Reading List: Al Keck, Founder of Infinity Nation

“Reading List” is our occasional series where we ask ecommerce professionals to name some of their favorite books and blogs. For this installment, we corresponded with Al Keck, founder and managing director of Infinity Nation, a U.K.-based marketing and consulting firm. Infinity Nation helps ecommerce companies discover and implement new opportunities and growth strategies.

 

5 Favorite Books

Winning by Clive Woodward

“Winning” chronicles an astonishing journey to long-term success. Through their incredible attention to detail and willingness to question everything, Woodward and his coaching staff revolutionized the management structures of the England rugby team and created a blueprint for sustained winning.

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Start with Why by Simon Sinek

It’s common for business leaders to start with “what” and “how.” What are we striving to achieve? How are we going to improve our operation? Sinek’s book taught me to think bigger. The most successful leaders, in all fields, concentrate on “why.” Why do what we do? Asking this question about yourself and your team can be genuinely inspiring.

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The Autobiography: Winning Is Not Enough by Jackie Stewart

One of the top race car drivers of all time, Sir Jackie Stewart battled fiercely when the odds were against him — including overcoming undiagnosed dyslexia — to become an international superstar on the track, not to mention a successful businessman off it. His book is authentically written in his own, inimitable voice.

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Top Dog: Impress and Influence Everyone You Meet by Andy Bounds

It’s easy to take communication for granted. This book explains how the unconscious signals we send can have unintended consequences. Changing even minor ways you interact with other people can make you more impressive and persuasive. The book is vital for business and helpful in other spheres of life, too.

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Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money by Robert Kiyosaki

Our attitudes on money tend to be fixed pretty early in life. But they shouldn’t be. If you want your money to work for you, rather than being a slave to money worries, it’s all about changing your mindset, as this book explains.

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5 Favorite Blogs

Shopify Blogs

A wide-ranging look at the world of ecommerce, the Shopify blogs are respected by people in the know. They offer way more than your standard retail pieces and take a sideways look at things you thought you already had worked out.

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Insider Trends

Up to date and innovative, Insider Trends gives breakdowns of the latest retail developments. It provides a good range of content. It’s reliable and up to the minute.

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Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

This course revolutionized things for me. I keep in regular contact with other business owners I met on it. As we all continue to grow — and learn more about our businesses — this forum has become an invaluable support network.

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LinkedIn

There is so much great content being published directly on LinkedIn now. Being connected is important. The internet works best when it’s creating genuine online communities.

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BBC News

BBC is simply the best place for fast, impartial, digestible news. This app is always open on my phone.