Book Description

The exciting new edition of Marketing continues the established tradition of adding value far beyond the expectations of students and instructors.Extensive research has been done to ensure this edition provides a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute introduction to the field of marketing.Key principles are illustrated by hundreds of fresh, new examples, while the latest concepts and theories are covered in detail with numerous illustrations.Organized around the marketing mix, this thoroughly revised text provides students with an exhilarating first introduction to the dynamic world of marketing. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent
An excellent book that introduces us to Marketing concepts with the help of various real-life examples. I didn't feel like I was reading a textbook for my class at all. Rather, I felt like I was reading an interesting magazine. I would definately recommend this book. It is awesome!

Very useful for school
I am using it for my thesis on the Music Industry and I find it helpful. 4 P's are so well explained.

A very nice improvement on the 4th Edition
This comprehensive revision of the last edition shows real improvements. Two new chapters are included on Competitive Intelligence and One-to-One Marketing. Both are welcome additions. The Internet chapter is on-line since it would be futile to try and publish on paper about a subject that changes daily. There are severeal references to internet subjects and even some of these do not exist anymore. The books design has been modernized and the cases and real-world stories are very up-to-date. I use this text to teach a Marketing Certificate program at UCSB Extension to International students and they find it very understandable and stimulating.

too much detail
the book is a very intersesting one, but goes too much in detail, and gives too many examples. ... Read more

Book Description

The undisputed #1 market leading book continues to be an innovative look at the most current changes and happenings in the auditing profession! Up-to-date discussions include Sarbanes Oxley, fraud, and recent corporate scandals. Specific coverage features the bankruptcy of Andersen, LLP; the shifting of auditing standards-setting to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB); consulting spin-offs; and greaterfocus on internal controls. For individuals interested in the auditing, accounting, and consulting fields. ... Read more

Book Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Trading for a Living Successful trading is based on three M’s: Mind, Method, and Money. Trading for a Living helps you master all of those three areas:

• How to become a cool, calm, and collected trader
• How to profit from reading the behavior of the market crowd
• How to use a computer to find good trades
• How to develop a powerful trading system
• How to find the trades with the best odds of success
• How to find entry and exit points, set stops, and take profits

1. there are more buyers than sellers
2. buyers are more aggressive than sellers
3. sellers are afraid and demand a premium
4. more shares or contracts are bought than sold

1. I and II
2. II and III
3. II and IV
4. III and IV

Reviews (141)

Really good and useful!!!!
This book contains nearly all the necessary materials for a beginning trader to start trading. I think the only area which is missing is fundamental analysis. O'Neil's book has better covering of FA but the part about TA is very weak and hard to understand.

I feel the TA part is more concise than the John Murphy's book. The later has more than 500 pages but without covering too much about trading psychology. I learned quite a lot about psychology from this book which I am using everyday in my trading. Some of them are also useful for my daily life.

Another strong area of this book is it combines the TA indicators to form a trading system. I got the idea to develop my own trading system from it. Although my system is very different from Elder's one, his idea is valid.

Among the hundred trading books that I have read, this is still one of my best favorite and I am still reading it from time to time. The price is slightly high, but I recovered the money from my first trade. Really good!!

'THE' Best Book on Trading
2 Years ago I became a full-time trader after taking several courses and reading more than 40 books on trading. Dr. Elder's book is the ONLY one that has made me money, a lot of money (603% last year).

The first half of the book deals with the psychology of both the market and the trader. I didn't fully appreciate this portion of Dr. Elder's book until I began trading. This is the biggest obsticle of the trader. His insight has really helped me to understand the movements of the market and myself as a trader.

The second half of 'Trading for a Living' deals with technical analysis and money management. This has proved invaluable to me. There is so much accurate information I've read the book eight times, that's how jam packed it is with useable information. Also, every word matters--no fluff at all--unlike most of the books on trading I've read. And, don't overlook his money management chapter. This is where amatuers fail. His simple money management system will help to elivate you to a professional trader. If you want to make money, this is the book.

technically worthless
I am a professional trader. This book has a good section on psychology but thats it. Totally worthless when it comes to the technical part. In fact I always wondered what made this book so popular with the public. I guess most people read the books but don't use the knowledge in them.

This Guy is a Psychiatrist
Alexander Elder is first and foremost a psychiatrist, and it shows when he explains his insights into individual and mass psychology in the first two chapters of the book.

These two chapters are the real gold in the book; i have not read a more succinct and hard-hitting explanation of the behavior of individuals and crowds, and these two chapters are the ones you want to read.

The rest of the book is devoted to the basics of technical analysis. There is a lot of stuff out there on technical analysis so the stuff in Elder's book is likely to be somewhat outdated.

Nevertheless, read this book for the part on the psychology. This is fundamental and basic for any investor or trader, and is crucial to your success in the markets.

