Reviews (16)

Valuable Information for Tax-Deferred Investment Accounts
Anyone who enjoyed Stocks for the Long Run will find this book to be a very valuable addition to his or her knowledge about stock investing for tax-deferred investment accounts.

Professor Siegel has checked history again.This time he has looked for ways to do stock investing that have performed better than indexed mutual funds for tax-deferred accounts.

Much of what he finds is counter to the conventional wisdom, but makes sense when examined objectively.

Here are some key findings:

1.High dividend yields, when reinvested in the same stock, provide superior returns.That's only true in a tax-deferred account, of course.

2.Buying stocks with low multiples that grow faster than expected is much easier and more profitable to do than simply choosing companies in fast growing industries.

3.Exciting new companies make lots of money for founders, employees and venture capitalists . . . but not enough for investors.

4.Avoid capital intensive businesses.

5.The most productive companies are those who develop new business models (something I discuss in The Ultimate Competitive Advantage) regardless of how bad the industry is.

6.Beware of excessive valuations . . . no matter how good the future looks.

7.If a company has neither a high dividend nor any cash, assume something's wrong with the accounting.

8.Indexed stocks in slower-growing emerging markets have high potential to deliver huge gains in the future due to demographic influences.

From these findings, Professor Siegel suggests a model portfolio for equities that will intrigue you (see page 254) with high-dividend ideas, global firms, attractive sectors and interesting value plays.

In addition, Professor Siegel addresses the question of what to do about paying for the retirements of all those Baby Boomers around the world.His proposal is to encourage young emerging market workers to purchase the assets of older workers in the developed world.You'll find the argument to be intriguing and compelling.

I cannot remember reading a more stimulating and original book about investing.I was particularly impressed by his historical research that shows the superiority of sticking with companies that have been around a long time rather than searching out newer companies to buy.I think the exception to the latter comes in those cases where the management has proven to be adept at improving upon their business models to provide more value to customers.

Almost every investor would benefit from reading and thinking about this book.

New findings
There are several new revelations regarding the kind of stocks that are consistent winners, supported by data in this book:

Consumer Brand Names/consumer staples and healthcare industry have been strong performers.

The relationships of the top performers' P/E and growth rate.

Low P/E,high dividend stocks outperform.

These findings of characteristics make this book worth 5 stars.

The book also predicts a "global solution" to the demography issue. This solution is like saying a wealthy family that can no longer produce would sell their assets to the productive newcomers in order to maintain the life style are have become accustomed to. If this turns out to the solution, it's a pathetic one.

The importance of dividends and the dangers of growth
Jeremy Siegel has rediscovered the importance of dividends.When Charles Dow did his seminal research nearly a century ago he relied on dividends and ignored reported earnings because he knew that companies were lying on their balance sheets.Dividends, on the other hand, don't lie.Dividends let you compound.Very old fashioned.

The other important point this book makes is that investors almost always overpay for growth.He calls this the growth trap.It is critical for investors to distinguish between those companies whose innovations power the economy and those that provide superior returns to investors.They are usually two different things.

Many people seem to have learned nothing from the recent bursting of the NASDAQ bubble.Siegel has the research that shows what went so wrong several years ago and how to keep your head if it happens again.

The old is new again.

must read for all investors
Jeremy Siegel did it again with his new book. Filled with historical facts and observations, he shows how a company with 10% earnings growth is often a better investment that a company with 20% earnings growth. The reason for this phenomenon can be summed up in one word--valuation. Fast growing companies are expected to grow and that is taken into account in its price. Slower growing companies are expected to grow slow.

Professor Siegel shows how some of the best performing stocks in the past half century were companies with good dividends and earnings above expectations. He proves his point by comparing Standard Oil of New Jersey and IBM. IBM has grown faster than Standard Oil of New Jersey by any measure, except stock appreciation.

Professor Siegel also explains how fast growing sectors are not always good investments. Obviously, technology stocks in 1999 and 2000 were fast growing, but some of the worst investments you could have made. He also uses the Financial sector as an example. It has been one of the two fastest growing sectors in the past 50 years, but the stocks within the sector have not performed as well as the S & P 500. The reason this is possible is because new companies enter the business. These new companies bring competition and make the sector bigger, but not more profitable.

This book is great for any beginning investor or any professional.

The Role of Luck in Siegel's Success
An absolute disappointment. This is a classic example of misreading the formula that made you successful in the first place. Sequels are usually bad, in this case Siegel's are bad. The reviews and cover quote by Warren Buffett are misleading, and I seriously doubt whether the reviewers read the book. There is nothing new here. Undervalued stocks (value stocks) have been touted as being superior forms of investment for a long time. Eugene Fama, and others, have produced fantastic research in this area. I found the book to be self aggrandising, offering no original contribution and totally out of character relative to the first book. The data mining is significant, and to suggest that tried and true is the way forward simply because the past delivered such a pattern is foolhardy. Give this book a miss. ... Read more

Book Description

Boone and Kurtz’s Contemporary Marketing has proved to be the premier introduction to marketing text and package, edition after edition. With each edition, this best selling author team builds and improves upon past innovations, creating the most technologically advanced, student friendly, instructor supported text available. The eleventh edition continues to provide the most current and up-to-date content by including coverage on the events over the past year, such as the recession, the terrorist attacks on America, and coverage on the ethical disasters such as the Enron scandal.Realizing that students need a solid understanding of how these events apply to marketing the authors integrate this content throughout the new edition.The changes to this edition are so significant, that this new edition is more like a new text than just a revision. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very relevant to current times
A very recent book that explicitly relates recent important events to how to perform marketing of your products. Perhaps the most important is of course the terrorist attacks of September 2001, and the resultant war [wars?] on terrorism. Then too, there were the huge corporate scandals (Enron, Global Crossing...) that helped generate scepticism of large companies. How can you decide on a marketing campaign when such is the societal backdrop? Boone offers useful suggestions or strategies.

One virtue of the book is that this analysis gives it a very practical ambience. You don't feel like you're thumbing through the pages of some abstract intellectual debate, or some fine nuance of accounting on pricing options, say.

