Book Description

Becoming skilled at doing more with others may be the single most important thing you can do to ensure that you remain employed in the emerging knowledge economy. Teamwork Is an Individual Skilloffers best practices, tips, and developmental activities for taking personal responsibility for the success of teams and other relationships at work. It equips you with a set of individual mental skills and behaviors that will help you create highly responsible and productive relationships. No longer will you find yourself complaining, "I got assigned to a bad team." Instead, you’ll know what to do to make teamwork work for you. This book aims to remove the ambiguity that exists around teambuilding by focusing on five abilities: (1) personal responsibility for productive relationships, (2) creating powerful partnerships, (3) aligning individuals around a shared purpose, (4) trusting just right, and (5) developing your collaborative mindset. Most importantly, Teamwork Is an Individual Skill shows that teamwork is an individual responsibility and skill set, not a group process, and shows how a person can be powerful when sharing responsibility to get things done. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The first sentence floored me
The book entitled "Teamwork is an Individual Skill" is quite interesting. I work at a large semi-conductor manufacturer as a non-exempt fab technician on a self managed team on night shift.

I am the most experienced and capable person on my team, yet with all of my background I have come to realize how relatively little influence I often have on team performance, and on my ability to push the team in the direction I think it should go. The very first sentence in your book on page 1, "Do you share responsibility with others to get work done but don't have authority over them (and they don't have authority over you)?" absolutely floored me, 'cause that is me to the tee.

I had only gotten to page 8 of your book when I was thoroughly blown away by the directness with which the differences between flat and hierarchical structures were addressed. At my company there is no mention of this approach; even once when I mentioned the term "semi-autonomous team" to the most qualified tech (who happened to be on day shift--arguably a more hierarchical environment due to the presence of many exempt employees) he did not know what the term meant. The company has this structure in place almost as an unwritten agenda.

Your comment on page 5, "Many individuals--especially smart, high achievers--can experience great angst if asked to serve in teams." is in retrospect a great source of comfort to help me understand my angst during my three years with this company. In all of the areas I have worked in during that time I am sure that I had (at least on paper) more qualifications than any one other person (B.S. deg, two A.A.S. degs, 12+ prior years of technical experience, and a whole host of other skills that my teammates do not exhibit.) Plus add to that, that my experience has almost exclusively come from a strongly tilted hierarchical background in retrospect is why I struggled with teams, as you describe them.

Every page of your book is quite thought-provoking, causing me to pause and reflect on how your observations compare to my situation.

Take Responsibility for Team Success
For years, I have resisted the popular notion of "there is no 'I' in "teamwork" because teams are a collection of individuals working toward a common goal. Each of us brings our own values and skill sets to the table. It is our choice to work together (or not) as a team.
Christopher M. Avery has captured this idea and more in his latest book, Teamwork is an Individual Skill: Getting Work Done When Sharing Responsibility. Chris suggests that individuals take responsibility for team success versus blame others He challenges the reader to be proactive and work through team issues rather than avoid or accommodate others.
This is a perfect book for team members who have been on teams before. It will validate good team behaviors and point out areas to upgrade...in a gentle and non-threatening way. The book is easy to read with lots of stories and examples to highlight the key points.

I use it in my MB A class
I have assigned this book as required reading for my MBA level course in managing individuals an teams. It has been a big hit. I have used other books in the past, but this is the first that really addresses the concerns that students have. I, and they, like the emphasis on the "individual" skills involved in
teamwork.

Teamwork is an Individual Skill
Exceptional book! This book will give you real life examples as well as opportunities to practice theories as an individual or with you team. Too many books and theories focus on the team as a whole. Mr. Avery makes people realize that it is an individual's choice that makes a team successful. Depending on your level of commitment and taking responsibility, everyone can be on a productive and inspiring team. I would highly recommend the book as well as Partnerwerks seminar, "Being Powerful in Any Team".

Whose fault is it when teams don¿t work?
Whose fault is it when teams don't work?

I was leery of the new book Teamwork Is an Individual Skill, by Christopher M. Avery, but got hooked halfway through the first chapter. If you work with people - as a manager, employee, business owner - even as a family member - you're likely to find valuable advice for building cooperative relationships and achieving common goals.

This is not a book about getting along with those you work with, or even about being nice to them. It's about helping them help you succeed. According to Avery, if you do your part (by taking responsibility for the team's performance), they'll do theirs. The team will achieve its goals, and everyone will be able to take the credit.

Following are a few of the book's suggestions:

· Realize that teams are defined not by the people on them but by what the team must do. To win individually, the members must win first as a team.

· Take responsibility for and act on troublesome situations, rather than waiting for those "in charge" to do so.

· Don't go along with something you are strongly opposed to. Without blaming, "push back," knowing that your silence would be equivalent to consent.

· Begin a team relationship with a contribution: evidence of your talents, special information to which you have access ... tools, contacts, whatever you have that supports the team's mission.

· Practice "servant leadership," Buckminster Fuller's concept of winning by helping others win.

