Book Description

Drawing upon forty years of experience from his own sports and celebrity management practice, Mark H. McCormack is back with common-sense advice aimed at business owners and would-be CEOs. McCormack's tips include:

* End your day on time
* People who say they can keep a secret usually can't
* It pays to overestimate your competition
* The best ideas cannot be stolen
* Know when to say "It's none of your business"
* Get paid for thinking rather than doing
* Time in front of the customer is the best time of all
* Be wary of unanimous agreement
* Not every budget deserves your respect
* Learn the art of picking up the check


In ninety brief chapters that range in topic from getting ahead to staying competitive, McCormack makes clear that doing business in today's climate still involves the same basic elements of human interaction-intelligence, creativity, and efficiency-that have always meant the difference between success and failure. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good roundup of common sense in business relationships
(This book was previously published as 'Staying Street Smart in the Internet Age').
It's not the first book by Mark McCormack I've read. Like the others, its very readable, and gives a collection of homespun philosophies, interspersed with personal life experiences. There's a strong emphasis on Sales, but 'selling' is surely part of all of our business relationships.
Just don't believe in the gospel of everything McCormack has to say; there are contradictions, just as life is full of them, such as :
In Part 8 'When you are in Charge', there is the lesson "unlearn the bad habit of not trusting your 1st impression", whereas in Part 9 'Etiquette for the New Millenium', under 'reading people requires more than one reading', there is a "caveat about reading people too quickly" - so which is it to be?
Consider it light reading to just remind you of the good & bad things that you can do to others & they can do to you, and re-adjust & compensate accordingly.

Good roundup of common sense in business relationships
(This review is of the paperback edition re-published as 'Never Wrestle with a Pig').
It's not the first book by Mark McCormack I've read. Like the others, its very readable, and gives a collection of homespun philosophies, interspersed with personal life experiences. There's a strong emphasis on Sales, but 'selling' is surely part of all of our business relationships.
Just don't believe in the gospel of everything McCormack has to say; there are contradictions, just as life is full of them, such as :
In Part 8 'When you are in Charge', there is the lesson "unlearn the bad habit of not trusting your 1st impression", whereas in Part 9 'Etiquette for the New Millenium', under 'reading people requires more than one reading', there is a "caveat about reading people too quickly" - so which is it to be?
Consider it light reading to just remind you of the good & bad things that you can do to others & they can do to you, and re-adjust & compensate accordingly.

A Refreshing Perspective
I started reading business books with Mark McCormack's "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School" years ago. So, I couldn't resist "Never Wrestle with a Pig," and am glad I picked it up. McCormack reminds us of the fundamentals and basic goals of business in order to succeed and prosper - whether today, tomorrow or way back in the 20th Century. I'm done wrestling with pigs, but I am going to give humans in business more chances with my refreshed knowledge from McCormack. It's a quick read with long-lasting benefits.

It caught my attention
I usually tend to find career development/strategy books simplistic and mind-numbing. After having my attention caught by the title of this book though, I decided to give it a try. I couldn't put it down and have already recommended it to many people. The format is very reader-friendly with McCormack's having done a great job of packaging his points in morsels that are easy to absorb. You'll probably find yourself nodding in agreement with his bits of common sense as you're reading. It's the kind of book that you want to share with everyone, but on the other hand keep it to yourself because what you learn from this book will make you appear like a genius. The only detraction from the material is that the author does come off as pompous at times, but looking at his accomplishments, I think this attitude is warranted.

Interesting and informative, but...(my but about it)
The book was quite clear and informative. It had many experiences that were shared and communicated well. It did give me many interesting tid bits and pointers, but -

I started to get the feeling that the author was really full of himself, and it seemed after a while that he kept saying: "only after I stepped in did things improve most of the time because I am such a smart guy..."

That started to wear me down and it started to get a little annoying. If it wasnt for that, the book was good.

I would not recommend this book to any friend of mine because I think there are other books out there that tell the reader more with less personal glory attached to it.

Perhaps I should read biographies more? ... Read more

Book Description

The Fault Line - that dangerous, unstable seam in the economy where the Internet and other powerful innovations meet and create market-shattering tremors. Every company lives on it; no manager can control it. Everyone must learn to deal with it.

• New strategies for achieving and sustaining competitive advantage
• New metrics to keep management teams on course with these strategies
• A specific blueprint for how the blue chip companies can meet the challenge of the dot.coms
• Models of organizational change for each stage of market development
• The crucial role of declaring a culture to enable swift response to global change

Reviews (2)

Well worth the read!
Geoffrey Moore's latest book should be required reading for all executives in the age of the Internet. Rather than filling out a theoretically weak book with numerous examples, or building a detailed theory which cannot be applied, Moore has produced a brilliant work of practical business theory. Drawing on and extending his work in Crossing the Chasm, Inside the Tornado, and The Gorilla Game, Moore looks at various stages in the development of businesses, how to manage for shareholder value, how to create and sustain competitive advantage, and how companies with diverse cultures can effectively overcome the innovator's dilemma. Any executive feeling threatened by the Internet, or wishing to take full advantage of discontinuous innovations, should read this book.

Strategies for tactical leaders
"Living on the Fault Line" is like a diorama of a new battlefield. Reading this book, like studying the scale model, should give the experienced leader new perspectives on which troops to deploy and where they should go. It is a tool to show the terrain, the high points and ambush risks that armies face. This market is not lacking in people who can act, and this book shows them where to focus their efforts in a usable, timely and concentrated way. ... Read more

Book Description

1 cassette / 90 minutes


Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles, co-authors of the New York Times business bestseller Raving Fans, are back with Gung Ho!-an invaluable management tool that outlines foolproof ways to increase productivity by fostering excellent morale in the workplace.Through the inspirational story of business leaders, the revolutionary technique of Gung Ho! is revealed in three simple, yet amazingly powerful principles:

The Spirit of the Squirrel: Practice worthwhile work
The Way of the Beaver: Be in control of achieving the goal
The Gift of the Goose: Cheer each other on

Destined to become a classic, Gung Ho! also includes a clear game plan with a step-by-step outline for instituting these groundbreaking ideas that boost enthusiasm and performance and usher in astonishing results for any organization.Whether your organization consists of one or is listed in the Fortune 500, this AudioBook ensures Gung Ho! employees committed to success. ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Great Book and Here's Another!
Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles have created another classic. In a highly effective parable, they provide a blueprint any leader can use to create organizational excitement in just about any type of organization. The most positive characteristics of this book, like all Blanchard books, are the underlying values and wholesome philosophies that drive the message home at each juncture along the way. Whether a person is leading a small work group, a department, a division, or an entire company, he or she will find many useful ideas in this easy-to-read book.

