Book Description

AMERICA'S LEADING TREND FORECASTER AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR PREDICTS THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN AMERICAN BUSINESS: EVEOLUTION If men and women are different, why do we market to them the same way? Today, women make 80 percent of all purchasing decisions. The time has come, says Faith Popcorn, author of The Popcorn Report and Clicking, two bestselling books on consumer trends, for businesspeople everywhere to realize that you can't succeed in businesswithout successfully marketing to women. Whether you make cornflakes or concrete, pillows or pixels, women should--no, must--be your chief target. Popcorn's prediction: within a decade, the companies that do the best jobof marketing to women will dominate every significant product and service category. Popcorn calls this "EVEolution"--a trend that will redefine the way companies create profitable and lasting relationships with their key consumers--women. Using business case studies, cultural signals, statistical data, and in-depth interviews with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and consumers, Popcorn presents the eight essential truths about marketing to women.

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Reviews (34)

Eliminate Stalled Marketing Thinking -- Become Irresistible
7 Stars *******

I am a big Faith Popcorn fan. That led me to go into reading this book with high expectations. What a great deal it was to have those expectations well exceeded!

Tom Peters first raised the theme of this book in his book, The Circle of Innovation. The vast bulk of most consumer purchases are either made or strongly influenced by women. Stop marketing generally, and be sure you marketing is gender friendly in the broadest sense. But Tom, as a man, could only take that point so far.

Faith Popcorn has really explained it very well. She has identified 8 key principles:

(1) Women link (the marketer's job is to make that easier for women -- witness the success of women-only Web sites)

(2) Serve all of a woman's needs, not just the ones she has part of the day (if she needs convenient ordering, be sure to offer everything she wants to buy conveniently -- take-out foods for all meals)

(3) Women want their needs anticipated (if she has to tell you what she wants, it's all over -- lots of work, stress, home responsibilities and money mean that home spas are doing well)

(4) Use the indirect approach (women prefer to notice things on their own and apply them, rather than getting a direct, hard sell -- women notice institutional appliances in great restaurants and put them into their own kitchens)

(5) Go to her and make it easy (witness the success of at-home direct selling)

(6) Sell one generation of women, and you get the next as well (see how children now dress like adults at a very young age, because Mom and daughter want to look like each other)

(7) Take on a role as a trustworthy adult to help women, and they will link with your brand (GE Financial Assurance provides a mentor role for women entrepreneurs)

(8) All the details matter (organic foods are taking off because they are healthier, even though very expensive).

As interesting as these points are, Faith Popcorn also deserves praise for the superb way she explains her ideas. In the beginning of the book, she has one example of each concept. Then there is a chapter on each principle. The chapter has many examples, and finalizes with one thorough one drawn from her consulting experience. Then, to be sure you've got the point, she takes well-known brands in each chapter and points out what they are NOT doing that they should be.

The crowning glory is a chapter on all of the things that Ron Perelman and Revlon are doing wrong, and compares it with how the brand was run originally. Faith couldn't find much of anything she likes about the Revlon approach. As a matter of fact, the company has done poorly.

But, at a broader level, this book is also about marketing in the 21st century. Although the focus of the book is women, those who market to men will often benefit from following the same advice. Saturn, a role model she describes, is not just appealing to women. Men like to be treated like people, too, when they buy a car. As a loyal Saturn owner, I know the approach worked well with me.

I can hardly wait for her next book! Have a great time as marketers begin to apply these principles, providing a better consumer experience for customers and more business success for their companies.

One trend she did not explicitly address are the many consumer goods companies that are converting to having mostly women in product design and marketing. That should help, too.

Faith's Female Friendly Finds!
This book deserves more than five stars!

I am a big Faith Popcorn fan. That led me to go into reading this book with high expectations. What a great deal it was to have those expectations well exceeded!

Tom Peters first raised the theme of this book in his book, The Circle of Innovation. The vast bulk of most consumer purchases are either made or strongly influenced by women. Stop marketing generally, and be sure you marketing is gender friendly in the broadest sense. But Tom, as a man, could only take that point so far.

Faith Popcorn has really explained it very well. She has identified 8 key principles:

(1) Women link (the marketer's job is to make that easier for women -- witness the success of women-only Web sites)

(2) Serve all of a woman's needs, not just the ones she has part of the day (if she needs convenient ordering, be sure to offer everything she wants to buy conveniently -- take-out foods for all meals)

(3) Women want their needs anticipated (if she has to tell you what she wants, it's all over -- lots of work, stress, home responsibilities and money mean that home spas are doing well)

(4) Use the indirect approach (women prefer to notice things on their own and apply them, rather than getting a direct, hard sell -- women notice institutional appliances in great restaurants and put them into their own kitchens)

(5) Go to her and make it easy (witness the success of at-home direct selling)

(6) Sell one generation of women, and you get the next as well (see how children now dress like adults at a very young age, because Mom and daughter want to look like each other)

(7) Take on a role as a trustworthy adult to help women, and they will link with your brand (GE Financial Assurance provides a mentor role for women entrepreneurs)

(8) All the details matter (organic foods are taking off because they are healthier, even though very expensive).

As interesting as these points are, Faith Popcorn also deserves praise for the superb way she explains her ideas. In the beginning of the book, she has one example of each concept. Then there is a chapter on each principle. The chapter has many examples, and finalizes with one thorough one drawn from her consulting experience. Then, to be sure you've got the point, she takes well-known brands in each chapter and points out what they are NOT doing that they should be.

The crowning glory is a chapter on all of the things that Ron Perelman and Revlon are doing wrong, and compares it with how the brand was run originally. Faith couldn't find much of anything she likes about the Revlon approach. As a matter of fact, the company has done poorly.

But, at a broader level, this book is also about marketing in the 21st century. Although the focus of the book is women, those who market to men will often benefit from following the same advice. Saturn, a role model she describes, is not just appealing to women. Men like to be treated like people, too, when they buy a car. As a loyal Saturn owner, I know the approach worked well with me.

I can hardly wait for her next book! Have a great time as marketers begin to apply these principles, providing a better consumer experience for customers and more business success for their companies.

One trend she did not explicitly address are the many consumer goods companies that are converting to having mostly women in product design and marketing. That should help, too.

I suggest that you also think about what trends may emerge for women in the future, and begin to serve the needs that those trends create. For example, families are getting smaller. How can you make your products and services fit the one child family better?

Powerful Truths Amid the Fluff and Arrogance
Faith Popcorn's EVEolution lays out some very important, practical principles (she calls them truths) for effectively marketing to women. How one would deliver on the truths of connecting women to each other, marketing to all of her lives, making sure she doesn't have to ask, marketing to her peripheral vision, etc. will be very different for a personal care brand versus money management brand. Nevertheless, if appropriately applied, these truths can make a brand more successful. I have seen results first hand.

