Rory Vaden: Take The Stairs - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Self-Discipline Strategist, Co-founder of SouthwesternConsulting, and author of the motivational and real success building book Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success, Rory Vaden describes overcoming procrastination is so critical for optimizing individual output and achievement. Rory Vaden shares the insight that successful people all share the common trait of getting things done, even if they don't feel like doing them. Rory presents the difference as successful people being willing to take the stairs while the less successful waste time trying to find the escalator. To overcome the challenge of procrastination, Rory shares his seven principles of self-discipline. While Rory considers procrastination to be a habit, he guides you to replacing that bad habit with the productive habit of self-discipline to achieve your goals.

Rory Vaden is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, October 18, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Self-Discipline Strategist, Co-founder of SouthwesternConsulting, and author of the motivational and real success building book Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success, Rory Vaden describes overcoming procrastination is so critical for optimizing individual output and achievement. You will learn:

* Why so many people waste time seeking an escalator in life

* How successful people get things done even if they don't feel like it

* How to develop the habit of personal self-discipline

* How to apply the seven principles of self-discipline to your life

Rory Vaden MBA (photo left) is a Self-Discipline Strategist, Cofounder of the international training company - Southwestern Consulting, and a New York Times bestselling author.

His insights on improving self-discipline, overcoming procrastination and enhancing productivity have been featured on Oprah radio, CBS Moneywatch, CNN, CNBC, Fox and Friends, in Businessweek, Entreprenuer, Fast Company and in SUCCESS™ Magazine. His new book "Take the Stairs: 7 Steps To Achieving True Success" released as #1 on the USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Wall St Journal Best Seller lists and #2 on the New York Times.

Rory is a member of the National Speakers Association and out of 25,000 contestants, became "The Toastmasters 2007 World Champion of Public Speaking 1st Runner Up." Rory is now on a "Take the Stairs World Tour" where he is taking the stairs to the top of the 10 tallest buildings in the world to raise money for America's high schools.

My book review of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with Self-Discipline Strategist, Co-founder of SouthwesternConsulting, and author of the motivational and real success building book Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success, Rory Vaden describes overcoming procrastination is so critical for optimizing individual output and achievement. Rory Vaden shares the insight that successful people all share the common trait of getting things done, even if they don't feel like doing them. Rory presents the difference as successful people being willing to take the stairs while the less successful waste time trying to find the escalator. To overcome the challenge of procrastination, Rory shares his seven principles of self-discipline. While Rory considers procrastination to be a habit, he guides you to replacing that bad habit with the productive habit of self-discipline to achieve your goals on Blog Business Success Radio.

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Take The Stairs by Rory Vaden - Book review

Take the Stairs

7 Steps to Achieving True Success

By: Rory Vaden

Published: February 7, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
ISBN-10: 0399537236
ISBN-13: 978-0399537233
Publisher: Perigee/Penguin













"Successful people have the self-discipline to do things they don't want to do. They do the things they don't want to do even when they don't feel like doing them". writes self-discipline strategist and co-founder of Southwest Consulting, Rory Vaden, in his inspirational and real success building book Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. The author describes how most people seek the easy path to success, instead of developing the habit of self-discipline to take action regardless of your physical, financial, or emotional state.

Rory Vaden recognizes that achieving success isn't easy, or achieved overnight. With that insight in place, the author points out that becoming successful requires developing the habit of self-discipline. Rory Vaden presents the metaphor that successful people take the stairs, even though that route up and down requires effort and hard work. The author shows us that unsuccessful people search around for escalators, wasting time, and achieving little in the way of results. For Rory Vaden, the better path to success demands making better decisions to develop self-discipline and improve your life. Thinking about success is not enough, writes the author, but instead requires that the individual take real and positive action toward developing self-discipline as a way of living.

Rory vaden (photo left) understands that there are only two types of activities in life. There are the things a person feels like doing, and things that a person doesn't feel like doing. Fortunately, if we learn to do things we don't like to do, writes the author, we can achieve almost anything in life. Rory Vaden offers the wisdom even small choices result in tremendous results, and one of those choices is avoiding putting things off until some supposed perfect time that never seems to arrive.

To build the necessary self-discipline habit to achieve success, Rory Vaden provides his seven principles for overcoming procrastination. The seven principles are as follows:

* The paradox principle of sacrifice
* The buy-in principle of commitment
* The magnification principle of focus
* The creation principle of integrity
* The harvest principle of schedule
* The perspective principle of faith
* The pendulum principle of action

For me, the power of the book is how Rory Vaden combines his philosophy of self-discipline with the practical steps to transform that vision into a way of living. The author demonstrates how to not only change your life, but how to rake charge of that change through the habit of self-discipline. Rory Vaden provides evidence that the embracing of self -disciple, and the ending of the procrastination habit not only benefits individual success, but also leads to enhanced performance across entire organizations.

The prescription offered by the author is straightforward and readily understood. Instead of taking supposed shortcuts that lead nowhere, and avoiding the temptation to try some quick fixes, meet and overcome your most difficult challenges as quickly as possible. With that short term pain, the end result will be long term gain. The author's seven principles of self-discipline are well presented, and offer a blueprint for personal transformation.

I highly recommend the motivational and action oriented book Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden, to anyone seeking a clear and concise road map to achieving success. The author is honest, and points out that there are no quick fixes and that the journey will require sacrifices. This candor only makes the message of the book more powerful and much more believable in its effectiveness.

