Book Description

In Hardball for Women, Pat Heim shows women how to break patterns of behavior thathave put them at a disadvantage in the business world of men.Whether the arena is a law firm,a medical group, a corporation, or any other work environment, Hardball for Womendecodes the male business culture and gives readers strategies on how to use its rules to getahead—and stay ahead. Readers will learn to:

• Be assertive without being obnoxious
• Display confidence
• Engage in smart self-promotion
• Lead both men and women—and recognize the differences between them
• Use "power talk" language to your advantage ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Learn to play hardball--woman style
This review is a collaborative writing project completed by a ENGL/227 class at DeVry University in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This book teaches you how to be a team player as well as a leader. Playing hardball doesn't mean being ruthless or heartless. Highlights include using nonverbal cues to your advantage, using "power talk" to come across as confident, and making the most out of criticism. The only thing we would change is the book's cover design.It is very outdated. All in all we would recommend this book to all professionals, men and women. :)

Good guidance for Women
Working in a male-dominated company in a male-dominated field (sales) I had noticed some of the behaviors mentioned in this book. However, "Hardball" gave me insight into WHY I saw these behaviors and how to deal with them. The book is getting a little dated (the power suit/skirt is out, the power suit with slacks is the choice of women executives these days) but still very good information. You must keep in mind that not ALL men think this way - as with all generalizations you have to keep flexible and adapt to the situation. A must read for any woman who is mystified by the behaviors she sees around her and wants to move up in the corporate world.

Absolutely excellent
As a woman who's worked in a "man's field" for 20+ years, I really thought I knew how to play hardball. Boy was I wrong. This book by Pat Heim and Susan Golant really showed me where I was making sometimes fatal errors and how to fix them fast. The result has been more respect at work from my male peers and enough confidence to ask for -- and receive -- a substantial raise. This is a must-have book. I just wish that I had found it many years ago.

I Needed This Book Years Ago
Excellent!!One of my MBA instructors recommended this book to me.Pat Heim made me aware that I hedged, tagged, and smiled way too much.I no longer do those things.Great book!!I highly recommend it for everyone!!

One of the better self help books out there
I am not a big fan of self-help books, but bought this at a friends recommendation and found it very helpful despite my lack of enthusiasm typically for "pop psychology/sociology". I have often found myself confused as to why I was doing what I thought I was supposed to do in order to be successful: working hard, being what I thought was a good "team player" and serving my organization, and yet I kept finding myself being attacked, hurt, and even demoted.This book explains the "rules" and gives insight into how to play the game that exists in todays American workplace.I'll know that women have really made headway in the workplace when there are self help books out there teaching men how to "play the game" in a woman's cultural world too, but till then, women in the workplace need books like this. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great book!
this book is very good because it help me a lot in my studies. and also give me knowledge that i really want. ... Read more

Book Description

Dr. Sam Savage, who's recognized as a leading innovator in management science education, provides the most hands-on , practical introduction to methods of decision making.This book and accompanying suite of Excel add-ins for quantitative analysis covers Monte Carlo simulation, decision trees, queuing simulations, optimization, Markov chains, and forecasting. The Insight add-ins have been developed over several years by the author. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Outstanding Bang for the Buck!
I wish we had this book at Wharton. This is an excellent book on Monte Carlo modeling and optimization, among other things. You just can't beat the value of the book + software, and I personally like XLSim better than Crystal Ball because it gives you the EXACT SAME result, but in a much faster time frame and with far less complicated programming. Dr. Savage teaches you while you do the examples in the book. It is truly a great way to learn a complex, but very rewarding subject. You'll never do an IRR or NPV proforma analysis in the same way again.

Very practical! Inspiring! A turning point!
Dr. Savage, a second generation statistician and consulting professor at Stanford University, provides a practical and hands-on introduction to analytical decision making. The book is jam-packed with extremely sound theory presented in an easy to read format. The methods presented use the familiar language of Microsoft Excel to crack complicated problems with relative ease! This book & accompanying software helped me better understand 6-years of advanced engineering and business training. If we had computers 2000-years ago, the entire sciences of calculus and statistics may never have evolved -- theory becomes far less important in a world of modeling and simulation! Highly recommended as an excellent resource for researchers, practioners, and educators alike. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An indispensible and seminal text!!
Kolb's "Experiential Learning" is a masterpiece. In it, he deftly synthesizes the strands of learning theory and psychological research that inform his 4 stage learning cycle. All committed "experiential educators" should consult this book in order more deeply to understand the deep and rich conceptual foundation(s) of our potent pedagogical practice. In his "Foreword" to the volume, Leadership guru Warren Bennis positively hyperventilates in applauding Kolb's achievement in this work. And for good reason! From thence comes Kolb's elegant & powerful "Learning Styles Inventory" (or LSI), among other things. Even if you're a cynic or skeptic re: the merit of experiential education, you would do well to peruse this tour-de-force in order better to appreciate what you may be missing.