The book continues with ideas for using conflict constructively, distinguishing criticism from feedback, building consensus, calling others on broken agreements, and much more. Avery has included individual and team exercises, so you can use Teamwork Is an Individual Skill as an employee-training manual. ... Read more

Book Description

What do Barbie dolls, Nokia phones, and American Express credit cards have in common? They all represent a powerful business model called pyramid profit. How about Intel, Microsoft, and Stephen King? They all exploit another model called value chain position profit. THE ART OF PROFITABILITY reveals the invisible but important governing principles that can mean the difference between business failure and success. Writing with wit and provocative insight, bestselling author Adrian Slywotzy tells the story of eccentric strategy teacher David Zhao and his young student. Each of the book's twenty-three chapters presents a lesson from the exuberant and always challenging master-and a profit paradigm that will open your mind to the many ways to make profit happen. You'll understand-from a different perspective-how your company and your competitors generate profit...which business models can be best applied to your profit-making strategy...what specific actions your organization can take in the next ninety days to improve its bottom line...and more. With scores of examples from today's global marketplace, a weekly assignment, and an eclectic business reading list ranging from Obvious Adams to Einstein's Dreams, THE ART OF PROFITABILITY invites anyone in business to engage in the lively exchange between mentor and protege. Enter the classroom. Discover the art. And learn which form of profitability will help your company succeed today and grow tomorrow. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

If you have extra time and money - it's alright
The Good -
The main concepts of the book are sound and time proven, and it has some interesting and novel ideas. Moreover, the book has decent recommendations of other books (not surprisingly they were written by the same author).

The Bad -
What was meant to be an entertaining fictional side plot, in the fashion of The Goal or The Max Strategy, doesn't work. It ends up being both corny and archaic. Basically, the main character of the book is a 20 something trying to save the large conglomerate which employs him. Give me a break. The vast majority of my peers including myself (in that age group) could care less about the slow and large, uncaring bureaucracies we work for. If anything we're dreaming up of escape plans to start our own businesses. Throughout the book I just kept wondering whether Steve was a complete moron or whether the story took place 30 years ago.

A related flaw is how the book's concepts are delivered. Hearing the mentor character, Zhiao, give lessons is akin to listening to Bill Cosby's or Grandpa Simpson's random rambling for hours. It's very difficult to differentiate the useless/nonsensical crap from the good pieces of data, Zhiao keeps jumping from here and there. Sadly I could go on and on about how horrible the plot and side dialogue are... For ex, "What kind of fish do you think you are? I am a light fish." - enough said.

Conclusion
Unless you have spare money or time, read Slywotsky's other books instead to get to the meat of his ideas. This is largely a waste of time.

SIMPLE POWERFUL CONCEPTS TAUGHT IN INNOVATIVE WAY
This book is focused on explaining 23 different models of profitability that different firms have followed. The author uses the realtionship between a wise mentor and an eager mentee to take the reader through the process of understanding the different models. The book is aimed at describing and giving the reader some insight into each model; it is not an in depth analysis of profitability. Given its aim, it is well written.

It is not a step by step process to apply at a business. This is a book to make a manager reflect, not follow. Each chapter is one story that describes a model; the style seems to follow the general outline of Harvard Business School cases, which, given the author's professorship there, is not so surprising.

I highly recommend it to someone looking for an entertaining read that will make one reflect. However, disregard the recommendation that you go through one chapter per week. It is too little, I think I would probably lose the book by the 3rd week. It is, instead, a book to be read in 3 days, and be referred back for ideas.

Interesting little parables to get you thinking
I liked the structure of this book, and the approach of using parables - it makes it easy to read & absorb the principles. However, given my level of business experience, I wasn't a rookie setting out to learn everything from scratch.
I considered the instruction "read only one chapter per week" to be supercilious.
A typical chapter is only 10 pages or so (some are as short as 5, the longest is 14), but as there's 23 chapters I didn't want to spend 6 months reading this book. By reading 2 or 3 chapters per day, I could still absorb the message, and yet complete the book within 2 weeks.

Practical & Mind provoking
This is one of the most interesting, practical and mind provoking business strategy books I've ever read. Executing business strategy is always more challenging than formulating one, the book can help readers to align business strategy formulation and execution together, by focusing on generating and sustaining profitability. Slywotzky's vivid storytelling style also makes the book a higly enjoyable reading.

enjoy the CD
Got this business CD for Christmas, and haven't been able to resist the temptation to listen to more than one track per day, let alone per week. For the most part, it is very well "acted" and easy to listen to, although often the chart descriptions are too poor and too breif to figure out in your head.

Like other folks said, the suggested reading/listening is a great list of "get to" titles, and SO WHAT if he drops in a couple of his own titles along with others? Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Earl Nightengale, etc have been doing that for years before, and besides we could all learn something from the sly pitch - yet another profit model to study about - so don't feel like you've been taken advantage of just because you didn't think of it yourself, he he he! ... Read more

Book Description

Dubbed "the executive's new coach" by Fortune Magazine , Peter deLisser teaches managers how to "shut up and listen," how to make "every conversation a sales call" and even how to deal with "a boss who's a screamer." ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Listen up and learn how to listen!
This is a surprisingly fun book to read. Peter deLisser's "in your face" tone is hard to resist. He hammers in each point and then repeats it again for good measure. His main point -- to which he dedicates at least one-half of the book -- is the importance of being a "responsible listener." Listeners are made, not born, he believes. With practice and knowledge, you too can become a great listener -- and oh boy, the places you'll go then! Seriously, the tools and techniques in this book are very good and helpful not only in business but in personal relationships. The art of listening without reacting defensively is a real diamond in human relationships. It can turn many difficult discussions into experiences that bring people closer.

Speaking in a world of no listeners....
This book is a godsend! Where was Delisser when I needed him? Thankfully I found both Delisser and his book recently and it has definately changed my outlook on communications. The book is focused on two issues: listening and speaking. There are several drills which the reader will find very helpful to changing his or her views on the process of communication.

