Congratulations...You Aced the Interview by Patricia D. Sadar - Book review

Congratulations You Aced the Interview

The must read Interview Guide to land the job of your dreams, College Edition

By: Patricia D. Sadar

Published: August 21, 2011
Format: Paperback, 114 pages
ISBN-10: 0982376561
ISBN-13: 978-0982376560
Publisher: Congrats Books












"As college students you may worry that you do not have the years of experience that others may have who have been out of school and working for awhile. That's okay. There is so much that you do have to offer that is just as important as experience: your education, ambition, and enthusiasm to name a few", writes co-founder of Congrats Books™ Inc. and President & CEO of People2Strategy®, Patricia D. Sadar in her concise and successful interviewing idea packed book Congratulations You Aced the Interview: The must read Interview Guide to land the job of your dreams, College Edition. The author provides very hands on and ready to use strategies and techniques to ensure that recent college graduates have effective job interviewing skills, to land that important first job after graduation.

Patricia D. Sadar recognizes that recent college graduates lack the job experience of applicants who have spend some years in the workforce. The author reassures the new employment applicant that they have much to offer as well. She shares ideas for not only leveling the interview playing field, but for tilting the advantage in favor of the new college graduate. Patricia Sadar points out that many impressions of interviews are simply myths, and she breaks through them with real world advice that is relevant for the new job seeker. The author also answers the most frequently asked questions about interview preparation, how to interview effectively, and how to follow up with the interviewer afterwards.



Patricia D. Sadar (photo left) understands that new college graduates are very often confused and even intimidated by the very thought of the employment interview. The author guides the would be interviewee through the entire process, including the different types of interviews, the important and most usually asked questions, and how to prepare for each type effectively. Using a playful, but very useful series of road signs as a road map on the interviewing journey, Patricia Sadar prepares graduates with advice on what is likely to take place during the conversation with the hiring manager, and how to make the key points and ask the right questions that present the interviewee in the best possible light.

The author divides the interview process into a series of manageable steps on the journey to being hired. The steps include:

* Breaking through the myths and learning the facts of interviews
* Where the graduate is now
* Where the graduate wants to be in their career goals
* How to get to those goals most effectively
* Charting the course with the author's road map as a guide

For me, the power of the book is how Patricia D. Sadar combines the real world facts of interviews, with an easy to understand guide, to having a dream interview that gets the job. Using a series of billboards, road signs, dead ends, and barricades, the author steers the job applicant along the road that best suits the individual. At the same time, Patricia Sadar shares universal concepts and interviewing techniques that will provide a competitive advantage to any interviewee.

The author brings to the table her many years of experience as a Human Resources Director and career coach, and offers what she has learned that works in the real world of interviews. Overall, this is a must read book for any new college graduates who have real questions, and want reliable and effective answers to all of their most pressing interview questions.

I highly recommend the very useful and results oriented book Congratulations You Aced the Interview: The must read Interview Guide to land the job of your dreams, College Edition by Patricia D. Sadar, to any recent college graduates who are seeking a no nonsense and easy to understand guide book to interviewing well and effectively for any job in any industry. This book will give that new employment hunter a competitive advantage over other applicants and interviewees who lack this valuable knowledge.

Tags: Congratulations You Aced the Interview: The must read Interview Guide to land the job of your dreams, College Edition, Patricia D. Sadar, job interview strategies, business book reviews

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Wind Energy Handbook, 2nd Edition by Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe & Ervin Bossanyi

Wind Energy Handbook, Second Edition

By: Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, Ervin Bossanyi

Published: June 21, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 780 pages
ISBN-10: 0470699752
ISBN-13: 978-0470699751
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.















"The use of wind energy to generate electricity is now well accepted with a large industry manufacturing and installing tens of GWs of new capacity each year. Although there are exciting new developments, particularly in very large wind turbines, and many challenges remain, there is a considerable body of established knowledge concerning the science and technology of wind turbines", write RenewableUK members Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, and Ervin Bossanyi, in their authoritative and landmark book Wind Energy Handbook, Second Edition. The authors provide a comprehensive storehouse of information and knowledge regarding the design, manufacture, and operation of wind turbines; with a focus on turbines on a horizontal axis connected to a large electricity network.

Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, and Ervin Bossanyi describe the well established knowledge relating to wind turbines that remains commercially relevant. The authors emphasis is on the horizontal type of wind turbine, and don't delve into the concepts and theory surrounding vertical axis turbines. The vertical axis turbines, write the authors, have proven to be competitive on a commercial basis with a horizontal axis turbines. The authors also adhere to the principle of recording the standard knowledge inherent to their topic, with the latest developments in the technology remaining outside the scope of this text.



Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, and Ervin Bossanyi offer a very complete overview of the established technological principles that form the basis of commercially viable horizontal axis turbines, their design, manufacture, and installation. The authors also present an overview of both onshore and offshore wind farms; including large deep water offshore installations.

The authors divide the book into convenient sections that provide a comprehensive overview of the established horizontal wind turbine knowledge base:

* The wind resource
* Aerodynamics of horizontal axis wind turbines
* Further aerodynamic wind turbine topics
* Design loads for horizontal axis wind turbines
* Conceptual design in horizontal axis wind turbines
* Wind turbine component design
* The wind turbine controller
* Wind turbine installations and wind farms
* Wind energy and electrical power systems
* Offshore wind turbines and wind farms

For me, the power of the book is how Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, and Ervin Bossanyi provide a complete and exhaustive study of the principles of horizontal axis wind turbines. In this revised and updated edition of their already classic book, the authors present a comprehensive survey of the current state of technological knowledge regarding horizontal axis wind turbines. While the authors don't cover the most leading edge research and technological advances in the subject, that is not the purpose of the book. For graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and practicing engineers in the area of horizontal axis wind turbines, this book is an absolute essential textbook.

