I realize that linking to this entry might be a little self-serving, but I thought to share it anyway (and I was upfront).
Johanna Rothman at Managing Product Development wrote a post titled Convincing Managers To Buy Books. It start with this:
Some of my suggestions for people in my classes are simply to buy some good books for some specific information. When I suggest this, I sometimes hear "my manager won't let me buy books." As a bibliophile, I can't understand that :-). Even though I do accept that not everyone is like me, you can convince most managers to buy books...
We just want to help any way we can :)
Posted by Todd S. at June 15, 2004 04:37 PM | TrackBackOk, this sounds harsh, but "my manager won't spring for my books" sounds like a pretty wimpy excuse to me. It's your own responsibility to learn and improve so if your manager remains unconvinced about paying for your continuous learning - whether that is books, training, seminars or anything - get out your own wallet and make an investment in yourself.
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez at June 15, 2004 06:37 PMEvelyn's comments are dead on right. Here's the root of the problem:
People won't be responsible for their own success.
It's that simple. Either you take the intiative to improve yourself, or you bail out and blame others. If I'm reading this I'd be thinking, "Huh, where is my mind at on this concept? Am I reactive, laying back and waiting for others to help? Or am I proactive, controlling and improving my future?"
Books are the easiest investment in improving one's future.
Posted by: Dan Seidman at June 17, 2004 12:38 PM