Business Books

How many times have you disposed of items containing personal information (e.g., credit card statements, Electric Bills, etc.) without destroying them first or utilized a personal computer in a public place (e.g., Airport, Train Station, etc.)? After reading Identity Theft you may think twice. John Vacca presents an informative text that enlightens the reader on current methods employed by identity predators and how to protect yourself and your business. Mr. Vacca also addresses the Internet environment and the increasing use of E-Commerce, and exposes the dangers that exist both from the user and developer perspectives. For the IT professional, Identity Theft offers many informative essays on the use of digital signatures, Smart Cards, Optical Cards and Encryption as protection methods. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

This book provides invaluable info for individuals, business and organizations who want to protect themselves from identity theft. And if you happen to bu among those unlucky people whose identity has already been stolen, this book will help you recover (and quickly) from the damage. Easy to understand and yet detailed enough to cover all the bases - from emerging threats to ongoing scames. Also tells readers how to plan effective anti-theft policies and systems. Well worth your time!

This book is quite timely and very thorough, going from defining the problem to providing solutions. Everyone should take note of the valuable information provided to avoid this growing problem. From a professional standpoint, I was particularly impressed with some of the technical solutions Mr. Vacca provided.

This book is right on the money. I personally experienced an identity theft to the tune of [$$$] on my credit card. Everything described in this book is consistent with my experience and information shared to me by the bank representative and the detective assigned to my case. I strongly recommend that anyone who conducts electronic commerce (who doesn't!)to read this book. This book clearly describes the many elements of personal risk and the controls one can demand and implement for security and peace of mind. Highly recommended.

With current advanced technology across the world, crime is also changing in most countries and more sophisticated counter measures are required. John explores the main victim of crime, which is our own identities and it's vulnerability to theft. He gives a full account of how it is done and how to avoid it. Another great book by John.

This award winning book presents practical, workable, life changing, concepts. These principles apply to parents who are teaching their children. They are relevant for the young person in high school or college. And for the adult on the threshold of a new stage of life: starting a family, a career move, or in retirement years. Whatever your age you will find the book applicable to your situation.

Parrish reveals secrets to success in the area of relationships, goal setting, and values. He then goes on to offer suggestions for a time line of adult life. He gives specific applications for marriage, family, others, finances, and healthy living. It is a book about making the best choices when wrestling with life's most important decisions.

Parrish quotes from the classic motivational authors. Among his favorites are Og Mandino, Napoleon Hill, Miguel Ruiz, Eckert Tolle, and James Allen. I especially enjoyed his "Lesson in a Nutshell" and "A Few Profound Thoughts" sections.

This is a book that you will want to read, reread, and internalize, and then take intelligent action steps into a successful future.

I was fortunate enough to receive this book as a gift from my parents (friends of Mr. Parrish). Not only did I find it assisted me in every aspect of my life, but others that I have loaned it to have said the same thing, and have bought their own copies. I honestly believe that this book is a must read for every one, and a wonderful gift.

This book is easy to read, has great principals to guide anyone looking to learn some of life's most important lessons from a truly wonderful, successful and generous man. As a person who loves to read and learn from self help and self improvement books, I rate this one a 10.

I am not sure what planet the previous reviewer is from, (Planet Jealousy perhaps?) my guess is he has a personal issue. I suggest he give the book to someone who will appreciate it, which shouldn't be hard. My feeling is that it makes a great gift for someone getting started in life, so that they can take advantage of its lessons.

Read the rest of the reviews to see what everyone else feels about this book.

Here is another excellent life guide book you may enjoy!

Life's Greatest Lesson: 20 Things That Matter by Hal Urban
www.halurban.com

This is an Owner's Manual for a Happy and Successful Life!!!,

Its timeless message on character education should be read by every child, parent and teacher. It is sure to become a classic.

I have given away at least five copies to family and friends!

It was awarded Best Inspirational Book of the Year 2000 by Writer's Digest Magazine.

