Book Description

Do you need some performance magic NOW?

You see the performance and productivity expectations. Now you need a little magic to make them happen. The magic is here! With this book as your guide, you'll pinpoint the goal, you'll find the gap between that goal and where you are now, and then you'll close the gap. Simple, quick, inexpensive, and effective--that's what Performance-Based Instruction is about! using these brilliant designs, you will clarify job expectations and foster pride and confidence in employees' work performance.

When performance improvement is vitally needed?the concerned practitioner would do well to heed Smalley and Brethower's thoughtful advice.
--Robert O. Brinkerhoff, professor of educational leadership, Western Michigan University

This book gives you the tools you need to:

• Conduct on-the-job training
• Establish team training
• Design job aids
• Perform needs assessments
• Evaluate training...and more!

The User's Manual appAndix gives you specific pointers on using this book as a guide in an HRD department, as a text in an academic setting, or as a professional development tool for solo practitioners. The enclosed Microsoft Word® diskette gives you an electronic, customizable source of quick-implementation job aids. It's all here. Grab this book of spells, add a dash of attentive work, and create some performance magic today!

... Read more

Reviews (1)

More than just another training book
I found "Performance-Based Instruction: Linking Training to Business Results" to be an excellent manual and reference. It provides processes and tools for improving employee performance in a way that connects training to the company's short- and long-term goals. This impact orientation is increasingly important as many organizations realize that training is a substantial capital investment of not only instructors and materials but also of trainee's salary and lost opportunity cost. As a consequence, training and development professionals who can demonstrate how their work contributes to overall organizational performance will have the edge in today's highly competitive and crowded training and development sector.

Performance-based instruction (or PBI for short) enables trainers to provide effective and efficient training that is linked to the learners' real job. Instead of working on generic exercises, trainees create tools and job aids that they can immediately use on their job. Instructional designers, trainers, and human performance consultants can apply PBI to on-the-job training, teamwork, feedback, job aids, personal development plans, and any other instructional context, including the conversion of traditional training to performance-based instruction. Evaluation is built into the design, it does not happen as an afterthought. This is important because continuous evaluation is needed for training professionals to stay on track throughout the design and implementation of complex or large training projects.

Performance-based instruction typically occurs in short sessions over a period of time so that trainees can practice the new material on their job. When distributed practice is not possible, PBI principles help to develop short training sessions that connect the training event to on-the-job performance in meaningful and immediately applicable ways.

This book contains exercises that help novices and experienced trainers to apply performance-based instruction from the get-go. A diskette with files of the highly useful tables and checklists allows readers to get a quick start. Overall, the book is an important resource for those performance professionals who want to improve performance where it really matters-on the job and not just the classroom. (For a detailed review see "Performance Improvement," 1999, Vol. 38 No. 9, pages 42-46.) ... Read more

Book Description

Campbell outlines a blueprint for a world class maintenanceprogram by examining, piece by piece, its essential elements -leadership (strategy and management), control (data management,measures, tactics, planning and scheduling), continuous improvement(RCM and TPM), and quantum leaps (process reengineering). He explainseach element in detail, using simple language and practical examplesfrom a wide range of industries. This book is for every manager whoneeds to see the "big picture" of maintenance management. In additionto maintenance, engineering, and manufacturing managers, all businessmanagers will benefit from this comprehensive and realistic approach toimproving asset performance. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Uptime is tops for understanding Maintenance Management.
A must read for anyone in or about to enter the vast realm of Maintenance Management. John Campbell takes you through the strategies with easy to understand terms and concepts. All the buzz words are there TPM, RCM, CMMS, .. etc.

If you need a maintenance big picture, it is the book
This book is a very good introduction in order to know what the maintenance meaning ... Read more

Book Description

You’re not alone if the thought of running your own business has crossed your mind. Even if your vision of a small business differs from your neighbor’s, you probably dream of being your own boss and of providing a needed service or creating a cool new product.

But your very first small-business decision may be to admit that you’re not ready for this career – at least not yet. If you’re straddling the fence, Small Business For Dummies will uncover whether this career works for you. You’ll also gain insight into getting your personal finances in order before exposing yourself to the risk of a new business, and discover how to draw a roadmap to reach your career destination. This easy-to-understand guide is also for those who want to

• Write a gang-buster business plan
• Create the right legal framework for your business
• Locate financing that suits your needs
• Develop and market your product
• Hire the right employees for the right jobs
• Build your business

You’ll also gain understanding of the tactical side of running a small business, from pricing, budgeting, business expansion, and complying with government regulations to operational issues including:

• Managing your time
• Collecting accounts receivable
• Understanding your financial statements
• Taking good care of your customers
• Locating new financing or revising existing financing

You don’t need to be a genius to run a successful small business, but you do need some help. And that’s exactly what this book is, a guide into the stimulating world of small business ownership and management. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Big Fan of the Series, but This Book Lacks Meat.
First of all, Eric Tyson writes some other great books under the Dummies series, such as "Home Buying for Dummies". This book, on the other hand, is good as a primer. There are a lot of chapters that aren't critical to starting a business. Then the chapters that finally do touch at the core of starting a business, only cover the subject with a light, superficial touch. The best part about this book is that they refer you to read other books related to the subject, such as Nolo Press' "The Small Business Start-up Kit." If you can borrow "Small Business for Dummies" from a local library or friend, I recommend doing so. You can then save your money on other books that cover the various business start-up subjects in more depth. For example, there are a whole series of Nolo Press books about forming a LLC, corporation or limited partnership. They also have books dedicated to trademark registration, writing business plans, buying commercial insurance, negotiating contracts, financial management, hiring more staff, etc. And by the way, I don't have anything to do with either company. Just a guy trying to get a head in business.

