Reviews (138)

Enlightening!
This book very clearly and emphatically pointed out what I should have already known -- that mass marketing has little effect on today's consumer.
A purple cow with brown spots
Though I can understand the popularity of this book, Purple Cow provides an overly simplistic solution to very real marketing challenges.Purple Cow is compact, witty and filled with easy-to-remember "Godin-isms," which some people will certainly love, but being "remarkable" is not enough for building value or sustainable growth.It's not a bad start, though.
Seth Godin used to write better books
I agree with James Sadler, there is nothing new in this book. Seth Godin didn't say anything that a student or a person who works with marketing already know. He only gave a new name: Purple Cow. For me, this book has very superficial comments and examples. I'm very disappointed!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Marketing    5. Marketing - General    6. Marketing - Product Management    7. Business & Economics / Marketing / General   

Reviews (24)

good resource
The text was a great resource.I also studied with an HR textbook, and this book was better.The author used a lot of first-person language instead of objective, third-person, which was kind of annoying to read.I also think that the study tests were lacking...more questions were needed to give a feel for the testing environment.It came with a CD with flashcards for the palm pilot...those were not very helpful..you could only have one set of 25 on the handheld at a time, and they were in a Q&A format, but the test is in multiple choice.

I got my SPHR because of this book!
Great study tool if you want to "go it alone" preparing for the SPHR/PHR.

A Good Resource only for HR Majors
Luckily I passed the PHR exam but I'm not sure this book was responsible for it.If you majored in Human Resources in college and need a refresher on the terms and concepts this book will work for you.It helps with the terms and concepts but will not help with the exam since most of the questions are subjective.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Certification    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers    5. Employees    6. Examinations    7. General    8. Human Resources & Personnel Management    9. Personnel departments    10. Personnel management    11. Study guides    12. Computers / Technical Skills    13. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (16)

A must read for anyone!
Crucial Confrontations is written very well, is interesting and is applicational for every aspect of life.The book was so helpful, after reading it in one weekend, I bought 8 more copies to give to my executive team members. Well done and thanks for the years of research that went into the book.I use the communication techniques outlined on a regular basis and they really, REALLY work.

Sounds great, but implementation?
The ideas presented in this book seem to be excellent ways to have critical oonversations, but I found two things lacking.First, reading about conversations and making them happen are two different things.Although it's no fault of the book, I think it will be difficult to put these easily into play without practice.
Crucial Confrontations, excellent choice
As a continuation of Crucial Conversations this is an excellent book. It gives solutions that can be put into practice in every area of my life. It is a very powerful book. With practice, the choice of responding rather than reacting becomes second nature. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business/Economics    5. Communication In Business    6. General    7. Interpersonal communication    8. Interpersonal confrontation    9. Interpersonal relations    10. Business & Economics / Business Communication    11. Personnel & human resources management   

Editorial Review

In the revised and updated edition of Read more

Reviews (35)

Not one of Womack's best works
I personally do a vast amount of reading with lean enterprise being of special interest. Womack has done some great work, but this is a "tough read" even for serious lean enthusiasts. I typically finish a book of this length within 2-3 days then re-read it and highlight. It literally took me 11 weeks because I was lulled to a point in which reading further would be of no benefit and would have to put it back on the shelf and revisit it days later. I realize that scholarly and business writing is not especially exciting as I am constantly reading and doing research but this one was tough even for me, an avid reader.

Common Sense isn't so Common
This book provides a very unique perspective on how to run a business.These methodologies can be applied to any industry, as the authors suggest.
LEAN as it expands
After reading "The machine that saved the world" (which I recommend reading before this one) from the same great authors, I got more and more interested in the LEAN concept. As described in this book, by 1996, LEAN became a way of thinking and operating, expanding around the world in several industries. Although this book gives a clear explanation of LEAN principles, it is still oriented into manufacturing. This book is not enough if you are willing to implement LEAN in your organization, but rather convinces you of applying it if you are still hesitating. Check out the latest book in this series "Lean Solutions: How Companies and Customers Can Create Value and Wealth Together". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Industrial efficiency    6. Management - General    7. Organization Development    8. Organizational effectiveness    9. Strategic Planning    10. Value added    11. Business & Economics / General   

Editorial Review

As a social science researcher and an esteemed business consultant, Marcus Buckingham (Read more

Reviews (34)

