TouchPoints by Douglas Conant & Mette Norgaard - Book review

TouchPoints

Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments

By: Douglas Conant, Mette Norgaard

Published: May 17, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 1118004353
ISBN-13: 978-1118004357
Publisher: Jossey-Bass












"TouchPoint leadership is not about running faster, working longer, and wringing more productivity out of every waking minute. It's about being present in the moment and feeling confident that you can deal with whatever happens in a way that is helpful to others - and by extension, to yourself and your organization", write president and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company, Douglas Conant: and expert on strategic leadership and learning, Mette Norgaard, in their groundbreaking and empowering book TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments. The authors describe how those chance meetings that every leader has during the day should not be considered interruptions but as opportunities to build engagement and to share the organizational values, vision, and agenda.



Douglas Conant (photo left) and Mette Norgaard recognize that their new approach to leadership is not a replacement for existing leadership concepts. Instead, they consider TouchPoint leadership as an enhancement that invigorates and energizes established leadership principles. Whether a leader is an experienced manager or a novice in their first executive role, the authors point out that the ideas are effective in any leadership situation. The authors offer a complete assessment of the TouchPoint concept, and why a commitment to the principles will transform the entire organization. The authors also provide a step by step guide to establishing TouchPoint leadership; as well as offering some philosophical questions to ponder about one's own organization and leadership.



Mette Norgaard (photo left) and Douglas Conant understand that more many leaders, the daily interactions with their employees and peers are simply interruptions that cut into the time available for work. The authors take an alternative approach to considering those chance meetings. Instead of seeing these interactions as a hindrance, they should be treated as opportunities to engage employees; as well as a chance to share the organizational vision. To alter the leader's thinking about these engagement events, the authors provide a principle that is based on three guiding practices. The practices are meant to be practiced and repeated over and over by the leader. The practices are as follows:

* Head: Change the random concepts into a strong set of ideas
* Heart: Make work personal and care about both the work and the people
* Hands: Develop the TouchPoint skills so they become second nature

For me, the power of the book is how Doughlas Conant and Mette Norgard offer an engaging and inspirational approach to leadership that transcends the standard view of personal interactions. The author's share the crucial insight that listening to people, and understanding on the deepest level, that the people and not the leader are what matters to the organization. To take the leap of faith toward becoming a TouchPoint leader, the individual must move beyond doing all of the talking and becoming an intensive listener.

When people are truly listened to and heard, the leader can then ask the transformational question,"How can I help?". The response provides a richer understanding and recognition of the problem. The leader can then frame the question using both their head and their heart to take all aspects into consideration. At that pint, the leader can then devise a solution that considers the best people and the benefit to the organization. With constant and daily practice, the TouchPoint leadership model can become part of the very fabric of the organization, and a basic plan of leadership for everyone within the firm.

I highly recommend the profound and refreshing idea packed book TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments by Douglas Conant and Mette Norgaard, to any leaders who are seeking a completely new, yet very powerful approach to leadership. This book will change radically the way that you view those daily chance meetings with employees, creating an opportunity to engage, listen, and create an entirely new form of leadership.

Tags: TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments, Douglas Conant, Mette Norgaard, leadership, business book reviews

The Apple Experience by Carmine Gallo - Book review

The Apple Experience

Secrets to Building Insanely Great Customer Loyalty

By: Carmine Gallo

Published: March 8, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 0071793208
ISBN-13: 978-0071793209
Publisher: McGraw-Hill













"If your employees are not trained, personable, and passionate about the brand,you'll have no change of building a company that delivers an Apple quality experience", writes Forbes columnist Carmine Gallo, in his transformational and idea filled book The Apple Experience: Secrets to Building Insanely Great Customer Loyalty. The author shares the secrets that created the legendary Apple customer experience, and describes how to incorporate those same principles into any organization.

Carmine Gallo presents a comprehensive overview of the core principles that Apple designed into their organizational culture. These key values are the secret to Apple's extraordinary retail success. Apple touches the customers through its already engaged and passionate employees. The author points out that the engaged and enthusiastic employees are not an accident either. Their passion is part of Apple's designed culture. New employees are hired at Apple for attitude, and not for aptitude. Caring deeply about people is far more important in a job applicant than any level of computer knowledge. Apple understands that skills can be taught, but personality and enthusiasm can not be instilled through training or experience.



