Barbara Henricks: Changes In The Publishing Industry - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Book publicist, public relations professional, and President and CEO of Cave Henricks Communications, Barbara Henricks describes the massive changes that are taking place in the publishing industry. Barbara offers insights into how the transformation in publishing industry is affecting the publishers, authors, retailers, publicists, and the reading public. Barbara Henricks provides ideas for promoting books, working with publicists, and shares some great author success stories along with some cautionary tales of how authors can sabotage their own book and career. Barbara presents ideas for authors to leverage the power of social media for marketing their book and for building their platform. Barbara also points out why it's important for authors to combine the power of social media, the internet, and traditional media to achieve a higher profile, more publicity, and more book sales.

Barbara Henricks is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, November 1, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Book publicist and President and CEO of Cave Henricks Communications, Barbara Henricks describes the massive changes that are taking place in the publishing industry. You will learn:

* What challenges face the publishing industry today

* How to utilize and integrated social media and mainstream media strategy

* How to create a platform for success

* How to avoid the most common mistakes made by authors



Barbara Henricks (photo left) has always been in love with books. Growing up in Hammond, Indiana, she was introduced to books and words by her father, a heroic man who “read to me all the time,” she fondly recalls. “It was our ritual to go to the library every Sunday after church to check out our weekly reading.” She couldn’t know it at the time, but that exercise deeply imprinted her love for books that continues even today. Over the past two decades, she has enjoyed a successful career promoting books, and the writers who pen them. Along the way, she has had the privilege of meeting Presidents and Kings, corporate moguls and many of the world’s best minds.

After graduating from Indiana University with a Theater/Radio and TV degree, Barbara went to work at WJOB, a talk radio station in Hammond. During her tenure there, she learned and experienced practically every aspect of the station, from reporting on the street to noon anchor, to eventually hosting her own morning talk show. After leaving Hammond, she joined a radio station in Columbia, South Carolina as a State Reporter. She would eventually land at NBC Radio Network in Washington, D.C., where she produced and edited the news.

That role would lead her to a life-changing decision, one that would forever alter her career path. And, by the way, a decision her dad would be very proud of.

As producer, she was required to pore over all of the PR pitches for books that were submitted to the network. That experience made her wonder to herself if there might be a way that she could somehow make a living working with books. Acting on that hunch, and realizing she was growing weary of the news business, she applied for and became a publicist at Workman Publishing, a smaller publisher in New York City known for their innovative packaging, design and promotion with bestsellers like What to Expect When You’re Expecting and The Preppie Handbook. There, she “got to see the publishing process from start to finish,” she says with the unbridled joy that one feels when they are finally doing exactly what they were made to do. “It was a lot of work but an amazing learning experience.”

Her success there and in her next stop at Houghton Mifflin Company would bring her to the attention of Lynn Goldberg, CEO of Goldberg McDuffie Communications, a 25-year-old public relations firm for books and authors. During her 10 years at GMC, Barbara launched the company’s business book division with Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman’s business classic, First Break All the Rules. She would follow that blockbuster with other hits for Jack Bogle, Jack Welch, Larry Bossidy, Arthur Levitt, Maria Bartiromo and many others. Bestseller after bestseller rolled out of the business division she oversaw, and she was having the time of her life doing it.



And, she is still in love with books. After a successful run as VP and PR Director at Goldberg McDuffie, she would launch her own PR firm, Cave Henricks Communications. While the name and address of the organization has changed, the successes continue, with 11 bestsellers since the company’s launch in 2006.

She doesn’t take all this success for granted. “I feel lucky,” she admits. “I get to do something I love to do every single day.”

Barbara lives in Austin, Texas with her three children, Kate, Corey and Brady and her husband, glass artist Michael McDougal.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with book publicist, public relations professional, and President and CEO of Cave Henricks Communications, Barbara Henricks, as she describes the massive changes that are taking place in the publishing industry. Barbara offers insights into how the transformation in publishing industry is affecting the publishers, authors, retailers, publicists, and the reading public. Barbara Henricks provides ideas for promoting books, working with publicists, and shares some great author success stories along with some cautionary tales of how authors can sabotage their own book and career. Barbara presents ideas for authors to leverage the power of social media for marketing their book and for building their platform. Barbara also points out why it's important for authors to combine the power of social media, the internet, and traditional media to achieve a higher profile, more publicity, and more book sales on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Changes In The Publishing Industry, Barbara Henricks, Cave Henricks Communications, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

From Bedlam to Boardroom by Colleen Aylward - Book review

From Bedlam to Boardroom

How to get a derailed executive career back on track!

By: Colleen Aylward

Published: March 13, 2011
Format: Paperback, 178 pages
ISBN-10: 1456597558
ISBN-13: 978-1456597559
Publisher: CreateSpace








"Employers are hiring people who can solve their company's specific problems quickly - those who have solved those exact problems several times before in different companies and have proof of it", writes executive hiring consultant Colleen Aylward in her no nonsense and very hands on book From Bedlam to Boardroom: How to get a derailed executive career back on track!. The author describes the changes that have taken place in how executives are hired in today's rapidly changing corporate landscape, and shares the strategies and techniques for landing a job despite the current economic conditions.

Colleen Aylward recognizes that all companies face numerous problems and challenges that demand immediate solutions. Those obstacles facing business today are seeking people who can provide the experience and ability to solve those very problems. The author offers advice for establishing oneself as an expert in those corporate challenge areas. The author also demonstrates how the old tactics for landing executive positions no longer work in today's employment market. Colleen Aylward emphasizes that professional recruiters don't find jobs for people, but instead find people for jobs. The author shares the concept of the employment seeker creating a market advantage for themselves.



