Practice Management Books

This is an excellent, thoughtful and well-written book. Even more important, the author is absolutely right about the impact of high technology on our lives. The approach he proposes for simplifying your life is, unlike those proposed by others, reasonable, practical and achievable. I highly recommend the book --- as well as the less practical but far more humorous look at high technology and society as provided in the paperback, GONE AWRY: A virtual tour through high tech hell.

Regardless of who you are - a casual user of today's technology, old, young, or in between, a corporate citizen or a manager - it is easy to become enthralled by today's "toys", which turn into "tools" and unless handled carefully, change into "weapons" that threaten to control us.

At one point in time or another, we've each fallen victim to the seductiveness of "always on" technology. Believing the myth of "I'll only check e-mail for 5 minutes" or "I'll check my voice mail - it will probably only take a second" has lead many of us to the almost unconscious, unnoticeable state of "always on duty". How did it happen? How can we revert back?

"Turn It Off" helps - a great deal! It is practical, the approach is definitely instructive, and the reader is given much to think about when analyzing their personal and professional circumstances. Approaching our time off with as much care as we devote to our business reminds us to cherish it as the valued and valuable commodity it is.

The author has done an admirable job of positioning the trends that we all must respond to as managers, employees and most importantly, people. We live and work in tumultuous times... "Turn It Off" captures our dilemma - and our opportunity to regain control - most effectively.

We used to be able to disconnect from the office. Our home lives and our work lives were separate. We had a life, as today's expression goes. In a world of e-mail, voicemail, pagers, cell phones, and personal digital assistants, it's increasingly hard to have a life. At least a life outside of work.

All these technological marvels are wonderful, except that they keep us so tethered to our work. We can no longer easily separate the workplace from the rest of our lives. With these connections, every place is the workplace. Result: burnout, severely reduced family and personal time, and shallow relationships with friends and family. We've been trapped in a world that expects instant response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week . . . if we allow it. And most of us do. But we don't have to!

Gil Gordon, an expert in telecommuting and virtual offices, shows us how to regain our freedom, privacy, space . . . to get a life. The book is organized into nine chapters, starting with How Did We Become So Attached to Our Offices. Get ready-in chapter 2, you'll learn How to Find Out if You've Gone over the Line. The balance of the book is page after page of techniques, based on Gordon's three zones of life management. Chapter 6 is critical: How to Approach, Inform, and Get Support from Your Boss, Clients, or Co-Workers. I bet you'll take notes on this chapter! Don't think you can do it all? Chapter 9 covers What to Do if You Just Can't "Turn It Off."

An important point: Gordon doesn't tell you exactly what to do. He just shows you the path. It's up to the reader to determine how far to go, when, and why. Turn It Off gives you the blueprint, the skeleton design, the concept. It's up to you to use it in the way that will be best for you and your life. No, you can't borrow my copy-I've marked it up-lots of fill-in worksheets. And I want to keep this book.

Turn It Off came at a perfect time in my life. I had reached that point where I really wanted to break free of the bonds of total connection. While my desire was there, I needed just a little bit of moral support and perhaps something to call my feeling. Turn it off! Yes! I read the book. I paid attention. I followed Gordon's suggestions to re-think my life. I made some major changes that feel wonderful already! Now I have to discipline myself to stick with it. I think I'll put Turn It Off in my tickler file for three months from now as a reminder to check my progress. Thanks, Gil Gordon--I now have a life again!

Working in a large, US-based corporation that has taken an accelerated path toward globalization in the last three years, I have come to realize that our ability to work together effectively across distance and across silos is key to our success.

I have read several books on the topic of global teamwork, and while I have learned a lot from each, this one above others does a great job of pulling all the relevant elements together into a single, coherent model that I find myself refering to again and again when I look at global teams in the company.

I have found the approach presented here very helpful in the sense that it goes beyond theory and provides tools and processes that can be put into practice, including tables, lists and worksheets.

