We know your time is valuable. That’s why this series delivers expert-recommended books, podcasts, and tools that tackle real-world challenges and offer practical solutions to help your business succeed.
Each month, our AGP Relationship Managers - seasoned experts working with high-growth businesses across Wales - share their top recommendations. These resources are carefully selected to help you lead confidently, drive growth, and embrace innovation while addressing your unique opportunities and challenges.
This month, Andy Bird (AGP Relationship Manager covering South East Wales) shares his go-to reads. Focused on practical wisdom and mindset shifts, his selections offer real-world lessons for business strategy, negotiation, and high-performance thinking.
1. What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School – Mark McCormack
Why it’s a favourite
This book challenges traditional academic approaches and gets straight to the practical realities of business. McCormack’s insights are grounded in experience, making complex ideas refreshingly simple. For years, I’ve been buying second-hand copies to give to clients. It’s an easy read but packed with valuable lessons.
What you’ll learn
- The art of negotiation and reading people in business
- Why deals often succeed or fail – or the "secret life of a deal"
- How to run (and attend) meetings effectively
- Practical strategies for sales, leadership, and time management
Why it matters for business leaders
McCormack built a global sports marketing empire on intuition and street-smart business sense. His advice remains relevant today, offering a masterclass in decision-making, persuasion, and leadership that goes beyond textbook theories.
2. How Champions Think – Dr. Bob Rotella
Why it’s a favourite
This book draws compelling parallels between sport and business, showing how top performers develop a mindset for success. It’s a practical, evidence-based guide to unlocking potential and overcoming mental barriers.
What you’ll learn
- How to train your mind for confidence and high performance
- Why commitment and perseverance are key to success in any field
- Strategies to handle pressure, setbacks, and self-doubt
- How elite athletes and business leaders develop winning habits
Why it matters for business leaders
Success isn’t just about talent—it’s about mindset. Rotella’s insights apply directly to business, helping leaders build resilience, sharpen focus, and perform at their best under pressure.
3. Six Action Shoes – Edward de Bono
Why it’s a favourite
This book offers a practical system for adapting leadership styles to different business situations. It builds on de Bono’s renowned “Six Thinking Hats” framework and applies it to decision-making and action-oriented leadership.
What you’ll learn
- Six distinct leadership styles, each represented by a different type of shoe
- How to switch between structured planning, flexibility, bold action, and careful diplomacy
- The importance of choosing the right approach for different business scenarios
Why it matters for business leaders
Great leaders aren’t rigid; they adapt. Six Action Shoes provides a practical toolkit for navigating the ever-changing demands of leadership, ensuring you make the right decisions at the right time.
Take your business to the next level with support from AGP
Ready to put these insights into action? Our team is here to help you develop the strategies and mindset needed to scale your business. Contact your Relationship Manager today to take the next step toward success.