Business Books

As an experienced loyalty marketer, I had high expectations reading this book. I must say it even exceeded them. It is easy to read, complete and well structured. It combines well theory, cases studies and practical tips. It covers the distinct areas which impact loyalty, and guides us well on a step by step approach, especially helpful given the wide and complex subject. In others words, this book is great value for money for anyone who cares about customer loyalty.

I have read a lot of business books in my day, and this is one of the best books. When it comes down to a book being all fluff or pages filled with intellectual meat, this book is like a butchers shop. There is little wordage in this book that doesn't come with applicable ideas. A lot of authors try to fill up pages. This author trys to make her sentences count. I rarely ever write reviews on Amazon either. This book is worth reviewing. It is well worth the money, and after reading it, I feel obligated to sing its praises. I wish there were more books that had as much content in this in as little pages as it has. If the author reads this, WRITE ANOTHER BOOK! I'll buy it.

Everything worked just like it should, used books shipped when they were supposed to in good condition.

A must by for new business owners! Practical teaching with easy to apply techniques. Existing businesses who've let their customer service fall by the wayside could also greatly benefit and be inspired to change.

This text is required for my Master of Science in Quality Assurance course. This text gives a very good overview of the essentials of developing and maintaining customer loyalty. It differentiates customer satisfaction and customer loyalty well. I think that everyone will find this a worthwhile purchase.

It's always refreshing when a writing style gives off good vibes. Mark's words do that. His tone sets the stage for idea generation because ideas come more easily when people feel safe. As an ideation expert myself I know from experience that ideas come from everywhere and through many means. TRIZ is just as legitimate as any other. It's also rooted in quantitative analysis which may help the "not so creative types" or "suits" accept it more readily than silly string fights in a rubber room. I recommend having this book on your self as part of your idea generation tools.

Brian Heidsiek, Principal
Sandbox Industrial Design
www.sandboxid.com

Mark Fox's book shooked my world ! So many possibilities are shared in "Da Vinci and the 40 answers" . I learned about TRIZ and the 40 universal answers to basic problems. Buy this book now !

I am a small business owner that constantly reads to stay crisp, engaged with trends and motivated. Davinci and the 40 Answers broke completley new ground for me with TRIZ. I found myself reading a chapter then going back to reread for greater enlightenment. STOP reading the reviews and buy this book now if you are serious about being more creative, developing different skill sets to solve problems and picking up pearls of wisdom that will help you succeed in this roller coaster economy.
Jack McManus

I attended a presentation by Mark in the UK a few weeks ago and received a copy of the book. The book is excellent, just like the presentation!

I had no previous knowledge or experience of TRIZ, but found the book easy to read, accessible and full of great examples and ideas. It should be useful for anyone who needs to generate creative ideas.

Mark's take on the 40 answers makes TRIZ a breeze! After two years of Six Sigma training from my company (of which TRIZ was a part), I can say that Mark's approach simplifies TRIZ and makes it usable by the general public! After I read the book, I thought, "That's not so hard!" and wished that we could have had this book as our training manual for the TRIZ part of our classwork. There's something in here for everyone and you'll definitely have a few things you can take away and apply immediately.

I purchased this to help my niece who HATES reading and just cant seem to enjoy a book. Well this book scaled that brick wall for her. She dreams of being a vet and connects very well with animals. She and her mother both read the book and called me to share how great it was. I was glad to find a book without demons, horror and negativity, something that was realistic without being covered in the modern day muck of life today. I was thrilled she found a connection and I felt more connected to her through these books.

Have you ever seen strangers sell dogs? Well if you have be careful because they could be selling sick or stollen dogs.This book is about fighting for the life of sick dogs this girl is a vet helper ; every day people come in with their sick dogs and its very strange because every one who comes in with their sick dogs bought them from the same person.They finally find the stranger who sells the dogs and reports him to the police and the vet and the girl help the peopel save the dogs and the people live happy with their healthy dogs!