Carmine Gallo (photo left) demonstrates how Apple inspires their internal customers within the organization, and that inspiration and passion are transferred to serve the external customers, facilitating the magical Apple customer experience. the stage is then set for Apples magic to touch people's lives. The powerful and passionate vision of Steve Jobs, of enriching lives, resonates through every part of the Apple culture. For both Apple internal and external customers, the experience is deeply emotional in the same way as a religious experience moves people's spirit. This richly charged event creates meaning and purpose for all who are touched by Apple's magic.

Carmine Gallo provides a series of important insights into each of the three components of Apple's customer-centered model. With these concepts in place, the entire organization is transformed in a very fundamental way. The three principles of customer-centric service work together, forming a self reinforcing and strengthening process that permeates the entire organizational culture. The Apple way of thinking and behaving become second nature to everyone involved, whether they are internal customers, external customers, or the stage being set to engage the mind and spirit of the customers. This total immersion into the Apple culture develops powerful passion and loyalty to the company, its products, its service, and its overall cultural experience.

For me, the power of the book is how Carmine Gallo provides a powerful series of insights into the overall Apple customer focused experience.. The author shows how the Apple magic works through three crucial pillars that operate in harmony to enrich the lives of everyone touched by Apple. The author emphasizes that the concept of excellence of service is built right into the very fabric of Apple, and permeates every aspect of the organizational culture. The employees exude the Apple vision of customer-centric service, and that enthusiasm spawns loyal and evangelistic customers as well.

Carmine Gallo points out that the Apple experience model is not unique to that company. The author provides examples and case studies of other companies that have borrowed the Apple model, and even contributed to Apple's ideas of excellence of experience. Carmine Gallo demonstrates that the Apple model of designing customer service superiority into the organizational fiber can be done by any company regardless of industry. With the Apple magic transferred into an easy to understand process, any company can take full competitive advantage of the Apple service model.

I highly recommend the insightful and game changing book The Apple Experience: Secrets to Building Insanely Great Customer Loyalty by Carmine Gallo, to any organizational leaders who are serious about building a customer focused company culture. This book offers a step by step system for achieving the Apple standard, that will put your company far ahead of any competitors.

Tags: The Apple Experience: Secrets to Building Insanely Great Customer Loyalty, Carmine Gallo, superior customer service, business book reviews

Frances Frei & Anne Morriss: Uncommon Service - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management at Harvard Business School, Frances X. Frei; and Managing Director of the Concire Leadership Institute, Anne Morriss; co-authors of the transformational and groundbreaking book Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business, describe how despite the fact that we are wired for service, it's not enough to demand it from your employees. Instead, companies must design service right into the very core of their entire organization. Frances and Anne provide the framework to put into action a system that allows companies to deliver great service, in any industry, regardless of the employees, customers, or situations. The new model identifies four universal truths about customer service, and weaves customer service into the entire organizational tapestry. Anne and Frances also offer advice for shaping company culture to work with that design that builds in exceptional and sustainable long term service.

Frances Frei and Anne Morriss are my internet radio show guests on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

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

UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management at Harvard Business School, Frances X. Frei; and Managing Director of the Concire Leadership Institute, Anne Morriss; co-authors of the transformational and groundbreaking book Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business, describe how despite the fact that we are wired for service, it's not enough to demand it from your employees. You will learn:

* Why in a service economy that great service is so lacking

* Why people are predisposed to provide great service to others

* What are the four truths of uncommon service

* How to incorporate a system for uncommon service in your company culture



Frances Frei (photo left) is UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management at Harvard Business School. As Chair of the MBA Required Curriculum, Frances is also helping to transform the student experience at HBS.

Her research investigates how organizations can more effectively design service excellence and has been published in top-tier journals such as Management Science and Harvard Business Review. In addition, she has published dozens of case studies across a variety of industries, including financial services, government, retail, software, telecommunications, and hospitality.

Frances regularly advises organizations seeking to create greater value through their service experiences. Her advisory work focuses on helping companies to make strategic choices that allow them to profitably differentiate on service. She serves on the board of directors of Advance Auto Parts and on the boards of advisors of several private companies.

Frances received her PhD in operations and information management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds an ME in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and a BA in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania.