I have donated a few select books that have been added to my local Public Library. This is by far the best inspirational and motivational book I have read so far. It contains the wisdom of the ages and essential life truths.

A few of the books I have donated are: HOW TO SUCCEED IN LIFE: Ideas and Principles They Don't Teach in School by Ned Grossman, MASTER SUCCESS: Create a Life of Purpose, Passion, Peace and Prosperity by Bill FitzPatrick, a local author from Natick, MA, FREEDOM FROM FEAR: Learn How to Live Life to the Fullest by Mark Matteson, The story of one man's discovery of simple truths that lead to wealth, joy and peace of mind, and I DARE YOU By William H. Danforth.

I highly recommend Life's Greatest Lessons, as it teaches the wisdom of the ages. This book is so wonderful, that after I finished it, I went back and re-read it again. Periodically, I will reread certain chapters again. I am very select in what I choose to donate to the library. I am donating it to the library so it can benefit the most people possible. This book on character education is a topic not normally taught in schools. It is an "owner's manual for a happy and successful life." It describes in a simple easy to understand manner, common-sense life skills that can be applied immediately to enhance and enrich anyone's life.

Ever since Mr. Parrish and his staff "adopted" a 5th grade class at Hester elementary school, my daughter Pearl, one of those 5th graders, has had a white board with a list of goals in her room. As I'd walk in and out of her room, year after year, the list would morph--checkmarks would appear, items would disappear, and interesting new items would appear. This pattern was steadfast as the tide. I was so proud when Mr. Parrish asked Pearl to speak at one of his company's morning meetings. She talked about the "Better World" theory--an idea Mr. Parrish and his staff had shared with Pearl's class. Part of the concept is that one should not blame others for their predicaments, and they should take responsibility for improving their own lives. Just this one concept alone can be life-transforming. But in "If I'd Known Then What I Know Now," Mr. Parrish shares MANY tips that can help you better your life NOW. One irony of this book may be this: it is divided into lessons for different age groups (for example, 7 to 15, 16 to 25, 26 to 40 and so on). It could be hard to get your 17 year old to sit down and read the section of the book that pertains to them, because at that age, they might think they do not need any advice. Yet if they would be open to reading and internalizing the advice, their whole future could be happier!!! I thank Mr. Parrish for sharing goal setting tips with Pearl that have enabled her to chart her life's course. Pearl is only 19, and she's already been to Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, New York, Riverside, Omaha, and had her own TV show! I used to love reading positive-thinking books when I was young, and this book reminded me of those days when all seemed possible. I realized after reading his book that all is STILL possible. Since reading Mr. Parrish's book, I got reacquainted with long lost friends, I've improved at keeping commitments (I want my word to be my "bond"), and I'm reviving some goals I set aside a long time ago. Thanks, Mr. Parrish! -- Debbie Wible (11/17/3)

This was my last purchase to complete my Industry Yellow pages set. I also have The Industry Yellow Pages: The Official Club & Venue Touring Directory, listing over 1700 Music Clubs & Venues in the U.S. and Canada for Your Touring ... Deserve and all the others. We truly use these because they are a great reference for any indie musician!

This volume 5 of the series is all i needed to complete my collection of the best industry yellow pages on music business there is. With full detail and a structure so easy to search through you can ask a 5 year old this collection will make your work more valuable and provide you with quality recommendations

Great Volume, the best so far and I am looking for the next. It's complete and a good structure and you can find whatever you need very easy! A perfect book!

I also bought the other volumes for this book and I must tell you this is the most complete of them all. Good structure and easy to find names. Whatever you need whenever you need it!
It works great when you are in a hurry and you can't find the right person for the job!
It made my job easier and I even fired some of my assistants because this book is all I need!

This is the most complete book of this type I have ever read! It gave me a lot of information and I am very glad I bought it! I want to recommend it to all the people that have a music business because they will find here a lot of tips to increase their business and also to gain access to some areas where they normally wouldn't.

This is a must-read for anyone launching a job search. Follow the instructions and you'll find greater clarity on what constitutes your "dream job" and how to land it. It's all good advice. Don't shirk the seemingly difficult tasks. You'll see their value once you've completed them. Best wishes!

