economics-schools Books

I bought this book for my husband because he brews his own beer and loves the Brooklyn Brewery. He hasn't read it yet, but it appears to be a "how to start a business" kind of book rather than a book about the history of the Brooklyn Brewery like I expected. Oh well. It could still be very interesting. We'll see.

As the wife of a homebrewer, I often pretended to listen to my husband's dreams of one day starting his own brewery. After five years of pretending, I realized he was serious when he handed me Beer School and said, "If you're ever going to get on board, you've got to read this book." As a medical professional, the idea of reading a "business" book made me yawn. To my surprise, I couldn't put it down. I felt as if Tom and Steve were sitting across the table, telling me their story over dinner. Their honesty was both eye-opening and inspiring. I learned so much from Beer School and enjoyed every second of it. Reading this book gives you a good idea of how difficult it is to be successful in starting and running your own business, all the while making you feel like you can do it.
BTW-after reading Beer School, I finally got on board with my husband....founder of Tallgrass Brewing Company!

Great, inspirational reading. If you're thinking about starting a microbrewery or brewpub read this first. Their no-holds barred approach puts a candid entrepreneurial perspective on their endeavour.

I've no great interest in the brewery business, but I do enjoy well-written, instructive tales of entrepreneurship. 'Beer School' definitely falls into that category. One-time journalist and co-founder Steve Hindry can really write. No surprise there. The pleasant surprise is that ex-banker and fellow co-founder Tom Potter's chapters are just as enjoyable. Like their beer, the chapters go down smooth. The arrangement of the book makes it clear who's written what parts - the chapters are given names that start with either "Steve Tells..." or "Tom Tells...". Where Steve has written a chapter, we get Tom's viewpoint with "Tom Weighs In," and vice-versa. Sounds sort of clunky, but it's well executed by the co-authors. They clearly worked very closely in shaping a final, cohesive product. As a result, the format works well.

What drew me to the book originally was the forward by Mike Bloomberg. His endorsement is good enough for me.

By nature, I am not a "reader"... I have a large stack of books that I've picked up over the years to pacify me while traveling. Most still have their respective airline ticket stubs safely marking the spot where I left off reading. So yes, it's a tad ironic that I'm now leaving a book review here... However, I read this cover-to-cover in two (long) evenings (that alone will tell anyone that knows me that this was a really good book!) so I'm at least qualified to comment on THIS one.

I've homebrewed for a couple of years and am in the early stages of investigating the feasibility of trying to make a living out of brewing. The story in the book really struck close to home for me... My potential partner and I work in fields that really couldn't be further from the brewing industry, much like the authors. While I know that the odds are against us, it was refreshing to read a story of someone that took a swing at it and hit a home run.

The book is by no means a step-by-step business plan for starting a brewery. It is much more a story of the trials and tribulations that faced them as they progressed from a crazy dream to a crazy success. It's a story about partnership. It's a story about taking a leap of faith. So don't purchase it expecting a step-by-step recipe for you to go out and quit your day job, but do purchase it and expect a general high-level look at starting a brewery, some good general business ideas that you may not have thought of, and a good story to tie it all together.

I found it to be a very honest, open story... The authors take turns writing chapters, and there were at least a couple of times that they were so honest that I caught myself thinking "Jeez, I'm pretty sure that the other guy's going to read this... Are you sure you wanted to say that?!" As you progress through the book though, you learn that this is just the relationship that they've built over the years... Very honest and open with one another whether it is good news or bad. I think that reading about the partnership was really one of the biggest take-aways that I got out of the book, but it certainly has more to offer than that.

In summary, I really enjoyed this book and would have no issues whatsoever giving it a very high recommendation for anyone that is considering starting ANY new business, brewery or not.

What I like best is the ideas around vibrancy, to get the most out of your marketing spend you need to get vibrant engagement from your customers. Without this you are just another choice in a world of infinite choices. A great book for any marketing professional to read, as well as maybe some other people in most companies!

