Book Description

Updated to include new communication technology and its unique issues

For more than 50 years, The Gregg Reference Manual has been recognized as the best style manual for business professionals and students. The basic rules that apply to the most frequent problems are covered as thoroughly as the fine points of the problems that occur less often. The colorful examples and illustrations offer easy-to-follow models to help resolve the difficulties encountered in everyday communications from e-mail messages to formal reports. New features include:

• Up-to-date coverage on dealing with online source material and precautions to observe when citing electronic material
• New searchable index: the website accompanying the book allows the reader immediate access to definitions and information on specific topics
• Updated e-mail rules and expanded plagiarism coverage to meet the needs of changing technology

Reviews (2)

Best guide I've ever seen.
The Gregg Reference Manual has impressed me. I have never seen such a comprehensive manual on the english language and its usage today. I have only owned it for a couple of days, but I know that it will help me immensely as I move into college (even if it was meant for business men).

Simply the best!
The Gregg Reference Manual is the single most useful grammar, usage, and style reference available for business professionals. I have been using it for years as my primary reference tool. The manual is very comprehensive, and the well-organized index makes things easy to find. It is updated frequently to incorporate current technology, which makes it invaluable in today's continually changing environment. The 10th edition was just released, so it is the most up-to-date book of its type around. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, "let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers," and "talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (332)

principles stand the test of time
First published in 1937, this book is the result of 15 years of Dale Carnegie's research in human relations. When learned and applied, these 30 timeless principles will help you become more likable and influential in others' lives.

Millions of copies of this book have sold because the principles are basic and proven. Sure, some of the language is dated. Many of the characters and companies mentioned in these pages are no longer household names. Look beyond those quirks and you will find some of the most memorable and applicable people skills material ever produced.

With simple presentation and vivid examples, Carnegie deftly walks us through Fundamental Techniques in Handling People, Six Ways to Make People Like You, How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.

When material is this old and this good, it could sometimes be considered trite and nothing more than common knowledge. Don't fall into that trap. Until its principles become common practice in our lives, this book is just as necessary and effective today as it was more than six decades ago.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

The very best in self-help books!
What can't I say about this book?! I first read How to Win Friends and Influence People five years ago. I have made it practice to read it at least once a year now in the hopes that some day I may actually assimilate the incredible wealth of material included in the pages. Listen, there are a ton of self-help and motivational books out there, but this one isn't like all the rest: it is the forefather to all of them! I have to be honest when I say that this book has had a profound impact on my life and my way of thinking. It is timeless, priceless, and seems to get better with age. I hold no reservation or hesitation in recommending that you not only put one of these on your shelf, but that you read it over, and over, and over again.

Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551) that has received rave review.

10 stars for this one!
When it comes to social skills, this book says it all. No need to look any further than this classic. To learn emotional and mental mastery and making the most of any situation, then Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self is your best choice. To learn how to deal with change, read Who Moved My Cheese. These resources give you all you need to be your best, get along with others and bring out the best from them.

Compelling book on developing social skills
If youwere to buy just 1 book of how to acquire people skills, How To Win Friends and Influence People should be that 1 book. This book is great. Written over 70 years ago, all of the principles still apply. Definitely add this one to your library, but more importantly, use it.

Timeless Advice
His advice is so obvious and so easy, so how come it's so difficult to do yourself and so rarely found in others? Is it cynicism or manipulation? No, it's human nature: Do Unto Others ...

THE FUNDAMENTALS

• "Speak ill of no man and speak all the good you know of everyone."
People react very badly to criticism; don't do it, not to their face nor behind their back ... especially not behind their back.

• Say "Thank You".
Express appreciation. People yearn, yearn to be appreciated.

• Talk about what people want and help them get it.
"Arouse in others an eager want."
Corollary: let others take credit for your ideas; they'll like your ideas a lot more if they believe them to be their own.

WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU

• Be happy to see people.
Greet everyone you meet and show an interest in them. Remember the things that are important to them.

• Smile!

• Remembers peoples' names!!
Remember it, use it when talking to them. A person's name sounds beautiful to them.

• Draw people out.
Encourage them to talk about themselves and their interests.

• Actively research the other person's interests.

• Every person you meet feels themselves superior to you in some way.
Strain to find out what that is and recognize their importance. Talk to people about themselves and they will listen to you for hours.

WIN PEOPLE TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING

• Don't argue!
Give in! Agree that the other person is right; often they are and if they aren't, you'll never convince them of it by arguing.

• Don't ever tell a person they're wrong.
They may be but telling them so is always counterproductive. It is difficult for a person to admit to themselves that they are wrong; harder still to admit it to others.

• If you know you're wrong, admit it.
Openly and freely admit whenever you're wrong. And always leave open the possibility that you're wrong even of you think you aren't.

• Friendliness begets friendliness.
Always begin that way. Don't accuse.

• Never neglect a kindness.
Look for ways to do or say something nice.