The following aspects are presented clearly:
1. The importance of virtual distance and the impact it has on the team's bottom line
2. How to analyze virtual distance in a team
3. How to identify critical areas of improvement
4. Suggestions on how to improve in those areas

The model and process are building on extensive research and this is a refreshing approach, looking at other books on the subject that seem to be based mostly on anecdotal experiences.

Even though the title implies the model presented here is specific to global organizations, I would say it an asset to anyone working in any kind of organization above a certain size.

I think this book is a great read, whether you are a part of your company's HR organization or just leading in a distributed setting.

Highly recommended.

This new addition to the Wiley Microsoft Leadership Series provides an updated perspective, not only for business leaders, but for executives, managers and leaders of all types of organizations. Whether we work in public libraries or for Hewlett Packard, communication in the digital age is a challenge!

Authors Lojeski and Riley present a timely, innovative response to workplace teams. Their virtual distance model cleverly intertwines the threads of physical distance, affinity distance, and operational distance into a visual shape that helps to understand the broader picture of today's workplace and its impact on work success or failure.

The reader learns about the history of the notion of teamwork. This context is not only relevant to corporate society, but all societies where work is done, both the private sector and the non-profit and government sectors. The discussion of pre-Industrial Age teams and Guilds to the teamwork models of today conveys a chronology of the past that helps to put the workplace of today in clearer perspective. The authors state: `...it is no longer possible that virtual workers build emotional ties to one another in the ways that people have done for centuries. The loose organizations of the Digital Age are not usually built for this purpose." This is a thought-provoking insight encouraging all leaders to take more responsibility for bridging the "affinity distance" gap.

Overall, I recommend this work to all readers currently in the workforce, not just managers, not just students, not just academics. This is a book that "takes the reader aside" to reflect on where we've been in the workplace, what we're grappling with now in the digital age, and what might be our path into the future.

Having worked for the better part of my career with widely scattered teams with and without the benefit (??) of technology, I can attest that Virtual Distance is real. I experienced it as well when working in a building with over 200 cubicle-mates. Authors Karen Sobel Lojeski and Richard Reilly have finally put a name to the problem businesses have been struggling with for years. As they so aptly point out, we are still reaching for the old paradigms and they are not working. There are other books available that attempt to address this problem without fully understanding the complex ramifications. This is the book to read. Virtual Distance is not limited to the workforce, it is an issue that affects the very core of our interpersonal relationships.

I came across this book while looking for a biography of Carl Hayden. While there is a considerable amount of biographical information in this book, it is not primarily a biography. Instead the title of the book is an good description of this books contents: a description of the political battles involving over water in the lower Colorado River basin and the role and impact that Carl Hayden played in this political drama. Towards the goal expressed by the title, this book is well written and an engrossing read. If you are looking for a general biography of Hayden that does not focus primarily on a single area of the senator's career then Ross R. Rice's Carl Hayden is a better choice.

Author Jack August tells an engrossing tale of the politics of water in the American southwest which is virtually the same as the past, present, and future of this region. Arizonan Carl Hayden became the Arizona's first congressman (when Arizona only had one congressman) upon statehood in 1912 and moved to the the U.S. Senate in 1927 where he remained until retiring in 1969. In today's era of sound bites and short attention spans, Hayden labored for decades, leading the way to first establish federal control over western water management (so the resources of the federal government would build the needed dams and other projects needed to tame and manage the area's rivers), then parceling out the rights to the water between the various states and other jurisdictions through legislation, compacts and court decisions, and finally, after it was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in "California vs Arizona" that Arizona did have rights to Colorado River water, getting the authorization and funding for the Central Arizona Project which today brings water from the Colorado River near Parker, AZ to the mushrooming metro areas of Phoenix and Tucson. August writes a technically detailed book. Its not a fast read, but I found it indispensible to understanding the past and probably future of this state which over 5.5 million people now call home.

