Meyer Books

At 106 pages including the index you may be tempted to dismiss this book on a subject that other books with five times the page count fail to adequately cover. Don't.

First, this is not a book on the measures of due diligence, detailed advice about vendor selection or even how to build a business case. It is, however, a book that will put outsourcing into perspective, arm you with the right questions you should be asking yourself, your staff, and your vendors, and finally, will cut through the haze and show you a few alternatives.

The first chapter covers the thesis - a brief context - followed by another short chapter that defines outsourcing. Then the book delves into the essence and key issues: claims versus reality, the key issues, and the real motives. Not surprisingly, one 'real' motive is an expedient way to get rid of internal service functions with which the 'customers' are dissatisfied. Myer counters that and a few other motives with ideas about how to regain customer focus, control priorities and otherwise how outsourcing can be avoided if the reasons are superficial and correctable. Also promoted is a hybrid solution that uses an extended staffing concept - extend the resources of an internal group with careful, selective sourcing. I've seen this concept work well in practice, but you'd be surprised by the number of companies that do not consider this option. Myer makes a strong case in favor, with diverse examples and alternatives.

As the book progresses Myer introduces a strategy, mainly aimed at management of an at risk function, to compete with vendors that provide outsourcing. The material is somewhat brief, but contains enough ideas to get you thinking. As an aside, the ideas in this part of the book are more fully presented, and in a compelling, sensible manner, in Myer's companion book titled "The Internal Economy" (ISBN 1892606186). The final chapter addresses insourcing - going in the opposite direction - and is as thought-provoking as the other chapters.

The book is a quick read, but each page will evoke thoughts, ideas and help to place outsourcing in its proper context. Think of it as a decision-aid, and as a way to cut to the key issues. Regardless of whether or not you ultimately decide to outsource, you'll do so with solid information and an objective approach.

This little book will give you the highlights and lowlights of outsourcing without too much pain. Dean Meyer says (and I agree) that outsourcing, under certain conditions, will save money, reduce risks, accommodate peak loads, and develop internal staff and processes. But these benefits come about only if internal staff remains in charge of the client relationships, deciding whether to "make or buy," selecting and managing vendors, establishing strategies and technical directions, defining standards and policies, and seeing that the vendor's knowledge is transferred internally over time.

Protect your organization by ensuring that those managing IT delivery work for the same shareholders that you do. Desperate executives, by definition, are not focused on the long term or thinking with a level head. Don't stand by and let them destroy your organization with outsourcing.

I have read dozens of Parenting books and this is the very best. Since reading this book and consistantly using it's techniques(tools) alot of stress has been taken out of both mine and my four year old son's life. He is much more cooperative and behaves's much better now. The Parent's Tool Box takes the advice from the best parenting books and puts them together into one practical,easy remember and apply approach(blueprint). I considered myself an above average parent before, but since reading this book my parenting skill have greatly improved.

This book is a must for every parent to read and own! The information is not only valuable to use with children, but also in everyday adult relationships. I highly recommend reading this comprehensive and valuable resource, which is filled with practical ideas for every parenting challenge possible.

It is interesting how some of the best restaurants are littlehole in the walls that are hard to find. That is the case here with'Paul J. Meyer and The Art of Giving'. This book is a gem, and even amazon.com says it is hard to find.

This book is a testamentary to the goodness in giving. We all know it is better to give than to receive, Paul Meyer is a perfect example. There is story after story of the rewards in giving. You will receive the strength to lead your life in stewardship from this book. "What goes around comes around!" That saying is so true when it comes to giving.

The biblical basis in this book is a very strong feature and a welcome breath of fresh air in a book. "Give, and it will be given to you" Luke 6:38. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13. These are just a few, all good for the soul and one's strength in spirit. This is a great book. Read it and be blessed. Thank you.

Through the words of Dr. Haggai and the life example of Paul J. Meyer, I have been unexpectedly swept up into the exciting world of sacrificial giving. There are very few examples like this of businessmen who model the JOY of sacrificial Christian giving. All I can say is that when I read about Paul, I was challeneged to do likewise. The book truly was the start of a great adventure for me as a businessman. Read it and let it transform you as well.

