Book Description

A charming workplace parable to inspire your staff to achieve success through greater personal accountability.

Every team, every organization, every group has problems.Every individual has problems, too.Often we search for the right person or persons to solve those problems.The question is: Where and how do we find them?Who are "they" anyway?

In Who Are "They" Anyway? BJ Gallagher and Steve Ventura lead readers on a personal quest-a journey-in search of someone who can fix what's wrong, deal with difficult people, and take charge of fixing individual and organizational problems.Who is that special person?The results may surprise readers, as they learn:
* Who those "theys" are who seem responsible for everyorganization's bureaucratic hassles.
* How to stop looking for someone to blame or someoneto come to the rescue.
* How to experience the job satisfaction and personalpleasure that comes from taking ownership and solving problems.

Both practical and inspirational, Who Are "They" Anyway? is written to appeal to both the heads and hearts of employees at all levels-from folks on the front line, to supervisors and middle managers, all the way to top executives.It includes tips, strategies, quizzes,and how-tos to help readers apply the story in their own work lives.It is a message of encouragement and empowerment, and the personal and organizational payoff can be enormous. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for The 11^th Element

"Bob has cracked the code on how to produce business breakthroughs at breakneck speed by tapping into The 11th Element. I consider The 11th Element to be a ‘must have’ for all executives, managers, network marketers, and entrepreneurs who want to create and increase their wealth and personal freedom."
–From the Foreword by Robert Allen
Author of The One Minute Millionaire and Multiple Streams of Income

"The 11th Element teaches you the valuable skill of asking for assistance from your ‘Inner CEO’ to improve your decision making. Napoleon Hill explored this principle in Think and Grow Rich, and Scheinfeld takes it to a new level."
–Ken Blanchard
Coauthor of The One Minute Manager^® and Big Bucks!

"Bob Scheinfeld gives his readers an extremely valuable ally to help them achieve impressive success. It’s an ally that readers have had all along but has escaped their awareness. After you complete The 11th Element, you’ll be aware of it and able to use it to maxim ize your effectiveness. You’ll love the book but hate yourself for not realizing that you had this ally right from the start."
–Jay Conrad Levinson
Author of the Guerrilla Marketing series of books

"Fascinating! Read it twice. Scheinfeld presents a thought-provoking exploration on what it takes to succeed on a massive scale."
–Randy Gage
Author of Prosperity Mind

"A major business breakthrough . . . a masterpiece for anyone wondering why results eluded them before. Remarkable."
–Dr. Joe Vitale
Bestselling author of Spiritual Marketing and The Greatest Money-Making Secret in History!

"Profound, absorbing, and like nothing written before about wealth and success. The 11th Element shows you specific, practical ways to tap into a powerful new source of support to receive a quantum boost in power you can use to fuel the growth of your business and your quality of life."
–Gay Hendricks, PhD
Author of The Corporate Mystic and Conscious Golf: The Three Secrets of Success in Business, Life and Golf ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Excellent Guide. Real Dialogue and Review of Other Ideas.
This book was very enjoyable because the author speaks authentically and draws attention to the weaknesses of almost every well-known success "law" there is. He explains that most "laws" of success may correlate with succes but they are not the causal factors. Thus, without the power of the true success factor --here named the 11th element -- you are likely to get nowhere. The 11th element, which is the springboard to success, is clearly and beautifully explained, and a step-by-step approach to harnessing its power is offered. This is a great and unique book from a sincere author who knows what he is talking about inside and out. Highly recommended! Reviewed by Evan Finer, author of "Effortless Wellbeing: The Missing Ingredients for Authentic Wellness".

Great BOOK and a Great INTERVIEW
Haven't you ever wondered how some people come up with one winning business idea after another, or how some people seem to be in the right place at the right time, or meet just the right person, or get ALL the breaks?

Bob Scheinfeld answers those questions for you in the 11th Element. He has discovered the untold story and the true nature of what is usually referred to as luck, synchronicity, or being blessed. And more importantly, he has developed it into a system that anyone can follow.

Scheinfeld keenly laid out 7 steps for applying The 11th Element
Step 1: Expand and clarify your ideal outcome
Step 2: Craft a request for help to produce the optimal outcome
Step 3:Submit your request to your Inner CEO for approval
Step 4: Receive approval
Step 5: Tap into the invisible network for help.
Step 6: Perform due diligence and make decisions and plans
Step 7: Manifest the outcome

I find his review of the "10 Elements" that AREN'T good enough by themselves fascinating. The list might shock some people: Desire, Belief, The Law of Attraction, Goal Setting, Modeling, Create a Clear and Detailed Plan, Take Massive Action Now, Persistence, Visualization, and Affirmations.

I interviewed Bob Scheinfeld on "The Inside Success Show" and loved it. Impressive break-throughs don't come along that often, but this is one of them. Innovative is too mild - The 11th Element is extraordinarily different!

Here's some other things I learned from Bob:

** How Bob Scheinfeld lived under the thumb of "Murphy" for 7 years before finally discovering the 11th Element.
** What 4 things you can do bring 'luck' into your life
** Why you can make lots of money when its NOT your desire
** How to talk to your Inner CEO so he (or she) will listen
** What you can do right now to change the results of your life forever
** And much, much more ...

If you want to master the critical skills that make up The 11th Element (the true "X-Factor" to creating wealth, success, and happiness), then I recommend you read Bob Scheinfeld's book and follow his 7 Steps. I've begun using them and I already see a difference in my life.

Randy (Dr. Proactive) Gilbert, Host of The Inside Success Show (www.TheInsideSuccessShow.com) and best-selling author of "Success Bound"

Highly recommended - this one is well worth reading
I am happy to recommend this one - it's very well thought out, practical, easy to follow, AND it works as promised if you follow the steps and apply what the author talks about.

I appreciated his honesty, candor and his ability to break down a complex subject and put it into a system that anybody can follow.

Job well done - pick this one up and use it to change your life!

Not for me
Give your request to your "Inner CEO", or higher self, and go your merry way. That is the gist of the book. That is not a method that has ever brought me any sort of results. I was very diappointed. This book is very similar to I Am Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams, another disappointment.
The author makes a big deal out of how other methods of achievement, such as using visualization, affirmations,the law of atrraction, making plans and taking action, do not work all of the time for all people. (He describes 10 ways in all). The author actually makes it seem like they never work and therefore you should not waste your time with any of them. Certainly, it is true that results are not always forthcoming. However, this book also says that when using the 11th Element you are only making "requests" to you Inner Ceo and that they may not be fulfilled. But apparently that is ok. Scheinfeld seems to be saying to not waste time with any other method that does not work, and instead buy his book and use the 11th Element which may not work either. [...]

