Resources Books

I used to read a lot of the church growth books, but became rather disillusioned with many of them. Too much marketing strategy or this is the way we did it at First Mega Church (which means it probably won't work very well at Small Town USA Stuggling Church). This is among the better ones I have seen. It sounds like the strategies would work. Some good food for thought and some good exercises for church leaders to be involved with to discover their church's identity.

This book was the foundation on which a 'new' (or rather renewed) church is being built. I've had the privilege of working with Richard and Robert and am seeing wonderful changes in our church as a result. We've been able to put into words who we really are and be true to ourselves. As a result we have been able to attract those who have been seeking a church just like us. They have been able to find us now that we can say "This is who we are! Join together in our spiritual journeys toward God!" I look forward to both Book #2 AND Book #3...especially #3!

I've been implementing some of the procedures in Cracking Your Congregation's Code, and I've found it answers many basic needs of busy pastors and lay leaders. I know it helps answer mine. It's a practical book, that's easy to read, and easy to use. It describes how a church can transform itself. The surveys the authors provide for the four congregational systems give a church a way to quickly evaluate and strengthen their work. From my standpoint, as someone looking for how-to's, I'd say the information in chapter seven on how to create a strategic map is worth the price of the book alone.

My congregation worked with Southern and Norton over the course of several months. We found their strategy for church growth and renewal to be easy to follow, highly participatory, and full of wisdom. It has totally transformed our congregation and organizational systems!

"Cracking Your Congregation's Code" is a great contribution to the church growth movement! It not only offers a theoretical framework for congregational health and vitality, but provides easy to use surveys and inventories. Their recommendations for church growth and renewal are not "one size fits all" but are easily tailored for each congregation's unique "DNA". The end result is the development of a "strategic map" that will guide one's congregation to a new place of enthusiasm and growth!

Concise, easy to read, easy to understand. A good read for any pastor or church leader who wants to get some clarity on the strengths and uniqueness of his or her congregation. The REALLY good news is that this is NOT another "How I Did It" book. To be sure, "How I Did It" books are inspiring, and you can pick up a lot of good tips and tricks. The trouble is that most of them probably won't work in YOUR situation! What Southern & Norton have done is given us a method which will help us understand and analyze our own unique settings - to discover our own congregation's values and unique giftedness - so that we can focus on doing the things that are right for us, not for somebody else! Share this one with key leaders in your congregation!

Graham and Englund have achieved something quite remarkable in the second edition of "Creating an Environment for Successful Projects." The original book from 1997 provided a very good road map for organizations looking to improve their project and program management capabilities, and this update significantly improves on it. There are many fresh insights and specifics about what works (and what doesn't work) drawn from an extensive circle of organizations, including many that the authors consulted with personally.

Even more than in the first edition, the message is that excellence in project execution does not just happen - it requires planning, ongoing investment, and the right encouragement. I think the best parts of the book are chapters 3 through 8, because they provide the most concrete and actionable advice for managers of project leaders; they are filled with good practices on what to do and on what to avoid.

This book was reviewed in "The Journal of Product Innovation Management" May 1998, an international publication of the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA):

A book which discusses how companies can effectively create a healthier and more nurturing environment for product development, based on companies like Hewlett-Packard, DuPont, Raychem and others.

"As the title implies, this book is about managing project management, not about managing projects - an important concept... Its purpose is to get upper management to understand how and why to develop project management as an organizational competency... Relevant across industries from high tech to low, from product to service, and from consumer to industrial or business-to-business... Its key strengths are: 1) its comprehensive treatment of key issues from the role of strategic direction across the project portfolio to the need for cultivating project management learning; 2) its practical recommendations for change; and 3) its easy-to-read examples... The book is well organized with an overview chapter that includes a call to action and an overview of the remaining chapters. The next seven chapters go on to describe each of the elements of creating an environment for success projects. Laid out as pieces of a complete puzzle to signal their importance as a system" (Mark Deck, Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath, May 1998)

