Book Description

Reveals why the most successful businesses are those that build close win-win relationships with their customers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Excellent Book to become or hone a customer-centric model
This book is an excellent way to both begin building as well as to hone a customer-centric business model. Admittedly, it is not an academic tome, but few practioners are looking for such. This both explains and inspires in a way that virtually all levels of employees will be able to relate. Yes, it's an important listen for the boss, the foreman and the hourly craft employee. Most everyone commutes to and from work - let your managers and employees alike get the "facts of life" from other who have tried and won (and a few that have not). It's a great read/listen!

Where's the beef?
A mediocre book on a great topic. Rather than providing any specific insights (original concepts, tools, and techniques) on how to achieve customer intimacy, the book is hardly more than a 200-page repository of truisms. Nothing is elaborated upon; everything is surface and words. One is left with the impression that the author is more interested in promoting his consultancy practice than in conveying anything deep or useful. For a more thorough treatment of the same subject, readers may want to turn to "Customer Connections" by Wayland and Cole.

Anyone who understands business knows where it all starts!
This book places an explanation point on the need for businesses to clearly focus objectives and critical needs around the customer. It goes without saying that no customers = no business. This is a quick, one week read by nature of the flow of information as well as poignant examples. Senior staffers to factory staffers should read and take note. Our businesses fail when we are not intimately acquainted with our customers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Godin right "on-line" when giving insight for Entrepenuers
Seth Godin has time and time again delivered properous and productive information to the entrepenuer at heart. He walks us step by step into the depths of how to suceed in the dog eat dog world of commerce whetheron-line or off, technology or pet rocks. A great book for anyone looking to"make things happen" in thier own, soo-to-be, corporation

Godin right "on-line" when giving insight for Entrepenuers
Seth Godin has time and time again delivered properous and productive information to the entrepenuer at heart.He walks us step by step into the depths of how to suceed in the dog eat dog world of commerce whetheron-line or off, technology or pet rocks.A great book for anyone lookingto "make things happen" in thier own, soo-to-be, corporation ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

"It doesn't matter if you are an individual contributor who wants to hang on to a better work life or a CEO who wants to maintain a new high level of productivity: Sustaining change is the true test of leadership. Holding on to a culture of innovation, maintaining a higher quality of work life, constantly renewing an important customer service program, or retaining a more participative management style require the use of an unique set of principles that are different than those used simply to initiate a change . . . External energy is often what it takes to catch our attention in a busy world. But external energy cannot sustain a change. That takes a different source of energy: natural energy." --from the Introduction to FISH! Sticks With more than two million copies in print worldwide, FISH! and FISH! Tales have been fixtures on the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Business Week, New York Times Business, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. The FISH! philosophy has been featured widely in People, Fast Company, and on CBS Television's Sunday Morning, and CNN's Business Unusual. Thousands of organizations are using the FISH! philosophy to bring more energy and passion to their work, including Abbott Labs, Arrow Electronics UK Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ford, Harley-Davidson, the Mayo Clinic, Nabisco, the National Weather Service, Nordstrom, P&G, Prudential, Sprint, the U.S. Army, and Wells Fargo.There are many ways to make good changes. This brilliant new parable will show you how to help make those changes stick -- for good.

Effecting change in an organization is a piece of cake -– compared to the real challenge of getting change to stick.  Now, the authors of FISH!, the million-plus copy international bestselling book and video phenomenon, have returned with an all-new, stand-alone business parable that shows how anyone can do exactly that.  Here is a remarkable way to keep your work vital, alive, and fresh as you navigate staff turnover, tough times, and general run-of-the-mill cynicism and burnout.

When Rhonda, a new manager, takes over from a popular and now promoted boss, she is faced with the problem of how to keep spirits and performance up in a newly-energized unit that has, frankly, started to get bored and cranky and return to its old ways.  But then she visits the amazing Tsunami Too, a fictional sushi restaurant that always has a huge line of customers cheerfully waiting for hours to get in.  Soon, she realizes that the way to keep her staff and herself motivated and at the top of their game can be learned from a brilliant sushi chef and a bunch of waiters who continually teach one another everything they need to know about giving great customer service, integrating new employees, and maintaining an atmosphere of  constant innovation and overall excellence.

FISH! Sticks employs the same kind of easy-to-use story that was used in Fish! to illustrate its three main commitments for continued success: Find IT, Live IT, Coach IT, where the "IT" is each employee's own personal vision, found withing the overall vision for the business. Chock full of easy-to-grasp examples, this book provides advice that is concrete and can produce immediate improvements in employee morale, customer satisfaction, and productivity -- both for the short and long-term. 

If you have ever made a change or innovation only to feel soon after that you were backsliding -– or if you want to identify what's working in your workplace and make sure that it keeps working -– then FISH! Sticks is a book that will help you achieve your goals. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A Good Read!
You're back in the fishing boat with the crew that brought you the successful Fish! and Fish! Tales. Offering another finny fable, Stephen C. Lundin, John Christensen and Harry Paul present a business parable based on creating and sustaining successful change. The book uses the same fictitious approach as the other two Fish!ing trips, but this time the story is set at a hospital's nursing station. The agent-of-change head nurse has departed and the new head nurse feels that the group is losing its vision. Then, she discovers that a local sushi restaurant is a model of excellence, and all goes swimmingly after that. Although the advice offered isn't particularly unique, some may find a certain charm in the story. Given that this is round three, the format may seem a little repetitive to those who have already Fish!ed. If you want to catch the core of the message on your first cast, look for the highlights on the occasional pages in whale-size type. We recommend the basic common sense of these messages, even if the storytelling is a little fishy.