"Invigorating, exciting, packed with straight talk and energy. Professor Larreche presents an incisive analysis of the key elements of an organizational renewal strategy offering lasting benefits to all stakeholders. In the wake of the global financial crisis, those who truly understand vibrancy and momentum will be positioned for lasting success; essential reading for every senior leadership team."

Roger Greenwood and Andy GebbieThe Momentum Effect: How to Ignite Exceptional Growth

The Insead professor J. C. Larreche offers with the book "The Momentum Effect" an innovative and powerful management framework helping companies to reach sustainable growth. All findings of this practical book are based on the author`s extensive research of over 350 worldwide leading firms, covering a period of 20 years.

The main step for achieving this exceptional growth is the firm`s shift away from compensating strategy towards momentum strategy. The author shows how to build and preserve momentum, and how to use it leaving the competitors trailing in the firm`s wake.

The Momentum feeds on itself - each success provides energy for the next, enabling firms to deliver exceptional organic growth year after year. The momentum management process consists of eight elements, forming the twin engines of momentum - momentum design and momentum execution. The corner stone is the power offer, that is based on - like "Blue Ocean Strategy" - a superior, compelling customer value.

Besides the theoretical framework, the author gives interesting insights into successful firms (e.g. Apple, Toyota or IBM) on their way to momentum-leadership and demonstrates their success stories in a simple and easy way.

This book shows managers how to win new customers and how to inspire existing customers. It reveals successful strategies for originating new sources of growth and value from customers with the power to unlock great potential. The book encourages the reader to act and to become a momentum-leader. "The Momentum Effect" is an excellent book and gives managers an answer how to execute after "Blue Ocean Strategy". Not only C. Kim and R. Mauborgne the authors of "Blue Ocean Strategy" call it a "must read".

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, momentum is the "strength or force gained by motion or through the development of events".

In "The Momentum Effect", J.C. Larreche outlines, in a clear and compelling way, the critical events that high performing companies have pursued in order to build and sustain unprecedented organic growth resulting from a virtuous circle of vibrant customer satisfaction, retention, and engagement. This book, based on 20 years of empirical research, company analyses, and computerized simulations, can help business leaders and their organizations to lay the groundwork for business momentum.

This book provides deep insights that go beyond the concept of customer-driven organizations by showing the critical linkages between customer focus and business results. The Momentum Effect can help companies to build tremendous customer equity which results in the creation of unprecedented value for the firm. The "power offer", the critical component that links the external world with the internal world of the firm, is a key concept that is likely to become part of the business lexicon in years to come.

The idea behind momentum came out of the insight that some businesses like Toyota, Apple and First Direct (HSBC) have been able to achieve tremendous customer equity while decreasing their relative marketing spending relative to other firms who have followed "push" type business and marketing strategies.

Larreche offers a set of frameworks to help readers to systematically think through the critical components that are required to design and execute momentum from both the external market side as well as the internal employee side. Larreche shows how building customer equity not only helps to create customer advocates but also helps to create supporters out of noncustomers.

General managers, marketing executives, as well anyone who is looking for a fresh perspective on how to ignite profitable growth should read this book. It is a wonderful companion to "Blue Ocean Strategy" by W.C Kim and R. Mauborgne.

Larreche's latest book bring the best of what you can expect from a true Business Thought Leader: real life success case studies, a conceptual approach that can be communicated with impact and ease throughout an organization and practical tools for systematic implementation.
Momentum Effect is holistic: it needs to be applied at multiple levels Momentum Strategy at the Corporate level, Momentum Marketing at the Brand level and Momentum Leadership top down and bottom up.
Practicing the Momentum Effect requires discipline up to the level it becomes a natural behavior. However, like with top athletes or artists, Momentum is not permanent and becoming complacent can bring you down faster than you rose to the top.
The Momentum Effect walks you through the steps that made major brands such as BMW, Dell, iPod or anti-cancer drug Gleevec so successful and why some of them did not maintain their momentum. Set your sights high: only Power product or service offerings and genuine Customer Engagement can bring and keep you at the top of the performance charts.
Now it is up to you use to embrance the Momentum Effect and apply it to your organization!