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Blog Bloke: Cyber Bullying - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Long time blogger, BlogBloke describes the internet phenomenon of cyber bullying. BlogBloke provides information about how to identify cyber bullies, and how they inflict harm on their chosen targets. Cyber bullying can affect both individuals and companies, and BloBloke shares ideas for countering cyber bullies, and protecting your online reputation. BlogBloke presents strategies for protection of your personal data and avoiding it falling into the hands of an exploiter or cyber bully. BlogBloke offers some legal remedies and recourse that can be taken with cyber bullies. Learn how to keep the problem of cyber bullies out of your online and even offline life.

BlogBloke is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, October 16, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Long time blogger, BlogBloke describes the internet phenomenon of cyber bullying. BlogBloke provides information about how to identify cyber bullies, and how they inflict harm on their chosen targets. You will learn:

* Why cyber bullying happens on the internet

* How to identify a potential cyber bully

* How to defend against cyber bully attacks

* How to guard against being cyber bullied online



BlogBloke (avatar left) has worked in journalism and as a programmer in the computer industry before most had heard of Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. A crusader at heart, he switched to law and soon made a name for himself as a successful litigation expert and mediator, helping folks who under normal circumstances can't afford justice.

A geek in every sense of the term, he carried his passion for helping others and computers into blogging that he helped pioneer. In those days there was no such thing as Wordpress or RSS newsfeeds for blogs. Having created the "Blog Tips" niche, his blog is an outstanding resource for helpful blogging tips and how-to tutorials. He has a reputation for being a straight shooter, his sharp wit and an outspoken champion for online ethics. He is bullishly pro blogging, social media, an outspoken advocate for online rights, security and technology issues.

Tech Editor and Author, BLOGBloke has been quoted in the Washington Post, New York Times and CBS News. Here are just a few of the comments that his readers have made:

"A Blogger’s Natural Resource" … “A knowledgeable, witty and fun conversationalist with both feet in the honesty camp” … “You write with passion, condor, and authenticity — that’s why I enjoy your posts” ... “Like the sense of humor in the articles” … “This site is a literary masterpiece” … “High quality sites like yours are an inspiration” … “This site is capital, constantly providing fairness in reviews and information” … “We would like to thank you for maintaining such a reputable blog. We know that it takes time, effort and commitment to keep such a blog and as such, we have added your blog as one of the top Blogging Blogs” … “You are indeed not just any average bloke!”.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.





To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with long time blogger, BlogBloke describes the internet phenomenon of cyber bullying. BlogBloke provides information about how to identify cyber bullies, and how they inflict harm on their chosen targets. Cyber bullying can affect both individuals and companies, and BloBloke shares ideas for countering cyber bullies, and protecting your online reputation. BlogBloke presents strategies for protection of your personal data and avoiding it falling into the hands of an exploiter or cyber bully. BlogBloke offers some legal remedies and recourse that can be taken with cyber bullies. Learn how to keep the problem of cyber bullies out of your online and even offline life on Blog Business Success Radio.

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Inside the Sell Real Estate by Hans Wydler & Steve Wydler - Book review

Inside the Sell Real Estate

Top Agents Reveal Unspoken Secrets and Dangers of Buying and Selling Your Home

By: Hans Wydler, Steve Wydler

Published: July 2, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 152 pages
ISBN-10: 1936961075
ISBN-13: 978-1936961078
Publisher: LINX, Corp












"Our goal with this book is to take you 'inside the sell'. We expose the unspoken secrets and dangers of buying and selling your home and, by so doing, level the playing field between the real estate professionals and seller/buyer", write founders of Wydler Brothers Real Estate in Washington, DC, Hans Wydler and Steve Wydler, in their straight talking and eye opening book Inside the Sell Real Estate: Top Agents Reveal Unspoken Secrets and Dangers of Buying and Selling Your Home. The authors describe how sellers can receive a larger return on the sale of their house, and how buyers can receive the best deal when they purchase their next home.

Hans Wydler (photo left) and Steve Wydler understand and they emphasize that what you don't know, either as a buyer or seller, can hurt you. The authors start at the beginning, as they take the buyer inside the sell, and share an important primer on how the real estate industry works. Hans and Steve Wydler provide a complete overview, along with a close examination, of the conflicts and hidden dangers that can ensnare either the unwary buyer or the uninformed seller. The authors guide both potential home buyers and house sellers through the often bewildering maze of pitfalls that await the unsuspecting person.

Steve Wydler (photo left) and Hans Wydler recognize that buyers and sellers face different, but equally important challenges when considering and completing a property transaction. The authors cover every aspect of the sale from evaluating the market, to choosing the right real estate agent, to negotiation, to ensuring a completed sale that satisfies your needs.

The authors include the following topics for in depth discussion, and share their inside the sale knowledge and experience:

* Follow the money
* Neighborhood specialists: Friend or foe
* Liquidity: The white elephant
* The listing agreement: It's a cookbook
* Commission structure: Which one is right for you and why it matters
* Signs your agent is lazy, incompetent, or worse
* The key to selling your home: Our secret sauce
* Presentation: Staging is not decorating
* Pricing: What's my home worth
* Negotiating: It's not just about price
* Picking an agent: What to look for and expect from your agent

For me, the power of the book is how Hans Wydler and Steve Wydler provide real world experience and insider knowledge to both buyers and sellers. The book is balanced in its approach to describe the perils and solutions for people on both sides of the property transaction. The authors pull no punches in their assessment of the myriad of pitfalls that await the unprepared, whether they looking to buy or sell a home.