The final piece of the puzzle!
I read The 11th Element to prepare for my interview of Bob Scheinfeld in the Living Abundant Joy Tele-seminars. (http://www.livingabundantjoy.com)

What I found was that it answered a lot of questions for me, like why certain of the other ten elements work some of the time and other times they don't. It added clarity to certain experiences in my life.

I'm looking forward to applying the principals I learned to my life and sharing what I learn. ... Read more

Book Description

Motivation and Goal Setting delivers concise, how to information in a friendly, interactive format ideal for team or individual use. This book will help one clearly define their values, maintain flexibility by setting realistic goals, and stay motivated in the face of setbacks. With tools that can be immediately incorporated, goals will soon become realities. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Powerful Message
Motivation and Goal Setting's strength lies not in the destination, but in the map.Chock-full of various strategies and tips on how to set the goal and then motivate yourself into attaining the goal, even when said goal seems more unattainable than ever.Well written and easy to follow, Cairo's book's ideas can be applied to all areas of life.It reminds me of Guerilla PR: Wired as both books deal with attaining your goals.

Insightful!
Motivation and Goal-Setting shows rather than tells. Instead of launching into long-winded sermons about discovering your "true" identity, author Jim Cairo poses a few simple questions that set the reader off on an interesting path of introspection. By forcing you to get involved with the book by answering these questions yourself, Cairo is using the principles that he writes about.The exercises he suggests will start building momentum that you can carry right over into your own personal goals. The book falters only in the sections on motivation and change, where Cairo lapses into generic sloganeering about learning from mistakes and embracing change. Regardless, we [...] recommend this book to anyone who feels that they could use a second wind, from a high-school student struggling to remain motivated, to a 55-year-old CEO looking for fresh challenges.

Goal setting leads to motivation
This book examines motivation strategies through goal setting.It teaches readers how to define their goals or help employees define what their goals are.I have found through reading this book that setting goals are important for many reasons.It helped me discover that organizations must establish goals to give employees top down a foundation to build their own goals.It is important for employees to develop their own goals and for managers to help direct,and define their goals to help with motivation.Goal setting leads to motivation which in turn leads to increased productivity.This book strives to help managers as well as individuals establish goals and goal setting procedures as well as tips and tools that are beneficial.It has already proven to be a very beneficial tool for me in my business.

Goal setting leads to motivation
This book examines motivation strategies through goal setting.It teaches readers how to define their goals or help employees define what their goals are.I have found through reading this book that setting goals are important for many reasons.It helped me discover that organizations must establish goals to give employees top down a foundation to build their own goals.It is important for employees to develop their own goals and for managers to help direct,and define their goals to help with motivation.Goal setting leads to motivation which in turn leads to increased productivity.This book strives to help managers as well as individuals establish goals and goal setting procedures as well as tips and tools that are beneficial.It has already proven to be a very beneficial tool for me in my business. ... Read more

Book Description

Let's face it. In this chaotic world of teams, matrix management, and horizontal organizations, it's tougher than ever to get things done. How do you lead when you're not the one in charge? How can you be effective when joint action is needed? You need an edge in order to reach solutions and effectively work with others. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Maximizing You're Group's Potential
When searching online for a book on leadership, this book's title,"Getting It Done. How to Lead When You're Not in Charge", immediately grabbed my attention. It seemed perfect for what I needed a little help on. I am sure I am not alone. Everyone at one point in their life is forced into a group situation, whether it is in school, work or everyday life, where they are assigned a problem in which the group needs to accomplish together. However, before a group can solve the problem assigned, it needs to conquer the problems within the group. One of the problems that I have found to exist within every group I have been in is how to reach solutions and successfully work with others when no one knows exactly who is in charge. Everyone needs to individually take on responsibility and contribute, but it works best when you know exactly what you should focus on and the right questions to ask your group members to obtain the best results. This book does an excellent job in first of all, mapping out the problems that groups face and then going into detail by explaining the route group members should take to maximize success. Fisher and Sharp have five basic elements that groups can follow to get things done. By following these five easy steps it will give you a clear focus of how to put it all together and create a successful way to complete the tasks assigned within your group. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a little extra help to maximize their group's potential. It is very easy to read and the information and suggestions that the authors provide will be remembered and used every time I am placed in a group situation again.

Why do people not listen to good ideas?
Somebody told me once: "Never talk about a problem without giving a solution". After reading this book, I think it should be: "without inviting others to improve a solution you have drafted".

The ideas presented in this book do a great deal to improve communication and gain support. I have reread some of my old memos, and now understand why people did not like them, even if they clearly explained the situation and proposed a solution. I used not to invite people to think with me.

I have applied many of the topics to my every day life, specially at work, and it's given results. I mostly try to invite others to participate in the process, and remember that all ideas can be improved.

Great book on teamwork... and much more
This book gave me more than I spected whenI bought it.
I was looking for some guidelines on good teamwork behavior, and I didn't got just that but far more usefull insight on plain work.

Reagarding working with others, the best part is the Feedbck chapter. You'll never give advice to a team mate in the same way after you had read this book. Everybody know someone that "takes advice the wron way", well you'll learn that maybe you and everybo else are giving advice in the wrong way.

Besides this particulary well covered subject, the author explains very usefull techniques to improove not only group workin but personal efficiency. All of this is ilustrated with down to earth examples and exercises.

I read the first edition almost one year ago, and I keep going back to it as if it was reference book, and in some way it is

The title ought to be different
I read the book carefully, i kept looking for triggers on leadership, i found none that i felt effective. It is an alright book on collaboration but not on leadership. The topics were not stongly emphasized, basically i gained no knowledge out of reading this book. I kept feeling bad i did not buy getting to Yes.

A book about successful collaboration
This is a book about a collaboration technique that is packaged as a book about leadership. Although good leaders collaborate, I felt cheated by what this book turned out to cover. Although the book presents sound principles and correctly advises readers to apply these principles personally before using them in groups, I felt that these principles were obvious, low-level stuff. I wanted something more advanced. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If "networking" was the battle cry of the business world at the tail end of the 20th century, Melissa Giovagnoli and Jocelyn Carter-Miller hope to make "networlding" its call to arms in the new millennium. Giovagnoli, a consultant and speaker, and Carter-Miller, a Motorola executive, agree that one-to-one connectivity is still the key to professional advancement. However, they believe their updated concept will prove more effective in coming years because, if properly implemented, it will forge deeper bonds and lead to greater opportunities than its more superficial predecessor ever could. In Networlding, the authors explain their practice as a "purposeful process of collaboration" among individuals who "share similar intent, values, goals, and interests." They then lay out a seven-step system for developing such mutually beneficial personal relationships, ranging from the establishment of "a values-rich foundation" through the formation and cultivation of a circle of "connections" with whom you "co-create opportunities" that move everyone ahead. There are plenty of specifics, exercises, and real-life examples here for those serious about attempting this technique. It should prove applicable for almost anyone in any type of business situation and virtually any stage of his or her career. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Networlding is far more than networking
I was very energized by this book, because it reminded me of what business and personal relationships should be all about. These two authors bring together an insightful yet practical approach to mutually rewarding and effective relationship building. This guide to collaboration goes far beyond "Rolodex-building" inherent in "networking", and instead emphasizes deeper longer-term alliances that accelerate success of EACH Networlder. The step-by-step techniques promise to enable more successful Knowledge Management and online collaboration initiatives by dealing effectively with the human factors issues which are frequent roadblocks. This book pools the experience of one of the most successful business relationships consultants (Melissa Giovagnoli) with a Chief Marketing Officer who has a wealth of experience in strategic alliances (Jocelyn Carter-Miller of Motorola). I'm sending a copy to two top executive friends of mine, who I'm sure will enjoy and pass on this book to management in their organizations.

