Practice Management Books

I decided to purchase book because I had seen it on military.com's military spouse career center. It does have quite helpful information for beginning a virtual assistance business.

not finished yet ..... need more time for something like this ...
have only briefly leafed ... that's how i gave it the three stars..

Christine Durst and Michael Haaren did an excellent job of presenting the major points of what it takes to become a Virtual Assistant. Their approach was very practical and hands on; and yet, potential pitfalls were also listed and discussed. Overall, their advice was sound and realistic regarding what it takes to be successful in this field.

If anyone is seriously thinking about becoming a VA, then this book is a "must read"!

This is a wonderful book for the aspiring Virtual Assistant. The authors go into great detail on all aspects of running your own VA business, and their insight is timely and comprehensive. In particular, you'll enjoy the extensive chapter on marketing, which details various ways that a VA can capture the greatest share of the marketplace. I highly recommend this book as a must-read and a resource to reference throughout the start-up phase of your business.

90% of what this book covers appears in countless other books for small and home based businesses. And, I'm not so sure that the other 10% is really so revolutionary because the concept of working remotely has been around for several decades now. The authors outstanding accomplishment seems to be giving what they believe to be a revolutionary new job category a catchy name. Still, if you've been living on a distant planet, you may find their mention of the basic components, requirements and legalese of starting a business helpful.

I bought this book to bring to the first meetings of a newly formed non-profit group. After reading it, not only did I find applications for the rules of order in the group but also at work, where a structured meeting that adhered to a certain time limit was greatly appreciated. Very good examples throughout the book and easy introduction to terminology. This is a survey book however, so don't expect extensive listings of rules or details.

A must have for all persons who preside over meetings.
Cut down on meeting time, meeting more precise and to the point.

I purchased this because I am on the Board of Director's for The Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club. It is incredibly helpful and I will never go to another meeting with out it!

This slim volume is a great alternative if you're just starting out in parliamentary procedure, without having to thumb through the whole of Robert's Rules. I found it useful and informative, and it gives you a great general idea of how exactly meetings and organizations should be run. Reading the whole of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised would be a great undertaking and it's great that the same authors of that book wrote this condensed version, complete with in depth cross references to the actual text in case you need to dig a little deeper.

Robert's Rules Of Order Newly Revised In Brief (Roberts Rules of Order (in Brief))

This is an excellent brief version for holding a meeting.

This is my 3th book a read about creativity. I really found it very intersting, with good methods, and aldo written in an intersting way.

What I really like most y that the research behind this book, has really ponder the most important genious way of creating, so it has a good background and very well supportted.

Mind-mapping helped considerably narrow down visual arts individual style to preferred media and suitable materials, saving me much wasted time, expense and creativity.

This is the best book on or about creative thinking I have ever read. I've recommended it to everyone I know who is interested in creating ideas and new ways to look at the world. Thanks.

This is something that is tickling my mind, after reading first few chapters of this book, I closed it, stood up, walked around my living room with my hands folded back. I looked outside the window and saw few kids playing the park and was forced to think something.

We are first as kids made to learn few things and are forced to treat those things as basic and important that is not true (refer to Michael's blog about Thomas Edison's Greatest Blessings). Now after reading the book Thinkertoys and Creative Thinking, I feel like its not that I have to learn these new concepts but there is an entire process involved of first of all unlearning most of the stuffs from past and then relearning the new concepts.

And when I say that I have to look at the kids I wonder what they are being tought in their schools only to find one day that they have to unlearn some of the concepts on which they are spending or rather wasting their time.

Do read the book, as mentioned earlier it makes you smile after every chapter as you discover immense possibilities of what all can be achieved in your day to day life.

Author Michael Michalko delivers his best performance to date in this book. The book is filled with information on, and techniques for using, our creative processes. Many of the techniques are easy to learn, requiring only a little bit of practice to get used to them. Most of the book centers around: helping an individual generate many possible ideas about something, which will be critically evaluated at a later time; visualizing the problem and potential solutions; seeing from another's perspective, even the problem's in one case (quite effective sometimes); collaboration and creativity. This book already helped me deliver a 5 star essay on a very controversial subject. I followed its advice, producing as many ideas as possible in a short time, without rejecting any at first. Also, visualizing the data, as recommended, formed the basis for my later outline, which was complete enough that a rough draft was no work at all. So, for me, buying this book paid off already. I think anyone buying this will read it for a few minutes and then recognize they have a winner in their hands.

