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Integrity:
Do You Have It by Dennis Aubuchon
reviewed by Steven G. Lauck
Dennis Aubuchon has written a book that sets the definition standard for integrity: Integrity, Do You Have It? The book not only provides a definition
of Integrity and how to spot it or the lack of it, it provides a guide to
live with more Integrity. I highly recommend this book and I see it as a start
to the real-world understanding of Integrity. It is up to those who choose
to digest this book to go forth and apply the standard. |
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Better Ethics NOW: Avoid The Ethics Disaster You Never Saw Coming (Second Edition) by Christopher Bauer, Ph.D.
reviewed by Steven G. Lauck
Better Ethics NOW is intended as a brief introductory book aimed at the multitude of readers who really need to know about ethics but want a brief and practical business book rather than a long-winded, theoretical, or philosophical one. To accomplish this, it takes a conversational tone and maintains a primary focus on essential and easily applied ideas and tools that the reader can put to use immediately. It uniquely addresses what we can all do as individuals to reduce our risk for ethics problems, no matter how unintentional those problems might be. |
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A
Leader's Legacy by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner
reviewed by Ian Cook
Have you ever tried to define "art" or sum up what comprises it? Well, it's
the same way with "leadership." Forests have fallen in aid of books written
on the subject...and we still haven't captured it fully. A Leader's Legacy takes a good run at it. The authors have developed
a highly credible level of expertise and research since the 1980's. Anything
they write is worth picking up and absorbing. If you feel a hankering to
do a little reassessing of your own approach to leadership but you are not
ready to go through a 360° feedback process or attend an in-depth leadership
retreat, this book is for you. |
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60-Minute
Strategic Plan by John E. Johnson and Anne Marie Smith
reviewed
by Steven G. Lauck, PMP
60 Minute Strategic Plan is a great business book! As the back cover
states "…. an innovative planning and problem solving system." It is 147
pages that engage both the logical left-brain and the creative right brain
to develop and implement a workable strategic plan. I
can see the flexibility of using this workbook to tackle most, if not all,
business issues in any department of any size company. |
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Blink:
The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
by
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell's Blink is a fascinating exploration of rapid cognition, the "thinking"
that takes place within the "blink of an eye." In the author's words "It's
thinking - it's just thinking that moves a little faster and operates a
little more mysteriously than the kind of deliberate, conscious decision-making
that we usually associate with "thinking." This is serious
brain food! |
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The
World is Flat by
Thomas L. Friedman
reviewed
by Steven Bryce
This is a very thought provoking book. It brings
with it the excitement of being part of some of the greatest changes across
the broadest sweep of its population that this world has ever been through. Friedman sets the stage with the "10 flatteners;" then discusses the implications of " triple convergence," and finally presents the "new rules" - "the small shall act big", "the big shall act small" and several more. The World is Flat - a must read! |
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Your
Leadership Legacy, Why Looking Toward the Future Will Make You a Better
Leader Today
by Robert
M. Galford and Regina Fazio Maruca
reviewed by Steven G. Lauck
Make no mistake you are leaving a legacy. It may be what you want to be
leaving; it may not. If you are serious about leaving a positive legacy
and having an impact on the legacies of those you manage, then use this
book as a textbook. Do the exercises, write your legacy statement, and live
your statement daily. |
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Beyond
Code: Learn to Distinquish Yourself in 9 Simple Steps - by Rajesh Setty
reviewed
by Michael A. Lally
If you are looking to throw off the shackles of your current position and
break free from the confines of your cubicle and begin a difficult yet ultimately,
rewarding path of self discovery and career ownership, you should use Beyond
Code as your starting point. De-commoditize yourself today! This book
will start you down the path and you will return to it again and again throughout
your journey. |
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Fire
in the Corporate Belly: Renewing
the Company - Body, Soul & Bottom Line - by Tom FitzGerald
reviewed by
Rick Sidorowicz
Fire in the Corporate Belly is an insightful
outline of the Preemptive Turnaround process. It describes the almost magical
adventure of re-igniting the spirit of an enterprise to unleash creativity
and talent, and achieve unprecedented levels of performance. See Tom
FitzGerald's excellent articles in The CEO Refresher Archives here.