My fourth-grade son came across the Wild At Heart series a few weeks ago and has now read six of them. I read two -- worried that they would be either too saccharine, too dogmatic, or too sad for him. They are none of these. They are EXCELLENT books pitched straight at the upper elementary level -- well-written, realistic without being condescending or brutal, and with excellent situational and character development.

As a library volunteer 2+ times a week for the past five years, I know that animal books FLY off the shelves into the hands of (especially) young girls. This is one that belongs there ... BUT ... don't neglect to buy it for any animal-loving boy, either!

This series is important in teaching children about animals, how to care for them, humane handling,,,etc. Thanks to the series...our daughter will learn about puppy mills, ferral cat colonies and how to humanely handle them by trap/spay/neuter & release! We are really enjoying these books. She is six and is really into them. It's so nice to be able to teach her these things and to discuss them further in a gentle way! Thanks for a GREAT SERIES Laurie! We bought 1-4 at a school book fair, 5 & 6 at a bookstore and...I just pre-ordered the next 4 (7,8,9 & 10) here on Amazon! As animal lovers ourselves and stray lovers, we can connect with these books - and feel wat goes into them!
:)

This book was very gripping. It was also a good book to read if you wanted to be a veterinarian because it gives you good information. The cool thing is these books are true. This book also tells you a lot of things that you need to do when you are a vet like how to clean cages. I think this book is definitely good for anyone who wants to be a vet. I think that because this book is about a girl who helps around the clinic.
This book is all about a girl named Maggie who helps her grandma with the vet clinic, but now her grandma thinks that she needs to bring her grades way up, and until then she can't help in the clinic instead she will hire volunteers. Then on top of that her cousin Zoe is coming, and then on top of all of that sick puppies keep coming to the clinic and they might be coming from a puppy mill! What will she do? How can she save those pups?

Jac Holzman was the founder of Elektra Records, and one of the biggest groups he signed were The Doors. I admit I bought this book because I'm a Doors fan and I thought I'd get the juiciest stories about my favorite group, but I was wrong. I got much more than I bargained for, the story of Elektra is fascinating from beginning to end.

Jac Holzman started Elektra from his college dorm room (a precursor of Napster perhaps?) He haunted coffee houses in Greenwich Village in the late 50's perfectly positioning him to catch the folk scene as it came on and to record it. Holzman did everything from finding the artists to recording them to getting the records made to getting them into record stores, and even though all this took place 50 years ago it would be good for any entrepreneurs out there to read this book. The stories related by Holzman are interesting, he knows how to turn a tale.

The oral biography format is a perfect fit for this story, or even this type of story. It is the story of a career and the many aspects of running a record company from it's inception to through it's heyday, to the day its sold to a major company. The story of a career like this is dependent on many voices and in an oral biography you hear those voices, they may sometimes not agree on events or perspective, but you get the fuller impact of the story behind it. You'll hear from not only Holman, but Theodore Bikell, Paul Rothchild (producer of The Doors & Janis Joplin), John Sebastian, Judy Collins, Jim Morrison, Jackson Browne, Ray Manzarek, Warren Zevon, Carly Simon, Robby Krieger, Paul Williams, the MC5 (with one of the best Rock `n' Roll stories), even Harrison Ford makes a guest appearance as a carpenter who works on Holzman's house before he finds fame as an actor. I could list all the legendary, famous and near famous as the review and that would be enough to entice music fans to read this book. The list of people who were instrumental to Elektra is in the front of Follow The Music, it's seven pages long. Each witness offers his or her opinion, perspective, or anecdote to the building of Elektra as one of the premier record companies of the 60's. You may go into Follow The Music because of your favorite band but you'll come out with an appreciation of for all the artists involved and the stories of how their music reached you.

I bought this book for the CD. Most of the Elektra catalog is out of print and was never re-released on CD. The CD is great, though I would have liked more international folk music. There's only one foreign language song on the disc. The book itself turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. While I am only about one fifth of the way through it, I'm finding the story of Elektra Records fascinating. I didn't realize (or, more likely had forgotten - you know what they say about the 60s) how many big names in rock got their start there. A great read about the little record company that could.

