Growth and Development Books

Leading Product Innovation by Marv Patterson and John Fenoglio is essential reading for anyone working in the field of product innovation and product development. This book explains very clearly the importance of product innovation to business growth and provides the reader with a detailed mental model of an effective product innovation process. Marv and John also describe how senior management can build an environment that allows the product innovation process to flourish, techniques to improve the process over time, and metrics that can be used to manage the process. I highly recommend Leading Product Innovation for all levels of management in the workplace and for students wishing to learn more about the importance of product innovation.

This is a good book for product developers. Especially technology driven business like electronic and Internet industry. Most best practices are useful for business where innovation and short cycle-time are important. The two authors reflect their deep understanding of product development and management consultancy. By using balance score card's approach in their recommended best practice, will benefit to most developers.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/06)

Author R. Dean Johnson gained a lot of insight into human behavior by always observing what was going on around him. He calls it "homegrown wisdom." He shares his homegrown wisdom with us to teach us to look for these kinds of life lessons in everything. Johnson's writings made me feel like he was someone that I wished I knew personally. He looks at life very basically and offers his musings with a touch of southern class. He offers a lot of common sense. In his book, he takes each chapter and muses about an experience he had and what he learned from it. He talks about the importance of having our basic needs be met. For example, if we have known true hunger, we learn to really appreciate food. If we haven't known true hunger, then we need to appreciate this fact and be grateful for the abundance in our lives.

Johnson also writes about how the process of change is important and necessary for us to grow. But he also says that constancy and familiarity feed our souls. Each chapter is enjoyable to read and is a welcome respite from the current times that we are in where people seem to forget about personal accountability and get so caught up in materialism that they lose a sense of the importance of belonging.

"Life. Be There at 10 `Til" is really an enjoyable book to read. It would make a wonderful gift for all ages. I think that older people would enjoy it for its simplicity and that younger people could learn a lot about life in general from it. For me, I enjoyed being able to sit down with it and take a break from all the stress going on in my world. Johnson's reflections made me realize that I take too much in life seriously and that I need to slow down and learn to appreciate the lessons that are offered to me in each experience.

Every story within this collection offers something to learn, digest, internalize and grow from...there's humor, poignancy and wisdom that will leave the reader wanting more...I think the South may have discovered it's own David Sedaris understudy!

A very fine book which appears to have two layers. Easy to read it would seem like a warm cheering up from an old friend. But as you read it a second layer appears grounding it into a solid and quiet yet bright philosophy. Just like fine sandpaper's effect on a piece of glass it makes things look more luminous while giving you a certain distance on yourself, others and the world. A source of comfort that doesn't smother you in moral principles and leaves space for discord. Highly recomended to untangle our minds.

I liked this book very much. I felt it has much to offer in the way of practical advice for those going thru trying times in their life. I especially liked how Virginia quoted many different sources to illustrate her ideas. It's chapters are short and concise and is very easy to read and understand. I highly recommend this book.

This book poses the reader difficult questions that force tough introspection in a highly supportive and inspirational manner. Coupled with your own desire to change and achieve happiness, this book is the next best thing to a good (and expensive) life coach. For the price, the power it wields can be enormous. It may not broach every person's personal demon, but every page has something great to offer.

An easy to read and inspiring book. I keep it on the breakfast bar because dipping into it is the best way to start the day! A wise,gritty approach to life which shows how you really can make the most of it and you.

I have read a great many books in the self-help arena, and sad to say many of them simply recycle the work of others.

But here is one that really stands out.

I have met the author and she has clearly written this book from the heart. It is based on her own experience, keen intuition and perceptive observations. I have had the privilege of working with a great many intuitives all over the world. Not the ones who want to tell you your fortune, or use their psychological insights to manipulate others, but individuals and groups working quietly for the good of others and the planet as a whole.

Kimberley Colvard is clearly in that latter group. Though we are all born with some instinctive and intuitive abilities, both instinct and intuition can be developed and enhanced. Few people have developed them as much as the author, and it shows through in her writing.

The book is deceptive: it is short, coming in at only 87 pages, but it is crammed with useful information. Some may seem familiar, but Kim has many new and extremely useful perspectives. The fundamental ideas - that your life is what you make of it, the importance of using intuition and the quest to achieve integration - have been discussed for years, but rarely have I seen such a comprehensive set of practical tools for incorporating each into your life.

The book is broken into 14 short but pithy chapters:
1. How you think determines your life
2. Discovering patters of learned conditioning
3. Honoring your perceptions that allow and promote growth
4. Identifying dreams and passions acting upon them
5. Using your emotions as tools of empowerment
6. What is you self-worth attached to?
7. The power of choice: how to create what you want
8. Becoming responsible for your world
9. The energy of the physical body
10. How intuition can guide your life
11. Integration of the mind, body, and spirit
12. The process of change: how to recognize and honor it
13. Allowing your life to guide you - actions vs. non-action
14. Frequently asked questions

The book is energetic and compassionate. The writing is animated and there are some excellent "case histories" and plenty of practical activities.

