Book Description

This bible of the landlording business has provided information about the proper way to conduct business and has shepherded landlords through inevitable day-to-day woes for 25 years. This latest edition is thoroughly updated with an expanded section on using the Internet, covering everything from shopping for supplies to setting market rents and advertising cheaply. More than 50 forms are included. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Excellent guide for beginners.
I read this book for a research paper and was surprised that I became interested in becoming a landlord. It is clear and understandable. It offers all the necessary forms for tenants and also ways to document property condition, remove tenants, etc. A must for landlords!

Landlords, you need this book.
This book covers everything I wanted it to, and even all the stuff I didnt think of. To make it very simple; buy the package deal where you get this and NOLO'S Lanlords Legal Guide and your done. I am just beginning as a landlord, and these books have saved me hours of searching on the internet. Not to mention that this book is written in a style that makes it fun to read. Truly worth the money.

THE BEST!!
I have scoured the internet and the local book stores for books on this subject, and I have found this one to be the best by far. The format is VERY user friendly. It is filled with enough information to satisfy people who are currently in the business but easy enough for a beginner (such as myself) to understand. Trust me, you want this book, but you should also have another one that is specific to your locale. This book gives you everything you need to know EXCEPT the local laws and regulations that are specific to your state/city.

Very Informative, tons of information.
I recently (within the past 6 months) acquired a rental property, and the book has helped me manage my properties better and had many many excellent tips. His advice is pretty candid- he tells you its ok to say no and be a little bit heavy handed. He has many anectodes as example scenarios to drive his points home. His main focus is on finding good tenants, and leases, as it should be, since they are the source of your revenue. In addition, he discusses many easily implementable ways to increase your profits, especially if you have multiple properties. The book tries to be the one book you will need to be a landlord, and achieves that goal. However, you may find that some of his discussions topics are overly long (IE dealing with pets, waterbeds) and some not long enough (IE legal/liability issues). It is on the issue of law that you will NEED another reference, but nothing short of an entire book or library of books will properly inform you of all the legal issues involved.

The cons of the book is that it seemed to be a bit overly long. For example there is about 20 pages of comic strips at the end of the book that I suppose are supposed to be humorous ways to convery things to your tenants (like paying rent) but I found them to be completely useless. The forms included are nice, but they would be far more useful if they were included on a CD. If you really want to be a better landlord, you would be far better off printing new forms w/ your name on them, and not distributing photocopies- This brings me to my next weakness. Some parts of the book push his other products a bit too much. He sells forms on CD ...and a program he wrote to manage properties ...and he mentions them a bit too much in the book for me to say that he is being completely objective. If he eliminated the 20 pages of comics and 30 pages of forms, it would have been quite cost effective for him to distribute all of those things on a CD. In addition, the chapter on computers could probably be omitted. The information was outdated on the first day of printing, bores those born since 1975 who have had to learn to use them, and on top of that does not really inform the target reader enough to the point where they could effectively use one. He should have raised the bar a little and targeted those already familiar w/ office suites on how to make useful databases, word processor templates of the forms, and advanced spreadsheets.

The book has a focus squarely on property management. Do not buy this book if you are looking for how to evaluate a property, or estimate cashflow. Landlording covers the ART of property management, not the science of analyzing the potential income of a property.

Do not let the negatives discourage you. I mention them because most Amazon reviews tend to all be "5 stars! this book was great!" Overall, this book is excellent, and the best I found at the bookstore on managing property. The book appears a little bit 'no frills' and does not have much shelf appeal( IE pretty layout and pictures), but the information contained inside is the invaluable experience of someone who has successfully managed over 200 properties.

The absolute BEST, accept NO substitute!
I just finished reading the 9th edition of Leigh Robinsons's super, excellent, definitive tome on being a Landlord or Landlady. I had bought and read his 3rd edition in 1981 and found that to be excellent. I have used the Rental Application form from that book hundred's if not thousands of times. That earlier edition is worn out the back is broken and the pages are dog eared. I was long over due for a new copy. There are many, many updates from the earlier version, and the book has grown from 270 pages to 494 pages! The latest edition has over 60 forms made and revised over the years by the author, a hand-on landlord himself.

This book is a tremendous value, filled to the gills and them some with useful, practical, down to earth advice from somebody who actually is a landlord. Leigh Robinson knows his stuff, there is no question about it. If you are currently a landlord/lady then you should run, or trot to your keyboard and order this book from Amazon.com. If you think you might want to become a landlord/lady then this book is recommended for you also.

One example contained in the book is having escrow accounts for the tenant's security deposits. I have personally used this for years even though not required by state law. The bank I use does not charge me anything to set up the escrow account with a separate sub-account for each tenant. Even people sharing one place have a separate individual sub-account with interest accruing to the tenant. Another example from the book is the landlord/lady's car. You can drive your Mercedes, Porsche, or BMW, just not to your rental properties. Personally I like a 1982 Cordoba, but a beat up car or pickup truck will do. The reason for this is many tenants think that all of their rent ends up in the landlord/lady's pocket. They forget about mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, supplies, etc.

The author recommends that no appliances be furnished. Usually for houses we don't provide any appliances except ranges, but supply refrigerators for apartments. Very rarely would we supply washer, dryer, air conditioners, etc. Leave that to the tenants, this reduces repair bills and responsibility. One owner that I talked to had a refrigerator fail and the tenant claimed that the owner was responsible for spoiled food.
Since then that landlord does not provide any tenant with a refrigerator, and therefore is not responsible if the appliance breaks or for food spoiled.

The author notes that 50% of tenants have pets and discusses at length the pros and cons of renting to the pet's owner. Coin operated laundry is also discussed with the author's recommendation being that you only provide if there are 16 people or 12 bedrooms in the building. For smaller building than that it is not feasible to provide that to tenants. Leigh Robinson's recommendation on page 273 for wording on a section 8 lease could save thousands of dollars. In my opinion this book is invaluable and worth many more times the asking price. There is no better book on "Landlording" and I think I've read most of them. Buy it, enjoy it, use it, and profit from it. ... Read more

Book Description

Learn how to mobilize support, improve efficiency, and get things done!

