Culture that Rocks

by Jim Knight

This how-to business book addresses many major categories of an organization's culture, including hiring the right talent, creating a differentiated service approach, understanding today's workforce, enhancing internal collateral, utilizing technology, increasing enterprise wide communication, engaging in authentic philanthropic initiatives and highlighting the importance of leadership. Using a blended approach of business acumen and music orientation, the book strategically walks the line between a formalized professional blueprint to overhaul a company's culture and a more relaxed narrative for the casual reader seeking common sense approaches to keep their company relevant. Readers will experience a personalized, 1st-person approach, dozens of rock star brand examples and case studies, detailed call-to-action chapter wrap ups and unique out-of-the-box analogies throughout-including icebergs, chocolate ice cream, Star Trek, comic books, Peter Pan, flying fish, cartoon classics and legendary Rock 'n Roll icons.

Genres: Business

259 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Jim Knight is an award-winning training and development veteran and culture catalyst who speaks on a variety of interactive topics, including programs on organizational culture, differentiated service and rock star leadership. During Jim's twenty-one-year career with Hard Rock International, his creativity and success garnered his team several industry awards for cutting-edge print, video, e-learning and instructor-led concepts. He was also recognized by Training magazine as representing one of the Training Top 125 companies in the world, across all industries, and has since been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, Inc. magazine, Forbes magazine and Fox Small Business News. With a music degree in Vocal Performance and Education, a six-year stint as a public middle school teacher and his two decades with the Hard Rock brand, Jim uses all of his experience and expertise-as a keynote speaker, podcaster and author-to assist leaders of all levels and industries in developing their skills and amping up business results. Jim released his widely praised first book, Culture That Rocks, in 2014. It is now in its second edition-and is the impetus for Leadership That Rocks, book one in the Culture That Rocks series. Jim also discusses life-changing leadership advice and best practices with influential guests on Thoughts That Rock, the free weekly edu-taining podcast that he co-hosts with Brant Menswar.

Reviews

[Nidhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership that rocks, as the name itself suggests, the book takes us through the insights of some of the biggest and renowned brands who started from scratch and how they developed great leadership and build a strong brand.

The author first started as a music teacher and later turned out to be the mentor of some of the famous brands to teach how to build a strong brand.

The author has shared how every single employee of the business affects the functioning so if you think you are not at a big stage and just a small employee, your thinking is going to be affected by this book. The author has shared every single decision, and the work of even the smallest stage employee is powerful. So take the authority and ownership of your work.

The best part of the book is everything is explained through an example which makes it easier to understand the concept. The author has penned down his lifelong experience and gives us an example of Elon Musk, Gary V, Lizzo, Bryant, and various other big personalities to share how they work, and become great leaders.

It's a wonderful book that I would recommend to everyone. It's a kind of in-depth guide and has the treasure of lifelong experiences and learnings of the author.

Go, Guys!! Grab your copies of the amazing book.

[Mark August · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Knight delivers a book leaders at every level of an organization should read. The book reads like a discussion with a mentor or coach over a beverage at a casual dining location. The tone is casual and fun with examples from companies with unique cultures every organization wants to duplicate. Throw in some quotes from successful musicians, and the reader gets a relaxed read.

But don't let the casual tone and great phrases distract from the sage advice contained within these chapters. Each chapter is filled with experience-driven advice to change organizational culture and concludes with a checklist of items to review and implement. Taken chapter-by-chapter, this is a work of art for leaders to find areas to improve or change the culture underlying their organizations.

This is my first exposure to a work by Jim Knight, and I wouldn't normally pick up this type of leadership book. I'm glad a work colleague mentioned this one was worth reading as our organization needed some elements of organizational change. Recommended!

Mark August

[Jamie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure to experience Jim Knight speak on Culture that Rocks so I was really excited to read his book. As I turned every page, I could hear Jim Knight’s voice in every story and each inspiring message. Jim Knight is not only a motivational speaker and now author; he has been in the business of operations and people for many years. What makes Jim’s book so inspiring is that you know he is speaking from the heart and from true experience. Jim has the street cred that you want when you pick up any leadership book. Jim uses so many great examples of service and calls out companies that have truly invested in creating their own culture and elevated their employee experience in order to provide a level of service the connects with their customer’s heart. His passion for empowering employees and growing leaders is evident throughout the entire book. Jim’s references to his Hard Rock days and connecting the content to music makes this a memorable read. One aspect of Jim Knight that is evident in this book (and if you get the opportunity to hear him speak) is his investment in philanthropic endeavors and encouraging business to find their own way of giving back. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but it gives our employees a greater purpose. I have since referred this book to many of my colleagues in training and development and also anyone looking for a new book on leadership. I hope you find Jim Knight’s Culture That Rocks as powerful as I do!