Colleen Aylward (photo left) understands that the traditional employment seeking tactics, that worked so effectively in the past, are no longer useful in today's hiring environment. The author guides the employment seeker past the now outdated strategies, and through the techniques that are critical to understand and apply to obtain an executive position now. Colleen Aylward presents the modern way to connect with employment opportunities that supersede the previously accepted networking methods. The author also provides strategies for becoming a sought after niche expert who can demonstrate superior results in solving the most critical problems facing corporations today. Colleen Aylward also offers the tools for establishing a strong online presence, and how to utilize that high internet profile, to get a resume read first and a job offer very soon afterwards.

For me, the power of the book is how Colleen Aylward combines the concept of being known for expertise with the practical tools for achieving widespread recognition. The author demonstrates clearly, along with numerous graphics and internet screen captures, how to highlight expertise with credibility and a high profile. The author moves far beyond the standard executive employment seeking techniques and provides the tactics for receiving notice on Google, LinkedIn and other social media. Colleen Aylward shows the reader how to make connections online that result in employment opportunities and job offers. With the rule of the hiring world changed completely, this book is the up to the minute guide needed to ensure that the employment seeker understands and utilizes the most leading edge methods available.

I highly recommend the results oriented and essential employment hunting book From Bedlam to Boardroom: How to get a derailed executive career back on track! by Colleen Aylward, to anyone, whether they are employed at the moment or not, who is serious about finding the right executive position in today's highly competitive hiring market. This book will teach you the newest and most valuable concepts for landing that job you want, while establishing yourself as an expert in your niche area.

Tags: From Bedlam to Boardroom: How to get a derailed executive career back on track!, Colleen Aylward, executive employment seeking strategy, business book reviews

Innovation in Wind Turbine Design by Peter Jamieson - Book review

Innovation in Wind Turbine Design

By: Peter Jamieson

Published: October 18, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 326 pages
ISBN-10: 0470699817
ISBN-13: 978-0470699812
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.














"This book is about innovation in wind turbine design - more specifically about the evaluation of innovation - assessing whether a new concept or system will lead to improved design enhancing performance or reducing cost", writes Principal Engineer, Special Projects Department, Garrad Hassan & Partners Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland, Peter Jamieson, in his groundbreaking and innovation focused book Innovation in Wind Turbine Design . The author describes the innovations in wind turbine engineering development, and also provides unique insights into the innovative process within the alternative energy field.

Peter Jamieson approaches innovation in wind turbines from an engineering perspective, including design fundamentals, design choice and selection, and the evaluation of the resulting innovative systems. Through an ongoing reference to a state of the art wind turbine design system, the author provides a control base line for the design principles and design evaluation. Along with the innovation process and evaluation, Peter Jamieson describes the engineering principles and design challenges presented within the context of current and proposed advances in wind turbine technology. The book approaches design innovation during the preliminary stages of development, along with the engineering principles crucial to transforming ideas to workable technology for the marketplace.

Peter Jamieson recognizes that any engineering design innovations in wind energy generation technology must face a rigorous evaluation process. Along with using an established system as a base line model, the new model must face a side by side evaluation as a test of quality of design. The new system mus provide some real technological advantage over existing systems, provide the expected power generation performance, and provide a measurable economic impact.

Peter Jamieson provides engineers, turbine designers, students, consultants, industry leaders, and policy makers with the appropriate engineering principles involved in the design innovation process. The various chapters in the book cover the following engineering design factors:

* Rotor aerodynamic theory
* Rotor Aerodynamic Design
* Rotor Structural Interactions
* Upscaling of wind turbine systems
* Drive train design
* Offshore wind turbines
* Technology evaluation
* Various design themes

For me, the power of the book is how Peter Jamieson combines a technical engineering design outline with an overview of a real world innovation and the fundamentals of the design process in action. The book contains the mathematical formulas required for calculating the technological and engineering aspects of the design. These technical chapters are valuable for engineers and designers; as well as students of wind turbine design. For business leaders and policy makers, the book is a complete case study of a real world innovation problem being examined and a solution sought through innovation. The book provides a framework for analysis and evaluation of design solutions utilizing the rigors of the engineering perspective.

I highly recommend the landmark and rigorous book Innovation in Wind Turbine Design by Peter Jamieson, to anyone in engineering, studying in engineering schools, wind turbine design, innovation and evaluation, business leadership, and policy making seeking a strong, engineering principles based book on design and innovation. This book, while containing some advanced mathematics, is also approachable as a guide to developing wind turbine innovations, and for evaluating the resulting designs from an economic and market perspective as well.

Tags: Innovation in Wind Turbine Design, Peter Jamieson, engineering innovation applications, science book reviews.

Grasp The Solution by Chris Griffiths with Melina Costi - Book review

Grasp The Solution

By: Chris Griffiths, Melina Costi

Published: October 19, 2011
Format: Paperback, 290 pages
ISBN-10: 1905493762
ISBN-13: 978-1905493760
Publisher: Proactive Press












"Success is no longer a matter of what we know but how we think", writes CEO of ThinkBuzan, Chris Griffiths, along with Melina Costi, in the provocative and revolutionary book Grasp The Solution. The authors not only describe the critical importance of moving beyond knowledge toward fully embracing creative thinking, but also provides the tools and techniques necessary to transform leaders and their organizations into finders of truly innovative solutions.

