Book Description

OWN YOUR OWN CORPORATION reveals how private citizens can take advantage of incorporating themselves and their business to save thousands of dollars in taxes and protect themselves against financial disaster. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

OWN YOUR OWN CORPORATION by GARRETT SUTTON
As a owner of various companies, I look for books that will provide insight on limiting liabilities while maximizing profits. The author has suceeded with this book because it's written with a straight forward approach that breaks down difficult corporate terms into terms that anyone can understand. This was achieved by showing examples of certain situations and unknown facts that can happen to any individual or company.

I really like how the book explains all aspects of different types of corporations to establish depending on each individuals goal to keep their company private or go public. At the same time, the book teaches you various ways to protect your personal assets from your business assets. Just this section alone will eventually save you thousands in personal asset protection.

Most importantly, I've read hundreds of books about corporations, asset protection, public or private, etc. with the majority being very boring with fancy terms that's hard to understand. This book was so enjoyable with simple terms and exciting case situations, I read the entire book without putting it down. I'm now re-reading it and underlining many facts that will be shared with my corporate paid professionals on various situations that my company needs to be protected against. I had no idea but thanks to your book, I do now.

Finally, This book is a "MUST" read for anyone starting a corporation and a "MANDATORY" read for any owner of an existing corporation.

Thanks to the author, Garrett Sutton, I'm now working smarter, counting more net profit and sleeping comfortably in my personally protected home.

Excellent book for those in the B-Quadrant (or want to be)
Having a business without being incorporated is like driving a car without insurance. I was confused about corporations, which kind and didn't want to go to a "expert" untill I understood how the process works. This book did just that.

Groovy Corporate Info
Easy to read. I formed a C corporation with Mr. Sutton's firm after reading this book. They took care of all that legal mumbo jumbo so I could focus on building my business.

I was trapped in big corporations for 20 years - this book helped me understand how to get started...and the "right way" to protect my assets as an entrepreneur.

I only have time to read 2-3 business books a year. I'm glad this was one of them.

Definitely NOT for the layperson
I learned nothing from the book. I was even more confused after I read it. There were no documents to show how to fill out any information. I don't recommend forming your own corporation by yourself. I wanted to take the easy way out, but realized I would've made a mistake. Instead, I took a seminar and I accomplished a lot more and got more than enough information to set one up. Of course, it costs a lot more to do so. However, it is the best alternative. Reading this book almost discouraged me from moving forward. I do recommend reading RICH DAD POOR DAD. It was an easy read,offered a great understanding of developing rich habits, but not very informative on real estate investing.

Good book by sutton, here are some more.
This book by Sutton is right in tune with the Rich Dad Series and stands head and shoulders above other books on the bookracks right now.

If you liked this one then you should also read Loopholes, another book in the Richdad Advisor series, Form A Corporation and Launch a Business in Any State by J.W. Dicks and How to Form a S-Corporation by Robert Cooke. ... Read more

Book Description

A Hands-on manager's guide to making the most of today's product development breakthroughs

A quarter century after MRP first transformed the global manufacturing arena, Next Generation Product Development stands poised to similarly impact new product development. This movement-defining book gives R&D professionals an in-depth explanation of the ways in which companies are able to achieve substantially higher levels of development productivity, while better aligning product development with strategy through new practices and systems.

Processes explored in Next Generation Product Development, and enabled by cutting-edge new-enterprise software, promise to explode the possibilities of what product development professionals can accomplish. This hands-on practitioner's guidebook will:

• Establish a common set of frameworks and concepts
• Introduce new project portfolio and product strategy management practices
• Help R&D professionals increase productivity by 30 to 50 percent

Reviews (2)

Buy the book and begin...
Review of:
"Next Generation Product Development" by Michael E. McGrath

The last paragraph of Michael E. McGrath's newest book "Next Generation Product Development" boldly states that "product development has never been for the faint of heart." And I suspect that most everyone who has ever been involved in such activities will quickly shake their head "yes" to this "truth" statement, and quietly wish there was a better way. Fortunately in his new book McGrath guides us to this better way--a way that offers "more opportunity and promise for getting better new products to market faster, WHILE DOING MORE WITH LESS." The claim is nothing short of a renaissance of product development capability.

I like this book a lot. I like the multi-faceted emphasis on integration. I like the productivity theme and the need for new management processes. And I like the idea that we are only beginning the renaissance of product development capability, especially given the growth of collaborative development.

I confess that I do not like the continued use of the DCM abbreviation (it stands for "development chain management.)" But I suppose I can learn to live with another "alphabet name" because it does get to the heart of the matter--how to manage a lot of INTERDEPENDENT projects, all of which are going on at the same time. Of particular importance are McGrath's thoughts involving a "networked team," new concepts which I think will be fundamental to tomorrow's successful product development.

To join this renaissance, exactly where does one begin? McGrath offers three entry points: changes in resource management, changes in project management, or changes in strategy management. I suppose someone will try all three at once, but frankly just one is probably a lot for an organization to swallow. For different entry points McGrath offers us guidance, with levels of maturity assessments and/or stages of implementation. But even still, there is a lot of material to assimilate and multiple readings of many book sections will be needed to fully comprehend his recommendations.

However I suggest that you don't spend an excessive amount of time studying. Organizations mainly learn by doing, and this book lays out the "learn by doing" path toward success. Past generations of development have emphasized invention, project management, or time-to-market. This next generation is a path toward productivity within the entire development enterprise. It is a path toward "better decision making, better investment in R&D, better return on that investment, more collaboration with external partners, and true empowerment of development activity."