I highly recommend the classic and definitive reference book Wind Energy Handbook, Second Edition by Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, and Ervin Bossanyi, to any engineering students in undergraduate or graduate studies, teaching academics, practicing engineers, business leaders in technology or electrical utilities, and government policy makers seeking a complete and authoritative overview of design, manufacturing, and installation of horizontal axis wind turbines. This book offers a complete survey of the field, and contains an important section on wind farms as well. Overall, this is a very important and essential addition to any study or practice in the field.

Tags: Wind Energy Handbook, Second Edition, Tony Burton, Nick Jenkins, David Sharpe, Ervin Bossanyi, horizontal axis wind turbines, science book reviews.

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Les McKeown: The Synergist - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Entrepreneur, speaker, President and CEO of Predictable Success, and author of the insightful and results oriented book The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, Les McKeown, addresses the challenging queston of why so many teams and groups fail to perform. Les McKeown describes how to move your team beyond the gridlock of inaction toward team success. Les offers the advice that every team needs one critical player, in the form of The Synergist, who can take the bold dreamers (Visionaries), the pragmatic realists (Operators), and systems designers (Processors) and combine them into a successful team. Les McKeown points out that the role of The Synergist is one that anyone can learn, and he shares the techniques for developing the necessary skills. Instead of treating just the symptoms of team failure, Les McKeown shares how to overcome the root cause of overcoming the Visionary-Operator-Processor triangle and build effective teams.

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

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

Entrepreneur, speaker, President and CEO of Predictable SuccessK, and author of the insightful and results oriented book The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, Les McKeown, addresses the challenging queston of why so many teams and groups fail to perform. You will learn:

* Why teams and groups fail to achieve successful results

* Why team failure is so costly to organizations

* Who are the three personality types that cause team gridlock

* How to develop and introduce The Synergist to achieve team success



Les McKeown (photo left) is the President & CEO of Predictable Success. In this role, he advises CEOs and senior leaders of organizations on how to achieve scalable, sustainable growth and speaks to Fortune 500 companies about his breakthrough strategies.

Prior to founding Predictable Success, Les established himself as a serial founder/owner in the global business spectrum, starting more than 40 companies, in addition to being the founding partner of an incubation consulting company that advised on the creation and growth of hundreds more organizations worldwide. It is through this experience that he aids businesses in different size and scope as an in-demand speaker, sought-after advisor and bestselling author.

Les delivers keynotes to various organizations and businesses around the world. He has presented his ‘Predictable Success’ and ‘Synergist’ model to the likes of Harvard University, Microsoft, United Technologies Corporation, Overture, Pella Corporation, the US Army and many more. In these engagements, he aims to empower every level of the workforce by educating every individual on the stages of the business life cycle, their business’ current stance and steps leading to this outcome, and the adopted practices needed to prosper for the future of the company.

As the President & CEO of Predictable Success, Les offers consulting services to fast-growth SMEs as well as Fortune 1000 companies. He has amassed a proven track record of improving leadership effectiveness and organizational performance to deliver significant business growth. It’s this intuitive understanding of why businesses grow and succeed that prompted clients including: T-Mobile, American Express Chiron Corporation, The Canadian Defence Department, MI-SWACO, St Vincent Health and Verisign to seek out his advice.

Les continues to receive critical acclaim from notable businesspeople and authors alike for his recent contribution entitled Predictable Success: Getting Your Organization on the Growth Track—and Keeping It There. The book outlines his heralded business growth methodology that has unmistakably helped his clients restore equilibrium to their companies, re-ignite confidence in their own management skills, and lead their teams forward into the next stage of growth. In his next installment, The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, he elaborates more on this concept specifically addressing the root cause of team dysfunction, the Visionary-Operator-Processor triangle, and presenting a fourth critical player to every successful team, the Synergist.

Les has appeared on NBC, ABC, BBC, CNN, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today and The New York Times.

My book review of The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success by Les McKeown.

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 entrepreneur, speaker, President and CEO of Predictable Success, and author of the insightful and results oriented book The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, Les McKeown, addresses the challenging queston of why so many teams and groups fail to perform. Les McKeown, as he describes how to move your team beyond the gridlock of inaction toward team success. Les offers the advice that every team needs one critical player, in the form of The Synergist, who can take the bold dreamers (Visionaries), the pragmatic realists (Operators), and systems designers (Processors) and combine them into a successful team. Les McKeown points out that the role of The Synergist is one that anyone can learn, and he shares the techniques for developing the necessary skills. Instead of treating just the symptoms of team failure, Les McKeown shares how to overcome the root cause of overcoming the Visionary-Operator-Processor triangle and build effective teams on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, Les McKeown, improving teams, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

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The Synergist by Les McKeown - Book review

The Synergist

How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success

By: Les McKeown

Published: January 3, 2012
Format: Hardcover: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 0230120555
ISBN-13: 978-0230120556
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan












"Groups and teams lie at the heart of every successful enterprise - in fact, they are the heart of a successful enterprise", writes president and CEO of Predictable Success, Les McKeown, in his insightful and results oriented book The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success. The author describes how successful companies are identified through their effective teams, while unsuccessful organizations are typified by ineffective and even counter-productive teams. The author shares his strategies and techniques for transforming teams riddled with gridlock and ineffectiveness into teams that achieve outstanding results.

Les McKeown recognizes the critical importance that teams play in the overall productivity and success of an organization. The problem, according to the author, is not that teams don't include the right people. The core challenge is in solving the gridlock and stalemates resulting from the conflicting personality types who compose those teams. With each of these individuals bringing their own agendas to the team, they prevent any real decisions being made and any positive action taking place. As a result, the organization suffers from lower productivity, and reduced profitability. Les McKeown demonstrates how to end these unnecessary personality clashes, and change the entire dynamic of the team from one of inaction to one of outstanding productivity.