Chris Griffiths recognizes that the older ways of solving problems and seeking innovations are no longer effective or sufficient in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. Organizations and leaders who continue to utilize the usual patterns of thought will be left behind in the face of more creative competitors. To meet this crucial challenge to the very relevance of the company, Chris Griffiths introduces a powerful system for not only dispelling the bad habits that have thwarted creativity in many organizations, but also replacing it with a fresh and powerful new way of thinking. The author provides a strategic and real world proven approach to creative thinking, that meets the new business challenges head on, and finds innovative solutions that overcome those most difficult obstacles.



Chris Griffiths and Melina Costi demonstrate that creativity is not simply the latest buzzword bandied about in corporate boardrooms, but is instead, a critical strategy for innovation and competitiveness. The authors present a comprehensive process for integrating creative thinking into every aspect of an organization through the GRASP The Solution (GTS) system. The concept provides the tools for generating better ideas in both quantitative and qualitative terms. With this abundance of ideas in hand, the system helps sort the best ideas and innovations into useful and executable solutions to real problems. The GTS system changes the way people actually think about problems, transforming the older modes of problem solving, into a radically different approach that gets real results.

For me, the power of the book is how Chris Griffiths and Melina Costi combine the theory and concept of creativity with the hands on strategy of the GRASP The Solution (GTS) system. One of the key insights that the book provides is that everyone is capable of previously undreamed of levels of creativity. With this transformational concept in mind, everyone within the company, regardless of their official title or job description, becomes an idea creator and innovator.

The GRASP The Solution (GTS) system is presented in an easy to understand and implement format, practically and pragmatically, to ensure its incorporation into any company culture and organizational DNA. To further enhance and enrich the understanding of the concepts and techniques, the book contains an abundance of illustrative graphics to guide the reader along the creative thinking journey.

I highly recommend the breakthrough generating book Grasp The Solution by Chris Griffiths with Melina Costi, to anyone seeking a refreshing and very workable system for generating creativity within even the most moribund organization. This book will unleash fresh thinking and ideas that will push your company far ahead of the competition.

Tags: Grasp The Solution, Chris Griffiths, Melina Costi, creative thinking strategy, business book reviews

Arid Zone Geomorphology: Third Edition edited by David S. G. Thomas - Book review

Arid Zone Geomorphology

Process, Form and Change in Drylands, Third Edition

Edited by: David S. G. Thomas

Published: May 3, 2011
Format: Paperback, 648 pages
ISBN-10: 0470519096
ISBN-13: 978-0470519097
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell












"For much of history and for many human races, arid environments have been areas to avoid, though for those that have been, and continue to be, resourceful and able to adapt, arid regions have proved to be environments that can effectively and successfully utilized", writes Professor of Geography, Head of the School of Geography and the Environment, and Professorial Fellow of Hertford College, University of Oxford, David S. G. Thomas, in the completely revised and updated edition of his comprehensive reference book Arid Zone Geomorphology: Process, Form and Change in Drylands. David Thomas provides a well selected, yet very balanced introduction to the concepts of landforms and the geomorphological process that have shaped and continue to transform the arid regions of the world.

David S. G. Thomas presents an anthology, featuring leading experts in the subject area, that offers a complete overview of the developments and changes taking place in the field. Arid zone studies are a relatively new area of geographical and earth sciences study, and this anthology of scientific essays describes the newest approaches and advances in this fascinating and important field. The collection brings both students and specialists up to date in the latest developments in the field, complete with the appropriate research data for each topic under consideration. For students, policy analysts, and the general public, the book is both approachable and science based, providing a balanced and clear overview of the book.



David S. G. Thomas (photo left) recognizes the importance of the arid regions of the earth to humans and for indigenous fauna and flora, as a place to live and work, and also as fragile areas vulnerable to climatic influences and change. The dry regions of the planet have evolved through complex processes that continue to have an impact on these important areas, and this book provides insights into those past and ongoing processes and events.

David S. G. divides the book into five overall sections to ensure understanding on the part of the student and other readers of the book:

* Large-scale controls and variability in drylands
* Surface processes and characteristics
* The work of water
* The work of the wind
* Living with dryland geomorphology

For me, the power of the book, is how David S. G. Thomas presents a comprehensive compendium overview of the geomorphological processes that created and continue to sculpt and affect the world's dryland areas. The book features well written and clear essays by leading authorities in the field, and each article adds depth to the reader's understanding of the subject. The book is well formatted into five overall sections that guide study and learning about this important field. The editor has included many case studies that illustrate the natural and human created processes at work in the planets drylands. The numerous photographs and graphics enrich the understanding of the subject matter and help the student or professional visualize the processes as they work, and their resulting aftermath.

I highly recommend the landmark and important book Arid Zone Geomorphology: Process, Form and Change in Drylands by David S. G. Thomas, to any students, specialists in the field, policy makers, business leaders, and anyone interested in this critical and fascinating field. This book will guide both students and professionals in many disciplines and professionals toward a deeper and richer understanding of the importance of arid regions, and the processes at work in these amazing areas of our planet.

Tags: Arid Zone Geomorphology: Process, Form and Change in Drylands, David S. G. Thomas, earth and environment, science book reviews.

