Editorial Review

Disciplines like strategy, leadership development, and innovation are the sexier aspects of being at the helm of a successful business; actually getting things done never seems quite as glamorous. But as Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan demonstrate in Read more

Reviews (184)

Rudimentary
Do not expect much of an wisdom here. The book has enough material for maybe a one page pamphlet. The rest is war stories without beginnings or endings.
The authors didn't execute.
Funny that a book about execution doesn't get it accomplish. The authors have a lot of experience and I am sure are good at leading and executing. However, the book does not get to the point. The authors ramble about their managing experience and almost 300 pages to transmit few ideas.

Corporate burocrasy uncovered
I must say for the fairness of this review that my expetations were founded into practical personal advice on how to execute one you had your objective in mind.
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Subjects:  1. Achievement motivation    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Executive Management    6. Management    7. Management - General    8. Motivation (Psychology)    9. Operations Research    10. Organizational Behavior    11. Performance    12. Business & Economics / Management    13. Business & Management   

Editorial Review

Here's another management parable that draws its lesson from an unlikely source--this time it's the fun-loving fishmongers at Seattle's Pike Place Market. In Read more

Reviews (186)

Great Book!!
This is a great book and a good philosophy on work and life in general! It is a quick read and very much so worth the time to check it out!

A delightful and insightful reading material
It's an easy to read book, simple and yet insightful. The Fish Philosophy does not only apply to one's workplace but also to how a person chooses to approach life in general.

A great place to start
Stories make for wonderful teaching tools. FISH, based on the famed Pikes Fish Market, presents a compelling argument why every company needs to incorporate passion and fun into what it puts out. I would also recommend Get Weird by John Puetz. Good work, as long as you incorporate the ideas and don't abandon them 30 days from now. Otherwise, it becomes another addition to the Flavor of the Month slush pile. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Customer relations    5. Customer services    6. Employee motivation    7. Human Resources & Personnel Management    8. Leadership    9. Motivation    10. Motivational    11. Business & Economics / Motivational    12. Office & workplace    13. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (30)

Not Very Good
I have read a lot of personal development books. This book is very poorly written, has bad arguments which loop around to create reason, and I could not imagine giving this book to some poor kid in South America, southeast Asia, or Africa and telling them, "here read this book, you are starving but it is a holographic illusion, your Consciousness or the Hologram Illusion did this, it is not real." The author of this is born too well off, is lost in his Rich middle class American world filled with Western Philosophy that isn't applying to the rest of the world, and needs to strike a reality check. I do believe thought creates action but this is a little sick behavior from the author.

Despite obvious problems, still willing to use ideas
I want to believe.If it's true, it will work regardless of my "belief."In fact, I even used the author's "Process" on my discomfort with his system. NOT TO BAd~!
This book was good but not terrific. after reading best sellers like Why we want you to be rich by Donald TRump and God Doesn't run a $2 Shop by Sage Saint Francis i found that this book just was not in the same leauge.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Motivational    6. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    7. Business & Economics / Motivational    8. Personal finance   

Editorial Review

Effectively managing personnel--as well as one's own behavior--is an extraordinarily complex task that, not surprisingly, has been the subject of countless books touting what each claims is the true path to success. That said, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton's Read more

Reviews (213)

Take work from your strengths
A fantastic book of weekness and strength, a human being is a mixture of weekness and strength equally and those among us who take work with thier strength come out successful regardless of the profession they are involve in, they can focus on thier strength rather than weakness, positive attitude regardless all the adversaries of a life. I learned a great deal out of this Marcus Buckingham book and I strongly recommend to the book lovers don't miss this one.

What a Novel Concept
By:Jeffrey W. Bennett, Founder of LayMentor and author of Under the Lontar Palm.
Ok~ but I think the Keirsey Temperment Test is more accurate - and cheaper.
This book has its good points. If anything, it helps you put into words what you wantfrom a supervisor, but it is not very accurate. The online test does not account for a difference between when 2 of their options are both exactly like you, or if they don't describe you at all. This messes up the results, and it did not describe me very well. I am not just in denial. I have taken a lot of personality type tests, like the Keirsey Temperment sorter and have a pretty good idea of my strengths. So, although this book is pretty good in making you understand the importance of incouraging your strengths, it still leaves you wondering about how you fit in to their terminology.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - Inspirational    4. Business/Economics    5. Career Planning (General)    6. Careers - General    7. Employee motivation    8. Management    9. Motivation (Psychology)    10. Motivational    11. Advice on careers & achieving success    12. Business & Economics / Management   

Reviews (55)

Disappointing
I was thinking negative thoughts waiting for the book to advise me on positive thoughts.