But an unavoidable side effect is that the book's very explicit invocation of recent events will make this edition VERY dated in just a few years. Well, perhaps Boone will issue new editions as the years go on.

Amazon did not send right ISBN nuber to seller...watch out!
I had ordered this book and Amazon sent the wrong information to the seller. I got the study guide which is a softcover. Now Amazon won't take responsibilty for their action. I'm screwed because I ordered this book for college and now have to reorder it so I can have it in time. This is the second time Amazon has not taken resposibility for their actions with me. I have little faith in them at this point. SO WATCH OUT!!! ... Read more

Book Description

This latest edition of Investments continues the legacy of excellence established in previous versions. Chapters on behavioral finance, arbitrage pricing theory, multifactor models of risk and return, and international diversification have been dramatically rewritten to meet changes in today’s transformed markets. In addition, unnecessary mathematical and technical detail continues to be left out wherever possible.

Reviews (24)

Comprehensive, student-friendly, and extremely helpful
The book by Bodie et al is unquestionably, the best introduction to Investment Theory available today. Please note that there is an emphasis on the word introduction, because there is much that can be covered after the book ends. This book provides a springboard from which the student can take off in different directions viz. Derivatives, Risk Management, Portfolio Management etc.

The language is simple, and there are no mathematical demons in the book. The Concept Check questions are extremely valuable and should be attempted before the reader delves into the equally challenging exercises at the end of the chapters. The book starts with an introduction to the different types of markets and financial instruments present today, and then moves into investments, risk etc. The book touches upon a number of topics including bonds, financial statement analysis, security valuation, derivatives and hedging. Like other multipurpose book, it does not go in-depth into any of these, but provides the reader a brief introduction to each of them for help in further studies. It does dwell a lot on portfolio theories which are described in detail, with numerous examples. The chapter-ending exercises are graded with easier questions in the beginning, and extremely challenging ones in the end.

All in all, a great book!

Excellent text book on investments & basic portfolio theory
I am a lecturer in Finance for a university in the UK. I evaluated this book for use in an Executive MBA course in portfolio management after previously using "Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management" by Reilly and Brown. The Reilly book takes a more quantitative approach to the valuation of various assets and is more comprehensive than "Investments" in terms of its coverage of securities and markets but I ultimately opted for "Investments" due to its clarity, organization, and quality writing style. The authors do an excellent job of communicating fairly complex concepts to a student with little or no background in finance.

If you are studying for the CFA or need a more advanced text, I can recommmend the Reilly book. If you are a practitioner or looking for a very mathematically rigorous text in portfolio management, I can recommend "Active Portfolio Management" by Grinold. But for an undergraduate or graduate student looking for an excellent primer on stocks, bonds, options, futures and the workings of the markets they are traded on, look no further than "Investments".

One note: we were able to obtain a paperback copy of the text at much reduced cost.

Good
The book is good. But if you can solve all the problems (buy the solutions manual) then you will be able to extract all the value from it.

Investments + S&P Card + Powerweb + StockTrak discount coupo
Bodie/Kane/Marcus is the leading textbook in the graduate investments market. It is recognized as the best blend of practical and theoretical coverage, while maintaining an appropriate rigor and clear writing style. Its unifying theme is that security markets are nearly efficient, meaning that most securities are usually priced appropriately given their risk and return attributes. The text places greater emphasis on asset allocation, and offers a much broader and deeper treatment of futures, options, and other derivative security markets than most investment texts.
Table of Contents: Part 1: Introduction 1. The Investment Environment 2. Markets and Instruments 3. How Securities are Traded 4. Mutual Funds and Other Investment Companies 5. History of Interest Rates and Risk Premiums Part 2: Portfolio Theory 6. Risk and Risk Aversion 7. Capital Allocation Between the Risky Asset and the Risk-Free Asset 8. Optimal Risky Portfolios Part 3: Equilibrium in Capital Markets 9. The Capital Asset Pricing Model 10. Single-Index and Multifactor Models 11. Arbitrage Pricing Theory 12. Market Efficiency 13. Empirical Evidence on Security Returns Part 4: Fixed-Income Securities 14. Bond Prices and Yields 15. The Term Structure of Interest Rates 16. Fixed-Income Portfolio Management Part 5: Security Analysis 17. Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis 18. Equity Valuation Models 19. Financial Statement Analysis Part 6: Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives 20. Options Markets: Introduction 21. Option Valuation 22. Futures Markets 23. Futures and Swaps: A Closer Look Part 7: Applied Portfolio Management 24. Portfolio Performance Evaluation 25. International Diversification 26. The Process of Portfolio Management 27. The Theory of Active Portfolio Management Appendix A. Quantitative Review Appendix B. CFA Citations

Well begun is half done!!
Anyone embarking upon a study of investments should begin with this book. From an explanation of market structure to intuitive analyses of all core concepts in investments (like Markowitz Theory, CAPM, Black-Scholes, Fixed Income concepts), this book has everything. Newer editions of the book also have very good instructions on how to implement the tools in MS-Excel. Obviously, this book is not meant for those pursuing a PhD. Rather it is meant for MBAs and aspiring CFAs who want to learn and implement investment tools and analysis. ... Read more

Book Description

A handy reference guide for Six Sigma which describes the DMAIC tools and how they can be applied. Perfect for those learning Six Sigma, or those who have already be trained and want a handy reference! ... Read more

Reviews (20)

The Best Pocket Guide to Six Sigma Available
I don't due encomiums very often (check out the rest of my reviews); but Rath & Strong's pocket guide simply floored me.

I bought a dozen several months ago to try out on my black belts and green belts. They snapped them up and refused to return them. My own copy is already dog-eared and tattered from overuse.

This is a wonderful tool. It breaks down the methodology in clear, concise steps and provides a desperately-needed matrix showing which tools are typically employed at each phase. It offers short, effective descriptions of the most commonly-used tools.

As someone who'd been given to lugging Breyfogle's "Implementing Six Sigma" to meetings, Rath & Strong's guide has been a welcome relief.

Pick yours up today.