Erik Deckers: Branding Yourself -Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Blogger, social media consultant, Vice President of creative services at Professional Blog Service, and co-author, along with Kyle Lacy, of the idea packed and very results oriented book Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself, Erik Deckers, describes the value of a personal brand for business and career success. Erik demonstrates how to utilize social media for developing a personal brand that is both authentic and establishes your expertise in your industry. Erik shares the strategies and tactics needed to create a personal brand from sharing your personal story and promoting yourself honestly to enriching relationships with customers, potential employers, and business collaborators. Learn how to build a personal brand the right way and how to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that have derailed many personal branding initiatives.

Erik Deckers is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, October 27, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Blogger, social media consultant, Vice President of creative services at Professional Blog Service, and co-author, along with Kyle Lacy, of the idea packed and very results oriented book Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself, Erik Deckers, describes the value of a personal brand for business and career success. You will learn:

* Why you should consider establishing a personal brand

* How to tell your authentic story online and offline

* How to employ social media the right way to build your personal brand

* How to avoid the mistakes that derail so many personal branding initiatives



Erik Deckers (photo left) is the owner and VP of Creative Services for Professional Blog Service. He has been blogging since 1997, and has been a published writer since 1987. He has been a newspaper humor columnist for since 1994, and is published in 10 newspapers around Indiana. He is also an award-winning playwright, both for stage and radio theater.

Erik helped write Twitter Marketing for Dummies, and recently completed Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself (Que Publishing, December 2010). He is also working on a third book on networking.

Erik frequently speaks on blogging and social media, especially on the topics of personal branding and corporate marketing.

My book review of Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself by Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with blogger, social media consultant, Vice President of creative services at Professional Blog Service, and co-author, along with Kyle Lacy, of the idea packed and very results oriented book Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself, Erik Deckers, as he describes the value of a personal brand for business and career success. Erik demonstrates how to utilize social media for developing a personal brand that is both authentic and establishes your expertise in your industry. Erik shares the strategies and tactics needed to create a personal brand from sharing your personal story and promoting yourself honestly to enriching relationships with customers, potential employers, and business collaborators. Learn how to build a personal brand the right way and how to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that have derailed many personal branding initiatives on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself, Erik Deckers, Kyle Lacy, personal branding strategy, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Branding Yourself by Erik Deckers & Kyle Lacy - Book review

Branding Yourself

How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself

By: Erik Deckers, Kyle Lacy

Published: December 27, 2010
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0789747278
ISBN-13: 978-0789747273
Publisher: Que Publishing












"If you ask 100 people what personal branding is, you'll get 100 different answers. But the answer we're going with is that it is an emotional response to the image or name of a particular company, product, or person", write co-owner and Vice-President of creative service at Professional Blog Service, Erik Deckers; and founder and CEO Of Brandswag, Kyle Lacy, in their idea packed and very results oriented book Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself. The authors describe how to leverage the power of personal branding to attract more business, enrich personal relationships, and establish an authentic and trusted brand across all social media platforms.



Erik Deckers (photo left) and Kyle Lacy recognize the importance of branding yourself as a business and career builder. The authors demonstrate the value of self promotion as a networking and relationship building tool. They are quick to point out that self promotion is not the same as boasting or presenting a false image. instead, the authors describe how self promotion and personal branding is all about being your authentic self and telling your true story. Personal brands, like other business and product brands, must be built on a foundation of trust. The authors demonstrate how to build that trust through sharing information and developing your reputation as a reliable source of valuable knowledge and ideas. This book contains the strategies and tactics needed to build a personal brand the right way.



Kyle Lacy (photo left) and Erik Deckers understand that the key to personal branding is building relationships through authenticity and sharing of added value. Instead of bragging and exaggerating accomplishments and events, the authors recommend the more authentic approach of sharing stories and ideas with honesty and integrity. the book contains the straightforward advice necessary to develop that critical reputation essential to your personal brand.

To ensure that the individual begins their personal branding journey with the right goals in mind, the authors offer what they call the five universal objectives of personal branding. Those five objectives are:

* Discover your passion as fundamental to achieving your goals
* Be bold and empowered to talk about yourself
* Tell your story that makes you special
* Create relationships as they lead to opportunities
* Take action as even a small step moves you closer to your goals

For me, the power of the book is how Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy combine the theoretical framework and objectives, for developing a personal brand, with the strategies needed to implement that brand effectively. The authors take a no nonsense approach to building a personal brand through a step by step process that guides the reader from the conceptual phase, to creating and establishing the brand, to developing and enhancing the relationships that lead to business, career, and personal goals. The authors present a compelling case for establishing a personal brand, and provide the tools to make that branding a reality.

I highly recommend the very practical and useful book Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself by Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy, to anyone in business, building their career, and seeking deeper personal relationships through the power of a personal brand. Whether you had considered a personal brand in the past, or are thinking about developing a personal brand now, this is the guide book that will ensure you create the brand that best represents the most authentic you.

Tags: Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself, Erik Deckers, Kyle Lacy, personal branding strategy, business book reviews

Patrick Schwerdtfeger: Marketing Shortcuts For The Self-Employed - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the idea packed and very hands on book Marketing Shortcuts for the Self-Employed, Patrick Schwerdtfeger shares his advice and proven strategies for taking small business marketing to an all new level. Patrick provides techniques for planning an internet presence, establishing a website and blog that attract qualified buyers, and for constantly increasing that important qualified traffic to the site. Patrick offers ideas for free and low cost marketing and promotion of the website, the blog, and the business as whole, through various powerful but often overlooked internet opportunities. Learn how to leverage social media, blogs, and other internet sites the right way, to build credibility and trust through becoming an authority in the field and through deep relationships with customers.