• Start out by emphasizing areas of agreement.
When a person has said "no" it's hard to get them to change even if they know they're wrong.

• Let the other person do most of the talking.
Listen patiently and don't interrupt. Let your friends be better than you.

• Let people come to your conclusions.
First, tell me what you expect of me; then tell me what I can expect of you. People will generally live up to the commitments they make to you as long as they came up with them on their own.

• Think always in terms of the other person's point of view.
Where they stand depends on where they sit; figure out where they're sitting.

• ¾ of the people you will ever meet are dying for sympathy.
Give it to them and they will love you.

• A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

• Dramatize your ideas.
"Don't use logic; tell stories." Make your ideas visible, concrete. Bear in mind that people don't know until you show them what you mean.

• Stimulate in others their innate desire to excel (perhaps through a friendly challenge or through competition).

BE A LEADER

• Don't go sailing into difficult interpersonal situations with guns blazing. You'll always get a negative reaction.

• Change "but" into "and".
Be indirect in your criticism. Praise before you condemn.

• Ask questions rather than giving orders.

• Be very careful to help others preserve their dignity.

• People crave recognition: praise the smallest improvement and praise every improvement.

• Treat people as though they had the virtues you wished they possessed.
Give them a reputation to live up to and they will work like crazy to live up to it.

• Praise the good; minimize the bad: encourage.
Make achievement seem possible. Take and encourage little baby steps. Seek out even the most insignificant of successes.

• Napoleon: I could conquer the world if only I had enough ribbon. ... Read more

Book Description

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

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

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

Reviews (48)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (14)

Not only Beyond Bullet Points...Beyond PowerPoint too!
Caution!The information presented in this book has applications far beyond PowerPoint.If you read this book you may find yourself inspired to think outside of the "text" box.You may think of innovative ways to use this information to become a better salesperson, a better organizer or a better communicator in general.

At least, that was my experience.

I recently used the principles in Cliff's book to organize the 3-year cirriculum for my company's new corporate university.Using the story template ensured that each course was tied to the strategic goals of the company.I just wish I had discovered his book at the beginning of the project!By the way, my "meta-story" template is posted on Cliff's blog at www.beyondbullets.com.Be sure to check it out!

I've also used the story template as a guideline for writing a letter (to convince a client to see something my way) and to structure a talk I gave in church recently.

I'm even convinced that the principles in this book can be used for non-persuasive presentations (i.e. technical training, informative presentations, etc.) and I plan to prove it.I'm working right now on re-vamping several of my technical training classes using this approach.I've written several of the story templates, and I can already see the improvement!

Order the book!Visit the blog!Get ready to change the way you communicate!

Maybe Not
For those wanting the add FX to their PP presentations - this isn't the book.The PP stuff is 101 level.For those looking for a format for their presentations - this offers one.Will it fit all, or even most, circumstances?Not in my experience of coaching business presentations for 20 + years.

Stop putting your audience to sleep!
I can't count the number of boring bullet point presentations I've sat through in my life. Unfortunately, my audiences probably say the same thing! With the help of Cliff Atkinson's Beyond Bullet Points, hopefully my audiences won't have to endure yet another boring bullet point presentation.

If you are looking for a book to teach you PowerPoint or looking to transform yourself into a PowerPoint "power user" look elsewhere. If you want to learn to develop effective presentations that engage your audience and not put them to sleep, Beyond Bullet Points is a great book.

The book presents Cliff Atkinson's three step approach to presentations: Focus, Clarify and Engage. The method is based on story telling with a few twists to compensate for the complex nature of presentations.

Chapter 1 starts with a fictional presentation which the book will transform from a boring bullet pointed presentation to one that engages the audience.

Chapter 2-3 (focus) guides the reader as Cliff describes the process of writing the script for the new presentation.

Chapter 4-6 (clarify) builds upon the previous chapters as the reader is guided through the process of clarifying the presentation's ideas.

Chapter 7 lays out the groundwork to create an engaging script that will certainly bring life to your presentation.

Appendix A summarizes Richard Mayer's excellent research on multimedia learning.

Appendix B discusses Cliff's excellent tool, Beyond Bullet Points Storyboard Formatter.

While PowerPoint is used as the tool in presenting Cliff's idea of storyboarded presentations, the concept is certainly beneficial to anyone that uses alternate tools.

This book has transformed my business
I am a professional speaker and workshop leader. People have always told me I am good. But now I look at my presentations and think, "I cannot believe I used to present this garbage and people responded." The ideas I got from this book have completely transformed my business.

That may sound like a lofty claim but let me explain. I have never met Cliff Atkinson. Didn't know him from "Boo" before a month or two ago. I saw Cliff's book mentioned on a blog I read and began reading some of his posts. They were very useful and had a lot of great ideas. When this book was released, Cliff made an offer to do a makeover on a few presentations so that he could publically show people the results on his blog and in the discussion forum on his book site. When I saw that, I jumped at the chance.

