Book Description

PowerSpeak shows you how to engage, stimulate, and maintain an audience's attention. This book focuses on the elements of speaking effectively from a design and a delivery perspective. Dorothy Leeds, rated by Dun's Business Month as one of the top motivational speakers in the country, isolates these essential elements to assure that any speaker can gain and keep the audience's attention. She focuses on the trouble spots of any presentation and the six major faults speakers make.This book also includes tips and strategies for the following: o Breaking the fear barrier. o Ten steps that guarantee a complete presentation. o How to avoid weak, passive language and make humor your ally. o Voice and speech exercises. o How to handle the Q & A portion of a presentation. o How to develop your own style and project positive body language. o How to incorporate (or not incorporate) new technology into presentations. ... Read more

Book Description

In the words of Fortune magazine, this is "the gold standard of career guides".Here's why:

•PARACHUTE is always current and up to date.•It discusses what has changed about the job-market, and the new attitudes that are required in order to survive therein.

•It aids career-changers, as well as job-hunters, and has a detailed step-by-step plan for identifying a new career, as well as more detailed strategies for locating just the job you want in the geographical area of your choice.

•It has a detailed description of interview questions, and what kinds of answers the employer is looking for, plus step-by-step salary negotiation strategies.

•It is thinner, by 200 pages, than earlier editions, slimmed down for reading (and doing the paper and pencil exercises) in this fast-paced world, where time is precious. ... Read more

Reviews (110)

CHANGING CAREERS? THERE ARE MUCH BETTER BOOKS
I am a career coach with eight years of experience working with people wanting a new career - a better fit with their talents, more meaningful, a better work environment. If you want to choose a career that will be very fulfilling as well as something you will be successful at, forget about "Parachute". It just doesn't have the depth and wisdom it takes to coach you through this most important life decision.

Another career counselor who reviewed "Parachute" recommended that you get two other books instead. I agree. They are "The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success" by Lore, and "Do What You Are" by Tieger. "The Pathfinder" is the best career decision book ever, the seminal text, the masterpiece on the subject - this is, if you are serious about having a great life and unwilling to put up with less. I also agree with the other reviewer that "Parachute" is a great job hunting book, but only if you know exactly what job you are looking for. Reading "Parachute" takes some of the fear and uncertainty out of job hunting. But if you are trying to decide what to do with your life, forget about "Parachute".

Excellent Book for all ages!
This book is great for people of all ages! It really helps you find your niche in life by doing a little soul searching. I was able to identify my strengths and use them to get a job I love! This book should be a part of all high school and college graduates itinerary before going into the 'real' world. Thank you Mr. Bolles!!

Essential Job Search Book
Bolle's book is still timeless for job seekers of all kinds. I feel that his book updated each year to meet the current trends in society is critical. He needs to address those issues, like the web, downturn in the economy and the like.

The most critical part of the book is the self evaluation section. This is a very structured process that can be used intutitively as well. Bolles asks you to write a few stories about yourself, then, what did you like and dislike about those stories? What did you do well, where did you fail or feel challenged beyond your abilities? These are the critical areas of the book that take time to get through, yet you can evaluate yourself and understand what you like, it is what you do best, usually.

We excel what we are good at, according to Bolles, this method will help us discover what we are best at.

I have recommended this book to many over the years, and still do. Whether someone is in college, or someone is going through a long term transition after being in a job for a long time or moms returning to the work place, this book will be very instructive for you.

One of his processes is very simple asking you to compare who you would most like to talk with or groups of people you would rather relate with. This is a standard set of tests for some very expensive career consulting, he gives it to you for the price of his book and the time to self evaluate yourself. Then, he breaks down the possible job areas and skill sets related to these groups.

Again, a worthwhile journey for anyone not wanting to wander any longer in the world of work.

JOE SLEVIN
Job Coach

Unemployed no more!
Yesterday, I nervously dialed the phone number to my job interviewer. It was Tuesday and he had promised he'd let me know about the job by last Friday.

I had followed the book, "What Color Is My Parachute," to the letter. I had a perfect resume and cover letter. I dressed up for the interview, prepared my list of questions to ask during the interview, memorized all the tips, and most importantly, emailed a thank you note afterwards.

Despite all this, I was still nervous about getting the job. I haven't even graduated with my undergraduate degree yet, meaning I have no experience. If I got the job, it was going to be my first job after college.

To my surprise, he said, "I emailed you about the job. Can you start May 11th?"

"That," I replied, "would be awesome."

Based on that experience, I heartily recommend the book on the interviewing techniques alone. However, that's not all I got from this book. I got a great system that determines what job I'd like to be in. Not only does the book ask about career interests, but on the part of the country I want to live in and the working conditions I prefer, which are two categories I never even considered. I recommend this book to everyone who needs to get a job these days and wants an edge on the competition. Because of this book, I am happily on the start of a long career.

Would you buy a Taurus because it gets good reviews?
This book is fine for the commoner who accounts for 80% of the population. The other 20% will find this a total waste of time. Of course, the 20% of the population with brains would never even pick up this book. Every counselor I ever knew would tell me to read this book back when I was unsure of my future toward the end of my college career 15 years ago. I didn't have the money for the book, so I basically read through it at B. Dalton Booksellers in Denton, TX. What an incredible waste this book is. Instead, stop lining the pockets of this preacher and say no to this book. Anything that is a best seller in the United States must be flawed, because like I said before, 80% of the population are idiots. People need to start thinking for themselves and stop buying this garbage. If you are in the 80% idiot group, you will disagree with this review and probably buy it out of spite. Well, go ahead moron. The other 20% will know where I'm coming from, but most of you would never be enough of a loser to be reading a review on this book and even contemplating buying it. The only reason I've spent the time on this is to possibly persuade one person that this book is a scam and maybe they'll spread the word and this book will eventually go away. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Excellent tools for structuring creative thinking
For problem-solving requiring creativity, this is an excellent approach. I am currently using the CoRT package for teaching thinking, and while it is simplistic (after all, thinking is straightforward for most of us, owing to long practice), it is effective.

The purpose of the hats and colors, as well as the apparent simplicity, is to guide the mind along the appropriate paths. Read De Bono's "Mechanism of Mind" for a detailed explanation of what is going on.

