Book Description

Explores how far businesses can and should improve their social and environmental performance, arguing that corporate citizenship emerges from the "New Economy" dynamics, and relating it to learning, knowledge and innovation.

The book sets out practical issues for business, including goal and boundary setting, measurement, dialogue and how to build trust - vital both to business success and stable participation in civil governance. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A nice primer for etiquette school
This is a good book even though I gave it 4 stars. It has some VERY interesting author stories and the tips are very well to listen to if you didn't grow up in a private school. They will help you to advance in life.

Schmoozing for Mature Adults
Thourlby delivers a masterful exposition of what can be called the Truth of Human Relationships, whereas other authors may treat the subject simply as schmoozing. What sets Thourlby apart is that his context is respect for the self and respect for others and that a Higher Power has placed you together for a reason. Studying and executing on his program for social success is then simply an acknowledgement of reality. Whereas the prose meanders at times, this book's message is of imperative importance...a must-read.

Passport to Power
We have received Passport To Power -- Thank you. We have many self-improvement books in our collection and it is among the best, including those of Dale Carnegie, which we have a particularly high regard for. In fact, Passport to Power appears to us in many ways to be a contemporary and more comprehensive development of Dale Carnegie's approach to life.

I found this book to be an answer to all my shortcomings.
Like most people, I was always too embarrassed to ask anyone about all the social etiquettes that are so important in today's workplace and social life.

This book focuses immediately on the situations you'll find yourself in today's business and social world; and explains in simple detail how you may instantly resolve them, before it damages your career. Trust me; you will find this book to be a growing experience, and you will refer back to it.

Serge Barrantes

A Must-Have For The Corporate Wannabe
I must give this book my highest rating. When I started on the corporate ladder several years ago; a colleague recommended this reference book. Well, I can't recount the amount of times I have referred to this book and used it in my professional career. Passport to Power covers the manner in which a young professional should comport him or herself in a myriad of business and personal situations. This is a great guide to achieving success in the modern corporate world. Since reading the book, I attended a seminar conducted by Mr. Thourlby and found him to be as fascinating as his book is informative. ... Read more

Book Description

Robert March, author of The Japanese Negotiator, now critically examines the Japanese multinational company from the perspective of its non-Japanese employees in the United States, Japan and abroad. Against a background of growing Japanese investment overseas and simultaneously increasing concern about the qualifications of some Japanese companies as good employers abroad, March examines, through the actual experiences of their foreign employees, how the vastly different ideas of the Japanese about good management practice, corporate culture, harmony in the workplace, interpersonal communication, employment conditions, decision-making power for non-Japanese, and manager-subordinate relationships often lead to many real problems in the workplace, and sometimes escalate into an ultimate polarization between Japanese and non-Japanese personnel.

Using the successful approach of his earlier book (which Savvy Magazine called "an indispensable guide to the ins and outs of Japanese commerce"), March uses revealing testimony from foreign employees in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Asia to show how the Japanese really manage and direct their foreign employees, as well as to expose the roots of tension, misunderstanding, confusion, frustration and antagonism in the multinational Japanese company. A longtime student of Japanese corporate behavior who himself has many years of first-hand experience working for the Japanese in Japan and abroad, March in Working for a Japanese Company presents a comprehensive study of what it is really like to work for the Japanese--and the first guide to evaluating Japanese companies as employers. His skillful use of verbatim interview materials is combined with the interpretive approach of a cultural anthropologist who is completely at home in a business environment. Reading Working for a Japanese Company will transform your assumptions about Japanese companies and Japanese managers themselves. This essential work goes beyond stereotypes to offer truly new perspectives and insights on things Japanese in today's world of multinational business. ... Read more

Book Description

International Business Etiquette: Asia and the Pacific Rim is the ideal guide for establishing and maintaining relationships in Asia, and it is as well-suited to the first-time traveler as to the seasoned veteran. For quick reference, chapters are devoted to each of the countries covered and offer countless suggestions and sage advice that can help you get ahead…make the deal…and build relationships that matter.

