Book Description

Boogie the caveman is on a quest to understand how his people have become stuck in beliefs that drastically limit their ability to share insights and make progress. Join his hilarious journey of discovery and learn how to surface, share, and challenge your own and others' hidden beliefs and to recognize how they inform--and often misinform--what we do. With its engaging use of metaphor and detailed discussion guide, Shadows of the Neanderthal is a must-have resource for any organization on its own quest for clear and open communication. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Pocket Wisdom
Simple, yet powerful. A fun way to learn and very effective for group discussion.

An excellent resource!
I really enjoyed this book! The author's clever sense of humor and the great illustrations make a difficult subject--mental models--fun and easy to learn about. I think the book would help any company, family, or even couple get better at exploring why they think the way they do, and how to communicate better with colleagues and loved ones. The discussion guide at the end of the book makes it easy to start using the ideas in your day-to-day life.

Should be required reading if responsible for company growth
David Hutchens brings new insight and twists to an age old metaphor. This book begins with a humorous tale whose analogy, to the world in which we live and the mental models which we hold, will hit you between the eyes. The writer quickly points out problems every organization battles with to improve performance and grow. While the business culture has become so overwhelmed with change, many leaders have embraced their current state of affairs. Holding tight to what we have, we spend much of our energy trying not to lose market share. This book gives insight into why and when this happens and how to move from there. "In a world of chaotic information, the mind instantly locks onto that which it already knows--and simply filters out other data." (from Shadows of the Neanderthal) I'm glad I bought it. Thom Hazelip, Arthur Andersen LLP ... Read more

Book Description

Entrepreneurs, managers, parents, teachers, and—at some point—everyone have to explain goals and intentions to another person in order to enlist help in achieving them. Too often, those brilliant explanations fall on seemingly deaf ears. They just don't get it! Instead of blaming them, this book counsels readers to look within, and shows that "their" problem is often "our" problem. Using the popular parable format, and illustrated with clever line drawings, They Just Don't Get It! gives knowledgeable, down-to-earth behavioral suggestions for opening communication, achieving goals, and building teams. Offering insight into the reasons ideas aren't implemented in an expected manner, the book provides the reader with personal insight into how to become a better communicator of ideas and an inspired motivator of people, both personally and professionally. Includes black-and-white illustrations throughout. ... Read more

Book Description

If you're aware of the tremendous improvements achieved inproductivity and quality as a result of employee involvement, thenyou'll appreciate the great value of creating a visual factory. Thisbook shows how visual management can make the factory a place whereworkers and supervisors freely communicate and take improvement action.It details how to develop meeting and communication areas, communicatework standards and instructions, use visual production controls such askanban, and make goals and progress visible. Includes more than 200diagrams and photos. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Way to Improve Quality & Productivity
I think this easy to read book is a must for all the industry sectors. It illustrates visual management (or visual communication; VC) as a very important issue to boosting the factorys' or companys' productivity through increasing the effectiveness of the employees' from head management to the shop floor workers by the effective sharing of information and by encouraging the workers to participate in developing these information. In addition; VC helps in building a sense of belonging to the factory or company within the workers themselves which will work in the factory (company) best interest.

The book introduces guide lines for applying the VC. I think that the real cases covered along with the many different graphs and pictures really helped in clearing out many points.

I own 33 copies and use it as a text for day-long workshops.
This is a very readable and credible work. Chapter six on visual process indicators is my favorite. It was an a-ha moment for me!! ... Read more

Book Description

Dealing with your ex-husband, who can't seem to show up reliably for weekends with the kids; navigating a workplace fraught with office politics or racial tensions; saying "I'm sorry" or "I love you".

We all have difficult conversations, no matter how confident or competent we are. And too often, no matter what we try, things don't go well. Should you say what you're thinking and risk starting a fight? Swallow your views and feel like a doormat? Or should you let them have it? But--what if you're wrong?

Difficult Conversations shows you a way out of this dilemma; it teaches you how to handle even the toughest conversations more effectively and with less anxiety. Based on fifteen years of work at Harvard Negotiation Project and consultations with thousands of people, the authors answer the question:When people confront the conversations they dread the most, what works?

Difficult Conversations walks you through a proven, concrete, step-by-step approach for understanding and conducting tough conversations. It shows you how to get ready, how to start the conversations in ways that reduce defensiveness, and how to keep the conversation on a constructive track regardless of how the other person responds.

Whether you're dealing with your baby-sitter or biggest client, your boss or your brother-in-law, Difficult Conversations can help.
... Read more

Reviews (73)

Difficult Conversions
Stone, Patton and Bruce have written a very useful and critical work on the dynamics of all conversations - the ones we've had and regret; the ones we don't have, because they seem too risky; and the ones we need to have to enhance our personal and professional relationships. They argue that there are three categories of conversations, which encompass every aspect of what transpires in our daily exchanges. They are: (1) The "what happened?" conversation (2) The feelings conversation and (3) The identity conversation. We can become more skilled and efficient in our conversations, if we begin to check our often flawed assumptions about what happened, how we're feeling and how our self-perceptions impact our understanding of what others say. Typically, we assume we are right and others are wrong, we assume the intentions of others, we don't treat feelings as facts, and we associate our identities too closely with the contexts of specific conflicts. To have productive difficult conversations, we need to change the way we talk to ourselves and how we approach our communications with others.