As real estate agents themselves, Hans Wydler and Steve Wydler share the inside story of how brokers and agents operate, how to choose a good agent, and how to avoid the agent who won't be the right one for you. The section on negotiation is very helpful for people on both sides of the transaction, as effectively arriving at a price and other conditions presents a real challenge for most people. The authors write in every day language, and present the material in an understandable format. As an added bonus, the authors share their words of wisdom in quick and memorable tips within each chapter.

I highly recommend the engaging and advice packed book Inside the Sell Real Estate: Top Agents Reveal Unspoken Secrets and Dangers of Buying and Selling Your Home by Hans Wydler and Steve Wydler, to anyone considering either buying or selling a home, and is seeking some reliable and practical information on making the transaction less stressful and more satisfying when completed. This book is a goldmine of valuable information, and well worth reading, regardless of your experience level in the world of real estate.

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Out-Executing The Competition by Irv Rothman - Book review

Out-Executing the Competition

Building and Growing a Financial Services Company in Any Economy

By: Irv Rothman

Published: July 31, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 222 pages
ISBN-10: 1118312619
ISBN-13: 978-1118312612
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.














"These chapters are about a kind of evolution - my own and that of the world of corporate America. They are about dealing with the challenges of social and corporate change by consistently adhering to a set of ideals", writes President and CEO of HP Financial Services, Irv Rothman, in his deeply personal and guidance filled book Out-Executing the Competition: Building and Growing a Financial Services Company in Any Economy. The author describes hi four decades in the financial industry, and shares the timeless wisdom he learned about leadership, business management, and for conducting one's personal life.

Irv Rothman recognizes that some very fundamental principles are necessary to develop and expand a successful financial services company. For the author, these timeless principles work effectively, and result in positive achievements, regardless of the external economic conditions. Irv Rothman provides an examination of effective and sustainable leadership practices that reflect the crucial importance of remaining true to a set of core values and principles. When combined with an ability to adapt to changing conditions, and a willingness to innovate new products, processes, and systems to take advantage of new realities, a company will thrive and prosper. At the same time, the leader whose integrity guides their actions through their unshakeable core values, will succeed along with the organization, its employees, and its customers.

Irv Rothman (photo left) understands that even though there may be tremendous pressures resulting from economic and social change, it remains critical to stay true to one's personal principles. By living real ethical and authentic values, a leader strengthens their own personal resolve, and provides a good role model for developing other leaders. For customers, a company that lives and behaves with strong ethical values will be the business of choice.

In the financial services industry, trust is critical for success, and Irv Rothman demonstrates that principles build and grow the company in any economic climate. The author points out that business is all about the customer, and without trust, there will be no customers. This wisdom is true in good economic times, or in periods of economic turmoil or uncertainty. Irv Rothman also stresses that a leader must not get too complacent, or fail to get involved in the business. Customers and employees will appreciate a leader who goes that extra mile, and who supports and practices continual improvement and innovation.

For me, the power of the book is how Irv Rothman effectively combines his own personal experiences with sound advice for achieving success for both the leader and the entire organization. The author provides important insights into the leadership process by integrating them into the personal and business realms. Irv Rothman doesn't compartmentalize values and principles, but rather treats them as essential rules for living, leading, and building a company.

The author presents a solid blueprint for establishing a values based company, led and staffed by values based people. Because of this firm commitment to principles, an ability to adapt to changing economies and social conditions, and ongoing innovation, a company will thrive and prosper in any time or economy. The holistic approach taken by Irv Rothman creates the necessary conditions for true and sustainable success.

I high;y recommend the holistic and engaging book Out-Executing the Competition: Building and Growing a Financial Services Company in Any Economy by Irv Rothman, to any business leaders, executives, managers, or entrepreneurs seeking a road map for establishing, building, and expanding a successful company, based on ethical principles and timeless values. This book demonstrates the power of ethics and principles as a key to out-executing the competition.

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The New Tycoons by Jason Kelly - Book review

The New Tycoons

Inside the Trillion Dollar Private Equity Industry That Owns Everything

By: Jason Kelly

Published: September 11, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 232 pages
ISBN-10: 1118205464
ISBN-13: 978-1118205464
Publisher: Bloomberg Press














"The numbers are staggering. Private-equity firms globally and collectively had almost $3 trillion in assets at the end of 2011. The companies they own account for about 8 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product by one estimate", writes Bloomberg reporter who covers the private equity industry, Jason Kelly, in his intriguing and eye opening book The New Tycoons: Inside the Trillion Dollar Private Equity Industry That Owns Everything. The author describes the people, strategies, and decision making that takes place inside the often mysterious world of private equity.

Jason Kelly recognizes that despite its surprisingly short history, the private equity industry has a powerful impact and influence on financial markets and the economy. The firms are not usually household names,and include KKR, Baiin Capital, Blackstone, Carlyle, and TPG. Their ownership of well established companies and brands is also not known by the general public. Despite this relative obscurity, the author provides an insightful reporting and interview based journey into the depths of this fascinating industry. The author provides illustrative stories of how these opaque, and relatively unknown companies control almost every area of people's lives. The story is one of huge egos, of successes and failures, and of their impact on the economy.

Jason Kelly (photo left) understands the importance of an industry that collectively employs 8.1 million Americans through a wide range of familiar companies and brands. The author presents details of how the firms behave as investors, company owners, and as employers. Jason Kelly presents the overall strategies employed by the firms, and how they execute their overall plans. The author also outlines the different formats and structures of the various leading firms, including their differing business models.