Six Sigma Pocket Guide
Don't let the small size of this book fool you!! It is packed with great information. It gives a brief review of the tools used for Six Sigma. They are organized along the DMAIC model. A chapter covers each of the phases of the model. It covers the tools that are commonly used in each phase of the model along with why it is useful in this phase and a short synpopsis on how it works.

For example tools covered in Define are: Project Chater, Stakeholder analysis, SIPOC, Rolled Throughput Yield, Voice of the Customer,Affinity Diagrams, Kano Model, Critical to Quality Tree etc.

The chapter on Measure covers things like Control Charts, Frequency plots, Gage R & R, Pareto Charts, FMEA etc.

This book is an excellent introduction to the tools used in Six Sigma or problem solving techniques. It is also an excellent pocket reference for trained practioners to use to set up problem resolution steps!!

For Most Executives, an Essential Primer
Six Sigma Pocket Guide (12/15/03)

Although Rath and Strong do indeed provide a wealth of information about Six Sigma, their "pocket guide" can be of substantial value to all organizations (regardless of size or nature) which need to simplify, thereby improve the process by which they produce whatever they offer for sale. Products, of course, but also professional services (e.g. legal, accounting, management consulting), memberships (e.g. healthcare providers as well as trade and professional associations such as chambers of commerce), and charitable support (e.g. non profit, tax exempt 501 (c) 3 organizations such as college and universities). Chapter One introduces the book's core concept, DMAIC, an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. A chapter is then devoted to each of the five separate but related process components. Rath and Strong explain how this process will guide and inform efforts to increase the ROI of resources to achieve whatever the desired objectives may be. One of this guide's greatest benefits is its ease of use: It can easily be carried within an attaché case, coat pocket, or purse, always available for direct and immediate access whenever needed. Now more than ever before, decision-makers are under great pressure to produce more and better results in less time, and with fewer resources. Hence the importance of improving first pass yield and cycle time, for example. Hence the importance, also, of enabling everyone within a given organization to understand how and why her or his efforts can -- and should -- contribute to the organization's operational excellence. For most executives, Rath and Strong offer a concise, easy-to-access, and well-written source of guidance to effectively defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling various stages of production of ideas as well as products and services.

Puh-lease
Ok, there is no sense in buying this book, when there are plenty of others to buy instead. Although it is an easy read, it is not a good book for anyone looking to implement the Six Sigma methodology.
Instead, I recommend the new Six Sigma Business Scorecard. It is insightful, and incredibly creative in its new approach.

Not a teaching tool
Excellent pocket lingo guide to Six Sigma Terms - great for "translations" to trainees, managers, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

* Completely revised and streamlined for course use including expanded problems and exercises.
* Content has been refocused on the critical aspects of project management.
* Supplemented by instructors packages for both academic use and corporate trainers, includes online PowerPoint(r) presentations, student workbook, instructor's manual, and a new book of case studies. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

The Best Made Even Better!
I have relied on this book for years as the single source for the critical project management information I've needed. The only way the author could have improved it is by streamlining some of the content. I bought my copy of the 8th edition - and he has done just that! This book has been completely revised and streamlined! It is still the best source of information for the PMI Certification Exam. I rely on it almost daily as an off-the-shelf reference while I'm on the job! If you have skipped buying Kerzner's book in the past because you've seen it all - now's the time to upgrade your library.

The Source for Project Management Questions
If you have questions on any aspect of Project Management, this is the book to consult. From organizational behavior and structure to planning, scheduling and controlling processes vital to the successful practice of project management. Most of the vital issues are discussed in a thorough, thoughtful way.

If the book has a weakness, it is in the area of Integration - in my mind, the most difficult section of the PMP exam. The book is not only written as an undergraduate and graduate students, but also functional and senior managers. Its structure reveals the author's apparent belief that the practice of project management is more behavioral than quantitative.

His first five chapters lay the foundation for an understanding of project management principles. Chapters 6 through 8 deal with support functions of conflict and time management; chapters 9 and 10 deal with management support. Quantitative approaches to planning, time, cost and performance are developed in Chapters 11 to 15. Chapter 16 deals discusses trade-offs. The balance of the book deals with advanced topic and future trends.

If your budget limits you to the purchase of one project management, this is the one to own.

This book is not a how to.
I had to use this book for a project management class. I can safely say that everyone taking the course dislikes this book. I could see this being used as a reference later on after one has a good foundation built in project management but as for someone looking to break in to the subject, without someone who is experienced in PMP standing over you explaining the confusing charts and graphs, this book would bore someone to the point that the rewards of project management aren't worth the torture of having to read this book.

Not engaging, too repetitive, and ineffectual bulleted lists
I am a 2nd-year MBA student taking a course in Project Management, and this is the required text for the course. The professor insists that this is the preferred text for PM courses at other universities, but everyone in the class (the professor included) is thoroughly unimpressed by this book.

The first half of the book focuses largely on soft skills, and is mainly a rehash of the topics covered in a basic organizational behavior class, or even a psychology or sociology class. The material covered is very dry and very repetitive, and is almost entirely solid text, with few diagrams to illustrate the points of the discussion. The author also makes excessive use of verbose bulleted lists. Normally, I appreciate bulleted lists as an easy to read, concise way of conveying information, but this author often composes each bullet point as its own paragraph. Such an approach defeats the purpose of using bullets in the first place.

The second half of the text does improve somewhat over the first half. It begins an explanation of the more tangible aspects of project management, including the creation of work breakdown structures, scheduling projects, making budget projections, and applying techniques to keep a project on track. However, the style of writing is still quite thick, and makes for a slow read.

As of now, I have limited exposure to project management, and I have read no other books to which I can compare this one. However, I would be surprised if there isn't a better book on the market. Kerzner's book will eventually give you the information you're seeking, but you'll have to work hard to get there, and you'll need to wade through a lot of excess to get to the real meat of the topic.

Comprehensive. One stop for Project Management knowledge.
Several people I have talked to seem to have mixed feelings about this book. Most never get past the first few pages in the book and many are afraid not to have this book prominently displayed on their desks. The latter is to avoid someone mistaking them for a junior project manager.