One can't help wondering, however, if the only people reading this book are already self-actualized or so well on their way that they are, in fact, the best communicators among us. The authors' failed to address the lingering doubt left with the critical, reflective reader: that most difficult conversations are the fruits of difficult people, who, unless they read this book, have little capacity or motivation to be anything but difficult. In any case, Difficult Conversations is mostly devoted to explaining and analyzing the three conversations and how one can use these categories to have more productive exchanges. The book has many useful graphic organizers, including a checklist and a roadmap for engaging in difficult conversations.

In effect, Stone and his colleagues argue that we must shift from a perspective of "knowing" to "learning". Meaningful conversations can take place when we don't permit our assumptions to rule the moment, rather when we take control by being curious, open, and self-aware. To find out what happened, we need to explore each other's stories, separate intent from impact, abandon the blame framework, and to consider all conflicts as a system ("the contribution system"), to which every party has contributed in some way. They argue that the blame framework is a clue that feelings are playing a significant role in a conflict. Feelings often get translated into judgements, attributions, characterizations, or solutions. The key to managing feelings is to treat them as facts by acknowledging them, and considering how they are part of the problem and exploring them fully. All too often our feelings emerge from the sense that our identity is somehow at stake. Most of us frame our identities around one or all of three core themes: competence, virtue, or worthiness. When we feel any of these is questioned, we revert to fight or flight. We can best manage the identity issue by understanding ourselves as complex, by knowing we make mistakes, by acknowledging that our intentions are not simple, and by recognizing that all parties contribute to problems. The "learning" must begin within ourselves before we can understand issues or problems with others.

We can affect our own conversational "learning" by engaging in "the third story" conversation, which requires us to consider how a third party would describe and analyze the situation. This sets up a process of internal dialogue, which is necessary to check our own perceptions, feelings, and interests. Further, the authors encourage listening from the inside out, speaking for yourself, and taking the initiative. While the book combines theory, examples, and description, it is also a very handy guide to improving one's communication style in the workplace or at home.

very highly recommended
When I first picked up this book, I wasn't very optimistic about its content. I've got a rather solid background in conflict resolution and communication, have even taught courses in listening and small group communication. I assumed the book would be more of the same -- here's where you should nod, here's how you reflect, etc.

I was pleased to find that I had misjudged the authors. Reading this book and truly incorporating its advice and philosophies can be a life-changing experience. The content here goes beyond technique and finds firm ground (surprisingly) in speaking about inner issues that arise during difficult conversations -- and it manages to do so without coming off as didactic or flakey. In fact, I would have to say that this is the first "self-help" book that didn't make me a little squirmy and rebellious -- I soaked up the information and found myself relying on the content in real life on a daily basis, and right away.

I also have found myself evangelizing the book to a great extent, and have recommended it to friends I know who are having difficulty with family members, bosses, their children their neighbors -- as well as to a number of my clients who have expressed difficulty in managing up and/or down.

There's something of value for just about anyone here -- even if you are already well-versed in communication and negotiation skills.

Concepts and techniques that work
I find this book to be helpful because I have had a life-long struggle with difficult conversations. The section about understanding what is said and unsaid is a key piece of information which has given me greater awareness. The procedures require commitment and practice. Don't expect to get it right the first time or every time. I put an extra piece of information into practice every few days. I would also recommend another book, Crucial Conversations for another perspective on emotionally charged conversations, and Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self to learn how to make the most of any situation.

Too obvious...what we need is a difficult relationships book
The stuff in this book should be obvious to most reasonable people. If you're having problems at this level, you still have a long way to go in terms of dealing with truly difficult situations. Seeing so many people liking books like this gets me worried... (Is it just me who feels like I'm back in kindergarten when I take these corporate self improvement classes (come on, be honest now).)

If you can generally gather the gumption to talk with people through awkward issues, this book will not help.

My really difficult issues in life are with severely complexed people who are either defensive to the point of being anti-social or with those who never learned the skill to listen. You know people like this, right? Their bad behavior inevitably drives away their friends and they often have trouble with their other family members.

I'm not saying that I'm always in the right when having difficult conversations with people like this. What I struggle with is dealing with really hard headed people, and this book only belabors obvious points like "there are two sides to every story" and "you have to try to stay reasonable if you care to get through".

Everything in the book is good, if that's what you want to learn about. I just found it too obvious, and it assumes the case where the other person is a relatively well adjusted person.

"A Dangerous book in the hands of morons"! (NY, USA)
Well the reviewer has got a great sense of humour! I was laughing my a*se off!

It sems so many people do not practice what they preach. This guy's bosses whoever they are or were seem to have 'lost the plot'.

Isn't it strange that the 'Golden Rule' in business I was taught is not often used. It is as my Mum still says, "Do as you would be done by". Very simple but common sense is not usually common action!

My invitation to this person is please make contact with me as I have some questions I'd like the writer to answer before I buy the book! Dear Amazon.com, can you arrange that? Give the writer my e-mail address please. ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you’re looking for a new job, leaving an old one, cold calling a new account, laying off a subordinate, confronting a back-stabber, dealing with sexual harassment, returning food in a restaurant, or calming an irate client, "Lifescripts tells you exactly how to do it and what to say. Each of the 101 dialogs provides you with an ice-breaker opener and a flow-chart of rejoinders to give to any potential response, positive or negative. Pointers on proper attitude, timing, preparation, and more are included. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Your #1 Reference for People
Take my advice and disregard any bad reviews of this book. First off, it comes with a CD that includes the entire book in PDF with every chapter and "people issue" listed for single-click access. That alone is worth the price! What I like most about the format is how the advice is laid out like a flowchart. It starts with what you might say. Then, depending on the person's response, your next response follows a certain path. And so on. It really is a great book; it's a shame that Amazon doesn't have the table of contents available for you to see the hundreds of different situations included. I learned more low-level information from this book that the $2600 Dale Carnegie course I took. Now that's a deal!

