Roberts Books

I dont want to ruin the book for you. If you loved the show then buy the book. I got it for my wife as a birthday present. Enjoy its funny.

This book is super fun! It has tons of awesome details about the writer and the story's background. Lots of pictures from the show. And I really enjoyed reading the whole script! It's all in here! From "It Sucks to be Me" to "You Can be as Loud as the Hell You Want" to "For Now"! The entire script is there so you can make sure you didn't miss anything from the show!

The only problem with this book is: you may be picking monster hair out of your mouth when you read it! This book is super hairy! But it's all part of the fun!

After seeing the touring version of AVE Q, I had to get this book. It has become my favorite show ranking over Phantom of the Opera and Les Miz. (I nerver thought that would be possible.) The book is colorful, full of fun information and most important the full text of the show. Lots of pictures and interviews including other casts besides the original Broadway cast.

As for the mentions of the orange fur shedding, I immediately sprayed both covers with a couple coats of hair spray and it has not shed at all.

Only fault I have is the book was published before the tour so no pictures of that excellent cast headed by the wonderful Rob McClure.
Don't wait BUY THIS BOOK!

Fun and whimsical, this book servers as a great "coffee table" companion to the play itself. It contains the usual info about the creation of the show and its original cast, as well as the full script. If I've any criticism, it's with the "furry" orange cover, which, though fun, tends to shed.

The show was great - the book is wonderful with the lyrics and such. The key downside to the book is that it sheds.

Rick Smolan has managed once more to bring together powerful photographs and compelling essays that challenge all of us to see, think, and act differently about something we take for granted everyday - water. I was profoundly moved and even at times angered by what I read and saw. Truly a book to read and reread - and one to pass on to friends, family, colleagues. A gift to the world.....

Smolan has done it again with a poignant and powerful message for the world. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how to make a difference.

This book is not only beautifully written (easy to understand), it has photographs that tell a clear story. Our water "issue" will be understood by all ages because the photos in this wonderful book tell their own story. As a gift or to keep, this book is a treasure.

Exquisite wide ranging photographs remind us that without water there can be no life. Millions of women and men have to go to great lengths to obtain water - a reminder that we should treasure this precious good.

I've had this book for months and am still digesting it. You can flip through it in one sitting or you can take your time digging into the details. Try that with other coffee table photo books! First off, the book is huge. The images are beautiful, even when illustrating the harsh realities of the world's water crisis. And the writing has so much variety and insite. Love the Diane Ackerman essay! It is so poetic and, of course, flows like water. A very cool way to bring one of our most pressing issues to the table. Pass it on.

Well written story of family stubbornness and the needs of self-contemplation, forgiveness and coming to grips with tragic loss. The author smoothly glides from present day to 35 yrs prior. His characters are believable, not cartoonish. Reminded me a bit of Anne Tyler's work. I felt real sympathy for Wilbur, the defrocked weatherman and accidental felon, as well as for his son and every other character here. This story on the whole was touching with a good sprinkling of levity thoughout.

This was a well written, funny, witty book about Will the Weatherman. Will is the TV weatherman for a popular TV station in Raleigh. When he loses his job and gets arrested for running a red light, his whole life changes. He takes stock of his life and decides to go about making changes. He doesn't realize the real mess he is in regarding his personal life, until it's almost too late. I loved the transformation the author takes this character through. This is a heart warming story with many lessons learned through out the book. The humor just adds to the beauty of this story. I would definitely like to read other books by this author.

Will Baggett, fictional TV weatherman from Raleigh, North Carolina is the toast of the town. He is the most recognized media figure in the market; widely successful, universally adored by young and old alike. Will has it all; a gorgeous wife who rakes in the big bucks as one of Raleigh's top realtors, a son in medical school. Baggett's world is compulsively tidy, taut, and orderly. The trains of his life run on time.

One day his well-ordered world comes spins wildly out of its orbit when a mega-media conglomorate buys his station and he is replaced by a younger man. For once in his life, Will is yesterday's news, and the transition is anyting but a smooth one. A waky set of circumstances takes will on a journey back home to his past and some R/R time with cousin Wingfoot Baggett. There Will learns the painful truth about his family, his childhood, and it is in this rediscovery of self where the seeds of reconciliation with his son are sown.

Before his journey is over Will will take the rap for a narcotics posessions charge and do time. He literally has to lose evertything before he begins to get it back again.