Politics is an inevitable, legitimate, and even beneficial aspect of corporate and organizational life. Hard work and good ideas are not enough to ensure success-your ability to win allies and head off resistance is what really matters in today's corporate environment. If you don't garner support for your ideas, you could become an organizational casualty.

Get Them on Your Side outlines how to:

Book Description

This book explores social, legal, philosophical, ethical, political, constitutional and economic implications of computing from a computer scientist's point of view. It covers the issues individuals face as members of a technological society and offers guidance for professionals in computer-related fields. One of the book's goals is to develop computer professionals who understand the implications of what they create and how it fits into society at large.Chapter topics cover privacy and personal information, encryption and interception of communications, freedom of speech in cyberspace, intellectual property, computer crime, computers and work, broader issues on the impact and control of computers, and professional ethics and responsibilities.For programmers and software engineers. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

very exciting and thought provoking
it's a great book to begin in-class discussions

Interesting and Accessible
Because the author's ethics class at SDSU uses this text as a primary source, I may be a bit biased in my judgment of this book. For the class, it was an excellent reference, bringing up interesting points for discussion and showcasing these points with anecdotes -- some humorous, some downright frightening. Baase's writing style is accessible to a wide audience, and even the parts that, by virtue of being part of a textbook, are dry and only mildly interesting are digestible.

If you're looking for a book that will give you a general overview of problems associated with computing, this book will hit the spot. Without any noticable bias, it provides information from different perspectives, and even gives fair treatment to Luddites.

A good, solid choice.

A GIFT OF FIRE
IN GIFT OF FIRE SARA BAASE ATTEMPTS TO COVER THE FULL RANGE OF SOCIAL, LEGAL, AND ETHICAL ISSUES RAISED BY COMPUTING.

Price
What's up with the price? It's cheaper at Barnes and Noble...by 7 buck ... Read more

Book Description

In this much needed resource, Maryellen Weimer-one of the nation's most highly regarded authorities on effective college teaching-offers a comprehensive work on the topic of learner-centered teaching in the college and university classroom. As the author explains, learner-centered teaching focuses attention on what the student is learning, how the student is learning, the conditions under which the student is learning, whether the student is retaining and applying the learning, and how current learning positions the student for future learning. To help educators accomplish the goals of learner-centered teaching, this important book presents the meaning, practice, and ramifications of the learner-centered approach, and how this approach transforms the college classroom environment. Learner-Centered Teaching shows how to tie teaching and curriculum to the process and objectives of learning rather than to the content delivery alone. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A very useful and well-researched approach
Expertly written by Maryellen Weimer (Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning, Berks-Lehigh Valley College, Pennsylvania State University), Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes To Practice is an invaluable resource for college and university educators concerning the learner-centered teaching approach that takes into account what, how, where, and what conditions under which students are learning. Individual chapters convincingly address implementation and fine-tuning adjustments to adopting the learner-centered teaching style, and the appendices include a syllabus, sample learning log, and more. A very useful and well-researched approach, Learner-Centered Teaching is an important and strongly recommended addition to Educational Reference collections and Classroom Instruction reading lists. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on the market-leading text, Wests Business Law, this alternate version maintains the same tradition of comprehensiveness and authority, but is also cutting-edge and student-friendly. ... Read more

Book Description

In this second edition, twenty-nine classic chapters have been revised and updated and twenty new chapters have been added to reflect how the field has evolved since the first edition of the Handbook was published in 1995. This landmark volume describes and analyzes changes such as increased immigration to the United States and new developments in theory and research related to race, culture, ethnicity, and language. It addresses new issues such as findings on the increase in the number of interracial children and the characteristics of children of immigrant families. The educational implications of new research and trends are also discussed.
The Handbook's forty-nine chapters are divided into twelve parts that clarify the meaning and boundaries of multicultural education. Topics covered include trends and developments, ethnic groups in historical and social science research, language issues, academic achievement, higher education, and international perspectives on multicultural education. The volume also offers comprehensive and balanced analyses of key controversies and debates in the field.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Something all Educators should have
James Banks and Cherry McGee Banks do a wonderful job of editing the material of serveral authors on various ethnic groups of the United States. The historical information regarding people of color in the US in education is accurate and thorough. The most compelling aspect of this reference is the contemporary information regarding education and minorities. All schools and educators should have a copy of this handbook to refer to when discussing or researching multicultural and /or diversity education. While there is no one book which has all the answers to multicultural education this is definiately a start. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

RFP Book Review
RFP Handbook is a great addition to any IT project manager's bookshelf. It is clear that the author is writing based on real-world experience. The book offers a good foundation for creating RFP's and offers practical advice that will keep you from making costly mistakes. It also provides examples and templates for writing an RFP. I wish I had this book ten years ago. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is responsible for, or contributing to, the creating of an RFP.

Resource and guidelines with a coherent approach
There are literally hundreds of good books on proposal writing, but only a tiny handful on writing RFPs. From among the handful this book stands out for a number of reasons:

(1) It clearly described the RFP process from start to finish - and RFP development is a process with a defined life cycle.

(2) The author goes well beyond the immediate objective of writing an RFP and managing the process by including thought-provoking material on post-award vendor management. This material sometimes escapes the RFP development team who is more focused on getting to the award milestone without thinking about the post-award ramifications.

(3) It's not boring - the writing is lively, and the material is presented at a fast pace. The pace, however, does not leave gaps. Every facet of the RFP process is covered in sufficient detail.

In addition to the above, the approach set forth in this book is consistent with best practices in RFP development. I especially like the copious checklists, the RFP roadmap, and the way illustrations are skillfully used to reinforce concepts and advice.

Note that the focus of this book is information technology and software acquisition. Some of the material is unique to those domains; however, the basic principles and RFP process can be used for virtually any type of RFP, from office services to purchasing furniture.