Another book, with a foreword by Ken Blanchard, that I have just finished is also destined to be a classic alongside GUNG HO! I highly recommend everyone - not just people in leadership positions - read WINNING WAYS: FOUR SECRETS FOR GETTING GREAT RESULTS BY WORKING WELL WITH PEOPLE, by Dick Lyles. Dr. Lyles is a protégé of Blanchard and Bowles and this book proves that he, also, has mastered the art of parable writing. This book contains tips that will help anyone be more powerful and charismatic in their dealings with other people.

It will make you believe in yourself and your staff
I joined a new company almost two years ago. Many management people over me were required to read "Gung Ho". I asked to read it and found it thought-provoking, but the three concepts exciting. I've lived those three concepts for the past year and just recently was put in charge of a group seven staff-members. As I recalled the book and the basic concepts, I took it down and read it afresh. As I had practiced, I began teaching the three basic concepts without telling my staff what they are doing. Now my next step is to let them in on the secret. I know "people" are watching me and that's okay. My team is succeeding. With these three concepts in my daily plan of action, I know I will pass the test of a new supervisor as well as have helped create a great winning team. The staff themselves are the winners. The book explains in extremely simple but motivating language how to work together, take control of your actions, and praise one another when we "do good". The book "Gung Ho" is a great birthday or Christmas gift.

You may be able to take something from it
Managers may not be able to enact all of the principles of Gung Ho, but they will be able to walk away with some valuable insight in the world of motivation and performance. If your not sure if you really want this book or not I would recommend that you go for it. There is truly nothing to lose and the reading is entertaining and informative. Every person will be able able to take something from this book and be able to apply it to their work environment.

economics class
The book gung Ho by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles is a great book for managment. It is excellent in the way it simply defines a way to significantly improve your management skills by focusing in the 3 principles. the principles could be used in personal life as well as your profesional life. It is so great that it helps create organization and to use practice using techniques on a daily basis. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in improving their work style. This book is also easy to read and understand.

Simple But Useful
Gung Ho! is a book related to management. Although the concepts in the book are simple, it is important to everyone, especially those are in the management field. The three underlying principles are The Spirit of the Squirrel, The Way of the Beaver and The Gift of the Goose. They are parables of the importance of making employees understand their roles, the conflict between directing the tasks to employees and empowerment by management, and the importance of appreciation to employees respectively.

In my view of point, I think Gung Ho! is a revolutionary technique to boost enthusiasm and performance and usher in astonishing results for any organization. The principles are the tips to increase productivity by fostering excellent morale in the workplace. For example, employees will be loyal to the company if they gain job satisfaction from their worthwhile work. Positive reinforcements such as appreciation (i.e. say ¡§well done¡¨ when those have good performance) and empowerment can motivate employees to improve and have a better performance.

To conclude, Gung Ho! is easy to read but useful for everyone. The writers convey the important management strategies to the readers by using simple story and parables. I think it is a good time for the company, the management team and the employees to refresh and understand their roles so that they can have a good relationship which can benefit as a whole. ... Read more

Book Description

From world-renowned motivational author Napoleon Hill comes the definitive unabridged version of his classic work that has inspired millions, Think and Grow Rich.

Anything your mind can conceive and believe you can achieve. That is the philosophy of Napoleon Hill, author of the world’s #1 motivational book, Think and Grow Rich. Inspired by the lessons he learned while a protégé of Andrew Carnegie, Napoleon Hill gives you the money-making secrets that earned Carnegie, and many of the world’s other most prominent people, unprecedented riches. Think and Grow Rich tells you what to do and how to do it. Apply Hill’s basic techniques to your life and you too can master the secret of enduring success.

Success is not an accident, it’s a habit. Think and Grow Rich is where that habit begins. Throughout this inspirational masterpiece, which has influenced men and women on every continent, Hill gives examples and detailed analysis of how hundreds of exceedingly wealthy people earned and maintained their fortunes. It has sold millions of copies by laying down a blueprint for a life of prosperity, and helping people become the winners they’ve always wanted to be. Napoleon Hill’s plan will inspire you, motivate you, and enable you to make your dreams come true!
... Read more

Reviews (225)

Great book--Great foreward by Melvin Powers
Over the years I have bought several copies of Think and Grow Rich but this particular edition, original unabridged version is perhaps the best and my personal favorite.

Think and Grow Rich is without a doubt one of the most prestigious and beloved books in the field of motivational literature. This version is a reprint of the original, unabridged, classic edition of Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. No doubt, Think and Grow Rich has helped shape the lives of millions of people around the world. Perhaps moreso than any other book ever.

In Think and Grow Rich, Napolean Hill shares his brilliant philosophy and practical techniques for achieving your financial goals, reaching your highest potential, and ultimately creating a life that brings you great personal happiness.

Think and Grow Rich will teach you how to harness the awesome mental magic of your mind. You are given a blueprint for self mastery. You learn that there are no limitations to what you can accomplish, only those you impose on yourself.

Napolean Hill said, "If you can conceive it, you can believe it." This precept has proven true repeatedly throughout history. Did we not send a man to the moon and accomplish other seemingly miraculous feats in many fields of endeavor? Every one of these feats began as an idea that was then transformed into reality. Think and Grow Rich shows youhow to transform your dreams into reality too.

Melvin Powers inspiring foreward and indicating how this great book transformed his life adds just on more great testimonial of the power behind Think and Grow Rich.