Excellent book for wannabe and current small business owners
After I finished Tyson's excellent Investing for Dummies, I picked up Small Business for Dummies which Tyson, an entrepreneur, personal finance writer and counselor co-wrote with entrepreneur Jim Schell. This book too was outstanding. It's practical, well-written and organized and comprehensive. Filled with anecdotes as well as concrete advice.

Good book for aspiring business people
If you aspire to start your own business or are already in one, you will find a wealth of information in this excellent book by Tyson.

Even experienced business people will find an idea or two.

Excellent Book
Great book for a novice like me in conducting real world business. It starts for the basics which I needed. Worth more than the money spent.

Good Book For People New To Business
"Small Business For Dummies" is a good book to introduce people to the world of small business. The book is filled with solid business advice and information which runs the gamut from managing employees to controlling inventory to building customer relationships.

The book starts with a short chapter asking, "Is Small Business For You?" The authors discuss reasons to start a small business and reasons to remain an employee working for someone else. There is a short aptitude test to see if you have the characteristics to be successful as an entrepreneur.

Tyson and Schell define a small-business owner as a person who owns a business with 100 or fewer employees. To reduce the risk of starting a business, the authors suggest you consider starting a part-time business.

I especially like how "Small Business For Dummies" addresses the issue of risk in starting a small business. When an entrepreneur starts a larger company, the founder might collect $150,000 a year in salary, have a great severance package, and even if the company fails, there probably won't be any personal stigma for the founder. On the other hand, small business failure is much more painful, carrying not only the stigma of personal failure, but also dire personal financial consequences.

The second Chapter, "Laying Your Personal Financial Foundation," gives new entrepreneurs a quick course in personal finance, Tyson's specialty. Some entrepreneurs fail to get their personal finances into shape before launching their business.

Tyson and Schell point out, the more financially sound you are, and the more fully aware you are of your spending and financial needs, the more likely you are to succeed in business. A common cause of business failure is running out of money while trying to establish your new company.

Tyson and Schell suggest building up your cash reserves (or a "war chest") of about three to six months of living expenses before starting your company. The authors also discuss the importance of disability, health, and term life insurance in protecting yourself and your family.

Chapter 3, "Finding Your Niche," dispels the common myth that your "niche" is the key to success. Tyson and Schell write: "[T]he niche or idea won't ultimately make or break your business; the day-to-day running of the business itself is what ultimately determines success- or failure. Stated another way, you show us a crackerjack business person, and we'll show you someone who can get rich in the cookie business whether or not he or she has the foggiest idea how to bake the darn things."

"Small Business For Dummies" gives us the valuable tip that trying to be a low-cost player is likely to lead to failure. Small businesses can't compete on price. They must compete on quality and service.

Tyson and Schell also unveil your most valuable business asset- you. After telling us a short story about Sam Walton (the founder of Wal-Mart) borrowing $1,800 to buy an ice cream machine, Tyson and Schell write: "And so it will be with the rest of us who follow in Sam Walton's footsteps- we alone will either make our company, or we will break it. Sure, the niche will be important but we will select it. And certainly our employees will be important, but we will choose the people we hire (and the people we fire). And, of course, our products (or services) will be important, but we will have the final word in defining them. Everything that happens within our business will have our own personal stamp on it. Nothing will be outside of our grasp."

One option to creating a company from scratch is buying an existing small business. Small Business For Dummies devotes two excellent chapters to buying a business.

The book has an excellent discussion of due diligence and evaluating a business to buy. Some of the suggestions include:

~ Examine the business's tax returns. While many small business owners trying to sell a business will try to overstate earnings and the potential of the business to a potential buyer, the owner will likely try to minimize the profits reported to the IRS to save money in income taxes.

~ Talk to key customers, employees, and other companies in the industry. Try to get a feel for the level of ethics and reputation of the company you consider buying. People of low ethics are more likely to try to sell you a bad business for an inflated price and not care about your future success or happiness with the business.

~ Consider hiring a business appraiser, so that you have information about the prices for which comparable businesses are selling.

~ Get proof showing that all business taxes are fully paid to date. And, make sure that the seller is liable for any existing, undisclosed liabilities.

Many people can't afford to purchase an existing business. How do the cash starved build a company? Bootstrap. The Book points out that one Inc. Magazine survey showed that about 79% of the fast-growing Inc. 500 companies relied upon the founder's personal savings and 16% relied upon financing from family members for funding. In contrast, only 7% received bank loans, 5% received angel investments, and 3% received venture capital.

Tyson and Schell write: "The fact that bootstrapping is so pervasive and works so well makes sense if you think about it. First, what better way to instill discipline and to make things work efficiently that to have a limited supply of funds? Second, because you care deeply about risking your own money or that of family or friends, you have a powerful incentive to work hard and smart at making your business succeed. ... Bootstrapping is the unchallenged king of start-up financing."

Small Business For Dummies is worth reading. It is also available at many public libraries.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur" ... Read more

Book Description

Bring the miracle of Lean Six Sigma improvement out of manufacturing and into services

Much of the U.S. economy is now based on services rather than manufacturing. Yet the majority of books on Six Sigma and Lean--today's major quality improvement initiatives--explain only how to implement these techniques in a manufacturing environment.

Lean Six Sigma for Services fills the need for a service-based approach, explaining how companies of all types can cost-effectively translate manufacturing-oriented Lean Six Sigma tools into the service delivery process.

