Practice Management Books

Dianne and Anthony - As a coach and social worker, I look forward to your work because I know that it will further develop and refine my skills. It will also evolve the coaching field as a whole. Thank you for taking the lead in this important area!

Dianne Stober has been an active player in improving the field of executive coaching so I was delighted to see this publication. The handbook is comprehensive in coverage and well-organized. I am glad to see a book that has a strong theoretical base that also offers some easy to understand models and frameworks of coaching. While I enjoyed the entire book, I particularly liked the authors' chapter on a contextual approach to coaching as well as the chapter on positive psychology. I would highly recommend this book.

Notwithstanding the marketeering/hype that the book presents "scientifically proven" information, this "evidence-based" approach is on-target. In one source text the academic community now has a clearly presented body of knowledge from which we can trace how theory and practice can be linked. We also have a first opportunity to offer graduate programs or other disciplines where coaching is taught a volume that will allow an appreciation the breadth of coaching approaches available and the opportunties for engaging in further study as students, teachers, researchers, practitioners or combinations thereof. Within a few hours of reading this book (from cover to cover) I ordered 6 additional copies for our coaching faculty in the Organizational Dynamics Masters Degree program at the University of Pennsylvania.

This is a reference book that presents several different coaching approaches along with knowledge base supporting evidence that would help executive coaches reinforce their practice. I have found particularly refreshing, the inclusive approach of its authors to the many different schools of coaching present today. This overview of different systems,methods,concepts and philosophical backgrounds have enriched my understanding of the many different approaches available to the coaching conversation and has helped me optimize my ability to improve the way I conduct conversation learning processes.

Should be issued to student's starting outpatient clinics so that they can be inculcated with reality early on. It's a sad state of affairs that we've been reduced to 7 minutes but that's the third party economics of it. If you take insurance, this book will help you out. Some bits are not exactly "psychosocially" optimal per the pundits but I think reflect real patient psychology better than they do.

I'm double board certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. This book changed my life. I see my kids again. I actually like my job. I thought the "seven-minute visit" was bad medicine and would upset my patients...but I was wrong. The author taught me a new way of thinking. Thank God for this man. I wish I had trained with him.

This book has been very helpful in increasing my productivity without sacrificing the quality of the visit nor my quality of life.

Since it is unlikely that the 10 minute visit will go the way of the dodo anytime soon, and so Dr. Tom Laurence, a clinical professor from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, has shared with us his accumulated insight in perfecting the seven-minute visit. Extreme Clinic has something to offer everyone who is practicing or will be practicing outpatient medicine in the future.

Before continuing, I must disclose that I received my medical training at the University of Illinois and have therefore had the pleasure of direct interaction with Dr. Laurence on the ward and in the clinic. To say a few words about the author: Dr. Laurence is a man of uncommon wit and wide-ranging talent. As an instructor, he is beloved by medical students and residents for his enthusiastic and entertaining teaching. To watch him interview a patient on teaching rounds is to be treated to a fantastic display that combines the best of showmanship and medical knowledge. When he takes a patient's history for a common complaint such as headache (or cephalgia, if you wish) it becomes something akin to a tightly-scripted, short two-man play -- with an economy of carefully-chosen questions from Dr. Laurence, the story unfolds effortless from the mouth of the patient. Extreme Clinic is a wonderful dose of the author's personal style of medicine and faithfully represents real, thoughtful techniques that are ready to be applied to your clinic.

If the outpatient clinic training that most medical students and residents receive is plain vanilla, then Extreme Clinic is Ben & Jerry's "Everything But The..." flavor. That is, the book contains a lot of great goodies all mixed together, but an individual may prefer some of the ideas it contains while not being so enthusiastic about others. However, nowhere in this book does the author demand adherence to all the advice given -- it is not a magic recipe or mystical system that must be followed verbatim to work. I'm sure that some of the notions advanced could even offend the most sensitive readers, but I am equally sure that few could read the book and not find suggestions that resonate with them and could serve to improve their personal practice. For example, the author's unique perspective on opthalmoscopic examination as a means of communicating with the patient is almost worth the price of the book alone.

