Book Description

Lightning never strikes twice, but Steve Jobs has, transforming modern culture first with the Macintosh and more recently with the iPod. He has dazzled and delighted audiences with his Pixar movies. And he has bedeviled, destroyed, and demoralized hundreds of people along the way. Steve Jobs is the most interesting character of the digital age.

What a long, strange journey it has been. With the mainstream success of the iPod, Pixar's string of hits and subsequent divorce from Disney, and Steve's triumphant return to Apple, his story is better than any fiction. Ten years after the leading maverick of the computer age and the king of digital cool, crashed from the height of Apple's meteoric rise, Steve Jobs rose from ashes in a Machiavellian coup that only he could have orchestrated-and has now become more famous than ever.

In this encore to his classic 1987 unauthorized biography of Steve Jobs-a major bestseller- Jeffrey Young examines Jobs' remarkable resurgence, one of the most amazing business comeback stories in recent years. Drawing on a wide range of sources in Silicon Valley and Hollywood, he details how Jobs put Apple back on track, first with the iMac and then with the iPod, and traces Jobs' role in the remarkable rise of the Pixar animation studio, including his rancorous feud with Disney's Michael Eisner.

• Written with insider scoops and no-holds-barred style
• Based on hundreds of highly unauthorized interviews with Jobs' nearest and dearest
• New information on the acrimonious parting between Eisner and Jobs, the personal vendetta behind the return to Apple, and the future of iPod and the music industry

Reviews (6)

I Have a Very Favorable Opinion of Mr. Jobs Now
After reading this book I have come away with a much more favorable opinion of Steve Jobs.He is the flawed hero type.I found this to be a very enlightening and motivating story.Steve Jobs is the epiteme of the New Age American Dream, a no hoper rising to the top and changing the way everybody sees things.

The truth about the reality distortion field theory is that Jobs doesn't let reality affect him.Rather he is in control of his own reality and he changes it when necessary.It's much easier to change the world when you think it is revolving around you.It's that kind of self-centered focus that many of the world's greatest minds exhibit.Many geniuses are hard to get along with and communicate to, Steve Jobs is no exception.

Horrible Book Title
I can't imagine the Apple folks being happy with the title of the book. Is it:

a) iCon -- a symbol or emblem?
b) iCon -- as in "I've conned you into buying a Mac."
c) all of the above.

Somebody's in trouble somewhere...

excellent sundeck reading
While completing a website: www.linuxfree.net A friend pass this title along to me. Excellent read. Just five years ago Mac was just another bland corporate player. Since the inclusion of (smooth) well-developed and managed unix, the apple family has finally begun to stir well-deserved praise.

Lighten up, Steve.
You would think, with all the fuss Steve Jobs is making about this new release, that it would be the worst hatchet job since "Wired" massacered the late John Bulushi.
In actuality, the approach to the project was even-handed to a fault. William Simon brings his forminable experience with these business giant profiles to the table. His signature combination of terse and flavorful makes for excellent reading.
As the episodes unfold, the Steve Jobs onion is peeled away for the reader to view the admirable along with the not-so-admirable. Great stuff!

Fascinating
I've long been intrigued by the Steve Jobs story as well as the early days of company-building and conflict between he and Bill Gates. This book is a real page-turner as it explores the connection between the technology, consumer-focused brand building and the psyche of the man behind it all. Jobs is a fascinating character and the author's representation of his story is better than fiction.

Another new book I enjoyed recently which has fun analysis of public figures is "The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book." This one also has a cool online application that lets you test your emotional intelligence and learn about it via clips from movies. Fun stuff. ... Read more

Book Description

This best seller provides a balance between theory and practice, useful career information, and a comprehensive package of ancillaries. It takes a strategic approach to decision making.The volume provides an overview of strategic retail management, and provides a careful examination of situation analysis, targeting customers and gathering information, choosing a store location, managing a retail business, merchandise management and pricing, communicating with the customer and integrating and controlling the retail strategy.For retail training directors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A full coverage of all major retailing topics
A very useful book, not only for students, but for any person envolved in retail business.
For students it is a comprehensive companion text. A good teaching package.
For the managers and entrepreneurs, including those living outside the USA, giving a full coverage of retail market in USA, this book widens the horizonts ... Read more

Book Description

Using metrics and making the business case for HR is no longer an option; it's becoming an absolute requirement for creating and maintaining a competitive advantage. Use HR Metrics to save your budget, and maybe your own career as you identify opportunities by measuring the success of your HR processes.

HR Metrics brings today’s HR executive quickly up to speed on the "New HR" - more measurable, more strategic, and more responsive than ever before to corporate profitability. Dr. Sullivan provides step-by-step guidance on how to establish credibility, forecast business needs, improve your organization’s competitiveness, and more!