Jason Kelly describes the role of debt, as both a tool and a strategy, and its impact on both the firm and the acquired companies. The author also points out where the vast pools of acquisition cash have their origins. Ranging from retirement and pension funds, to governments seeking to diversify their sovereign funds, to wealthy individuals, the sources of capital are varied and seeking of high returns. These are who, writes the author, are referred to as limited partners. Combined with borrowed capital, the private equity firms wield enormous amounts of money.

For me, the power of the book is how Jason Kelly provides a comprehensive insider examination of the major players and firms in the global private equity industry. The author combines in depth interviews with the leading players in the private equity world, with anecdotes, and old fashioned reportage to delve into the heart of the personalities, strategies, and effects on the companies.

Jason Kelly presents both the successes and failures of the firms, in a balanced approach to their overall success. The author presents often complex information in an engaging and readily understood style, whether the reader is a private equity insider, investor, or an interested individual. Jason Kelly also provides a valuable glossary of terms used in the industry, as well as a handy list of the leading firms in this powerful and important industry.

I highly recommend the insightful and informative book The New Tycoons: Inside the Trillion Dollar Private Equity Industry That Owns Everything by Jason Kelly, to any private equity executives, leaders and employees of companies owned by private equity firms, potential investors, and anyone interested in this compelling and controversial industry. Since the author points out the impact of this industry that owns everything, it is important for everyone to understand how the firms operate from the inside.

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Nick Sarillo: A Slice Of The Pie - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Founder, CEO, "Primary Keeper of Purpose and Operational Values" of Nick's Pizza & Pub, and author of the engaging and purpose driven book A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business, Nick Sarillo describes the crucial importance of a values and purpose driven company culture to the success of any size of business. Nick Sarillo shares the journey of his pizza chain from near bankruptcy to a real success story through the complete internalization of an empowering and purpose driven culture. Nick Sarillo provides the tools that establish a strong company culture and demonstrates how they can transform a business and its employees. Nick presents his Trust-and-Track model of management that empowers employees, and replaces the outmoded stifling and fear based command and control model. Nick shows how even purposeful architecture that reflects and reinforces the company culture is important. Nick points out that a positive feedback loop between managers and employees trains leadership, empowers good decision making, and reduces turnover.

Nick Sarillo is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, October 11, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Founder, CEO, "Primary Keeper of Purpose and Operational Values" of Nick's Pizza & Pub, and author of the engaging and purpose driven book A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business, Nick Sarillo describes the crucial importance of a values and purpose driven company culture to the success of any size of business. You will learn:

* Why company culture is critical to success in any size of business

* How to create a purpose driven company culture

* How to empower employees to become leaders and good decision makers

* How to establish a Trust-and-Track model to replace command and control

Nick Santillo (photo left) is the founder, CEO and “primary keeper” of the Purpose and Operational Vales of Nick’s Pizza & Pub, the sixth busiest independent pizza company in per-store sales in the United States.

Founded with the purpose of providing the community with an unforgettable place where families could relax and have fun, Nick’s Pizza & Pub has margins nearly twice that of the average pizza restaurant and boasts an 80 percent employee retention rate in an industry in which the average annual turnover is nearly 150 percent.

A regular speaker at entrepreneurship and HR conferences, Sarillo credits his company’s success to his purpose-driven culture.

My book review of A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business by Nick Sarillo.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with Founder, CEO, "Primary Keeper of Purpose and Operational Values" of Nick's Pizza & Pub, and author of the engaging and purpose driven book A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business, Nick Sarillo describes the crucial importance of a values and purpose driven company culture to the success of any size of business. Nick Sarillo shares the journey of his pizza chain from near bankruptcy to a real success story through the complete internalization of an empowering and purpose driven culture. Nick Sarillo provides the tools that establish a strong company culture and demonstrates how they can transform a business and its employees. Nick presents his Trust-and-Track model of management that empowers employees, and replaces the outmoded stifling and fear based command and control model. Nick shows how even purposeful architecture that reflects and reinforces the company culture is important. Nick points out that a positive feedback loop between managers and employees trains leadership, empowers good decision making, and reduces turnover on Blog Business Success Radio.

»»  read more

A Slice Of The Pie by Nick Sarillo - Book review

A Slice of the Pie

How to Build a Big Little Business

By: Nick Sarillo

Published: September 13, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
ISBN-10: 1591844584
ISBN-13: 978-1591844587
Publisher: Portfolio/Penguin













"Our secret sauce (pardon the pun) can be summed up in one word: culture", writes founder, CEO, and "Primary Keeper of Purpose and Operational Values" of Nick's Pizza and Pub, Nick Sarillo, in his engaging and purpose driven book A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business. The author describes the value of establishing a purpose based culture in a business of any size, and shares his proven concepts for building and maintaining a vibrant and values based organization.

Nick Sarillo understands completely the critical importance of building a company culture of purpose, transparency, and empowered employees. In an industry, known for its high employee turnover rates, the author demonstrates how to not only keep employees, but also how to develop them as empowered leaders who bring the best of being themselves to the workplace. Through what Nick Sarillo calls single minded working toward the company purpose, the successful culture of the organization is born and made into a reality. The author shares the pillars of of the purpose driven company, and shows other small business leaders that the power of a purpose based business resides in its overall culture.

Nick Sarillo (photo left) recognizes the that the outdated command and control management model is, at best, limited in its ability to achieve positive results. Instead of success, that depends almost entirely on the skills of the manager and predetermined benchmarks, the command and control style all too often results in weak metrics, high staff turnover rates, and marginal financial outcomes. The author demonstrates clearly the benefits of replacing this failed concept with a purpose driven culture.