This hits the nail on the head about our problems, not just talking about how the problem is manifesting in many areas but what is at the core of all mankinds situation.

The first two chapters were slow, but he really hit his stride at Chapter 3, and never looked back.
Great insights, not only of his own, but he relies heavily on others in the Body of Christ. Strom weaves them together in a comprehensive package that shows a easy to follow progression.
These are all warnings that God has been giving to us for the last 10 years, and Strom encapsulates it together wonderfully and succinctly so that it all fits and makes perfect sense.
I am not a proponent of Christian "self-help" books, but I will buy several copies of this one to hand out to others. It's that good.

Survive the Depression is a MUST read book. Its a fast read and WILL help you prepare physically and spiritually for the upcoming changes that are happening in the world. Well worth the time and the money.

I can't say enough about Andrew; he is a man sent to us to help enlighten those of us who choose to follow the whole, one truth of God. His book exemplifies what and who Andrew is, a man who is both genuine and speaks the truth.
I highly recommend this book and all you can read and view that Andrew has to offer. He brings to light the time and season we have now entered. He gives solid foundational principles for those who seek the truth of Yehovah, Jesus(Yeshua).
This is truly a man of God. God bless him for telling it like it is, with the love of God in his heart.
peggy,st. aug.,fl

A must read for everyone who wants to survive what is coming upon the church and the world! The book was excellent!!! My husband couldn't even put it down ... and he hates to read!!

After reading this book, I feel ready to go out and create my own destiny. This is a wonderful account on how everyday actions and decisions can create the life you want.

Peter Morgan Mash seems to be one of those people upon whom good fortune shines. Just when he's about to lose a big deal, chance rears its beautiful head to help him on his way; just when he's about to give up on meeting a key potential investor, he ends up stuck in the elevator with him. To what does Mash attribute his good fortune? Simple kindness, integrity and personal values. By stressing these personal attributes, he says that anyone can benefit from the kindness of life. We from getAbstract recommend this book to anyone convinced that the universe is a basically friendly place.

Peter Kash was my father's intern at EF Hutton when I was a little girl. His warmth and zest for life come through in this book, as well as his sharp business acumen. His principles are sound; his writing style, delightful. I'd recommend this book to anyone searching for the courage to follow their passion and find success.

I have to say that I pick up a lot of books (from personal success to mathematical tomes) and read them over a period of a week to a month, but not this book. This book is so engrossing that I finished it in two days! Peter Kash really hit a note inside me when he talked about the coincidences and serendipity in eveyone's life. When you look at the world the way Peter Kash does everything begins to become clear and you can't help but to look forward to everyday, to meet new people and to appreciate your family and the people you know well. I have recommended this book as a Must read to all of my friends and I recommend it to anyone who is trying to get a "lucky break" on their way to the top! I can assure you that this is not "fluff" or New Age "Gobbledygook". This is a book written from the "gut" from a solid, successful, entrepeneur, who comes across - not as a know it all - but of someone who has learned a lot of secrets on how to make your own luck. Truly a life altering book for this reader.

Make Your Own Luck is a practical guide for getting the most from what you have. Make Your Own Luck is really a feel good kind of book not based on heavily researched scientific fact.

The author reminds the reader of old platitudes and gives antidotal evidence support these platitudes. Yet in the hustle and bustle of everyday life these reminders are welcome and help realign the compass guiding our lives.

The author reminds us the life is full of unexplained coincidences. If we notice and engage (rather then ignore) these coincidences we can usually find opportunity knocking. Make your own luck covers topics such as failure (required to succeed), rejection (required to succeed), finding a purpose in work and specialization (which can be a path to success).

The underlying tone is the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The author adds the concept of the "web of life", which could be described as "what goes around comes around".

I would recommend Make Your Own Luck. Although the concepts are tried and true they are still important to consider and pursue. In a busy world we need to be reminded and make sure we are following our compass.

This book has a number of practical messages for anyone who is managing or learning how to run an organization. Unlike most books, the author explains how to implement the ideas. For my company it helped us build a foundation of principles by which everyone can live by not just talk about. The end result was a more enjoyable workplace and five star customer experience.

