Review of The Accelerating Organization: Embracing the Human Face of Change (Hardcover)

I have always been interested in culture and human aspects of the firm. This book was highly recommended by my teacher on strategic management as his favorite on change management. It's an easy read on the human aspectsof change and is helped by a novel structure in the book (each subsectionof the chapter reads like an individual chapter, which assists the droppingand picking up). It's no nonsense. Anyone who liked 'The Fifth Discipline',will much appreciate this as well. I hope to read more of this typematerial.

Product Description
Peter Scott-Morgan, author of the best-selling, The Unwritten Rules of the Game, and his colleagues at Arthur D. Little have discovered that Fortune 500 companies are currently spending twice their profits on change initiatives; yet they are only satisfied with half the results.The obvious question is How can we stop this?

The paradigm-shifting answer, based on a six year study of Fortune 500 companies, is: concentrate on maximizing stability within a changing environment--don't fixate on change.This book explains how by developing the six competencies needed to achieve dynamic stability--the management stabilizers of strategy, tactics, operations, and the enabling stabilizers of teamwork, quality, and communication--companies can avoid being swamped by the disruption of unending turbulence.

From the Back Cover
An entirely fresh approach to managing in a changing world It's a fast=moving, cyber-linked, overcommunicated world out there these days. Change seems to happen much more rapidly and with far less predictability. It's no wonder the store shelves are crammed with books for beleaguered managers who are desperately trying to navigate through this torrent of change. This one is different from the rest. Here is a book that shows you how to turn your organization into one that continually meets the challenges of change, in a business world strewn with the survivors of yesterday's fads. The Accelerating Organization features the cutting-edge, experience-tested principles being taught by Arthur D. Little and Innovation Associates. It's not another take on reengineering nor a rewarmed learning organization tome. It's the best of both methods--and a whole lot more. Learn how you can: refocus strategic goals and galvanize for never-ending change; Get to know your organization's unwritten rules and use them to gain leverage; Change policies and structures simultaneously, while avoiding performance disruption; Make your people the agents of change, not its victims; Instill a continuous learning mindset aimed at sustaining high performance. Accessible and practical, this whole new approach to managing in an ever-changing world provides you with the knowledge and tools to ensure that your organization is flexible, nimble, and ready to handle whatever might come next.--.--.be it a minor tremor or a seismic shift.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Accelerating Organization: Embracing the Human Face of Change (Hardcover)

Review of Instant Trainer (Paperback)

The first time someone has to train coworkers, there are lots of questions about how to do it."How should I handle stage fright?""How can I jazz up a dry topic?""If only there were an advice columnist who could help me out."With this book, there areadvice columnists for new trainers:Leslie Charles and ChrisClarke-Epstein.

Part I, only 35 pages long, is titled "What EveryFirst-Time Trainer Needs to Know (Critical Factors That Can Make or BreakYou!)."This section is a crash course on how adults learn.

PartII, titled "Questions and Answers on Training Basics," is 186pages of pure experience-sharing.The question/answer format makes foreasy reading--the questions are a paragraph long, and the answers areconcise but information-packed.This format has another advantage:when anew trainer wants information on a specific subject ("Is there somestrategy for using humour in training?"), he or she need only read oneor two pages on that specific question, then get on with the job ofpreparing for the training.The well-done index makes it simple to findthe topics quickly.

The appendices are a gold mine for someone new totraining. They include resource lists andcontact information, an excellent bibliography, and even sample evaluationforms.

This book is usable, readable, and the content is dead-on.Whennon-trainers or new trainers ask me for a resource, this is the first bookI suggest.

Product Description
HereOs the first book to show todayOs first-time trainers how to prepare, deliver, evaluate, and fine-tune presentations that will keep trainees riveted and leave them smarter and more capable. Designed to transform readers into skilled instructors in as little time as possible, no matter what size group or what kind of subject matter they address, it combines the coauthorsO 35 years of training experience. Highlighted by a casual and informative question-and-answer format, The Instant Trainer offers a bounty of practical, easy-to-absorb tips, techniques, and strategies that help novice trainers deal with an extraordinary range of issues N from overcoming stage fright to energizing apathetic audiences to reaching diverse group members. Featuring checklists, sample forms, and lists of essential training resources, The Instant Trainer is so complete it even provides a coauthor hotline if readers have specific questions that are not answered in the book! Thorough, quick, and easy to read, this book is a rich resource of ideas, techniques, and practical tips on how to teach others what you know.