Encouragement is Like Miracle-Gro for Relationships
I have long been a proponent of encouragement as a means to build healthy, strong relationships and promote growth. This book offers a concrete plan for making that happen. I have observed people moved to tears by a little appreciation. People are starving for love and appreciation. Don't let the people in your life suffer any longer.

Good Service
I ordered this book on Friday August 25th at 4:53 p.m.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Interpersonal relations    3. Motivational    4. Negativism    5. Optimism    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Psychology    9. Social Interaction    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Sociology - General    13. Advice on careers & achieving success    14. Business & Economics / Management    15. Popular psychology    16. Management    17. Workplace Culture   

Reviews (125)

Pretty Good
Yeah I was forced to read this by my boss...but it was quick and worthwhile.I am an experienced manager but I still picked up some valuable tips. This is worth while reading- short, to the point, and informative

Universally applicable!
This is one of my favorite books. It is geniusly simple, respectful and powerful. I was surprised to find out that I can easily apply the 3 principles in almost every relationship. So many people around deserve to be praised and taught a lesson and it is very important HOW you will do it because the final result can be very positive or just the opposite. It is a very valuable book which is very well written and is a fast read. I also highly recommend the other books from the One Minute Manager series because every book has a lot to offer and they will be especially helpful if you are in a business environment.

Timeless

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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Management    6. Management - General    7. Motivational    8. Business & Economics / Management    9. Management & management techniques   

Editorial Review

We're constantly negotiating in our lives, whether it's convincing the kids to do their homework or settling million-dollar lawsuits. For those who need help winning these battles, Roger Fisher has developed a simple and straightforward five-step system for how to behave in negotiations. Narrated soothingly by NPR announcer Bob Edwards, Fisher adds the meaty portions of the material with a sense of playfulness. The blend of voices makes this tape easy to listen to, especially the real-life negotiating scenarios, in which negotiating examples are given. This is a must-have tape for every businessperson's car. (Running time: one hour, one cassette) Read more

Reviews (107)

Managing Conflict using Getting to Yes, what a book!
Few books stand up from the crowd when we talk about conflict and negotiation. This book does and it serves companies a great deal to make it a required reading for professionals. When I recommend this book to trainees in all my training seminars people think I am getting paidcommission from the publisher :) hmmmmmmay be I should. Combine this book with 48 laws of power and turn your engine of influence on. Add NLP on top of it and guarantee winning every reasonable deal.Conflict, Power and Influence is it !

The content of this book is sound; however
First, a testimonial.When I was three-quarters of the way through, I had a whammy of a week.On Monday I negotiated in a job interview, Tuesday I negotiated with my landlady, and Wednesday I negotiated with my manager over new job routines (the cause of my activities on Monday). I found the methods, strategies, approaches and techniques in the book IMMEDIATELY helpful in these situations.
better than expected
this book was boring at first but the real meat is close to the end.I think this book not only be used on business but also with friends.I've tried using it to talk w/ people and it works.A good read and good asset! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Motivational    5. Negotiating    6. Negotiation    7. Business & Economics / Negotiating    8. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry   

Editorial Review

The lure of this book's promise starts with the assumption in its title. Possibility--that big, all-encompassing, wide-open-door concept--is an art? Well, who doesn't want to be a skilled artist, whether in the director's chair, the boardroom, on the factory floor, or even just in dealing with life's everyday situations? Becoming an artist, however, requires discipline, and what the authors of Read more

Reviews (65)

Open YOURSELF up to a world of possibility!
This book was recommended to me several times, and I'm glad I finally found the time to read it.
Great title - not as good on the content
I finished a book last night - The Art of Possibility. Great title but not as inspiring as I had hoped. It did have one quote that I liked. A great maestro, Herbert von Karajan jumped into a taxi and shouted to the driver "Hurry, hurry". "Very good sir " where to?" said the driver. "It does not matter" said von Karajan. "I am needed everywhere".
It's what you want it to be.
I respect all the positive reviews here, but have a different opinion. For me, this book was like being trapped at a 2 hour meal in a restaurant with a couple I didn't like. If you already see the world in very positive terms, this book will verify your view in glowing new ways. If you're not in a positive place and are trying to get out of it by reading books with titles like "The Art of Possibility", it's not for you. At all. Does it help when people invite you to "cheer up?" Didn't think so. Imagine that x 100. Annoying.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. Management - General    6. Perception    7. Possibility    8. Advice on careers & achieving success    9. Business & Economics / Motivational    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (18)

Myth-terySolved!
Myths and fables hold important lessons within their memorable plots and characters -- and that is part of the appeal of this new book from John Kotter.Our ability to relate to and identify with these characters helps us to imagine applying Kotter's 8 change steps to our own complex situations.Fred, Jordan, Louis, Sally Ann, Nono, Alice, and the rest of the 'plucked from real-life' characters in this change fable want you to see the plan in action.This quick, entertaining read is also beautifully illustrated.Those who have seen Kotter teach will attest to his extraordinary skill as a storyteller.To some extent, that experience of seeing him "live" is captured in the pages of this charming little book.