Patrick Schwerdtfeger is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, October 25, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the idea packed and very hands on book Marketing Shortcuts for the Self-Employed, Patrick Schwerdtfeger shares his advice and proven strategies for taking small business marketing to an all new level. You will learn:

* Why a strong internet presence is critical to business success

* How to plan and launch a website and blog that attract qualified buyers

* How to attract qualified traffic to your site with overlooked techniques

* How to re-purpose information to achieve several goals and more traffic



Patrick Schwerdtfeger (photo left) is the author of Marketing Shortcuts for the Self-Employed (2011, Wiley & Sons, Inc.) and is a regular speaker for Bloomberg TV. He has spoken about modern entrepreneurship and the social media revolution at conferences and business events around the world.

Patrick has also authored Webify Your Business - Internet Marketing Secrets for the Self-Employed (2009) as well as Make Yourself Useful - Marketing in the 21st Century (2008) and has been featured by the New York Times, Associated Press, Businessweek and National Public Radio (NPR) among others.

Patrick is a passionate and dynamic speaker who focuses on delivering valuable content and highly practical strategies people can implement immediately and see actual results. His programs consistently get strong reviews and leave attendees burning to put their new strategies to work.

Patrick was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and received his Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Finance) from Carleton University in Ottawa (1993). He never knew he was an American citizen until he was 27 years old and moved to Los Angeles just six days after receiving his first American passport. Patrick now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the idea packed and very hands on book Marketing Shortcuts for the Self-Employed, Patrick Schwerdtfeger, as he shares his advice and proven strategies for taking small business marketing to an all new level. Patrick provides techniques for planning an internet presence, establishing a website and blog that attract qualified buyers, and for constantly increasing that important qualified traffic to the site. Patrick offers ideas for free and low cost marketing and promotion of the website, the blog, and the business as whole, through various powerful but often overlooked internet opportunities. Learn how to leverage social media, blogs, and other internet sites the right way, to build credibility and trust through becoming an authority in the field and through deep relationships with customers on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Marketing Shortcuts for the Self-Employed, Patrick Schwerdtfeger, internet marketing strategy, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

It's Your Biz by Susan Wilson Solovic with Ellen R. Kadin - Book review

It's Your Biz

The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss

By: Susan Wilson Solovic, Ellen R. Kadin

Published: October 11, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 240 pages
ISBN-10: 0814416713
ISBN-13: 978-0814416716
Publisher: AMACOM










"A small business is more than just a way to make a living; it's a way of living", writes award winning entrepreneur, CEO, speaker, and multi-media personality Susan Wilson Solovic, in her eye opening and real world idea proven idea packed book It's Your Biz: The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss. The author describes the challenges and strategies necessary for making a successful transition from employee to successful entrepreneur.

Susan Wilson Solovic understands that with corporate downsizing, and the current state of the economy, many people are disillusioned with the employment world. As a result, some of those same former employees are seeking a different career as an entrepreneur and the owner of a small business. Susan Wilson Solovic provides insights into why employees are not ready to leave their workplace mindset behind, and how to change their way of thinking to that of an entrepreneur. The author guides would be entrepreneurs through the critical personal evaluation process to determine if the individual's motivation and personality are suited to owning a business. With this wake up call in place, Susan Wilson Solovic then shares proven strategies and tactics for planning, operating, and running a profitable and successful company.



Susan Wilson Solovic (photo left) and Ellen R. Kadin recognizes that second great challenge, following the initial personality assessment, that faces new entrepreneurs is deciding what type of business to start. The author offers practical guidance that serves as an antidote to the conventional wisdom, and helps determine right business for the individual. Susan Wilson Solovic also offers valuable advice on avoiding the mistakes in the selection of business type that have sabotaged many other promising entrepreneurial ventures.

The author shares strategies to:

* Create an effective and usable business plan
* Define clearly the foundation of the business
* market effectively and with an eye to cost containment
* Build the right team of staff, advisors, investors, and professionals
* Protect the business and its tangible and intangible assets
* Find the right location at the right price for the business
* Obtain the proper financing on the most suitable terms

For me, the power of the book is how Susan Wilson Solovic combines an important reality check for would be entrepreneurs with real world proven strategies and techniques for creating and running a successful company. The author uses a straight talking approach to assessing the suitability to entrepreneurship, for deciding on the type of enterprise, and for operating the resulting business effectively. The Susan Wilson Solovic dispenses with the usual feel good bromides, and addresses the real challenges that any new entrepreneur will encounter, and how to overcome them. The book is formatted in a logical, step by step manner, that guides the would be business owner through the entire process, while ensuring that no steps are missed or not understood completely.

I highly recommend the hands on and results oriented book It's Your Biz: The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss by Susan Wilson Solovic, with Ellen R. Kadin, to anyone considering the bold step toward entering the high risk and high reward world of business ownership. This book will start any potential entrepreneur off on the right step on the journey to owning and managing a successful business.

Tags: It's Your Biz: The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss, Susan Wilson Solovic, Ellen R. Kadin, entrepreneurship strategy, business book reviews

Remote Sensing and Global Environmental Change by Samuel Purkis & Victor Klemas - Book review

Remote Sensing and Global Environmental Change

By: Samuel J. Purkis, Victor V. Klemas

Published: March 22, 2011
Format: Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN-10: 1405182253
ISBN-13: 978-1405182256
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell














"Remote sensing is primarily concerned with collecting and interpreting information about an object or landscape from a remote vantage point", write Associate Professor at the National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Florida, Samuel J. Purkis; and Professor Emeritus Oceanography, University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Victor V. Klemas; in their practical and technology application oriented book Remote Sensing and Global Environmental Change. The authors provide an overview of the applications of remote sensing for in depth study, mapping, and monitoring of global environmental change.