The key to getting through this book is keeping the above in mind while wading through what in the end should be considered several minor flaws, even though they tend to dominate the pages of the book.

Notwithstanding several good case examples (e.g., Saturn), the book is filled with an array of very loosely thought out ideas that are so easy to poke holes into, they may leave the reader questioning whether or not following the truths really works.

Faith also, based on my marketing experience, correctly claims that "women don't bond with brands that market to them in an overly aggressive way. A full frontal attack isn't the way to turn a woman on." However, the entire book is presented via an "in your face" approach, which will likely turn off some women (and some men for that matter).

And finally, Faith attempts to make the case that women are superior to men... on all levels. I would agree that women are superior in many aspects, but they are neither superior nor inferior overall. This approach tends to diminish her credibility.

Nevertheless, Faith has keen insight into the way women think and operate. It's really true that "women don't buy brands, they join brands." Therefore, we must do all we can to join our brands in every way possible. Faith's 8 Essential Truths provide unique insight on how to achieve this. Creative, appropriate application of these principles to your band or business is up to you. It actually takes hard work, but as I said before, it will deliver results. For this reason alone, the book is well worth reading.

Eveolution's Truth's Still Hold True
When you want to confirm "What do women want?" Faith Popcorn's book still holds true today. Her visionary view confirms what I as a woman, business owner and consultant to women want...sensativity to my needs and marketing that reflects a genuine interest. This book is an easy read and provides great tips and websites that capture a women's broad interests.

Highly Recommended!
Ignore the infuriating capitalization and focus on what Faith Popcorn is telling you: Women make 80% of all consumer purchasing decisions. The successful businesses of the future will be those that revamp their marketing strategies to appeal to this mother-of-all demographic groups, Popcorn says. She then lays out a fairly comprehensive plan for doing just that. Rich with case studies of gender-based marketing principles in action, the book is witty, intelligent and convincing. We from [...] recommend it as a must-read in marketing, branding or strategic planning.
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Book Description

Caps for Sale, a timeless classic, is now available as a musical narrative on cassette. The memorable melodies and catchy lyrics of the "Caps" songs are simple to learn and easy to sing. Recording artist Ann Marie Mulhearn brings the story to life in a new and mesmerizing way. This easy-to-read and sing-a-long story about a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is filled with wonderful background sounds, mischievous monkey music and splendid arrangements. Great for card rides, nap time, bed times or anytime, the musical version of Caps For Sale will have your children listening, reading and singing along again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

A truly great kids book!
This is a sweet story of a peddler who sells caps. The illustrations are superb, and the story is fun. The seller carries his supply on his head. (First is own cap, then the...). One day he sits under a tree and when he awakes nearly all the caps are missing! Where did they go? Well, buy this book and read it aloud to your kids and have a great time together.

A true classic
This book is well loved by my son and myself.

I love books that have simple pictures that add to the text rather than distract. I like the simple story line. I particularly like that this book can be used as a stepping stone to other activities (acting like a monkey, balancing hats on your head etc.)

The repetitive nature and sing songy words are wonderful for prereading skills. My son loves to act like a monkey stealing my hat as we read this book.

A true classic.

A Good Story for the Kids
A timeless tale written in 1940 still attracts young children's attention. This is a very humorous, easy to understand book to read aloud. The story is accompanied with brightly colored pictures that actually tell the story. After reading it through children can re-tell the story by just looking at the pictures.
It is a story that children will pass on to their friends.

Give me back my caps!
Caps for Sale is a family favorite. My husband does a wonderful job at making the monkey noises. It's a fun story to act out.

fun story
This is a fun story that teaches colors while telling a very funny tale. My son thought it was hilarious when I turned the page and he discovered *what* had taken the peddler's caps. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

A bit too simple. But inspiring, funny, and empowering¿
In his usual playful, motivating, and exciting tone, Anthony Robbins begins his tape with a question nobody can ever fully answer: "Who are you?"

Robbins presents a simple approach to expansion: the idea that if you want a better life, you need to define who you are right now, and act that way. Eventually, the outside world will begin to reflect what's going on inside via positive reinforcement. In a nutshell, his approach parallels an AA saying: "Fake it till ya make it."

Clearly, Anthony did this himself as an overweight loser years ago, and he presents general evidence that others have as well (drugs addicts who left the drug scene when they no longer defined themselves as drug addicts). Psychologically, he backs up this approach to personal development with the need that we all have to match our behavior to our identity - even if that identity is a negative one. By deciding to expand our identity, we can change our behavior - and ultimately, our destiny.

His message is both empowering, and overly simplistic. Based on one little experience, we often label ourselves - as well as others - stupid, ugly, a failure. By choosing to expand our identity, we can break these distorted barriers. This idea has tons of scientific merit thanks to Albert Ellis, Aaron T. Beck, and Dave Burns. Self-Esteem, by Matthew McKay, also thorougly describes this distortion (Chapter Five: Cognitive Distortions).

At the same time, behavior is not as simple as what one labels oneself, or a matter of reinforcement from the outside world. Unlucky genes, disabilities, and unjust social circumstances often influence the options available to you. Robbins fails to acknowledge this.

Finally, Robbins seems a bit biased towards expansion, achievement, and the traditional symbols of success. Great empowerment can be felt in accepting and embracing your limitations rather than trying to change them. Again, Self-Esteem seems to present a more holistic view of labels based on objectivity and acceptance, while also allowing for expansion and change.

Despite the faults, Anthony Robbins' tape his highly inspiring, motivating and entertaining. He can lift your spirits no matter what's going on. And, he always points you in the direction of possibility rather than limitation - a far more effective paradigm than pessimism.

Ironically, the second cassette is a casual conversation with Dr. Wayne Dyer. Wayne Dyer, as many know, seems to disregard labels altogether. Instead, he solely identifies as a "spiritual being having a human experience." This allows him to transcend any cultural labels while also respecting the limitations of his physical body. It's a more difficult way to identify yourself, but I think it's more empowering.

The interview explains Dyer's evolution as a person, writer, and speaker. He speaks of how he distributed his first book, Your Erroneous Zones and ultimately ended up on the bestseller lists through his own traveling and touring around the country on countless radio stations. In addition, he talks about the lessons his father gave him from his alcoholic lifestyle. The forgiving of his father marked a new journey for him, to the disappointment of his other family members who were fraught with hate. Forgiveness has been a constant theme in Dyer's work, and it seems to stem from that fateful day he forgave his father. In addition, his views on health and his general lifestyle are discussed in a lively, fun, and comedic way. You'll listen to this interview many times - if only for the humor.