Strikes a great balance...
I loved this book.I've read so many dry business books and frankly don't remember half of the points made.I can honestly say this short read was a great tool for those seeking to implement change - and it does so in an interesting, memorable, salient way.Entertaining but practical.The 8 step change process will refocus one's activities and priorities in business development and management.Great for just about any business environment.

Our Iceberg is Melting
"Our Iceberg is Melting" is a unique book that presents some of the key business tools for leadership and change in simple terms that anyone can understand.This fast read gives you take home points to make the necessary changes in your company or even your personal life, in order to gain more success.It's fun to relate the characters in the book to your own company and see how each personality is a vital part in running the business.It's nice to go back to the basics and realize that in order to achieve the leader's goals, the leader should make it a priority to get everyone on the team involved and allow them to feel important.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Fiction    5. Management - General    6. Organizational change    7. Organizational effectiveness    8. Penguins    9. Business & Economics / Management   

Reviews (31)

One more book to help corporate America
Oh my, one more motivational speaker, one more book about helping corporate America pad its pockets while its workers are supposed to ignore the core greed and put a smile on their faces and be Freds while the big shots benefit. Sorry, this just doesn't resonate with workers today who see their "profit centers" being sucked dry by the big home office and they are supposed to chin up and be a Fred regardless of the way the big boys (and ladies) are destroying the company they work for. Let's hope Fred is still practicing the Fred Factor when he shows up at WalMart or Dollar General looking for a job because his work has been outsourced, his branch consolidated or his job merged with three others.
I know the author and he lives his message
Lots of people learn good ideas about successful living and restate them for others, but not so many actually put them into practice in their own lives. Mark Sanborn lives his message. The Fred Factor is not just stories from an author. It is also life wisdom from a practitioner. Mark's personal and professional life, when viewed over two decades (as I have), are inspiring. He's the kind of guy you want living in your neighborhood and whose kids you want playing with your kids.
Simple and Powerful!
This was a great book on several levels.First, it was fun to read.I love the story of Fred.Second, it had some very powerful business concepts.What I love about them is that they aren't complicated or difficult to put to use.It really took me back to basics - the things I have to do to be successful with my clients.Third, Fred reminded me of things I need to do and confirmed many things that I always knew I should do. This book would be good for virtually anyone in any job - and shouldn't be read once, but at least once a year! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - Inspirational    4. Business/Economics    5. Christianity    6. Motivational    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Personal Guidance    9. Religious aspects    10. Social Conditions Of Labor    11. Success    12. Business & Economics / Motivational   

Reviews (12)

From a network administrator's perspective
I read this book as part of my first course in a Ph.D.-MIS program. I thought it was a great overview and history of MIS, and provided insight into alternative IS management styles and strategies. The case studies were relevent, current, well written and interesting. I recommend this book for all network and systems administrators. It gives insight into what thought processes should be occurring at the CIO and IS manager levels.

Great paperweight, good consolidation of other people's work
This book provides various sources of information but no analysis by the book's authors.It is a patch work of case studies, excerpts, and paraphrasing of other texts to which I hope the original authors are getting paid royalties for. Ideal for learning about IS management
I bought this book for my MSc in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems and I consider that it was extremely helpful. The chapter about the perspectives of IS and the role of the CIO are very interesting. In the chapter about Information Systems Planning, they included lots of concepts related to strategy, linking IS Planning with six different approaches/techniques: Stages of Growth, Critical Success Factors, Competitive Forces Model, Value Chain Analysis, Internet Value Matrix and Linkage Analysis Planning. The chapters about managing systems development are really instructive also. I strongly recommend the book for those IT practitioners whom are seeking a managerial position. It is very useful to managers and strategists as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Computers - General Information    4. Information Management    5. Information Technology    6. Information Technology (Engineering)    7. Information resources management    8. Management Information Systems    9. Business & Economics / Information Management    10. Business information systems   

Reviews (216)

Pragmatism on your way to wealth creation..I am on my way
I cannot claim to be an expert in the wealth creation literature outside the US, but I am inclined to think that the principles are the same everywhere.
This is the book to have...
if you can, look for the audio version... take it to the gym and call it a day. this guy is the best...