Timeless gem
Aside from psychology and money management, this book is an essential reference about formulas (MACD, WILLIAMS %R, ADX and at least a dozen more). It shows whether such oscillators are trend-indicating or trend-following, whether one should use it within trading ranges or when trading a trend. Most (if not all) of these indicators contain its origins and market psychology, the formula and worksheet / chart examples and how to use it in bullish / bearish markets.

This book is ten years old. But it still proves correct in areas that couldn't be forseen back then. Although obtaining and processing all the financial data with appropriate hard- and software was a challenge back in 1993, the book does not spend too much time on such (volatile) details.

This is why I consider this book a timeless gem and a true value for any interested trader - giving it a full five star. ... Read more

Book Description

The most practical, authoritative guide to GAAP

Amidst a national parade of corporate scandals, accounting professionals require a timely, rock-solid resource in order to instill clients and investors with the confidence they have come to expect.Wiley GAAP 2005 delivers the most recent developments and analysis of all generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), restating the original, highly technical pronouncements in easy-to-understand terms and providing battle-tested implementation guidance. Unlike other guides, Wiley GAAP offers complete coverage of Levels A, B, and C GAAP in a single volume, including EITF issues that have not yet been reduced to consensus, as well as EITF Appendix D discussion matters. Wiley GAAP 2005 contains a host of completely updated features, such as:

• A streamlined format that helps readers find what they need to know quickly
• Expanded and complete, real-world implementation guidance and coverage on the latest FASB standards and interpretations, including variable interest entities (FIN 46 (R)) and instruments with characteristics of both equity and debt (SFAS 150)
• Updated comparison of U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards (IFRS)
• Detailed coverage of important, proposed standards on exchanges of productive assets, purchase method accounting for aquisitions, and accounting for combinations of not-for-profit and mutual enterprises
• Revised disclosures of pension cost-related matters
• Expanded discussion ofFASB Concepts Statement No. 7
• Detailed coverage of the AcSEC Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3 on accounting for loans and debt securities acquired in transfers
• Coverage of all EITFs discussed through mid-2004
• An authoritative financial statement disclosure checklist

Featuring numerous real-world examples, illustrations, and helpful practice hints that are extremely user-friendly, Wiley GAAP 2005 is designed with the needs of the reader in mind. Covering the entire GAAP hierarchy, Wiley GAAP addresses all effective pronouncements, including:

• FASB Interpretations
• FASB Technical Bulletins
• FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts
• FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFASs)
• Consensus Opinions of the Emerging IssuesTask Force of the FASB
• AICPA Statements of Position
• Accounting Research Bulletins
• Accounting Principles Board Opinions
• AICPA Audit and Accounting Guides

As clients demand accounting procedures they can trust, so accountants require up-to-date reference materials they know they can depend on. More than any other resource, Wiley GAAP 2005 provides the indispensable tools for the accounting professional. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Amazon - help your users!
My rating has nothing to do with this book, but about trying to figure out why this edition (Nov 2003) was so much more expensive than the earlier edition (Oct 2003). I had to use the ISBN and research other websites and believe I figured it out - the Nov edition (ISBN 0471472409) includes a CD ROM, but the October edition (ISBN 0471453927) is only the book. Without the table of contents or more descriptive editorial review, it took me way too long to figure this out! I hope this review helps others. ... Read more

Book Description

This market-leading text takes a pragmatic approach emphasizing the strategic role of human resources. Comprehensive, research-based coverage includes all major topics identified on the Human Resource Certification Institutes Content Outline. Coverage includes a global chapter, expanded coverage of diversity, new material on performance management, and current hot topics such as self-directed work teams, shamrock organization, broadbanding, competency-based pay systems, job security, violence in the workplace, and how organizational commitment affects production, quality, and service. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent book for learning Human Resource Management
This is an excellent book if your are interested in learning all about Human Resource Management. It's very easy to read and follow. It's well-organized and well-written, chapter after chapter. The main points are clearly emphasized, with key definitions on each page. There are several things I liked specifically about this book. First, there was an incredible amount of real life examples throughout the book. Specifically, I appreciated the "HR Transition" section at the beginning of each chapter. The sections helped me understand the material effectively by giving specific business world examples on the topic of dicussion. Second, I appreciated the abundance of the figures, diagrams, charts, and images throughout the book. Often books are well-written, but lack in figures and images. This book, however, succeeds easily in providing adequate amount of visuals. Such figures and images make learning the concepts of the book so much easier. Finally, I appreciated the "Chapter Summary" section. It recapped the main points of the chapter, and helped me understand what information was most important in the chapter. There really isn't a whole lot that I disliked about the book. At times, I felt that some less important points were over-emphasized, and that some of the diagrams were confusing. With any respect, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in Human Resource Management.

Great book for an intro to Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management was a well-written book that was easy to read. It is a great book for someone wishing to learn more about the functions of Human Resources professionals. After reading this book, I have confirmed my major in Human Resources. There are three aspects of this book that I particularily liked, apart from it being easy to read. Frist, it is clear to the reader what is expected to be learned because the objectives are stated at the beginning of each chapter. Second, the book relates the concepts to real-life situations in the HR perspective sections. This makes it easier to grasp "textbook" definitions. Third, the authors make good use of figures and graphs to further reiterate the concepts. This is especially helpful for visual learners, like myself. In all, I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn more about Human Resource Management.

