Companies and Consultants Books

This book, while not anything new if you have taken training to be a Coach, is a valuable reinforcement to use in your practice. Being new to the field I was seeking different ideas to presenting sessions or complimenting my sessions and some of the ideas in this book were exactly what I needed.

My goal was to obtain a variety of forms, which could be used or modified for a coaching practice. This book provides this plus a considerable amount of information about the coaching business. This book is a good starting point for anyone considering the coaching business.

This book is easy to read and is laid out in easy steps to follow to begin a life coaching practice.

I was not impressed with this book. It's a book of lists, and checklists, not a narrative, descriptive guide to how to coach. It has a bunch of forms, which are great if you're just launching your practice, but to really learn the craft, this is not the book to teach that. It's "oversell" to say that it's "everything you need to launch" or even expand your practice. This book disappointed me greatly.

I asked an experienced coach to review the content to see if it was worth keeping and she agreed. She checked specific chapters I should read, forms to use, etc.

It has provided the start that I need before I meet my first client.

Good book, has a lot of useful information and tips on how to attact birds to your home feeders. Could be a bit more expansive, but pictures are great. All-in-all a helpful book. Won't know until spring whether the tips to attract the birds works or not.

As a complete novice to birding and gardening, I found this book a helpful starting point. It does not identify many species, but did help me recognize most of the birds coming to my newly purchased feeders. It contains only the most common birds, the Tufted Titmouse, Cardinals, Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees, etc.

It also contained helpful information as to what common birds favor what types of feeders and provided information on some bird behavior and how to buy binoculars.

The maps of where the birds are found are not very detailed. They also purposely leave out any information on birds some may find undesirable, like Starlings and House Sparrows, which can be aggressive and keep small songbirds away.

This guide is for the utmost, novice and does not contain extremely detailed information on identifying and feeding birds. The information is very generalized and only covers common backyard birds.

Nevertheless, it is a helpful introduction only for someone like me who knew next to nothing when I purchased it.

This book is subtitled "The complete guide to attracting, identifying, and understanding your feeder birds." While it is good at the "indentifying" and "understanding" parts, it leaves something to be desired in the "attracting" department. I had hoped for a book that would tell me what has a good chance of drawing specific birds, but except for hummingbirds, it really doesn't go into detail about the topic. It's still a good book as far as it goes; I simply don't think that it's much of a guide to attracting the specific birds you have reason to believe are in your area, but goes with a considerably more general approach.

You just can't go wrong with this one! For the home user, it really gives you a good amount of information with clear pictures.

Disappointing. I was expecting an Audubon-style reference book, but got a simpler, very brief, nothing new, thin, magazine-sized tickler. I've heard good things about Stokes, but this book wasn't a winner. Was looking for more details about plantlife, positioning of shrubs, feeders, bird baths, landscaping etc, but book consisted more of bios on birds with a little bird-feeding info. at the beginning of the book. Save your money and go elsewhere. :-(

This is an easy to understand book about strategic thinking. Robert doesn't use complicated terminology or hard to understand concepts. His method for formulating and implementing strategy is straightforward and consise. Anyone wishing to improve their company's strategy should read this book.

Although by itself the book was good and I recommend it, I was disappointed that Robert didn't provide much new information over his previous book Strategy Pure and Simple II. In fact, Robert used many of the same case studies (already three years old in some cases) and the chapters were very similar to his previous book. I also got the sense that the complete methodology he proposes was missing, and his real intention was to have readers call his company for the missing links. For instance, one case study mentions their use of a decision analysis, and potential problem analysis taught by Robert. These seem to be valuable tools that anyone using his method would want to know. He also suggests taking a survey to test your strategic IQ but recommends you send the results to his company for an objective assessment. Great way to generate new business, but he could have been more complete.

I still think it's a good book because it gets you going in the right direction, and helps you organize your thoughts using a proven process. Unfortunately, you will only truly benefit from his process by hiring his firm.

Michel Robert does a very good job of structuring and focusing the process of strategy development. At the very root is simplicity, focus and integrity. The most valuable concepts of the book are: (1) the driving force - what makes your business move forward and what with an `invisible hand' structures your organization, (2) business concept and (3) zones of excellence. All these concepts are clearly and well explained. They are also thought provoking, insightful and energizing.