My sales presentation drives the majority of my revenue. Why wouldn't I? If I could make it better, great. If I didn't like the result, I could always stick with what I had been doing.

Like it? Wow! The transformation has been amazing! You can see for yourself. Go to his blog and you can see my entire makeover process or you can see just a few before and afters in some of Cliff's blog posts. Look for Kim's makeover. I think you will agree the difference is truly amazing.

But it didn't stop there. What Cliff is really teaching is a structure for presenting information. Storytelling is one of the most powerful communication tools out there. I was a good story teller - but my stories weren't tight. They were not concise. The Beyond Bullet Point approach gives my audience exactly what they need to keep them interested and answer their questions - no more, no less. It puts you in their shoes.

I took Cliff's story structure and began to apply it in other areas. I have not only put it to work in other presentations, I tried a little experiment. I wrote one of my sixty second radio spots using Act 1 of Cliff's story structure. It began airing this week and right out of the gate it looks like it may be one of the best pulling ads I have ever run.

But it didn't stop there either. I have been working with an ad agency to develop a positioning statement (some would call it a tag line) and a jingle. We had been going back and forth on the positioning statement. Nothing popped. After I finished the story template I used for the sixty second spot, I sent it over to the creative guy at the ad agency and we instantly knew we had a positioning statement. It came naturally right out of Cliff's story structure.

So that is my story. I have never posted a review on Amazon before. I am an avid reader but I have no time to post reviews. For this book, I made time. I give this book my highest recommendation, which I will also do to readers of my newsletters and blog. I hope it is as powerful for you as it was for me.

This book teaches some essential writing skills!
This book is the most pragmatic book on developing presentations, not just PowerPoint presos. It borrows from the craft of Hollywood that knows how to capture our attention, keep us entertained and influence us in more ways than we realize. The book is based on proven techniques used by the greatest storytellers for centuries and the author has boiled this down into a few principles that are easy to remember and use.

I have already employed the techniques and I see a huge difference; my colleagues say so! Get this book and you will be guided to think a lot more critically about your audience, your message and more importantly your desired outcome. The Word template provided at the author's website is an awesome power tool, once you understand the concepts. ... Read more

Book Description

The authors of the New York Times bestseller Crucial Conversations show you how to achieve personal, team, and organizational success by healing broken promises, resolving violated expectations, and influencing bad behavior

Discover skills to resolve touchy, controversial, and complex issues at work and at home--now available in this follow-up to the internationally popular Crucial Conversations.

Behind the problems that routinely plague organizations and families, you'll find individuals who are either unwilling or unable to deal with failed promises. Others have broken rules, missed deadlines, failed to live up to commitments, or just plain behaved badly--and nobody steps up to the issue. Or they do, but do a lousy job and create a whole new set of problems. Accountability suffers and new problems spring up. New research demonstrates that these disappointments aren't just irritating, they're costly--sapping organizational performance by twenty to fifty percent and accounting for up to ninety percent of divorces.

Crucial Confrontations teaches skills drawn from 10,000 hours of real-life observations to increase confidence in facing issues like:

• An employee speaks to you in an insulting tone that crosses the line between sarcasm and insubordination. Now what?
• Your boss just committed you to a deadline you know you can't meet--and not-so-subtly hinted he doesn't want to hear complaints about it.
• Your son walks through the door sporting colorful new body art that raises your blood pressure by forty points. Speak now, pay later.
• An accountant wonders how to step up to a client who is violating the law. Can you spell unemployment?
• Family members fret over how to tell granddad that he should no longer drive his car. This is going to get ugly.
• A nurse worries about what to say to an abusive physician. She quickly remembers "how things work around here" and decides not to say anything.

Everyone knows how to run for cover, or if adequately provoked, step up to these confrontations in a way that causes a real ruckus. That we have down pat. Crucial Confrontations teaches you how to deal with violated expectations in a way that solves the problem at hand, and doesn't harm the relationship--and in fact, even strengthens it.

Crucial Confrontations borrows from twenty years of research involving two groups. More than 25,000 people helped the authors identify those who were most influential during crucial confrontations. They spent 10,000 hours watching these people, documented what they saw, and then trained and tested with more than 300,000 people. Second, they measured the impact of crucial confrontations improvements on organizational and team performance--the results were immediate and sustainable: twenty to fifty percent improvements in measurable performance.

Reviews (1)

the best
the best economics book i've had so far. IT's easy to understand but filled with TONS of great information.IT all makes sense with the historical examples and also has insight on the future.A must read! ... Read more

Book Description

Ask the successful CEOs of major corporations, entrepreneurs, top salespeople, and pastors what characteristic is most needed for success in leadership positions, and they’ll tell you—it’s the ability to work with people.

Some people are born with great relationship skills, but those who are not can learn to improve them. In Winning with People Maxwell has translated decades of experience into 25 People Principles that anyone can learn.