Where's the Beef???
I use this text in a college course I teach and I would give it less than a C. The authors attempt to cover a wide range of material, but they fail to correctly present critical material even when informed of their mistakes. The book does contain links to useful web sites and is current on many of its topics. However, on the subject of diversity and EEO - they need to stick to the facts and not what will sell books. Too many errors for a text this costly.

One of the most useful textbooks ....
I used this textbook for my MBA Human Resource Management course in the spring of 2001. I found the textbook quite up to date with great case studies and end of chapter exercises. They were quite relavent to current issues and the ongoing AOL-Time Warner case was an used throughout the book.

Objective Learning
I believed the text book to be a great tool in the education of Human Resource Management. The book was very objective in teaching the aspects and procedures of Human Resource Management. The text would give both sides to the story. In almost all areas, the book gave disadvantages and advantages to using the policies presented. The text also did a good job of relating the material with current events. The text provided stories and inserts that related to issues with current companies. Therefore the reader is allowed to see how the material is actually applied in the real world. ... Read more

Book Description

Business Law Today, Standard Edition is an accessible law text with high interest and exceptional visual appeal. This is a book that professors like, while students appreciate its thorough, dynamic coverage of traditional business law topics and summarized cases. This text meets the AACSB curriculum requirements. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not Only For Students
I am using this textbook in several of my classes, and let me just say- it has everything I could have hoped for. The chapters are laid out well, many cases are cited, and the student is given actual cases to figure out, with the citations given at the end so he can find the actual outcome. I've found this to be among the best textbooks. It is so good, in fact that I've reccomended it to several of my friends who are going into business for themselves. This covers nearly everything they'll need to know regarding contracts, secured transactions, warranties, etc.
Love the law!

Business Law Today by Jentz et al.
This is an excellent text. It incorporates the law, as well as
legal research methodologies. For instance, a standard chapter
contains an outline, common law sources,constitutional,
statutory and administrative laws/rule-making. The work cites
computerized legal research in WESTLAW and LEXIS. Relevant
international legal citations are listed. The applicable
United States Code is cited by Title and specific paragraph.
In some cases, individual state legal codes are cited. There
are exhaustic sets of historical and statutory notes, cross
references and federal practice notes. Each chapter has a
comprehensive case study with a brief synopsis, cited case
and final disposition. There are teaching suggestions at the
end of the instructor's manual together with discussion
questions, research assignments and an explanation of footnotes.
In addition, there is an exhaustive section on essay question
answers.

Here is a model answer:
Stare decisis is a doctrine that prescribes following earlier
judicial decisions in deciding a current case if the facts and
questions are similar. Courts attempt to be consistent with their
own prior decisions and with the decisions of courts superior
to them. Stare decisis is important because part of the function
of law is to maintain stability. If the application of the law
was unpredictable, there would be no consistent rules to follow
and no stability.

The volume has detailed coverage of the following areas:
o Business Ethics o Int'l Business Law
o Employee Rights o Employment law
o Occupational safety o Accounting and the law
o Securities o Mergers and acquisitions
o Insurance o Real Estate
o Financial institutions o Unfair competition
o Advertising o Environmental law
o Health Care o Sports and entertainment
o Hospitality management o Communications
o Government contracts o Legal representation of business

There are significant software support systems; namely,
o Legal Clerk Research Software System
o Computerized Instructor's Manual
o Computerized Questions/Answers
o Case problems on diskette
o CD
o Lecture Builder Software
o Westest
o A Classroom Management System
o WESTrain
o Transparency Masters
o Sample Moot Court and much much more

This text is an excellent purchase for collegiate law students. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Other than the sobering fact that real lives are regularly at stake, running a navy ship is a lot like running a business: leaders of both must get the most out of their crews to operate at peak efficiency and complete the tasks at hand. As commander of the highly acclaimed USS Benfold, Captain D. Michael Abrashoff irrefutably demonstrated how progressive management can succeed at sea; in It's Your Ship, he translates his methods into an approach that can also be applied by land-bound captains of commerce and industry. Describing "the ideas and techniques that I used to win my sailors' trust and, eventually, their enthusiastic commitment to our joint goal of making our ship the best in the fleet," Abrashoff cites embarrassing failures along with subsequent triumphs to illuminate the keys to his accomplished 20-month tenure aboard the guided missile destroyer. His suggestions: lead by example; listen aggressively; communicate purpose and meaning; create a climate of trust; look for results, not salutes; take calculated risks; go beyond standard procedure; build up your people; generate unity; and improve your people's quality of life. While hardly original on the surface, Abrashoff's course should provide practical direction and inspiration for any leader hoping for similarly positive results in similarly rigid organizations. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Inspirational and Practical
I was fortunate enough to hear the author speak once at work. He provides the inspiration and can-do attitude that empowers people that they can make a difference. He is so effective because he has done it. He could have never changed his part of the Navy unless, his employees, unless he led them through the change himself. He led from the front and backed up his employees. He could have never pulled things off without having the courage to make mistakes and learn. He provides excellent examples of managing up and down the organization...something every leader needs. It is also a skill every employee wants to see in their leader. It was refreshing to see Abrashoff apply his daily learnings to his work. Each time a new risk was taken, whether the risk was successful or not, the author applied the learnings for the next opportunity, readying his team to learn from their trials.