Les McKeown (photo left) understands that dysfunction in teams and fear of making any changes, through a lack of trust and failed communication, are only symptoms of a deeper underlying problem. For the author, the real root causes of the stalemate and inaction of teams and groups rests in the personality clashes of its main characters. Les McKeown identifies three character types that derail any team or group. The three personality types are:

* The Visionary: Possessor of big ideas and little action
* The Operator: Wanting to end the meeting and return to the status quo
* The Processor: Detail oriented to the point of grinding things to a halt

To counter these three personality types, and their movement toward complete gridlock if their agendas are not met, Les McKeown introduces The Synergist. This fourth personality must recognize the incompatibility of the three dysfunctional personality types. For the good of the organization, The Synergist has no other option, but to put aside personal agendas and ego, and draw out the strengths of each personality archetype in the group. The Synergist must become the force for real change in the organization through implementation of the skills needed to develop superior teamwork.

For me, the power of the book is how Les McKeown identifies the root causes of team dysfunction and grilock, and provides the strategies and techniques for The Synergist to lead high performance teams. Les McKeown moves beyond the usual prescriptions that only treat the symptoms of team stalemate and inaction, and delves into the real core problem facing teams and their lack of decisions and actions.

The author offers the solution in the form of The Synergist who balances the different personality types, honors each of their positions, and builds connections between them for the betterment of the organization. The book also contains some very effective and hands on self-assessment tools to evaluate existing individual skills, and for developing the skills of an effective Synergist.

I highly recommend the thought provoking and transformational book The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success by Les McKeown, to any organizational leaders, executives, managers, and other decision makers who seek to to end their team gridlock and increase organizational productivity. This book will change the very core dynamics of your team from personal agendas and stalemate, to one of real team work and effective results.

Tags: The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, Les McKeown, improving teams, business book reviews

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Abundance:: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis & Steven Kotler - Book review

Abundance

The Future Is Better Than You Think

By: Peter H. Diamandis, Steven Kotler

Published: February 21, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
ISBN-10: 1451614217
ISBN-13: 978-1451614213
Publisher: Free Press













In their direct challenge to the concept of limits to growth for the planet Earth and its people, hairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, Peter H. Diamondis, and director of research for the Flow Genome Project, Steven Kotler provide evidence that the future is not one of shortages, but rather one where growth is not only possible, but inevitable. In their visionary and landmark book, Abundance The Future Is Better Than You Think, the authors describe the world as one where the needs of every person in the world will have their needs met; and more. That future, they write, is well within our grasp.



Peter Diamandis (photo left) and Steven Kotler recognize that there are serious problems and challenges facing humanity as we enter into the twenty-first century. In today's world, a privileged few live in luxury, while the vast majority of humanity lives on a subsistence level. Conventional wisdom claims that those circumstances are unlikely to change; and very likely get even worse. The authors write that the world, its resources, and its economy doesn't have to be that way. In the place of that conventional worldview, the authors take the contrarian position that not only will humanity's needs be met, but that the forces of technology are increasing and improving at such an incredible rate, that a life of abundance awaits the world in the very near future.



Steven Kotler (photo left) and Peter Diamandis introduce the reader to a wide range of thought leaders and innovators in the following fields: water, food, energy, healthcare, education, and freedom. Each of these topics are examined through the lens of possibilities, rather than limitations. That reversal of the standard approach opens the door to the fresh thinking and new ideas that permeate the entire book. The thinkers, entrepreneurs, and scientists who share their ideas with the authors offer an alternative future where technology, increasing at an exponential rate, will provide global abundance at a level never before seen on this planet.

The authors take a big picture approach, to their vision of the future, that examines possibilities rather than focusing on limitations. Instead of rushing to judgement as to why an idea might not work, they take the opposite position of how can that concept contribute to global abundance that benefits everyone. The book is divided into sections that cover the major touch points of abundance:

* Perspective
* Exponential Technologies
* Building the Base of the Pyramid
* The Forces of Abundance
* Peak of the Pyramid
* Steering faster

For me, the power of the book is how Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler not only share a global vision of abundance, but provide a road map for reaching and even exceeding the goal of meeting the needs of every living person on Earth. The book is a powerful combination of visionary thinking and optimism, blended with an entrepreneurial can do attitude, where possibilities can become realities. The authors provide a glimpse into a future, not of desolation and repression, but rather one of a good life, abundant food and resources, and personal freedom.

The authors demonstrate that the current level of technological advancement and breakthrough is approaching a tipping point where exponential technology change becomes inevitable. After that point is passed, the growth of technology will solve the current glaring problems in providing adequate food, shelter, and healthcare to the world. The book is a call to action as well for entrepreneurs, scientists, industry, and government policy makers to provide the impetus and will, to achieve this environmentally and economically sustainable future vision of abundance for all of humanity.

I highly recommend the thought provoking and hope filled book Abundance The Future Is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler, to any entrepreneurs, scientists, environmentalists, technology experts, corporations, humanitarians, philosophers, economists, governments, and anyone who shares a desire to build a better world for all people. This book is a book of possibilities, of ideas, of hands on thinking, and even of inevitable technological probabilities. This important book is one that is not to be missed.

Tags: Abundance The Future Is Better Than You Think, Peter H. Diamandis, Steven Kotler, visions of the future, business book reviews

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BlogBloke: Google And Privacy Issues - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Pioneering and straight talking blogger at Ask BlogBloke: Blogging & Social Media with the 'Original', BlogBloke shares his thoughts on Google and privacy issues. BlogBloke describes Google's policies on privacy and discusses what they mean to you. BlogBloke also provides insights into Google+ and offers ideas for maintaining your privacy across all of Google's networks. Controversial, direct, and always informative, BlogBloke pulls no punches on any of his topics. You will be informed and entertained, and will think of the topics being discussed in an entirely new way.