From the barren mind of a theorizing attorney...
...there comes a sheaf of 400 pages of nauseating corporate doublespeak diligently arranged as a collection of unlikely situational progressions. Here's how you go about "Correcting a Client's Behavior", you start by saying: "I need your help in restrategizing the way we approach this whole negotiation..." Er... restrate-what?

What a joke. If you ever speak to anyone in that dry and phony, clicheistic language you're going to succeed only in making a fool of yourself; and I'm not even mentioning any of the offered logical progressions, that can only have emerged from a sterile mind of a lethargically lucubrating lawyer in process of being frozen so as to save himself for posterity. My counter-advice would be to remain straight and honest when dealing with people, to speak simply, and above all, to avoid at all costs the stolid, inhumanely politically-correct, excessively roundabout and formulaic droning that Mr Pollan recommends in his book as the acme of human communication.

useful for difficult situations
This is an excellent book to keep in your collection for reference. You never know what difficult situations may arise, and this book gives example conversations for how to handle those situations.

Need a graceful way to get out of a situation?
I wish I'd read this book long before I had. The authors present you with some of life's stickiest situations and then tell you exactly how to handle it with words. What makes this book so invaluable is that the authors don't assume that the situation always involves bitterness--for example, their suggestions for leaving a job actually admit that it could just be a peaceful exit.

If you want to know how to disentangle yourself from an employer you're sure is going to hold a grudge, they give you elegant ways of telling your future employer about it. Use their method, and you won't sound whiny, belligerent, or even disgruntled! If anything, their methods make the former employer's words about you look questionable and stilted. I did use their ideas on this, and THEY WORKED.

To be brutally honest, this book is all about spin and the power it holds. So often in communication with one another, we forget that what we say is just as important as how we say it. In the age of emails and faxes, we're losing our manners and making unintentional enemies in the process. This book will re-educate you on the finer points of being nice and, dare I say it, being emotionally neutral.

The authors clearly illustrate that our emotions keep us from being objective about a situation, and this is why Lifescripts is so helpful. They teach you how to distance yourself just enough to see the whole picture and then give you the words/actions necessary to properly deal with the problem. They also teach about a long-forgotten nuance of communication--take a pause and think before you say it/do it/write it.

It's an excellent book that any manager, employee, or senior executive could easily benefit from, and I think it's even appropriate reading for high school age. Knowing when to say what can save you a lot of trouble...

I offered this book to my son before he left home forever
I will never forget that day. Before Charles closed his bag definitely, I gave it this book as a sacred testament. Everything is so well thought of; situations are so clearly described that you cannot make the usual mistakes: making confusions between symptoms and causes. Scenarios (scripts) are listed as alternatives one to each other. Solutions are clever and ethical. ... Read more

Book Description

GET YOUR LISTENER'S ATTENTION, KEEP HIS INTEREST, AND MAKE YOUR POINT -- ALL IN THIRTY SECONDS!

Milo Frank, America's foremost business communications consultant, shows you how to:

* Focus your objectives
* Utilize the "hook" technique
* Use the secrets of TV and advertising writers
* Tell terrific anecdotes that make your point
* Shine in meetings, question-and-answer sessions, and more!

Milo Frank's proven techniques give you the edge that successful people share -- the art of communicating quickly, precisely and powerfully! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Practical and Useful!
One of the most practical and helpful books I have read. I bought it on a whim because of the title. The author soon drew me into his topic and convinced me that if we have something worth saying, we must make sure that people hear it. Concise speach and writing helps that happen. As part of my job, I teach communication, especially public speaking and writing, to future missionaries. This book helped shape my teaching notes AND my delivery. I always recommend it to my trainees. None of them has ever been disappointed. Thank you, Milo O. Frank.

Highly Recommended!
Milo O. Frank shows step-by step how you can improve your communications skills by using a 30-second message. While we all often gab for minutes or hours, you should be able to get your point across within 30 seconds. The rest is simply preparation or follow-through. The techniques of crafting a 30-second message will help you focus your thinking, writing and speaking. Using these techniques, you can also be more effective in conducting meetings or speaking to groups. This skill will give you better all-around results in business. The technique has three main steps: identify your objective, know your listener and find the right approach. The author shows how to build the most effective message and then tells you how to present it to an audience. The last chapter shows how the 30-second message can be used in other forms of communication, from business letters to sales pitches and press conferences. We [...] recommend this clear, concise book for business people or professionals who want to get their ideas across more effectively, particularly in public speaking.

A Required Skill In This Day and Age...
Basically, it's turning your message into a commerical since the average person can only hold their attention for 30 seconds thanks to (M)TV. It's useful in getting a message across to individuals who either don't want to talk to you or are too busy quicky. It can be seen as "brute honesty" if it's news the individual doen't like to hear, especially, regarding personal performance.Could be very useful in sales and retail. The book uses the 3 Ks (KKK). Unfortunately, it's not a good (PC) memory aid. I perfer the 3 Cs. "Catch Em", "Ceep Em", "Convince Em". I love the saying "Talking to many is the same as talking to one."
Worth a look at about 110 pages. You can finish it in one sitting.

