Welcome to Recommended Literature
Throughout my long professional life, books have been one of my most important sources of knowledge, reflection and inspiration. In this category, I have collected literature that has influenced the way I think about people, leadership, innovation, digitalization, artificial intelligence and value creation. The books are organized according to the subject areas of The Invisible Capital, so that you can easily delve into the topics that interest you most. I hope the recommendations can inspire you to discover new perspectives and further develop your own knowledge.
The Oxford and San Francisco Seminars
When I started working with the internet and digitalization more than 25 years ago, I quickly discovered that the best ideas rarely come alone. They are created through curiosity, experiences, good conversations and, not least, by learning from others. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of attending seminars in Oxford and San Francisco, studying at BI Norwegian School of Business and collaborating with talented colleagues in both the private and public sectors. What all of these experiences have in common is that they have led me to new books, new researchers and new perspectives.
The literature you will find in this category is therefore not a random collection of book recommendations. These are books that have inspired me, challenged established truths and helped shape the thinking behind Invisible Capital. Some are international classics, others are written by researchers and professionals I have had the pleasure of meeting or learning from over the years. What they all have in common is that they have given me insights that are still relevant today.
To make it easier to find, the books are organized by the same subject areas as the rest of the website. Whether you want to learn more about artificial intelligence, innovation, customer experiences, value-creating people or social development, I hope you will find literature that inspires further reading and new reflections.
Knowledge does not become less valuable when shared – quite the opposite. That is why I hope this category can be a small door-opener to books that have had a great impact on me, and that may also give you new ideas, new perspectives and new inspiration on your own learning journey.
Don't Make Me Think Author: Steve Krug
Short review
Don't Make Me Think is one of the world's most influential books on usability and web design. Since its first edition in 2000, the book has helped designers, developers, content producers, and managers understand a simple but powerful principle: Good digital services should be intuitive. The user should be able to complete their task without having to stop and think about how the website works.
Why we recommend the book
This is one of the books that has had the greatest impact on my own work with digital services. Over the years – from SAS and the Norwegian Opera & Ballet to working on Bærum Municipality’s website – the principles in this book have been an important reminder that technology is never an end in itself. The goal is to make everyday life easier for the people who use the services. Despite the fact that the book was published many years ago, the message is just as relevant today.
Internet Marketing & eCommerce
Authors: Ward Hanson and Kirthi Kalyanam
Short review
Internet Marketing & eCommerce provides a thorough introduction to how the internet has changed marketing, commerce, and business development. The book combines theory and practical examples in digital marketing, e-commerce, customer behavior, value creation, and digital business models. Although written at a time when the internet was still in its infancy, many of the fundamental principles are still highly relevant.
Why we recommend the book
This book was an important part of my own learning journey in digital marketing and e-commerce. It helped build my understanding of how technology, customer experiences and business strategy are interconnected – an insight that later became very important in my work with SAS, the Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Bærum Municipality and eventually the project The Invisible Capital. Many of the ideas about customer value, digitalization and innovation presented on the website have their roots in the knowledge this book conveys.
The Innovator's Dilemma: When New
Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
Author: Clayton M. Christensen
Short review
The Innovator's Dilemma is one of the most influential books on innovation and technological change. Clayton Christensen introduces the concept of "disruptive innovation" and shows how even the most successful businesses can fail when new technologies and business models change the market. Through a series of examples, he explains why established companies often have difficulty adapting to radical change - even when they do "everything right."
Why we recommend the book
This book has had a major impact on how I view innovation, digitalization, and change management. It provided a new perspective on why established businesses are challenged by new players, and why the ability to think differently is crucial in a world characterized by continuous technological development. Many of the reflections in The Invisible Capital on innovation, digital transformation, and value creation are based on the insights Clayton Christensen conveys in this classic.
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