Great book for those that enjoy the inner workings of a record label,its history and the people that made it happen.If you dig musicology this book is a must read.

One of the best books on the music industry I have ever read. When you read a book about a band or artist, or about an era in music or whatever, what you mostly want is to feel like you were there at the time these people were recording and gigging and just being bands. Follow the Music gives you a first-class seat in Elektra's offices, at its artists' concerts, in rehearsal spaces, in restaurants where biz wheeling and dealing is done . . . You come away knowing Jac Holzman underpaid his staffers and artists, but that he genuinely cared about the quality of music his label put out, and about artists' integrity. I wish there had been as much on Arthur Lee and Love as there is on the Doors, but then the Doors were Elektra's biggest-selling act, so I guess it makes sense that they get the most ink in the book. I also didn't like the way the sections on the MC5 and the Stooges - two of the most important bands in the history of rock - are so short, while the one on Carly Simon is so long. But that's because I like the MC5, love the Stooges and wish Carly Simon would go away. But these are quibbles. I loved the book. How much did I love the book? I don't even like the Doors, save for 5 or 6 of their songs, yet I drank in every word about them, and went back and listened to their debut and L.A. Woman because the chapters on those two albums were so moving.

I have read my share of music industry books and this is by far the best one. And what is inspiring is that you do can make good business in this industry and still keep your integrity, just follow Jac Holzmann's example describe in this book. Awesome read!

I've read and shared many ideas in this book with my colleagues. Worth the money.

This is a wonderful book. It is very well written and an easy read. Furthermore, it is full of great content. I highly recommend you take a look at the online listing of this book's Table of Contents and see for yourself what specifically is covered.

This book reminds us to not look too far astray for customers or clients. It's easier to cultivate an existing customer for a new sale than to convince a non-customer to buy from you. And it's easier to have a satisfied customer convince a non-customer to buy from you than you doing it yourself.

Focusing on getting referrals is probably the least expensive way to build a customer-base and sales. Keep in mind that there are at least two methodologies to getting referrals. One is the do-good-work for your customers and clients and to get them to refer you to their family and friends. The other is B2B where you get other businesses that compliment yours to refer work to you. You can pay a referral fee or send them an equal amount of referrals.

Some people are not comfortable with using referrals to build their customer-base. But then some people are not comfortable being self-employed either. If you are one of those people who want to be successful at being self-employed, then take advantage of referrals as much as possible. And a good way to start is probably by getting this book and reading it cover to cover. 5 stars!

This book helped me get referrals when I was operating my own business. As the author of Don't Wait Get in S.H.A.P.E. - Drop Fat Fast and Get Fit Quick this book allowed me to attract people to purchase my services and help me sell my book. This book is awesome.

I decided to review the library's copy before I bought it and I could not get enough info out of it! I found myself taking notes and almost writing in the library's copy! I rushed and bought the book. Now it's covered in pink and yellow highlighter. I feel like I'm back in college preparing for an exam -- except this time, my studying is going to directly contribute to my bank account! Truly valuable!

Referrals now is an excellent book that explains how to obtain more business by asking for referrals. Most friends and existing clients are more than willing to recommend your product or sevices if you just ask for it. Sales people sometimes view asking for referrals as a sign of weakness or problems in the business. This is not true.

If you want to build up a business very quickly without a lot of overhead, this is the best method. It would be adviseable to first read the book "Masters of Networking" by Ivan R. Misner. Referral business has a lot to do with networking, so you must be ready to do favors for other people who help you out. Forgetting to help somebody else who has helped you will be very detrimental to your business.

Just asking somebody for a referral is not really good enough but asking the person for a personal introduction increases your chances dramatically for closing the deal.

Don't read the book all in one go. Read a chapter, think about how you can apply it, write down what you think is best for you and experiment with it.

This is a great book for developing a positive mindset, the can be kept as a reference book to be read or reviewed as frequently as the reader desires. My opinion is this type of book is a necessary foundation reading for those intending to move on to a successful life and career.