I suggest that you buy the book and begin.

Nils L. Dailey
N.L. Dailey Associates

A Clear and Compelling View of the Next Generation in PD
Michael McGrath has done it again. He has articulated a clear and compelling description of the next major generation in product development - the R&D Productivity Generation. The new generation builds on the major accomplishments of the last generation, which McGrath calls the Time-to-Market Generation. Whereas the TTM Generation primarily focused on getting individual products to market as quickly as possible, the R&D Productivity Generation will focus on the most effective and productive use of a company's total R&D capability (both internal and extended enterprise) to drive overall corporate revenue, profit and market share.

During the TTM Generation from 1992 to 2000, benchmarking studies determined that the R&D Effectiveness Index (the ratio of new product profit to R&D investment needed to create new products) doubled from 0.5 to about 1.0 across all industries. Over the next ten years, McGrath forecasts that the R&D EI will double again to 2.0 driven by the processes and systems of the R&D Productivity Generation. The message is clear. Companies that lead the way in implementing the R&D Productivity Generation will gain significant competitive advantage in the market place.

Through out the book, McGrath illustrates the new processes and systems using an example company, Commercial Robotics, Inc. CRI is a hypothetical company, but represents the kind of advances that are now being made at many different corporations. The example gives compelling evidence for the benefits that accrue to a company that systematically implements the new R&D Productivity Generation.

For all committed to product development excellence, from senior management to individual contributors, the Next Generation Product Development is a clear view into the future and what it will take to be world class in the decade ahead. ... Read more

Book Description

The only book that offers a state-of-the-art education in entrepreneurship

... From an all-star team that includes:

William D. Bygrave, Babson College • Jeffry Timmons, Harvard University and Babson College • Abdul Ali, Babson College • Kathleen Seiders, Babson College • Andrew Zacharakis, Babson College • William Wetzel, University of New Hampshire • Joel Shulman, Babson College • Elizabeth Gatewood, Indiana University • Richard Mandel, Babson College • Joseph Iandiorio, Iandiorio & Teska • Steve Spinelli, Babson College • J. William Petty, Baylor University • Julian Lange, Babson College • Ed Marram, Babson College • Donna Kelly, Babson College

Starting your own business is an increasingly popular and feasible response to today’s changing job market, and the best entrepreneurial wisdom available is in The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship, Third Edition. Edited by William Bygrave and Andrew Zacharakis, two seasoned professors of entrepreneurship at Babson College, it covers all the fundamentals–from opportunity recognition to venture capital to formulating smart business plans. This revised volume of the 600,000-copy bestseller includes a wealth of new case studies, as well as updated tax and legal information. Geared towards both MBA candidates and aspiring entrepreneurs, The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship guides the reader through the startup process and beyond, culling wisdom from the best and brightest in the field. If you’re ready to see what the entrepreneurial world has to offer you, this book is your ticket. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Overview of Entrepreneurship
"The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship" is a very thorough introduction to the entire process of entrepreneurship and business formation. New entrepreneurs will find articles by various entrepreneurs and scholars of entrepreneurship that cover marketing, finance, venture capital, writing a business plan, and many other topics.

"The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship" also notes many interesting aspects of entrepreneurship as it relates to the broader economy. It is pointed out that throughout the 1980's, for example, that only 5% of all the companies accounted for 77% of the new jobs in the U.S. Such information is interesting and it helps us understand the broader issues of entrepreneurship.

Although much of this academic information about entrepreneurship is not practically useful to new entrepreneurs who are building and growing companies, it does make for some interesting reading. Nor is "The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship" a thorough analysis of successful businesses. It is not a business case study book.

The chapter about Market Opportunites and Marketing by Gerald E. Hills is especially good reading for people contemplating starting a business.

While this is a very good book, if I were going to teach a class in entrepreneurship (and assuming students wanted a more hands-on introduction to building a company), I'd use "The Entrepreneur's Fieldbook" by John Vinturella.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"

Useful
I think this is book is used in many Universities of developed countries. I would like to know more about new editions also.

A great reference book but not a great read.
I bought this book to help me get started on my own service business. It is helpful in many ways, and not so helpful in other ways. THE GOOD: 1) There is a load of information about entrepreneurship. This book takes you from getting started, to finding the capital you need, to tax and legal issues, to franchising your business. 2) It gives good definitions and explains words that you may be unfamiliar with. Ex... What is a sub chapter S corporation? You'll find the answer to that and many other questions in this book! 3) A great reference. It tells you where you can go to find the information that you will need. It lists journals, books, and government sites that will help you. THE BAD: 1) It reads like a text book. There is a lot of information crammed into this book, page after page after page... 2) Is this guy really an entrepreneur or just a teacher? There are a lot of theories and charts in this book... it makes you wonder. 3) It is a reference book. There was no way that I could read this book straight through, so it sits on my shelf and every once in a while I pull it down to look up words, find references to more information or read one chapter that is applicable to my life right now. OVERALL: If you are looking for an encyclopedia-like reference book for everything you wanted to know about entrepreneurship then this book is for you. If you want motivation, real world examples or unconventional techniques to help you in your business then I would suggest Harry Beckwith or Ries & Trout.

Magnificent!
Excellent book! Covers many aspects of entrepreneurship quite thoroughly. Also consider buying the case studies of this series.