This book is an outstanding resource if you're having any kind of career angst. Don't know what you want to do or what your core competencies (as opposed to regular competencies) are? This book will help you figure it out, prepare a kick-[...] resume and set you on the path to success. Loaded with helpful worksheets, resources, and a step-by-step approach to getting the job of your dreams, you can't miss with Make the Right Career Move!

This is a great book for jobseekers making a career move in all sectors. Coming from a nonprofit background, I found this book to be incredibly helpful. I felt that using a "for-profit strategy" to improve my nonprofit search gave me a leg up.

The book was a great resource, taking me step-by-step through the process of revamping my resume and improving my interview skills. I saw immediate results in my search and quickly landed a position that I will surely enjoy.

The book was much more helpful than guides I have used. Notably, it was much more helpful that guides I have used that were specifically geared to nonprofits jobseekers.

The author has distilled into this very accessible text a trove of practical advice about how to find and land a good job. "Make the Right Career Move" is like having a career counselor on your bookshelf. It serves both as a handbook about developing a job search strategy and as a reference guide about how to implement the plan. All job applicants would be well-advised to read the chapters on interviews (they are short) before every job interview. It will help them avoid making mistakes that would otherwise take them out of the running.

This book is a superb guide for making a career change. There are worksheets, guide lists for what to do (and what not to do), and the advice is solid and understandable.
Written in clear language, this book helped me enormously in a recent change. I found it especially helpful, as I am at the executive level, not at the bottom level. It provides web search assistance (where to look; what to look for), specific guidance on resume building, and even a glossary of words that are more direct and action-oriented than what I might have used otherwise.
No book is going to get a job for you; but this one helps you understand that a search well thought out is a search well done.

Maximum Influence is superior to any books written about influence! Kurt did a great job teaching influence in his book and Maximum Influence is not only a fun read, but is written in a way that makes it easy to apply the principles taught.

A very practical book that seems to have pretty well everything you would want to know about persuasion in one easy to read volume. He has 12 laws that make sense as well as a checklist to ensure you have the best chance to persuade your audience. Definitely a library keeper, especially if you are a salesperson, in marcomm, or a speaker/presenter. Lesson reinforced, information helps persuade, emotion sells the deal. The twelve power laws are:

Dissonance

Obligation

Connectivity

Social Validation

Scarcity

Verbal Packaging

Contrast

Expectations

Involvement

Esteem

Association

Balance

This book is fantastic, it not only explains the importance of each law but it also verbalises it in a way where it's very easy to understand

This is the best and most comprehensive work on human nature and mind dynamics I have read. A must read for any salesperson or any one interested in bringing out the best in people. A very easy read with numerous every day examples of the Laws in action. Simple tools for major improvements in our communicatian skills.

Here, in one place, is a consolidated list, with examples, of the major ways people are persuaded to change behavior.

Ringer does it again, this and looking out for #1 are tied for my favorite Ringer books. Here is page after page of wisdom coming from the the experiences of an action oriented and open minded man.

Ringer bravely takes off the glasses of illusion and stares at reality for what it is, often it is painful/horrible, but it is the only way to truly "live".

I love all of Ringer's books, but this is his best. Much of his previous books were an offshoot of Ayn Rand's objectivist ethics, an attractive, but not always viable worldview. Ringer seemed to have written this book as an addendum to his previous works, when he was a hard-core Ayn Rand disciple. In Million Dollar Habits, he admits that Ayn Rand is great stuff- for people who live on a planet of Howard Roarks and Dagney Taggerts. Million Dollar Habits isn't for people who live on that planet- it's for the people of planet earth! In this book, he takes a more flexible, positive world view. The advice here is much more practical a real-world. Those who found Ringer's previous works good but impracticle should read this.

Robert Ringer discusses 10 habits (in order of importance) that contribute to success:

1. Accurate perception of reality

2. Developing an attitude to objectively evaluate alternatives and creative out-of-the-box thinking in the face of difficult situations.