Nick Sariillo replaces the outmoded management techniques with a fundamentally different approach to management. The components of the culture based business, as practiced in the author's restaurants are as follows:

* Trust-and-Track: Freeing and empowering employees
* Purposeful architecture: The physical space must reflect the purpose
* Feedback loop: Two way management and employee conversation
* Issue-Purpose and Values- Solution: Empower employees to solve problems

For me, the power of the book is how Nick Sarillo combines a strong philosophical foundation for operating a successful business, with the practical strategies for transforming that vision into a reality. The author presents his premise of the crucial importance of establishing a purposeful culture well, and supports his thesis with the basic principles that lead to a strong and empowering culture. The book is a fantastic handbook, as well as an impressive case study, for the overall importance of company culture in a business of any size.

Nick Sarillo goes far beyond the established literature on company culture, which tends to emphasize the experiences of much larger companies. The author fills a void by presenting the benefits of company culture to small business, and even to industries where staff turnover is high, and culture thought to be only an impossible dream. The author created a vision of a culture driven business, and proved that it works better than the outmoded command and control model where building an effective culture is downplayed or nonexistent.

I highly recommend the insightful and empowering book A Slice of the Pie: How to Build a Big Little Business by Nick Sarillo, to any business leaders in any size of companies, manager, executives, and entrepreneurs seeking a fresh and practical approach to establishing and maintaining a purpose driven company culture. This book will transform the way you think about management and culture in a s small company; or a even a very large one for that matter.

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Innovation Economics: The Race For Global Advantage by Robert D. Atkinson & Stephen J. Ezzell

Innovation Economics

The Race for Global Advantage

By: Robert D. Atkinson, Stephen J. Ezell

Published: September 4, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 440 pages
ISBN-10: 0300168993
ISBN-13: 978-0300168990
Publisher: Yale University Press















"This book examines how America is losing the race for global innovation advantage and what it needs to do to come from behind and lead once again", write internationally acclaimed thought leader on innovation economics, Robert D. Atkinson; and Senior Analyst with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Stephen J. Ezell, in their landmark and forward looking book Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage. The authors describe how decades of neglect have caused American innovation to languish and fall behind key competing nations, and provide a positive blueprint for restoring American leadership in innovation and for laying the groundwork for a stronger domestic economy.

Robert D. Atkinson (photo left) and Stephen Ezell recognize the critical importance of innovation to building a strong economy. For America to regain its leadership in innovation, write the authors, there must be stronger commitment to domestic research and development. The authors point out that the manufacturing base in the United States has eroded severely as jobs have been offshored to competing countries,

At the same time, the capital remaining was invested in unproductive housing and market speculation. While American business and government have ignored innovation, such has not been the case in other countries around the world. The authors share the good news that it is not too late for a return to leadership in innovation for America. The key, according to the authors, is to make changes in priorities starting immediately.

Stephen J. Ezell (photo left) and Robert Atkinson understand that the current conventional wisdom of offshoring, speculative investments, and a lack of research and development will only push American innovation farther behind its competitors. As a result, the authors recommend a fresh approach that includes borrowing ideas from those same competing nations. The authors also suggest a complete reappraisal of innovation and funding in both the public and private sector.

The authors propose eight steps toward restoring innovation and rebuilding America's leadership in the global economy. Those eight steps, or "I's" as the authors call them, are as follows:

* Inspiration: Setting ambitious goals
* Intention: Make innovation-based competitiveness a national priority
* Insight: Improving understanding of innovative performance
* Incentives: Encouraging innovation, production, and jobs in the USA
* Investment: More public funding for innovation and productivity
* Institutional innovation: Doing new things in new ways
* Informational technology transformation
* International framework for innovation

For me, the power of the book is how Robert D. Atkinson and Stephen J. Ezell combine an incisive overview of how the United States has declined as an innovation leader, with an actionable road map to reestablishing American leadership. The authors present a powerful case in support of taking immediate action for increasing research and development efforts to support greatly enhanced innovation. The authors provide a wake up call that America is losing the innovation race, and must undertake new policies in both government and within private industry. The book is not all doom and gloom, however. The authors provide a powerful action plan for the restoration of America's innovation leadership, but it will require new ways of thinking and looking at the challenges. The barriers can be overcome, and this book provides a comprehensive plan for rebuilding that innovative dynamic in American industry and government.

I highly recommend the important and must read book Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage by Robert D. Atkinson and Stephen J. Ezell, to any business leaders, politicians, public sector policy makers, academics, union leaders, and anyone who is seeking a comprehensive plan for restoring America's global innovation leadership. This book will change the way you think about investment, innovation, and the global economy.

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Wonderful Life with the Elements by Bunpei Yorifuji - Book review

Wonderful Life with the Elements

The Periodic Table Personified

By: Bunpei Yorifuji

Published: September 14, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 1593274238
ISBN-13: 978-1593274238
Publisher: No Starch Press
















"We're usually not aware of the elements in our daily lives", writes brilliant and creative Japanese artist, Bunpei Yorifuji in his highly innovative and very engaging book Wonderful Life with the Elements: The Periodic Table Personified. The author describes the lives of the 118 basic elements in terms of them as literal cartoon families, with histories and occupations, and many characteristics in common.