A Good Read!
You're back in the fishing boat with the crew that brought you the successful Fish! and Fish! Tales. Offering another finny fable, Stephen C. Lundin, John Christensen and Harry Paul present a business parable based on creating and sustaining successful change. The book uses the same fictitious approach as the other two Fish!ing trips, but this time the story is set at a hospital's nursing station. The agent-of-change head nurse has departed and the new head nurse feels that the group is losing its vision. Then, she discovers that a local sushi restaurant is a model of excellence, and all goes swimmingly after that. Although the advice offered isn't particularly unique, some may find a certain charm in the story. Given that this is round three, the format may seem a little repetitive to those who have already Fish!ed. If you want to catch the core of the message on your first cast, look for the highlights on the occasional pages in whale-size type. We recommend the basic common sense of these messages, even if the storytelling is a little fishy.

Make your changes stick
I liked this book because it took the parable book concept to a more productive level by teaching readers how to make changes and ideas stick after the story ends. Fish Sticks is like a motivational speaker who gives you solid, practical tips that you remember even after the conference. Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life by JoAnna Carey is another great book for companies to share with employees because it offers entertaining stories and goal oriented advice about improving your workplace and your life.

Don't Starve, Learn To Fish!
An excellent book for our changing work enviroment. Let's face it, the workplace isn't the same as it use to be. you better get on board or be left behind. This book will show you how.

Making change stick
How do you get a group of people to adopt new strategies of coping with change? This story provides food for thought. I recommend you read it along with Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self. When we use Optimal Thinking, we take the most constructive actions and achieve what is supremely important. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lo primero, primero . . .en el trafico.
Este cassete es excelente! todos hemos escuchado de principios pero nadie habia explicado tan claramente como podemos utilizar estos principios en nuestra manera de organisarnos como lo a hecho Stephen Covey. Este cassete resulta genial para aquellos que no tenemos tiempo para leer. En medio de el trafico podemos aprender como " poner lo primero, primero." ... Read more

Book Description

It's a question many of us have wondered with frequency. Author Po Bronson was asking himself that very question when he decided to write this book - an inspiring exploration of how people transform their lives and a template for how we can answer this question for ourselves.

Po traveled the country in search of individuals who have struggled to find their calling, their true nature. People who made mistakes before getting it right. People of all ages and all professions -- fascinating individuals trying to answer questions such as: Is a career supposed to feel like a destiny? How do I tell the difference between a curiosity and a passion? Should I make money first, to fund my dream? If I have a child, will my frustration over my work go away? Should I accept my lot, make peace with my ambition, and stop stressing out? Why do I feel guilty for thinking about this?

This audiobook is like listening in on an intimate conversation among people you care about and admire. There is wisdom and guidance in these stories of people who found meaningful answers by daring to be honest with themselves.

"We all have passions if we choose to see them," Bronson writes. "Most of us don't get epiphanies. We don't get clarity. Our purpose doesn't arrive neatly packaged as destiny. We only get a whisper. A blank, non-specific urge. That's how it starts."

With humor, empathy, and insight, Po Bronson probes the depths of people who learned how to hear the whisper, who overcame fear and confusion to find a larger truth about their lives.A meditation, a journey, and a triumph of storytelling, What Should I Do With My Life? is a life-changing audiobook. ... Read more

Reviews (231)

Flawed but important
Questioning his own life, author Po Bronson set out to learn how others made tough career decisions -- and lived with them.
He says he talked to nine hundred people, seventy or so in detail, and he includes the stories of fifty or so career-changers in his book.

Bronson does not offer a systematic study or a self-help book. That's important to get out of the way. As other reviewers have observed, you won't find plans or guidance for your own career move.

Instead, Bronson offers a jumble of anecdotes, unsystematic and uneven -- just the sort of stories I hear every day as a career coach. People seek new adventures. They weigh the cost (and there always is a cost). Sometimes they decide the cost is too high and they back down. Sometimes they leap and experience disappointment. And sometimes they leap and find themselves soaring.

Career-changers are hungry for guidance. Bronson's interviewees often sought his approval -- and his advice. He insists that he's not a career counselor but they asked anyway. This quest for help is typical during any life transition and underscores the need to be cautious about seeking help from whoever happens to show up.

And of course this overlap of roles can be viewed as a flaw in the book. Bronson admits lapsing from the journalist role. He gets so involved with his interviewees that the story becomes a quest, a journey-across-the-country story rather than an analysis of career choices. Bronson includes his own story, told in pieces throughout the book. This feature seemed to interrupt the flow: if the author tells his own story, we should be led to anticipate autobiography.

Despite these flaws, Bronson comes up with some sound insights into career change. He observes that people avoid change because of the accompanying loss of identity. They hang back "because they don't want to be the kind of person who abandons friends and takes up with a new crowd," precisely what you have to do following a life transition.

And he follows up with a warning of solitude that also accompanies any life change. "Get used to being alone," he advises, yet many people fear being alone more than they fear being stuck in a job they hate.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE offers questions, not answers. It's like attending a giant networking event. You have to sort through the stories on your own.

Despite these flaws, I will recommend this book to my clients and to other career coaches. Career change, like any change, is messy. You rarely get to move in a straight line and you always experience pain and loss. And every move is a roll of the dice: a coach can help, but there are no guarantees.

Each story in this book is unique and your own will be too. You, the career changer, must put together your own mosaic and find pattern and meaning on your own.

Misery Loves Company?
My Adored Older Brother recommended this book to me (shoved it in my hands in fact and made me take it) so I read it... but other than the fact that it demonstrates that many, many people make career shifts and life shifts and geographical shifts in their thirties and forties I'm not sure how it is helpful.