Cheaper than college credits!
This book is excellent. It's written for the average Joe; no technical jargon -- it can and should be used by everyone. It's a short and sweet read...brief and to the point, it can be read in approximately 1-2 hours. I'm a radio announcer, and this book is one of the top 5 that I insist other people read ... but get your own copy! In my opinion "How to get your point across in 30 seconds or less" is equal to AT THE VERY LEAST one half semester of a college course in Public Speaking 101.... and it's much cheaper! This book should be required reading for everyone who opens their mouth in public.

Good content - annoying audio production
While the content of the book is excellent, the production of the audio version is annoying. The clock ticking throughout examples, cheezy music, use of various voice-overs split through left right and channels, and other unneccessary audio gimics are really distracting, and actually make it more difficult to follow the dialog. While this type of format has long been the norm in business and non fiction audio productions in the 70's and 80's, I would expect a less annoying and updated format for an item produced in 1999. Read the book. Avoid the audio version. ... Read more

Book Description

Your project went off without a hitch--but somebody else got the credit...You averted a crisis brilliantly--but no one noticed...You came to the meeting with a sensational idea--but it was ignored until someone else said the same thing...

HOW CAN YOU GET CREDIT & GET AHEAD?

In her extraordinary international bestseller, You Just Don't Understand, Deborah Tannen transformed forever the way we look at intimate relationships between women and men. Now she turns her keen ear and observant eye toward the workplace--where the ways in which men and women communicate can determine who gets heard, who gets ahead, and what gets done.

An instant classic, Talking From 9 to 5 brilliantly explains women's and men's conversational rituals--and the language barriers we unintentionally erect in the business world. It is a unique and invaluable guide to recognizing the verbal power games and miscommunications that cause good work to be underappreciated or go unnoticed--an essential tool for promoting more positive and productive professional relationships among men and women. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A necessary read!
TALKING FROM 9 TO 5: WOMEN AND MEN AT WORK by Deborah Tannen is a book that everyone should read if he or she goes to work, anywhere. If you are a boss or have a boss, you should read this book (thank you Mom & Dad). If you work with other people, you should read this book. Now that I have stressed that, I will tell you more about the book's focus and the points Tannen makes very well. She is well known for her book, YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND, which I have not read, but which is about how relationship problems come about due to differing communication styles between women and men ("Report" talk by men vs. "rapport" talk by women -- women talk "troubles talk" to build community, when men hear this, they are more than likely to feel that the problems need solving and will say what to do; this creates dissonance as the woman just wants to feel understood not "bossed" around, and the man can't understand why she's telling him problems if she doesn't want solutions). This book takes those issues to work and through many examples from her own research and others in sociolinguistics, anthropology and sociology, Tannen makes the point that different communication styles are problematic only when people don't understand them, that there is no "better" way to talk than another. Tannen made a fascinating point about communication styles and conversation rituals. She writes that people think they can tell when someone is lying to them, but research shows that really, people are not good at discerning this. In a similar way, we think we can tell if someone is confident and a good leader by the way they talk, but we can't. A woman, who raises the tone of her statements to sound like questions, who gives indirect orders and who seeks input before making decisions may often be assumed to be weaker than a man in a similar role, but her conversation rituals are not a true mark of who she is; they are the communication style that she was more likely than not socialized to use as a woman. Likewise, men are assumed to want the floor and command, when sometimes they would rather not take it. Tannen gives evidence on how difficult it is for women to be heard in meetings, and provides anthropological studies that show that as far back as age 3, boys listen to boys and girls listen to girls at play, but boys do not listen to girls, and may ignore and insult them when they pipe up to direct activities. This book is not a polemic against men or masculine styles. Tannen finds that most communication styles are appropriate in many instances. There is more than one way to get the job done, and sometimes, a masculine style is better than a feminine style, and sometimes the opposite is true, but she makes it very clear that a lack of that understanding can be detrimental to organizations because of erroneous assumptions made about people's abilities based on their conversational style. One of her overriding points, born out by her research, is that women tend to talk to build community and do nont like to stand out for accomplishments or for failures in a group. They will engage in ritual talk that seeks inclusion so as to maintain good feeling among the group, not because they are insecure and need to feel that no one dislikes them. Men, on the other hand, tend to engage in one-up talk, are more sensitive to being one down, and will take the lead to avoid being bested. (When a woman who is trying to build community is "one-upped" by a man who takes her ritualistic talk and her willingness to put herself down to create harmony, she feels "betrayed" by his spurning of her communal talk to take the upper hand. Who is "right?" Neither, but their reactions to the same conversation may be very different and in some cases, harmful to the organization.) This book really changed the way I think about organizational life, the assumptions that I draw, the way I have communicated with people who worked for me, and what I will strive to do in the future. Even if you don't read the whole thing, buy it and keep it around. The last chapter, "Who gets heard" is especially instructive, and the afterword is a great essay on the issue with justification for her methods and theories. I think this book would be perfect for anyone who reports to someone of the opposite gender or who is the boss of same. But because the standards for styles are not entirely gender based, I would, again, suggest this book to EVERYONE.

Thought-provoking and helpful
This book makes me acutely conscious of the way I communicate with other people, both women and men (as did "You Just Don't Understand" when I read it several years ago). Without mandating a certain method of communication or telling us how we must change our ways of talking to one another, Tannen illustrates and defines patterns and gives us enough information to work it out for ourselves. I definitely recommend this book to any woman in the workplace who wants to be seen as confident and competent without being labled as the B word.

A disappointment but still relevant book
I have read Deborah Tannen's first 2 books and I found them groudbreaking and very informative. This book however seems to be too much of a rehash of her first 2 books with a little bit of business communication stuck in the middle. I was disappointed by the book and believe there are better books out there than this one.