Over all the book is very good. Short chapters make it easy to get through it and it does not drag. I found it a great resource for other books that it referance (eg. Think and Grow Rich). Depending on your occupation some of the ideas presented in this book will not apply to you (at least that's my opinion). For instance "printing" everything on paper might be more applicable to someone that gets a lot faxes or documents, but if everything you get is electronic I just find printing everything to be over kill, not to mention environment unfriendly. Other part of the book are good. Author states, "read this book and take whatever you want" and I totally agree. Even if you don't find some parts of the book applicable to you, you will find something that you'll be able to use.

Of the 3 dozen books I've read related to organizing, this is one of my favorites. It is presented in an easy-to-read format that makes it possible to spend a few minutes and read a chapter at a time. There were many great quotes and ideas that are easy to implement. The book also included fun anecdotes. Very well done!

Chris Crouch's "Getting Organized: Improving Focus, Organization and Productivity" is a fine read which accomplishes what all good teachers do best: Imparting with vivid good humor and simplicity the wisdoms of processes taken beyond the classroom. The target audience here, primarily workers in any workplace, calls for a most delicate balancing act: Being thoughtful and succinctly explaining the theory, practice, and results of a disciplined approach to Organization. Mr. Crouch accomplishes this masterfully with anecdotes, explanations, and his "master teacher" persona.

This is a very good book to help you get organized. I originally had a three star and changed it to a four star. So many of this book's best elements are also found in David Allen's Getting Things Done. I read Allen's book last year and it knocked my socks off. When I read this, I wasn't as impressed as I would have if I read Crouch's before Allen's (they're both obviously drawing some of the best tidbits from some of the same material that preceded them). They have many, many of the same very helpful tips. The advantage of Crouch's is that is has short digestible chapters. However, an overall approach does not clearly emerge, just a bunch of big and small organizing ideas. An advantage of Allen's is that you get a clear, overarching approach into which all those good tips suggested in these books fit. Allen's chapters are longer, and though very readable, can get a little bogged down compared to Crouch. If I had only one book to buy, I'd get Allen's. However, I'm glad I read Crouch's because it has given me a refresher.

Getting organized is a major issue for many of us (I work two jobs, both of which require me to maintain an office). While one book may do it for some, I strongly believe that major habit changes will more likely come if you really plunge into an area like this. That means reading Crouch's book, Allen's book, and even Julie Morganstern's Organizing from the Inside Out. While Allen and Crouch focus on the office and home office (mail, home files, etc.), Morgenstern also covers garage, basement, closets, etc. I'm serious, to change the way you look at things, you need to read several books and make yourself an "expert." Otherwise, it will be a book you read that you're not likely to act on.

I read them in the order of 1) Allen, 2) Morgenstern and 3) Crouch. If any readers will choose to read all three of these, I'd recommend Crouch first, then Allen, then Morgenstern. Crouch will lure you in with his short little chapters (once you get past his too many introductory-type chapters before you get into the good stuff). Then, reinforce what you learn by reading a lot of overlapping stuff in Allen's book, but Allen will give you an outline or framework that ties it all together. Then, move on from the office to your closets and garage with Morgenstern. Of the three, Allen was the best for me, but I needed the others to sustain my momentum. Good luck!

I recently bought both this and Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity in order to stimulate my thinking about how to take charge of my incredibly busy job as a software development manager in an e-commerce company. I manage about 8 people directly and am also the prime facilitator for another project team of about 15 people, half of which are contractors. Like most people, I also have my own work projects and initiatives, as well as huge laundry list of personal items to keep up with.

At first I was a little turned off by the 55 super-short chapters, each of which is 1-2 pages in length and has a "What? So What? Now what?" layout. The writing quality seemed only average, and I was left thinking "Is that it?" after each chapter. However, after I finished the book rather quickly and then got bogged down in Getting Things Done, I realized that this is a pretty good layout for the target audience - people who feel too busy to read a book on productivity.

Many of the observations seem obvious, but that is one of the key messages of the book: we're all making this stuff away too complicated. How many of us take ten minutes each morning to set a focus and key priority list for the day? Or do we omit that simple step, or fall into the trap of checking email "just for a few minutes" first and then get seduced into following little shiny objects all day while missing the big picture?

