Enterprise Books

i want to write Report on ` Enterprise - The Human Aspects `

McGregor's work is classic. This is required reading for executives.

Dr. Michael Beitler
Author of "Strategic Organizational Change"

Douglas McGregor's seminal works, The Human Side of Enterprise and The Professional Manager, debunked Taylorism and described a revolutionary way to manage people. He was the first to apply the findings in behavioural science to the world of business. Based on what had been learned about human behaviour, McGregor explored the implications of managing people in a different manner than tradition dictated.

Authors Gary Heil, Deborah Stephens and Warren Bennis assert that the nature of work today makes McGregor's ideas more important and relevant than ever before. This book revisits in a contemporary manner the most important question facing management today: given what we know about human nature, how should work be managed so as to unleash the vast creative potential of human beings? It applies McGregor's thinking to today's business world, proving again that the human aspect of work is crucial to organisational effectiveness. It also suggests how you can change your thinking and implement his ideas in your own business and workplace.

The authors carefully outline how to put McGregor's thinking into practice in your own business so you can devise a better performance management system, form and supervise effective management teams, build cooperation instead of internal competition, cultivate an intrinsically motivating, values-driven workplace and create a cause worthy of employee commitment.

When I was in business school (back in the Dark Ages), McGregor was considered the finest thinker about organizational behavior. He grasped that behavioral science offered great promise for making organizations more effective and more desirable places to be.

Everyone was excited about the potential of his assumptions about people in the workplace: Employees want to do a good job; they will make extra effort to learn and accomplish more; they have the potential to much more; and it makes great sense to get everyone involved as much as possible. At the time, it seemed like the first breath of fresh air in the stale world of corporate bureaucracies. Although I haven't thought much about McGregor in over 20 years, I realize that I was profoundly influenced by his thinking.

Reading this fine book gave me a valuable new perspective on McGregor -- that a central weakness of many companies and managers is that the comapny's leadership is not consciously aware of what it assumes about its employees. While almost every company espouses humanistic and empowerment ideas and ideals, many continue to operate in the same old command and control way. Most of the focus is on creating carrots and sticks to manipulate behavior.

Why don't people get it? McGregor had figured out that managers don't think much about their assumptions about employees. McGregor made the important point that everyone needs to determine what those assumptions are (Can people be trusted? If yes, use Theory Y. If no, use Theory X). What happens now is that many people hold Theory X beliefs that employees cannot be trusted and but try to use Theory Y methods (that they can), and the mixed messages keep everyone confused. 'I want you to take full charge of this project, but check with me before doing anything.' Sound familiar?

In particular, managers don't really understand Maslow's hierarchy of needs. As simple needs are fulfilled, psychic needs become more important such as working on something that will make a difference. Chapters 6 and 7 are especially good on how intrinsic personal motivation is created.

This book is excellent in that it contains a retrospective perspective on McGregor as well as some of McGregor's own key essays. I especially enjoyed Warren Bennis's essay on the weaknesses in McGregor's argument: How do managers get their needs served if they are always servant leaders (see Joe Jaworski's excellent book, Synchronicity to get an answer to that) and what is the role of the environment on the needs of the worker in the workplace? Clearly, the Internet is one example of a new force that irresitibly is creating Theory Y contexts for accomplishment, independent of what managers do.

The main weakness of this book is that it does not point out that the limit to Theory Y was that McGregory did not give enough detail to make it possible to know exactly what to do. See Bill Jenson's book, Simplicity, for the significance of this mistake by McGregor.

Whether you believe that employees cannot be trusted or that they are your first line of offense and defense empowered on their own, you will benefit from reading and thinking about the questions and topics in this book. It can be an important step forward toward helping you build an irresistible growth enterprise.

