This question actually asks a broader question: “What should I put on my desk to grab the attention and impress my colleagues at work?”
In terms of current books I have the following leaning next to my pc monitor at work:
Atlas Shrugged by Ayan Rand – This shows my rebellious nature and values I live by. Has worked once or twice as conversational piece.
The Zurich Axioms – A book written by a Swiss banker that turns investing on its head. Cult reading for the non mainstream investment community. It caught the eye of a female colleague of mine on Friday only because ‘Zurich’ is very close to the spelling of my name and she was also having a 'blonde moment' at the time. (I was flattered that she was scanning my desk)
The Boston Consulting Group on Strategy – I only have this on my desk because I decided to read a chapter every once in a while for some insight. It has previously caught the eye of senior managers who walk by and I think it is a good symbol of what I aspire to in my career.
Ok so I am looking for one more book. Do not want to get anything cheesy but maybe something in the area of Art or History or Extreme Engineering. It would need to have a bold cover so it can be seen easily on my desk but can’t be a coffee table book either. Must have 'wow factor' and in particular with the ladies.
I have considered Mein Kampf, Communist Manifesto, Playboy: The Completed Centrefolds, The complete illustrated Kama Sutra and etc; however, each of them would be career limiting.
Suggestions?
I don’t care if some people think of me as a douche bag because there will be other who will not (which is the point of this exercise). I am not forcing people to look at my desk but if they do and something catches their eye then that’s a point for me.
In terms of current books I have the following leaning next to my pc monitor at work:
Atlas Shrugged by Ayan Rand – This shows my rebellious nature and values I live by. Has worked once or twice as conversational piece.
The Zurich Axioms – A book written by a Swiss banker that turns investing on its head. Cult reading for the non mainstream investment community. It caught the eye of a female colleague of mine on Friday only because ‘Zurich’ is very close to the spelling of my name and she was also having a 'blonde moment' at the time. (I was flattered that she was scanning my desk)
The Boston Consulting Group on Strategy – I only have this on my desk because I decided to read a chapter every once in a while for some insight. It has previously caught the eye of senior managers who walk by and I think it is a good symbol of what I aspire to in my career.
Ok so I am looking for one more book. Do not want to get anything cheesy but maybe something in the area of Art or History or Extreme Engineering. It would need to have a bold cover so it can be seen easily on my desk but can’t be a coffee table book either. Must have 'wow factor' and in particular with the ladies.
I have considered Mein Kampf, Communist Manifesto, Playboy: The Completed Centrefolds, The complete illustrated Kama Sutra and etc; however, each of them would be career limiting.
Suggestions?
I don’t care if some people think of me as a douche bag because there will be other who will not (which is the point of this exercise). I am not forcing people to look at my desk but if they do and something catches their eye then that’s a point for me.
Ha. I want to impress everyone. Lets face it, unless you work for Google or in some creative field most workplaces are boring and sterile .... rows of desks are like chicken coops. People are also boring as f....k. I am an interesting guy but not very good as showing it so lets start with books 