Samuel J. Purkis (photo left) and Victor V. Klemas recognize the importance of remote sensing for monitoring the impact of worldwide climate change. The authors present a practical, technology based approach to the subject matter, as they emphasize the uses and applications of remote sensing for environmental study. The authors describe the methodology for applying remote sensing to assess and map global biodiversity, record and monitor changes to the physical environment, and assess the level of potential threats to the various facets of the Earth's natural systems. The authors demonstrate how remote sensing data can be utilized to identify area,s that may require conservation efforts, and other priority monitoring of potential problems.



Victor V. Klemas (photo left) and Samuel J. Purkis provide a solutions based approach to employing remote sensing technology and methodology to addressing the most pressing environmental issues and concerns. The authors examine several remote sensor technologies, as well as their various applications, to a wide variety of global environmental change areas. Following an overview of the basics of remote sensing, the various sensors and digital image analysis techniques, the authors focus the book on the range of applications available for studying and monitoring change in widely different environments.

The authors describe the various remote sensing applications for monitoring:

* Change in global vegetation cover
* Urban environments
* Surface and ground water resources
* Coral reefs, carbon, and climate
* Coastal impact of storm surges and sea level rise
* The oceans
* Earth's atmosphere
* The cryoshere

For me, the power of the book is how Samuel J. Purkis and Victor V. Klemas provide a comprehensive overview of the role of remote sensing, and its various technologies, in studying and monitoring global climate and environmental change. The authors demonstrate how to apply remote sensing applications through a systematic approach to the subject matter. The book is both engaging and instructive, and of tremendous value for students, professionals, and policy makers in various environmental disciplines.

Whether the field is earth sciences, environmental science, or physical geography, students will discover the technologies and applications of remote sensing in an approachable and readily understood format. The addition of many graphics and full color images enhance, and provide an important visual supplement to the well described and presented concepts.

I highly recommend the well explained and invaluable reference book Remote Sensing and Global Environmental Change by Samuel J. Purkis and Victor V. Klemas, to any students, professionals, and policy makers who are seeking a comprehensive and well presented approach to the application of remote sensing technology to global environmental change. This book will enhance and enrich your understanding of remote sensing, and of its accompanying technologies and environmental applications.

Tags: Remote Sensing and Global Environmental Change, Samuel J. Purkis, Victor V. Klemas, remote sensing applications, science book reviews.

Harvesting Intangible Assets by Andrew J. Sherman - Book review

Harvesting Intangible Assets

Uncover Hidden Revenue in Your Company's Intellectual Property

By: Andrew J. Sherman

Published: October 20, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 270 pages
ISBN-10: 0814416993
ISBN-13: 978-0814416990
Publisher: AMACOM





"The flaws in our 500-year-old double-entry accounting system for recognizing the value of intangible assets are at the heart of a current and pervasive debate in the accounting and finance professions", writes partner in the Washington, D.C. office of James Day and a top-rated Adjunct Professor in the MBA and Executive MBA programs at the University of Maryland and at Georgetown University Law School, Andrew J. Sherman, in his thought provoking and transformational book Harvesting Intangible Assets: Uncover Hidden Revenue in Your Company's Intellectual Property. The author describes how the concept of innovation as a company growth creator is widely recognized, but the results of that innovation in the form of intellectual property, is not often well managed or developed fully as an asset.

Andrew J. Sherman compares the concept of intangible assets to farming, and offers a compelling analogy to the growing of crops to the development and revenue creation from intellectual property. The author understands that simply being an innovative company is no longer enough to succeed in today's highly competitive marketplace. The innovation process is all too often isolated from the revenue building side of the organization, creating a disconnect between the innovation and the monetizing of the resulting intangible assets. To bridge this gap, Andrew Sherman provides readily applicable strategies and tactics for transforming intellectual property from the idea stage to valuable, revenue producing products and services.



Andrew J. Sherman (photo left) recognizes that companies that fail to capitalize on the full revenue potential, to be gleaned from their intellectual property, are missing out on some tremendous growth opportunities. The author points out how companies have all too often failed to benefit fully from their many intangible assets ranging from patents and processes to personnel expertise. All too often, these potentially high revenue and high profit assets are neglected or considered not worth monetizing. Andrew Sherman demonstrates how to develop a strategy for capitalizing on intellectual property, and how to execute that strategic plan effectively and profitably.

Andrew J. Sherman covers the various management, accounting, and legal aspects of monetizing intellectual property. These ares include:

* Building an innovation focused culture
* Harnessing the power of intrapreneurship
* Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
* Developing a comprehensive legal strategy
* Preparing the innovations for market
* Examining the various strategic alternatives
* Cooperatives, partners, licensing, joint ventures and franchises
* Taking the ideas global

For me, the power of the book is how Andrew J. Sherman combines a strong theoretical framework for understanding the potential offered by intellectual property, with actionable strategies for monetizing the company's intangible assets. The author employs an analogy of farming, from planting to harvest to marketing the crops, as a guide to the steps for developing and marketing the company's intellectual property effectively to boost the organization's overall revenue.