I have read many many books in my lifetime, but this one at first seemed like just another good read. In the middle of the book I read about having desire and how you should measure desire and it has literally changed my life. I wake up in the morning understanding that if I want or desire the changes or results in my life bad enough things will change. Most say they want to be successful, but what are you willing to sacrifice, willing to change, in most cases the words are just idle thoughts that come out sounding sincere. I know now that if I improve incrementally everyday in every way I will be OK. In closing for anyone that wants to be inspired, read this book it can and has changed many lives.

This is one of the best books I've read in my life! Brilliant! a perfect tool for life; I recommend this book to everyone that can read and those who can't read have someone read it to you. Your life will be transformed!

This is a great book! A step by step guide that is easy to read and follow. I gave this book to all my '20 something' cousins for Christmas. However this book is for all ages. A reference for the rest of your successful life!

A wonderful book that distills common sense, some amazing insights into the human mind and a positive approach anchored in faith in oneself and in a higher power. A practical approach that works from within your own psyche to help transform yourself and the world around you. A true gem. I read it over and over and gain new insights with each reading. Never fails to empower me and to help me gain confidence in myself each time I read it.

Carolyn Corbin intertwined her future predictions of the 21st Century with leader/worker development to become a viable workforce in the future she predicted. While not outside the realm of common sense, her predictions are still eerily thought-provoking.

This book outlined the five steps to becoming a leader in the 21st Century. In Step One, she discussed assessing one's own leadership effectiveness and compared that to what skills will be needed for the future. She summarized major world changes into four "dynaforces" of the 21st Century...globalization, marketization, informatization, and democratization. Step Two was order the chaos. Many futures books discuss how to adapt to change or how to go with the flow...so I was exceedingly curious what exactly she proposed to "order" this. She thoroughly explained the future factors that will lead to change and chaos, and the more we understand these factors we can pro-actively work to diffuse as many chaotic factors as possible. Step Three provided many examples of blending multiple organizational models of profit, non-profit, government, religious, higher education, and more. She shows the limitless possibilities of applying successful models from organizations that have already dealt with issues to different types of organizations that will be confronting similar issues in the future. Steps Four and Five have to do with the individual-engaging employees on all levels of their person and providing a workforce that fosters their innovation.

She illuminates the skills we can develop today to prepare for tomorrow. Whether intentional or not, her description of the future makes one re-examine everything you think about current leadership training and how it does not adequately prepare employees for what is to come.

Being a retired Nacy Captain, I was asked to speak to Canadian Navy officers on the subject "Leadership in the New Millennium." I am pleased to tell you that the theme of my presentation was from Mrs. Corbin's book, "Great Leaders See The Future First." I found it to be a marvelous reference, and I held up my copy twice during the presentation saying, "If you have time for only one book, consider this one!"

As a result of this presentation, I was approached by the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia and asked to repeat my presentation at the kick off of National Engineering Week. Again, I referred to Mrs. Corbin's book and urged them to use it."

Carolyn Corbin's: Great Leaders see the Future First: Taking Your Organization to the Top in Five Revolutionary Steps, balances practical how-tos (in just about every paragraph) with great stories. Her bottom line: if you don't change from being what she calls a Level 1 leader (reactionary, always busy, focus on gathering & analyzing information, sacrifice innovation to pursue continuous improvement) you will be obsolete by 2010! To survive you must be moving to Corbin's Level 2 (strategizing, focusing on the whole person, leading at warp speed, improve through innovation).

Most of the book covers a quick way for moving from a level 1 to a level 2 leader by applying the following 5 steps:

1) Orchestrate a 360 degree worldview (use strategies to be "tossed" high in the air to see 5, 10, 25 years into the future)

2) Order the chaos (by controlling it)

3) Use a blend multiple organizational models (like for-profits, nonprofits, universities, military, religious institutions - because one will not longer do)

4) Engage the whole person (meet employee's physical and spiritual needs like day care, elder care, and providing work-place Chaplains)

5) Ignite innovation (via creativity, remove inhibitors, add humor)