The "Five Decisions" chapters - Discard, Delegate, Take Immediate Action, Put in a Reference File, and File for Follow-up - are important but I think are covered better in the other book. About half of the other chapters really resonated with me, which made it worthwhile overall. However, the author lost me when he spent 10 chapters describing a paper filing system with folders for each day of the month plus various other files. I agree that people shouldn't expect software and tools to solve all their problems, but I think a PDA or list software like Remember the Milk is much better than a paper system for anyone who works in multiple locations or is "on the go". I felt like he was being a bit techno-phobic, sort of like the guys who insist that LP records are better than CDs or MP3s.

Really the best way to improve your organization habits is to browse several books and articles on the topic, note the themes that recur (like planning time, grouping tasks by project or goal, etc.) and then choose a couple of things to focus on. I'd recommend this book as one of those resources but not the best-written or only one.

The practical and actionable moves from this book helped me to increase my output by a factor of 4 or higher! Now i have much more time just to go think. Or go have fun, and a life! With this book, you can stop being a human version of a 7-Eleven for your company.

The photo on the cover is a person *without* the author's methods!

Mr Merson deserves $1,000,000,000, a Nobel, or both.

When alternative methods fail, disappoint, or complicate and overwhelm into chaos, switch over to following *this* book.

This book makes working *fun*, if you can believe that...

Try using this book for managing work matters and personal matters, both.

You will gain a clean and uncluttered workspace. Matters--whether they come at you via a person's visit, a call, a meeting, a voicemail, an e-mail, a text message, your own thoughts, or however else--now come under a unified and flexibly prioritized means for being handled well and resolved so you can move on to what is next.

This method is fantastic for every leader. And a leader can use this method well in coordination with their assistant if need be.

You and others will be wowed by how on the ball you are. Your choices regarding each matter will be wiser because the method asks you to review your work matters daily, and lets you delay your decision re: each item until some good deadline that you choose. You get matters done bang on time. Less relevant or wrong items "wash out," which alone is excellent because you are not burning time and energy in dumb ways: For example, no longer will you have the crackberry killing you, 24/7. Nothing that is truly important will "fall between the cracks." Merson's system gives you the "freedom to forget."

Trust me. Start using this book. You will be amazed at how many big items you are getting done every day, and without stress.

Among other applications, Merson's system will help you personally to have the highest possible credit rating. Do what i do: When you receive a bill in the mail, open it, toss the junk elements into the trash, put a post-it note on the bill, then staple both to the bill's envelope. On the post-it note write down the date the bill must be paid and mailed out for your creditor to receive their payment from you on time. For example, if you get a phone bill, and it is due Dec 17, jot down "Dec 10" on the bill's post-it note. Then leave the bill on your "turtle" [Book's central concept: Read the book.], and go do what you like. On the day the bill should be paid and mailed out, do same. Do this for all your bills. Assuming you are avoiding other financial nitwittery, you can sit and watch your credit rating become and stay top quality.

Bonus idea: To perform at your very best, use this book along with Miller, Surviving Information Overload.

I am not the author or a friend of the author's. These views are without ulterior motive.

To say that Len Merson's book, "The Instant Productivity Toolkit" is a wonderful book, is an understatement. I am only one-third of the way through the book and already I have said "Goodbye" to the clutter on my desk, not to mention the huge levels of stress, and the chaos that had taken over my mind and my job.

I am so grateful for what Len Merson has done in writing this much needed, life changing book.

The Instant Productivity Toolkit should be mandatory reading, not just for the office worker or manager, but for everyone who wants to leave work at the end of the day to be free to pursue the rest of their lives.

If you've felt like you can't get a grip on the workload that's staring at you day-in, day-out, buy this book, use it, and you-will-reap-the-rewards.

Truly an indispensable guide.

I'm so thankful to have stumbled upon this book. It's the first one that truly addresses my work situation. Many similar books focus on managerial skills and delegating. If I could delegate all my work away, I wouldn't need a book! This book shows you strategies and gives you tools to get on top of huge amounts of work/information coming at you every day. The author obviously has a passion for his subject matter and his eagerness to impart it to those in need is apparent as the book is fun and inspiring. There are actually 21 points you can ponder and/or implement - my favorite is what the author has dubbed The Turtle, a prioritized pile of active tasks. I actually keep a turtle keychain on top of my pile! There are strategies to work with it, as there are for all the points covered (others include focusing, e-mail, voicemail, sorting, filing). If you follow the author's advice, you can trust the process as your job runs like a well-oiled machine!