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

The show airs live on Tuesday, February 14, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Pioneering and straight talking blogger at Ask BlogBloke: Blogging & Social Media with the 'Original', BlogBloke shares his thoughts on Google and privacy issues. BlogBloke describes Google's policies on privacy and discusses what they mean to you. You will learn:

* What privacy really means at Google

* How to protect your online privacy

* What being an online expert really means

* Why Google allows pseudonyms now, changing its policy



Blog Bloke (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.



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 pioneering and straight talking blogger at Ask BlogBloke: Blogging & Social Media with the 'Original', BlogBloke, as he shares his thoughts on Google and privacy issues. BlogBloke describes Google's policies on privacy and discusses what they mean to you. BlogBloke also provides insights into Google+ and offers ideas for maintaining your privacy across all of Google's networks. Controversial, direct, and always informative, BlogBloke pulls no punches on any of his topics. You will be informed and entertained, and will think of the topics being discussed in an entirely new way on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: BlogBloke, Google and privacy issues, blogging ethics and issues, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

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Top Market Strategy: Applying The 80/20 Rule by Elizabeth Rush Kruger - Book review

Top Market Strategy

Applying the 80/20 Rule

By: Elizabeth Rush Kruger

Published: July 23, 2011
Format: Paperback, 150 pages
ISBN-10: 1606493108
ISBN-13: 978-1606493106
Publisher: Business Expert Press











"The 80/20 rule summarizes a universal law that predicts the relationship of inputs to outputs - and even governs the impact of customers on your business profit", writes speaker, educator, marketing consultant, and software developer Elizabeth Rush Kruger, in her concise and very hands on book Top Market Strategy: Applying the 80/20 Rule. The author describes how the most profitable 20 percent of a firm's customers generate 80 percent of the company's profits, and shares strategies for replacing the customers in the bottom 20 percent of customers with those with the characteristics of those of the top 80 percent.

Elizabeth Rush Kruger recognizes that not all customers generate the same amount of revenue or profits for the business. As with almost every endeavor, 20 percent of the people produce 80 percent of the results. Using this axiom as a guide, the author proposes that companies target more customers, with similar traits and purchasing habit,s to the most profitable 20 percent of existing customers. Instead of seeking just any customer, Elizabeth Rush Kruger provides strategies and tactics for locating, attracting, and retaining customers similar to the existing top 20 percent. The author points out that quadrupling the best customers will also result in a quadrupling of profits.



Elizabeth Rush Kruger (photo left) understands that not everyone is aware of the power of the Pareto Distribution that holds that 20 percent of inputs results in 80 percent of the outputs. With this principle in hand, Elizabeth Rush Kruger describes how business decision makers can forecast their most important customers prior to the purchasing event. To increase the level of profitability, the authors recommends replacement of the bottom 20 percent of the customer base with customers who behave like the top 20 percent of that base.

To find and attract the ideal top market customer, Elizabeth Rush Kruger presents the following best practices:

* Understand the Pareto distribution and how it works
* Segment existing customers by profitability
* Interview and survey diverse customers
* Define the profitability segments
* Distinguish the top market segment
* Create marketing strategies based on the research
* Quadruple overall customer profitability

For me, the power of the book is how Elizabeth Rush Kruger utilizes the Pareto Distribution Principle as a guide to increasing total customer profitability. The author takes the bold step of recommending that the existing customer base be examined, segmented by profitability, and that the most profitable 20 percent of customers be replicated throughout the entire customer list. Elizabeth Rush Kruger provides the very practical and results oriented tools, worksheets, and graphics to guide the reader toward a deeper understanding of which customers are creating the most profit for the firm. The author also shares some powerful and effective market segmentation tools in the book's useful appendix.

I highly recommend the practical and company profit boosting book Top Market Strategy: Applying the 80/20 Rule by Elizabeth Rush Kruger, to anyone seeking an engaging and useful guide to transforming a moribund customer base into one bursting with profitability. This book will renew and revitalize the profitability of any size of company.

Tags: Top Market Strategy: Applying the 80/20 Rule, Elizabeth Rush Kruger, customer market segments, business book reviews

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The View From Lazy Point by Carl Safina - Book review

The View from Lazy Point

A Natural Year in an Unnatural World

By: Carl Safina

Published: January 3, 2012
Format: Paperback, 416 pages
ISBN-10: 1250002710
ISBN-13: 978-1250002716
Publisher: Picador












"So this story is also about the tension created when those things mistakenly called "the real world" - thought they are entirely artificial - continually intrude on the real real world. In a real place, the mysteries of ages pile thick with enduring truths and complex beauties", writes prominent ecologist, marine conservationist, and president of Blue Ocean Institute, Carl Safina, in his lyrical and passionate book The View from Lazy Point: A Natural Year in an Unnatural World. The author describes how environmental problems result from failures of social justice and the politics of greed. He invites the reader to tour the natural world of his home on eastern Long Island, New York, and those discovered on his journey to the four corners of the globe.

Carl Safina understands the critical importance of conserving and protecting the natural world, and its wide variety of fauna and flora, for both ourselves and for future generations. Unlike many environmentalists who provide only bleak forecasts, Carl Safina guides the reader through the beauty of the world, and invites people to share his message of hope. Through asking the very difficult, and very often unsettling questions about the inter-relationship between the challenges facing the the environment and the human created catalysts of greed and politics, the author seeks answers to those queries.



Carl Safina (photo left) expresses a love and an appreciation for the natural beauty of the world, and all of its plants and living creatures, that offers a backdrop of optimism despite the difficult problems that demand compassionate resolution. The author recognizes the interconnectedness of the planet and of all living things. Carl Safina's holistic approach to ecology is guided by a genuine love of life's diversity and for the natural worlds of the planet. For the author, the dramatically inadequate global economic system abuses both nature and human rights.