Please pass the molasses
When one encounters the word " dialectic" while reading academic texts it should be as a clear signal as a fire to forest ranger that trouble is on the horizon. This statement may be a bit of an exaggeration but it would definitely be accurate to say that Kolb's Experiential Learning is no easy read. Of course, this does not diminish the value of the book, in spite of difficult passages. Ironically, this is the essence of the concept of "dialectic". Liberal doses of psychology are ladled throughout the book as the masters (Piaget, Jung, et. al) are consistently consulted to back up theory. Although not professing to have knowledge about psychology, it is clear that their work is essential to establish the interrelationship between cognition and experiential learning. Theory of learning and the opposing learning styles of apprehension and comprehension are explored. This book is clearly the cure for a stubborn case of insomnia. I can't say that the book is without merit, however, because it held some great information that will be useful now and in future applications when I have the chance to practice my current endeavors. Some passages even caused a sense of anticipation for the succeeding ones because there was a considerable amount of interesting information that I had not yet pondered. I would compare this book to putting molasses on pancakes on a winter day. It is thick and doesn't go down easily but great once you warm up to it ... Read more

Book Description

Assessment Clear and Simple is "Assessment 101" in a book--a concise and step-by-step guide written for everyone who participates in the assessment process. This practical book helps to make assessment simple, cost-efficient, and useful to the institution, while at the same time meeting the requirements of accreditation agencies, legislatures, review boards, and others. Assessment Clear and Simple explores a variety of topics and shows how to:

• Build on assessment already in place
• Use classroom work and grading process
• Get faculty and department on board
• Assess hard to define goals such as moral and civic development
• Development workable learning goals
• Tailor assessment to its purposes
• Select sensible assessment measures
• Make criteria explicit
• Use assessment to improve learning
• Establish effective oversight without an assessment bureaucracy
• Write an assessment report
• Interpret the institution's culture to external audiences

Book Description

Education in a Global Society is designed for dealing with education practices, trends, and debates around the world. Its objective is to develop a global perspective on their profession. This book combines a significant number of case studies with a consistent structural format that results in the ability to draw thematic comparisons between the case studies. There are enough themes and issues presented, and enough specific case studies to allow instructors to focus the entirety of the course seminars on one text alone. For anyone interested in world issues, problems in education, and international education. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Author's Comment
This book summarizes current, practical knowledge about what it means to be an effective leader. Leadership implies three major thrusts: strategic thinking (leadership for what?), relationship building (leading whom?) and designing an action context (organizational design issues) all discussed in the text. Further, the book asserts that leaders who target Level Three (core values, assumptions, beliefs, and expectations or VABEs) can be more effective and powerful than those who, traditionally, target Level One (focus on behavior) and Level Two (conscious thinking). The book also introduces the notion of INFOCRACIES, or organizations that are increasingly being redesigned by the information systems within them and presents a framework for thinking about developing deeper influence. As the author, clearly I'm biased, AND I've found that this approach has worked very well with many clients and executive education programs. The book was intended as a dense summary for executive education audiences in short, week long seminars. If you have suggestions, I'm eager to hear. ... Read more

Book Description

The Lean Pocket Guide is designed for use as a convenient, quick reference as you learn and implement lean manufacturing tools and techniques. It provides valuable insight into the nuances of lean from a team of lean sensi's throughout the world.

You can put your finger on any entry or lean concept, term, tool, or technique within a matter of seconds! With the simply, clear illustrations, this is definitely meant for use on the shop floor.