3. Keeping problems in relative perspective, e.g., comparing day-to-day problems with true catastrophes such as death of near-ones, life-long disability / disease enables one to not panic unduly from more "normal" problems

4. Live in the present - identify what you enjoy doing and are naturally good at. Then, continuously seek opportunities that enable you to spend more time on these activities.

5. Morality - Every action has a consequence although the final result may be delayed. Taking short-cuts eventually come back to bite you and damage you in a variety of ways.

6. Numerous ways to improve human relations including brevity, compassion, assertiveness, discretion, closure, genuineness, refined behavior, responsibility & commitment, tolerance, and win-win.

7. Simplicity - evaluate your time / frustration costs and let more grievances slide,

8. Discontinue reltionships with folks that drain you

9. Self-discipline

10. Action / persistence

The habits are easy to understand and are intuitive. Reading the book will help you identify and act on several improvements.

This is an insightful and enlightening guidance on how to achieve success through adopting some winning habits. Drawing from his experiences, Ringer presents the following ten basic habits which are crucial for succeed in life: simplicity, positive attitude, perspective, high moral principles, human relations, drain people habits, present living, self-discipline, and the action habit.

The book was very informative and helpful. It is simple, clear, and gives ideas that are sensible and workable. The book contains a lot of practical and useful ideas that can help you. The habits make sense but very often, they are not practiced, in view of the fact that, although they are simple, they are not easy. The author has a profound understanding of human behaviour as he has had some serious setbacks in life from which he recovered and went own to achieve remarkable success.

The book is recommended to anyone with a sincere desire in the development of their potential.

I have a friend who is a self made millionaire. This is his favorite "success" book. Please notice that I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The following comments are primarily critical, but I hope to add more value to the discussion by questioning the book. If you just want to read praise of the book, read all the other reviews.

Quote: "Life is nothing more than the sum total of many successful years; a successful year is nothing more than the sum total of many successful months . . . and a successful week is nothing more than the sum total of many successful days."
Reply: Life is not simple addition. The reality is one mistake can devalue 100 successful actions, or 100 successful days. Life is not always linear & progressive. I agree with the spirit of the author's statement, that success can be promoted by repeatedly doing profitable daily habits, but positive & negative actions are often not equally weighted. The cost of a negative action is often larger than the benefit of a similarly positive action.

Quote: "Success is not a grand slam home run. It's a matter of consistently hitting those singles and doubles every day."
Reply: Success can be a grand slam home run. It has been for me several times. But the author is right, most of the time it is not. But when life gives you a grand slam, it is important to know how to recognize it & perserve it. A person should appreciate their good fortune, and realize extraordinary acheivements & luck are not necessarily normal or sustainable.

Quote: "Reality is precisely the same for everyone. There is only one reality. What differs is each person's perception of reality."
Reply: While I agree in large part, it must equally be emphasized how different perceptions of reality and truth vary. There are at least 2 dangers. 1st: A person can get in trouble being too certain they have THE correct perception of reality. It's important to always have the ability to concede a perception of reality if data suggests the perception might be wrong. 2nd: Even if your perception of reality is correct, if you don't understand another person's perception of reality, you will still often err in dealing with them.

Quote: "Life is a never-ending stream of hardships . . . None of these are fatal; they're just life."
Reply: I like the author's intent here, but the principle is overstated. It is important to remember that some mistakes are fatal & final.

A final thought: The book regularly suggests that success is more simple than it is. The book hypocritically uses the "Something for Nothing" temptation it warns against. Success is not simple.

A good selection of illustrative business cases, occasional thoughts that we had at the back of our mind organized and presented in a clear and enlightning way. Logical and convincing theory. Good reading for managers who want their daily routine to be in tune with the global picture.

First off, this book is NOT for know it all types who believe their product and marketing is far superior already or those looking for quick fixes. What JC outlines is continuous sustainable improvement. Executives or business owners looking to improve quarterly numbers may walk away disappointed because there aren't a bunch of one time "jewels" in the book that can be implemented today with results to follow in a few hours.