The advice presented in the test is organized in a one-topic-per-chapter fashion, covering the topic both generally and specifically. The organization of the chapters and the overall lean nature of the book make for a convenient and quick read. Chapters include gems like "Think Disposition," "Zen Break," "The Set," "The Touch," "The Eye," "Rules and Decisions," "Expand That Normal," "Somatomancers," "Tests Won't Save You," "Compliance," "Preaching," "Your Study," "Atypical Horses," and many others. All chapters focus on real clinical issues and provide solid advice regarding how to be a good, caring, competent doctor without failing as a person, spouse or parent. Dr. Laurence promotes a scenario in which the clumsy, unfocused, overtime outpatient visit is streamlined through an approach that manages all aspects of the encounter from the beginning, middle, end and beyond. It considers diverse aspects such as the waiting room, decor, staff, history, physical, medications, lab tests, and professional reading. In the end both doctor and patient win as the quality of the service provided to the patient increases and the burden on the doctor decreases. Of course, square pegs cannot be pounded into round holes, and the author openly admits that some patients require and deserve more than seven minutes -- the rules in the book will break, but adhering to them where possible is the key to streamlining the day. Difficulties that arise are covered, including compliance, malingering, chronic pain, somatization, zebras and discontinuation. Not every doc may be able to master or become comfortable with all the patient-interaction and management techniques promoted in the text, but the book also covers aspects of mental well-being, professional preparedness, and philosophical concerns in medicine (and life, in case you want one in addition to your career).

In closing, Extreme Clinic is thought provoking for those physicians that currently practice in a different manner and potentially liberating for those physicians that always suspected there is a better, more efficient way, but simply need some encouragement and a little tutelage.

Moore takes on the prosperity gospel/ Prayer of Jabez cult. He also addresses the fear mongering used to sell books and tapes with the Y2K "crisis" being a prime example. Moore says that clergy would typically define stewardship as giving 10% to ministry (although overall giving is more like 2%.) Moore takes no position on the doctrine of tithing but is more interested in how the other 90-98% of money is allocated. He advocates ethical investing in socially conscious mutual funds and saving in banks that serve under served communities. He mentions Shorebank in this regard. I learned from the book and will try to implement some of his approach.

It was a real treat to find Faithful Finances 101 recently.

I was a Baptist pastor for 17 years and am now an Investment Representative with Edward Jones. It is difficult to find responsible, wholistic, and positive investment advice from a Christian perspective.

I appreciate the clear and precise critique of popular economic and investment perspectives prevalent among many Christians today. It was especially helpful that Moore was willing to name those with whom he disagrees. Unfortunately, there is often no other way to encapsulate a differing viewpoint than to name the teacher of that viewpoint (for example, Larry Burkett). I know this can be perceived negatively, but it seems to me that when a person is so distinctly identified with a particular point of view, the use of the name speaks much more to the teaching than the person. The critique was far from personal and dealt constructively with ideas that are often presented as the "Christian" point of view.

I suspect Moore has received some criticism for his differing viewpoint and the method he used. Hopefully, his approach will be seen as a constructive and challenging voice in what it means to live as a responsible Christian steward. I certainly saw it as helpful. It is troubling that these days thoughtful debate is often taboo. Perhaps we will come to a place in the future where differing voices are seen as different facets of the diamond rather than heretical thoughts.

For some reason, so many people forget how consistently wrong some of these negative Christians perspectives have been through the years. I suppose anything could happen in the future--as the old saying goes, "even a broken clock is right twice a day." But there is biblical wisdom that speaks to a different reality consistent with the investment market--one that is full of long term hope and possibility. The chapter on the 'Creativity of the Patriarchs' sent my mind thinking of the multitude of biblical examples concerning the responsible creation of wealth and stewardship in the world. Abraham diversified. Jeremiah bought on the worst day of the market. Solomon expanded boundaries. Nehemiah built an incredible organization and navigated challenging circumstances through creative leadership. Paul was an entrepreneurial businessman while doing ministry. Jesus taught that responsible investing is tantamount to kingdom living, and showed that self giving is the ultimate investment. There are many more but time does not permit.

We live in an incredibly challenging environment to live as responsible stewards in the world. There seems to be an exceedingly thin slice somewhere between negative Christian voices and a hostile, unethical world where Moore's wholistic Christian voice for responsible stewardship can navigate.

I have read many books on finances that you would find on the shelves of Christian bookstores. Some are biblical and give good advice. Many feed greed and fear motives and do little to help people integrate financial concepts into their daily lives. Gary's book does an excellent job at two things:

1. Accurately describing a biblical worldview of money. As he so often points out in this book, Christians have been told to give 10% to their local church. But few have been trained how to be a good steward of all the money, talent, time and health that God blesses us with.

2. Challenging conventional ideas in the "Christian" media that feed on fears- Y2K for example- or greeds- the give/ to get mentality that many unbiblical ministers promote. Gary does a terrific job of presenting a balanced and passionate way to live and think about money that is honoring to Christ.

