Reviews (1)

Much better than a crysatl ball!
Here's a no-nonsense book that will blow away the clouds that block your vision of your company's future. It opens with an explanation of forecasting and planning, then explores a variety of methods. And last, the meat of the book, 100 pages on forecasting everything from sales to (ouch!) bankruptcy. This book is for the person wanting dependable results and willing to work to get them ... Read more

Book Description

Strategic Insights will help you answer the toughest question a business leader can be asked: "Why should someone choose to buy products or services from your company versus the competition?" The powerful information included will help you:

* Gain from the insight of other business leaders * See, understand, and evaluate your strategic choices * Develop viable and compelling business strategies * Clarify the role of strategic decision-making in transforming your business
* Maximize your resources by making day-to-day decisions consistent with your vision
... Read more

Reviews (1)

A worthwhile resource for your Strategic Planning Library.
A very, well-written resource book on strategic thinking and decision making in the field of business development.

For business owners, it makes fine distinctions between "business ownership" and "business leadership," "strategic decisions" and "operational decisions," and "driving forces" and "strategic choices."

In a nut shell, it is actually a business planning guide, but without all the usual jargon and mundane theories.

I like the book's crisp and easy writing style as it provides broad perspectives and useful solutions to turn your preferred vision into your anticipated reality. The book is jam-packed with 8 worksheets, containing thought-provoking questions to set your mind into strategic thinking mode. I have always enjoyed reading books, where questions are interspersed in the pages by the authors. Henceforth, reading automatically becomes a very interactive exercise.

Personally, I also feel that the entire essence of book is vis!ually captured in the strategic decision-making flowchart across Page 23 of the book, which is printed in large format. This will make your reading rather light and easy to follow.

My only sore-point about this book is that it lacks an annotated bibliography at the end pages.

Nevertheless, I would strongly recommend readers to get hold of a copy of the authors' workbook, Chart Your Own Course, which is an excellent companion to this book - for real-life, hands-on guided utilisation of the strategies. It is available from the authors' website mentioned in the book.

Winding up, this is a really worthwhile resource book to be included in your Strategic Planning Library. ... Read more

Book Description

America's most watched and controversial talk show host takes you into the circus that is his life. A behind-the-scenes, uninhibited look at the craziest show on Earth. Who isn't watching "Jerry Springer"?The fastest rising show in the history of television (the first in ten years to overtake "Oprah" in the ratings), the fights, the fans and the flying chairs have become part of the cultural language of America. Controversial for its violence, voyeurism and vulgarity, it is these very elements that boost its continued success. There is no better moment for this book -- an uninhibited, uncensored, never-before-revealed look at what goes on behind the scenes at the circus maximus by the ringmaster himself.He will share stories from some of his favorite shows and most memorable guests, as well as the worst. The man who has sold one million copies of his "Too Hot For TV" video through direct response only, the man whose movie based on the show is due out for Christmas, for the very first time dares to remove the bleeps and bars that hide away the real action. Hilarious, outrageous, and entertaining, this unforgettable insider's look at the craziest show on Earth and its key players is bound for bestsellerdom. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

This was a pretty bad movie.
This movie was horrible! I'm a fan of the "Jerry Springer Show", but I still thought that this movie was pretty bad. It centers around a mother and daughter who are sleeping with the same man, who just happens to be the mother's husband. They all decide to go on Jerry's show, entitled "I'm Sleeping with My Stepdaddy", along with the daughter's boyfriend, whom the mother has been fooling around with. Some of the other characters in the movie are a man, who has been cheating on his girlfriend, who goes on the show for another episode, entitled "I'm Cheating on My Girlfriend", with his girlfriend and the women he has been cheating with. The day before the episode airs, about the daughter from the other story, he meets the daughter, and this is where I'm going to stop summarizing. All I have to say is is that this movie was pretty foul and stupid. Stick to the regular show...it's much better.

A Whole Lot about Jerry You Probably Didn't Know
When I bought this book, it was purely because of the price and for an entertainment factor. When I got the book, I almost immediately started reading it. I found his childhood very fascinating.

One of the parts that seemed to bore me a bit was his conversation with God. But after that, the book really seems to pick up.

I knew some of the things about Springer, like the check at the 'massage parlor', but I didn't know many of the details behind it. Perhaps this was a way for Jerry to set the record straight, and to purge his soul.

In interviews, he rarely mentions his ex-wife, Mickey, or daughter, Katie. This book has only a chapter about his family, with 2 or 3 pictures. It was a side of Jerry that only the people of Cincinnati saw.

I think that this would be a good book for anyone who judges Jerry and the Jerry Springer Show to read because it really expresses the theme that you are all human.