Topics include:

• Proper greetings and introductions.
• Business card etiquette.
• Body language.
• Questions to ask-and topics to avoid.
• Meeting Manners.
• The art of business entertaining and mealtime etiquette.
• Special concerns for women doing business in Asia.
• When tipping is appropriate and when it is not. ... Read more

  Reviews (4)

  Insightful!
  Ann Marie Sabath ever so politely documents the social and business etiquette practiced in 13 Asian and Pacific Rim countries. Chock full of practical "do's and don'ts," the book includes plenty of basic information about each country, including history, air travel, telephone, currency, holidays, language, religion, time zones and weather. To fit so much into only 200 pages, the author presents only the most important highlights and writes in a concise, authoritative, yet upbeat style. We [...] recommend this book to those doing business in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, and to those doing business elsewhere with men and women from these countries. And, just remember what Mom said, "Mind your manners wherever you go so they'll know you weren't raised in a barn."
  

  Simple Basics, But Not As Much As You Need
  I have often wished that there was an outstanding source on business etiquette in various countries, and have searched in vain for one. I was quite interested to read this one to see if it would fulfill my needs. Obviously, I could not evaluate the advice for countries where I have not done business so I checked out the countries where I had done business. The results disappointed me.

  Issues that came up within the first 24 hours of trips to Asia and the Pacific Rim were not addressed in the book, such as how I should work with the companies I was planning to visit to arrange for the details of my visit. Also, many social habits that were important in meetings were not addressed, like how one should respond in various situations during business meetings (such as if the other side brings up something that is a deal breaker).

  On the other hand, the book clearly provides useful advice as far as it goes, and it attempts to cover the waterfront (13 areas and 24 subjects per geography). That's probably the reason why it is too basic in approach. You will get good help here on important basics like how many hours of time difference (so you don't call at the wrong time), how dates are written down so you can decipher the messages you get, when holidays are so you won't offend someone by suggesting a meeting on an important religious or national holiday, and gift-giving etiquette (an area where Americans often err).

  I do suggest that you acquire this book to have these basics available near to your computer and telephone at work. Also, the bibliography seems to provide a list of longer books on each geographic area. Those books may give you more details. There's probably no substitute for speaking with a business person from the country before you go, and getting advice from the concierge at a good hotel once you're there. Naturally, if you are fortunate enough to have colleagues in your company who work there already, they can fill you in. So this book is primarily aimed at those without a local operation.

  Some of the better sections included information about what are appropriate conversational topics, rude gestures and actions to avoid, punctuality, seating etiquette, the special issues for women in business, and the weather conditions you can expect.

  A book like this is a good reminder of how much we are conditioned by our culture. If nothing else, it can help you understand the sources of stalled thinking that can harm our business relationships in other countries because of our typical American approaches.

  I liked what was in the book. I graded it down two stars for what was not...END

  A must read book
  Asia & The Pacific Rim is a must read book for those who are interested in doing business with Asian countries. Ann Marie Sabath in her book explained the Asian customs and cultures throughly but simply enough for everyone to understand and grasp. As a student from China, I believe reading this book will make your business trip to Asia more pleasant and sucessful.

  Great multi-purpose tool for business & personal travel.
  Ann Marie, I received my book a few minutes ago from Amazon.com Re: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ETIQUETTE .. Asia & the Pacific Rim. Even though I purchased it for my official job, it will prove beneficial to me as well in my personal life as a poet/storyteller/performing artist. I have travelled abroad to Europe several times--most recently in Jan/Feb of this year to perform in 5 countries in behalf of the Armed Forces Professional Entertainment Organization, Department of Defense, the Pentagon. I may also have an opportunity to perform in Japan. This books is a useful tool for conducting business above scale and with confidence. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Book!!!
I have read this book... I think it is great, well-illustrated, and comprehensive...

This book teachs the ABC of etiquette. A person that never knows about etiquette can learn from this book, still, it is great for those whom know about etiquette, since it is really advanced...

I do recommend it

an actual relevant, up-to-date etiquette book
Finally, an etiquette book that is relevant to today's business world. Everything important is covered from the right handshake to dress-down Friday's to how much to tip. I especially liked the chapters on basic common courtesies that we seem to have forgotton, such as not refilling the copy machine paper and not chewing with your mouth full.

Every person in the working world from the mailroom to the executive offices should read this. It would certainly make work much more pleasant. ... Read more

Book Description

Looking for a job?