(ed.) |
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Jack
Welch and the 4 E's of Leadership:
How to Put GE's Leadership Formula to Work in Your Organization
by Jeffrey A. Krames
reviewed
by Steven Bryce
The 4 E model is gaining fame in the business press. Whether you want to
become such a leader yourself, and / or create a company of such people
as your legacy, this is a very good primer on the leadership methods applied
so capably at one of the world's great leadership factories. |
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3-D
Negotiation by
David A. Lax and James K. Sebenius
reviewed
by Michael A. Lally
3-D Negotiation goes well beyond simply waiting for the other side
to talk first once you are all sitting together at a table. Negotiation
takes work. It takes planning. It takes analysis and research. And most
of all you have to listen. If you are serious about learning the
craft of deal design that creates lasting value, Lax and Sebenius are here
to help. |
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Secrets
of Special Ops Leadership by
William A. Cohen
reviewed by
Michael A. Lally
From Leonidas leading the Spartans against Xerxes at Thermopylae in 484
B.C. to international special operations groups in Iraq and Afghanistan
today, Dr. Cohen has analyzed commando teams throughout history. He finds
the common ground among all commando teams, synthesizes their techniques
and operating standards, and applies them to modern day business situations. |
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The
Pebble and the Avalanche: How
Taking Things Apart Creates Revolutions by Moshe Yudkowsky
reviewed by
Bryan Watson
The Pebble and the Avalanche is a good first step in the analysis
of innovation via disaggregation, providing much descriptive insight. That
said, there is a great deal of room in this area of the literature on innovation
for further in-depth conceptual analysis. |
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Bull's
Eye Investing - Targeting Real Returns in a Smoke & Mirrors Market - by John Mauldin
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
What worked
during the 1980s and 1990s won't work over the coming decade. An investment
return relative to the market may have been satisfactory back then, but
in today's market we have to focus on absolute returns, and that is the
essence of Bull's Eye Investing. This is one of
the most comprehensive analysis of the markets and the new bible for investors
for the next decade and beyond, and one of the best business books of all
time! |
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Citizen
Brand:
10 Commandments for Transforming Brands in a Consumer Democracy
by Marc Gobe
reviewed
by Andrea Dunowski
Citizen Brand is
a fresh, innovative, right-brained perspective on the development of the emotional
brand. It is not so much about forward thinking, but forward feeling ... It's
an interesting read and an excellent resource. |
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The
Randori Principles - The
Path of Effortless Leadership - by David H. Baum and Jim Hassinger
reviewed by
Rick Sidorowicz
David Baum and Jim Hassinger have written a superb book applying the key principles
of the martial art of aikido to business leadership. The connection between
Aikido principles and business leadership flows very well from the authors'
examples of specific maneuvers 'on the mat' to applications within organizations
and interpersonal relations. |
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The
Art of Profitability - by Adrian Slywotzky
reviewed by Ian
Bullock
In The Art of Profitability the author takes the subject of profitability
out of the realm of strategic planning and away from the number-crunching;
instead he writes about how profit happens. It reads like a play with many
scenes. The Art of Profitability is a concise study of the uniqueness
of many different profit models and the rigorous thought process required
to get it right - and a thoughtful challenge to the reader to apply the principles
to his/her own particular business situation. |
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The
Phoenix Effect - 9
Revitalizing Strategies No Business Can Do Without
by Carter
Pate and Harlan Platt
Written
from the frontlines of restructuring large companies in crisis, restructuring
specialist Carter Pate and Northeastern University professor Harlan D. Platt,
gives all managers the tools to revitalize companies large and small, healthy
and troubled.