Bunpei Yorifuji recognizes that the study and understanding of the many chemical elements is often both time consuming and very confusing. The author also takes into consideration that the standard Periodic Table of the Elements, while brilliant and the result of many great minds creating an essential component for understanding chemistry, is also challenging for many students and adults. To counter this lack of instant intuitive understanding, Bunpei Yorifuji takes the radical and insightful approach of drawing each of the elements as a member of an actual family; each with its own unique familial hairstyle. Tracing the family history of the elements, their various properties and uses, and their interconnectedness becomes more transparent as a result.

Bunpei Yorifuji (photo left) understands that providing each element, and the other members of their families with friendly faces and unique clothing and hairstyles, gives each of them a personality. When the elements are no longer simply an often confusing and out of context collection of seemingly random numbers and letters, they become both readily identifiable and memorable for readers. By transforming the study of chemistry and the elements from a form of work to a more playful event, the reader is swept along with the sheer pleasure and joy of the book.

Bunpei Yurifuji divides his cartoon based guide to the element families into a series of entertaining, but information filled chapters. Each chapter examines a different property of the elements, and of its relatives. The chapters are as follows:

* Elements in the living room
* The super Periodic Table of the Elements
* Element cartoon characters
* How to eat the elements
* The elements crisis

For me, the power of the book is how Bunpei Yorifuji combines important information about the elements and the Periodic Table, with a playful and lighthearted approach to depicting the 118 elements. The author provides a consistent approach to the cartoon characterizations of the elements that integrates them into both immediate families, but into related uses, properties, and timelines. Indeed, every part of the element's cartoon appearance is significant, and conveys important information to the reader.

The cartoons are drawn to tell at a glance the atomic weights, elemental states, and uses. Along with a comprehensive examination of each element, the author also provides a bonus version of his own large, fold out Periodic Table of the Elements. It is like no other version of the Periodic Table, and very much more playful and fun.

I highly recommend the imaginative and readily understood book Wonderful Life with the Elements: The Periodic Table Personified by Bunpei Yorifuji, to any students, educators, business people working with any of the elements, and to any interested individuals seeking an enjoyable way to learn and comprehend the chemical elements and the Periodic Table. High school Chemistry would be more fun with this book as one of the textbooks.

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The Tao Of Twitter by Mark W. Schaefer - Book review

The Tao of Twitter

Changing Your Life and Business 140 Characters at a Time

By: Mark W. Schaefer

Published: July 24, 2012
Format: Paperback, 169 pages
ISBN-10: 0071802193
ISBN-13: 978-0071802192
Publisher: McGraw Hill
















"People sharing, connecting, teaching, and entertaining each other in the moment - from every corner of the world. I had caught a glimpse of something profound and wonderful, writes blogger, internationally recognized educator, speaker, and business consultant Mark W. Schaefer, in his concise and action oriented book PeThe Tao of Twitter: Changing Your Life and Business 140 Characters at a Time. The author describes how to build influence on Twitter, how to create an engaged audience of followers, and how to utilize Twitter as a game changing competitive advantage.

Mark Schaefer recognizes that there is a deeper and richer undercurrent of events and connections taking place on Twitter than appears in the stream of tweets. The author points out that even within the seeming randomness of the Twitter postings, there is an enrichment and a powerful synergy. Mark Schaefer calls this potentially life and business transformational force the Tao of Twitter. For the author, any business or personal event that began with a single tweet, represents a success formula. Mark Schaefer presents the larger picture that surrounds these individual tweets, which turns them into a repeatable and effective formula. The author shares a systematic approach to utilizing the power and synergy of Twitter to move any business to ever greater success.

Mark W. Schaefer (photo left) understands that the power of Twitter is through connections, and the myriad of multiplications of those connections. Through the provision of useful and meaningful content, and the innate desire of people to help one another, the tweets are spread across the Twitterverse. For the author, the meaningful content is the catalyst that speeds the Twitter activity. The desire to help others authentically, and without a direct intention of selling, is part of the Tao of Twitter as well. Human interaction and sharing of meaningful content provides the foundation of the Tao of Twitter.

Along with the three basic aspects that form the Tao of Twitter, Mark Schaefer shares a series of chapters for using Twitter more effectively. Those chapters include:

* The business benefits of Twitter
* Lists - The key to Twitter sanity
* 20 ideas to toast your competition
* Twitter time savers
* Balancing the personal and professional
* Secrets of influence on Twitter
* Advanced Twitter concepts
* Becoming a top cat in Twitter chats
* Is Twitter for everyone
* Tao power: Putting it all together

For me, the power of the book is how Mark Schaefer combines a theoretical framework, a philosophical outlook, and a practical hands on guide to using Twitter effectively into a comprehensive whole. In a book that is concise and to the point, the author provides a complete approach to using Twitter the right way. Early in the book, the author emphasizes who the Tao of Twitter is most decidedly not about selling directly to followers. Instead, the reciprocity and authentic sharing of ideas and contents will lead to favorable results.

In many ways, the Tao is karmic. The more good and sharing a person provides for others, the more benefit flows back to the sharer. At the same time, the book is a valuable users manual for understanding the intricacies and features of the Twitter platform. The author also shares the refreshingly honest view that Twitter is not for everyone. That insight is important to understand as well, as the platform is not to everyone's taste or works toward their goals.

I highly recommend the clear and insightful book The Tao of Twitter: Changing Your Life and Business 140 Characters at a Time by Mark W. Schafer, to anyone seeking an open and honest appraisal and guide to using the Twitter social media platform effectively. This book will place your presence on Twitter on the right track to benefiting you and your followers.