Anne Morriss (photo left) has spent the last fifteen years working to unleash social entrepreneurs around the world. She started her career in rural Latin America, where she worked to support the development of local leaders in remote communities.

Anne is now the Chief Knowledge Officer of the Concire Leadership Institute, which she cofounded in 2007 to help leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to uncover and remove the barriers to excellence. She has worked with companies and governments throughout the United States and Latin America on strategy, leadership, and institutional change. Her clients have ranged from Fortune 50 companies repositioning in global markets to public-sector leaders working to build national competitiveness.

My book review of Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss.

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 UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management at Harvard Business School, Frances X. Frei; and Managing Director of the Concire Leadership Institute, Anne Morriss; co-authors of the transformational and groundbreaking book Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business, as they describe how despite the fact that we are wired for service, it's not enough to demand it from your employees. Instead, companies must design service right into the very core of their entire organization. Frances and Anne provide the framework to put into action a system that allows companies to deliver great service, in any industry, regardless of the employees, customers, or situations. The new model identifies four universal truths about customer service, and weaves customer service into the entire organizational tapestry. Anne and Frances also offer advice for shaping company culture to work with that design that builds in exceptional and sustainable long term service on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business, Frances X. Frei, Anne Morriss, superior customer service, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Uncommon Service by Frances Frei & Anne Morriss - Book review

Uncommon Service

How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business

By: Frances X. Frei, Anne Morriss

Published: February 7, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
ISBN-10: 1422133311
ISBN-13: 978-1422133316
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press











"Good service is still, for the most part, rare. In our experience as economic actors, in industry across industry, we're increasingly frustrated and disappointed", write UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management at Harvard Business School, Frances X. Frei; and Managing Director of the Concire Leadership Institute, Anne Morriss, in their transformational and groundbreaking book Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business. the authors describe how despite being in a service dominated society, the level of customer service is surprisingly low. To remedy this disconnect, the authors provide a systemic approach to creating a new customer service model woven into the very fiber of the organization.



Frances Frei (photo left) and Anne Morriss recognize that organizations don't want to deliver bad customer service, and that customers don't want to be faced with inferior service either. Unfortunately, the reality is that excellent customer service remains a rarity in the marketplace. The authors address the challenge of why customer service is so poor, when the natural human impulse is to provide greater service and satisfaction to others.

For Frances Frei and Anne Morriss, the root of the problem is not that not enough work, attitude, and effort have been channeled toward customer service. Instead, the authors point out that the design choices, developed and incorporated into the very design model of the organization itself, are the real cause of the problem. To counter that issue, the authors propose an entirely fresh approach to customer service through a fundamental system redesign.



Anne Morriss (photo left) and Frances Frei understand the primary importance of a company culture designed with customer service in mind. The authors point out that fantastic customer service can be achieved through a systemic model that offers superior customer service a routine part of the daily business. The benefit of a holistic process is that it allows for all employees regardless of of differences in levels and skills, to be exceptional service providers. The result is an organizational culture that provides tremendous service casually and as a matter of course.

Frances Frei and Anne Morris offer insights into designing an uncommon service model through an understanding of what they call the four universal truths. The four universal truths of uncommon customer service are as follows:

* You can't be good at everything
* Someone has to pay for it
* It's not your employees' fault
* You must manage your customers

For me, the power of the book is how Frances Frei and Anne Morriss combine their theoretical framework of the uncommon service model, with a practical guide for designing the system into the very fabric of the organization. The authors understand the critical importance of creating an all encompassing organizational culture as the foundation for superior customer service. The authors also recognize that a service grounded culture is also a powerful competitive advantage over other companies that fail to embrace the service culture.

Anne Morriss and Frances Frei share case studies of organizations that incorporated the uncommon service process directly into the design their business plan from the start. The authors also provide advice for changing an existing culture through the holistic implementation of the system into an existing organization. Overall, this is a game changing book, filled with important ideas, for any company.

I highly recommend the holistic and results oriented book Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business by Franxes X. Frei and Anne Morriss, to any organizational leaders who are seeking a step by step guide to implementing a systemic approach to customer service excellence int their company. This book will not only create a fresh customer focused culture at the heart of your organization, but it will be sustainable as a long term competitive advantage as well.