Overall, this is the one book I recommend for RFP development. If you are an IT professional, regardless of role, the chances are you will be involved in this process at some point in your career, making this book a valuable addition to your library. If you have recently been assigned to an RFP team you should get this book as soon as possible, and use it as your compass and blueprint if your organization does not already have a formal RFP process in place.

Good Resource
A great resource for preparation and review of an RFP. A helpful guide for people with and without RFP experience.

The RFP book that htelp me to do the job well done
I was in charge to define the RFP for a big imaging system project and this book gave me the tools to plan, supervise and create the RFP that point out the requirements, so the providers can easily develop the correct solution in their proposal.

This book is ahead. Has very good explanation (easy to read and understand), well structured and the examples are good to have a clear idea of the content that should have all the topic of the RFP. It gave me the tools to map the plan, the definition of the requirements and the development of the RFP document.

This book must be in any library.

Informative and detailed
I highly recommend this book if you have never written an RFP before. It is easy to follow, provides good insite into writing an RFP document, and gives adequate samples that explain the process. ... Read more

Book Description

In this updated version of her landmark book Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach, celebrated adult educator Jane Vella revisits her twelve principles of dialogue education with a new theoretical perspective gleaned from the discipline of quantum physics. Vella sees the path to learning as a holistic, integrated, spiritual, and energetic process. She uses engaging, personal stories of her work in a variety of adult learning settings, in different countries and with different educational purposes, to show readers how to utilize the twelve principles in their own practice with any type of adult learner, anywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good info but too heavy on the pomp
I read this as part of my Master's program and found it to be helpful overall. Vella explained many concepts that most might find difficult or intimidating through good examples of teaching. While I enjoyed her refreshing honesty at flubs and not-so-great experiences, I did not find her hearts and flowers emotionalism and pomp as exciting or stimulating.

Her writing style varied greatly within examples from over-blown academic writing to the best of simplistic styling. But it became too much to handle and made for slow reading.

Additionally, although I enjoyed the varied and multi-cultural feel of most of her examples, many in my class did not. They felt (wrongly, in my opinion) that those examples did not apply to them in any way because the examples were so far removed from the US.

A Must for any Adult Educator
I was expecting the usual with this book - a little dry, one or two ideas I could apply to my work, maybe an anecdote. I had never read Jane Vella before! A Maryknoll sister and longtime worker for Save the Children, Vella has taught in 48 countries and for over 45 years doing community development work in incredibly varied and diverse situations. You don't have to be interested in community development though, to get the point of this book. While her stories are riveting (you constantly grip the book asking, "And then what happened?!"), her message is consistent - she maps out how she plans, teaches, listens, and reflects on all her teaching/learning experiences. I particularly appreciated her honest approach (she tells you stories of when things didn't go well) and her egalitarian approach to equalizing power in the classroom (she calls it "the death of the professor"). This would also be an excellent volume for anyone working with a culture not their own - Vella models how to truly listen to people's needs in their education experience and not impose what you think they need.

12 Principals of Adult Education that will Inspire You
The 12 Principals of Adult Education set forth in this book will inspire any Adult Educator. They are followed up with relevant case studies from small places in far off corners to college professors. This is a great book for anyone interested in designing adult education programs.

How to respectfully teach adults
This book demonstrates how to apply the principles of adult learning theory when teaching groups of adults. Even adults of cultures very different from your own.

My favorite line: "Teachers do not empower adult learners; they encourage the use of the power that learners were born with." (page 8)

Important concepts illustrated through practical application
I read this book as part of my master's degree program and have come to respect Jane Vella tremendously. She has a way of explaining, in simple yet powerful terms, complex concepts that are often ignored in training and adult education in simple yet powerful terms. Her practical examples help drive home the importance of her principles and by doing so, she is teaching by example. I also suggest you read other works by her, including "Training Through Dialogue." --Anthony Jones ... Read more

Book Description

For the next generation of players and downloaders, a provocative scenario from a music industry think tank. From the Music Research Institute at Berklee College of Music comes a manifesto for the ongoing music revolution. Today, the record companies may be hurting but the music-making business is booming, using non-traditional digital methods and distribution models. This book explains why we got where we are and where we are heading. For the iPod, downloading market, this book will explain new ways of discovering music, new ways of acquiring it and how technology trends will make music "flow like water," benefiting the people who love music and make music. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Future Of Music
I would reccommend this book to anyone who is thinking of going into the industry. Speaking from a vocalist's perspective, alot of the time we forget the other important aspects of the ever changing music industry in our effors to remain artistic and undiluted, forgetting that they all work hand in hand. This book I feel has enlightened me with sound judgement and speculation. It has also inspired me to formulate a strategy on how i plan to fit in. I now feel as though I have valuable and priceless knowledge on every aspect of that which i love and desire to suceed in-
Music.

Not much new here.
If you've been following the industry there is not much new here. About 3 - 4 chapters were interesting to me. And it's not a thick book. Mostly facts. Their speculation on the future is probably not all accurate. For example I think they are missing the boat on subscription services which I believe will not be very large or influential. However their speculation that merchandise that is peripheral to music will be larger profit center is probably accurate. Good book for a naive but aspiring young musicians.

Book is really not about music but merchandising.

Positive perspective might prove to be perfect...
Through my own enlightenment I decided a while back to stop downloading albums from the Internet for free. I now use iTunes online music store, or I go to an actually CD retailer and buy my favorite music. While this is a breakthrough in my life, I'm afraid others might not ever come to grips with the reality of illegal online downloading. This has bothered me for sometime now but I never really thought anyone would do anything about it, because of computer hackers and software developers always a step ahead of the good guys. The Future of Music has shown me that there IS hope. This new plan to make music like running water, or a utility, is a great idea. The idea is that users will pay a monthly bill just like their water, electricity or cable. The book also dives into the new markets of cell phone ring tones, Internet radio, and the use of music in video games. The author's can clearly see the direction the industry is headed, and they're ideas are a great start to what might turn into a musical revolution. This is a great book for anyone looking to get a head start on the competition, or just want to look through the crystal ball and into the future.