Robert Inman tells this touching story with grace and sensitivity as well as keen insight into the human condition. Falling from grace is all too common to the human condition, and this tale fits the template of loss, journey, and renewal that can be found in philosophy, religon, works of history and biography.

Captain Saturday is a GREAT read! I thouroughly enjoyed the book. I will be reading more from Robert Inman soon. I have also read Dairy Queen Days...and was equally pleased with that book.
I cannot wait until Mr. Inman has a new book!

I have to admit that I picked up this book on a whim, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Although it took me several chapters to get into this book, once I settled in, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The novel tells the story of Will Baggett, a North Carolina weatherman who has been on the job 20+ years and is loved throughout the community. When his station changes ownership, the main character is fired. The firing sets into play a stage of events that leave Will questioning the choices he has made in life and re-examining the events of his past that have led him into his choice of journalism. Will emerges from the chain of events following his firing as a better man, and it was fun to watch him grow and change during his ordeal.

The author does a great job depicting the life of a small-town TV personality and the sacrifices he is forced to make. I was cheering for Will along the way, and think you will too. As a North Carolina native, I can tell you that the author gets his geography and local flavor 100% correct. I would definitely recommend this book -- don't be discouraged by the slow start.

the chalk box kid

The Calk box kid









Crcc the walls where about to fall down Gorge ran to the other side



The Calk Box Kid by Clyde Bulla was about a kid named Gorge likes to plant and draw flowers .One

day Gorge moved to a knew town and a knew school but Gorge did not make any friends .Gorge did

not talk to anyone. Gorge got bulled by this kid named Vince because he said'' you think you school is

better then ours just because it bigger



My favorite part was when Gorge stood up to this boy named Vince. Vince was the meanest person in the whole entire school.



I think the author's purpose was to teach us to make friends, be nice to others, and to have fun at school.



I think a lot of kids should read this book because I give this book five stars. You learn some things like how to be a good friend and how to treat others like you want to be treated.
By Eugene



Crcc the walls where about to fall down Gorge ran to the other side



The Calk Box Kid by Clyde Bulla was about a kid named Gorge likes to plant and draw flowers .One

day Gorge moved to a knew town and a knew school but Gorge did not make any friends .Gorge did

not talk to anyone. Gorge got bulled by this kid named Vince because he said'' you think you school is

better then ours just because it bigger



My favorite part was when Gorge stood up to this boy named Vince. Vince was the meanest person in the whole entire school.



I think the author's purpose was to teach us to make friends, be nice to others, and to have fun at school.



I think a lot of kids should read this book because I give this book five stars. You learn some things like how to be a good friend and how to treat others like you want to be treated.
The Calk box kid









Crcc the walls where about to fall down Gorge ran to the other side



The Calk Box Kid by Clyde Bulla was about a kid named Gorge likes to plant and draw flowers .One

day Gorge moved to a knew town and a knew school but Gorge did not make any friends .Gorge did

not talk to anyone. Gorge got bulled by this kid named Vince because he said'' you think you school is

better then ours just because it bigger



My favorite part was when Gorge stood up to this boy named Vince. Vince was the meanest person in the whole entire school.



I think the author's purpose was to teach us to make friends, be nice to others, and to have fun at school.



I think a lot of kids should read this book because I give this book five stars. You learn some things like how to be a good friend and how to treat others like you want to be treated.
By Eugene

When you read this book you will be amazed! This book is amazing
to me and probably to you to.I mean I love this book it's amazing I hope you will like this book very,very much if you want to find out more information you'll have to read it!!!!!

The Chalk box kid teaches you a lesson about how to deal with life when
you move. It shows you that you can make a place your own. It was a wonderful book.Gregory creats a chalk garden. As 3rd graders we give it 5
stars!

This is my favorite book ever because it was about chalk and I like to write with chalk.

I like this book a lot because I like to write with chalk.I would also like to have a garden.

Ruarks style and attention to details make this book leap off the page. Visions of the African landscape appear in your mind. Ruark describes the sights, smells, and the very face of Africa. Also the foreshadowing of his alcoholism is recounted time and again. I can't wait to read it again!

I love both Hemingway and Ruark but, despite the fact that Hemingway has won more literary accolades, I enjoy Ruark more. He describes himself as a 'second rate' Hemingway. I don't agree. I think Ruark was, in fact, the real deal. I have my questions about Hemingway.