Tags: Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business, Frances X. Frei, Anne Morriss, superior customer service, business book reviews

Jim Beach: School For Startups - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Serial entrepreneur, director of education at The Entrepreneur School, founder of International Entrepreneurship, and co-author of the highly practical and results oriented book School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less, Jim Beach, describes how to build a business the smart way, without risking major assets like your house or your life savings. Jim Beach offers ideas for funding your venture without investors, entering international markets, and taking full advantage of the internet. Jim also shows how to market a product at little or no cost, deploying a third party to package and ship products, and for taking over an existing business. Jim Beach provides a comprehensive course for establishing a successful small business in ninety days or less. Learn how to start your business the right way, and how to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that derail an otherwise great business idea.

Jim Beach is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, April 3, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Serial entrepreneur, director of education at The Entrepreneur School, founder of International Entrepreneurship, and co-author of the highly practical and results oriented book School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less, Jim Beach, describes how to build a business the smart way, without risking major assets like your house or your life savings. You will learn:

* Why a startup business doesn't have to be high risk

* How to finance a startup without loans or investors

* How to market and leverage the internet for success

* How to avoid carrying costly and cash flow hurting inventory



Jim Beach (photo left) has started businesses and has taught entrepreneurship around the world. He was a faculty member of the Institute of International Business at Georgia State University from 2001 to 2009. During this time, he taught international entrepreneurship, with a focus on risk avoidance, creativity, and internet marketing skills. Mr. Beach was the highest ranked professor in the department for 12 straight semesters, was named Study Abroad Director of the Year for the State of Georgia, and was invited to guest lecture at U. of Colorado, U. of Texas, Austin, U. of Utah, and U. of Hawaii.

In 2009, Mr. Beach founded International Entrepreneurship, a web resource devoted to teaching his philosophy of low risk entrepreneurship. He is Executive Director of a non-profit source on entrepreneurship for over 100 countries called International Entrepreneurship. Mr. Beach has presented for several Fortune 500 companies on topics as diverse as the "Future of Oil Scarcity," "How to Export in a Down Economy," and "Getting to Number One on Google."

At the age of 25, Mr. Beach founded American Computer Experience in 1993. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Beach grew the company with no capital infusion to $12 million in annual revenue and to over 60 permanent and 700 temporary employees, operating in 39 states and in three countries. The company was the world's largest technology training company for children, and enjoyed corporate tie-ins with Microsoft, Intel, Lego, NASA, and many others. In 2000, Mr. Beach closed two rounds of venture funding, one for $2.4 million and another for $6.4 million. The Atlanta Business Chronicle recognized the company was one for the fastest growing companies in Georgia for both 1999 and 2000. In 2001, Mr. Beach was selected as one of the "Forty under Forty" most influential citizens by Georgia Trend magazine. He has appeared on NPR, MBNBC, CNN and other major news sources as an expert on technology and education, and has spoken in Japan, Korea, India, and other countries.

In 2002, Mr. Beach started his first import/export firm, called TimelessChair.com. The firm was the result of a bet he made with a class. The class got to choose the industry and country that he must start a company in, and he had 3 months to start a company with a positive cash flow. The class selected furniture and Pakistan. Mr. Beach, in response, took 100 year old Kilim and Persian rugs and used them as the fabric for very high-end furniture. The firm was profitable by the end of the semester, winning the bet for Mr. Beach. Since then he has started a high end designer leather clothing import firm from Argentina, a leather jacket and purse import firm, and several other import or export related businesses.

Mr. Beach received his Japanese and Business Administration masters degrees from the University of Hawaii and Japan-America Institute of Management Science, of Tokyo, Japan in December 1992. He specialized in Japanese Financial Systems and was selected to receive the Fujitsu Foundation for International Education Scholarship, was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, and also was awarded Highest Honors. He has worked for the Japanese government trade promotion office (JETRO) where he helped American companies export to Japan and The Coca-Cola Company, both in Japan and in the United States.

My book review of School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less by Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, and David Beasley.

