Those who are acquainted with Robert Holmes know that he is an avid reader, cyclist, sky diver, world traveler and outdoorsman. He is passionate about urban growth, animated resort communities, wellness, relationships and trends in business. As a connector, Robert shares his discoveries with the people around him. Recent recommendations:

Negotiation Genius, Deepak Malhotra & Max H. Bazerman

Overview: From two leaders in executive education at Harvard Business School, here are the mental habits and proven strategies you need to achieve outstanding results in any negotiation.

When Will Markets Recover? – US Housing Outlook, The Concord Group

Overview: The analysis outlines The Concord Group’s forecast for the US housing market and represents the first in a series of articles concerning market risk and opportunity. Click here to read the entire article.

Animation Checklist - Download the checklist now
In resort or urban development, animation of the sidewalk and enhancement of the pedestrian experience is what truly makes a place. Robert Holmes has developed an animation checklist that developers, retailers, asset managers and urban and resort planners will find immensely helpful.

The Customer is the Company, Max Chafkin - Inc. Magazine, June 2008

Overview: I am beginning to see more customization for residential development and now office condominiums, where users are providing significant input into the project well in advance of construction. Take a look at this article on this unique business model and imagine how it might work in real estate.

Who’s Your City, Richard Florida - How the Creative Economy is Making the Place Where You Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.

Overview: It’s a mantra of the age of globalization... where you live doesn’t matter: you can telecommute to your high-tech Silicon Valley job, a ski-slope in Idaho, a beach in Hawaii or a loft in Chicago; you can innovate from Shanghai or Bangalore.

However, according to Richard Florida, this is wrong. Place is not only important, it’s more important than ever.

Globalization is not flattening the world. On the contrary, the world is spiky. Place is becoming more relevant to the global economy and our individual lives. The choice of where to live, therefore, is not an arbitrary one. It is arguably the most important decision we make, as important as choosing a spouse or a career. In fact, place exerts powerful influence over the jobs and careers we have access to, the people we meet and our “mating markets” and our ability to lead happy and fulfilled lives.
For further insight visit Richard Florida’s website at http://creativeclass.com/whos_your_city.

What Happy People Know, Dan Baker, Ph.D., Director at Canyon Ranch and Cameron Stauth

Overview: Dr. Baker, Director of the Life Enhancement Program at Canyon Ranch, has devoted his life to teaching people how to be happy. In What Happy People Know, he shares the program that has revolutionized the lives of countless unhappy people, VIP’s and regular Joes and Janes alike. First, you’ll learn the only two issues that ever cause unhappiness and devise your plan to overcome both of them. Dr. Baker then teaches you how to spot the happiness traps - the five doomed ways we try to make ourselves happy, but instead cause us to dig ourselves further into misery. Finally he shares his happiness tools: the six simple skills, that when practiced consistently, will inevitably lead to great optimism, courage, good humor and fulfillment... in short, to happiness.
For insight and further knowledge, visit http://www.canyonranch.com/story/dan-baker.aspx.

Transitions, William Bridges

Overview: Having been first published in 1980, Transitions is still a timeless read. Talk of change is currently in the air as the Presidential candidate debates heat up. Transitions is all about change - how to look at change and the patterns that emerge within all types of transitions.
For further insight, visit http://www.wmbridges.com.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t, Jim Collins

Overview: Based on a five-year research project, Good to Great answers the question: “Can a good company become a great company, and, if so, how?” True to the rigorous research methodology and invigorating teaching style of Jim Collins, Good to Great teaches how even the dowdiest of companies can make the leap to outperform market leaders such as Coca-Cola, Intel, General Electric, and Merck.
For further insight, visit Jim Collins’ website at http://www.jimcollins.com.

Small is the New Big: and 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas, Seth Godin

Overview: The book is a collection of more than 180 riffs that have appeared in Fast Company or on his blog over the last six or seven years. It’s designed to spark you and your colleagues into doing what you already knew how to do in the first place.
For further insight, visit Seth Godin’s blog at http://sethgodin.typepad.com or his official business site at http://www.sethgodin.com/small.