One of the best chapters is titled "How to be effective in a world of no listeners" (which could have been an alternate title for this book) The concept is deceptively simple: we must take 100% responsibility for making sure people understand our message, no matter how poorly they listen. Delisser's book shows the reader the fundamentals, drills them extensively, and makes the overall process enlightening and entertaining.

How to Listen...
Most of our lives it's not uncommon to hear someone say "be quiet and listen...". Or perhaps it was "you're not listening to me..." I know I have used those words many times. However, in all of the years (47) I can't recall receiving very explicit instructions on how to listen... Never see "How to Listen" courses or conferences. Have seen much written on how to speak etc. Perhaps I looked in all the wrong places. In any case I finally found listening instructions in a book about coaching. Go figure! The 30 pages on listening are what make this worth reading. One quickly comes to understand why it appears as if nobody is listening to you; only 5% have been trained to listen. One quickly learns listening technique which has been invaluable to my career and personal life as well. This one stays on the reference shelf!

A practical survival guide to communicating with humans.
The book provides a person with my background (a science nerd turned into a hi-tech manager) well founded, well explained and 100% scientific approach to business communications. It teaches HOW to take 100% responsibility for listening and speaking. It is easy to advice not to react emotionally to what other person says, and everybody does it in their books. In contrast, this book teaches techniques that make emotional reaction unnecessary, without any artificial self control. When reading this book I realized that emotions in response to what others say result from the lack of the kind of analysis the author suggests to do: evaluate the message as being valid/invalid, conversation as being equal/unequal, always know where you are in any conversation. Making this analysis a habit accomplishes two goals: it makes clear and explicit (illuminates) what is actually going on, and moves you to the analytical kind of reaction instead of emotional. The book helped me to realize that emotions often result from the fear similar to the fear people experience in a dark maze. The analysis presented in the book results in always knowing where you are in a conversation, illuminates the maze, and removes the fear and all associated emotions. The author also provides clear guidance and scripts for what to do and what not to do when listening, which also builds confidence and thus lowers the emotion. In the section on speaking I liked the classification of speaking (coaching, declarations), the structured approach to speaking, and examples and scripts that are provided. I found it helpful to always know what you are doing when speaking. Then I can take control, and take the 100% responsibility for the outcome. The conversation management techniques (goals, time, exits, getting attention and commitments) are also invaluable. Reading the book had immediate effect on all of my relationships (I have a wife, three kids, a job and a lot of friends).

Not Just for the Suits!
As a theater professional, living in a New York metropolitan area village and a community activist, I find Mr. deLisser's book very useful. Whether trying to build an ensemble in a rehearsal situation or finding a consensus with a fractious library board, Mr. deLisser's techniqes hit the mark.

As a husband and father I can attest that "executive coaching" works at home, in the kitchen and also in the bedroom!

I recommend the book to anyone who want to improve his or her communication skills. ... Read more

Book Description

Prepare your students for the office workplace by strengthening communication, document formatting, retrieval and mailing, information processing, and job search skills. This valuable reference guide includes important fundamentals, and a section on international business has been added to reflect the changing global business environment. ... Read more

Book Description

Learning Paths is a down-to-earth practical resource that is filled with illustrative examples, methods, techniques, strategies, processes, and tools for making company-wide, real-time training possible. Created to be flexible, the Learning Path approach can be customized to fit your organization no matter what its type or size. Learning Paths is divided into three sections:

The Learning Path Methodology: Walks the reader through the major steps and strategies needed for building Learning Paths. 

Doing the Right Training: Offers a wide-range of strategies, methods and techniques that can be targeted to the training within a Learning Path and tied to an organization’s particular business needs.

Do the Training Right: Shows how to ensure the training within a Learning Path is delivered in the most cost-effective manner and introduces methods for structuring training so that it transfers to the job easily and effectively. ... Read more

Book Description

Interviews don't just count—they count the most. Regardless of how well you write resumes and letters, conduct research, and network for job leads, you simply must do well in the face-to-face job interview if you are to get the job offer.But conducting an effective interview is easier said than done. Your initial surge of joy in getting the interview may quickly turn into a case of sweaty palms, dry mouth, churning stomach, and wobbly knees.

No more, say Drs. Caryl and Ron Krannich, two of America's leading experts. Using an employer-centered approach, you want to nail the job interview by being prepared to respond well to critical interview questions. You do this by anticipating questions, considering thoughtful and compelling answers, focusing on your accomplishments, asking intelligent questions, and handling the interview situation with ease and confidence. If you know how to communicate well with employers, both verbally and nonverbally, you should be able to conduct a dynamite job interview that results in a job offer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A 2 CD, 2.5 hour compilation of tips, advice, and solutions
Ably narrated by stage and film performer Richard Rohan, Nail The Job Interview!: 101 Dynamite Answers To Interview Questions distills into a 2 CD, 2.5 hour compilation of tips, advice, and solutions by Caryl and Ron Krannich to every aspect of the job interview process from preparation to follow-up. Listeners will learn how to avoid making seventeen common interview errors, apply thirty-two key principles to any job interview, develop persuasive responses to 101 specific questions, communicate positive nonverbal messages, handle behavioral questions with confidence, and, in turn, ask key questions about the job and the prospective employer. If you are entering (or re-entering!) today's competitive job market, then give a very careful listen to Caryl & Ron Krannich's Nail The Job Interview!

Good answers to tuff questions...
This book does a great job of helping you answer the most difficult interview questions. As a training manager, who trains managers and executives on how to interview, I feel I am qualified to say this book works.