Execellent Overview of Entrepreneurship
I recently completed my MBA. Although no single book will sufficiently cover the material learned through an entire Masters program, I did find this book to be a good start on understanding many of the important issues involved in a new venture. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Book Description

A new edition of the book that took the art of coaching to new heights. Since COACHING FOR PERFORMANCE was first published over a decade ago, John Whitmore has lead the way with this best-selling classic that has sold more than 200,000 copies worldwide. Translated into a dozen languages and considered a ‘must-read' by such international leaders as Coca-Cola, this is the definitive guide to mastering the skills needed to help people unlock their potential and maximize their performance. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Difficult leap from tennis to business
I used this book for a class on coaching and developing employees. There were eleven people in the class that read the book and each was very disappointed. The overall conclusion was that the author should stick to sports, as the attempt to link the priciples to business was too far of a stretch. We will not be using this book again.

Packed with Knowledge!
We immediately liked John Whitmore's book on coaching for one simple reason: It admits right off that a coterie of charlatans have passed off their bogus "consulting" approaches as business coaching, thereby diminishing the credibility of the practice. But Whitmore does more than recognize the problem: He sets the record straight by providing a true definition, a working history and a psychological explanation of real coaching, which evolved out of sports performance enhancement. Capping off this overview is a comprehensive guide to practical coaching practices, complete with techniques that readers can adopt in their own careers. We from getAbstract highly recommend this book to all business managers, human resource professionals and, of course, coaches.

Great overview of coaching
Highly recommend this book. The author clearly explains coaching and how its correct use can impact both your organization and your success as a manager. He gives plenty of facts and outlines for use. A must buy!

Also suggest a well-received book that espouses coaching and leadership skills and responsibility in a unique and easily read way. My company uses it for leader development/training. It's called ""The Leader's Guide: 15 Essential Skills.""

Coaching for Managers
'Coaching for Performance' offers insight into the techniques of successful coaching, covering well the subjects of motivation, performance, and goals. At times, however, it seems as though the author is talking down to the reader; perhaps that is just the 'accent' of a British nobleman. The writing also seems a bit like 'teacher talking' instead of heartfelt sharing of life's experience. Nonetheless, the material is precise and compelling. The text covers the coach/coachee relationship quite extensively and is an excellent resource for managers and formal coaches of the 'mentor' variety. Scant coverage is given to the particular coaching needs of working groups or teams.

This was a very informative book.
The book was a pleasure to read and informative. It links how coaching for success in sports corresponds with coaching in business. It was a very intersting approach. I recommend the book highly. ... Read more

Book Description

Watch your training come alive with any of these 101 adaptable strategies!

These proven, generic activities will enliven your sessions and deepen learning and retention--no matter what you're teaching.

This active training field guide provides activities useful for:

Book Description

Father of modern management, social commentator, and preeminent business philosopher, Peter F. Drucker has been analyzing economics and society for more than sixty years. Now for readers everywhere who are concerned with the ways that management practices and principles affect the performance of the organization, the individual, and society, there is The Essential Drucker -- an invaluable compilation of management essentials from the works of a management legend.

Containing twenty-six selections, The Essential Drucker covers the basic principles and concerns of management and its problems, challenges, and opportunities, giving managers, executives, and professionals the tools to perform the tasks that the economy and society of tomorrow will demand of them.

Reviews (20)

Drucker is a BRAND
How do you value a 60 years work condensed into a book? a 92 year old Guru in a book?

This is the condensation of: The New Realities (1988), Management, Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices (1974), Managing for the Future (1992), Management Challenges for the 21st Century (1999), Management in a Time of Great Change (1995), The Practice of Management (1954), The Frontiers of Management (1986), Innovation and Entrepreneurship (1985), The Effective Executive (1966), and Post-Capitalist Society (1993).

I have to admid one thing: THIS IS MY FIRST DRUCKER BOOK ;-).

For those like me who postpone the will to read DRUCKER as confution of where to start, start from here, and follow the other area of your interest.

This is a holistic approach of management from THE MAN himself. And i would not grade less than anything best possible.

If you already had druckers book, this is a good review of the past and reinforce back his view on management.

He has interesting view on the internet ;-).
Either you are a Drucker New Comers, or Druker Veteran, this book is for you.

Back to the Future!
Recently, I read JACK by GE's Jack Welch. In it, he praises Drucker as one of the best management minds ever. High praise from the person most consider to be THE best CEO America has ever produced. This collection of the best of Drucker's writings is amazing in its clarity, depth, and breadth. To consider that many were written years ago but remain SO current in today's globalized world is truly amazing.

I found myself unable to resist highlighting with my magic marker this passage or that passage. This book is extremely readable and would make a wonderful gift to your favorite manager or to that manager you would like to see develop. My copy, only a few weeks old, is already "dog-earred" from repeatedly going back to read and re-read Drucker's wonderful insights, inspirations, and chastisements.

You will be really sorry if you do not get this book for yourself. You, your work team, and your organization need/deserve it. Invest in a resource that really will have a meaningful return for you.

Very good introduction to Drucker
This is a good book if you are just introducing yourself to Peter Drucker. The author makes several wise selections in the excerpts he chooses especially the section on entrepreneurial strategies from Drucker's 1985 book Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Good book - bad method
Don't buy the digital version. After reading a couple of chapters I could no longer access the digital book. Calling Adobe wasn't much help. Won't buy a digital copy until I'm sure it doesn't expire.