This book is easy to read and practical...a leadership guide that all leaders should read. This will be a must read for my team.

It's Your Ship, a floating leadership benchmark.
Whether your organization is on dry land or floating somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, if your performance levels rely on human beings, "It's Your Ship" is a must read.

In business, all too often the human element is overlooked. Human relations is generally reguarded as soft skills, which organizations do not value. However, it is my opinion and apparently Mike Abrashoff's also, that organizations have alot to gain by successfully implementing these so-called soft skills.

The author, Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, teaches what he refers to as grassroots leadership. He uses behavior modification, empowerment, and team building techniques to transform a mediocre performing group into the best damn ship in the navy.

A billion dollar naval warship is not the typical organizational setting. However, the author uses his experience as commander of the U.S.S. Benfold (a nuclear powered naval destroyer) to teach effective management skills to all who lead organizations on dry land.

Abrashoff also teaches the importance of putting the needs of your subordinates before your own. Throughout the book Mike continually challenges the status quo for the good of his group.
The author describes a practical but all too uncommon leadership style that decentralizes authority and empowers people to make their own decisions.

D. Michael Abrashoff is the kind of leader that we all want to have and to be. However, a lack of courage, resistance to change, and status quo keep many of us from attaining Abrashoff's level of leadership greatness.

"It's Your Ship" offers the answers to the valuable managerial question of, how do you motivate employees to achieve high levels of performance.

"It's Your Ship" is a truly inspirational story of how effective leadership can transform any organization into a high powered and high performing team.

It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Shi
I picked this up as I had been part of the Navy and was interested to see what Captain Abrashoff offered in Management philosophy. The reading turned out to be a great pleasure and an informative one. The techniques and processes he used, translate to different industry managements, not just the military. I am a CIO and have provided this book to the Managers of the department. Management techniques are not one time events, but need to be developed as part of the company culture, Captain Abrashoff's offerings are what we are trying to instill in our culture.

Best Damn Book on Leadership Ever Written
As a long-time Air Force Instructor who specializes in teaching leadership courses, I was stunned at the simplicity and wildly effective techniques described in this book. Captain Abrashoff simply followed his heart, and in the process, not only nearly transformed the Navy but created allegiances so herculean that you'd think you were reading Greek mythology. Nothing fancy here--a committed leader, determined to do what makes sense and what makes his people feel most empowered and personally satisfied. His eager crew knocked the socks off every existing comparable ship in the fleet, but that wasn't his best legacy. His greatest gift as a leader was his willingness to learn and to change as needed--and that, as uncomplicated as it sounds, created physical and emotional miracles. More than once, I reached for the tissue box, and more than once, I asked Providence to bless him and anyone else who was determined to lead as he did and does. Easy to read, brief, and magnetically compelling, this is a magnificent primer for every person who leads or who aspires to do so one day. I have read many dozens of books on leadership for my profession, but this one blows every single one of them "out of the water". Read and heed, and your abilities as a great inspiration and guide will multiply exponentially. Extraordinary!

Practical Experience
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff changed the way the Navy does business. He proved that by making the crew the team, his ship could outperform all the others in the entire fleet. While that didn't start as his goal, his leadership insights quickly spread throughout the US Navy based on the Benfold's operational performance. It's also a book about treating the members of the team as important contributors, and well as people. The book is about leadership, from a practical, reproducible point of view. ... Read more

Book Description

This accessible, streamlined introduction to marketing by two of today's best-selling marketing authors helps users master the basic principles and practices of modern marketing in an enjoyable and practical way.The new edition is an even more effective text than its predecessors: it is complete, easy to manage, and explains how marketing affects the big picture in business and influences specific company divisions like accounting, information technologies, finance, operations, and human resources. Updated to present the latest marketing thinking, it builds upon a framework which positions marketing as the art and science of creating value for customers in order to capture value from customers in return.An excellent resource and tool for those employed in the field of marketing and sales; especially helpful for employees of global companies. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great basic marketing text at a great price!
I use this textbook to teach about 1,500 students per year in my courses. I find the book to be well-written and interesting. More importantly, *many* students tell me that enjoy reading the book. (I can tell you that it is rare to have students providing positive feedback on textbooks that are required reading). Armstrong and Kotler are leaders in the field, and their hardcover book holds the largest market share among U.S. universities. Books don't make it to the 10th edition (or 5th for paperback) w/o being good!