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Judging a Book bt Its Lover by Lauren Leto - Book review

Judging a Book by Its Lover

A Field Guide to the Hearts and Minds of Readers Everywhere

By Lauren Leto

Published: October 2, 2012
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0062070142
ISBN-13: 978-0062070142
Publisher: Harper Perennial











"I am not a scholar of literature. All my commentary comes from my experiences and presumptions as a reader", writes humor blogger and self confessed reader and book lover Lauren Leto, in her hilarious and usually very accurate observational book Judging a Book by Its Lover: A Field Guide to the Hearts and Minds of Readers Everywhere. The author describes, in a delightfully snark inflected style, the types of people who love certain books, how to write as if you were a well known author, and how to fake having read both literary classics or the latest hot title.

Lauren Leto understands that book lovers have both a reverence by their books, as well as a pretension to being literary experts. This combination of elitism and anti-intellectualism forma a vulnerable and ready target for the author's barbs and most astute observations. The author shares candid commentary about such widely disparate topics as bookstore romances, the tell aspects of e-readers, and what people's bookshelves and book selections say about them. Lauren Leto provides a veritable field guide to the secret, and very public lives of books and the types of people who read them. Part literay cocktail party conversation survival guide, and part deflation of literary fueled egos, Lauren Leto has the cure for book induced ennui.

Lauren Leto (photo left) recognizes that readers and non-readers alike are drowned by so many books, both new and old, that simply keeping one's head above water is a daunting challenge. The author share survival tips for those brave and less than optimally lettered folks who may find themselves facing an inquisition on the latest best seller or some obscure classic. With both wit and helpful guidance, Lauren Leto presents a course to safe shores.

Lauren Leto offers advice and heaping helpings of humor in the following overall literary categories:

* For the love of print
* Fan fictions
* How to fake it
* Snark bait

For me, the power of the book is how Lauren Leto deflates the pretentiousness that so often surrounds the world of books and literature. While the critics and self proclaimed literati attempt to remove the life and joy from the written word, and transforming them into showcases for ego and partial learning, the author demonstrates how to avoid their games. While the snarky humor style may not be for everyone, it is appropriate in this context. A bit of ego deflation is a powerful remedy for the self important.

To counter the more sharp tongued humor, there are also some softer jabs and witty barbs tossed in the general direction of the book world. Lauren Leto loves books, and through this often laugh out loud treatise, that adoration shines through. Sharing the love of books and reading is the core value expressed in this enjoyable literature and social commentary.

I highly recommend the fun and passionate book Judging a Book by Its Lover: A Field Guide to the Hearts and Minds of Readers Everywhere by Lauren Leto, to anyone who loves books, reading, and discussing ideas regardless their official literati level of sanction. This book will have you smiling and laughing, as you see yourself and others of your acquaintance skewered in its pages.

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Ric Dragon: Social Marketology - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Online marketer, software developer, Co-founder and CEO of DragonSearch, and author of the comprehensive and very practical book Social Marketology: Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever , Ric Dragon describes the best practices for creating the ideal social marketing strategy for your organization. Ric Dragon provides ideas for using the right tools and developing a strategy and process for your goals. Ric Dragon demonstrates how to create a social media strategy that is quantifiable, repeatable, and improvable. Ric teaches the basic steps needed to focus on the desirable outcomes, find the ideal micro-segments of your market, and how to locate the communities where those tiny segments are found. Ric shows how to identify the flexibility of the process to identify and capitalize on new social media tools and platforms as they appear. Learn how to create and utilize a fully integrated social media strategy for your company and your brands.

Ric Dragon is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, October 4, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Online marketer, software developer, Co-founder and CEO of DragonSearch, and author of the comprehensive and very practical book Social Marketology: Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever , Ric Dragon describes the best practices for creating the ideal social marketing strategy for your organization. You will learn:

* How an organization wide approach to social media works

* How to use best practices to establish a social media strategy

* How to create a strategy that is quantifiable, repeatable and improvable

* How to find micro-demographics in online communities

Ric Dragon (photo left) is CEO and co-founder of DragonSearch. Ric Dragon has more than 20 years of extensive experience in graphic design, information architecture, web development and digital marketing. He is a sought-after speaker, having spoken at numerous marketing and technology conferences. Ric is also a regular guest columnist for Marketing Land, and Social Media Monthly.

His new book, Social Marketology: Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever, was published by McGraw-Hill in June 2012 and has received positive reviews. His previous book, The DragonSearch Online Marketing Manual is also available.

My book review of Social Marketology Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever by Ric Dragon.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with online marketer, software developer, Co-founder and CEO of DragonSearch, and author of the comprehensive and very practical book Social Marketology: Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever , Ric Dragon, as he describes the best practices for creating the ideal social marketing strategy for your organization. Ric Dragon provides ideas for using the right tools and developing a strategy and process for your goals. Ric Dragon demonstrates how to create a social media strategy that is quantifiable, repeatable, and improvable. Ric teaches the basic steps needed to focus on the desirable outcomes, find the ideal micro-segments of your market, and how to locate the communities where those tiny segments are found. Ric shows how to identify the flexibility of the process to identify and capitalize on new social media tools and platforms as they appear. Learn how to create and utilize a fully integrated social media strategy for your company and your brands on Blog Business Success Radio.

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Social Marketology by Ric Dragon - Book review

Social Marketology

Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever

By: Ric Dragon

Published: May 25, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
ISBN-10: 0071790497
ISBN-13: 978-0071790499
Publisher McGraw Hill













"Marketing in the social media is fundamentally different from conventional marketing. The depth in which connections can be made with the 'audience' or 'customers' is far greater than it possibly can be with any other medium", writes internet marketer, software developer, and co-founder and CEO Of DragonSearch, Ric Dragon in his comprehensive and very practical book Social Marketology: Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever . The author describes how marketers are very likely aware of the power of social media, they lack the tools and best practices for making an effective social media strategy a reality.