Ruark is never politically correct whether he is talking about war, politics or hunting. He tells it like he sees it and does it and, having been there myself, many times, it has the feel of reality. Even in Ruark's time he recognized that hunting, in many American circles, was becoming 'de classe' and regarded as passe by the elitist Left in America. As such, Ruark reckoned, perhaps correctly, that big game hunting was on its last legs.

He couldn't have known of the great resurgence of hunting since his death. As it turns out, hunting is not only satisfying and profitable but--partially because it is profitable to nations that might otherwise be disinterested in their own wildlife--it has promoted the conservation of wild places and wild animals all over the earth. At the same time, Ruark could not have predicted the power of the the idiotic 'animal rights' movement, although he would have scarcely been surprised. Ruark recognized that the more urban societies became, the more isolated from nature--and reality--the same societies would necessarily be.

I also enjoyed the part in Ruark's book in which he is nearly killed by a zebra. Predictably, Ruark sees the humor and irony in the event.

Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

Well I love old african stories. Here is another that I will read again and again. This is the type I like most. Just facts and no lets make it a story stuff. This is almost like reading a journal or diary. I loved it and bet you will too.

I loved his stories of Africa! The book took me back to a better time when being on safari meant you could be killed by very dangerous animals or reptiles but humans were not quite as high up the list in the danger catalogue.

"Horn Of The Hunter" is one of the best stories about African hunting and wildlife that has ever been penned. (My Opinion) Robert Ruark may have written between the two era's of Hemingway and Capstick, but when it comes to writing about Africa he took a backseat to neither of them and if you have read my other reviews you know that I have nothing but praise for them both.

Ruark takes us on safari with him and his wife Virginia. The copyright is 1952 and though I couldn't find a definite time for the safari it was during the post WW II era. It is reasonable to assume that it would have been a short time prior to the copyright. He describes in great detail the African wilderness and wildlife along with the discomforts of insect bites and muddy river bottoms. Traveling through the Tanganyika wilderness in a Land Rover called Jessica with a professional hunter named Harry Selby, Ruark takes us with him on a grand adventure.

Unlike many prominent writers Ruark not only tells of his successes, but his failures as well. Throughout the text Selby compares Ruark's marksmanship with a lady client named Harriet Maytag and Ruark's responses to his comments add depth and humor to the text. There are some spectacular long range shots taken, but there are also some clean misses at both long and short range. He admits his fear of Cape Buffalo and tells us of his love for wing shooting. He talks of Selby who is as sqeamish with snakes as a teenage girl, but is the living portrait of abosolute courage when following up wounded and dangerous animals.

Ruark's delightful humor is on nearly every page as he describes various bits of unorthodox lore. Such as painting a juvinile baboon with flourescent paint to frighten off the band or Selby's advice to him to survive a buffalo stampede by shooting one of them and climbing on top of it to avoid being trampled.

When I finished reading this story I was as sad to see it end as Ruark was to leave Africa.

All in all this is a readers delight and will be a treasured gem in any hunters library.

Critical Mass - The Ten Explosive Powers of CEO Peer Groups is a fast paced book that describes an unpararelled resource to help CEO's reach their goals. This is the professional's guide that documents the history, execution and results that CEO peer groups can achieve producing distinct competitive advantages for current and future CEO's.

Richard Franzi has created a book that eloquently outlines the benefits of being a part of a CEO Peer group. Whether you are a small business owner or the CEO of a company - this is a must read for you. Mr. Franzi's book is full of helpful and insightful information that he gained from his years of experience running large businesses and is compelling testimony to the value of being part of a CEO Peer group. I highly recommend this book.

A must read for CEO's and Business Owners wanting to stay on top of their game. Richard Franzi's "Critical Mass, The 10 Explosive Powers of CEO Peer Groups" is an easy to read look at a powerful yet underutilized opportunity to take your business or organization to the next level. As Franzi points out, there are alternatives, but none as explosive as a peer group that tells it to you straight and holds you accountable (read: EXECUTION). As Mr. Franzi states, a CEO Peer Group is "an explosive "exponential potential" for business improvement". Franzi does a great service by revealing some history, exploring options and sharing case studies that clearly illustrate his points.

There are far too many business books available that have a lot of words and pages and say almost nothing. Critical Mass provides not just practical advice but useable advice as to why a business owner or a top executive should meet regularly with others at their level. The author, Richard Franzi, does this in a short book packed with ideas.