Also
see: A
Conversation with Carter Pate . |
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Freda
Turner's Review:
In Egyptian mythology, the fabled phoenix was a beautiful gold-and-purple
male bird that became a Greek symbol of immortality. The Phoenix Effect is about corporate renewal or continued existence. The authors, Carter
Pate and Harlan Platt, share their experiences as Certified Turnaround Professionals
(CTP) to illustrate strategies in restructuring organizations that are in
need of a tune up or salvage a corporation in crisis. These turnaround authors
suggest there are 9 strategies that can assist in deciphering corporate health.
These strategies can be used by CEOs or leaders to renew corporate profitability
to ensure continued existence just like the fabled phoenix. This is an excellent
book and the authors provide the reader with numerous insights, examples and
suggestions that have worked for other organizations to improve corporate
prosperity. |
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Big
Vision Small Business
by Jamie S.
Walters
Wow! We have a breakthrough in mindfulness and business! Big Vision, Small
Business: The Four Keys to Finding Success and Satisfaction as a Lifestyle
Entrepreneur, is a thought provoking new book that celebrates the
art - and power - of small. It is an inspiration and ''must read' for every
entrepreneur and small business owner. It is also "very large!"
It provides invaluable insight for every CEO and corporate executive on the
issues of personal success, satisfaction, balance, authenticity, integrity,
values, business growth and what is truly meaningful and important. Congratulations
Jamie Walters and Ivy Sea for your outstanding work! |
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Good
to Great - Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don't
reviewed
by Freda Turner Ph.D.
For six years, Jim Collins and his 21-member research team studied 1,435 organizations
to identify great business practices of organizations that continuously increased
profitability and had global competition. His research provides several strategies
that have helped organizations make the leap from good to great and will certainly
be included the business courses that I teach. |
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Here
Today, Here Tomorrow - Transforming Your Workforce from High-Turnover
to High-Retention
reviewed by
Freda Turner Ph.D.
Gregory
P. Smith provides numerous suggestions on ways to turn an average organization
into a highly productive, low-turnover environment where managers can focus
on productivity - not recruiting and replacing an endless stream of workers.
This book is a must read for all managers, coaches and HR personnel interested
in strategic growth and higher productivity. |
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Toward
Rational Exuberance - The Evolution of the Modern Stock Market
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
Mark Smith's research transforms what might otherwise appear to be a dry treatment
of historical fact into a fascinating narrative replete with cameo biographies
of the colorful personalities that have both brought about, or caused the
stock market to evolve from being a primitive insider's game to becoming the
economic force that it is at the present time affecting a large proportion
of the population, both directly or indirectly. |
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Be
The Leader: Make The Difference
reviewed by
Ross Otto and Peter Schiller
Paul Thornton has written a very straightforward, concise and most
effective guide to the "nuts and bolts" of leadership. We have received comments
from our viewers and will feature them here for your review. |
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Filling
the Glass - The Skeptics Guide to Positive Thinking in Business
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
Barry
Maher doesn't agonize over whether the glass is half-full or half-empty, his
stated mission with this book is to tell us how to fill the other half of
the glass. |
Leadership,
by Rudy Giuliani
reviewed by Darlene
Y. Pineda
Why read Leadership, by Rudy Giuliani? You need to read this book because
it describes the values and principles that gave him the ability to be a hero.
The
Only Business Book You'll Ever Need to Read: The Wisdom of Robert Townsend
by
Skip Corsini
I read this book every year. Townsend's ideas live onward,
among those lucky enough to have found them. In my mind no individual has
contributed as much to the world of business, yet his name rarely comes up
in conversation.
Micro
Branding - Build a Powerful Personal Brand and Beat Your Competition - by
T. Scott Gross
reviewed by Bob
J. Holder
Micro
Branding is a fine presentation for small and medium businesses and individuals
for brand development. The author does a good job explaining and illustrating
what micro branding is. He also presents good implementation ideas, strategies
and tactics. The book is strong on "how-tos" and step-by-step processes for
enacting the author's ideas and strategies - overall a five star work.
