Partner

I was not doing this and the book and strategies detailed have helped me focus on seeing each partner tpye differently, especially through their training requirements, and coaching them to a common performance sales parameter.

This is already leading to my better "coverage" of these partners, quicker and stronger callbacks, and better results from RFP's and proposals.

Thank you, John Addison.

In today's economy, it is a "buyer's market." Answers to these questions are critical to any company's profitability and long-term growth. In "Revenue Rocket," you will find clear examples, best practices, and actionable suggestions to strike the required balance in your distribution channels, direct sales and strategic partners. This book is full of practical advice about how to achieve market share growth and increase revenue, while managing cost of sales. Realize greater profits by nurturing the loyalty and confidence of your partners.

Nelson French, Principal
Early Advantage Partners

I now have developed more self confidence not only in myslef as mentioned above but with the shape of my body. I have learnt by reading this book what parts of my body are best and how to use it to the full potential!! and plus i have THOSE SEXY MOVES under my belt!!

EVERY WOMEN THIS IS A MUST......suprise your man you can do it, a fun, easy read, trust me you will be amazed!!

Kylie-Anne, Australia

You must get this book. It's a quick read, and it's fun. You can get alot of information on a person from this book, even if they don't want you have it!!

Sheley does a wonderful job in the telling of this story of two teens from different time periods who wish for larger-than-life adventures only to find more excitement than they bargained for. Both Sam and Meg narrate the story in alternating chapters, allowing the reader to see both of the characters' perspectives. Sheley is right on the money with Meg's reaction to her sudden appearance in 2005. And the character of Sam, who dreams of becoming a successful scientist, is a bright, enthusiastic, not-so-typical teen that finds himself in a precarious circumstance. Sheley takes time to introduce the characters and their reactions to their plight, and rightly so. This is the first in a series of books for young adults planned by Sheley called the "Partners in Time Series," which will continue the adventures of Sam and Meg as they travel through time.

Sheley will attract many readers to this series, because of the time travel theme. Time travel seems to appeal to all ages and "No Time Like the Present" will tickle the proverbial taste buds of those who enjoy the flavor of a good time travel-related story. Sheley's love of time travel began with her interest in the "Back to the Future" movie trilogy, in which Marty McFly and "Doc" Emmett L. Brown take many adventures through time. Her novel even utilizes various names, phrases, and references from the trilogy, right down to "The Ripple Effect" aspect of time travel -so well known among fans of "Back to the Future." Her novel pays homage to the trilogy through these references.

The novel gets off to somewhat of a slow start - Meg doesn't even leave the vicinity of Sam's house until almost a third of the way into the story. But this is necessary to give Meg time to get used to her immediate surroundings before she and Sam venture out into the vast, complicated world of the 21st century. And Sheley gives the reader plenty to chew on in the meantime. The meat of the story occurs during the last 9 chapters of this 23-chapter novel. But the setup during the first 14 chapters is needed to set the tone, introduce the characters, and build the story to its dual-climactic ending - an ending in which readers will find they won't be disappointed. Readers will ultimately find themselves wanting to know more about Sam and Meg - and Sheley plans on giving it to them.

The "Partners in Time Series" from which Kristen Sheley says she expects to turn out about one novel per year will no doubt yield many exciting time travel adventures by Sam Foster and Meg Clayton. Sheley's love for the art of writing, combined with her love of time travel stories, truly stands out in "No Time Like the Present" and she is sure to delight readers with her brand of storytelling for many years into the future.

Carla Newsome McManus
Sisters and Brothers of HotLanta Book Club
http://www.sistersbrothers.com

Carla Newsome McManus
President
Sisters and Brothers of HotLanta Book Club
http://www.sistersbrothers.com

My guess is that those in greatest need of this book will encounter the greatest difficulty when attempting to follow Lewis' suggestions. "Trust is at the heart of the knowledge economy....Rather than being a matter of blind faith, trust must be cone step at a time. Further, building trust between organizations is all-encompassing. It involves their people, politics, priorities, cultures, and structures." Organizations become untrustworthy when those within those organizations are untrustworthy. Over the years, all of us have been victimized by fraudulent claims, intentional misrepresentations, corrupt "politics", "a hidden agenda", broken promises, etc. If trust is to be built between organizations, there must be interpersonal as well as intrapersonal relationships based on trustworthiness.

Lewis's book is divided into three parts: Trust Leads to High Performance, Alliances with Key Partner, and Tools for Trust: A Guide for Practitioners. He follows a step-by-step process within each part, providing an abundance of observations, suggestions, and caveats. Who will derive the greatest value from this book? Here are my nominees:

1. Decision-makers who have the authority (not simply the responsibility) for their organization's cultural transformation.

2. Owners/CEOs of start-ups who are committed to building trust as well as sales and profits.

3. Those involved in M&A initiatives whose due diligence includes evaluation of cultural capital as well as material assets.

One of the book's most valuable sections (Chapter VII in the Third Part) summarizes "actions that establish trust-building habits." Note the use of the word "habit." Lewis is quite correct when insisting that time and effort are required to build and then sustain trust. Conversely, trust can be quickly compromised by a single act betrayal.

In this final section, the "trust-building habits" are classified as follows: Trust Conditions; Recruiting, Training, and Rewards; Management Behavior; and Other Activities. Once you have read the book, selected what is most appropriate to your own organization, and then begun the difficult task of implementation, it would be a good idea to re-read Chapter VII in the Third Part. The counsel Lewis provide will help you formulate your own tasks and objectives within the framework of the eight trust conditions and related practices.

If those within your organization are unwilling and/or unable to make a sincere and steadfast commitment to building and then sustaining trust, find another organization. And consider this fact: The companies which dominate their respective industries are the same companies which are rated the best companies to work for. Coincidence? I don't think so...and neither does Lewis.

How about a melon to scent a person or a room, a melon to stand in for a cucumber in a salad (bitterfree, crisper, and will set fruit all summer long), a melon that looks for all the world like a winter squash, a bi-colored-flesh watermelon, or a watermelon whose skin turns a bright yellow when it is ripe?

These are the Queen Anne's pocket melon or the D'Alger melon, the Snake melons, the Prescott Fond Blanc melon, the Colorado Striped Tarahumara watermelon, and the Golden Midget watermelon.

Don't have room to grow your own melons? Then the pages about how to select a melon, even at market, will be invaluable--already I have been able to improve my chances of coming home with a riper melon from the store.

I have one tiny complaint about the content of the book: there are several varieties that are listed with "Seed Source: None". I assume these melons that are not available from commercial seed sources are available among the Seed Savers Exchange organization members, but that is never mentioned.

My other complaint about the book is technical: it's not what most of us would consider a "hardback". It has a firm cover, but it's not a hardback in the traditional textbook sense.

All in all, a very lovely book, one that makes you wish you had 10 acres in which to just grow melons. It has been an engrossing read and re-read, an indispensable book in planning our future forays into melon-growing.