As a project management consultant, I get asked alot 'how do I implement PM into my company'. There is no one cookie-cutter approach to this since every company is different. There is also no one book out there that adequately covers this subject. This book is the closest thing that there is. If you are looking for a good coverage of the things that you need to be aware of in implementing PM into your company, this book is a good start. It is also well suited for executives looking to implement PM into a company who are curious what PM involves - since a major problem in implementing PM into a company quite often involves executives who are unaware or unconcerned what their responsibilites are for PM. All in all, a useful book that I have used extensively for clients.

If you want to understand the underpinnings of what makes projects work or not ... this book is a "must read".

It is full of the kind of plain yet profound logic that my grandmother used to pass on to me when I was child. It just made so much practical sense ... .

One of the better books on project management, the focus is not so much on specific best practices for project managers to implement on their own within their teams, but how upper management can create an environment that is conducive to project success. This book is exceptionally good at helping to understand how management causes organizational perversity - mucking things up by applying departmental best practices that are totally inappropriate and bad practices for project teams. Great insights into how this happens without upper managers being aware they are doing the opposite of what they intend. Could be used by a Project Office to convince upper management that they might be the main problem that keeps other best practices from being effective. It also highlights those areas where you can get the most leverage, most out of your efforts to get an organization to improve its overall project management effectiveness.

Amazing how a book written in 1997 seems like it was written for current times.

Recieved item on time, right when we were told it would arrive. Book in very good condition.

My students enjoy these word puzzles. It's great for improving their vocabulary. They get to play with the language!

This has been a big hit in my second grade classroom. We are learning new vocabulary each time we use on of these sheets. It has been a good buy for me!

I often use pages in this book for morning "do nows" for a fun and engaging way to encourage students to play with words and be exposed to spelling patterns.

This is a solid book for building elementary vocabulary. It has 100 reproducible word study lessons that help kids boost reading, spelling and phonics skills independently. Among the many activities, kids read clues on each rung, then change and rearrange letters to create words until they reach the top. All the while, they are boosting decoding and spelling skills, broadening vocabulary, and becoming better, more fluent readers. Lesson by lesson, kids can "climb" to new heights in reading and writing with these engaging word-building games.

The workbook is not thick (about 100 pages). My child finished it in 2 months with a lot fun. His vocabulary improved significantly. In Beestar online assessment, his reading has rised to the next grade level largely attributed to this workbook. Highly recommend.

Dr. Gladys Hankins has done an excellent job at highlighting many of the subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in corporate America. Her insight is rather compelling with documented real-life interviews and workshops with working adults of different races and gender, as well as individuals working in different capacities and corporate levels. She presents very balanced and fair perspectives of individuals of different racial backgrounds and gender. She has excellently highlighted rather destructive but subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination that are designed consciously or unconsciously to stifle or frustrate many talented and hardworking individuals in corporate America. She has presented these issues in a constructive and non-judgmental manner. No well-meaning company executive and leader would read this book without being propelled to "question" their own stand on fostering true diversity which must include fairness and equity in giving all deserving individuals (regardless of race and gender) equal opportunities for career development and vertical promotion. After reading this book, any well-meaning company executive and leader would be propelled to playing an imaginary role of switching places with a very qualified and hardworking woman or minority man. Such a person must then ask how they would feel if a glass or concrete ceiling were placed on them regardless of their output, productivity, talents, abilities and skills. In this book, Dr. Hankins does a terrific job of bringing out your humanity and reminding you that empowering others equates to empowering yourself, your company, your community and the country as a whole.

Dr. Hankins very nicely addresses the White Male fears of seeing any kind of advancement of women or minority men. She brings to light that the feelings and fears of the White Male must be adequately addressed before real progress in corporate diversity issues can be measured. Finally, she offers empowering statements to women and minority men reminding them that to value self from within still surpasses external value by others.