I really enjoyed these tapes. They're inspiring, funny, and enlightening. But balance Robbins' optimism with a reading of Steven Pinker's The Blank Slate.

best tape I've ever heard
This is the most inspirational tape that I've ever heard

Interview with Dr. Wayne Dyer is superb!
As an author, therapist and a college educator I routinely recommend Tony's interview with Wayne Dyer to my students and clients. In fact, I often play that section of the tape for my classes. Wayne Dyer reveals the tremendous work he put into marketing his book YOUR ERRONEOUS ZONES to make it the best selling book of the decade. Nevertheless, it didn't seem like work inasmuch as he was doing what he loved, rather then trying to make money. The tape espouses the myth: Success is merely good luck . . . just ask any failure. If you want to learn to believe in yourself and follow your dream then this interview is for you. I highly recommend the interview to all aspiring authors when I give seminars on "How to Publish Your Book." Very lively and humorous. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great self-esteem booster
This is a great collection of tips and stories to help alter the way we think of ourselves. These tapes give my self-esteem a boost and make the world a better place. The formula of Experience + Response = Outcome is just one of the great ways this tape influences posative thinking. The only down side is that this product isn't sold as a CD.

Jack Canfield is my motivational role model
Jack Canfield is my motivational role model and for good reason. Jack is a warm and lovable fellow who believes in people--to do better and be better. I love to listen to these tapes over and over again. They are really motivating. And by the way he's funny too! Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works

Fantastic Self-Help Tapes
I first bought this set of tapes several years ago at an education seminar and it was a valuable investment. Jack Canfield is caring, understanding, knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. He comes across as a 'real' person who uses teaching examples from his own life and degrees of self-disclosure that help create a 'trust' atmosphere for the listener. He has a speaking manner that puts you at ease and makes you want to listen to everything he has to say. Self-esteem, self-confidence and relating to other people is who we are every day and he helps improve this with techniques for developing and strengthening our 'inner selves'. I've listened to these tapes every 6 months for the last 7 yrs. and I listen to them whenever I am going through a really stressful time. They are uplifting and healing.

Excellent Introduction to Books on Tape
This was the first cassette purchase I made, and I was so impressed, I have begun to keep my eyes open for more books on tape. Jack Canfield, well known for his uplifting "Chicken Soup" series, is just as uplifting in voice. The series is very practical, with Jack outlining simple exercises you can do with minimal time, that will improve your outlook. It is true that repetitive listening makes a difference, though I've only gotten through it 4 times completely. He spices his tips up with stories of success, and the fact that it's a taped live seminar, makes it sound like you are really there listening to him in person. The only thing I could do without were the questions at the end, and the section of affirmations did not strike my imagination too strongly, though both of these would be welcomed by other listeners I'm sures.

Scrolls of Life's Sea
Going through the tape of Jack Canfield, I found many good tips on how to become more positive and the good thing is his voice reflects the kindness that some other positive thinkers lack. It raises above the average in that respect, even though in the field of the ideas, it is similar to the others. It definitely has its value listening though. I would recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Future economic growth lies in the value of experiences and transformations--good and services are no longer enough. We are on the threshold, say authors Pine and Gilmore, of the Experience Economy, a new economic era in which all businesses must orchestrate memorable events for their customers. The Experience Economy offers a creative, highly original, and yet eminently practical strategy for companies to script and stage the experiences that will transform the value of what they produce. From America Online to Walt Disney, the authors draw from a rich and varied mix of examples that showcase businesses in the midst of creating personal experiences for both consumers and businesses. The authors urge managers to look beyond traditional pricing factors like time and cost, and consider charging for the value of the transformation that an experience offers. Goods and services, say Pine and Gilmore, are no longer enough. Experiences and transformations are the basis for future economic growth, and The Experience Economy is the script from which managers can begin to direct their own transformations. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Nardelli-led bounce gives book its just due
As I write this review on July 29, 2003, I see 'The Experience Economy' is ranked at #624 in amazon.com's constantly updated sales rankings. Pretty heady for a fairly esoteric business book published in April 1999.

The reason has to do with the latest (August 2003) edition of 'Fast Company' magazine. The editors asked a series of business leaders to pick one "book that matters," noting that "one book can change the direction of a company -- or a career." Bob Nardelli, ex-of GE and now CEO of the Home Depot, chose 'The Experience Economy.'

That's a great thing, because this excellent piece of work really got the short shrift - with its April 1999 publication date, its message of capturing the full potential of face-to-face retail got buried in the tsunami of e-commerce hysteria.

Now that we all recognize the Internet as just another viable sales channel, this fine effort by Pine and Gilmore has a second life. The fact that Nardelli picked it as his one book that matters tells you all you need to know about his vision for the future of Home Depot.

The Divergence of Theory and Reality
The book takes a very logical, reasoned approach towards the theoretical next steps of economic expansion. It reasons that margins drive profits and that by constantly searching for higher margin offerings, a company will naturally improve and increase its profitability.

The logic is understandable... Commodity goods have small margins, as they are undifferentiated from each other and relativly easy to reproduce. Manufactured goods take things one step further, providing higher margins due to some level of product differentiation and brand specificity. Above that are Services, where the products don't last long enough to be copied and are customized enough to prevent easy manipulation. The higher margins should lead to higher profitability and better staying power. Fair enough.

Where the book's logic becomes strained, however, is where it strethes out towards the next generation of higher margin offerings, "Experiences." While it is true that experience companies my be able to provide higher margins than can older economy companies, experience companies tend to suffer from a fatal flaw that has infected many of the companies praised in the book. That flaw is the utter lack of repeat business generated by most experience economy companies.

Take two of the companies mentioned in the book as companies to emulate -- Planet Hollywood, the restaurant chain, and Peapod, the online grocery store. Planet Hollywood is under bankruptcy protection, because people are simply unwilling to pay through the nose repeatedly for the same experience over and over again. Peapod ran out of cash and is limping along only after being bought out by a Dutch firm. Hardly two stellar companies to emulate when searching for ever expanding profits.

Throughout the book, by expounding the virtues of ever expanding margins, rather than focusing on goods, services, and 'experiences' that people would be willing to repeatedly pay to have, the authors make the mistake of ignoring the overall forest for the sake of a single tree.

In the real world, experience companies know their limitations and create their pricing scheme to represent that fact. Amusement parks sell season passes for less than the cost of two visits -- acknowledging the fact that people may pay more for experiences, but only once, and repeat business depends heavily on making the repeat worth the cost.

Had the book focused more on successful ways for experience economy companies to thrive, rather than spending its time drolling on about the virtues of failing companies with the right plan, it would have been far more believable and enjoyable.