This is one of those rare books that you could easily read in an hour, but which may take you years to fully assimilate.

Very highly recommended.


Richard G. Petty, MD, author of Healing, Meaning and Purpose: The Magical Power of the Emerging Laws of Life

Kimberley A. Colvard, PhD
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 0595376223
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/06)

"Life's a Perception, What's Yours?" is a keeper. Considering I have read thousands and thousands of books and only have about twenty keepers, I do not say that lightly. It is one of those books that came along at the perfect time in my life. I have already made some major changes and Colvard provides the steps to continue with the plan that I have of empowering myself so that my life will be in alignment with my true self.

Her intention of writing this book is to help the reader develop a new self-perspective. It taught me to look at patterns of learned conditioning that I created in my life, but which no longer serve me. Identifying this learned conditioning has allowed me to become aware of why I created these patterns of thinking and behavior in the first place and why they are no longer contributing to my happiness or my self-esteem. She wants us to become co-creators in our lives. She says "Our perceptions rule our reality...Your external world is a mirror of what is going on inside your head." By working with our thoughts we can change our reality. She calls it "living life from the inside out."

Colvard is extremely compassionate and positive in her writing. She does not make you feel badly about having gotten caught up in unhealthy behaviors. She encourages you to forgive yourself, learn from the experience and move on to a more positive way of living.

The book is less than 90 pages, but because my mind was processing and discovering so much, it was not a fast read. She offers workshop lessons that will guide you through a great deal of self-reflection. I found these to be very helpful. She also discusses the five stages that occur in the process of change so that you can recognize them and understand them as you experience them.

I really loved "Life is a Perception, What's Yours?." I would recommend it as a gift to others, but first I think that you need to make it a gift to yourself.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/06)


Author R. Dean Johnson gained a lot of insight into human behavior by always observing what was going on around him. He calls it "homegrown wisdom." He shares his homegrown wisdom with us to teach us to look for these kinds of life lessons in everything. Johnson's writings made me feel like he was someone that I wished I knew personally. He looks at life very basically and offers his musings with a touch of southern class. He offers a lot of common sense. In his book, he takes each chapter and muses about an experience he had and what he learned from it. He talks about the importance of having our basic needs be met. For example, if we have known true hunger, we learn to really appreciate food. If we haven't known true hunger, then we need to appreciate this fact and be grateful for the abundance in our lives.

Johnson also writes about how the process of change is important and necessary for us to grow. But he also says that constancy and familiarity feed our souls. Each chapter is enjoyable to read and is a welcome respite from the current times that we are in where people seem to forget about personal accountability and get so caught up in materialism that they lose a sense of the importance of belonging.

"Life. Be There at 10 `Til" is really an enjoyable book to read. It would make a wonderful gift for all ages. I think that older people would enjoy it for its simplicity and that younger people could learn a lot about life in general from it. For me, I enjoyed being able to sit down with it and take a break from all the stress going on in my world. Johnson's reflections made me realize that I take too much in life seriously and that I need to slow down and learn to appreciate the lessons that are offered to me in each experience.

And you are? A product of your parents? A compilation of society? A being filled with hopes and dreams? All that and more, I am sure. R. Dean Johnson examines himself, how he got that way, and even dares to ask his mother who she really is. "Life. Be There At Ten "Til," is a hilarious, thoughtful collection of homegrown wisdom.
With life lessons on topics such as showing up on time, and doing what you are supposed to do rather than what you want to do, this book is just right for a society that sometimes forgets the simple, yet very important things in life. Johnson's thoughtful commentary on condolence casseroles, feeling taken care of, realizing his parents need some assistance now and then like all humans, and a special wish list for Santa that means so much more than his childhood dream of spending a year with St. Nick, examines the meaning behind his beliefs, the traditions of his Southern family, and gives readers something vital to think about - the human condition.

His writing is so open and honest that you will feel you are reading the blog of a long lost friend, or the letters of a cousin you grew up with. The stories are simple, yet deep in purpose and reflection of life in America. The book is a feel good read that will have you smiling, thinking back to those sandwich-packing days of your own, and wanting to pick up the phone to call home. This piece of Southern inspiration is a well-written, charming collection that is sure to be a cherished hit.
Review by Heather Froeschl

This book delivers a thorough, unbiased and thoughtful approach to the problem of sprawl. The issues are clearly defined and the myths debunked when necessary. After reading this book, one feels that the problems and potential solutions can be grasped. The writing is clear,and concise and draws the reader through the complexities of the issues.