You’ll learn to:

Identify the resources that can be shifted toward a business opportunity
Allocate resources into areas of high opportunity and away from low-return areas
Remove barriers to rapid movement of resources
Identify the changes the market may require
Recruit management support – and more!
Included is a 75 minute CD recording of HR Metrics Audio Conference, Level I. ... Read more

Book Description

Each of the book's authors is both a scholar and a top consultant for Fortune 500 and smaller companies. As a result, they have a unique focus: to help readers better understand management accounting topics, research, and issues from the perspective of a business manager. KEY TOPICS A twelve chapter organization and framework addresses the needs of future business managers—specifically, how to interpret and use accounting information to make good decisions. The book answers many pertinent questions: What defines the nature, focus, and scope of management accounting? What determines the cost of products or customers? How do costs change over the product's life cycle? What approaches do managers use to compute the costs of their products and services? How can we use cost for planning and decision-making purposes? How can we use revenue and cost information for capacity planning and profit planning and evaluation purposes? How can we manage and control organizational behavior through organizational design, and how does cost information inform the process of control?For management accountants, cost system designers, incentive compensation system designers, and balanced scorecard implementers. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Need a textbook for Management Accounting? Here is one!!!!!
A very nice and neat accounting textbook! This book explains basic accounting concepts clearly, which helps me to master basic concepts of accounting with ease and simplicity. I had a great time to read this book, and it makes learning accounting as interesting as it can be. The introduction and summary of each chapter also help me to understand a big picture of management accounting as well as small details. The treatment of management accounting is thorough and highly advanced with many detailed examples in reality.
The reason that I recommend this book is extending basic concepts with real-world examples which apples underlying concepts of management accounting. This book shows how accounting is used and analyzed in actual case situations. Especially I noticed that the authors are experts at the Balanced Scorecard. The Balanced Scorecard chapter presents the most important concept and examples in a very organized manner. This book also encompasses important new topics in management accounting such as activity-based cost systems, JIT, target costing, pricing and product planning, performance measurement systems, and budgets.
I heard some textbooks too much focus on questions of calculating cost and deriving quantitative solutions. Unlike those textbooks which only teach mechanical procedures without understanding underlying factors, this textbook provides insightful knowledge about how management accounting information facilitates decision- making through various analysis tools.

Too expensive, Junk and waste of Money
I cant believe Professionals cant explain topics in a easy words. Trying to use grandma stories and without explaining where numbers come its impossible to understand.

1) explanations are not good at all very confusing if you are a beginner.
2) Examples are like grandma tale and will make you sleepy.
3) dull and boring.
4) the authors need to put them self in the students shoes rather than assuming they are teaching a CPA.
I would recommend Schaums Series or barrons series for learning, Its easy and also easy on your wallet...compared to this...

Just awful ! Invest in a good supplemental book/study guide
My gosh, I have never read such a poorly written book! Wasn't there an editor at Prentice Hall to have, at least, reviewed this book prior of it going out to print? The poor grammar usage, the garble & ambiguity of explaing the concepts; it truly lacks direction...where are the solutions to the problem exercises?

I consider myself a strong avid reader, but I have found myself re-reading a page or two before pressing on.

If this is a required textbook for your accounting class, I highly suggest investing in a good supplemental study guide to aid you with this book. Good luck!!

I'm afraid this text just doesn't cut it!!
I've just completed my managerial accounting course with an "A" grade DESPITE having been assigned this text. These authors, like many accounting authors, don't know how to use language to convey the concepts they're attempting to get across. (Does that mean they're "numbers people" who can't use language correctly to develop ideas?? Perhaps!!!) Even more so, the way they choose to conceptually develop managerial accounting theory is somewhat farcical. If you've been assigned this text from your instructor, RUN OUT NOW AND INVESTIGATE OTHER MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING TEXTS TO USE IN CONJUCTION WITH IT. (Try "Managerial Accounting" Weygandt, Kieso and Kimmel) The problem with "Management Accounting" is that it has little precision in describing the main issues of managerial accounting and wants to be an Operations Management text or Management text rather than an authentic Managerial Accounting text. As students, let's vote with our wallets and tell these accounting authors to get a 2nd degree in English so that they can actually convey to us the ideas they're attempting to convey!!! Tell your professor he/she needs to wake up and change texts! The book was written for people who really don't want to actually learn Managerial Accounting theory, but want to pretend to have learned it. It can't describe the critical concepts in enough detail for you to get a good grip on the material - and it's conceptual development of the theory is confusing. Switch it!