How
to Become a Great Boss: The Rules for Getting and Keeping the Best Employees
- by Jeffrey J. Fox
reviewed by
Freda Turner
In a time of considerable corporate downsizing, it’s more important than ever
for bosses to surround themselves with and motivate great workers. Jeffrey
Fox now he turns his attention to the process of staying on top by fostering
teamwork and creating a sturdy network of support. The
book provides readers many excellent tips and strategies on being a great
boss - and that results in employees, the boss and the organization all emerging
as winners.
E-Business
Project Manager - by H. James Harrington and Tom McNellis
reviewed
by Bob J. Holder
E-Business Project Manager is an exceptional text for teaching and
training would be E-Business project managers and a useful publication for
experienced project mangers.
When
Generations Collide - by Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman
reviewed by
Freda Turner
For
the first time in history, we have four separate generations working side-by-side.
They are the Traditionalists, Baby boomers, Gen Xers and Gen Y. While there
is really no magic birth date that makes one a member of a specific generation,
one's experience and sharing of history helps shape a 'generational personality'
during their formative years.
Book
Summary: The Rebel Rules - by Chip Conley
summarized
by Regine Azurin and Yvette Pantilla
What does it take to get in touch with your inner rebel and run a business
on your terms? Today's Information Age has spawned a number of rebel business
leaders - people who have the passion, instinct, agility and vision to rewrite
the rules of business so it is ethical, respects diversity, and means more
to people than simply turning a profit.
Book
Summary: Effective Networking for Professional Success
by Regine P.
Azurin and Yvette Pantilla
We are all "self-employed" now. Networking is one skill you need to practice
to get ahead and survive these uncertain times.
First,
Break All The Rules: What The World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
reviewed
by Regine P. Azurin and Yvette Pantilla
Based
on a mammoth research study conducted by the Gallup Organization involving
80,000 managers across different industries, this book explores the challenge
of many companies - attaining, keeping and measuring employee satisfaction.
Spiritual
Intelligence - The Ultimate Intelligence by Danah Zohar & Ian Marshall
reviewed by Ian
Bullock
Spiritual
Intelligence, first published in 2000, is another milestone publication about
how the mind works.
Survivability:
Career Strategies for the New World of Work
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
In this drastically altered workplace,
you need strong coping skills to survive. If you are not consciously managing
your life and career you are in considerable danger of being left behind.
Abolishing
Performance Appraisals - Why They Backfire and What to Do Instead
reviewed by
Ian Cook
Abolishing Performance Appraisals boldly presents the skeptical
position of a growing number of managers, human resource professionals, consultants
and researchers: PA's don't do what they are purported to do AND they cause
a lot of other damage in the meantime. Coens and Jenkins may be right.
The
Rules For Growing Rich - Making Money in the New Information Economy
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
A useful handbook indeed for the investor prepared to systematically work
at growing rich.
The
7 Habits of Highly Effective People Revisited
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
There is a timelessness to Stephen R. Covey's message
that warrants a periodic re-visit.
Confessions
of a Venture Capitalist - Inside the High-Stakes World of Start-up Financing
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
In her career Ruthann Quindlen has shown an impressive
knack for positioning herself near the center of the most powerful evolutions
in technology. Confessions of a Venture Capitalist by Ruthann Quindlen
will not disappoint.
The
Tom Peters Seminar - The Race Beyond
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
It is truly an adventure to get the full treatment and
re-traceTom Peters' incredible logic and 'in-your-face' no-bull impact from
at least the first seminar.
Be
the Leader, Make the Difference
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
As a leader you can "make the difference" by challenging
people, building their confidence, and coaching them to succeed. An excellent
work by Paul B. Thornton.
Mad-Dog
Prosecutors: and Other Hazards of American Business
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
Michael Zinn writes of the ways of the law, the tactics
of take-over vultures, and the powers of an over-zealous prosecutor.