This is NOT a book like Barbara Sher's "Wishcraft." There are no guidelines for determining your goals and going after them-- this isn't even really a self-help book.

What it is, is a collection of essays based on interviews with an assortment of different people wrestling with this question. Many, if not most, of the people are still in flux, or even actively dissatisfied, when Bronson finishes the essay on them. Though this is realistic it's also depressing.

And there's far too much commentary from Bronson about his own journey (pardon me but I just don't have all that much sympathy for his struggles since he made a fortune as a young man before he found his path to creative writing... and to his true love... he certainly seems to have it all now, and his periods of angst seem largely self-induced) and how he came to choose the people he wrote about.

Some of the essays began with paragraphs about how this or that person almost didn't make it into the book, even though he or she kept emailing him-- which led to the notion that being included was an honor. Well, in a way I suppose it was, but it has the effect of calling attention to the process of the book's writing more than to its content.

Ultimately for me not enough stories were inspirational and not enough were memorable.

BUT. I'm in the arts, and the notion of making a career or life change is not in and of itself a hard concept for me (just the mechanism of it itself).

For people who have not really undertaken to figure this out-- and I think that includes a lot of people who have gone straight into lucrative fields (OK, I guess I do understand why Bronson uses himself as an example of how making money can be unfulfilling)-- this is an important question. One thing that did resonate is how some of his interviewees would misstate the title of the book-- the SHOULD is important. It's not "what do I really want" but "what SHOULD I do with my life." This is an interesting angle...

and on the whole it's an interesting read when you first think about the question.

But for real motivation and encouragement, I'd go with any of Barbara Sher's books!

What I Needed When I Needed It
I was in an airport when I saw it; the question that has been on my mind for the past year, staring back at me from the cover of a book at the airport newstand. It was Po Bronson's book, "What Should I Do With My Life?" I thought about buying it, but didn't at the momement because I had a plane to catch. But I thought about it on the flight home, and downloaded the e-book to read on my PDA.

I actually like that it's not a self help book. I'm not naive enough to think that any one book can tell me what to do with my life, or how to find my purpose or calling. I did find it comforting to know that I'm not the only one struggling with this question, and I was grateful to hear how other people approached this question. I could see some of myself in them, and some of their stories in mine. Until this book, I was beginning to think of myself--a 35 year old gay dad--as a late bloomer. Now I think that I haven't bloomed yet, but I'm not late.

Bottom line, if you're looking for a book to give you the answers, this isn't it, and good luck finding it. But if you're looking for stories about how other people approached this question, I'd recommend this book.

We All Have the Same Questions
If you are seeking your calling, you have plenty of company.

Our circumstances differ, but we all have the same questions. How do you find your calling, what road do you take? This collection of memoirs is not a self-help book-- you will not find an explicit roadmap to follow-- but you may well find comfort that many share your quest for direction. The range of people covered is fascinating-- the subjects include a Buddhist monk, a Harvard MBA turned catfish farmer, a social service worker, and a cake-maker, among many others. Bronson is sympathetic to his subjects, and includes his own profile in the book.

If you are looking for good company on your own life journey, this book is a worthy companion.

What Should I Do...Me, Me. Me!
·The book makes the central mistake of all the "self-help" that has perpetuated our culture since the 1970's, from Dr. Phil's book "Self Matters," to Joseph Campbell's mantra of "follow your bliss," to Bradley Grieve's fuzzy pictorial "The Meaning to Life," to even Robert DiNeiro's lament of "wasted talent" in his film A Bronx Tale: that narcissism is the way to meaning and happiness. Bronson and these authors often poo-poo those who choose (and stick with) a stready, less-satisfaying job. But these are the folks who can support their families and contribute needed services and taxes to the economy. For those making good salaries, they support charities (which need $ more than our bodies), move their families to safe neighborhoods, and put their kids through a good college. I'd give all these people a medal, frankly.

·Here's the myths Bronson perpetuates through his book, IMO:

MYTH 1: career is your central medium for achieving happiness, and fulfilling your purpose in life

MYTH 2: duty and responsibility are "shackles" that are holding you back from being truly happy.

MYTH 3: if the "job" aspect of your life is not fulfilling, you have failed or at best, lost or misguided.

·Bronson terribly embellished most of the profiles in the book. Many of the interviewees have come forward complaining, and other aspects of their life (mostly privileged) have come out since publication.

·It doesn't follow the people long-term.

·And lastly...The book is somewhat nauseating due to Po Bronson's love for...Po Bronson! I got the impression he thinks he knows more than the people he's profiling (read the NY Times Review at their website for best examples). Hard to take a guy seriously for career advice when he's in his early 30's and loaded in $ from a trust fund and can do whatever he wants. Put him out there as a starving Writer (which nearly all are who do it full-time) for a year and watch him go back to his former cushy Wall Street job, stat. (sorry, my cynical New Yorker side has come out).

I'd recommend "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?"
It came out the same time as Bronson's book and offers a different recommendation: service to others and thinking outside yourself is what it's all about. It is a Christian book, and I don't adhere to all it's recommendations, but it helped me to stop focusing inward (which I discovered is the best way to get really depressed and hate your job). Interestng to note that one of the most consistent findings in psychological research is the relationship between happiness and helping others. And you don't need to be a Mother Teresa to do that, just do it day-to-day.

I'd also consider the work of the late Donald Super (Godfather of Counseling Psychology) who defined "Career" as one's "Life," encompassing all our "work roles": job, family, friend, citizen, steward, parent, volunteer, child, church member, activist, hobbyist, etc, etc. Although many of these roles you have not embarked upon yet (or forced on to you yet!), it is freeing to remember that you do not have to achieve a "calling" in just your career, but rather, through contributions from all aspects of your life. Although ironic, that's actually easier to do. It's less of shock to your system too: Po Bronson made a public apology after many read his book, quit their stable jobs for Internet start-ups, and promptly lost their livelihood after the Tech Bubble! Thanks, Po.