Bill Bahr, VP, IBEX Systems
I was looking for a way to rejuvenate my community service club. Despite a year of applauded community service and excellent reviews for club management, members were leaving because of "lack of time" (code word, I believe, for the club's lack of value, especially as relates to business networking opportunities). In researching the literature on networking, I came across an outstanding book I heartily recommend, at least for the positive results in increasing membership in my club. To you help your club or to help yourself achieve success in your professional career and personal life, try reading Networlding, a book about enlightened networking. Networlding shows you how to effectively and efficiently build, maintain, and employ mutually supportive relationships based on shared values. Emphasis on clarity and specificity of goals and the ability to communicate them, as well as fairness of exchange at a multiplicity of levels, are the keys to Networlding's "win-win" success formula. Included are an overview of Networlding's ten golden rules, as well as a seven-step guide to Networlding's ascending journey. Now you can make a positive, socially responsible difference without losing yourself or others in the process. Whether you need ideas or introductions, or just want to "do well by doing good," this book is a powerful life tool!

Do Not Waste Your Time With This Book!
Some people write books for the sake for writing. Some people claim to be smarter than others by assunming others are stupid. Both are true for this book!

It is always annoying to read books that tell nothing but common knowledge. The authors recycle ideas from any five books that one can find from library, then put them in an order that is not necessarily logical anyway. For example, after claiming how great this "networlding" idea is, the book suggest you start with "friends, family, cusotmers, colleagues, vendors" with probably average 5 lines of explanation under each. Sounds intriguing, eh? The book suggests some important quality for one to be succcessful in "networlding": "supportive, continuous communicating, good listener, responsible, influential, knowledgeable, empathic, appreciative..." and again providing five line explanation. How original is this? I guess if I look up any dictionary, I can find another couple thousand words that I can argue that if you don't have them, you are not going to be successful, in anything, networlding or not!

What is the most annoying about this book is that it tries to differentiate so called "networlding" with the networking people know. If the concept of networlding had been so different, then it would have been acceptable. Instead, the book assumes that every "networker" just constantly passes out business cards. It is almost offensive to any networkers with reasonable skills. For example, one of the most important messages in the book is that "networlders" discreminate their network by value. First, any people into network knows about this. Second, the examples provided in the book to prove this are nothing new - so and so and so and so are good friends, then suddenly one day one finds a job for another. Logically, such examples don't even support the arguments.

Unfortunately, there are tons of books out there that do not offer anything other than common knowledge that no one can object. Good books, however, offer original ideas or constructive suggestions. This is not a good book. This is a book that the authors simply assume the readers are stupid. Do not waste your time on it.

Networlding
Is swapping business-cards a waste of time? Yes, and no! This book is about taking networking to the next level - Networlding. Networking is for lazy people!

The book includes a step-by-step approach to the 'art' of networlding. Basically the book is about managing your relationships, and building/developing relationships with people who share your set of values and beliefs. It will introduce a risk to your relationships since you will be communicating your goals and values early on in the process - risking rejection. This is probably a more honest approach, and definitely the best way to find and build mutually beneficial, win-win relationships.

How do you accomplish this? The book suggests a seven step process - cycle that repeat itself. It all starts with finding out what means the most to you - your foundation. You will then learn to populate your primary, secondary and possibly tetriary circle depending on the nature of your current relationships. How do you create a mutual exchange, and nurture your relationships is the next question. Before it is time to re-create your networld, the book will discuss how to co-create opportunities.

I liked the book! I have not yet implemented its strategies, but it immediately made me think about relationships in a new way, to be more concerned with maintaining the right relationsships and finding the give-take balance. If I ask for information, I try to give something back. This is an area of my life that will continue to be important, and I'm convinced that I will apply the parts from the book that I find useful. I'm sure that there is at least a few tips that you will find useful in this book!

Viral marketing at the personal level, November 9, 2002
I found the book fascinating. Couldn't put it down. For those of you in the marketing world viral marketing (or word of mouth, or buzz...all the same thing) thrives on virusworthiness, defined as an ability to stand out from the crowd. That's what this book shows you how to do, not on a product level, but on a personal level. After filling my copy with marginal notes and underscores I started over again with Chapter three to more clearly establish the goals and values that make my relationships more valuable, both to myself and my partners. This book gives you an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Without a clearly defined direction in life many of us engage in meaningless, for both parties, relationships that consume precious time and go nowhere. Melissa and Jocelyn have presented a roadmap out of this morass. Anyone with ambitions for growth, whether personal or corporate-wise, needs to postion themselves within the proper environment. The seven step plan outlined in this book is as potent a personal marketing plan as any marcom strategy statement I have written in 25 years of developing marketing strategies for many of the nations leading software companies. ... Read more

Book Description

Effective Human Relations draws upon the latest research plus the expertise and experiences of the authors to present a comprehensivetreatment of human relations in the workplace. Students will gain an understanding of what it takes to become a successful employee and manager with a focus on quality, teamwork, diversity, ethics, productivity, and the need to balance the demandsof family and work. The authors explain the major issues in human relations and include numerous cases, examples, and exercises so that readers can apply these principles to the work environment. The fourth edition of this text retains the lively writing style, human relations in action assessment exercises, and experiential exercises that have made it so popular. New material on e-mail, telecommuting, hazards to avoid in persuasion and lie detection gives insights into the more recent issues that impact business. For anyone interested in human relations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

very pedagogic and stimulating
It gives an easy overlook over fundamental aspects of human relations at work ... Read more