Very enlightening
I recommend this book to everyone who has relationships or works or has friends or who interact with people....Oh, that's EVERYONE!
It's very interesting to read about how what we say is not what comes across and what we thought we heard is often not what was meant!
A must read for anyone cares about understanding and being understood!

Important Work - A little too much personal bias though
I gave this a 4 star rating only because of the importance of the overall topic. This book really can help one understand some of the underlying issues that make communications difficult between men and women at work. Ritual opposition and ritual apology are two important topics that are often seen and important to understand. I do believe that the author engages in a small amount of "axe grinding" though. Although, you know what Dr. Tannen? If I were a woman perhaps I would have viewed some of your experiences through a different "lens". ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling introduction to the basic concepts of business communication is designed to improve the communication skills of entry-level managers and employees, and to serve as a reference for experienced professionals who wish to refresh or update their communication skills. Separate chapters on the communication process, organizational theory and culture, and interpersonal communication theory form the foundation for later discussions of critical listening, nonverbal communication, and obstacles to organizational communication. Two chapters are devoted to interviewing and two chapters examine small groups and leadership processes. Four final chapters offer guidance in informative and persuasive presentations, including full-chapter coverage of language and delivery and full-chapter coverage of the use of visual aids. A highly-visual 4-color design, pedagogy that is as practical as it is effective, and a CD-ROM with sample business and professional scenarios, will help your students engage with the material and apply the text's concepts outside the classroom. ... Read more

Book Description

As featured in the New York Times and Reader’s Digest "An eye-opener into the pitfalls awaiting the unaware traveler." —Washington Post "Can save the innocent abroad from great gobs of serious trouble." —Chicago Tribune Before you raise your hand to signal the waiter, extend your thumb to hitchhike, or flash the "O.K." sign with thumb and forefinger, Stop! Think of where you are and exactly what you are trying to say—otherwise you could create an international incident. Remember when President Bush thought he was flashing the "V" for Victory sign to cheering Australians? (See inside.) Exploring the ins and outs of body language from head to toe, this newly revised and expanded edition of Roger Axtell’s indispensable guide takes you all around the world of gestures—what they mean, how to use them, and when to avoid them. This latest edition includes:

• Updates about the 200 most popular gestures and signals—and dozens of new examples
• New sections covering special gestures—from American Sign Language and tai chi to flirting and kissing
• Information to guide you through gestures country by country—from Switzerland to Japan, Nigeria to the Netherlands
• Amusing anecdotes and helpful hypothetical scenarios

Reviews (7)

Interesting
This book is good to read in general terms as it attempted to explain the gestures from all around the world. Sometimes, it's amusing to read & at times, I would be loss for words as what I thought was the right things to do in certain countries is actually considered as rude or obscene. Perhaps, it's the kind of book that you can read in the plane or just as a matter of interest. The presentation is rather text book-ish with bullet points, occasional pictures to ease readers' boredom, something like a PowerPoint presentation. I guess that denotes the writer's background being a prominent guest speaker.

Useful, interesting and funny
This is a nice book. If you are going to travel abroad or you meet foreign people, you would like to know what these people understand from your body language. Of course, the book also gives you good material for chatting with friends from anywhere (including your own coutry).

Don't expect the book to tell you what a gesture means in every part of the world or to show you every gesture used in some part of the world. The book of course doesn't do such a hard task, though it tries: it explains you the gestures that are generalized (or most common) in a country. However, be always aware that there are exceptions and gestures you should know and are not included in the book.

Below are some questions you'll answer reading the book. In some cases the book gives you also the explanation about the gesture (what it comes from).

Where should you avoid the "OK sign"?
Where should a man enter before a woman?
Why Latin people get closer to you when talking?
How should you bow in Japan?

"Thumbs up!"(U.S.)
Very helpful, amusing,well-organized, and no unnecessary information. For our diverse society, this is good to have on hand. connie338 shipped the book right away, too. Thanks!

High interest for middle school students
I've added the three Roger Axtell titles to my classroom
for use during silent reading period. My students have learned
a lot about cultural differences and what is deemed acceptable
social behavior around the world.

The language of the body is imperative!
Usually one does not think overly much about how one conducts one's body language. However. according to this book in question, i.e., Gestures : The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World by Roger E. Axtell, Mike Fornwald (Illustrator)is in fact imperative. For instance, thumbs up which means a-ok in the US can get you in real trouble in Australia is seen as obscene. ... Read more

Book Description

Powerful techniques for combating verbal abuse on the job from the renowned author of the "Gentle Art" series -- with total sales surpassing one million copies.Obscenities, ethnic and sexist epithets, cutting jokes, subtle put-downs -- whether shouted, said with a smile, or sent via e-mail -- are all verbal abuse.For many, it is the everyday language of doing business. Suzette Haden Elgin, nationally recognized linguistics expert and author, applies her acclaimed techniques for combating verbal violence to common on-the-job situations.Forceful yet non-threatening, her proven strategies will empower workers of every level to recognize verbal abuse, gently defuse it, and replace it with courteous and effective communication.

Citing examples grabbed from the headlines, Dr. Elgin reveals the cost of demeaning and destructive language to any business.Step by step, she shows how to identify and conquer the verbal toxins at the root of workplace hostility and tension.Readers will learn how to avoid "malpractice of the mouth" and sexual harassment; communicate sensitively and clearly with non-native English speakers; come across as strong, straightforward, and truthful; and take complete control of any verbal confrontation--calmly. "Workout sections" throughout the book provide plenty of opportunities for practice.