Filled with case studies detailing dramatic service improvements in organizations from Lockheed Martin to Stanford University Hospital, this bottom-line book provides executives and managers with the knowledge they need to:

• Reduce service costs by 30 to 60 percent
• Improve service delivery time by 50 percent
• Expand capacity by 20 percent without adding staff

Reviews (3)

Initiatives for Quality Improvement
A customer is the King ! If there is Quality product, the customer satisfaction ratio level rises up. Customer chooses its high-end needs and service follows. This is the point when this Book comes in too informative to fill in service based approach. With the case studies, the book provides the Executives to go for a solution to satisfy a customer not only with quality but with the service to boost up the sales thereby with cost cutting factors and provide transactions quick and easier with added services and yet not adding the staff. The delivery process can be made much effective with the cost cuts with the clear examples and like other Six Sigma in Business, this one is sure pick for all Manufacturing unit Executives who also believe in Quality Service. Good Read.

Innovative Approach to Lean Six Sigma in Service
I admire Michael George for coming up with another innovative solution by applying the Lean Six Sigma approach to Service Industry. As Lean Six Sigma has helped companies in the manufacturing industry, this book will help the Service industry.

Praveen Gupta
Author of Six Sigma Business Scorecard

Lean Six Sigma for Service
"Lockheed Martin is driving operating excellence in all work that we do. We recognized that our business support processes have as much opportunity for improvement as our design and build areas. By applying Lean process speed and Six Sigma quality tools to all elements of work, such as marketing, legal, contract administration, procurement, etc., we can drive competitive advantage. The lessons learned and practical case studies contained in Lean Six Sigma for Service provide a template which can create great value for customers, employees and shareholders."

---Mike Joyce, Vice President, LM 21
Lockheed-Martin ... Read more

Book Description

Information Technology and Management, Second Edition by Thompson and Cats-Baril is not just an introduction to information technology; rather, it is an introduction to business processes and the information systems that can make these processes more effective. The book covers the traditional topics of information technology, information system components, and information system development.But it goes beyond this traditional coverage, showing how businesses function and how information systems enable businesses to function more effectively.The theme of IT and organizational responsiveness has been retained, but now centers on the context of how an information system can impact the competitiveness of an organization. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Book
I thought this book did an excellent job of describing the aspects of Information Technology.It was clearly written and easy to read.I also thought the CD did a great job also, though it was a little tricky to navigate around, at first.My only regret is I cannot get my boss to read it.He's a Technophobe. ... Read more

Book Description

Now in a completely updated and revised Fourth Edition, this highly readable book emphasizes the core data management skills needed to succeed in today's business environment. The book presents a real-world, management perspective and offers fully integrated coverage of data modeling and SQL.
* New chapter on future directions, including u-commerce.
* New material on data integration, data quality, and data schemas.
* Includes reference sections on data modeling and SQL.
* Presents the "big picture" of data management. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Good for a few lines on the resume
I have two sets of comments - one for students and one for professors.

Students first... Watson focuses primarily on the practical aspects of SQL in an organizational database environment. However, database theory is also taught fairly well through the many examples offered in the text. Students will have ample opportunity to hone their hands-on skills, and as such, should be confident enough to put a line on their resume for SQL/ Database skills by the time the course is over. Although the publisher's website offers little support beyond lecture slides, the author's personal website does offer more in this regard.

Now for professors... The book is organized well and is thorough in its coverage of SQL and organizational database applications. I don't think I have seen a better text for teaching SQL that wasn't explicitly an SQL text. For my part, though, I prefer a deductive approach to teaching database theory rather than the inductive approach preferred by the text. Also, I would have preferred some more support materials for instructors, such as an instructor CD with testbanks, cases, SQL code examples from the text and problems, etc. Although the author's personal website carries ample support materials, it would be nice to have a CD bundled with the text. The one glaring omission in the instructor support materials was that there doesn't seem to be a testbank available for this text!

Great Book!!
I had the good fortune of taking a data management class with Dr. Watson. He uses this book for an MBA level course on data management.He is an excellent teacher with a great sense of humor and it reflects very well in the way this book has been written.

Even though I had known SQL well and also bits and pieces of data modeling prior to taking the class, this book put it all together very nicely.

Data Modeling is taught from the perspective of a business analyst/manager. It covers virtually any type of business problem you may encounter and I guarantee that you won't find any more complex SQL queries in your real life than the ones this book covers at length. The SQL playbook is simply a great reference!!

I would highly recommend it to any business student or executive who has anything to do with data management.

Outstanding Textbook for teaching Data Modeling and SQL
By introducing data modeling and SQL together in gradually increasing level of complexity, this book introduces students to these subjects in an intuitive manner.

As a matter of fact, by the time the text covers those two subjects formally in later chapters, most of my students found it almost trivial. And by building on sound data modeling principles through out, the students learn good data modeling habits from the ground up.

If I have any complaints, its that when the topic of normalization is covered in a later chapter, my biggest problem is explaining to my students why anyone would have created tables that are not in second or third normal form in the first place!

Truly a joy to teach from.

Data modeling and SQL integrated
This is a beautiful, accessible, up to date, patient, didactic, and all in all a very good book. A Dutch teacher of databases since a long time, I never came across quite the right thing for my non-Dutch students until I found this one.
Watson is not a computer nerd. He appreciates the fact that data modeling problems are real-world problems. And the fact that modeling and SQL are two sides of the same coin: getting the data IN a database in order to get information FROM it. And that fact that databases operate in an organization, not in a vacuum.