Not for beginners.
I would not recommend this book to anyone who has not have any prior Managerial Accounting classes or sufficient work experience in this area. The way the topics are presented in the book requires familiarity with a number of related concepts in order to gain full understanding. Additionally, there is a number of instances in which concepts are introduced in a given chapter, but not explained until a later one, which makes it really confusing for those exposed to Managerial Accounting for the first time. ... Read more

Book Description

An easy-to-read, comprehensive guide to the best investment money can buy

Safe from the arbitrary ups and downs of the stock market, real estate has rapidly become one of America’s favorite investments. Offering stability, reliability, and excellent long-term returns, it’s no wonder that so many Americans are now looking at real estate as their primary investment vehicle.

Real Estate Investing For Dummies covers all the basics of real estate investing for beginners–as well as more complicated investment strategies for anyone serious about building long-term wealth. It features commonsense coverage of every sort of investment, including commercial real estate, rental properties, vacation homes, distressed properties, land, and real estate mutual funds and investment trusts (REITs). It helps readers maximize their real estate investments by explaining the keys to successful investment and describing both common and uncommon investment strategies, including fixing and flipping, foreclosures, no-money-down deals, auctions, tax sales, triple-net, and more.

Bestselling personal finance and real estate authors Eric Tyson and Robert Griswold combine their extensive experience to produce a handy guide that covers every aspect of both investing in and financing properties. For unbeatable advice suitable for first-timers and experienced investors alike, Real Estate For Dummies offers a holistic look at real estate investing that is both accessible and practical.

Eric Tyson is a nationally recognized personal finance counselor, as well as the author of Personal Finance For Dummies (0-7645-2590-5), Investing For Dummies (0-7645-2431-3), and Mutual Funds For Dummies (0-7645-5329-1). Robert Griswold, MBA (San Diego, CA), is the author of Property Management For Dummies (0-7645-5330-5). He has more than 25 years of practical real estate experience, having managed more than 600 properties. ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition of America's # 1 best-selling real estate book takes the pain out of choosing, negotiating for, and buying a home. Helping home buyers save time and money, personal finance guru Eric Tyson and real estate maven Ray Brown deliver the up-to-date information people need, showing them how to:

• Research neighborhoods and home values
• Select the best mortgage-including the latest developments
• Understand the pros and cons of buying different types of housing
• Assemble the right team for putting the deal together
• Negotiate the best price and terms

Reviews (56)

Great book for anyone interested in the home buying process
Eric Tyson is a savvy writer with a wealth of knowledge that is shared in this fantastic book. I am a first time home buyer and purchased numerous books about the process; this one is by far the best. It served as my "jungle guide", and I found myself referring to this book on a daily basis for information. His chapters on gathering a solid real estate team, comparable market analysis, and escrow were particularly enlightening. Tyson's wit and the easy-to-read Dummies style proved a quick read and served to give me the confidence to discern what I wanted and ask the tough questions about one of life's bigger decisions. If there is ONE book to buy regarding home buying, buy this book.

Good but there's a better one
Having read both this volume and the Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling a Home, I recommend the idiot's guide over this one. The main reason is because the latter is better written and easier to understand. Home Buying for Dummies is very comprehensive but reminds me of my own Ph.D. dissertation: heavy on theory but little on practicalities. The idiot's guide presents information in a way that make it easier to digest and follow.

In short, this is a good advice primer for first-time home buyers, but I think you get a better book and also a better value if you buy the complete idiot's guide version.

(I'm not affiliated with any authors or publishers, nor do I even know or have met them in any manner.)

Only buy this book if you really are a dummy
This is the first "for dummies" book I've ever bought. It's also going to be the last. They're not kidding with the title. Instead of stating their point simply and clearly, the authors patronize the readers with silly stories. For example, instead of saying something like "do not buy a house that's too far from your work," the authors spend a paragraph telling a story of some poor dummy who did buy a house too far from his work and ended up hating everything. Oh, and BTW, if you need a book to tell you that you shouldn't buy a house that's far from your work, then this book is for you. The information presented is oversimplified, incomplete, and sometimes just incorrect. Moreover, this book will not help you at all if you're dealing with an unusual market, such as SF Bay Area, NYC, LA, etc.

I'm not in the real estate business, nor do I have any vested interest in anybody buying or not buying this book.

This book will save you a lot more $$$ than its sell price
This is a great book and gets you thinking about topics and asking questions that your realtor or mortgage lender / broker probably wouldn't otherwise bring up for you. While it does not go into real depth on any single subject, it highlights enough to really help you become an educated buyer. It addresses everything from getting financially positioned to buy a house in the first place (e.g. pay off your bills, save some cash), to finding a good mortgage that works for you (e.g. fixed-rates versus ARMs), understanding where and what are good buys (e.g. principles of progression and regression), forming a team (e.g. realtor, mortgage lender, etc), and the offer / counter/ and escrow processes. With all the info you'll learn, you will easily save yourself the cost of this book (probably many times over). The only drawback is that this book provides general information for all of America as a whole - it does not address specific real estate hot-spots such as Southern California.