I consider it sad when many in the church recommend books such as Rich Dad/ Poor Dad- a worldview that is not even remotely biblical. I would love to see every concerned Christian read, meditate on, and implement the ideas that Gary presents in this book. Every disciple of Christ that is interested in growing in the understanding of stewardship should buy and read this book.

Ashley Hodge, CFP
Dallas, Texas

Thinking evangelical Christians should find this book helpful. So would any other thinking person. Gary Moore brings his personal experiences, profound wisdom, and deep spirituality together to strip away the smoke and mirrors that all too often confuse people both spiritually and financially. He never promises riches. He does provide a firm, spiritually-oriented foundation that should help most people do very constructive things for others and themselves with their financial resources.

Some of what he has to say is the insight he has gained as a financial advisor and student of theology. Some is time-honored common sense. Sadly, as he reveals, too often religious and other leaders have advocated other paths, and the results may have been painful for those who took their advice.
Virtually anyone, from the wealthiest to those with very modest incomes, can find something in this volume which will be helpful and not difficult to follow. Moore empowers by giving the reader possibilities into what he or she may personally do to be a responsible steward, and his approaches literally work around the world. If you want to strengthen or renew your hope in your faith, yourself, and your world then "Faithful Finances 101" is an excellent place to start.

I was very impressed with this book. I've read lots of stuff on stress etc. but this speaks clearly and movingly in a way that none of the other material I have read does. The author bases his guidance and analysis on spiritual teachings throughout the ages. He suggests that the best way of coping with stress is accepting life situations rather than fighting them. This is not about being passive, but about beginning with personal transformation rather than a manic attempt to change everything and everybody else.

I was very impressed with this book. I've read lots of stuff on stress etc. but this speaks clearly and movingly in a way that none of the other material I have read does. The author bases his guidance and analysis on spiritual teachings throughout the ages. He suggests that the best way of coping with stress is accepting life situations rather than fighting them. This is not about being passive, but about beginning with personal transformation rather than a manic attempt to change everything and everybody else.

If you want a good handbook for coping with difficult life situations, this is an excellent recommendation. I also love the feel of the book - beautifully produced on smooth paper and with a great cover.

Stress may be a stimulus or a burden, a fairground ride or a nightmare journey, but it can also be our partner and opponent in the inner game of life.

Just as the ordinary athlete uses exercise and challenge to develop physical muscles, so the inner athlete may develop calm, courage, imagination, balance, compassion, resilience, vision and presence of mind. From Stress to Serenity, is therefore not only for those feeling stress or burnout and who are looking for a way to cope, it is also for everyone wishing personal, soul or spiritual development, for stress can be like a path of initiation to nurture our fullest potential, no fun at the time certainly, but ultimately an invaluable gift. The book provides a powerful body of exercises and illuminating ideas to make this a reality.
See also www.fromstresstoserenity.com for other comments

Extremely rich insights on stress and the challenges of living

Philip Martyn, European General Counsel of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Global Outsourcing with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team System is an excellent book and informational resource. The format is easy to follow, intuitive, and simplifies gaining an understanding of both the concept of global outsourcing as well as the software.

Note: This review gives more importance to the processes than the other obvious benefits.

Who should read this book?
- On-site coordinators
- Off-shore managers
- Process managers/Product Managers
- Key people involved in distributed development/outsourcing.

Why this book is useful?
- This book can be used as a process guidance for outsourcing/distributed environment.
- This book clearly identifies the day to day issues of a distributed development environment and gives options on how to mitigate the risks.
- Explains all the possible options on how efficiently VSTS can be used.
- This is very useful not only for the teams using VSTS 2005, but also for any distributed development team as this clearly gives an idea of what processes should be in place. VSTS is an all-in-one tool which helps in making the life easier.
- For companies which do not prefer to use VSTS can also leverage from the processes clearly mentioned in the book and can achieve similar efficiency by using different free tools available in the market.
- The book has shown how to customize the VSTS to suit the specific need along with the code which is very handy and reduces a lot of effort in customizing.
- More importantly, this book is very handy and easily understood by techies and non-techies alike. Non-techies can understand the processes without getting into any technical details.
- Addresses the issues faced by bigger and smaller companies and bigger or smaller teams.

Jamil Azher's GLOBAL OUTSOURCING WITH MICROSOFT VISUAL STUDIO 2005 TEAM SYSTEM tells how to manage outsourced projects using Visual Studio 2005, which engages developers, project managers and team leads alike. GLOBAL OUTSOURCING takes it examples from the real world also: it examines typical outsource management issues, applications, and problem-solving in a fine technical overview programmers will relish.