If you were to buy just one book on personal development, you wouldn't go wrong by making Think and Grow Rich that one and only book.

Thank you Napolean for sharing your wisdom!

Bugaboos of the Mind Revealed
Why do some achieve great wealth when the vast majority wallow in poverty?

Napoleon Hill interviewed nearly 500 wealthy men (including steel magnate Andrew Carnegie) to determine the underlying causes of wealth. In addition, Hill interviewed thousands of financial failures to determine what drove them to poverty.

Think & Grow Rich is a remarkable text that outlines what Napoleon Hill learned from his vast number of interviews. Hill enables readers to emulate the traits of the wealthy while shunning those characteristics of the financially challenged.

Several highlights of the text are:

(1) Prerequisites to wealth acquisition include a statement of: (a) the amount of money desired (b) the sacrifice one is willing to give in exchange for the money (c) the deadline for obtaining the money (d) a definite plan for acquiring this money (e) a declaration of this statement twice daily once before sleeping and once after waking.

Hill remarks, "You may as well know, right here, that you can never have riches in great quantities unless you can work yourself into a white heat of desire for money, and actually believe you possess it."

(2) The subconscious mind can be a powerful ally (or foe) in the pursuit of wealth. One should truly believe that one will become wealthy and "the subconscious mind will hand over the plan that you need". This belief should be infused with emotion.

(3) Create a Master Mind group of encouraging individuals who can provide the specialized knowledge necessary to achieve wealth

(4) "Success requires no explanations; Failure permits no alibis"

(5) Common causes of failures include: Lack a well defined purpose in life, Lack of ambition, Lack of self-discipline, Procrastination, Lack of Persistence, Lack of decision.

(6) Persistence is absolutely critical to wealth. Hill mentions that "I had the happy privilege of analyzing both Mr. Edison and Mr. Ford ... I found no quality save persistence that even remotely suggested the major source of their stupendous achievements."

(7) To develop persistence one must have a: (a) specific goal with a yearning for its attainment (b) definite plan (c) mind closed against negative influences (d) friendly alliance with those who will encourage one to achieve the goal

(8) Sublimate your sexual urges to a yearning to accomplish your goals

(9) "You have absolute control over but one thing, and that is your thoughts"

This is a remarkable book that is a paean to the power of the mind and its ability to create wealth in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles ...

Excellent! but the hardcover version is abridged
Wonderful book, which inspires me and makes me think big and stay motivated. I love the unabridged version from wilshire book company. Unfortunately it comes only in paperback. I recently bought the hardcover, collector's edition. Unfortunately it is abridged, in some chapters several pages in total. The format in this book is among the best i've seen though. Leatherbound, goldedges etc. Anyway, great book!

It Helped Jim Carrey, myself and it can help you too...
What can I say? I bought this book at a church bookstore, ironic huh? Having been fortunate enough to attend elite academic institutions in America and Europe, I can say without a doubt that the principles espoused by Mr. Hill's writing are by far more valuable than much of what I learned in a formal academic environment--this is real education....SELF education, i.e. knowledge of Self.

Jim Carrey reputedly read this book while working a low wage job before becoming famous, applied the fundamentals and the rest, as we say is history.

I always like to point out interesting teaching points from books and here are a few:

**"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

**"There are no limitations to the mind EXCEPT those we acknowledge"

**"Both poverty and riches are the offspring oof thought"

One of my greatest ambitions is to actualize the level of success I envision for myself and in doing so, be in a position where I can mentor others about the principles of success such as those. Mssr. Hill teaches. One of the first things I shall do is give this book away in order to complete the cycle of giving and receiving.

I also recommend reading this book along side Joseph Murphy's book "Power of Your Subconscious Mind" and Claude M. Bristol's "The Magic of Believing" along with "It Works" by RJH. These books along with Think & Grow Rich can truly enable you to achieve whatever you desire not only financially but in health, relationships, peace of mind and true expression--true wealth.

I have personally achieved some wonderful results through the application of these principles and look forward to applying them even further for higher and higher levels of achievement. I hope you do so as well!

Not his best, but a great book by Napolean Hill
Think & Grow Rich is a condensed version of Hill's 17 principles of success; he course that he used to teach in over 17 lessons via weekly lectures and is still available in other books and tape programs like Your Right To Be Rich.

Nonetheless, Think & Grow Rich is an excellent intro to the principles and techniques that Hill discovered after interviewing the wealthiest people of his time.

Think & Grow Rich will open your mind and open opportunities to you. Great book by Hill. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

A Passion For Excellence is the single most existing, inspiring, career-transforming book ever published for people who want to get ahead. It takes you behind, the scenes in some of the most successful organizations and analyzes what makes them distinctive.

Here are real people, real companies, real numbers. Here is what you need to know about the crucial elements of success: constant innovation, staying in touch with customers, encouraging the contributions of everyone in the company, and maintaining the integrity that is basic to leadership. Here are the secrets of building excellence. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

SUPERB CASE HISTORIES OF WHAT PRACTICAL PASSION CAN DO
Many people have written that they like Tom Peters, but do not think that he has much to say that is new or different.Others criticize Peters for being changeable in his views.What these people miss is that Tom Petersis passionate about using passion for customers, employees, and everyoneelse to create great results for all of us.By awakening our passion, wewill do more, we will try more, and we will succeed more often.In manyways, this book is much more important than IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE.APASSION FOR EXCELLENCE clearly shows that passionate leadership about theright things sets a good example and the right tone for the organization. This book is helpful in that each section is meant to be read as astand-alone, so you can go to the places that you did not feel verypassionate about when you read IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE and get some goodreinforcement about the value of passion in that area.A good companionpiece if you need more passion and self-direction is Tony Robbins' AWAKENTHE GIANT WITHIN.