Richard Franzi "gets it." He understands that regardless of the size business you are in, there is much to be gained by spending time with others in similar situations. These sessions are not your typical Chamber of Commerce networking sessions or networking breakfasts where people hope to gain business from chasing one another on a regular basis.

What Franzi says is that a small group of people, gathered together in a facilitated meeting, can work to solve problems, gain perspective and grow as individuals by spending time in a confidential setting.

Franzi is not suggesting group therapy; he is suggesting that people can learn from one another if they are open to learning (not everyone is) and open to helping the others around the table. He suggests, rightly so, that such a group is not for everyone!

Critical Mass offers a solution (a clear roadmap) for people who run businesses and want to become better at becoming better leaders.

This is a quick read, and a very powerful book. What a perfect combination! Richard Franzi cleverly mixes understandable language, meaningful case studies and quotes from well respected leaders, to clearly demonstrate the advantage of active participation in a CEO peer group. I saw myself in many of the situations described in the book and realized how much a peer group could have helped me in difficult situations. I think this is a "must read" for business owners, corporate leaders and any one who finds themselves in a significant leadership role. For sure, Mr. Franzi offers sound advice on how to get the most from a well constructed peer group.

This book sat on a shelf at my parent house for years before I finally picked it up and read it. What a wonderful treasure to find! The story is set in a small, isolated, Italian village during the second world war. The townsfolk manage to live quietly undisturbed by the war - that is, until it is reported that a German regiment has been installed in a nearby town and is planning to visit the tiny mountain oasis. What ensues is a mad race by the townsflok to hide a precious secret from the German invaders while appearing to be hospitable and cooperative. To some degree everyone in the town is enlisted to participate in the massive con job (to varying degrees of sucess). You won't be able to put it down. It's a great, fast paced read with an excellent plot and character development.

Deep within the Roman Cave there is the wall. It is all that separates the Germans from the wine that they covet. Yet they cannot see it, because the wall is an illusion, an illusion that protects the wine. The wall, as an illusion, is symbolic
of the real secret of Santa Vittoria. Nothing and no one are what they seem to be. There is Bombolini, the clown, who is a student of Machiavelli and the only one capable of leading his people in this time of crisis. There is Babbaluche, the cynic, who is willing to give his life for his village, because his death will be the greatest joke that he can perpetrate upon the German invaders. And then there is the Malatesta. She, who is the aristocrat amongst the peasants, will give herself to Captain Von Prum to save the life of Tufa. Who better expresses the value and significance of one life? The great irony of the novel is of course that she must pay the price for her act, because she is a woman. Yet she and Babbaluche are the real heroes of the novel. They see the reality of the situation and they have the courage to act on their convictions despite the consequences. And then there is Bombolini, the clown, who will manipulate the illusion to save both his people and the wine.

There's a beat up paperback copy of this book in the laundry room of my apartment building. I picked it up during a spin cycle and have been working through it one chapter at a time.

The characters are fantastic, and I hate to put it down each week. Truly hope no one cleans the back shelf before I get to the end.

Save yourself the trouble, and buy your own copy.

Beautifully written characters populate this wonderfully crafted story of a tiny Italian town's struggle to protect its lifeblood (both spiritually and financially) from an occupying German force during WWII. The crux of the plot is an amusing battle of wits, philosophies and endurance between the town's bumbling mayor, Bombolini, and the staid German Captain, Von Prum. Guiding each man's actions and outlook are the teachings of Machiavelli and Nietzsche, which makes for an "interesting" coupling. The story showcases the heart and humor of the Santa Vittorians, who are much more than what they seem. Eight years after first reading it on the recommendation of my 12th grade Philosophy teacher, I picked it up to enjoy the story all over again.

I simply echo the others - read this book - it is wonderful.
It's full of the drama and comedy of life, like a fine play. Yes - the characters can be seen as stereotypes, but more often they evolve into a rich complexity, as their lives and ideals clash. Their close comunity and common dangers propel them through a suspensefull and wryly narrated struggle. Like Steinbeck, Crichton crafts the events of a time to work changes on people and force out their best, and so the tale inspires. I read it years ago, and reread it, and then gave it away. Now I have regained it (used), and find myself again rereading it. Why in heaven's name is this book out of print?

