325
• ISBN: 9783800674312

Even though people often say, «You learn from your mistakes.» —no one likes to make mistakes. What’s more, you can learn the most from valuable mistakes. Amy Edmondson explains—in a clear and accessible way, with many real-world examples—which mistakes are necessary for progress and which ones can be avoided. She takes a nuanced look at different types of mistakes and offers helpful tips for dealing wisely with failure, both on a personal and organizational level.

getAbstract rating: 10

Qualities:

• Innovative
• Feasible
• An eye-opener

Deepfakes and Manipulated Realities

Technology Assessment and Recommendations for Action in Switzerland.

• Murat Karaboga
• Publisher: vdf Hochschulverlag
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 436
• ISBN: 9783728141859

Modern deepfake technologies make it possible to depict anything imaginable: whether natural disasters or terrorist attacks, celebrity romances or annual reports—if a simple voice command can put it out into the world, who or what can we still believe? The research team behind this report surveyed Swiss citizens, politicians, business leaders, and journalists about AI-generated content. The conclusion: The issue is a major social powder keg. To defuse it, we need well-thought-out regulation, effective public education, and greater personal responsibility on the part of users.

getAbstract rating: 7

Qualities:

• Science-based
• Systematically
• Overview

Between Selfishness and Excellence

How Narcissism Is Changing Our Work Environment and What We Can Do About It.

• Ramzi Fatfouta
• Publisher: Haufe
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 212
• ISBN: 9783648180990

Recent articles on narcissism in the workplace tend to focus primarily on its negative aspects. Unfairly so, says psychologist Ramzi Fatfouta. The strong drive for leadership and achievement, as well as the innovative and motivational power of narcissistic individuals, can actually be an asset to companies. Using numerous examples from everyday work life, he shows how you, as a manager or team, can constructively harness the positive traits of narcissists. His nuanced perspective on narcissism allows for a new, open approach to dealing with it, without glossing over the risks.

getAbstract rating: 8

Qualities:

• Analytical
• An eye-opener
• Background

Self-Care for Dummies

• Eva Kalbheim
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 352
• ISBN: 9783527723355

Living mindfully in the here and now, breathing consciously, being grateful—taken on their own, the self-care tips offered in this guide are well known. Its strength lies in clearly summarizing all the tips and practical advice and enriching them with everyday examples. Individual chapters address specific life situations, such as work or parenthood. It’s inevitable that the advice will be repeated. Instead of reading the book from cover to cover, it’s therefore advisable to search specifically for relevant sections and useful exercises.

getAbstract rating: 7

Qualities:

• Comprehensive
• Overview
• Practical Examples

Superpower Sustainable Marketing

Grow with a new marketing model.

• Birgit Berthold-Kremser, Stefanie Kuhnhen, and Franziska Mozart
• Publisher: Haufe
• Year of publication: 2025
• Pages: 256
• ISBN: 9783648184592

Is marketing just about selling products? Not at all. According to the authors of this book, marketing has the «superpower» to transform companies—and even society—toward sustainability and a sense of responsibility. The book shows marketing professionals how they can actively shape change rather than merely reacting to trends. It covers the well-known 4Ps of marketing, new KPIs, and exciting perspectives on the future of marketing. All in all, it’s an inspiring guide for anyone who wants to meaningfully combine marketing and sustainability.

getAbstract rating: 9

Qualities:

• Feasible
• Systematically
• Inspiring

Leading Hybrid Teams Successfully

Here's how to boost team spirit and productivity when working between the office and your home office.

• Alexandra Altmann
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 272
• ISBN: 9783527511921

If you want to keep a team of people together—some of whom work in the office and others elsewhere—you’ll need to lead differently than before. Hybrid teams are successful when they have a strong sense of belonging, are skilled at digital communication, and when results matter more than physical presence. Online trainer Alexandra Altmann explains in detail—with plenty of practical tips and examples—how to build such a team and redefine your leadership role. This is how you can bring teams together—no matter who is sitting where at any given moment.

getAbstract rating: 8

Qualities:

• Comprehensive
• Feasible
• Practical Examples

A Practical Guide to Crisis Communication

Strategies for greater credibility, transparency, and trust.