This book is a wonderful resource once you get the interview. This leaves us with the question, "How do you get an interview?" Simple, know the type of job you want and pursue it, if you do not know what type of job you want you may want to read the classic, "How to find your dream job and make it a reality." By Jason McClure.

Read this book, and practice for your job interviews and you will be successful in your job hunt. ... Read more

Book Description

In this timely and informative strategy guide, leadership development expert Carol Gallagher reveals the lessons learned from her groundbreaking research with more than 200 women who have successfully climbed the corporate ladder at many of America's Fortune 1000 companies, including America Online, Chase, Pepsi-Cola, and Intel. In lively, engaging prose, Gallagher offers her six-step model and shows how these strategies and practices can open up new levels of accomplishment and satisfaction for women and their employers.

Six Steps for Going to the Top

• Focus on the big picture-avoid the perfectionism trap
• Create alliances-go beyond networking
• Help others be successful-you can be nice and get ahead
• Take risks-reach past your comfort zone
• Be yourself-show your authentic self to build relationships
• Find advocates-mentors can be limiting ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Helpful guide for current & potential female executives
This practical book provides useful insights for aspiring female executives that were gained from Carol Gallagher's interviews with more than 200 senior executive women at Fortune 1000 companies and many of their CEOs. It is divided into three parts. Part I introduces the reader to the windows in the glass ceiling these women discovered by knowing themselves and what they wanted, learning about their companies and their unwritten rules, and finding and emulating role models. Readers are asked to begin evaluating themselves and their own companies. Part II addresses six common myths and offers replacement lessons for success. For example, although results are important, four critical success factors (CORE - competence, outcomes, relationships, and endurance) are important in the big picture. Part III outlines several issues related to life at the top, including the parenting choice, work/life juggling, the experiences of minority women, and proven strategies for advancing one's career. While the guidance is sound and would also benefit current female executives by offering relief from a frequent sense of isolation, the 300+ pages made me yearn for an executive summary of the main points. Many professional women with limited time for reading would benefit from this addition to the book.

Powerful advice with real examples
This book is great because it gives concrete examples of how to succeed. A great read. Advance Mentoring www.AdvanceMentoring.com also has a Mentoring operation that allows people to find Mentors or be Mentors. Find a mentor to help plan your career. This book joined with that site will definitely help peple meet their career goals. Good luck.

A must read to progress in your career!
I would recommend this book as a must read for anyone who wants to refresh his or her career. This is not just a book for 'her'. Ms. Gallagher has done a fantastic job of capturing human attitude and behaviour in the workplace based on observations and interviews and made some very valuable suggestions and recommendation on how one should respond in the world of work. The book covers key issues each of us faces daily in our work-life. The excerpt from the book covers the gist and key points. However, I would recommend reading the book in whole to understand the rationale, justification and thinking behind Ms. Gallagher's suggestion. Nearly every topic has boxed captions which captures the essence of some of these thoughts.

Her chapter on fifteen proven strategies that will advance your career and the last chapter on constructing your road map are a very useful guide to those who are self managing their careers.

Going To The Top
As a business owner for over 20 years, I thought this would be a good book for my niece, but in fact found Carol's insights useful for my own purposes.

Not only is this book rich with insightful, common sense information, but most importantly to me is that the format makes it an easy read as Carol develops a framework and fills it in with lots of practical advice and first hand examples from executives that have been through the ringer.

I wish I had this book 20 years ago as Carol spells out a lot of lessons that I had to learn the hard way.

This book appeals to anyone, male or female, who is considering entering the business world, but especially for anyone who is already trying to learn the elements of success.

I've read numerous "How to" business guides and none put it all together like this one.

Thanks Carol!

Irresistible Landmark Study of Women's Success Models
This book deserves more than five stars.

While many have theories about why women executives do and don't rise to the top, Carol Gallagher has done a real service by going out to find out what those who are succeeding have been doing that worked. She did this in a landmark study that involved personal interviews with 200 women who are either CEOs or within two levels of being CEOs in their Fortune 1000 companies. And, interestingly, she also interviewed many of their bosses (often males) including many CEOs. These latter interviews serve as a sort of control on the self-reporting of the women executives.

The book gets to the heart of the matter. I liked that. While almost all male MBAs aspire to be CEOs, a majority of female MBAs do not. You have to have the goal of going to the top before you can hope to be in the contest. This is the first book about women in business that makes that point, but it is a very important one.

The part of the book that absolutely delighted me was the effort put into dispelling myths about what it takes to succeed that were not proven out in the research. As an example, most women feel they have to have a powerful mentor. Gallagher finds that to be partially right: Women executives need a lot of advocates, not just one mentor.

Two other points in the book really delighted me. One was a thorough treatment of what relationships in the workplace should be for women. I often find women executives to have stalled thinking in this area. Women executives both need more relationships and more professional ones. The point is well explained.

I also liked the emphasis on being effective, rather than being perfect. All of us in business have seen people become ineffective in search of perfection. The point is nicely made here. Don't interrupt the CEO if she/he makes a small mistatement to the board. Your relationship with the CEO, and the CEO's relationship with the board are much too important to interrupt for something that minor. If you don't have all the data you would like, don't start off the presentation with an apology. Be accurate, and be both positive and confident.

The last part of the book is an excellent section on how to think about life choices (45 percent of the women surveyed had no children), and getting on a path that can lead towards and to the top.

I know of no other book of this calibre on this subject. I heartily recommend that all women and men executives read this book. The women can apply it directly and use it to mentor others. Men can do the same. Although the points and research are phrased in terms of women, the ideas apply just as well to men.