Book Description

BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR BOSSThe Boss and The Assistant. It's a basic business relationship, and the structure is easy: The Boss gives orders, and The Assistant obeys. But there's an alternative that's better for both assistant and boss, and it's called "partnership." In this eye-opening book, assistants learn how they can break out of old, narrow roles and enjoy working with a boss instead of for a boss. This change liberates creativity and self-confidence, and reveals hidden skills and interests. It also makes an assistant more valuable (and promotable) to the boss and the company. Readers learn specific techniques for how to:**initiate the transition to a partnering relationship **understand their boss' work style and adapt to it -- without losing their sense of self **become a proactive worker who takes responsibility for mistakes and credit for successesJERRY WISINSKI (San Antonio,TX) is a consultant with expertise in interpersonal skills, assertiveness training, and team building. He served as Executive Director of International Trainers, Educators, and Consultants at Trinity University, and is the author of Resolving Conflicts on the Job (Amacom). ... Read more

Reviews (6)

An essential starting point
Being a corporate coach who specializes in the relationship between executives and assistants, I find this book very useful. While it is not the end-all, be-all solution, it is a perfect start to building a partnership. The book is easy to read with realistic tips; I give it to my clients to augment our coaching sessions. I especially like the stages of partnership model explained in the book. It builds on the basic stages of management and is useful for both the executive and assistant. Well done! righthandresources.com

Eh?
There are better books out there about being an assistant to a boss. This book does not go into depth. It's too basic, and not meaty enough.

Essential to Partnering with Your Manager
This book is outstanding. I highly recommend it if you want to take your working relationship with your manager up to the next level. If you think you're working relationship is great now, this book can make it even better. I liked the way the author lists the steps in preparing this concept to your manager. It was easy to follow and really makes you put a good deal of careful thought in the preparation process. I also liked the idea of action items not just for the assistant, but for the manager too. Remember a good working relationship involves both assistants and managers. Just working through this process together improves the relationship. Luckily, my boss endored it!

Good for Beginners
This book is helpful for people new to their jobs. If you don't have anyone who can give you good advice, try this book and you will gain understanding and wisdom about how you should act in your workfield.

A Bible
If you want to get more out of your administrative career, read this book. It's practical, useful and relevant. I highly recommend it. LOVED IT. GET IT. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A master motivator who guided Notre Dame to the 1988 national college football championship, Lou Holtz knows how to win big on and off the gridiron. For business leaders, for recent college graduates struggling on their first job, or for just about anyone who wants to get ahead, Holtz devises a game plan for success: dream, believe, and achieve. "Write down everything you hope to achieve in life," Holtz writes. "Then make sure you do something every day to realize one of your dreams. You are going to encounter adversity but you will also ... take big, satisfying bites out of life."

Holtz believes that people are capable of achieving just about anything if they learn to tap into the unrelenting powers inside themselves. He illustrates his points by drawing from moments in his rags-to-riches career as one of America's best college football coaches. Holtz's formula is simple: He calls it "WIN" or "What's Important Now." Holtz writes that if he can do it, anyone can. Despite being raised poor in a beat Ohio river town, later devastated by his parents' divorce, Holtz ended up with the best college football job in the country. Clearly, Holtz can get into the end zone. Follow his advice, and maybe you will, too. --Dan Ring ... Read more

Reviews (26)

This is one you just can't put down!!
I am a guy who doesn't read as much as I should but I couldn't put this book down. His stories are very motivating and delightful. I have begun to use the Coaches ideas in my professional and personal life. I have established a WIN attitude and I can't stop writing goals for myself. Thank You Coach for your words and enlightening approach to life. I am a big fan of Notre Dame and you but I guess I'll have to stock up on my Gamecocks gear now ! Good Luck and God Bless Lou Holtz and his family.

An inspirational, happy, easy read
Gone from Notre Dame now, Lou Holtz remains one of my favorite people of all time. His priorities are straight; Faith, Family, and Career. His book, "Winning Every Day," reads as if he was talking to you across the room. It's filled with all his favorite stories of growing into the person he is today. Lou gives us his "can't miss" formula to success. One of my goals (I have written out) is to meet him and shake his hand. I WILL do that someday.

Top notch life and success manual
Wonderful, realistic lessons about life and winning. Several memorable and hilarious jokes, a lot of valuable advice. Two jokes come immediately to mind--the one about Holtz's non-request upon leaving Notre Dame, and the one about the fire truck with bad brakes. There are many others. This book really speaks to people where they are, and because it is modern, is probably more valuable than some of the classics like Think and Grow Rich, etc. Besides, coaches just have a special way of telling it like it is. A winner.

winning every day
Online Review

Lou Holtz has written a motivational book based on his coaching experiences. He has taken the lessons he has learned coaching athletes and applied them to everyday living. Coach Holtz will show you how to apply his ten rules for living to your life. He will show you how to become a winner and lead a successful life. I found Winning Every Day to be an interesting book. I believe I can apply his rules to my own life to be a better person. The examples he uses to make a point are interesting. Some examples are funny, some are sad. This is a good read.

Apology
I apologize to all of you who got offended by my comment about the book's "grammar". I agree that one should be more attentive to his own errors when criticizing others. Please agree that it is also editors' jobs to weed out the errors and it was not done very well in this particular case. ... Read more

Book Description

In God Wants You to Be Rich, bestselling author Paul Zane Pilzer provides an original, provocative view of how to accumulate wealth and why it is beneficial to all of humankind. A theology of economics, this book explores why God wants each of us to be rich in every way -- physically, emotionally, and financially -- and shows the way to prosperity, well-being, and peace of mind. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Mr. Theology, let me introduce you to Mr. Economics...
After reading Paul Zane Pilzer's first book, "Unlimited Wealth", I was anxious to read this one. And since I'm a Christian, and the author is Jewish, he comes from the Old Testiment's perspective that during the time of Abraham, God promised him wealth. This well written book helps to explain the theology of economics in today's society. As also stated in "Unlimted Wealth", we have an endless supply of resources. And where one technology fades away, another one takes its place. Two good examples are how CD's have replaced vinyl records and how fuel injectors have mostly replaced carberators in automobiles. We are given the premise all things come from God, and we have at our disposal new technolgies which have the potential to increase our wealth and quality of life. There is a very extensive bibliography with excellent support for the arguments in this book. Finally, we now know that being rich isn't evil or a sin. In the final analysis, it's how we use our wealth that counts. For it is indeed the "love" of money that is the root of evil. An excellent book. I highly recommend it.

Outstanding but a slightly misleading title.
The title is a bit misleading, but it's one of the finest books on money you'll ever read. Some of the negative reviews on this book have evidently been from those who read the title but not the book. It does NOT teach or perpetuate the belief that everyone is supposed to be wealthy if they're a Christian.

What it DOES do is give the average person a GREAT explanation for why things are they way they are and why many economic changes are misunderstood simply because people don't look at a big enough picture. (For instance, a machine takes the place of three workers causing them to lose their jobs...bad news? No, because when those 3 workers find new jobs, the GNP goes up. A simplistic summary of one of Pilzer's examples, but you've really got to read it to appreciate it.)