Hey, I'm sounding like Po Bronson now! A 30-something geek telling you about the meaning to life. I better close now and go back to my own Mid-Life Crisis. ... Read more

Book Description

The groundbreaking book The Artist's Way has helped more than a million people access their creativity and realize their dreams. Now, authors Mark Bryan, Julia Cameron, and Catherine Allen extend and expand the original Artist's Way tools in an all-new program specifically designed to encompass the world of the workplace.

The authors asked hundreds of businesspeople to tell them the things that concerned them, receiving such heartfelt questions as:

How do I stay creative in a hostile and competitive environment? How can I remain creative despite criticism? How can I clarify and apply my strengths to my work? How can I overcome the depression I feel at my job? How can I handle an impossible workload?

This audiobook answers these questions and many more. The Artist's Way at Work will help you thrive at the job you now have, move into the career you truly want, or launch the business of your dreams. It combines the strength of three fields, the art world, which gave rise to the original Artist's Way, the entrepreneurial world, and the corporate world.

The Artist's Way at Work will give you a more satisfying, fully creative life in which you will feet a sense of wholeness, not fragmentation, a sense of cooperation, not competition. This audiobook will help you become more authentic, more productive, and better able to see and speak your truth in all facets of your life. ... Read more

Book Description

Every successful person knows that the keys to achievement are conscious effort, careful planning, and good, old-fashioned hard work. But on the road to success, there is one habit that will accelerate you beyond all others. If you want to stay ahead of the pack, you've got to start Thinking Big.

In Thinking Big, world-famous success expert Brian Tracy will take you beyond the limits of everyday thought, where you will tap into the vast resources of your mind and unlock unlimited potential. In this phenomenal audio program, you'll learn how to:

* Recognize critical success factors, and why they are vital to your personal and professional success
* Develop the mindpower of a genius
* Harness the amazing powers of the subconscious mind to perform at higher levels
* Identify your unique abilities and talents -- and use them to create a fortune

By practicing the ideas taught in Thinking Big, you can and will become unstoppable! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This book is a real gem!
The goal of this book is to show you all those things successful people follow that can transform you into a winner. The book shows you how to set your goals and how to put a real positive outlook on life. If you follow everything this book says, it is very difficult NOT to see you becoming a High Performance Person. This book delivers the tools for you to become successful. Good Luck and Success awaits you!

Practical, Insightful, Clear, and Effective
Brian Tracy offers a practical and insightful guide to personal development and goal achievement. His approach is clear, articulate, and compelling. I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Book Description

LUTHER T. FARRELL has got to get out of Flint, Michigan.

As his best friend Sparky says, "Flint’s nothing but the Titanic."

And his mother, a.k.a. the Sarge, says, "Take my advice and stay off the sucker path."

The Sarge milked the system to build an empire of slum housing and group homes. Luther’s just one of the many people trapped in the Sarge’s Evil Empire—but he’s about to bust out.

If Luther wins the science fair this year, he’ll be on track for college and a future as America’s best-known and best-loved philosopher. All he’s got to do is beat his arch rival Shayla Patrick, the beautiful daughter of Flint’s finest undertaker—and the love of Luther’s life.

Sparky’s escape plans involve a pit bull named Poofy and the world’s scariest rat. Oh, and Luther. Add to the mix Chester X., Luther’s mysterious roommate; Dontay Gaddy, a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE’M ALL; and Darnell Dixon, the Sarge’s go-to guy who knows how to break all the rules.

Bucking the Sarge is a story that only Christopher Paul Curtis could tell. Once again the Newbery Award–winning author of Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 gives us a whole new angle on life and a world full of unforgettable and hilarious characters. Readers will root for Luther and Sparky every step of the way. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

First-tier Dave Barry book!
Dave Barry is almost always extremely funny; even his less-impressive efforts are generally at least moderately amusing. But this is one of his best, up there with "Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up" and "Dave Barry Turns 40". Even those guys who, like myself, sometimes wonder if we're from this planet (given how little our mindset seems to have in common with the majority) and if we ARE from this planet, what species we're members of, can still find things in this book that we empathize with; in my case, it's the inability to see dirt. (Dave explains that this is why guys are so bad at housecleaning; they have a genetic visual impairment that renders them unable to see dirt.)

If you love subtle, elaborate, intellectual humor...

you won't want to read this book.

But if you can find amusement in seriously irreverent humor, even if it has the subtlety of a blowout at highway speed, then you should enjoy this book.

Perhaps The Funniest Book I've Ever Read
Dave Barry's Complete Guide To Guys is, quite possibly, the most hilarious book I have ever read. Basically, Barry sums up all the stereotypes involving guys, not men, guys. Every page made me laugh out loud. I never got tired of it. I found myself nodding in recognition at almost everything written while I laughed until I cried. One of my personal favorite things that Dave Barry does in this book is his spectacular use of footnotes. He will have a sentence followed by a number corresponding to a footnote at the bottom of the page. It is always something hilariously random with very funny shock value. Dave Barry also includes many wonderful anecdotes on actual experiences with guy behavior, such as a bizarrely idiotic club initiation and an organization known as the Chicagoland Corvair Enthusiasts just to list a few. Anybody who is a fan of gender-related humor, either a guy or a gal, is sure to get a kick out of this fantastically entertaining work of literature.