Preparing for the biggest interview of your life?

Facing a layoff?

Have no fear. Work It! has all the strategies you need.

The work world isn't so friendly anymore. Landing the job you want takes a little more sweat in this tight job market, and keeping that job requires savvy and vigilance. This smart and comprehensive guide, packed with punchy, frank advice, gives you the tools and techniques that will help you get the most out of your job hunt. Allison Hemming, a noted career expert, delivers a needed dose of wisdom from the trenches in a manual that is perfectly updated to suit the modern work environment.

Work It! gives you the skinny on all you need to know, including:

• Step away from the computer -- the Internet may be ruining your job search

• Lose the McResume and get a grip on the lost art of correspondence

• The ABCs of networking -- don't wing it, work it!

• Training tips for peak interview performance

• Seal the Deal -- how to negotiate and accept a job the right way

If you are recently unemployed or see a layoff looming, there's a bonus Pink Slip section that will make you better able to bounce back and stay financially afloat during your job search. And for recent college grads, there's a road map for getting a J.O.B. degree. Alter your approach to job-hunting from this moment forward! Now go work it! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Good Advice for Finding Work and Getting Jobs
... Allison Hemming has written a very good book packed with practical advice for finding work and getting jobs. She's an expert at dealing with the grown-up world of work. One problem I have with this book is that it appears to be very heavily slanted to getting a certain kind of work - "corporate identity" types of jobs in particular - without really dealing with the great, big, whole world of work available out there. "Office Job" hunters will love this book. The problem is that not everyone is cut-out for an office job. The other problem I have with this book is that the print is very small - and even smaller in the highlighted boxes with the gray background. It is very difficult to read at times. Nevertheless, reading this book will help anyone in their job search, if only because of all of the helpful web sites mentioned.

... For those cautious souls uncertain about making a change or taking a leap, the advice given on pages 275 to 279 is encouraging: "The only thing scarier than living with your parents is relocating to a city where you don't know a soul. But if your heart is set on an industry that tends to be centered in one or two specific cities (like Washington, D.C. for the federal government, New York or Los Angeles for entertainment, or the San Francisco Bay Area for technology), you could be looking at pulling up stakes. So how exactly do you conduct a long-distance job search while you're still at college or stuck in your hometown living with your parents? Do you move to the city right off the bat, or do you wait until you land a job and then go? Quite simply, it depends. The biggest consideration is that four-letter word: c-a-s-h. ... To Move or Not to Move. That's the million-dollar question. If you can swing it financially and you're sure of where you want to go, it probably makes sense to just do it, even if there's no job waiting for you in your new city. Interviewers will feel more confident that you're for real if you have a local address than if you're just in town to check things out. Besides, having no money and no job will motivate you in ways you can't imagine."

... As the NIKE ad says: "Just Do It!" ... From internet searches, to networking, to resume writing, to correspondence, to interviewing, to unemployment benefits, to career counseling, to budgeting one's money - it's all here in this helpful book. Read it, and then WORK IT! ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid

A Good Read!
Allison Hemming, who heads an interim workforce agency, discusses strategies you can use to get employed. She focuses primarily on entry level jobs and directs her advice to younger workers, especially those affected by the tight job market (hence the sassy, but unnecessarily tacky, sub-title). However, the basics of her technique can be applied by most job seekers. Hemming writes with an authoritative air, using a casual style to appeal to younger, hip workers, although her job hunting principles sound fairly basic. Note the book's tips on techniques to avoid and alternate techniques to pursue. She suggests niche searches on the Internet, targeted resumes and extensive networking. It's not very flashy but, nowadays, as job hunting increasingly becomes an extreme competitive sport, We recommend taking all the solid advice you can get.

finally
an actually readable and entertaining romp through a subject that has been mistreated by so many other authors.

This one's a keeper. It skips along at a nice pace and delivers lots of practical information about establishing the right kind of employment.

For the Recent Grad Not Experienced
Good intro, but no new nuggets. Enough to get me motivated again, but the advice is stale especially for a 2003 book. This book was written for the unsophisticated or the new grad. Advice like wear a suit to the interview and send thank you letters are so old hat. I was looking for concrete examples and got none. One suggestion was to include a powerful subject line in e-mails, but she included no examples. It's easy to give advice, but back it up with suggestions. That's what I was looking for. I'm very glad I bought the e-book as it was cheaper!