Carl Safina takes Albert Einstein's concept of the "circle of compassion" as his guiding principle, and takes into consideration the interdependency of humans and the natural world. The author offers a message of hope that people will recognize and understand the critical importance of environmental sustainability as vital to continued human existence as well. To achieve a balance with the natural world, Carl Safina recommends a balance in all human activities including economics, social justice, and political equality.

For me, the power of the book is twofold. Carl Safina writes in poetic and powerful prose that expresses his genuine passion and love for the natural world. The author also shares his concerns that a lack of social and economic justice, and political greed and lack of long term thinking, pose a real threat to the environment and to all of humanity. The author writes poetically, and shows a real joy in in observing the natural world first hand. The detail expressed in Carl Safina's eloquent writing transports the reader to a new time and place, and instills fresh insights and ways of looking at the environment.

This book is a testament to environmental sustainability, the natural world, and for the need for human political and economic justice. The author addresses the challenges facing the environment and the world's people head on, sharing his views on the need for compassion for all living things and for the entire planet. Carl Safina is a voice of hope that humanity will see the need for compassion and for environmental protection. The author is a modern day Henry David Thoreau or Aldo Leopold, and a voice that must be heard by everyone.

I highly recommend the landmark and destined to become classic book The View from Lazy Point: A Natural Year in an Unnatural World by Carl Safina, to anyone seeking a brilliant and heartfelt examination of the problems and possibilities offered by environmental sustainability and social justice. These two concepts are often separated, but in this deeply philosophical book, it becomes obvious that they are intertwined as one. This book will give you a fresh and personal impression of the natural world, in all of its tender lyricism and hope.

Tags: The View from Lazy Point: A Natural Year in an Unnatural World, Carl Safina, environmental science, science book reviews.

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Changing Cold Enviroments: A Canadian Perspective Edited by Hugh French & Olav Slaymaker - Book review

Changing Cold Environments

A Canadian Perspective

Edited by: Hugh French, Olav Slaymaker

Published: January 3, 2012
Format: Paperback, 340 pages
ISBN-10: 0470699698
ISBN-13: 978-0470699690
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell













"The aim of this book is to simply document the changing nature of Canada's cold environments and, by implication, outline the possible global effects. We restrict the broader outline to the northern hemisphere", write editors Professor Emeritus, University of Ottawa, and Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Hugh French; and Professor Emeritus, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and the University of British Columbia in the Department of Geography, Olav Slaymaker, in their comprehensive and well structured book Changing Cold Environments: A Canadian Perspective. The editors provide a complete overview of how the physical attributes of the cold environments of Canada are changing, and how these changes have an impact on cold environments around the globe.



Hugh French (photo left) and Olav Slaymaker recognize that global climates are changing, and that those dramatic changes are affecting the fragile norther cold climates, The authors provide essays by leading experts in the field, and also from respected researchers in cold region research. In this book, the cold regions under study are the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere in general, and the Canadian north in particular. The editors focus on issues of environmental science and sustainability, in light of current an ongoing global climate change. The editors, and the contributing experts, express real concerns as to the effects of climate change on the cold environments in Canada, and around the world.



Olav Slaymaker (photo left) and Hugh French present research based evidence that global climate change is having a profound effect on Canada's cold regions, and on the planet's cold environments as well. The clear focus on global climate change forms the central theme of the book, with Canadian cold environments providing examples and research findings.

The editors provide a clearly structured approach to the study of global climate change on the cold environments most affected by it. The book examines the following Canadian environments that are facing the most impact:

* The Canadian tundra region
* The northern Canadian sub-arctic and boreal forest regions
* Western Canadian mid-latitude mountain regions
* Additional global studies of similar regions

For me, the power of the book is in the high quality of the research based contributions, written by acclaimed experts, and structured by the editors into a clear and logical format. The book is packed with photographs, graphs and diagrams that illustrate the points presented by the contributing writers. The book is both timely and important, and examines one of the most important environmental issues of our time. The editors avoid the controversies surrounding the causes of global climate change, and instead offer the field based research evidence of the results of that environmental transition. This book is a good one for study in the upper levels of undergraduate study in environmental science, geography, and earth sciences.

I highly recommend the research based and well structured book Changing Cold Environments: A Canadian Perspective edited by Hugh French and Olav Slaymaker, to any undergraduate students, journalists, policy makers, business leaders, and engineers seeking a complete overview of the impact of environmental change on cold climates. This book forms a solid knowledge base that has real value beyond the classroom, and into the boardrooms of business and the halls of government.

Tags: Changing Cold Environments: A Canadian Perspective, Hugh French, Olav Slaymaker, environmental science, science book reviews.

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Linda Edgecombe: Shift...Or Get Off The Pot - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Internationally renowned award-winning humorous speaker, trainer, consultant, and author of the straight talking and engaging book Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life, Linda Edgecombe, shows people how to laugh at themselves and have some fun in their lives, while also encouraging individuals to take an honest look at themselves. Linda guides people to shift their perspective and examine themselves and their lives in entirely new and exciting ways.

Linda helps people to answer the question are you doing the best you can, considering everything on your plate right now. She asks if you are on the deferred life plan, waiting for something better to come along. She also has you consider when was the last time you did something for the first time so your stories don't get old. Discover how to reflect on yourself and your life, with humor and a with an eye toward a more spontaneous and exciting life starting now.

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

The show airs live on Thursday, February 9, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Internationally renowned award-winning humorous speaker, trainer, consultant, and author of the straight talking and engaging book Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life, Linda Edgecombe, shows people how to laugh at themselves and have some fun in their lives, while also encouraging individuals to take an honest look at themselves. You will learn:

* How to examine your life to find your real purpose

* How to decide if you are doing the best that you can

* If you are on the deferred life plan

* When was the last time you did something for the first time



Linda Edgecombe, CSP, (photo left) is an internationally renowned, award-winning humorous speaker, trainer, and consultant. As a professional with a degree in physical education, Linda brings 20 years of recreation, employee wellness, lifestyle, and corporate consulting experience to her programs and her clients.

