| Community Book Club www.antwerpdiamondsincentives.com Brand Booth 638 Gift U.S. Treasury Coins opportunities is a skill every manager needs. • Leading your team. Another gem from Tzu: “Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.” In other words, take care of your team, and they’ll go the extra mile for you. Whether you’re managing a sales team or working with suppliers, building strong, respectful relationships makes a huge difference in hitting your goals. • Timing is everything. One of the most practical lessons is about timing – knowing when to act and when to wait. In our industry, this could mean holding off on launching a product until it aligns with a big event or seasonal trend, or jumping on an opportunity when the market is ripe for it. My takeaway: What’s great about The Art of War is how adaptable it is. For example, Tzu’s advice to “appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend” is basically a nudge to innovate in areas where competitors are weak or not paying attention. Think about those niche markets or creative product ideas that haven’t been fully explored yet. The book also stresses the importance of efficiency – something we all need to master when managing tight budgets or balancing multiple projects. It’s a good reminder to focus your energy on what really matters, instead of spreading yourself too thin. You must approach your business in new and innovative ways. It might not be a war, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it to win each opportunity. What should I read next? My library of business books is large, but I’m always looking to build it out. If you have any suggestions for business books that are meaningful to you, please let me know at JGR@ppai.org, and after I give it a read, I’ll share my impressions in PPAI Magazine. Gibbons-Rauch is PPAI’s professional development lead. PPAI • JANUARY 2025 • 75
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