enchantment: the process of delighting people with a product, service, organization, or idea. The outcome of enchantment is voluntary and long-lasting support that is mutually beneficial.

Have you ever met a person or bought a product/book/song/gadget and immediately become a fangirl? Quick, name 3 things you are a fangirl (or boy) of.

Mine: Apple, Amazon (Prime in particular), and Mac & Cheese. What do these three things have in common? Nothing and everything.

Last week, before heading off to the whirlwind idea-fest that is SXSW, I had the pleasure* of reading Guy Kawasaki’s latest creativity Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions. To say that I was enchanted by the book would be cliche, cheesy and also true.

I’ve never been a fan of “how to” books (or blog posts for that matter). I like open ended questions, ideas, possibility and new ways of looking at things rather than if you do A, B, and C then you will achieve D. And so…

Here are some of my favorite questions that are addressed in Enchantment:

• In a professional setting is it okay to be overdressed compared to your colleagues? What does being under-dressed say about you?
• What are your passions? Do you hide them?
• Are men and women held to a different standard about swearing?
• What’s the ideal length of an email? [ok fine I’ll give you this one – 6 sentences. But you’ll have to get the book to find out why]
• Is “you’re welcome” really the best response to thank you?

And… because I am a foodie by hobby (see food blog for proof) I heart this quote:

There are two kinds of people and organizations in the world: eaters and bakers. Eaters want a bigger slice of an existing pie; bakers want to make a bigger pie. Eaters think that if they win, you lose, and if you win, they lose. Bakers think that everyone can win with a bigger pie.

Action Items:

• Buy the book. Anywhere you like, but I’m partial to Amazon.
• If you have a website, blog, or even just a twitter bio – go read your about section. Does it sound human? Does it mention your passion? If not add it. People do business (and offer jobs to) people not robots.
• Stop sending emails that could understudy as a novel.
• Acknowledge someone who has enchanted you recently. I was most recently enchanted by Kevin Hail, COO of National Breast Cancer Foundation. That story to come in a future blog post.

As a writer (blogger, with aspirations of writing a book) my favorite idea from the book was “There is no greater reward for an author than to see how people use his work.” Without knowing it, that’s how I feel about blogging and that is also why I love books.

*I was provided a review copy of this book. All opinions stated are my own. I’ve meet Guy Kawasaki a few times and overall he’s a nice dude. So, all to say I appreciate the book in more was than one!