Things have been very quiet around these parts in 2018. In my last blog post, When You Fall Out of Love With Reading, I explained what’s been going on in my life that has massively affected my ability to blog, and even read, on a regular basis. The demands on my time haven’t changed – in fact, things are about to get even more messy – because I started a Masters this week. Yup, I’m either incredibly ambitious, insane, or both.

While the University route isn’t for everyone, it was a perfect fit for me. I knew from quite a young age that I wanted to go to University, and it wasn’t long after that I dreamed of one day getting a Masters. The programme I’m doing is very practical – real-life management experience is a prerequisite – and it’s delivered in immersive three-day bursts roughly every quarter. If all goes according to plan, I should be graduating with an MSc in Executive Leadership in 2020. Eeeeek!

What does this mean for Confessions of a Book Geek?

Well, for one thing, I am going to be reading – A LOT. I may not be reading new releases, what’s popular in the book community, or (sadly) much fiction. But considering I never wanted this blog to be as abandoned as it has become, I’m hoping I can make use of the reading I’ll be doing by blogging about it as I go along.

I appreciate that the content may not be for everyone, but I’m hoping some of you may find it interesting or insightful, and I may even attract some new Book Geeks who have a love for business that matches my own. I have no doubt that by the time this chapter in my journey is over, I’ll feel very relieved to get back into fiction again!

So, with that announcement made, let’s get into the swing of things.

My first module is called Creating the Future, which is all about rapid change, innovation, and ever increasing technological, social, political and economic diversity, and the impact all of this has on business in terms of predicting future trends, adapting quickly to change, being agile, and embracing strategic thinking. I was presented with a very lovely – and very long – reading list, so I did what any good Book Geek would do: I went shopping. The following books are currently in transit on their way to their new home:

• Unlocking the Business Environment
• The End of Competitive Advantage: How to Keep Your Strategy Moving as Fast as Your Business
• What Matters Now: How to Win in a World of Relentless Change, Ferocious Competition, and Unstoppable Innovation
• The Naked Corporation: How the Age of Transparency Will Revolutionise Business
• Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World’s Most Successful Businesses
• The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few
• Plugged In: The Generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work
• Adaptability: The Art of Winning In An Age of Uncertainty
• The Future of Work: Attract New Talent, Build Better Leaders, and Create a Competitive Organization
• supercorp: How Vanguard Companies Create Innovation, Profits, Growth, and Social Good
• The Future of the Professions: How Technology Will Transform the Work of Human Experts
• Selling with Noble Purpose: How to Drive Revenue and Do Work That Makes You Proud

Let’s see how I get on with this lot then, shall we?

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