Also, included is this Pocket Guide is a ready-to-submit Suggestion Form to get those ideas into action, NOW! ... Read more

Book Description

The text uses a thematic approach to managing the risks of trade in goods and services, the protection and licensing of intellectual property, and foreign direct investment. The authors examine both private and public law issues from both an international and comparative perspective. This edition focuses on the transactional aspects of international business as well as on the legal, cultural, political and economic environment affecting managerial decision making on a global scale. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It is an excellent book for international lawyers
This book contains a concise explanation of every day problems regarding foreign transactions, together with an explanation of the Common law system specially in United States, this book concentrates pertinent cases for each of the subjects explained in it. ... Read more

Book Description

The latest edition to the Ed Schein's well-loved set of process consultation books, this new volume builds on the content of the two that precede it and explores the critical area of the helping relationship.Process Consultation Revisited focuses on the interaction between consultant and client, explaining how to achieve the healthy helping relationship so essential to effective consultation.Whether the advisor is an OD consultant, therapist, social worker, manager, parent or friend, the dynamics between advisor and advisee can be difficult to understand and manage.Drawing on over 40 years of experience as a consultant, Schein creates a general theory and methodology of helping that will enable a diverse group of readers to navigate the helping process successfully. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A "Must Read" for Managers & Consultants!
This is the best book on "helping" I have ever read. I use it constantly in my work as an organizational change consultant.

I highly recommend Edgar Schein's work to every manager and consultant I meet. Schein's work is amazingly insightful.

Buy this one today!

Dr. Michael Beitler
Author of "Strategic Organizational Change" ... Read more

Book Description

This imporant book provides the model for ethics-based, client-first servicein the real estate industry.It shows you how to stay in step with technology and incorporate the Internet with the personal touch clients expect.You'll also learn a variety of strategies in deal-making, home staging, reverse farming, referral streams, and future income streams that will make you a more productive and more successful agent. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

great book
This is a great book especially for the new agent. It tells all about every single step you are going to take during a real estate transaction and gives great tips on prospecting and other helpful information a new agent might want to know. I have read several others books and this one is by far the best. Most of the other books have been about "scripts" and salesmen approaches to closing the deal. I totally disagree with the old approach. There is nothing wrong with being honest in a real estate transaction, after all it's your own business.

Positive and Informative
This book has loads of useful information and advice both for people considering a career as a real estate agent and for those already in the business. The author is extremely positive in her style throughout the book, and makes the reader believe he/she can't help but succeed with the right approach, hard work, and perserverence. I recommend this book to anyone thinking of becoming or already a real estate agent.

Buy this book if you're considering a career in real estate!
This book is fun, helpful and informative to anyone interested in starting a real estate career. It contains a ton of helpful information and is written in an intelligent manner, with tips and hints along the way. I'm studying for my real estate license and although I'm learning a lot from an accredited company, it's nice to have a book that discusses the aspects of real estate in a lighter, easy-to-read tone.

Not Realistic
The author has a utopian view of the world of real estate that is far from reality. She acts as if one does everything in her book clients will come flocking to one's door. If it were this easy, everyone would be a real estate agent. As proof, I visited the author's website, and she has only one house listed for sale.

This book gives the new agent tools to move with confidence
I bought this book immediately after passing the real estate exam. While I was reading it I became engrossed in it. Marilyn Sullivan inspires the spirit of professionalism, integrity and Ethics for the Real Estate Agent. This book is loaded with excellent principals, suggestions, advice and must do's. This book really should be a must read for every Real Estate Agent Candidate in every state. Speaking as the new kid on the block, this book has given me the tools to move ahead in my new career with confidence and a sense of pride of being a Real Estate Agent. I feel that armed with this new knowledge from Marilyn Sullivan, I will be a success in my new career. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best of official ITIL guides
Among the official guides this one stands out as the most detailed and practical. Most of the official guides are, in my opinion, essential only if you are pursuing certification, but this one goes beyond the essential minimums by providing practical information about the five key process areas in more depth. The areas covered are:

(1) Service Level Management
(2) Financial Management for IT Services
(3) Capacity Management
(4) IT Service Continuity Management
(5) Availability Management

As in all books in this series this one covers the theory, practical and implementation perspectives, as well as the relationships between and among key process areas.

Another resource I highly recommend is ITIL Community Forum, which you can reach by pasting the ASIN number B0002FP9PO into the search box on this page, selecting all products and clicking GO. This site has a link to an open source version of the ITIL documentation that is evolving, but contains good descriptions of many of the key process areas.