Boring
This book is easy to read, but there is so much waffle the basic principles are lost. I found the frequent interruption of the text by case studies very annoying. Don't waste your money.

Incomplete, Unclear, Old
This book isn't clear on many topics. The ideas are old and stale unlike many other books which I've found in the same area. The pages are boring and do not make anyone want to learn more about marketing.

Complete, clear and updated
This book is very valuable even for those professionals with long experience in marketing. Either as reference work for the most modern marketing techniques or as case study of various companies (and its marketing problems and solutions), the book of Kotler and Armstrong is excellent. The dense appendixes reinforce the quality of the volume. In there it is possible to find some novelties as, for exemple, advices for those looking for careers in marketing. The practical exercises at the end of each chapter help to apply the contents in our diary lives. Colorful drawings, charts and ads samples make each page a delight for the eyes. This book allows learning with a touch of printing art.

Highly recommended for business students.
Hi, my name is Banggajam Velayudham. Currently I am pursuing an ABE business management course. Last term when I sat for my marketing Exam,My lecturer Ms.Chua recommend this book to me and I used the "Introduction to Marketing" by Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong. This book is very good and act as a guide and has good notes and case stuides of the real business world with many pictures and particularly short notes on key points and it really helped me to get an A in my exam. I as student would highly recommed this book for ABE students. Thanks Mr.Kotler and Mr. Armstrong for coming out with such a wonderful boo,. ... Read more

Book Description

Leadership and Self-Deception is the first book to identify a single, underlying cause of every form of leadership failure. Through the story of Tom—a “shluck” in his manager’s words—readers discover that identifying and treating individual leadership problems as if they were separate and distinct is not enough to transform people into successful leaders. The authors suggest that the key to leadership lies not in what we do, but in how we "are." They explore this compelling secret: Self-deception is the central player and trap underlying all leadership failures, relationship issues, and performance problems in organizations. Leaders who live in the box of self-deception are trapped: they cannot lead, no matter how hard they try and no matter how many skills and techniques they employ. With convincing examples, the authors show clearly how self-deception operates and how to overcome it. While other books cover people skills, this one goes deeper, fully illuminating the secret to leadership success. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

In the box
I think the "Light on content" reviewer is in the box! The concepts in this book COULD perhaps be contained in a small pamphlet, but Terry Warner's book guides the reader through useful and practical applications. Most people, including me, cannot simply read a pamphlet and expect the concepts contained therein to immediately change us. This book takes the time to help the reader internalize potentially life-changing ideas.

Good Stuff--Not For the Timid
Don't read this book if you're not willing to confront yourself about how you see, feel about and treat others in your life--spouse, boss, children, co-workers, subordinates, the janitor. It's a short and simple book with a surprisingly simple message. You'll find yourself constantly stopping throughout the book to reflect upon some situation you could have, and should have, handled differently by thinking about those involved in a different manner. This is a truly fresh and human approach to leadership and performance. Read it!

Remarkable
So much of this kind of writing is common sense once you're done the book... but this kind of common sense needs to be reinforced over and over again.

Written in an easy to follow narrative you find yourself relating to the main character, coming up with the same questions he has, and feeling the same feelings as he finds the truth about what he is living, feeling & learning.

A quick read and a remarkable look into how you can live & work everday.

I suppose it could be useful ...
... but like most "leadership" books, it presents material that is more common sense than anything. However it may be the most obvious things that people overlook.

Nonetheless, the book can inadvertently create even more of "a box" between those who believe in the book's mantra and those who don't. The former will accuse the latter of "being in the box" while the latter may argue how the content oversimplifies things. In reality, like most philosophies, the answer is probably in the middle somewhere. The book recommends that we should evaluate our relationships as those between people, rather than objects, and that any problems we see may really be problems with ourselves. This ignores the fact that there are in reality (albeit hopefully uncommon) low performers, disrespectful, and dishonest people, and sometimes the problem really is with them.

Get Out of The BOX
This book is outstanding in helping with judgements and self-deception. The principles are taught and reflected in a business relationship enviorment. The new guy ends up learning how to deal more effectively with people at work and at home.

This book is not just for business people. Leadership of Self-Deception is about every relationship. The story and concepts in the book help to open the veil that covers our minds and hearts which cause difficulties with people.

The ideas within this book take you to the deepest levels of judging and dealing with people. You learn how to change your viewpoint to have healthy vibrant relationships with coworkers, family, friends, and anyone you meet. This book took me to a deeper level then Who Moved My Cheese and The One Minute Manger.

There are twelve inches which seperates are head and heart. This book helps to bridge the gap and open us to better relationships. ... Read more

Book Description

"This is the best of the how-to-invest-in-real-estate books currently available."
–Robert Bruss, syndicated columnist and real estate author

THE BESTSELLING GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE INVESTING

Now in its fourth edition, Investing in Real Estate is the straightforward guide that helps you start growing your fortune by investing in houses and small apartment buildings. Successful real estate investors Andrew McLean and Gary Eldred show you how you can outperform the stock market by investing in residential real estate–the surest and safest way to build assets.