The best way to review this monumental book on project management is to list the most common arguments for and against the book.

The book presents comprehensive knowledge of project management that you can substitute only by purchasing several books on the subject by other authors. Dr. Harold Kerzner is also one of the most respected experts on Project Management. Dr. Kerzner now has several companion books to supplement this main text book. One area that the book was considered lacking in the past was with regards to case studies. You can now buy his latest book that is dedicated to covering just case studies. The writing style is extremely easy to read and follow. Once you read his explanation on any topic, you will find that it is hard to disagree with him because his explanations are very compelling.

The reasons many people have disliked the book - the book is too boring to read, it is too long a book, it is a compilation of bullet lists, there are not enough case studies (or problems/exercises), etc. I can't say anything about the first complaint because it is actually true but if you are in the middle of a project and have a burning question, I can promise you that is isn't so boring to pull up the relevant section in the book and find a reasonable explanation to your question. The book is very long because it is an exhaustive treatment of the Project Management field. There is no reason to read it in one sitting. Regarding being a compilation of bullet lists, it does seem that way. But when you have been in project management for a while and have an appreciation for the difficulty of the field, the lists don't get in the way. The author has enough explanations surrounding the bullet lists that I never found them annoying. To address the complaints regarding case studies, problems/exercises, there is now a book dedicated to case studies and I believe there have always been workbooks that he authored which contained more problems/exercises.

A good approach to follow regarding the usage of this book is to buy it early on in your career but stop after reading just the first few chapters. As you are gaining experience and have been exposed to a majority of the project management field, it is time to refer to this book more often. I have followed the book through several editions over the years and looked up various topics as questions popped up in my mind while going through a project. I am yet to finish the whole book (this is my 7th year reading the various editions of his book) after all these years but I didn't expect to. It is a great reference book and I have been using it as one.

There are better books to read on project management if you looking for a quick overview. 'The Little Black Book of Project Management' by Michael Thomsett comes to mind along with 'Project Management - Planning and Control' by Rory Burke. If you are looking for help with the PMP preparation, I highly recommend 'PMP Exam Prep' by Rita Mulcahy. Read my review on her book for more detailed information on taking the exam.

IIL offers several Project Management classes that are taught by excellent instructors if you like what you read in this book and are looking for more of the same. A copy is given out as part of the class materials (for some of their classes). I hope you benefit from reading this book as much as I did and thanks for your patience. This is indeed a difficult book to review. ... Read more

Book Description

"Most books make promises. This one delivers. These skills have not only helped us to change the culture of our company, but have also generated new techniques for working together in ways that enabled us to win the largest contract in our industry's history."--Dain M. Hancock, President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

A powerful, seven-step approach to handling difficult conversations with confidence and skill

"Crucial" conversations are interpersonal exchanges at work or at home that we dread having but know we cannot avoid. How do you say what needs to be said while avoiding an argument with a boss, child, or relationship partner? Crucial Conversations offers readers a proven seven-point strategy for achieving their goals in all those emotionally, psychologically, or legally charged situations that can arise in their professional and personal lives. Based on the authors' highly popular DialogueSmart training seminars, the techniques are geared toward getting people to lower their defenses, creating mutual respect and understanding, increasing emotional safety, and encouraging freedom of expression. Among other things, readers also learn about the four main factors that characterize crucial conversations, and they get a powerful six-minute mastery technique that prepares them to work through any highimpact situation with confidence.

Reviews (48)

Outstanding tool that gets results!
As a coach to both individuals and groups, I see the very costly problems in the workplace that result from the important conversations that are not occurring because they are too hard or scary. The cost includes harm to relationships, careers and the bottom line. Both executives and high performance teams have been derailed by not addressing the dead elephants in the room. Crucial Conversations is absolutely the best book on the subject of difficult and critical communication. The book is very well organized, presenting clear steps to create an environment in which the hard conversation can happen. There are so many tools in this book that if it were not so well organized and presented in stages, the reader would be overwhelmed. The authors handle this very well - you can tell there was experience and expertise in adult learning informing the structure of the book. Why my clients and I become so excited about the book is its immediate results. You can start using the concepts and skills before you have finished the book! The foundations of making the environment safe - even for someone you may not like or respect is particularly effective. I have been very pleased with the results I have experienced - as well as my clients. Every leader should have this book on their bookshelf!

A bonus to readers is the continued support from the authors on their website described in the book. There is a wealth of additional information, interactive reviews, assessments and even video vignettes that illustrate the learning points with relevance and humor. For those truly smitten, there are training courses available to assist in obtaining personal mastery or even to teach the material if desired. I recommend this book and Primal Leadership to top-level executives in the federal government and private sector. I, and they, have never been disappointed at the difference it has made. Enjoy!

Crucial Conversations - Crucial Results
I have read Crucial Conversations cover to cover 4 times now. The results in my business and my marriage have been amazing. The book is well written and easy to understand. It teaches step by step skills to help you master the content. Before reading this book, I thought influential people possessed a natural ability to effectively handle conflict. After reading the book, I now realize that there are specific skill sets that anyone can learn (and master) to effectively deal with these "High Stake," "Strong Emotions," and "Opposing Opinion" conversations.

My confidence and productivity has increased in every area of my life (My business has increased by 30%-50% since I read the book the first time) and I am now effectively handling conversations with my wife that once caused constant upset.

I would recommend this book for anyone 1) wanting increased results and 2) willing to have a profound breakthrough in how they communicate. It has made a profound difference for me.

Packed With Knowledge!
Wanna argue? Nope. Then you need Kerry Patterson and his co-writers, who describe techniques for effective negotiation and conflict resolution in the context of important, potentially life-changing conversations. Examples include talking yourself into a promotion, bringing up important information at meetings and working out problems with your spouse. Some tips will sound familiar, such as knowing what you really want and being open to alternatives. However, the book also highlights some themes that are often forgotten in negotiations, such as making it safe for others to express their true feelings and desires. The authors explain how to avoid getting forced into false either-or choices and tell you how to remain alert for unstated alternatives or possibilities. This lively book includes many examples drawn from business and personal relationships. We recommend it in particular to those are new to negotiations and conflict resolution, though it teaches solid skills that any manager - or any marriage partner, for that matter - could benefit from mastering.