I would have given a much lower score based on an HPL feel scale; but I must admit the product is solid even if it has nothing to do with classic CoC; its a totally different game.
That other type of flavor game was mainly to appeal to people that:
1) Felt uneasy to play in the 20s
2) Wanted more fire power or modern organized resources
3) Were fan of X-Files even if DG came a bit before the TV series, the popularity grew much after that

So its a good game to play Mulder and Scully or even men in black kinda investigators with those sunglasses and Steyr rifles
Its definitally Modern horror type and not for the classic HPL type of game fans

This amazing game (and just plain interesting read!) is currently back in print. You can pick up the new edition, converted to D20, by heading to the publisher's web site. Pagan Publishing and TC Corp have done a great service to its fans by releasing this reprint!

I don't have a long, thoughtful review to write. Just wanted to say this is the BEST RPG idea/supplement I've ever seen. Intelligent, thoughtful, scary, fun...get it get it get it!

This is the best RPG suppliment I have ever read, bar none. It's a great READ, even if you are not a gamer. Interesting background, lots of plot hooks as well. The group that did this book are great writers and are loving what they do and it shows. If you are into Horror, X-Files, Call of Cthulhu, ect...buy it to read, if not play.
The book is curently out of print, but I understand that it will be reprinted in 2006 as a hardcover with d20 rules. Anyone wanting to write or publish an RPG should read this book and use it as an example. A MUST.

DELTA GREEN is the modern adaptation of Call of Cthulhu. Drawing on the same body of UFO lore and paranormal activity as the X-Files, DELTA GREEN has tapped into something very deep. And of course, once you have a successful RPG, you might as well start the fiction flowing, right?

Dark Theaters has some fairly lenghty short stories, designed to flesh out the world of DELTA GREEN. Some clues and hints are elaborated on; what exactly happened during the fabled raid on Innsmouth in 1928? What was the final mission of Gen. Fairfield? We find out more about the summoning by the Karotechia that was a dress rehearsal for the end of the world, but the entirety of the episode remains tantalizingly removed.

Dark Theaters, like the rest of DELTA GREEN fiction, is about what it means to be human. Or not human. The monstrosities which are called up and cannot easily be put away serve to highlight our humanity. But in the end, humanity is just short-hand for a fundamental incomprehension of the universe. We are carrying on a rear-guard action against reality, buying our fellow-man time for ... what? To say that humanity loses in the end is to pretend that there are other players, rules agreed upon, some validity to having tried and lost. Life is a game of solitaire, and we're not playing with a full deck. All is meaninglessness, a blowing of the wind.

And yet humanity means staying in the game. Like Lucifer, the real patron saint of lost causes, we know that we will lose and darnit, we are going to keep playing the hand we were dealt. It gives meaning to life, death, and the passing of the seasons, the sacrifices we have made and those we have sacrificed, to play by the rules, even if there aren't any. So let us cheer for the hero and jeer for the villain, and not go gently into that dark night.

I thought this was a well written book on the fundamentals of demonstrating and or presenting software. I am a big believer in "Discovery" it makes for a much better and targeted demo. I also particularly like the metaphor he uses of "crossing the bridge" and how applying the principles in this book can help our prospects bridge the gap. He has some great nuggets for sales people who are involved in enterprise or consultative sales. Don't let the title fool you,(not just for SE's) I would recommend this book for all sales people who are interested in mastering their craft!

Excellent Book!!!



Since 1988, I have conducted many system software demonstrations!!

Demonstrating to Win touches all of my experiences from small client engagements to some one pulling out the plug of a mini AS/400!

By reading this book, I felt like you were a spider on the wall recording my many demo successes and failures.

Good Job.





Kevin M. Lee

Industry Director:

High Tech & Electronics

SSA Global

8913 Metheny Circle

Tampa Florida 33615



C 813-495-0332

O 813-249-0961


Kevin.Lee@ssaglobal.com

This is an excellent how-to book for improving your discovery and demo skills for enterprise software sales.

Chapter 4 (Demo Crime Files) and Chapter 5 (Discovery Process) more that justify the price of the book.

I sincerely wish that all presales engineers would read this book before presenting to customers.

I read Demo2Win and fell in love with the concept. After years of demonstrating software, I always felt like I could have done better if I had more tools. Robert's book gave me those tools. The tools I remember from the book were simple. Just be a little different than the other person or company. The Discovery Phase in the long run will save you and your customer time. You will find out if you can supply what the customer needs or leave it to someone else to fulfill their needs. Why waste time. The Demo Crimes made me cringe because I know I've committed a few of them over and over. Now I won't commit those crimes because it's been brought to my attention by Robert.
After I read the book I asked my boss to read it. He read it and ordered about 30 copies for all of our salesforce to read. Each and every person that read it then praised it. It was kind of like the lights went on in everybody's head.
I'd recommend this book to any salesperson. I've already read it more than three times. I take it on each flight I make and read at least a few pages each time.
Thanks, Robert.