Andrew Sherman makes the important connection, between innovation and monetizing the resulting intangible assets, that is so often missing from many corporate business models. The author strengthens his analysis by providing real world examples of companies who are marketing their intellectual property effectively to grow their revenue and profits.

I highly recommend the breakthrough creating book Harvesting Intangible Assets: Uncover Hidden Revenue in Your Company's Intellectual Property by Andrew J. Sherman, to anyone seeking a comprehensive and very engaging guide to uncovering and monetizing their company's important intellectual property. This book will move your company beyond being merely innovators to monetizing the profits within that bumper crop of innovations.

Tags: Harvesting Intangible Assets: Uncover Hidden Revenue in Your Company's Intellectual Property, Andrew J. Sherman, intellectual property strategy, business book reviews

2011 Financial Times & Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award

To build up to the November 3, 2011 ceremony to announce the winner of the 2011 Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award, a series of short videos have been produced of business leaders discussing how a great business book has influenced them and their careers.

Watch the short videos below to hear about what business books inspired Pete Redfern, Chief Executive, of Taylor Wimpey and Samir Brikho, Chief Executive of AMEC.

Pete Redfern, Chief Executive, of Taylor Wimpey talks about business book that influenced him

Samir Brikho, Chief Executive of AMEC talks about business book that influenced him

Tags: 011 Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award, Pete Redfern, Samir Brikho, business books.

Justin Sachs: Ultimate Business Mastery - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Speaker, entrepreneur, co-founder of the International Speakers Association, and author of the inspirational and business building book Ultimate Business Mastery, Justin Sachs, describes how to achieve business success in any economy. Justin Sachs shares ideas for increasing sales and boosting revenue for any company. He provides proven techniques for planning, funding, and establishing a new company. He offers some tips on leadership, as well as some secrets for hiring and engaging a high performance team. Justin describes how to overcome some of the most frequently encountered challenges facing entrepreneurs, and how to avoid some of the most common mistakes. He also offers advice for selling a successful company, at a premium price, and for moving on to the next stage of life.

Justin Sachs is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, October 20, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Speaker, entrepreneur, co-founder of the International Speakers Association, and author of the inspirational and business building book Ultimate Business Mastery, Justin Sachs, describes how to achieve business success in any economy. You will learn:

* How to plan and establish a successful start up company from the beginning

* How to select and engage your team for peak performance

* How to increase revenue regardless of the economic conditions

* How to sell your company for a premium price



Justin Sachs (photo left) s the 20 Year Old, best-selling author of The Power of Persistence, and the best-selling author of Your Mailbox Is Full. His work in personal development started at the age of 13 while working for Tony Robbins, Mark Victor Hansen, and ultimately, starting the Peak Performance Lifestyles Foundation in which Justin empowered teenagers to become leaders in their communities. Justin has spoken throughout the world to business leaders, youth educators, and adults on the topics of business development, leadership, living the life of your dreams, and creating success.

He recently founded Motivational Press, Inc. a leading mid-tier publishing company of personal and business development titles in which he aligns with the greatest and most distinguished experts in the world to transform the lives of millions throughout the world.

As one of the top leadership and motivational speakers in the world, Justin's authentic, powerful and inspirational presentations have become legendary. His message has changed thousands of lives around the globe. As the host of Motivational Minds Radio, Justin connects with the best of the best in spreading a message of hope and strength throughout the world. Justin has also founded the Motivational Minds Product Awards in which he reviews the top motivational and personal development products in the industry.

Justin's most recent ventures include The International Council on Teen Development, and The International Teen Leadership Institute in which Justin brought together the top leaders in Personal Development to support teenagers from throughout the world with the tools they need to create success in their lives. He has also created the Teen Development Awards, a book award recognizing the greatest titles in youth leadership and teen development.

Lastly, Justin's coaching program supports some of the most successful corporate executives and entrepreneurs in the world as he works with them to create breakthrough results in their organizations and throughout their lives.

Justin lives in San Diego, California.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with speaker, entrepreneur, co-founder of the International Speakers Association, and author of the inspirational and business building book Ultimate Business Mastery, Justin Sachs, as he describes how to achieve business success in any economy. Justin Sachs shares ideas for increasing sales and boosting revenue for any company. He provides proven techniques for planning, funding, and establishing a new company. He offers some tips on leadership, as well as some secrets for hiring and engaging a high performance team. Justin describes how to overcome some of the most frequently encountered challenges facing entrepreneurs, and how to avoid some of the most common mistakes. He also offers advice for selling a successful company, at a premium price, and for moving on to the next stage of life on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Ultimate Business Mastery, Justin Sachs, entrepreneurship, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Design of Smart Power Grid Renewable Energy Systems by Ali Keyhani - Book review

Design of Smart Power Grid Renewable Energy Systems

By: Ali Keyhani

Published: August 2, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 592 pages
ISBN-10: 0470627611
ISBN-13: 978-0470627617
Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Press














"This book provides the fundamental concepts of power grid and microgrid integration using green energy sources, which is a goal of virtually all nations", writes Director of Green Energy lab, in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Ohio State University, Ali Keyhani, Ph.D., in his important and groundbreaking book Design of Smart Power Grid Renewable Energy Systems. The author describes the importance of integration of electrical power grids and microgrids into a unified model of Electrical Engineering, while providing students and professionals with a problem and solution approach to learning and understanding the key elements of an integrated system.