You might think that 214 pages would go fast. But the book had an uncanny ability of slowing me down as I focused on my own style of leadership, my own organization's shortcomings. Every page is packed with something to move the reader from Level 1 to Level 2. For example, in the chapter 6 on "The Role of the 21st Century Leader" ideas included crafting an organizational mission statement in 10 (5 is preferable) key words, really listen to workers and act on their requests, understand other cultures, and move from a 20th century leader to a 21st century leader by changing from being:

boss --> coach
authoritarian --> participatory
tough --> tough and tender
informs --> listens
status from position --> status from working harder

Late in the book Corbin asks the reader to spend time going through two self-assessment exercise: 1) exploring your soul and 2) assessing your preferences and core competencies. My only critique of the work is the lack of more of these kinds of reflective exercises earlier in the book.

Although Great Leaders may not be as holistic as Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People which deals more deeply with all aspects of one's personal, business and professional life, I do recommend it for any leader who influences the future of their organization. I recommended it to two of our Human Resources personnel after they gave a "How to Managing Our Institution's Way" seminar.

Dave Harmeyer
Pepperdine University doctoral student (Ed.D. Educational Technology)

1. Synopsis:

Corbin's foresee that by 2010 great leaders must be at what she calls level 2 leaders, and in order to operate at this level these leaders must: Orchestrate a 360 degrees worldview, Order the chaos, blend multiple organizational, engage the whole person, and ignite innovation.

Orchestrate a 360 degree worldview includes two steps:1. Gather organizational intelligence by overcoming worldwide trends that occurs during periods of opportunity (or windows) and foresee the outcome (or issues); and 2. Understand the dyna-forces (interesting concept) created by these worldwide trends that originate systematic change. These dyna-forces are: globalization, marketization, informatization and democratization.

In order to overcome chaos, level 2 leaders need to figure out the root cause of the chaos (changes in speed, changes in rules or changes in structure), be aware of the new century organization models and be prepared for the role of the 21st century leader (level 2).

Level 2 leaders need to foresee the blending of multiple organization models during the next Century, foresee the driving of the 21st Century worker and be aware of the present blending of organizations and the strategies applied to blend those organizations.

Level 2 leaders will need to engage the 21st Century worker as a whole person and not by his/her skills and ignite innovation at any cost.

Corbin foresees a hermaphrodite workplace (androgynous) where man (FINALLY) will learn soft skill (typically considered feminine) by engaging in a spiritual search.

Final Comment:

This last statement along with numerous stereotypes, sexist and deeply Christian religious remarks, casts big doubts about the seriousness of the book. What a shame!

The title of this book should not be taken literally. What Corbin correctly suggests is that the most effective leaders are those who recognize, sooner than anyone else does, certain indicators of what often become emerging trends and perhaps even a new industry. Stated another way, they see the possible (perhaps probable) implications and consequences of events occurring now. I am reminded of countless such situations when someone (later characterized as a "visionary") said something like this: "If we can figure out how to pressurize the cabin, an airplane can transport people as well as cargo." Thus is how entirely new industries are developed. Corbin's book is about "becoming a great leader under a new set of global rules....Organizations are recognizing the value in looking ahead. Scanning the horizon for various internal and external trends, global changes, economic booms and busts, and demographic peaks and valleys is part of the regular routine in many enterprises." At least ideally, these organizations develop leadership at all levels, creating what Tichy characterizes as a "leadership engine."

Corbin's objective is to help her reader take her or his organization "to the top in five revolutionary steps." In the first chapter, she provides (Figure 1.1) a "Leadership Level Evaluation Exercise" which poses 22 questions. The respondent is thus able to calculate her or his score and thereby determine at which of two levels of leadership she or he is at the moment. Corbin then shifts her attention to the five "revolutionary steps" to which the book's subtitle refers. They are:

1. Orchestrate a 360 Degree Worldview (Chapters 1-3)

2. Order the Chaos (Chapters 4-6)

3. Blend Multiple Organizational Models (Chapters 7-9)

4. Engage the Whole Person (Chapter 10)

5. Ignite Innovation (Chapter 11)

Each of these steps is explained and then developed in detail. It is important to note that Corbin contrasts dominant characterizes of Level 1 and Level 2 leaders. For example, L1's react, emphasize hard skills, gather information, and manage positions whereas L2's strategize, focus on the whole person, lead at warp speed, and manage people flow. You get the idea. My own experience suggests that what Corbin calls a Level 1 leader is a believer and involved whereas a Level 2 leader is a zealot or evangelist and engaged. I urge you to check out a book which is entirely devoted to Level 2 leaders. Its title is Radicals and Visionaries, written by Thaddeus Wawro and now available in a paperback edition.

