Following on from Peter Cook’s http://www.academy-of-rock.co.uk/ great book “Sex, Leadership and Rock’n’Roll: Leadership Lessons from the Academy of Rock” comes the thinner but just as good “Punk Rock People Management”.
It’s a short, accessible booklet providing some no-nonsense practical advice to non-HR professionals on dealing with hiring (selection, induction, rewards), inspiring (engagement, motivation, diversity, appraisal, training, promotion, innovation) and firing (conflict, unions, redundancy) people. Complete with themes from The Clash, Lady Gaga, Prince, Ian Drury, The Stranglers, The Ramones, The Damned and case study mentions of some leading companies.
I “tested” the book with a couple of leading HR professionals in the professional services sector and they loved it and thought that their lawyers, surveyors and accountants would appreciate the brevity and fun packaging of some solid advice.
I’ve known Peter for many years – he is an extraordinary person – combining a deep knowledge and qualifications in marketing, creativity, product development, human resources and management who has worked for companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, The Wellcome Foundation and The Open University. He’s also a pretty good musician too.
So if you like your management advice to be straight talking – and with a musical theme – this might be worth a look.