Perfect balance of depth and breadth
This book is written not for nerds or for lovers of formalisms, but for generalists with a need to really manage data, be competent at designing databases and at using them. It is a bit verbose but reads like a novel. Very didactic, but the reference value could be improved. All in all, better than many books on databases that tend to be narrow-perspectived. Well worth buying. ... Read more

Book Description

The only book that offers a state-of-the-art education in entrepreneurship

... From an all-star team that includes:

William D. Bygrave, Babson College • Jeffry Timmons, Harvard University and Babson College • Abdul Ali, Babson College • Kathleen Seiders, Babson College • Andrew Zacharakis, Babson College • William Wetzel, University of New Hampshire • Joel Shulman, Babson College • Elizabeth Gatewood, Indiana University • Richard Mandel, Babson College • Joseph Iandiorio, Iandiorio & Teska • Steve Spinelli, Babson College • J. William Petty, Baylor University • Julian Lange, Babson College • Ed Marram, Babson College • Donna Kelly, Babson College

Starting your own business is an increasingly popular and feasible response to today’s changing job market, and the best entrepreneurial wisdom available is in The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship, Third Edition. Edited by William Bygrave and Andrew Zacharakis, two seasoned professors of entrepreneurship at Babson College, it covers all the fundamentals–from opportunity recognition to venture capital to formulating smart business plans. This revised volume of the 600,000-copy bestseller includes a wealth of new case studies, as well as updated tax and legal information. Geared towards both MBA candidates and aspiring entrepreneurs, The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship guides the reader through the startup process and beyond, culling wisdom from the best and brightest in the field. If you’re ready to see what the entrepreneurial world has to offer you, this book is your ticket. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Overview of Entrepreneurship
"The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship" is a very thorough introduction to the entire process of entrepreneurship and business formation. New entrepreneurs will find articles by various entrepreneurs and scholars of entrepreneurship that cover marketing, finance, venture capital, writing a business plan, and many other topics.

"The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship" also notes many interesting aspects of entrepreneurship as it relates to the broader economy. It is pointed out that throughout the 1980's, for example, that only 5% of all the companies accounted for 77% of the new jobs in the U.S. Such information is interesting and it helps us understand the broader issues of entrepreneurship.

Although much of this academic information about entrepreneurship is not practically useful to new entrepreneurs who are building and growing companies, it does make for some interesting reading. Nor is "The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship" a thorough analysis of successful businesses. It is not a business case study book.

The chapter about Market Opportunites and Marketing by Gerald E. Hills is especially good reading for people contemplating starting a business.

While this is a very good book, if I were going to teach a class in entrepreneurship (and assuming students wanted a more hands-on introduction to building a company), I'd use "The Entrepreneur's Fieldbook" by John Vinturella.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"

Useful
I think this is book is used in many Universities of developed countries. I would like to know more about new editions also.

A great reference book but not a great read.
I bought this book to help me get started on my own service business. It is helpful in many ways, and not so helpful in other ways. THE GOOD: 1) There is a load of information about entrepreneurship. This book takes you from getting started, to finding the capital you need, to tax and legal issues, to franchising your business. 2) It gives good definitions and explains words that you may be unfamiliar with. Ex... What is a sub chapter S corporation? You'll find the answer to that and many other questions in this book! 3) A great reference. It tells you where you can go to find the information that you will need. It lists journals, books, and government sites that will help you. THE BAD: 1) It reads like a text book. There is a lot of information crammed into this book, page after page after page... 2) Is this guy really an entrepreneur or just a teacher? There are a lot of theories and charts in this book... it makes you wonder. 3) It is a reference book. There was no way that I could read this book straight through, so it sits on my shelf and every once in a while I pull it down to look up words, find references to more information or read one chapter that is applicable to my life right now. OVERALL: If you are looking for an encyclopedia-like reference book for everything you wanted to know about entrepreneurship then this book is for you. If you want motivation, real world examples or unconventional techniques to help you in your business then I would suggest Harry Beckwith or Ries & Trout.

Magnificent!
Excellent book! Covers many aspects of entrepreneurship quite thoroughly. Also consider buying the case studies of this series.

Execellent Overview of Entrepreneurship
I recently completed my MBA. Although no single book will sufficiently cover the material learned through an entire Masters program, I did find this book to be a good start on understanding many of the important issues involved in a new venture. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Book Description

The demand for training often exceeds the available resources. That's when organizations turn to their subject matter experts. These employees often have no training experience, but they have valuable information to share with their co-workers. The Train-the-Trainer workshop is the helping hand that no new trainer can do without.

The Facilitator's Guide gives you the tips, tools, checklists, and guidelines you need to conduct an effective, interactive train-the-trainer program.

You'll teach new trainers how to:

Book Description

This comprehensive handbook with companion CD ROM will clearly demonstrate how to set up, operate and manage a financially successful bed-and-breakfast or small hotel. Whatever your reason for wanting to open a bed and breakfast, keep in mind that at it takes more than dreams and rooms to achieve success, it is a business that must show a profit. This book will separate the romantic notions of owning a B&B from the business end.

While providing detailed instruction and examples, the author leads you through finding a location that will bring success, learn how to draw up a winning business plan (The Companion CD Rom has the actual business plan you can use in MS Word tm.), how to buy and (sell) a B&B,basic cost control systems, profitable menu planning, Reservation Systems, samplefloor plans & diagrams, successful kitchen management, equipment layout and planning, food safety & HACCP, housekeeping, successful beverage management, reservation networks,legal concerns, sales and marketing techniques,room rate formulas, arrival, billing, departure, learn how to set up computer systems to save time and money, learn how to hire & keep a qualified professional staff, brand new IRS tip reporting requirements, managing and training employees, generate high profile public relations and publicity, learn low cost internal marketing ideas, low and no cost ways to satisfy customers and build sales, learn how to keep bringing customers back, accounting & bookkeeping procedures, auditing, successful budgeting and profit planning development, as well as thousands of great tips and useful guidelines.