This book is a real gem. The 140 pages or so of outline on McGregor's ideas is invaluable. I've read Human Side Of Enterprise, but the way the authors explain theory Y brought a lot of light to my understanding of McGregor's ideas. McGregor's ideas reach much farther than I realized, and the authors are virtuosos at explaining the real profundity in the Human Side of Enterprise. I recommend this book highly, even to those well versed in this stuff. I also learned a lot by the modern examples (like Lincoln Electric and Herman Miller) of companies which follow theory Y. Douglas McGregor does not have all the answers. But even if McGregor is not the last word on management, all future thinkers will have to grapple with the ideas and the questions (so many!) that he put forth.

Great Book! It's a quick read but every page packs a punch. The author uses history, politics and life experience to really relate to the audience. Makes a great graduation gift too....

This book is key for those who are continually looking for material to grow their next tier of leaders. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is easy to read (it only took me about an hour and a half) and really captures the essence of what it takes to develop as a leader - both in action and attitude. I highly recommend it.

The Emerging Leader is a must read for anyone who wants to improve their leadership abilities. It is clear that the author speaks with the voice of experience. If you want learn proven skills for exceeding in the workplace, this is a great place to start.

This book is as engaging as it is easy to read. It will motivate employees to become leaders and employers to become better leaders. A must-read for anyone looking to make a positive impression on their boss, professor, client, potential client or employees.

This book can be read and the lessons immediately applied by anyone with a desire to lead. I found it insightful as well as thought provoking. Business students at any college would benefit by using this as a supplement text to their required readings.

Suzanne Mulvehill really provides an in-depth, soul-searching, inventory for those who wish to strike out on their own. When you've finished with the exercises, you'll know who you want to be and be prepared to get there. Not only good for up-and-coming entrepreneurs, but a means to finding peace in the business world for any reader.

ME
Madison, Wisconsin, USA

I have read many books on how to make the transition into entrepreneurship and THIS BOOK WAS ALL I NEEDED. The author is down-to-earth and realistic. She uses "real person" examples and problems, things that entrepreneurs will relate to. The exercises allow you to see things differently about your life and dreams, more than any other book I have read. This book is excellent!

I bought this book back in late 2004 - when I realized I could no longer work for corporate america. I wrote down short/mid/long range goals and launched my entrepreneurial journey. This book has and still is a roadmap for dealing with the many emotional challenges I've experienced along the way. I launched my business in spring 2005 while working full-time and left corporate america in spring 2006. To this day, I still consult Suzanne's book for advice. I'm so sorry it took me this long to acknowlege this author's great book.

The bottom line: When I have a doubt (ie., a lingering, negative thought) about my business I go to the chapter dealing with the root of the thought. After reading the chapter and thinking through the excercise, I always feel grounded and positive when I put the book down. I thank God for Suzanne and her work in writing such a great book.

I've recommended this book to three other entrepreneurs this past week. All three are dealing with the same emotional challenges I faced my first year in business.

We all have a still small voice inside of us. But we must allow ourselves to get quiet enough to hear it. It's not easy when we are so busy. Sometimes we are so busy being busy in order to avoid our inner voice.

Suzanne Mulvehill encourages us to trust more than we want to.
Once we uncover our Passion (uniqueness), see our Vision (plan) and Focus persistently we will experience true success.

Employee to Entrepreneur is the only book I have found that assists you to transistion from your current reality into your true reality physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Letting life take care of you, Suzanne reminds us.

Thank you Suzanne for encouraging us to Trust and Obey!

The format of this book makes it very user friendly;
I feel that the spaces left for me to fill in create a one on one atmosphere.
I see where my strengths are and am now able to identify the
areas of myself for me to improve.
This book said Now to me.
Do It Now.
Be It Now.
If you ever wondered if you could or should, you can
with this book to guide you.
Read it now and you will be getting far more than a book.

I met Alan once and he is a true human spirit that believes in capitalism..... Bravo. this book is a true inspiration... Everyone fronting a company should take a lesson from this book.