Insightful Look at Business Today
This book definitely makes you stop and think about what today's consumer wants and expects. (In fact, it's easy, just ask yourself what you would want - what you're offering or what Walt Disney is offering). Businesses that don't make a lasting impression, offer an experience for the consumer will eventually go the way of the dinosaur.

a fresh and novel view of the current business trends
this book is definitely out of the ordinary: it proposes a novel (to me at least) view of the current economy trends and well illustrate an equivalence between the work environment and the stage of a theatrical play.
Worth reading it.

The ultimate product differentiator
This book really opened my eyes, and made me see my service offerings from a customer perspective. I've become incredibly passionate about the experience economy concept, and am constantly looking for real life examples or potential applications.
When I stand in a queue I'm thinking about how I would go about offering the service or product I'm queueing for.
When I speak to the beauracracy that provides me banking or insurance services, I'm forever demanding that they change the impersonal and inflexible way that they engage with me.
If you're looking for a new paradigm in selling what you have to offer, then this is the book for you.
I love it. ... Read more

Book Description

"The Oz Principle describes what we’ve all suspected —

that it isn’t just America in crisis, but the American

character. The good news is that Connors, Smith, and

Hickman also describe the ‘yellow brick road’ we must follow

to rebuild the dominant qualities required to achieve

success."— Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven

Habits of Highly Successful People ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Funny thing...this really works!
I was fortunate enough to be captivated by the title of this book when it first appeared in 1994. I read, enjoyed, and applied the principles of this book in my own professional and personal life. Before saying anything more, I strongly recommend this book to anyone who thinks there is room for improvement in their own life. If you believe you can be a better person by becoming more accountable for all your thoughts, feelings and actions, then you need to read this book. The concepts are not subject to the vagaries of time and society. They are simple truths and common sense.

Rereading the latest edition of The Oz Principle has helped cement its rightful place among "easy to read books that pack an impactful message."

The book follows a metaphor with which we are all familiar. This metaphor allows us all to see how easily we get caught in the role of the victim and how easily we play and perpetuate the blame game in our lives.

The Steps to Accountability are placed before the reader in a way that invites him or her to see a situation for what it really is, own his or her role in that situation, solve the challenges presented by the situation and then to finally proactively act on the situation and do whatever needs to be done.

I have recommended this book to hundreds of people over the years. I have yet to have anyone tell me it was a waste of time to read. Most of the time, people tell me how easy it was to read and grasp the concepts within it.

This is truly one of the few books that has proven its worth professionally and personally over time. I rank it among the top ten best books written on how to get the most out of life.

If you believe in personal integrity, if you believe in honor and virtue in the workplace and home, if you think there is room to improve and grow in your life, then this book is for you. You will always be accountable to yourself. Find out how to make the most of your time.

Reversing cultures of fear, blame, avoidance and dependency.
Using the Wizard or Oz as a metaphor, the authors convey the idea that a culture of victimization weakens people. The power to overcome victimization and achieve success lies within oneself. For an organization to succeed, employees must become willing to accept individual accountability. The book provides an approach to changing individual attitudes and shows how individuals can implement leadership and a culture of accountability in their own organization. Key action steps of the principle in taking accountability are: see it (the issue); decide to own it; personally work to solve it; and individually commit to do it. This book zeros in on a crucial issue offering a pragmatic approach that links individual and organizational success. The idea of a culture of accountability can be seen as the flip side of the all-to-common cultures of fear, blame, risk avoidance and dependency.

Revised, Updated, and Invaluable
In this revised and updated edition, the co-authors share with their reader what they have learned since their book was first published in 1994. Then and now, their objectives are the same: "...to help people become more accountable for their thoughts, feelings, actions, and results; and so that they can move their organizations to even greater heights. And, as they move along this always difficult and often frightening path, we hope that they, like Dorothy and her companions, discover that they really do possess the skills they need to do whatever their hearts desire."

In this volume, Connors, Smith, and Hickman invoke once again a core concept of a "Line" below which many (most?) people live much (most?) of the time. Theirs is the attitude of victimization: They get stuck on a "yellow brick road" by blaming others for their circumstances; they wait for "wizards" to wave their magic wands; and they expect all of their problems to disappear through little (if any) effort of their own.

What to do? Connors, Smith, and Hickman explain (step-by-step) how to Live Above the Line by assuming much greater accountability for whatever results one may desire. This can be achieved through a four-step process:

"See It": Recognize and acknowledge the full reality of a situation

"Own It": Accept full responsibility for one's current experiences and realities as well as others'

"Solve It": Change those realities by finding and implementing solutions to problems (often solutions not previously considered) while avoiding the "trap" of dropping back Below the Line when obstacles present themselves

"Do It": Summon the commitment and courage to follow through with the solutions identified, especially when there is great risk in doing so

How easy it is to summarize this four-step process...and how difficult it is to follow it to a satisfactory conclusion. (When composing brief commentaries such as this, I always fear trivializing important points.) Connors, Smith, and Hickman have absolutely no illusions about the barriers, threats, and challenges which await those who embark on this "journey" to accountability.

As they indicate in this new edition of their book, they have accumulated a wealth of information during the past decade which both illustrates and reconfirms the importance of making a personal choice to rise above one's circumstances and assume the ownership of what is required to achieve desired results. This is precisely what Theodore Roosevelt had in mind when praising "the man in the arena" and what W.E. Henley asserts in the final stanza of "Invictus":

"It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."

Organizations are human communities within which everyone involved must somehow balance personal obligations to themselves with obligations to others. For me, the interdependence of these obligations best illustrates the importance of the Oz Principle: "Accountability for results at the very core of continuous improvement, innovation, customer satisfaction, team performance, talent development and corporate governance movements so popular today." Connors, Smith, and Hickman go on to observe, "Interestingly, the essence of these programs boils down to getting people to rise above their circumstances and do whatever it takes (of course, within the bounds of ethical behavior) to get the results they want," not only for themselves but also for everyone else involved in the given enterprise.

Connors, Smith, and Hickman cite Winston Churchill's admonition, "First we shape our structures, and then our structures shape us." Were the Steps to Accountability easy to take, if everyone lived and labored Above the Line, there would be no need for this book. There is much of value to be learned from L. Frank Baum's account of the perilous journey which Dorothy and her companions share. What they finally realized -- and so must we -- is that, to paraphrase Pogo, "We have met the Wizard and he is us."