Maxwell has divided the People Principles in this book according to the questions we must ask ourselves if we want to win with people:

• Readiness: Are we prepared for relationships?
• Connection: Are we willing to focus on others?
• Trust: Can we build mutual trust?
• Investment: Are we willing to invest in others?
• Synergy: Can we create a win-win relationship?

Each section contains guiding People Principles. Some are intuitive, such as The Lens Principle: Who We Are Determines How We See Others. Others may go against your instincts, such as The Confrontation Principle: Caring for People Should Precede Confronting People. All of them are 100 percent practical!

Book Description

This is a "must have" for anyone whose job requires writing clear, professional reports, memos, e-mail, or letters.Helps readers refine their existing communications skills while learning how to communicate effectively via various mediums, including the Internet and other technologies. Listening, working in teams, and understanding nonverbal communication are also covered and a handy appendix includes grammar and usage fundamentals.For readers in all levels of business interested in improving their communications skills. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great for reference
Although I owned the 6th edition, I can say this book is a must have for everyone. Actually I was a silent person and everytime I wanted to talk, I was a bit trouble sometimes, and this book has help me communicating easier, whether it is business or general.

With this book, started with easy to understand short-theory, move into non-verbal communications, divided by step-by-step preparations, suggestions, how-to-practice, then into verbal communications with letters, from routine & persuasive messages into how to deliver bad news (one of the hardest task), how to create report, how to make visual aids, how to make presentations, and how to make a job letter.

One of greatest feature is it provides many sample letters include few other culture or other countries' style letters, and along with it, there's a reason why he or she write that. There's also some tips how to write in e-mail, or make recorded voice for telephone systems.

This is a must have for everyone, include those who never attended this lecture.

Buisness Communication today
This is a fantastic book. It can be used for reference at home and at work. It helped me fine tune my job resume and also helps in communications between companies at work. Keep this book, you never know when you need a letter format or an outline for some other form of written communication.

Comprehensive and easy to understand
This book is really good to help me understand my course. It was well developed and accounted for basic skills needed for people to develop their skills. It was full of useful, colourful illustrations and easy to comprehend. The exercises were excellent and it did make me really able to detect my mistakes. The book would be helpful for future references (example: attending interviews, writing letters). I wouldn't even trade this book with another since I found it will help me to improve my skills in communicating and writing.

The only complete book of business communication
I did enjoy every page of this book, although I haven't read all of them. It's more an encyclopedia, which you may use in your day-to-day business, than something you will read straight through over the weekend. Very valuable and up-to-date were the chapters about intercultural and e-mail communication. Strong recommendation. ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling book captures the dynamics of business communication as no other on the market does. It presents the subject in a fascinating way, powerfully stimulating and motivating readers; this book gives the foundation for excellent, effective, and practical business communication. By offering “On the Job” simulations that feature actual companies, readers apply business communication concepts to real situations and sharpen their problem-solving skills.Incorporating a three-step approach to writing (planning, writing, and completing business messages), Excellence in Business Communication covers letters, memos, e-mail and other brief messages, reports and oral presentations, and employment messages (including resumes and application letters).With its helpful appendices and a “Handbook of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage,” this a must-have desk reference for anyone responsible for writing business letters, e-mail, memos, and reports. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful reference book
I use this book for my primary text in a Business and Professional Communication class that I teach. The students like how the book is organized; I appreciate the examples that we can use in class for discussion.

Beyond that, the AIDA approach to business writing is clear and easy to use once students get the hang of it. My students' major project is to work with an organization in solving a communication problem, they are responsible for writing memos and reports to both the client and me.

However, I guess that the biggest endorsement is the number of students who do not resell this book at the end of the semester. I have had several tell me that this is one of the few books that they will take with them when they graduate because they view it as a good reference book.

Full of It
This book is choc-full of useful techniques for good, solid business communication. The samples are well thought-out and are very true to life. However, the questions, especially the ethics questions do not have any answers provided. Even the instructor copy doesn't have any of the answers, so effectively it boils down to your opinions and whether or not you can defend them. Yee Hah, just like real life.

it is a very good book for a beginning student of BBA OR MB
i am feeling difficulty to understand terminology(glossary required at the end of book) i think all the supported material like test bank or software must be attached with this book in form of CD(ROM) ... Read more

Book Description

Ole!

If you think you smell something at work, there's probably good reason -- "bull" has become the official language of business. Every day, we get bombarded by an endless stream of filtered, antiseptic, jargon-filled corporate speak, all of which makes it harder to get heard, harder to be authentic, and definitely harder to have fun.

But it doesn't have to be that way. The team that brought you the Clio Award-winning Bullfighter software is back with an entertaining, bare-knuckled guide to talking straight--for those who want to climb the corporate ladder, but refuse to check their personality at the door.