If you want to become organized, read Len Merson's Instant Productivity Toolkit. As a student, I had taken organizational classes; as a Mayor and a business person, I spent countless hours asking others about their organizational systems, adopted some, discarded others, but all failed in the end. I needed a system for the vast number of e-mail, voicemail, letters, faxes, texts, meetings and other demands placed on me from multiple directions. I needed ways to communicate multi stepped processes to others without confusion. I always felt there was a system that met these demands, and became convinced there were elements of success that were eluding me.

I feel I am a smart person, but organization just seemed to escape me. Perhaps it was not possible to juggle so many things at once. Though I had the desire to learn and could imagine what it might be like to be more organized, I could not seem to achieve it.

One day, on a whim, I went to Borders to look at books on organization. I looked at the Idiots and Dummies books, and many others. I bought Len's book in the end because he promised a system that would make sense. It struck a chord and once I bought it I dug in. I have dog-eared it, book marked it, read it backwards and forwards, taken notes, and feel that it is an easy program to understand. It is simple. It centers on minimizing distractions and maximizing efficiency.

How many times do you move a paper, note or pile? Do you even know? When I first bought the book, I had no idea and tried counting one day to see how many times I moved different items on my desk before I actually dealt with them. Some items got moved 13 times prior to completion!

If you want to learn simple techniques - not tricks, not illusions, not gimmicks - read the Instant Productivity Toolkit. Len teaches you how to be organized. He shows you what to do with different pieces of information such as how to identify them and properly place them into a workflow system. The system in turn helps you identify next steps in advance of deadlines so that you look good at work, feel good about your work, and feel great leaving work.

If you want to reclaim your life, invest a few dollars in your technique and buy the Instant Productivity Toolkit. It is the best book on organization and fulfillment you will ever purchase.

I can't speak highly enough of this book, it is the answer to many of my problems around getting things done timely: lack of clarity, procrastination, endless mind chatter around tasks. Within one week, following the book's instruction and using its process flow, I finished several big personal tasks/projects that have been laying around for months in some of my many trays at home. I was so happy and proud looking at my clean/empty office room and the tasks I was able to accomplish efficiently with undivided attention.

I always had the motivation to get things done, read widely about the subject, tried different systems... with quite limited success at home. I constantly felt the deep pain of not being able to effectively get personal projects done, it wasn't until this weekend did I realize that how much energy those mental chatters have cost me: it literally deflates the spirit. I didn't have a good system; luckily I found this book -- it offers an excellent and simple system.

One key benefit I reap from reading this book is that, I was able to finish 4 evening/weekend sessions of self-study on my chosen subjects outside home this past week, guilt free and highly concentrated: because the other tasks had been/was being taken care of effectively so no worries. 20% of our activities produce 80% of the accomplishments according to the 80-20 principle, for me studying these subjects and applying them is one of my core value-producing activities; however before I was so bogged down by my unfinished tasks, therefore most if not all my time was spent on those 80% low-value producing activities. Now this is the start of freedom...

I know for a fact that the inability to create clarity and order in their lives has cost some people so much: inner peace, relationships, money (in terms of lost opportunities), time could be better spent in nature and/or with family. It's literally life losing touch with its unlimited nature. Worse, I think some people live in mild depression simply because the sight and feel of not processing their tasks timely hunts them day and night... this book could change life. I think productivity & being organized is one of the very few core skills that is mandated if we yearn for personal/inner freedom, and this book offers such a wonderful , brilliant solution.

It's time to create clarity within and externally, I wrote this to encourage myself and fellow travelers. Many thanks to the author!

A simple approach to leadership that works with lots of wonderful examples from the 450 year history of the Jesuits. Well worth reading.

I have purchased and gifted this book over 20 times; mostly to young adult leaders. The central theme is that each and every one of us has leadership potential. Our job as adult leaders who work with youth is to make sure young adults are given the opportunity to grow as positive, productive citizens. The Jesuit model Lowney presents in this book was the perfect model 450 years ago and is just as relevant, if not more so, today. The examples of Jesuits and their accomplishments are very compelling. A wonderful read for anyone who thinks one person can't make a difference. This will change their mind.