The best comedy is usually factual
I really loved this book. Bacially, Dave Barry's premise is that there are men and there are guys, and he is a guy. The book humorously traces guys through history. Afterward, Barry covers problems that face guys. A heavy focus is given to sexual issues. As funny as the book is, much of it is true. I would recommend this book especially for any male, and for any female that has a sense of humor as well.

don't drink anything while reading this
Dave Barry begins with the difference between men and guys. Men are mature; guys are - well, the very opposite. A few parts of this book are weak and could have used some sharpening up, but mostly the "Guide' is hilarious. Particularly amusing is the quiz to determine whether or not you are a guy, as well as the dead-on sections on sports - "Hitler was a bad person, but he did not miss important free throws in the middle of the playoffs."

Also amusing is the dialogue between Elaine and Roger. With just a few lines, Barry shows the vast gulf between men and women communication-wise and makes the reader pessimistic about ever being able to cross it. Men, Barry explains, have not evolved much since their cavemen days, and when it comes to commnicating with their mate, bumble around much like a dog trying to remember if its human gave it permission to pee inside. While much of this is obviously exaggerated, much rings eerily true.
Forget the relationship gurus with their own talk-shows, and read this book instead.

Women: this will help you understand guys
Forget "Mars and Venus." Women, if you're having trouble understanding guy behavior, this is the book to read. Dave Barry's hilarious take on all things guy-hood will help you understand the male psyche while you're laughing your head off. I highly recommend it for all women! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The power of our intentions create reality...
...and that's needed today more than ever.

I had never heard of Marc Allen before finding this book in audio format at a local rental store. You may not have heard of him, either, but whether you are starting a business or just trying to manage your life better, I encourage you to check out the audio or print version of this book.

I was just looking for something to help me in my work. The title "Visionary Business" caught my eye. It was a short, yet unabridged audio book, and read by the author. I figured it might help. Couldn't hurt. Why not try it? What I expected to get was the usual one or two good ideas that might make it worth the price of the listening...

It's such a thin volume, after all.

What I got instead was a new vision and practical approach to my business and to living, which was so amazing...

It's such a thin volume, after all.

In it, we meet a character named Bernie, who says (among other things):

"When you believe in yourself enough, your most important desires will become intentions, and your intentions will manifest in reality. It's a law of nature. Intentions produce results. Our thoughts and our words are powerful -- powerful enough to create what we want... So be it. So it is."

At the same time, I was reading THE POWER OF NOW, by Eckhart Tolle, and having daily Ah-Ha's that were nudging me into a little more presence and away from some of my old head trash...

In Visionary Business, I was reading a story of a struggling start-up business and an entrepreneur who reminded me of myself. I'm sure many readers would feel the same.

At one point, Bernie asks the young man how his business plan is working, and he describes it as a barge that is very hard to move... He is then encouraged, not to work on his plans, forecasts, action plans, etc., but on his VISION -- the vision of that barge... because as long as he sees it as not moving, nothing else he does will matter.

Understanding that your vision is the controlling factor is vital. There's a song I love by David Wilcox, that includes the words:

"I got such a mess between my ears
like dishes in the sink
Stuff I don't believe just tumbles in
until I don't have room to think...
...All my failures are on display,
the broken dreams of yesterday
Stuff I should have thrown away,
but I've kept it here instead
I've got to empty out the inside of my head"

Stuck barge or cluttered head, we get what we envision, and the power of our intention is greater than we have dreamed.

This is a storyteller's tale. Spun more than told, and practical as well, with business advice and guidelines for a healthy enterprise in addition to the emphasis on working on your vision (and emptying the trash from the inside of your head).

A final thought that I found helpful (in reading the author's bio) was this: Decide you are going to do everything in life in an easy, relaxed manner & a healthy and positive way... I appreciate that bit of vision a lot -- maybe most of all, and I'm seeing its fruit in the lives around me.

Entertaining and Instructive until it gets patronizing
This review pertains to the Audible.com version of the book.Initially, I enjoyed hearing the tale of a novice company builder and his patron, a wise old business man.The narrative style reminds me of sections in "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."A number of pithy maxims are shared with us through the eyes of the pupil, but towards the end of the book we start getting sermons.

There are long spiels on how science has only realized what many deep thinkers (e.g. Buddhists) have known all along.One silly example was his point that the Buddhists say "we are empty", and the author goes aha -- see they knew that before the physicists discovered atoms are mostly space.Maybe I'm overdramatizing here, but the author's naivete and aggrandizing statements remind me of the spin Nostradamus lovers present to the rest of the world.Other sermonizing statements include (paraphrasing) "if you don't know what to do with a company problem, put it in God's hands and do his will."Of course, the author must be unbiased, so he always says "God as you see him or her."Sounds reasonable, but then he goes into this section where even atheists *must* know there is some kind of God, and if they don't, can they create universes?Some great reasoning and open minded thinking there.

There were lots of other statements where I just shook my head thinking the author should stay grounded on earth, or at least, stay focused on the supposed topic.If you get this book, I suggest you avoid the final sections where he becomes heavily spiritual.

Eyes on the Horizon...Both Feet on the Ground
It is important to understand that this is a fictionalized account of a true story, and, that the twelve "Keys of Visionary Business" will be of greatest benefit to those who are about to begin or have already embarked on an entrepreneurial venture of some kind. My own opinion is that the same twelve "Keys" could be almost as valuable to everyone else in business. I say "almost" because the perils and opportunities of entrepreneurship pose quite unique challenges which almost always must be overcome with limited resources, including (especially) experience. In Allen's fictionalized account, there are two main characters: The narrator and his mentor, Bernie. Allen devotes a separate chapter to each of the 12 "Keys" and then provides an Epilogue, followed by an Afterword in which he includes 25 principles and practices of visionary business. This term has many different, sometimes quite different denotations and connotations. In this context, Allen means (a) being able to envision with absolute clarity what you want your business to be and (b) building the business guided by that vision.