This book pierced through the very heart of many subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in the workplace bringing to light the "Diversity Blues". Blues that continue to limit great minds and potentials, and essentially causing many companies to operate at 50% of their human potential. This book is a "must read" for every company executive and leader because it holds many empowering tools that can help any company maximize the potentials of their intelligent, hardworking, well-meaning and well-deserving employees of the human race. Five stars to "Diversity Blues" and congratulations to Dr. Hankins for an excellent job!!!

Well done! Dr Hankins does an excellent job of recognizing the state of discrimination and prejudice as I experience it in my life (easier to ignore than 20 years ago). She does two things that really opened my eyes and compelled me to act. The first is identifying the problems as they look today and bringing to light the erosion of productivity this causes. The second is presenting a solid business case for why I should take action to fix these problems. Dr Hankins' style is refreshingly logical and direct. I was compelled to read each next chapter and was ready to spring into action when I finished the last page. This is required reading for everyone who cares about their world.

This book is a real eye-opener to everyone who thinks, "we're in pretty good shape as far as diversity is concerned". Its numerous insightful and moving testimonials involve the reader both intellectually and emotionally and convey that modern racism and sexism in the workplace are still a sad reality.

Dr. Hankins challenges readers to examine and revise their own beliefs and assumptions about people who exhibit differences. She reminds all of us regardless of our gender and ethnicity to assume responsibility and ownership for creating the kind of environment, and ultimately the world, we want to live in. To do that she offers strategies to those who are the targets of prejudice and discrimination, encouraging them to address issues from a position of empowerment rather than victimization. She also provides sound guidelines to leaders on how to develop a comprehensive diversity management strategy that goes beyond mere diverse enrollment.

A truly enlightening and inspiring book!

Dr. Gladys Hankins has done an excellent job at highlighting many of the subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in corporate America. Her insight is rather compelling with documented real-life interviews and workshops with working adults of different races and gender, as well as individuals working in different capacities and corporate levels. She presents very balanced and fair perspectives of individuals of different racial backgrounds and gender. She has excellently highlighted rather destructive but subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination that are designed consciously or unconsciously to stifle or frustrate many talented and hardworking individuals in corporate America. She has presented these issues in a constructive and non-judgmental manner. No well-meaning company executive and leader would read this book without being propelled to "question" their own stand on fostering true diversity which must include fairness and equity in giving all deserving individuals (regardless of race and gender) equal opportunities for career development and vertical promotion. After reading this book, any well-meaning company executive and leader would be propelled to playing an imaginary role of switching places with a very qualified and hardworking woman or minority man. Such a person must then ask how they would feel if a glass or concrete ceiling were placed on them regardless of their output, productivity, talents, abilities and skills. In this book, Dr. Hankins does a terrific job of bringing out your humanity and reminding you that empowering others equates to empowering yourself, your company, your community and the country as a whole.

Dr. Hankins very nicely addresses the White Male fears of seeing any kind of advancement of women or minority men. She brings to light that the feelings and fears of the White Male must be adequately addressed before real progress in corporate diversity issues can be measured. Finally, she offers empowering statements to women and minority men reminding them that to value self from within still surpasses external value by others.

This book pierced through the very heart of many subtle forms of racial prejudice and discrimination in the workplace bringing to light the "Diversity Blues". Blues that continue to limit great minds and potentials, and essentially causing many companies to operate at 50% of their human potential. This book is a "must read" for every company executive and leader because it holds many empowering tools that can help any company maximize the potentials of their intelligent, hardworking, well-meaning and well-deserving employees of the human race. Five stars to "Diversity Blues" and congratulations to Dr. Hankins for a brilliant job!!!