Linda was a consultant for PARTICIPACTION, promoting healthy living to Canadians, and is known for being one of the country's most popular speakers. She was most recently featured in the Wall Street Journal as an expert in "Shifting Perspectives."

She lives in Kelowna, B.C.

My book review of Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life by Linda Edgecombe.

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 internationally renowned award-winning humorous speaker, trainer, consultant, and author of the straight talking and engaging book Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life, Linda Edgecombe, as she shows people how to laugh at themselves and have some fun in their lives, while also encouraging individuals to take an honest look at themselves. Linda guides people to shift their perspective and examine themselves and their lives in entirely new and exciting ways.

Linda helps people to answer the question are you doing the best you can, considering everything on your plate right now. She asks if you are on the deferred life plan, waiting for something better to come along. She also has you consider when was the last time you did something for the first time so your stories don't get old. Discover how to reflect on yourself and your life, with humor and a with an eye toward a more spontaneous and exciting life starting now on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life, Linda Edgecombe, seeking life's purpose, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

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Shift...Or Get Off the Pot by Linda Edgecombe - Book review

Shift or Get off the Pot

26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life

By: Linda Edgecombe

Published: June 1, 2009
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1897178654
ISBN-13: 978-1897178652
Publisher: Insomniac Press









"It's about remembering what you already know; it's about finding the simple truths about what it takes to get a life and be happy", writes internationally renowned award-winning humorous speaker, trainer, and consultant. Linda Edgecombe, CSP, in her straight talking and engaging book Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life. The author describes how a person can meet themselves, know themselves, love themselves, and how to rediscover what it means to have a fulfilling and and happy life.

Linda Edgecombe understands that the pressures of people's lives cause them to lose focus and feel that their lives are beyond their own control. The author advising slowing life down to a more human and liveable speed, and shares the techniques for making that shift in speed. Linda Edgecombe demonstrates that everyone knows the answers to how they can fulfill their life's purpose. Those answers just get lost in all the noise and demands of everyday life. Linda Edgecombe offers a restful oasis to rest and refresh oneself, and to make the changes that will get an individual's life back into their own hands.



Linda Edgecombe (photo left) recognizes that a person can only be successful if they know who they are and what they really want to do in their lives. To assist people on this voyage of self discovery, the author shares some intriguing tools and has the individual ask their inner selves some deep and probing questions. Instead of living a fantasy, the author shares ideas for making those dreams a reality.

Linda Edgecombe presents three core questions, that everyone must ask and answer for themselves, as they keys to the shift. Those core questions are:

* Are you doing the best you can?

* Are you living on the deferred life plan?

* When was the last time you did something for the first time?

For me, the power of the book is how Linda Edgecombe combines the often difficult questions of one's life's direction with good humor and spontaneity. The author asks the reader to reflect on their own life, and on their future, and shares some engaging and fun practices for making what she calls a shift. Unlike many books on finding life's purpose, this book avoids the pain so often associated with and resulting from that introspection process. Through a healthy injection of humor and laughter, this book is a pleasure to read, and the practices a joy to consider for everyone.

I highly recommend the joy filled and inspirational book Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life by Linda Edgecombe, to anyone seeking to make changes in their lives, or is looking for their life purpose, but lacks the guidance on their inner voyage. This book sets the course for a fresh new approach to life, filled with spontaneous events, laughter, and an exciting new lease on life.

Tags: Shift or Get off the Pot: 26 Simple Truths About Getting a Life, Linda Edgecombe, seeking life's purpose, business book reviews

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Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? by William Poundstone - Book review

Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?

Trick Questions, Zen-like Riddles, Insanely Difficult Puzzles, and Other Devious Interviewing Techniques You Need to Know to Get a Job Anywhere in the New Economy

By: William Poundstone

Published: January 4, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
ISBN-10: 031609997X
ISBN-13: 978-0316099974
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company










"Today's army of unemployed has made every company a Google. Unsexy firms now find themselves with multiple well-qualified applicants for each position. That is very good for the companies that are able to hire. Like Google, they get to cherry-pick the top talent in their fields. It's not so good for the applicants. They are confronting harder, ruder, more invasive vetting than ever before", writes respected author and journalist William Poundstone, in his strategy filled and must read book Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? Trick Questions, Zen-like Riddles, Insanely Difficult Puzzles, and Other Devious Interviewing Techniques You Need to Know to Get a Job Anywhere in the New Economy.

William Poundstone describes how employers, inspired by the famous Google interviewing techniques, are utilizing those methods into their own search for employees. The author also provides real world examples, of the trickiest Google interview puzzles and riddles, to give employment seekers a head start on succeeding in the latest interviewing process.

William Poundstone recognizes that the interviewing techniques pioneered by Google, designed to uncover job applicants with superior creative thinking skills, are becoming mainstream tools in the corporate interview process. Companies seek creative thinkers as employees, and are valuing the creative problem solver more highly than an applicant with high academic grades. The author shares many of the most frequently encountered puzzles, describes their reasoning, and offers various solutions. William Pounstone notes that there is no real correct answer to any of these puzzles and riddle; only possibly better or alternative solutions. The problems and brain teasers my seem like child's play, but rather they are deadly serious measuring tools for sorting and hiring today's job seekers.



William Poundstone (photo left) guides the reader through a labyrinth of seemingly unsolvable and unusual problems, and offers insights into how and why they are so popular with Google; and now with other employers as well. The author points out that in the recession, there is an abundance of qualified applicants available for every job. That vast increase in potential employees accelerated the necessity of finding fresh techniques to screen out some of the many candidates. The interview tactic of choice was the mainstream acceptance of the Google creativity quiz based interview. Google utilized the puzzle method to find an average of one hire out of a typical pool of one hundred and thirty.