Demonstrating To Win is an exhaustive book on the topic of demonstrating software by experienced hand Robert Riefstahl. The author delves into the subject at hand with precision and detail through chapters like Demonstrating Is Not An Art!, Important Demonstration Concepts, The Demo Crime Files! and Your Demonstration Setting. There can hardly be a better resource than Demonstrating To Win for professionals in the industry. The book covers the obvious, mundane and elementary to the detailed nuances and tricks of the trade and aims to articulate the author's main thrust that in order to win the day the presenter has to build a bridge that the prospect wants to cross in order to reach you (and your software product).
Each chapter is augmented by a brief summary which offers a synopsis of the topic covered and the author practices what he preaches by offering his experience in plain language. There certainly are a couple of instances where the reader will notice the book's age and its year 2000 publication date, most notably during the technical discussions, but Riefstahl's guide is comprehensive and advantageous all the way through and still relevant to those demonstrating software to potential customers.

As an already-successful author (Rewired, Rehired, or Retired? Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer 2002) and sought-after international speaker, Bob Critchley is eminently qualified to speak with authority on the labour market of the future.

Whilst not alone in ringing the warning bells, Critchley has much more to offer than an alarmist message ... and he couldn't make it easier for us. He goes beyond illuminating the impending labour crisis, he has the strategies and solutions too.

Company Directors, CEO's, Management and especially HR advisers need to have this book on the top of their "must read" list!

So how does an organization maintain and maximise a multi-generational workforce, remain flexible yet successful and also be seen as an employer of choice? Critchley's answer is clear ... "Doing nothing is Not an option!".

Exactly what to do is made abundantly clear in this eminently sensible and readable book from someone who has impeccable credentials and vast experience. Carolyne Burns, MD, Influence InterPersonal Profiling, Sydney Australia

We all know the importance of trusted and experienced people in successful businesses......why then are they often overlooked in favour of the "new model" or the "grass is greener" scenario? Critchley really brings home the message that these people are key and will be absolutely key for organisations to main tain their position and advantage.The book is a must not only for HR professionals but also for all managers and company directors....from an author with extensive practiocal knowledge and successful experience of practising what he preaches.

Bob Critchley has produced an outstanding people management guide. The author's deep practical experience is evident as he shares his insights into effective management of people in all age groups. At a time when there is a growing shortage of talent in most developed economies, knowledge from this book can help put results on the bottom line in most business organisations. This book is easy to read and hard to put down! Colin Durand, The Insight Executive Search Group, Sydney Australia.

Bob Critchley's book provides a powerful and compelling argument for "thinking outside the box".

The population demographics are inevitable and organisations ignore them at their own peril.

Unless organisations adopt flexible ways of engaging employees and think laterally about how to maximise the contribution of every single employee, they are doomed to become victims of the demographic reality.

Critchley's book not only provides the evidence and demonstrates the inevitibility - but he also provides a compendium of ideas about how to respond.

An invaluable guide to any forward thinking HR professional.

Time marches slowly on and we all tend get caught up in our day to day and short term activities. Just like when global warming incidents started to occur. In isolation they meant little and then a pattern and explanation emerged. Critchley pulls together the signs in our demographic and employment changes. Dramatic shortages in skilled labour arise; a lack of investment in infrastructure becomes apparent; retirement and aged care issues start to be reported in the media; the funding of retirees becomes a federal budget issue; government start to create incentives to get people back to work. For those who run businesses other symptoms become apparent. So often the employer has to convince the prospective employee why to join them; the employer becomes aware of impending skill losses as older employees approach retirement age; people talk about not wanting to fully retire and having flexible arrangements; the employer can't find the right people.
Critchley's book suddenly pulls all these incidents and changes in attitude together into one easy flowing cohesive read. He paints a picture of why things are happening and what is likely to continue to happen. More importantly he canvasses what needs to be done for organisations to be successful in this environment. Many organisations pay lip service to people being their most important asset and often they have a short term focus. Critchley really sets down some ideas and a framework that organisations, who really do value people, will need to adopt to be successful in the long term. A must read.