Good information
This book had some very good information when I wanted to buy a house. Had good tips and was written in an easy to understand language.

However, I didn't have good enough credit to get a big loan, so I found did a rent to own instead. Good site: www.nkinvestments.com

Nick ... Read more

Book Description

"This book should be in the library of everyone who serves--or aspires to serve--on the governing board of any organization, large or small, nonprofit or corporate. Better than any other available resource, it tells what the roles of board members are and what they must and shouldn't do. An indispensable guidebook to leadership excellence."
--George Weber, secretary general, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva

"John Carver's Boards That Make a Difference was required reading for board members of the Calgary Philharmonic Society. It provided a clear and concise road map with which we carried out significant governance restructuring of the society."
James M. Stanford, president & CEO,, Petro-Canada, and past chairman of the Calgary Philharmonic Society, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

John Carver's groundbreaking Policy Governance model has influenced the way public and nonprofit boards operate around the world. Now, as widespread experience with the model continues to grow, Carver enriches his definitive exposition with updated policy samples, a new chapter on the process of policy development, and additional resources for various types of boards. He debunks the entrenched beliefs about board roles and functions that hamper dedicated board members. With creative insight and commonsense practicality, Carver presents a bold new approach to board job design, board-staff relationships, the chief executive role, performance monitoring, and virtually every aspect of the board-management relationship. In their stead, he offers a board model designed to produce policies that make a difference, missions that are clearly articulated, standards that are ethical and prudent, meetings, officers, and committees that work; and leadership that supports the fulfillment of long-term goals.

... Read more

Reviews (6)

Very Helpful
The world is full of experts at what is wrong with the things that we do. Dr. Carver has a rock-solid, well thought out suggestion concerning how to do it right. One reviewer complained that Dr. Carver's suggestions are not realistic. Right is not often realistic, but right is always right. It's far better to start with an ideal and compromise from that point than to capitulate from the outset. Boards that Make a Difference is well worth reading.

Idealistic
The carver style of governance is a tad idealistic and perhaps overly optimistic. I have read everything Dr Carver has written concerning this field and enjoy this material at an academic level. But when it comes to operationalizing this model in boardrooms I've seen it fail time and time again. Not to say that the model is flawed because in fact the model is normative and conceptually complete. However it doesn't capture that element of reality from which, in my experience, the model requires - practicality and real-world application. Dr Carver's notion that Boards can do without Finance and Audit Committees is very naive. Most consultants from the chartered accountant genre are saying the complete opposite. In fact most government policy initiatives are moving toward more control of financial affairs of organizations for boards from charts of accounts to fiscal policy. So I don't think the elimination of Finance and Audit Committees is realistic nor is it a terribly bright suggestion. I guess my only crticism is that the carver model is far to idealistic and philosophical for a practical application in the form Dr Carver suggests. Sorry but a hybrid model of traditional Board governance and the carver model may work given the commitment required from directors to follow-though on everything suggested in that system of governance,

A must-have for not-for-profits!
This book was the core piece of a radical change in our board room. It led us down the path we knew we wanted to go but didn't know how to get there. His model for board room organization could revolutionize boards of companies in transition, like those of the rural electric program in America. It's a road map for where you already know in your heart that you want to go.

Essential for public boards seeking to lead strategically
After 5 years on a local Board of Education I finally found a book that describes everything I know is wrong with board management practices in schools and nonprofit organizations. But that is the easy part. Carver offers sound alternatives to current practices that put the responsibility and the capability for strategic leadership right where it belongs--on the board.

I winced as I read Carver's description of reactive boards trapped in the "approval syndrome" in which boards rely on staff to bring issues and recommendations to them for approval. This pervasive practice not only takes board members out of the driver's seat, but it confuses the lines of accountability between the board and the CEO for the organization.

Carver offers a framework for changing all that by forcing the board to rethink all of its policy with an eye toward board-determined policies that operate at the highest level possible. In Carver's approach only four types of policies need to be set by the board: 1) "Ends" policies (board expectations), 2) Executive Limitations (the "don'ts" for the organization), 3) Board process policies and 4) Board-CEO relationship policies. *Everything* you need to be involved in can be fit into one of these four categories.

Want to learn how to stop working at the staff level and how to help your organization find a true sense of direction? Carver's book offers practical and straightforward ways of getting there.

Accessible, Codified Common Sense
Mr. Carver presents a very readable way of looking at how governing boards should work. His theories are logical and his arguments pursuasive. He offers board members an intellectual framework to consider how their organizations are running. The book is prescriptive, but not preachy. I was very surprised to find it sensible after hearing so much hype from "converts" to his method. ... Read more

Book Description

The primary goal of this book is to show you new ways to improve the business impact of your HR function by up to 25 percent. Because the goal is so high, the approaches that permeate this book are aggressive ones that are designed to make you rethink everything you do in HR.