If you read only one business book this year, make it this one! In these talent scarce times, helping everyone become more effective at reaching their own goals at their own speed is the best thing we can all do. ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition is expanded to include 26 new man-hour tables on compressors, dryers, dampers, filters, coolers, and heaters. This manual eliminates guesswork and enables you to produce fast, accurate equipment installation labor estimates. ... Read more

Book Description

Effective Management combines the solid academic presentation of a textbook with the most extensive multimedia learning package available. Williams presents management as it is practiced today through a unique story-telling approach and organization that explains management theory in terms any learner can understand. Integrated throughout the text is "Experiencing Management," an award-winning collection of on-line modules that reinforce key concepts. In addition, a rich learning support package includes a Study Aid audio CD, a multimedia CD-ROM, and InfoTrac College Edition, creating the most extensive student learning package available. ... Read more

Book Description

Since 1975, HOW and its subsequent editions have been a prominent reference source for business writers, office personnel, and students.With every new edition, HOW has kept pace with changes in our language and the business environment, striving to provide a useful and easy-to-understand reference manual for all professionals involved in organizational operations.It includes detailed and precise information for writing, formatting, and transmitting communications. Unlike other reference books, HOW 10 is tailored for writing style, grammar, mechanics, and techniques in a business/office environment. This text can be used as a stand-alone reference or as a supplement. ... Read more

Book Description

• Planning the Program
• Selling Your Message
• Captivating Your Audience

"Welcome to the world of stand-up delivery . . ."

Most people who become trainers or presenters fall into the same trap. They are taught what to teach, but rarely how to teach it. For almost ten years, Robert Jolles’s How to Run Seminars and Workshops has shown thousands of people how to teach–how to stand up and deliver an effective training session in almost any setting.

In this long-awaited Second Edition, the former head of Xerox’s world-renowned "Train the Trainer" program shares his proven techniques for winning over your audience, holding their interest, and effectively conveying information. For the seasoned pro, it’s an invaluable tool for becoming a world-class seminar and workshop leader. For novices, it’s a step-by-step self-teaching guide that gives you the confidence and the techniques you need to go "under fire" in front of any group and thrive in the "pit"–the area between lectern and audience.

This book covers all the bases, including research and preparation, questioning techniques, pacing, visual aids, evaluation and support feedback, and more, such as:

• How to work with adult audiences (and why it’s different from teaching children)
• Secrets for getting trainees involved
• How to present your best self
• Hiring and developing staff
• Proven tricks of the trade you won’t find elsewhere
• New technologies–LCD projectors, laptops with PowerPoint, electronic white boards, documents cameras, 8mm video players, and distance learning

Mr. Jolles and his associates conduct training programs and motivational seminars internationally.

For more information, please:
Visit: www.jolles.com •
E-mail: seminars@jolles.com
Write: Jolles Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 930, Great Falls, Virginia22066
Call: 1-888-Jolles8 (565-5378) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A MUST READ FOR SALES TRAINERS
From Joe Catal, author of the book "Telesales Tips From The Trenches".
As a national sales trainer who teaches people how to sell by phone, this book is an incredible read. There's a huge difference in telling someone a sales technique and teaching that technique. The book covers every situataion you may encounter and answers it on a psychological and practical level. I consider myself a very good public speaker and my evaluations normally come back as excellent. After reading this book, I had to rate my seminar a C+. If you've been struggling with your training this book will be a Godsend for you. I'd like to personally thank the author for teaching me the right way to give a seminar. This is a must read, and I'd be shocked if you read this book and your seminar didn't improve 100%.

Excellent book that will help you become a better presenter
This book is excellent! It contains useful tools and techniques that will help you become a better speaker, presenter, teacher and coach. I was fortunate enough to take Rob Jolles' Train The Trainer course at Xerox and it was some of the best training I have ever received!

The BEST!!!
After receiving this book I read it straight through in 2 days. Absolutely the best information for any trainer. Robert does a tremendous job of detailing just about everything a trainer needs to know. I highly recommend this book. I also purchased 2 other books at the same time - I probably won't even read those now. Get it - you WILL enjoy it!

Best book for teachers EVER!
I highly recommend this book to ANYONE who teaches, especially anyone who teaches adults.

I wish I had read it before I was a Teaching Assitant (while a graduate student at a major university). TAs get very little help in learning to teach and yet do most of the teaching - EVERY TA should read this book.

It will feature prominently in my X-mas gifts!

You've read all the rest, now read the best.
This book changed my career. I was responsible for developing a course to teach our employees how to become better presenters. I did a ton of research, read many books, but this one was my single most used resource. The large majority of my company's training philosphies are now based on this one book. It's working for us incredibly well. I tried everything in the book that Mr. Jolles suggested. Most worked, very few didn't. Without this book I'm sure the course I developed wouldn't have been half as good as it was. We now have a staff trained using the methods Mr. Jolles suggested and with great and measured success. Thanks Robert! You have no idea what a huge impact you have had on my career and my company's profit margin! The only problem with the book is the title. You should really change it to something that describes what it's actually about. Just get rid of the "How to Run Seminars and Workshops:" part. ... Read more

Book Description

Bookkeepers' Boot Camp teaches you how to sort through your masses of information and paperwork, how to record what is important for your business, and how to use that information to grow your business for success!

It will give you a greater understanding of the purpose and process of record keeping and a deeper understanding of your business and how it works.