• Marco Cortesi and Stefan Häseli
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Year of publication: 2025
• Pages: 317
• ISBN: 9783527512089

Only those who prepare themselves can successfully navigate potential crises. Crisis communication plays a crucial role in this. In times of multiple crises, no company can afford to fail to plan ahead and practice its procedures for handling a crisis, say the authors of this guide. The book’s structure isn’t always consistent, and there is a lot of repetition. In some places, a more in-depth analysis of the examples is lacking. Nevertheless, this practical guide serves as a good introduction to the important topic of crisis communication.

getAbstract rating: 7

Qualities:

• Feasible
• Practical Examples
• For Beginners

Smart Visualization

Think, explain, inspire, and guide better with Sketch4effects.

• Siegfried Bütefisch
• Publisher: BusinessVillage
• Publication year: 2023
• Pages: 184
• ISBN: 9783869807072

Sketchnotes are a simple way to visualize ideas on the spot. They are not art, as graphic designer Siegfried Bütefisch emphasizes. Anyone can learn to create sketchnotes and use them to enhance their presentation. Sketchnotes are also helpful in group work for developing ideas, explaining connections, and making goals visible. The author provides many practical tips and useful templates for this purpose. With 50 exercises, he gets readers right into the action—turning his book into a sketchbook. You’ll want to get started right away.

getAbstract rating: 8

Qualities:

• Practical Examples
• For Beginners
• Inspiring

Transformed

How to be competitive in an era of rapidly changing technologies.

• Marty Cagan
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 315
• ISBN: 9783527511914

How do successful companies manage to continuously deliver added value to their customers, work efficiently and keep up with the times? Many of them use the product operating model. In his book, Marty Cagan introduces all the important aspects of the topic and uses many case studies to show how it can be implemented in practice. He also explains in detail how you can transform your own company. An instructive and helpful book for product teams and managers who are wondering whether the product model is right for their company.

Men's alliance and women's bonus

Why stereotypes are harmful.

• Veronika Hucke
• Publisher: Brand eins
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 128
• ISBN: 9783989280274

Gender stereotypes are restrictive - for everyone: men, women and society as a whole. They influence how we think, work and live. But these stereotypes are neither natural nor irrevocable. This is proven by current studies as well as insights into our history. Veronika Hucke's book shows how deep these stereotypes go and what we can do to overcome them. What she writes is not new. But apparently it has still not reached everyone. That is why the book is another important voice for more personal freedom and genuine social progress.

Brand power

Orientation, meaning, trust. How creative people shape the future.

• Lucas von Gwinner, Dirk von Gehlen
• Publisher: Verlag Hermann Schmidt Mainz
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 208
• ISBN: 9783874399692

There are plenty of books about brands. This one is a little different. It is not a conventional marketing guide, but an almost philosophical brand reader. Less of a handbook and more of a plea for the power of the brand - as a source of meaning for the company's purpose, as a point of orientation for customers and as a change and transformation aid for CEOs and employees. Power Brand is both an invitation and a prophecy. The book is beautifully designed and - apart from a few redundancies - a pleasure to read.

The resilience revolution

A transformative approach to the resilience of leaders, teams and organizations.

• Chris Tamdjidi, Liane Stephan, Silke Rupprecht
• Publisher: Vahlen
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 255
• ISBN: 9783800673605

There is a lot of talk and even more writing about resilience. This book stands out from the flood of guidebooks due to its analytical approach. The trio of authors share their in-depth knowledge of the development of individual and collective resilience. The three explain what resilience is, what it is not and how individuals, teams and companies can become resilient in a way that is easy to understand. A big plus: it becomes clear again and again that resilience is teamwork. And that it requires lifelong training.

The Commercial Content Revolution (Will Not Be Televised)

How gaming, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are now changing advertising.