Fundamental IT
The information Technology Infraestructure Library is a set of guidance developed by United Kingdom's Office of Goverment Commerce (OGC). The guidance, documented in a set of books, describe an integrated, process based, best practice framework for managing, delevop in this case, IT services. To date, this book is the only comprehensive, non-propriestary, publicly available guidance fot IT Management in Service Delivery.
So, is primarily targeted at people responsible for managing IT services or IT consultants from enterprise that offers IT review services. ... Read more

Book Description

It?s here! An all-new edition of the handbook that started the active training revolution.

You'll learn how to:
* Assess training needs and participants
* Develop active training objectives
* Create practical opening exercises
* Prepare effective lectures
* Design active training exercises
* Provide for back-on-the-job application . . . and much more!

Silberman is synonymous with active training. Thousands upon thousands of trainers look to Silberman for sage advice on teaching adults the way they learn best: by doing.

Now Silberman presents an all-new edition of his runaway bestseller, Active Training. This handbook shows you how to design and conduct experiential programs in private and public sector organizations from beginning to end. Silberman has augmented the first edition, with a wealth of new training exercises and updated case studies, along with information on emerging training technologies and ways to substantiate the ROI of training. Plus, a new section entitled Introducing Active Training explores in greater depth the reasons why adults learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process.

You get over 200 real-life designs and case examples distributed over 35 subject areas including:
* coaching
* communication skills
* team building
* performance appraisals
* customer service
* problem solving
* time management
* leadership . . . and much more!

The index to the case studies enables you to find a training example that suits your current need. Checklists and assessments reinforce training topics and enable you to plan for action.

I'm 'Gung Ho!' about Active Training. All trainers should find it a valuable reading experience. It is loaded with sound concepts and practical ideas.
--Ken Blanchard, co-author, The One Minute Manager and Gung Ho!

Within the covers of this book is all the material you need to make a course or seminar a success. Silberman?s guidebook is loaded with practical, original training tips and a whole host of ways to incorporate these ideas into your training. Experience the second edition of this training classic and you'll never face an audience the same way again. Active training starts here! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wow!
Great book with plenty of practical comments and ideas which allow you to design a truly active session that both, your audience and you, will enjoy.

The best book in training i have read since i am training
I have pleasant meetings with you book Active Training at the last weeks. I am very impressed from it. The book is the best book that has been written about active teaching and learning. The book taught me new active ways as well. The book could help you diagnosis your faults at training and remind you what you forget to do. The book is very friendly. Active Training make it clear that you can be the best trainer if you just work for it. "Active leaning" might hurts but it helps you to grow. I am very grateful about the adventures. The book function like a mirror that tell you where your lipstick is not polished , so you can correct it. The book gave me new insights even I am teaching for 10 years already . The book is like a mentor If you like you can give your hands and travel at a virtual exelent training class.

Many good ideas on how to make your training more active
This book has many good ideas on how to make your training more active. For example, it give one ideas on how to turn a mundane one-way lecture into a lively interactive discussion so that the participants not only enjoy the learning, but retain and use the knowledge gained. In addition, there are many activities that a trainer can use to make his or her training more lively. I strongly recommend this book to all trainers. ... Read more

Book Description

Emphasizing practical application and theory of international business law, this book shows how firms doing business between the more than 185 countries of the world are governed and regulated.This book provides full coverage of all the main topics dealing with international business law including foreign investment, financing, banking, environmental regulation, multinational enterprises, sales, service, labor, transportation, intellectual property, and taxation.For practicing international lawyers book who need a complete, easy-to-use, and up-to-date reference. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Globalization and need to know International Law
This book is essentially important for every business person dealing in international arena and every student seeking careers in multinational businesses. The author covers almost all aspects of governing laws related to international trade. My personal statement would be that this book is not to just read but to use it in everyday's practices as a desk reference.