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 serial entrepreneur, director of education at The Entrepreneur School, founder of International Entrepreneurship, and co-author of the highly practical and results oriented book School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less, Jim Beach, as he describes how to build a business the smart way, without risking major assets like your house or your life savings. Jim Beach offers ideas for funding your venture without investors, entering international markets, and taking full advantage of the internet. Jim also shows how to market a product at little or no cost, deploying a third party to package and ship products, and for taking over an existing business. Jim Beach provides a comprehensive course for establishing a successful small business in ninety days or less. Learn how to start your business the right way, and how to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that derail an otherwise great business idea on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less, Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, David Beasley, successful entrepreneurship, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

School For Startups by Jim Beach, Chris Hanks & David Beasley - Book review

School for Startups

The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less

By: Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, David Beasley

Published: May 19, 2011
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 0071753931
ISBN-13: 978-0071753937
Publisher: McGraw-Hill











"Entrepreneurship offers a path that's different from the safe route of staying on course with a job you don't like. It's actually a safer path", write entrepreneurs and educators Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, and David Beasley in their highly practical and results oriented book School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less. The authors describe how to start a successful business, based on realistic expectations, and establishing a company the right way for long term viability.



Jim Beach (photo left), Chris Hanks, and David Beasley recognize that the entrepreneurial landscape is littered with failed businesses. The authors provide the hands on and risk reducing skills and techniques to avoid becoming another statistic of failure. The authors stress avoiding the mistakes that derail so many otherwise promising startups, and guide the new entrepreneur along the right path for them, from the very beginning of the venture. Importantly, the authors point out the importance of reducing the unnecessary risk so often associated with entrepreneurship. Instead of taking high cost gambles, the book offers proven and less risky methods of achieving business success over the long haul. Indeed, the authors demonstrate that it's realistic and possible to establish a successful startup in less than ninety days.



Chris Hanks (photo left), David Beasley, and Jim Beach understand that would be entrepreneurs are not willing to risk their home or their retirement savings to start a business. The authors point out that such a high risk gamble is not required to establish a successful startup. Instead of the usual failed techniques, the authors recommend a low risk concept that works around the usual challenges faced by entrepreneurs. With a methodical process for startup success, the authors present a repeatable system that will not only create one profitable business, but will multiply into several successful ventures.



David Beasley (photo left), Jim Beach, and Chris Hanks share their real world tested and proven strategies to guide even the most risk averse person toward business success. Some of their principles include"

* Finding a great idea that will result in a viable business
* Bootstrapping your business without investors or heavy debt loads
* Adding an international market component
* Utilizing the power of the internet
* Marketing your product or service effectively
* Reducing risk through lower inventory
* Hiring the right people
* Buying an existing business or franchise

For me, the power of the book is how Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, and David Beasley provide a low risk approach to establishing a startup business. The authors dispense with the many myths and misconceptions about startups, their financing, and risk factors. Instead, the authors provide strategies, proven in the real world marketplace, that will give a new business a stronger start with lower risk of failure. The book offers a system that is not only practical, but is repeatable for multiple businesses, to create many revenue streams to reduce the risk of any of the cash streams not living up to potential.

The authors also share case studies of their startup process in action, to demonstrate how the process works in other businesses. The book is presented in a logical step by step order, with each chapter containing specific lessons and highlights to emphasize each of the points made for success. Overall, this book is an essential power tool for new and experienced entrepreneurs alike.

I highly recommend the very hands on and success building book School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less by Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, and David Beasley, to anyone seeking to start a new business the right way from the very beginning of the venture. This book will change the way that you think about entrepreneurship, risk, and even how to start and operate a successful new company.

Tags: School for Startups: The Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less, Jim Beach, Chris Hanks, David Beasley, successful entrepreneurship, business book reviews

Exploring the Solar System by Peter Bond - Book review

Exploring the Solar System

By: Peter Bond

Published: March 20, 2012
Format: Paperback, 470 pages
ISBN-10: 1405134992
ISBN-13: 978-1405134996
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell















"This book is about a unique corner of the Universe, a small expanse of largely empty space that surrounds an ordinary star in the suburbs of the Milky Way galaxy. Known as the Solar System, this region is populated by the Sun, eight planets, dozens of satellites and dwarf planets, an multitude of smaller objects", writes lifelong space and astronomy enthusiast and former Space Science Advisor/Press Officer for the Royal Astronomical Society, Peter Bond, in his very authoritative and engaging book Exploring the Solar System. The author describes the latest discoveries in the Solar System, including up to date information on the planets, satellites, moons, and smaller space debris that orbit the Sun.