A compelling manifesto
By declaring their book a manifesto, the authors of this excellent book make their bias and intentions clear. While the arguments for their vision are compelling, this is not a ride for the sceptic.

The book is a comprehensive exploration of a number of key areas of the music industry and a powerful argument for change in the recording industry. When they drift into philosophy towards the end the results are a little lacklustre, but the industry-focussed content is well put together and very useful for anyone wanting to picture how music might work in a decade's time.

Expertly Cogent And Still Layman Accessible
Written with a smoothly flowing cadence this tome engages both the expert and layman reader and offers a survey of the digital music landscape from both a 30,000-foot-view *and* on a rubber-meets-the-road level.This book provocative, interesting and on appropriate occasions humorous.The writer's occasional biting statements are more cheeky than sarcastic as the authors' genuine adoration of music and the business of music is evident.This book can be appreciated by the casual reader, industry members, fans of technology and students of sociology, economics, history and even observers of the human condition.Although the book is about the impending world of music the book, like the subject it covers, is really describing future cycles of patterns springing from places deeply encoded in human nature.A philosophical discussion, this volume is also an industry handbook.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested any aspect of music, or most aspects of technology, philosophy, economics, social behavior, law or history. ... Read more

Book Description

In this exciting new book, you'll travel into the homes and schools of over 70 young children from diverse backgrounds and observe parent-child and teacher-child interactions. Through research gathered in the Home School Study of Language and Literacy Development, the authors share with you the relationship they've found between these critical, early interactions and children's kindergarten language and literacy skills.

You'll explore both the home and school environments of these children at ages 3, 4, and 5. You'll see how families talk to their young children during everyday activities like book reading, toy play, and mealtimes. You'll also examine children's conversations throughout the classroom day and consider how teachers strive to support children's development. In each chapter, you'll see how the data was collected,read actual transcripts of parent-child and teacher- child interactions,recognize how these interactions relate to later development,get suggestions for supporting children's language and literacy development, andlearn how these findings play out in the lives of four of the children in the study.

Find out how young children's home and classroom experiences during the preschool years are related to their kindergarten language and literacy skills, and discover the kinds of conversations that make a difference. ... Read more

Book Description

New Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson 

"It is the clearest approach I have seen for helping teachers distinguish the difference between concepts and facts. I will recommend it everywhere."
Heidi Hayes Jacob
Curriculum Designers, Inc.

"A lucid and helpful volume, very much what people need to move beyond simplistic teaching."
Grant P. Wiggins
Learning by Design, Inc.

This book is the ideal companion to Erickson’s landmark Stirring the Head, Heart, and Soul, Second Edition. Here, the author explores concept-based learning on a more in-depth level across disciplines and grade levels. Teachers can use the specific strategies to create a seamless learning program that teaches students the skills they really need to think conceptually and to solve problems in today’s complex, changing world.

Learn how to

• Take learning beyond the facts
• Facilitate deep understanding and knowledge
• Develop conceptual systems in the brain to process new information
• Meet higher academic standards related to content knowledge, process abilities, quality performance, and school-to-work transitions
• Align your curriculum with state and national standards and establish appropriate performance assessments

This excellent resource for K-12 teachers, teacher educators, curriculum designers, and staff developers contains numerous charts and figures that enable readers to put the book to immediate use.

 

Reviews (1)

using facts, not memorizing them
As a teacher and ex-curriculum expert, I found the title of the book very interesting. In a world where is possible to access and learn almost every piece of information and fact, it is the duty of the teacher and curricularist to focus on thinking on facts, not memorizing them. ... Read more

Book Description

Being a professional administrative assistant requires an astonishing and varied range of skills involving interpersonal communication,written presentations, and organizational ability. Between coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, and running the phone lines, administrative professionals are involved in nearly every aspect of the office.

Written in a down-to-earth style, Administrative Assistant's and Secretary's Handbook provides readers with information on subjects includingrecord keeping, telephone usage, office machines, mail, business letters, and computer software skills. Now in its second edition, the book has beencompletely revised with over 10 new chapters covering topics such as Internet security, netiquette, office ergonomics, and mobile and wireless devices, aswell as an enhanced grammar and language section.

Comprehensive and completely up-to-date, this is the book every administrative professional should own. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not to be missed by any serious professional
This second edition of Administrative Assistant's And Secretary's Handbook has been completely revised with 10 new chapters to cover netiquette, Internet security ,office ergonomics and other modern-day concerns of secretaries and office personnel. From Internet travel planning and PDAs to computer applications common to office procedures, Administrative Assistant's And Secretary's Handbook provides an important reference not to be missed by any serious professional.

Okay
This is a book written in 1995 and yet there is a whole chapter on DOS and other outdated technology. No office still uses DOS! With the ever changing technology in today's world, the author would have been so much better off skipping that whole chapter. Letter formats and telephone etiquette will still apply ten years from now, but when talking of computers; today's newest is tomorrow's obsolete. So get this book for general office information but not to become computer savvy or to learn of the software businesses are now using.

This has been such a help
I just started a job as a secretary and my boss was no help in ttraining. I was lost. A friend recommended this book and it has been a lifesaver!! It has all the details and hints. After a couple of weeks, I looked like a pro.

If you are a boss, buy this book and make it part of your training. If you are a secretary like me, buy it and hide it in the drawer and next time you're stumped, I bet you find the answer here.

Good for Small Business
We run a small business and this book turned out to be a great resource for making us look like a big business. The best sections include standard letter addressing, punctuation, and title addressing.