This book goes beyond CoRT, in that it provides a more flexible approach than TEC-PISCO, but CoRT does provide the creativity tools for actual work under the green hat. CoRT also has specific tools for under the other hats, too, but is a lengthier process. CoRT is nearly 30 years old now, and has influenced a lot of later writers and their methods.

There are other approaches to this. But you don't need brainstorming and all that stuff, to do creative problem-solving. You can work through things by being in calm control of your mind, and by yourself (rather than in a brainstorming group). The techniques work if you use them: if you don't actually use them, don't expect a benefit.

Compact, terse and readable. Also, very implementable, with good results if you get into it. If you treat it like you already know all about it, you will not see any benefit.

Improved Parallel-Thinking Process for Evaluating Issues
Seldom do I find a legitimate improvement on existing thinking processes, but there certainly is one in Six Thinking Hats. De Bono reports that this process reduces time spent in meetings by 20 to 90 percent, based on experiences reported to him since the book was first published. It also seems that many people feel that the evaluations that emerge are more useful ones, as well.

De Bono himself makes this statement: "The Six Thinking Hats method may well be the most important change in human thinking for the past twenty-three hundred years." You'll have to decide for yourself, if the book lives up to that claim.

De Bono diagnoses the fundamental problem of decision-making as being muddled thinking. Groups are simply not well equipped to deal with a wide range of data and perspectives simultaneously. The meeting often bogs down into conflicts of personalities and over focus on inimportant points. By creating a simpler way to think about issues, de Bono claims to eliminate many of these problems.

The process is not one that I have used, but it makes sense to me as an improvement over less structured evaluation methods. It can be used by an individual or a group working together. The amount of structure you use can be high, or you can be more ad hoc.

People learn best when they are playing, and the six hat approach clearly encourages a spirit of play. By giving each person a role (and each person eventually playing all of the roles), the method reduces the amount of personality-based conflict, encourages more participation, and gives validation to many different ways to present the question at hand. This should make each person feel more affirmed and invested in the process. Also, since the route is focused on getting lots out on the table, it also suspends judgment longer so that more ideas can emerge. As such, it is closer to the Japanese method of making evaluations than the American one (as de Bono points out).

Here is the color scheme. Blue is the process coordinator (like the conductor of an orchestra) and starts and leads off the meeting (plus helps keep it on process) -- except sometimes it is better to have red finish just after blue summarizes at the end.

Red goes second, and represents emotions and feelings to present both positive and negative emotional reactions, as well as more subtle things like intuition.

It seems to be more free form from there. Let's go to yellow next, which is speculative and positive -- the optimistic side of the case. This view is to open up the possibilities.

Naturally, that has to be balanced by looking at the downside, which is black (cautious and careful). This hat is normally worn the most in evaluations, and can easily be overdone. The idea is not to be negative, but to search out the risks.

White plays an important, but neutral, role -- pointing out the facts that are known or are likely to be true. Care in characterizing what is known is important.

Green is the wild card -- finding alternatives. This color connects very well with de Bono's original claim to fame, as someone who has good ideas for stimulating individual creativity. By giving each person a role in being creative in a meeting, he extends that focus in a useful way

De Bono makes two interesting comments about how all this leads to decisions: "In the end, all decisions are really red hat." But we should assume that it is a more informed set of emotions and feelings than would exist otherwise. "Decisions seem to make themselves." Knowing how painful decisions are in many circumstances, if that were the only benefit, that would be enough to make this book essential.

My suggestion is that you give this process a trial run with something unimportant before unleashing it on a big issue. Otherwise, you might be stalled by lack of understanding about how the process works. Keep practicing until you are satisfied that it is working well.

Good luck with overcoming your stalled thinking about making decisions and the issues that face you and your organization!

Donald Mitchell

Coauthor of The Irresistible Growth Enterprise (available in August 2000) and The 2,000 Percent Solution

(donmitch@fastforward400.com)

Brilliant Research
Edward De Bono's book is an invaluable, practical guide to increasing mental agility. His research is detailed and the results appear as clear, unadorned prose. Each chapter is a cogent unity in itself, yet each builds upon the other to create a synaptic skyscraper. De Bono certainly knows his subject, as the final sentence of his 'Preface' demonstrates: 'Wear your 6 Hats of Intelligence as often as you can, providing it's not windy and preferably not at the same time because you'll look ridiculous. And above all, have them blocked regularly.' With De Bono leading humankind into The Forest of Fulfilment, the rest of us had better carry a Compass of Concern and a carton of bread crumbs.

Just one perspective
In De Bono's preface to this book, he states: "The Six Thinking Hats method may well be the most important change in human thinking for the past twenty-three hundred years." Yuk! Narcisism personified.

Frankly, I believe Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self by Rosalene Glickman Ph.D. is superior to this book. Optimal Thinking enables the realist to make the most of any situation.

I also prefer Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman, Ph.D. to explain the advantages and disadvantages of optimism and pessimism.

This is an excellent method
Good thinking is simple. The goal of effective thinking is to make complexity managable. The Six Thinking Hats Method is by design a KISS system that is not intended to emphasize how clever any individuals in a group are, but to make actionable decisions--in most cases to achieve business results (as de Bono wryly notes elsewhere, most academics aren't interested in effective thinking).

The reason I'm writing this review is to correct an inaccuracy in the previous review. Having each person in a group adopt a different hat is exactly the OPPOSITE of what is intended with the Parallel Thinking method (a virtual synonym for the Six Hat method). The idea is that everyone in a group focusses on a specific element (Hat) at the same time, not individually. Doing it this way reduces argument and the role of ego in the conversation.

As de Bono notes, an important element in his work is also to demystify creativity, and help people understand you don't need lava lamps and candles to "do" creativity effectively. You don't have to be goofy. Ordinary business people working on engines and vaccines--and, as far as that goes, Accounts Payable, Sales, and Project Management--need creativity to be effective and competitive in a 24 hour global marketplace.