Excellent content, illustrated with clear diagrams
I bought this book after I heard Dr. Glickman, the author of Optimal Thinking-How To Be Your Best Self, recommend it during an Optimal Thinking seminar. When I read that Dr. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, recommended this book too I knew that this was going to be a life-changing book for me. I was right. This book has given me a formula for handling myself and others correctly during tough interactions. I am embarrassed to admit that I sometimes yelled and degraded people when I did not get what I wanted from them. Now I use optimal thinking to put my best self in charge, start with heart, look for safety problems, make it safe, retrace my path, and take the other steps recommended in this book. The steps are simple and clear. I am not perfect at them yet, and might never be, but I have already come a long way. You can't go wrong with this book, so press the "Buy" button right now, and if you want to optimize your effectiveness in all areas of life, buy the other books I mentioned.

Very basic common sense!
I was lead to believe there would be some ground beaking information in this book but it's really just common sense. I think everyone knows, when they're thinking straight, that just being true to yourself, honest, and respectfull of other people while holding to your point of view is the only way to truly get things done. And this is basically all this book says. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised for the new computerized CPA Exam

Published annually, this comprehensive four-volume study guide for the Certified Public Accountant's (CPA) Exam arms readers with detailed outlines and study guidelines, plus skill-building problems and solutions, that help them to identify, focus, and master the specific topics that need the most work. Many of the practice questions are taken from previous exams, and care is taken to ensure that they cover all the information candidates need to pass the CPA Exam. Reflecting the most recent changes to the new computerized CPA Exam, this comprehensive examination review is broken down into four volumes: Regulation, Auditing and Attestation, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Business Environment and Concepts. The number one CPA exam review provider worldwide, these study guides:
* Include over 2,700 practice questions and complete information on the new simulation questions
* Contain a unique modular structure that divides the content into 44 self-contained study modules so that candidates can zero in on areas that need the most work
* Include AICPA content requirements and offers three times as many examples as other CPA exam review study guides

O. Ray Whittington, PhD, CPA, CMA, CIA (Chicago, IL), is the Ledger and Quill Director of the School of Accountancy at DePaul University and author of bestselling books in the Wiley CPA Examination Review System. Patrick R. Delaney, PhD, CPA, was the Arthur Andersen LLP Alumni Professor of Accountancy at Northern Illinois University and the author of bestselling books, audios, and software in the Wiley CPA Examination Review System. ... Read more

Book Description

How to speed up business processes, improve quality, and cut costs in any industry

In factories around the world, Toyota consistently makes the highest-quality cars with the fewest defects of any competing manufacturer, while using fewer man-hours, less on-hand inventory, and half the floor space of its competitors. The Toyota Way is the first book for a general audience that explains the management principles and business philosophy behind Toyota's worldwide reputation for quality and reliability.

Complete with profiles of organizations that have successfully adopted Toyota's principles, this book shows managers in every industry how to improve business processes by:

• Eliminating wasted time and resources
• Building quality into workplace systems
• Finding low-cost but reliable alternatives to expensive new technology
• Producing in small quantities
• Turning every employee into a qualitycontrol inspector

Reviews (15)

Jeff Liker does it again!
Jeff Liker does it again. For those who have read and enjoyed his previous book, Becoming Lean: Experiences of U.S. Manufactures, (1998 Shingo Prize) it gives practical insight into the transformation process from those who lead the process. The Toyota Way gives insight into how business philosophy must change and evolve in order to support a true transformation. At the core of a true business change is not the techniques, tools, or methods, but an attitude toward the business and a "way of life".

The book, The Toyota Way, is worth reading from cover-to-cover and should also be re-referenced as one tries to guide their business, themselves, and others through the deep changes that must occur to truly transform to a lean enterprise. Dr. Liker reveals how the fourteen principles have been applied at Toyota using practical examples from new car development programs, daily functions, and major international business decisions. The Toyota Way applies to all levels of activities and people. But the only way for others to accomplish their own Toyota Way is to read this book and start to apply its lessons directly - by learning by doing.

Toyota DNA
Even though no other company will have the exact Toyota DNA, the principles in this book should be like the 14 commandments for all companies. There is something that wows me just about in every page I read.

I'm only through half of the book, but if I had the money I would send it to many of my manufacturing friends. But that is much rather like pushing it, and I am not sure they would read it, even as a freebie.

I have read many of the "Lean books", Womack, etc. and liked them too. But "The Toyota Way" has been the best. There are many automotive Japanese companies, but Toyota is very special. No wonder everybody is trying to copy the tools used there. But what everybody misses is the basic philosophy and the 14 principles around Challenge, Kaizen, Respect, Teamwork and Genchi Genbutsu, or the 4 Ps of Liker.

Liker does an excellent work in explaining them.

a manufacturing engineering manager

Clear and informative for any business
What a clear explanation of management principles. Anyone who runs any sort of company, or even a single household, can profit by reading this book. The many graphs are clear, clever, and illuminating. The book goes so much beyond the more simple "lean" theory I had read about before.

Explainning Toyota's DNA
I think this book is the first one for a general audience that explains the management principles and business philosophy behind Toyota's worldwide reputation for quality and reliability.

Best book ever in recent years on Toyota DNA
There are very few books or papers available to give details on Toyota DNA in a plain english and that too with examples.

Thank you Dr.Liker for doing excellent job and looking forward to see your next book.