A must read
One of the best practical business texts around.Tom Peters is easily one of the most charismatic of the business preachers today, and the book fits right in line with his style ... Read more

Book Description

Do you spend an abnormal amount of time hiding out in the bathroom or hanging out at the buffet table at social gatherings? Does the thought of striking up a conversation with a stranger make your stomach do flip-flops? Do you sit nervously through job interviews waiting for the other person to speak? Are you a "Nervous Ned" (or "Nervous Nellie") when it comes to networking? Then it's time you mastered The FINE Art of Small Talk.

With practical advice and conversation "cheat sheets," The FINE Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation, from lunch with the boss to an association event to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul.

The Fine Art of Small Talk teaches you to:

*Start a conversation even when you think you have nothing to say
*Avoid foot-in-mouth disease
*Stable your shaky knees and dry your sweaty palms
*Prevent pregnant pauses and awkward silences
*Adopt listening skills that will make you a better conversationalist
*Approach social functions with confidence
*Feel more at ease at parties, meetings, job interviews, and trade shows
*Turn every conversation into an opportunity for success ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Easy and quickly adaptable for social party , dinner
At the same time, I have ordered Debra's tape, I have bought also 7 others books and video, audio tapes from others authors, on the same subject of conversation. Debra's tape , definitely appears to me, easy, confortable, to apply for any occasions to talk to people Her voice is very friendly and warm. I am so glad to have found Debra' audio tape. She gives , not only advice and techniques, but immediate examples of small talk for introducing yourself , with warmness and giving people the chance and the desire to develop conversation with you. Usually, when invited to dinner, or cocktails , or meeting , I go with the apprehension to meet new people , and to be in the situation of nothing to say , and to appear not interesting to be with.The days after listening to Debra's tape, I have the opportunity to apply in a dinner . I was the guest on a table of 12 persons that I did not know. The evening was lovely, because at last I could engage conversation with new people, as if we were friends. I feel much more confortable ,in such short time and I know that with more training with this tape, I will allow myself, for near future, to love meeting new people, as well as to talk friendly with my clients, my hairdresser, old friends... I really recommend this tape to who wishes to leave a positive impression.

Fianlly...help for the conversationally-challenged
The Fine Art of Small Talk is fantastic! Author Debra Fine gives wonderful ideas and tips for starting, maintaining and ending a conversation. The Fine Art of Small Talk is perfect for anyone who's less than completely secure about his or her conversation skills, anyone who wants to overcome feeling awkward or tongue-tied, and especially for anyone who wants to learn to gracefully deal with people who talk to much, offer unsolicited advice, etc., etc. I've found that the tips in the book are perfect for both business and social settings. I can tell that using the advice makes a big difference in how people respond. The Fine Art of Small Talk really has had a positive impact. Be warned, though: you may - as I did - see yourself among the list of the author's "conversation offenders!" Not surprisingly, the book is written in an engaging, conversational style and, in addition to being helpful, is extremely enjoyable.

Rent it! Very clear and crisp advice
The issue is that most us find it difficult to have a small talk specially with strangers.

The conclusion is that if you take the risk (of rejection) and burden of making the small talk, you will reap the benefits.

The examples are good. I like it for the clarity and crispness. I am going to try the advise since it is not too difficult.

Probably the most helpful review...
This book is written by a woman, for women. Being male and reading this book, i quickly saw how useless this book is for me. I am not being sexist so quit mounting your offense, i am simply stating fact. Her lack of knowledge on the male spectrum of this lack of communication skill is obvious. She knows what it's like for women, but cannot speak for men.

A very helpful book
It is a good book because it teaches you the basics for starting a conversation and keep the same going. ... Read more

Book Description

Nearly 20 years ago, former General Electric CEO Reg Jones walked into Jack Welch's office and wrapped him in a bear hug. "Congratulations, Mr. Chairman," said Reg. It was a defining moment for American business. So begins the story of a self-made man and a self-described rebel who thrived in one of the most volatile and economically robust eras in U.S. history, while managing to maintain a unique leadership style. In what is the most anticipated book on business management for our time, Jack Welch surveys the landscape of his career running one of the world's largest and most successful corporations. ... Read more

Reviews (226)

Jack, Over the Top Results
REVIEW: If one word could sum up Jack Welch's career at GE it might be "results". And this is why many people will want to read this book. It is basically an autobiography of Jack Welch's GE years and does not dwell on deap management theory. Those readers expecting a lot of new business theory or to learn how to repeat Jack's performance by reading about his secret methodology may be disappointed.

The management insights that Jack does reveal seem to me to be generally built on fairly well established (but poorly executed) management practices. Jack has just embraced them and used focussed passion coupled with an obsession on people to execute superbly and produce great results. For example, some of his major initiatives could be said to have been derived from existing management principles: 1) "No. 1 or 2" Jack admits is derived from Peter Drucker, 2)I believe six sigma is derived in part from Motorola, 3) "Boundaryless behaviour" can said to be based on Peter Drucker's observation that there are no profit centers inside an organization, and 4) Jack was clearly not an early pioneer on "E-business". Yet he recognized the opportunities and produced results from them. The book probably won't become a classic, but it is still recommended reading for today's and tomorrow's managers and especially those interest in the man himself.

STRENGTHS: The book is a fairly easy and interesting read full of anecdotes and insites. It does a great job of showing the management task as art and discipline that can be learned, improved, and mastered rather than as personal charisma or other common stereotypes of leadership.

WEAKNESSES: The minor weaknesses of the book relate to Jack's strong, competitive personality (and maybe ego) that show through in his writing. Despite that author's initial disclaimer to read "I" as meaning "we" I found Jack's lack of distinction between himself and GE to be minorly annoying. Parts of the book are filled with phrases like "I bought this $$$$$ company" when clearly "We" is appropriate [I know, I'm nit-picking]. Second (and this is almost excusable in an autobiography) Jack rarely gave the "other side" of the story when discussing major GE crises. For example, he never explains the EU's reasons for blocking the Honeywell merger, assuming that it is so obviously wrong it's not worthy of explaination.

His advice may seem obvious to some, but...
His advice may seem obvious to some, but how often is it actually practiced? I shouted "yeah!" to myself over and over as I read a couple chapters of this book.