As a MBA student, I found this book a must-read. Unlike other books I have read, this book looks beyond classroom branding theory and teaches you how to successfully implement a brand strategy through the alignment of a company's employees with its vision. I look forward to executing the truths as I head into the "real world," now better prepared!

Finally a book that didnt leave me hanging. Achieve Brand Integrity goes the extra mile. Gregg didnt let the book fall into the business-book-trap of only telling us "what we need to do"...he actually gives us access to the tools on "how to get it done." Pretty selfless stuff. If this read doesn't get you off the dime towards competing globally in the 21st Century...then stop buying books on Brand. C-Level Mgmt should take notice from Mr. Lederman...change is coming with or without them!

I like this book because it starts with a simple yet powerful concept missed by the vast majority of business leaders. Brand Strategy is "The process of aligning what we say with what we do, to positively influence what customers think." Simple because it is what your customers expect. Powerful because in my experience most competitors don't get it. They're wrong. Great brands are fueled by strong cultures, cultures that strive to bring their brand's promise to life. Chapter 6 is worth the entire price of admission. In this chapter, you begin to understand the underlying psychology of your workers and how beliefs drive behavior. And what you must do to change them to become a "visible" brand. Not from a strategy standpoint, rather from a get your hands dirty point of view. When Gregg Lederman says process, he means that literally. He spells out in clear steps what you need to do to align what "we do" with what "we say." In fact the book refers you to [...] to access templates that allow you to progress this concept on your own. Achieve Brand Integrity is a small investment that can pay huge dividends if you embrace the power of a designed culture.

Gregg Lederman lives five years in the future, so if you want to know how to motivate your employees and have more profitable growth in your company, just ask him.

Lederman sets it all out so well. This is a huge contribution that if used will empower any business of any size to distill brand integrity in their employees. This book is easy to read and makes it all so easy to understand. I really wish I had this resource to refer to 15 years ago. I make it a common practice to give this book to every new employee that I hire.

There are parts of the book that are clearly written in the immature style of a teenager (colloquial speech) and parts that have been edited so much that they seem to come from an entirely different person. The overall book is choppy in terms of style, although the organization is excellent.

I would have preferred that the author articulate more clearly his emotions that accompanied his experiences. I would have hoped that his editor/professional writing mentor would have worked on making the story more compelling. I was a bit sad to get to the end of the book and not feel inspired. I felt like it was an "interesting story," but inspirational--not quite.

The captions below the photos should either not exist or tell additional information that is not contained in the text. I was annoyed to read a summary statement below the photo that I had just read on the previous pages.

It would be a good leisure read for high school students (or anyone for that matter), although as an example of good quality writing, I wouldn't suggest it.

A wonderful book that will give you a firsthand account of the situation surrounding child labor in South East Asia.

The Kielburger story is one of an incredible journey that he took as a twelve year old to explore the problem of child labor. The "journey" has continued since then into his discovery of the problem all over the world, in addition to his solution through his organization. They build schools, spread awareness through lectures (and their website www.freethechildren.com), inspire young leaders through their programs, and so much more. This is a story that needs to be told over and over again to whomever in hopes that the world can work together to "Free the Children" all over the globe. Get this book and pass it on to any one and make sure they pass it on....

Craig and Marc's stories are so amazing. I used to think that I can't make a difference in the world because I am only 14 years old. This book taught me that even the smallest of actions can create a ripple that affects more people than I can ever imagine. The ideas in this book are really quite simple, but when articulated so clearly by Marc and Craig, it just makes so much sense.

Craig Keilburger is an amazing man and is one of the Worlds greatest heroes. I have learned more from this book then any in the whole world. Even Social Studies!

This is the best style manual for advertising copywriters on the market. There may be a new edition that supercedes this one by the time you read this. if so, I would buy it without reservation. I find myself reaching for this time and again when I write. Highly recommended.

bought this copy for my daughter. she wishes she'd had it years earlier. loves it.