Why Business People Speak Like Idiots exposes four traps that transform us from funny, honest and engaging weekend people into boring business stiffs:

• The Obscurity Trap: "After extensive analysis of the economic factors facing our industry, we have concluded that a restructuring is essential to maintaining competitive position. A task force has been assembled..." These are the empty calories of business communication. And, unfortunately, they're the rule. The Obscurity Trap catches idiots desperate to sound smart or prove their purpose, and lures them with message-killers like jargon, long-windedness, acronyms, and evasiveness.

• The Anonymity Trap: Businesses love clones--easy to hire, easy to manage, easy to train, easy to replace--and almost everyone is all too happy to oblige. We outsource our voice through templates, speechwriters and email, and cave in to conventions that aren't really even rules.

• The Hard-Sell Trap: Legions of business people fall prey to the Hard-Sell Trap. We overpromise. We accentuate the positive and pretend the negative doesn't exist. This may work for those pushing Ginsu knives and miracle Abdominizers, but it's dead wrong for persuading business people to listen.

• The Tedium Trap: Everyone you work with thinks about sex, tells stories, gets caught up in life's amazing details, and judges everyone else by the way they look and act. We live to be entertained. We all learned that in Psychology 101, except for the business idiots who must have skipped that semester. They tattoo their long executive-sounding titles on their foreheads, dump pre-packaged numbers on their audience, and virtually guarantee that we want nothing to do with them.

This is your wake-up call. Personality, humanity and candor are being sucked out of the workplace. Let the wonks send their empty messages. Yours are going to connect.

Fast Company magazine named Why Business People Speak Like Idiots one of the ideas and trends that will change how we work and live in 2005.

So grab your cape and sharpen your sword. It's time to fight the bull! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful
The title of this book should be: Why Business People Speak Like Idiots: And How To Overcome Sounding Like One Yourself.

I'm saying this because the title doesn't accurately describe how many great recommendations and ideas the book contains, for improving communicating, influencing, and relationship building skills. This book is chock full of ideas to strengthen verbal, written and presentation approaches. After reading this book you'll never again sit through another jargon-filled, tedious meeting or presentation without harkening back to the concise, crisp ideas set forth in this book.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Excellent book! Its about time someone cut thru the esoteria
How many times have you read a phrase in a book, financial report, consultant's report, or technical journal that, when you finished, you asked, "What did that just say?" If this esoteric jargon drives you nuts, and makes you wonder why the author uses these terms/phrases, then WHY BUSINESS PEOPLE SPEAK LIKE IDIOTS: A BULLFIGHTERS GUIDE is a book to read. IDIOTS calls to task the disingenuous garbage many corporate types call "reporting." Many just wanting to get by will drink the koolaid and allow these items to pass without exception.

Fugere, Hardaway, Warshawsky are three consultants, "addicts" if you will, who have decided to get off the jargon-riddled bandwagon. They detail how generic corporate atmospheres have mutated business from one of communication and meaning to one of faux intellectual elitism. Those deriding this seemingly overwhelming problem have found that speaking to the masses is much easier when one tries NOT to speak Greek.

The three authors, in an effort to spread the word virally, have created a software program called, appropriately, Bullfighter. The purpose of the program is to scour MS Word and PowerPoint documents to rid them of "jargon-mania."

Every profession creates its own jargon so insiders can discuss their livelihoods in a form of esoteric shorthand. However, jargon becomes a problem when it is used to lord over others or make them feel inferior, Warshawsky said.

The authors have studied the reception to their concept by setting up shop in an ever-busy Starbucks to take a simple survey. They showed patrons one of two actual company writing samples: one was jargon-less, while the other was the typical junk-filled jargon-based smoke and mirrors. The authors asked the patrons to assign adjectives to each communiqué. The jargon-laden sample consistently earned words like "rude and obnoxious" while the clearly written one was called "energetic" and "friendly." 'Nuff said.

In sum, this book cuts directly to the chase of the confusing, mind-numbing rhetoric, and offers an alternative. As one who reads legal and financial documents for a living, this book fits the bill, and none too soon. If you read these types of documents in your work or are just tired of the insanity of double-speak, pick this book up and read it.

Highly recommended.

Great gift for your clients and collegues who are full of it
Easy and fun read on bull... more than just bull actually. Great insight into how things work in corporate america and how bull has affected so much of our lives. Great analogies and comparisons from current events makes the book an interesting and easy read.

This book will make a great gift for your clients, collegues, bosses and others who are full of it and you just can't tell them "Don't gimme none o' that jibba-jabba!".

Finally - it's OK to be "normal" at work...
Read the book cover to cover and have it sitting on my desk (I'm in Human Resources) for my colleauges to pick up, peruse, commit to memory etc.This book could not come at a better time, when being genuine and authentic in this world is so important.People want to forge real and effective connections at work - we spend a lot of time here.When there is a lack of bull, it's amazing how much you can get done.I am recommending our leaders across the company be given the book to read, as well as our new hires.Long live the bullfighters!

