John Izzo: The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio







Keynote speaker, consultant and adviser to some of the most admired companies in the world, and author of The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, Dr. John Izzo shares the wisdom learned from conversations with people who have lived their lives and have no regrets. John Izzo shares how to identify the sources of happiness and meaning as well as lessons learned, regrets, major crossroads, and what did not contribute to meaning in their lives. Discover the secrets to finding contentment, happiness, and purpose in your life. Dr. Izzo helps you to understand the common themes from the lives of those interviewed, the commonality of what really matters in their lives, and especially how to put this wisdom into practice.



Dr. John Izzo is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.



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



Keynote speaker, consultant and adviser to some of the most admired companies in the world, and author of The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, Dr. John Izzo shares the wisdom learned from conversations with people who have lived their lives and have no regrets. You will learn:



* The five secrets you must discover



* How to discover the purpose of your life



* How to address regrets and to find contentment where you are in life



* How to discover what has true meaning in your life







Dr. John Izzo (photo left) sees and feels the goodness many of us aspire to. As an author, community leader and inspiring speaker he has worked hard to talk about the essential elements of Leadership and the new frontier of that ever changing role. His interests are Development as it pertains to the individual as well at the company, Corporate Culture and the pursuit of creating places that support the individual as well as the corporate vision, and Personal Well-being in the fight to balance work and life.



Dr. John Izzo has more than 19 years experience working in a wide variety of corporate settings. His clients include nonprofit organizations, Fortune 500 companies, Healthcare Organizations and mid-size companies. Over the last two decades, John Izzo has married his first career as a minister with his second career as a management & leadership consultant to help leaders create corporations and organizations where values and purpose are the foundations for success.



Dr. Izzo spent five years as a senior organizational development consultant for Kaiser Permanente, and 4 years as Vice President of The Einstein Consulting Group, an international customer service consultancy prior to establishing his own firm. Currently he focuses on helping leaders and organizations reach sustainable success through the integration of purposeful leadership and business practices.



John Izzo obtained his Bachelor of Sociology from Hofstra University in 1978 before completing a dual Masters degree from McCormick Divinity School in Theology while simultaneously attending the University of Chicago to complete his Masters in Organizational Psychology. Dr. Izzo then completed his Ph.D. in Organizational Communication from Kent State University shortly thereafter.



He is the author of over 60 articles, and is the co-author of the best selling book “Awakening Corporate Soul: Four Paths to Unleash the Power of People at Work” and its companion workbook. His pioneering work has been featured on CNN, ABC World News, the LA Times, Canada AM, CBC Radio, The American Medical Journal, B.C. Business, The Seattle Times and the cover of Association Management Magazine on “Creating Inspiring Work Places”. His second book “Values-Shift: The New Work Ethic and What it Means for Business” (Prentice-Hall) defines how and why our work ethic is changing, and it focuses on the six major shifts people expect from work. As well, if offers practical ideas on what companies and managers can do to retain and inspire the people they need and value.



Based on leading edge research and experiences with more than 200 companies, John Izzo helps people understand these shifting values and how they differ across generations and across gender. In 2004 Berrett Koehler published John's third non-fiction book titled "Second Innocence: Rediscovering Joy and Wonder" . It is a powerful book that blends personal stories with Dr. Izzo's thoughts on work, spirituality, relationships and daily life.



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 keynote speaker, consultant and adviser to some of the most admired companies in the world, and author of The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, Dr. John Izzo, as he shares the wisdom learned from conversations with people who have lived their lives and have no regrets. John Izzo shares how to identify the sources of happiness and meaning as well as lessons learned, regrets, major crossroads, and what did not contribute to meaning in their lives. Discover the secrets to finding contentment, happiness, and purpose in your life. Dr. Izzo helps you to understand the common themes from the lives of those interviewed, the commonality of what really matters in their lives, and especially how to put this wisdom into practice on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, Dr. John Izzo, personal development, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Likeable Social Media by Dave Kerpen - Book review

Likeable Social Media



How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks)



By: Dave Kerpen



Published: June 7, 2011

Format: Paperback, 272 pages

ISBN-10: 0071762345

ISBN-13: 978-0071762342

Publisher: McGraw-Hill





















"The social media revolution has given consumers around the world the most powerful voice they've ever had. It's also forced companies to think about how they can be more transparent and responsive", writes co-founder and CEO of Likeable Media, Dave Kerpen, in his straight talking and idea filled book Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks). The author describes how social media and traditional word of mouth advertising have combined to empower both customers and companies, and shares the strategies necessary to succeed in new social marketplace.



Dave Kerpen understands that companies must not only think and act like customers, but that they must listen to those customers as well. The age old customer action of doing business with people whom they know, like, and trust is multiplied many times over on social media. People share experiences, both good about about their relationships with companies, and those opinions spread very rapidly through social networks. For companies who are listening to the concerns of their customers, social media and Facebook's ubiquitous Like button, are the indicators of that trust. The Like button, and the equivalents in other social media platforms, are transforming the business landscape for all businesses and marketers, regardless of the size of their companies.







Dave Kerpen (photo left) recognizes the good news that every company has the opportunity to benefit from the peer to peer sharing of ideas through social media. The author shares the basic rules that all businesses must follow in order to benefit from the power of social media. From the very beginning of the book, Dave Kerpen makes clear that simply broadcasting a marketing message, and seeking customer reach and frequency of contact, is precisely the wrong approach for social media success. Instead, the author recommends engaging in conversation, listening closely to the customers, continuing the engagement, and empowering others.



Dave Kerpen points out correctly, that simply being the largest spender with the loudest voice, will not work on social media. Being flexible, listening, and engaging in conversation are what really gain results through social media. Dave Kerpen wisely warns businesses of what social media cannot do:



* Social media cannot make up for a bad product, company, or organization

* Social media can't lead to overnight sales success

* Social media is not free as success will take time and effort



For me, the power of the book is how Dave Kerpen combines the theoretical importance of social media with the practical strategies for utilizing their empowerment effectively. The author focuses on Facebook, but includes information on using the other major social medial platforms as well. Dave Kerpen shares the techniques of effective listening and engaging, and illustrates them in action through the effective use of case studies and anecdotes. Along with the information, the book becomes a hands on manual with the valuable inclusion of action items embedded in every chapter. Dave Kerpen sticks effectively to his overall theme of being likeable, with all of the strategies and tactics geared toward that overall goal.



I highly recommend the step by step guide book Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks) by Dave Kerpen, to anyone seeking a clear and concise road map, to better understanding and utilizing social media the right way, for building a business. The author demonstrates that using social media effectively is the understanding that it is more than being about marketing, but a holistic system for listening to and engaging customers in new and empowering ways.



Read the insightful and very helpful book Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks) by Dave Kerpen, and discover how the real secret to being a likeable company is creating a business that is worth positive discussion among customers. A company that listens to, engages, and empowers its customer base will go far toward having many Likes added to their social media pages.

Tags: Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (& Other Social Networks), Dave Kerpen, social media, business book reviews.

Walk Out Walk On by Margaret Wheatley & Deborah Frieze - Book review

Walk Out Walk On



A Learning Journey into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now



By: Margaret Wheatley, Deborah Frieze



Published: April 11, 2011

Format: Paperback, 288 pages

ISBN-10: 1605097314

ISBN-13: 978-1605097312

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers























"This book takes you on a Learning Journey to places that will inspire, disturb, and provoke you, and to meet people who will delight, nourish, and encourage you", write President Emerita and founder of The Berkana Institute, Margaret Wheatley, and former co-president of The Berkana Institute and co-founder of the Berkana Exchange, Deborah Frieze, in their life affirming and transformational book Walk Out Walk On: A Learning Journey into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now. The authors take the reader on tour of seven world locations, where change is happening in very real and tangible ways through the actions, collaboration, and motivation of local people, as they recreate their communities through their own workable solutions to problems.



Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze share the very personal stories of seven very different communities on five continents, where the local people changed their lives, and of those around them, through ingenuity, caring, and self-organization. The authors share what they call a Learning Journey where they lived and worked with, as well as learned from, the people in communities in Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Greece, and the United States. In each of these inspirational stories, the authors introduce the reader to people who walked out on their formerly limiting beliefs and assumptions, and walked on reinvent their lives and communities that are healthy, sustainable, and based on networks of relationships.







Margaret Wheatley (on left in photo left) and Deborah Frieze (on right in photo left) present an intimate portrait of how the people, who become "walk outs who walk on" not only transform their own communities in deep and profound ways, but even more importantly, discover an inner strength and resilience within themselves. As seen through these wonderful accounts, that sense of personal empowerment becomes part of the overall fabric of the recreated community.



The authors discovered communities that had discarded formerly limiting ideas and had found abundance with the people around them. The people profiled in these Learning Journeys left their falsely confining pasts behind, and took the bold step forward to self-determination and community renewal. When the mistaken ideas of backwardness, shortage of money or resources, and a lack of expertise were revealed for the paralyzing beliefs they were, the people created their own change and their own world. The authors share how they conduct their Learning Journeys in four components:



* Immersion

* Observation

* Relationships to other examples

* Reflection



For me, the power of the book is how Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze present an empowering message of hope for real change created by the people themselves. The Learning Journeys traveled in this delightful book don't take place in the halls of government, but in the homes, small businesses, and the streets of the profiled communities. The very real stories of what is truly happening in the world, beyond the bright lights of the media and the corridors of power, are those of people utilizing their own ideas, intelligence, creativity, and local abundance to build their own worlds on their own terms.



The imaginative people in these journeys have much to teach others about walking out on former artificial and often self-imposed constraints, and walked on to create their own communities on their own terms. The authors enhance the concepts and journeys presented in the book by sharing many photographs of real change as it happened through the efforts and ingenuity of the people in the visited communities.



I highly recommend the community building and thought provoking book Walk Out Walk On: A Learning Journey into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now by Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze, to anyone seeking an idea building book where people take the idea of building their own futures into their own hands. Not content to simply sit back and wait for outside ideas or official help, the residents of these communities empowered themselves and created their own communities to suit their own needs. The people profiled in these journeys discovered they had creativity and abundance both within themselves and in their communities. By making the choice to create their own futures, the people worked together to make their own destinies a reality.



Read the eye opening and idea packed book Walk Out Walk On: A Learning Journey into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now by Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze, and discover how making the conscious decision to walk out on past limitations and perceived barriers, and walking on to a new future is more about changing worldviews than about money or resources. The profound lessons shared in this fine book can be repeated in any community and in any country of the world. All a person has to do is decide to walk out of the old and walk on to a brighter future.

Tags: Walk Out Walk On: A Learning Journey into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now, Margaret Wheatley, Deborah Frieze, community economic empowerment, economics book reviews.

RecruiterGuy's Guide to Finding a Job by Bill Humbert - Book review

RecruiterGuy's Guide to Finding a Job



By: Bill Humbert



Published: November 8, 2010

Format: Paperback, 145 pages

ISBN-10: 0982837321

ISBN-13: 978-0982837320

Publisher: Corridor Media Group



























"The job-search problem that occurs for most people is that the process changes after their first job or after they have been recruited for a number of jobs, therefore they do not have a successful process to fall back on", writes recruiting consultant, and the "RecruiterGuy", Bill Humbert, in his practical and results oriented book RecruiterGuy's Guide to Finding a Job. The author describes how what is usually thought of as the job search process, is really a combination of several processes. The author breaks this series of processes into manageable steps that can be followed successfully by any job seeker.



Bill Humbert recognizes that many different processes form what is usually thought of as a job search. By altering the approach to its various component processes, the author helps the employment seeker to understand the the importance of each step. For Bill Humbert, these processes are the ones that every job hunter must work through and accomplish successfully to achieve the end goal of landing that desired job. Unfortunately, for most current job seekers, the processes they understand and utilized successfully in the past, are no longer effective in the modern job market. Bill Humbert acknowledges that the change involved with finding new employment is difficult and traumatic for most people. As a result, the author presents the various processes in an easily understand format to reduce the stress, and to enhance the sense of accomplishment, for any employment seeker.









Bill Humbert (photo left) organizes this cornucopia of job finding processes in an accessible format where the reader is advised to read the chapters in any order. The book is designed to be used as a hands on employment seeking resource. The arrangement of the chapters is roughly sequential for the recommended processes, but each chapter is a stand alone module that addresses a job hunter's specific requirements. The various processes included in the book are:



* Accepting psychologically why one is seeking a new position

* Deciding on a goal to be achieved

* Developing a resume

* Researching and networking to discover job opportunities

* Interviewing skills

* Salary negotiation process

* Offer acceptance process

* Starting the new job successfully from the start



For me, the power of the book is how Bill Humbert focuses on the end goal of finding the right job and getting started the right way on the new job. To achieve this goal, the author breaks the entire job hunting process down into its various component parts. For every job seeker, the emphasis on each part of the overall process will be unique to every individual. As a result, Bill Humbert offers a module based format that can be read in any order. The book is intended as a working tool for job hunters, and it's designed in that format. The overall value of the book is further enhanced with the inclusion of action verbs to include in resumes and cover letters; as well as some frequently used interview questions to help the job hunter improve those critical interviewing skills.



I highly recommend the very useful and easy to understand book RecruiterGuy's Guide to Finding a Job by Bill Humbert, to anyone who is actively seeking a job, or who is considering a change in their employment. This very skills based book will give any job hunter an advantage over the competition. That edge is essential in today's difficult and challenging job market.