I retired a few years ago and wish that I had taken my Gregg Reference Manual with me as a "parting gift." I used to take calls from people regarding grammar questions. Little did they know I would grab this book and easily page to the correct answer. I impressed many people over the years; and then, of course, the answers became second nature to me. I have recommended this book many times and finally am going to purchase my own copy for home. It is a good book just to read. Absolutely EVERYTHING is in there.

I am an independent corporate trainer who teaches people to write better at work. When my students ask me for my advice about good books to guide them as they write at work, this is the reference book I recommend.

I also tell them several other things about the book. First, this is not just some handbook that secretaries can use to look up how to format a letter. It is an authoritative reference for all aspects of writing English. It should be next to the dictionary and thesaurus on the shelf of everyone who needs to write at work, from clerks to executives. Second, if your boss or anyone else argues with you about any rule of writing, you only have to point to the relevant entry in this book. All arguments stop there. Third, the size of the book is deceptive. It uses small font and thin paper. With normal font and paper, it would be the size of two or three large dictionaries. That's how much useful stuff is packed in this book.

It takes a while to get used to how the information in the book is formatted, but it is well worth the effort. All entries in the index include page numbers as well as topic numbers, which they call "rules." The book is logically structured around these rules, and it makes related topics easy to find.

I rated this book 5 stars because I think it is superior in all categories for a reference book: comprehensive content, abundant examples, thorough index, authoritative author, and reasonable price.

As a business education teacher, I highly recommend this reference manual to anyone entering the secretarial field. It provides a complete source for answering questions concerning grammar, punctuation, English usage, etc. The well-done index allows easy access to the needed information. It is an absolute MUST for office employees. Eva Lewis, El Cajon, CA

Admittedly, I'm a big Goldsmith fan. He writes insightful articles in many pubs--FAST COMPANY being one of them. His advice in this short, but focused book makes it painfully clear why you need to pay attention to succession planning. He states things very clearly and offers up some very practical advice EVERY leader, company head can follow. If your leader has yet to talk about the next phase of leaders in your company, just put this little book in their IN box and wait for the signs of change to show up in your organization! Kudos to Goldsmith for writing such an amazingly down to earth tome on a necessary topic! After all, not one of us is truly getting younger!

I'll come right out with it... I'm not a CEO. However, I aspire to be one. I thought it would be a good idea to prepare myself to be on the receiving end of a succession by reading up on the subject.

Mr. Goldsmith presents valuable advice and anecdotes for CEOs contemplating retirement, all in a succinct and accessible format. The author is very open about his expertise and does not pretend to be a one-stop-shop for the various facets of succession planning. His candor and realism were very refreshing.

This book is physically very small, and can be read in its entirety in about an hour. That is obviously by design, since the intended audience is very busy and likely appreciates a quick read.

I only wish that the book was written for a slightly broader group of people... not just for CEOs of multi-billion dollar corporations. If all of the conglomerate CEOs bought this book, the unit sales would only be in the low hundreds. There are so many more leaders who work in smaller organizations, private corporations, family-run businesses, etc. that could benefit from Mr. Goldsmith's guidance. I know I would have appreciated it more, since I find myself in such an organization. I give the book 5 stars for its specific content, by only 4 for its extreme narrowness of application.

I own my own small business and I have been looking for ways to help prepare my business for the day I won't be there anymore (either through selling it or just wanting time off). This book was exceptional in every respect. It provided incredibly insightful information to prepare myself and my successor to take my place. Moreover, it was written in an engaging fashion that made it an easy read. Finally, it was short enough that I was able to fit it into my busy schedule. I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to prepare someone to take their place.

This book cuts right to the chase and deals with its subject matter in an enertaining and concise way. So concise, that this is a really small book. Printed as a softcover, it could easily be marketed as a pocket guide, and that's the only strike against it (because as of this review, it seems to be priced like a full-sized book, which is a bit much even if the content is phenominal. If you can pick up this book second-hand or as the price comes down, consider this a perfect score).

The content that you get is excellent. I'm not a business owner or CEO myself, but I'll be handing this over to a friend who is the next time we meet. And this isn't just for the top person in a company- the advice is easily applicable to leadership at any level. The book is written in a "memo to the CEO" format, and includes plenty of "real-world" examples. It's plenty entertaining, without skipping on content.