Also, he gives EXCELLENT suggestions for everything from our school system to transporation to healthcare to communications, etc.

An absolute WONDERFUL book about how our physical resources are truly UNLIMITED and that the only "lack" we have is the lack of appropriation.

Do you want to buy this book?
I haven't decided whether or not the title of this book is making it more saleable or not. I had a totally different idea about what this book would be about because of the title, and since I hadn't read anything else by Pilzer at the time, I was skeptical.
THIS BOOK IS PHENOMENALLY FASCINATING.
Again, the title is extremely misleading, and after asking the author about it, he said that his publisher gave it that title. Of course, the title of "Why economics are like they are" might be more appropriate, but it is in no way indicative of how PHENOMENALLY FASCINATING this book is.
I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL that the title made me buy the book, and was happily deceived by it. One of my top favorites ever, and you'll note that I read ALOT. PLEASE read this book- it will make you INFINITELY more informed.

This is an MIND-OPENING book!!
This book is PHENOMENAL, and I'm no rookie when it comes to reading this type of material. You name the author, I've gotten at least a piece of him/her: Kiyosaki, Robbins, Hansen, Hill, Carnegie, Orman, Schwartz.

"God wants you to be rich" is PHENOMENAL, and I can't wait to track down everything else he's written. So far, the title has been completely misleading in that I was expecting something ENTIRELY different. Then again "economic theory and how it'll change" is hardly an interesting title.

Did I mention that this book is PHENOMENAL, and that it's REALLY PROPHETIC?? This is a pre-internet book, and yet it discusses how technology changes the world and the economy. No matter WHAT the title suggests, this book is NOT AT ALL what you'd expect. This book is entirely engaging; he writes with enough examples so you know EXACTLY what he means, and each one of them is FASCINATING.
PLEASE do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK- it'll COMPLETELY change the way you see the economic world- ESPECIALLY if you're completely UNINTERESTED in it!

Warmed over material and Misleading Title
I bought two of Paul's books on the strength of ... reviews and I have to say that both were hugely disappointing and a complete waste of money and time. This guy has a knack for recycling widely published material (I mean books, magazines, television, you name it) and packaging it in a way that is decidedly NOT entertaining or engaging. This book is not about how God wants you to be rich and there's nothing in here about how you can enjoy material and spiritual wealth. It's Paul's explaination of how technology drives growth in a free market economy along with copious supporting evidence, prescriptions for changes in government policy, etc. While I agree with much of what he says, its nothing new and, frankly, he doesn't write very well. Life is short: Don't waste it on bad books. ... Read more

Book Description

The Whole Brain Business Book is the long-awaited culmination of Ned Herrmann's highly respected and extensive research and testing. In it, he presents his four-quadrant model of the brain and the corresponding thinking styles: logician, organizer, communicator, and visionary. Most people and organizations, he demonstrates, are stuck in a ``brain rut'' because their work is dominated by just one mode. Through highly practical explorations and exercises, he shows individuals and organizations how to harness the power of the whole brain. Readers will use The Whole Brain Business Book to expand their own thinking styles--to create and manage Whole Brain Teams--and to introduce new levels of flexibility and innovation into the corporate culture. It will show them how organizations like DuPont and GE use their ``whole brain'' orientation to thrive and profit in times of chaos--and it will help them to do the same. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Too Simple
Details in the the explaination & implication as a Sales & Marketing is too simple as a Sales Person.

Herrmann's Brain Dominance Instrument: A New Way of Thinking
Ned Herrmann's book, "The Whole Brain Business Book", deserves a five star rating. Herrmann has written an excellent book, I only wish I had read it seven years ago when I first ventured out in the world to start my own business. It is a must read for anyone who is planning on starting their own business, has a startup business, or has decision making responsibilities in an organization. The Whole Brain Business Book is very easy to read and is written in a very instructive manner. The author provides many examples from his research and he uses a number of diagrams that are very useful in determining a company's and/or one's personal management style, in addition to some insight as to how one thinks, makes decision and work together with other people. A number of exercises and step by step instructions are provided to assist readers in learning how to make decisions that incorporate all of the brain's functions. I found some very valuable information in this book that I will use to enhance my decision-making process. Herrmann has made me stop and re-evaluate some of the ways I approach a number of business issues.

This book is divided into five dynamic sections; each section is packed with methodologies, examples and exercises for utilizing Herrmann's concept. Herrmann provides some hard evidence to support his Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) tool. HBDI is an assessment tool that is uses to determine what drives the way one thinks and makes decisions. HBDI utilizes four quadrants (styles), Organizer, Personalizer or Visualizer, each quadrant represented by a letter A-D. Herrmann believes that we make decisions based on some combination of these four thinking styles and that cultivating these styles and utilizing the resulting energy is the key to productivity and creativity in business.

Herrmann presents some very interesting information about entrepreneurals, and how they rank based on his HBDI tool. He expands this discussion by pointing out the difference between a entrepreneural, one who works for him/herself and a intrapreneural, one who works for a company. Herrmann discusses risk taking and the importance in learning from failure. He pursues this further by describing the type of management that nurtures creativity and sets the stage for innovative thinking. Herrmann discusses characteristics of people who are on the outer realm, (he calls them Mavericks) and how and why they are so successful (he uses Tom Peters and David Letterman as examples). He touches on process reengineering, and how it is generally initiated based on cost savings versus change in work processes. In addition, he provides some interesting research data regarding CEO's and how they ranked a list of sixteen primary work elements. In the final chapter, Herrmann presents some helpful steps for becoming a Whole Brained Businessperson.

A "must read" for any business person!
Ned Herrmann's Whole Brain Business Book is one of the most useful business books to appear in a decade. Use of the whole brain model to align people's thinking style preferences with their work may be the single most powerful way businesses can increase productivity without increasing costs.

Mr. Herrmann's conversational style and "whole brain" teaching approach make the book highly readable. The book reviews the history of business in this country in terms of the kinds of thinking valued during each era. More importantly, it predicts the shift that must take place in business thinking in order to compete effectively in the growing global economy in decades to come. Effective team functioning and creative, strategic thinking are enormously important to business today. The Whole Brain Business Book tells how to maximize both.

The four quadrant model developed by Ned Herrmann is a powerful tool. The Whole Brain Business Book describes how to use it. Because the model was developed while Mr. Herrmann was working at GE, for use by business, and because it is physiologically based, it is more acceptable to many business people than many similar organizing constructs available today.

With this book Ned Herrmann provides individuals and companies with a tool to enhance understanding of themselves and others, take the emotional charge out of differences, and increase individual and team effectiveness. Unlike many business books whose ideas are good in the abstract, but difficult to make concrete, Mr. Herrmann provides simple graphics which make the ideas easy to remember and use. Examples include the Communication Walk-Around Exercise and the Whole Brain Delegation Walk Around Model.