• Authors: Norbert Henning and Florian Sievers
• Publisher: Vahlen
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 178
• ISBN: 9783800675029

Advertising is changing: artificial intelligence, virtual reality and gaming are rewriting the rules - and creating new opportunities. In their book, Norbert Henning and Florian Sievers show how brands can reach their target groups in fragmented, digital worlds, score points with co-creation and appear authentic in virtual spaces. A must-read for anyone who wants to know how to inspire their customers with innovation and interaction. Because only one thing seems certain in the advertising industry at the moment: if you carry on as before, you will be yesterday's news tomorrow.

A desire to work instead of frustration

Together for more appreciation, solidarity and productivity.

• Author: Jonas Höhn
• Publisher: GABAL
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 230
• ISBN: 9783967391848

Work is half the battle - I live in the other half! This seems to be the motto of many employees who look forward to Friday evening on Monday morning and long for their barely earned retirement in their mid-thirties. But how does this fit in with the rampant shortage of skilled workers? Not at all, says author Jonas Höhn and calls for a radical reversal: work should not make you ill; it should even be fun. With helpful tips for everyone involved, he makes it clear that no one should shirk their responsibilities. An inspiration to enjoy work more.

Becoming a Changemaker

An action-oriented guide for positive change at every level.

• Author: Alex Budak
• Publisher: Vahlen
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 284
• ISBN: 9783800673896

It is difficult to be successful in times of rapid change. Social entrepreneur Alex Budak reveals how you can still succeed: become a "changemaker". These people are optimistic about the future and empower themselves to drive change. The author is convinced that anyone and everyone can become a changemaker. All it takes is the will to develop the necessary skills and strengths and the courage to act. A book for anyone who no longer wants to wait for permission to change something, but would rather bring about change themselves.

Transactional coaching

A handbook for practice.

• Author: Werner Katzengruber
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 400
• ISBN: 9783527511655

Coaching is rarely one-dimensional. It often involves a complex interplay of feelings, relationships and circumstances. Transactional coaching takes this complexity into account. In this book, the author provides an insight into his extensive coaching experience. He explains the goals, principles and methods of transactional coaching in a differentiated and detailed manner. The numerous examples in the form of transcribed sessions show how professional coaches can apply this approach in practice. Thanks to its clear structure, the handbook is also ideal as a reference work.

Digital competitive advantages in practice

How to successfully plan, implement and anchor digital strategies.

• Bramwell Kaltenrieder, Marc K. Peter and Kai Reinhardt
• Publisher: Schäffer-Poeschel
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 220
• ISBN: 9783791060606

With its precise academic structure, this book reflects the current state of knowledge on the subject of digital transformation. Several examples illustrate the predominantly theoretical explanations. The book's main advantage lies in its systematic approach. Anyone involved in transformation management in practice will find a guide for finding a strategy and an orientation aid when things get stuck in day-to-day business. Because that is the rule - most transformation projects do not achieve their goals. Those who want to do better will find help here.

Autocorrect

Mobility for a world worth living in.

• Katja Diehl
• Publisher: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag
• Publication year: 2022
• Pages: 272
• ISBN: 9783103971422

Why is the traffic turnaround in Germany just not getting off the ground? On the face of it, the answer is simple: for far too long, urban and transport planning has been focused solely on car traffic. But why is this so difficult to change? Katja Diehl takes a close look and breaks down in detail the extent to which the car-centric nature of our society is rooted in completely different problems: poverty, discrimination and a lack of diversity. She takes a clear stance in favor of healthy mobility for all and points out various ways in which this could be achieved.

Climate-neutral companies

Management, control, technologies.

• Ulrich Sailer
• Publisher: UVK
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 130
• ISBN: 9783381113415

Germany wants to become climate-neutral by 2045. This is also a highly relevant goal for companies. Many have also started to align themselves with the goals of the Paris Agreement. But how does this work in practice? Ulrich Sailer provides an overview of how companies can strategically and operationally move towards climate neutrality. He provides a compact explanation of how sustainability can be measured and managed and how sustainability reporting can be put on a solid footing. Not an easy read, but a helpful and well-founded introduction to corporate climate management.