August brings extensive expertise concerning the history of water and hydroelectric power development in the Southwestern United States. The story of water politics in the American southwest is instructive for the governments of both the United States and Canada.

Management of North America's water resource is poised to become the defining issue in Canadian-American relations in the twenty first century. Certainly, that issue will dominate trade negotiations and will precipitate fallout for the movement of other major commodities of Canadian goods into American markets.

In Arizona, water rights was topical as a political concern before the turn of the century to 1900. Central to the issue was Carl Hayden who was elected in 1911 and served in the U.S. Congress for the next 57 years; as a Democratic member of the House of Representatives until 1927 and then as a Senator from 1927 to 1969.

August reveals in this engagingly-written biography that Hayden knew from 1914 that his political future would be tied to water resource development; a thought documented as a young politician in letters to his parents. Hayden's personal papers disclose his legendary kindness in all relationships and perhaps part of the secret to his long political career.

In constructing the history, August draws out the competing interests of upper basin states with those downstream of the Colorado River, bringing in the early interest expressed by Los Angeles for electricity and water. What was involved was large scale manipulation of water in an extremely arid environment.

The protracted negotiations resulted in CAP -- the Central Arizona Project -- which put Colorado River water to thirsty agricultural areas and provided for the unimpeded development of Phoenix and Tucson by protecting them from water shortages. The bill was signed into law September 30, 1968 by President Johnson. The cost of implementation, US$1.3 billion, was the most expensive single Congressional authorization in history. Hayden considered the accomplishment the most significant contribution of his career.

The book is extensively researched and animated through interviews with Barry Goldwater and others prominent in the issue. The author has also drawn fom Johnson's presidential papers, court cases, and six decades of the Congressional Record. Some flavor of the thrust and parry of political debate has been drawn from accounts in dozens of newspapers and journals. That all of these sources have been assembled in one volume is a valuable gift to future scholars.

Evoking transportation images to bracket Hayden's working life, August reminds us that "He began his public career riding a horse and buggy to his office and ended it voting for funds that ultimately enabled him to watch people walk on the moon." No doubt, those astronauts were looking for water!

Contention over management of North American water resources has bracketed both the beginning and end of this century and will carry on well into the next. The World Bank warns us that the wars of the next century will be about water. August's prediction: "In the future, the use of water will underlie every public policy decision made in the American West."

I knew from the title that this wasn't going to be an insurance industry snoozer. The stories are at the same time gripping and maddening, portraying an absolute mess and one-sided system - like a movie plot, but unbelievably, real! The end proposes solutions that make a lot of sense and give you hope that this crises can be solved before the industry implodes.

It's a fast and great read - everyone should buy an extra copy & mail to their government representative - send a 1-page summary to George W. in case he doesn't read it!

This book is a must read. It gives a clear picture of just how faulty the insurance business can be because of cracks in laws related to insurance. The author not only shows you where we could end up in insurance, he also gives simple practical solutions to make the insurance industry better and more secure, especially for consumers like you and me. This book is compelling and is full of stories and examples everyone can relate to.

This book is a thorough analysis of the insurance industry and the many problems that are plaguing it. It's well-paced, and filled with facts and andecdotes that are sometimes alarming, and ultimately illuminating. More than a critique, he offers compelling solutions to the crisis, which makes this book a powerful tool in the push for reform. The editorial cartoons are excellent as well.

This book is amazing. The authors have a great way of making light of issues that most don't want to think about, let alone read about. While it is light-hearted, the book is also quite informative - It is a must read for old and young.

As a woman who graduated with a Psychology degree - and then shifted gears to become an Estates & Trusts lawyer - I find that Ms. Whitman and Dr. Glisson smoothly combine information from often-disparate schools of thought in their book. Planning for the end of your life is not just a medical, business, or legal affair; it is also a matter of the heart. These authors get that. The tone of the book instantly puts the reader at ease, with the use of humor and quotes from everyday people who completed surveys on the topic, and provides critical information no matter in what stage of life you find yourself. Share it with those you love.