Authored by one of the industry's most respected thinkers, Rethinking Strategic HR is a forward-thinking look at building a smarter, more powerful HR strategy in any organization. Throwing out the old, conventional approaches, this provocative book provides a hard-hitting guide to 21st century HR strategy that will challenge you to think in bold, new ways.

From critiques of traditional practices to specific day-to-day steps to strategic thinking, you'll get a new perspective on HR including: a clear definition of what is and what is not strategic, the five distinct levels of contribution that HR can make, a list of the most-used HR department strategies, tools for assessing your own strategic level, a chart on how to make "fact-based" decisions, how HR routinely "under-costs" its decisions, how to make a strategic case to your CFO, and more! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Must Read for Any Hiring Manager
This book is a must-read for anyone in the field of human resources. By showing HR how to become more strategic, the book can help HR professionals enhance their credibility within their organization and not be viewed as just another administrative department - as so many senior managers view HR.

I am not in HR and I highly recommend this book to any hiring manager. As a founder and president of a small business, this book has a wealth of information that I can use to create a "performance culture" that helps myself and other managers recruit, manage and retain key employees - and measure our effectiveness at doing so. ... Read more

Book Description

Learn how the real estate development process works with the new edition of this best-selling book. Widely used by developers, planners, architects, investors, and other players on the development team, this book provides the most practical and thorough introduction to real estate development available.

Using an eight-stage model of the development process, the authors explain idea conception, feasibility, planning, financing, market analysis, contract negotiation, construction, and asset management. Ongoing case studies of an office and multifamily development provide realistic examples.

This edition features fresh data, the latest demographics information, all new chapters on finance, a new chapter on affordable housing, all new material on market analysis, updated information on market research, contract negotiation, and marketing, a new multifamily case study, and an appendix on the impact of economic and demographic trends. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Engaging but limited
Interestingly, I ended up reading this book like a fiction -- from cover-to-cover. And, it was a fun read. I particularly enjoyed some of the insightful stories of real estate development history, which is clearly a part of our American heritage.

However, I thought the real-life applications of the book's suggestions were victimized by this type of presentation. Certain "case studies" were presented along side a theoretical "how-to" processes to develop properties. These seemed entertaining and thoughtfully presented, rather than real life cookie cutter. In many cases, I recalled the property being described and became more informed of its origins and characters, but it did not unfortunately go the next step to discuss mistakes made, lessons learned, or successful components to highlighted -- which good case studies should endeavor. Moreover, it did not spend much time on architectural issues or financing arrangements that may have solved problems specific to the properties.

I would suggest to any potential Amazon customer to purchase this book only in conjunction with another more hardcore building book and/or architecture book

Thorough, up to date (2000) and well written
This book was recommended as a textbook for a 4th year course in real estate development and it reads like one. It is well organized and covers this broad subject with detailed, practical information in a systematic way.

Most of all I enjoyed the two real life case study storys (of the development of an office building and a high-rise apartment) that weave through the chapters. These were very candidly told by the developers themselves and give the real picture of the trials and tribulations of large project real estate development.

Numerous listings of information sources, web sites, and bibliographies at the end of each section makes this book a 'keeper' reference text.

Market, marketability and feasibility studies
This book so clearly articulates the pivotal role of the triad of market, marketability and feasibility studies in the field of real estate development. While the book does not attempt to be all encompassing, the text is dense with financial and other risk analysis distilled from the experience of the authors and contributors.

Although at times it felt like the shudder of taking an ice cold shower, I finished the book feeling refreshed and invigorated to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the risk-reward tradeoff in the development business. ... Read more

Book Description

If there’s one thing that’s consistent in today’s business world, it’s rapid change. So how do you not only stay steady but actually grow—and quickly enough to stay safely ahead of your competitors? Built for Growth delivers specific solutions to create a brand and presence that generates true customer passion, as you lay a solid foundation for long-term success. Author Arthur Rubinfeld was a major driver in Starbucks' unprecedented retail expansion from 100 stores to more than 4000-- and its transformation into one of the world's most recognized brands. Here he draws on his singular expertise to present a proven, holistic approach to conceiving, designing, and executing your business plan: creating exciting concepts, growing them to fruition in local markets, expanding rapidly, and keeping your brand fresh and relevant as it matures. His revolutionary approach to business strategy embodies strong personal values, promotes exceptional creativity, leverages scientific methodology in finance and market analysis, and brings it all together with 'old-time' customer service. Each lesson is clearly distilled with detailed examples from one of the best business writers, Collins Hemingway, co-author with Bill Gates of the #1 bestseller Business at the Speed of Thought. So whether you're seeking to reignite growth or planning your first store, Built for Growth will be utterly indispensable. Foreword by Jeff Brotman, Co-founder and Chairman of Costco, the world's #1 warehouse club. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Solid And Straightforward
Everything you ever wanted to know about success in retail in jammed into this one book.This author covers it all, not just by focusing on the brand or location, but real solid ideas on people management, property management, finance and long term strategy.Somehow the author covered both how an upstart company can get it done and how a big and bland organization can get back on the right track.The books main focus is helping a retail business expand into becoming the next Starbucks.