At this crucial point in the history of the world's major organizations, when far too many are struggling for economic survival, Dr. Hankins makes it painfully clear that Diversity is often misunderstood, undervalued, and benignly, if not overtly, neglected. She goes on to make a compelling case for proactively managing diversity; not the least of her arguments is that an ongoing process for managing divesity must be built into every facet of an organization's business. Her prescription for a healthy organization is to implement ongoing diversity that affects a real change in attitudes so that its members acknowledge and respect human and cultural differences. She makes good common sense! A healthy organization is empowered and enabled to deliver critical results that assure business success and profitabilty. Finally! A book on diversity for the boardroom and the lunch bunch!

While accomplishing a clear and valid intellectual case for "principle-based diversity in today's workplace, Dr. Hankins conveys a deep understanding of the negative human emotions that foster racism and sexism. She challenged me to introspection and reflection by presenting more than statistics and scientific data alone. Personal and group interviews, along with her own personal experience and observation uncover the raw, destructive nature of racism and sexism.

Then, with style and savvy, Dr. Hankins shares a vision for a prejudice-free, discrimination free-organization and addresses key roles all of us must play to create it. Unlike any other dissertation I've read on diversity, "Diversity Blues" has inspired me to reaffirm my commitment to be part of the solution of living a principle-based diversity.

Although this book is now a few years old, it's still 100% applicable to the e-learning situation in today's workplace.

This book is still the most consise and most readable quick overview of e-learning. A busy person like me will find that an investment of less than a couple of hours will give you a comprehensive overview, and let you really understand the issues and the tradeoffs at stake.

After reading this, I feel I could hold my own in a discussion with experts that have years of experience.

Henderson's book on e-learning is one of the most straight-forward, honest looks at e-learning that I have seen in recent years. His Q&A format allows the reader to quickly jump to points of interest without spending time on topics that do not pertain. As a person who has had to deal with business training "gone wrong", Henderson's suggestions for a successful e-learning environment make a lot of sense. As other reviewers have pointed out, I believe that this book and the concepts it describes will translate over to academia readily. Universities and Junior colleges would greatly benefit from taking a step back and focusing on the basics. Schools that are currently attempting online classes could be improved if the took to heart the topics that Henderson describes. Since his experience at IBM has given him a first hand look at how online learning can be done right, companies and learning institutes would be wise to pay attention to what he has to say.

By focusing on technical details, real-life cost, and the practicality of using learning on the web, the reader is able to quickly get up to speed on all the issues that must be considered when online training is attempted.

The practical guide was very useful; it was so easy to find information quickly that I am recommending it to my company's training division.

Allan Henderson's E-LEARNING tells how to make the most from an online learning environment. From budgeting costs for e-learning to supporting employees who respond to e-learning opportunities, this is packed with interviews with experts plus examples of e-learning in sales, legal training and HR. An exciting survey.

This book is a quick glance through various aspects of e-learning. The coverage is not deep, but very broad. This book tells what is e-learning all about; provides specific case studies and interviews with e-learning leaders; presents economical analysis; shows how to apply e-learning to your business; and describes the IBM 4-tier learning model.

However, I do not agree with the author's assertion that "Learning is work, not entertainment". A good learning is always pleasurable and amusing.

This title is easy to read, you may wade through it once and then keep it as your personal e-learning FAQ reference book.

Al Henderson does an excellent job of demystifying e-learning by describing the many facets of corporate e-learning in a style that is both informative and enjoyable. This book will appeal to a wide audience, whether the reader is new to e-learning or has spent many years in the field. The book can be used a reference, an introduction, or a guide to the capabilities and possibilities that e-learning has to offer. The case studies are useful in linking concepts to practical application. Readers will enjoy the perspectives on the future of e-learning provided by industry thought leaders.

If your organization is considering e-learning, I would recommend reading this book and reviewing the concepts with your stakeholders to ensure your are pursuing e-learning for the right reasons, and are approaching it with realistic expectations.

Training is my specialty, so this book explained everything in detail and the show me the future of training.

Employee Training and Development is a very interesting book to read. It helped me out in planning a training and delopment plan at my job.

