Professional Books

I am using this book as a textbook in a course that I facilitate for international engineers at the University of Manitoba. We're using the text to explore cultural parameters and the different ways they manifest themselves in different cultures, both generally and specifically in engineering business. I value the book for the work it does in framing the larger concepts behind specific cultural differences, but also for the practicality it offers through anecdotes and tips for working with other cultural styles.

While it's early in the academic term, this book has already been extremely useful in framing discussions in our class. Also, as I talk to employers in Manitoba, many have asked for the bibliographic reference to source the book for their corporate library.

We all know how much difference there is when a team functions well - the tricky part is getting it to happen. This new book tackles this topic in the context of Canadian engineering teams, which are almost all composed of people from many cultures. In this insightful book, Dr. Laroche includes lots of material to help get multicultural teams firing on all cylinders.

Written for both managers and technical contributors, the book uses a multicultural lens to look at management styles, teamwork, communication and career management. This new perspective drives home a central theme that cultural differences are key in how our teams work, and not widely recognized in their importance. In these kinds of abstract topics I find concrete examples very helpful, and the author includes numerous anecdotes drawn from his consulting background. These vivid examples show the profound impact of what sometimes seem like small issues, like the Mexican engineer who resigned the day after getting some negative feedback in front of his colleagues.

The book also includes a number of quantitative charts and tables showing how different cultures have quite different expectations of the importance of hierarchy, individualism, and risk tolerance. Having read this book, I now much better understand the experience I had in Canada managing an employee from another culture. What I experienced as a lack of assertiveness was actually the case of an employee expecting highly directive management, and their way of showing respect. Had I understood that well at the time, I would have approached the situation quite differently, even starting at the interview stage. On the flip side, the book would have helped me a lot during my two-year stay in France. In particular, it wasn't until I read this book that I realized that when my French colleagues were jumping in and finishing my sentences, they were demonstrating their agreement by showing they knew how my sentences were going to end!

The book closes with a number of interesting comparisons, like the different emphasis on theory and hands-on work that exist between engineering schools in Canada, the United States, France and Mexico. And to finish off, an entertaining appendix containing explanations of expressions which we take for granted from such diverse areas as baseball ("to be out in left field" - to make no sense at all) and warfare ("loose cannons" - ones which are not fixed down, and fire a different direction each time).

We all know how much difference there is when a team functions well - the tricky part is getting it to happen. This new book tackles this topic in the context of Canadian engineering teams, which are almost all composed of people from many cultures. In this insightful book, Dr. Laroche includes lots of material to help get multicultural teams firing on all cylinders.

Written for both managers and technical contributors, the book uses a multicultural lens to look at management styles, teamwork, communication and career management. This new perspective drives home a central theme that cultural differences are key in how our teams work, and not widely recognized in their importance. In these kinds of abstract topics I find concrete examples very helpful, and the author includes numerous anecdotes drawn from his consulting background. These vivid examples show the profound impact of what sometimes seem like small issues, like the Mexican engineer who resigned the day after getting some negative feedback in front of his colleagues.

The book also includes a number of quantitative charts and tables showing how different cultures have quite different expectations of the importance of hierarchy, individualism, and risk tolerance. Having read this book, I now much better understand the experience I had in Canada managing an employee from another culture. What I experienced as a lack of assertiveness was actually the case of an employee expecting highly directive management, and their way of showing respect. Had I understood that well at the time, I would have approached the situation quite differently, even starting at the interview stage. On the flip side, the book would have helped me a lot during my two-year stay in France. In particular, it wasn't until I read this book that I realized that when my French colleagues were jumping in and finishing my sentences, they were demonstrating their agreement by showing they knew how my sentences were going to end!

The book closes with a number of interesting comparisons, like the different emphasis on theory and hands-on work that exist between engineering schools in Canada, the United States, France and Mexico. And to finish off, an entertaining appendix containing explanations of expressions which we take for granted from such diverse areas as baseball ("to be out in left field" - to make no sense at all) and warfare ("loose cannons" - ones which are not fixed down, and fire a different direction each time).

This book is really helpful in a way to understand cultural difference. It focuses on new immigrants issues, multiculture team work and communication barrier. Also focuses on why this has happend and how to overcome it. Different countries have different working style and one really understands this when reading this book. It also emphasises all the ideas a technical person needs to overcome all barriers and get aquainted with
multiculteral system.

The most important representation for me in this book are pages 69, 91, 93,and 148, as well as the graphs on pages 188, 216, and 217.