I completely agree with what Dr. Liker described in Principles 8 and 11, as I was fortunate to experience "Toyota Way" as a supplier. ... Read more

Book Description

Chase, Jacobs and Aquilano: Operations Management for Competitive Advantage, 10/e (CJA) provides a current and thorough introduction to the concepts, processes, and methods of managing and controlling operations in manufacturing or service settings. The text provides comprehensive coverage, from high-tech manufacturing to high touch services with a balanced treatment.CJA also thoroughly integrates and discusses current issues such as globalization; supply chain strategy, E-business, and ERP.The concepts are illustrated by using abundant real world examples, articles, illustrations, problems and cases. Technology is integral to the success of this course, as such, CJA also provide students and instructors with an innovative array of leading edge technology learning and teaching tools. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Reassessing My Earlier Thoughts
I have previously reviewed this book, but have recently read it again, and am reassessing my opinions on it. While I still hold most of my earlier opinions, I have a couple of other insights after the second reading.

First, the PowerPoint slides on the included CD are very useful, and are generally well done, but they do contain a number of errors, which should have definitely been caught.

Second, the book gets more mathematically oriented as it goes on, and by the time the reader gets to about Chapter 9, the book makes so many assumptions about mathematical background (that may not be safely assumed, even in Business schools) that the example problems and, more importantly, explanations given, are very difficult to grasp: the chapter on forecasting is the peak of indecipherability. Some problems will just say something like 'using calculus...' and then show what happened as a result (this is especially true in the PowerPoint slides, by the way). What I am saying is that people who have recently had advanced calculus and statistics won't have a problem, but anyone who has been away from higher math for a couple of years will struggle.

Third, many of the case studies, while very well written and illuminating, are clearly taken from company specific corporate public relations fodder. In other words, they frequently read like propaganda. Don't get me wrong, I very much like the case studies, they just seem a bit stilted, though frequently they are the strongest part of a chapter.

Fourth, the book is absolutely strewn with buzzwords. I understand the needs to use specific terms to define specific concepts, and these authors are far from being alone in this misdeed, but sometimes speaking clear English actually helps a student understand the information. I absolutely draw the line when the authors call 'eyeballing' a line on a graph "Ocular Heuristic Approximation" (OHA). (Just a tip for the authors before they write the next edition.)

Finally, the book is filled with color and expensive printing tricks throughout, like color type, inset boxes, lots of color graphs and charts (some of which are redundant), and the like. My point here is that this stuff, while generally nice to look at is not value added, and dramatically raises the price of the book (mine was $135.00) with no increase in value to the students. For Mr. Chase and the rest of the authors: read your own book. Understand what the consumer (in this case students) want and need, and write that book. Don't fill a book with tons of color and fancy typographical tricks and drive the price through the roof. There are many other Operations Management books available for half the price and I recommended a couple of specific titles in my course critique. The book may look nice, but it isn't worth this price.

In summation, I now give this book three stars. It is very comprehensive, and there is a lot of good information between it's covers. If you can grasp the advanced math, put up with the buzzwords, and deal with paying $135 for a single book, this really isn't too bad.

Very Comprehensive Book and CD
This is an excellent text for a graduate or advanced undergraduate course on operations management. The book is very comprehensive, and in the tenth edition the authors have emphasized recent innovations in e-commerce and the internet. The text is well written, with less obfuscation than most books of this genre. The organization is quite good, with numerous graphs, charts and photos to illustrate the thrust of the subject matter.

I particularly like the concept of putting key words in blue type in the margins to easily locate the discussions of a particular subject. The other thing that I really like about this book is the excellent applicable case studies cited as examples in the text. This really helped with comprehension on the material. The CD has some expanded Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations for the various chapters, and miscellaneous other items of interest. In all candor, I have really not used the CD much, but it is a nice resource to have.

Detractors for the book include the degree of statistical background and comprehension that students are presumed to have when they begin using the book, the price of the book (which is driven way up by the lavish full color printing process), and the lack of clarity of some of the illustrations, particularly of the multi-spoke 'activity map' variety.

This is a good book, and I would recommend it, especially to a student with a strong mathematical background.

poor service
I was very displeased with bookbestdeal. I had ordered and paid for a hardback version of the book and I received a paperback version. I went to class and also discovered that our school had listed the wrong version of the book and that I would really nead the ninth edition. I contacted bookbestdeal immediately and they basically stated that it wasn't their problem and that they would not accept a return. Now I am forced to sell the book myself in order to recoupe the money I have lost. Very unprofessional. I will never purchase from them again! ... Read more

Book Description

ASW's Introduction to Management Science: A Quantitative Approach to Decision Making provides thorough, application-oriented coverage in a very readable writing style. This is the leading text on the market. Simply put, it's a classic!The problem-scenario approach introduces quantitative procedures through situations that include both problem formulation and technique application.The extensive linear programming coverage includes problem formulation, computer solution, and practical application. The text covers transportation, assignment, and the integer programming extension of linear programming, as well as advanced topics like waiting line models, simulation, and decision analysis. A large selection of problems includes self-test problems with complete solutions and case problems.Excel spreadsheet appendices are included as well. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

katz
Trust Me. This is the only book that you'll need to get started started in this area. The authors have done an excellent job in producing such a work, that takes care to explain all the details of management science.

I used this text for my professional exams (CIMA) and the it was great. All the chapters in this book are cleanly written to take that I doesn't leave anything unexplained. However, the following chapters are the ones that I like the most in this book:

1. Introduction to LP
2. LP: Sensitivity Analysis: Amazing work here.
3. LP Applications: formulation of problems in this chapter may be bit difficult at first, but keep reading and you'll learn and appreciate the work that the authors have put in.
4. LP - Simplex Method: My favorite chapter. Is highly readable. This one chapter alone is worth the book.
5. LP - Simplex Sensitivity.
6. Integer LP
7. Project Scheduling - Great, well written chapter, another favorite of mine.
8. Decision Analysis - Good but the problems are repetative.
9. Markov Process - An introduction only, but the application of markov process to accounts receivable anlaysis is very useful for anyone wondering about the applications of markov processes.