From the Back Cover
"Since youOre so good at this, I want you to put on a series of training sessions to teach the others!" You can panic when you hear this from the boss, or you can grab The Instant Trainer . Designed to transform you into a skilled instructor in as little time as possible, no matter what size group or what kind of subject matter you cover, this savvy guide is a rich resource of ideas, techniques, and practical tips on how to teach others what you know. Written by two seasoned trainers and facilitators who love their craft and share their enthusiasm, The Instant Trainer will teach you how to prepare, deliver, evaluate, and fine-tune presentations that keep trainees riveted and leave them smarter and more capable. The book will help you deal with a staggering range of issues facing the first-time trainer, including: How do I overcome stage fright? How do I break the ice? What support materials work best? How do I get shy people to participate? How can I use todayOs technologies?What if my trainees are apathetic? When do I use humor?How do I reach diverse group members? And many more!Featuring checklists, sample forms, and lists of essential training resources, The Instant Trainer is so complete it even provides a co-author hotline if you have a question thatOs not answered in the book! Whether you are a new trainer or an in-house topic expert who is unexpectedly "invited" to share your knowledge and expertise, this book is the perfect short course on classroom skills.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Instant Trainer (Paperback)

Review of Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices (Hardcover)

Professor Vallabhaneni's latest offering is a comprehensive yet concise guide to the very best in best practices in enterprise management. This book is the logical follow on to Vallabhaneni's pioneering leadership in founding the Association of Professionals in Business Management (APBM) and the Certified Business Manager (CBM) professional designation. Clear and well organized, Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices is an absolute must read for every business executive and management student.

Product Description
All the best practices a manager and an executive need-in a one-stop, comprehensive reference

Praise for Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices

"If you want a comprehensive compendium of best practices in corporate governance, risk management, ethical values, quality, process management, credible financial reporting, and related issues like the SOX Act all in one place spanning both breadth and depth, Vallabhaneni's book is the source of insightful thoughts as a reference manual. A must-read and a should-own for all institutions and libraries around the globe; I am pleased I read it and use it in my classes."
-Professor Bala V. Balachandran, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

"Mr. Vallabhaneni has an excellent grasp of corporate governance principles. In particular, he shows how these principles can mitigate a broad range of corporate risks."
-Steven M. Bragg, author of Accounting Best Practices and Inventory Best Practices

"Professor Vallabhaneni provides an excellent analysis of the corporate governance landscape. His discussion and categorization of risks confronting an organization will be very helpful to boards of directors."
-Frederick D. Lipman, President of the Association of Audit Committee Members, Inc. and Partner, Blank Rome LLP

Representing a single and collective voice for the entire business management profession, Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices provides a cohesive framework for organization-wide implementation of the best practices used by today's leading companies and is an authoritative source on best practices covering all functions of a business corporation, including governance and ethics.

From the Inside Flap

Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices

Best practices are the processes, practices, and systems identified in public and private organizations that performed exceptionally well and are widely recognized as improving an organization's performance and efficiency in specific areas. Successfully identifying and applying best practices can improve business processes and increase organizational effectiveness. Based on author S. Rao Vallabhaneni's decades of management experience, Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices provides a one-stop, comprehensive reference guide to the best-of-the-best practices for corporate business practitioners and government employees worldwide.

Because every company's resources and budget is different, Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices takes a "big picture" approach, allowing managers and executives to tailor each practice based on organization-specific resource availability as well as management strategies and priorities. Each self-contained chapter begins with an over-view of the topic, a presentation of man- agement's roles and responsibilities, a dis-cussion of core topics, and ends with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, and principles.

When implemented properly, these best practices help organizations:

• Increase product sales and service revenues

• Achieve cost, production, and service efficiencies

• Increase effective utilization of financial and nonfinancial resources

• Improve organizational, operational, technical, and financial performance

• Increase the quality of products and services in the marketplace

• Increase market share, profits, and returns

• Adhere to ethical principles and values and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards

• Enjoy a competitive edge in the industry

• Enhance the firm's posture of social responsibility

Within this trove of proven winning strategies, best-in-class employees working for world-class organizations will find a wellspring of information to help them think differently, act radically, discover their own best-of-breed solutions, and implement best practices to prosper and grow their organizations' business continuously and successfully.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Corporate Management, Governance, and Ethics Best Practices (Hardcover)

Review of Making a Leadership Change: How Organizations and Leaders Can Handle Leadership Transitions Successfully (Paperback)

I picked this book up out after a friend asked me what I knew about how to manage a leadership change for a church that had a pastor who, after a long, successful tenure, was going to retire. The question smoldered for a while and I began to realize how many organizations this scenario would play out in over the next 20 years. The presidential election highlighted even more that the West is undergoing disruptive change and leadership will be critical. The book was well written and well informed in my opinion. It's a wealth of information for the relative cost and time to read it.

Product Description
Turnover at the top can stimulate great changes throughout an organization.These changes can mean low morale, decreased productivity, rumors, and political infighting-or they can revitalize working relationships and opportunities to rethink outdated assumptions and forge new directions.In this book Thomas North Gilmore, a consultant to leaders in business and government, shows how executives in new positions-as well as those overseeing leadership changes-can capitalize on these opportunities and minimize the risks of making changes at the top.

From the Inside Flap
Offers sound advice for executives and managers taking over new positions and for organizations undergoing leadership changes. Provides practical guidance on all phases of the leadership transition process--from initial planning, through the executive search process, to the major areas that the new leader must address over time to be successful.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Making a Leadership Change: How Organizations and Leaders Can Handle Leadership Transitions Successfully (Paperback)

Review of Business Plans to Game Plans: A Practical System for Turning Strategies into Action (Paperback)

I found the worksheets alone in this book worth the price. When you follow the step-by-step instructions, the worksheets cull out only the data youneed.With all the extraneous data out of the way, it's easy to pinpointcritical problems that you might miss otherwise.And it makes developingkey indicators and reports easier as well.I think any CEO who wants tokeep the company's accounting and human resource managers on top of thingsat all times should give them this book tomorrow...if not sooner.

Product Description
"This book does something important: it takes abstract information and puts it in language and worksheets that make sense. This gives everyone-- including top managers-- a complete description of how a company's performing. And there's no better tool for improving performance than understanding."
-- Jack Stack, author of The Great Game of Business

"Know what is vital to the success of your business, enhance skills for confident prediction, and avert crisis management. This book offers all that for the price of lunch."
-- James C. Collins, Chairman Emeritus, Sizzler International, Inc.

"Most small business-related books approach the implementation of business plans and strategic planning in a very traditional fashion. This one is different. It illustrates how to realistically turn a business plan into an action plan. But it does not stop there. The author discusses the most current methods of managing a business, e.g., total quality management techniques, not in textbook style but in practical, everyday language. Her style of 'instruction' is nothing short of excellent. This readable, practical work is useful for all levels."
-- Fred Andrews, Springfield Community Technical College in Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

"This 'how-to' workbook for small businesses shows how to develop and communicate a vision and how to empower people so they can make the vision a reality."
-- Arizona Business Gazette

Transform your business plan into an action plan

This new revised edition elaborates on the six critical principles of running a small business that helped guide King to success:

• Set standards and give your employees the tools to meet your goals
• Lead by example
• Look to the long term-the very long term
• Find the important details and focus on them
• Watch for variances from expected results
• Face reality when you look at your company and take action

King breaks down complex concepts into simple and effective action plans, helping you profit from her extensive experience and avoid common mistakes. With more than fifty worksheets and exercises to guide your implementation, Business Plans to Game Plans helps you turn your vision into a thriving business equipped to weather any market.

From the Inside Flap
"This book does something important: it takes abstractinformation and puts it in language and worksheets that make sense.This gives everyone - including top managers - a complete descriptionof how a company's performing.And there's no better tool forimproving performance than understanding." - Jack Stack, author of TheGreat Game of Business--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Business Plans to Game Plans: A Practical System for Turning Strategies into Action (Paperback)

Review of Power Pricing (Hardcover)

Why does there exist such a variety of pricing schemes for different products and why do we see different prices for the same product, depending on who buys it when, where, and how? This is a branch of microeconomics called price discrimination. Price discrimination questions are among the most directly observable ones for students, particulary those who are unlikley to study more economics or business. I therefore focus on these questions in teaching managerial economics in an organizational management graduate program.

Dolan's and Simon's book is therefore of some interest to me. These two management consultants have written an extremely practical and non-academic book which explores the actual practice of business pricing with greater sophistication than found in most standard applied micreconomics texts or many business marketing texts. The main markets for this book, I suspect, are students, having graduated but still disatisifed with the overly theoretical approach in their microeconomics classes, and business managers, especially in medium to large companies, for whom pricing is a very dynamic and strategic issue.

I doubt this book is used as a main teaching text, nor would I recommend it. Its basic concepts are hardly novel and are found in any microeconomics or marketing text.The presentation of the basic concept of price elasticity is somewhat long and tedious (it is usually done in less than a page in a standard microeconomics text). However, the application of this concept -and illustrations of how businesses can use it practically - makes for a very rich discussion.

What is useful in their book is the variety of examples of actual business settings where practical pricing decisions have to be made which can apply several different concepts. How globalization affects pricing decisions is given considerable attention in this book. I did not find the final section on implementation of priing strategy in organizations as insightful as the middle chapter which is more analytical.

For teaching and learning purposes, this could be a useful back-up resource, if used judiciously with a more standard text.



Click Here to see more reviews about: Power Pricing (Hardcover)

Review of Managing Projects Large and Small: The Fundamental Skills to Deliver on budget and on Time (Paperback)

This is one of the volumes in the Harvard Business Essentials Series. Each offers authoritative answers to the most important questions concerning its specific subject. The material in this book is drawn from a variety of sources which include the Harvard Business School Press and the Harvard Business Review as well as Harvard ManageMentor_, an online service. I strongly recommend the official Harvard Business Essentials Web site (www.elearning.hbsp.org/businesstools) which offers free interactive versions of tools, checklists, and worksheets cited in this book and other books in the Essentials series. Each volume is indeed "a highly practical resource for readers with all levels of experience." And each is by intent and in execution solution-oriented. Although I think those who have only recently embarked on a business career will derive the greatest benefit, the material is well-worth a periodic review by senior-level executives.

Credit Richard Luecke with pulling together a wealth of information and counsel from various sources. He is also the author of several other books in the Essentials series. In this instance, he was assisted by a subject advisor, Richard D. Austin, a member of the Technology and Operations Management faculty at the Harvard Business School. Together, they have carefully organized the material within 12 chapters.

1. Project Management as a Process (four phases)
2. The Cast of Characters (i.e. who's who in project management)
3. A Written Charter ("your marching orders")
4. A Framework for Action (i.e. important first steps)
5. Work Breakdown (i.e. from huge job to manageable tasks)
6. Scheduling the Work ("put the horse before the cart")
7. Adjustments and Trade-Offs (i.e. more fine-tuning)
8. Managing Risk ("scanning the hazy horizon")
9. Project Adaptation (i.e. dealing with what you could not or did not anticipate)
10. Getting Off on the Right Foot (i.e., project needs to keep in mind)
11. Keeping on Track (i.e. maintaing control)
12. The Closedown Phase (i.e. wrapping up)

I especially appreciate the provision of a "Summing Up" section at the conclusion of each chapter, and, the provision also of two appendices: "Useful Implementation Tools" and "A Guide to Effective Meetings." Re the appendices, all executives should possess and continuously upgrade a "tool kit" even if what is needed this week or this month requires entirely different "tools" later. One of the most important value-added benefits of the "Essentials" series is that each of its volumes includes a number of "tools" relevant to the given subject and an explanation of how to use them effectively.

With regard to the advice provided on meetings (probably the single greatest time-waster), it is sensible but sparse. Years ago, I became convinced that most meetings are convened to discuss what needs to be discussed rather than to discuss what needs to be done. And even when the latter, more often than not, the "PTD Principle" is ignored (i.e. P = person, T = task, and D = deadline). I now presume to share my own advice.

1. Schedule a meeting only when it is absolutely necessary.
2. Include only those who must be present.
3. In advance, inform everyone involved what the meeting's specific objectives are.

NOTE: No more than three objectives per meeting.

4. Limit the discussion entirely to achieving the specified objective(s).
5. Encourage dissent.

NOTE: If two people in the group agree on everything, one of them is useless.

6. Have zero tolerance of gabbers.
7. Strictly follow the "PTD Principle."
8. Follow-up with everyone re who must do what and by when.
9. Have zero tolerance of slackers.
10. If someone suggests another meeting, see Point #1.

Other than Appendix B, the material which Luecke and Austin provide is first-rate. I highly recommend it to decision-makers in all organizations (regardless of size or nature) and especially to those who are now preparing for a business career or have recently embarked on one. Effective and efficient management of work at all levels and within all areas of any organization is absolutely essential.However, what Peter Drucker suggested more than 40 years ago is even more relevant now than ever before: "There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all."

Product Description
When it comes to project management, success lies in the details. This book walks managers through every step of project oversight from start to finish. Thanks to the book's comprehensive information on everything from planning and budgeting to team building and after-project reviews, managers will master the discipline and skills they need to achieve stellar results without wasting time and money. "The Harvard Business Essentials Series" is for managers at all levels but is especially relevant for new managers. It offers on-the-spot guidance, coaching, and tools on the most relevant topics in business. Each book includes the critical information that managers need on a given topic - from budgeting to hiring to communication to strategy - and offers interactive tools and worksheets that translate advice into action. Providing ready answers to day-to-day issues, these guides make sound, trusted mentoring advice available whenever managers need it. Other Books in the "HBE Series" are: "Managing Change and Transition"; "Hiring and Keeping the Best People"; "Finance for Managers Business"; "Communications"; "Innovation"; and "Negotiation".

About the Author
Since 1984, Harvard Business School Press has been dedicated to publishing the most contemporary management thinking, written by authors and practitioners who are leading the way. Whether readers are seeking big-picture strategic thinking or tactical problem solving, advice in managing global corporations or for developing personal careers, HBS Press helps fuel the fire of innovative thought. HBS Press has earned a reputation as the springboard of thought for both established and emerging business leaders.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Managing Projects Large and Small: The Fundamental Skills to Deliver on budget and on Time (Paperback)

Review of Mission Critical: Realizing the Promise of Enterprise Systems (Hardcover)

Davenport does a brilliant job of explaining what enterprise systems are and what they can accomplish in any organization. He suggests, however,that they are worthless "unless they lead to better information or betterways of doing business. I think that enterprise systems are without doubtan impressive technical feat, but I am primarily concerned thatorganizations get business value from them." Throughout his book, headdresses key issues such as these:

1. What enterprise systems are andwhy they are important

2. The promise and the perils involved

3. How todecide whether or not to implement enterprise systems

4. How to integrateenterprise systems with strategy and organizational structure

5. How tointegrate enterprise systems with business processes and information

6.How to achieve value while implementing enterprise systems

7. How totransform the practice of management with enterprise systems

8. How touse enterprise systems to manage the supply chain

9. The future ofES-enabled organizations

As Davenport explains in Chapter 1, "Enterprisesystems offer the first great opportunity to achieve true connectivity, astate in which everyone knows what everyone else is doing in the businessall over the world at the same time. And because they represent the firstgreat opportunity for connectivity, they pose one of the greatest threatsto the status quo that companies have ever faced." Hence the importance ofone of the the book's most valuable sections, the Appendix, in whichDavenport provides "A Technical Overview of Enterprise Systems." Those whofeel threatened by an enterprise system will seize any and allopportunities to point out its technical flaws. At best, enterprise systemsare complex, difficult to install, and inflexible. However, Davenportpoints out, they "will remain the most capable, integrated systems in thehistory of the world. They may have their flaws, but they are also theanswer to our information systems prayers." I agree.

Product Description
A No-Nonsense Guide to the Benefits and Pitfalls of Enterprise-Wide Information Systems

How many organizations would doubt the promise of an integrated enterprise system (ES)? Not many, judging by a $15 billion industry. The combination of an ES as a platform for organizational information and Internet technology for gaining access to it adds up to the ideal solution for company-wide data sharing in real time. Not surprisingly, small and large companies worldwide are either considering an ES, in the process of implementing one, or living with the results. Yet, says Tom Davenport, unless managers view ES adoption and implementation as a business decision rather than a technology decision, they may be risking disappointment

Mission Critical presents an authoritative and no-nonsense view of the ES opportunities and challenges. Suggesting ESs are not the right choice for every company, the author provides a set of guidelines to help managers evaluate the benefits and risks for their organizations. To be successful, argues Davenport, an organization must make simultaneous changes in its information systems, its business processes, and its business strategy. Such changes are described in detail with extensive examples from real organizations. Bolstering his contention that ESs should be viewed as business vs. technology projects, Davenport spells out the specific business change objectives that should be formulated in advance of ES adoption and monitored throughout its implementation.

The first strategic guide to the ES decision, Mission Critical will be indispensable to general managers and information technology specialists at all stages of the implementation process.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mission Critical: Realizing the Promise of Enterprise Systems (Hardcover)

Review of CEO Tools: The Nuts-n-Bolts of Business for Every Manager's Success (Paperback)

Most business books tend to be long on theory and short on implementation techniques.Not so with "CEO Tools: The Nuts-n-Bolts of Business for Every Manager's Success."This new release not only offers more than a hundred practical ideas for becoming a better CEO or manager, it actually gives you the tools to do so through an attached CD-ROM.If a particular management tool or technique happens to strike your fancy, you can download a form or template and start using the tool in your business the very same day.

Kramers believes that running a successful company requires using a variety of tools as part of an organized, disciplined management process.His process consists of seven discrete steps: 1) Use goals to motivate employees, 2) Communicate to get meaningful results, 3) Track performance, 4) Anticipate the future and realize it, 5) Place and coach winners, 6) Organize yourself and others, and 7) Celebrate success.

Using this model as a framework, Kramers organizes "CEO Tools" around these essential steps.Each chapter contains an eclectic mix of ideas, tools and management practices for getting more out of employees and improving bottom line results.While many business books would stop here, Kramers takes it to the next level by offering numerous practical tips and techniques for implementing these principles.

What really sets "CEO Tools" apart from other business books, however, is the companion CD-ROM (tucked inside the back cover) that contains more than two dozen forms, charts, spreadsheets and tracking templates.These easily downloadable tools enable you to immediately put Kramers' goal setting and other management concepts to work in your business, using your data and your key indicators.

Ultimately, good management comes down to making the right decisions in a timely manner and then following through with appropriate action."CEO Tools" is designed to help you do just that.Most of the tools and techniques discussed in the book come directly from Kramers' personal experience as CEO of eight different companies.Others come from ideas and practices he has picked up from consulting with companies of all sizes around the world.

Regardless of where the tools come from, they all have one thing in common -- they work!Whether you're a business owner, CEO, senior manager or anyone in charge of managing and leading a group of people toward a common goal, this book belongs on your work bench, not on your shelf.

Product Description
Written by an eight-time veteran CEO, this book equipsmanagers everywhere with the right business tools to acceleratebusiness results dramatically for themselves, their employees andtheir customers.Kraig Kramers cites experiences from runningcompanies that range in size from $1 million to $250 million annualsales.These experiences are translated into practical business toolsthat any manager can use immediately.Many tool implementation aidsare provided, including a CD/browser for two dozen of the nearly 150management success tools.CEO Tools is a must for every businessmanager's bookshelf and computer desktop.

Click Here to see more reviews about: CEO Tools: The Nuts-n-Bolts of Business for Every Manager's Success (Paperback)

Review of The Whole Brain Business Book (Hardcover)

Ned Herrmann's book, "The Whole Brain Business Book", deserves a five star rating.Herrmann has written an excellent book, I only wish I had read it seven years ago when I first ventured out in the world to start my own business.It is a must read for anyone who is planning on startingtheir own business, has a startup business, or has decision makingresponsibilities in an organization. The Whole Brain Business Book is veryeasy to read and is written in a very instructive manner. The authorprovides many examples from his research and he uses a number of diagramsthat are very useful in determining a company's and/or one's personalmanagement style, in addition to some insight as to how one thinks, makesdecision and work together with other people.A number of exercises andstep by step instructions are provided to assist readers in learning how tomake decisions that incorporate all of the brain's functions.I found somevery valuable information in this book that I will use to enhance mydecision-making process.Herrmann has made me stop and re-evaluate some ofthe ways I approach a number of business issues.

This book is dividedinto five dynamic sections; each section is packed with methodologies,examples and exercises for utilizing Herrmann's concept.Herrmann providessome hard evidence to support his Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument(HBDI) tool.HBDI is an assessment tool that is uses to determine whatdrives the way one thinks and makes decisions.HBDI utilizes fourquadrants (styles), Organizer, Personalizer or Visualizer, each quadrantrepresented by a letter A-D.Herrmann believes that we make decisionsbased on some combination of these four thinking styles and thatcultivating these styles and utilizing the resulting energy is the key toproductivity and creativity in business.

Herrmann presents some veryinteresting information about entrepreneurals, and how they rank based onhis HBDI tool.He expands this discussion by pointing out the differencebetween a entrepreneural, one who works for him/herself and aintrapreneural, one who works for a company.Herrmann discusses risktaking and the importance in learning from failure.He pursues thisfurther by describing the type of management that nurtures creativity andsets the stage for innovative thinking. Herrmann discussescharacteristics of people who are on the outer realm, (he calls themMavericks) and how and why they are so successful (he uses Tom Peters andDavid Letterman as examples).He touches on process reengineering, and howit is generally initiated based on cost savings versus change in workprocesses.In addition, he provides some interesting research dataregarding CEO's and how they ranked a list of sixteen primary workelements.In the final chapter, Herrmann presents some helpful steps forbecoming a Whole Brained Businessperson.

Product Description
The Whole Brain Business Book is the long-awaited culmination of Ned Herrmann's highly respected and extensive research and testing. In it, he presents his four-quadrant model of the brain and the corresponding thinking styles: logician, organizer, communicator, and visionary. Most people and organizations, he demonstrates, are stuck in a ``brain rut'' because their work is dominated by just one mode. Through highly practical explorations and exercises, he shows individuals and organizations how to harness the power of the whole brain. Readers will use The Whole Brain Business Book to expand their own thinking styles--to create and manage Whole Brain Teams--and to introduce new levels of flexibility and innovation into the corporate culture. It will show them how organizations like DuPont and GE use their ``whole brain'' orientation to thrive and profit in times of chaos--and it will help them to do the same.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Whole Brain Business Book (Hardcover)

Review of Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis (Paperback)

When looking for reference tools to use for BA's building or refreshing their skill set, "Seven Steps..." proved useful by providing practical examples and a fluid approach to business analysis.I found that regardless of the skill level, this book is useful and brings clear insights to the reader.

Product Description
This book provides a how to approach to mastering business analysis work. It will help build the skill sets of new analysts and all those currently doing analysis work, from project managers to project team members such as system analysts, product managers and business development professionals, to the experienced business analyst. It also covers the tasks and knowledge areas for the new 2008 v.2 of The Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK®) and will help prepare business analysts for the IIBA CBAP® certification exam.

KEY FEATURES
-Explains the business analysis fundamental concepts and terms for new analysts in language they can understand
-Presents detailed explanations of business analysis strategies, tasks and recommended techniques, and includes examples of successful and less-than-successful project situations to enhance learning
-Provides valuable insights for experienced business analysts and project team members performing analysis and critical thinking work in order to reach a higher level of success
-Includes knowledge area keys throughout the text that map BABOK competencies to tasks or techniques discussed, in a manner that will help prepare the business analyst for the IIBA CBAP certification exam
-WAV offers a free downloadable business analysis planning white paper and a series of template worksheets that can be customized to fit each organization s needs available from the Web Added Value Download Resource Center at jrosspub.com


Click Here to see more reviews about: Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis (Paperback)

Review of Maximizing Call Center Performance (Paperback)

Unless you are looking for the most simplistic view of call centers, don't buy this book.You would do just as well to send some grade school kids into a call center and ask them for their insights.As a matter of fact, if you are determined to read it, I"LL SEND YOU MY COPY FORFREE--don't waste any money on it.

Product Description
Ever wish you could find out how North America's biggest and most advanced call centers are really using call center technology? Want to know how successful call centers have solved the problems behind basic call center functions such as order handling, h

For call center managers who want to make their customers happy and their company successful, this book shows how to leverage call center technology. It's packed with innovative solutions from a variety of industries, and provides practical applications for cutting-edge technologies.

About the Author
Madeline Bodin has been writing about call centers for over 10 years. She is a former editor of Call Center Magazine. Her books have been translated into several languages and are read around the globe. Her most recent book is Maximizing Call Center Performance. Keith Dawson is one of the world's foremost authorities on call centers. He is currently Senior Editor at CommWeb and was founder of Call Center News Service, which is the industry's premier online source for industry information and analysis, an independent online source for industry information. He is also author of 'Call Center Savvy' and 'Call Center Handbook'.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Maximizing Call Center Performance (Paperback)

Review of Modern Pirates: Protect Your Company from the Software Police (Paperback)

Modern Pirates is probably the only book being published today that deals with I.T. Asset Management, and it consequences, and is a must read, not only for I.T. Asset Managers, but for any level of management, from the CEO on down of any company. Real life examples of what can happen to any size company should run a chill up the spine of any manager. I found this book to be great and very informative reading as written by an extremely knowledgeable person in the I.T. Asset Management field. I highly recommend this for all to read. In this day and age of software compliance actions costing companies millions, you can't afford to not read this.

Product Description
We have evidence that your company is engaged in the unlawful use of our software. We will not hesitate to enforce our rights through litigation. Will you be prepared when the software police or copyright cops send you a letter opening with this statement? Every day, hundreds of companies like yours face accusations of software copyright violations. Right this minute, there are more than 26 American and 95 global copyright enforcement entities targeting you. How many of your employees wouldn't hesitate to report your company's licensing mistakes for a $2,000 to $50,000 reward? Whether large or small, your company could be audited at any time by a copyright holder bent on increasing revenue streams at your expense. Consumer ignorance is not an option. Litigation is the norm, with violation costs reaching millions of dollars. Modern Pirates reveals, in detail, the risks your company takes simply by owning computers. Inside Modern Pirates you'll discover the tactics being used to litigate compliance along with proven strategies for preventing your company from becoming a helpless target. A copyright enforcement group only has to investigate your company once. You have to monitor your copyright compliance every single day. Modern Pirates documents your best defense.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Modern Pirates: Protect Your Company from the Software Police (Paperback)

Review of Software Management (Practitioners) (Paperback)

First, if you're looking for a book on managing software projects, this is not it. It is a very difficult subject to learn from a book. In fact, large organizations typically have their own project management practices, and have classes to teach their PM's.

Project Management is difficult to learn on your own, and is a hard topic to cover academically. This book can be used in others ways. For example, as a reference for experienced PM's; it can confirm notions of practices, or be referenced for very narrow topics, as software estimations.

Some of the articles are old, and may be out of date, and may be used anecdotally.

This book contains facsimiles of articles ranging from HBR to the highly technical, and a broad range of topics from personnel, to organization, to management, to technical. I found it interesting, but not very useful in terms of practice.

Product Description
This Seventh Edition of Donald Reifer's popular, bestselling tutorial summarizes what software project managers need to know to be successful on the job. The text provides pointers and approaches to deal with the issues, challenges, and experiences that shape their thoughts and performance. To accomplish its goals, the volume explores recent advances in dissimilar fields such as management theory, acquisition management, globalization, knowledge management, licensing, motivation theory, process improvement, organization dynamics, subcontract management, and technology transfer.

Software Management provides software managers at all levels of the organization with the information they need to know to develop their software engineering management strategies for now and the future. The book provides insight into management tools and techniques that work in practice. It also provides sufficient instructional materials to serve as a text for a course in software management.

This new edition achieves a balance between theory and practical experience. Reifer systematically addresses the skills, knowledge, and abilities that software managers, at any level of experience, need to have to practice their profession effectively.

This book contains original articles by leaders in the software management field written specifically for this tutorial, as well as a collection of applicable reprints. About forty percent of the material in this edition has been produced specifically for the tutorial.

Contents:
* Introduction
* Life Cycle Models
* Process Improvement
* Project Management
* Planning Fundamentals
* Software Estimating
* Organizing for Success
* Staffing Essentials
* Direction Advice
* Visibility and Control
* Software Risk Management
* Metrics and Measurement
* Acquisition Management
* Emerging Management Topics

"The challenges faced by software project managers are the gap between what the customers can envision and the reality on the ground and how to deal with the risks associated with this gap in delivering a product that meets requirements on time and schedule at the target costs. This tutorial hits the mark by providing project managers, practitioners, and educators with source materials on how project managers can effectively deal with this risk."
-Dr. Kenneth E. Nidiffer, Systems & Software Consortium, Inc.

"The volume has evolved into a solid set of foundation works for anyone trying to practice software management in a world that is increasingly dependent on software release quality, timeliness, and productivity."
-Walker Royce, Vice President, IBM Software Services-Rational

From the Back Cover
This Seventh Edition of Donald Reifer's popular, bestselling tutorial summarizes what software project managers need to know to be successful on the job. The text provides pointers and approaches to deal with the issues, challenges, and experiences that shape their thoughts and performance. To accomplish its goals, the volume explores recent advances in dissimilar fields such as management theory, acquisition management, globalization, knowledge management, licensing, motivation theory, process improvement, organization dynamics, subcontract management, and technology transfer.

Software Management provides software managers at all levels of the organization with the information they need to know to develop their software engineering management strategies for now and the future. The book provides insight into management tools and techniques that work in practice. It also provides sufficient instructional materials to serve as a text for a course in software management.

This new edition achieves a balance between theory and practical experience. Reifer systematically addresses the skills, knowledge, and abilities that software managers, at any level of experience, need to have to practice their profession effectively.

This book contains original articles by leaders in the software management field written specifically for this tutorial, as well as a collection of applicable reprints. About forty percent of the material in this edition has been produced specifically for the tutorial.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Life Cycle Models
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Planning Fundamentals
• Software Estimating
• Organizing for Success
• Staffing Essentials
• Direction Advice
• Visibility and Control
• Software Risk Management
• Metrics and Measurement
• Acquisition Management
• Emerging Management Topics

"The challenges faced by software project managers are the gap between what the customers can envision and the reality on the ground and how to deal with the risks associated with this gap in delivering a product that meets requirements on time and schedule at the target costs. This tutorial hits the mark by providing project managers, practitioners, and educators with source materials on how project managers can effectively deal with this risk."
-Dr. Kenneth E. Nidiffer, Systems & Software Consortium, Inc.

"The volume has evolved into a solid set of foundation works for anyone trying to practice software management in a world that is increasingly dependent on software release quality, timeliness, and productivity."
-Walker Royce, Vice President, IBM Software Services-Rational

Click Here to see more reviews about: Software Management (Practitioners) (Paperback)