The Investible Reading List: August '22

In a world as plugged-in as this, finding ways to explore what makes us tick, what captures our interest, and how we can keep growing is pretty high on the priority list. One of the ways our team does that, an age-old classic, is to read. So we asked the team to give us a glimpse at what they’re reading right now.

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A Quickstart Guide to Positioning

From Lisa Kim, Portfolio Director

April Dunford’s customer-centric framework is great for founders who have early traction but can't seem to get to product-market fit. This takes the jobs to be done framework and extends it to how to market and sell your product.

In our portfolio, NEXL has been a standout in repositioning themselves in the customer's mind by focusing on what their customers care about (building client relationships to drive revenue) rather than their software category (CRM).

My Breakfast by Jonathan Azoff

From Franko Ali, Marketing Manager

I’m quite fond of any exercise which encourages letting the mind wander. Inspired by the ingredients in his relatively simple breakfast, Jonathan Azoff takes us on a journey through the complexities of agricultural supply chains, climate impacts and globalisation, sharing unique perspectives on the fact that nothing is as simple as it seems. It’s a good reminder to live up to the adage ‘think globally, act locally’ with respect to consumption.

Speed and Scale

From Patrick Sieb, Co-head of Climate Tech

This book from the renowned engineer and investor John Doerr provides a beautiful and broad overview of the climate technology space, and presents 10 high-level objectives to drive the world to net zero emissions by 2050. It's particularly interesting to hear this from somebody who was there during clean tech 1.0.

Red Notice

From Behrad Javidirad, Operations Manager

Bill Browder, founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, was the largest foreign investor in Russia until 2005, when he was denied entry to the country after exposing widespread corruption. Since 2009, when his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was murdered in Russian police custody, he has been leading a global campaign to expose human rights abuses endemic in Russia. Consequentially, the 'Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act' was signed into US law in 2012, imposing visa bans and asset freezes on certain officials involved in Magnitsky's death.

I’m Afraid Debbie from Marketing has Left for the Day

From Harry Steer, Content and Community Associate

I bought this book just because the name sounded interesting. After the first chapter, I realised the name doesn’t hold a candle to the content. Morten Munster, a behavioural designer, steps through the systems beneath our decision-making and how behavioural change is often influenced most by the practical things we don’t even realise we do.

You Are Not So Smart

From Ben Lindsay, Investment Analyst Climate Tech

You Are Not So Smart is a funny, insightful book that challenges, not just your own beliefs, but whether or not they truly are your own. David McRaney takes you through a psychology course without all the boring bits, showing you how irrational we all truly are. If you’re interested in developing deeper insights into your self-awareness, or how others think, I highly recommend this book.

Billion Dollar Whale

From Joanna Ng, Investment Manager

This book recounts the story of Jho Low, a mild-mannered Wharton graduate who went on to trick major financial players worldwide and siphon billions of dollars from an investment fund--right under the nose of global financial industry watchdogs. Using the money to finance elections, purchase luxury real estate, throw champagne-drenched parties, and even finance Hollywood films like The Wolf of Wall Street, this book tracks his rise and fall as he became an international fugitive.

What are you reading?

Have a book or blog you're reading right now? We want your recommendations! Send them to us at hello@investible.com.

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