I teach this course... ... Read more

Book Description

Provides a rare look at the situational framework used in building a project management toolbox.
* Includes real-world examples of toolboxes used in a variety of project situations.
* Bridges the gap between theoretical and applied project management. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Project Management Toolbox" Helps Win Projects!
I don't share many of my consulting "know-how" secrets, but in this case I will, because I think the field of PM will benefit from the ideas presented in this book. After working 20 years in the consulting and project management field, I felt I was as knowledgeable as one could be about managing projects. Then one day, I came across Dragan's PM ToolBox. WOW! Every page is an eye opener. And this book really is a toolbox because its filled with detailed examples, report layouts, checklists, and figures which I have personally incorporated into my projects management and documentation. And those work examples have helped me win additional PM business many times over.

If you think this is just another "Here are the PM process steps" book, then click on by. But if you do, you will miss out on the chance to reach a higher level of excellence in the field of project management that will set you apart from the rest.

Thanks Dragan for a job well done!!

Put This Book on Your Desk, Not on Your Bookshelf!
Prof. Milosevic's Project Management Toolbox is to the practitioner of Project Management what the Physicians' Desk Reference is to practitioners of medicine. As the name appropriately implies, this book contains just about every tool and technique one can imagine to be used to manage, and assess projects effectively. But not one or two tools for every phase of a project, but several -- or to quote a cliche -- "a tool for every occasion".

Sound project management techniques are clearly described, substantiated by research, and presented in an easy to understand format. But Milosevic goes even further -- he details how to use each tool, when to use each tool, and when the use of a particular tool may not be appropriate. He even goes so far to present comparisons (pros and cons) of comparable tools (complete with sample form templates that can be put to immediate use), so that the project manager reading the book can select the most appropriate tool or technique to use for his/her particular project and/or organizational environment.

The book is organized logically, and in such a way that after you read the first chapter (which explains the theory & structure of the book), it isn't really necessary to read the book sequentially to put the concepts to practical use.

Whether you're a seasoned project manager, or a manager without much practical experience managing projects, you'll find this book useful and informative. Not merely from an academic point of view, but from a practical one as well.

That's why I recommend that you don't put the book on your bookshelf. Put it on your desk and you'll use it constantly to resolve immediate project management issues, as well as serving as an indispensable project management desk reference. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A roadmap to happiness (complete with all the the detours)..
I read this book thirteen years ago when a friend was in a coma in a hospital in Texas. Wherever you are in life, I think we could all use a little enlightenment that we are doing the 'right' things- or some direction on where to find these sought after 'untarnishable treasures' that make the joys more joyous and the pain worth it all in the adventure we call the human experience. This is a book for the handicapped, for the lost, the lonely, the numb, the bewildered, the confused, and yes... even for those who consider themselves to be well rounded and sucessful. Spencer Johnson has lived it, or he couldn't write it at the third grade reading level. He brings us all a little closer to that elusive me-I'm-glad-to-be person whether you are young or, old, rich or poor, happy or sad. You may be divorced, married, widowed/widower or single ...but the one thing you cannot remain after reading this book, is INDIFFERENT. After reading this book and incorporating it's message listen closely, and you'll likely hear someone say "Wow, I hope somday some one gives me..." well, you know. :-)

Finally, the answer to my purpose in life!!!!!
I picked out this book at the library six years ago. It was small and in ten minutes "The Precious Present" changed my life. It provided answers to my lifelong search as to what my purpose in life was after experiencing a near death experience three years earlier. I needed a way to explain why I was living my life the way I was...and Spencer Johnson expressed it for me in this tiny book. I had changed from my experience. Realizing that my life was precious, I began to enjoy the precious present even more because it was all BONUS for me. I started to take more time for friends, family and total strangers who needed someone to listen to them or just to acknowledge them because I could empathize with most of their problems. I brought the book home from the library and tried to order copies. None were to be found in my small town, so I called each of my sisters (I have four) and read it to each of them over the phone. That evening I read it to my husband. We talked about how important it was to live in the now and to let the past go as it can make many of us so miserable; like repaying a house payment that you already paid....it is silly to keep going back hurting each time. We discussed the future and how so many things we worry about never happen. Little did I to know that three days later, my darling husband, Michael, would die of a heart attack in my arms. I was so happy that we had had the discussion just days earlier. I knew we were living in the precious present and that is all that mattered. Now I am a senior at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. I will graduate in May of next year - 33 years after completing high school - and finally fulfilling my goal of so long ago. Yes, once a month I get this book out and read it - just to remember why I am still here and to help myself cope with the new stresses I have placed upon myself to complete my Organizational Communications degree. It is with great joy that I recommend this wonderful little book. Rick Pattino reads it to his college basketball players before each season....it helps us realize our reasons for being here. I have given copies to many of my friends after I could finally get copies and enjoy just reading it with new friends. Give yourself a present - read this little book and see what I am talking about! Cherie Schubeck

Inspirational!
Because I have had some misfortunes in my life, I used to dwell on my past a lot. This also made me plan for the future a lot because I was never happy with myself. This book though, has really helped me live in the present moment! I can really say that I am a happier person because I read this book. The other completely excellent book that has helped put this in even better perspective is "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. That one is also a fantastic book! Like Gandhi said, "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." These books are very true to the spirit of people like this!

One of the finest books I own
How can such a short book say so much? I remember my mother telling me when I was younger that we always say, "When I graduate, life will be better", "When I get married, life will be better", "When the kids grow up, life will be better". Spencer Johnson puts my mother's thoughts into words. Today IS better....and I am grateful for his words. I have owned this book for 10 years and continue to read it to remind me of the fact that I am definitely living the Precious Present. This one is a keeper!

The Precious Present...Life is short...love it!
If you can live in the precious present you can truely live, this book it a life practice for any of us die hard career professionals who project tomorrow and forget that life is so precious. Enjoy each moment and really LIVE. Don't wait for the tomorrow's and would if's. I love the message in this book and think everyone should try to practice passion in the present!
I have know people who inspire me and I have said "what do they have" it is the precious present!!! Great gift, great read! ... Read more

Book Description

This highly successful book has been called the most comprehensive text on the market, providing students with needed career theory as well as practical techniques and examples. Through the author's clear writing style, case examples, tables, and exercises, students develop a solid understanding of the theoretical models of career counseling and are thoroughly exposed to the practical information on how to effectively counsel clients about career issues. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A full exposure of the topic - from History to Application
I read all the other reviews, I get a feeling they are all from students. As a practicing professional in this field for the past 20 years, I can say that as Boles'"What Color is your Parachute" is the bible for Job Seekers, Zunker's "Career Counseling: Applied concepts of Life Planning" is the bible for the Career Counselor. I find Zunker's information well exposed for easy comprehension. His writing style is simple and straight-forward. I believe the book is well structured for its purpose and didn't get a 5 star rating because It should be more economical in pricing.