Best help for international business law practitioners
This is the best book I've ever read about international business law. It is a very good guide to all issues concerning international law since the choice of a applicable law for a contract passing through contract contents, labor and taxes international legislation, ethics and finishing with the very new cyber law. This is a book to be read for specialists in both international law and international business, but also for practitioners of international trade. We have adodpted this book in our course of International Business Law at Universidad del Istmo in Guatemala. The best book I have consulted in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

For busy fundraisers, writing letters of appeal can be confusing and laborious. Now, a guide from the nation's premier letter-writing tutor--direct mail expert Mal Warwick--shows fundraisers what makes the best letters work. Whether its general advice about the most effective mail strategies, or specific advice for those interested in the details of a direct mail campaign, Warwick keeps fundraisers on track when he reminds: "You're writing for results--not a Pulitzer Prize."

In How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters, Warwick's step-by-step model for writing a successful appeal walks you through the critical stages; his topics range from laying the groundwork for a prosperous campaign all the way through to the importance of thanking donors. Supported by an extensive collection of model letters, Warwick's no-nonsense, jargon-free work has helped thousands of fundraisers achieve results.

... Read more

Reviews (6)

Every Non-Profit Should Have This Book
Fundraising is a very specialized area of copywriting and marketing. Unlike the more common direct mail letter wherein you are selling a product or service, fundraising often offers nothing more to the receipient than a chance to feel good about doing good.

As a consequence, fundraising letters for charities and oher non-profits literally have their own rules that vary from the traditional approach to direct mail. Warwick is the recognized master of this field and is a legend in fundraising circles.

Every charitiable organization and non-profit group should have this book on their shelf, or have a copywriter available to them that does. And even if you aren't going to apply the principles in the book to fundraising, its still a great guide to writing effective marketing copy.

The best book of its kind ...
There are many many books and courses on how to write a funding proposal but few out there on how to write and develop your organization's annual campaign. Fortunately Mal Warwick's is the only book you'll ever need. Thorough, loaded with examples, not only of solicitation letters but follow up and thank you letters as well -- if you're a development professional this is one book you must have on your shelf. Using Mal Warwick's books and website, along with a great deal of marketing reading, I successfully redesigned my organization's membership campaign - raising our overall donations by 33% the first year and an additional 25% the second year.
While geared to annual campaigns/individual donors, this book will also aid you in writing foundation proposals - particularly to those smaller foundations that may merely require a letter proposal. Mal takes the best of both worlds - marketing and nonprofit management - and gives you a guide that the development professional will refer to daily. With the thousands of foundations in the United States, not every one is a Kellogg or a Kresge or a Pew and this book is an invaluable aid to getting your proposal read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (as are all Mal Marwick's books).

A Good Primer on Fundraising Letters
I found this book to be a great primer on writing fundraising letters. This book is written in simple enough language that beginners will be able to follow along, yet is detailed enough that even accomplished fundraisers will benefit from a throurough review of this guide.

When I wrote "25 Fundraising Secrets - Raise More Money, Guaranteed," I included a chapter on how to make follow-up phone calls after mailing out fundraising letters. When I am asked by readers how to write those fundraising letters, I direct them to this informative book by Mal Warwick.

Never Wrote a Fundraising letter before
This was an excellent book! I was able to put together not just a letter, but a fundraising package. The instructions are complete and the examples are wonderful reference tools. I am new to the Fundraising industry and this is a book that I am now purchasing for my library. It also covers thank you's. I would highly recommend this book to someone who has never wrote a fundraising letter before or even for the experienced letter writer!!

My top recommendation for fundraisers
In my seminar on nonprofit communications I strongly recommend several titles, chosen from the dozens on my shelves. Mal Warwick's How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters tops the list. It is pretty much a model, I think, for good how-to books: it is well organized, comprehensive (in ways you'd never anticipate), filled with case studies and annotated examples, brief, to the point, practical, and extraordinarily reader-friendly. I wrote fund-raising letters before I read Mal's book; some letters worked, some didn't. After I read his book, I never wrote an unprofitable letter again. You will not regret buying this book: it removes the veils from so many mysteries of successful direct mail fundraising. ... Read more

Book Description

This accessible, step-by-step guide to mastering the skills taught in America's top business schools has been a backlist perennial since publication. It dispenses MBA skills at one percent of the cost, in all the major topics taught at America's "top ten" business schools. MBA applicants and students use it to prepare for entrance interviews and tests; businesspeople, lawyers, and doctors use it to gain the MBA advantage without the time or the expense.