Excellent resource and a good read
Work It, takes you from the beginnings of the job search, all the way through to the final interview. Each stage is clearly examined and Allison provides not only her own expertise and advice, but includes many quotes and opinions from others, including hiring managers and recruiters in the staffing industry.

Allison writes in a straight forward, encouraging, and appealing down-to-Earth style which translates very well to the reader. The book is very well organized and includes a short summary section at the end of each chapter to highlight the main points.

If you are looking for a book filled with charts and statistics, then Work It is not for you.

BUT....if you are in need of one of the BEST resources for real life advice and examples, combined with respected professional opinions on exactly what you need to do to get your dream job...then Work It is really the only book that you need. ... Read more

Book Description

Good business is all about dealing with people. If you have trouble interacting with clients or co-workers, you’ll be circling Help Wanted ads before you know it. My First Book of Business Etiquette is an essential primer on workplace decorum, with information on: - Behaving in a meeting - Being respectful in an office full of cubicles - Conducting business abroad - The ins and outs of creative schmoozing - And much, much more. Whether you're making the transition from the dorm room to the board room -- or just want a quick refresher course on good manners -- this useful primer is bound to delight! ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of this popular book on business manners has new sections on business wardrobe and professionalism.

Readers will also learn how to master technology etiquette (e-mail, voice mail, conference calls and more); utilize the how-to's of effective handshakes; navigate the business meal; understand international etiquetet and cultural differences; negotiate privacy issues; and use written correspondence -- the right way. ... Read more

Book Description

Culture Shock! Success Secrets guides give relevant practical information with real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure. ... Read more

Book Description

The unwritten (until now) rules of business conduct have changed. In Company Manners, a successful executive separates the do's from the don'ts in the '90s. Includes sections on sexual harrassment, family leave, flextime, strategies for surviving mergers, reorganizations, and corporate warfare. Advertising in Executive Female. ... Read more

Book Description

For over a quarter of a century, The Oasis Press has provided essential business primers toover 3 million readers. Its Successful Business Library has been recognized by leading small businessorganizations and publications like the U.S. Small Business Administration and Inc. magazine.

Now, a wealth of knowledge and experience comes together in this all-in-one start-up tool (available in 45state-specific editions) to provide the most up-to-date information on virtually every issue affecting smallbusiness. SmartStart can answer such questions as:

? What's the best operating entity for my type of business? Let SmartStart explain the differences betweenLLCs, S corporations, and sole proprietorships.

? What do I need to know about hiring employees? Don't open your doors until you understand yourduties as an employer.

? Have I met all the registration and licensing requirements? Let SmartStart's state-specific contactinformation help.

? Have I obtained all the required posters and permits necessary to operate legally? SmartStart will tellyou how in a quick, efficient, organized manner.

? Once my business is up and running, then what? SmartStart is designed to grow with your business,anticipating the basic issues of expansion, relocation, and interstate commerce. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Practical, informative, authoritative, and well written
I feel foolish praising such a small book to high heaven. But, I must say that this book is a fascinating read. I bought it during my first business trip to Japan and couldn't put it down.

The book's author, an American, has lived in Japan for 50 years. It's clear that he knows the language and the culture. Moreover, he also has kept in touch with the States, and still has the ability to communicate with an American audience. As I said, the book is small. It's only half the physical dimensions of an ordinary book. It is about 170 pages in length. There are 64 chapters, so each chapter is only 2-3 pages long. Each chapter is like a short essay on some minute but nonetheless important detail about Japanese business culture, or advice on how to successfully interface with it. Some of the chapter titles are : The Role of the Greeting Ritual, The Name Card System, How to Recognize "No," The Importance of Going to Japan, Making the First Contact, Seeing Behind the Facade, The Importance of Following up, How to Use Interpreters, Dealing at the Negotiating Table, More Mistakes Foreigners Make, and Mastering the Art of Business at Night. Each of these short chapters is very well written.