Vague and inconclusive
While there is an immensely broad array of career counseling topics covered in this book, it is extremely poorly written and is of little use. The author fails to define the key terms, and only vaguely discusses the key concepts. For example, Zunker fails to effectively explain Donald Super's career maturity factors e.g., Zunker full definition of Super's crystallization of traits is, "individual progress toward forming a self concept." In addition, Zunker writes in an extremely passive, wordy, vague style more tailored to impress academics than to be relevant for students.

Can I get my money back?
Like the other review this is a book I used for a graduate class in ed counseling. I needed safety pins to keep my eyes open. This book is too broad and covers too much. If I ever wanted to go into career counseling I wont now cause its toooooooo boring after this book.

not recommended covers too much for one book
I used this book for a graduate career counseling course. It didn't set career development in an economic history which would explain why theory developed the way it did. Additionally, the book doesn't explain many of the theories so the student can dilineate the differences between them. the author states that career counseling will soon integrate with other forms of counseling and yet, he doesn't point out obvious relationships between career theory and other psychological and developmental theories. There is a lot of guidence on counseling which covers both general and career skills. I would have liked the assessment section to be much bigger and more practical and the school assessment section to be much smaller. Zunker has an assessment book and should probably take his huge section on school counseling and make a book from that. All together the book was very dry and boring.

dull and unhelpful
this was a textbook used in one of my graduate school classes, and even reading it was a chore. There was virtually no "applied" information - nothing about how to actually do career counseling with a live human being. I would not recommend this book for anyone who is seeking usable information on career counseling, especially if counseling clients are adults. ... Read more

Book Description

Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology has led the way in cosmetology education for more than 64 years by changing to meet the evolving needs of students and the market.With this new edition, the changes are dramatic. The fresh new text layout, completely new and reorganized chapters, and all new photography and illustrations provide the open, easy-to-follow format that students need with the reliability that is the hallmark of Milady.By changing to meet the needs of today's students and educators, the Standard remains the number-one choice for cosmetology programs throughout the United States, Canada, and the world.The new Standard is organized into six parts containing 26 chapters, each written by an industry expert in the field, creating an immediate connection to the professional world.New chapters and content were decided upon after extensive research in the form of 600 surveys, two focus groups, and 36 in-depth reviews.With that as a starting point, Milady recruited 20 of the top experts in the field to contribute to the text, followed by a reworking of their material by a professional writer to ensure a uniform reading level throughout.Another three dozen reviewers were enlisted to evaluate the material, ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the content.The result is the most reliable cosmetology textbook available, one that covers all essential information in a contemporary, easy-to-use manner. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This is the book my Cosmetology School uses (2000 edition)
I bought the 1996 version of this book in June of 2000 and within one month I was signed up for cosmetology school. Then I got to school and they used the 2000 edition so I was already prepared. For those who think this book doesn't go into detail please realize that this is a textbook and it is part of a series of books for teaching. There are 2 workbooks that go along with this book. One for Theory and one for Practical. I was given a 1990 edition of this book as well by a friend of mine. The most noticable change between the 3 editions is that the 2000 edition has more actual photographs and fewer illustrations. If you are using this book for school study then I do recommend you buy the state board exam review booklet. Then when you have free time you can quiz yourself. Just remember that this book is meant to be used along with an instructor. If you are looking for a haircutting book only then I don't think you want this one. It only has about 12 pictures.

Comprehensive and Detailed
When I was taking Cosmetology back in the 2000-01 school year, they recommended to purchase this version of Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology. They were only available new in Canada and cost [money], and came with the theory book as well. Our teacher also had the old 1996 version of this textbook for sale, used. However, this is a better purchase. There are more pictures and colors, its not as drab as the previous version. I have to disagree with reviewers who said this is not a detailed book, I found it to be quite detailed and informative in its information. The book meant to be used in a classroom setting, where an instructor teachers and elaborates from this book. You cannot read this book and automatically cut hair, that is where the practical aspect of cosmetology comes in, when you are doing it hands on instead of reading. But this is a helpful tool for aspiring apprentices or students in cosmetology, whether you want to learn about Coloring, Perms, whatever the case, this is definately a worthwhile tool to have.

good information
I think as a stylist,a person should always be look for new information.

This is the book my Cosmetology School uses
I bought the 1996 version of this book in June of 2000 and within one month I was signed up for cosmetology school. Then I got to school and they used the 2000 edition so I was already prepared. For those who think this book doesn't go into detail please realize that this is a textbook and it is part of a series of books for teaching. There are 2 workbooks that go along with this book. One for Theory and one for Practical. I was given a 1990 edition of this book as well by a friend of mine. The most noticable change between the 3 editions is that the 2000 edition has more actual photographs and fewer illustrations. If you are using this book for school study then I do recommend you buy the state board exam review booklet. Then when you have free time you can quiz yourself. Just remember that this book is meant to be used along with an instructor. If you are looking for a haircutting book only then I don't think you want this one. It only has a few pages on haircutting and about 12 pictures of haircut instructions.

milady's standard textbook of cosmetology 2000 edition
i havent read this book but judging from the other reviews it sounds like a good book ... Read more

Book Description

This book deals with all facets of construction project management from the contractors point of view.It examines the duties that are handled by the project manager, construction superintendent, and construction engineer throughout the progress of a job, from the configurations of a project team through project closeout.A hallmark of this book is its dedicated focus on the activities of jobsite personnel that includes helpful techniques and procedures for effectively managing a project from start to finish.The clear, concise language in which it is written makes this book an essential introduction to the real world of effective management techniques. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