Text-to-speech disabled
Do not order the Microsoft Reader version if you plan to use the text to speech function, which is disabled for this title. ... Read more

Book Description

The seventh edition of this best-selling book continues to provide readers with a realistic picture of actual collective bargaining and labor relations situations drawn from the authors' considerable experiences. Sections of actual labor agreements as well as arbitration cases and decisions of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the courts illustrate and emphasize contemporary issues of collective bargaining and labor relations. Experts in the fields of labor law and arbitration have contributed “tips” on how the concepts in the book can actually be applied.In addition to covering history and law, workplace challenges, the collective bargaining process, and labor contracts, major features of this new edition include expanded coverage of public sector labor relations, international collective bargaining issues, union organizing and avoidance strategies, and collective bargaining in professional sports.Because of its comprehensive coverage and excellent resource material, this book is an excellent reference for human resource directors, labor relations directors, personnel directors, and labor negotiators. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Book
Great book for the novice negotiator or student.Current, easy to read, practical examples.

Concise & complete
The authors provide a complete & concise discussion of the process of collective bargaining within a general labor relations context. Many, current cases, tips from experts, and historical references help present the concepts. A solid text for the novice negotiator or interested student.

Carrell and Heavrin Update The Field
Michael R. Carrell and Christina Heavrin's 6th edition of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining; Cases, Practice , and Law is an excellent contemporary and very readable book. Included are supplementary materials and even important Web sites of the companies and labor organizations featured in the text. Relevant and up-to-date case studies and exercises follow each chapter, enhancing opportunies for group work and practical application. Chapters 10, 11 and 12, which cover implementing the collective bargaining agreement, grievance procedures, and arbitration process are particularly comprehensive and well presented. Included in these chapters are excellent examples of items in a negotiated contract, forms used in the grievance process, and recent arbitration decisions. Each chapter also ends with a list of important terms and concepts and review questions. This book has wide application and use for either an introductory course at the lower division or upper division courses at the Colledge or University level. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides the essential foundation necessary for the aspiring professional.It covers personal appearance, money management, job campaigning, values, ethics, and other key topics. ... Read more

Book Description

"Entrepreneurship is the beachhead of corporate America. If you want to join the business marines, you must read this book."—Robert Keith, Managing General Partner T. L. Ventures

"An extremely readable and useful guide to tackling the venture capital world. This book gives the entrepreneur tremendous insight into what to do and, most importantly, what not to do."—Ash Lilani Senior Vice President, Silicon Valley Bank

"Finally! A practical, hands-on guide to raising venture capital. This step-by-step handbook gives an entrepreneur a clear, real-world roadmap to the world of the fundraising process. I only wish I had a book like this when I started Half.com!"—Josh Kopelman Founder and President, Half.com ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Finally!
Finally! A practical, hands-on guide to raising venture capital. This step-by-step handbook gives an entrepreneur a clear, real-world roadmap to the fundraising process. I only wish I had a book like this when I started my company. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A great theory, well written...
Heifetz creates a psychological-social-political theory of leadership, which he defines as "an activity" that allows for "adaptive work." Leadership is the work that points out discrepancies beetween what we say we do, and what we actually do; or between our values (democracy, inclusion) and our actions. Leadership ultimately involves reconciling our values to our behavior. Leadership is not merely finding "technical" solutions to "adaptive problems," but, instead, is about finding more congruence (for both leaders and followers) between what they say and hope, and what they do.

The author's writing is very clear.

I most liked his simple phrasing of complex issues; how the threads through the incomplete theories of leadership (Carlyle, James MacGregor Burns); his practical orientation; his emphasis on followers' responsibility; his way of describing how leadership fails; and his notions of leadership succession. I also liked that this is not a "how to do" leadership book (the "ten best ways to be a leader" genre) aimed at a particular audience (business leaders, educational leaders), but, instead, is a thought-provoking discussion of ideas about leadership.

An outstanding and insightful book!
A must read for anyone who honestly wants to become a better, more caring leader. Be cautioned, however, there are no easy answers. This work does not include a list of "silver bullets," rather it will cause you to think very deeply about a very complex subject--leadership. This book is important becauses it causes one to reflect on their own role as a leader (whether formal or informal). It causes one to look within themselves and evaluate difficult, personal areas--such as values and personal practices. Dr. Heifetz draws on years of research and experience in organizational theory and psychology to explain that there are no easy answers. Everything about leadership is becoming more complex. The environment is fluid, every situation is different. We can no longer rely on old paradigms to manage new problems. The best any leader can do is approach problems with a sound "tool box" from which to draw solutions. This book will provide a number of new "tools," if the reader is open-minded enough to take them. I had the opportunity to stundy under Dr. Heifetz during a leadership seminar at Harvard. His lessons inspired a defining moment in my leadership style. Anyone who reads this book should have a similar experience.

Exceptional from start to finish
I read this book in 1994 when it was first published and then again recently. It is excellent and establishes a philosophical approach to leadership that is grounded in problem solving rather than visionary mission. The visionary hero is a threat to democracy as evidenced by such leaders as Adolph Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte. Ronald Heifetz draws a portrait of the leader that is far different from the heroic leader who tries to convince society of easy answers and moves people to action through prejudice and stereotypes. The modern leader takes actions that allow people to adapt to challenge so as to survive. The modern leader recognizes that social problems are embedded in history, custom, special interests, and competing interests. This leads to the two analogies that Heifetz employs to draw a picture of his model. The first analogy is that of the balcony and the dance floor. Heifetz says the leader must emerse themselves in the lives and challenges of the people, experience the chaos and competing interests. They must dance on the floor. However the leader must also leave the dance floor and go to the balcony where they may observe the pattern of the waltz and thus reflect on the direction that the community/society is taking and how this may be adaptive or dangerous. The second analogy is the image of the pressure cooker. The leader must apply enough pressure to bring people together to solve problems even if they have competing interests and ideas. There must be enough pressure to bring people to the negotiation table and to keep them at the table while at the same time keeping the pressure from building to the point of blowing up. Adaptive leaderships is far different from visionary leadership.