This book is really helpful in a way to understand cultural difference. It focuses on new immigrants issues, multiculture team work and communication barrier. Also focuses on why this has happend and how to overcome it. Different country have different working style and one really understands this when reading this book. It covers all the ideas a technical person needs to overcome all barriers and get aquainted with multiculteral system.

The most important representation for me were page numbers 69, 91, 93, and 148. I found the graphs on pages 188, 216, and 217 really helpful.

I so appreciate Mark's commitment to MBA's and any young individual finding true passion in their careers. This is another great book in his series, and in today's economy, it can't be missed.

-Sarah, Harvard MBA, 2001

"More Than Money" spoke to me is so many ways...even though I've never gotten an MBA! It is moving, inspiring and thought provoking. It offers guidance relevant to any career but more importantly raises questions that will shed new light on your passions...and your path.

- Cara Jones, Television reporter

Why do we need to suffer before finding our way? I wish I had read this book before I graduated. An excellent support for MBAs looking for their next step. Now I'm in the process of going back towards my passions.

-- Chiara Rinaldi, MBA SDA Bocconi (Italy), 2005

Forget about simply getting MBA degree and be prepared to find yourself on MBA program. More than money seems to make a revolution in business schools education and contribute largely to what MBA students can get from the courses. This book will make you to go through your life again and connect who you personally are with what you professionally do. In his very special way Dr.Mark leads us again on the way of defining what we need most - life path.

We have all heard stories of business school graduates who took decades to realize the careers they chose right out of school were the wrong ones for them. Benefit from the teachings in this book and start building yourself a sustainable career now, so you don't have to undo your mistakes later.

--Erika Haas, Stanford MBA, 1998

There are already many lengthy reviews, so I'll keep this one short. The most valuable concept in this book is the idea that negotiation is not a zero-sum game; you can create value if you keep your mind open. Must read: analysis about JFK's handling of the Cuban crisis. One could only wish current heads of states read that chapter.

This is a great book, and very helpful if you are interested in the art of Negotiation. This is a book to read, put down, digest, apply and then pick back up for more learning. I've enjoyed all that this book has to offer. I would recommend this to all management and business leaders.

Having read many negotiation books, this one does an excellent job of discussing the more important yet often missed aspects of negotiation. Like most modern work on negotiation, this one goes beyond the "door to door/used car" tactics of deception and intimidation and recognizes that the best outcome of a negotiation is the next deal. A recommended read for business executives.

I always thought of myself as a pretty good negotiator, but after reading this book, I realized I was leaving a lot on the table. This is one of those books you should absolutely have on your shelf. The advice spans decades, centuries, and beyond and will be good at any point in your life. I have already put the authors' advice into practice in my business AND personal life with positive results.

The only negative thing is your spouse may get annoyed with you as you walk around the house asking "what's the ZOPA?" ;)

This strong book on negotiation offers a lot that is new and valuable. Authors Deepak Malhotra and Max Bazerman are realistic. They know how often people run on automatic pilot when negotiating, how they can miss opportunities due to bias and narrow vision, and how many common beliefs about negotiation are wrong. They provide tools and strategies that let readers address these failings. They illustrate their insights and advice with many real world examples, large and small. Many of their suggestions are not easy to follow. It takes humility and rigorous honesty to admit your biases, and lots of effort to correct them. But if you're willing to do that kind of work this book will fundamentally improve how well you negotiate. getAbstract recommends it to anyone who is serious about negotiation.

Covered everything I needed to know except for
some of the alphabet names. ie: CIC, ACD, Etc.
Well researched and written.

Pecar and Garbin have the rare ability to convey a complex technical subject in an easy to understand manner. The New Telecom Factbook can be read from cover to cover, piecemeal, or be used simply as a reference manual. This book weaves the confluence of Telecom Network Architecture, Technology, Regulation, and Services into a story of amazing clarity. If you need to rapidly come up to speed in Telecom, I highly recommend this book. If you are getting started in Optical Networking this book will be an important tool to help you place the optical build-out into perspective. I enjoyed reading this book and will refer to it often. -Brad Boersen, MIT System Design and Management Program

I found this book to be invaluable as a comprehensive source of information about telecommunications networks and related subjects. Unlike many other texts, this book does not assume that the reader is a consultant in the industry or has a strong engineering background. Even the choice of each chapter subject is carefully thought out so as to save the time and effort required of the businessperson who needs focused knowledge quickly. Pecar and Garbin do a great service by providing an outline, or basis for research of the expansive technologies and practical and historical approaches to the challenge of telecommunications. This book will see a lot of use in my office.. if I can keep it there.. It usually ends up in somebody elses!.