How to Select, Focus, and Dominate
The message of this important book is that "no company can succeed today by trying to be all things to all people. It must instead find the unique value that it alone can deliver to a chosen market. Why and how this is done are the two key questions the book addresses." The authors focus with rigor and precision on three different "disciplines": operational excellence, product leadership, and customer intimacy. It remains for any company (for any organization, for that matter) to determine which of the three should be its primary discipline but all are obviously important...indeed interdependent. Nonetheless, one discipline should be pre-eminent. The authors examine dozens of companies which have concentrated primarily on one of the three "disciplines" so that they can select their customers and then narrow their focus inorder to gain and sustain dominance within their respective marketplaces. I think this book will be of substantial value to executives in any organization but of greatest value to those in organizations which are small-to-midsize. Unless they have dysfunctional management and/or defective products, their mastery of that discipline will enable them to compete more effectively against larger organizations which (obviously) have greater resources available. My own view is that as B2B and B2B2C continue to increase at exponentially greater velocity, leadership of ANY market will require mastery of customer intimacy and at least one (but preferably both) of the other two disciplines. In that event, the insights which Treacy and Wiersema share will be even more valuable.

Common sense marketing perspective
Winning firms focus on one of three customer value disciplines: product leadership, customer intimacy, or operational excellence. Trying to be all things to everybody is tantamount to being nothing for anyone. If your firm can't get its act together, you'll find this an inspiring book that makes a compelling case that success is only possible by having the courage to focus on specific tasks & disciplines. This seems very elementary, but I've observed many firms that refused to choose what they wanted to be, ensuring that they became nothing. This book is helpful in positioning exercises.

I have two concerns about the book. 1, it doesn't need to be this long in order to get the central idea across. 2, I'm becoming increasingly convinced that this model is counterproductive in a Geoff Moore tornado period. If you're in a high-tech tornado, wait until Main Street before applying discipline.

Aside from these caveats, I still find the simple model presented in this book as being useful in analyzing market approaches. You have to understand the model in order to know when it isn't appropriate. Product Managers, sales, marketing and product development staff need to be aware of this book and its ideas.

Not just for the sales and marketing folks!
This business book should be in EVERY marketing and sales professional's library. In one reading of less than four hours you can understand the distinct value disciplines that define your company. And, just as important, you can recognize the value disciplines of your customers and competition. But, you don't have to be strictly a sales person. I'm my company's Chief Technology Officer and I felt the book was very valuable - after my CEO made me read it!
The message of The Discipline Of Market Leaders is that no company can succeed today by trying to be all things to all people. It must instead find the unique value that it alone can deliver to a chosen market. Why and how this is done are the two key questions the book addresses,
Three concepts are introduced that every business finds essential:
1. the value proposition - implicit promise to deliver a particular combination of values - price, quality, performance, etc.
2. value-driven operating model - combination of operating processes, manage-ment systems, business structure, and culture that allows a company to deliver on its value proposition.
3. value disciplines - three desirable ways in which a company combines operating models and value propositions to be the best in their markets. THIS is the key take away from this book.
Three distinct value disciplines:
1. operational excellence - provide middle-of-the-market products at the best price with the least inconvenience - value proposition is low price and hassle-free service.
2. product leadership - offering products that push performance boundaries - value proposition is offering the best product, period.
3. customer intimacy - delivering NOT what the market wants but what specific customers want - value proposition the best solution for the customer with all the support needed to get the maximum value from our products.
The selection of a value discipline is a central act that shapes every subsequent plan and decision a company makes, coloring the entire organization, from its competencies to its culture.
If a company is going to achieve and sustain dominance, it must decide where it will stake its claim in the marketplace and what kind of value it will offer to its customers.
markets, the only established way to improve value to customers is to cut process. If you haven't started thinking about cutting your way to leanness, it's going to cost you later.
High quality is the cost of admission to the market. Without it, you're not even in the ballpark.
Four new premises underlie successful business practice today:
1. companies can no longer raise process in lockstep with higher costs
2. companies can no longer aim for less than hassle-free service
3. companies can no longer assume that good basic service is enough
4. companies can no longer compromise on quality and product capabilities
These four points are critical to the book and to how you must think about value. It is true - we can no longer charge for high quality - it IS expected. By delivering superior value, companies change their customers' expectations. In effect, these companies became market leaders NOT by fulfilling old-fashioned ideas of value, but by getting their business to master one band in the value spectrum. They believed in three important truths that characterize the new world of competition:
1. Different customers buy different kinds of value. You can't hope to be the best in all dimensions, so you choose your customers and narrow your value focus.
2. As value standards rise, so do customer expectations; so you can stay ahead only by moving ahead.
3. Producing an unmatched level of a particular value requires a superior operating model - "a machine" - dedicated to just that kind of value.
Four rules that govern market leaders' actions:
1. Provide the best offering in the marketplace by excelling in a specific value disci-pline.
2. Maintain threshold standards on other dimensions of value.
3. Dominate your market by improving value year after year,
4. Build a well-tuned operating model dedicated to delivering unmatched value.
The operating model is the market leader's ultimate weapon in its quest for market domination. Value comes from choosing customers and narrowing the operations focus to best serve those customers. Customer satisfaction and loyalty are simply the by-product of delivering on a compelling value proposition - not the drivers behind it. When a company selects and pursues one of the value disciplines, it ceases to resemble its competitors.
Customer-intimate companies demonstrate superior aptitude in advisory services and relationship management. This is an incredibly difficult concept for sales and marketing professionals to grasp. They want the largest market possible. If you are customer-intimate, your market is one company at a time. This calls for hard work. Customer-intimate companies don't deliver what the market wants, but what a spe-cific customer wants. The customer-intimate company makes a business of knowing the people it sells to and the products and services they need. It continually tailors its products and services, and does so at reasonable prices. The customer-intimate company's greatest asset is, not surprisingly, its customers' loyalty.
Customer-intimate companies don't pursue transactions; they cultivate relationships.
They tailor their mix of services or customize the products, even if it means acting as a broker to obtain these services and products from third parties or co-providers.
Where to begin? Start with the last chapter and take a close look at Figure 11. From that point I realized my company's value discipline. The rest fell neatly into place.

