5-star reader reviews
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A Business Fable Inspired by Real Events
The book every analytics leader wishes existed ten years ago.
The Auction Block is a business fable about transforming a broken analytics org — told through the story of Sarah Chen. Think The Phoenix Project, but for data teams.
Free · 5 minutes · No account required
Where do you invest your leadership energy?
This isn’t a maturity model. There’s no score to chase. It’s a mirror — 20 questions that reveal your pattern across Adaptive and Technical leadership.
Every analytics leader has a shape. The Catwalk Leader who sees the whole operation but might be watching more than connecting. The Demo Magician who opens every door but can’t answer “who uses this on a Tuesday?” The Lantern who helps others see AND checks whether they actually saw. What’s yours?
Sample Result
“The Rosetta Leader”
Sound familiar?
Does this sound like your team?
If more than two sound like you, you’re not alone. Every one of these is a free card, and a chapter in the book.
A Business Fable · 15 Chapters
Every chapter title will make you wince
Because you’ve lived them. Sarah Chen just had the courage to fix them.
Amazon Reviews
They saw their battle scars in these pages
“I'm sad because I feel like I've been living in many of the analytics pain points for so long — but I remain really hopeful that we can pull it off. This reading has helped me re-center, right on time.”
Dean Furness
30 years in data & analytics teams
Kindle
“The stories feel real because they are real. If you've been in the game long enough, you'll see your own battle scars reflected in these pages — and you might even catch yourself wishing you had a 'Sarah' in your corner.”
Jackie Rondo
Paperback · Verified Purchase
“Refreshingly effective at naming the traps that derail even the most data-savvy teams. The narrative format makes it a surprisingly fast and easy read — without sacrificing any of the substance.”
Nate
Master Black Belt & Chief of Staff
Kindle · Verified Purchase
The author
Brian Cariveau
25+ years leading data & analytics — small business to Fortune 5
I’ve spent my career watching analytics teams build the wrong things for the right reasons. The Auction Block is the book I wish someone had handed me on day one.
More about Brian →For Teams & Organizations
Running a data team?
Bring the book to your next offsite.
The best analytics leaders don’t just read — they build shared language across their teams. Use The Auction Block as the foundation for your next team conversation about how you work.
Learn More →Virtual Book Club
Guided 4-week reading program with discussion questions for each chapter arc
Author Hour
Book Brian for a 60-minute session with your team — Q&A, principles workshop, real talk
Bulk Orders
Outfit your entire team with paperbacks — volume pricing for 10+ copies