Reviews (6)

OK intro for total novices but teaches you virtually nothin
That book is good for a coast-to-coast flight. Has virtually no substance, can't learn anything from it. Has some value for novices. Misassigned quotes, incorrect dates, off the cuff graphs, fluffy fluff.
Borrow it from a library, do not buy for you bookshelf. If you have a backwards looking manager, buy it for him as a gift.

Of no interest to Black Belts looking to implement DFSS
This book may appeal to middle management or executive level managers who are taking a first pass at DFSS and are not familiar with Six Sigma in general. Frankly, this book is a waste to time if you are looking for a meaty how-to on how to implement design for six sigma at your company. The author keeps telling the reader about the power of DFSS but lacks the substance to get you there. It is written as if it were a lengthy abstract to another textbook.

If you want to buy a gift for your boss--you're all set.

If you want a useful reference volume on DFSS look elsewhere.

Sean
ASQ Six Sigma Blackbelt

Not enough details
This is a good book for a novice or executive who wants a quick and high level overview of DFSS. Don't expect to learn the details of DFSS or any substantive methods to implement DFSS.

The book lacks substance and pertinent examples. Chapter Six on Optimize the Design is very weak. The sections on Taguchi Loss Function, Parameter design, Tolerance design, and TRIZ provide a superficial coverage with no in-depth explanation or detailed examples. Additionally, the discussion on concept evalutions (criteria or prioritization matrix and Pugh matrix) are also very superficial.

The book is an easy read and provides a nice high-level overview, but those looking for details and solid examples should not consider this book.

Doesn't teach you DFSS
This is a good book if you only want to know what DFSS is about.
It describes the tools like QFD, TRIZ, FMEA and Taguchi Robust design but really doesn't teach you to apply any of these. There aren't real life examples with calculations so you can learn to apply these methods. The book spends too much on the management side and very little on applying the real DFSS tools.

Why Not the First Time?
The claim on this book's dust jacket that Chowdhury offers "the only [in italics for emphasis] way to achieve Six Sigma" is obviously ludicrous. Presumably he would be the first to agree with Michael Hammer who wrote The Agenda to repudiate the idea that there is one and only one "silver bullet" to hit the "target" of organizational transformation. In fact, there is a full arsenal of weapons. "Six Sigma's trademark methodology of DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) has become a standard operating procedure in companies around the globe." Quite true. The challenge is to select what is most appropriate to the specific needs and objectives of a given organization. One of Chowdhury's many and substantial gifts is his ability to explain even the most difficult of concepts to those who lack his understanding of highly sophisticated production and measurement systems. This talent was demonstrated in his previously published The Power of Six Sigma which I view as an invaluable "primer" for non-engineers such as those in marketing and sales.

In this volume, he carefully organizes his material within seven chapters. Everything Chowdhury shares, directly or indirectly, explains how to use Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) to 'start from scratch to design the product or process to be virtually error free." Chowdhury is absolutely convinced that what sets DFSS apart from other variations of Six Sigma methodology is getting it right the first time. If I understand what seems to be one of Chowdhury's key points (and I may not) it is absolutely essential during the process of designing any new product or service to anticipate literally everything that could go wrong with it, then complete the design so as to prevent those defects. For m,e, this is the single greatest value of the DFSS methodology. So viewed, constant verification during each step of the design process is absolutely essential.

Throughout his book, Chowdhury explains why DFSS is (he's obviously convinced) "the ONLY way to achieve Six Sigma," how to formulate an effective DFSS strategy, what various roles are for everyone involved, how to identify and define appropriate opportunities, how to develop concepts during Phase II of the process, how to optimize the design, and then how to verify and then re-verify it. He concludes by asserting that "the real power of Design for Six Sigma is realized as you mature the integration of DFSS into your new product and service introduction process" and promises that those companies "that effectively accomplish this level of maturation in DFSS will command almost insurmountable competitive advantages. The tsunami of DFSS is coming. Ride the leading edge to win the new global competitive race that has already begun."

Those who share my high regard for Chowdhury's book are urged to check out the previously mentioned book by Michael Hammer (The Agenda) as well as Bossidy and Charan's Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done, Pande et al's The Six Sigma Way: How GE, Motorola, and Other Top Companies Are Honing Their Performance, Eckes's Making Six Sigma Last: Managing the Balance Between Cultural and Technical Change, George's Lean Six Sigma: Combing Six Sigma Quality with Lean Production Speed, and Kaplan and Norton's The Strategy-Focused Organization: How Balanced Scorecard Companies Thrive in the New Business Environment. ... Read more