Wild!
everything thing was great. The fights, the arguements, the show in itself was amazing to watch. Great movie for Jerry Springer fans.

Ashley Holbrook and Michael Jai White
See this movie for Ashley Holbrook who plays "Willie". He is so hot, just look at him in the scene with Angel's mom and what she does for him. Also, look for Michael Jai White who plays "Demond" he has a great body including: muscles, abs, tight rear end, and great face.

It is what it is....
I saw this with a group of friends at a "Girl's Nite In" party and we all knew what to expect...and that's what we got. It was trashy, the plot was thin, and very predictable...just what we needed after a day defending clients in court, running a school district, and 10 hours sewing folks up in the OR!!!

It is really unnecessary to be overly critical of a film that spoofs Jerry Springer...come on now!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Thinking of starting a business or raising money to expand an existing one? This popular book will show you how to write the business plan and loan package necessary to finance your business and make it work.

With How to Write a Business Plan you'll learn how to:
*evaluate the profitability of your business idea
*estimate operating expenses
*prepare cash flow
*create profit and loss forecasts
*determine assets, liabilities and net worth
*find potential sources of financing (up-to-date sources provided)
*think first before borrowing from friends and relatives
*present your plan to lenders and investors

The 6th edition is completely updated for 2003, providing all-new resources (both online and off), information on the latest changes to FMHA loans, plus the effect of new banking regulations on loans. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

THE Business Plan 101 Primer!!!
If you are a biz start-up novice and aren't sure what you need to do to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper in a logical, well-organized manner...you need this book. If you have a business plan to write and think you might get hung up on the finance section...you need this book. If you have an idea for a business and don't know what to do next...get this book.

While this book may not be for the MBA grad, it is for the entrepreneur who is breaking on the scene with a dream that they have to make happen. How to Write a Business Plan must have used as it's mantra, "baby steps, baby steps in the right direction." Take a project that can be overwhelming and use this book to go through the process in manageable steps.

Napoleon Hill said it and so did Robert Kiyosaki...every successful business starts with an idea. Are you ready...why just sit there thinking about your great idea...why not go ahead and make it happen?!?

Deceiving Title, Probably Great for the Right Person
I was disappointed with this book because I had thought it would be broader and relate to all kinds of businesses. But this book is very specific to the entrepreneur starting up his or her own business, only. Its examples are mostly of home-based businesses or small sole proprietorships. The writing is sometimes condescending and assumes you know nothing whatsoever about finances and investments (which may be good for some readers). It includes several chapters of additional information for start-up companies which take up a significant portion of the book and have little or nothing at all to do with writing a business plan. I feel like this book is mistitled and would be better named, "Mike's Guide to Founding and Funding your Own Business."

Very necessary for the Hip Hop Entrepreneur
This book is one that we at nichemarket recommend highly in our Booklist for any Hip Hop Entrepreneur serious about a career in the music industry or any business venture! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

From shameless to daring, smart to dowdy, hideous to amusing
Ms. Brannon is a professor, and this is a textbook. A supurb textbook that unravels, analizes, graphs, charts, and narrates the dynamics of consumer choice in light, effortless prose. It is an epic study that brings aboard the great cast of characters who have devoted their lives to staying a jump ahead of us. (The bibliography is 16 pages long!) Whom do they watch? How does a forecaster know when an innovation has good "legs"? Is it in tune with the times, or a counter current? All this and more is told as Ms. Brannon peels the onion that is fashion.
Did you ever wonder how Tommy Hilfiger connected with his market? The story is here.
For me, this was a great read, like say, "The New Yorker." And I am not even in the biz. ... Read more

Book Description

Historically, the theory of forecasting that underpinned actual practice in economics has been based on two key assumptions?-that the model was a good representation of the economy and that the structure of the economy would remain relatively unchanged. In reality, forecast models are mis-specified, the economy is subject to unanticipated shifts, and the failure to make accurate predictions is relatively common.

In the last decade, economists have developed new theories of economic forecasting and additional methods of forecast evaluation that make less stringent assumptions. These theories and methods acknowledge that the economy is dynamic and prone to sudden shifts. They also recognize that forecasting models, however good, are greatly simplified representations that will be incorrect in some respects. One advantage of these newer approaches is that we can now account for the different results of competing forecasts.