A Must for Every business owner
In Business studies, we were taught that to succeed with our business we should be able to provide best product/service, best prices and superb customer service. The results are mainly unsatisfactory because while we try to master all three aspects, we fail in all of them.

This book will teach you for the first time how to succeed with "imperfection" along with customers blessings.

You dont have to provide your customer with the best product AND best price AND best service, just choose one of those values (depending on your target market and long term objectives) and focus all your resources on developing this value. The book is backed with real life stories from some of the leading firms and the values they have chosen to focus on.

This book is a must for every business owner.

Highly Recommended!
Authors Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema make it clear that market leading companies all concentrate on creating value for their customers. Then they focus on specific cases from Nike to Johnson & Johnson. No company, including yours, can succeed by trying to be all things to all people. Companies must ascertain the unique value - be it price, quality or problem solving - they can deliver to a specific market. The book proves that comparisons are not odious if they are interesting, and the comparisons it offers are intriguing indeed. Anecdotes and case histories cover companies that are market leaders today - AT&T, Intel, Airborne Express - and companies that used to be market leaders. The authors offer you three choices: lead with low costs, great products or outstanding ability to solve customers' problems. But if you are going to lead, you have to pick a direction and implement a management strategy that supports it, a lesson eased along by the clarity of the writing. We from getAbstract recommend this book to executives who are seeking advice on trumping their markets. ... Read more

Book Description

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)– 2000 Edition is your basic reference and the world’s de facto standard for the project management profession. It was designated an American National Standard (ANSI/PMI 99-001-2000) by the American National Standards Institute in March 2001.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) is an inclusive term that describes the sum of knowledge within the profession of project management. The PMBOK® Guide identifies and describes the subset of principles and practices within the PMBOK® that are generally accepted and applicable to most projects most of the time. The guide also provides a common lexicon for talking about project management. Project management is a relatively young profession, and while there is substantial commonality around what is done, there is relatively little commonality in the terms used. An extensive glossary further aids in standardizing definitions of the most important concepts, terms, and phrases.

The Project Management Institute (PMI®) uses the PMBOK® Guide as one of the references for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Examination. Major revisions and expansions of this edition include:

• Aligned newly added processes, tools, and techniques with the five project processes and nine knowledge areas. For example, reserve time, variance analysis, and activity attributes were added to Chapter 6 (Project Time Management); estimating publications and earned value were added to Chapter 7 (Project Cost Management); and project reports, project presentations, and project closure were added to Chapter 10 (Project Communications Management).

• Added a section in Chapter 2 to acknowledge the role of the Project Office; expanded the treatment of earned value management in Chapter 4 and Chapter 10; and added a brief discussion of the Theory of Constraints in Chapter 6.

• Expanded Chapter 11 (Project Risk Management) to include six processes instead of the previous four: Risk Management Planning, Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, RiskQuantification, Risk Response Planning, and Risk Monitoring and Control.

• Strengthened the linkage between organizational strategy and project management throughout.

The PMBOK® Guide is one of those indispensable tools that you will want at your fingertips, both at work and in your home office. Selected as a suggested resource for CAPM®, CAQ® Automotive Product Development, CAQ Capital Projects, CAQ Information Technology Systems, CAQ Information Technology Networking, and CAQ Project Management Office exam preparation.

Look for official translations in 8 languages:
• Chinese
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A Requirement for PMP exam, but not everything.
I'm a a certified PMP and purchased this book because PMI says it is the basis for the exam. The problem is that it's incredibly boring and does not include all the information on the test! Although all the project management processes are detailed and the terms are defined, it does not really teach you on how to apply and understand project management. There are also no practice questions included in the PMBOK and this is an absolute requirement before you sit for the test. You must also purchase an independant study guide book. I recommend PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy. It is well written, an enjoyable read, and includes many topics that appear on the exam that are not included in the PMBOK (i.e. Professional Responsibility etc.).

_The_ Project Management Standard
The PMI has put together a book that is the definitive project management standard. Within the concise 200 or so pages, expect to get an overview of all the general areas of project management.

This book describes a generic project management model, suitable across many disciplines. It is written to be a standard. While it is authoritative and something you should definitely read, it is tough reading for beginners. The book does not proceed in the same sequence as project phases. It makes the book difficult to read as a textbook.

If you are a beginner I suggest that you purchase a copy of this book immediately but do not attempt to read it yet. Buy yourself a basic book on project management. Participate and lead projects. As you face issues within your project, refer to this book. You will find your study will be richly rewarded.

Anyone appearing for the PMP exam must know this material like the back of their hands. Spend a lot of time here. Keep in mind however that this book is not a repository of knowledge, it is a roadmap.

In summary, not a trivial read, but a rewarding one.

Essential reference fo PMP
This book is a good reference and should be used as a reference book. You need to know the content of this book to pass the PMP. However, don't use thie book at the only source of study. Get a copy of Andy Crowe's "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try" and "The Ultimate PMP Study Aid" (from ebay).

By the way, when your join the PMI memnbership, they will send a CDROM verson of the book free.

Good reference, but you will fail PMP if you rely only on it
This reference is good for a base of terminology for Project Management. Unfortunately, because the difference between an IT project and a Construction project is so great, the BOK can only address high-level concepts. The golden nugget is that what the BOK does address are time-tested standards that help all project managers.

Why do you make a Charter? What goes in it? What do you get out of it? The BOK answers all these questions. By following the framework, your projects will have a fighting chance and not get caught up in a tangle of disorganization.

As for the PMP-applicability of this reference, it does not address contracts, team-building, or ethics, which are all required for passing the test. When I studied for the test, I spent about 5% of my time studying the PMBOK and 95% on other reference materials. I earned my PMP after 5 weeks of studying, without memorizing anything from the BOK.

Essential Classic
This book is certainly a must have for the management of BIG projects. It is extremely rich in a wide area of relevant details. It is extremely good as a reference. It is good, if your specific area has not an established project methodology.

On the other hand I do not like the book for reading and learning. It feels like reading a book on income taxes regulations, though a good one. ... Read more

Book Description

Deep within each one of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need, even though we often feel overwhelmed by a complex world. In fact, more than 200 million people throughout the world offer their time and love to volunteering.