JC's enthusiasm for the topic shines through like a beacon on a dark and dreary night. It's contagious as you read through the book. There are a lot of takeaways including but not limited to:

1. Small changes can have a huge impact on your business. For instance, 1% improvements in key areas can make exponential differences.

2. Look for traits in people you want your business to emulate then train them on the tactical stuff.

3. Build relationships by connecting emotionally with your customers and creating delightful experiences.

4. Give customers what they need--the extras are unnecessary. Make sure they're satisfied above all else. This seems to be a view being echoed by more and more marketing experts.

Among the benefits you may obtain:
A. 8 steps to a long term winning strategy. Who couldn't use that?

B. Review case studies which are beyond traditional statistics that demonstrate applied theory to relate back to your business.

C. Develop a holistic philosophy for your organization that incorporates excellence throughout.

D. Drive 80% more shareholder value through high performance marketing.

E. Challenge the status quo and your way of thinking so that you look at things from an innovative perspective.

Finally, this book builds upon Blue Ocean Strategy, and I would highly recommend it if you're looking to develop a culture of excellence in your organization.

This book is about how to create profitable growth and sustain that growth indefinitely. Achieving this state of indefinite profitable growth is called momentum. Momentum results from an intense customer focus that permeates the enterprise. Notions relating to customers - insights, value, equity, offering, satisfaction, retention, and engagement -- are given qualifying labels, explicit momentum oriented definitions, and represented as modules of a system of an iterative synergistic process. This process develops traction with customers and removes resistance to growth while focusing all the sources of energy of the firm on building and keeping the momentum going. This is a complete framework for what the title of the book claims - how to ignite exceptional growth. Each stage of the process is described along with related case studies that provide evidence of the effectiveness of the process.

Applying this momentum framework as an interpretive lens to businesses reveals compelling insights. One insight is that a business with a disciplined approach to providing compelling customer value and creating vibrant customer satisfaction actually does this at a lower cost than a business not so oriented. And, of course, the kicker is the phenomenal profitable growth and value that accrues to the firm practicing the principles of momentum. Another insight is the cumulative results that come about with such a tight-knit discipline. Over time, even small advantages in cost or growth factors in the business result in tremendous leads over competitors - like the miracle of compound interest - putting a firm into a whole new arena, i.e. leaving competitors trailing in their wake.

What is particularly good about this book is the thoroughness with which a very complex subject has been addressed. Each essential idea, such as `compelling equity' or `power offering,' is explicitly defined to bring home what it means specifically to this process. Frameworks and constructs explain how to pragmatically address the essential idea in each module of the overall process. For example, there is an Insight Discovery Matrix for flushing out Compelling Insights. There is the Customer Value Map and Wedge to define what the customer perceives as value. The frameworks bring effective guidance to what are otherwise too often unstructured activities. One particularly powerful framework is the Action Roadmap to Momentum that guides the mobilization of stakeholders, detects friction and insights, and converts customers. Disciplined use of this framework, even by the most successful firms, will prevent management from falling into the traps of hubris or complacency. Essential to effective management, possible performance metrics related to each of the essential ideas are provided as well.

What I think makes the momentum approach particularly effective is that the inherently messy process of exploration is given the structure needed to manage it but, at the same time, not destroy the messiness that is essential for creativity to thrive. A vital element of exploration is the technique of iteration. The power and value of iteration is often unrecognized and untapped by impatient management. Here it is a central theme to the whole approach.

An important contribution to the discussion of business models is noting the design and execution of the firm's offering as a business model in and of itself. Larréché identifies three renditions of an offering creation business model as it has evolved over time. First is the product-focused model: develop the product, make the product, and sell the product. Next is the value-delivery model: select the value proposition, create the value, and communicate the value. These first two models are linear models. The third model, the momentum model is an iterative, interactive, and integrative model that brings the design and execution of offerings into one symbiotic relationship.