The best and most unusual thing about this book is that it is more balanced than most: while most sprawl-related books are pure attacks or defenses (or are too superficial to adequately cover either side of the argument), Gillham gives a significant amount of space to the arguments, counter-arguments and counter-counter arguments on both sides (though on balance he is definitely more antisprawl than not). In addition, the book covers a wider range of issues than many sprawl related books; instead of being focused on quality of life issues (like most New Urbanist books are) or on environmental issues, Gillham goes into both. Also, Gillham discusses the political lineups on sprawl related issues: who's for changing the status quo, who defends sprawl and why.

After taking over my mid-size firm's marketing committee and being assigned responsibility for a complete revamping of the firm's website and logo, this book provided a good, quick introduction to the basic concepts of marketing and branding our firm. Very helpful for the beginner - like me.

This book is a must for every law firm managing partner and marketing directors. To survive and prosper in 2010 and beyond these lessons are essential.

This book is well written, and surprisingly different from most self-help books. It is not the kind of book that tells you everything can be just fine if you take prescribed steps. Nor is it the kind, so popular today, in which one gets "yelled at" for failings. It covers material that will often be familiar to people who read books on stress management, but inevitably it treats its topics with a new twist. For example, Hood deals with relaxation training, but focuses on the daily use of "mini" relaxations, so readers are more likely to be able to apply relaxation methods to their lives. He discusses healthy versus unhealthy defense mechanisms, the health benefits of keeping pets, both of which will be familiar to students of stress management, but he also discusses the benefits of giving and acts of kindness as well as of patience and self-discipline.

Hood provides advice on dealing with work stress but focuses on developing one's strengths rather than working on one's weaknesses.

The author also does a nice job of dealing with the impact of toxic people on one's life, and he uses Dr. Laura as an example of such people, a criticism many of us see as long overdue.

This is an easy, quick and pleasant way to understand what is known about how to use the mind for health and psychological well-being. The advice given in this book has a good basis in scientific research.

Lots of funny examples of such a serious topic...psychology and learning how to live. The chapters point to areas of our lives in which, if we concentrate on, can help to improve the quality of each and every day. Some of these topics I was aware of, but Mark has an unusual way of presenting the information.
I have recommended it to my closest girlfriends so we can talk about some of the ideas.
THe pictures were an interesting addition to the chapters.
This is a good book for people that think they are neurotic. Like he says in the beginning, maybe we are not as messed up as the culture portrays us to be.

Liked this book, it really points out the issues that women face. Uplifting and a quick read.

If you're looking for another self-help book, Living Large Now is not your thing. But if you live a life filled with errands, obligations, and tedium and sense that you are missing something BIGGER, more FUN, more EXCITING, more FULFILLING in life... this book is for you!

I was amazed that such a simple, little book could reach to the depths of my soul and into my deepest thoughts. Although I have many acquaintances, I had to ask - do I really have friends I can count on? Where is the "village", the support group of wonderful women who will pick up my kid, bring me dinner when I am ill or after my baby is born, and who knows when to take command to care for ME? I seem to do a lot for others, but I couldn't say they felt they could "count" on me anymore than I could "count" on them. We were simply too distant for that. We hadn't spoken words that sealed our relationship as good friends. Although I knew many women, we still danced the I-barely-know-you two-step of superficial greetings and smiles.

As women in the 20th and 21st century, we have lost that community in so many ways. This book is about recreating the community that provides essential "vitamins" to women, the way our testosterone-driven society (think: war, sports, government, male leadership at the highest levels, glass ceilings, higher pay for men, more importance given to men's words, etc., etc., etc.) feeds men. Before the rise of suburbia and the isolation (even in apartment buildings) among neighbors, women came together to enjoy each other's company, care for each other, celebrate their lives, beauty, etc. This book gives us concrete ways to re-establish a way to find great women to hang out with and fun things to do on Saturday night when you were just going to sit home in front of the tube or do the laundry.

More importantly, this book reminds us WHY we need to seek each other out, hang out, have a blast, and return fulfilled and joyful into our work the next day. The book even offers great ways to break of our self-inflicted molds in business, such as volunteering so we can find strengths we never knew we had - and translate them into a better job or career later on!

I loved this book. It was funny. It was filled with little stories about STARR'S life. And, while I was laughing and speeding through the book, I learned more about finding "Angels" in my daily life, growing beyond who I have let myself become, and living a LARGER LIFE than the one I thought was mine. In short, it made my life much better in a matter of minutes! I recommend Living Large Now as a wonderful gift to all women who deserve to live a JUICIER LIFE! Give to all your friends and form an "Angel Brigade" of your own! (You gotta read the book to find out what I mean!)