I first read this book about a year ago when participating in a class on understanding the Jesuit heritage of my place of work. I re-read it on the plane a couple of days ago returning from an overseas location where we recently established a program. The first time around I thought it was wonderful; re-reading it, I found it both wonderful and also profoundly relevant to our new enterprise.

Lowney takes as his thesis the idea that the same precepts that have animated the success of the Jesuit order can likewise inspire personal and business accomplishment. I have to say he has me convinced. He boils down concepts - like Cura Personalis, Magis, and Ad majorem dei gloriam - that will be familiar to those who attended Jesuit schools to what he describes as the four integrated "pillars" of leadership: Self-awareness, Ingenuity, Love and Heroism. He then uses the history of the Jesuit order to demonstrate how, through application of the four pillars, the Society of Jesus grew from a motley band of 10 likeminded University students of different nationalities, with no agenda beyond doing work "to help souls," to become arguably the most successful and influential Catholic religious order.

Lowney's work is not without controversy, especially his contention that the Jesuit's' leadership lessons can be replicated minus their overtly religious agenda. No doubt the order's founder, Inigo (Latinized to Ignatius) of Loyola - for whom doing it "for the glory of God" was all that mattered - would disapprove. However secular research would suggest that the 16th century Basque had some very profound insights that have application beyond turning back the tide of the Reformation and making converts worldwide. I have to say I find Ignatius to be an intensely attractive character, not least because he advocated active engagement in the world, not withdrawal from it. Here's a guy who for most his life just can't get it quite right - and who along the way experiences some incredible reverses - but who never stops trying to perfect his muddled thinking. He just keeps plugging away until it starts to become clear. And it turns out that it's his very lack of success that leads to his deepest insight: that an intensive regimen of active self-reflection will help him make better decisions.

What resonated with me during my most recent reading was how the Jesuit order faced the daunting task of preserving their purpose in remote lands among peoples with unfamiliar traditions - the same challenge facing my organization. Lowney provides many examples of how the Jesuits succeeded at that task. The training that the novice Jesuit undergoes involves frank self-examination, the letting go of attachments (the concept of "indifference" or the freedom to choose any course of action unencumbered by ingrained habits and prejudices), while learning, through active and repeated self-reflection, to validate one's own instincts to action. This creates a confident, prepared and self-reliant individual, eager to embrace life's challenges. In addition, the Jesuits teach a methodology for self-reflection - the Spiritual Exercises and the Examen - that can be used (the Examen everyday) to reinforce their initial training. Their selection process is tough - they take only the best and most purposeful. Those who are selected are encouraged to innovate and shown how love adds passion and purpose to the pursuit of heroic ambitions. The result, says Lowney, is an organization that can adapt easily to radically different circumstances while preserving it's core values (the same "preserve the core, stimulate progress" that Built to Last author Jim Collins sees as the hallmark of companies of enduring greatness).

At times during my visit to our new overseas location I found myself wondering if our task was just too daunting, the culture just too alien, to hope to transplant our unique brand. After reading how the Jesuits managed it, I feel more confident than ever that my organization can do likewise and should do likewise - not shrinking from full-out engagement - through the innovative application of our fundamental values to this new environment. Thanks Chris, and Inigo, for the reinvigorating lesson!

An excellent book on leadership development. It contains a lot of information and skills that are essential for leaders at all levels. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve self-development and self-awareness. Parents can utilize this book on their children's personal development.

The subtitle of this book is "Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company that Changed the World." Indeed, we can learn a lot from the practices of the Jesuits. Even though they were and continue to be theological competitors with those of an evangelical faith, the Jesuits provide a leadership model that is in contrast to many Protestant organizations.

The Jesuits rose to worldwide influence within a generation from their "no great leader" organizational practice. Whereas evangelicalism is often built around singular personalities and monolithic structures formed to achieve one man's vision, the Jesuits attempted to build all of their recruits into great leaders who, in turn, swarmed the world. That is the singular refreshing lesson that evangelicals can gain from the study of this book.

However, what is disturbing about the book is the inability of its author, or the Jesuits whom he cites, to grasp the biblical message of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. With a works-based salvation the Jesuits were - and still are - about moralizing the world with biblical principles rather than affording individuals the New Testament teaching of the free gift of new life in Christ - and the power to live the Christian life - by receiving Christ as Lord and Savior through faith alone.