Having embarked on a number of entrepreneurial ventures myself, and now working with many others who have, I can personally attest to the great value of the "Keys" but it would be a disservice to the author and to you, were I to divulge them here. Each must be shared within the context of the on-going interaction between the two. Bernie asks all of the questions I wish someone had asked me. Of even greater value is the wisdom he shares, sometimes strategically withholding it until the narrator is ready for it. Their rapport reminds me of the rapport which Mitch Albom describes in Tuesdays with Morrie.

An entrepreneur is one who (literally) "undertakes", often at great risk and amidst uncertainty. That is true ofthe narrator. With all due respect to the practical value of Bernie's business acumen, Allen reveals certain dimensions of Bernie's spirituality which are -- for me, at least -- at least as important as his impact on the narrator's business decisions. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Robert L. Wallace's Soul Food. Both books share much in common (eg thoughtful, well-written, practical, and reassuring) even as they approach similar subjects from different perspectives. For those who are about to begin or are now embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, these two books are essential resources.

Not your typical business text book
A change of pace from most business books.It is written as a fictional account of a business owner and his mentor Bernie, a retired businessperson who helps the entrepreneur see how to build his business while treating people right.A very nice book.

This book came to me at a time when I needed inspiration and not another text book on business.

Great business success ideas
This book is a must read for anyone wishing to expand their businessskills, and their way of doing business.It talks about making sure youplan for the future, write down your plan and then use your plan to get youto your goals.

It is approximately 169 pages but it is a very easy readand a book that you will want to highlight many insightful steps necessaryto achieve your financial success. ... Read more

Book Description

Drawing on his more than forty years of sales experience, master motivator Zig Ziglar provides a wealth of inspirational and practical information for making it in today's fast-paced selling world. Ziglar’s primary aim is to help sales professionals persuade their customers more effectively, more ethically, and more often! In this motivating book, he discusses:

• Where, when, and how to find prospects.
• How to deal with rude, angry, and disgruntled people.
• Why 70% of sales are made between 7:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M.
• How top-selling pros manage stress.
• How to best utilize the telephone.

Book Description

You know what it means to be a winner. Now find out how you can become one.

The world's foremost producer of personal development and motivational audio programs now offers master motivator Zig Ziglar's secrets of success.

You have the potential. But you need that powerful lift that can vault you over any obstacle: a winning attitude. Your talents and skills are inert without a winning self-image to activate them. "Attitude is more important than aptitude," asserts Ziglar as he leads you to think and feel like a winner. Winners are not born -- they're made. You can train your mind and body for high performance by applying Zig's success formula to your everyday life. As you gain a winning edge, you'll be able to:

• Find the positive in people and situations

• Change bad habits

• Set goals

• Have more rewarding relationships

How to Be a Winner is so motivational and inspirational that you'll want to listen to it again and again. This powerful program will revitalize you whenever you are down. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good, but Zig's has better to offer
This tape is apparently a combination of at least two presentations (Zig's voice tone changes noticeably, and his verbal outlining is interrupted).This is a very short overview of Zig's philosophy, and might be a goodintroduction to his work.Yet it is too rushed and is presented at thesurface level only.As a result, it just does not have the impact we havecome to expect from one of the great motivational speakers.I recommendyou spend just a little more for the "Success and Self-Image"tapes.For those of you who already have those tapes, you do not need tobuy this one.

How To Be A Winner
If you really want to learn what it takes to be a winner, this is the audiobook you should listen to.Excellent tape for your children to listen also, if they learn this concepts early in life they will learn what theyneed to do on a regular basis in order to excel in whatever they choose todo.

Winning Stars, just three of them
The first thing that made this tape noticeable was Zig's southern accent (or Texan?) and the funny jokes here and there which were actually funnier than most other personal development speakers.The theme (the beef of thematter) however, was pretty much the same as many others.The onlydiffering part was that he just doesn't believe we can do 'anything' with apositive attitude, but at least we can do 'everything better that with anegative attitude'.It wasn't that bad. Not. ... Read more

Book Description

In business and in life, we often find ourselves facing the same challenge Roman gladiators faced -- act or be acted upon.

In his new book, The Modern Gladiator, Hyrum W. Smith shows, through the powerful metaphor of the gladiator, how success today depends upon our training and tools, just as it did in the time of the Romans. To conquer his or her battles today, the modern gladiator must acquire training and experience as a shield and the tools of personal productivity as the short sword that was key to the rise of the Roman Empire. The Modern Gladiator will not only help you deflect the onslaught of today's life-overload but also take you to a higher level of balance and increased personal productivity.

The Modern Gladiator introduces some of FranklinCovey's products and services and how they can help you in the arena of life. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Short commercial for the other Franklin products
It doesn't give you any real information other than that you should buy all the other books from Franklin Covey or attend their seminars. If you are interested in this kind of stuff you are better off with First Thing First or What Matters Most. Also check out Getting Things Done by David Allen.

15% wisdom, 60% overdone analogies, and 25% advertising.
Hyrum Smith did have a couple of gems, such as "Learn to say NO!", in this CD audio book, but not enough to require two CDs. The gladiator analogy, although interesting from a historical perspective, is repeated too many times to be useful. He did demonstrate that he understood the effects of information overload, but really didn't offer much to counter it, other than a long sales pitch to buy the Franklin-Covey products.