Peter Bond understands that technical language and a heavy use of mathematical equations reduce the approachability to the fascinating worlds of the Solar System. Instead of mathematics and high-tech writing, the author provides an understandable, but not simplistic outline of the wonders of our closest neighbors in space. Peter Bond offers a very readable introduction to the Solar System, that relies more on photographs and visual graphics than on text. For students in non-science courses, or for the general public, this is an excellent primer on the exciting topic of space. The many weird and intriguing planets, moons, and other Solar System objects are brought to life in this fine book.



Peter Bond (photo left|) recognizes the necessity of a balance between technical information and general understanding of the Sun's large family. As a result, the author has created a book that is both interesting and inspiring to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the objects in the night sky. Peter Bond guides the reader through a voyage through the Solar System, with a chapter on each of the major planets, the Kuiper Belt, the asteroids and comets, and the exoplanets. The author brings the latest discoveries to life, as he presents the newest research, telescope, and interplanetary probe findings, in a logical and understandable format.

Included in the book are photographs from the various robotic space probes, providing visual images of towering cliffs, volcanoes during eruption, dry river beds, and ice formations on other planets and moons. All of the planers and all of their important moons are included in the study, offering a unique insight into the many mysteries and revelations about the nature of the Solar System, its central star, and the planet Earth and our own Moon.

For me, the power of the book is how Peter Bond presents so much important information in an accessible and reader friendly format. The chapters are arranged logically, and provide a virtual tour of the Solar System as if the reader were aboard one of the many robotic spacecraft. At the end of each chapter are questions about the material provided within the chapter, creating a valuable text book for undergraduate students in all disciplines; even those with little scientific content. The author also completes the book with valuable data tables for the more advanced student or reader. There is also an extensive bibliography to facilitate further in depth study of each of the members of the Solar System.

I highly recommend the accessible and very informative book Exploring the Solar System by Peter Bond, to undergraduate students in science or in non-science related fields, and anyone in the general public seeking an understandable yet comprehensive overview of the Solar System. This book provides the up to the minute information about the Sun's family that will enrich your understanding of science in general, and outer space in particular.

Tags: Exploring the Solar System, Peter Bond, space science, science book reviews.

The Professional: Defining the New Standard of Excellence at Work by Subroto Bagchi - Book review

The Professional

Defining the New Standard of Excellence at Work

By: Subroto Bagchi

Published: June 30, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1591844029
ISBN-13: 978-1591844020
Publisher: Portfolio/Penguin













"But after almost thirty-five years of life as a professional, I have found that, in the new era of the global economy, where every person's actions have the potential to have a global impact - whether good or bad - we must redefine what it means to be a true professional", writes vice chairman and co-founder of MindTree Ltd, Subroto Bagchi, in his thought provoking and insightful book The Professional: Defining the New Standard of Excellence at Work. The author describes how the very concept of what it means to be a professional must be reconsidered and enhanced to meet the challenges of the global economy.

Subroto Bagchi recognizes that there are more professional people in the world than ever before, and their ranks have expanded well beyond thought leaders and those who work in office buildings. Along with this explosion in the number of professionals, however, is a complete lack of an instruction manual that guides people toward true professionalism. In a time of globalization, the challenges of professionalism are multiplied as people now work routinely on a world wide scale. There is a need to communicate effectively with people on the other side of the planet, and that international trade actions affect people and organizations far beyond any borders or continents.



Subroto Bagchi (photo left) addresses and defines an entirely new approach to professionalism, that takes into consideration the challenges to the individual, and the ever increasing globalization of the economy. The author provides his analysis of what it means to be a professional. He also offers insights into the qualities that demonstrate professionalism on both a personal and a global scale. Subroto Bagchi considers the three fundamental characteristics of the true professional as being able to work without supervision, able to certify the completion of any job or task, and behaving with complete integrity at all times.

Subroto Bagchi goes farther than those three basic attributes of professionalism and shares some additional traits that comprise the professional. Those traits include:

* Being self aware
* Is always ethical in all things
* Takes care of the mind, body and soul
* Prioritizes things and events to maximize value
* Takes a long term view over the entirety of one's career
* Is able to evolve and embrace new challenges and adapts to change
* Is comfortable with things not trained for
* Understands the imperatives of the global econmy
* Is culturally aware, connected and engages with people globally

For me, the power of the book is how Subroto Bagchi redefines and the very meaning of what it means to be a true professional. Going far beyond mere job titles and basic principles, the author presents and entirely fresh code of conduct that transform an individual from being skilled in a role to being professional in that role. The author guides the person who aspires to be a professional in the new global reality in the behaviors and ethical codes essential for a reputation of integrity. A professional must not only succeed today, in the global world, but leave a legacy that leaves that same world a much better place.

For the author, being a true professional goes beyond merely being paid. Instead, professionalism is a way of living, working and behaving that touches all areas of the individual's personal and public life. The accepted standards for professional practice are simply a starting point for Subroto Bagchi. His concepts move far beyond the basics, and encompass the entire person as a holistic philosophy of living. For Subroto Bagchi, anyone in any walk of life can and should be a professional, and embrace and live the principles of true professionalism at all times. Indeed, in the modern global world, Subroto Bagchi points out that there is no other alternative but true professionalism at all times.

I highly recommend the transformational and wisdom filled book The Professional: Defining the New Standard of Excellence at Work by Subroto Bagchi, to anyone seeking an intelligent and ethics based guide to becoming a true professional in today's globalized economy. Your journey toward professionalism begins here, and will last for a lifetime.

Tags: The Professional: Defining the New Standard of Excellence at Work, Subroto Bagchi, professional behaviors, business book reviews

NO: The Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home by Jim Camp - Book review

NO

The Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home

By: Jim Camp

Published: June 19, 2007
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0307345742
ISBN-13: 978-0307345745
Publisher: Crown Business











"In order to understand the power of "no", you must first understand that "no" rejects the compromise- and assumption-driven reigning paradigm in negotiation today", writes renowned negotiation coach and founder of the Camp Negotiation Institute (CNI), Jim Camp, in his results oriented and revolutionary book NO: The Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home. The author describes why receiving no as a response to a negotiation proposal is liberating in its honesty and as a true beginning to the real process of reaching an agreement.

Jim Camp understands that most people want to hear a yes in their negotiations. For Jim Camp, that yes sought after by most negotiators is precisely the worst response a negotiator can hear from the other side. Instead, the author considers a no reaction to be the best response. The counter-intuitive concept that hearing a no is the best answer to a proposed offer is the basis of Jim Camp's system. The concept of a no actually protects the negotiator from dangerous and unsupported assumptions of the other side's needs and objectives. The no prevents making unilateral and unnecessary concessions to the other side. Jim Camp calls seeking compromise and yes based negotiations fear based negotiating resulting from a fear of not getting a deal made.



Jim Camp (photo left) proposes an alternative negotiating system that removes the fear and other emotions from the process. The author points out that emotionally based negotiators make assumptions about what the other side wants and will do in the negotiation process. For Jim Camp, this is not only wrongheaded but dangerous as it can easily result in disastrous concessions being made to appease the other person. These unasked for concessions are not likely to make any positive difference, and are much more likely to lead to other demands. The next steps in that emotion based negotiation are usually disastrous, according to Jim Camp.

For Jim Camp, using his no-based system removes the dangers posed by emotion and needless concessions. The author believes firmly that anything from multi-million dollar transactions to parent-child relations can be negotiated successfully with his system. The no response removes the emotion from the negotiation process. Instead of letting emotion and fear induced compromises take over the negotiations, Jim Camp recommends a series of good decisions. The author also reminds the reader that the negotiation is not about you. It is about them. The no removes the neediness to make a deal, or any deal regardless of the concessions.

For me, the power of the book is how Jim Camp describes the problems associated with the usual negotiation process. The author dispels the myths of tactics and techniques as being counter-productive and dangerous. At the same time, Jim Camp emphasizes the need for a decision based system, as opposed to an assumption, fear, and emotions based foray into the unknown. Jim Camp outlines his system for utilizing a series of decisions as the basis for successful negotiations.

Receiving an no response is the start of the real negotiating process, and it frees the negotiator from emotion and neediness to make a deal of some sort. With Jim Camp's system, the would be negotiator is ready to prepare their vision of a deal and act upon it rationally without fear. The end result of applying the repeatable system is better and more satisfying negotiation outcomes.

I highly recommend the essential and paradigm changing book NO: The Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home by Jim Camp, to anyone seeking a no nonsense and straight talking book book on the reality of negotiations, and the critical importance of utilizing a system based on a series of good decisions. Readers of this book will no longer look at a no response as the end, but as the true beginning of real negotiations. Instead of negotiating in a fear based mode, you will be better prepared to make good decisions that will lead to a superior agreement in both your professional and personal life.