Book Description

The Department of Defense recruits and trains approximately 200,000 enlisted members and officers each year, making it one of the largest employers in the U.S. This book was developed to help young people, students, educators, and others learn about the many career opportunities that the military has to offer. It is a compendium of military occupational, training, and career information designed for individuals who want to explore the military world of work. The new book contains descriptions of 140 enlisted and officer occupations, including information on work performed; physical demands; special requirements; training provided; work environment; helpful interests, experiences, and personal characteristics; civilian counterparts (helpful to those leaving the military and transitioning to a civilian career); military career scores from the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB); corresponding interest codes; profiles of real service people; and sample career paths. Includes many photos and tables with helpful information. ... Read more

Book Description

Boehm-Bawerk's magnum opus, one of the greatest achievements in the history of economic thought.In fact, it is a Magna Carta of the capitalistic production process.In an economic order based on production, income from capital investment provides the very basis of the system and a livelihood for a large middle class, as well as capitalists and entrepreneurs.All observations about the nature and appraisals of the value of capitalism hinge upon the explanation of this capital income.Capital and Interest is divided into three parts:

The first volume History and Critique of Interest Theories, is a diligent and persuasive analysis of virtually all capital income theories.It is a critical history of interest doctrines that defend or oppose capital income.The second volume, Positive Theory of Capital, contains much more than the title seems to indicate.It presents a comprehensive theory of the entire production process.In particular, it elaborates on the principles that govern the allocation of incomes, that is, the amounts of interest, wage, and profit. Boehm-Bawerk offers a persuasive solution to all questions of income and theories of distribution.In Volume III, Further Essays on Capital and Interest, the publisher collected additional explanations and commentaries by the author.It comprises fourteen brilliant briefs explaining, elaborating, and defending the Positive Theory.It contains such great essays as "The Role of Disutility in the Value Theory" and "The Size of the Initial Fund that is Necessary for a Given Production Period." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The most complete and thourough theory of capital to date
The most comprehensive theory of capital to date. Absolutely brilliant. It also contains the marginal utility theory which displaced the labor theory of vale (Smith, Ricardo). Also it has brilliant essays and critiques of the competing interest theories going back to Aristotle and including the socialist explotation theory of interest, the productivity theories and the agio theory. A warning howevor. This book is none to easy to read. If you think Smith and Ricardo are boring you had better brace yourself. Tremendously original, just unbelievably hard to read. ... Read more

Book Description

This book adresses the needs of both researchers and practitioners. It combines a rigorous overview of the mathematics of financial markets with an insight into the practical application of these models to the risk and portfolio management of interest-rate derivatives. It can also serve as a valuable textbook for graduate and PhD students in mathematics who want to get some knowledge about financial markets. The first part of the book is an exposition of advanced stochastic calculus. It defines the theoretical framework for the pricing and hedging of contingent claims with a special focus on interest rate markets. The second part covers a selection of short and long-term oriented risk measures as well as their application to the risk management of interest-rate portfolios. Interesting and comprehensive case studies are provided to illustrate the theoretical concepts. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Marketing Communications Management: concepts and theories, cases and practice makes critical reflections on the prime issues in integrated marketing communications and is designed to encourage the reader to stop and think about key issues. The author takes a managerial approach to the subject and provides a set of frameworks that facilitate both learning and teaching. A wide range of pedagogical features is included such as sample exam questions, 'stop points', vignettes, and case studies, and a summary of key points concludes each chapter.

Most organizations need some form of marketing or corporate communications and this text is designed to service both practitioners and students undertaking formal study. The author addresses strategic and critical issues that dovetail with the current interest in marketing communications as reflected in the media, with particular emphasis given to advertising and sponsorship.

* Especially tailored to the higher level needs of the final year student, offering an integrated, managerial approach
* Comprehensive global coverage of the topic
* Wide range of examples, case studies and vignettes to bring the theory to life ... Read more

Book Description

From the little-heard and seldom-seen transcripts, tapes, and corporate conclaves, here is the SOKEN wit and wisdom - on economics and morales, microcosm and telecosm - of the man who is the logical successor to Peter Drucker. For any indicidual or team working to deliver the tomorrow of American business, technology and values. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Product of the Internet Bubble
There is no doubt that George Gilder is bright nor is there any argument that he writes and speaks persuasively. The problem with this book is the fact that almost everything Mr. Gilder has predicted has failed to arrive in anywhere near the magnitude or time that he so boldly predicted. As someone who worked with him once said, "He's often wrong and never in doubt". This book will go down with the "New, New Thing" as interesting reading, but faulty prognostication. Better to pick up a few copies of Red Herring, Fortune...

A Virtual Quotation Book of George Gilder!
To the pure George Gilder fan I'm sure this is a 5 star. My slight downgrade is because I come the investor's side of what George Gilder has to say. While this book is only 2 years old, it's value as an investment book has been decreased by time. I would have liked a little more on Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Scott McNealey, Steve Jobs and all the characters who are the cutting-edge of the high-tech business. Since George Gilder did not write this book or even add a comment to the Introduction, he can't be blamed in any way. The editor's choice of material is spread a little longer and thinner than I'd like. Maybe 4 1/2 stars is a better all-around rating, but for the investor only a 4 I'm sorry to say. Things just happen too fast.