Recommended for small and medium size offices
This book is a good reference for any office assistant who wants a guide on such things as mail, telephone, addressing letters, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and computer usage. It's a useful guide for improving your skills and making yourself and your business look professional. ... Read more

Book Description

Newly expandedthis text systematically exposes students to every issue of criminal law and procedure.The latest edition examines common lawconstitutional topicsthe judicial process from pretrial to appealand a host of current legal issues. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Its alright
This book is alright for a basic course but lacks some vital deffinitions. Also, some vocabulary words are hilited and some are left without making them difficult to find. In a few cases there are no deffinitions for words. ... Read more

Book Description

An unparalleled compendium of incisive essays, lively biographies, and authoritative and up-to-date source materials, Business is an operating system for your whole business, and includes:

--Original best-practice essays from over 150 of today's thought leaders
--Profiles of the 100 most influential business pioneers and management thinkers
--Summaries of the 70 most important business books of all time
--Over 300 practical checklists, covering all areas of management and career development
--A first-class world business almanac covering more than 150 countries, all 50 US states, and 24 industries
--A jargon-free dictionary of 6,000 business terms
--An extensive list of 3,000 information sources (books, journals, Web sites and organizations), covering 115 topics

"Could there be a business intelligence -- a set of abilities that dismantle those truly outstanding in the world of commerce? Could business intelligence be the mark of outstanding individual performers, as well as the building block of the best-performing companies?"
--From the Introduction by Daniel Goleman

Business: The Ultimate Resource offers unique access to the expertise and ideas that will drive global commerce and the art of management in the twenty-first century. Unmatched in scope and depth, and guided by a team of eminent advisors and editors, Business will become the "operating system" for any organization or anyone in business -- the infrastructure that drives ideas and action. Business illuminates the state of the art in business thinking and practice today, and will serve as the essential guide for seasoned executives, up-and-coming managers, entrepreneurs, consultants, administrators, educators, and students alike.

Much more than a reference, Business provides fascinating perspectives on the culture of business, which is arguably becoming the most potent force in society around the globe. The centerpiece of Business is a collection of over 150 original essays and thought pieces, commissioned especially for this volume from among the world's most dynamic business authors. From Warren Bennis on the four critical aspects of leadership to Charles Handy on the future of business to Peter Bernstein on the case against the long run, readers will learn what's on the minds of today's thought leaders. Business also includes colorful, and often surprising, biographies of the pioneers who have left their indelible marks on the business landscape: from the larger-than-life "robber barons," such as financier J.P. Morgan and oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, to today's high-tech and media titans, Bill Gates and Martha Stewart; from the groundbreaking research of W. Edwards Deming on quality and Abraham Maslow on psychological needs to today's high-profile strategy gurus, Gary Hamel and Rosabeth Moss Kanter.

Every page of Business is filled with information, inspiration, and application. For example, the management library section illuminates the most influential business books of all time, including Sun Tzu's timeless The Art of War, Alfred P. Sloan's My Years with General Motors, and James Champy and Michael Hammer's controversial bestseller, Reengineering the Corporation. Over 300 checklists, covering every aspect of management, offer a wealth of practical guidance for anyone who works: essential strategies for tackling virtually every challenge, from managing stress on the job to reading a balance sheet to making the most out of performance appraisals. With detailed industry overviews, an extensive dictionary of business terms, and a world-class almanac of facts and figures, Business has something for everyone.

Let the collective wisdom of generations of trailblazers be your guide to achieving business literacy -- a working knowledge of the key thinking, writing, people, and trends that define business today -- and ultimately the business intelligence to thrive in a world of complexity and possibility. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Magnus Opus Worth Its Weight
In today's go-go, "give it to me in two words or less" world, the idea of buying a big, heavy business reference book with more than 2,000 pages in it seems absurd. Ludicrous. Nuts!

But getting this book is actually very smart. Intelligent. Brilliant!

Why? Well it's definitely not plane reading. And it's not likely bed-time reading. But as a useful reference tool and practical guide to just about everything (from calculating net rate of return to "finding your calling and living your passion"), BUSINESS is a superb tool to keep close at hand.

By contrast, I also own the equally hefty "AMA [American Management Association] Management Handbook," which is, in a word, worthless as a practical tool. In the AMA tome, many topics are either missing, written with an academic, "about the subject," treatment, or so light on practical application as to measure zero (or less if you count the time wasted in your search) on the utility scale.

So is "BUSINESS: The Ultimate Resource," in fact, the ultimate resource? Well, that's publisher hyperbole. The index is not nearly complete. But it will point you to a few places where your subject is treated, and those articles are often cross-referenced with others...

So if you follow the chain, you'll find a heck of a lot of useful information. And the huge tome comes with some other interesting stuff such as summaries of "the most influential business books of all time," and profiles of "management giants," a business dictionary, and yet more reference material.

But the real draw for me: There's lots of actionable advice about very practical things--from setting organizational strategy to more fully engaging passive, compliant staff members.

Moreover, most articles on any given topic fill only about two pages at a crack. So you can get in, get what you need, and get on with your real work.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, this reviewer wrote a brief Best Practices article on leadership development for the book. It's two-pages among the reference's more than two-thousand. (And candidly, when I first heard about the project, I thought an overwhelming, omnibus treatment of all matters business was flat-out goofy. That was until I actually saw the book. And started reading critically. It proved its usefulness very quickly.)

You'll recognize many prominent experts among the contributors. Even better, you'll find that they've been held to a tight, focused, practical style and format---with no philosophical diatribes and no time-wasting sidetracks.

That editorial discipline won't mean much as the volume rests heavily on your credenza. But it will really serve you when some new, unexpected and unfamiliar responsibility lands in your in-box. When your mind sounds the alarm --- "What the heck am I supposed to do about this?!" --- just take a deep breath, heave open the covers, and dig in!

Having this big black book nearby will be akin to career insurance.

You'd be hard-pressed to find either more ample or more useful advice for so little an investment.

Very thorough
Quite an impressive collection of reference material in one book. Very well organized. It is basically a whole library in one. The only downside is it's size. The book weighs something like 10 lbs, not something you can take to the coffee shop for a read. I didnt find the checklist section very useful. It contains many scenarios that will not come up in the normal course of business. This book is better suited for libraries and academic institution use. Perhaps if they broke this book down into several volumes it would be more useful. Having said all of this, the book does appear to be very well written and researched. For all of the information that it contains, it is a real bargain.

Incomplete Geography
This book contains a "World Business Almanac" with significant information on all countries of the world - all countries, that is, except Madagascar! Imagine my surprise having bought this book as a general resource and being able to find out economic and other information on all countries, including North Korea and Cuba, but to find Madagascar missing!

Great Detail...A bit Dry...
I enjoyed this book, and I think it will have great value for anyone who wants to learn more about Business. On the other hand, for those of us who are entrepreneurs, or have the spirit of creating, the book is a little dry. But still recomended.

Jabu Studio
www.jabustudio.com

Size Does Matter.........
This book is massive and holds a wealth of information unsurpassed by any management/business book I've encountered. The layout is exceptional and is unassuming as it's driven by icons and clearly organized. The book has a top-notch advisory board. The little extras listed under "For More Information" such as websites and books are invaluable. They've done all the legwork for you. Also, each section highlights possible application of the concept discussed in a section called "Making It Happen" and the numerous management checklist make this book very applied. If there is a lacuna in your knowledge base it will surly be filled with Business the Ultimate Resource. Additionally, the bios and details of business gurus are helpful in understanding what it takes to be successful in a global market. Yes, this book does have a global perspective from illustrating the Japanese methodology of Kaizen to business opportunities in Mozambique. So, if you are looking for an exceptional reference book that overshadows Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace by 670 pages this is it! ... Read more

Book Description

Ethics in business is the most urgent problem facing America today. Now two of the best-selling authors of our time, Kenneth Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale, join forces to meet this crisis head-on in this vitally important new book. The Power of Ethical Management proves you don't have to cheat to win. It shows today's managers how to bring integrity back to the workplace. It gives hard-hitting, practical, ethical strategies that build profits, productivity, and long-term success.

From a straightforward three-step Ethics Check that helps you evaluate any action or decision, to the "Five P's" of ethical behavior that will clarify your purpose and your goals, The Power of Ethical Management gives you an immensely useful set of tools. These can be put to work right away to enhance the performance of your business and to enrich the quality of your life. The Power of Ethical Management is no theoretical treatise; Peale and Blanchard speak from their own enormous and unique experience, They reveal the nuts and bolts, practical strategies for ethical decisions that will show you why integrity pays.

"So Vince Lombardi was wrong. Winning is not the only thing as headlines and hearings from Wall Street to Washington confirm. Now comes a better game plan from the powerful one-two punch of Ken Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale in a quickreading new book, The Power of Ethical Management. Peale and Blanchard may be the best thing that has happened to business ethics since Mike Wallace invented 60 Minutes.

-- JOHN MACK CARTIER

Editor-in-Chief

Good Housekeeping

Reviews (6)

Ken Blanchard has done it again!
Simply one of the best (if not THE best), most enjoyable, and most entertaining books on ethics, morality, character, and leadership.

This short and easy to read masterpiece by two of the most influential business and spiritual thinkers of our time should be required reading for all managers and leaders in any organization - business, family, government, military, etc. The stories and situations used to teach the many commonsense (but unfortunately not common practice) lessons are real and recognizable to everyone. The power and wisdom behind the three "Ethics Check" questions and the "Five P's of Ethical Power" for individuals and organizations are priceless.

If you ever wondered why some people and organizations make such a big deal about ethics, read this book and you will wonder why more people and organizations do not make ethics their top priority.

Ethical issues pondered and pontificated on.....
I have always been a fan of Mr.Peale's books so when my college professor assigned this book as mandatory reading, I was delighted. I enjoyed the use of parables to talk about ethical issues. Each story made you think about ethics and how/when to apply them. I do not know about Mr.Blanchard's writings but I think he focused on the business aspects of ethical dilemmas. The 2 authors make a good team and wrote a very informational book. There are lots of great sayings as well as principles about ethics. An enjoyable read as well as a thought-provoking little book.

You are not alone
For those who feel alone in a sea of ehtical dilemnas, this book will make you feel like you are in good company and not alone. I have worked hard to earn my way up the ladder, only to be struck down by those who made it by simply getting into the good 'ol boy club.

Ken Blannchard's book is the lighthouse in the fog of unethical practice and behavior. This book sheds light on the real value of ethics and that getting ahead at any cost is not the norm.

Ethics in the workplace is a practical and valiant 'goal', excuse me, 'road' to travel. I was amazed at how this book described my own workplace to a "T". This book inspired me to continue to travel the ethical road I held (and still hold) in high regard.

I have read many of Ken Blanchard's books and he uses the method to teach by using real world scenarios. This particular book reads fast, but the concepts stay with you.

A MUST READ!
I have just finished reading "The Power of Ethical Management," and I thought it was well written. In the past few weeks I have read several other books on business ethics and this one is my favorite. It is short and exact with great details on how to improve your corporation as well as yourself. This book not only can be applied to the work place but in your life at home, family, friends, and children. This book has helped me greatly!

The importance of personal ethics in the workplace
I have found this book, while easily readable, carries a lot of weight because of its emphasis on personal value systems and how they apply to our professional life. I appreciate the storyline and can easily apply his words to my own life. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the last 150 years the corporation has risen from relative obscurity to become the world's dominant economic institution. Eminent Canadian law professor and legal theorist Joel Bakan contends that today's corporation is a pathological institution, a dangerous possessor of the great power it wields over people and societies.

In this revolutionary assessment of the history, character, and globalization of the modern business corporation, Bakan backs his premise with the following observations:

• The corporation's legally defined mandate is to pursue relentlessly and without exception its own economic self-interest, regardless of theharmful consequences it might cause to others.

• The corporation's unbridled self-interest victimizes individuals, society, and, when it goes awry, even shareholders and can cause corporations to self-destruct, as recent Wall Street scandals reveal.

• Governments have freed the corporation, despite its flawed character, from legal constraints through deregulation and granted it ever greater authority over society through privatization.

But Bakan believes change is possible and he outlines a far-reaching program of achievable reforms through legal regulation and democratic control.

Featuring in-depth interviews with such wide-ranging figures as Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman, business guru Peter Drucker, and cultural critic Noam Chomsky, The Corporation is an extraordinary work that will educate and enlighten students, CEOs, whistle-blowers, power brokers, pawns, pundits, and politicians alike. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A coolheaded call to action
This is a very readable exploration of the characteristics of the corporation as an institute. The author contends that the modern corporation "can neither recognize nor act upon moral reasons to refrain from harming others. Nothing in its legal makeup limits what it can do to others in pursuit of its selfish ends, and it is compelled to cause harm when the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs." As stated in the book's introduction, the book is intended for the layperson. I found the author's exposition clear, and the examples he used to back his arguments compelling.

Despite the fact that the book discusses a dry topic the book has attracted popularity. This may be due to the documentary based on the book, but in my opinion can be ultimately attributed to the author's idea of giving a face to the abstract entities that are corporations. In a chapter the author pointedly asks a renowned psychologist (Robert Hare) to diagnose the characteristics of the corporation as if a person. The psychologist likened the corporation to a psychopath (The passage I quoted in the preceding paragraph should be read in this vein).

Shocking the amoral characteristics of corporations the author exposes may be, the critique against them is hardly new. The core-periphery theory in social sciences placed the harms of multinational corporations at the center of its argument. In fact it may be argued that the entirety of the author's criticism lies within the sphere of Marxist theory.

The strength of the book lies in its accessibility and updated, relevant examples. Inclusion of passages from interviews the author conducted with eminent scholars ranging from the far right (as Milton Friedman) to the far left (as Noam Chomsky), as well as with current business executives makes sets for an animated tone. However what I found most original and interesting was the author's legalistic viewpoint:

"No one would seriously suggest that individuals should regulate themselves, that laws against murder, assault, and theft are unnecessary because people are socially responsible. Yet oddly, we are asked to believe that corporate persons -- institutional psychopaths who lack any sense of moral conviction and who have the power and motivation to cause harm and devastation in the world -- should be left free to govern themselves."

"One premise of democracy is that, as citizens, all people are equal, at least within the political sphere. Everyone has one vote, regardless of his or her wealth or social position, and that means, in relation to corporations, that every citizen has an equal say about how these powerful entities must behave. Moving regulation of corporations from government to the market immunizes them to the effects of citizen's participation in the political process and leaves their control to an institution where one dollar -- not one person -- equals one vote."

And this incidentally is where the personification of corporations appeared most poignant.

The Omnipotent Corporation
The Corporation - The Pathological Pursuit of Power and Profit, has public relation firms scrambling to re-engineer their "good will" strategies.

Joel Balkin takes you on a timeline tour of the corporation from its humble beginnings when proprietors were responsible for the day-to-day management of the business and shared jointly in liability,tomodern day corporations whose majority stockholders are shielded by layers of management and laws so that they are neverlegally responsible for any damages.

Balkin unveils the modern day corporation as essentially taking little to no responsibility for any wrong doing and being primarily motivatedto increase the interests of its shareholders at any cost.Today's corporations only obey the law when the cost of the crime exceeds the profits and the only social responsibility that they project is that which the public relation firms are paid top dollars to formulate.

This novel was both insightful and disturbing.The comparison and similarities of the psychopathic individual to the corporation seemed to be a stretch at the beginning and grew to be disturbingly real the more you read. Considering that psychopathic individuals do not show remorse after a crime or have any social conscience, the definition of the corporation as a clinical psychopath, considering the harm they inflict on the environment and people, seems to be a logical one.

The Corporation is essential reading for anyone whois tired of keeping their heads in the sand.

Civilizing Capitalism? Taming Corporate Weasels? Good Luck!
"The Corporation" is one of my dream books come true. It is a well researched bare knuckles expose of the structure and structural defects of the for-profit corporate entity. Prof. Bakan has expertly exposed why corporations are so often seen as parasitic and predatory- like maladjusted children or glitch-ridden robotic programs, set loose like the proverbial bull-in-a-china-shop, trashing anything that gets in the way of their blind, rabid, selfish lust for profit at all costs.

One should know, however, that Bakan is not an anti-capitalist zealot. Rather, he only takes issue here with what he sees as the central corporate problem and that is a defective operating blueprint in dire need of a serious, rapid overhaul- top to bottom. He sees the corporate entity as easily brought into conformity with a new civilized operating structure- a structure based on public benefit, responsibility and concern for sustainable resource use, environmental sensitivity and most importantly, a humane and fair distribution of corporate profits.

Sounds like a pipe-dream? While I am more skeptical than most about the success probabilities of trying to potty-train irresponsible parasites like the infamous "capitalist-corporate pigs", Bakan certainly appears to understand the fundamental need ofcorporations and that is: the obsessive, pathological desire to stay in business and keep making money at all costs- even if that means being hemmed into civility for their very survival. And shareholders are well-advised to take note of this, continued stock value depends on sustainable, lawful conduct.

With a carrot of continued profits dangling in their sights, and convinced by the success of other corporations that have seen the light and profit in applying sustainable/regenerative practices, it is still a crap-shoot, but Bakan seems to have an abundance of guarded faith that a corporate structural overhaul will save the day.

This same guarded optimism is seen in the writings of one of the most famous government and corporate critics of them all, Prof. Noam Chomsky, who also holds no punches when pointing-out the nefarious schemes and skullduggery of corporations and government alike and this can be seen in his book, "Hegemony or survival...", et al.

In their book, "Natural Capitalism", authors Lovins and Hawken are very enthusiastic also about the success of those corporations who have made a remarkable turn-around in their refined, socially responsible operating methods and profits are soaring for them. All they needed was a little, OK, a lot of guidance to get on the right track, but their current growth-rate demonstrates that, a) It can be done, and, b) success is the reward for doing the right thing.