Tags: NO: The Only Negotiating System You Need for Work and Home, Jim Camp, negotiation strategies, business book reviews

Ann Tardy: Moxie For Managers - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Founder and Chief Catalyst of LifeMoxie Mentoring, and author of the transformational and inspiring book Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader, Ann Tardy, describes how as a middle leader you have more power than you may think to influence behavior and to create change. Ann Tardy points out, however, that power only works if you operate with the knowledge of influence. Ann Tardy shares her ten Influencing Tenets to facilitate change; and even iconoclastic action., Ann Tardy reminds you that even though you are in the middle leadership role, you have the power to influence change within your organization. Learn how to utilize the power of moxie to be catalyst for change within your organization. That is the true power and strength of moxie as you make the transition from manager to leader.

Ann Tardy is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, March 29, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Founder and Chief Catalyst of LifeMoxie, and author of the transformational and inspiring book Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader, Ann Tardy, describes how as a middle leader you have more power than you may think to influence behavior and to create change. You will learn:

* What it means to manage with moxie

* Why you are a m middle leader and not a middle manager

* Why you have more power to influence events than you think

* What are the ten influencing tenets for middle leaders



Ann Tardy (photo left) is the Founder and President of LifeMoxie Mentoring, Ann combines the art of mentoring with the science of behavioral economics to turn mentoring from a missed opportunity into a strategic advantage for teams and organizations. By using proven processes and technologies, Ann prepares leaders to drive organizational and behavioral change using mentoring.

From Silicon Valley corporate attorney to mentoring expert and advocate for
managers, Ann Tardy has never met a dull moment. Sally Jesse Raphael calls
her “energetic!”

Ann first experienced the power of mentoring while closing over $2 billion of venture-backed financing at two of Silicon Valley’s largest law firms. While leading her entrepreneurial clients, Ann was surprised to discover that mentoring separates the magnificently successful from the mediocre. Ann went on to lead the legal departments of two high-tech start-ups, taking one company public and the other to acquisition. Following her in-house tenure, Ann launched her own law firm, growing it to 75 loyal clients before merging it with a larger firm.

Ann now helps visionary companies unleash mentoring where they need it most – in the middle. Ann and the LifeMoxie Mentoring team are creating mentoring cultures in companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric, Kaiser Permanente, Hitachi Data Systems, Southern California Edison, and Metro-North Railroad.

Ann is also the founder of The Mentoring Council, connecting leaders of mentoring initiatives to share best practices. In addition she served for 5 years as the volunteer Director of the Entrepreneurial Education program at a middle school, training 12-year-olds how to start and run businesses through a community-based mentoring program.

Ann passed the CPA exam upon graduating with an accounting degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She then graduated with honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law and passed the Bar exams in Illinois and California.

Ann was honored as an Outstanding Business Woman of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association and honored with the Vanguard Award from The McGraw-Hill Companies for her contributions to their employees.

Ann is the author of Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader – 9 Strategies for Taking Life by the Horns (2007, Fish Head Publishing)

The Mentoring Playbook – Making Mentoring a Strategic Advantage (forthcoming March 2012)

In summer 2011, Ann rode 4,200 miles from San Francisco to New Jersey in The Moxie Ride, a cross-country bicycle ride she created to discover what people love about their jobs and how bosses influence their success. The Moxie Ride documentary highlighting the people she met puts your finger on the professional pulse of the country.

My book review of Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader by Ann Tardy.

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 Founder and Chief Catalyst of LifeMoxie Mentoring, and author of the transformational and inspiring book Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader, Ann Tardy, describes how as a middle leader you have more power than you may think to influence behavior and to create change. Ann Tardy points out, however, that power only works if you operate with the knowledge of influence. Ann Tardy shares her ten Influencing Tenets to facilitate change; and even iconoclastic action., Ann Tardy reminds you that even though you are in the middle leadership role, you have the power to influence change within your organization. Learn how to utilize the power of moxie to be catalyst for change within your organization. That is the true power and strength of moxie as you make the transition from manager to leader on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Moxie for Managers: The Secret to Evolving from Manager to Leader, Ann Tardy, advanced leadership techniques, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.