Positive Progress!
"We tried for several years to make some basic changes in our Global Manufacturing Group and just couldn't get there. We finally internalized the concept of the accountability process as defined in The Oz Principle. It has really turned us around in the direction we wanted and we're now making the progress we've been trying to make for years."
Bill Smith
Executive Director
Global Manufacturing Services,
Eli Lilly

Managerial Effectiveness
"The Oz Principle has really made accountability very easy to understand and has improved our effectiveness in obvious ways. Our entire organization has not only embraced the concept, but has also made it our culture to operate Above The Line. Most importantly, The Oz Principle made it very easy for a new representative joining the organization to quickly understand what Pfizer Pratt Pharmaceuticals is all about, both in terms of our culture and how we operate as a group."
--Dick Reggio
Vice President, Sales
Pratt Pharmaceuticals,
A Division of Pfizer, Inc. ... Read more

Book Description

If you’re having a baby, you read What To Expect When You’re Expecting.If you’re considering law school, you read One L. And if you’re thinking about working for yourself, you read Free Agent Nation—Daniel Pink’s contemporary classic about leaving the corporate rat race.

Widely acclaimed for its engaging style and provocative perspective,Free Agent Nation has helped thousands transform their working lives.Now the paperback edition of this business bestseller features an all-new section: a comprehensive 30-page resource guide that explains the basics of working for yourself (how to get started, where to find health insurance, how to market yourself) and includes 101 Free Agent Survival Tips culled from successful solo workers nationwide.Hip and hopeful, Free Agent Nation will change and your thinking – and maybe even change your life.Read it today to free yourself tomorrow. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

exceeded my high expectations
Free Agent Nation exceeded my expectations, which were high to begin with. This is not just a drawn-out version of Pink's classic cover story in Fast Company. It reflects extensive research and provides many surprising insights and interesting predictions.

This is not a book you can polish off in an hour or two. It is difficult to convey in a brief review the depth and richness of Free Agent Nation.

Pink demonstrates that free agents are a large and growing share of the work force. He describes some of the economic forces contributing to this phenomenon, but he finds that free agents themselves explain their reasons for leaving the corporate world in psychological terms: a desire for freedom, authenticity, accountability, and flexible concepts of success.

Pink shows that free agents have their own unique perspectives and solutions to such challenges as security, workplace relationships, career advancement, and work-family balance. For example, he describes the way that peer networks are providing the type of career support that formerly came from within large corporations.

Whether you like it or not, the gravitational forces between individuals and large corporations are weakening. In the future, how will business be re-organized? How will the economy function? Daniel Pink asks the big questions, and he comes up with a lot of fascinating answers. I expect Free Agent Nation to become the most talked-about nonfiction book of the year.

The Other Side of the Coin
Having been a member of the "free agent nation" since 1987, I read Daniel Pink's book with interest. There is no question that the American work force is undergoing what may be its most significant transformation since the migration from the farm to the factory one century ago.

The author spent a year traveling the country talking with hundreds of these workers. The portrait that emerges is the death of what William H. Whyte, Jr. named "the organizational man" in his 1956 book of the same name. Replacing him or her is the free agent, the home-based business, temp, freelancer or independent contractor. The lure of freedom, authenticity, accountability and self-defined success are luring workers from their cubical farms, stock options and regular paychecks into a life, the author dubs, "of meaning."

There is another side to this migration. Changes in three areas will be required before this migration becomes a powerful demographic influencing the economy and the nation:

1. Tax Changes
2. Access to Capital Markets
3. Attitudes

First, amend tax codes have to give the free agent the same status as the business he or she left. Benefits need full deductibility and ease of implementation. If the country benefits from independents building businesses, the capital gains tax needs to stop being a political football. It makes no sense to sacrifice to build a business unless there is a carrot at the end of the trail. A reduced or no capital gains tax is a powerful inducement.

State tax departments need to stop looking at independents as training grounds for their new agents. I have better things to do with my time than wet-nurse agents-in-training on a fishing expedition.

Second, open capital markets to the free agent. Capital, if available, is expensive for the individual businessperson. Bank loan officers do not or will not understand the difference between pre-tax and after-tax income. Finders access outrageous fees for equity capital.

Pink cites David Bowie's raising $55 million in 1997 collateralized by his song publishing and album royalties as an example of new financing opportunities available to free agents. For those of us who are not as successful David Bowie, this market place is closed. Democratic financial markets to finance startups, expansions and improvements are a necessity if the move to a free agent nation is to become a serious alternative to the bedrock of American work - the large corporation.

Lastly, social attitudes need to change. For a free agent nation to work concepts of the workday and workweek need to change. The free agent works when there is work. Vacations represent an opportunity cost.

Being a free agent is not an easy life, but one I will never leave.

Not much more than cheerleading.
Ok¡K.I am not a part of FAN (Free Agent Nation) ¡Kbut as someone who is interested in striking out on my own, this book did not offer much beyond cheerleading. What was said could have been told in far fewer pages. I expected more than just anecdotal research and feel good stories. At the end of every chapter is ¡§The Box¡¨ in which the author includes a summary ¡§The Crux¡¨, a paragraph called ¡§The Factoid, ¡§The Quote¡¨ and lastly ¡§The Word¡¨ which is just a way to get me to recall buzzwords and phrases I¡¦d rather forget, such as Thanksgiving Turkey Model, Free Agent Infrastructure, HOHO, FAN Bonds as well as others.

Many of the footnotes were based off newspapers and magazines, or sources listed in the text appear to be secondhand, or credit was somewhat misleading in the text. For example in Chapter 2 the author gives credit to ¡§Wells Fargo (Bank) study ¡K.¡¨ to give it more credibility but when you look in the footnotes it give the lead credit is given to the an advocacy organization the National Federation of Independent Business along with Wells Fargo. In reviewing their website the research is on NFIB¡¦s letterhead with Wells Fargo also supporting the publications. In his chapter, ¡§The New Time Clock¡¨ on page 105, the author lists studies by the Families and Work Institute and another by a NYU economist and a University of Pennsylvania colleague, but upon further review in the footnotes he lists the sources as a Los Angeles Times article and another in Business Week. The impression is given that he did not read or analyze the original research.

Without defining what a Free Agent is beyond an individual, temp, micro-business it was easy to make a leap and estimate 33 million free agents. If I am a stay at home spouse who sells a few things on eBay, or have a couple of garage sales every year; am I part of Free Agent Nation. I see many hardworking, entrepreneurial, networked free agents everyday, but not at Starbucks or Kinko¡¦s. Each morning as I pass the Home Depot near my house I see many free agents; not many have cell phones, buy high priced coffee, speak English, or have a car. It appears the huge market of what we call ¡§day laborers¡¨ here in California was not included in the author¡¦s FAN census or demographic statistics.

There were few good tips or ideas in the book about health insurance, taxes, and education but the opening dialog in Chapter 17, Putting the ¡¥I¡¦ in IPO: The Path Toward Free Agent Finance¡¨ was a bit laughable. The chapter begins with two different dialogs for a FAN business owner seeking a $50,000 loan from his local ¡§traditional¡¨ bank and another dialogue were the same business owner goes to a financial federation for Free Agent Electricians. Whereas the traditional bank turns him down the Federation of Free Agent Electricians proposes to float him a $50,000 bond. Although this is a fictional account the author does describe why it is impossible today due to regulatory restrictions, the credit risk involved in floating an unsecured bond, or the fixed and marketing costs of floating the bond. While Michael Milken did lend money to the ¡§shaky, or the sagging¡¨ as far as I know he only floated public traded bonds to public traded companies.