In this book academic specialists, practitioners, and a financial journalist explain these new developments in economic forecasting. The authors discuss how forecasting is conducted, evaluated, reported, and applied by academic, private, and governmental bodies, as well as how forecasting might be taught and what costs are induced by forecast errors. They also describe how econometric models for forecasting are constructed, how properties of forecasting methods can be analyzed, and what the future of economic forecasting may bring. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive text is a must for all those teaching corporate strategy and strategic management courses at undergraduate, diploma and MBA level. Incorporating more case examples within the main text than any competing book, John Thompson?s lively and accessible approach encourages students to learn for themselves through the successes and failures of real companies. In addition, the unrivalled subject coverage enables readers to discover topics of contemporary interest such as opportunity-driven and resource-based approaches, competitive analysis, emergent strategy, entrepreneurship, corporate style and crisis management. ... Read more

Book Description

Focusing on the principal methods for analysis and forecasting, the text is designed to fit two types of course design, the traditional approach for a technical course, or the approach frequently used in business courses. Examples, exercises, problems, and small and large cases are provided to fit into either or both approaches. An instructor's manual is available which includes solutions, author's notes of each case and possible alternatives, and the programs used by the author. ... Read more

Book Description

This two-volume set brings together some of the most significant previously published articles by leading scholars in the field. The volumes investigate various aspects of financial forecasting including the forecasting of earnings, bankruptcy, stock prices, interest rates, exchange rates and risk. The articles within each section offer an overview of both statistical models and technical analysis in the subject area.

The editors have written an authoritative new introduction to complement their selection. ... Read more

Book Description

The astonishing true story of America's first and greatest "War on Crime."

In Public Enemies, Bryan Burrough strips away a thick layer of myths put out by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI to tell the full story of the most spectacular crime wave in American history, the two-year battle between the young Hoover and an assortment of criminals who became national icons: John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and the Barkers.

In 1933, police jurisdictions ended at state lines, the FBI was in its infancy, and fast cars and machine guns were easily available. It was a great time to be a bank robber. On hand were a motley crew of criminal masterminds, sociopaths, romantics, and cretins.

Bryan Burrough has unearthed an extraordinary amount of new material on all the major figures involved -- revealing many fascinating interconnections in the vast underworld ecosystem that stretched from Texas up to Minnesota.

But the real-life connections were insignificant next to the sense of connectedness J. Edgar Hoover worked to create in the mind of the American public-using the "Great Crime Wave" to gain the position of untouchable power he would occupy for almost half a century. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Burrough misses the mark
Bryan Burrough's Public Enemies is just another thinly veiled effort-fashionable these days, to diminish the FBI, but now at the expense of the reputation of one of its icons, Melvin Purvis.

Burrough apparently read Purvis's autobiography, American Agent and at times paraphrases it almost to the point of plagiarism, but then twists the scenarios to fit his purpose. Burrough even adds dialogue and emotion to some of the characters where it would be impossible for him to know what they said or thought. But it makes a nice story.

Burrough nearly gushes over the bad guys, referring to the murderous John Dillinger as the "Muhamad Ali of the Depression-era." Hardly an intelligent or realistic comparison; in a very real sense these gangsters, even given the tenor of the times, were the equivalent of today's domestic terrorists. Dillinger should be more likened to Timothy McVeigh.

When Little Bohemia-type police incidents happen today they are replayed countless times on every network and popular police video programs. News helicopters circle repeatedly overhead capturing the gun play as black uniformed SWAT teams cordon off the area, set up road blocks and move in for the final confrontation. That's the standard Burrough holds Purvis and his men to in 1934, forgetting that even the very first SWAT team was over three decades in the future-L.A. in the late sixties. Federal law enforcement and police tactics in general had a long road ahead, yet Burroughs all but ignores that America was barely out of the Old West and the Jesse James era and minimizes what Purvis and his men faced; almost nonexistent communications, poor vehicles, poorer roads, limited manpower and dreadfully thin intelligence. Yet they had to bravely and quickly respond; and they did.

Burrough's reporting even totally distorts the demise of Dillinger: Purvis was in the alley with Dillinger as he was shot three times, and true to his own strong character had instructed his men that none of the agent's involved would claim credit for getting Dillinger. Purvis did not like sensationalizing death-he wanted to see criminals in prison. Burrough also ignores the countless other bank robbers and kidnappers-a list much too long to include here, who were brought to justice as a direct result of Purvis's bravery and leadership, not the least of which was another most wanted killer, Pretty-boy Floyd. Purvis was the quintessential G-Man.

A pro criminal book
This book is disappointing. It takes an anti FBI, pro criminal stance. The author appears to hold criminals in a higher esteem than the Law Enforcement agents who risked their lives to protect our citizens. Burrough could have done much better.