This new edition offers an expanded discussion of the best methods and techniques for fixing and flipping properties and creating value. You’ ll also find all the information you need to start investing now, as well as up-to-date tips on maintaining cash flow, negotiating deals, spotting market trends, and using the Internet as a research tool to find and buy properties. Let McLean and Eldred show you how to:

• Buy with little or no money down
• Minimize taxes while building your wealth
• Choose neighborhoods and properties that will beat the market with faster rates of appreciation
• Grow value in your properties by investing in improvements
• Pick the best way to finance your purchases

Whether you need money for your child’s college tuition, a more comfortable retirement, or just a higher standard of living, Investing in Real Estate, Fourth Edition is the only guide you need to start building wealth now. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

Helpful For Everyone
You're not just buying a book to read here. The amount of information in "Investing In Real Estate" makes it an investment. These are the facts. The way things are. There has been spiked interest in RE recently because of the recent low interest rates which has caused an upsurge home-buying in many parts of the country. With all of the real estate courses, seminars, tapes and books being marketed, how rare is it today to hear the facts and not just the hyperbole? This is the most comprehensive and detailed, to-the-point real estate book available.

If you're a normal home owner and want to increase your home's value with some shrewd fixing-up before you sell it, you can get tons of pointers here. Want to find the best bargain with your first purchase or your new home? Manage your property(ies)?
What criteria do you use to find the best property? How do you check to make sure? Creative financing is also covered.

This is not just for those investing in apartments or a duplex but everyone. Want to rent-out your house? You will learn the basic laws and procedures, and how to write up the most appropriate lease and how to cross your "T's" and dot your "I's." Almost all of us know people who've rented their homes out and had "bad tenants." You'll learn how to screen properly here to avoid them, and how you can use the (local) law.

There are many simple and proven math models on how to calculate the return you'll get from buying a detached house, condo, duplex, tri, fourplex, or multi-unit apartment complex. The Gross Rent Muliplyer (GRM), Income Capitalization "Caps," Net Operating Income (NOI), Return on Investment (ROI), and Before Tax Cash Flow (BTCF) etc. Add these simple equations and formulas to the fact that you likely live in the community (familiar with) you'll be buying/investing in, and you'll have the best chance to earn some positive Cash Flow, and choose the best option available. Ways to evaluate neighborhoods and areas that are up-and-coming, paying less taxes, and using depreciation and deductions properly are also covered. Very important for homebuyers and owners yes, but this is the most comprehensive book written for people who are looking to purchase property to plan ahead.

Good solid book
Among all of the books on real estate investing, this one gives you the best solid introduction. Once you decide the exact strategy you wish to pursue, you will want more specialized detail (like on renovations). I also liked the authors' approach in that they tell you how to really analyze your local market to develop ideas that will likely yield the best profits. I detest books that lay out step by step the author's suppossed "secrets to success"--when in fact that strategy might not work in a different place or time. ( One book I read told me to only buy 3-BR, 2-BTH, brick houses. We don't even have brick houses here!)

Outstanding coverage
Six rental houses, one quad, and one mobile home. I'm still accumulating and I'm still absorbing as much knowledge as I can. In that respect, I heartily recommend this book. Good details, excellent examples on creating value, sound explanation of calculating returns without burying me in a algebraic fog. The chapter on leases opened my mind to many points I hadn't even thought of. Overall thorough and practical approach.

Not Bad, a little too basic and too much cheerleading.
This book was one of the first "bestseller" types of books I have read on real estate investing, and I was fairly disappointed. This book would make a good first book for an aspiring real estate investor to hear about some of the more unconventional means of getting into real estate investing, but over all the book was short on details and potential pitfalls and very big on a "You can do it!" tone that made me wonder if the author was trying to sell me an ego boost as opposed to a fair, balanced, and sober look at investing in real estate. If you already understand the fundamentals of real estate investing and are familiar with foreclosures and other more aggressive sources of finding potential properties, you should pass on this book. If you know nothing, and are just looking for an idea of what this field is all about, I would cautiously recommend this book with the caveat that its not easy, there are some restless nights sometimes, and anything that sounds too good to be true, is.

Deals with important issues and provides insight
I have been investing in real estate for 10 years and read as much as I can on markets and strategies. This book is refreshing. I gained new insights and am eager to get out there and find some new properties. ... Read more

Book Description

This widely respected financial accounting text captures the predominant market share among graduate, MBA, and better undergraduate programs. It focuses on presenting, with great clarity, both the basic concepts underlying financial statements and the terminology and methods that allow students to interpret, analyze, and evaluate actual corporate financial statements. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Don't waste your money
If I could burn this book, I would. It is that bad. For an "Introduction" book used in an intro MBA class where most accounting types have already tested out of the class it is overly complex and confusing to the layman. Wordy beyond belief. The only redeeming feature is its ability to put you to sleep. Keep it on the bed stand.