I found Mr. Fine's book to be unusually clever in its structure. It is really a book designed for any age. I found that its message of achieving success through personal balance to be extremely relavant in our day and time. I think that people who have some areas of their life out of balance may find this book more rewarding, as it actually gives a framework to follow, more of a map to help find your way past the imbalances. The book starts simple and increases in complexity. I think that is great because, even children can understand the message being conveyed. Moreover, people in crisis sometimes need to start from a basic level- a starting point, if they are to move forward. So, I think the structure is very clever. People who are looking for instructions on how to take over the world, are going to be disappointed with this book. This book will help the reader to be the best that they can be, not necessarily better than everyone else.

I especially like the touch with Rudyard Kiplings poem "If". Also, I never thought developing charisma was possible until I read his formula. It seems so obvious and so simple! The book has such good perspective on life and living...I feel lucky to have found this book. Thank you Alan Fine.

This book was just what I needed. I think too many of us need a dose of practical common sense and this book is just that book. I use the book daily to start the day fresh.

As a five time Olympic Gymnastic Champion, I was faced with many circumstances in life that required focus on personal balance. This book to me, is a wonderful resource. It reminds us how to be successful and how to be happy with success through achieving a balance in lifes dimensions. Mr. Fine shows us that we all have the power to achieve our dreams and how to make the world a better place for it. This book is for every age and any time!

This book is a great resource for common data patterns. We plan to use these patterns in all future programming.

This book is unfortunately mistitled. It should have just been called 'Enterprise Patterns'. Perhaps the extra bumf in the title is attractive to some readers, but when I see big subtitles with 'MDA' and 'UML' in them, I immediately think of that most unfashionable of things in these Agile times: Process. Ugh! Dirty word! You may therefore be thinking this is a really tedious book full of bullet points and flow charts. But in fact it's a totally brilliant book, with a few flow charts and bullet points in, admittedly.

There's hardly any MDA in this book at all. There's a chapter on using a specific software tool to convert the patterns in this book into code, but I've already forgotten what it was called.

The meat of this book is a catalog of UML patterns associated with the enterprise domain. If you've read Martin Fowler's Analysis Patterns, you'll know what to expect: Customer, Party, Rule, Money, Quantity, Order etc. The authors mention Analysis Patterns, but call their patterns 'archetype' patterns. The difference between the two is that the archetype patterns are much more detailed.

So do you need to read this if you've read Analysis Patterns? I say yes. This is in fact better than AP, simply because when they say their patterns are detailed, they aren't joking. Fortunately, the authors advocate a 'literate modeling' approach, that explains the interactions in plain English, and the authors' writing is clear and unstodgy, effectively highlighting the important parts of each pattern, and where variation can be introduced. They claim their archetype patterns are sufficiently flexible to cover a wide range of enterprise, and I have to say they do a very good job of convincing you they've thought of most of the special cases, and how to unify them in one pattern.

Even if you aren't actually an enterprise programmer (and I'm not), I still highly recommend this book, just for the large number of examples of how to successfully model a complex domain. Plus, no tedious accounting or financial examples - bonus.

The MDA in the title of this book probably overstates the amount of MDA related content in the book. This isn't an MDA reference. There is one small, but well written chapter on it.

But that's a minor quibble. The real value of this book, and the bulk of the book, is in the third part which gives in depth models for the common enterprise application requirements. They start with an excellent object model for a 'Party' (as in a contact database), and continue on at the same level of depth for other common entities and processes, such as orders, payments, purchase orders, business rules, monetary values.

These patterns are probably too in-depth for a small business application, but they serve as an excellent starting point that you can trim to create a model that has the right level of complexity for your application. Don't let the big title of the book fool you. You can find books on how to write SQL, and generally how to model a database for a given problem domain, and other books on how query the database and make transactions. The value of this book is in giving you recipes for models for the basics of your application.

Over the last month or so, I've been reading Enterprise Patterns And MDA - Building Better Software With Archetype Patterns And UML by Jim Arlow and Ila Newstadt (Addison-Wesley). This is another one of those books that I thought would deliver one thing and instead produced much more than I expected.