For example: the chapter about rating and rewarding his employees was excellent. For example, giving Class A employees 3x the salary increases over Class B employees-- Great!! Giving NO increases to Class C employees, and getting rid of them sooner rather than later...what can I say, I LOVE IT!!

He's so right about the fact that it's more cruel to let Class C workers attain and maintain an certain income level (that they are not really worthy of), and waiting til they're older, with a large mortgage and kids in college before finallly telling them that they're not making the grade.

I've worked with some people in the high-paying tech arena that, because of either blatant incompetence, bad attitude, and/or pure laziness, never should have gotten to where they are today. As far as I'm concerned, some never should have gotten past working in the food service industry.

Eventually those people *do* get weeded out (I'm seeing it happen right now in this economy). Sooner is better than later, both for the employer and the employee. I also enjoy not having to work with those types.

I am almost ashamed to keep this book on our shelves
I must say I am disappointed in this book. Mr W. clearly takes much credit for the success of GE. Although a strong leader in any organization can make a big difference, it looks disgustingly fake when he tries to take all credit for success. If you are a critical reader you will most likely see through the tireless self promotion that went on with W.

I cannot waste any more time on this book, so I must end this review here, but there are good parts of this book. To find out about those, read someone else's reviews.

Inside scoop on GE
A good book to get the inside "going ons" from a CEO's perspective. If you have interest in GE and the happenings through Mr. Welch's eyes this is a good read.

I was hoping to get a little more insight and direction regarding the key elements of running an extremely successful business. Outside of the "people are everything" and weed out the bottom feeders, there was little practical knowledge to be taken from the book and used by manager "want-to-be" types.

Buy the book used
I guess it's not bragging if you can do it - and he did. It is difficult to argue GE's success over the past 20 years. Mr. Welch took a 12 billion company and made it into a 500 billion dollar business. Without even using a computer!! Regarding the portion of the book were he talks about assigning E-trainers for all the top executives in the company, all I have to say is rank does have its privileged, It must be nice to have a techie hold your hand if you are an executive and computer illiterate.
It is hard to believe that it wasn't until 1999 that Jack Welch sent his first email. A multimillionaire who isn't connected....
I am not sure if it is ignorance or apathy?

In Mr Welch's defense, I am not sure how the author could have gotten around referencing everybody he worked with or for.
If you can get through that part of the book, there are some things in the rest of the book that are of value. I listened to the book on tape so it wasn't so bad.
He does talk about real people and real problems that he encountered throughout his career and what it took to get the job done working within the environment HE created.
If you are not a business person or just wondered what it is like at the top, here are a dozen of the key ideas Mr Welch talks about in his book.

Stretch jobs
The runway of a person,
The vitality curve of a career
Differentiation being a key value to getting ahead
"boundaryless" operations
Blackbelt employees
Plane crash scenario: Who will run the company
Having a deep bench: When a replacement was needed
Fix, Close or Sell areas of business that are not performing well
Being #1 or #2 in your field
The 6 sigma quality movement
Finance: People and dollars are the movable parts, while the people hold the depth of knowledge
Not to mention a smattering of, golf, tennis and ping pong stories.

Overall I would say buy the book used or borrow it from a friend - 4 stars ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

"Do one definite thing everyday."
Many of the self help books today are like fast food.Made for easy consumption.
I guess that is why The Law of Success was such a pleasant surprise.It has some real meat to it. So much so that it has taken me three weeks to digest just the first two volumes of material on the 17 Laws that are presented in the first two installments.
This volume covers the first four lessons of the 17 principles that make up The Law of Success.

Self-Mastery is engaging enough to make me continue on to volume II as well as order volumes 3 & 4.Hard to believe it was written so long ago but yet is STILL so relevant to today's business environment.

The 4 questions on Definiteness of Purpose were the best part.They are as follows:
1.Have you decided upon a definite goal in life?

2.Have you set a date for reaching that goal?

3.Do you have a specific plan for achieving your goal in life?

4.Have you determined what definite benefits your goal in life will bring you?

Rating:A Buy

To truly clear the air about NapoleanHill........
I have been following Napolean Hill since 1975. The review that precedes mineindicates that Hill only wrote a few books that the reviewer posts. The fact is that Napolean Hill wrote ALL the books that bear his name. TRUE, some of his books have been repreinted by other publishers, I believe this is what the reviewer is trying to communicate.

Saying that he did not write all the books he is credited with is like saying that is not Napolean Hill's voice on the tape programs.

Obviously, this reviewer is as confused as the reviewer from Canada. In fact, probably the same person who suddenly decided to live in New Jersey.

Just To Set The Record Straight
Just to set the record straight Napoleon Hill only wrote the following books.

1919-1920
"The Golden Rule Magazine"
Napoleon Hill edited and published

1928
"Law of Success"
published (Ralston Society, Publishers)

1930
"The Magic Ladder to Success"

1937
"Think and Grow Rich"

1939
"How to Sell Your Way Through Life"

1953
"How to Raise Your Own Salary"

1960
"Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude"

1970
"You Can Work Your Own Miracles"

All other books were either compiled by others or used his notes to write the books, he himself did not write them, period. I have been studying his works for 15 years. Yes, I am rich from studying his works.

As with any revision there will always be some critics, the original LOS contained only 15 laws, I have seen the original set with my own eyes, again the authors are correct.

Some of the things in this book could have been done differently as with all revisions, however they did their best to remain true to the spirit of the book...

I purchased the huge paperback and enjoyed the little notes they added, some of them could have gone a little deeper, but no biggie.

Ideally, in a perfect world it would be perfect. Keep in mind they worked with a lot of people who all had to agree on these things.

I have to disagree with the reviewer from Canada...
First on the quality of information in this book, it is outstanding. The tossil marker, sufficient. But more to the point, this reader says Napolean Hill did not write a book called Keys to Success; I beg your pardon. He certaintly did. It is subtitled: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement and actually offers even more concrete information on these 17 principles than Think and Grow Rich.

Hill also wrote The Master Key to Riches which this reviewer from Canada refers to. EASY MISUNDERSTANDING. Just wanted to clear that up.