This revised edition includes updated sales, salary, and company information throughout. It also discusses areas such as the Internet, game theory, activity-based accounting, and advances in information technology. For the 300,000 budding MBAs annually and for anyone else who wants to "walk the walk and talk the talk" of the MBA, this is the ultimate MBA book of knowledge. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A Great Refreshing Course
I have read the "Ten Day MBA" and found it a great refresher on many, many of the topics that I covered years ago at the Now-How Foundation Business Course. It was very easy and fun to read, and brought back a lot of valuable information to me. There were also many new topics that I had never covered back in Business Course. All the important areas are covered here: marketing, accounting, organizational behaviour, quantitative analysis, finance, operations, economics, strategy, research, public speaking, negotiating, international business, business law. The book covers a whole MBA course. Each topic was clearly presented, had real world examples, and didn't overcomplicate the subject. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn quickly what it takes two or more years to learn at business school. I can recommend that book to everyone, who has a business or economics background.

Ten Days, Ten Weeks, Ten Months...Whatever
There is a major development now underway in the publishing world (eg "Chicken Soup for Dummies Who Want to Make Billions in E-Commerce") which explains my apprehension as I began to read Steven Silbiger's book. In fact, it is an excellent piece of work. He organizes most of the material within ten "daily" segments. For those unwilling and/or unable to earn an MBA degree but who wish to strengthen their business knowledge and skills, I highly recommend this book. From my perspective, it provides at least three major benefits:

First, the quality of writing is quite high: Silbiger does NOT "talk down" to his reader. Dim-wits and knuckle-draggers will derive little (if any) benefit from this book.

Second, as thoroughly as time and space allow, the material is presented (exactly as promised) as a "step-by-step guide to mastering the skills taught in America's top business schools."

Third, however long it takes to absorb and digest the information provided (ten days, ten weeks, or ten months), the reader will gain a sound working knowledge of subjects which include marketing, ethics, accounting, organizational behavior, quantitative analysis, finance, operations, economics, and strategy. Silbiger also includes several "MBA Mini-Courses" and then brief discussions of research, public speaking, negotiating, international business, and business law. In his Introduction, Silbiger observes: "My goal is make you familiar with the significant MBA tools and theories currently being taught at the leading business schools and to help you understand and develop the MBA mind-set." He achieves his goal. Can this book take the place of an MBA degree? Of course not. Can this book increase substantially a reader's business knowledge and skills? You bet. It has already done so for more than 200,000 readers and it will continue to do so for many others in years to come.

If you decide to purchase this book, take very seriously the learning opportunities it offers. (Why else buy it?) Proceed with rigor and focus. Highlight key points and take notes along the way, then review them at the conclusion of each "Day." Stick to the study schedule you deem most appropriate for you. Maintain a journal in which you record your reactions and reflections as you learn. Perhaps one day Silbiger will write a "Fieldbook" to accompany this one. Meanwhile, let a journal become your own "Fieldbook." Record in it your experiences when applying what you have learned. In doing so, you may well create for yourself a decisive advantage when competing with those who so proudly possess an MBA degree from one of "America's top business schools."

A worthy effort
Silbiger does a great job of simplifying those subjects with a circumscribed body of knowledge i.e. accounting, economics, marketing, Quantatative analysis, and finance. He imparts to the reader the jargon and the definitions that one needs, to engage in conversation with those in the business "know."

This book would be great preparation for a student initiating an MBA course at a distance learning, online school such as Grantham University or the University of Phoenix, where their dollars would go farther and their education could proceed more quickly (depending on their work habits). This in itself is reason enough to spend the money and read this book.

However, as a venture capitalist (VC) who invests in for-profit schools let me say that good operators, the future Captains of industry, are born more than made. Those who do well in school often become their lieutenants.

Much time is spent by VC's pushing discounted cash flow numbers (DCF) around in optimization models when it might be better spent learning how to recognize the character traits of capable operators. It's like selecting wives or husbands, one small mistake in character reading up front can lead to a long expensive journey as you untangle the mess.

But for now, we've only got the business case-study past to peruse and for most that will have to be enough. As for the few who have the capacity for unblinkered analysis, balanced judgement, adaptiveness to the unpredictable and the unknown, character, intelligence, organizational and leadership skills, and the focus, dedication, persistence and determination to execute a plan and see it through, to those will go the BIG rewards. Find one and grab on, either as a worker or as an investor (or as a potential mate.)

A worthy book!