I especially enjoyed the sections on informal and formal leadership and the way these two forms of leadership may join forces to move society to more adaptive strategies. The example of LBJ and MLK was masterful.

In some ways this book does support great men ideas of leadership in that there is considerable talent needed to reflect on adaptive strategies needed for societal survival and progress, bring opposing forces to the negotiation table, and play roles of informal or formal leadership.

In other ways the book supports challenging times approaches to leadership theory in that challenging times call for societal adaptation, never an easy step for any society to make.

If you come to this book with the idea that leadership is imposition of ideology on the masses; if you think Ronald Reagan or Lenin were great leaders, then this book is not for you. Leadership is messy business because it means solving real difficult problems in a world of conflicting interests.

If you come to this book with the idea that leadership is based in the ability to motivate the masses with slogans and simplified answers to complex problems; if you think George W Bush is a great leader, then this book is not for you. Social problems are complex and slogans and simple answers only increase the complexity.

Franklin Roosevelt would stand out as the type of leader that Heifetz would identify as adaptive and successful in his leadership. He moved a broken nation out of the depression and he moved an isolationist nation into a just war against Hitler. Both required that he reflect from the balcony and maintain the pressure on the pressure cooker without creating an explosion.

liberal agenda
does anyone else thing heifetz is pushing a liberal agenda...Every liberal politian/action is praised, and every republican is demonized. what else can we expect from a Harvard professor?

not for people who like to think for themselves
It may work for folks that like being spoonfed a mishmash of catchphrases, anecdotes, and simplistic conclusions. But are those the people you really want in charge? I think not. ... Read more

Book Description

Growing is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to business ownership and management from the start-up phase through growth and harvest. Decidedly entrepreneurial in focus, this book departs from the traditional small business management text by incorporating themes and principles appropriate to managing small companies in a dynamic, global environment.

Reviews (1)

More than a business plan recipe....
This book is more than a plain business plan recipe. By accurately addressing the profile of the entrepreneur, Dr. Allen allows the potential entrepreneur to excersise a soul-searching effort to determine the presence of (or the lack of) the attributes that most entrepreneurs share. The creative process required to generate a truly entrepreneurial product or service (and not just the new same old business) is also discussed through a survey of techniques that can be applied to almost any context. Finally, the author addresses in a rigorous but in a straight-to-the-point fashion what the entrepreneur must DO and what he (her) has to WRITE in order to build a robust business plan. Eventhough the target of this book are business students (based on the text-book format adopted by the author), the text contents are universal and the discussed methods can be applied to the international context - as I did as a matter of fact. I strongly recommend this book to any person about to undertake the risky but exciting entrepreneurial endeavor. ... Read more

Book Description

This book features only the most relevant topics in organizational behavior today, such as TQM; reengineering, technology; empowerment; declining employee loyalty; the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; virtual and boundaryless organizations; 360-degree performance appraisals; diversity; globalization; ethics; and more. Lively and informative, this masterfully crafted introduction condenses the essentials of the field into a tightly focused presentation.A four-part organization covers an introduction to organizational behavior, the individual in the organization, groups in the organization, and the organization system.For directors of human resource and other individuals in a variety of managerial positions. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Well written and solid intro to the field of Org Behavior
"Essentials in Organizational Behavior" is a solid text for a course surveying the field of Organizational Behavior. Its sixteen chapters are grouped into four parts. Part I introduces the field of organizational behavior, its goals and functions within an organization along with some challenges and opportunities.

Part II contains chapters two through six and focuses on how individuals function within an organization and the considerations managers need to have with values, personality, motivation, emotions, and how individuals make decisions.

Part III contains chapters seven through twelve and discusses groups in the organization. It begins discussion foundations of group behavior, some basics on work teams, communication, leadership & creating trust, power & politics, conflict & negotiation.

Part IV discusses the Organization System in chapters thirteen through sixteen. It begins with the foundations of organizational structure, culture, and then gets into the role of human resource policies and practices. The book concludes with Organizational Change and Development.

There is an epilogue to wrap things up, endnotes, and index and a glossary.

The book is clearly written. I like the way the author presents a variety of views and theories and never becomes dogmatic about a certain approach. Because it is concise it actually has a chance of being read (the usual 750 page textbook is largely left unread in most courses). However, to really become proficient in any of the many topics presented here the student will have to do much more study and practical work. I am confident that any teacher adopting the text for coursework would make the necessity for further study clear to the student. The endnotes do provide many fine sources for such study, but I would like to have seen some sources organized into a list of readings for study organized by topic. It would have added a few pages, but would not have overburdened this text.

In any case, this is a good introductory read for anyone who wants to a quick tour of the universe of Organizational Behavior.

Great broad overview of concepts and research
If you're interested in organizational behavior either professionally or as a student, this is a great book to pick up. It gives a great, concise survey of the topic as it relates to each of the major components of individual, team, and organizational factors. Not laden with research details and theoretical jargon, this book is a must read for managers and students alike because of its fast pace and great coverage.