Do less, achieve more!

How you can take the pressure off yourself as a manager and achieve more at the same time.

• Alfred Faustenhammer
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication year: 2023
• Pages: 288
• ISBN: 9783527511662

Should managers be open and direct? Yes. Do they have to be able to lie? Also yes. What sounds like an irresolvable contradiction becomes clear as soon as you read this well-written guide. Alfred Faustenhammer explains in a refreshing, sometimes controversial, but always constructive way what successful leaders must - and must not - do. His practical examples are highly recognizable, and those who heed his clear messages will avoid typical mistakes. This applies to seasoned but stressed managers as well as (over)eager newcomers.

Of quota women and old white men

Put an end to prejudices in the world of work.

• Author: Annahita Esmailzadeh
• Publisher: Campus Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 240
• ISBN: 9783593517551

Old white men at the top of the company, unqualified quota women - many people are still confronted with these and similar prejudices in the world of work. However, Annahita Esmailzadeh vividly shows in her book that such clichés and role models not only harm individual careers, but also companies. As a woman from a migrant background who works in the tech industry, she knows the consequences of such stereotyping. However, her advice on how to combat prejudice unfortunately remains very vague. Nevertheless, an enlightening read.

Out of the AUTOcracy

Into the mobility of tomorrow!

• Author: Katja Diehl
• Publisher: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 2024
• Pages: 272
• ISBN: 9783103975772

Driving a car is the basic attitude towards mobility in Germany. According to Katja Diehl, this is the reason why the transport revolution in this country simply won't get off the ground. In her book, she gathers the voices of numerous experts, derives causes and suggestions for change and presents numerous alternative mobility concepts and initiatives for new forms of mobility. After reading the book, one thing is crystal clear: the transport revolution starts in the mind. An enlightening book for anyone who wants to know what needs to be done for alternative mobility.

Cheer up!

Mentally healthy and strong in challenging times.

• Author: Volker Busch
• Publisher: Droemer, 2024
• Pages: 352
• ISBN: 9783426279168

Limitarianism

Why wealth must be limited.

• Author: Ingrid Robeyns
• Publisher: S. Fischer Verlag, 2024
• Pages: 377
• ISBN: 9783103971620

Can you be "too rich"? Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk would probably disagree - but could they claim that they actually "need" their billions without blushing? For economist and philosopher Ingrid Robeyns, too much money in too few hands is a real problem, creating social tensions and dangerous power imbalances. This is why she came up with the concept of "limitarianism". It is about taxing the super-rich appropriately and avoiding extreme wealth. An exciting, highly topical philosophical approach.

Restricted freedom

Aspects of libertarian authoritarianism.

• Authors:inside: Oliver Nachtwey and Carolin Amlinger
• Publisher: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2022
• Pages: 480
• ISBN: 9783518430712

Rainbow flags waving next to Reichstag flags; anti-authoritarian-minded educated citizens demonstrating with a Jewish star on their chest against a supposed dictatorship of opinion or defaming the wearing of a mask as the "new Hitler salute": You can dismiss this as absurd theater. Or you can analyze why people from the progressive center drift into authoritarian, conspiracy-theoretical thought patterns. Carolin Amlinger and Oliver Nachtwey expose the concept of freedom in current protest movements without presenting their protagonists as freaks. Definitely worth reading.

Does it also come in green?

See through industry tricks, buy sustainably.

• Authors: Kerstin Scheidecker and Katja Tölle
• Publisher: Campus Verlag, 2024
• Pages: 256
• ISBN: 9783593518374

"Climate-neutral", "regional", "natural cosmetics" - what is supposed to make us feel good when shopping is often not much more than hot air. The authors know this better than most. At Öko-Test, they have been scrutinizing the industry for years and have compiled their concentrated knowledge in this book. With meticulous research, they explain clearly and thoroughly what the problem is with the tomatoes on our ready-made pizza and the pictures of happy cows on the milk carton. Terrifying, but extremely worth reading.

Let the fear go

Break the cycle of worry and live free of fear.

• Author: Pia Callesen
• Publisher: Beltz Publishing Group, 2021
• Pages: 286
• ISBN: 9783407866202

Anxiety disorders are usually treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. This involves those affected analyzing their worries and fears with psychotherapeutic support and thinking about their causes. This is the wrong approach, says Pia Callesen. In her opinion, excessive thinking and analysis creates or reinforces the anxiety disorder. She recommends passively observing your own fears and simply letting them pass by. In her book, which is rich in exercises and examples from her own practice, she offers an alternative view of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Speak Up and Shine

Vocal empowerment for more presence and assertiveness.

• Author: Monika Hein
• Publisher: Campus Verlag, 2024
• Pages: 256
• ISBN: 9783593518497

At work, women tend to play down, speak quietly or keep their mouths shut more than men. This is partly due to traditional role models, says Monika Hein. Speech training is therefore not enough: if you want to speak louder, you first have to learn to set boundaries, endure conflicts and stand up for yourself. In addition to psychological advice, the coach also has more specific tips for intonation, expression and pronunciation. Anyone who wants to improve their own presentations or speeches in meetings will be well served by this guide.

How feelings arise

A new view of our emotions.

• Author: Lisa Feldman Barrett
• Publisher: Rowohlt Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 672
• ISBN: 9783499011054

For a long time, it was said that all emotions are recognized and understood worldwide. They are equally innate in every human being. This theory of universal emotions, which is based on serious methodological errors, has been dispelled by the renowned emotion researcher Lisa Feldman Barrett. She shows that emotions are constructed categories that are learned. Every culture therefore has its own emotions. A paradigm shift is needed to overcome stereotypes, make justice fairer and help people become more emotionally intelligent.

Feel-Good Productivity

Be productive without stress - and get more out of life.

• Author: Ali Abdaal
• Publisher: dtv, 2023
• Pages: 266
• ISBN: 9783423263887

The shelves in bookshops are full of guides that aim to help you increase your productivity and performance. All well and good, but where's the fun in that? No one can achieve top performance and withstand stress in the long term if they don't enjoy their work. That's why Ali Abdaal reconciles performance and enjoyment and provides actionable tips on where energy can be drawn from, how energy blockages can be removed and how motivation can be maintained in the long term.

New Work Dystopia

Failure in change and how to do it better.

• Author: Carsten C. Schermuly
• Publisher: Haufe Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 284
• ISBN: 9783648169636

Everyone has been talking about New Work since the coronavirus pandemic. The term is now used to describe all kinds of change initiatives that have little to do with the original idea and whose failure is increasingly driving employees to despair. The book tells the fictitious, grotesquely exaggerated story of a medium-sized company in the provinces as an example of such a failure. In the last part of the book, the author presents himself as an expert from the capital and sets the record straight. Readers who persevere until then will learn from other people's mistakes and find out how to tackle the topic of New Work properly.

The power effect

Use your strengths and change your life step by step.

• Author: Nathalie Karré
• Publisher: Kneipp Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 144
• ISBN: 9783708808383

Stereotypes still keep women trapped in certain roles and structural problems such as the gender pay gap put them at a systematic disadvantage. The rocky road that women have to travel to develop their individual potential is incredibly draining. Female power activist Nathalie Karré reveals how they don't lose heart despite this struggle. She shows how women can use their strengths in five steps. The many practical tips and numerous reflection exercises invite you to think about your own dreams and goals and to pursue them in a courageous, structured and consistent manner.

A desire for responsibility

More satisfaction. Mental strength. Better results.

• Author: Boris Grundl
• Publisher: Ullstein Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 288
• ISBN: 9783430210911

Responsibility has negative connotations for many people. They associate it with guilt and see it as a burden. Boris Grundl sees it very differently. For him, responsibility is an opportunity to live a self-determined life, to develop mental clarity and strength and to tackle problems with joy and energy. Using his own life story and examples from his consulting practice, he shows how it is possible to take responsibility: for one's own perception, one's own life or even one's company. An inspiring read for anyone who sometimes finds it difficult to see responsibility in a positive light.

Social media marketing for dummies

• Author: Gero Pflüger
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH, 2024
• Pages: 424
• ISBN: 9783527721672

From a historical perspective, social media is still a relatively new phenomenon. But anyone who wants to act professionally in this field now needs a wide range of skills. Gero Pflüger describes these in his comprehensive book without repeating himself. Given the fast-moving nature of the subject matter, keeping up to date is a challenge. The author does justice to this, even if the spectacular social media disaster of the Budweiser Light brand in 2023 is not mentioned. Nevertheless, the title is a rock-solid textbook and reference work for social media experts.

Business start-up for dummies

• Author: Steffi Sammet and Stefan Schwartz
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH, 2024
• Pages: 384
• ISBN: 9783527720477

There's not much more in a guide: This guide from the For Dummies series covers everything that needs to be considered when setting up a business. Complete and easy to read: the entire process of setting up a business, explained step by step and easy to understand, from the initial idea to fine-tuning the business model in the second year. The book is clearly structured throughout, with many examples and checklists. A clear recommendation for anyone who would like to be their own boss.

Cancel Culture Transfer

How a moral panic is gripping the world.

• Author: Adrian Daub
• Publisher: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2022
• Pages: 371
• ISBN: 9783518127940

If you really want to know what is behind the buzzword cancel culture, this book is for you. Adrian Daub analyzes the talk of canceling, its origins, its political implications and the serious influences on media and debate culture with clear-sightedness and precision. He shows how texts about cancel incidents work, what they leave out and what effects this has. A challenging book that invites us to take a critical and, above all, sober look at other discourses.

The Real Book of Work

How organizations really work and how we lead them into the future.

• Author: Christina Grubendorfer and Christina Ackermann
• Publisher: Vahlen Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 368
• ISBN: 9783800671540

Companies are complex systems - but the dominant management trends are characterized above all by simplicity and clarity. This does not fit together and leads to expensive transformation projects dying a silent death sooner or later. In their book, Christina Grubendorfer and Christina Ackermann dispel popular myths and promote a management approach based on systems theory. There are no simple recipes to offer - but there are: Nor can there be any. Provocative and convincing: an exceptional leadership book.

Ideas at the touch of a button

How we can unleash our full potential with the help of artificial intelligence.

• Author: Reid Hoffman
• Publisher: Plassen Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 240
• ISBN: 9783864709425

Reid Hoffman is not a neutral observer but, as an investor in OpenAI, an enthusiastic ChatGPT fan - albeit a thoroughly reflective one. He assesses application scenarios as well as critical objections and ventures an outlook on future developments. In his book, Hoffman demonstrates the best way to handle AI himself: He lets the chatbot write large parts of it, but looks very closely at its virtual fingers. Two things become clear when reading the book: you have to understand AI in order to use it appropriately. And ignoring it is not an option.

Writing what is.

Better texts for business.

• Author: Anna Gelbert
• Publisher: Vahlen Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 168
• ISBN: 9783800669738

Anna Gelbert wants a fresh start for the German language. She is calling for clear, understandable German instead of the usual business bullshit or official German that has fallen out of fashion. She is neither the first nor the only one to do so. In contrast to the corporate language model and its offshoots, which adjust an organization's use of language on a meta-level according to objectifiable criteria, the author relies on her subjective perception of language. Anyone who wants to be inspired by this will find various ideas in this book for rethinking communication in their own company.

12 laws of stupidity

Errors in thinking that prevent sensible decisions in politics and for all of us.

• Author: Henning Beck
• Publisher: Ullstein Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 257
• ISBN: 9783430211024

In the age of the internet, people are more enlightened and educated than ever before. So why do conspiracy theories and fake news have such an easy time of it? And what is preventing us from actively tackling problems such as the climate crisis? Henning Beck identifies the most important thinking errors that block us and prevent us from taking smart action. He not only offers neuroscientific explanations for our errors, but also shows how we can avoid them. A thoroughly researched and wittily written eye-opener.