My mother-in-law lost her battle against ovarian cancer in December. If only my husband and I had this book when she was diagnosed! It contains so much helpful advice that could have made the past two years less of a nightmare. The book has great information on clinical trials and hospice. It also would have helped us make sure all the right legal documents were in place. If we'd had access to this information earlier on, I think we could have saved a lot of money on attorney fees. Since I'm in my late thirties, I've never given much thought to wills, etc. But after reading this book, and watching the whole Anna Nicole saga on TV, I understand how crucial it is to have the proper paperwork, and am in the process of having a will and other documents drawn up myself.

This is THE book to read about Yankee bowhead whaling in the western arctic. Bockstoce is not only a great scholar, he when whaling with the Point Hope Native hunters in the 1960s (prior to the Marine Mammal Protection Act), and has sailed and boated through most of the western Arctic where Yankee whaling took place.

Comprehensively researched, this book provides a complete history of whaling in Alaska, from its inception to its demise. Whaling was an important part of American history, a unique part that is forever gone, and deserves examination, despite our present sentiments on the subject. Mr. Bockstoce's history is thorough and provides considerable detail, and delves into a wide range of issues, from economic factors to the impact on the Native population. Still, the book is more than history. What makes it fascinating reading are the anecdotes and personal glimpses into the lives of the people who were involved. Whatever else they were, they did not lack for courage and perseverance. It's their stories, funny, strange, gruesome, or just colorful, that make the lost ships and abandoned harbors and history come to life. Overall, an great read for anyone with an interest in a clear and concisely-written history that includes personalities as well as data.

This book is the best one I have read about the history of whaling. It gives the reader a perspective that others sometimes do not. It is well illustrated and gives you the feel that you are actually part of the history Mr. Bockstoce is presenting. You understand how and why the Arctic whaling industry thrived and finally met its demise.

To read this book is to learn how a colonization exterminated the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Laws, economics process, natives agriculture, how the urbanization burned the forest and fens. Except the first chaptre, about the evolution of the forest by geologic times, all is perfect.
I use this book in my class - Geography of Brazil and the students love it. (...)

This book is bound to change your view of Brazilian history, and of environmental history. A must read for anyone interested in either. A good Portuguese language translation is available.

Having actually lived in the country and visited the Amazon rain forest, this depiction of the destruction of the Atlantic rainforest and the effects there is highly factual and rather interesting. It is one of the only successful ecological histories about a forest! If you want a good read about the disappearance of one of Brazil's most historical aspects, then this book is for you.

The book comes with very good practical and insightful advice and tips for the busy woman. It incorporates the practical with the spiritural realm which helps to put things into proper perspective. I highly recommend this book for the woman who does too much.

At a time when there is a glut of books telling women how to squeeze more and more into each day, Patricia Sprinkle tells us how to say the "N" word--NO! I love it. As wives, mothers, employees, Christians, daughters, sisters, friends, we are constantly being given MORE to do. Ms. Sprinkle shows us the way to sift the wheat from the chaff and do the things that matter most...to ourselves as well as to others. I'm a big fan of Sprinkle's terrific mysteries, but this book will stay with me a lot longer.

Trying to be everything to everyone causes feelings of frustration, resentment, stress, and fatigue. How do you do everything you are expected to do and still have time for yourself? The answer is that sometimes you can't. That is where "Women Who Do Too Much: How To Stop Doing It All and Start Enjoying Your Life" can help provide solutions.

The book starts with an analysis of why we often do too much. The price you pay for this is a loss of your inner peace and happiness. If you want to be at peace and happy you have to stop doing so many things that you don't necessarily like to do and do more of the things that you want to do, the things that bring joy to your life. Of course, that is easy enough to say, but how do you actually go about doing it? That is the subject of the remainder of the book.