This book is indeed about global outsourcing, but it deals with the outsourcing of software not athletic shoes or kitchen ware. Specifically, as you might guess from the title, it concentrates on the use of Microsoft's Team System version of Visual Studio 2005. Other Microsoft products such as Project and Excel from the Office suite are also shown as a part of an integrated management system.

There is little question tht outsourcing is here to stay. The cost savings are simply to great to be ignored. A programmer with a few years of experience in the US is paid an average of $55K, in India $15K, and in China $9K.

There is also no question that outsourcing brings its own problems in terms of management, control and especially communications. Many of these problems are specifically discussed in the book, and it goes on to show that the Microsoft tools can assist in these areas. The tools will not, of course, guarantee success but they may help to make a project a success.

It's going for this publication, too, the evidence that relevance is not too often linked with the publishing year. One might subject a publication on this topic from the millenium turn rather to the criticism of being outdated than notorious or hidden classics of more distant past (roughly following the proverbial "news of yesterday"). By any means: No, it isn't. On an early stage and in a business where complexity has turned from machinery into extremely mobile abstract code, the authors touched a pivotal point of society which is the written and unwritten expectational concept individuals and corporations operate upon and western governments are amidst in the struggle about (far-easterners apparently are not that concerned, still not or never...), above the professional field addressed. Barley/Kunda deliver broad empirical basis and unlock the findings into considerations open for discussion between many "camps" instead of locking up the results in a ,err, castle of reasoning. A very fertile reading this was (in particular with the furtherly broadening potential together with "le travail en miettes" of georges friedmann, I incidentially ran across by the time, a recommendable experience), certainly a must as well for people involved in politics for that matter. It's an asset. (And, off the record, it's not quite a torture to read!)

David Gehle,
Freiburg, germany

As a contractor, owner of a contracting firm, and publisher this book has found one of the best spots in my library: open, and on the desk. I use it, refer to it, and think it is an excellent book.

If you're a contractor, you'll find yourself nodding your head and realizing that this is a smart piece of work.

I think recruiters should read this book as well.

Some years ago, during the height of the technology stock bubble, a book entitled "Free Agent Nation" made quite a splash by glorifying the phenomenon of independent contracting. Less famously and far less optimistically, a number of economists and anthropologists pointed to this trend as a grave sign of the decay of workers' position in American society. Stephen R. Barley and Gideon Kunda, the authors of this study, steer a careful, meticulously documented middle course. They examined the observable fact of independent contracting in the high technology industry from three viewpoints: the contractors, the headhunters and the client firms. They say that the contractor is a new, different kind of knowledge worker with a unique set of opportunities and constraints. The book is clearly written, based on apparently sound evidence and illustrated with carefully chosen anecdotes. We suggest that its primary appeal will be to academics and other students of labor market trends, but also recommend it to firms that hire contractors and to contractors themselves - both will benefit from the authors' analysis of their market.

Ah the sweet life of a contract programmer... the big bucks, the independence, the freedom from corporate politics! Barley and Kunda are brilliant anthropologists who take you inside the reality of the contractor's life. You hear their stories, learn their secrets, and smell their nervous sweat. The authors' style is captured nicely by the title of the book. They're irreverent and on-target. They allow you to spy with them--mixing voyeur appeal with hard science. Imagine an episode of "The Apprentice" starring characters pulled from Dilbert, and produced by Margaret Mead. I laughed out loud and took notes. If you work with contractors, if you live with a contractor, if you hire contractors, and for sure if you are a contractor, you must get this book.

David Maxfield
Director of Research
VitalSmarts

When you are deposed for any matter it is like going back to the age of the Inquisition.Anything you say rigth or wrong can be use against you,or worse against an innocent bystander.If you go to a deposition(and you know when & where)without reading this book first.YOU ARE A FOOL AND YOU WILL BE HANG.

During the extreme stress of preparing for a deposition, my lawyers prepared me for the facts, but not the technique. The examples and philosophy and clarity of writing in this book were INVALUABLE to me. I also found it to be helpfully in dealing with the tremendous emotional impact of the litigation.

A MUST for any physician, whethering facing a lawsuit now, or the inevitable lawsuit in the future.

As an attorney who has represented clients on both sides of the proverbial isle, I plan to have my clients read this book before any deposition. Dr. Uribe sucessfully demisifies this process for the non-lawyer and makes it understandable to those who do not think like us. I believe this book gives several useful tools to help those not trained in the law navagate a difficult and stressful experience. Excellent work!