As the back cover endorsement by Tom Peters states ¡§Twenty ¡Vfive years from now we¡¦ll still be discussing this book¡¨, I only wish there was a better book out there to discuss. This book is one reason why I read few business books these days; rah, rah.

FAN is talking about me ... and us
I've worked as an employee for ten years (5 government, 5 corporate) and have had my own microbusiness for the last seventeen. This book tells it like it is. Now I know why I'm so addicted to personal technology - these are the modern-day equivalents of the tools of production that Marx wrote about. These are the tools of liberation.

I'm an amateur futurist keeping up with big-picture books on social trends since starting with Alvin Toffler's Future Shock in the late sixties to The Third Wave, Free Agent Nation and the Cluetrain Manifesto and many books in between. FAN is a very good book. As a microbusiness owner, it helps me understand myself and my situation better. It gives me LOTS of ideas and inspiration to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves in this time of transition and economic challenge.

I started my business 17 years ago after reading a great book called Maverick Career-styles: The Way of the Ronin. The writing was on the wall even then - in the mid-eighties. I was willing to take a chance and strike out on my own after ten years of traditional employment because that book gave me a way of seeing that I might be more secure as a wiley and agile independent professional than I would be as a corporate drone in this new world we are living in. Dan Pink speaks my language! Well-written, entertaining and valuable read.

I just got this, and am looking forward to reading, but
I had to point something out. Prior to my current career, I was a freelance musican. Every freelancer I know has been living this book their whole careers.

One other reviewer described the point of one chapter as "teams of highly skilled specialists come together to produce a creative product only to disband until the next opportunity draws them again." This describes most concerts/performances/recording sessions ever done.

Being a Free Agent may be a growing idea in "traditional" business, but in the music biz it's been a way of life for generations. And it was part of why I stopped depending on it for a living. No matter how jazzed you are about your work, if you're spending most of your waking time handling all the minutia that lives around the periphery of the act of work itself, it can be all consuming, no matter how fulfilling.

Compared to being a freelancer, having a corporate gig for the past ten years has been a cake walk. Not having to handle payroll taxes, paying for health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, having paid vacation, having training paid for, working from home once in a while, not having to reinvent my work relationships every few weeks/months/years - those are all pluses for corporate work.

I know, the steady corporate job is going the way of the dinosour, and I accept that, but let's not forget all the things we got from them that we didn't have to deal directly with, but will now. For those who don't have "hustle" in their genes, it's going to be a tough go. ... Read more

Book Description

"Purpose" and "calling" seem at first to be grand words, applicable to only a gifted few. But career coach Richard Leider argues that everyone possesses a true calling, as well as the unique talents needed to support it. Filled with useful tools for self-assessment, The Power of Purpose helps readers uncover their own talents and aspirations, and shows how to incorporate "the common sense of soul" into everyday life. Interviews with people of all ages provide inspiring examples of those who have created lives filled with meaning and passion. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Your Simple Truth [....]
In 1999, I read this book 3 times, during what I still say had to have been the worst possible time in my life. It was a time of profound family betrayal, or acceptance of what I didn't want to believe about who my family really is, what they had expected of me for my 43 years of life, and the role that I blindly held. This book was a painfully compelling book for me to read, yet one that had supported me through my crisis, and led me to convert my family history into becoming a public speaker, a gender-based self-esteem coach, and a journalist. Last week, I decided to read this again, as I noticed that I am being invited to events that signal to me that I have made giant steps since reading this book in 1999. I am so excited about writing and presenting tailored training to make a difference in each of my client's lives. I had written so many introspective documents, for so long, that now, even though I continue to introspectively write, I am consciously and unconsciously talking as someone who is here to make a difference in everyone whose life I do touch in some way. I have found a level of peace through reading Richard J. Leider's book that required me to look deeply in my soul and befriend everything about myself. I actually giggle when I reread my journals from 1999, where I had written profound painful feelings that I experienced. I giggle because I see how I weathered my way through living the life I am meant to live. I gave myself or found in myself gifts that I definitely approve of having.

Regardless of where you are in your life, I suggest that you read this book, with a pen in hand to write down what you are thinking and feeling. Accept that this will be scary, at first. Do this, knowing that you deserve to love yourself for all who you are -- you are sent here to make a difference.

A Solid Effort!
Richard J. Leider believes everyone needs to find an individual sense of unique purpose. When you have this sense of purpose, you can use it as a central core of direction to guide your life and give it meaning. The book is simply written, easy to understand and targeted to a general audience. However, it also seems quite repetitious, in that the same ideas are explained many different ways. Some of these concepts are quite familiar, echoing some basic ideas about the importance of having a sense of mission, path, and goals, much like Laurie Beth Jones' book, The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement.... Finally, while some readers may respond deeply to Leider's spiritual and religious references, others may find them problematic, given the split in the business community about spirituality in the workplace. We... recommend this book for readers who have not yet considered this mission-focused dimension of life planning and for managers who wish to understand this perspective.

Very disappointing
Power of Purpose would make a great magazine article, but there is not enough content here to make a good book. "Creating Meaning in Your Life..." is not what this book is about. There is lots of talk about how important it is to have purpose in your life, but little about how to create it. Mr. Leider has a great reputation -- it must have come from his other books.

What a great book!
This book should be in everyone's library. His questions hit home real good, who are you? what are you doing? Where are you going? These are all eternal questions that have crossed everyone's mind. Richard Leider's book addresses these questions, and prompts you to look deep inside yourself to find the answer.

You Can/ Deserve to Rise Above The Worst PossibleTrauma
I happened upon the 1985 copy of this book, in a used bookstore, and have read this 3 times, to draw out more of my worthiness, more of my hidden strengths, and to do some things that up to reading this, I secretly believed that I couldn't do. This book is for every human being. I had spent years asking myself what my mission in life was, and years denying myself my right to my mission. Now I have a mission that defines everything that I do, and don't do. It empowers me to separate who I am from who my interlocutor is, to seek kindred spirits, and to never stop growing, according to who I am, and where I am "traveling." I am eternally grateful for this book, for being my guide to my rising above a level of betrayal that others would have prefered I define myself as being limited to. ... Read more

Book Description

We do it every day, but talking to people -- especially people we don't know -- can sometimes be a daunting challenge. Now Larry King, who has talked with everybody from Mikhail Gorbachev to Michael Jordan, shares his secrets of how to communicate confidently and effectively in any situation. Whether you're at a cocktail party, in a job interview, or giving a speech, there are simple techniques for getting your listeners on your side and getting your message across -- and Larry King knows them all.