Truly, this is 'CIO Wisdom' - set down by CIOs and IT managers who deal day-to-day with information technology in perhaps the most challenging environment - Silicon Valley itself. As a 42-year veteran of the IT industry, I think this is the first time I've seen so much down-to-earth, practical and useful IT guidance in one place. The chapters are clearly and well-written. The authors get right down to the meat of the subject and provide practical suggestions for improving IT delivery.

If the book has a weakness, it is that there is so much specific information here that it will likely take multiple readings to glean all of it.

I think this book should be required reading for all CIOs ... and if you really want to start something, get a copy for everyone on your IT staff!

As someone who frequently works with CIOs, I found this book to be excellent. One can read it cover to cover, or easily pick a topic and read the appropriate chapter. Since each chapter is essentially a standalone work produced by a CIO it is easy to flip to a particular issue, and gain insight.

Topics range from some of the more mundane, technical aspects of the CIO position, and further the old "business vs. tech" stereotypes, but other chapters such as "The First 90 Days" and the more strategy-oriented chapters are quite good.

Aside from the relatively minor "'the business' is evil" stuff, the book is marred by poor production. There are several spelling and grammatical errors, and the graphics are inconsistent and some of poor quality. The great content is mildly hindered by what appears to be poor editing and a rush job by the publisher.

Patrick Gray, author of Breakthrough IT: Supercharging Organizational Value Through Technology

I only got to read a few chapters before someone else in the office wanted to read the book. But I can say that the introduction, both generally about the CIO job, and the brief overview of each CIO who contributed, was very good. And the chapters from the different CIOs are valuable for the varied individual perspectives.

If you're not in IT management, probably not a very exciting book. But if you are, it gives you guidance from the varied real experiences of a lot of CIOs--people that you probably wouldn't hear from any other way.

The seventeen articles in this compendium represents contemporary and topical subjects, each written by a seasoned CIO. I was as impressed with the selection of articles as I was with the content because each topic is foremost on the minds of CIOs and senior IT managers today.

Among the articles I especially like are:

- The First 90 Days, by Mark Egan, which contains actionable plans that will get the new CIO (or other senior IT executive) quickly moving in the right direction.

- IT Organization, by Guy de Meester, in particular the challenges of centralization vs. decentraliztion, and organizational models in general. If this area is your focus I highly recommend additional reading: "Decentralization: Fantasies, Failings, and Fundamentals" (ISBN 0964163535) and "RoadMap: How to understand, diagnose, and fix your organization" (ISBN 0964163527), both of which go into great detail and provide an exceptionally effective approach.

- Governance, by Danny Maco, which is conspicuously missing in organizations large and small - or is often done incorrectly if done at all.

- Budgeting, by Bob Denis, Maureen Vavra, John Dick ... you'd think IT has this basic function under control, but sadly not. Read this article for excellent advice.

- The Metrics of IT: Management by Measurement, by Shel Waggener and Steve Zoppi. One of my favorite topics, and this team provides outstanding advice and keen insights.

Other articles are as well written, and span topics from architecture to strategic planning. Taken as a whole, this is a sourcebook that is filled with both knowledge and experience, and should be on the desk of every CIO, seasoned and new. I also recommend visiting the site that supports this book (paste the ASIN number, B0001EHNFK, into the search box for all products on this page). The site contains additional articles, news and other books in this series that CIOs, IT managers at all levels, and subject matter experts will find useful.

As a CIO I though CIO Wisdom hits the nail on the head on many of the challenges and issues facing today's CIO's. Sound and practical advice from those actually performing in the job was quite refreshing to the theoretical approach found in many other books on this topic. I only wish that many of my customers (business line leaders and executives) would read this book to better understand the value of IT can bring to our organization.

My only critique is that some of the concepts discussed in the book where not fully flushed out when the author was talking about solutions. Of course there have been entire books written on some of the topics covered in CIO wisdom.

I was particularly impressed by the Communications, Governance, Marketing and the Business Intelligence chapters.

Since I too travel a lot, I really appreciated Mr. Sinunu's stories. I wish everyone would be exposed to his writings, especially in todays climate. It was SUPERB!!

I read this book at the library and the next day ordered five copies for holiday gifts! Perfect for traveler or wanna-be traveler.

This book jumped out at me in the store. Who wouldn't want ideas on "living a more rewarding life?" The author, William Sinunu has traveled around the world looking for "cultural intelligence."