Topics discussed include:
Managing the paper flow
Understanding the balance sheet
Income statements and cash flow statements
Recording the sales cycle
Inventory control
Loans, bonuses, dividends, and company payments ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Essential Read!!
This book really helped me set up my books properly. I had really made a mess of them up until now. It also teaches me the lingo of accounting so I don't feel like such an idiot talking to my accountant! ... Read more

Book Description

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own home-based desktop publishing business? Have you been hesitant to put your plans into action? This comprehensive guide contains all the necessary tools and strategies you will need to successfully launch and grow your business.Author Louise Kursmark, a successful home-based desktop publisher, shares her experiences and down-to-earth advice to help you estimate your start-up costs, manage your cash flow, and stay profitable once you're in business. This updated edition contains all-new information on surfing the Internet to obtain valuable resources, marketing desktop services on the Net, and turning Web design into a profit center.Whether you want to earn your living creating newsletters and brochures, preparing resumes, or designing catalogs, with this guide at your side you can experience the satisfaction of building your own home-based desktop publishing business. (7 1/2 x 9 1/4, 240 pages, training resource list, sample vendor call scripts, start-up cost estimator, sample press release and newsletter, client information/agreement, sample brochure) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent so far!
I have only had time to read about 15 pages of this book, but so far it is fantastic! When I read more pages I will rate again, but like I said, this book is great. From what I have read so far, I would highly recommend this book. The author is very straightforward and her writing style is wonderful - easy to understand and down to earth.

Very effective resource
As a pro DTP & graphic artist, I didn't think there would be much more to learn to eliminate my employer and sell the services I did already directly to customers. In fact, thinking I was an expert of graphic design & all of the software made me mistakenly believe I was ready to pass out biz cards and start selling my services and wondered how this book could possibly be 200 pages for something so simple. I was quite wrong, however, and I'm so glad I read this book and got aware of how much more successful I could be by following the author's plan. There is a lot of lessons learned the hard way the author shared which would save anyone a lot of money and a lot of trouble, not to mention lost business. There is a lot of planning that needs to happen before one passes out there first bizcard and I would not have had a clue were it not for this book.

A Great Resource!
The author of this book has done an excellent job in providing the 'would-be desktop publisher' with lots of great information on how to get started in this business. The book is very clear and concise, with a sense of humor. It provides information step-by-step so it's very easy to follow.

An absolute "must-have" for anyone opening a DTP business.
As an experienced desktop publisher, yet a fledgling desktop publishing business owner, I found Kursmark's book to be absolutely indespensible to me. Who knows how to start doing business? What do you do first? What next? Kursmark outlines every step of the process with her folksy "been there" writing style. I have read and re-read the book so many times, the cover has gotten frayed. This book hops, skips and jumps over just about everything I have found in the library on the subject. She covers the DTP world from top to bottom without delving into the seemy technical world that would have turned many readers off. The genius of Kursmark's book is that it is based in sound business practices and could theoretically be applied to any business. Who needs Harvard Business School when we've got Kursmark? I have already recommended this book to several professional acquaintances, and I will continue to do so. If this book isn't next to your Pagemaker guide on your bookshelf, you might want to put a phone book there instead -- to call your unemployment office. ... Read more

Book Description

A Primer for Management, provides an introduction to the functions of management in a brief format and an appealing price. At approximately 300 pages, Primer is a straightforward text that allows you to provide additional enrichment through your own material or the many supplemental offerings from South-Western. Whether used in an Introductory course or recommended as a refresher to MBA's, A Primer for Management presents the essential concepts to understanding the functions of management in a clear and concise prose. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent resource for administrative office managers.
I found this book to be authoritative, credible, full of easy-to-read material that is up to date and that will enable any administrative office manager to become more proficient at his/her job. I've become so much more knowledgeable after reading it. ... Read more

Book Description

Turn Your Passion Into A Lucrative Vocation
Did you know that you can turn your creativity into a profitable business? Imagine making thousands of dollars a year from a hobby you love! Millions of people just like you are using their creative talents to make big money. With the help of this crafts business classic, so can you!
The nation's top expert on this topic, Barbara Brabec, gives you everything you need to know to launch a lucrative home-based business. Packed with dozens of moneymaking ideas and the success secrets of more than 100 professional crafters and industry experts, this guide shows you how to:
·Discover the hobby that will pay off for you
·Start your own home shop, boutique, or party planning business
·Sell your work through retail or wholesale outlets
·Develop and sell your original patterns and designs
·Write how-to articles for craft magazines
·Get started teaching at home or in local craft shops
·And much, much more!
"The liveliest, most down-to-earth, non-intimidating approach to making money from your crafts that I've ever seen." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A wealth of information!
Creative Cash by Barbara Brabec is THE book to have if you are considering turning your crafting hobby into a business and/or profession.

The book is written for a wide and general audience, with basics on the craft business industry, sales/marketing/promotion, legal info, even computer systems/information! The chapters are written in such a way that if you don't need to read one (let's say that a particular chapter might not pertain to your situation) you can skip it and move on without missing a beat! Brabec writes in an easily comprehensible form, in digestable segments, and gives lots of clear cut examples and success stories.

This book works as a great starting point and reference tool. Highly recommended for adults of all ages, for both genders and long-time or newbie crafters/artisans!