Important Distinctions for Leader, Manager, Individual
What a pleasant surprise this book is.I admit I was reluctant to pick it up because in my experience as a management consultant there is always more than "One Thing" to managing a situation successfully. So I found the premise questionable.However the book came highly recommended and Buckingham's First Break All the Rules was so useful and succinct that I decided to give it a try.I'm glad I did.
Worthwhile Read
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and includes a good balance of information mixed with real life examples and stories. I really agree with the author's conclusions, having been in business management and leadership myself for 30 years.
adopting the system to the individual so the system can work
My Profile: 42 yo (2006) Sales Enginner.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Executive Management    5. Executive ability    6. General    7. Leadership    8. Management    9. Management - General    10. Personal Growth - Success    11. Business & Economics / General    12. Business & Management   

Reviews (5)

Fast Service, Great Quality
The book wsa in the exact condition the seller listed it at, which was close to perfect. It was delivered fast, no problems at all.

Great!!
The book was in excellent conditions also I got it before the estimaded date.

The "Foundation" of Knowledge For Successful Management
This book is one of the best foundation establishers I've read.I am the Chief of Strategy for a major headquarters and currently teach for three universities in such subjects as Strategic Management, Business Policy and Strategy, Business Communications, Supply Chain Management, and Production Operations Management.The point of that statement is that this book that I use on the job, as well as, to some degree in each course I teach.It is well written, organized, and provides outstanding tables and figures to clearly articulate the concepts.This is a desk-reference that will get lot's of handling.A must read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Industrial management    5. Management    6. Management - General    7. Social responsibility of busin    8. Social responsibility of business    9. Technological innovations    10. Business & Economics / Systems & Planning    11. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (113)

Little more than a collection of anecdotes
Intrigued by the relative frequency of citation of this book in the new "web 2.0" universe, I was disappointed to find only a sequence of factoids on social experiments and little in the way of analysis.From the very beginning of the book the reader is invited to agree with the central thesis (that a crowd of independent individuals does better than a smaller elite group) and it very much feels like evidence is carefully selected to reinforce the author's argument.The book could have been twice as thin without losing much of its substance.I would qualify it as a light business read, entertaining but not quite convincing if you're not part of the choir.

Great book on human behavior!
If you want to know more about the importance of shedding all political alliegences and affiliations, read this book. What a wonderful body of knowledge with just the right stories to highlight the profound insights into the recesses of our heart.

Why do the Crowds buy this book if they are so Wise?
This book is basically a magazine article that has been expanded to fill out an entire book (this has been noted by others)
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Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Common good    3. Consensus (Social sciences)    4. Consumer Behavior - General    5. Economic History    6. General    7. Group decision making    8. Social Science    9. Sociological Theory    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. Sociology - Social Theory    13. Business & Economics / Economic History   

Reviews (22)

a different definition of consistency
This entry in Ken Blanchard's One Minute Manager Library uses the narrative style that has for better or worse become standard in business literature to teach `situational leadership' in terms of flexibility, diagnosis, and partnering.
By Far My Favorite
This is by far my favorite Blanchard book. Situational Leadership is now MY leadership style!

Clear and simple book on situational leadership
I am a fan of the One Minute Manager series, having read "The One Minute Manager" and the "The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey."This booktells the story of an "entrepreneur" who seeks advice from the One Minute Manager.In the process, it covers the basics of situational leadership in a concise, easy to read style.The text covers the four basic leadership styles -- directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating.It also discusses matching a leadership style appropriate for various development levels.Like the other One Manager Manager books, I see myself re-reading and referencing this text.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Leadership    6. Leadership In Business    7. Management    8. Management - General    9. Business & Economics / Leadership    10. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (14)

Great Book
I used this text in my MBA stats class and have found it to be very informative and useful.I found the examples for Excel and Minitab to be well written and of great use.I would recommend this book for anyone who uses statistics on a frequent basis or simply would like a good reference manual in their library.

12th ed. has problems
The 12th edition of this book contains a surprising number of errors.I am currently using this book for a statistics course in an MBA program.We are twelve chapters into the book now and in most every chapter I have found a mistake; more often than not there are multiple mistakes.What is worse is that the majority of the mistakes are in the practice problems which are where the student learns to apply the skills.This serves to create confusion and frustration on the student's part.Some of the mistakes are sloppy editing while others more significant are providing wrong information.The editors need to take another look at this book and the authors should also take note.