A Refreshing Look at Business
I found this book both enjoyable and useful for any businessperson. After reading the authors witty and candid views on business communications, I think of this book before every speaking/writing opportunity I have on a daily basis. I also appreciated the use of humor and the role it plays in making work a more personal and genuine place. The authors advocate a refreshing return to simplicity, which is long overdue inside of all our organizations. Do yourself a favor, read this and get a copy for your co-workers! ... Read more

Book Description

This Sixth Edition of Business and Administrative Communication by Kitty Locker is a true leader in the business communications field. Beyond covering the broad scope of topics in both oral and written business communication, Locker’s text uses a student-friendly writing style and strong design element to hold student attention. Real-world examples and real business applications underscore the relevance and importance of the material presented to the classroom experience and to the students’ careers. Kitty Locker’s text also conveys the best possible advice to students through its research base; the author’s reputation as a contributor to this field of study lends an even greater element of teachability and relevance to this market-leading title. Locker continues to lead the pack with innovative technology offerings – the BComm Skill Booster, PowerWeb, and the Toolbox CD-ROM – round out the learning experience with Business and Administrative Communication. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good Communication good business
A good primer for a student or review for the experienced manager who wants to hone communications skills.It includes information and exercises on just about every mode and type of communication.I will not give it 4 stars as the web site does not have much worth looking at and the CD is pretty useless as well.

Effective Business Writing Text
Kitty Locker's Business and Administrative Communication, 5th ed. is the most considerate educational text I've reviewed for my business writing course. My classes typically include upper level English majors, but it is not uncommon for business majors and ESL students to register too. This student diversity usually presents difficulties because their writing abilities vary tremendously. Thankfully, I found Locker's text. It provides examples of real-life business writing and Internet communication situations highlighted with graphics, sidebars, tables and pictures colorfully presented. This textual consideration, I found, enables students to grasp both the theory and the reality of business communication outside their academic walls.

business communication
it's good!But I don't know if it's true

Locker provides quality advice on business communication.
Kitty Locker's latest edition of Business and Administrative Communicationincludes the writing basics as well excellent information on usingelectronic media.The strongest part of this book? The examples.Theyreliably demonstrate the principles she introduces.Although expensive, Ibelieve this book provides excellent value.I use it in a junior-levelcollege business communication class. ... Read more

Book Description

In today's fast-paced networked economy, professionals must work harder than ever to maintain and improve their business skills and knowledge. But technical mastery of one's discipline is not enough, assert world-renowned professional advisors David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford. The key to professional success, they argue, is the ability to earn the trust and confidence of clients. To demonstrate the paramount importance of trust, the authors use anecdotes, experiences, and examples -- successes and mistakes, their own and others' -- to great effect. The result is an immensely readable book that will be welcomed by the inexperienced advisor and the most seasoned expert alike. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Don't waiste your money
I found this book too broad, although it gives some examples, and tries to use some formulas to figure out how much your client trust you, nothing scientificly proven. As a matter of fact this book is useless if you studied or read a lot about organizational behavior and HR management. This book talks about the relationship between consultant and his customer, how important it is to listen, talk and respect your customer, but a lot of it is common sense. Also talks about team work. However if someone is not familiar with Org Behavior and HR, it is a good book for a start.

More than an Advisor
An experienced colleague recommended this book to me at a conference. The title simply does not do this book justice but I bought it anyway. If you ever wondered how some consultants and professionals do such a good job obtaining and keeping clients, then READ THIS BOOK.

I have recommended this book to all my clients and they agree. More importantly, very few so-called "advisors" do what this book explains clearly. Tremendous resource for any professional but many very powerful techniques to help you close contracts without sounding like a used car salesman. The case studies and examples hit home and force you to stop and think about your own style.

For Your Arsenal
Whether you are in sales, are an attorney, or providing any kind service or intangible, this is a great book. If you think you've read all the client oriented, consulting oriented "sales and success" books - but haven't read this ... then you are never going to be at the top of your field. This book is about bringing real authenticity to the relationships with your clients. Client executives can smell a sneak or a fraud a mile away. Today, business is more competitive than ever, making losing a client relationship a crime. Knowing how to keep a client, build a relationship and continue nuturing it, is an art. Maister points to great examples and gets you to thinking ... "if only I'd done that ..." or "next time I'll ...". This is a thinking persons book, one to be reviewed over again through the course of your career, but only if you want to be among the "trusted few" with seasoned, senior executives. Other great books along this line I recommend are: any of Maisters books, Patrick McKenna's material (see their web pages too), and Clients for Life by Andrew Sobel.

