tag:hiroseno.com,2008:/blog/04bookreviews//41 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z I will send you How to Book Reviews. Movable Type 3.36 tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1678 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Her Backyard by Doreen Lewis is an adve...

http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1679 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Over the years, several books and countl...

http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1680 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

The Wal-Mart Decade: How a New Generatio...

Wal-Mart has revenues of $246 Billion;

Wal-Mart has 1 million 300 thousand employees;

Wal-Mart has mastered logistics and the supply chain;

Wal-Mart shares its strategic vision with each and every employee;

Wal-Mart leaders never rest on their laurels;

Wal-Mart continually find ways to reduce costs while improving the shopping experience for its customers;

Wal-Mart is the first company ever to head both the Fortune 500 list of American companies and that magazine's list of Most Admired Companies; and

the Wal-Mart management team has devised and then implemented strategies for rapid but prudent growth.

The greatest strength in the Wal-Mart arsenal is the fact that their CULTURE is everything. It's hard to argue with the reality of Wal-Mart's continued performance. I think it's important to realize that the author of this book isn't a devoted Wal-Mart fan trying to recruit additional followers for the retail giant. Robert Slater was a reporter for Time Magazine for 21 years. He is the best-selling author of Jack Welch and the GE Way and has also written acclaimed books about IBM and Cisco. He probed deeply into the Wal-Mart organization from top to bottom, from Bentonville to China and beyond. This book offers a fresh and fascinating look at this unique company-as it was and as it has become-with an immediacy and insider's feel unrivaled since Sam Walton's own memoir, Made In America. Sam Walton set the bar high for his future leaders. He created a unique culture based on three basic beliefs:

Respect for the individual;

Service to the customers; and

Striving for excellence.

Walton was also totally committed to what he characterized as his Ten Rules of Business ... each of which is explained in detail in the book. The author allocates three of 14 chapters to "The Founder and His Legacy." He wisely devotes the remainder of his book to explaining how the new management team devised and then implemented strategies for tremendous growth. There really have been three quite different periods of Wal-Mart's development from a Ben Franklin franchise (opened in Bentonville as the Walton 5 and 10 in March of 1951) to the global retailing giant it is today. The three periods include the Sam Walton Years until his death in 1992, the David Glass Years (1992-2000), and the Lee Scott Years (2000-Present). For years, many people asked about Wal-Mart the same question that others asked about Southwest Airlines: "What's going to happen after HE leaves?" With all due respect to both Sam Walton and Herb Kelleher, their respective organizations have done just fine. Perhaps that is the ultimate test of leadership: a heritage which endures after the leader is either gone or much less involved. In this exceptionally informative book, Slater explains how and why such a heritage guides and inspires the entire Wal-Mart organization. More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1681 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins: How Incompetenc...

http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

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• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1682 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

The Leadership Pill is another volume fo...

http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1683 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

If you watch television, read the newspa...

Primary:

Strategy: Devise and Maintain a Clearly Stated, Focused Strategy

Execution: Develop and Maintain Flawless Operational Execution

Culture: Develop and Maintain a Performance-Oriented Culture

Structure: Build and Maintain a Fast, Flexible, Flat Organization

Secondary:

Talent: Hold on to Talented Employees and Find More

Leadership: Keep Leaders and Directors Committed to the Business

Innovation: Make Innovations That Are Industry Transforming

Mergers & Partnerships: Make Growth Happen with Mergers and Partnerships

The key to long-term success, they argue, is implementing effective programs in the six areas simultaneously. After analyzing the data, William Joyce and his colleagues concluded that a company following this "4+2" formula over the ten year period had a better than 90% chance of being a winner. Anecdotes from the successful companies will interest general business readers, but the contrast with the experience of companies that stumbled should be particularly instructive. The detailed profiles of "winner" and "loser" companies were especially interesting. Replete with incisive discussions of various companies' approaches for each of the four primary and four secondary areas of practice, the book also offers summaries of the study results in table format. For managers who wonder how anybody can keep six areas of practice fine-tuned at the same time, the authors agree it may be a challenge but point to their wealth of success stories to show it isn't impossible. "It is time for the first book identifying the fundamental practices that create business success?the ones that do indeed really matter." More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1684 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Getting Hip by Sigrid Macdonald is a del...