Fast shipment. Delivered as promised. Would reccomend amazon again for textbook purchases. Thanks for the savings!!!

This book was an excellent tool for my Training Methods class. There were several sections on new training methods, and explained in easy to understand terms, the proper methodology in developing a training program. I would recommend this for anyone needing help in developing a training manual, or who needs general guidelines on setting up a training program for others.

Very good text for the novice in Employee Training & Development. I would recommend this book to those considering study in employee performance improvement or training.

Many books on influence and persuasion give "5 steps" or "10 laws." This book takes you beyond concept and anecdotes, or "the Walk" of inlfuence and gives you the tools to look and your own communication behavior, or "the Talk." In very practical ways, you can begin to assess your own communication choices and make simple alterations that can help you connect with others and talk about the practical matters of getting things done- together!

Exercising Influence is one of the most useul books I've read in years. I'm tempted to buy a dozen or so copies as gifts for some of the miserably untalanted negotiators I've encountered in my two decades of practicing law. The book taught me two things (at least) of significant personal value:(1)The skills necessary for selling one's point of view to others can be learned; (2) These same skills overlap and improve one's abilities in the related areas of mobilizing public opinion; motivating partners, employees, and family members; communicating authority; making an impact; exercising leadership at home, in business, and in the community; getting results with and through others; implementing ideas; and making a positive difference. This eminently readable book is filled with charts, graphs, examples, tips, and instructions. What the book teaches is practical and immediately applicable to real-world situations. Kim Barnes'20 years of studying, writing about, and teaching the subject are amply in evidence in Exercising Influence. It deserves, and likely will receive, a wide and receptive readership. Five stars.

Exercising Influence reveals many uncommon, unrecognized flaws of casual, ineffective influencing. The author approaches this skill, as you would a physical skill- build up your strengths, address your weaknesses, try and make mistakes. Repeat. Plus, every chapter concludes with application tips. Highly recommended for anyone trying to lead change- at work, home or in communities.

This book can make it a lot easier to deal with people. Not just difficult people, but everyone in your life. After reading the book and practicing the principles, I began to see how ineffectual many of my influence "tactics" were. They were ineffective in that they didn't help me to get what I wanted, or I did get what I wanted but in a way that made it much harder the next time to get something from that person.

You can apply these influence principles anywhere. I also enjoyed the focus on balance between "receptive" and "expressive" behaviors. It's amazing when you start to use new behaviors how soon you get new results that were near impossible the old way.

Exercising Influence is and excellent book! I have read many books on influence and power and this one tops them all. It is based on solid theoretical underpinnings while at the same time being practical, actionable, and straightforward. I plan to use it extensively in my executive coaching practice. It provides lots of models, action steps, and guidelines which can be used by executives at all levels as well as by individuals in other walks of life. I have been hunting for such a practical explanation of a difficult subject. Pleased to say, I have found it in Kim Barne's book1

Jenifer Renzel, President, The Aptos Group, Aptos, California

For grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, I would give "Forty Years" a 3-star review. It became more clear as I continued reading that the manuscript skipped a stage or two in the editing process.

But who cares about that? Really, nobody reads an investing book and worries about grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. We're there for the meaty details of how to make the most with our hard-earned money, and "Forty Years" is chocked full of meat. I've never been one to accept the conventional manner of investing - buy and hold the blue chips - so I'm taking this as an opportunity to stretch my muscles a bit in the world of gambling, er, investing.

Scared money doesn't make money, and, finally, with Carach's advisement, I have a channel to vent my desire to make money before I'm 70. Thanks Fred!

I read this book with great interest because for the past four years I have been using similar investment strategy. From my experience, I can confidently say that the strategy in this book really works. My own research convinces me it will continue to work for quite a long time to come. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to protect or enhance their wealth. In fact I would suggest reading it at least three times.