This insightful work brings the divergent worlds of voice and data together. It provides a clear view of converging information technologies and implications for business processes. The Factbook is an indispensable guide to sound management decision-making.

Our telecommunications group has adopted the Factbook as its principal desk reference. And when it's needed, it's needed badly, so we each have a copy.

The Factbook is our go-to survival tool in today's information network jungle!...

Pecar and Garbin have the rare ability to convey a complex technical subject in an easy to understand manner. The New Telecom Factbook can be read from cover to cover, piecemeal, or be used as a reference manual. This book weaves the confluence of Telecom Network Architecture, Technology, Regulation, and Services into a story of amazing clarity. If you need to rapidly come up to speed in Telecom, I highly recommend this book. If you are getting started in Optical Networking this book will be an important tool to help you place the current optical build-out into perspective. I will refer to this book often. -Brad Boersen, MIT System Design and Management Program

Easy to read and is a great supplement to understanding concepts in your training manuals. Definately buy this book.

Wow, what a great book. I had always heard how dry all the industry standard books were so I bought this one. It is a good value. I have a financial background and was able to read this entire book pretty fast. It is an easy read and borderline enjoyable believe it or not. Robert adds in plenty of humor and keeps the really dry stuff as "light" as possible. He also decodes a lot of the legal and sometimes cryptic wording of laws/regulations. This book would be particularly valuable to anyone new to the industry but I also highly recommend this book for people in the industry. Once I finished the book I immediately took a practice test and scored a 71%. Not bad for my first time and having only used this book. I plan to buy his book for the 66 once I pass the 7 of course... good luck!!

I have bought dozens of books from Amazon over the years, but never before took the time to actually do a review. I believe I owe it to the author and all the Series 7 hopefuls out there to do one this time.

Well, I walked out of the exam with 91% this morning. To put things in perspective:

1. Had I read ONLY this book, I don't believe I would have scored so well. I would have passed, but not with 91%.

2. Had I read only the "reference manual" that was loaned to me by my boss-to-be, I would have had a very, very difficult time assimilating the material.

My strategy was to begin with a very easy, relaxed, humorous, but very educational read of "Pass The 7". This gave me a very solid based with which to tackle the more comprehensive (and very unfriendly, if one can attribute such a trait to a book) "manual".

Solid buy.

I scored an 88 on the first attempt using this book and "Series 7 for Dummies" - the two most popular Series 7 books on Amazon. I have a month of work experience out of college and self-studied for 2 weeks.

Pass the 7 should have all the info that you need for the test. If you only want to use one book, this is a good choice, though I would recommend supplementing it with practice exams.

The language is laid back and easy to read. The author puts in humor and casual talk to lighten the mood. I found this to be annoying, as it served to make the book much longer than it needs to be. Just ignore the jokes and write down the details.

Using Pass The 7 and Series 7 For Dummies as my primary study material
I recieved an 88 on the exam. They say the average passing score is
73 so these books should help you get better than that. Good luck!

An absolutely delightful book filled with gourmet recipes, you are sure not to be disappointed. The receipes are easy to follow and easy to prepare and fabulous to serve and eat. And yet they are within the abilities of the average home cook. These are some of the favorite receipes of Chef David Daniluk, a country club and private chef of over 15 years.

The book contains 165 recipes complete with detailed preparation instructions. One of my concerns as I started reading the ingredients was where to find some of the ingredients in some of the dishes. Not to worry, he includes sources for ingredients as well as tips on how to select the best ones. If this wasn't enough reason to purchase the book, the proceeds go 100% to the Make a Wish Foundation.

I had the honor of serving David's food at Radnor Valley CC when he was Executive chef. His food is unbelieveable and his personality is quite interesting! He really knows what he is talking about and makes some delectable dishes. Congratulations on the book and I highly reccomened purchasing it.

Steve Paolino

I have over 50 cookbooks in my kitchen, but this is the one I turn to when I want something fresh, new and special. Sure, I go gourmet once in awhile, but I'm not Escoffier. I love to create something truly wonderful that will excite guests and make them say, "You really made this? Wow!". Daniluk's style is easy, informative and he makes his recipes easy to approach rather than daunting. As for desserts, the Chocolate Lava Cake will make you think you died and went to heaven and the Clemintine Creme Brulee is heart-achingly good. Read, learn and enjoy.