There are literally hundreds of innovative ways demonstrated to streamline your business. Learn new ways to make the kitchen, bars, dining room, and front office run smoother and increase performance. Shut down waste, reduce costs, and increase profits. In addition operators will appreciate this valuable resource and reference in their daily activities and as a source of ready-to-use forms, web sites, operating and cost cutting ideas, and mathematical formulas that can be easily applied to their operations. The Companion Cd Rom contains all the forms in the book as well as a sample business plan you can adapt for your own use. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Companion CD ROM is invaluable !!!
The book is great and the most updated on the subject - but the CD rom included with the book is superb and a very nice added bonus! It contains a full 50+ page business plan in Word for easy editing with financial statements, over 50 customized forms for your use in PDF format, and a check list of thousands of items you need to open - these are all bonus items included on the CD ROM !!!
We have looked at other business plans and software and all were over $100.00 - this is a great value - my only comment is the book is so packed with info. the type size is a little small for my aging eyes...

Great Book - Great Value with the CD Rom
This comprehensive handbook with companion CD ROM will clearly demonstrate how to set up, operate and manage a financially successful bed-and-breakfast or small hotel. Whatever your reason for wanting to open a bed and breakfast, keep in mind that at it takes more than dreams and rooms to achieve success, it is a business that must show a profit. This book will separate the romantic notions of owning a B&B from the business end.

While providing detailed instruction and examples, the author leads you through finding a location that will bring success, learn how to draw up a winning business plan ( The Companion CD Rom has the actual business plan you can use in MS Word tm.), how to buy and (sell ) a B&B, basic cost control systems, profitable menu planning, Reservation Systems, sample floor plans & diagrams, successful kitchen management, equipment layout and planning, food safety & HACCP, housekeeping, successful beverage management, reservation networks, legal concerns, sales and marketing techniques, room rate formulas, arrival, billing, departure, learn how to set up computer systems to save time and money, learn how to hire & keep a qualified professional staff, brand new IRS tip reporting requirements, managing and training employees, generate high profile public relations and publicity, learn low cost internal marketing ideas, low and no cost ways to satisfy customers and build sales, learn how to keep bringing customers back, accounting & bookkeeping procedures, auditing, successful budgeting and profit planning development, as well as thousands of great tips and useful guidelines.

There are literally hundreds of innovative ways demonstrated to streamline your business. Learn new ways to make the kitchen, bars, dining room, and front office run smoother and increase performance. Shut down waste, reduce costs, and increase profits. In addition operators will appreciate this valuable resource and reference in their daily activities and as a source of ready-to-use forms, web sites, operating and cost cutting ideas, and mathematical formulas that can be easily applied to their operations. The Companion Cd Rom contains all the forms in the book as well as a sample business plan you can adapt for your own use. ... Read more

Book Description

This hands-on book tells you how to quickly determine performance needs before investing precious time and resources. When trainers, consultants, and problem-solvers need to figure out what's wrong with an organization--and they need a solution fast--they need this book. Needs assessment is about doing things right; performance analysis guarantees doing the right thing.

Rossett offers extensive guidance on:

Book Description

This book's dynamic portrayal of international business (cross-functional and integrated in approach) makes its content lively, topical, and enjoyable. It includes examples of companies from around the world in order to provide an unbiased, global perspective on business. Clear, straightforward explanations of challenging material are supported by informative illustrations that give readers easy access to this subject.Chapter topics include culture in business, politics and law in business, business in other economies, international trade, foreign direct investment, international financial markets and monetary system, acquiring business resources, and managing the international business.For anyone who wants to understand international business—and fully appreciate how business is conducted today. ... Read more

Book Description

As the core of undergraduate and graduate courses or as a supplement to other books, Business Ethics remains the established resource for accessible and up-to-date coverage of applied ethics. The Fifth Edition integrates details of actual business decisions and real-world cases, with pedagogical aids to promote critical-thinking skills.

Reviews (2)

A handy handbook for ethical decision making
Excellent. A practical book written by academics. Many books on ethics are hard to read because of the intellectual gymnastics required. Those written by consultants and journalists are often of the cookbook type and artificial. This book is therefore not only usefulfor students but also for businessmen and consultants. This book focuses on decision making within a clearly defined framework with good definitions of the concepts used. It also includes a very good description of relevant laws in the USA. I did not realise that laws regulate so many ethical business issues. For example " The Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organisations" provide a very good framework to any company that wants to act ethically. Business ethics as defined in the book does not include obeying the law, which I think is correct. Each chapter starts with a practical but imagined case. Many of the cases deal with breaking the law or not. For example "analyse the ethical implication of a woman having to decide whether to go to bed with her boss as that is the condition be puts on her being promoted". Or " what are the ethical implications of dumping toxic substances in the river if you can get away with it by bribing the inspector". One of the principles of the book is that it does not prescribe any solutions. I think that this is pushed too far in many of these cases. I see no point in analysing the ethical implications of breaking the law. My recommendation is to eliminate all of these cases or rewrite them. However, the 15 actual legal cases are useful. They show how difficult it can be to determine what is an ethical and what is a legal issue. The subject of moral philosophies is covered in 16 pages. The authors correctly state that it is impossible to deal with this subject in any depth. The risk with this chapter is that the simplifications made are so extreme that the reader may think he has understood the essence of this topic. That is however very far from reality. These criticisms should however not discourage potential buyers of the book. Overall it is very good.