One of the best intro to OB
I find Robbins's OB one of the best introductionary books for OB. Though it does not contain lots of case studies, to get started with concepts, the easy to read layout and the interesting activities that he presents makes it a very good book to get started. I personally started my OB with a much more detailed book, but after I found this one, I used this as the starting point, to get the ideas, and then used more high level books to explore further.
Why not 5 stars, well, coz as I said, I did need to look at other books to explore in detail!

For the budding manager
This is a great book to understand the fundamentals of organizational behaviour. It is simple to understand, and the excellent layout and graphics make it enjoyable and ignite your curiosity. I read it from cover to cover in a matter of days. However, I do agree that more relevant case studies and applications should have been included.

Decent overall review of OB theories.
Robbins discusses current OB theory in a brief, concise manner. He does not provide many examples of real-teime applications, however. This is a hinderance to the book's usefulness as it is sometimes difficult to conceptualize how many of the theories might be practically implemented. Overall, a decent reference book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Author's Comment
This book summarizes current, practical knowledge about what it means to be an effective leader. Leadership implies three major thrusts: strategic thinking (leadership for what?), relationship building (leading whom?) and designing an action context (organizational design issues) all discussed in the text. Further, the book asserts that leaders who target Level Three (core values, assumptions, beliefs, and expectations or VABEs) can be more effective and powerful than those who, traditionally, target Level One (focus on behavior) and Level Two (conscious thinking). The book also introduces the notion of INFOCRACIES, or organizations that are increasingly being redesigned by the information systems within them and presents a framework for thinking about developing deeper influence. As the author, clearly I'm biased, AND I've found that this approach has worked very well with many clients and executive education programs. The book was intended as a dense summary for executive education audiences in short, week long seminars. If you have suggestions, I'm eager to hear. ... Read more

Book Description

This cutting-edge financial casebook is divided into four modules: Structuring Projects, Valuing Projects, Managing Project Risk, and Financing Projects. The cases have been carefully selected to reflect actual use of project finance over the past five years in terms of geographic location (the cases come from 15 different countries) and industrial sectors.
* Benjamin Esty, of the Harvard Business School, is one of the leading scholars in project finance.
* Project finance is becoming the financing mechanism of choice for many private firms.
* Cases require the reader to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines when making a single managerial decision. This integration of functional areas such as strategy, operations, ethics, and human resource management encourages the reader to adopt a more integrative perspective and understanding of the interconnectedness of managerial decision-making. ... Read more

Book Description

When it was published in 1994, Roger Schwarz's The Skilled Facilitator earned widespread critical acclaim and became a landmark in the field. The book is a classic work for consultants, facilitators, managers, leaders, trainers, and coaches--anyone whose role is to guide groups toward realizing their creative and problem-solving potential. This thoroughly revised edition provides the essential materials for facilitators and includes simple but effective ground rules for group interaction. Filled with illustrative examples, the book contains proven techniques for starting meetings on the right foot and ending them positively and decisively. This important resource also offers practical methods for handling emotions when they arise in a group and offers a diagnostic approach for identifying and solving problems that can undermine the group process.

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Reviews (6)

More Than Practical Wisdom
The subtitle of this accessible guide to facilitation, "Practical Wisdom For Developing Effective Groups", accurately describes the book's scope and utility. In four parts and thirteen chapters, Schwarz provides an overview, with countless meaningful examples, of how facilitators can most effectively help groups develop their capacity for improvement. He distinguishes between two types of facilitation: (1) Basic facilitation, which aims to help a group "solve a substantive problem"; and (2) Developmental facilitation, which accomplishes basic facilitation while helping a group learn "to improve its process". He argues that three core values underlie effective group and facilitator behavior. The first is "valid information", which means that relevant information is shared by group members and that all groups members can validate and understand the information. The second is "free and informed choice", which means that group members define their own goals and methods of achieving those goals using valid information. The third is, "internal commitment to the choice", which means that group members take responsibility for their decisions by making informed choices based on valid information. Using a basic or developmental approach, facilitators most effectively intervene by making explicit and modeling these core values. These values are maintained by a group agreeing and sticking to essential ground rules, which Schwarz lists on p. 75 and treats extensively throughout the book.

In the heart of Schwarz's book are seven chapters on intervening effectively in groups. In those chapters, he advises the reader on, among other things, how to intervene, meeting management, group problem-solving, following ground rules, and dealing with emotions. He closes with wisdom on serving as a facilitator in your own organization and on the facilitative leader. His opening sections on how facilitation helps groups achieve their goals and establishing the foundation for facilitation lay the groundwork for his later chapters.

In the opening chapters, he includes two models worth mentioning. In his "group effectiveness model" (p.23), Schwarz shows how group processes (the primary concern of the facilitator) interact with group structure and organizational context to contribute to a group effectiveness. Group effectiveness is assessed through three criteria: (1) The group's services or products meet or exceed the expectations of the clients; (2) The processes and structures used to deliver services or create products enhance the group's capacity to work together; and (3) The group's experience is satisfying, not frustrating, for the group's members. In the second noteworthy model, Schwarz presents the "diagnosis-intervention cycle" (p. 68). In this cycle, there are three diagnostic steps and three intervention steps. In the diagnostic phase, the facilitator observes behavior, infers meaning and decides whether to intervene. In the intervention phase, s/he describes observations, test her/his inferences, and helps the group decide whether and how to alter behaviors. Understanding and using these models are critical for effective facilitation.

For the would-be facilitator or group leader, this book provides exactly what the subtitle promises.