The employee momentum, the internal momentum that complements the external momentum, is addressed with the same model and principles as the one that addresses the customer. The leadership to build momentum and create synergy between customer momentum and employee momentum is also addressed. Both the employee momentum and momentum leadership are part of the overall momentum puzzle to be solved.

A lot is packed into this book. It may require some study to capture its full value. It is a valuable contribution to the art and science of management.

THE MOMENTUM EFFECT - HOW TO IGNITE EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH covers all aspects of management, both external and internal, of a successful company sustaining high growth. It demonstrates how momentum powered firms significantly increase value for all stakeholders, including customers, employees and shareholders through the following eight steps:
* Momentum Design
o Compelling insights that can only come from time spent with customers;
o These insights lead to compelling values by understanding the deeper human drivers;
o Compelling values lead to power offers meaning power with customers and power to generate growth;
o Power offers generate customers with compelling equity maximizing the value of customers to the firm;
* Momentum Execution
o Power offers are continuously tweaked and improved until they become irresistible;
o The delivery of the power offer leads to superior customer satisfaction what the author calls vibrant satisfaction;
o Vibrant satisfaction leads to vibrant retention and
o Vibrant engagement of the customer. Momentum companies engage customers at an emotional level to generate positive, momentum-driven action.

Each of these eight essential components of momentum strategy are described in detail and richly illustrated by real life stories from momentum companies like Wal-Mart, BMW, Skype, Apple and IKEA, to name just a few. These momentum driving components allow you to systematically harness the powerful, sustainable energy that can take your firm to the new efficiency frontier, driving the exceptional growth that will propel you into a different league. Finally, the Momentum Effect is a never ending journey, not a destination.

Jean-Claude Larreche is professor at the renowned European management school INSEAD and a consultant with leading global corporations.

THE MOMENTUM EFFECT is a joy to read and a must read for anybody who needs to excel in today's competitive world. Kai Wenk-Wolff (MBA INSEAD) is a turn-around specialist for manufacturing operations.

With so much being written about 'delighting customers', the 'customer experience', 'customer satisfaction' and the like it is great to read a book that really goes beyond the ordinary, to really dig into how organisations can really leave their competitors behind.
And it's none of this; engage customers differently or deliver compelling offers, this book really takes it to the next level.....Compelling Value, Power Offers, Vibrant Satisfaction, Vibrant Engagement and Vibrant Retention.
Great descriptions that really help organisations understand the need to go beyond good to the heart of building momentum.
If you've read all the standard texts on the topic, I'm sure you'll find a stimulating, thought provoking journey beyond ordinary thinking.
Enjoy!

Terry writes in a way that is easy to understand and provides advice that you can put into action. Money can be stressful for many people - The Savage Number will show you how to plan and reduce the fear around retirement planning. I appreciated all the resources and practical guidance in this book. This is a book that everyone should have in their financial planning library -

I have found this book to be very helpful for me and friends concerning retirement planning. It is easy to read, factual and provides good information. I have given several copies of this book to friends who are nearing retirement and I have yet to hear anything negative about the book. It doesn't answer all the questions about a very tough topic but it is a very good retirement planning tool to have.

I have purchased and read more than a dozen books resently on personal finance. Almost everyone will get something helpful out of this book. I would say for at least 80% of the Baby Boomers this should be a must read book. The link to Financial Engines is worth more that ten times the price of the book.

I also like All About Asset Allocation by Richard Ferri, and all of Ben Stein's books!

Book publishers know a good thing when they see it. That explains why there is yet another book on Baby Boomer retirement planning. But, fear not, "Savage" isn't the description of a fierce retirement savings program that will bite you in the wallet; it's the name of the author: Terry Savage, a personal finance newspaper columnist. In this case, she seems to have linked many of her columns together to form a basic book for novice investors who are planning for retirement. While much of the content may seem very familiar to anyone who reads mainstream financial publications, having it in book form is convenient. We recommend Savage's nuts-and-bolts information to people who are just entering the workforce, novice investors, financial planners and human resource people concerned about issues affecting retirees. It is also a handy quick reference for questions about Medicare, reverse mortgages, long-term health insurance or estate planning. If you are on the verge of retirement, it's a good refresher, although you needed to know most of this some time ago.

