This article in the Boston Globe doesn’t talk about web design directly, but it presents fascinating data about a number of things that influence the success of websites. The concept ( “easy = true” ) is simple, but the ramifications are profound. Or maybe I just THINK they’re profound because the concept is easy?

If you’re anything like the crew here at TPI, you probably aren’t taking much of a break this holiday season. Staying busy is the name of the game and we certainly do our best to keep the machine running as much as possible. That said, we sincerely hope you DO get some time to relax, spend time with those most important to you and maybe even take a few minutes to improve your business for 2010! I know, I know… who has time for reading when there so many cookies, candy and pies around just calling your name?! The truth is that investing time in your business (even when you’re not ‘working’) by reading about relevant marketing strategies, business models and successful (and not-so-successful) stories can give valuable insight into areas where your own techniques might be lacking.

To that end, I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a short list (in no particular order) of some great marketing and business books to light your fire and help jumpstart your business in 2010 with new fervor, focus and inspiration. A lot of ideas in these books aren’t earth-shattering, new and different ideas, but common sense practices that sometimes fall by the wayside in business and want for a good reminder. The key is using the good advice you find. Good advice only works if you put it into practice.

Admittedly, I haven’t ready all of these books. For what its worth, its a list I’ve compiled from other business leaders I follow and have been written by or invaluably helpful to them. That’s good enough for me and I will undoubtedly be picking up a few of these to read on a few cold nights this winter.

Have you already read any of these? What are your thoughts? We’d love to add to our library as well so definitely leave us a comment with your own recommendations!

Happy Reading!

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie: An oldie but a goodie. A nice reminder on how the key to being successful is all in how you treat the people around you.

2. Citizen Marketers: When People Are the Message – Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba: If you’re curious about social media and how it might relate to your business, this one is a good resource.

3. Love Is the Killer App – Tim Sanders: I haven’t read this one but its definitely on my list. Its also about dealing with people but with an emphasis on networking and sharing information.

4. Good to Great – Jim Collins: Need I say more? Which one will YOUR business be?

5. Just Ask a Woman: Cracking the Code of What Women Want and How They Buy – Mary Lou Quinlan: This was recommended to me and I’m actually looking forward to reading it. Discover the power of the female buyer!

6. Blue Ocean Strategy – W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne: All about the ‘blue ocean’ of uncrowded and untapped market space.

7. The Long Tail – Chris Anderson: From the Editor-in-Chief of Wired Magazine. If anyone will know about the future of business, this is the guy.

8. How To Be That Guy – Scott Ginsberg: This guy started wearing a nametag everywhere as an experiment and learned a lot about how people responded to it. Now he shares how to be unforgettable.

9. Selling the Invisible: A Field Guide to Modern Marketing – Harry Beckwith: Selling the way you do business and treat customers, rather than a product. Because everyone wants good customer service!

10. Purple Cow – Seth Godin: And just for good measure, Mr. Godin is considered one of the most brilliant minds in marketing. Read this one.