Good idea, but...
I liked the idea of the gladiator/free lancer profesionally trained soldier as modern worker and have read/listened to a couple of books using the same subject (Live Rich by Stephen Pollan was the best). Hyrum Smith has taken the topic and just ruins any thought of businessman/woman as warrior. It is bland as plain generic vanilla and not as motivational or informative as expected. The first CD was a re-hash of the Franklin/Covey books written before with some statistics about information overload thrown in and the second has about 15 minutes of usable information. I have read Hyrum's work before and honestly I expected better.

Here's the short version: 1. Life used to be much more simple. 2. Soldiers used to use long swords and shields until the romans introduced the short sword and shield. 3. Use whatever tools make you effective in business and check out my website to buy them. the end. ... Read more

Book Description

Counterintuitive commandments for hungry job-seekers from the bestselling author of How to Become CEO and How to Become a Rainmaker

Anyone who thinks getting a good job is easy in this booming economy should think again. Greater prosperity has made the work force smarter and more competitive than ever. The real plum jobs are out there, but they’re harder to get than ever. Now, bestselling author and innovative thinker Jeffrey J. Fox, who has helped thousands of listeners rise to the top of any organization, steps up to the plate once again with this no-nonsense collection of surprising and daring rules for landing the right job.

Easy to listen to, inspiring, and often counterintuitive, these concise directives reflect the values of creative thinking and persistence that have made Fox one of America’s most emulated businessmen. He has had proven success with all his rules, such as:
• don’t ask for directions
• make a big splash...not a bunch of little ripples
• don’t talk in an interview

Fox also offers a Job Getting Blueprint, a Job Seeker’s Glossary, several first interview questions, as well as the basic form and variations for a “boomerang letter.” His rules not only help today’s job seekers devise a winning strategy, but also show them how to prepare for and make the best impression in an interview. This wisdom-packed program gives listeners the edge on the competition, and helps prepare them for the challenges and rewards of landing not just a good job, but a great one.
... Read more

Reviews (29)

Great book
It is very refreshing to read such unconventional advice on job hunting. The author's ideas are very good and I totally agree with him. Overall a great book of the kind that we need more today. 4 stars instead of 5 because:

1. Its reader is typically looking for a job in a business-related field, and the hirer's goal is invariably to make more money, so is the job seeker's emphasis in selling himself. While the 'spirit' of the book is great and theoretically applies to all fields or professions, people who are seeking jobs in, say, university teaching, will find many things not applicable to them. (In one place it's said that cv's seeking for university teaching job often devote page after page about papers published but only 2 lines on teaching. Unfortunately this is indeed what the academics stress when hiring: publication is valued more than teaching.)

2. About how to make yourself stand out: again this should be a mental guideline--I wish it can all work that way, but in the real world, first of all, how busy will the CEO'S be if every reader of this book bypass the conventional resume sending process and instead starts job application by sending an impact letter DIRECTLY to the CEO or president?? How many secretaries will actually pass the letters to the CEO? It takes a smart secretary! Second, even if the CEO gets the letter, the result will largely depend on the shrewdness of the CEO. Regrettably, too many CEO's out there are themselves too conventional to recognize a creative job candidate.

To end the review, it's a great book!

Landed a Job in 8 Days Using this Book
Since I was moving into an entirely different field, I was concerned that my lack of direct experience would cause my resume to get overlooked. After reading this book I realized it didn't matter--I wasn't going to send them a typical resume. Instead I made up my mind to follow the steps of the book and land a job in this field.

I sent out 3 resu-letters and immediately got a phone call for an interview with one company. Several days later I had the interview, which I prepared for using Fox's interview "sales" techniques. The interviewer seemed very impressed with both my anwers and my prepared questions. At the end of the interview I was offered the job.

Of course not everyone is going to have such immediate results, and I feel fortunate to have had such good results so quickly, but the ideas expressed in this book are direct, powerful, and clear. By the time I had finished reading the book I felt confident that I was going to land a job in my new field soon--I just didn't realize how soon.

Trite, Shallow, Banal and Essentially Worthless
On the plus side, although it was a complete waste of time, this book can be read in under an hour. On the minus side, if you ever looked for a job at some point in your life, about the only practical use for this book is to prop up a wobbly piece of furniture. It contains such "helpful" hints as "dress nice for interviews" and "don't drink alcohol at lunch." Wow, truly Earth-shattering! I'm surprized there wasn't an entire chapter called "Change Your Underwear." I can't believe there were so many positive reviews of this book. You guys must all be new grads or something.

A real world test. Good book here are the pros and cons...
Okay I'll start out with the pros first:

I bought this book after I lost my job from a downsizing of the organization I was working for. Needless to say, I was in need of a quick way for me to get noticed in the job marketplace.

I used many of the ideas outlined in this book and they did work. I researched organizations, sent impact letters, spoke to the hiring manager and got interviews. I beat out hundreds of people responding with resumes via email and postal mail.

I got my current job pretty much the same way as my previous successes. However, I wasn't able to find out the hiring managers name, so I sent an impact letter and my resume to the Vice President of the department I would be working in. I assume my resume was forwarded to the top of the pile of the hiring manager's resume stack because within a few days I got a call from the personnel department. I had interviews with many people. I sent follow-up letters to everyone I said hello to and eventually I got the job.

All of this took allot of time an effort. I spent every day for 8 months from 9-am to 5-pm researching, writing, calling, following-up, networking, and more. It's exhausting. It's a tough market and the rate of return is still very low. But these ideas give you an edge. I averaged about 1 interview out of every 30 impact letters I wrote. It's a full-time job looking for a job and the competition is tough. That's why it's important to have at least 6-8 months of living expenses saved in case you loose your job. In this day and age, If you can afford to have a year of living expenses saved, that would be ideal. Being unemployed usually catches you off-guard. If you do loose your job, you're probably going to have to work part-time while you are looking. This will take away from your job hunting time and extend the average when you might secure permanent employment again.