A serious subject written in a fun and insightful style it is a practical guide based on Biblical principles. A recommended read for anyone feeling the frustration of too many things to do and too little time to do them.

Self help books are great. They are inspirational and sometimes motivate you to make life changes. Making the changes stick though is often the most difficult part.

The 7 Aha's of Highly Enlightened Souls looks at change in an entirely new way. Normally, we look at change from an active perspective. What can I do to change my life? What steps do I have to take to achieve X? How do I go about getting Y? Essentially, we are looking outside our selves. We are trying to change our environment or another person so that our lives become better.

The 7 Aha's of Highly Enlightened Souls tells us that change isn't about doing it's about being. It states that the only real way to change is to look within and make efforts in self-knowledge and self-understanding. These explorations will lead to true growth and happiness. Most importantly though, this book reminds us that when we fixate and try to push something away, we are giving that situation more power which does the opposite of what we actually intend.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave me a lot to think about, it showed me a new perspective. The book was quick to read, although I found myself re-reading key points. There is a lot of wisdom packed into this book, it was a delight. AHA! is a good way to describe how you feel when you read these truths. I feel very peaceful and centered, the truth really does set you free! Thank you Mr. George!

"Although best practices and benchmarking have become intertwined topics for some people, this book is not a discussion of benchmarking. Instead, it is a discussion of our findings and opinions based on research into how effective companies manage the 'human asset'-the people whose efforts are the basis of any organization's success...This book is designed to serve two purposes. The first is to present the best human asset management practices that my organization, the Saratoga Institute, uncovered during a four-year study of over 1,000 companies. We learned that what constitutes best practice is an interactive set of eight organizational characteristics...My second objective is to expose the wasteful and misleading practices that cause three out of four improvement projects to fall short of their goals" (from the Introduction).

In this context, in Chapter 1, Jac Fitz-enz identifies the eight driving forces that make up the context from which the best human asset management systems (BHAMs) and processes are derived: an interwoven human-financial value focus, commitment to a long-term core strategy, linkage of culture and systems, massive multidimensional communications, partnering within and outside the company, collaboration within functional groups, innovation through well-planned and managed risk taking, and a competitive passion that is never satisfied with less than constant improvement. Hence, throughout the following chapters, he explains each driving force and presents case studies of BHAM companies both in the U.S. and abroad. And, at the end of each chapter, he gives a short checklist. He says that "build your best practices by answering to those questions, you will have the blueprint for being one of the best human asset management organization."

Finally, he writes, "Wouldn't it make more sense to accept the fact that complex problems can't be solved by simplistic programs or popular panaceas? Instead, take the time you might put into chasing the newest miracle cure and put it into:

* Focusing your organization on value

* Making a long-term commitment to a core strategy

* Linking your culture to your systems

* Communicating everything that people should know

* Partnering

* Being mutually supportive

* Innovating and taking well-considered risks

* Never getting complacent."

Highly recommended.

This is a dangerous book. Why? Because those who make a total, long-term commitment to the eight practices will create great turbulence which must be overcome. Most of the wounds which organizations experience are self-inflicted...including the damage caused by ignorance and arrogance. Perils are inevitable whenever bold initiatives are undertaken. For those unwilling and/or unable to make a commitment to achieving and then sustaining excellence, their cause is hopeless. Fitz-enz insists that the best organizations are led by those who effectively nourish as well as manage human assets. Organizations grow only to the extent that those who comprise them grow. As he correctly points out, "In a knowledge company, people are the only profit lever."

One final point: The best practices for any organization are often found within that organization. As a recruiting slogan for the U.S. Army suggests, "Be all that you can be." Stop looking for THE BIG ANSWER elsewhere. Look within yourself and within your own organization. Discover how to implement the eight practices in ways and to the extent that are most appropriate. Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and he is us." Fitz-enz would perhaps accept a paraphrase of that: "We have found ways to be the best...and they are in us."ÿ