One of the book's most valuable chapters is the last, "Trumping the Competition", in which Corbin suggests that the Organizational Chaos Model (Figure 4.1) can help an organization to overcome its competition. "The goal is for your organization to change the rules, structure, and speed of its industry so that your competitors are thrown into chaos....The idea is to confuse the enemy. While the opponent is digging out of the confusion, the organization in the offensive position seizes the dominant position." She lists and then briefly discusses "The Nine Factors of Innovation" which can help to achieve such dominance, in process providing analyses of various industries to illustrate her key points. She concludes with a call to action, urging her reader to "execute boldly, step forward courageously, and lead responsibly as if your organization's prosperity depends on it -- because it does." I join her in wishing "Godspeed, great leader."

I enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version which may well be more fun than reading it.

Superb journey into the world of work. exposes how we sell our soul to the devil of work. We need the money and status... or so we think.

Meanwhile deep underground lurks not only what we are afraid of, but worse still the mother of the thing of which we are afraid. Somewhere in all of us lurks that small voice, that wants to give the chief exec "ZERO" for all his or her idiotic plans. How many of us have the courage to do this at our workplace? How many of our workplaces need this?

This is a superb book about self discovery, and it can be done as well at work as anywhere else.

I have some real mixed feelings about this book. On the one hands I really like how Mr. Whyte used such unconventional ways to get his point across (he uses poetry to point out the flaws in the corporate world), but on the other hand, a lot of the points in the book made me scratch my head and go 'huh?!'.
The material is very deep and even where there is supposed to be just a small, simple message, Whyte seems to make it complicated so that the meaning looks to be more profound.

How much of our corporate productivity is impeded by pettiness and posturing in the workplace? Seems a corporate healer like David Whyte is needed to stand for finding and reminding folks of a different bottom line.

The Heart Aroused : Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America. I read this book the first time at a time when I felt completely fried in my career. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically flattened by a career I had worked so hard to build, I asked myself "is this all there is?" and "is it enough?" I believed I was failing in many areas of my life although outwardly I appeared successful.

I lived for others but not for myself.

I experienced such a rush reading like Whyte somehow had peered into my soul and understood me. The compassion and friendship I felt from this poet astonished me. His writing is brilliant, clear and impactful. I found myself reading and re-reading sentences over and over again which I rarely do.

Whyte uses language, metaphor, poetry, archtypes and tremendous compassion to help readers unlock the creative soul inside and let it enrich life. He recognizes that work can be a huge portion of what gives life meaning and that it should not be compartmentalized or shut off from our "real life," however we define it.

His book is about integrating all the disparate parts of one's tired soul into an authentic self that is vibrant, creative, successful - on your own terms, and full of meaning. It is, as he describes it, the impossible task to bring together "the supposedly strategic world of business with the great inheritance of the human literary imagination."

To the bottom-line corporate warrior, this sounds like some unsubstantial gobblety gook, but nothing could be further from the truth. When we bring creativity to the workplace, it impacts productivity in ways that can't be planned or plotted, but are real nonetheless.

Whyte reaches back into classic poetry like Beowulf and Dante's Inferno to show the universality of the human condition and our place in it. In his first chapter he talks about inviting the soul to work and opens it with a quote from Dante, Commedia: "In the middle of the road of my life I awoke in a dark wood where the true way was wholly lost."

It was my first rush, my first "oh wow, he really gets it." In the middle of the road of my life, I was lost. And afraid. And it was impacting everything. He articulated here and elsewhere in the book huge unconscious forces I could not articulate for myself that effected my ability to create and be creative.