Statistical Techniques in Business and Economics with CD-Rom
The book I received did not have the cd the book was in used condition not good as stated.It was ok.It would have been nice to have the cd. It needs to be a little more detailed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Mathematics    4. Probability & Statistics - General    5. Statistics    6. Business & Economics / Statistics    7. Business mathematics & systems    8. Economics    9. Probability & statistics   

Reviews (48)

Effective and Concise Leadership Handbook
I'm no leadership expert, but Tony, the author's mentor is.
Great reference book
As a vice president of operations, I have purchased this book for all my direct reports and made it required reading; I also keep a copy as a reference for myself.Excellent, basic leadership guidelines.

Monday Morning Leadership
Great easy read on management principles... I would recommend this to new managers along with existing managers and business owners.It highlights and reinforces the items we need to do more effectively. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics / Leadership    2. Business & Economics / Management    3. Employee motivation    4. Leadership    5. Management    6. Business    7. Business & Economics   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (59)

For making managers remember what really matters
This book is full of information of things that current managers have forgotten. Every new project is wanted done with less money, less time and with higher quality than old projects, putting a lot of pressure to the project team. Managers do things that they believe is good for the project but actually damages the project (and the company) at long term. I have seen many co-workers leave my company for issues like the ones described in this book. Managers and company owners: Please read it!!!

A solid look at the role of people in a company
This book takes a look at the role people, specifically creative people, play in a company.It offers various insights into management, the environment, and team "building".The second edition also adds a final section with eight new chapters with later insights.
Peopleware + Software = Qualityware
First of all let me thank people responsible for making this book.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Human Resources & Personnel Management    6. Management    7. Management - General    8. Organizational Behavior    9. Organizational effectiveness    10. Project management    11. Management & management techniques    12. Software engineering    13. Computer software   

Reviews (3)

Best Lean book at there on Product Development
Lean originated on the production floor over sixty years ago in Japan. But Toyota product development has been sadly overlooked by corporate America. Where is the connection between Toyota stellar production practices and Toyota product development? You can't argue with the tried and true principles to systematically eliminating waste--that is the bedrock of the lean philosophy. Lean thinking is making inroads to a number of different environments and industries beyond discrete assembly like car making. Does waste occur in non-manufacturing? Oh yes, and it has largely been an untapped, dormant opportunity for applying lean. Improvement initiatives are being re-focused on office settings and now product development. There aren't many product development(PD)lean books out there but, Liker's book is excellent--it is so thorough, well researched, logical and well written! A lean novice may have difficulty because it is not "lean 101" and PD is not quite the same as lean manufacturing. But, if I forced to pick a single book on lean product development--this would be my #1 pick. It is such a good start point for lean PD. The lean benefits are self evident: cut development time in half and never miss milestones?That's has been the Toyota norm. Liker's book will walk you thru the 14 principles on how to get there the subsystem levels (Processes-People-Tools/Technology). If your PD efforts are adrift, it's reassessment time. Start here. You won't be sorry.

A must read
A very detailed and at times difficult read. However, it is a must for anyone involved in product development.

The Toyota Product Development System
I found Morgan and Liker's new book The Toyota Product Development System to be an excellent discussion of the key fundamentals that are missing in Detroit today based on my experience in the automotive industry. The most important reason Toyota is best is because of the way they develop and value people. This book describes the basics required to build a great Engineering organization. Engineering is the foundation that drives cost, quality and timing. This book should be required reading for everyone in the automobile industry from top management down.Morgan and Liker provide a great map for going forward for any company that designs and manufactures a product regardless of industry. The key is to start the Journey. This book is a great place to start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Concurrent engineering    6. Design and construction    7. Industrial Management    8. Industries - Automobile Industry    9. Office Automation    10. Production & Operations Management    11. Project management   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Human Resources & Personnel Management    5. Organizational Behavior    6. Strategic Planning    7. Business & Economics / Systems & Planning    8. Organizational theory & behaviour   

Reviews (4)

Good Introductory
This isn't a bad text for an introduction to management in IT. It's not technical and certainly places emphasis on managing IT infrastructures. If you're moving up from being a follower to directing and managing employees and departments, then this book may help to get you a glimpse into it.

Excellent General Overview of the IT Industry as of 1/06.
I have never left a review on Amazon before (I've been a customer since 1997) and had no intention of doing so, when I initially searched this book description for some unrelated information.
Cutesy Vacuous MIS-booster

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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Information Management    5. Management Information Systems    6. Business & Economics / Information Management    7. Business information systems   

Editorial Review

Because finding the ideal person for every workplace position has become an increasingly difficult task, the retention of top employees has become every manager's concern. Read more

Reviews (45)

An A-Z primer on keeping the best employees
Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans' LOVE 'EM OR LOSE 'EM: GETTING GOOD PEOPLE TO STAY pairs actor and teacher David Drummond's dramatic voice work with the account of how to keep the best employees in an A-Z guide employers can use to address employee concerns. Learn how these strategies work in actual business environments in a guide packed with real-world examples.