Marketing your crafts - even hostess party plans!
Hi - My name is Opal Leasure, The Apron Strings Country Home Party Lady. Barbara's book, Creative Cash is chock full of helpful hints and downhome advice on getting your crafts business going and growing. As one of the small business entrepreneurs mentioned in the book, I feel the author does an excellent job of showing others "how-to" sell, market and otherwise, expand, their home based business endeavors. Creative Cash outlines hundreds of ways to market crafts including party plan (hostess) selling, home shows and boutiques. It also reflects on how one thing can lead to another, in life, and your own small business. Many listed, myself included, went on to self publish their own how-to books. I was very happy to note in the book, that Barbara included a resource section listing the professional crafters mentioned in the book. This is a good way for readers to benefit from the talents, ideas and creativity of many people. I urge others to order Creative Cash - it helps readers realize how gifted they really are and gives them incentives to get started with their own home based business plans. With Barbara's easy to read text, the book is a plus for every crafter's reference library.

Crafters take Note....This one is a must read.
Barbara Brabec does it again in her usual easy to absorb style. A Crafter's diagram for success. In this very readable book you will find years of experience in various facets of crafting. Not only will you find the real-life experiences of others in the business, you'll learn what mistakes to avoid as well. Mrs. Brabec covers it all. Included is a section on "Crafters and Computer Technology" which can give some insight into how other crafters are incorporating computer technology into their businesses. This one is truly a gold mine of information.

Fascinating and chock-full of information
As usual, a Barbara Brabec book is immeasurably helpful, inspiring, and loaded with goodies. Her breezy style of writing makes connecting with the topic that much easier, and her step-by-step style of instruction fuels a true "I think I can!" response with the crafter. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to prepare readers for employment in today's office environment, the principles and techniques presented in this book provide readers with the essential skills they need to understand basic office procedures, enhance their professional value, and manage their jobs with greater confidence and less frustration. Readers become aware that each office worker is a communication link: in person, over the telephone, via computer, and in writing.The authors provide easy-to-read guidelines for successfully negotiating the working environment, processing information, working with the office team and preparing for your future.For office professionals. ... Read more

Book Description

Heraclitus lived 2,500 years ago, but his adages, including "You can’t step in the same river twice" and "Dogs bark at what they don’t understand," remain surprisingly relevant today. Expect the Unexpected or You Won’t Find It uses 30 of Heraclitus’s epigrams to unleash creativity. Treating each saying as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, author Roger von Oech supplies anecdotes, riddles, questions, and hidden jokes designed to topple old modes of thought and fire the imagination. Reversing expectations, turning change to advantage, creating powerful metaphors — these concepts derived from Heraclitus can help anyone searching for new approaches to problem solving. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

New Windows and Mirrors to Stimulate Your Mind
I have long been a fan of Roger von Oech's work on creativity (see A Whack on the Side of the Head and the Creative Whack Pack card deck). I found this book to be a pleasant and valuable addition to my resources for stimulating my thinking in new ways.

The book's core are 30 epigrams ("a terse, witty, and often paradoxical saying") of the 125 that have come down to us in the quotations of other authors from Heraclitus, as written 2500 years ago. Mr. von Oech has taken the traditional translation and updated it into more conceptual English in many cases, which makes the material more accessible. "All things happen according to the logos" (from Heraclitus by T. M. Robinson, University of Toronto Press, 1987) becomes "The cosmos speaks in patterns." Each epigram begins with an imaginative line drawing to give you an initial impression of the concept. Mr. von Oech goes on to provide some key subpoints in a brief essay, some examples of the concepts and subpoints in action, and occasionally gives you puzzles and brain teasers to play with (the answers are at the end of the book).

The longer the section, the better I liked it. So I left the book wishing it had been longer. That's my usual test of how helpful a book was to me. While many of these epigrams meant nothing to me on first reading them, Mr. von Oech's explanations soon made each an old and valuable friend.

Mr. von Oech suggests three ways to use the book. First, you can read it from start to finish as a creativity workbook. Second, you can take one epigram a day and make it the focus of a meditation for that day. You can repeat the list at the end of 30 days ("You can't step into the same river twice" so you should get new insights each time). Third, you can use the book as an oracle. When you have a question, randomly pick an epigram (there's a random number table in the book to help you do this) and apply it to the problem. I would like to suggest a fourth application, as well. You could use the epigrams to stimulate group creativity in problem-solving situations involving others.

Space does not permit (nor would fairness allow) publishing all the epigrams here, but let me share the ones that had the most impact on me.

"That which opposes produces a benefit."

"A wonderful harmony is created when you join together the seemingly unconnected."

"I searched into myself."

"Many fail to grasp what's right in the palm of the hand."

"Things love to conceal their true nature."

"Those who approach life like a child playing a game, moving and pushing pieces, possess the power of kings."

"Sea water is both pure and polluted: for fish it's drinkable and life-giving; for humans undrinkable and destructive."

"It is disease that makes health pleasant, hunger that makes fullness good, and weariness that makes rest sweet."

"The way up and the way down are one and the same."

"A thing rests by changing."

"Donkeys prefer garbage to gold."

"Every walking animal is driven to its purpose with a whack."

"Your character is your destiny."

"The Sun is new each day."

The summary combines all thirty epigrams into a brief essay. I encourage you to take one of the epigrams above and apply it today. If it helps you, go on to use another one tomorrow. If that is working, order this book and keep using other epigrams daily until the book arrives. Then, see how Mr. von Oech's thoughtful ideas about the epigrams expand your thinking even further!

Be prepared to find diamonds in your coal mine!