Overall a great book that is worth its price. ... Read more

Book Description

Development First is concise guide that provides practical ways to integrate development with your responsibilities and goals so you can do your job better, now and in the future."First" is an acronym for the five simple steps that can help drive your development. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Career and personal development planning made easy!
This book has no-nonsense suggestions and practical tips on how to take charge of your personal development. I'm more cognizant of my behavior and the positive and negative forces that affect my development at work and in life. The FIRST model the authors use helps me remember that my development is continual, involving myself *and* interaction with others, and I am always evolving. I was really challenged to be honest with myself, and the action steps and suggestions for involving others have helped me be more accountable for moving my career the direction I want it to go. Easy-to-read, motivating, and challenging! (Leader As Coach by the same authors is also a good read. ... Read more

Book Description

Corporate Finance is today’s most authoritative book on— and covers every angle of—corporate finance. Updates to this edition include a more user-friendly approach, new or updated cases that illustrate top companies addressing real world situations, topical articles written by scholars and practitioners, and more.

Book Description

These two highly-respected authors have revised this best-selling book to include more current, modern subject matter and events while maintaining those features that have contributed to its great success. It continues to use stories, graphs, and equations and a unified, logical organization to make economic concepts easy-to-understand and relevant to all readers. Users of this book see the connection between growth, trade, comparative advantage, and the production possibilities frontier. When readers understand how a simple competitive market system works, they are ready to focus on problems of real-world markets. Currency data has been updated through the second quarter of 2003, with coverage of deflation, the effects of the war with Iraq and the war on terrorism, and the wars' impact on the national deficit. A comprehensive overview introducing economics begins the book; subsequent topics include: foundations of microeconomics: consumers and firms; market imperfection and the role of government; concepts and problems in macroeconomics; the goods and money markets; macroeconomic analysis; and the world economy. An excellent desk reference for economists; this book will serve any business owner, as an understanding of basic economics will prove helpful in all ventures.

Reviews (1)

Excellent book for economic students in their first year
This book presents and explains both Micro and Macro Theory in a very friendly way.It explains step by step the functions of the micro and macro theory and describes the fuctions of the instituions andorganizations involve in the economy as a whole.It gives historicalbackground, which many students look for in order to understand how? why?who? the study of economics. Besides it explains really well the economicterminology introduce as you read the book.Finally the book presentscurrent event cases through the chapters which are related it to theideaspresented in the reading. ... Read more

Book Description

In writing this textbook, Mankiw has tried to put himself in the position of someone seeing economics for the first time. The author's conversational writing style is superb for presenting the politics and science of economic theories to tomorrow's decision-makers.Because Mankiw wrote it for the students, the book stands out among all other principles texts by intriguing students to apply an economic way of thinking in their daily lives.Receiving such a praise as "perhaps the best ever" textbook in economic principles, it's no wonder Mankiw's prize project has quickly become one of the most successful books ever to be published in the college marketplace. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Principles of Macroeconomics
Mankiw (economics, Harvard U.) presents an introduction to macroeconomics that is more devoted to applications and policy than to formal economic theory. Chapters cover international trade, measuring gross domestic product, the cost of living, production and growth, the financial system, the natural rate of unemployment, inflation, and short run economic fluctuations. As is common with many economics textbooks there is little recognition of controversy within the field. ... Read more

Book Description

Marketing, 7e by Kerin, Berkowitz, Hartley, and Rudelius continues a tradition of leading the market with contemporary, cutting-edge content presented in a conversational student-oriented style, supported by the most comprehensive, innovative, and useful supplement package available. This text and package is designed to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of faculty—from the professor who just wants a good textbook and a few key supplements, to the professor who wants a top-notch fully integrated multimedia program. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Effective learning approach
Great tutorial that helped me get a A on my final ezam. Amust have to review important concepts and terms.

Marketing text
It's a great book because of it's extensiveness. ... Read more

Book Description

Monday Morning Leadership is a story that can help your career!Everyone likes a good story, especially if there are lessons that can be immmediately applied to life.This book is one of those stories - about a manager and his mentor.It offers unique encouragement and direction that will help you become a better manager, employee, and person. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Excellent!
This book is great.

Our managers are required to read several management books each year. Monday Morning Leadership is the best I have read - by far. The book has a great combination - the least number of pages combined with the most useful information- of any of the books we have read. No fluff- or bulla bulla as Tony would say - just good stuff that I can actually use.

Buy the book. I am sure you will enjoy the journey with Jeff and Tony.

Outstanding Book - Monday Morning Leadership
This book is refreshing and well written for those of us who continuously work with others, as well as those that strive to be a great leader. David Cottrell writes from a perspective that we can all understand. Best book I have read in a long time.

Worth Buying!
This book is worth buying! It has digestable nuggets of good, common sense wisdom. It is easy to read and every person that I have bought this book for has found it to be entertaining and useful.

It is a permament part of my company's new manager circulum.

Monday Morning Leadership
Monday Morning Leadership is a quick read that any leader from business to education can read for knowledge, but maybe more importantly - reflection! The personal story leads the reader through his own personal re-discovery of strengths and weaknesses in business and personal life. The mentor, Tony, leads "Jeff" through 8 mentoring sessions that guide Jeff through his personal discovery of his own leadership style. These sessions with Tony helps him to re-discover changes that he can make to be the leader he once was, or could be - only new and improved with Tonys reflective questioning guidance.

OUTSTANDING!!!
This book is outstanding.
The author spoke at one of our management meetings and our company gave us the book. He was fantastic.
This book hits home with me ... it is not rocket scientist stuff but it is filled with information that I can use.

I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Download Description

Do you want to get ahead in life?

Climb the ladder to personal success?

The secret, master networker Keith Ferrazzi claims, is in reaching out to other people. As Ferrazzi discovered early in life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships–so that everyone wins.

In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps–and inner mindset–he uses to reach out to connect with the thousands of colleagues, friends, and associates on his Rolodex, people he has helped and who have helped him.

The son of a small–town steelworker and a cleaning lady, Ferrazzi first used his remarkable ability to connect with others to pave the way to a scholarship at Yale, a Harvard MBA, and several top executive posts. Not yet out of his thirties, he developed a network of relationships that stretched from Washington’s corridors of power to Hollywood’s A–list, leading to him being named one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 and selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the Davos World Economic Forum.