He travels to Norway and learns about simplicity, to India and learns about inner peace, and to Spain, to learn about creativity. He also keeps his eyes open when his friends travel to the United States. He studies them and asks questions and how to make your life "sweeter."

Maybe not everyone in those countries is exactly like the example he writes about, but one thing he discovers is certainly true: Some Americans rush around, wanting more, needing more...money, time, things. We can always learn from other people, other cultures. From each other.

I loved that, at the end of each small story (only about 2-3 pages) he would have a quote at the bottom, or a blurb taken from psycholgists. The book was fun to read, it read very quickly, and I found myself breathing more slowly as I went.

Even though it's frustrating sometimes to be seen in a certain way, as if our culture is "wrong" somehow, you can take from it what you will. I, myself, would like to be more like others in the world. We only have one life to live, why rush through it?

This was a great book to pick up and put down. This book really made me see a lot of things in a different perspective. I have also tried to adapt a couple of the passages to my own life. I passed this book on to a friend. This was one that is to good not to share.

Sometimes, a book will catch me off guard . . . such was the
case with LIFE COULD BY SWEETER
by William Sinunu . . . I had never heard of it or the author before,
but when browsing in a bookstore, its jacket caught my
attention . . . it promised "the secrets to living a happier, healthier,
more rewarding life" by learning from our neighbors around the world.

That sounded good to me . . . turns out that I was not let
down . . . this was a treat to read, and I've already enjoyed
sharing much of it with others.

Some of the advice is basic, but we need to be reminded
of it; e.g., Sinunu describes one trip he was on in this passage:

"Oh no, not at Miss Daphne's party," our hostess scolded, shaking her
finger playfully at her newfound friend. "All the watches come off baby."
Reaching toward him, she unsnapped his watch and slipped it into his
pocket, then grabbed his hands and began to dance. "Life is to enjoy,"
she reminded him. "Just laugh and let it all go. Make life a vacation."

I also liked how the author cited various research studies to support
his beliefs, such as:

* According to psychologist Thomas Spencer, Americans wear
approximately twenty percent of the clothes they own.

* According to a study examining the effect of close relationships on
health and well-being by University of Michigan psychologist Stephanie
Brown, it's better to give than receive! The study found that older adults
who do not help others are more than twice as likely to pass away as
those who do help out.

* According to Psychologist Paul Rozin, Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas
in Europe are approximately two-thirds the size of personal pan pizzas
in the United States. According to an article in the August 14, 2004
WALL STREET JOURNAL, a serving of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
marketed to U.S. consumers contains fourteen percent more calories
than the same size serving in Italy. A jar of Hellmann's Mayonnaise
purchased in the United Kingdom has half the saturated fat of the
Hellmann's sold in the United States. Kellogg's All-Bran bought in
the United States has three times the sodium as the same brand sold
in Mexico. A standard beverage bottle for sodas in Europe is about half
a pint--roughly half the amount of the standard sixteen-ounce can sold
in the United States. Perhaps it's no wonder that the United States has
the highest rate of obesity in the world.

Lastly, there were these other memorable tidbits that made this
book so interesting to me--and the perfect gift to give somebody:

* Running her hand along her chin, Rania said, "Well, I do have a few
rules that I try to remember before every purchase. I ask myself, `Do I
really need this? Do I really love it? Is it made well?' " Deep in thought,
Rania went on, "But my cardinal rule," she said, clapping her hands gently
together in front of her face, "is to always go for quality. I buy the cheapest
of the best, never the best of the cheapest. That way, I spend relatively
little on clothes, but still have a good-looking wardrobe."

* [at a party for friends] "To our friends," Martine whispered as a
single tear trickled down her cheek, "To the family we have the luxury
of choosing. Each of you is very special to us. Thank you for joining
us tonight." . . .

As Eduoard grew misty-eyed, Martine reached out and took his hands.
"Life is about cherishing and appreciating the people in our lives," she said
quietly.

* I remember rocking in the chair by his bedside, pleading with God to take
him now and end his suffering. Even if euthanasia had been legal in the
United States, could I have made the decision to end his life? I cannot
honestly say. I was so distraught at the time that I don't know if I was
in the proper state of mind to make such a momentous decision. Nor do I
know what means could be used that would guarantee no pain. What I do
know is that dying does not scare me, only the potential suffering that
precedes it. I remember wondering at the time: If we put our animals out
of their misery when they are in severe pain and there is no hope for
recovery, why not the family member we love?