"Talent development DNA for every manager!"
Just completed "Love 'Em or Lose 'Em" by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans. It is a fast read......two days on the bus riding into Downtown Houston.A little 90 minutes oftime for so many insights, and practical programming ideas for trainers and talent managers!
Valuable encouragement and advice for all working people
Any book that encourages people to treat each other as such is very valuable.In an age where people are frequently victims of globalization and corporate greed, it is important to remember the talent and the true contribution of the talented people that create the value of the American company. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Human Resources & Personnel Management    6. Personnel And Human Resources Management    7. Personnel & human resources management   

Editorial Review

Susan Scott believes that interpersonal difficulties--at work and at home--are a direct result of our inability to communicate well. Read more

Reviews (25)

Excellent concept; a bit repetitive
This book offers a great way to approach difficult conversations.There are several templates in the book to show the reader how to do this.However, after reading it, it does tend to repeat certain aspects of the material.I am sure that some of that is for effect; but for someone who is capable of applying material quickly it can be somewhat boring.I still recommend it as a read, but I do not recommend that you need to completely read the book to get the overall message.

Good content-very dry
The content is excellent but she narrated her own book and it's very dry to listen too.I recommend buying the book and working through that.

It really works!
The information and the examples in the book are easily applied and really do make a difference.I used the book as a reference working with first line managers; it is especially useful to them in confronting passive aggressive communication styles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Communication In Business    4. Conversation    5. Conversation And Discourse    6. Management - General    7. Personal Growth - Success    8. Psychology    9. Success    10. Self-Help / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Human Resources & Personnel Management    5. Personnel And Human Resources Management    6. Personnel management    7. Business & Economics / Human Resources & Personnel Management    8. Personnel & human resources management   

Reviews (82)

Thought provoking reading... but not convincing
I toally aggree that pattern recognizers and somebody who can see the big picture will lead the world. Right-brain activity adds color and mystry to our lives while left-brain activity let us understand why things they are. But fundamentally one has to have strong L-Directed skills to excel on anything at all. The L-Directed skills can be aquired later at life but R-Directed skills are more of natural. The book make us feel like if we all go persuit those R-Directed skills, we will all better off. To me, in the real world, it is only for thos ones who already master R-brain skills and happend to have some L-Brain potentials which has not been exploired.

Thought-provoking but...
A Whole New Mind is the kind of book that many life coaches will love. Pink presents ideas that will reassure us we can have fun while reaching success. Creativity wins. Meaning matters more than money. Your job (and even your industry) could be automated or exported out of existence.
Worth reading
In this book, the author says that just like how we moved from the industrial age to the information age (computerization), now we are moving from the information age to a new era called "conceptual age". With the effects of globalization and abundant wealth in the western world (especially in US), there will be an increased demand for the right brain skills like creativity and empathy. Though it "feels" to be little exaggerated, it is quite interesting and worth reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. General    3. Leadership    4. Personal Growth - Success    5. Personal Guidance    6. Self-Help    7. Fiction / Literary    8. Popular psychology   

Reviews (47)

Are you adding or destroying value ? - Find it out with The Balanced Score Card
The financial performance of an organization is essential for its success. Even non-profit organizations must deal in a sensible way with funds they receive.
Aligning four key business areas to your vision and strategy
This book has become a classic in the field of business management.The 'balanced scorecard' has surely been referenced enough to include it in the dictionary.Robert Kaplan is the Arthur Lowes Dickson Professor of Accounting at Harvard Business School.His co-author David Norton is the president of Renaissance Solutions, Inc.
Effective for top down planning
The balanced scorecard approach is a very effective tool for top-down planning initiatives. The method will ensure that any business unit initiative is cross-checked with the broader corporate goals.The book provides an easy-to-understand yet detailed how-to guide to strategy planning.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Corporate Planning    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Evaluation    7. Industrial Management    8. Industrial productivity    9. Management - General    10. Measurement    11. Organizational effectiveness    12. Strategic Planning    13. Budgeting & financial management    14. Business strategy   

Reviews (1)

Best book on Project Management
This is the best book i've ever read on PM. If you are thinking on taking the PMI exam, read this book. If you're looking for a book to learn PM, read this book. If you're trying to apply best practices on your PM day to day practice, definitly, read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Engineering - Industrial    5. Project Management    6. Business & Economics / Project Management