http://www.sheunlimited.com and heads up the community at http://www.sheunlimited.com/forums. Marie is committed to making a difference. Making a difference in the Women sectors online, media and print. Marie believes that individual style is a form of self-expression. Marie knows the trends and where to find them. Her expertise and knowledge give consumers everywhere the insight they need to get the latest styles and products that fit everyone and every budget, both online and off. For More information or how to become and editor for She Unlimited Magazine please e-mail: admin@sheunlimited.com]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1685 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Don't panic. Jack Mitchell, the author o...

A friendly greeting

Personal interest

A business that makes them feel special

A 'no problem' attitude

Forward thinking

For Mitchell, that means literally offering a customer the coat off your back, if that's the only one left in the store in the customer's size and preferred style and color. It means going to customers' homes to tie their bow ties for big events. It means serving coffee and bagels in the store and giving away hot dogs in the parking lot on summer Saturdays. Some might view this as fawning, but for Mitchell, it's the best way to keep customers coming back. You, of course, will have to determine what it takes to "HUG" a customer within your environment. This would make an excellent exercise for your staff. Once the crucial determination is crystallized, discuss expectations, training, and follow up to insure success. Mitchell writes: "When you have strong relationships, customers will do more of their buying from you. They'll refer other customers. They'll communicate with you better and tell you what they like and what they don't like, in turn making your business more efficient and effective." The author points out that hugging is difficult to quantify, and many companies ignore customer satisfaction and customer profiling altogether. While inventory is recorded on the balance sheet, Mitchell tells us that a company's greatest asset-repeat customers-doesn't appear on any financial statements. Further, while companies invest significant amounts in computer systems, they rarely develop computer systems that support a hugging culture. Mitchell writes: "What's amazing is that although personal relationships are absolutely crucial to any company's success, they are rarely tracked by any system. Hotels don't know who likes queen-sized beds and who wants extra pillows. Airlines don't know who prefers aisle seats and who prefers the window." Can something similar be said about you, your business and your customers? If so, take action to correct this situation. Mitchell is a big fan of profiling customers to provide more personal service. He likes his sales associates to know which customers like M&M's and what nicknames they prefer. Knowing personal information about each customer is nearly impossible without a database to support this information. However, it doesn't stop there. I know of many companies who boast a tremendous database and yet do nothing with it. Like any other customer service strategy, knowing it is not enough. You have to use it. In today's unbelievably competitive marketplace, there are few who "use it." So-o-o-o-o, define your "HUG," make it an expectation, train your staff to "HUG," practice it, and then, most importantly, "HUG!" More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
• byline of the writer;
• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1686 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

For a number of reasons, today's hiring ...

Why are manhole covers round?

How do they make M&Ms?

What does all the ice in a hockey rink weigh?

How many piano tuners are there in the world?

Questions like these, which test problem-solving abilities, not specific competencies, are commonplace during job interviews at Microsoft and the many other firms who have adapted this unique approach. Basically, this book is separated into two parts: The first discusses the history of puzzles and their intellectual and academic standing. This section starts off by narrating the origin of puzzle-solving as a criterion for selecting people; then, it talks about how and why many companies use them in interviews. Mr. Poundstone talks about the general approaches to solving puzzles, and then closes on a note for employers on how to design puzzles that are useful. The second part of the book is strict puzzle solving. The book has plenty of puzzles scattered through it and two chapters devoted solely to listing puzzles. The author goes on to discuss the puzzles he has listed and suggests thought processes about how to solve them. This exposition is more interesting than it sounds. Mr. Poundstone not only explains his answers thoroughly, but also uncovers many layers of thinking that show the complexity and beauty of the art of solving puzzles. Almost half of the book is devoted to an "answer" section, where Poundstone gives possible solutions to the brainteasers. Although it lacks a specific focus, this is a fun, revealing take on an unusual subject. This book will give interviewers insights into what kind of questions to ask, and why. You should probably read this book if you fall into one of the categories below:

Prospective interviewees for High Tech, consulting or financial services companies. It won't give you all the answers to memorize, but it will let you in on the puzzle genre and some of its 'rules.'