The first four principles to success
I have to admit, I love books and I particularly like success books especially the hardbound books like this one. Seems to make them more enjoyable and adds to the value.

In this edition, you will learn the first four principles of success as written by Hill via Andrew Carnegie.

Another reviewer writes that he was dissappointed because Hill does not cover NLP (it wasn't invented then or was it?) In reality what Hill teaches via autosuggestion, visualization etc. is very similiar to NLP and probably just as effective. The trick is to combine these techniques with a burning desire, emotion, vividness and consistency. I know they worked for me.

This book is outstanding and I highly recommend it. Powerful material. ... Read more

Book Description

Two classic allegorical dramatizations about building wealth and achieving personal success

The Richest Man in Babylon
George Clason's all-time motivational classic comes to life in this audio dramatization adapted by the Napoleon Hill Foundation. It is the story of Akrad, a man of humble of origins; a simple tradesman who was widely known to be the richest man in Babylon.

Regardless of who you are or what work you do, security, riches, and all that comes with them can be yours by combining discipline and imagination with these deceptively simple yet universally profound principles of saving and investing. You too can become the richest man in Babylon.


The Magic Story
Something was happening to all of Jay's friends-they were becoming self-confident, setting goals, and achieving success, and it was all because of a story that was being told to them by a mutual friend, Sturtevant.

Sturtevant, the struggling artist and bad credit risk, had gone through an amazing transformation-he was now a man of supreme confidence with far-reaching goals and great ambitions. What had brought on this miraculous change? He told Jay of the hand-written pages he had stumbled across in an old book-of the story, a magic story, that had unleashed a new and wonderful power within him and changed his life.

Take a journey of discovery. Here in this magical drama are real truths and genuine solutions to the challenges that face us all. Do you want to transform your life from what it is to what you want it to become? Take a listen-when the story ends, the real magic begins.
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Two classics together for the first time!
I have read The Richest Man in Bablyon many times and I creidit for helping me amass a reasonable amount of wealth that I would not have been able to do otherwise.

Reading is great, but something special happens when you listen to the information. And it certaintly beats listening to the news and hearing about the robberies, rapes, murders etc.

The Magic Story is also inspiring and a powerful story. I highly recommend this program. It's great!

Excellent cd
I really enjoyed reading The Richest Man in Bablyon and found this cd on The Richest Man in Bablyon and The MAGIC Story stimulating and inspiring. Far better than listening to the negative junk like the news and play this while my grandchildren are riding with me. They love it and what a way to start our young ones off to a g reat financial beginning.

Very good quality cd; very inspiring stories
I had read "The Richest Man in Bablyon" many times and in fact give it away as a accessory gift. It's a good story in print and really comes to life on this cd. "The Magic Story" was also interesting and inspiring. Contrary to that 1 star reviewer, I found the background music pleasant and the narrators were excellent. And the cd was of excellent quality.

I love this cd!
Two fantastic stories, unabridged and on a high quality cd. Much better than listening to some wacky music or all the robberies, murders and rapes.

The Richest Man in Bablyonis in particular an incredible story on how to create wealth. While I have read the book many times, there is something different about listening to this incredible story.

Highly recommended and if you haven't already guessed, all of the other reviews are by the same person. Ignore them they would rather recommend something like Grand Auto Theft or Motel/Hell. That should tell you where there minds are.

Listen to the cd and if you haven't already done so, read the book as well.

What a waste
Purchase the books - do not waste your money on this audio package. I purchased the CD version - it comes in a double CD box but only contains one CD, with both stories on one CD. Except the stories are _highly_ abridged Also, the people who do the reading on the CD - they should take a class in effective communication. Although the reading is very clear, it is over-dramatic at times or completely stoic. A typical word-for-word reading. Poorly done.
But _do_ purchase the books - they are excellent. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

"Zero-based budgeting," "Theory Z," "employee participation," "quality circles"-management fads come and go as fast as new car models or trendy clothes. But as leading organizational psychologist Aubrey C. Daniels explains in this eye-opening guide, the key to managing effectively has always remained the same: "Create positive consequences for workers when they exhibit actions and behaviors you wish to increase, and undesirable consequences for the behaviors you wish to decrease." That's what Bringing Out the Best in People can help every manager do. Revealing the scientifically proven staying power of positive reinforcement, Dr. Daniels shows executives at every level how to use his tested performance management system to: define reinforcers that work-and tailor them to meet individual employees' needs; set fair performance measurement standards-and implement and maintain them with minimal cost and effort; provide constant feedback and reinforcement-so employees always know exactly how to improve performance... and when they've achieved it. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Wow! It will change the way you manage your staff! Great!
One of the very best, if not the best, books on motivating a group of people that I have ever read. I've just started implementing some of the stratagies and I'm already seeing positive results. The book is easy to read and understand.

Breakthrough in business literature
Business is characterized by a lot of common sense solutions. But in fact, the many books that are released articulate only the particular view and experiences of the author. A scientific based book about how to understand and change behavior in organizations was lacking. Aubrey Daniels has made the remarkable accomplishment of writing a book that is both strongly based in the science of behavior analysis, as easy to read and to use. This is one of the best books that has been written about business, also because it demonstrates that business is behavior.

Drs. M.M. Rietdijk, Nyenrode University, The Netherlands

The most "a-ha" moments I've had in a long time
Wow - This book, if you are willing to listen, will help you become aware of what is going on around you. At least, it did for me. Every couple of pages, I found myself saying "oh .. oh yes.. of course!" If nothing else, this book made me realize that I'm not crazy nor am I alone; that my environment, particularly the standard salary compensation system, really is de-motivating. No wonder I and so many others often struggle with procrastination!

The concepts are explained very well and he does a very nice job drawing out the implications to specific examples that most readers will immediately relate to. This book was one of the most satisfying reads I've had in a long time.

Read it today
I'm very happy I picked up this book. This book opened my eyes to how people work. With this book I now more prepared and I am more confident with how I now deal with people. I recommend this to anyone who is any leadership role, this book helps you understand people and how to get the best out of them. not just get something out of them, but getting best from what they have to offer. and as leaders, thats what we want from our people. get it today!