With a look at communication skills crucial for e-mail, voice mail, and the Internet, as well as the special challenges facing home-based and virtual businesses, The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense At Workis the definitive guide to effective and humane communication on the job. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense by Suzette Elgin
This work provides a good development for constructive
argument aimed at management of confrontal modes. The author
describes classic behaviors; such as, the placater, the blamer,
the distracter and the leveler. There is a good section on
voice management which describes unifying metaphors and balanced
speech. The work describes practically every confrontation
imaginable with appropriate voice responses and body language.
This book will help you manage almost any type of confrontation

constructively. For this reason, it is well worth the price.

Great Reference
This book is full of great information on the subject of communication and understanding verbal and non-verbal language. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who just wants to sit and read, but its great to refer back to for self improvement.

Overall, great book. I'd buy it!

Communication skills and deflecting manipulation
In addition to recognizing manipulation and deflecting those comments, this book teaches skills about:

better communication by recognizing visual versus auditory communication, e.g. ("I see what you mean" versus "I hear you")

It discusses that communication skills can be taught and learned, not just the result of luck, inheritance or genius.

A good read
I found some of the techniques very useful. I reccommend reading this book with Dr. David Burn's book, "feeling good".

Disappointed
Recognizing this book was intended for beginners, it was still far too basic. Most everything in the book were common sense approaches that one would generally learn in the game of life. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

This easy-to-understand, straightforward English handbook does not use the hard-to-understand technical jargon usually found in English grammar books.Instead, this handbook provides hundreds of examples from which it is possible to easily see what is correct and what is incorrect in areas of English grammar and writing. The handbook covers the following in detail: nouns, verbs, adjectives, paragraphs, composition, punctuation, spelling, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Handbook of English
The study of REA's Handbook of English has two major advantages. It facilitates mastery of writing and enables readers to study the grammar, style, and writing more efficiently. It concentrates on essentials: the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.

This handbook was developed to make the study of English grammar, style, and writing as current and effective as possible for all readers. A glossary of Grammatical Terms is provided as a reference to be used at anytime. Any reader will continue to find the exercises and explanations very helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

Expert communicator and popular speaker Ken Davis presents a video course that will help anyone learn the skills of effective speaking, whether that speaking is to youth or adults. ... Read more

Book Description

“In a richly textured way, Howard Aldrich gives the reader a distinctive feel for the subject and a way to think about and understand emergence and change in organizations. This book is informative and engaging. It is playful and rigorous. It is scholarly and quite practical. Aldrich writes with confidence and wisdom. His book makes a fine contribution to the evolving field of organization studies.”
-Peter J. Frost, University of British Columbia

“Organizations Evolving is a gem. . . .This book is an exceptional accomplishment and is compulsory reading for all organizational researchers.”
-Joel A. C. Baum, University of Toronto

“This book pulls together an extensive array of information that focuses on emerging, rather than established businesses. Professor Aldrich presents the unique dilemmas faced by entrepreneurs in the creation of human resource policies and systems in a coherent and useful fashion.”
-Candida Brush, Associate professor of Management at Boston University

“Organizations Evolving is masterful. Aldrich cogently consolidates state–of–the art thinking and research on organizational evolution, a domain of inquiry that he helped pioneer 20 years ago with his classic Organizations and Environments.”
-Joel A. C. Baum, CN Chair in Strategy and Organization, Rotman School of Management,
University of Toronto

Organizations Evolving is a definitive account of organization in contemporary society. The book explains how organizations mirror the contexts or environments in which they are established. In contemporary society this means they come in a bewildering variety of forms reflecting changing boundaries, markets and technologies. In his exhaustive analysis of the multi-level dynamics governing organizations and society Aldrich provides an authoritative exploration of the key variables that shape each. Students and researchers will find here a rich source that charts the development of organizational forms and assesses the impact on these of external innovations such as changing technology and globalization. New theories of knowledge and entrepreneurship are woven into the analysis, together with fresh interpretations of data. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Towards the umbrella framework
Aldrich is a leading figure in organizational sociology. The organization is, with no doubt, a domain of sociology. But organization is not the object only sociology, especially because the company is the dominant form of organization under capitalism. The firm has been the object of various disciplines. Since the firm is an organization, if one studies the company, he participates in organizational studies. Organizational sociology has also zeroed in on the firm, rather than other form of organization. So now organizational sociology is not much discernible from economic sociology in the empirical research. Both have focused on the firm and the market as research domain. Most universities in the States offer both specialties as one course rather than separate course. Moreover, such a blending of field is intensified as more and more researchers from various disciplines take the firm and market as their research agenda. we¡¯ve seen the ascendance of organizational economics over past decades, breaking decades of ignorance of firm in economics. One-of-a-kind move could be spotted even in political science. ¡®Varieties of Capitalism¡¯ (2001), edited by Peter Hall and David Soskice, for instance, is a example of such a trend. In this book they examine the influence of national regulatory system on the business system and competitive advantage. Now the organizational study is increasingly interdisciplinary affair in social sciences. The more come into play, the more divergent the field become. Aldrich identifies seven perspectives in organizational studies: ecological approach, institutionalism, interpretive approach, organizational learning approach, resource dependence approach, transaction cost economics, and evolutionary approach. The diversity of approaches is not only tolerable but also necessary, given the interdisciplinary nature of organizational studies. But seven perspectives in only one field is too much. So Aldrich attempts to launch the overarching framework based on evolutionary approach, while preserving the value of other approach. The advantage of evolutionary approach lies in its simplicity. It consists of only 4 principles: variation, se4lection, retention, and struggle. Each relates to the other with if-then clauses. But they are abstract in nature. The specific accounts of events should be provided by other niche approaches. Evolution is the name of process, not of substance or what takes place in the field. This is the overall architecture of the book. It seems Aldrich succeeds in the ambitious project to provide the umbrella framework linking competing perspectives under one roof. In doing so, he reviews tons of researches to validate the effectiveness of his proposal. It seems to work with empirical studies. But the devil lies in details. He dumps too many into the limited space in cursory manner. So reader has some difficulty in following through the lines. Overall framework of the book is reasonable, and that it must be the breakthrough in organizational studies. But reading through it is another matter. It¡¯s a painful travail.