Anyone working at any level in business should read The Whole Brain Business Book. Incidentally, it will improve your personal relationships as well. You will never look at yourself or others in quite the same way!

Sharon Eakes & Hal Williamson of Hope Unlimited, LLC

Whole brain thinking at its best.
At the core of Ned Herrmann's most recent book lies his belief that the functioning of the human brain is driven by a four-quadrant interconnected set of mental processing modes. These four thinking styles, says Herrmann, originate in the brain's left and right cerebral hemispheres, and in the left and right half limbic systems, each resulting in significantly different and distinct behavioral characteristics in human beings. How this complex brain interaction determines thinking mode dominance and thinking style preferences, and how individuals and organizations can benefit from such understanding, are the main themes of this highly thought provoking and exceptionally relevant management book. Herrmann's work is widely thought of by training and development specialists as superseding earlier "left brain/right brain" thinking models as well as having advanced new concepts of mind research and their applications in business settings. In fact, this is the first book exclusively dedicated to applying whole brain thinking to a wide range of business situations.Thinking dominance by one of the four styles leads to the development of preferences, which in turn establish our interests, foster the development of competencies, and influence our career choices and ultimately the work that we do, contends Herrmann. Knowing whether you, your organization, or a particular job, is predominantly quadrant A, B, C, or D oriented, makes all the difference whether or not relationships have an opportunity to develop and flourish or to remain counter-productive and underutilized. Mismatching people and assignments by not using whole brain thinking processes can be extremely costly, both in terms of individual psychological danage and in terms of negative organizational results, suggests Herrmann.Knowing your thinking preference is a good place to start understanding whole brain technology. You can get an idea of whether you are an Analyser, Organizer, Personalizer, or Visualizer (Quadrants A, B, C, and D, respectively), by completing the Preference Indicator Exercise provided in the book. Better yet, you can complete the HBDI (Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument) survey, which, when evaluated by trained specialists from the Ned Herrman Group, will result in your own HBDI Personal Profile. Call the NHG at 704-625-9153 for specific details. This review was written by Bruno Lewandowski, Editor & Publisher of World Aero-Engine Review, a monthly jet propulsion newsletter ... Read more

Book Description

This first-ever survey of spiritual beliefs and practices among managers and executives finds that, while most people have strong spiritual beliefs, few feel that they can act on those beliefs at work. And yet, overall company performance is actually higher in companies where company values and spiritual values coalesce. Filling a gap in today's literature on spirituality and business, this book examines five proven models for introducing spirituality to the workplace and spells out the strengths and weaknesses of each model. More than a personal guide to spiritual well-being, it shows how you can harness the immense spiritual energy at everyone's core, and outlines solutions for bringing that energy into the organization.

... Read more

Reviews (5)

Insightful!
Ian I. Mitroff and Elizabeth Denton proffer that many of the problems faced by business and society are the result of a spiritual impoverishment that they discovered in their research on organizations. The authors bring an authoritative, scholarly tone to their material, yet they write conversationally and make no effort to hide their opinions. While indicting corporate America for its neglect of the spiritual, Mitroff and Denton also cite examples of businesses with soul that encourage the expression of spirit. We [...] recommend this book to all readers interested in the creation of a more spiritually fulfilling workplace.

This book substantially over-promises
This book over-promises based on its title. It offers three things: its company research is based on mailed-back questionnaires from 131 people from companies described only as coming from a "special database" and as being located on the east coast and the west coast; in addition, the authors conducted a number of interviews and "partial" interviews. Many of the "companies" are not-for-profits and consulting firms. The significant problem here is that this cannot be, in any realistic manner, considered to be an audit of corporate America. This is preliminary and exploratory work. There is some interesting writing on spirituality and the differences between spirituality and religion, although the writing suggests (to me) biases on the authors' part. In addition, the book describes companies and organizations that have been much written about elsewhere, such as AA, Tom's of Maine, Ben and Jerry's, the YMCA. The book can be stimulating of your thinking and offer some useful insights, and for that I appreciate it, but it is not a broad based, valid, objective study of spirituality in corporate America.

Not the first empirical study
I applaud Mitroff, the organizational models are right on the mark. Interested readers should also examine my research study entitled "Spiritual Well-Being of Workers: Exploring the Influences of Spirituality in Everyday Work Activities" completed in 1996 at the University of Texas under Dr. Oscar Mink as well as Krista Kurth's doctoral research at George Washington University in 1994 entitled "An Exploration of the Expression and Perceived Impact of Selfless Service in For-Profit Organizations" (I believe under Dr. Peter Vaill or Dr. Jerry Harvey). Krista and I predate Mitroff by a few years and marked groundbreaking research trailheads for students around the country who are continuing to explore this neglected topic. It looks as though the faddish phase of this topical area is waning and serious academic scrutiny is moving to the fore. Great!

A Book Worth Reading
There are many good dimensions of this book. In the early chapters, authors Mitroff and Denton examine the estrangement of spirituality and the workplace in Corporate America. These chapters may not contain a lot of new data but they do highlight a basically immature approach to spirituality in many workplaces. It seems that whatever we have experienced as growth and developement in workplace dynamics does not include the essential element of spiritual expression and enrichment. The authors do a good job of highlighting this gap and it's negative consequences.

These early chapters set the stage for the heart of the book. Based upon their own research, the authors identify five existing organizational models that accommodate workplace spirituality to varying degrees. Each model is explained and critiqued. In the interest of offering solutions as well as defining problems, the authors offer a "Best Practice" model that borrows from all five existing models. Still not perfect, this model is offered as a starting point for organizations interested in becoming more spiritual.

Some readers will take legitamte exception to the method used in this book. Can spirituality be reduced to an organizational model? Is any model of value without the proper mind set of those in positions of leadership? Is spirituality all that complex that it requires such organization (aren't we spiritual in other aspects of our lives without models)?

Personally, I give the authors credit for their efforts. They seem well aware of the risks of their approach. Their solution may not be the ultimate answer but it could be a piece of the pie. The book is well worth reading.

As the book concludes, the authors express their belief that the new millennium holds a new experience, indeed a new demand for greater expression of spirituality in the workplace. Amen to that!