The author starts out by detailing some rather hard facts.Most new business owners jump into the enterprise.They do little planning and as a result over half fail within the first year.The author details that the real issues are not always a lack of cash, but that the entrepreneur had a lack of knowledge of how to avoid mistakes, how to efficiently operate a business, and how to think through business issues.The author believes that you need a holistic approach to conceiving, designing and carrying out a retail business plan.This book gives you real world examples on how to keep your brand fresh and relevant.On top of all this the book is also well written and easy to read.The pages fly by.Overall I thought the book was wonderful.It had a ton of insight and more good ideas then you can possibly use.This is one of those books that you keep handy and keep going back to.

Great Overall book
I am only half way through this book and have more than gotten my money worth.I am not a retailer but a service business owner and would still consider this a must read.If you like Good to Great, you will like this as well...

Required Reading!
Run, don't walk, to pick up this book. This is one of the most stimulating and thought provoking books I've read in quite some time. Built For Growth unveils the secrets of the Starbucks expansion. It is full with magnificently researched concepts, leaving a great trail of other inspiring materials. Well written sets of practical tools can be put to use right away.The book outlines growth models that are going to be essential to get ahead. Want to stay one step ahead of the competition? You have to read this book then!

Add This to Your Buisness Bookshelf
Rubinfeld and Hemingway identify their audience by asking a simple question, "Who doesn't want to run his own business?"Then they segment the audience between the young who "think about it from time to time" and the old who "wish [they] had opened that little shop before the kids came."I fall in the latter category.Still this book offered me much to consider.

The chapter most directly relevant to me described how to create, train and motivate an effective organization.It was written in the context of hiring a retail team, but the authors' advice carries over well to creating organizations in general.In the hiring process, dig beyond the resumes.A person's values and abilities are the characteristics that make them succeed, not their pedigree.Get past the formal questions quickly and ask less formal ones, ones the interviewee can't anticipate and prepare for in advance and ones that reveal their core values. Look for "utility players," people who can adapt their experiences to different situations.Don't rush the hiring process.Make sure you find the right person and once you do, immerse him or her into the culture of your company as quickly and completely as possible. To get the best you need to be able to tell a compelling story for why that person should want to work for you.You, the hiring manager, need to prepare as much as the interviewee.

Throughout the book, Rubinfeld and Hemingway stress the importance of articulating your core values when you define your retail business and suggest an exercise:Create a mantra of three words that captures your values, then in a sentence or phrase, explain how each word reflects your values.The examples they give for the companies Il Fornaio Cafe and Bakery, Omaha Steaks and Gateway Computers are instructive for retail purposes, but it occurred to me that this was a valuable exercise even for my own personal values and I took the time to work through my own mantra.

The strength of the book is definitely Rubinfelds' experiences working with companies either as an employee or a consultant.The authors use those experiences effectively to support their views about what it takes to create first-class retail businesses.The stories of Starbucks, Blue C Sushi, Potbelly Sandwiches and others are each interesting in their own right and they are told over the course of the book in an interesting fashion.

"Built for Growth" is a book worth reading and keeping on your bookshelf next to other classic business books like Jim Collins's books "Build to Last" and "Good to Great" both of which are referenced by Rubinfeld and Hemingway.If you found the Collins books interesting, you'll enjoy "Build for Growth."

Business Book Page-Turner
This is a fun, well-written book that provides unique, expert insights into all the tools and concepts needed to turn an idea into a successful retail business.
It works on two levels.It's a great, practical nuts-and-bolts primer on the process of drafting a business plan, getting investors interested, deciding where to locate, negotiating the lease, designing the store, tailoring your goods to the customer's needs, and developing customer loyalty.It can be scaled up from a single store to a large chain. Co-Author Arthur Rubinfeld, now a prominent retail consultant, was a leading architect of the strategy that turned Starbucks into a household name throughout the world, so his advice is well-taken.He's generous with that advice; filling the book with interesting and amusing anecdotes about the real-world application of his principles.The "inside scoop" on Starbucks' wild ride reads like a good novel.
On a different level, the book explores the "big picture" ideas that form the zen of retailing.The authors provide hard-won guidance to prospective entrepreneurs in the difficult process of determining what their real goals are, how their retail store or chain will help realize those goals, and how that success will benefit their customers and their community. The authors make an effective plea for a more human approach to establishing a business identity, "branding", through quality service and not just fluff.Along the way they demonstrate that a little soul-searching in the beginning of the process can save many days of regret and lots of money.It will be a very useful and enjoyable addition to your library..
... Read more