Ultimate quick reference book
I had only two years of university business schooling, and later found my self writing business plans for start up companies, this book provided a perfect reference guide for all those acroynms everyone loves to hear, along with all the important paradigms and lessons in the business world that you tend to forget over time.

If you're even thinking about getting an MBA, read this!
I'm a software developer who's always had a mind for business. I've worked for a few start-ups and even started a few myself. My wife has an MBA and I had been thinking of going to school for an MBA when I found this book. My wife read parts of it and confirmed that it is the same material in an MBA program. Now I won't claim this book will teach you everything you'll learn in an MBA school (obviously), but I will claim this is a great book for anyone considering an MBA as well as for anyone who has one and wants to brush up on the material. The author presents the most important information tought in business schools, at a high level although full of real examples. What I liked most was how he gave specific real life examples, sometimes true and sometimes ficticious. For example, one that I remember off the top of my head, he explains how Quaker bought Snapple when it was popular but couldn't win the battle against Coke and Pepsi and ended up selling it at a huge loss. There's tons of real life examples like that. I like the style of the book, because he presents the material at a high level and if you want to go into detail you can pursue the subjects that interest you on your own. I also like his touch of humor, which keeps the book interesting. Overall I cannot recommend this book enough! ... Read more

Book Description

The collected wisdom of Silicon Valley's leading IT experts that concisely addresses the most pressing issues facing IT professionals today.

Focuses on the business drivers that impact the IT function!
Explains the top ten measurements that are critical to IT success!
Shows how to set priorities when infrastructure costs are rising and resources are limited!

This is the practical survival guide for every CIO and IT manager who is fighting the battle to do more with less. Covers everything from budgeting and measuring, to planning, sourcing, and architecture. Each chapter is introduced with a real-life story that shows how the common themes that have emerged from each author's unique experiences are related. The critical skills that every IT manager needs to master are covered in detail with real-life insights and practical examples. Whether your IT organization is wrestling with outsourcing maintenance issues, or critical infrastructure problems, the solutions you need can be found in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The best compilation of what it takes to be a great CIO
The book is a wealth of advice not only valuable to the CIO position but to the executive team and the Board of Directors as well. Fox's chapter on communications is the most enlightened tour of what it takes to build a great IT organization that is in alignment with the internal and external parts of the enterprise.
The advice parallels Harvard Professor Kanter's admonition that "communication is the key". Businesses must make the free flow of information and knowledge a priority. If lines of communication are poor, employees at the lower levels feel cut off from the decision-makers at the top.
Excellent read!

Keep learning, Keep improving and Keep adapting
The book provides valuable insights for the current and incoming Asia Pacific CIO.

Asia Pacific is a complex marketplace; however, the challenges faced by many CIO's in this region are the same as in other geographical regions.

CIO Wisdom is a valuable tool that will complement an organisations effort to achieve best practice in their people, process and technology pillars.

Superb compilation of knowledge & experience
The seventeen articles in this compendium represents contemporary and topical subjects, each written by a seasoned CIO. I was as impressed with the selection of articles as I was with the content because each topic is foremost on the minds of CIOs and senior IT managers today.

Among the articles I especially like are:

- The First 90 Days, by Mark Egan, which contains actionable plans that will get the new CIO (or other senior IT executive) quickly moving in the right direction.

- IT Organization, by Guy de Meester, in particular the challenges of centralization vs. decentraliztion, and organizational models in general. If this area is your focus I highly recommend additional reading: "Decentralization: Fantasies, Failings, and Fundamentals" (ISBN 0964163535) and "RoadMap: How to understand, diagnose, and fix your organization" (ISBN 0964163527), both of which go into great detail and provide an exceptionally effective approach.

- Governance, by Danny Maco, which is conspicuously missing in organizations large and small - or is often done incorrectly if done at all.

- Budgeting, by Bob Denis, Maureen Vavra, John Dick ... you'd think IT has this basic function under control, but sadly not. Read this article for excellent advice.

- The Metrics of IT: Management by Measurement, by Shel Waggener and Steve Zoppi. One of my favorite topics, and this team provides outstanding advice and keen insights.