Say, Amen!
Corporate America has got religion. So it would seem with all the business books and product advertisements that appeal to the soul. Spirituality seems to have become the latest business strategy.This new release from Jossey-Bass explores spirituality, religion, and values in the workplace. The authors share the results of surveys and interviews they conducted with over two hundred organizational leaders. What emerged from the research are five models of organizational spirituality. Mitroff and Denton share the strengths and limitations of each model. The last chapter of the book blends the best from each model to propose a best-practice model for integrating soul into an organization.Why be concerned about your organization's spirituality? According to Mitroff and Denton, the future success of your business depends upon it. They contend that spirituality may well be the ultimate competitive advantage and the management of spirituality is one of the most fundamental tasks of management.Mitroff and Denton strive to bring a scientific approach to the study of spirituality in organizations. This is no airy New Age vision or dogmatic diatribe. However, the authors are passionate about the need to create soul-nurturing organizations. The book is worth reading. When you finish you, too, may see the light. Say, Amen! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Does your work matter? Do you transform mundane tasks into "WOW Projects!"? And, most important, do you consider projects "dynamic, stimulating, a major bond builder with co-workers, a source of buzz among end-users, and ... inspiring, exhausting, hot, cool, sexy, where everyone else wants to be"? If not, consider reading this enthusiastic project primer, which joinsThe Brand You50 and The Professional Service Firm50 in Tom Peters's list-filled Reinventing Work series.

Stressing the importance of following a project from start to finish, Peters breaks the WOW Project (also known as the "Way Cool" project, by the way) into four stages--create, sell, implement, and exit--and 50 lists. No. 24 (titled "Work on BUZZ ... all the time!")recommends making a stir about the "WOW-worthy project," showing off your team's success with buttons, mugs, and T-shirts. Shameless?Perhaps. But if the project is truly worthy, then "parading your team's spunk is a matchless sales/marketing--not to mention morale-building--ploy."

Peters--who communicates in lists, one-word sentences, bold, capitalized, and half-tone text, parenthetical asides with jumpy punctuation, and more than a few interjections of "WOW!" and "Way cool!"--is not for everyone. Mellow readers may want, instead, to check out Eric Verzuh'sThe Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. But project managers seeking to shake up mundane assignments will find plenty of original, easy-to-implement ideas in this guide to getting things done. --Rob McDonald ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Reinvigorate your vision for your work
As a multimedia software writer/producer, I thought my projects were pretty hot stuff. That might be true, but reading "The Project 50" sent me on a quest for the fabled "way cool" moniker for every project I do.

In this practical and outrageously optimistic book, Peters makes a clarion call for work that matters, that takes your breath away--that, in short, WOWs not only your clients/customers but everyone who sees what you do.

With 50 suggestions (each with a number of action items) for creating WOW projects, Peters stirs a divine dissatisfaction for business-as-usual. "Good enough" work no longer is--and will soon be the death knell of its practitioners.

With characteristic bullets, colors, UPPER CASE PHRASES, and underlines, Peters confronts us with the challenge of the near-future: Making the most of the new millennium will require nothing else than producing WOW projects--whether they be spread sheets or theme parks.

This book reinvigorated me and recast my vision for the future--so much so that I bought copies for my fellow writer/producers. Read it and you'll see why.

Lots of WOW information--but too drawn out
I've read the first book in the series "Brand You" and am starting "Professional Service Firms" because I like the way Tom Peters thinks and presents his material. However, this book, "The Project" has the same Peters quality--but his 50-List could have been shrunk to 20--it seemed as though he was just trying to meet the 50-List title in the book series. His material focuses on the small project--you take it on--and you are still taking on a thread of of the organizations DNA/culture. I would still buy the book--it will just be a quick read for you.

Guides you in making your work and your life matter.
When you learn to use this little book you can turn nasty little jobs into opportunities that are rewarding. Sounds like the same old words but it sure doesn't feel like "the same old" when you get it to work the first few times. It MAGIC and it makes your project fun, manageable, and they are all set up for further correction and deeper development.
I used to hate making some business telephone calls and after I defined the project and found the WOW in it, it became O.K and then went on to be one of my strengths and I'm making friends on the telephone now and have doubeled my income. This is powerful and Tom Peters is to big a part of our business evolution to not have as a traveling companion as we become more and more part of the global brain.

From ordinary task to cool, sexy, memorable WOW! projects
Tom Peters is an ex-McKinsey & Co. consultant, who become a management guru by being the co-author of business super-bestseller 'In Search of Excellence' (1982). He has written several books after that huge success, but nothing has come close in quality. This (little) book is part of his 'Reinventing Work' series.

The aim of this book is to make us "believe that work can be cool. That the work matters." The reason? "Work - yours and mine - as we know it today will be reinvented in the next ten years." Perhaps you believe this, but I do not. Yes, we can make work and, in this case, projects more interesting. Tom Peters comes up with a list of 50 ways how to do this. The list is split up in four parts: (1) Create; (2) Sell; (3) Implement; and (4) Exit. Each of the 50 ways raised consists of a short introduction, the main point ("the nub"), the impact, and some examples and quotes. Most of the 50 ways are quite interesting, but they could have been cut down to some 25.

I always feel disappointed when I have to write a negative review, but this time I have no choice. Tom Peters is a famous management guru and an excellent motivational speaker. I feel that he tries to bring his famous energy from his seminars across by using plenty of capitals, wild colors, abbreviations, and exclamation marks. But it just does not work (for me). There are some interesting points, but he would have been better by producing a video of his seminars or writing a proper book - like 'In Search of Excellence' (1982) - on projects. For people interested in projects and project management there is plenty of choice elsewhere. Although the book is small and consists of only 200 pages, the book is not that simple to read due to its format and structure.

Useful, if (in appearence) banal and silly
We are in the age of manufactured enthusiasm. How anyone can imagine that regular work in a business should be stimulating to the point of being really really cool is simply beyond me. Yet year in and year out, Tom Peters (and an immense cohort of lesser talents) continue to tell us that yes, work can be fun and cool, etc etc. And he continues to make the really really big bucks doing so.

Either Peters is onto something, or we are all fools for treating him like he is. What I believe is that he has inserted himself into business speak as one of our principal formulators of vocabulary to dress up our normal drudgery as something more than it is.

Peters pumps businessmen up, flatters their vanities, and sends them back to the real work with a new vocabulary of "change agents," "WoW projects," and innumerable other expressions of similar banality. He tells them that what they are doing is significant and interesting, and that they can make every project into a fantiastical thing that will change the workd as well as enhance their careers. This boggles the mind, particularly if you have read it more than once in such puffed up venues as Fast Company and Wired, which I believe bring the the profession of journalism to the crudest boosterism, akin to the promoters of primitive Western cities in the 19C America.

In Project 50, Peters offers "fifty ways to transform every 'task' into a project that matters." They range from "reframing" the task as it was posed (make it revolutionary) to selling it succinctly ("metaphor time!") to implementing it ("celebrate failure"!! as a learning experince and as a useful exercise of thinking "crazy") to Exiting ("Seed your freaks into the mainstream"!). If this does not want to make you vomit, try reading it straight through. Doesn't it make you cringe?