For me, the power of the book is how William Poundstone combines the reasoning behind the Google creativity based interview, with the typical mind bending puzzles that make up that interview process. William Pounstone describes in detail how the questions are posed, how to recognize the key elements of the puzzle, and ways to formulate creative solutions. The book is more than a cataloging of Google's most famous puzzles, but is also a guide to how and why this revolutionary interviewing method gained popularity across the corporate world.

At the same time, William Poundstone provides evidence that hiring managers utilize the Google method to mask various types of hidden agendas, and demonstrates how to decode those more subtle motives as well. Overall, the book is a well balanced discussion of a fascinating and controversial approach to applicant pre-screening, interviewing, and the final hiring of new employees. It remains to be seen if this interview approach will last; or if it's best suited to the hiring process at Google.

I highly recommend the engaging and intriguing book Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? Trick Questions, Zen-like Riddles, Insanely Difficult Puzzles, and Other Devious Interviewing Techniques You Need to Know to Get a Job Anywhere in the New Economy by William Poundstone to anyone seeking a new job or career change, to hiring managers interested in the latest interviewing techniques, and to people who love to solve puzzles. This book will change the way you approach the interview, from either side of the desk, and prepares job applicants for meeting the challenge of the puzzle based interview. They are not found only at Google anymore.

Tags: Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? Trick Questions, Zen-like Riddles, Insanely Difficult Puzzles, and Other Devious Interviewing Techniques You Need to Know to Get a Job Anywhere in the New Economy, William Poundstone, Google interviewing techniques, business book reviews

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Yael Zofi: A Manager's Guide To Virtual Teams - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Founder and CEO of AIM Strategies®, Applied Innovative Management®, and author of the authoritative and practical advice filled book A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams, Yael Zofi, describes how virtual teams are reshaping the way we do business. Combining technology and globalization, virtual teams are the new face of teamwork in business. Yael Zofi offers advice for managing teams of people who are not in the same building, the same city, or even in the same country.

Yael Zofi shares real answers to the most frequently asked questions about virtual teams, and provides best practices to ensure peak performance from all team members. Discover how to set up a virtual team the right way from the very beginning of the project, and learn how to avoid the most frequent pitfalls and mistakes made in virtual team management. Yael Zofi demonstrates how to maximize the benefits of virtual teams, including how to manage trust, communication, defusing conflict, and managing the deliverables successfully.

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

The show airs live on Tuesday, February 7, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Founder and CEO of AIM Strategies®, Applied Innovative Management®, and author of the authoritative and practical advice filled book A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams, Yael Zofi, describes how virtual teams are reshaping the way we do business. You will learn:

* Why virtual teams are being ever more important for companies

* How to set up and manage a virtual team the right way

* How to ensure that teams produce results and deliver the goods on time

* What is the future of virtual teams for business and for management



Yael Zofi (photo left) s the Founder and CEO of AIM Strategies®, Applied Innovative Management®. For 20+ years she has applied behavioral science techniques to organizations and teams and has dedicated her efforts to improving productivity in the areas of global leadership development, virtual team effectiveness and cross cultural communications.

Throughout her career, Ms. Zofi worked with clients in the high-tech, financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, electronics and media industries as well as non-profits and educational institutions. Her organizational development work focuses on helping leaders and teams become more successful through strategic alignment and guided change. She created assessment tools, facilitated global team strategy retreats, designed international talent management programs and lead merger integrations with three global organizations. Ms. Zofi also implemented process improvement, talent retention and performance management programs across three continents.

Prior to forming AIM Strategies®, Applied Innovative Management®, Ms. Zofi was Senior Vice President of Performance Management, Leadership and Organizational Development with J.P. Morgan.

While at Morgan, Ms. Zofi facilitated several global transformation initiatives, including working with senior management to implement performance, customer and organizational strategies aligned with new business directions, technologies and public policies. She worked in Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia), Latin America (Argentina, Brazil and Mexico) and Europe (UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, as well as the Eastern Block). Prior to Morgan, she spent several years with Accenture (Change Management) and Price Waterhouse Coopers (Post-Merger Integration) working on business process re-engineering and leadership development assignments.

My book review of A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams by Yael Zofi.

Listen live on Tuesday 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 and CEO of AIM Strategies®, Applied Innovative Management®, and author of the authoritative and practical advice filled book A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams, Yael Zofi, as she describes how virtual teams are reshaping the way we do business. Combining technology and globalization, virtual teams are the new face of teamwork in business. Yael Zofi offers advice for managing teams of people who are not in the same building, the same city, or even in the same country.

Yael Zofi shares real answers to the most frequently asked questions about virtual teams, and provides best practices to ensure peak performance from all team members. Discover how to set up a virtual team the right way from the very beginning of the project, and learn how to avoid the most frequent pitfalls and mistakes made in virtual team management. Yael Zofi demonstrates how to maximize the benefits of virtual teams, including how to manage trust, communication, defusing conflict, and managing the deliverables successfully on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams, Yael Zofi, virtual team management, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

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Results Without Authority - Second Edition by Tom Kendrick - Book review

Results Without Authority, Second Edition

Controlling a Project When the Team Doesn't Report to You

By: Tom Kendrick

Published: January 29, 2012
Format: Paperback, 276 pages
ISBN-10: 0814417817
ISBN-13: 978-0814417812
Publisher: AMACOM











"Projects are everywhere. Some of these projects succeed; others do not. Many projects fail because the project leader lacks sufficient control to keep things moving toward a successful conclusion". writes respected consultant, program manager, educator, and speaker Tom Kendrick, in his very systematic and results oriented book Results Without Authority, Second Edition: Controlling a Project When the Team Doesn't Report to You. The author describes why projects can and do fail, why so many teams operate under managers to whom they don't report, and provides the tools and techniques to ensure that any manager can achieve superior results even when lacking direct authority.