Ali Keyhani recognizes the critical importance of power grids and renewable energy systems as vital to both present and future energy needs. The author provides an overview of the concepts involved, and offers evidence as to why the issue of power grids and stand alone microgrids must be addressed and solutions found by engineers and policy makers. To guide students and professionals in their understanding and future application of the principles outlined in the book, Ali Keyhani presents an engineering problem, and then provides a mathematical model of the problem along with a simulation. Solutions to various examples are shared with the students to further introduce and amplify understanding of the principles.



Ali Keyhani, Ph.D. (photo left) devises each chapter to conclude with challenging and thought provoking questions that are certain to not only hold the interest of the students, but also to encourage further research and study into this very important and growing field of engineering. The author makes clear that well designed microgrids are critical to the revitalization and modernizing of the electrical power grid. This process of modernizing the system will include green energy sources, power electronics, control and sensor technology, computer technology, and communications systems. The book provides study opportunity, problems, and the essential equations to address each of these elements. With smart power grids and microgrid technology so essential to the twenty-first century energy distribution system, this book provides students and professionals with the tools and understanding necessary to transform the existing power grid into a smart grid.

For me, the power of the book is how Ali Keyhani takes a systems approach to smart grids and microgrids that integrates three areas of electrical engineering:

* Power system engineering
* Power electronics
* Electrical energy conversion

This unique approach revolutionizes the way students, professionals, and policy makers will consider smart grids in an overall systems model. The author provides the basic principles of power grids,and then expands the concepts to include modeling of converters, and the overall design of a smart power grid system. The author also examines microgrid photovoltaic and wind energy systems as they become ever more vital alternative green energy sources.

The problems presented in the book enrich the understanding of the concepts, and offer a wide scope for further research. Readers should understand and that this book is designed for students, professional engineers, power generation and distribution professionals, and policy makers. The book contains many well explained and useful equations, graphics, and tables, that deepen the understanding of the mathematical and scientific elements involved in power grids.

I highly recommend the revolutionary and landmark book Design of Smart Power Grid Renewable Energy Systems by Ali Keyhani, Ph.D., to anyone who is serious about an integrated systems approach to the design and development of smart power grids and microgrids, and an richer understanding of the mathematical basis for the system. This book is a powerful textbook for any students seeking a career in the crucial smart power grid, microgrid technology, and green energy fields.

Tags: Design of Smart Power Grid Renewable Energy Systems, Ali Keyhani, Ph.D., smart power grids, microgrids, science book reviews.

Chuck Martin: The Third Screen - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Pioneer in the digital interactive marketplace, speaker, consultant, CEO of Mobile Future Institute, and author of the groundbreaking and thought provoking book The Third Screen: Marketing to Your Customers in a World Gone Mobile, Chuck Martin, describes the strategies and tactics that are essential for marketers in a mobile market. Chuck Martin provides insights into the untethered consumer who is always on the move. Chuck points out that marketers who fail to understand the untethered consumer will risk losing them as customers. Key mobile innovators, from both large and small brands, are becoming the mobile platform providers of the future.Chuck Martin guides marketers with a horizontal view of the ways that companies can connect with consumers in the mobile space.

Chuck Martin is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, October 18, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Pioneer in the digital interactive marketplace, speaker, consultant, CEO of Mobile Future Institute, and author of the groundbreaking and thought provoking book The Third Screen: Marketing to Your Customers in a World Gone Mobile, Chuck Martin, describes the strategies and tactics that are essential for marketers in a mobile market. You will learn:

* Why mobile devices and mobile technology are transforming marketing

* How the e-powered customer behaves differently from the former tethered customer

* How to engage the new mobile customer on their terms

* How to market brands effectively in a global and mobile device powered market



Chuck Martin (photo left) is the CEO of The Mobile Future Institute and Director of the Center of Media Research at MediaPost Communications Inc. Through his research and public speaking, Martin has been a digital pioneer in the interactive marketplace for more than a decade.

The Mobile Future Institute is a U.S.-based think tank focusing on business strategies and marketing tactics for a world gone mobile. The Institute and Chuck Martin are on the forefront of exploring mobile research, focusing on how marketers can most effectively reach users in this digital landscape.

As the Director of the Center of Media Research at MediaPost Communications Inc., Chuck Martin conducts, markets, and analyzes the intentions of media buyers and planners. The Center for Media Research provides a dependable source of research material to help media professionals identify trends and patterns in traditional and online advertising.

Chuck Martin is a former Vice President of IBM, where he ran a division responsible for business strategy solutions in the media industry, including publishers and advertising agencies.

Chuck Martin is a New York Times business bestselling author of The Digital Estate. He has also penned seven other books, including Net Future and The Third Screen: Marketing to Your Customers in a World Gone Mobile. He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox and ABC-TV News Now.

My book review of The Third Screen: Marketing to Your Customers in a World Gone Mobile by Chuck Martin.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with pioneer in the digital interactive marketplace, speaker, consultant, CEO of Mobile Future Institute, and author of the groundbreaking and thought provoking book The Third Screen: Marketing to Your Customers in a World Gone Mobile, Chuck Martin, as he describes the strategies and tactics that are essential for marketers in a mobile market. Chuck Martin provides insights into the untethered consumer who is always on the move. Chuck points out that marketers who fail to understand the untethered consumer will risk losing them as customers. Key mobile innovators, from both large and small brands, are becoming the mobile platform providers of the future.Chuck Martin guides marketers with a horizontal view of the ways that companies can connect with consumers in the mobile space on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: The Third Screen: Marketing to Your Customers in a World Gone Mobile, Chuck Martin, mobile device marketing strategy, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.