The author has obviously advised many foreign companies on how to approach the Japanese and how to get past all the suspicion and barriers that prevent the Japanese from establishing a formal relationship with a foreign firm. His descriptions of how the Japanese protocol functions, how the Japanese company functions, the importance of etiquette, the all-important socializing between potential business partners, the Japanese sense of caution, their fixation on outward appearance, their "group think" mentality, their concern that everything be right and that everyone be comfortable with any new venture before it can begin, and even his description of how Buddhism affects the Japanese business mentality, singularly and in toto indicate that the author really knows what he is talking about.

I've lived a year or more in four different countries, and written about the culture of three of them. It's hard to write about a culture in a way that does not sound like criticism or like proselytizing. Yet, Boye De Mente manages to do so. The reader becomes far more sophisticated in a couple of hours than (s)he was before picking up the book. I was so impressed that after reading this book, I ordered another by the same author. I'll definitely read this book again before my next business trip to Japan. ... Read more

Book Description

In this bold, fresh approach to leadership, two psychologist profile more than 50 leaders who have leveraged the legacy of their life experiences into five owerful habits of mind to shape the way they think about, and respond to, challenges in their leadership.

Readers learn about the inner work of leaders such as Sara Lee CEO John Bryan, Hearst Magazine President Cathleen Black, Cherokee chief Wilma Mankiller, Princeton President Harold Shapiro, Chicago Cubs President Andy MacPhail, and Ogilvy & Mather CEO Shelly Lazarus.

Each leader tells a compelling story of translating the lessons of a lifetime into habits of mind that are central to his or her success.

is a book with a clear, strategic message: Leadership develops from within. Only when leaders do this inner work (and understand the experiences that have influenced them) can they develop powerful habits of mind for leading and inspiring others.

Book Description

With humor and wisdom, this book shows you how to talk your way to success! Learn the right way to approach anyone and leave a good impression.

Learn how to become indispensable at your job. Learn how to get people talking positively about you. Learn how to start a life-long friendship within the first few minutes after meeting anyone!

Whether you're meeting someone famous, or the boss's wife, this book teaches you how to better handle that most intimate act: conversation. The authors of this book prefer to call it The Art of the Shmooze!

In these compelling chapters, Bret and Steve reveal breakthrough techniques for Shmoozing Success:

Shmooze Basics;
How to Shmooze at Work;
How to Shmooze in Negotiations;
How to Impress Them;
How to Get a Job;
How to Shmooze at Parties;
How to Shmooze at Bars/Clubs;
Get What You Want Through Shmoozing!

What Works with the People at the Top:
Movie Stars, TV Stars, Music Stars, Sports Stars, Business & Government Leaders ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Surface-Level For Autograph & Photo Seekers & Wannabees
Getting one's picture taken with a celebrity does not mean they spend more than the 4 seconds with them to stand, say "cheese," and snap the shot.Of course, maybe Stein and Saxon do spend some time with some celebs.

But this book is about fun.And it's fine in this context.You can learn some pool tricks and remember that most people like to talk about things they are interested in and things they like. So, If you know Robert Deniro is a sushi-lover, you can ask him what good sushi places are in town to eat at.Now, what would they ask Michael Jackson?

More in-depth concepts can be found in other books that may include such categories such as Carnegie, sales, social self-help books, and interpersonal communication guides.But it's about fun, and you can learn some card and magic tricks here.Good for people with time on their hands.

Fun Stuff
This was a fun book with a lot of creative techniques.

Great Celeb Stories
Very fun book with tons of celeb stories. Great tips.

Useless tactics
I heard about this book on Howard Stern.It's just oozing with cheesy techniques that get you nowhere.I tried pulling the airline trick by attempting to get upgraded to First Class.Today's airline employees are so overworked, they don't care who you are.There's no way for an upgrade unless you've been burned in some way.

I stopped reading this book when I got to the section on impressing women with fancy pool shots.I felt like Peter Brady.Pork chops and applesauce.

Completely worthwhile! Informative and Fun
I bought this book hoping for some tips on relationship building and was completely satisfied! It is fun to read and full of great techniques. The Hallmark card/resume idea is worth the price of the book alone, and thereare hundreds of those types of techniques. The previous review was way offbase - the pick-up lines were meant to be a joke! I laughed all the waythrough that section! ... Read more

Book Description