An excellent graduate level textbook
I have used this text twice in the past as a text for a graduate level course in business ethics at a university in Southern California. I will be using it again this fall and winter. I find that it has a good discussion of theory salted with good real life examples. The long cases are a little dated now, three years after publication, but still are very illustrative. (Some still have "action" occurring even now in the real world.) Within each chapter are an "Ethical Dilemma" (short case) and "A Real-Life Situation" (two-to-three page case) that help to stimulate discussion and to employ principles learned so far in the text. My students have indicated that they like this text. Obviously I do as well! ... Read more

Book Description

Innovative Ideas for Retail Success

"A well-written book that covers all aspects of specialty retailing. A wonderful resource for anyone in retail or thinking about opening a shop." –Kim Mack, Vice President, Crabtree & Evelyn

"Specialty Shop Retailing is a bonanza of savvy ideas and an excellent road map to success in specialty retailing.... Schroeder apparently has done it all, or most–and, thankfully, shes willing to share it with the rest of us!" –Phyllis Sweed, former editor in chief, Gifts and Decorative Accessories

"Everything you wanted to know about specialty retailing you can learn right here.... A must-read by all prospective owners and all key employees.... Add your own creativity and fun, and you have the formula for SUCCESS!" –Joan F. Gillman, University of Wisconsin School of Business—Madison

"The first book you should read if you want to open a successful retail specialty shop, and a must book to read if you want to compare your store with one of the best in the field." –Bill Haefling, President, Haefling & Haefling, Inc.

"If you plan to open a specialty retail store, this book is a must!... I guarantee that those with existing retail operations, regardless of the maturity of the business, will also benefit from this book. Enjoyable reading!" –Anne McGilvray, Anne McGilvray & Company

"Carol Schroeders insightful and humorous approach, combined with her broad human understanding and expertise, make for enjoyable as well as instructive reading. This book is essential for anyone who is considering opening a retail store." –William E. Little Jr., Chairman, George Little Management, Inc. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Pretty good book but Retail Business Kit for Dummies better
Let me start by introducing myself and explaining an apparent potential conflict of interest...

I'm a CPA in Redmond, WA and am always on the lookup for resources that I can suggest to clients. I have quite a few independent retail clients and so was interested in this book.

I also happen to be the author of QuickBooks for Dummies and Quicken for Dummies.

Okay, all that said, I think Carol Schroeder's book is a pretty good one. The book has lots of good information for the independent retailer or the prospective independent retailer. (As you can see, I gave it four stars!) But I really think that the Retail Business Kit for Dummies is a better book. There's more information in the Dummies book and it's an easier read.

One final comment: Before you say to yourself, "Hey, he's just recommending another Dummies book, that's bogus!" let me point out that both the Dummies series of books and "Specialty Shop Retailing" are published by the same company, John Wiley & Sons.

Maybe the thought I'll leave you with is this: If you're interested in learning more about starting and running a successful retail store, read Retail Business Kit for Dummies first... then, if you want more information and have time for another book, read Specialty Shop Retailing. You will get good information in the Shroeder book that isn't in the Dummies book.

Steve

Provides an illuminating look into a mysterious business.
You have to be in retail before you can appreciate how mysterious and unpredictable it is. Schroeder overviews the basics of getting started, the basics of retail finance, designing your store, buying and merchandising, staffing, customer service, and advertising and promotion. Each of these chapters provides just an overview, although I found her chapter on staffing to be particularly helpful. The book also provides a very good literature review. There are numerous books in the bibliography that will make interesting reading. My only regret is that Schroeder didn't provide more of her own experiences. She has a fascinating story to tell. How a fresh college graduate can purchase a failing retail chain and turn in around almost immediately is beyond my abilities. You are left wanting to know more of her story over her 20 years of experience. How did she really build a small store to $1.5 million in annual sales? Its fun to read a book written not by a professional author, but by a seasoned retailer who is willing to help others. She has made a tremendous contribution. Dr. Ken Bailey co-owner, Wicker & Brass Etc.

Specialty Shop Retail
Took notes throughout the book! Even though I've owned the business for three years I gleaned lots of invaluable information from the experience of Orange and her husband. Would recommend to anyone in retail--new to it or an "old hat."

A MUST!
A detailed well written text that guides the prospective or seasoned shop owner through the business of owning and operating a business. Industry terms are thoroughly explained, other resources given and numerous examples of effective business forms are provided. Ms. Schoeder guides the reader through the book using humor and anecdotes making it hard to put down. This is a must reference for anyone contemplating starting a business.

Fabulous!
I have received this excellent book just before Christmas and spend all Christmas evenings reading it. Extremely helpful, encouraging, wise and funny. Everyone who dreams about owning speciality shop have to read it... many times! ... Read more

Book Description

Get the scoop on recession-proof online strategies

Packed with e-commerce survival stories, best practices, and resources

Get the information you need to thrive online — even in todays economy!

Today is a great time to launch an online business – the competition is less, the technology is better, and Internet use is at an all-time high. This thoroughly updated guide shows you how to dive right in. From fine-tuning plans and setting up a high-traffic site to marketing, customer service, and security, its just what you need to succeed!