This book was one of the easiest books to follow of all in my collection of cookbooks. I cant wait to try more of the recipes.

This book is excellent! It not only guides you through gourmet cooking easier than any other gourmet cookbook I have tried, but is packed with little bits and pieces of interesting information and definitions about different spices and ingredients you might never know what to do with. Try it! I'm certain you'll love it too!

I have read several of Mr. Clayton's books, and I think this is the best. This book is an introductory book to critical thinking and can be read by just about any age group. It can be used to introduce someone to the practices of critical thinking, or, as for myself, a wonderful refresher course that could be read over a weekend. Mr. Clayton has also provided an excellent summary and worksheets in the appendix that make the book an easy reference when I want to apply critical thinking to a new idea. I also signed up on his website to get regular updates through a newsletter. I believe after reading this book, people should look into DeBono's 6 hats thinking methods and collective intelligence methods as a comparison to group think. Overall, a very good book and great resrouce.

I am a friend of Jan Dynes the author of the novel Refraction, she recommended that I get this book for my daughter who was floundering about, aimless and uninspired her Senior year of high school. Something in this book triggered her to engage in her studies and bring a D average up to a B plus in 6 weeks. Next thing I knew she was writing colleges for applications and then got accepted at Cal Tech. Before this book I would have bet on her being a drop-out. I highly suggest all high school and college students read this book! It works miracles.

Thomas Edison once noted that "Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Charles Clayton gives his readers a robust tool for the road to success in his book, "The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking." As I near the end of my current career and look forward to my next one, I have found a very valuable tool in Clayton's book. His writings recall to mind many of the concepts I learned in my early years, reinforcing their validity. And he provides new thoughts as well. This is the book I wish I had read decades ago; and yes, this is the book I wish I had written. A job well done, Mr. Clayton!

Jan Dynes author of Refraction recommended this book to me, for my son and I bought it at the L.A. Book Festival with the workbook. My somewhat directionless son actually enjoyed the way the material was presented and read each page and did each step and he is a changed kid. A big thank you to Chuck Clayton and books that mold and make a difference!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RFRZFWR2LEKGA

Simon,

I appreciate you for sharing your own personal journey to find your brilliance. Your book inspired me to write my own book! You helped me to find my brillinance. I highly urge you all to read Simon's book!
Do not waste time! Do it now! I am grateful to you, Simon.


Sincerely,

Lana

Through four simple steps in the book, RELEASE YOUR BRILLIANCE, author Simon T. Bailey explains how to discover and activate the unique individuality in each one of us that will make the world a brighter place for all of us. He uses the analogy of diamond hunting and developing. He points out that no matter what our limits we have hidden abilities that define purpose, a "universal assignment."

Unfortunately society's stereotypes of "average" behavior encourages repression of peculiarities that could be channeled into productive, self enriching patterns, if we only knew how. This book is the guide that reduces what sounds like a monumental job to an easy, common sense approach based on eight aspects of personality. It furnishes everything needed for the task, including a website, www.releasingbrilliance.com, and an offer for a free CD.

I particularly like the comfortably embracing tone which will motivate everyone who wants more satisfaction from life regardless of priorities. Reading the book RELEASE YOUR BRILLIANCE by Simon T. Bailey is a single New Year's Resolution that will encompass all the details of a long list of "do's and don'ts" and result in a more productive, contented, shining NEW YOU!

I bought this book a month ago at the airport for a quick read on the way to a business meeting. Being in sales, I am always looking for a quick pick-me-up to get me moving in the New Year. I was completely shocked to be moved to tears in the first chapter. The exercise of finding my "Universal Assignment" or true purpose in life caused me to dig deep and really think about what I am doing with my life. Subsequent chapters gave me a roadmap and hope that I will be able to achieve my ultimate goals for my family and career, while motivating me to leave a positive mark on the world as well.

I found this book incredibly inspirational and the exercises caused me to create an action plan and not just read it and think "What a great idea!" put it down and never think about it again. Bailey shows us how simple it can be to become the person you always wanted to be--before your life got in the way. I have been truly moved by this book and I have read hundreds.

This is not just an interesting way to spin the same old thing, it is a new dimension in self discovery. So simple and yet so poignant, it will leave you with a real sense of who you are and where you are going.

