Economic-Life Books

Hammer's take is that you should recognize the potential battles that lie in the wake of working your way up in business and starting a compare. If you do this, she maintains, you stand a better chance of success. While some of the stories Hammer tells of her treatment among the executive ranks are pretty horrendous, they come off as a forthright take on what it's like in the trenches. In fact such details add to the overall value of the book. We read of the boss who humiliated her in front of her colleagues by forming a shadow committee to duplicate her efforts behind her back and then announcing the adoption of that committee's suggestions at a department-wide meeting. She tells of an employee she was mentoring who eventually tried to take over her job. Understanding the enemy, Hammer says, is the way to win in the workplace wars.

Unlike other CEO books that make the journey seem all too pat, Hammer does a good job of painting a more complete picture, warts and all. The end result is a useful book for anyone working at a company or trying to make it with his or her own company.

Frankly, I like the book's content almost as much as I dislike its title and subtitle. Please, no more forced comparisons and contrasts between the battlefield and the workplace. Enough! With regard to the excellent text, as Hammer explains in the Introduction, one of her basic concepts is that there are "three stages of personal and professional growth." All three "can be characterized by their attitudes toward risk and the need for approval. These three stages are those of the apprentice, the warrior, and the adventurer." She has much of value to say about each, especially in terms of how each differs from the other two. Her larger objectives are, in my opinion, (a) to help her reader to decide which "battles" to fight as well as which to ignore, and, (b) to help her reader "win" more often on the "corporate battlefield."

According to Hammer, the defining characteristic of the apprentice is the need for external approval. The primary difference between the apprentice and the warrior is that the warrior's goals sufficiently compel her to risk disapproval and engage in conflict, while the apprentice is not yet either dissatisfied or secure enough to assume such risk." While apprentices focus on approval and warriors on vindication, adventurers focus on challenge and discovery. "They value respect, friendship, and recognition, but they do not need these things."

In Section I ("Rules of Engagement"), Hammer examines specific issues when running a private company and then other issues when planning an exit strategy. Then in Section II ("Basic Training"), she discusses effective communication in the workplace, strategies for dealing with conflict, and acquiring allies. Having thus prepared her reader for "combat", Hammer concludes with Section III ("The Battle and Beyond") in which she explains how to maximize chances for victory, why we tend to love and fear authority, and what can be learned from loss as a precursor to success. In the Epilogue, Hammer suggests that "Our real challenge is to conquer our shadow enemies -- those that mask our fear and pain -- so that regardless of our success in the battles we wage in the workplace, we move forward with greater serenity and satisfaction." If your own workplace often seems to be a battlefield and you feel ill-equipped to engage in combat, Hammer's insights and advice will be invaluable to you.

Kay Hammer is one smart cookie who didn't crumble. This is a brutally honest story filled with savvy advice and thought provoking wisdom useful to anyone who works. Anywhere. The principles revealed by Hammer are potentially life-changing for anyone who truly gives them more than a passing thought. I can think of dozens of people to whom I would tacitly recommend this book. It should also be required reading for every corporate HR department.

In a firm where my position is supervising many workers, I find this book valuable and time-saving. I focus on specific chapters that apply to the person I am advising, and then use the information to pass on to worker or have her (or him! the advice works for men, too) read the few pages of applicable content themselves.

This book is not only chock full of good, sound advice for business women, it's FUNNY and a good read. Small business owners as well as corporate women will benefit from Zyetz's "Momisms". One of the best in its field.

Alice Zyetz has written a wonderful book that any woman can make use of not only in her business or job life but in other aspects of her life where she interacts with others: e.g, politics, volunteer work, community activism, talking back to teachers and medical workers, etc.

I strongly recommend the book.

Nan was ahead of her time in providing guidelines for frontline employees struggling with ethical dilemmas. She offers real-world examples of how workers are expected to go along to get along--and how that can jeopardize their careers and make them vulnerable to legal action. The book is very readable and the average person can easily relate to the stories she tells. Most important, she offers usable advice for handling touchy situations. I interviewed Nan several years ago and continue to use her book as a reference when writing about business ethics. I hope she'll consider writing an encore--especially in light of the recently publicized corporate scandals.

I got this book at a discount table and almost put it down when I realized it was geared toward office professionals ( I work in social services) and I am so glad I decided to risk it. The scenarios she uses, as well as the tips she gives, fit for all sorts of people in a variety of fields. The book is well written and easy to read and understand.

This is the only book on business ethics I've found that skips the preaching and focuses on the practical. Office romance, confidentiality, loyalty, harassment, deception, games -- it's all here.This is, I think, the missing link between the lofty-sounding corporate values statements and the day-to-day behaviors that affect customers, vendors, and coworkers. DeMars says that doing the right thing on a personal level is the smartest, shortest path to a more profitable enterprise. She shares more than 100 true-life scenarios from her consulting experiences to support her points. For example, she tackles the tough questions of when is it OK to lie, when and how do you hold someone accountable for his/her behavior, and how can managers and subordinates recognize and resolve ethical dilemmas. Managers need this book as much as office assistants. Finally, I found the style of writing very readable and credible. I've attended a half-dozen expensive seminars for senior managers that lauded ethical business practices, but they were too long on theory and overlooked the implementation at the office level. The devil really is in the details when it comes to making decisions about behaviors, says DeMars. She gets it right, right away. This book would have saved -- and will save me -- lots of money and time. A very solid piece of work

I read this book and than passed it on at work. The title tended to scare people but the content won them over:

"...I think the most important thing ...is how important it is to be accountable for our behavior at work and to step back and see whether we're bringing other resentments outside of work into the workplace and to be very conscious of what we resent and what our part is in it."

I've read quite a few management books and the topics that Dr. Debra covers are never mentioned. As a manager, I have to deal with sensitive personal matters and it's wonderful for me to have a practical guide to help me understand the issues. HIPPA rules are very strict and managers must be careful when navigating personal issues in the workplace. This book bridges the gap. By giving it to employees it allows me the opportunity to provide thoughtful guidance without violating their privacy.

There is a clear demand for this type of information in the workplace. Keep um coming!

This book has so many important points to make regarding difficult and often stressful relationships at work. Not only does Dr. Mandel help you understand and identify these issues but gives extremely practical information on how to handle and resolve these problem relationships. She has addressed a common yet often unexplored workplace experience of power struggles that we end up taking home with us after work. Her book helps us understand ourselves with more empathy and handle others with respectful boundary setting and humor. This is a book anyone in the workplace should own if they are experiencing a conflict with a coworker or boss!

A must read for anyone experiencing a pattern of disfunction in the workplace. Dr. Mandel explores this phenomenon in an eye opening and humorous fashion. I found this book extremently helpful in identifying behaviors within ourselves and others that lead to negativity and drama in the workplace. Additionally, Dr. Mandel gives some practical and positive steps for recognizing and correcting negative patterns in the future.

This book is the type you can not put down once you start reading it. It is very easy to reference to it and it reminds you of the important things in life. It's make for a very nice gift to anyone you love.

This little book is an easy read, organized by subjects and written in brief, single-page, thought-provoking essays. One can spend ten minutes on a section, walk away and ponder, and return whenever time allows without losing the thread of the book. It is almost a recipe book for life for those who have lived through the acquisition-is-all 80s and long for a more fulfilled, balanced life. It is highly appropriate for males or females, especially for those just starting adult life or those hitting the midlife "questioning" time. If you stop to think about it, most of what is in this book is something you once knew or could have figured out on your own, given enough time. But since Lemke and Diedrich have already done that and laid it succinctly before you, you have the option of moving forward, using their formulas or advice, and deciding whether it works for you. I liked the sections on keeping perspective, work, and family, but my favorite was the one on personal culture -- a road map to help you know what kind of person you want to be, and how to get there. Despite its readability, this book isn't an easy-answer book. It asks some hard questions, and for those dedicated to finding that richer life, the work is just beginning!

To have the ability to write a book like this and make it credible you are required to be have

a) lived a life like Andrew Griffiths
b) have the balls to tell people the truth and
c) chunk it down so everyone (and I mean everyone) can get something out of it!

This is a book that changes lives. If you want the same old, same old, life, then dont go near this book.

If you want to know how to dramatically increase the amount you suck out of life, then run (dont walk) to get 101 Ways to Have a Business and a Life

This weekend I picked up three books on time management at Borders...Two of them I've heard of before, written by quite well known authors and business experts.

The third one I grabbed at the last moment before I headed to the check-out, and I am so glad I did!