The content speaks for itself. It is the presentation this book provides, courtesy of translator Michael Meyer, that makes this collection indispensable. The introductions that open each of the included plays provide the perfect basis for understanding their provenance.

Volume 1 includes the following plays: The Father, Miss Julie, Creditors, The Stronger, Playing with Fire, Erik the Fourteenth, Storm, and the Ghost Sonata

In this comprehensive, groundbreaking cookbook, Ron Meyer takes you on a journey through the art of cooking with one of the most exquisite of ingredients, the portobello mushroom. The recipes are easy to do and taste great. I was lucky enough to see Ron Meyer in person at a book signing of this many years ago, and I still use the book today. I anxiously await any new books to be release from him, even though it has been some time since this one was printed.

This book gave me ideas that i never thought possible with justa mushroom...the recipies are not complicated and they taste incredible.

This book review is different, because Power Tools:
Top Executive Coaches Put You on the Fast Track to Success
is different. The brainchild of Ann Mah, a Legislator in State of
Kansas, in her spare time brought nineteen of the best Business &
Personal Coaches to share their insights, in one chapter. "Success
is what you do in your spare time."

The result is a three-part focus with six chapters in each section:
essential tools for managers, tools to build winning teams, and high
impact leadership. For the reason that this is a multi-authored book
gives it a special diversity of solid viewpoints, but on a far-reaching
area of topics: from giving and receiving feedback, office politics for women, career management (hang on for the ride!), to foreign service etiquette and an amazing array of foundational leadership skills for success.

If you struggle upon occasion with the "boss" or as the leader, struggle
with your employees, the book is a must-read. At just 227 pages and the
suggested $14.95 price, it's a steal for your library - or gift to your boss!
In the back of the book are more pages of resources for personal-development minded people representing the 18 coaches superb products. The book may change your paradigm -- your pattern of thinking -- about supervision, management and leadership -- lessons that often spillover to your personal life quality.

I had the pleasure of meeting David Nelson at the Navigator 2007 conference for 911 dispatchers in Las Vegas, his classes were fantastic great man, when I got home I bought this book.!!!(david nelson is one of the authors)
Outstanding ideas for anyone who wants to be a great supervisor. It takes alot more than just telling people what to do and this book will help you with that!! I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about becoming a supervisor anyone who doesnt want to be like the last supervisor you had!!!

As a tutor at a university Writing Center, I have found this book very useful. The sample tutoring sessions are very realistic and can teach new tutors to gently and skillfully direct a student to come up with his or her own answers. Also useful are the brainstorming and organizing techniques. A person with no teaching or tutoring experience can pick up this book and learn how to tutor effectively.

I had to read this book for a class entitled "Teaching Writing." It contains a lot of useful information on tutoring-I applied some of the principles to the students I tutored, and our sessions became much better! I highly recommend it!

The Prairie Tides: The Ebbs and Flows of an Era is the saga of the author's grandfather, who emigrated from Europe to find a new life and the changes of the Kansas society around him. Warmly written with gleams of insight into the wry intricacies of human nature, and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, The Prairie Tides is a gentle story of love, determination, finding one's place and raising a family. An exploration of how progress can come and go in cycles, and the satisfaction of hard work that far outshines the fanciest luxury, The Prairie Tides is down-to-earth wholesome American reading.

THE PRAIRIE TIDES is a simple, uncomplicated walk back in time. Author Don Larsen shares his memories and anecdotal snippets from a past he can still feel in his soul.

One handred and twenty years ago, Don's grandfather arrived in Kansas from his native country of Denmark. Andy became a farmer on the vast prairie and managed to support a family with his hard work and stamina. This book is the creation of an absorbing chronicle of family life told with humor, honesty, and facts.

It easily takes one back in time when gas was only two cents a gallon. Times seemed much more simple then. Young boys pulled pranks and most cars could only go thirty miles an hour. Most extended families lived in the same house and depended on each other. But things changed in the Midwest. Food production changed, children and grandchildren moved away. This story gives the reader a glimpse into the details that shaped Don's life. For readers wanting to feel like a part of the past and have some chuckles along the way, this one is for you.

