Orme wins Business Book of the Year

Greg Orme's The Human Edge (Pearson Business) has been named book of the year at the Business Book Awards.

The annual gala was cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic but a virtual awards ceremony was broadcast on Facebook this week, featuring 11 different categories and 73 shortlisted books.

Orme triumphed from all the category winners to scoop Business Book of the Year for The Human Edge: How Curiosity & Creativity Are Your Superpowers In The Digital Economy.

Orme said: “I’m so grateful and thankful that my work has been honoured in this way. I wrote this book for anybody who wants to future-proof their career in a world of technological disruption and machines. Of course we see the world now being disrupted like it’s never been before but we need to respond in a creative and curious way. It’s more important now than it’s ever been. I’d like to think of The Human Edge as a subversive handbook to keep underneath your desk to ignite your human superpowers, even without the permission of your boss.”

The awards, now in its third year, also announced a new award this year for books promoting diversity. That gong was picked up by Babita Sharma for The Corner Shop (Two Roads).

Founder of the Business Book Awards Lucy McCarraher said: “The Business Book Awards are now in their third year and it was really exciting to see almost double the entries this year than last year –authors and publishers are seeing the huge potential of having their books shortlisted. Last year we introduced a special award for an exceptional book by a woman and this year we have seen the number of women entries increase from 30% to 40%. I’m still gunning for a 50-50 split next year! This year we have concentrated on diversity in its broadest sense. Our authors have written about more diverse subjects, including equality and diversity, our judging panel is more diverse than ever and our special award this year is for an exceptional book that promotes diversity.”

The other category winners were:

Start-up Inspiration — How To Have A Happy Hustle: The Complete Guide To Making Your Ideas Happen by Bec Evans (icon)

Sales & Marketing —Your Business, Your Book: How To Plan, Write & Promote That Book That Puts You In The Spotlight by Ginny Carter (Practical Inspiration)

HR & Management—Boards: A Practical Perspective by Patrick Dunne (Governance)

Sustainable Change—The Human Edge: How Curiosity & Creativity Are Your Superpowers In The Digital Economy by Greg Orme (Pearson Business)

Leadership for the Future—No Bullsh*t Leadership: Why The World Needs More Everyday Leaders & Why That Leader Is You by Chris Hirst (Profile)

Business Self-development—Add then Multiply: How Small Businesses Can Think Like Big Businesses and Achieve Exponential Growth by David B. Horne (Rethink)

Personal Development & Wellbeing—Physical Intelligence: Harness Your Body's Untapped Intelligence to Achieve More, Stress Less and Live More Happily by Claire Dale and Patricia Peyton (S&S)

Short Business Book—Gold Rush 2020: Why The Time To Invest In Gold Is Right Now by Phil Taylor-Guck (Rethink)

Specialist Book—People Powered: How Communities Can Supercharge Your Business, Brand & Teams by Jono Bacon (Thomas Nelson)

International Business Book—The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose by Chris Wilson and Bret Witter (Scribe)