Skinner Would be Proud
Dr. Daniels brings the subject of behavior analysis to a level where human resource managers can understand the concepts of performance management and actually apply his principles of scientific employee management. For anti-behaviorists (those who fear being controlled by the human tendency to adapt behavior in order to receive rewards and avoid punishment) this book is a nightmare. Daniels succinctly describes the behavior analysis process and how employers can use it to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency by "pinpointing" job performance standards and incentive programs. A must read for any manager. His chapter on incentive plans was particularly insightful and illustrates the fallacies of most reward systems. ... Read more

Book Description

How to Supervise People is a step-by-step guide that teaches the proven secrets of inspiring others to perform with pride...of delegating effectively and watching productivity climb.You'll learn how to empower your team members and staff to take ownership of their jobs and work better with one another. This friendly interactive format is ideal for team or individual use. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Good Read!
Donald P. Ladew's book is exactly the sort of manual that all supervisors should have. While the ideas are not generally new, they are effective. The book concisely presents many tools for supervisors. You don't need to sort through jargon - just turn to the thorough, step-by-step lists and scan them for quick reference. The simple and easy-to-follow techniques provide all of a supervisor's essential tools. Experienced supervisors can use this book to refine their skills and improve any weak areas, while neophytes can use it to supplement their knowledge as they gain experience. We at getAbstract recommend this book to supervisors at all levels and to employees hoping to be promoted to supervisory roles. If you keep this straightforward guide in your top desk drawer and refer to it regularly, you can sound like an expert anytime.

The sixty-minute Supervisor
The edition of this book that I read is part of the 'Sixty -Minute Training Series' published by the National Press Publications, a division of the Rockhurst College Continuing Education Center, Inc.It's the type of book that is handed out at two-day training seminars for new supervisors, i.e. heavy on bulleted lists and self-assessment quizzes, and somewhat light on content.

What does it mean to be a supervisor at a large to medium-size corporation, trapped as we are between the rock of upper management and the hard place inhabited by the people we are supposed to supervise?For one thing, it means we don't get much respect.Here is a direct quotation from the feedback section of my company's March newsletter:

"I see little contribution to our company's success when it comes to any employee in a supervisory/area leader role!"

Supervisors also don't get very much training (my company is a refreshing exception to this rule-although I'm not sure it helped in my case). Many of us come up through the technical ranks without a clue as to how to manage people instead of computers or warehouse stock or company finances.Therefore books like "How to Supervise People" can play an important role.This particular book, written by Donald P. Ladew, has valuable (although terse) guidelines in areas such as demonstrating leadership, handling people, team-building, and communication.At the beginning of each chapter, the author tells us what we're going to learn.Then the bullets and summaries come flying at us.We are given a brief pause to write up a plan, or reflect on the qualities of a supervisor we admire, or take a self-assessment quiz.The chapter then ends with yet another summary of what we should have learned.Biff.Bam.Boom. The End---an example of what the back cover calls an 'interactive format'.

I think books like "How to Supervise People" are particularly valuable for a quick review when I'm trying to solve a stressful, possibly long-term problem.It gives me a chance to organize my thoughts, come up with a plan to achieve a positive outcome (instead of giving in to my natural tendency to strangle the person who is causing the problem), and reflect on what I'm really trying to accomplish. Here is a list of the basic qualities that this book feels a supervisor should possess.I think it's a good one:

"1. Be an advocate for the people who report to you. 2. Be fair without playing favorites or being a 'pal.' 3. Create an environment where work can be accomplished. 4. Provide stability during times of change. 5. You must have courage."

Maybe I should post the above list on the wall of my cubicle, for those times when someone else claims that we supervisors make "little contribution"! ... Read more

Book Description

Since Peter Senge published his groundbreaking book The Fifth Discipline, he and his associates have frequently been asked by the business community:"How do we go beyond the first steps of corporate change?"They know that companies and organizations cannot thrive today without learning to adapt their attitudes and practices.But companies that establish change initiatives discover, after initial success, that even the most promising efforts to transform or revitalize organizations can fail to sustain themselves over time.That's because organizations have complex, well-developed immune systems, aimed at preserving the status quo.

Now, drawing upon new theories about leadership and the long-term success change initiatives, and based upon twenty-five years of experience building learning organizations, the authors of The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook show how to accelerate success and avoid the obstacles that can stall momentum.The Dance of Change, written managers and executives at every level of an organization, reveals how business leaders can work together to anticipate the challenges that profound change will ultimately force the organization to face.

Filled with in-depth accounts of sustaining learning initiatives by managers and leaders in the field, and well-tested practical advice, The Dance of Change provides an insider's perspective on implementing learning and change initiatives at such corporations as Ford Motor Company, General Electric and Shell Oil.It offers crucial advice for those who are struggling to put change initiatives into practice. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

GETTING TO THE CORE OF CHANGE...PATTERNS OF THE HUMAN MIND.
The core premise of the book is that the key to achieving and sustaining significant change lies in changing people's basic ways of thinking. Those of us who have worked with organizations to achieve meaningful change, quickly come to realize that the central challenge is the engrained patterns of thought in the minds of people. That is the ultimate challenge that this work sets out to tackle.

The question one is left with, as with many books of this type, is not the value of the book (it is excellent), but How many leaders of change will read this volume, take its insights to heart, and ACT upon them?

The book is divided into three sections around the challenges of initiating, sustaining, and redesigning and rethinking. Within these sections are the ten key challenges to profound change. The notes from the field provide a record of organizational change initiatives and specific approaches taken by GE, Hewlett-Packard, British Petroleum, Ford, Dupont, and others. The book includes case histories, round-table discussions, team exercises, checklists, and solid guidance.

This work is densely packed with valuable insights, guidance, and developmental techniques. It offers enormous potential to receptive and motivated readers who are able to move from thought to action. Highly recommended. Reviewed by Gerry Stern, founder, Stern & Associates, author of Stern's Sourcefinder: The Master Directory to HR and Business Management Information & Resources, Stern's CyberSpace SourceFinder, and Stern's Compensation and Benefits SourceFinder.