I've just seen an advance copy of The Presence by Bruce Meyer. I've also just returned from Canada where I heard this same fellow on the radio. Astounding! His new book of poems is intriguing, although I don't know how he manages to pull of such consistently fine control of form. I agree with Sydney Lea's comments at the back of the book: this guy is a master of form. Buy this book if you love poetry.

Meyer's poetry in "The Presence" is that miraculous blend of the real and the ethereal. From the opening poem to the final word, Meyer's work rises above the hum of contemporary verse. His stories, his observations and his lyrical insights are a joy to read. Of the poems in the book, I strongly recommend "The Melting," "Chinatown," "At T.S. Eliot's Columbarium," and "Billy Bishop." The success of this book rests largely on his ability to transform form into music. This is a must book for those who value the highest principles in contemporary poetry.

Meyer was an influential thinker in the neoconservative movement. He basically argues that American Conservatism is the fusion of two lines of thought or ideas that are in Europe thought contradictory (and maybe this is part of the reason why Europeans have such a big problem with American conservatism). These two ideas are the importance of individual freedom and the importance of tradition or a code of ethics needed to civilize an otherwise naturally savage species.

This is what Thomas Sowell calls the "constrained vision" of human nature. Liberals tend to embrace the "unconstrained vision," which assumes that people are just naturally good and that ignorant policies are the only thing keeping us back from developing the utopia we could easily create. Liberals believe that if high-minded third-party decision makers tell the public how they should live their lives and impose their values on everyone else that utopia would only be a few years away.

The problems with this thinking, according to the constrained vision, is that first, in order for the government to have the power to create such a utopia a totalitarian regime must first be established, and second, even if a totalitarian leader managed to force his (or her as may soon happen) vision on everyone else, according to the constrained vision this will likely only make things worse, not better. Most social "programs" have unexpected consequences, and have historically only tended to make the problem in question worse than it already was.

According to the constrained vision we should focus on process and incentives, not lofty outcomes. Welfare might have a lofty outcome for example (to lift people out of poverty), but when one focuses on incentives created one sees that welfare will only create more poverty. People with the unconstrained vision in the sixties saw this before it even happened. When Barry Goldwater heard about welfare he said all this will do is create a caste system in America. Paying people to not help themselves is about as strong a reinforcer to NOT help yourself as could possibly be created.

So instead of people preempting your decisions and telling you how to live your life, conservatives emphasize individual freedom combined with an emphasis on classical virtues such as stoicism, reticence and honor. This is a recipe for fuller, more self-actualized citizens who create more and together, through good competition, make society a better place for all who live in it, including the poorest. (There really are no "poor" people in America after all. The average person who lives below the poverty line works 16 hours a week and spends $2.50 for every $1 earned. This is a behavioral problem, not a societal problem!) Liberals instead focus on instant gratification, getting in touch with "feelings," and the destruction of personal responsibility, which creates a society of dependent complainers who have been conditioned out of helping themselves. This removes the incentives to succeed by destroying meritocracy and in the end pulls everyone down to the mean. Society as a result will suffer.

Conservatives emphasize fairness in process; liberals emphasize fairness in outcome, which necessitates the creation of unfair processes in order to force the preconceived "fair" outcome. This unfair process typically punishes success and resourcefulness and rewards laziness and sloth. Thus we can see that conservatism is not so much a religious movement (this is a HUGE misconception), as it was actually spearheaded largely by completely secular thinkers whose common feature was an opposition to all forms of fascism, which includes all forms of socialism.

Meyer thought that liberals tended to be relativists who deny the existence of right and wrong. Their relativism, which they think makes them "enlightened," really only makes them gullible and susceptible to naïve social planners who want to rush in and "fix" everyone else's life. Frank S. Meyer, along with William Buckley, were the fathers of "fusionism," which is the stance much of modern conservatism is based on.

Principles And Heresies: Frank S. Meyer And The Shaping Of The American Conservative Movement is a fact-filled and engaging biography of Frank S. Meyer (1909-1972), and his profound influence on the conservative political movement in the United States, particularly in the years after World War II. An erudite commentary and presentation by Kevin J. Smant (Assistant Professor of History, Indian University, South Bend) that focuses in depth upon Frank Meyer's political career and beliefs. Especially recommended for students of 20th Century American political history, Principles And Heresies is a well-written work and a fascinating read from cover to cover.