Whyte's book is as relevant today as when he wrote it in 1994, perhaps more so.

I highly recommend it particularly for people who feel the emptiness of being compartmentalized, of having separate personas and not quite knowing which one is the "real" person. This is no self-help book. He's not going to give you a process or a multi-step program to changing your life in 30 days. You won't be healed, fixed, cured, saved or "renewed." Rather, he gives you something to think on and explore for yourself. For me, it was a series of "aha!" moments that helped me shift my feelings about myself, work and the middle of the road of my life.

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! If you have a soul, buy this book. If you are not sure....buy this book. This book is an excellent exploration into the meaning of life + my job the incubus = a poetic awakening. David Whyte is a wonderful philosopher.

One might say that the current economic environment is a recipe for increased stress both in the home and in the workplace. The cost to the individual and to general productivity is far too high. Anna gets to the heart of stress related conflict and she offers easy to understand examples with sound easy to follow action plans for a variety of situations. This book is an excellent resource for professional development leaders as well as any individual looking for solutions. We used this book and Anna's seminar for our College inservice and it was very well received.

Anna Maravelas gets it! Several books and years ago, I wrote a review for Mobbing. I had been disappointed that there was no prescription for turning a hostile organization around. As Maravelas says, "When workplace incivility and rudeness are tolerated rather than addressed, it sends a signal throughout the organization that results in more serious problems."
Not only does Maravelas get the far-reaching effects of hostility (as she says, Anger makes you stupid), but she has the prescription for eradicating it. She does a thorough and thoughtful probe into where the responsibility lies for doing this. Ultimately, change can only occur within individuals when they choose it. But, she explains how to create the atmosphere where that possibility can happen... how NOT to feed into another's anger thereby feeding a cycle of contempt. She further backs her techniques with stories such as the coming together of a Rabbi and a Klansman. This is a wonderful book on every level.

This book is just what I have been looking for to help me with some of the issues I have struggled with all my life. READ THIS BOOK to deal with road rage, anger, depression and difficult people, not only in the workplace, but also everywhere/anywhere social interaction takes place. If you get a chance, attend her seminar/workshop for an energizing and engaging learning experience where she brings the book to life. (Thank you Anna!)

This book is a logical explination of how to vew others in the right perspective. Included are concrete peacemaking ideas for the workplace. It was an inspiring experience to read this work.

This material was an epiphany for me..
Anna's training at the county was illuminating in that it suddenly started answering questions I had about myself an life in general; after the first part of the class, I bought her book and ordered another from her recommanded bibliography and went to the next part of the class eager to keep the momentum.
What I mostly like about her book and her training is the universal appeal of it's material.
It puts all the knowledge you acquired and the questions you still have in a logic and informative frame that you can acually work with and benefit from.
I almost made me slap an imaginary forhead and say: duh!
It is useful at work, in your personal life, in your relationships and it may even make retirement an adventure yet to come.
Raluca

PS
Any manager would have to attend this class under "mandatory training" and I will certainily recommend it to anyone who has it available to them.

I am building a successful business, the book was a confirmation for me in many ways but then again I also learned some new things and got some good reminders of what I should be doing but havn't been. The best book I have purchased. If the author were to read this, I would certainly want to thank her.

This book was really great. Gave me lots of ideas and inspired me to really get my buisness going:) I am so glad that I bought this book!

This is a great book full of handy information for someone starting a small decorative mural painting business. I recommend it highly. Easy to read and full of good information.

If you are looking for a "how to" book on performing various mural and faux techniques this is not the book for you. This book will mainly concentrate on more of the legal and business side. After reading this book you will feel and think "Wow I can really make a living off this". I would highly recommend it for anyone considering opening a business or service in this area.

The book provided a down to earth explanation of the process for starting a mural business.
This extended from the practical aspect of actually doing the artwork to the potential pitfalls of running a business, including overload (problems with subbing work out), dealing with customers, taxation and all the other things someone who is good at artwork may forget to consider.
Well worth the read.