A tour de force
Howard Aldrich's ORGANIZATIONS EVOLVING is truly a tour de force. Those who know his 1979 ORGANIZATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS are familiar with his sharp insights into the field of organizations and his lucid writing. In ORGANIZATIONS EVOLVING, Aldrich develops a compelling, broadly evolutionary, perspective on organizations that integrates the best ideas from diverse organizational theories. He makes the best, most sophisticated, case yet for an evolutionary perspective on the organization.

this book explains how and why organizations evolve.
this book will revolutionize the way sociologists look at (evolving) organizations...lots of examples and an excellent organization of topics.

A quallity contribution to the field of organization studies
First, I found the book to be highly "readable" in a number of ways, including its integration of literature and examples related to organizations of all sizes and ages. This approach created a dynamic "feel" to the book and a sense that the organizations we study are much more "moving targets" than stationary ones. Second, I confess that I am one of those readers who peruses the last section or chapter of a publication first to see where the author is going. I found that the final "invitation" section piqued my interest on a number of intriguing issues for future scholarly work (e.g., challenges of human resources in emergent organizations; the impact of collective organizational action versus individual organizational action) and I am confident others will find this section useful as well in contemplating future research programs. The "invitation" section also offers useful ideas that appeal to a variety of disciplines...for instance, I am already contemplating how I might collaborate with some of my academic colleagues in human resource mgt. and/or org. behavior. Third, since I am currently working on projects related to organizational legitimacy and legitimacy building, I focused my initial reading on sections related to these subjects, and found that Aldrich has, not surprisingly, extended the literature on legitimacy in some interesting and useful ways. For instance, at one point he discusses the potential for tensions to arise between, on the one hand, individualistic action that builds the legitimacy of a new firm, and, on the other hand, mutualistic or collective action that builds the legitimacy of a new population or community of rganizations. Finally, speaking of legitimacy, his purposeful attention throughout the book to organizations at all stages of development (e.g., emergent and existing) helps further legitimize scholarly interest in smaller and/or newer organizations. This is a quality contribution to the field of organization research.

A masteful contribution
Organizations Evolving is a gem. Writing with grace and clarity, Professor Aldrich establishes how diverse literatures ranging from transaction-cost economics to intepretive theory are premised on evolutionary foundations, and explores their convergences. He deftly synthesizes cutting edge research to illuminate how variation, selection and retention processes unfold at multiple levels within and outside organizations. This book is an exceptional accomplishment and is compulsory reading for all organizational researchers. ... Read more

Book Description

Managerial Communication: Strategies and Applications focuses on skills and strategies that managers need in today’s workplace. The first edition of Managerial Communication stood out in the field for its strategic approach, solid research base, comprehensive range of topics, its even-handed examination of oral and written channels, and its focus on managerial (as opposed to entry-level) competencies. The overriding principle for the revision was to preserve the book’s key strengths while bringing it in line with the early twenty-first century workplace. The chapters have been streamlined and condensed to meet the needs of a busy contemporary manager and content was added to reflect current business practices. In short, the second edition preserves the best features of the first edition, while bringing them up to date and presenting them in a concise, easy to read format. Today's managers will learn the skills and strategies necessary for successful and effective business communication. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

you don't get what you pay for
I'm just an ordinary college student, forced to buy this over-priced book for a course I am taking. The content of this text book may be great but for the [$$$] price tag, I think I should get more. How about review questions at the end of each chapter? How hard would that have been? Could you maybe have bothered to highlight key terms? ... Read more

Book Description

How do highly paid professional speakers put magic and motivation into every talk? Lilly Walters, Executive Director of Walters International Speakers Bureau, reveals their secrets and strategies in this practical, conversational guide. Mark Twain reputedly said it took him three weeks to prepare an impromptu speech, but readers of Secrets of Successful Speakers will do it in days-or minutes. This book spells out the rules in 11 easy-to-follow steps, each accompanied by interactive exercises. Readers will learn to: set objectives before writing; customize the talk for each audience; conquer stage fright; cultivate a reputation as an expert; develop themes for each presentation; organize material in memorable manner; edit for best effect; project a professional "platform image" through personality, voice, and clothes; motivate audiences to change their actions and attitudes; involve listeners by using humor, heart, and audience participation exercises; deal with problems and pitfalls ranging from poor staging and faulty audio-visual equipment to hecklers and questions of ethics. This authoritative and accessible guide also contains fascinating anecdotes of well-known personalities and how they mastered the art of public speaking. It will quickly become the reference of choice for trainers, lawyers, doctors, managers, and everyone who makes presentations or gives talks. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A potent concoction of surefire tips and techniques
This is certainly one of the best books on public speaking I've read. The only other work that deserves special mention is Jack Valenti's Speak Up with Confidence. Walters gives surefire tips and techniques that are recipe for a successful presentation that may inspire for years.