Ric Dragon recognizes that a social media strategy, to be considered viable and effective on an organizational level, must be quantifiable, repeatable, and improvable. To achieve these levels of accountability, the social media marketer requires the tools and best practices that will achieve those criteria. For marketers, who continue to think in terms of traditional media, or even in standard internet marketing procedures, Ric Dragon provides clear evidence that social media marketing demands a fresh approach and a new way of thinking and behaving. To find success in the social media world, the author guides leaders through the basics of claiming their social media real estate, creating creating an organizational policy, and monitoring the results.

Ric Dragon (photo left) understands three basic premises. Social media behaviors follow patterns, which if deciphered will provide context and form to the seemingly unwieldy social media world. Social media, if brought into the form of a process, works even more effectively if applied on an organization wide format. Not all social media projects are the same,as evidenced by different platforms and communities.

Ric Dragon provides a complete overview of the process for creating, measuring, and improving a social media strategy. The author breaks the journey down into readily understood and applied segments:

* Patterns in social media
* Managing the social media team
* Focusing on desired outcomes
* Humanizing the brand with personality and voice
* identifying customer micro-segments
* Belonging to a community
* Going for the influencers
* Creating an action plan
* measuring your progress
* Avoiding the big mistakes
* Laboratory for innovative social media
* Measuring and improving the social media marketing process

For me, the power of the book is how Ric Dragon combines a strong theoretical framework with the practical tools and techniques for establishing, monitoring, and adjusting a complete social media strategy. The author takes a holistic approach to social media that involves all aspects of the social media world, and an overall organizational involvement in achieving social media success for the company and its brands.

Ric Dragon presents the best practices that are so often missing from social media books and discussions. He adds this critical element to the basic premises that are so crucial to understanding the value and fresh thinking involved with social media marketing. The author provides the important aspect of measuring social media results, and adds the additional crucial element of changing, modifying, and improving the strategy and process based on those measurement.

I highly recommend the insightful and holistic approach based book Social Marketology: Improve Your Social Media Processes and Get Customers to Stay Forever by Ric Dragon, to any internet marketers, marketing executives, brand managers, non-profit executives, and entrepreneurs seeking a very complete examination of the strategy and processes involved in a successful social media marketing program. This book will boost your social media success for any organization or brand.

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Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired By Donna Ballman - Book review

Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired

Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards

By: Donna Ballman

Published: September 21, 2012
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1601632355
ISBN-13: 978-1601632357
Publisher: Career Press
















"This guide is a quick reference to some of the most important questions that come up about employee rights", writes practicing employment law attorney Donna Ballman, in her clear and concise book Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired: Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards. The author describes solutions to the most frequently encountered issues in employment law, how to avoid being fired should an employer break the law, and how to gather evidence when necessary on problem bosses.

Donna Ballman recognizes that much information exists regarding the rights of employees in the workplace. The author points out that many employees believe, mistakenly, that they have rights that do not exist under employment law. On the other hand, employees are not aware of the legal rights they do possess. Mistakes and misinformation result in serious costs for employees who act rashly, foolishly, or even against their own best interests. Danna Ballman offers the important advice that everything an employee puts in writing can and will be used against that individual. Donna Ballman sets the record straight as to what rights exist, how to use them effectively to buttress a case against a problem employer, and how to stand up for yourself without being fired as a result of your actions.

Donna Ballman (photo left) understands that employment law is complex, and very often myths and misunderstandings are believed to be true. Instead of basing a claim against an employer based on those false assumptions, the author presents a
straightforward and readily grasped series of chapters, covering every aspect and time frame of an employee's tenure with the company.

Donna Ballman provides a methodical examination of the laws governing the various stages of any employee's career. The stages of the career, and the appropriate law are as follows:

* In the beginning: Applications, interviews, Accepting the job, contracts
* The first few weeks: Starting your new job
* Basics while you are working: Wages, hours, breaks, benefits, sick time, e-mail, social networking, at-will, right to work
* Bad stuff happens: Discipline, bullies, coworkers, harassment
* Good stuff happens: Promotions, new contracts
* Evidence gathering: What you need to prove discrimination, harassment, whistle-blowing
* The end: Layoffs, terminations, references, severance
* Post-employment blues: Unemployment, defamation, non-competes, confidentiality, interference with new employment

For me, the power of the book is how Donna Ballman presents the relevant employment law, for the various phases of an employee's career, in an clear and no nonsense format. The author guides the reader through the myriad of employment law situations, and includes crucial tips in each chapter to prevent the employee from making costly mistakes. Donna Ballman clears up the many misconceptions, and some long held ideas about law that are not true.

The author also provides some essential advice for handling delicate employment issues including discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environments. Through this often conusing maze of scenarios, the author shines the light of law on the situation, and guides the employee toward a successful resolution. Donna Ballman, very importantly, advises the employee to consider the book's advice to be a basic employment law primer. The book is not to be taken as the last word, and the author recommends seeking professional legal assistance where needed.

I highly recommend the valuable employment law primer Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired: Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards by Donna Ballman, to job seekers, employees at any stage of their careers and working life, entrepreneurs, and employers of all types, who are seeking a very hands on and easy to understand reference book on employment law. This book could prevent a costly mistake by an employee, and help prevent problems developing on the part of the employer as well.

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