Interviewers/HR ? If you are looking to employ puzzle-type questions to hire creative employees, this will give you some insights into what questions to use and why. There are probably better books on the intricacies of interviewing, but this will give you the background needed to use puzzles in the interview process (if you decide that's what you need.)

People interested in problem solving, puzzles and creativity. This covers a lot of ground in these areas and it gives you a few references for further reading.

More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
• byline of the writer;
• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1687 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life i...

http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1688 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

John C. Maxwell is back again in Thinkin...

Big-Picture Thinking

Focused Thinking

Creative Thinking

Realistic Thinking

Strategic Thinking

Possibility Thinking

Reflective Thinking

Popular Thinking

Shared Thinking

Unselfish Thinking

and

Bottom-Line Thinking

Maxwell suggests that his readers scrutinize each chapter dedicated to the various types of thinking. He then provides you the opportunity to evaluate yourself at the end of each chapter by answering the thinking question. He finally provides action steps to implement the kind of successful thinking described in each chapter. Useful tips characterize the author's surprisingly concrete lessons. The step-by-step format is bolstered by relevant inspirational quotes, personal insights and high-profile anecdotal evidence about the likes of Priscilla Presley, George Lucas and George Washington Carver. Maxwell presents countless examples, but what makes them so relevant is that they're all based on real companies and individuals. Ending each chapter, emphasizing the discipline needed to think your way to the top, are exercises designed to evaluate and increase your personal progress in each area. Thinking for a Change is written for the general business market for which the author offers useful thinking methods to incorporate into your days, weeks, months and years to improve your effectiveness. More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
• byline of the writer;
• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1689 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Award winning author John Roynesdal, is ...

http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1690 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

The author of Be the Leader: Make the Di...

http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

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• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1691 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Fun Works: Creating Places Where People ...

Give Permission to Perform

Challenge Your Bias

Capitalize on the Spontaneous

Trust the Process

Value a Diversity of Fun Styles

Expand the Boundaries

Be Authentic

Be Choiceful

Hire Good People and Get out of Their Way

Embrace Expansive Thinking and Risk Taking

Celebrate

She provides the "Why" as well as the "How" and not just the "What" of each of these principles. After an introductory overview, Leslie devotes a chapter to each principle. While the principles are important, of even greater importance is the case study approach validating how a particular company-a different company for each principle-applies the principle. These companies include Pike Place Fish Market, Southwest Airlines, Harvard University Dining Services, Employease, and six other organizations that share their insights with us. At the end of each chapter, a "heart key" shares thoughts designed to increase the reader's ability to apply the principle. An additional feature, "Another Voice," closes each chapter with a comment from an author, manager or business owner to further illuminate the principle. Leslie also provides other resources which include comments from over 30 authors, speakers, and businesspeople as well as an inventory you can use to benchmark how much fun is present in your organization's work environment. Leaders and managers of all organizations should include this book in their corporate library. It will certainly be an invaluable resource. More than 100 business book reviews written by Harry K. Jones are available at http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• information about the writer, which is available at the end of each article; and
• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]> tag:hiroseno.com,2007:/blog/04bookreviews//41.1692 2007-05-05T12:09:40Z 2008-04-08T01:56:26Z

Who Moved My Cheese? For Teens by: Spenc...

http://www.AchieveMax.com/books/. Reprint Information Your organization may reprint this article for your newsletter, online publication, or mailing list. We ask that you print the:

• article in its entirety;
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• contact information, including our toll-free phone number in the U.S. (800-886-2MAX) and link to our website - www.AchieveMax.com.

We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy of the articles you reprint. Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has made presentations ranging from leadership to employee retention and time management to stress management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting http://www.AchieveMax.com.]]>