Tom Kendrick understands that managers who don't have direct authority over team members face difficult challenges in achieving the desired outcomes. For the author, this lack of control is a problem, but it's a problem with viable and practical solutions. Tom Kendrick guides the manager through the entire project management process spectrum, and shares his best practices and strategies for achieving successful results, regardless of the manager's authority level. The techniques offered by the author work for all types and sizes of projects, whether small and on site, or spread across several locations around the world.



Tom Kendrick (photo left) recognizes that managers who lack formal authority require additional tools and techniques to achieve project success. At the same time, the author also offers strategies, for managers who do have the formal authority, to avoid resorting to the counter-productive tactic of pulling rank on team members in order to gain the illusion of control. Tom Kendrick takes the manager through the entire project management process, revealing that the manager has more techniques to leverage for control, than are often thought to exist.

Tom Kendrick presents what he calls the three core elements of control. The core elements are as follows:

* Project processes where the manager defines clearly the project objectives and the term of its duration
* Influence where managers establish effective communication to build trust
* Metrics for measuring the progress of the project toward its goals

The author then takes those three core elements and applies them to improve processes, enhance influence, and creating metrics through the five universal phases of projects. The five phases are as follows"

* Initiating the project
* Planning the process and goals
* Executing the plan
* Monitoring the process and its outcomes
* Closing down the process

For me, the power of the book is how Tom Kendrick combines a very effective project management framework, with the strategies needed, for any manager to succeed on any size or type of project. The author provides the best practices for managers to gain and maintain control over projects and project teams, regardless of their formal authority level. The tools offered work well for a manager who has no authority; or for a manager who has full authority, but seeks to avoid the problems arising from pulling rank.

Tom Kendrick provides a useful and universal road map for navigating through entire projects from the very earliest planning stages to the final closing down of the project and the ending of the team. With this guide in hand, an experienced or first time manager will have the tactics needed to maintain control of the team, and achieve successful results every time.

I highly recommend the very hands on and essential project team management guide book Results Without Authority, Second Edition: Controlling a Project When the Team Doesn't Report to You by Tom Kendrick, to managers of any experience level, on any size or type of project, who seek to gain and maintain control over their teams to ensure superior results. This book will change the way all managers approach team management, even if they lack formal authority or are located far from the project management site.

Tags: Results Without Authority, Second Edition: Controlling a Project When the Team Doesn't Report to You, Tom Kendrick, project management teams, business book reviews

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Punching Out: One Year In Closing An Auto Plant by Paul Clemens - Book review

Punching Out

One Year in a Closing Auto Plant

By: Paul Clemens

Published: January 17, 2012
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0767926935
ISBN-13: 978-0767926935
Publisher: Anchor Books













"The trip to Mexico would cap a process that had begun two and a half years before, on May 15, 2006, when ThyssenKrupp Budd, citing the declining sales of the Ford SUVs for which it supplied components, announced that it would close its Detroit plant by year's end", writes award winning journalist Paul Clemens, in his thought provoking and often heart breaking book Punching Out: One Year in a Closing Auto Plant. The author describes the process of how the venerable and iconic Budd Company Detroit plant was dismantled and transported to Mexico, and shares stories of people's lives, the state of the auto industry, and of the future of work in America.

Paul Clemens understands the historic significance of the dismantling of the Budd Detroit plant as part of a larger decline in America's once unchallenged supremacy in manufacturing. The Detroit based auto industry was the symbol of that manufacturing might. Paul Clemens points to the pride of Detroit, and its central position in American industry, and how that place and its proud moments are now a fading memory. The taking apart, piece by piece, of the Budd plant in Detroit represents a microcosm of the end of an era in America. The author presents the plant closing as the slow death of American industry, and the removal of heart and dignity of the American working class.



Paul Clemens (photo © Elizabeth MacDonald left) presents an account that is both personal and a painful metaphor for the unsettling story of America's decline. Bit by bit, piece by piece, the entire Budd plant disappeared from Detroit, symbolizing the death of the American Dream. For working class Americans, the auto industry offered a middle class wage scale that was the key to the door of that Dream. With the piecemeal removal of the plant, the working class hopes vanished along with the factories.

Along with the ongoing decline of the former industrial power centers of America, the author raises troubling questions about the future of the United States. With the ending of the Industrial Era, the replacements which include the service and retail economies don't provide the same level of income, benefits, or security found in the auto plants. The author talks to the displaced auto workers, who expressed pride in their jobs and their desire to work hard to build a nation. Those once proud employees are no longer on the assembly lines, but are often in unemployment lines. For Paul Clemens, the American Dream wasn't intended to end that way. As a result, the author asks some painful questions about where middle class income based jobs will come from in the future.

For me, the power of the book is how Paul Clemens presents the story of one dismantled auto plant in Detroit, Michigan as a metaphor for the de-industrialization of America and the ending of the American Dream for the working class. The intense pride of the working people of Detroit, and of the United States as a whole, have taken a severe blow in the new harsh reality of globalization. Paul Clemens offers a human story, filled with real people, who felt that reality making an impact on their lives.

In a series of pieces of a single plant, is encapsulated the piece by piece dismantling of Industrial America. The lost jobs on the auto assembly lines represent the loss of power of trade unions and working class in late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Industrialization moves across the globe, but the decay, unemployment, and shattered American Dream remain very much at home. This story continues today, as the book is also a prophetic vision of the future for other cities, towns, factories, and working people awaiting their turn for a piece by piece removal of their lives.

I highly recommend the insightful and very frightening book Punching Out: One Year in a Closing Auto Plant by Paul Clemens, to anyone seeking a real world view inside the dismantling of industrial America. This book will take you to Detroit, to the new location in Mexico, and into the lives of the displaced workers whose stories of loss are still being written. How that story ends is yet to be determined.

Tags: Punching Out: One Year in a Closing Auto Plant, Paul Clemens, decline of American industry, business book reviews

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