This is the best book I have read regarding penny stocks and how to get started. There is more practical knowledge in these 142 pages than anywhere else. This is a down-to-earth book by a down-to-earth investor.
One of the best parts for me is the section entitled "What a Bargin Looks Like" - listing seven key areas to look for when purchasing a stock. Big Al also list stocks from his own portfolio. This is a big help when evaluating your own picks - by reviewing his.

This is a great little jewel of a book. After reading it, the writer has provided great details about his strategies and how he plays the market to make a good return on his investments of about 106 different stocks.
The best part is that you can start small and build up your investments and get paid doing so. This book should be in every serious investor's library and you won't find any hype or fluff in this book, its compact with just hard hitting facts and how to make money on a shoestring budget.

What a great, great book! I don't usually leave reviews, but I am something of an investing book guru, because I own dang near all of them. In the past year or so I've read 12 "penny stock" books and (while this isn't entirely all about penny stocks) this the best one hands down. Aside from being an entertaining read, this book is filled with information regarding sectors I never thought about for penny stocks. This book is worth whatever I paid for it just for his one single penny stock strategy. Let alone he gives his whole investment strategy is this 100 or so page book. I enjoyed reading this book and wish the author would write more, because his hatred for the wall street hypocrit/coward nearly matches mine.

This book brings psychology just where it fits best in management: dealing with the soft side of people. It does so in a clear and relevant way. The book is a good read. The concepts are introduced in a structured way making this book a good reference to come back to from time to time.

In order to properly motivate employees, it's good to have a basic understanding of human psychology and how it operates in the business environment: linking these two disciplines is From Difficult to Disturbed: Understanding and Managing Dysfunctional Employees. Here are applied principles of psychology at their best, pairing real-world people-problems offices face with tips on how the manage issues. Psychological types are placed into categories for this purpose ("Emoters and Reactors", "Oddballs and Spoilers", "Preeners and Predators") with specific tips on handling each type. Any business library - and many a general lending collection - will find this an important acquisition.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The section concerning the personality types is most valueable and the accompanying case studies make it all the more real.

I have found over the years that it is not fellow employees but supervisors, managers, and administrators that were the source of most if not all workplace difficulties. Elevated to supervisory positions, most were not trained nor, frankly, did they have the temperment or skill to manage others. I didn't think this book would be helpful for me until I browsed it. It looks hard at "bosses" too with the same sharp lens. Dr. Miller writes with humor and verve. He is grounded in the science and the art.
A great read!

From Difficult to Disturbed: Understanding and Managing Dysfunctional Employees

The only book that explains the root causes of employee's problems.

As any difficulty, you cannot find an effective solution if you don't understand what is really happening. This lucid work will be your best friend and save you tons of heartache.

Timely! Fundraising on the internet is the next level of fundraising for non-profits, and this is an excellent way to get started!

I found practical suggestions in each chapter -- a useful resource to help us round out our fund raising program. With uncertainties in the Washington, DC mail due to anthrax, we are especially interested in increasing visits and gifts through our Web site. This book will help us move towards that goal.

A fantastic collection of resources! Warwick, Hart, and Allen brought together an amazing array of experts to assemble a practical, hands-on book full of interesting case examples. As an application service provider working almost exclusively with non-profits, we found the book particularly useful as a source book for guidelines and best practices. Our clients who have read the book were enthusiastic about everything from the specific strategies to the fundraising tips.

This is an all-encompassing, basic guide that makes fundraising on the Internet accessible to the most inexperienced nonprofits but gives insightful advice to veterans. I wholeheartedly recommend the book and plan to make this required reading for our customers and employees.

This collaborative effort is well-written, fast-paced, and extremely up-to-date. Each chapter is on a different aspect of Internet fundraising, written by a different author. Speaking from personal experience, this book has been extremely possible in our own business of helping nonprofits raise funds online. We recommend it to any nonprofit who wants to take advantage of the net.

Very useful for organizations working with an interactive agency to imporve their efforts on the web...