Maister is the Master
My introduction to David Maister came from the former managing director of Burson-Marteller's Tokyo office, who recommended True Professionalism. That book became one of the "required readings" for my training company's staff. Since True Professionalism, I've read Managing the Professional Service Firm and found it heavy, over-detail-oriented and difficult to apply. Now comes The Trusted Advisor (with other authors) and I can say without a doubt this best book on trust development I've read--putting real meat in those abstract concepts like "credibility." His chapter where he introduces the equation where Trust = Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy, all divided by Self-orientation, would be worth the price of the book. No, there probably is nothing new under the sun, but Maister in this book (and in Practice What You Preach, another gem) provides the keys to create better results for clients, and shows us how to turn those keys to start the engine. If there were 10 stars to give, I'd rate this a 10.

An easy to understand look at difficult topic.
Here is a good book, that clearly and accurately describes how to master a difficult skill. As an IT consultant I found this book to be immediately helpful in furthering my consulting skills.

This book takes the reader through the entire process of moving from "Subject Matter Expert" to Trusted Advisor. It accurately describes the benefits of this role for any professional rendering services. This might help one to justify training in this area to one's superiors.

I was continually impressed with the how the book dealt with the topic of honesty. Clearly we all strive to be trustworthy, however when that alone is the goal one might be prone to dishonesty to create an illusion for the client to trust. I felt this book gave real guidance on how to proceed, without having to walk a fine line.

I find this book to be of most value to an experienced professional/consultant, looking to hone an skill. It is of less value (but certainly some value) to new-comer to these types of skills. A better book for a new-comer would be "Managing the Professional Services Firm" by David Maister. That said, this book is worth much more than ~[price], buy it. ... Read more

Book Description

Like other aspects of business, good advertising is the result of hard work and careful planning.Creating good advertising is an enormous challenge. Imaginative and refreshingly honest, Advertising 3e continues the tradition of providing readers with a solid understanding of advertising strategy. The table of contents is designed to follow the same process that advertising agencies follow. ... Read more

Book Description

This text-workbook is a streamlined, no-nonsense approach to business communication. It takes a three-in-one approach: (1) text, (2) practical workbook, and (3) self-teaching grammar/mechanics handbook. The chapters reinforce basic writing skills, then apply these skills to a variety of memos, letters, reports, and resumes. This new edition features increased coverage of contemporary business communication issues including oral communication, electronic forms of communication, diversity and ethics. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book for college and your career
Finally, a complete text that is always useful. I have read this book over and over... each time learning something new. It's great if you need a complete and extensive description or a quick overview. This book will go from your college backpack to the desk of your new exciting job!

An Excellent Guide to Business Writing
This book is an excellent tool for writing, especially for the non-native English writer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a study guide with many examples that have been updated for the current business environment. The numerous samples and the grammar review are very helpful for studying the fundamentals. This book is extremely relevant in a business world crowded with a cornucopia of poor writing, misspelling, and incorrect grammar usage. My heartfelt thanks to Ms. Guffey for writing such an excellent guide. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Good Textbook for the Subject
While the title implies this is a good book for college writing, I found it lacking in that area. But the workplace side is well represented and thoroughly documented with examples and sidenotes "From the Workplace."

It is a practical, if somewhat dry, text that is very good at teaching business writing and presentations. ... Read more

Book Description

Business Communication: Process and Product, 4e takes readers through a well-developed, consistently applied process approach to communication that is combined with integrated, hands-on application of current and emerging business technologies. Readers learn a process for solving future communication problems, and how to use Internet and electronic media to deliver their message, resulting in a tangible communication strategy they can use throughout their careers. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Unless you have no common sense, dont get this book
Wow, talk about an insult to intelligence. When you read this book you say "Duh" as you read it. The online quizes coulde be helpful, but using a character called "Answer Man" makes you feel like you are in first grade. If you really feel you need help with your writing skills, don't get this book. Try something else, anything else, but this book.

STUDY GUIDE! NOT A TEXT BOOK!
I wish I would've read the last review before ordering this product. This is a STUDY GUIDE, which usually comes FREE WITH purchase of the $... TEXT BOOK in book stores. Don't be mislead by thinking you're getting a great deal on a text book. It's not the real thing.

Feedback from Author
Dear Amazon:

The book you list here is the Student Study Guide to accompany my hardbound textbook BUSINESS COMMUNICATION: PROCESS AND PRODUCT. By listing this "paperback" at $26.95 and by not identifying it as the Student Study Guide, you are misleading readers. They think that a paperbound version of the complete book is available. Not true! Please identify the $26.95 book as Student Study Guide to accompany BC:PP. Thanks!

Informative and helpful
When I took my first writing class in college, I was pretty sure I knew everything about writing. This book proved me wrong. Yes, it is quite big and there is so much to learn, but the exercises at the end of each chapter are very helpful. I learned how to write all kinds of business letters. Not only was the book helpful for my business relations, it also taught me how to improve my everday writing skills. The author had some great examples as to what we should and should not do. I highly recommend it. Buy the paperback edition. It will be a lot easier to carry.