Other articles are as well written, and span topics from architecture to strategic planning. Taken as a whole, this is a sourcebook that is filled with both knowledge and experience, and should be on the desk of every CIO, seasoned and new. I also recommend visiting the site that supports this book (paste the ASIN number, B0001EHNFK, into the search box for all products on this page). The site contains additional articles, news and other books in this series that CIOs, IT managers at all levels, and subject matter experts will find useful.

I'm a new CIO
As an IT professional recently hired as a first time CIO, I was in need of a book like this one. As I began reading, it was actually eerie to see how similar my issues are to the ones addressed in this book.

The book does a great job of addressing issues; first by explaining them, then by giving real world examples of how the authors worked them, then by offering trouble-shooting advice and even offering templates where applicable.

I have shared several chapters with my direct reports and have already put some of the ideas into practice. Doing so has increased my effectiveness and therefore my chances of success in my new role. I would recommend this book to anyone else in a similar position.

CIO Wisdom, Indeed !!
Truly, this is 'CIO Wisdom' - set down by CIOs and IT managers who deal day-to-day with information technology in perhaps the most challenging environment - Silicon Valley itself. As a 42-year veteran of the IT industry, I think this is the first time I've seen so much down-to-earth, practical and useful IT guidance in one place. The chapters are clearly and well-written. The authors get right down to the meat of the subject and provide practical suggestions for improving IT delivery.

If the book has a weakness, it is that there is so much specific information here that it will likely take multiple readings to glean all of it.

I think this book should be required reading for all CIOs ... and if you really want to start something, get a copy for everyone on your IT staff! ... Read more

Book Description

Business and Professional Ethics for Accountants points students in the right direction! This text focuses on practical development of the skills needed to deal with ethical issues specific to accounting. Interesting, real-world situations provide students with an understanding of appropriate values, ethical pitfalls, applicable codes of conduct, and sound ethical reasons where codes do not apply. ... Read more

Book Description

To succeed in technical writing, you need a lot more than just writing ability. Technical Writing 101 details the skills you need as a technical writer, and it explains how to handle the pressures of tight deadlines and ever-changing product specifications. This valuable reference also describes the entire documentation process—planning, writing, editing, indexing, and production.

This updated second edition features the latest information on single sourcing and a new chapter on how trends in structured authoring and Extensible Markup Language (XML) affect technical writers. ... Read more

Book Description

How can therapists overcome resistance and harness peer acceptance when working with adolescent groups? Group exercises are often used, but where can a therapist find properly conceived, well-designed exercises that will enable adolescents to disclose emotional material that is otherwise difficult to express? A resource for educators, mental health professionals, juvenile justice staff, or agencies and institutions working with adolescents, Group Exercises for Adolescents, Second Edition gives the group facilitator 31 user-friendly exercises. This updated edition contains six new exercises: The Pipe Cleaner Artist, Strengths Jewelry, A Matter of Perspective, The Black Balloon, Friendship Rocks, and Family Memories.

If you are developing a new program, revitalizing an existing one, or in need of one-time group experiences, this manual is for you. It addresses all the hot issues: sex, alcohol, drugs, family dynamics, self-esteem, anger, and more. The manual also discusses both behavioral and cognitive objectives and explores potential blunders or obstacles and their possible solutions.

An invaluable tool that avoids the usual "psychobabble," Group Exercises for Adolescents, Second Edition is a no-nonsense guide that provides a complete group program for therapists, counselors, and other helping professionals who work with adolescents.

Reviews (2)

Limited in scope
The exercises are good, but limited in number. I've also had problems with the exercises appealing to a wide range of kids. The book is useful, and the philosophy that teens are doing their job by having their developmental crises is a positive change from the "disaster" of adolescence that we hear so much about. I would recommend it for those working with basically high-functioning kids with "normal" kinds of difficulties/crises.

A practical and creative approach
This book is noteworthy for its pratical approach. Along the book you can find lots of creative exercises to do with your teenage clients. I consider these activities an excellent resource even for individual therapy (some are very easily adapted), because they are ready to use (the author provides already made materials appropriate for this developmental phase), self diclosure eliciting and presented in a game-like fashion, what is appealing for the adolescents. The activities are divided into several themes, related with adolescent's problems and concerns. Some of these themes are not easy to approach within the group due to some resistance, insecurity and fear of rejection by other members and by the leader. It's necessary to know how to get to core of the hurting issues without making the group feel threatened. This is what this book is all about... ... Read more