A must read for those just getting to know George Gilder.
George Gilder is well known today for his examination of emerging technologies. His is an interesting journey from writing about values, men and women, government policy, etc. to sharing his understanding of emerging technologies. This book is not a straight line from Mr. Gilder's early career to the present, but it serves as a great introduction to a tireless mind. In the end, you will understand how a man with a diverse background ends up writing about creating wealth through giving.

This book a "Quotable George Gilder."
It is filled with succinct quotations which get to the heart of many topics. The introduction alone, by Bruce Chapman, is worth the price of admission. Fate matched George and Bruce as college roommates. In marvelous anecdotes, Bruce reveals some very human Gilderian habits, mannerisms and foibles.

Awesome. Earth shaking.
I have read Gilder's news letters, The Death of Television, and one or two other titles. I enjoyed this book even more as Gilder's prodigious intelligence is more intelligible in spoken form. Its great to find a truly great thinker who appreciates the dynamism of markets and creativity, and who understands the profound impacts of quantum theory on the human condition, and finally who can be persuasive that no apologies are necessary for capitalism. He's a great breath of fresh air and the inclusion of his ideas in the Papal reports that come each century are demonstrative of their transcendent importance. I think Gilder will go down in history as one of the great minds of our time. ... Read more

Book Description

Two items were firmly on the European economic agenda in the 1990s: financial market integration and European monetary union (EMU). The former was supposed to have been achieved via the Single Market Act and the latter came into being on January 1, 1999. This study is concerned with a particular connection between the two themes, namely the process of financial intermediation and especially the role of banking. The book is centred on four key questions:1. What happened to European banking before, during and after the implementation of the Single Market Act? 2. From a theoretical perspective, to what do banks owe their existence: what is special about banking, what makes banks tick and why do they matter? 3. How does competition in banking unfold: what are the main channels or competitive instruments in the process? 4. What are the links between the yield curve and the banking system: how do changes in the term structure of interest rates affect both bank pricing and portfolio allocation? This research explores competition among banks and other financial intermediaries, with specific implications for the asset allocation process and pricing policies in banking. This book provides the foundations for an additional perspective on optimal currency area theory (OCA). The links between financial and monetary integration (via financial intermediation and banking) offer another path towards understanding monetary transmission and, therefore, OCA theory. This study promotes the idea that banking and market imperfections are effectively two sides of the same coin. Financial intermediation, and the economics of banking, merit special consideration -- especially in discovering the impact and effectiveness of financial integration and EMU. ... Read more

Book Description

This work provides an integration of the financial and economic aspects of the interest rate. It depicts how the interest rate operates in the macro-economy to set the supply and the allocation of capital and how it functions on the micro-economic level to optimize capital decision-making. It describes the function of the financial markets in setting the supply and cost-of-funds to various users, and specifically examines the nominal and real interest rate, the problem of estimating a reasonable cost of capital for operational purposes of both business firms and public sector authorities, and the application of discounting and present-value methods to financial and investment decisions and strategies. ... Read more

Book Description

Turning conventional financial planning upside-down the author shows how to save $33,893.56 on the purchase of a $110,000 home by making a SMALLER down payment.There are chapters on: Why You Should Not Refinace, 100%, Safe, Legal Way To Profit By Using Your Credit Cards, Painless Mortgage Acceleration, Earn Returns of 10% and more, compounded monthly, with 100% safety, Repair Your Own Credit, (The FTC says you can do as good a job as the credit counselors.) This book carries the endorsement of Patsy B. Svendsen, Certified Public Accountant, Jacksonville. Fla. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Helpful financial planning information
Mr. Wicks book is full of information, that if one chooses to follow, will help you keep more of your hard earned money.

You can learn how to make your money work harder for you by using tips such as putting a smaller down payment on your mortgage and using the remainder of a larger down payment to reduce your principal more quickly.

Put your credit cards to work for you, instead of working to keep up with them.

Also how to repair your credit if you not used it wisely in the past.

This short book is full of good information and worth the [price]. ... Read more

Book Description

Revised and updated with rates that reflect today’s real estate mortgage market, this pocket-size handbook presents quick-reference number charts that eliminate the need for calculation. As such, its tables are time-savers for business students, loan officers, and buyers seeking an adjustable rate mortgage. The tables are as follows: Monthly Payments, Payment Adjustments Resulting from Interest Rate Adjustments, Borrower’s Worst Case Annual Percentage Rates, Borrowers Worst Case Monthly Payments, Annual Percentage Rates for First Year, Value of Below-Market Initial Rate, Annual Loan Balance Reduction, and Worst Case Annual Percentage Rate for Convertible Adjustable Rate Mortgages. ... Read more