Overly complex
This was the first accounting book I've ever read when I took my very first accoutning class at my graduate business school. For those who are new to accounting, this is not at all a good introduction. The authors simply inundate the reader with a plethora of information which is way too wordy and unnecessary at the beginning level. The authors seem more concerned about leaving nothing out in their writing as opposed to teaching the readers about the basics of the balance sheet, income statement, cash flows, inventory valuations, etc. It almost gets to the point in which I suspect the authors are simply showing off what they know as opposed to genuinely understanding that a reader like me has no previous accounting background. The chapter contents are not too logically organized and the explanation of concepts are excessive and unnecessarily complex. The authors seems to forget that when it comes to teaching accounting to someone who has never took accounting before, they should keep the concepts as basic as possible before going onto more in-detail discussions. The authors does the exact opposite and explains the accounting concepts from the intermediate point of view first, leaving the reader to come up with his own interpretation of what the basics should be. This is a complete waste of time for the reader, for all students would prefer that the authors get right to the point, directly and clearly, about how to construct a balance sheet, income statement, etc. The good thing about this book are the highlighted study problems presented in each chapter. The questions are useful and stimulate good application thinking, and the answers provided are an adequate explanation of how the questions should be answered. Unfortunately, the authors don't include enough of these study problems. If they had expanded upon these study problems and made them more comprehensive to the relevant chapter material, this book would have been a much more stronger teaching tool. Instead, we have an unnecessarily complex and not too organized textbook which is not really adequate for the beginning accounting student. Most of my fellow classmates did not enjoy reading this book and felt that it is an unsatisfactory way to be introduced to the world of accounting.

The worst accounting book
This book is the worst accounting text book I have ever seen. It is poorly organized and full of distracting explanations which turn easy and clear points into long and complex stories.
Definately supplier-oriented product by MBA professors.

Best Buy!!
The book clearly explains the concepts and methods of financial accounting required for the MBA course.
The langauage used is clear and unambigous.
In short a must buy for any MBA student!! ... Read more

Book Description

If you're in new product development, or simply work in management and depend on new products for your livelihood, this is definitely the must-read of the decade. You're going to love the increased productivity and the freedom to be creative of this new product development system.

Where do you suppose it originated? Toyota, wouldn't you know. Iffamiliar with what's going on in industry today, you're already aware that the Toyota Production System is the envy of Western manufacturing. Companies like Dell Computers and Pella Windows are using it to sock it to their competition. But did you know that Toyota's new product development system is just as important to the ongoing success of Toyota? Consider this. Toyota's new product engineers are 400 percent more productive than those employed by most companies. Talk about productivity. It's enough to make top management want to dance a jig. This book explains that system and how it can be implemented.

Hold on. Before you click the order button, or surf to another site, let us make you aware of one more very important thing. The Toyota new product development system this book explains has very little if anything to do with the Toyota Production System. The former is how Toyota develops new products. The latter is how Toyota manufactures them. Both systems deliver extremely high productivity, both free people to do their best, but beyond that, there really aren't many similarities. You need to read this book to find out why. Believe us when we say, no company that depends on an ongoing flow of new and improved products can afford to ignore the revelations it contains or the potential advantages in terms of productivity and creativity that can accrue from following the method outlined in Product Development for the Lean Enterprise. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Thought Provoking Mental Nourishment
Michael Kennedy's book, Product Development for the Lean Enterprise, gives an experienced insight into the dilemma faced by some of North America's largest organizations, those who have embraced management science in all of its complexity to win national awards, only to find they are unable to compete successfully at the customer level. Using an engaging fictional narrative, Kennedy provides a fresh insight into product development; this book will challenge your beliefs and understanding and likely intrigue you sufficiently to investigate how aspects of the process can be made applicable in your enterprise. It is a treasure trove of information on, not just its principal topic, Toyota's unique product development process, but details on establishing and operating "a process renewal team" and "large group interventions for organizational change".

In Michael Kennedy's very readable book, one is introduced to Toyota's design concepts, unconventional to the majority of us in corporate North America. Imagine your product development process stipulating:
• explore not one, but multiple design solutions at the same time;
• delay the design's narrowing process to as late as possible in the process;
• demand the building and testing of multiple design models and prototypes for performance conformity;
• have the development, retention and reuse of engineering knowledge and skills a top priority for the company;
• eliminate the use of complex integrated task based program and plans by delegating each program designer to prepare his/her own time-lines to meet fixed review dates and performance levels; and
• have functional engineering managers focus on teaching and mentoring engineering talent, not administration.

In addition to product development, Kennedy's book gives the reader an overview of change management issues from strategy, to personal and political conflict, to presentation and implementation tactics. The book stimulates thought; it proposes possibilities; it gives a glimpse into the future of an enlightened company's product development process. It is beyond a wake-up-call; it is mental nourishment to everyone whose enterprise relies on engineered products.