Stoking the creative juices within...
A number of years ago, I read Roger von Oech's A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD. It was fairly early in my career, when the mold is still unformed but the message was poignant. Recently, when I ran across EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED and saw von Oech was the author, I decided to pick it up and renew myself to von Oech's teachings. What a breath of fresh air he offers with EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

von Oech draws heavily upon the ancient wisdom of Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher. Heraclitus, like Parmenides, postulated a model of nature and the universe which created the foundation for all other speculation on physics and metaphysics. The ideas that the universe is in constant change and there is an underlying order or reason to this change-the Logos-form the essential foundation of the primary Heraclitean view. Everytime one walks into a science, economics, or political science course, at most any level, significantly all the teachings originate with Heraclitus's speculations on change and the Logos.
Despite this and the fact the ancient Greeks considered Heraclitus one of their principal philosophers, precious little remains of his writings. The passages remaining are tremendously obtuse, not because they are quoted out of context, but because Heraclitus deliberately cultivated an obscure writing style (one that makes one THINK!). However, thanks to von Oech's passion for all that is Heraclitus and his teachings, we are presented with many the ancient 'riddles' and a modern day correlation and translation of each. von Oech recalls being struck with "the Heraclitean bug" while studying in Germany many years ago. Now, he has written a book in which he brilliantly and entertainingly examines concepts such as symbol, paradox, and ambiguity in relation to creative thought.

At the beginning of EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, von Oech provides the reader with 30 creative insights to consider and explore our creative psyches. von Oech goes through each of the thirty selected epigrams, provides his interpretation along with examples, parables, and questions-the kind that make you go "Hmmm"- all the while stoking the creative being within. von Oech does not attempt to inform the reader that his interpretation is the correct one; to the contrary, he implores the reader to step outside the boundries of conventional thought to find the "correct" answer.

As he was in A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, von Oech is immensely entertaining. He is an individual who has spent his career assisting others to think creatively. As a byproduct of this career, von Oech has proven himself to be a prodigous creative thinker in his own right. Those in the 'concrete' professions-attorneys, consultants, accountants-will find this book extremely insightful. Thinking in the abstract is incongruent with the 'concrete' professions (I know, I'm one of them). As such, having the fodder to stoke the creative juices, particularly when problem-solving, is a boon to any professional.

At it's small physical size and only 190-odd pages, this book is perfect to keep handy at your desk or any place one engages in thought. I plan to keep it nearby just to refer to when a problem presents itself in an ostensibly unsolvable manner.

Highly recommended.

Philosophy as if it Matters
I was first tempted to give this book only one star for disparaging the notion of "pure philosophy." But then I began to question what the purpose of philosophy was. Who has done philosophy more of a disservice, Von Oech, who sees the creative potential in Heraclitus and passes it on to willing readers, or the academics, who have purified and rarefied philosophy into something quite unrecognizable to the ancient Greeks? That was the easiest question I've had to answer in quite a while. Von Oech gets what the pointy-headed pettifoggers of academe do not: philosophy is only effective as it relates to the world. It is not a mere matter of linguistics nor an interpretation by each textual reader, but rather a force guiding humans towards creativity through its answers to our everyday questions. There was a time in the past when philosophers wrote for the educated public. Nowadays, philosophers write for other philosophers, substituting rhetoric and wordplay for creativity. The loser is our culture, which depends upon philosophy as a lynchpin.

Von Oech's fascination with Heraclitus goes back to 1971 while studying in Germany. Picking up a book of Heraclitus' epigrams, Von Oech became instantly hooked when he read "the way up and the way down are one and the same." He writes that this caused him to spend the next several weeks trying to figure out its meaning. Since then, he says, he's wanted to put out a "creativity tool" based on the works of Heraclitus.

And what a creativity tool he has created. His grasp of Heraclitus is firm and, moreover, he is able to apply each epigram he examines to the problems of thinking and creativity in the workplace. The reader will also notice a warmth coming through: a deep love of the subject and philosophy in general, something we do not always get from our academics, as anyone who had to sit through Philosophy 101 with a boring pedant will tell you. And Von Oech will succeed in doing what our friends in the ivory tower have failed to do, and that is to instill a love of wisdom in the heads of his students. For that, Roger von Oech, I salute you.

Expand Your Mind
"Expect the Unexpected or You Won't Find It" is a collection of thirty of Heraclitus' epigrams along with an examination of some of their different facets. Heraclitus was a Greek scholar who answered many of life's questions with comments that were purposely designed to be obscure. This forced the recipient to think creatively to find their answer. Many of them contain internal paradoxes and so part of the creative process is figuring out the paradox and how it applies to your situation.

As Roger von Oech goes through each of the thirty selected epigrams he includes some of the ways that they can be interpreted, ways that they have been interpreted in the past, anecdotes, jokes, and riddles that illustrate the epigram and other ways of illuminating just how deep these pieces of wisdom are. Does he give a complete explanation of how they can be interpreted? No, because that is part of the design of these epigrams, they can be applied to different circumstances and product different but still correct answers. His illustrations are there to open your mind to the creative possibilities that lie hidden within just a few wise words.

Some of these I have heard in the past such as "You can't step into the same river twice". Others are less common but just as full of wisdom such as "On a circle, an end point can also be a beginning point". If you want a book that expands your creative mind and also shows you how to break out of old patterns of thinking in any situation, then this is the book for you. Well written and sure to point the reader to new directions of thinking, it is a highly recommended read.

Bravo
I'm the author of "Thinkertoys (A Handbook of Business Creativity) and Cracking Creativity (Secrets of Creative Genius) snd have long admired Roger's work in the field of creativity. Once again he's delivered an excellent book. Bravo Roger!!!!!!! ... Read more