Her crisp advice on the main requirements of a speech of "passion and compassion with a purpose" is very potent and often leaps off my mind each time I prepare to instruct or make a speech. Walters has carefully drawn from the "secrets" of public speaking pros and concocted them into a surefire formula for success. What's more, her anectdotes and quotes are both entertaining and memorable.

I found myself a better speaker even after reading and applying steps 1 and 2. Wait till I conquer step 11! Thank you Lilly Walters for an absolutely inspiring and terrific book.

One of the best public speaking books out there!
Excellent book for anyone who plans to do public speaking - whether it be for business, school, family reunions, or the like!

Excellent for anyone who plans to do public speaking
This is an excellent book for anyone who engages in public speaking, whether it be for business, in school, family reunions, or elsewhere. Great book!

The Best Book on Public Speaking
Psychological studies show that the average person fears public speaking more than death. Well, this book can quickly help overcome that very negative and unfortunate reaction.

The author is the head of a major speaking bureau, so she knows what works and what doesn't. Otherwise, she wouldn't have any business. To improve on her perspective, she also interviewed 60 of the top paid speakers in the country and liberally quoted them in the text to this book. These quotes and examples are fascinating.

She assumes that you are not a famous paid speaker now, so builds her points as simply and clearly as possible -- as a top speaker would.

The book has one chapter that is worth 10 times the cost of the book -- how to overcome hostile audiences and problems that occur. I have never seen so many witty lines and fun things to do in an otherwise stressful situation! Mastering the material in this chapter would be enough to turn anyone into a confident speaker.

Ms. Walters uses the analogy of planting, nurturing and caring for a tree to explain her concepts of public speaking. That makes everything much more tangible and familiar.

At the end, she summarizes the most important points into four areas -- just in case you missed the punch line along the way.

I especially liked the way she used counterexamples to make her point. She describes and quotes Stew Leonard, Jr. who often does just the opposite of what the book suggests. But he is successful because he is authentic, cares for his audience, and is sincere.

Although I know a lot of public speakers, do paid public speaking myself, and read a lot about public speaking, I found that more than half of the material in this book was new to me. And it all made good common sense. So I'm converted!

Learn to enjoy speaking to others and to better serve them in grasping things you care about that will help them. It can be very rewarding personally and financially for them and you!

Lilly takes you by the hand tells you how to do it right.
This dynamite book is for every speaker; The beginner and the pro. Easy to read, easy to digest and follow tips for organization and delivery; she boils things down to the bottom line, the important takeaways from her own experience and the experiences of others. I began taking notes the minute I began to read. I wrote down things like: Make love to your audience. Stay green and growing for each new audience. Make fear your slave not your master. Turn every presentation over to the Lord. Watch our for ad libbing under stress. Approach each audience with an attitude of generous love. Replace fearful self worries with audience benefits. What do you want your listeners to do differently after they hear you? Tell yourself, "Today I get to do what I love to do." Now I take Lilly Walters wisdom with me every time I speak. It goes before me, stays with me helping and guiding me all along the way. Every time I am hit with 'dry mouth' before a speech, I think of Lilly and her lemon story. She showed me how to develop my own three important takeaways. Comments from my last presentation included words like 'she captivated her audience,' 'left them spellbound,' ''her message of help and hope was heard loud and clear' etc. Thanks Lilly. You helped me grow, you helped me conquer my fear, you helped me organize my material and most importantly, I will always remember your words, "Lord, let me be a channel of your love." That's what it is really all about. ... Read more

Book Description

While the basics of business etiquette remain the same, there are many situations that need redefinition and rethinking in today’s business world. How do you promote the right sort of relationships in the global office? What are the new rules for the way we dress and converse with clients, colleagues, and bosses? What about the new rules for business entertaining, conferences, trade shows, and travel?

Whether you’re a new player in the working world or a veteran of the workplace, Business Etiquette For Dummies will clear up confusions about the complexities of social interactions in modern business. It doesn’t matter where you work or whom you work for, by displaying proper business etiquette you can give your career a boost and grow both professionally and personally.

Business Etiquette For Dummies will get you acquainted with the etiquette of today’s business, and help you build relationships and avoid potentially embarrassing situations. From dealing with the challenges of e-mail to entertaining foreign clients, this friendly guide will walk you through the new rules of business etiquette and show you why they are so important. You’ll also discover how to:

• Become a positive part of your office environment
• Deal with difficult people and ethical dilemmas
• Avoid business entertainment no-no’s
• Survive conferences and trade shows
• Take inventory of your wardrobe
• Handle cyber communications smoothly
• Send all the right signals with your body language
• Navigate today’s multicultural workplace
• Recognize and handle common conversational faux pas

Reviews (2)

Excellent overview
This is an excellent overview of the subject of business etiquette in the new millennium. Chock full of advice and tips. Look forward to more from these authors.

Why not ?
Useful skills help to stand in the business world. Follows the legible formats in Dummies series. An interesting reading material to dig in on weekends, with serious rules to practise in the real world. No longer a dummy if follows what the book says. ... Read more

Book Description

As followers of Lee Glickstein's popular seminars attest, effective public speaking isn't the result of being over-prepared or having a slick delivery. It's actually a creative, interactive process relying on the speaker's natural presence and willingness to be "in the moment." Now Glickstein shares his dramatically successful "transformational speaking" approach, showing that the key to successful public speaking lies in spiritual principles that emphasize self-realization and authenticity. Be Heard Now! teaches you how to: