Industry Books

This book is special in that it adds empirical support for the authors' business hypothesis. However, their ideas themselves are not revolutionary. Rather they organized and framed a lot of the ideas that today's business leaders already know and practice.

I suppose that the book is in the tradition of academic research paper rather than overblown business hyperbole. As with any academic oriented publications, they make less than interesting reading, but valuable nevertheless.

Survival of the Smartest is reviewed - very positively - in this month's Fast Company. And having now read it I see why: clear, insightful, and packed with great examples for high tech managers working to improve the performance of thier organizations.

By examining the information managment practices of a sample group of short life-cycle high tech companies, Mendelson & Ziegler create a valuable framework to evaluate your company's ability to manage information in the information age. Also chock full of terrific soon-to-be popular industry buzzwords, including: "Decision Architecture," "High/Low IQ Company" and "Internal Information Dissemination." Use 'em while they're hot.

Survival of the Smartest is one of those management books that made its way through the academic world (or so-called the Ivory Tower) into the real-world. In contrary to what is expected, it does a very good job in connecting these two seemingly unrelated fields.

The novel concept, "Organizational IQ", was developed theoretically by Prof. Haim Mendelson and published in some leading academic journals such as Management Science and Information Systems Research. This book summarizes the results of those publications in an easy-to-read way. Organizational IQ is defined as "...a quantifiable measure of how organizations assimilate information and put together their decision and information architectures." It is argued and proved empirically in the book that High-IQ organizations on average are more successful than Low-IQ organizations. A company's organizational IQ describes how well the organization performs along five dimensions:

(1) External Information Awareness
(2) Effective Decision Architecture
(3) Internal Knowledge Dissemination
(4) Organizational Focus
(5) Information Age Business Network.

Mendelson describes each of these dimensions in detail and supports its arguments through the use of case studies from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, British Petroleum (BP), and Modex (a real company with a disguised name).

Although, the main focus of the book is on the use of Information Technology applications along these dimensions, an average reader will not have any difficulty in understanding these concepts if s/he knows what an Internet or Intranet is used for.

The book can be recommended as a supporting textbook for Strategy, Marketing, or Information Systems courses, especially in the graduate level. Whether you are in academia or in business, it is one of the books you should read if you are interested in how business should be done in the Information Age. Forget about the past Industrial Age books, they are already history... Chrysler has learned it in its own way (page 100 in the book)

PS: One may think that I am too generous in rating the books I comment on. However, one should keep in mind that among the books I have read, only those that are worth reading can make it here-my way of decreasing the information overload for Amazon.com members :)

The importance of this book can be judged by any employee asking why can't we work in an organisation which is better developed on the author's 5 Organisational IQ factors:

1 EXTERNAL INFORMATION AWARENESS, ie each part of our organisation captures external information (customers, technology opportunities, competitors' actions) quickly and accurately

2 EFFECTIVE DECISION ARCHITECTURE, ie in our organisation decisions are made at the right level (by the people with the best information and perspective). As a result decisions : are made quickly, have high quality, instill ownership and accountability

3 INTERNAL KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION, ie each part of our organisation knows what it needs to know when it needs to know it. Effective information flows 4-dimensionally: Horizontal, cross functional Top-down, org-wide goals and priorities Bottom-up, operational challenges and opportunities Learning, review over time of all of above

4 ORGANISATIONAL FOCUS, ie organisation systematically fights overload and complexity by: Limiting scope of the business; focusing on core competences; simplifying processes

5 CREATING AN INFORMATION AGE BUSINESS NETWORK, ie Organisation maximises the value of eternal partnerships by applying the above 4 High IQ factors to the entire business network

Would love to share experiences with anyone working or reading up on how to improve organisations IQ factors

chris macrae, chief infomediary, brandknowledge.com e-mail wcbn007@easynet.co.uk

The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing by Bruce C. Brown is a must read for anyone who owns and operates a business in today's technologically advanced world. It is a great resource and a handy reference guide to the mysteries of internet marketing. It explains, in detail, what Search Engine Optimization is and how to make your website visible in search engines via the use of keywords. It contains comprehensive information about marketing your business and products online. While some of the chapters can be quite complex, the author includes screen prints as he walks the reader through the necessary steps to get a website on to the more popular search engines. There is a chapter devoted entirely to fraud, and how to stop your competition from clicking on your ads and burning through your advertising budget - something I didn't even know existed until I read this book. The case studies are helpful in demonstrating the effectiveness of directed pay per click marketing and search engine optimization. After reading this book, you will not only have a clear understanding of how internet advertising and marketing works; you will be able to apply your knowledge and immediately start marketing your business on the internet.

One hundred fifty years ago, businessmen believed that the China market was unlimited. They illustrated its size by claiming that, if they could sell even a single wooden match to every citizen of China, they would make a fortune. Nowadays, the Internet has replaced China as the source of unlimited market opportunity. Bruce C. Brown's The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed tells the reader how to tap into this opportunity and start building a fortune.

Brown cites studies that predict 231 million online users in 2009 spending as much as $3.7 billion. Brown shows readers how to reach those users through various online marketing techniques, in particular through PPC (pay per click) advertising. He details for owners methods for generating traffic, developing marketing strategies, budgeting, building sales, and protecting themselves from fraud. In addition to this information, useful to most business owners interested in generating Internet traffic, the book also operates on another level.

Brown goes into considerable detail on optimizing a web page for search engines and working in detail with Google and Yahoo marketing programs. No doubt, there are individuals who are equally comfortable with web page design and business operations, but it is more likely that a business owner will best use the web page design information to guide their interaction with a programmer. The book closes with case studies and more expert advice from individuals who have been there and done that. Brown has created a thorough guide loaded with a great deal of useful information.

The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed was recently selection as a USA Best Books Awards 2007 Business: Marketing & Advertising Winner: The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed by Bruce C. Brown.

Winner:
The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed by Bruce C. Brown
Atlantic Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-0-910627-99-3

Finalist:
How to Use the Internet to Advertise, Promote, and Market Your Business or Web Site--With Little or No Money by Bruce C. Brown
Atlantic Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-0-910627-57-3

The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed by Bruce C. Brown is a great book for small business owners and those with small marketing budgets. This comprehensive guide is a wonderful addition to anyone who wants to promote their business online.

The online pay-per-click system may seem complicated with its many ins and outs but with Brown's book, you can implement his ideas with little to no money and do so easily. Each section offers a wealth of information for web marketing and pay-per-click newbies. There are even three separate sections each on how to use Google, Yahoo and Microsoft alone! The concepts are simple and the history of online marketing gives one a helpful background in getting started. Brown teaches you how to create a budget, devise a marketing strategy of your own and work from there. This book is a good resource with its handy checklists, helpful glossary of terms and sections on writing your own press releases and even detecting fraud in the online marketing world.

`The Ultimate Guide' gives detailed plans and goes far beyond the basics of PPC marketing. With Brown's guide, you will learn the difference between the internet marketing practices and be armed and ready to get your business out there. What I loved the most was that names, internet addresses and links are all right here in this book! Brown includes so much information and guidance that there is even a section about how much time you can expect to spend depending on the success outcome level you are looking for. There are a variety of links and resources all at your fingertips in this book. It is detailed, well laid out and incredibly helpful to anyone who is looking for a new way to advertise their business and get beyond the first round of search engine success.

Bruce Brown takes us on a delightful tour of search engine Marketing. We meet some Pay Per Click guru's that astound with their knowledge.

"Forget schemes and empty promises. There is only one way to guarantee
that your web site will get visibility, at the top of all major search engines. It is through hard work compared with P.P.C. advertising," says Bruce.

So much for my six pack of silver bullets. But he's right. And when you think about it hard work never hurt anyone . . . . right.

We now have two billion pages on the internet. Google and Yahoo come under the spotlight. Bruce even gives Microsoft ad Centre the once over.

To get a maximum return, we are gonna need to do our homework. These three are the major players so study up and decide which is best for you.

Chapter 14 has some real case studies. One example is `The Hitchin Post.' In Sep. and Oct. they did not spend on P.P.C. advertising. The money just trickled in.

The next month, Nov. they invested $550 on P.P.C. . the return was $2,375.55 . The following month $885 was shelled out and the payoff was a staggering $4,131.59 . Almost double.

If this is not enough to convince you, on page 200 is a special report. In the closing pages there is an excellent glossary.

A really good bunch of stories about ferrying small (sometimes really small) airplanes across very large oceans and continents in all seasons and all kinds of weather. It was a fun read and when I got to the end, I truly wished that there were more stories to read.

The mark of a great non-fiction book is its ability to take a reader who has no prior knowledge, experience, or interest in a subject and draw him in so he can't stop turning the pages. Air Vagabonds does just that. Being neither a pilot, or particularly fond of non-fiction, I was somewhat cautious when this book was recommended to me by a friend. But once I started, I felt I was a part of this adventurous, lonely, and yes, sometimes foolhardy way of life.

Did I think the book was compelling? I'm over Greenland. Ice is forming on my wings. The cockpit heater has failed and the inside temperature is below zero. I'm thinking to myself, my god, what the heck am I doing here? Then I look up and realize that I'm in the safety of my easy chair, reading.

This is a book about the author's experiences in ferrying light aircraft around the world, mostly from the United States in the mid 1970's to the mid 1990's. It details many of both his and his colleagues adventures around the world from the early days across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to the and of the general aviation boom and some might say industry in the 1990's. I enjoyed this book and admired the author and his fellow pilots for the risks they took and the skill involved particularly in the early days of ferrying when navigation and communications technology was very primitive compared to todays. I had the privilege of meeting some of the ferry pilots during the period described in this book and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone with and aviation background. It is a good read.

Wow, you won't put it down. This is one of those books that take you by surprise. The author and true adventurer of this book was right on the mark writing it. I can see it now, all his buddies and friends telling him, "hey, this is too much, you should write a book..." This dude did things which both amaze and fascinate. He is your average everyday guy who wanted some adventure and had lots and lots of guts. A better way of describing this guy and his adventures would be with the word "big" a few expletives and the word "balls." The writing style is superb, captivating and easy to follow. Totally well done.

By chance, I happened to meet one of the pilots documented in this book. He is every bit the character that is portrayed within these chapters. I have met hundreds of pilots in my career but none of them had flying stories that could compare to the ones told in this wonderful book. As you move from chapter to chapter you find yourself covering vast distances and soon the reader is alone over the Pacific consuming pages of the book as steadily as the ferry pilots airplanes consumed precious fuel. This is a book of true pilot stories that will captivate every airman and intrigue the layman.

I must say this was an incredibly fun sourcebook to read. At times it had me laughing with humorous quotations such as; "I am amazed, o wall, that you have not collapsed and fallen, since you must bear the tedious stupidities of so many scrawlers" and at other times I would shudder; "Good God, what scrawny little slaves they were! Their skin was everywhere embroidered with purple welts from their many beatings. Their backs, scarred from floggings... their complexions were an ugly yellow..."

Using a slew of both primary and secondary sources, Jo-Ann Shelton takes us through the life of the Romans. Covering topics as varied as slavery, provincial administration, the family unit, the magistrates and occupations, we are brought directly into Roman life with all of its practices, norms, values and peculiarities. The key feature of this book is the focus on the common Roman and how they lived with a section devoted entirely to woman in Roman society, a much overlooked topic. From dinner parties to funeral clubs, all aspects of the common Romans life are discussed.

In all a very worthwhile book to own and use as both a source of reference and entertainment!

Although this book was recquired reading for a Roman History class I took, I found myself really enjoying the read. Shelton does a superb job in collecting sources to paint an engaging and colorful picture of Roman society. I've read a lot of books about Roman history(due to the sweetness of its action), but few make the Romans seem to come alive quite like this one. If you like Roman history like me, this would be an excellent choice for your collection.

Excellent. You will actually have a good time reading this if it is required for a class. There are plenty of funny antecdotes throughout. Many of the examples of people interacting seem like they could be happening now. The great thing about this book is that more than half of the material is ancient sources. Letters about marriage, politics, superstition, it is all taught by example, which takes you into the history much more. Wonder what the people actually thought about gladitorial combats? What happened when someone had to go travelling? If there's two sides to the story, both sides are presented in this book.

Definitive Work On Rome,

I read this book for a graduate course in Roman history. Jo-Ann Shelton's book is the definitive anthology pertaining to Roman social history!

Shelton opens each chapter with a brief synopsis of the subject and then she has a plethora of primary source documents, which are about the subject. I find this to be the genius of the book. The books appendix of primary sources and bibliography make this book an indispensable resource for anyone who studies Rome.

Following is an example of some of the subjects covered. According to Roman folklore, the first public day of entertainment soon after the founding of Rome by Romulus was a day of chariot racing. Thus, its importance culturally to Rome was paramount considering it became the oldest and longest lasting public sport in Rome--lasting over one thousand years. These chariot races first took place in the seventh century BCE in an area between the Palatine and Aventine hills. The racetrack was built in the "Circus Maximus" and was expanded over the years in order to seat 250,000 spectators. Originally, there were 17 game days or ludi a year in which 12 races a day would be run. Romans throughout the social strata were attracted to the blood and danger of this spectacle, as most races had at least one chariot crashing in a race. In general, the political importance of the races and games were not lost on ambitious men wanting to make a name for themselves. Admission was free to the races since it was the aedile or praetor's responsibility to organize public entertainment while they held office. Politicians seeking to ingratiate themselves with the people and wanting to further their political careers would spend their own money to supplement the public funds available so that they could increase the lavishness of the games. For example, Julius Caesar almost went bankrupt in 65 BCE during his aedileship. He put on some of the most lavish games that Romans had ever witnessed, which made him extremely popular with the people. Though this political ploy was expensive it paid off handsomely because his popularity rose among the plebeians.

When one thinks about public entertainment in Rome, it is hard to ignore the Roman penchant for gladiatorial combat and what it culturally meant to the Romans. During the republican period, it was common practice for gladiatorial matches to be financed by wealthy private individuals. Usually sponsored in honor of a dead relative these matches were not ludi but referred to as munera meaning "duties." As was the case for the ludi, wealthy politicians used the munera for the purpose of winning over the hearts and minds of the plebeians by staging lavish spectacles for their entertainment. The advantage for an ambitious politician was that these events could be staged at any time during the year. However, during the imperial period, gladiatorial combat became a part of the publicly financed entertainment for Romans. This was done because Rome's emperors did not want potential political rivals currying favor from the plebeians. The Romans seemed to have a blood lust in their entertainment. This may be due to using gladiatorial combat as a way of showing its citizens an ennobling contempt for death. It was also certainly used to serve as a reminder to citizens the authority that the state held over them. Like the chariot drivers, gladiators were slaves that were trained in their sport under rigorous conditions. Since it was expensive to train men, not every loser of a match was automatically killed. To feed the Roman blood lust, those condemned by the state to death and many war captives were sent to the arena to fight to the death--sometimes pitted against ferocious wild animals. "In the 100 days of spectacles, which accompanied the opening of the Colosseum in 80 CE, 9000 animals were killed. At Trajan's games of 108 CE, 10,000 gladiators fought and 11,000 animals were killed."

Private leisure activities, such as dinner parties, also fulfilled important Roman cultural needs. Once again, the wealthy Roman politician frequently hosted extravagant banquets with exotic foods and expensive entertainment to curry favor from his dinner guests. Sometimes a banquet would feature food grown on the estate farms of the host. This custom was an old and respected time honored Roman tradition. Many times the dinner parties were more austere in nature and conducted as part of the Roman patron-client relationship, or just out of friendship. It is interesting to note that when one reads about the Roman customs surrounding dinner parties, one quickly realizes that they have many similarities to modern customs. As an example, in Shelton's book there are ancient accounts showing how a man fishing for a dinner invitation ingratiated himself by drying off the back of a fellow bather at the public baths, or how people would use flattery to gain a dinner invitation. There are accounts of uncouth behavior that dinner guest display that hosts, both ancient and modern, always dread. These include the guest that perpetually shows up at your door early for a dinner requiring the host to drop everything they were doing to attend to them. Roman dinner guests often came with their own cloth napkins and would use them as doggy bags to bring food home. Of course, there are accounts of the rude dinner host as well. Some hosts would serve different quality and types of food to their guests based on their social standing. Shelton's book has an account of the "persistent poet" that bores their guests with poetry recitals that drone on and are quite boring. It reminds one of being invited to a friend's house for dinner and then having to suffer through a long slide show of their host's summer vacation. What Shelton proves with her section on dinner parties is that some customs never change.

Bathing was not just used for hygiene in the Roman Empire but was also a recreational pastime in its own right. Romans throughout the social strata and of both sexes partook of this activity. Except for the very wealthy who had bathing facilities at home, most Romans went to public bathhouses. Many of Rome's emperors had bathhouses built as part of their master building plan for the city, and once again to curry favor with the citizenry. Emperors Augustus, Nero, Trajan, and Commodus to name a few, had bathhouses built throughout Rome. The popularity of bathing was such that by the fourth century CE, Rome had over 1,000 public bathhouses that were operated by the state or as private businesses. Bathhouses had either separate sex facilities or different operating hours for the opposite sex. Shelton wrote that bathing was so popular throughout the Roman Empire that, "almost every town and every village had at least one public bath building." For example, one can still visit the Roman baths in the city of Bath in England where the Romans became enamored with the restorative powers they perceived the local water contained. Starting in the late republic period, bathhouses offered many different recreational activities similar to our present day fitness centers. Thus, bathhouses served many cultural needs of its citizens; one of which was a place were Romans could congregate to gossip and talk about issues of the day. Another need they served was that they were a place where Romans could engage in all types of physical exercises--such as, ball games, swimming, and jogging. Massages were a large part of the bathing ritual as well. The plan of the Stabian Baths at Pompeii, built in the second century BCE, show the enormity of bathhouse structures. The Stabian baths had separate bathing for the opposite sex, dressing and massage rooms, a swimming pool, an exercise yard, offices for meetings, as well as other amenities. In addition, shops and food vendors surrounded many of the bathhouses; thus, many Romans of the upper classes could spend long portions of the day at the baths.

Recommended reading for those interested in Roman history.

Because Roman civilization is so fundamental to our own, there is scarcely a cultural of political topic that isn't illuminated a bit or at least better illustrated by reference to Rome. This book is organized topically with translations of primary source materials and an excellent index. Whether your topic is government, medicine, dinner or working for a living, this is a valuable source book on that most modern of ancient civiizations.

Lynn Hoffman, author of New Short Course in Wine,The and bang BANG: A Novel

This is based on the older published version but with updated material like newer ignition and emission regulation. This book has more colored pictures than the previous edition.
I generally like the previous edition more because it was what I learned with. There is less color and it goes straight to the point. I have only skimmed through this book. Other than that, its a good book to learn about automotive technology.
If you really want to learn, go through each chapter throughly and do the review and questions. (and of course, do hands on)

The best book I ever read, very informative except that the author decided to delete the topic regarding the carburators in this edition. I think they should retain it as part of yesterday, today and future technology to aid new technician in case they ask to repair carburator a lot of car using carburator still running in our street specially in my country Philippines. The rest of the book are awesome!! great!!!!

This book is so complete and exhaustive that it could be called the Automotive technology Bible! But remember, this book is for the serious reader, not for the occasional reader! Buy this if you are serious about the subject.

I am glad that my money got its worth. Excellent book. Never makes you feel "LOST".It covers almost everything related to an automobile. Strongly recommeneded for everyone looking for saving time and money in automotive book search.

I've used this book for my Auto Tech classes and it is the most comprehensive auto tech manual out there. Very informative and highly detailed. Get the accompanying Tech Manual for hands on lessons and projects. No dissapointments!

All of Michael Kahn's books have been favorites of mine, but his newest, Bearing Witness is outstanding. Anyone looking for a thrilling mystery should definately check out this book!

Just finished reading this Rachel Gold mystery. This is my fourth one and I have enjoyed them all. However, in this one, Michael Kahn kicks it up a few notches. In this book he tells the tale of Ruth Alpert. Her case evolves from an age discrimination suit to a qui tam case. Michael Kahn does a good job of explaining what a qui tam case is. He also re-educates us on Kristallnacht, die spinne and April 20, 1898 which are events none of us should forget. I live in the area of St. Louis and I loved the descriptions of Union Station (the Arch of Whispers)and the restaurants he names in the book. I can picture everything. Keep on writing.

a legal thriller worthy of the name. an age discrimination case evolves into a multi-million dollar whistle-blowing expose. narrative flow is steady if occasionally ponderous. nice balance of trial prep,personal travails and courtroom squirmishes- all fueled by an inescapable desire to root for the good guys.

Michael Kahn's books seem to just keep getting better and better. This is an absorbing and sobering adventure with Rachel, Benny and the rest of the crew. Rachel's relationship is progressing nicely with the "Wolf Man" and I hope it continues in future books. Keep writing PLEASE -- when you are sitting at your computer late into the night, be assured your fans are eagerly awaiting your next Rachel Gold adventure!

I discovered Rachel Gold through a short story in EQMM - thank heaven, as I don't think I would have found them otherwise; for anyone who is looking for a terrific mystery, interesting characters and courtroom drama - run don't walk to buy one of Michael Kahn's Rachel Gold books.

This is, by far, the best of the lot; full of history (Nazi treasure), present day issues(age discrimination and excellent sleuthing. The plotting and the characters are so well drawn that I find I have re-read this book several times even though I know "who dun it" and enjoyed it all over again.

I enjoyed this book so much read it in a day which wasn't hard because it was pretty light reading, this book offeded lot of tips on how to make college life easier. I am headed off to college in the fall and Ithink it will help.

What I liked the best about the book is that it's told in students' own words -- students from a number of colleges commenting on topics ranging from how to schedule classes to handling homesickness to handling finances to getting along with that up-all-night roommate. You're getting the real scoop on college life from the people who are LIVING it, not what the admission literature says. As a student affairs professional, this is the kind of "quick read" resource I'm going to buy (on Amazon, of course) to make available to my students.

I enjoyed this book so much read it in a day which wasn't hard because it was pretty light reading, this book offeded lot of tips on how to make college life easier. I am headed off to college in the fall and Ithink it will help.

A very good read that will keep one's attention until the end. Although much of it will strike a chord as common sense, it naturally wouldn't dawn upon most for at least a year or more. Since Been There... is made up of quotes from college students, it reads more like a conversation. All the ideas are down to earth & they sound much better coming from those there than from adults who have been away for some time.

Now THIS is a really great little college book. It's literally filled with extremely useful advice from the first page to the last, all from the lips of college students who "learned" from their mistakes. Very fast and entertaining read as well, definitely an excellent buy for anybody about to enter college.

Just an extra note, this 505 tips for making college easier is similiar to the title "101 Things College girl should know" and "101 Things College guy should know."...this is a MUCH better buy for your money. The latter 2 books are the most useless excuses for books I've found...with tips like drink 8 glasses of water a day and...similiar common sense. Buy "505" instead, you'll be glad.

If you are a fan of Good to Great and Built to Last, you will think you found a precious gem. We all know that a vision is the cornerstone to success. If you don't know who you are, what exist for and where you are going - how could you ever be successful. This book spells out why vision is the critical point, in clear language.

Beyond Entrepreneurship is an excellent book. Why? Most business books cover how to start companies, this book goes further. Collins & Lazier show you how to create a company that has a passion for what it's doing. They give guides on how to build a company from the ground up with ideals, beliefs, and goals. You learn why vision is so important to the overall goals of the company. Some of the things you'll learn in this book: How Sony stays ahead of the curve with its innovations. How 3M allows innovation to drive strategy. How Sam Walton used similar tactics but overtook his competition.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to build a great and enduring company.

I'm not surprised why this book have 5 stars...it deserves 10.

This book not only explains which are the key success drivers for an organization to become great, but also lets us know what to do in order to achieve results on each of these drivers. I work in the Planning division of a major insurance company...I have read lots of stuff about strategic planning, and I find the content of this book to be the one that captures the essence of successful planning.

According to the authors, any person involved in leading or transforming a business, should focus on 5 dimensions. In order to become truly successful, you should achieve a great performance on each dimension.These dimensions are:

1. Leadership Style 2. Vision, values and corporate culture 3. Strategy 4. Innovation 5. Tactical Excellence

There is a chapter for each point which are full of practical examples and stories about successes and failures.

I also recommend "Built to Last", from the same author.

This 'easy to read' book is great! It should be the bible for SME companies and entrepreneurs who want to excel in real-life business. It's full of great insights and a 'must have' for anybody who cares about practical business management.

The problem with this book, and many books of this type is that it is a clearly organized exposition on intuitive principles. I have read many books that resemble this one. They tend to be motivational and easily conceived, but the downside to the ease with which they are digested is that you don't really learn anything. This does not mean the book should not read, in fact the examples and organization clearly illustrate the basic structure of strategy. However, anyone familiar with the ideas should probably look for something a little more weighty.

All of that being said, this is how the book is organized thematically:

Chapter 1: Leadership Style
Chapter 2: Vision
Chapter 3: Strategy
Chapter 4: Innovation
Chapter 5: Tactical Excellence

The key topics of chapter 1 are the multiplier effect of leadership, the different style of leadership, and the elements of leadership (Ever Forward, Communication, Hard/Soft People Skills, Personal Touch, Focus, Decisiveness, and Authenticity).

Chapter 2 covers the benefits of vision, and the framework for vision (core values and beliefs, purpose, and mission).

Chapter 3 discusses the Four Basic Principles of Setting Effective Strategy, Setting Strategy, Internal Assessment, External Assessment, and the Four Common Key Strategic Issues that Face SMEs.

Chapter 4 is on the Six Elements that make an innovative company, and 8 managerial techniques to stimulate creativity.

Chapter 5 discusses how to take vision to create strategy which can then be used to formulate tactics, how to create an environment where people consistently exhibit tactical excellence, and a six part process to ensure excellence.

This book also periodically presents frameworks, models, and case examples to help illustrate key points.

Overall, it is a quick and easy read, that will illustrate basic tips to run a business. I would recomend anything written by Michael Porter or Peter Drucker for more conceptual ideas. For more books like this, the Harvard Business Review series should be considered.

Show your Cubs spirit with this good-looking Cubs license plate holder! The only better plate holder would announce when the Cubs win the World Series!!! Stay tuned ...

What a way to show fan support for team with the best record in baseball this year so far:) Go Cubs!!

I bought this as a gift for my chef who loves the sox. It is very sturdy and well built. He loved it

My license plate cover was exactly like the description and picture shown on Amazon. It also arrived in a very timely manner! Great service and quality overall.

This is a very well made product...much better than I expected. Definitely a high quality item.

Finding a method of being a mother first and working to provide income rather than slaving to provide a meager income and also having children would be useful to most women (and probably favored by men). As yet, the priority problem between children and working has been solved by so few except those who can afford child care and cleaning help, that most of women's entrepreneurship - including professional employment - is lost in translation! Hopefully this book can help. For men to conclude that women are more than women-children would also help despite the fact that most don't want to be men, contrary to Freud, and those that fantasize over him and his views.

I read Dr. Moore's book a year ago as I started my business as a female entrepreneur, and now a year later I re-read it- and find all the lessons even more relevant and helpful. Any woman considering starting her own business should read this book several times. I have learned quite a bit over the last year, and Dr. Moore's book tremendously helped reduce my learning curve (not that it's been easy).

As a self- employed consultant focusing on women's leadership, I have found especially useful the author's pointers on negotiation, how to invest my time, and how to make the most of my networking resources. Her real-life examples and advice from successful female entrepreneurs and their stories is most inspiring and a continuing source of strength for me. My business has continued to grow, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to have learned from the other entrepreneurial women in this book.

Careerpreneurs packs in lessons from leading female entrepreneurs on how to build a career, and will provide many aspiring women with the voices and experiences of other pioneers who have left corporate life to seek fulfillment in their own business or in their own way. From networking to negotiation, this covers many different types of careers and strategies.

Anyone who aspires to be a successful entrepreneur will find this book is definitely a "must read." From cover to cover, it is full of useful frameworks and wonderful quotes from some of the most successful women entrepreneurs in America. Through careful distillation of focused interviews, Dorothy Perrin Moore has captured the essence of the best advice these savvy business women have to offer.

A favorite chapter is the one on networking. It provides great examples of how these women entrepreneurs have gone about building the networks of contacts that have been a key to their success. The chapter on leadership offers terrific insight into developing an effective leadership style and making the transition to leader. The chapter on negotiation provides crucial advice about critical bargaining skills. There is much more to love in this insightful book.

The anecdotes and quotes are integrated throughout, making this book a particularly fascinating read for anyone involved in the business world.

Dorothy Moore"s Carerrpreneurs is a must read for women who want to succeed in today's business world. Its clear format and well organized style makes it a pleasure to read. I especially liked the self-assessment tool. I'm a Human Resource Consultant for a major corporation and would recommend this book to women at all stages of their careers. I found the practical wisdom expressed in these successful women's own words to be enlightening and inspirational. A great read!