Book Description

Morse is not just a cost determination management text.Taking a much more strategic approach, this text focuses on the full range of cost drivers within the value chain instead of the distinctions between product/non-product costs and unit-variable/fixed costs. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Worst textbook I've used..
This textbook is really bad. Not very informative at all comparing it to other financial accounting books. It gives very broad descriptions and definitions that make it feel more like a grammar school book than a college-level. I was very unhappy that my professor assigned my class with this book. If you do not need to buy it, please don't, it's horrible.

A worthless text book...
I purchased this book because its the prescribe text book. The treatment of the content is average. What annoys me is there are little or no answers to the exercises. I later learnt that Prentice Hall supplies the solution manual to the instructors, but they dont make it available to students....huh??

The authors come out with editions every year. I compared the 4th and 5th edition. Very little content changed, but they have smartly changed few numbers here and there in the exercises, forcing students to buy their latest edition.

In short...this book is just a sucking machine....Worthless for $125. I dont know if the instructors get a big cut in prescribing this worthless text book...

Extremely Frusterating
I bought this book to better understand Financial Accounting. This book is loaded with errors. The end of chapter problems do not balance correctly. I had a CPA do the same problems, and he came up with the exact same totals as me!

Another annoying thing to point out is that the book only gives answers to a small select random of problems. Of course they are the easier ones. I would love to get answers/explanations on the incorrect ones. I have written emails, and none have been responded. I am not suprised... ... Read more

Book Description

Managing Human Resources retains its unique orientation to overall practicality and real-world application.Practical tips and suggestions provide effective ways of dealing with problems in communication, leadership, discipline, performance appraisal, and compensation administration. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Useful
This is a useful textbook. It is easy to read, informative, and well organized.

When it comes to learning , this book teaches well!
I am a mid-career professional, returning to the virtual classroom after 20 years of absence. With a study in management and leadership, this book was highly recommended and I must say, it did not disappoint!.

Of the books in my book cases, this is one I will turn to again and again for insight and wisdom, guidance and increased understanding. Well written, well read and well worth the investment!

Excellent!
Highly recommed this book.It's a good reference and very detail-oriented!!

Excellent, real-life examples in HR management.
I use this text to teach a Human Resource Management course and the students really enjoyed the real-life examples and case studies.The book gives web site address that complement the material in each chapter.Istrongly recommend this text as a solid overview of HR.

Excellent study material
This book is excellent for general college level study of the full range of human resources. It is also a great book to review in preparation for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in HumanResources (SPHR) certification tests given by the Society for HumanResource Management (SHRM). ... Read more

Book Description

Presents important analytical tools to decision making.
* Strong real world application.
* Emphasis on critical thinking and managerial decision-making. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Big Dose of Managerial Accounting
This book is very good for teaching you managerial accounting. I used this book in college and found it to actually be of use, unlike a lot of college textbooks. You could read the chapter and be able to do the exercises at the end of the chapter.

I mean, you know the types of books where they have questions and it's literally impossible to deduce how to answer the questions from the chapter. This book is not like that. It teaches you how to prepare specialized documents for internal business usage. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I felt that the information could be better organized as to make it easier to find. ... Read more

Book Description

An Actionable Framework for Elevating the CIO's Strategic Role

Two converging factors-the ubiquitous presence of technology in organizations and the recent technology downturn-have brought Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to a critical breaking point. They can seize the moment to leverage their expertise into a larger and more strategic role than ever before, or they can allow themselves to be relegated to the sideline function of "chief technology mechanic."

Drawing from exclusive research conducted by Gartner, Inc., with thousands of companies and CIOs, Marianne Broadbent and Ellen Kitzis reveal exactly what CIOs must do now to solidify their credibility with the executive team and bridge the chasm that currently separates business and IT strategy. The New CIO Leader outlines the agenda CIOs need to integrate business and IT assets in a way that moves corporate strategy forward- whether a firm is floundering, successfully competing, or leading its industry.