Great book to look at change from different lenses
This book is touted as a "resource" to the Fifth Discipline, but my view is that it could itself stand on its own steam as a handbook for change management. With articles contributed by a variety of authors, the book looks at the challenges of triggering, initiating, aligning and sustaining change and the various diverse ways to confront and solve those challenges.
The challenges that the book identifies are the challenges of:

Orientation, Generating Profound Change, Not Enough Time, No Help, Not Relevant, Walking the Talk, Fear & Anxiety, Assessment & Measurement, True Believers and Non-believers, Governance, Diffusion, Strategy & Purpose.

The book is choc-a-block with tools, explanation of jargon and
references to other resources. An orientation to Systems Thinking and looking at organizations as complex systems would help in clarifying the book more. Hence it is desirable to read "the fifth discipline" before you read it.
However, the delightful nature of this book ensures that you can flip open any page, read a little bit and keep it back, and feel refreshed and not thirst for more.
For people who look at organizations as communities, as networks and as human systems in addition to just being an economic entity this book will delight and scare.
For others, this book will act as a provoking way to look at change and organizations in search of equilibrium.

Ponderous
While I enjoyed this work and read it from cover to cover, it did begin to seem like too much of good thing. Some of the organization information seemed dated and some of the people who are offering advice are probably no longer held with such high regard in their former organizations. In any case, I would recommed it to anyone who is doing graduate or post-graduate work in organization and management or just wants some insight into how organizations really work.

Retread
Senge et al have done some wonderful work through time. But like many guru's they begin to sing the chorus of the song again and again with each new title. There are useful things to be found here but if you are looking to stretch your thinking beyond his early works you need to look elsewhere. However, if you are building a library of sound work in the area of change, organizational development and other assorted things then this will prove to be a useful resource. I discounted it simply because I was hoping to find a fresh breeze within.

Profound!!!!
This is the best piece of work of seen in years. It is visionary and prescritive. A must read for anyone interested in getting on the innovation highway. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dennis Bakke was co-founder and eventually CEO of AES, a large energy company which grew to over $8 billion in annual revenue and over 40,000 employees. Bakke's Joy at Work is in part, a CEO memoir, as it chronicles AES's growth, complete with anecdotes about boardroom confrontations, employee relations, and new openings of production facilities. Joy at Work goes beyond the standard business tale, though: Bakke believes in moral values as ends in themselves, as opposed to means towards the end of greater financial return, and he's not afraid to say it.

A number of authors in recent years have made the case that companies which embody humanistic values, and which nurture uplifting cultures, come to house happier, more productive employees. "Values" should be embraced, the argument goes, because they lead to better business results. Bakke shuns such thinking. He wants "values" for values' sake--because he believes they are an integral part of the human experience, and one that daily work should incorporate. He argues that financial return is only one good alongside others. As Bakke writes at one point in Joy at Work: "Why should enriching shareholders be more important than producing quality products and selling them to customers at fair prices?"

Readers who start off sympathetic to Bakke's worldview will likely enjoy Bakke's book. "Joy at Work" is situated perfectly within values-led business literature, alongside books like Howard Schultz’s Pour Your Heart Into It, the Body Shop's Anita Roddick (Take It Personally) and Ben & Jerry's Double Dip, by the ice-cream guys. Joy at Work provokes questions and warrants a read, if, for no reason other than its impressive string of blurbs from friends of the author: Everyone from President Bill Clinton to Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren vouches for Bakke and his gospel. --Peter Han ... Read more

Reviews (8)

More sparkle than substance
As a career coach and consultant, I naturally gravitated toward a book with the title Joy at Work. The subtitle promised an "approach" to "fun on the job."

However, the book gets only two stars because the title appears misleading. Joy at Work is not about how *you* the indvidual can have fun -- it's more of a memoir. You'll even find family photos in the middle of the book!

What makes Bakke'sAES unique are values, premised on a core concept: Workers feel happier when they have more control over their environment. When they have control, they take ownership, so you need fewer supervisors. Workers have fun *and* the company gets profitable.

Frankly, some of Bakke's ideas aren't unique. Why have sick leave? Just let workers stay home when they're sick. Well, at least one large software company has had this policy for years, according to an acquaintance who worked there.And the notion of empowering workers has a familiar ring, too.

Are workers really happy? Does a CEO really know? When Bakke argues for a leaner workplace (which I agree *is* more fun), he sounds remarkably like Jack Welch.

On page 156, Bakke questions why shareholder values should drive the firm. Why not focus on employees, he seems to be asking.But on page 210, Bakke wishes he'd sought more equity than debt, selling more shares more frequently.Maybe I'm missing something, but investors will be more likely to buy stock if the company focuses on making them, the shareholders, richer.

So bottomline, this book won't help an ordinary person who's perched on the corporate ladder. You have to be a CEO(with a supporting Board and staff) to implement these values that presumably bring "joy."A manager could create only temporary, smaller-scale changes.

My biggest criticism: Books today are judged by their cover.Nothing on the book's jacket gives a hint that Bakke operates from a system of strong religious values, which he mentions in the text from time to time.The Postscript (pages 246-277 -- 10% of the book) has been titled "The Master's Joy." It is certainly appropriate for an author to present his religious views and values -- but please tell the reader up front, before we buy a copy or even check one out of a library.

Actually we get some clues if we read the 9 endorsements on the back cover, an eclectic mix of individuals ranging from Bill Clinton to a football coach to a US Senator.Inside the book are 15 more endorsements, from a church pastor, Chuck Colson of prison ministries, and an NFL quarterback.Only one of the 24 endorsements seems to be from a woman: the androgynously named Lynn Sharp Paine.

Appendix A provides a "Case Study" which is really a timeline, presented honestly. Of special note: AES's initial offering price was $19.25 in 1991. The stock hit an all-time high of $70.62 in October 2000 and t