Not An Entry Level Facilitation Book
I picked up this book because I needed to read up on how better to sell facilitation and exactly what facilitators should be doing. This book explains this and more. However, if you are looking for a simple overview of what a facilitator should, could and would do incertain situations, this is NOT your book. If you are a manager trying to be a better facilitator, do not buy this book unless you want in-depth information.

That said, if you are a facilitator looking to improve your skills, combine theory and practice or simply go back to the basics of what makes some facilitators great, this is your book.
Also, if you are a manager who really wants to become an effective facilitator/mentor, this is your book. But don't think that you can simply read the material and be more effective. The ideas and theory will take practice. Luckily, the book also gives many examples to make the ideas and theories practical and concrete.

As I said, I bought it to become better at selling professional facilitation. It gave me that and much more. I will keep it as an invaluable resource and make sure all of my facilitators utilize the practices described in detail.

Make it easy on yourself!
Roger's book is a unique hybrid of theory, practical exercises, examples, and personal stories. It works! The art and science of facilitation (to make easy or easier) is presented clearly, concisely, and completely. And, that is what I enjoyed about Roger's book so much. He gives it to you with "the bark on." He makes you aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly relative to the practice of facilitation.

I had used this book for several years in my work as a trainer, facilitator, and manager. Then, I had the pleasure to attend a workshop conducted by Roger. He lives what he teaches. While I was fortunate enough to have my company pay for the workshop, it is one of only three workshops I have ever attended that I feel like I would pay my own money to attend.

Keep this book nearby. It is THE best read on this subject out there.

Facilitation is coming of age
Roger Schwarz is one of the leading thinkers in the newly emerging field of facilitation. He brings insight and depth to group processes. He is concerned with the health functioning of groups in organisations. The Skilled Facilitator provides both the beginner and the expert insights into providing quality facilitation of group processes. As facilitation becomes more and more recognized as a profession, Schwarz will be acknowledge as one of the real pioneers in the field.

Rated Best By Facilitators
As a new entry to the facilitation field, I wanted to find out what the industry thought was the BEST resource for combining theory with the practices of facilitation. I submitted my request to GRP-FACL@listserv.albany.edu, which, as far as I know, is the largest online discussion forum for active, professional facilitators. Roger Schwartz's book, "The Skilled Facilitator" was by far the favorite choice of people in the profession. I am ordering my copy now! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Book for All Leaders
Having this be a required book in a recent doctoral course on leadership, I was plesantly surprised by the content. This book should be required reading for all who are interested in strategic management, organizational change, and the future of business and industry. The examples are right-on, useful, and very meaningful. Anyone interested in environmental and internal scanning for an organization can use the simple model provided in the book. I would say this is one of the best books I have ever read on this subject. ... Read more

Book Description

LEAN PRODUCTION SIMPLIFIED

A Plain-Language Guide to the World’s Most Powerful
Production System
Pascal Dennis

The author is a professional engineer, and educator with 20 years experience in manufacturing, public service, and consulting engineering. He developed his lean thinking skills on the shop floor of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, and working with lean masters in Japan and North America.

LEAN PRODUCTION SIMPLIFIED is a plain language guide to the lean production system. The book is organized around a central image: the "house of lean production", which will help the reader grasp the system and the factors that animate it. Additionally, the book provides an insider’s view of Toyota, and how this company continues to succeed.

Features and Benefits:
· connects directly to Toyota
· first book on lean production written for the operator level
· emphasizes the lean process as a common-sense approach
· perfect book to keep on the floor as a quick reference guide ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent book for beginner
This is a very good introductory book. All components of lean manufacturing system have been explained. More importantly, the language is very simple and easy to understand. The sample templates are great. One aspect, I would like to see is the cost concept. Particularly, how an established factory can be transformed to lean system with respect to cell concept and layout change. The author has written about the cost benefit of lean system, however, no supporting evidence has been provided. But overall, this book is great. ... Read more

Book Description

Don't let your company kill you!

Open this book at your own risk. It contains ideas that may lead to a profound self-awakening. An introspective journey for those in the trenches of today's modern organizations, Deep Change is a survival manual for finding our own internal leadership power. By helping us learn new ways of thinking and behaving, it shows how we can transform ourselves from victims to powerful agents of change. And for anyone who yearns to be an internally driven leader, to motivate the people around them, and return to a satisfying work life, Deep Change holds the key. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock
By chance rather than by choice, I read this book before reading others previously or subsequently written by Quinn. Deep Change provides an appropriate introduction to any one of them. I value his books so highly because they make substantial contributions to our understanding of HOW to achieve and then sustain meaningful change, both in our personal lives and in our organizations.

According to Quinn, "Incremental change is usually the result of a rational analysis and planning process. There is a desired goal with a specific set of steps for reaching it. Incremental change is usually limited in scope and often reversible. If the change does not work out, we can always return to the bold way. Incremental change usually does not disrupt our past patterns -- it is an extension of the past. Most important, during incremental change, we feel we are in control." Does all this sound familiar? Has Quinn described accurately how change occurs within your organization?

Now consider a second brief excerpt: "This book explores a much more difficult change process, the process of deep change. Deep change differs from incremental change in that it requires new ways of thinking and behaving. It is change that is major in scope, discontinuous with the past and generally irreversible. The deep change effort distorts existing patterns of action and involves taking risks. Deep change means surrendering control." Decades ago, David Riesman made the helpful distinction between "inner-directed" and "other-directed" people. The same can also be said of organizations (communities of people) when determining the nature, extent, and location of control. Quinn believes that "one person can change the larger system or organization in which he or she exists." If I understand Quinn correctly, his central assertion is this: If and only if enough individuals achieve deep change individually can their shared organization then achieve deep change.