Mandatory reading for CIOs in every firm, The New CIO Leader spells out how information systems can deliver results that matter-and how CIOs can become the enterprise leaders they should be. ... Read more

Book Description

The CPA exam is changing. You need to change as well...to a book that better prepares you for the CPA exam and for business. This is the only book of its kind that demonstrates how to prepare financial reports and then how to analyze what those numbers really mean. Every manager has incentives to present his or her firm in the most favorable light to lenders, equity investors and others. And, every manager wants to use the flexibility allowed by GAAP to manage the firm's earnings to achieve certain goals. Revsine, Collins, and Johnson explain these incentives and help readers spot cases of earnings management, which disguises a firm's true performance. For anyone preparing to take the CPA exam, and for anyone who wants or needs a working knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, and financial statement analysis. ... Read more

Book Description

Most managers know that revitalization in their companies must occur from the ground up. But how to get that message to employees without applying the kind of pressure that makes them even less productive? The answer is empowerment. In this motivating book, you will find specific strategies designed to help you encourage responsibility, acknowledgment, and creativity so that employees feel they "own" their jobs. It's all here, in an accessible guide for the successful managers of tomorrow. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Communicate Better!
Many people fail to focus on whether or not their message is received. More effective people focus on whether the message is received as they attempt to improve communications so their company can be more successful. ZAPP! also focuses on WHAT message is received. As the book shows, a perceived message can be dispiriting or empowering.

I liked the fact that the book spent as much time on explaining about bad communications as it did on good ones. That is a great way to help people improve.

The only thing I did not like about the book was that the end led into a sales pitch for consulting rather than tips for how to pursue this on your own. It seemed out of keeping in a book about empowerment. Skip the last 2 pages, and you will be left with a better taste in your mouth.

Buy, read, think about, apply, and share this book and the lessons above with your colleagues. That will help you get heart-warming results to go with the heart-warming feeling that reading this book provides. Enjoy!

Avoid "Stallled Thinking" with Zapp!
Zapp! is fun and easy to read. It is a good basic reminder of the things that good managers and leaders should know but do not always practice. The cute story discribes the benefits of listening and sharing. Too many organizations are hindered by what I call the "Communications Stall". An additonal and very uccessful approach to this problem is to use many ways of communicating (print, videos, speeches, discussions,..) and to do so often. Part 4 accurately shows that in the larger company setting, the ways that people have always done things continuously get in the way of progress. We have found that these "Traditions Stalls" and "Bureaucratic Stalls" must be questioned if they are to be avoided, and new ways found to accomplish more. For example, take the seats out of the meeting rooms to make the meeting shorter. Zapp! begins to do this by saying "There must be another way". The key to finding 2,000 percent solutions and to making much faster progress, is to ask the right questions. I look forward to Byham's next book to learn how he recommends a manager or leader get started.

Has Zapped me since 96 (when I first read it I think)
Read this book sometime around 1996. I know it changed my way of dealing with people not just at the workplace but also with my wife at home on the sports field and it continues to influence the way I even deal with my 8 month old baby.

I have since quit my job and moved to the US to pursue a PhD in INdustrial Relations & Human Resources (after working for 15 years). And this continues to influence my choice of research.

A must read for all managers
Having worked for too many bosses who are micro-managers, I wish this book was required reading for all such managers. This book, although lacking in realistic settings, is nonetheless a good read. Managers can't expect employees to be excited about their work if they don't have Ownership of their task. How many times have I been given a project to do only to find out that I've been left out of the analysis phase of the project. All information is on a Need to Know basis, and I obviously don't. What do I do for a living? I'm a programmer/analyst.

An allegory for leaders
This book got a big build up by my prof, so it's not surprising it didn't quite measure up, thus no 5 star. You have to like allegorical illustrations, you have to have a bit of an imagination, and you should have some work experience. Don't go into this book looking for data or illustrations from life or statistics. It's a morals tale for the new business world--you may learn something from it as you would reading Aesop or Brothers Grimm, but don't look for an epic or a treatise. Good readers can finish it in under 2 hours. The hard-headed should probably not waste their time (enpowerment, bah, humbug!) The rest of you, relax and enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

A good market study can make or break a development project. This new book will equip you with the tools you need to evaluate trends and understand the key factors affecting real estate markets. Using a step-by-step approach, the author shows you how to get started, where to get information, and how to apply it to multifamily, hotel, office, industrial, entertainment, mixed-use, and master-planned communities. Thirteen case studies written by top market analysts demonstrate how they implemented these methods and provide you with models to follow. Ideal for anyone new to real estate development ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Thorough Reference
This book is written like a textbook - starting with the most basic concepts - but moves on to discuss the tools and techniques of market analysis in considerable detail. Separate sections deal with residential, office and industrial, retail, hotels and resorts, and mixed-use developments. Case studies are given for each type of property. Technologies and data sources to assist analysis are discussed.

The two primary authors are a real estate consultant and an author/director of the Urban Land Institute. Many other professionals are listed as having contributed to the case studies.

The book includes an appendix of data sources of use to market analysts, a glossary of real estate terms and a thorough index. ... Read more