The stories in Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul highlight the efforts of everyday people in the United States and around the globe who volunteer with the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the Peace Corps, Points of Light, Rotaryand many, many other nonprofit organizations. Lovingly chosen from more than six thousand stories, poems and cartoons, these tales will inspire readers to do everything in their power to help those in need. Chapters include: The Rewards of Volunteering, Giving Back, Making a Difference, New Appreciation, Love and Kindness, Defining Moments, A Matter of Perspective, Overcoming Obstacles and On Wisdom.

Readers will cherish the story of a community that rallied together to send warm winter coats to refugee families in Kosovo. They'll be moved by the tale of a woman with a "smiley voice" who made audiotapes for the visually impaired despite a losing battle with cancer. They'll never forget the eight-year-old boy without arms or legs who fearlessly wielded a tennis racquet to propel a ball down the length of a room. And they'll be charmed by a rabbit named Cadberi who brings boundless joy to residents of a nursing home.

Book Description

The classic book that captures the essence of leadership like none other--expanded and updated for tomorrow's leaders, with a new introduction by the author.

Warren Bennis's formative years, in the 1930s and '40s, were characterized by severe economic hardship and a world war that showcased the extreme depths and heights to which leaders could drive their followers. Today's environment is similarly chaotic, turbulent, and uncertain. On Becoming a Leader has served for nearly fifteen years as a beacon of insight, delving into the qualities that define leadership, the people who exemplify it, and the strategies that anyone can apply to become an effective leader. This new edition features a provocative introduction on the challenges and opportunities facing leaders today, with additional updates and current references throughout. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Both find meaning and understand how to lead
Great book not just for managers, but also for those being managed. It clearly articulates how to improve yourself, through a variety of motivational stories and excellent advice. Make sure to read the last chapter, though! The one ding I had while reading the book was that a lot of the advice wasn't actionable -- until I reached the last chapter, which closed off the book with a clear path forward for the reader.

Well Thought and Easy to Read
On Becoming a Leader is a well-organized and thought out book on leadership. Since it?s the only leadership book I?ve read, it?s hard for me to compare it to anything else, but I can see why they consider it a ?standard?. The book pointed out many ?truths of life? that I agreed with but never put in words before, like ?most of us are shaped more by negative experiences than by positive ones? from page 108. The author suggests doing something positive to start each morning in order to deflect the impact of our negative experiences. Definitely something I?ll put to use. Bennis uses examples of real people to make give his point impact. This and other writing techniques add to his easy style of writing, making this novel a breeze to read. I wish the book had more ways the reader could practice the skills he or she was reading about. In the end, I would recommend this book to anyone who needed to lead something or just be a more influential and listened to person in general.

The Human Touch of Leadership
While I don't agree with all of Bennis' role models, he makes some very valid points about achievement, leadership, and human relationships. Like John Maxwell and others who have paid their dues, he mentions the importance of learning from failure. One of the many useful quotes Bennis provides is "it is not enough for a leader to do things right, he must do the right thing." Also like other writers in this genre, he says one of the fundamentals of leadership is to have a guiding vision. As a communicator, Bennis encourages potential leaders to codify their thoughts through writing. Writing eliminates ambiguity and helps one to focus. Leadership is viewed as a process in the sense that goal-accomplishment involves several incremental phases. He writes "the goal isn't worth arriving at unless you enjoy the journey." A process of self-reflection is outlined and discussed in the middle section of the book. This is followed by some advice on how to investigate the world at large. Travel, reading, and involvement are three keys to learning the environment in which one is to contribute. Bennis has some ideas worthy of followup. His book is worth reading. ... Read more

Book Description

Classic Insight into Building a Fabulous Career in Real Estate
Welcome to the world of real estate sales! Now, you control your destiny. A career in real estate offers endless opportunities, the freedom of flexible hours, and the potential to earn fabulous amounts of money. But to reach your goals you need to be prepared. Before you dive in, you must learn everything you can and discover the edge that will take you to the top.
Inside, experienced and top-notch real estate professional Dirk Zeller presents the secrets to success that will allow you to excel from day one. Full of practical answers and step-by-step solutions to the field's most common obstacles and challenges, Your First Year in Real Estate will help you build a solid foundation for a lifetime of real estate success.
Be a real estate champion from day one by knowing how to:
·Select the right company and get off to the right start
·Develop valubable mentor and client relationships
·Master your sales skills
·Achieve the financial results you desire
·Set—and reach—important career goals
"Dirk Zeller's approach is brilliant! He gives the best basic marketing techniques to his students. I applaud this book." ... Read more

Reviews (38)

This will give you the lead you need !
I am a new real estate agent. Like most new agent I was VERY lost (i'm sher you know the feeling). I had no one telling me the "how to's", the "when to's", and most importantly the "why to's" of the business. Is that what I signed up for, i asked!? I was overwhelmed and nervous. I invested in books and tapes of the highest level in relation to real estate (they where very good) BUT they never gave me the BOTTOM LINE (starting for the moment you recieve |THE CERTIFICATE|to actualy thinking of making 100 000+/year)!The best investment I made was the book "YOUR FIRST YEAR IN REAL ESTATE". If you are new in the business and are looking for a mentor !? read the book. You dont know where to start !? Read the book. You want to build a solid foundation for your carreer !? Read the book. Dont be fooled by it's simingly "basic" cover, this is the book you want. Dirk Zeller's philosophy is fantastic. It is possible to work 4 days a week and still make alot of $ and have time for your family...

Answered just about all of my questions, and MORE
I bought this book and one other as I was doing research to enter a new career in Real Estate Sales (from something totally different). It started out with how to "interview" potential brokers, questions to ask, and things to look for. This book was exactly what I needed to help me get my foot in the door and ask the right questions.
Also, this book talks about making and maintaining relationships with all of the different constituencies in the business in a positive, upbeat, "you can do it" tone. Not to say that you don't get the real scoop on the drawbacks as well, but overall, the tone the book is written in gives you the added push if you are at all hesitant about the industry.
I'm sure I will go back to this book time and time again.
(As of 7/2002) Three months later, I have started my career in Real Estate, and know more than at my review's first writing that Mr. Zeller speaks nothing but the truth. His plan for organizing your day, and working with only clients that will bring you business and results are DEAD ON. Also see his website for more GREAT real estate commentary and suggestions...