Chapter breakdown: Archetypes and Archetype Patterns; Model Driven Architecture with Archetype Patterns; Literate Modeling; Party Archtype Pattern; PartyRelationship Patter; Customer Relationship Management Pattern; Product Pattern; Inventory Pattern; Order Pattern; Quantity Pattern; Money Pattern; Rule Pattern; Summary; Archetype Glossary; Bibliography; Index

Now, when I requested this for review, I was expecting something in terms of programming patterns and technical material. What I got was a great business tool for modeling typical business objects and transactions. The authors take a business concept like Inventory, and they build a model around it. The model is an archetype, or a entity that exists in some shape in every business. Through UML diagrams, you'll see all the parts that make up the archetype and how to take the parts you need to build your own version of the entity. While the Inventory model is very comprehensive in the book, you can also pull the pieces you need to model the reality that exists in your own business.

There's some very practical benefits you can gain from this book. If you're building an application and need to track a customer (for example), you can turn to the Party model and see all the parts that make up that type of entity. This will help you to understand all the data elements that make up a Party, such as address (web, email, telephone, geographic), organization, person/gender/ethnicity, relationship, etc. These are elements you might think of and/or remember to include, but having the model there helps you get it right early on.

If you're a business analyst, you will really get your value from this book. And if you're a developer who also has to design the systems, you'll look like a wizard when you complete a solid design with features the customer didn't even realize they needed.

Nominally, this book presents "archetype patterns", using UML and an extended case study. The archetype idea, intermediate between a general design pattern and a specific application, is a valuable one. In the case study, it's a set of business meta-objects, operations, and organizing principles. In presenting the archetype abstraction, those objects are spelled out in enough detail to create a useable framework for routine business needs.

The archetype mechanism is also spelled out in great detail, almost wholly within the UML framework. By itself, this won't be enough to convince any UML doubters about UML's flexibility. Taken as one among many UML applications, however, it's very compelling. It's also the first reference I know that gets down to cases in applying MDA - an interesting view. I fault the technique for only two things. First is a slight dependence on a specific CASEproduct, ArcStyler. That reliance never turned all the way into an advertisement, so I'll let it pass. Second is a baffling section on "rules." The rules and rule mechanisms make sense, but inexplicably seem to re-create the features of the OCL.

Two extras make this presentation very attractive. First is the mention of "literate programming," tying the UML tool suite to user documentation and design documentation. They specifically note XML and DocBook, existing standards, as the vehicle for integrating prose and technical parts of the model. Bravo! Even if their LP tools are weak, use of the idea is a real strength. The second extra is a pervasive awareness of standards. Money is phrased in terms of ISO 4217, nations in terms of ISO 3166, books in terms of ISBNs (ISO 2108), and on and on. Far too few programmers realize how many of their software requirements are already spelled out in external standardslike these, so the consciousness-raising exercise is a good one.

This is an excellent resource, not just for its business objects and not just for its UML case study. The author treat even personal names (table 4.4) with more care than I've seen anywhere else - that care pervades the whole book, and is a lesson in itself.

//wiredweird

It is a very basic book but it is easy to read and explains concepts in a very simple way

My copy of the book is completely marked up with my notes of useful information. This is a simple entrepreneurship + finance book meant for anybody interested in buying, selling or running an entrepreneurial business. Rogers makes finance so simple that he presents only what is relevant and cuts of the rest. I have done a few graduate finance courses and do a lot of finance for work too, yet I found this book useful in bringing in practical issues that I have not seen in other finance books? I look it as a good entrepreneur's guide that tells you a lot of the little tricks of the trade.

What sets this book apart is Rogers background in entrepreneurship. Having successfully owned 3 companies his views on what are important really hits the bull's eye.

Awesome book, I recommend it to all aspiring entrepreneurs.

The book is easy to read and understand. It is couched in a manner where the average individual can easily understand the various financial issues along with the 'why to use' the financial steps along with the pitfalls which will be avoided by using the recommended financial steps.

A book to buy for or by anyone running their own small busines!

The only thing better than reading this book, is to listen to him speak in class.

A must for every Entrepreneur or anyone who inspires to be one. Easy to read with examples from real life situations. The book walks through all necessary steps for either starting or acquiring a business with all the help to avoid any pitfalls.

The book not only details on the financial side (wealth creation)of the entrepreneurship but also stresses on the social obligations of job creations.

It scores 11 out of 10.

Steven Rogers, a professor at the Kellogg School of Management, has put together a comprehensive handbook for aspiring entrepreneurs. Written in plain language that does not assume prior knowledge of business or economics, this guide covers all the major topics that entrepreneurs face in setting up and managing a business: writing up a business plan, compiling and understanding financial statements, making a company profitable, valuing a company, and raising money.

On the one hand, Professor Rogers has written a reference book that assembles much of the information that people intuitively know. In that sense, the guide can be useful to people who want to make sure they are "not forgetting something." On the other hand, though, this guide tackles many issues that quite a few entrepreneurs look down upon: for example, accounting. Professor Rogers not only explains how entrepreneurs should handle the mundane aspects of business like accounting, but also elucidates why entrepreneurs should pay attention to those aspects at all. In doing so, he alerts entrepreneurs about the kind of problems they may face and recommends action to prevent them.

Professor Rogers has compiled anecdotes, business quotations, industry data, and mathematical formulae (which he explains in detail), to write an accessible guide for aspiring business owners. This balance, between serious and humorous, and fact and theory makes the book both fun to read and very useful -- a definite read for those daunted by the prospect of starting their own business.

I found this book to be an excellent guide when it comes to describing the entrepreneurial process as well as how to start up a business. Not only does it cover the theorectical sections of this vast subject, it also provides guidance on how to go about getting funding, encouraging creativity and innovation within a firm etc. It details the stages of a business and has a number of case studies. A great book!

This book played a significant role in shaping a business plan that attracted institutional investment for a technology start-up I co-founded in Brazil. Great book.

This book has really helped me in class. It ties into all of the other books we use and all of the discussion in class. The book is actually interesting and easy to read unlike other textbooks!

This book is phenominal. While it is an academic textbook, it really hits home to the real world. The business plan section is extremely useful and the real life company examples and case studies are quite interesting and insightful.

Dr. Kuratko's book is positively OUTSTANDING and a MUST read for anyone who is even CONSIDERING starting his or her own business. Dr. Kuratko is considered by many to be the nation's foremost expert in the field of entrepreneurship and small business management. His book blends the structure of a course textbook with excellent real-life case examples. This is, without question, the finest book that I have ever read. I keep it by my nightstand!!!

Buy this one! You WON'T regret it!

Michael

If you never read any endings book before, you should try this book first before jump to another advance book. This book has helped me to climb up my rating up to from 1800 to 2200...thanks Howell

Endgames are hard to play because there are numerous cases where general endgame principles ("put the rook behind passed pawns"; "passed pawns must be pushed"; "move the pawns to a color opposite your bishop", etc.) are not only wrong, but suicidal: if you put your pawns on squares of the opposite color than those of your bishop in an opposite-colored bishops' ending, for example, you will lose in short order.

Howell's book to the rescue. First, he deals only with practical endings, so as to keep the book to a manageable length. For example, the rook endings chapter deals with two cases of 4-vs.-3 pawns: when they're all on the king's wing and when one side has an extra queenside pawn. But Howell, correctly, doesn't bother with the theoretical possiblity where, say, white has three passed pawns on the kingside an black four passed pawn on the queenside--as it never occurs in practice.

For each specific type of ending (say, oppositve-colored bishops, rook endings when one side has an extra passed queenside pawn) Howell not only gives many examples, but also detailed principles that apply *to that particular type of ending*. One should position one's pawns differently in opposite-colored bishops' endings and same-colored bishops' endings, for example; one should employ one's rook differently when one's king is cut off from enemy's pawns or when it isn't; and so on.

The result? The student avoids falling into the trap of following "general principles" of the "put your rook behind the pawns" sort in situations they don't apply, while also avoiding studying thousands upon thousands of theoretical "exceptions" to such general rules that rarely if ever occur in practice.

Highly recommended.

This book discusses the basics (and not so basics) of pawn endings, rook endings (two chapters), minor piece endings, queen endings and finally pawnless endings. It is written in a clear expository style with helpful examples and exercises. I bought it because I decided my endgame play needed remedial work, which I regarded as a necessary evil. Through reading it my attitude was completely turned around and I have become an avid student of endings. I personally found the last chapter, on pawnless endgames, a particular eye-opener.

Four stars does not seem generous to such a book, but I had to admit that after reading the chapter on minor pieces I was not much the wiser about how to use knights in the endgame. In contrast to the policy in other chapters, even the basics of knight blockades were not explained, and I found myself having to supplement the material (as opposed to further study). While omissions in general can be overlooked in a work of limited size, I feel that this one is a distinct flaw in what is generally a fine book.

Background: Currently, my ELO fluctuates between 1950 to about 2000, and I've made steady progress from about 1500 3 years ago. My initial upward surge could be attributed to a lot of tactical practice, and applying good middle game principles, and avoiding rapid chess. Most importantly, I kind of over-analyzed my losses, which really helped.
Just to give you a reference point, I'd give the Amateur's Mind 4 stars, although of course, it's a different subject (the Middle Game). Quite simply, James Howell has written a very high quality and more importantly, a very verbose end game (EG) book that I think is the ideal 2nd stage book on the EG. I also happen to have Dvoetsky's EG manual CD, and I realized that I was much better served by following Dvoertsky's own advice - learn a few concrete positions on the EG, but learn them thoroughly. If you've completed a basic chess ending's book such as those by Seirawan, Pandolphini, etc., then this book is a highly recommended next step.
I throughly enjoy Howell's didactic writing style - he takes the time to give you guidelines (often 4 or 5 steps) for both the superior side and the inferior side. I've learned not only the correct plan or technique to execute a winning position, but also, the correct plan to make life a lot harder for my opponent when my position is inferior. This is a critical piece of advice, given that (your opponent's) time pressure often allows you to save a lost ending. Another important thing about his heavy use of text and guidelines is that it is important for an intermediate level player (roughly 1600 - 1900 ELO) to have the ideas explained in detail. This is a little different from tactics books/CDs where the emphasis is on practice, practice, and more practice along multiple themes/motifs.
I'm quite surprised that this book hasn't gotten much press (although Silman's comments that this is a quality book is spot on).
My suggestion: After going through a basic endings book/CD/pgn file, this is a GREAT next step. I've finished 75% of this book over a 3 month period (remember, study these positions thoroughly), and I'm pretty sure that Dvoretsky's will be a very good next step.
Finally, as I look back at all the various books and phases I've picked up, I can firmly conclude that the thing that has helped me most is lots of tactical practice (starting with Winning chess Tactics, and then the George Renko CD), along with a basic understanding of the MG (Amateur's Mind), and then James Howell's book. This is a short & sweet, but very good quality book.

Some background: I have read HOW TO PLAY THE CHESS ENDINGS by Znosko-Borovsky (a wonderful text for beginners; don't worry about "Related Squares"), A GUIDE TO CHESS ENDINGS by Euwe and Hooper (boring but excellent), WINNING ENDGAME TECHNIQUE by Beliavsky and Mikhalchishin (very underrated!), FROM THE MIDDLEGAME TO THE ENDGAME by Mednis (the best "transition phase" book I have ever read, and I believe an essential work), along with FUNDAMENTAL CHESS ENDINGS by Muller and Lamprecht (of course I did not read all of it, but it is excellent). I have also read other works, and I have DVORETSKY'S ENDGAME MANUAL, but never really took to it.

ESSENTIAL CHESS ENDINGS: THE TOURNAMENT PLAYER'S GUIDE is the first (the only?) enjoyable endgame book I have ever read (I'm not done with it quite yet). GM Howell is an author who, for once, does not feel the need to write for the theoreticians! I am fascinated by the theoretical stuff, but found that I am not nearly as good an endgame player as I assumed I was (because of all the books I read).

I say that this book is mandatory reading because you can actually stay with it and learn the "why's" of the endgame. From the standpoint of helping the competitive player, I may come to regard it as the best endgame text I have yet read, which includes all those other works mentioned. Howell clearly explains play in the most important types of endgames (pawns, rooks, minor pieces, queens). He also has a sense of humor, a rare species indeed in endgame works.

My advice (I'll say that I am an 1800 player so that you know my point of view) is to look at Znosko-Borovsky's endgame book first. If this seems too daunting at first, begin with a Pandolfini book (I usually don't recommend his books, but some are good), then move on to Znosko-Borovsky. After that, Howell's book. Also, please get the Mednis book I mentioned above--I think it is his best work (nearly all of his works were high-quality, and I have read most of them), and fills a void in chess literature. Later on, try the Beliavsky/Mikhalchishin work.

Having read a lot of the theoretical endgame books above, my advice (further) is to skip them! I can impress my friends by giving checkmate with 2 knights vs. pawn (we practiced this one Friday night!?!), but you know what? I recently realized that I shortchanged myself in learning REAL endgames. Don't let this happen to you as well. And if it has, remedy this as quickly as possible!

I also have gotten Chernev's CAPABLANCA'S BEST CHESS ENDINGS, and while I havent't really studied it yet, it looks FANTASTIC in terms of showing winning technique-in-action.

Danette has a lot of experience in planning, managing, and executing data quality programs - I highly recommend this book!

Danette McGilvray's new book is a welcome addition to the data quality literature. Finding and eliminating root causes of data errors is essential to any data program. And most people "learn quality improvement by doing," following step-by-step instructions--much as someone just learning to cook sticks close to the recipe.

McGilvray does an excellent job of putting quality improvement in context and narrowing her focus. Make no mistake. This book is specially written for project managers, who must lead improvement teams over often-confusing terrain, and for team members who must do the work.

This book is clearly written. It is richly detailed and chock full of templates that will help project teams move rapidly. It gets my heartiest endorsement.

A strong--and welcome--addition to the data quality literature. I love the "workbook" format, and commend Ms. McGilvray and her publisher for this informed, important, and most of all helpful Baedeker.

I have read everything Tom Redman and Larry English have written. Their work has been very instructive and has helped me a great deal in my work. In fact, I used their work, as well as that of luminaries like Jack Olsen, to gain approval for an enterprise-wide information quality management program at a Fortune 500 bio-pharmaceutical company. I am now responsible for executing this program and having these responsibilities, there is no reference that I'm finding more useful than Danette McGilvrey's book.

This is not just a book. It is a "How To" manual. Danette's book fills a real gap in the Data Quality literature. If you want to improve your company's data quality management practices through excellence in executing data quality projects, there is nothing else you can read that is quite as practical and hands-on.

This book is a practical approach to data quality. I like that it gives many different dimensions to data quality, so that we can easily drill down into why the "data is wrong" by having a common vocabulary.

It's a practical approach to getting the data clean and keeping it that way. It's written in a very approachable way that doesn't talk down to me as a reader. I am very happy with my purchase

It seems that being a woman is synonymous with being overworked and being pulled a million directions. It seems that the reward for hard work is even more hard work but even superwoman gets tired sometimes.

Fight Fatigue recognizes that the modern woman is busy, overwhelmed, and anxious for just a little more energy to get through her hectic day. With this in mind, the author gets straight to the point. The author states that the main problem is not what you do but how you feel about it. Often, when we feel negatively about a task, we start to feel drained. In order to evaluate and then change the way we feel about these draining tasks, the author sets out a six step program. The last step, setting boundaries, is probably the most difficult in this list but by following these six steps in conscientious way, anyone can make improvements in the way they feel about their time, become better organized, and much less stressed.

This book is very informative for women and a good read for women with concerns of why they are always tired.

Reviewed by Erika K. Oliver for Reader Views (8/06)

Why isn't my doctor this cool? Dr. Mary Ann Bauman's book "Fight Fatigue" transcends the usual advice on fighting fatigue as she addresses the core energy drainers: poor self esteem, approval seeking, choices and personal boundaries. She does discuss the importance of diet and exercise but more importantly, identifies the root causes of fatigue. Sharing six steps to identify, understand and change our energy draining behavior, Dr. Bauman gives a practical approach to maximizing our energy.

In Chapter 1, the author hits the nail on the head when she says, "We run the risk of becoming obsessive people-pleasers who constantly require the approval of others - at the risk of our own physical and mental well-being." (p.29) After learning the second step to maximizing your energy, Dr. Bauman discusses the importance of our choices in creating balance, which is just as important, she says, as the amount of things we accomplish each day and the number of hours we sleep. Another gem is telling the truth that we many not want to do something that we need to do to restore our energy but "you just have to do it." (p. 121) I think the author is speaking to me when she says, " By setting reasonable limits or boundaries on what we demand of ourselves and what we allow others to demand from us, we free ourselves from the energy-depleting effects of unreasonable expectations." (p.158)

Throughout the book the author provides examples and stories from her medical practice and personal life that help the reader understand how to incorporate the strategies into their life to maximize energy. My favorite is when she assumed that her family would not support her going for a run when she took a break from unpacking after a recent move. She almost resented them for asking if she was going for a run until she assessed the validity of her interpretation. It turned out that they did not express any negative feelings about her run and didn't even seem to notice she was gone! Her mental and physical energy were enhanced instead of depleted because she challenged an assumption.

This book is for everyone. If you are stressed and need a beginning place, pick up this book. If you have a healthy lifestyle but sometimes feel overwhelmed and tired, "Fight Fatigue" is a perfect read. In the final chapter, the author summarizes the six steps, which creates an easy reference tool for those who want to fight fatigue and maximize their energy on a permanent basis. This book is good medicine for all of us!

Great book. Easy read. Important and useful info for women who multi-task as a wife/mother/friend/daughter etc. and want to do it all well, all the time. Very empowering if tools put into action.

Immediately I was drawn into this work when I read that the number one reason women seek medical help is fatigue. I could attest that in my case it was true. Inside of this outstanding work Dr. Bauman identifies many of the culprits that are stealing our energy. Think you know what they are? Think again!
I was shocked at how simple and yet how complex these thieves were; I would have never imagined, but here before me on the pages of this book they demanded my attention. You will be amazed at how you are being robbed of energy without even knowing it is happening.
The author does not leave you hanging with just the reasons why you are depleted of energy but she gives us six steps to maximize our energy. Now wait, they aren't hard to follow and will take very little of your time. I liked that.
This work is written from a woman who knows, besides being a doctor, she also has experienced the same strain on her energy resources as other women have. That was comforting.
There is so much information and insight in this work it would be impossible
to give it justice in one short review; however one of my favorite sections was the one on the mind-body connection and the effect it has on our well-being. Fascinating to say the least.
All in all this is one book every woman will want to have. Besides being a work packed full of knowledge; it is a real moral booster and when you are done with the read you know you are not alone in your struggle against fatigue. You will have a better understanding of what is depleting you of your energy and what to do about it. There is hope for a better tomorrow and this work will give you a helping hand to achieve that goal. Well done, recommended!