The Real Story of '30s Gangsters-Not the Hollywood Version
Brian Burrough has taken alot of time to set the record straight about several major criminal gangs in the 1930s. John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, "Baby Face Nelson" and other criminals traveled primarily through the central U.S., robbing and murdering along the way. Local police deparmtents were either powerless to stop them or were so corrupt they wouldn't do anything. Into this situation stepped the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Investigation. (It was named the Federal Bureau of Investigation -- the F.B.I.-- later.) It's agents were not the highly-trained agents we see today. J. Edgar Hoover and his agents had to learn along the way; they get the job done, but mistakes are made as the criminals are rounded up. Be prepared to see the criminals in a new light: Bonnie and Clyde, for example, are nothing like the 1960s movie. The real Bonnie & Clyde were nothing but sociopaths who murdered at the drop of a hat.

If you have liked Burrough's other efforts (Barbarians at the Gate, Vendetta, and Dragonfly) you will enjoy Public Enemies. If you haven't read any of his previous works, get this book and you will be happy to have read it! ... Read more

Book Description

Theodore B. Kinni Editor of The Business Reader Review, a free electronic newsletter of capsule reviews of new business books. Al Ries Voted one of the top 100 most influential public relations people in the 20th century by PR Week. Savvy business people and investors around the world are asking, what do we have to do today to prosper tomorrow, next month, next year? That’s the question that started Al Ries and Theodore Kinni working on Future Focus, the book that answers the question: what will it take to succeed in business in the next century and new millennium? They found the answers among twenty-one focused, innovative, and protean companies. Future Focus explores each of these 21 companies in turn. Each company is introduced by a quote from one of its leaders, an Executive Snapshot that offers a fast insight into the strategic vision of the company. What can you learn from Future Focus? There are many practical business lessons in the book. They revolve around four major themes: 21st century success is focused. Almost all of the Future Focus 21 have flirted with diversification. Almost all have lost money on the outside ventures and are extremely focused as of today. Those that continue to operate outside their core businesses are usually in related businesses and are building a vertically integrated operation. The lesson: Get and stay focused. 21st century success is innovative. The Future Focus 21 are innovators. They are busy searching out original products and services or they are busy introducing existing products and services in markets that have never seen them before. Either way, they are innovators in the marketplace. The lesson: Be Innovative. 21st century success is global. With a single exception, each company in the Future Focus 21 is a global business and is trying to get more global. A well-focused company replaces the urge to diversify its businesses with the drive to diversify its markets. The lesson: Go global. 21st century success has speed bumps. There isn’t a single, sustained upward ride in any of the Future Focus histories. Sooner or later, a competitor beats you to the next best thing or the bottom drops out of your customer’s market or the whole economy heads south for a breather. The lesson: Be prepared for hard times. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What is the point?
Ries did not write this book! What's the point of leaving a review for a book you did not read?

Don't let your competitors get a hold of this book
Ries does it again. His no-nonsens approach to marketing rises above the rest in "Future Focus." Ries gets back to the basics of marketing showing how through simple ideas, you can dominate your market. He shows what companies have done to become world class leaders and points out what they usually do that makes them loose their position. This book is a must read for every business owner and executive on the decision making level. Just keep it out of your competitors hands. ... Read more

Book Description

K.T. Winther presents a new and simple approach for evaluating the overall impact of strategic decisions on company profits. This book is written in a straight forward manner with business practitioners, scholars and students in mind. ... Read more

Book Description

1928. This book discusses business barometers used in the management of business and investment of money. It is a textbook on applied economics for merchants, bankers and investors. Neither this book nor any other can aid a banker, merchant or investor to become rich within a short time. Nobody knows or can know what conditions or prices are to exist within a few weeks or even months, and 95% of the men who endeavor to take advantage of these monthly movements never make much headway. These major movements can be foretold if one will spend the necessary time and money in studying fundamental conditions. Therefore, a fortune is within the grasp of every reader of this book who has and uses the necessary figures. Illustrated with many charts. ... Read more

Book Description

Medidas 15.1x21.7x1.4cm;Ttulo original New rules for the New Economy. Traduccin:Ana Garca Bertn. ... Read more

Book Description

As businesses grow and evolve, the plan that guides them needs to keep pace with the changing company. Too often, a business plan languishes on a shelf, unrevised, to be trotted out and tarted up when money is being sought. This book focuses on existing small businesses and looks specifically at the ethics of organization that guide their development. Entrepreneurs or small business owners will find the following four tools very helpful: a three-dimensional matrix that clarifies which sections of the business plan should be emphasized at the three main stages of the business life cycle development in various industries; examples of "live" business plans in these industries, developed and used by small business owners today; commentaries on these plans by functional specialists and industry experts who evaluate the plans in the context of the business; an extensive set of resources and references, electronic, hard copy, and human, to assist the small business owner in business plan development. ... Read more