"As Americas' first Sales Stylist I know how important it is for professionals to feel their ideas are..well.."Brilliant". Simon T. does a tremendous job of making the reader believe they are the diamond in the rough just waiting to shine! I now give my coaching clients "Release Your Brilliance" to further incent them to bring their true genius to the world."

Jennifer Abernethy
The Sales Lounge
[...]

So many self-help books are long on details of how to improve but short on an analytical framework that would help a reader to remember much about the book even one week later. Author Simon Bailey has skillfully used the analogy of each of us being like a diamond to provide an easily understood framework for polishing our god given blessings.

This is a power packed gem because of the way Bailey builds self-help concepts around the diamond analogy. For example, Zig Ziglar was the first to introduce me to the "wheel of life" concept wherein one evaluates ones status in eight different aspect of one's life (e.g., spiritual, physical, financial, etc.). Bailey has beautifully retrofitted that concept to tie into his diamond analogy.

I especially liked the author's chapter on "authenticity." Many are writing on this subject, but some who do so give me goose bumps what with their stretching of their credentials even as they challenge the reader to be authentic. Bailey seems to be much closer to the authentic he pleads for us to be than some of the new wizards on the self help scene. I felt incredibly comfortable with the author, his personal stories, and his positioning of where he is on his life journey.

Likewise, his comments on investing in relationship capital were very thoughtful and seemingly from the heart.

I could go on and on, but doing so would have me standing between my review and your reading this gem. Sure you will find more comprehensive self-help books, but few provide a better framework for a life companion. Definitely a five star book.

Don't take everything he says literally and you'll be fine after reading this book.

The book is entertaining and very well written. The stories used to illustrate the points made are usually an adventure in themselves.

Richard Marcinko practices what he preaches and this book will tell you how to do the same.

Buy this book!

Great book. I like Dickie's straight forward, everything goes approach. Very practical and useful advice you can put to use right away no matter what your career is.

When I first put this tape in I thought to myself what the heck is this guy going on about. But I kept on going. It will grow on you. Richard's navy seal strategy to success is definitely one of the original motivational tapes out there. With a warriors attitude and what the author describes as "Testical Fortitude" you know your in for a ride. The author takes real navy missions and turns them into business strategies. With a philosophy of breaking rules only hurts the person who made the rules Richard just puts a foot in the face of whoever stands in the way. Dont be a follower. Set the standard not live up to it. Its a very inspiring look at a different approach to success. Exciting and motivating.

Another good motivational book from the Rogue, but I have seen much of the same ideas in a lot of his other books. I would still recommend it to anyone intrested in looking for a good motivational book.

I have read several business success books but none of the others even came close to this one. Marcinko cuts through all the politics and political correctness and delivers an excellent set of principles applicable to any industry. His war stories are more than just entertaining, they really drive home the points that he is making about the importance of planning, training, etc. This is must reading for everyone who is a warrior at heart regardless of their field of endeavor.

I bought this book for my husband. He uses it to help him with work. He is a Senior Software Engineer.

At the risk of adding one more gushing review to this excellent book - let me say that this book is very good for relatively non-technical folks also. I am working as a manager of a technical team and I used this book to come up on speed on the basics of software architecture. The material layout is very clear and consistent - it helped me to get through the basic concepts quickly and come back for a more detailed reading. The book helped me to ask the relevant questions and focus the team on the right sense of issues.

Only suggestion I have for a subsequent edition is to include one full blown case study.

Having been in the IT world for more than 25 years and studying this topic for many of those years I have found this book to be extremely accessible. I reference it often. I like the way it deals with real business world issues as opposed to on board jet navigation systems etc. I rate it right along with Craig Larman "Applying UML and Patterns".

It is a very thorough and well written book. Authors have introduced idea of perspectives (viewpoints related to cross-cutting concerns) and I totally agree with authors on benefits of using perspectives rather than treating them as viewpoints. My AD of new project is based on viewpoints and perspectives separation suggested by authors.

If you are a software architect or aspire to be one, you should read this book. Rozanski and Woods do an excellent job of explaining the whys and hows of creating software architectures. Their pragmatic, no-nonsense approach makes this book extremely readable. The book is divided into two main sections: an explanation of the viewpoints and perspectives concepts (208 pages) and a catalog of viewpoints and perspectives (195 pages). This makes the book a relatively quick read, but also very useful as a day-to-day reference. If only every software architect would read this book, we might not have as many software quality issues as we have today!