The
Creative Executive: How Business Leaders Innovate by Stimulating Passion,
Intuition and Creativity
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
A refresher review of Granville N. Toogood's interesting
and entertaining book.
Tom
Peter's Pursuit of Wow!
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
An exceptionally enjoyable adventure and one of the
best business books of all time! A refresher review from the Archives.
Blown
To Bits - How the New Economics of Information Transforms Strategy
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
The authors have taken a complex subject, stripped it
down to its bare essentials, and shown new sources of competitive advantage.
The
Creative Executive: How Business Leaders Innovate by Stimulating Passion,
Intuition and Creativity
reviewed
by John McLain
Highlights of executive coach Granville Toogood's latest
book.
Peanut
Butter and Jelly Management - Tales from Parenthood & Lessons for Managers
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
Familiar stories of the challenges of parenthood and
the very relevant learning for leadership in business - by Chris and Reina
Komisarjevsky.
DOW
36,000: The New Strategy for Profiting from the Coming Rise in the
Stock Market
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
A refresher review of James K. Glassman & Kevin
A. Hassett's work.
Believing
Cassandra - An Optimist Looks at a Pessimist's
World
reviewed
by George Thabault
"Toward sustainability - a source of hope that is also
a business opportunity, a hot investment that is also intensely idealistic."
Sustainability is the notion that the economy must be designed not to rob
future generations of the ability to satisfy their material needs and to realize
people's individual human potential. A review of Alan Atkisson's new book.
How
to Profit From the Y2K Recession
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
A refresher review of John Mauldin's timely work.
The
Loyalty Effect
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
The hidden force behind growth, profits, and lasting
value - how to build sustainable improvements in value creation and loyalty
- a review of Frederick Reichheld's work.
Meditations
on Business
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
New business heroes carry the human spirit forward by
providing business models that integrate and enrich on all levels - by John
Dalla Costa.
The
Growth Warriors
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
Creating sustainable global advantage for America's
technology industries - a refresher review of the work of Ron Mascitelli.
Soaring
With The Phoenix
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
Renewing the vision, reviving the spirit, and re-creating
the success of your company - an intro to a new work by James Belasco and
Jerre Stead.
Gung
Ho!
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
Instill energy and enthusiasm into every person in the
workplace - by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles.
Stewardship
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
Choosing service over self interest - Peter Block has
written a profound work.
The
Crisis Counselor
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
An excellent handbook designed to prevent, manage, and
thrive on business crises - by Jeffrey R. Caponigro.
Leading
Change
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
Only leadership can get change to stick - the eight
stage change process - by John P. Kotter.
Focus:
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
The future of your company depends on it - Al Ries has
a compelling point of view.
Everybody
Wins! A Life in Free Enterprise
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
Gordon Cain's remarkable story renews our faith in intelligence,
business enterprise and the human spirit.
Only
The Paranoid Survive
reviewed
by Joan Donogh
CEO's and strategic inflection points, strategic dissonance,
and traversing the 'Valley of Death' by Intel's Andrew S. Grove.
Fear,
Greed and the End of the Rainbow
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
How do you hang on to what you've got and avoid getting
clawed when the bear arrives - by Andy Sarlos.
The
Invention That Changed the World
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
A review of Robert Buderi's work about the numerous
scientific discoveries that brought us to where we are today.
12
Views From Women's Eyes
reviewed
by Rick Sidorowicz
A review of Laura Ricci's brilliant work on how to manage
the (gasp) differences among men and women in the workplace.
The
Pinball Effect
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
A review of James Burkes' witty and engaging look at
the unintended consequences from scientific discoveries.
The
Warren Buffett Way
reviewed
by Ian Bullock
Follow the master by doing your own thinking, use relatively
simple methods, and have the courage of your convictions - a review of Robert
Hagstrom's work.
Related
Topics:
The
Best Business Books of All Time!
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