I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position, especially anyone who might be stepping down or transferring or otherwise concerned about the succession that will happen when they leave. This certainly is an excellently-crafted little book.

This book is a fairly short read coming in at just over 120 pages and is full of great ideas and methods to use to help you in your quest for succession. But what I found most annoying was the constant repetitiveness that was throughout the book. The author Marshall Goldsmith knows what he's talking about and you can tell based upon the writing and his biography, but when you read it you find him using several metaphors to describe the same thing, so essentially you read the same concept 2-4 times. And I understand the "passing of the baton" concept, but what I really would have liked to see was rather then describing how it is like a race in some ways, and different in others. I much would have rather had the writing straight to the point "in succession there are a number of things you need to remember. Point A, Point B, Point C." This book while it does cover the topics uses twice as many pages as it should due to the repetitiveness and metaphors, and yes repeating things does make you remember them but it's just not a style that I find beneficial for a busy reader. That all being said, it does do the job and achieves it's purpose as outlined by the author so I won't knock this down in rating because I don't care for the writing style. After all, this review is about the book and the content, in that area it is a true winner.

This guidebook from Starbucks entrepreneur Arthur Rubinfeld, one of the world's most successful retailers, provides an excellent introduction to conceptualizing, realizing, expanding and reinventing retail brands. Rubinfeld and co-author Collins Hemingway organize the book clearly around four basic principles: Think big; be oriented toward growth; find the right location, and plan for the future. They explain each principle step by step in terms that are understandable to the general management reader. They illustrate their assertions with examples from Rubinfeld's experience and from the experiences of such prominent retailers as Wal-Mart's Sam Walton and McDonald's Ray Kroc. If you consider launching a new retail enterprise, getAbstract would advise reading this book first.

Learn from a guy who took a coffee retailer from 14 locations to over 3,500 in just a few years and created the momentum for the Starbuck's Brand. One who glamorized a cup of coffee and got America to culturally change and willing to pay over $4.00 for something they previous purchased for a under a $1.00. A huge shift in what is possible. This is a great read for those interested in leadership, strategic thinking and knowing your demographic. Good enough to pass on to a friend or colleague, but better kept as a resource for future projects.

Rubinfeld is one of the masters in the retail locationing process. I own about 50 books in English and German on retail management, but none has included the expert advice on the very specialized retail locationing process. At least not compared to Rubinfeld's understanding. Both from a very strategic point-of-view and down to the nitty-gritty details of the legal agreement.

Rubinfeld's experience from Starbuck's rapid expansion in the 90s is very helpful, but he also adds a lot of other interesting retail cases from his work as an independent consultant.

The book's website includes very interesting checklists, but is not as impressive as you would expect based on the references made in the book.

The title's focus on "Expanding your business ... across the globe" is misleading in my opinion. Rubinfeld's advice hardly crosses the Atlantic nor the Pacific Ocean. But if you are interested in his ideas and concepts, you'll soon see that it doesn't matter. The principles remain the same with some adjustments for local responsiveness...

Being a chairman of a small retail chain, I have already put the author's advice into practice in the negotiations for a new retail location. They are easy to follow.

I also highly recommend the book's excellent chapters on retail chain financials. It is one of the first books that clearly distinguish between retail chain earnings and store earnings. Rubinfeld's focus on having a robust proforma economic model is key - also in my experience. And this is irrespective of whether you own all the stores yourself or also include a franchise system.

Peter Leerskov,
MSc in International Business (Marketing & Management) and Graduate Diploma in E-business

Author Rubinfeld took Starbucks to its place in retail dominance by creating a brand identity, yet assuring that stores did not have a "cookie-cutter" feel to them. The author points out for retailers, the store is the experience, and this is key to estabilishing a foothold. The way Starbucks stores were put together allowed them to be located even in historical building and other places where a normal outlet might not be desired.

The book doesn't just cover marketing strategy. It also discussing hiring the right team, and how locations are chosen. This information is golden.

