Gist.

Here at Gist we not only build a service to help you be more productive, but also read quite a bit on the subject of enabling and inspiring people.  Two recent reads we’ve really enjoyed are Cognitive Surplus by author and speaker Clay Shirky and Delivering Happiness by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh.

Cognitive Surplus (explained by Shirky in the video clip above) presents the idea that the internet (and crowdsourced creation in general) has unleashed the greatest combination of mass brainpower known to humankind.  We used to spend all of our time on TV, Shirky says, and now we’re starting to spend all of our time in collective pursuits that produce (not merely consume) knowledge.  The benefits of Cognitive Surplus, Shirky says, are just beginning, and our own improvements in productivity to this point pale in comparison to the productivity we are and will gain by tapping into the thoughts of people everywhere using the Internet.

Tony Hsieh also writes about harnessing the power of the crowd, but in his case he uses the story of his company Zappos to demonstrate how spreading an idea (happiness) among a ever-increasing concentric circle of employees, customers, and recommenders of his brand has made all of them more productive.  Hsieh turned the shoe retailing world on its head by focusing on people, and by making Customer Service a core part of his life, not just his company.  Read this book because you want to know how to start a company based on values that you believe in, and not just to make a buck.  Tony did both, and has created a multi-billion dollar brand in the process.

If you’ve got a favorite book on productivity or on enabling people that you think Gist users would enjoy, let us know on Twitter at @Gist or by email at feedback@gist.com.

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This post was written by Greg Meyer, Customer Experience Manager at Gist. Feel free to contact me with questions, feedback, or if you just want to say hello at greg@gist.com.