But going further through the book becomes more and more exasperating. There too much annoying hype almost on every page and especially in business cases. Often they sound all alike. "We had problems and didn't know what to do. Then we called Robert and guys from DPI opened our eyes. And we started to use DPI Strategic Process ™ and DPI Decision Making ™ and DPI Keep It Simple Stupid ™ and made a lot of money. And we also lost 20 pounds in three weeks. Just call 1-800-Robert..." The author definitely has all rights to promote his company any way he likes but if he believes that his books are read not only by neurotic losers then he should cool down a bit. There is definitely a conflict between content and realization.

Probably as a result of all that hype the book is often repetitive. I believe it is based on a standard promotion presentation. This belief is supported by many silly pictures definitely copied and pasted from PowerPoint. The book is also structured as a presentation: "Tell them what we want to tell. Tell them. Tell them what you told them." All the promotion presentation tricks are also there, namely: (1) Leave many important things behind, just mention them, (2) Give them an impression that without you they wouldn't really make it, (3) Position yourself as a unique consultant - don't forget to mention that other consultants (incl. BSG, McKinsey, etc.) are not good.

To put it short, "The Power of Strategic Thinking" is a book based on DPI promotion presentation. Some really good ideas about business strategy are thickly dressed with hype.

How do you develop distinctive strategies that will distinguish your company in the market-place? Over the last 25 years, Robert developed his process of strategic thinking through working with CEOs of major and emerging corporations in various industries. His approach comes from working alongside and observing top executives of major organizations in an attempt to identify the concepts of management that they practice, in his case, by osmosis. In this book, he provides invaluable insight of his experiences with CEOs of Companies who have used their process of strategic thinking, and unlike other approaches, why their process has stood the test of time. There are clear explainations of the concept, examples and case studies from a wide range of industry sectors and organizations that readers can relate to. These are used to contextualize and demonstrate the applications of the concept discussed. Overall,Robert presents everything in a clear, compact and accesible manner. You will never look at your competitors the same way again!

As Vice-President, Sales & Marketing for a Berkshire Hathaway company, we engaged Mike Robert to lead our company through both the Strategy and Product Innovation modules his company offers.

The results have been very satisfying as the company has launch two entirely new products, in new industries, that we never touched before.

The power and simplicity of the process is incredible. In fact, if I had a complaint, it would be that the thinking can be so radical that some executives might have a hard time grasping the long term impact of decisions made during a single engagement. It is heady stuff!

This process is not for everyone. I wonder how many companies are really ready to examine their position in their marketplace and actually do something about it.

Overall, I was very pleased with the process and the result.

This book makes several excellent points about strategy. To find them, the reader must slog through pages of unremitting, self-promotional hard-sell, snide digs at business guru Michael Porter and contemptuous asides about consulting firms that base their strategic recommendations on research. Readers will miss little if they skip the CEO interviews, which might have provided interesting and informative insights had the author not chosen to focus on compliments to himself and his firm. But the bullet-point outlines of the strategic thinking process will be an eye-opener for many managers unaccustomed to thinking in this manner, and the section is illustrated robustly with real-life examples. Robert’s analysis of the driving forces of various businesses makes the entire effort worthwhile. ...get this book for executives and entrepreneurs in any industry.

Wow! The leading Roseville Price Guide has blasted into the new millennium. The glossary of shape number to Roseville Pattern is super along with the never published color plates to Sunflower and Rosecraft Vintage. This is a wonderful book that is much more than your standard price guide.

I would call this "book" more of a pamphlet. Author focuses too much on Roseville that I would call more rare. There was no identification for what I might call the more common patterns. This book probably would be of help to the collector who is targeting the higher end items. From a physical standpoint, one of the pages is not even bound into the pamphlet.

This is the third year in a row that I have purchased Mr. Jenkins' price guide and I can say without hesitation that is head and shoulders above anything else available on the market. I have purchased and compared all the available guides on Roseville in the past and this is the only one worth consideration. Not only do you get the most accurate information on up to date pricing, he has included a very handy reference guide to shape #'s to aid in identification. And, perhaps most importantly of all, you receive expert information on the various lines of Roseville that are considered most collectible. There is a trend chart showing the percentage increase year-by-year for the last six years, thereby offering a look at the overall reported investment value of Roveville pottery. The guide also contains first-rate pictures of many of the lines and has text that is not only well written, it has perhaps that rarest-of-all quailties - it is information that is both usable and invaluable. After purchasing and looking at price guides for both Roseville and many kinds of pottery and other collectibles, I would only hope that others in the field would take a cue from true quality and follow the example set here.

I could not believe how detailed this price guide is.It was well illastrated.Mr. Jenkins's price guide is the best on Roseville that is in the market.It was written in a way that is easy to follow.The collection on sunflower is the only photogragh of a complete set known in existance.AAAAA +++++

Good concept,but it`s better that more study of sevices mark

Cybermarketing is the future marketing method.becourse the future economics is service economics,the cybermarketing should based-on services marketing framework.

After completing a series of interviews where I'm pretty sure I crashed and burned, I decided I needed some professional help. The overview drew me in immediately by describing a typical nerve-wracked interview candidate anticipating an interview "train wreck." That's me! I thought. This guide provided a thorough description of the case interview, from beginning to end, with a lot of examples. I feel much more prepared for my next round of interviews, now that I understand the process. Now I can go into my interviews as a raging bull, instead of a scared rabbit. I STRONGLY recommend this guide to everyone facing the dreaded case interview. Good luck!

I thought ace your case was a practical guide and helps relax you a little for your interview. Also try the Vault Guide to the Case Interview and the harvard guide to consulting. Good luck.

This guide has several good frameworks for attacking a case interview and some good examples. Also recommended: The Vault Guide to the Case Interview and the Vault Guide to the Top 50 Consulting Firms.

After completing a series of interviews where I'm pretty sure I crashed and burned, I decided I needed some professional help. The overview drew me in immediately by describing a typical nerve-wracked interview candidate anticipating an interview "train wreck." That's me! I thought. This guide provided a thorough description of the case interview, from beginning to end, with a lot of examples. I feel much more prepared for my next round of interviews, now that I understand the process. Now I can go into my interviews as a raging bull, instead of a scared rabbit. I STRONGLY recommend this guide to everyone facing the dreaded case interview. Good luck!

I found this report was disappointing and out of date. A more useful report on case interviews is the Vault.com 2002 Guide to the Case Interview or the harvard guide to consulting.

If you really are just starting out and have no clue what you're doing then this book might be helpful. Might. For me, most of the book was too vague to be useful. Comments to the effect of "choose the best possible system [or arrangement] for X" drove me crazy. What, in his opinion, is the best system, and why? Also, the sentences were so short and basic that I felt like I was in grammar school. This book might serve as a useful checklist for things to think about, but I didn't find many answers or very good advice. Skim it at the library.

I just finished reading Going Solo, and by the time I was finished, I had a fairly complete business plan already completed. Not only did this book contain valuable information, it also stimulated pages of ideas and things to do. I definitely recommend reading this book with a pen and notebook handy.

William J. Bond presents a guide for people who want to become home-based consultants. His manual covers every aspect of freelance consulting, from finding, landing, and keeping clients, to maintaining records and understanding the marketplace. This common-sense book is part narrative and part workbook, including questionnaires and fill-in list forms. It is detailed, but if you have any experience as a solo practitioner, the elementary basic business practices outlined may cover material you already know. We at getAbstract recommend this book as a primer for anyone who wants to become a consultant working from a home-office and to those who are already doing exactly that and would like a few more tips about how to make a better living at it.

I read What To Expect (most of it) during my first pregnancy, and I subsequently sold it at a yard sale (both copies I had). Yes, there is a lot of good information in it, but it does come across making you feel like a bad mom if you don't do most of it's suggestions. Yes, they may be what's best for your baby, but I think what you need to take with you when you're done with this book is the general rule of trying to eat healthy when you can, don't smoke, don't chance it with alcohol even though most people say a glass of wine here and there is fine, and limit (you can have a little) caffeine (face it, with morning sickness, there are some things you just can't handle, and some of those things may be the healthiest things in the world). I did think it was pretty useful for info about what you definitely should avoid (although a little extreme). Also, it has good info about normal symptoms that you may experience (constipation, pains caused by your uterus stretching, etc.) that you don't normally know about in your first pregnancy. You just have to keep in mind that sometimes, a pain is just a pain and you shouldn't panic. Overall, OK, but you should always talk to your doctor about anything that concerns you.

If you plan on having a natural birth this is possibly the worst book to ever hold in your hands. It creates much anxiety for the expectant mother and is not worth reading. It addresses common problems a mother may encounter during pregnancy but offers no simple solution. This is a medically biased book. It is more likely that a women will encounter the c-section knife after reading this book by being seduced by its many lures towards excessive trust in medical professionals. It gives absolutely no confidence in the mother to give birth the way mothers have done for thousands of years. Also the website is very demeaning. I visited the forums on the website and many of the women are conformist to the medical system and do not realize that doctors are hiding the truth about a women's ability to give birth naturally. The women in the forums who were advocates of What to Expect book and website were equally demeaning towards me and any mother who even considered natural home birth the old fashioned way. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOOK AND WEBSITE!!! It will save you a lot of problems in pregnancy, family living and future births.....