The No. 1 Business Communication book:More than just Print
If your teaching a Business Communication course, this is the book that will enable you to concentrate on your students learning rather than preparing materials. The sixteen chapters contain all the learning activities necessary for a very signifacant and long life skills your students need to compete in todays' digital communication environment. A chapter on culture and ethics is included which is useful for students who will someday compete in the Global Market. It contains excellent resources, computerized test bank, videos, colored transparecies, on line information, and others.The book is extremely useful for doing semester portfolios because of all the realistic case studies from reknowned companies. This is more than a book, it is the innovative communication knowledge that our college students need to survive in the complex information era. Your students won't regrete the investment. ... Read more

Book Description

This text presents balanced treatment of both the theory and applications of managerial communication.Content includes strong coverage of ethics, cross-cultural communication and the newest technological influences in communication.Unique, practical chapters on visual support of written and oral presentations are provided in addition to coverage on how to write and deliver a case analysis, meeting management, and report writing.Strong integrated coverage of technology continues throughout this edition.While communication concepts remain largely the same -- the technology that is used to communicate has changed and these changes are reflected in the fifth edition.Coverage of listening skills, intercultural communication, e-plagiarism, developing PowerPoint presentations, and writing instructions has been extensively enhanced. ... Read more

Book Description

Organize a powerful, effective business presentation and deliver it with style! Say it with Presentations helps you define why you're giving the presentation and the audience you need to convince. This compelling, comprehensive presentation toolkit tells you when, why, and how to use humor, and, yes, silence to get your points across...how to make the most of visuals...set up facilities and equipment...and rehearse to communicate your confidence, conviction and enthusiasm, and much, much more.

Reviews (6)

Not With It
This book is more in tune with older thought on delivering presentations than it is with today. I also found the hand drawings of trying to make putting winning graphics together as child's play somewhat silly. There are many other better books out there, such as "Presentation Skills for Managers" that are more in tune with the times, and less like treating the reader as a child. I found Mr. Zelazny's other book "Say It With Charts" to be more useful.

Successful Presentations
This book is the best and gave me valuable tips to make effective presentation. Knowing how to communicate effectively, I can improve my teaching style. When I translate text pages into a brief presentation visual, my creativity enhance.

Reccomend highly
If you have to do presentations, chances are you don't have much time to wade through literature about how. Many books exist on the subject; this has got to be one of the best - covers basically all you need to know about How and Why rather than What. Zelazny helps the reader to find his/her own way, which is ultimately better than being spoon fed as in the disappointingly dry "McGraw-Hill One Day Workshop on Presentation Skills"

Buy this book if you rely on giving presentations for your job. Even if you are facing a one-off crisis presentation, this book can be read fast enough to offer concrete help immediately.

Oh - it's fun an humorous too. But a bit expensive.

Useful, but just for beginners
I am a strategic consultant and I founded the book too simple. It is highly recomended (together with "Say it with charts") if you are brand new in a consultancy firm or, because of your job, you occasionally have to do professional presentations and you want to acquire a basic methodology. It is a good book for starters, but presentations is kind of an art and it is a skill difficult to get.

Real help for you, the presenter
Say It With Presentations steps beyond the "How to give a speech" story of its peers. Gene shows us what works, why it works, and, most importantly, how we can all make it work. I have not seen a better book for giving business presentations than this and don't expect to find one.

The secret is simplicity.

Following his own advice, Gene makes the book simple and has simple examples and arguments for ideas that are soooooo tempting to complicate.

This is not a book to read. It is a manual to review, a guide to follow, a resource for self help, and a reminder of the rights of the audience.

Most importantly, it is fun to refer back to constantly both before and after presentations. ... Read more

Book Description

How one tough cop became one tough businessman.

Bo Dietl is a legend in the New York City Police Department. His hardheaded attitude and never-give-up ethic of crime fighting earned him a reputation as a man to be respected-and not to be taken lightly. After retiring from the force in 1985, Dietl went into business for himself as a security consultant and built an international company worth millions. Here, in his own inimitable style, Bo Dietl shows how, through smart networking, anyone can make it just as big as he did.

Using examples from his own vast experience in dealing with business friends and foes in a variety of situations-including his "lunchatation situations," where personal connections and opportunity can come together in any setting-Dietl tells how knowing what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and who to say it to can count more than anything when it comes to success in the winner-take-all arena of big business. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Exceptional Networking Guide
I fashion myself an excellent networker, but I garnered a great deal of new information from Bo Dietl's book.It's easy to read, and hits the main points about how important appearance, loyalty, personal connections, listening ability and accessibility are.Unfortunately, the CD that came with my book did not work, but the stories within the text are terrific.I love Bo's story about a CEO with unshined shoes, and the CEO for whom Bo secured a job, who more or less forgot about Bo once the job was secured.I also enjoyed the 50th Birthday rendition to "My Way."

Dietl Worships Himself
Dietl probably has a nude portrait of h