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Reviews (14)

unimpressive
i realize the book says for dummies in the title BUT first off some of the things the book states about dreamweaver are not true and are not possible - i didnt open the cd because from reading the book you knew most of the cd was demos which you would have to take off of your computer in a month anyway - the only information i got from this book was basic business start up legal information - it kept referring to information i am looking for but it states it is not covered in this book but the small business internet for dummies - after reading this book cover to cover though i am very hesitant to purchase another book by this author - the information i need is probably just referenced to and really in a third book anyway - overall i was very unimpressed by this book

only buy this book if you are BRAND NEW to the internet - like you just got online for the first time last week and think maybe making money online might be for you THIS BOOK IS FOR BEGINNING BEGINNERS ONLY

Starting An Online Business For Dummies
This book is truly incredible. I cannot even absorb all of the information in it! This is a MUST HAVE for ANYONE even thinking about starting an on line business. This is such an easy read and you can go on line and check out all the different web sites he has listed in the book. There is more information in this book than I ever thought possible. It is EXTREMELY helpful and written very well. It is the kind of book that you keep on your desk to constantly look up things. This is the best investment I have made in a long time. = )

a reader
this is a very good book for beginer and other as well. step by step, easy to follow, important notices, great advices and more.

O.K. for Beginners
Like most of the Dummies books, this book is designed for the complete beginners, i.e. people who have absolutely no business and Web experience.

The book gives such advices as hiring a technical consultant, writing a business plan, manage your finance, etc. Wow :-()

It's better to buy several books that focus on different areas of the business. Get one for business plan, one for web marketing, one for negotiation, one for legal guide, one for accounting, etc. There are many good software programs out there that do all these now too. All of them would be better than a dummies book like this one.

The best I could've asked for!
I am so happy that I chose this book out of all of the others available. It is so easy to understand & packed with information that all of us starting an online business needs. I am one to fold page corners of pages that have info that is very important to me. You should see how many there are!! It is an excellent resource of info & I am very grateful to have found it. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A great theory, well written...
Heifetz creates a psychological-social-political theory of leadership, which he defines as "an activity" that allows for "adaptive work." Leadership is the work that points out discrepancies beetween what we say we do, and what we actually do; or between our values (democracy, inclusion) and our actions. Leadership ultimately involves reconciling our values to our behavior. Leadership is not merely finding "technical" solutions to "adaptive problems," but, instead, is about finding more congruence (for both leaders and followers) between what they say and hope, and what they do.

The author's writing is very clear.

I most liked his simple phrasing of complex issues; how the threads through the incomplete theories of leadership (Carlyle, James MacGregor Burns); his practical orientation; his emphasis on followers' responsibility; his way of describing how leadership fails; and his notions of leadership succession. I also liked that this is not a "how to do" leadership book (the "ten best ways to be a leader" genre) aimed at a particular audience (business leaders, educational leaders), but, instead, is a thought-provoking discussion of ideas about leadership.

An outstanding and insightful book!
A must read for anyone who honestly wants to become a better, more caring leader. Be cautioned, however, there are no easy answers. This work does not include a list of "silver bullets," rather it will cause you to think very deeply about a very complex subject--leadership. This book is important becauses it causes one to reflect on their own role as a leader (whether formal or informal). It causes one to look within themselves and evaluate difficult, personal areas--such as values and personal practices. Dr. Heifetz draws on years of research and experience in organizational theory and psychology to explain that there are no easy answers. Everything about leadership is becoming more complex. The environment is fluid, every situation is different. We can no longer rely on old paradigms to manage new problems. The best any leader can do is approach problems with a sound "tool box" from which to draw solutions. This book will provide a number of new "tools," if the reader is open-minded enough to take them. I had the opportunity to stundy under Dr. Heifetz during a leadership seminar at Harvard. His lessons inspired a defining moment in my leadership style. Anyone who reads this book should have a similar experience.

Exceptional from start to finish
I read this book in 1994 when it was first published and then again recently. It is excellent and establishes a philosophical approach to leadership that is grounded in problem solving rather than visionary mission. The visionary hero is a threat to democracy as evidenced by such leaders as Adolph Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte. Ronald Heifetz draws a portrait of the leader that is far different from the heroic leader who tries to convince society of easy answers and moves people to action through prejudice and stereotypes. The modern leader takes actions that allow people to adapt to challenge so as to survive. The modern leader recognizes that social problems are embedded in history, custom, special interests, and competing interests. This leads to the two analogies that Heifetz employs to draw a picture of his model. The first analogy is that of the balcony and the dance floor. Heifetz says the leader must emerse themselves in the lives and challenges of the people, experience the chaos and competing interests. They must dance on the floor. However the leader must also leave the dance floor and go to the balcony where they may observe the pattern of the waltz and thus reflect on the direction that the community/society is taking and how this may be adaptive or dangerous. The second analogy is the image of the pressure cooker. The leader must apply enough pressure to bring people together to solve problems even if they have competing interests and ideas. There must be enough pressure to bring people to the negotiation table and to keep them at the table while at the same time keeping the pressure from building to the point of blowing up. Adaptive leaderships is far different from visionary leadership.

I especially enjoyed the sections on informal and formal leadership and the way these two forms of leadership may join forces to move society to more adaptive strategies. The example of LBJ and MLK was masterful.

In some ways this book does support great men ideas of leadership in that there is considerable talent needed to reflect on adaptive strategies needed for societal survival and progress, bring opposing forces to the negotiation table, and play roles of informal or formal leadership.

In other ways the book supports challenging times approaches to leadership theory in that challenging times call for societal adaptation, never an easy step for any society to make.