This is a very dangerous concept. Unlike incremental change, deep change poses a very serious threat to the status quo of an organization and, especially, to those who (you can be certain) will steadfastly defend it. There will also be perils for those who seek to achieve deep change in their individual lives. Cherished assumptions, premises, values, and beliefs will all be called into question and many of them will be found inadequate, if not false. As Quinn describes it, those undergoing deep change will feel as if they are "walking naked into the land of uncertainty." He acknowledges "This is usually a terrifying choice, often involving a ' dark night of the soul.'" In Riesman's view, that person becomes inner-directed. For Quinn, that person is "internally driven...more capable of leading under conditions of continuous change...more organic."

What is the alternative? Quinn's answer: "slow death." I am reminded of a relevant insight expressed by Ernest Becker in The Denial of Death. He acknowledges that no one can deny physical death but there is another death which anyone can deny: the death which occurs when we become wholly preoccupied with fulfilling others' expectations of us. A slow death indeed. If you wish to achieve deep change in your life, and are now involved in an organization which can only tolerate incremental change (if any change at all), I urge you to find another organization.

A passionate appeal for personal change
Ghandi would be proud. This book if for all the bosses that rant and rave about how everyone else needs to change. The author of this book says that organizational change begins with the "man in the mirror," and that time is of the essence.

The book is easy to read, lots of white space for you to spit or cry when the author leads you down one more set of reasons why we must all take up profound personal change at some time in our life. If not, he argues, we face a slow psychological death. The author also helps us recognize that we're really laughing at ourselves when we read Dilbert in the morning funnies.

The author is a well-respected academic, which makes his message even more impressive (and he gives several examples of leading change in higher education). For those of you still yearning for the joys of graduate school, fear not, he doesn't miss the chance for some self-promotion of his prior research on organizational values. It adds some rigor to his ideas.

Generation Xers are not likely to find this book very helpful, it reaches out much more effectively to those 40-somethings still searching for a singular formula for life and leadership. Each chapter ends with 1-2 pages of self-reflective questions. There are 2 or 3 gut grabbers, but by and large you'll still need to keep your therapy appointment to figure out how to use Quinn's ideas in your daily life.

A wonderful by-product of reading this book is the chance to steal his wonderful quotes and pick up some new phrases (e.g., "getting lost with confidence"). He also describes several exercises that can be used (there's a great case study about a couple where only one person is a non-smoker) and he outlines an interesting leadership development program from the University of Michigan.

Overall, this book requires little investment and really gets you thinking. If your life as a successful leader isn't helping you be all the you can be, then put this one in your shopping cart!

Change, die or exist
Organizations and people adapt to their environments and change, or they die or they merely exist.(become the walking dead in Quinn's words) However, there are times when something more than evolution is needed and that revolution is called "deep change". Quinn outlines why so many people in so many organizations see the need for change, but the leaders just talk or say, "I told them to change" and the followers wonder why nothing ever happens. Quinn offers explanations for why the change frequently does not take place and then gives examples of how it can and has happened in other places.
He gives us hope that perhaps things can change. In any case he helps us to learn to be the transformational leader, if we look inside and if we are willing to face the pain of change.
Another reviewer pans Quinn for concentrating on the pain of change, but I have seen few people change without pain of some sort motivating them and even fewer organizations. I am a life coach and therapist and helping people change is my business, but there usually is a motivator for the change and with most people and organizations it is pain of some sort.
This book, while not a difficult read causes thought and is therefore a great read. Highly recommended. Thank you Dr. Quinn for being real with us.

Author is in Deep Powder
In many ways, I agree with the authors observations of organizational life. I once thought like the author: change is hard, change is painful, change is hell.

The author says that first you must experience great pain to call forth the courage to change. The only real change is deep change, and deep change is itself painful. You must take the Hero's Journey to become a transformational leader. When you undergo the deep change, you become aligned with your values and the world. You then make deep and transformational change in your organization, because it's the right thing to do, and your moral authority attracts others to join you. Sadly, most of the big names in Organizational Development think change is nearly impossible.

Fortunately, I've come to appreciate that interpersonal and organizational change happens as a result of skill. It's not mystical or spiritual. It's a skill like skiing (but quite a bit more difficult).

Most of Quinn's clients seem to ignore his advice (to do deep change).

As a potential buyer of this book, do you think you will learn to love skiing and have a blast doing it, if the instructor thinks you have to first suffer greatly, then break your legs, before you can transform yourself into the being of a master skier?

If you want to learn how to do change work, don't read business books. Read modern therapy and human potential books. When you understand the workings of the human mind and therapeutic change techniques, you understand how to change yourself and influence those around you. The more you practice the better you become.

If you want to make skiing mystical, philisophical, and some painful right of passage, go for it. My preference is make if fun and a great ride.

Good intentions, nice metaphors and stories, but off the mark for the reader who wants to do (without the pain).

Good Treatment of a Valuable Concept
While this book has been around for a while, it is a good treament of a valuable concept. How we interact with our colleagues depends in many respects on how we and they see the world. Deep Change gives a simple, yet effective framework for that understanding and builds from there. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses this book in one of their leadership courses, and I imagine numerous private organizations also use it. ... Read more