“Business school and noble market objective: to correct the systemic failures of shareholders' capitalism”, by Andrew Hoffman
Can capitalism work-and if not, can business schools help repair it?
Andrew J Hoffman, sustainable business professor, maintains that commercial education is late for reinvention. In this timely book, he maintains that MBA programs are always anchored in an obsolete model of shareholders' primacy, despite growing evidence, this ideology has contributed to inequality, ecological collapse and political distrust.
True to this premise, the author pleads for a substantial change. Business schools, he says, must go beyond the addition of choice in sustainability and ethics. They must rebuild their programs, their pedagogies and their incentives from zero, promoting managers who do not act as maximizing agents but market guards.
The strength of the book lies in its real representation of the life of the university world, recognizing the challenges of institutional inertia, the reward structures of teachers and the disillusionment of students. Despite these obstacles, Hoffman can rely on many experiences and work for change in the academic system. He encourages students to play an active role in training their own educational experiences.
Some may find the idealistic book. But Hoffman’s urgency is based on common sense. The change will be difficult, he admits, but he thinks that it is possible, perhaps directed by schools arranged to completely rethink the MBA.
It is a large -scale and thoughtful guide that links history, law, economics and education. Its objective is not to demolish capitalism, but to rebuild it from its foundations. Whether business schools are willing to direct or be left to remain an open question. Leo Cormonezi
“Transcend: unlock humanity in the AI era”, by Faisal Hoque
Artificial intelligence – and in particular generating AI – is such a pervadent, and fast technology that it seems likely to generate an endless demand for books on how to use it and safely. The contribution of Faisal Hoque to this growing battery is a strange hybrid. He supervises the challenge as a philosophical and practical exploration of humanity and human potential.
The busiest business readers, alas, are likely to skip philosophy and dive into practical advice that occupies the majority of his book. The House is an acronym lover. It applies two of them to individuals, businesses and government. His first is “open”, to unlock the potential of AI – outline, partner, experimentation, navigate. His second is “care”, to alleviate his dangers – catastrophizing, evaluating, regulating and going out. Fictive case studies are used to illustrate the framework: a new director general of Nike considers the risks and the awards to launch products led by AI for disabled athletes; An innovation official for an American government agency examines the advantages and disadvantages of a new investment correspondence platform in AI.
These are useful exercises, but they are a bit awkwardly next to the higher examination of Hoque humanity. “If AI is a kind of philosopher stone, can it offer spiritual riches as well as material advantages?” He asks in the last part of the book, which takes the theme of the title. Quoting St Augustine, he concludes that the good attitude towards AI is “loving”. Call me a cynical, but I don't see it going well with the directors of Nike or the members of the cabinet of Donald Trump. Andrew Hill
“There is nothing like it: the strategic genius of Taylor Swift”, by Kevin Evers
Kevin Evers, editor -in -chief of Harvard Business Review, believes that Taylor Swift's commercial strategy should receive the same critical attention as that of Steve Jobs, Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos.
There is nothing like this is a biography not only of the singer-songwriter, but also of the wise strategist, whose capacity not only would resist but to grow from the pressure that Evers defines as “antifragile”. The Evers Book traces the ascent of its subject to the Superstard with enough clarity for an occasional audience and enough details to engage even the most obsessive fans (I include myself in this last group).
While some of his comparisons feel a little stretched – Taylor Swift is not an iPhone biography – Evers is a committing exploration of the way in which his business sense has shaped his artistic talent, and vice versa. There are also few references to personal romantic connections that have long dominated the singer's cover.
The album report by album of the constant reinvention of the singer-songwriter is coupled with a history of radical changes that have shaken the music industry in the digital age. According to Evers, Swift not only managed to adapt, but has personally shaped the business model for an internet artist, from the pioneer of digital engagement with fans on Myspace in the early 2000s to tackle the rise of musical streaming and the dawn of Tiktok.
It is a clear and complete analysis, although some of the metaphors are a little confusing if you do not know the words of the songwriter. Prepare for many references to old cardigans and red scarves. Stephanie Stacey
`Stroof: how to prosper in a world of constant chaos (and why resilience is not enough) '', by Tasha Eurich
When life gives you lemons, do lemon cheesecake.
It is the main premise of the premonitory research of the organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich on stress and success. The book questions the traditional concepts of alteration adversity, arguing that “rebounding” is not a viable strategy to meet the requirements of the modern world. Rather than helping us floating, trying to stay above the water makes us drown. The solution, says Eurich, is to find a way to use challenges and use them as personal development opportunities.
Unbreakable Provides a step by step approach to this transformation, broken down into major categories of reflection, research and revision. Eurich presents the idea that resilience is not only a myth but three myths stacked in a poorly adjusted trench. Old biology, she argues, is poorly equipped to face the adversity of the new age and instead of pushing pain, we must recognize and solve it, starting with the awareness that many of us do not face as well as we think.
The author then suggests practical stages to constructively confront emotional deregulation, describing the underlying psychological needs that stimulate responses to stress and mentality changes necessary for growth. In its last section, Unbreakable becomes a binder, guiding readers through three quarter key necessary to respond to stress with intention rather than on the grain: restoring self -esteem, adopting a state of mind focused on value and establishing solid relationships.
In many respects, Faratproof is not designed to be read as used, and its strength lies in its clarity and its objective rather than in its prose. As a structured workbook and distillation of thoughtful research, it offers a practical and anchored approach to fight against stress and emotional tension that many will find surprisingly relevant in the current climate. Kruballale N'Diaye Cordu