I picked up "What to Expect" the moment I found out I was expecting. At first, I thought I should read it cover-to-cover, and then realized how big it was. That quickly turned into reading the month-by-month scenarios, which gave me a little something to look forward to as I crossed into each month... until I figured out there was a world of websites out there that did the same thing, and they sent it to my email automatically! This book has very little sense of humor, and really is a worst-case-scenario synopsis. I have been using it lately as more of a guide book for a specific question (i.e. can I eat ____, etc.) but then I still turn around and look up the same question on the web. I would recommend Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, or Hello, My Name is Mommy over this book any day! My partner actually asked me, as his nose was in a Dad-To-Be book, what I was learning about how to take care of a baby, and I replied NOTHING! You have to get the next WTE book for that! He then took me to the bookstore to find a replacement. I'd join the website and save your money from the book. Same info a lot cheaper.

This is my first pregnancy at 36 years old. A friend of mine let me borrow this book after I'd already read a whole bunch of Your Pregnancy Week by Week. I like that one much better. I found it an easier read. What to Expect When You're Expecting, is good but the picture of the pregnant lady on the front of this version is scary. This is the one I was lent. She looks tired and sad. I hate that! It make me feel like I will be tired and sad if I read it. I guess they thought she looked peaceful, but I think she is sorry and sad. Too much information for me. I guess I'd already found so much on the Internet and from reading the Week by Week book that I felt like I was having to read too many things that didn't pertain to me. It's organized that way to include all possibilities within each week.

While this book is filled with information, it's mainly a list of things not to do when you are pregnant. If you don't care for humor or entertainment in your pregnancy book, then this is the book for you.

This quick read provides confirmation to the way consultants handle many everyday challenges, what they think they already know, but have never been officially told. Rasiel does this through short sections and chapters alike. He cuts right to the chase. I think this is maybe why some other readers commented so negatively, maybe they were seeking out in depth methodologies or had extensive experience of their own to already draw from.

I enjoyed the bite-sized chucks of information and ear-marked many of the pages to use during future conversations with proteges.

I think the real key with this book is it should be targeted at traveling consultants with less than 5 years experience seeking to move up the ladder.

A good concept for a book. McKinsey are clearly the worlds most secretive consulting firm. However, Raisel's interpretation of their uniqueness is somewhat limited by his experience. For those readers out their who have worked in a consulting or professional services firm you will find alot of motherhood in this book which has been jazzed up as wow factor genius of McKinsey.

That said there are a few gems in this book too. For those who have heard of McKinsey methods such as the hypothesis driven approach, and the elusive waterfall diagram this book explains all.

If you are wondering about consulting (or implementation) work, read the book - it's all true. And not only about McKinsey.

I have to say, that as a businessman, this book is incredible! I have reread it four times, and I live by what is inside. If you are thinking of going into consulting, this book is a must-have, but if you are a manager in any capacity you need to have this book in your collection. You can apply these principles to any business, and you should be. There is a reason these guys are the best in the business. Buy this book!

Being keen to better understand McKinsey's formula for success, I was rather underwhelmed: very basic information which might be useful to a new graduate, but hardly earth shattering (check out the team building section for example, the summary for which amounts to 'treat your people nicely if you want them to keep working for you'). On the other hand, you do get some sense of McKinsey's internal workings (eg. getting assigned to a project, career development, etc).

It's an easy read, a few hours at most, but unfortunately the true amount of useful information could be summarized in a first semester MBA student's 4-page book report.

My husband hated this book. He said the author made it sound like everything was a big joke. He stopped reading it about half way through. What a disappointment.

My Husband loved this book, I would recommend it for any husband of an expacantent wife!!

My mate enjoyed it, but when you want your man to be compassionate about your every ache and pain, don't let him read this, as he will say. "Oh, they said you would complain about that!" Get your mate to sign up for babycenter emails instead, they will keep him well informed of your baby's development and what you are going through. Then he will lend a knowledgable and loving ear to your aches and pains.

The item was shipped promptly from the vendor.

Sorry their was a computer glich...... This is wonderful guide thru the ups and downs of first pregancy. It has helped my son go thru this exciting time with humor. It has helped him to understand and be involved in all the changes going on during this happy time. I highly recomend this book for all first expectant fathers.

As a feminist I tend to disapprove of these books, but I have to say I laughed despite myself. I wouldnt recommend raising a child on this advice but it isnt meant as a serious guide. Very funny!