Easy to understand and follow
I purchased this book just prior to taking my real estate test and beginning my new career. It has helped tremendously and everything I have tried that was recommended has worked! The information is well laid out and presented in a format that is easy to follow and understand. Now, after being in this business for 6 months I have re-read the book and have picked up even more. I have recommended this book to others just starting out in their career and recommend it to anyone interested in beginning a career in real estate.

As good as it gets.....
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is considering a career in Real Estate. Dirk Zeller is a down to earth, straight shooter and has a 100% grip on how to succeed or fail in Real Estate - starting from Day-1.

After reading the book I had a chance to personally meet Dirk. His attitude and demeanor reflect his success. His book helped me to make the choice to get into Real Estate, I am following his recommendations and am having great success - and I have been at it only 3-months. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Your 1st Year in Real Estate
This is an excellent book for anyone thinking about real estate as a career. It really breaks down the basic ideas of what it takes to get started and succeed as a realtor. Choosing a company is one of the hardest decisions and Dirk leads you right thru it. I recommend this book to all new agents or agents who have been in the business for any amount of time. ... Read more

Book Description

For years, interviewees have relied on 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions. In fact, more than 500,000 people have used prior editions. The book begins with an overview of the interviewing process. Then, questions are grouped by chapter to cover the full range of possible interview topics--everything from, "Why are you thinking of leaving your current job?" to "When can you start?" This brand new edition is thoroughly updated to reflect the realities of today's job market. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Helped me get the job I wanted
I recently had a job interview that several other candidates were applying for as well. I'm relatively young (25) and less experienced so I figured if I was to get hired I really had to ace the interview and not merely wing it. Job interviews are designed to test your mettle. They are supposed to be nerve-wrecking and continously put you on the spot. The book keeps emphasizing this point as well as the fact that an interview is merely a test to determine just how well you handle pressure situations and how well you come across.

Almost all of the questions that you're terrified of being asked in an interview are here. The book tells you how to respond to these questions gracefully and gives sample responses from people that got hired.

If you are willing to spend a few hours and prepare answers to these questions diligently, your chances of getting a job should improve dramatically.

Great answers to hard questions
This book does a great job of helping you answer the most difficult interview questions. As a training manager, who trains managers and executives on how to interview, I feel I am qualified to say this book works.

This book is a wonderful resource once you get the interview. This leaves us with the question, "How do you get an interview?" Simple, know the type of job you want and pursue it, if you do not know what type of job you want you may want to read the classic, "How to find your dream job and make it a reality." By Jason McClure.

Read this book, and practice for your job interviews and you will be successful in your job hunt.

This is how Microsoft interviews
I personally recommend this book. When I interviewed with Microsoft several years ago, I was astonished at how IDENTICAL their interviewing process was with that described in this book. After reading the book, I was not surprised at ANY of the questions that were thrown at me. And I could tell exactly when the interviewer was trying to "drill down" to catch me off-guard. I highly recommend this book to anybody who is interviewing for the first time, or for anybody who has had a job for a decade or more and is just now venturing out again. Interviewing tactics have changed radically since a decade ago.

Never Received Book - Ordered 5/15/02
It is hard to rate a book you have never received. I ordered this book in early May. I still have not received the book and I have been trying to reach the seller without any luck. I am very disappointed in the delivery time as well as the service.

Why not?
This book can rehabilitate you and may indeed place you where you'd like to be. I have been on both sides of the interview process over many years and it's amazing, in retrospect, that I've managed to work or have any decent employees. From the most basic preparation, (something I've never done- except to fret over my outfit,) to practicing, seems like a no brainer- I speak for myself.

EVERYBODY knows you're not suppossed to dis a past employer, right? I've known that for years, and I just did it last week. I knew when I was doing it, that it was wrong; but I couldn't dig my way into a more positive response. In fact, that's why I bought the book. Fry takes you around those stumbling blocks with a variety of approaches, even with regard to keeping a flow in the facts that you are putting forth.

Of course, you have to do the work. As with every manual, it isn't a novel, it's behavior, and practice, not how well, (again, in my case,) you `understand' it.

You can't go wrong with the material here. It's sound, it's been tested and it's completely common sensical- it just doesn't come by osmosis. Do it, it helps. Good luck. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Get the information elsewhere
The authors attempt to apply lean manufacturing principles and techniques to software development. Despite repeatedly warning the reader that manufacturing is different than software development, most of the examples are not from software development. Some examples were mildly interesting, but they just didn't apply. This had the weird effect of casting doubt on the whole concept they were trying to exemplify. The effort seemed forced, and the focus on manufacturing detracted from providing a clear and practical guide to software development.

The authors present some relevant tools (delaying decisions, eliminating waste, etc.) but these are not new and are presented in a more accessible format in other books. Some of the tools just did not register. Value Stream Mapping, for instance, showed delays were usually instigated by the customer, and we all serve at the pleasure of the customer. Queueing Theory is a long-winded and confusing way of saying what we already know from other agile exponents - that small batches are better. Despite the slimness (under 200 pages), it seemed like a lot of reading for very little information.

Still, I have to give at least two stars for any book that is aligned with agile practices.

Not just for Agile Development
Although this book is from the Agile-series, the approach and advice extends to any methodology from the heavy (and still used) waterfall SDLC, to XP and agile methods.

Key steps in this book will show you how to streamline your development methodology in accordance with lean thinking:
- Eliminate waste by cutting the fat out of processes, reducing rework, viewing your SDLC as a value stream.
- Amplify learning, with an emphasis on iterative planning, feedback loops and team communications.
- Decide as late as possible, which is enabled by concurrent activities, depth-first versus breadth-first problem solving, and other effective tools and techniques.
- Deliver as fast as possible, based on analogies between manufacturing pull systems and scheduling, and how to accomplish the same in development.
- Empower the team, which is a fundamental element of lean thinking. The tools and techniques presented in this section of the book are a mixture of common sense, leadership and management.
- Build integrity in. If ever there were a direct connection between the lean thinking approach to manufacturing and software development, it is here. Tools and techniques given include model-driven development, refactoring and