And yet.

In my education work with managers whom I sincerely admire and who are undoubtedly highly intelligent and savvy, they gobble this stuff up and use it. While they disdain much of the ridiulous in Peters' vocabulary (the "nub", etc.), they find it profitable to discuss these ideas and it inspires them to change. Thus, I must conclude that there is something is all this hype, something useful that gets pulled out and applied. I just wish that it didn't seem so trivial and silly, so over the top for people who consider themselves writers. I saw a group of extremely bright people wave this book like it was Mao's Red Book durin the cultural revolution. It was stupefying.

So I must say: this book is useful. I make money from it too. And it changes behavior, at least in the activities that I have seen as an education professional. Thus, I must recommend it with a grain of salt. Don't get carried away, but don't have too closed a mind either. ... Read more

Book Description

This book will help you deal with your employees and co-workers by giving you the keys to understanding the way their brains--and yours--work. Using the metaphor of the dinosaur brain, the authors detail a whole range of human responses dictated by a part of the human brain sometimes beyond our control. They then show you what to expect from that part of the brain and how to be prepared for it, including such problems as turf battles, reflexive competitiveness, and office courtship. Outlines the rules of ^lizard logic, and how to use them to your advantage. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Valuable information about different situations at work
The best book about the social things that happen at work I've read so far. Clearly written, based on the simple principles of 'reptile logic'. I use it as my bible.

An Excellent Remedy For Frustration On The Job
I first read this book in 1990. Over the years I have given my personal copy to a number of co-workers who were having trouble coping with the workplace. I've had to replace my copy several times because they usually "forgot" to give it back. The chapter on the self-destructive nature of anger has served me well in many situations over the yeas. I consider this book a must for my own library.

Excellent realistic explanations of organizational behavior!
The book deals with real life situations at work nobody else in the field dares to touch. The authors attitude towards the tough issues in organizational behavior is naturalistic, professional, humorous and buzzword free. Compuslory reading, especially for a young professional who wants to underderstand the implicit - and thus the strongest - micro-rules driving corporate life.

The perfect anecdote to frustration created at the workplace
If you find yourself hating your job, feeling frustrated at work, or you just can't stand someone you work with, give Dinasaur Brains a try. It teaches, with plenty of humor and VERY realistic examples, how to understand what's going on inside those "dinasaur brains" you work with (and your own) ... Read more

Book Description

Being competitive in the 21st century requires an ability to innovate rapidly and cost-effectively. Companies must prove themselves again and again or fade from glory. Without energetic innovation, standard brands grow obsolete, and the technical giants who dominated the market are left behind. Based on the authors' experience helping companies launch over 400 new products and businesses, Intrapreneuring in Action gives managers at all levels examples and instructions on how to identify people within their organizations who behave like entrepreneurs. It shows in detail how to combine coordination, direction, and freedom to create a climate that encourages intrapreneurship and directs that energy toward company goals. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Intrapreneuring - A must in the corporate world!
I first encountered this book while in an "intraprise" training session provided by the author (Gifford Pinchot) and his team of consultants for my corporate business unit.The practice sessions, business plan training, and creativity training was basic but I could tell a lot of our team (of 30 senior managers) had never encountered this type of thinking.That's when it dawned on me - what I've treated as "common sense" really wasn't so common after all.

This book is rather short but it does provide a lot of practical theory on what I believe is a very basic concept - foster and SUPPORT creativity and innovation in the workplace.Let people build the proverbial "better mousetrap," in fact, be their biggest champion.It is only through creative, innovative, RADICAL thinking that we in the corporate world can ever hope to remain competitive.Unfortunately, most managers just don't get "it."It being the concept of investing time and money in people's creative ideas.

The only down side to this book is that it really isn't an action plan.It speaks a lot about creating an environment of creativity and innovation but doesn't spell out the "how."It merely explains the importance and emphasizes the fact that you need to champion said efforts.

If I had merely read the book and not gone through the training, I would have given this book 5 stars, based on the concept alone (which I STRONGLY support and implement).After receiving the training, I wondered how much practical experience the author really had.He appeared to struggle a LOT in the training and his sessions around creating a business plan were EXTREMELY lacking.

Due to the brevity of this work and the fact that it is not common knowledge, I have recommended it to all of my staff as a baseline understanding of a concept to which I am firmly committed.

A Good Read!
Gifford Pinchot and Ron Pellman describe a hands-on plan of action for moving from an idea's creation to its implementation in a company setting. They focus on the support an idea needs from an intrapreneur, who runs with the idea, whether he/she originated it or not. This individual is much like an executive producer who shepherds a film through the stages of development necessary for production. These stages include developing an intrapreneurial team to work on the project and getting sponsors throughout the organization to support it. Organizational leaders should act as "climate makers" to create a climate that supports innovation.

This well-written, well-organized book combines some basic principles about what makes innovation work with examples of companies that have effectively developed new ideas. It provides guidelines for what to do. The basic principles of innovation may sound familiar to anyone already involved in idea creation and development. However, this handbook provides a useful guide or reminder summarizing these basic principles and showing how to put them to work in any organization.

Novelty and Neologism
Anyone who claims innovation is easy is kidding himself.Commanding your employees to "be innovative!" is like shouting, "Quick - don't think about elephants!", and then wondering why their eyes glaze and minds go blank.More importantly, proponents frequently suppose that innovation begins andends with creativity, thereby discounting the vast number of electrifyingideas that die unimplemented.Turning good ideas into corporatebreakthroughs requires people committed to rolling up their sleeves andmaking the ideas work - the people eager to be the internalentrepreneurs.

These "intrapreneurs" are the subject and stars ofIntrapreneuring in Action, the sequel, distillation, and augmentation ofthe classic Intrapreneuring.Recognizing that those who dominate languagedominate thought, Gifford Pinchot and Ron Pellman embrace their neologismwith quiet fervor, offering a sequence of rules, guidelines, examples, andobservations on what it takes for the intrapreneur to clear internalhurdles and "make innovation happen within established organizations". Here the subtitle suits words to action: the volume is a true handbook,linking prescription to prescience when discussing such issues as thecrucial role of sponsors, the design of "intraprise" workshops (aparticularly strong chapter), and the opportunities to develop innovationwithin a structured process.The authors are also remarkably adept atoffhand insights, ranging from "ask for resources before asking for advice"to "lower your status by lowering your height".If you've ever beenintimidated by an overly tall boss who insists on delivering counsel fromhis personal mountaintop, then you'll recognize the truth in Pinchot andPellman's advice.

Complementing this sage wisdom is the book's tone ofcalm conviction, of ardent urging minus artificial urgency.The authorsare to be congratulated for eschewing self-promotion; although theyinevitably cite their own clien