Ferrazzi’s form of connecting to the world around him is based on generosity, helping friends connect with other friends. Ferrazzi distinguishes genuine relationship–building from the crude, desperate glad–handling usually associated with “networking.” He then distills his system of reaching out to people into practical, proven principles. Among them:

Don’t keep score: It’s never simply about getting what you want. It’s about getting what you want and making sure that the people who are important to you get what they want, too.

“Ping” constantly: The Ins and Outs of reaching out to those in your circle of contacts all the time–not just when you need something.

Never eat alone: The dynamics of status are the same whether you’re working at a corporation or attending a society event&mdash “invisibility” is a fate worse than failure.

In the course of the book, Ferrazzi outlines the timeless strategies shared by the world’s most connected individuals, from Katherine Graham to Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan to the Dalai Lama.

Chock full of specific advice on handling rejection, getting past gatekeepers, becoming a “conference commando,” and more, Never Eat Alone is destined to take its place alongside How to Win Friends and Influence People as an inspirational classic.

Reviews (46)

Simply Worth it
I do not buy many books. I only buy the ones that I am interested in keeping. If I only want to read a book, I simply get it in the library.

After reading a few reviews of "Never Eat Alone" I went to my local bookstore to have a closer look at it. Although I definitely liked the look of the book, my first reaction was "No, too expensive". And it is expensive! But then I sat down to read some passages. The more I read, the more interested I was becoming... You know the outcome - I finally DID buy it. I don't think I need to say anything else...

The other books that I have recently bought:

"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. This book actually prompted my interest in "Never Eat Alone" as they are both offered by Amazon in one package.
"Can We Live 150 Years" by Mikhail Tombak - this one is so INEXPENSIVE

I Just Ordered 5 more copies of this Book !
Excellent! A must-read for seasoned professionals wanting to expand their sales, or young people coming up the ladder needing to know "how things really work". The book is very easy to read and quite entertaining, and actually helped me yesterday respond correctly to an important opportunity.

The section on how to get through a very tough secretary, to talk the Boss, is priceless.

If I see a 28 year-old buying his very own Gulfstream IV jet, it'll probably be because he read this book and applied the lessons in it.

Critiques and criticisms - Is this for real?
A review of a book is meant to be an opinion.Something that others can reference to find a comparison point and understand better whether they are appropriately interested in a text or manuscript - and subsequently how much value they may place on it within the context of their own lives.

I will provide these items to note: I read first through the negative critiques of Keith's book, I continued to scan quickly through the positive ones - to which I give limited weight.An important first step to understand whether the book is really valuable or not.I then proceeded to evaluate the book from an image/impression point of view.Lastly, I read and evaluated whether the book might have value in my life as a professional.Not in the life of others.Not in the life of similar people.In my life.Is it valuable to me.This is what I came up with:

Opines of the naysayers:
Many of the critiques (there were many - which usually makes for at least a marketable, controversial piece of literature) were overloaded with negative connotations about 'manipulation', 'deception', 'dishonesty', and 'insincerity' with the processes used by Keith to acquire friends, and take advantage of these friends and their relationships.Several reviewers also go out of their way to show how he drops names everywhere and glorifies himself and 'toots' his own horn throughout his book..

My first guess is that most of those who are commenting in this way do NOT have the same level of connectivity that Keith has established through many years of building a network.That said, what Keith has done implements applying these name drops to actual experiences where dropping names can be of value.

Think about it objectively - would you attend a party where you know there would be wealthy billionaires attending or one where you can meet with typical professionals in your field who you have little knowledge of whether they are successful.Yes, I'm sure there's some humility involved in this process.Keith touched on that a few times in his book - including his efforts to consider respect for all levels of individuals (you really don't know who they know).This includes his comments about learning from his past mistakes as he shot up through the ranks.But human beings are social animals.There is a pecking order in life (even if you don't believe it).There are people who live life more fully (not necessarily financially) and those who live it less so than you.

Most importantly, as a reader you must be able to sift that material out of the picture.Keith uses it to depict a point or concept, not only to glorify himself.And even if he does, does it really matter?You are seeking to determine whether you will use his techniques to modify your lifestyle and adopt one where friendships are also business-related and vice-versa.In most of his book, he also adds that he is expected to provide the same for others.Just because he asked a friend to help him out and move him further along the success curve or happiness curve doesn't mean that he has done anything wrong.Keith supports this with his variation of 'pay it forward' and 'reciprocity' where he expects others to ask the same of him - in which case he would submit appropriately.

I must admit, some of the stars that Keith hangs out with - however briefly - are truly spectacular movers and shakers.With that comes a bit of caution, as we all know the tendency for a definite increase in the nose gradient as people begin to associate with top dogs of the world.But in Keith's case, he has earned that right by moving through the ranks of truly effective firms and reaching the stardom through hard work and perseverance (and in many cases, networking).

Ultimately, the naysayers have neglected to consider that the world is built of social structures and every situation has political motives so long as complete trust is not delivered and accepted by all parties involved.Keith's concepts prove to be a great way to increase the trust levels required to build strong forthcoming relationships that don't 'wither on the vine' but are recirculated and built into powerful abilities for accomplishment however great or small.

Most of the naysayers have the wrong reasons for criticizing - they attack him personally and not the content of his book for whatever reasons.Certainly criticizing him for self-aggrandizement cannot be considered that much out of line, as all he's doing is supporting his processes, thoughts, and perhaps his personal business through his book.However, he has no obligations at all to share his experiences with the public, and by doing so, opens himself up to more than just criticism.

Moving onward to the next topic - the image/impression of the book.

I was amazed at the fluorescent orange cover with some strange words about eating on it.At first I would have no clue this book was about networking (which I believe many of the first people to spot the book had a difficult time anyway).But then I saw that it relates closely to FedEx's branding strategy with their color coordination, and even the 'XXX for dummies' line of books.It stands out from the rest of the pack based on the color coordination.Given that the book relates to personal branding and marketing of oneself for moving forward in corporate circles, it wouldn't be thrown out as an outcast.

The image of the book can be summarized to me as the following:
Building Shareholder Value in You - in a highly adventurous manner.The least I would call it would be conservative.S