Larry provides dozens of tips that will help you master the art of conversation in both social and professional settings. He shows you how to break the ice with strangers, what to say at a wedding or a funeral, and how to sell yourself to a prospective employer -- or interview a prospective employee. Finally, as one of the most sought after and highly paid speakers in America, Larry shares his keys to successful public speaking.

With How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere, you, too, can learn to communicate with the assurance and ease that has made Larry King famous around the world as a master of good talk. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Worth looking at, understand what this book will help with
I picked up this book because I have a problem with conversations. I have difficulty talking to people if I don't know them very well. That's one problem, but the real reason I read this book was my other problem: thinking of things to say with people I do know. Larry King (the king of talking) addresses the first problem, but not the second. He gives tips and techniques about how to talk to strangers and how to speak in a business setting. This advice is valuable. There were tips that I found useful, but as a whole, this book did not address what I needed.

Fortunately, this was an interesting book to read as King gives examples and illustrations from his own life and career. He explains things clearly and if I would have been reading this to help me converse with strangers, there would have been more value in reading this book. If you are thinking about reading this book for being able to converse with strangers, I would give this book a try. If you are looking at it for my reason, skip it and try something else.

This is mostly a name-dropping kind of book.
This book is enternaining in places, but not particularly helpful in my opinion. Larry King is a master of the bold, rapid-fire question type of interview. In this book, though, he talks about celebrities like himself, with whom he is on first name terms. That's fine for him, but there's not much here that I can use.

Talking from experience
This book is not the ideal book to learn how to talk to people, but nervertheless it is a good book to read. Larry King in this book talks of his personal experience, how did he reach his current success, from a boy running around the studio working on any work got to current Larry King - one of the successful people of show business.

Back to the basics
Larry King knows how to talk, but that doesn't mean he knows how to teach. This is predictable stuff that only will help those who are in need of basic advice. Save your money and your time.

Not so good.
When buying this book, I thought I will master the skills of communication, after all who would be better than Larry King to teach me how to talk?

Unfortunately, I did not gain much of this book. Well I can't blame Larry for not letting out his secrets of communication, he is definitely aware that competitors will read it too!

I recommend How to Win Friends and Influence people instead. ... Read more

Book Description

DIFFICULT DOESN'T MEAN IMPOSSIBLE

We've all encountered them: the bullies, the wet blankets, the yea-sayers that never come through. More often than not, we're left fumbling for words, stumbling toward the door...frustrated, enraged or just plain depressed.

Dr. Robert M. Bramson, a psychologist and management consultant, will show you that it is possible to remain sane, dignified and optimistic when dealing with even the most Difficult People. With these lively, insightful dramatizations, you'll learn how to:

* Identify difficult types, from the too-good-to-be-true to the too-hot-to-handle, from the perennial gossip to the eternal clam. * Master the step-by-step procedures that will neutralize any negative or hostile encounter. * Understand your own style of thinking and how it affects your ability to deal effectively with each type.

Maybe you can't turn "Gloomy Gus" into "Pollyanna"...but with the help of Dr. Bramson, you'll prevent the difficult from becoming impossible -- and end "relation frustrations" for good! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

the real difficult person is inside you
Most people have difficulty in dealing with certain personality types. An inability to deal effectively with others can cause very serious problems in morale, job performance and self esteem. It has been said that most problems related to losing one's job has more to do with human relations than with job performance per se. As a person who has been fired many times, I can attest to that statement. I've seen incompetent people keep their jobs, but I've seen several people (myself included) lose their jobs over inter-personal conflicts which seem silly in comparison. The more one is able to resolve and or avoid conflicts, the more successful they will be in the long run.

This book divides difficult people into seven different types namely "hostile-aggressives", "complainers", "silent and unreasponsives", "super-agreeables", "negativists", "know-it-all experts" and "indecisives". Each type of behavior is explained and real-world examples of each in action are given. The forte of the book is how it explains how to cope effectively with each type. In my dealings with others, I've found that the coping advice given is right on target. Chances are, any type of difficult person will fit into one of the aforementioned categories. If not, they will be a variation or a combination of two or more of them. The coping methods given in the book are not always easy to implement because they require a lot of practice and may require a great deal of courage. This isn't a book to just read once, the methods must be studied and practiced if you wish to benefit from it.

One of the most interesting things I've discovered when reading this book is that I have fit into some of the categories of difficult people at times. The more effectively I can learn about and fight my own difficult behavior, the easier it will be for me to deal with others who possess the same traits. Regardless of how much one knows about dealing with difficult people, it can still be a battle to implement the methods given in this book. Therefore, coping with difficult people is not about using some simple trick, it's all about confronting the difficult person within each of us.

Don't Be Defeated By Those Difficults
Deal more effectively with those difficult people in your life with this practical, easy to implement advice from Robert Bramson. I found this handy little reference guide so useful that I included it in the suggested reading list of my own book titled, Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life by JoAnna Carey.

Excellent
Good techniques...but sometime you can come across such difficult people--nothing works. Still this book tells good stuff.

Great Book!
extremely detailed explanation of how situations are and how people react, i extremely recommend this book to anyone who has problems with difficult people. A great book, and an author who really knows what he's talking about. I would give it 6 stars if i could :).

Excellent Resource
Usually I don't like books of this sort because I find them simplistic. Admittedly this book is written for a general audience, but the author still makes an effort (and succeeds, in my opinion) in distinguishing between people who fit in to one of his types and people who can be difficult at times, but don't quite fit in a specific category. I never had the feeling of "oh, that could be anyone." And the techniques he gave to deal with difficult people were concise and easy to use. He really focuses on the fact that we can't change others, we can only change how we chose to respond, which is vital. A very positive, encouraging, readable book. I've already noticed a difference in my relationships after only a few weeks. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A guide to developing value-centered leadership.
Donnithorne has provided a practical and concise work on developingvalue-centered leadership in any organization.He addresses the issues ofleadership within a moral and ethical context by: 1. Reviewing West Point'sapproach to teaching value-centered leadership (which is enjoyable to readabout in-and-of-itself). 2. Providing anecdotal examples from his own lifeas a military engineer who has worked in combat. 3. Providing examples in avariety of practical business settings, many which will be recognized bythe reader. 4. And, providing the reader with a summary of key questionswhich lead to the core of value-driven leadership. Throughout the book,Donnithorne references a wide array of current and past literaturevalidating and providing substance and context for the methods developed byWest Point.

Any individual who has experienced the trials, tribulationsand rewards of leadership will recognize much of the fundamental truthsfound in Donnithorne's effort.