Okay here are the Cons:

If you hate your current job, It's very difficult if not impossible to do use the methods and approaches outlined in this book while you are already working. There is no way you can be on the phone and do research while you are working. So it's almost a book for someone who is already unemployed. I would like to see Mr. Fox come up with marketing tactics utilizing these techniques for someone who is employed full-time and seeking to change employment. How do you do research and talk to decision-makers with your boss breathing down your neck? How do you conduct interviews while still employed full-time?

Also, I would like to see Mr. Fox devote a chapter to the importance of saving money for when you are unemployed. I like to call it my "just-in-case-I'm unemployed" account. Not enough emphasis is given in this area in any job hunting book and I think it very important. As I said before, It's a full-time job looking for a job.

The other issue I had is Mr. Fox tells us not to use "big" words and industry jargon in our letters and resume. I agree. However, speckled throughout this book, Mr. Fox uses words that could have been simplified. For example on page 10 he uses the word "pedantically". Instead, he could have used a more common word or just left the word out and the sentence would have been fine. There are a few other inflated words used perhaps out of habit or to purposely validate and exhibit his education. If you're writing only to Harvard colleagues it's probably acceptable. However books written with uncommon vocabulary for a general audience often sounds aloof.

In conclusion, this is a good book with plenty of good advise and I recommend it.

helpful information in half a day's read.
As with many business books, the worst books to read are those that sound dry and redundant. This book however is tersely written, easy to comprehend and adds some interesting job seeking tools that will assist you in searching for a job efficiently. Although the title says not to send a resume, Fox does feel that a resume can be used as a tool for a job search when either modified and tailored to the specific employer, or used as a follow up piece of literature to accentuate the candidate's skills after first conact with the employer.
In addition to this Fox gives tips on finding leads, writing interview-getting letters, interviewing, and post interview follow ups. Some of the information in this book is commonly found in other books--be confident, sell yourself, stand out from a crowd, be polite to everybody, etc.--yet another 50% of the book has some material that you probably wouldn't see before or find somewhere else--write a resu-letter, write boomerang letters, and other interesting methods.
The flow of the writing is to-the-point written in simple, absorbant, and quickly comprehensible with information that can be used immediately. The book has the pattern of explaining something to you, giving you a story to get the concept to sink in, or giving you the explicit details by listing or giving you examples. In other words, it starts in general terms and becomes more tangible and specific.
Reading this book is a good starting point. Use the book's tips to help you find your job and pass it around to others to help them find a job or even resell it here on Amazon.com. ... Read more

Book Description

Successful professionals tend to behave differently from others; they network their way to job and career success. They learn to build and nurture large supportive networks of individuals who can help them both find jobs and get ahead in their careers. Rather than sit passively on the sidelines waiting for jobs and promotions to come to them, savvy networkers develop proactive communication strategies that involve key sets for personal and professional success. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

How to break into the 'hidden job market'
Learn the secrets of real networking - the kind which lands great jobs - using this title, which tells what kind of communication skills serve to contribute to such networking. From prospecting networking possibilities to conducting informational interviews, Savvy Networker is pakced with keys on how to break into the `hidden job market'. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great book for the skill development lovers
i adore this book of tony buzal (who, by the way founded the mensa). this book is very tipical book for a person like him to write, and after reading sevral of his books, i can honestly say this is one of the best!in thisgreat book, tony gives us, the readers, the tools we have always wanted,the tools that will help us improve our mental skills. naturally, a lot ofexapmles follow each of the theories. i can surly say that this book is amust for each and every one of us. and i highly recommend using the systemsdescribed in it in the educational system anywhere ! ... Read more

Book Description

Success can be yours with Zig Ziglar's Sell Your Way To The Top!
Learn from America's sales mentor

Drawing on his own proven selling strategies that build successful sales careers, mega-bestselling author Zig Ziglar (Goals, How To Get What You Want) tells you how to turn every no into a yes and improve your prospecting, overcome price objections, and close more deals with finesse and style.

Combining vivid scenarios and crystal clear instructions, Ziglar will motivate you to reach your peak as a sales star. You'll learn how to add the personal touch to client relations making you more effective than ever at demonstrating the need for your product or service. With these important skills, you'll become a word merchant who paints verbal pictures that capture your client's full attention.

More than a guide to closing one single sale, Sell Your Way To The Top will help you open the door to a profitable sales career -- because no one can teach you how to make your sales percentages skyrocket like Zig Ziglar can. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Zig is an excellent presenter
An Excellent and easy listen. I've listened to my casettes over and over - his tips are simple and very useful, his analogies clear and very humerous. All in all - very well worth having.

Doesn't do much!
Maybe good enough when you need a quick pep talk.Hardly anything new or interesting.Don't waste your money.

Zig gets me going!
Im in my 5th year selling housewares at Macys and I sometimes turn to Zig before I go to work to help remind me of what Im supposed to be doing at work--selling!I recomend the tapes for anyone considering a sales career or actually in a sales career.
Thanks Zig.

Easy to listen to
This tape kept my interest and made me laugh while giving me great sales tips.As a salesperson I found it motivating.

zig is cheesy but effective
When i started listening to the book my first thought was that this guy is an absolute cheese ball.but then i was taken back... i realized while his examples were all cheesy, they proved to be effective examples... they give you an idea of what you should do at that point in the sale... while i dont recomend using his lines, i do recomend this book, and understanding the points he is making with his cheesy lines... ... Read more