If you come to this book with the idea that leadership is imposition of ideology on the masses; if you think Ronald Reagan or Lenin were great leaders, then this book is not for you. Leadership is messy business because it means solving real difficult problems in a world of conflicting interests.

If you come to this book with the idea that leadership is based in the ability to motivate the masses with slogans and simplified answers to complex problems; if you think George W Bush is a great leader, then this book is not for you. Social problems are complex and slogans and simple answers only increase the complexity.

Franklin Roosevelt would stand out as the type of leader that Heifetz would identify as adaptive and successful in his leadership. He moved a broken nation out of the depression and he moved an isolationist nation into a just war against Hitler. Both required that he reflect from the balcony and maintain the pressure on the pressure cooker without creating an explosion.

liberal agenda
does anyone else thing heifetz is pushing a liberal agenda...Every liberal politian/action is praised, and every republican is demonized. what else can we expect from a Harvard professor?

not for people who like to think for themselves
It may work for folks that like being spoonfed a mishmash of catchphrases, anecdotes, and simplistic conclusions. But are those the people you really want in charge? I think not. ... Read more

Book Description

When it was published in 1994, Roger Schwarz's The Skilled Facilitator earned widespread critical acclaim and became a landmark in the field. The book is a classic work for consultants, facilitators, managers, leaders, trainers, and coaches--anyone whose role is to guide groups toward realizing their creative and problem-solving potential. This thoroughly revised edition provides the essential materials for facilitators and includes simple but effective ground rules for group interaction. Filled with illustrative examples, the book contains proven techniques for starting meetings on the right foot and ending them positively and decisively. This important resource also offers practical methods for handling emotions when they arise in a group and offers a diagnostic approach for identifying and solving problems that can undermine the group process.

... Read more

Reviews (6)

More Than Practical Wisdom
The subtitle of this accessible guide to facilitation, "Practical Wisdom For Developing Effective Groups", accurately describes the book's scope and utility. In four parts and thirteen chapters, Schwarz provides an overview, with countless meaningful examples, of how facilitators can most effectively help groups develop their capacity for improvement. He distinguishes between two types of facilitation: (1) Basic facilitation, which aims to help a group "solve a substantive problem"; and (2) Developmental facilitation, which accomplishes basic facilitation while helping a group learn "to improve its process". He argues that three core values underlie effective group and facilitator behavior. The first is "valid information", which means that relevant information is shared by group members and that all groups members can validate and understand the information. The second is "free and informed choice", which means that group members define their own goals and methods of achieving those goals using valid information. The third is, "internal commitment to the choice", which means that group members take responsibility for their decisions by making informed choices based on valid information. Using a basic or developmental approach, facilitators most effectively intervene by making explicit and modeling these core values. These values are maintained by a group agreeing and sticking to essential ground rules, which Schwarz lists on p. 75 and treats extensively throughout the book.

In the heart of Schwarz's book are seven chapters on intervening effectively in groups. In those chapters, he advises the reader on, among other things, how to intervene, meeting management, group problem-solving, following ground rules, and dealing with emotions. He closes with wisdom on serving as a facilitator in your own organization and on the facilitative leader. His opening sections on how facilitation helps groups achieve their goals and establishing the foundation for facilitation lay the groundwork for his later chapters.

In the opening chapters, he includes two models worth mentioning. In his "group effectiveness model" (p.23), Schwarz shows how group processes (the primary concern of the facilitator) interact with group structure and organizational context to contribute to a group effectiveness. Group effectiveness is assessed through three criteria: (1) The group's services or products meet or exceed the expectations of the clients; (2) The processes and structures used to deliver services or create products enhance the group's capacity to work together; and (3) The group's experience is satisfying, not frustrating, for the group's members. In the second noteworthy model, Schwarz presents the "diagnosis-intervention cycle" (p. 68). In this cycle, there are three diagnostic steps and three intervention steps. In the diagnostic phase, the facilitator observes behavior, infers meaning and decides whether to intervene. In the intervention phase, s/he describes observations, test her/his inferences, and helps the group decide whether and how to alter behaviors. Understanding and using these models are critical for effective facilitation.

For the would-be facilitator or group leader, this book provides exactly what the subtitle promises.

Not An Entry Level Facilitation Book
I picked up this book because I needed to read up on how better to sell facilitation and exactly what facilitators should be doing. This book explains this and more. However, if you are looking for a simple overview of what a facilitator should, could and would do incertain situations, this is NOT your book. If you are a manager trying to be a better facilitator, do not buy this book unless you want in-depth information.

That said, if you are a facilitator looking to improve your skills, combine theory and practice or simply go back to the basics of what makes some facilitators great, this is your book.
Also, if you are a manager who really wants to become an effective facilitator/mentor, this is your book. But don't think that you can simply read the material and be more effective. The ideas and theory will take practice. Luckily, the book also gives many examples to make the ideas and theories practical and concrete.

As I said, I bought it to become better at selling professional facilitation. It gave me that and much more. I will keep it as an invaluable resource and make sure all of my facilitators utilize the practices described in detail.

Make it easy on yourself!
Roger's book is a unique hybrid of theory, practical exercises, examples, and personal stories. It works! The art and science of facilitation (to make easy or easier) is presented clearly, concisely, and completely. And, that is what I enjoyed about Roger's book so much. He gives it to you with "the bark on." He makes you aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly relative to the practice of facilitation.

I had used this book for several years in my work as a trainer, facilitator, and manager. Then, I had the pleasure to attend a workshop conducted by Roger. He lives what he teaches. While I was fortunate enough to have my company pay for the workshop, it is one of only three workshops I have ever attended that I feel like I would pay