Chapters include
* Make No Little Plans--core values, first store, maximizing retail experienc

* Go Long: blueprint for execution

* Own Main & Main: location, hot spots, how to grow rapidly without stumbling

* Push the Envelope: Path to Growth

Can't think of another book that outlines how to get to mega-success in retailing as well as this one.

Rubinfeld has credibility, being the person who commanded the domestic and global expansion of Starbucks. Here, Art Rubinfeld gives very specific advice on not only the "what" but the "how." His well-rounded and varied background has has enabled him to perceive things the way he does and then implement his ideas. He worked as an architect and as a construction manager. Later as Brand Development Consultant for Adidas and Washington Mutual Bank, prior to joining
Starbucks. He took Starbucks From 100 stores to over 4,000
worldwide. The concept of Starbucks is, and has has been unique. Who thought, back in the early 1990s that this new coffee outlet would do what it has done? I didn't.

Rubinfeld presided over and directed the Starbucks corporation's
growth in the 1990s, but he's also served as an independent
consultant for many other companies, so this adds to a more
multi-dimensional level of knowledge and numerous experiences of which to draw from. He specifically sites successes - and failures - with specific and detailed examples. Because of his background he can apply theory and also apply actual practice: from upper-lever strategy to front-line consumer. ( E.g. the 80:20 rule.)

Another concept: location plus people. The emphasis is on the
concept of retail and retail expansion, and the author doesn't stray from this as the foundation. Even of course, down to the store design which (Starbucks contains elements of the natural Earth, and presents the entity of the coffee bean and it's progression to the cup of java you get in-store). The complete retail puzzle involves many pieces. Strongly integrated throughout this book on retail is the concept of brand.

This book is categorized into 4 categories, with each category having a couple, to seven chapters. The Chapters zero-in on such areas as creativity, and customer loyalty; finding the best locations for your brand, management, staff and organization, for the big or small operations; implementation (translation: doing it). How to adapt, and continue to being dynamic and change, to maintain your customers. One useful term is what Rubinfeld calls "ideation." This is the
creation of new ideas. In the changing market place, this is the corner stone separating those who stay, from those who fade. Lots of proven ideas and concepts in this book.

Tom Redman's book fills a need in our data quality literature. It is the first data quality book I'm aware of that is entirely meant for a business audience. I can't think of anyone more qualified to write this kind of book than Tom, a respected leader in the field of data quality with years of experience. He has the ability to clearly explain ideas in such a way that anyone can grasp them. Even more importantly it gives us the words to carry the message to those we work with. Thanks, Tom!

"The Data Doc" has masterfully added to the data quality knowledge base by clearly articulating how to drive value and profits from data. The value propositions that Tom describe are key success factors to consider for data quality improvement projects. All data quality improvement teams and practitioners should read Tom's book to help refine their strategy and to better communicate their value prosition.

This is a highly readable, thorough, credible guide to the principles of data management. Author Thomas C. Redman covers all the bases, showing readers how to improve data quality, use data to make better decisions and establish management systems that will help nearly any company get the most from its data. Few business subjects have been more abused than data management; a common misconception consigns data management to the IT department. The author shows why the data is, most appropriately, a line rather than a staff responsibility. getAbstract recommends it highly to those whose business may live or die based on the quality of its data management - and that may be your company, whether you realize it yet or not.

"Data Driven" is a thorough guide into the data world for those who do not consider themselves data experts. It gives a clear understanding of why data should be considered organization wide as a business asset. Dr. Redman gives a very readable explanation of concepts that can be foreign to many non-IT people, and why data and information importance must become part of the corporate culture. As data becomes more and more prevalent in businesses, leaders must find ways to leverage this asset. Through real world examples and a frame work for how to begin putting data to work for the organization, "Data Driven" is a must-read for all contemplating diving into this area.

Tom Redman has written yet another insightful book on the business uses of data - not your usual turgid approach to data management, but rather an intelligent approach to solving the REAL issue about data: HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM IT!
This is a great read for the business manager, marketeer, or technophile alike. You don't need to be a data wonk to enjoy this book, and learn some valuable lessons.