My plan is to retire in five years. I have been reading and studying several books to make sure that I am on the right track. I would recommend this book because it gives you a pretty clear picture of what you need to be considering prior to your actual retirement.

The book defined a set of pitfalls and never went below the highest levels on how to resolve any of them. Might be a good overview book but you won't find any meat here.

Easy reading! The information was presented in a light, tongue-in-cheek manner that made for quick reading, with real world examples and common sense approaches to overcoming the challenges of managing a project. I found some of the content a little disorganized maybe because there are so many anecdotes inserted into each chapter.
All in all it as an excellent book for those who are new to project management and a much easier read than PMBoK!

I am a lawyer working in Tokyo providing CCQ and strategic communication training for businessmen and women. Kimberly's book is not only applicable to project management per se, but the principles Kimberly expounds have far broader application.

Her book has been an invaluable resource. In short, applying what she has written to my work has resulted in MUCH MUCH happier clients. The book is so easy to get your head around, and if you are looking for strategies to really get things rocking along, you'd be mad not to read it. You'd be even madder not to mold her ideas to fit your situation and then action them.

I was fortunate enough to observe one of her seminars here in Tokyo, and then join her afterwards for drinks with my manager, Ian Cross. I've read, seen and heard wads of charlatans, as we all have - however, Kimberly is the real deal. No grandeur or bollox, she genuinely cares about the success of the people she works with, and she knows her stuff.

I have bought copies to present to all my clients not only on the strength of what she has written, but also because I can vouch for who she is and what she is about.

If you are in any business which has clients, and you put these principles into action, you will be stunned at the results.

This is a great book for how to manage a project in real life. The author is witty and her material is fun to read. I recommend this book to anyone who got a failing project thrown in their lap and is expected to complete it.

In our lives, we each encounter rare works or a rarer person that enrich our soul as well as our practice. SCRAPPY PROJECT MANAGEMENT is such a work, and Kimberly Wiefling is such a person.

SCRAPPY PROJECT MANAGEMENT is as much about who we can be as it is a humorous and practical Baedeker to project management practice. As you are pulled into it, you gradually discover that the "project" is "you" as much as anything else.

Any well-accomplished project - and "you" work - will involve bumps, overwhelming joy, lurches, sheer terror, excitement, and likely a couple of barf bags. You must be this tall to ride but if you are, SCRAPPY PROJECT MANAGEMENT is the book for you.

I read this book when I first got into the hair industry as a beginning stylist and it definitely helped me gain a very large clientele and being booked out 2 to 3 months ahead in a relatively short amount of time. 5 years later I am managing that salon and we are having our best years ever even in the tough times we've had with our economy. Many salons in our area have gone out of business. Why do we exceed when other salons are failing? Because we have implemented many of the ideas of Secret Service. I am so hyper-aware of customer service now that I have a hard time going to the dentist or chiropractor or any place of business without wanting to tell them these easy little things they could do to make their business so much better. So I highly recommend this book, but beware you'll never go out to eat or shop the same again.

LOVE this book! It's completely marked up with yellow highlighter and dog-ears. Must Get for Spa Owners!

This is a book that I reccomend to all of my franchise stores that I support. This is a glossary or handbook of great service and marketing. There is no reinventing the wheel in this little book but a refernce of the tried and true. Each example is supported with results and successes. The multiple companies referred to are known companies who lead their markets in service.

I encourage my stores to take a highlighter to this book of concepts and write notes in the margins. They will refer to this book often. This is 165 pages of good information.

I read this book in one day while I was on vacation. I was so inspired, I couldn't wait to get back to work to begin a new customer service policy in our salon. We already do some of the rituals for our guests, but this book gave me so many more ideas. John Dijullius is so right about creating systems and sticking with them, day in and day out. Can't wait for the second book!!!!

By far the best book I've ever read on customer service. Nice work!