The Recipe for Success is Universal
This is definitely a book for those who realize they have to change their mindset to break out of the blueprint they've been dealt from parents, family and community.There are so many underlying thoughts and sabotages that we put on ourselves everyday.Each one continues to bring us back to a level that is usually inconsistent with our goals.I talk to many people during the course of the day and I find that too many people have goals that they'll never achieve because of the type of thinking they do on a daily basis.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Millionaires    6. Money    7. Motivational    8. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    9. Personal Finance - General    10. Psychological aspects    11. Psychology    12. Rich people    13. Business & Economics / Motivational   

Reviews (303)

A message that outlasts time
Yesterday I was reminded of this awesome little book after interviewing someone who listed it as one of his favorite business reads. George S. Clason's "The Richest Man In Babylon" is one of the best books I have ever read.
Everything you'll ever need to know about money?
I have read and re-read Clasons book, and I honestly believe that his simple, thought provoking and powerful story, contains all the truths one has to learn about when it comes to the subject of money.
Simple, effective, and very powerful.
Here is a book written for literally anyone who wants to learn lessons for life on how to get rich. And for all those desperados out there dreaming of getting fantastically rich with ridiculously little effort: here is your guide. You will learn that making money and getting rich isn't hard at all, but it requires a little discipline. There are only a handful of tips given in this book, but they are sufficient to make a real difference in your wallet and a real difference in your life!
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Ethics    3. Inspirational - General    4. Motivational    5. Religion    6. Wealth, Ethics of    7. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    8. Personal finance   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (22)

Just what we needed!
This book hits the "heart" of what many managers miss in planning change initiatives.This helps us remember that change isn't all number and business decisions.It's the people.I was able to immediately apply some of the ideas and resteered a change initiative successfully. Now all of my supervisors are reading and learning.

Fundamentals for helping an organization undergo change successfully
This book is the textbook for how an organization can successfully lead with change.I have used the 8-step method with various organizations and successfully 'seen-felt-changed' for the better.

Best Change Management Book I've Read to Date
I'm now in a "Change Management" role with my work, and decided to read some texts on the subject to further my understanding of the topic.Of those books that I've read, this one has clearly been the most helpful.Kotter articulates the steps of change in a way that connected with me, and made it real with a number of relevant examples.It's not onerous to read (<200 pages) but equally isn't "lightweight."While I would never recommend reading only a single book on the topic,I would definitely recommend that this be one of the books you read!
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Leadership    6. Organizational Behavior    7. Organizational change    8. Structural Adjustment    9. Management & management techniques   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Finance, Personal    6. General    7. Investments    8. Motivational    9. Personal Finance - Investing    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Investment & securities    12. Personal finance   

Reviews (141)

Creating relationships instead of schmoozing
I found this book quite inspirational. Although I love spending time with people talking and getting to know them better, I've always been leery of the concept of "networking." It brings to mind a picture of an insincere jerk working the room, brown-nosing the people who can help him get ahead and ignoring everyone else.
Great Book. Great Ideas.
Keith Ferrazzi obviously understands the importance of career karma. He practices what he preaches and provides countless examples of ways to be an effective networker, build your personal brand, and expand your success. This book helps destroy many networking myths and teaches us that the one important rule in networking is to 'give' to the members of your network. Keith has built his own personal brand on his unique and innate relationship-building skills and he shares with us so many different ways to network, that every reader will be able to find the ones that are authentic for them.

The Relationship Approach
I was in the middle of reading Keith's book and took it with me on a recent cruise vacation.I recognized the same book being read by a fellow traveler and introduced myself.We chatted about the book and our businesses and exchanged business cards.The presence of the book itself was the perfect introduction to our conversation!Fun, fabulous, and completely natural is how I would describe Keith Ferrazzi's approach to building a network as wide (and deep) as you want. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business Life - Inspirational    5. Business networks    6. Business/Economics    7. Careers - General    8. Executive Management    9. Generosity    10. Interpersonal relations    11. Management - General    12. Motivational    13. Public relations    14. Success in business    15. Business & Economics / General   

Editorial Review

In the 1980s and again in the '90s, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner published Read more

Reviews (47)

Excellent
It is up to date with all the necessary info to jump right into an organization and take charge!Well written.

great book
I bought the book for a class but I highly reccommend it to anyone aspiring to be a leader in their given profession.

Good motivational book
Leadership is to be an active process that gathers people to participate in a common vision.Leaders are to set a good example, take risks, encourage others, and never quit.Although the authors present their book as a new approach to leadership, they share nothing that is original.For instance, under "Model the Way," leaders are encouraged to follow the Biblical principle of Matthew 5:37- "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'" (NKJV), and of Ephesians 4:29- "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (NLT)."In "Encourage the Heart," the authors appear to utilize B.F. Skinner's "operant conditioning" theory by suggesting leaders to provide rewards and congratulate people for work-related achievements."Enable Others to Act" is built on the principle of teamwork as found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27- "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body... each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it" (NLT).From a secular standpoint, the book offers good insight; however, from a Biblical leadership model, it falls short in certain areas.For example, the best leader to