Andrew Griffith's "101 Ways to Have a Business and a Life" is an amazing read! It's not just a time management book. It should've been called "Every Entrepeneur's Bible!"

It covers everything from managing your time and money to managing your relationships, health, employees, vendors, customers, family, kids, and much much more...I swallowed it in about 3 hours (ok, I skipped some section, but that's how I always read anyway).

The other two books were great, but this one stood out for one big reason: it was based on the author's true story of how his business life took a toll on his relationships and his health, and how he made a decision to "wake up" and realize that his business is "slowly killing" him.

Personal story - that's what's unique about this book, and makes his message so much more compelling. Andrew is also being very candid - he shares the things that most people are embarrased to admit even to themselves, and offers simple solutions.

The book is very easy to read, split into 1-2 page segments, just right for busy entrepreneurs.

I think the book cover doesn't do it justice...I'd love to see Andrew's photo on the front cover!

Go to your local book store and get it today!

P.S. If you're a life coach working with business owners, this is a great book to create your own coaching program around....You can even partner with the author to coach people based on his ideas!

P.P.S. Ok, I am off for a 2nd walk today...Andrew's words are magically inspiring!

This book list several tests in the Scriptures and an examples of them.

The Time Test
The Word Test
The Character Test
The Motivation Test
The Servant Test
The Wilderness Test
The Misunderstanding Test
The Patience Test
The Frustration Test
The Discouragement Test
The Warfare Test
The Self-will Test
The Vision Test
The Usage Test

I found it helpful in some of life's struggles.

If you are facing challenges during your serve, read this book it will shed light on why, and help you gain a better understanding to face the challenges presented in your serve as a leader! A must read...

This book should be considered the new standard for high-performance coaching. Kaufman provides a solid, strategic, measurable framework to plan and achieve superior individual and team performance, moving the discipline fuzzy psicologysms to tangible, rational assessment and planning.
I recommend this book as a guideline and orientation tool for high potential performers. It will help them to set and achieve value-adding goals aligned with their organization and their organization's clients.

Kaufman's new book should be on the desk of every executive, parent and student in the world. His approach to decision making is simple, effective and results oriented. The many tables, charts and exercises in the book, along with the anecdotes to better describe the concepts in the book, make this a book that can and should be read by everyone. When you think about how we all can positively impact society by making sound decisions, then implementing the actions of those decisions, and when we use the techniques in this book to help us achieve those lofty goals (and according to Kaufman, they are achievable), we all will create a better world for ourselves and our grandchildren. When you read this book, you'll find that positively impacting society through our decisions and behaviors is a course of action we all should and must take. Better decisions lead to a better life for all of us.

Mary Lyn gives excellent advice to people for finding out what they are meant to do in life, and in their career. This book taps into ways to help us change for the better.

I have recently read Mary Lyn's book The 8 Myths of Making a Living (and the Truth of Making a Life). I have found the book to be truely inspirational. Mary Lyn's ideals are the foundations I now use as the basis for chartering my own life's course. I keep refering back to it for guidance as I move forward towards my life goals. I guess you could say that 'The 8 Myths' has become my Bible for navigating my way towards the passionate life I was meant to live! I highly recommend this read for anyone interested in living a passionate, hopeful, and inspired life.

I read this book about 4 years ago; what a read! I remember that my grandfather used to tell me some of the things James mentions (bargining techniques, etc) and not fully 'buying into' what was being said. At the present time, I'm using James' tips on a continual basis in my daily shopping expeditions. Additionaly, being that I recently moved; the information within this book will help me get great deals on everything I will need to furnish my new living space.

Mr. Paris presents an easy-to-read book that shows anyone how to make the most of thier money. Keep in mind, this book was not created to 'be cheap for sport'; but to free-up money that can be used to glorify the Kingdom of God. James takes every major spending category and creates tips and techniques that will help you achieve your dreams on a limited budget.

Purchase this book and save today. Highly recommended!!


Marty A. Nickison II
author: Beyond The Books--A Method of Getting Good Grades Without Studying Your Life Away
publisher: lulu.com

Why? Because this book has literally handed me the tools and knowledge I need to get the best possible deal on anything and everything! Never again will I need to pay full price for clothes, appliances, vacations, cars and even homes! The advice given is sound, easy to understand and simple to implement. Read this book and never get ripped off again!