Credibility also comes from Donnithorne'sown experience as a successful military officer, teacher and collegepresident.He is not an academic who has studied leadership patterns, etc. He is a practical, experienced leader who brings depth to his words bysharing interesting and heartfelt anecdotes from his own life.

This is amust read for anyone interested in the moral, ethical and value-centeredaspects of leadership and organizational life.

A Good Overview of Military Leadership & Management Style
I enjoyed learning about the Military method of training, developing and teaching people to lead and manage.Based on the synopsis, I was hoping to see how the Military leadership styles worked in the business world.But the examples of business applications were somewhat limited.Overall an interesting book ... Read more

Book Description

Over 2 million copies sold!Used by thousands of companies and hundreds of business schools!Required reading for anyone interested in the Theory of Constraints.This book, which introduces the Theory of Constraints, is changing how America does business.The Goal is a gripping, fast-paced business novel about overcoming the barriers to making money.You will learn the fundamentals of identifying and solving the problems created by constraints.From the moment you finish the book you will be able to start successfully addressing chronic productivity and quality problems. ... Read more

Reviews (189)

Informative and Entertaining
Told in first person in the form of an entertaining novel, Goldratt's "The Goal" is a popular book that explores ideas valuable to managing numerous business situations. We are placed into the life of plant manager Alex Rogo as he faces an immediate production crisis and the threat of plant closure. During a business trip, he has a chance encounter with manufacturing guru Jonah.

Rogo's dialogue with this teacher as he wrestles with his own plant and it's manufacturing problems serves up a rich body of material that requires no background in manufacturing or assembly line processes. It remains interesting even as inventory management, assembly throughput, and bottleneck analyses take place in his quest to keep his plant in business. The use of a hiking trip to discuss fluctuations and dependencies as a scout troop progresses through the woods is superb, making "Herbie" a recognized name among many manufacturers. The book also provides a valuable illustration of the importance and impact of "choosing what to measure," that is, which numbers (production data) one should track to determine the effectiveness of an operation.

Reading "The Goal" is well worth the time for anyone managing a business. Its principles are far-reaching and applicable in a wide variety of situations. Given its popularity, you can pretty much bet that your competitors have read it.

The Goal: Book of Plenty or Plenty of Book?
The main objective of the text is to present Goldratt's theory of constraints. The story is meant to present what would otherwise be a boring and dry text in an easy to read, interesting format. As stated in "Here today, wrong tomorrow" by Daniel Butler, many of these types of books are not even opened, much less read. Goldratt actually adds a compelling story, making the book much more palatable, and also better showcasing the natural flow of the theory of constraints. The story is also inspirational, as it details a man who saves his factory and his marriage at once, as well as the moment when he took a six-pack on the hill to overlook his town trying to sort his thoughts. Those real details make Alex much easier to identify with, and make the book a much more interesting read. The inter-office politics and the scout trip are also two really good areas of the book just for the entertainment value. The late night escapades with co-workers are also mildly fun to read, but I especially liked the way that Goldratt hinted at Alex developing feelings for a co-worker before getting back with his wife. A plot twist like that is far more than I expected from the book by simply looking it. I would recommend this book to any students interested in learning about the fundamentals of the theory of constraints or managerial accounting in general. The fluidity of the book (I read it in about 2 days, a shockingly fast rate of page turns for an assigned book) and the general principles behind the book make it a good choice for an introduction to accounting, or at least far better than a textbook. I would also recommend this book to a manager just because knowledge is power. The theories prescribed in this book may or may not work for an individual corporation, but it is at least worth a read because the said manager's company could really benefit from implementing such a system. If the company would not benefit from it, the manager still read a pretty good book.

I stopped ready after 33 pgs. & found reviews and summaries
The concept is good. But the marriage details that surround it were TOO MUCH. The points could have been given in overview format and much more concisely stated.

I got tired of this fast, because I don't have time to read it all. I read about 2 books a weeks, but not when I have to sit through a bunch of boring details.

Intead, I like the setup of "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits." The first chapter was designed for executives who won't spend the time reading the whole thing, but instead want an overview to quickly grasp the point of the book. These busy readers are then instructed to find the chapters that they are interested in and read up as needed. I recommend reading the whole book, "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits" but I like the option to read or just review!

Unfortunately, I didn't have this option with "The Goal."

Easy read, but tends to drag at end
Straight forward & easy to follow reading. The Theory Of Constraints portion was a bit dumbed down and a the romance thread was a little tiresome, but all in all it was a decent read. The last 50 pages are a complete bore...just kept dragging along so I suggest you close the book once you think the hero has saved the town - you won't miss a thing.

The Best Introduction to Operation Management
"Common sense is not so common." -- Voltaire

The beauty of this work is that it is able to distill complex but dry operational management issues and transform them into easy to follow conceptual framework that is both enlightening and entertaining. The solutions to the problems are stated in plain language that appear almost like common sense, but "common sense is not so common."

This book is a must-read for operation consultants, VCs, and restructuring artists. ... Read more

Book Description

"The rich get richer.The poor get poorer.

We've all heard that complaint many times before.But finally, that long-standing monetary tradition has been shattered, as Kiyosaki explains how even the smallest investor can start benefiting from the investing patterns of the richest folks.

Robert Kiyosaki knows all this first hand.There was a time in the 1980's when he and his wife, Kim, were so cash poor that they were forced to sleep in their car.Today, however, the Kiyosakis are multi-millionaires, and are considered highly sophisticated investors.

Based upon the four tenets of RICH DAD, POOR DAD (are you an employee, self-employed, business owner, or an investor?) the INVESTING GUIDE explains the nuts-and-bolts approach to understanding the real earning power of money, and how you can start cashing today.Along the way, Kiyosaki explains how he's invested his monies as his own wealth has grown over the years." ... Read more

Reviews (143)

A must for those who want to be Financially Independent
This book continues from where Kiyosaki left off in Cashflow Quadrant, his 2nd book in the trilogy (now complete with Rich Dad's Guide to Investing).

In his 1st book Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki addressed the differences in mindsets between the Rich and the Poor. Then, in his 2nd book Cashflow Quadrant, he spoke on the 4 quadrants from which one can generate income. To be wealthy, Kiyosaki recommended that we learn to generate our incomes from the "B" (Business-owner) and "I" (Investor) quadrant as opposed to the "E" (Employee) and "S" (Self-employed) quadrant.

In his 3rd book Rich Dad's Guide to Investing, Kiyosaki tells how he got started in his investment journey, starting with nothing, and in fact at one stage, with a negative net worth. Most of us, having read his first 2 books, would have wondered if we could have embarked on our journey to become financially independent without much resource at hand. In this book, Kiyosaki shows how anyone can get started and how it does not take money to make money. He teaches how time is more important than money; how investing in one's self and get