I was given this book as a gift. It is entertaining as well as informative. This is a must-read for anyone in the health care profession today.

Health care industry is slowing gathering experience with tools already in use for some time in other settings. To get this going, one need some basic training and discipline to start. It is not fun, neither easy, but it is extremely necessary.

This book deals with the rather significant issues plaguing our healthcare system. It takes some very sophisticated statistical tools and presents their use in an eloquent yet simplistic manner that even the layman can make good use of. This is a must read!

This is an excellent book about implementing Six Sigma in healthcare. The book has an easy to understand explanation of Six Sigma, and includes practical healthcare examples.

For the first time, a logical approach was presented for implementing a total effective quality improvement initiative in a major hospital. The authors obviously had an indepth understanding related to the problems faced in running both a large scale health-service organization and the problems faced by its staff. The implementation method described in detail is obviously the result of experienced gained in implementing Six Sigma into a number of healthcare systems. It demonstrates how effective change can be brought about in the health care system in parallel with the normal day-to-day operations. This book is a practical but revolutionary approach to quality that is long overdue.

Few books offer so many practical rewards for lawyers (indeed for anyone who uses Acrobat). Cleanly written and full of screenshots to aid you, this is a one stop shop for "everything Acrobat" a lawyer could possibly want to know. David Masters is renowned as a lawyer/expert who speaks nationwide about the use of Adobe Acrobat in law firms. If you get the chance to hear him speak, you'll thoroughly enjoy him in person, but the book is a reference tool that you'll go back to time and again. Most lawyers who read this book are shocked by the many things that Acrobat can do - and they practice better, more efficiently and more securely as a result. This book should be in every lawyer's library.

More and more courts are allowing, if not requiring, that documents of all type be presented in electronic format either in addition to or in some cases instead of on paper. There are unquestionably a lot of lawyers who will assign the task of producing the electronic document to a secretary. But this is kind of like having a lawyer these days who can't use a PC - there probably are some, but they are getting fewer and fewer.

This slim document, now in its second edition is aimed to enable lawyers (or their secretaries) to produce the .pdf documents desired by the court. It does not go into all the details of what Adobe Acrobat can do, that would take a thousand pages or so. It is not a book intended for the teckie who lives, breathes, and eats computers. It tells the lawyer what he needs to know to meet the courts requirements. At this it does a great job.

This book really walked me through using Acrobat Professional.

I'm know computer wizard, and this book has been really useful to me.

I really needed this book! It focuses on the functions of Adobe Acrobat 6 that lawyers need to use. Explanations are clear, illustrations are helpful.

These are skills that a lawyer could choose to "leave to the support staff." The lawyers who do that are also the ones who can be productive and profitable practitioners in the 21st Century without touching a computer keyboard. (I assume there are a few of them somewhere.)

The rest of us need to know how to create, manipulate and use documents in the PDF format. This book tells us how. Those who are experienced Acrobat users may not need it, but I am not and this book really gets right down to the things I need to know to use Acrobat in my work.

This is being used as a text for a graduate level class. It is enjoyable to read, interesting, lucid, and well organized. The index and glossary are well structured. The authors make excellent use of bold text within the material and have plenty of helpful sidebar notes.

This was the textbook for an introductory course in business law I took. It does a great job at laying the groundwork of the US legal system and explodes many common myths. A large amount of material is covered clearly and consisely. The chapters on contracts and constitutional law alone are worth the price of the book. The authors do a good job hitting the high points and not getting bogged down in details that are inappropriate for an introductory course.

There are a few typographical errors that carried over to the thirteenth edition and ought to have been caught. Because this is a survey course, the reader may find supplemental material such as a law dictionary necessary to understand some of the finer points.

Great Book. Better than the other Legal Business books. Great cases. Easy to read and understand. Great for Business law. Other books are more about law instead of business law, Not this book. You be the Judge DVD-Rom is great similation of legal business situations. Book is great for learning Business Law.

Like many Americans, I didn't know much about our country's principles of government or its legal system. This book helped me to become more knowledgeable about both. I admit, this is not reading I would choose to curl up with in front of the fire; this was part of a requirement for my MBA. However, I will remember what I've learned in this text long after my class ends. Having previously been clueless about the legal system, it is now exhilarating to read about, say, how the nine US Supreme Court Justices are dealing with the aftermath of the Gore vs. Bush debacle and actually understand what is going on. The chapters are well-organized and easy to understand. There are even helpful study tips and ways to brief a legal case in the beginning of the text. After completing this book, I not only feel better equipped to handle business decisions, but also feel empowered and enlightened for better understanding our great country.