Entertaining and Compelling, a unique perspective on Toyota
Michael Kennedy has created a most entertaining and informative book which explores an, heretofore, unexplored aspect of why Toyota, and companies like Toyota, excel at bringing new products to market with 4 times the efficiency of their North American competitors. The book is written in a fictionalized style, ala "The Goal", and conveys the philosophies and paradigms that Toyota embraces which set them apart, in time-to-market and profits, even in this post-bubble economy. Kennedy draws from his life experiences, both as an organizational developer of concurrent engineering processes at a Fortune 100 company, and from his involvement with a National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) collaboration which studied and documented this subject. His volume chronicles how IRT Industries, struggles with their product development processes, their discovery of how Toyota uses knowledge-based paradigms, and how IRT grudgingly realizes that major paradigms shifts, not process changes nor process compliance is required to be a world class product development company. And, maybe best of all, he provides a detailed plan and methodology by which enlightened companies can implement what they learn from this volume. ... Read more

Book Description

Members of the Harvard Negotiation Project--which brought you the mega-bestseller Getting to YES--show you how to handle your most difficult conversations with confidence and skill.

Whether you're dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with your spouse about money or child-rearing, negotiating with a difficult client, or simply saying "no," or "I'm sorry," or "I love you," we attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day. Based on fifteen years of research at the Harvard Negotiation Project, Difficult Conversations walks you through a step-by-step proven approach to having your toughest conversations with less stress and more success. You will learn:
how to start the conversation without defensiveness
why what is not said is as important as what is
ways of keeping and regaining your balance in the face of attacks and accusations
how to decipher the underlying structure of every difficult conversation

Filled with examples from everyday life, Difficult Conversations will help you on the job, at home, or out in the world. It is a book you will turn to again and again for advice, practical skills, and reassurance.

"Does this book deliver on [its] promise of an effective way through sticky situations, whether 'with your baby sitter or your biggest client'? It does."-- The New York Times

"These talented communicators blend a daunting array of disciplines into highly readable and practical advice."-- Booklist

"Brilliant. . . . I've already re-read most of it. I'm using it. What more could a reader ask?"-- Tom Peters

"Emotional Intelligence applied to life's tough moments."-- Daniel Goleman ... Read more

Reviews (73)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

Now in its Third Edition, Financial Accounting by Kimmel, Weygandt, and Kieso has been tested and approved in the classroom. This best-selling text has helped students hit the road with a practical set of tools, and the confidence they need to use those tools effectively in making business decisions.

Financial Accounting provides students with an understanding of those concepts that are fundamental to the use of accounting. Starting with a "macro" view of accounting information, the authors present real financial statements and establish how a financial statement communicates the financing, investing, and operating activities of a business to users of accounting information. They motivate students by grounding the discussion in the real world, showing them the relevance of the topics covered to their future career.

Student Workbook:  This valuable study guide, written to use side-by-side with the Financial Accounting textbook provides the guidance and assurance you need to exceeed in the course.  Included a re study objectives, demonstration problems, true/false and multiple-choice questions, solutions, to exercises, chapter outlines, and blank working papers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This Book is Terrible!
This book is terrible! It gives different definitions for the same term several times in the first few chapters. Why doesn't it just give one coherent, comprehensive definition for each word?!! The concepts are broken up and presented helter-skelter, so reading this book is like working a tedious jigsaw puzzle. Then it includes lots of problems at the end of each chapter, but there is no answer key, and the Solutions Manual is only available to teachers. Do they think that my professor is too lazy or too stupid to make up his own tests? (Hint to oblivious writers/editors: a textbook is useless if students cannot practice working problems and check the answers on their own. This is not third grade, and my professor is not a babysitter!) I bought the workbook (which contains practice tests) separately, but I still don't have the answers to the problems at the end of the chapters. I will speak to the department heads at my college and beg them to switch publishers next semester.

Great Book for Beginners
I used this book for my very first Accounting course and it was great. The author uses up to date info and really caters to a first year student such as myself. I can only hope that all of my Accounting books will be like this one.

Clear & Concise
This book is required of my Financial Accounting course and it is a great choice. The book displays many colorful illustrations and is pretty clear in the messages that it attempts to explain. This book will definitely help you to get an A in your class...or at least pass! The only flaw that I see is that it does not give many answers to the exercises and problems in the chapters. Otherwise, it is pretty good.

Good ACC Book for First-Time Accountants
This book is EXCELLENT for students and others to learn the fundamentals of accounting for the first time. The authors have made the chapters are easy and it comes with A LOT of review exercises to sharpen your skills!

Students really like this book.
Accounting can be a dry subject, but this book is actually interesting to read. There are lots of companies used as examples, and the authors really try to show you how accounting is used to make decisions. There is a Decision Toolkit that talks about what tools to use to make certain decisions. There are lots of photographs, helpful illustrations and great use of color. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

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