These books teach you how to handle yourself, your space and—most important—your employees.

101 Sample Write-Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems

By Paul Falcone
Paperback, 400 pages, $35
Amacom

It can be challenging to offer constructive criticism to your employees. In 101 Sample Write-Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems: A Guide to Progressive Discipline & Termination, Paul Falcone teaches a strategy that focuses on communicating directly to your employees and involving them in the problem-solving process.

In addition to giving tips to help you enhance employee performance, protect your company and save time, the book includes samples of legally sound write-ups for a variety of situations, including absenteeism, tardiness, sexual harassment and “rumormongering.” To top it off, there is a CD with sample write-ups from the book you can print directly from your computer.

The Stress Effect

By Henry L. Thompson
Hardcover, 336 pages, $26.95
Jossey-Bass

Even with the most seasoned entrepreneur makes missteps. According to Henry L. Thompson, author of The Stress Effect: Why Smart Leaders Make Dumb Decisions—And What to Do About It, these errors can be attributed to one source: stress.

Thompson explains how to make good decisions in extremely stressful situations and how to develop what he calls a “stress resilient system” by evaluating yourself in three categories: stress management capacity, cognitive resilience and emotional intelligence.

Stress is something that affects everyone in various degrees and at various times. With Thompson’s book, you can make that stress work for you in useful and positive ways.

Stores & Retail Spaces 11

By the Retail Design Institute and the editors of VMSD magazine
Hardcover, 166 pages, $39.95
ST Books

Explore 44 award-winning retail spaces in Stores & Retail Spaces 11, complied and written by the Retail Institute and the editors of Visual Merchandising and Store Design magazine. Recognized for innovative store planning, visual merchandising, architecture, lighting, materials and graphics, each space offers a different, immersive buying experience for customers. Stunning photographs are paired with explanations detailing why each of the spaces is unique, including real-life tips for your own remodel.

Although most of the featured spaces have large budgets (i.e. Barneys New York and Borders), there are plenty of visual examples you can replicate. Be sure to pick up this book if you are considering giving your own space an overhaul.