In his book "The Great Work", Thomas Berry is also onboard with Bakan and Chomsky in pointing out from top to bottom, the defects of current corporate structure along with the environmentally, unsustainable, resource depleting life styles of the general public and does not mince words in chastising this foolhardy, un-Godly dead-end existence, but with an abundance of positive guidance to a more sane relationship with all life.

Can corporations change for the good? They must! Their survival, let alone common decency and civility demand it, so here is a simple, but profound ancient Chinese Proverb they can chew on for motivation: "If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed." ...and in this case, that is the chaos of a corporate shark frenzy- and there are no winners there. (Proverb borrowed from Duane Elgin's book, "Promise Ahead").

Corporations arewell advised to take seriously Joel Bakan's message and the `profit' in doing so will undoubtedly be rewarding. I highly commend and thank him for this potent piece of work!

Accessible, Bold, and Topical
Very few books cause you to stop and think and re-evaluate your view of the world. "The Corporation" is one of those books.

Bakan argues that a corporation's singular (legal) responsibility is to generate profits. Consequently, any other interests - its workers' welfare, the environment, its affects on society or culture, etc. - can, and often are, disregarded in the corporation's quest for profits. Moreover, this single-mindedness (with no regard to moral or ethical concerns) makes the corporation a textbook example of a psychopath.

Bakan's writing is very fluid and his arguments well organized and researched, drawing from historical and legal examples as well as numerous quotations or interviews from leading business leaders, economists, politicians, and activists.

The book does a good job of articulating the topical issues of the corporation's role and its consequences for society. Ultimately, his conclusions may be unappealing to some, but his arguments and examples reach the crux of the problem and capture the position of those troubled by the corporation in precise manner which cannot be ignored.

How Do Humans Kill Psychotic Corporations Maximizing Profit?
1.Corporations Rise to Dominance
a)1865-1885 Railroads cause corporations to become huge.
b)1886 Clerk (ex railroad president) misinterpreted US Supreme case of Santa Clara County v (Stanford's) Southern Pacific Railway to mean corporations were "persons" under 14th amendment (i868) with full constitutional rights
c)1890-1910 Delaware and New Jersey start race to bottom to remove restrictions on growth of corporations (e.g., OK to merge)
d)1908 AT&T start good corporate citizen PR campaign to counter fear of monopolies.
e)1933 US Supreme Court Justice Brandeis believed corporations were evil Frankenstein monsters .

2. Business as Usual
According to Nobelist Milton Friedman, the sole purpose of corporations is to maximize profits for its stockowners.

3.Externalizing Machine
To maximize profits, corporations will dump any costs on others and avoid, understaff, or underfund any law.

4.Democracy Limited
Corporations have no morals or loyalty to the USA.
a)1934-35 Wall Street's richest (e.g. JP Morgan, Pitcairn, Mellon,Rockefeller, Hutton, GM, Pew) plotted to replace FDR with fascist dictator. Plot was thwarted by honest patriotic General Butler. No rich traitors were hanged for treason.
b)1933-1945 GM, Ford, Rockefeller's Standard Oil,IBM and others did profitable business with the Nazi state and Nazi corporations both before and during war in violation of no trading with enemy laws. No rich traitors were hanged for treason.

5.Corporations Unlimited
Corporations exploit everything on planet to maximize profits. Public sectors are being shrunk to open new profit centers.

6.Reckoning or Solutions
a)Bakan empasizes stronger regulations, more political democracy and robust public sphere. This method will fail becuase as economist Stigler noted the House, Senate, and federal agencies with revolving doors have been captured by the rich via the corporations they own.
b)This reviewer has more hope in the courts.
Citizens should follow Luther's example of nailing his theses on church doors. Citizens should nail the 1886 US Supreme Court case of Santa Clara County v (Stanford's) Southern Pacific Railway on every courthouse door. It would be a massive protest of real people against fake persons.
c)The 50 state attorney generals.
Corporate charter cancelation laws are a well-kept secret. This reviewer suggests spreading the word. Spitzer's view of these laws is also inspiring (p 157):
"If a corporation is convicted of repeated felonies that harm or endanger human beings or destroy our environment, the corporation should be put to death, its corporate existence ended, and its assets taken and sold at public auction." ... Read more

Amazon.com

If most coaching guides look as if you'd need a coach just to get throughthem, you'll love this itty-bitty guide, which zooms in on the mostimportant aspects of organizational-workplace coaching, from selecting aneffective personal coaching style and preparing and shaping a coachingsession to followup steps, dealing with barriers to coaching,troubleshooting, and more advanced coaching, such as team coaching,long-distance coaching, coaching plus appraising, and assessing your owncoaching skills. On every page, boxed "power tips," quickie case studies andself-tests, to-do checklists, and easy-to-follow flowcharts demystify theprocess. Granted, if you're looking forspecific or in-depth guidance, you may find this book too general in its approach. But if you're looking for a thumbnail guide to the basics, it'll do just fine.

It's worth mentioning that the book is also part of reference publisherDorling-Kindersley's Essential Managers series--20 itty-bitty books onbusiness and career topics ranging from communication, leadership, anddecision-making to the management of time, budgets, change, meetings, people,projects, and teams. Combining the For Dummies series' talent forbreaking down a lot of information into bite-sized bits and sidebars withDorling-Kindersley's signature, crisp graphics on agleaming white backdrop, they don't represent the cutting edge of businessthinking and they don't necessarily reflect any unique individual perspective.

Instead, it's as though someone collated the best general thinking on these 20 topics and rolled them out into 72 brightly designed and easy-to-readpages, studded along the way with boxed tips, color shots of a multiracialcast of "coworkers" animatedly hashing through the workplace issues of theday, and a self-test of one's skills in the topic at hand on the last fewpages of each volume. Again, they're not for anyone looking for in-depth or focused help on any of the subjects they cover, but they'reperfect as a quickie general-interest reference... and let's face it, they're so cute, and look so smart in a neat little stack or row, thatyou'll probably want to buy a whole bunch to give to your entire department or staff. --Timothy Murphy ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Power Tips from two experts in the field...
John Eaton h