The City of Influence: A Business Tale

by Jared Stewart, Sarah Stewart

Business is about relationships. What's the secret to success? Like many talented business owners, Jack Green thought it was long hours, do-it-yourself dedication, and cut-throat competition. But he learns how wrong he was when time begins running out for his struggling business. In the middle of a sleepless night, Jack is given a chance to change things when a mysterious visitor appears from the past, promising to deliver nine keys that will salvage Jack's future--the keys to the city of influence. Jack then is thrust into an adventure with an extraordinary group of mentors who teach him the secrets to building strong professional relationships. The City of Influence is a humorous, insightful parable that will leave you ready to roll up your sleeves and change the way you build relationships from the inside out.

Genres: Business

154 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2008

Reviews

[Kendall Humes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book at a networking event a few years ago and never read it. When I finally started it, I thought it was cheesy and would be just another book giving obvious advice. I was wrong. I read it in two days (I'm not a fast reader, it's just pretty easy to get through), and by the end, I felt I got a lot of valuable ideas. I would recommend to any B2B salesperson and probably anyone in any business.

[Ray Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The City of Influence is the first book by Corporate Alliance founders, Jared and Sarah Stewart. It is a useful and entertaining business book with a strong message about the importance of building and sustaining relationships. The book is a well written, humorous, engaging fable that teaches nine keys to creating long-term, successful business relationships. The protagonist in the story, Jack Green, thought long hours and cut-throat competition were the keys to success, and didn't understand why his business was failing. Just like in Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, one night, a mysterious visitor appears, showing Jack the consequences of his actions, and promising to deliver nine keys that will salvage his future - "the keys to the city of influence. The City of Influence is a humorous, insightful business parable that will help you build relationships and create success. The book is very similar in style to a popular motivational book called "Who Moved My Cheese" that also uses a business fable to describe necessary change in one's work and life. I recommend this book for any business executive, or college graduate looking to understand how to survive in the business jungle.

[LauraLee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of connecting relationship and business principles to a story.
The principles shared in the book can be tied to business as well as any relationship. I really connected with the idea of going into relationships thinking about what you can do for others instead of what they can do for you.

[Rolando Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very refreshing and enlightening. It is hard to believe that even though I considered myself to be relationship based, I have been a gladiator. Thank you for taking easily recognizable stories and concepts and transforming them into themes that I can quickly reference and use to improve my business and life and my relationships.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

My good friend Sarah Stewart wrote this book, so it was especially fun to read knowing the author personally. She did an excellent job of making a book about business principles interesting and fun to read. Nice work, Sarah!

[Troy Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read story type book that illustrates principals for both business and personal relationships.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad to find this book is here. The nine keys of influence are still helping be successful, whether it is at work, in school, or with friends. Relationships matter.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read for anyone in the business sector. Enjoyable, quick, and thought-provoking.

[Christina Hibbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that shares a parable for building your family, business, and life on solid relationships. Easy, quick read.

[Ryan Seamons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. This is definitely one of my top books related to networking. Quick read, but great principles.

[Daniel Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the power of relationships. If you have been chasing business based on price this is a must read!

[Lee Gillenwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A very easy read and some valuable information.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant easy read in a story format with serious tips about how to build relationships and why they are important.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and what I needed.