Building on our human desire to connect with others, motivational speaker Keith Harrell uses the acronym, CONNECT, to present a seven-step attitude development process for personal success.

'C'ommit to win; develop a be accountable attitude
'O'pen up to opportunities; use a change embracer attitude
'N'otice what's needed and do what's necessary; have a be aware attitude
'N'avigate by your purpose; utilize a be vision centered attitude
'E'xecute ethically; practice a be performance and integrity driven attitude
'C'hallenge your challenges; have a be responsible attitude
'T'ranscend beyond your best; with a be the difference attitude

Promoting the ideas that 'thoughts matter' and that 'success requires a personal connection', the author says you must first `care' to connect, by developing your ICARE (Intensely, Committed, Attentive, Ready, and Enthusiastic) statements. "When you have a mind-set that says ICARE, over time you will change your beliefs. Your beliefs will change your attitude. Your attitude will help change your feelings. Your feelings will help change your actions. And your actions will help you to connect." A lot of linkages before getting to the actions piece, hence the need for commitment to stay the course.

The book is easy to read and contains inspirational stories about the author and others that help to bring the points to life. Perhaps in recognition of the difficulties with developing a 'just do it' attitude, each of the seven-steps contains numerous other thoughts on attitude for a successful life. The book may be more useful for its provision of winning attitude ideas than for the structured self-help program it promotes.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

I have taken alot of notes from this book. I use the tips and have incorportated what Keith Harrell says into my daily work and home life. I think it's a great read for anyone at any stage in their life.

Keith Harrell is AWESOME!! I had the pleasure of meeting him in person about a year ago at a convention that i attended in Nashville, TN. All of his material is incredible and he really helps you to think in a positive manner and to be able to share it with others!!

Are your employees, clients, friends, spouse, children, and colleagues frequently missing your point? The root causing is likely your lack of connecting with them. Keith and Hattie have packed some valuable and practical tips in this fantastic read, grab a copy!

CONNECT is very well written and contains plenty of wisdom necessary to succeed in business as well as life.

Keith Harrell uses CONNECT as an acronym to get his points across.

C - is for commit to win. Unless there is a total commitment, most importantly with yourself, your efforts will fall short.

O - is for open up to opportunities. Too many people have a closed mindset. If you want to succeed, open to opportunities.

N - notice what is needed

N - navigate by your purpose. You need to understand and be guided by your purpose in life.

E - execute ethically

C - challenge your challenges. Don't run from your challenges. Challenge them.

T - transcend beyond your best.

Then he gives us the BE - Attitudes to go with each CONNECT point. Before you DO, you must BE and the BE - Attitudes are a good reminder of what we should be. If we simply try to do, we will not succeed. There needs to be alignment of who we are with what we do. Therefore, the BE - Attitudes.

Harrell not only gives us the CONNECT points and the BE -Attitudes, he goes into great detail explaining the importance of the points and how they effect our performance and success.

The book is filled with interesting stories that bring home the points. At the end of each chapter is a series of exercises designed to implement the theory of the book.

If you truly want to succeed in business and in life, you must connect with others. No one is an island. Keith Harrell does a great job of giving you the tools to connect. You still need to do the work yourself.

I thought this was a good reference for trigger points as well as exercises to help release these areas.

This book is very helpful to cross-reference with school manuals on trigger points. And the way that it demonstrates where the pain would be felt and how to alleviate it is very easy to follow. I would recommend this book.

We briefly studied myofacial and trigger point therapy in massage therapy school, and this was a great accompanyment to that portion of our curriculum. I will be keeping this book when I begin my practise.

This book has been very helpful to me. I'm in massage school now. It's easy to use, easy to reference and is a great value for the price.

This book is a wealth of information on pain referral patterns for any particular muscle, so in that regard I find it very valuable. However it does not give exact information on how to massage trigger points but focuses almost exclusively on how to stretch to relieve targetted muscular pain as well as strengthening exercises but nothing on how to massage these particular trigger points to help break up the spasm. The pictures are grouped regionally so as to find the affected muscle quickly but since the title said Trigger Point Therapy for Myofascial Pain: The Practice of Informed Touch I kinda expected more of the informed touch aspect.