Read the valuable insider's guide RecruiterGuy's Guide to Finding a Job by Bill Humbert, and discover the collection of processes that will result in your successful job search. This book is your road map to the job of your dreams.

Tags: RecruiterGuy's Guide to Finding a Job, RecruiterGuy, Bill Humbert, job finding guide, business book reviews.

Managing the Unmanageable by Anne Loehr & Jezra Kaye - Book review

Managing the Unmanageable



How to Motivate Even the Most Unruly Employee



By: Anne Loehr, Jezra Kaye



Published: July 15, 2011

Format: Paperback, 256 pages

ISBN-10: 1601631618

ISBN-13: 978-1601631619

Publisher: Career Press





















"This book is about managing an employee's bad behavior. Not bad behavior in the criminal sense, but behavior that is costly, disruptive, divisive - trouble", write management consultant Anne Loehr and communications coach Jezra Kaye, in their very practical and results oriented book Managing the Unmanageable: How to Motivate Even the Most Unruly Employee. The authors describe how seemingly unmanageable employees can be found in any workplace, but with patience and the application of a few proven strategies and techniques, those former problem people can turn into star performers.







Anne Loehr (photo left) and Jezra Kaye offer guidance for working with the difficult employees who behave in two very different categories. An employee can behave in an unmanageable manner for personal or organizational reasons created by specific circumstances. The authors consider these staff people to be prime candidates for transforming into great employees. The other, but thankfully smaller category, involves people who simply can't act any other way but as problems. These employees are often better in another workplace. The authors share valuable techniques for telling the difference between people in the two groups. Once the repairable employees are identified, the authors share methods for helping each problem employee to reach their fullest potential.







Jezra Kaye (photo left) and Anne Loehr base their techniques on the principle that good people are often let down by circumstances within the organization. The author share ideas for developing a proactive plan for reinvigorating the employee into a productive performer. At the same time, the authors provide ideas for hiring and integrating new employees into the workplace so they are motivated from the very beginning. For the unmanageable employees within the organization, who have been identified as salvageable, the authors provide five step methodology that they refer to as the 5 Cs. These proven and easily understandable techniques are:



* Commit or Quit

* Communicate

* Clarify Goals and Roles

* Coach

* Create Accountability



For me, the power of the book is how Anee Loehr and Jezra Kaye meet the challenge presented by the unmanageable employee directly, and with a proven action plan in place. The authors combine a strong theoretical framework for identifying the different types of unmanageable employees, how to address each particular type, and how to transform the former problem individual into a first rate performer. The authors bolster their theory with techniques, proven to work in the real world, with formerly problem staff members who became star employees. The authors also recognize that employees who are considered problems are often displaying the symptoms of larger issues within the organization itself. In that sense, the authors understand that unmanageable employees can be a gift to a workplace as they can lead to discovering deeper problems within the work environment itself.



At the same time, the authors are realistic in their assessment of problem workers, and understand fully that there will be some unmanageable employees who cannot be salvaged and who are better off working elsewhere. This dose of realistic thinking and action is a critical part of the process, and the authors do well to address it openly and honestly. The authors also provide a very useful and timely section, for working with the potential challenges presented, by clashes between employees of different generations.



I highly recommend the insightful and very hands on book Managing the Unmanageable: How to Motivate Even the Most Unruly Employee by Anne Loehr and Jezra Kaye, to any managers who are faced with the challenge of managing problem employees. Instead of giving up hope that the staff member will ever be a productive member of the team, this book offers a road map for transforming that formerly difficult individual into a star employee.



Read the effective and organizational changing book Managing the Unmanageable: How to Motivate Even the Most Unruly Employee by Jezra Kaye and Anne Loehr, and discover how even the seemingly most incorrigible and difficult employees can become successful and highly motivated members of the team. The book will help you to understand why those individuals act as they do, and how to transform that undesirable behavior into a force for greatness within the organization.

Tags: Managing the Unmanageable: How to Motivate Even the Most Unruly Employee, Jezra Kaye, Anne Loehr, personnel management, business book reviews.

The Contemporary Global Economy by Alfred E. Eckes, Jr.- Book review

The Contemporary Global Economy



A History since 1980



By: Alfred E. Eckes, Jr.



Published: May 16, 2011

Format: Paperback, 320 pages

ISBN-10: 1405183438

ISBN-13: 978-1405183437

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

























"While millions of people have benefited from the contemporary global economy - particularly high-income and professional elites - not everyone has shared its prosperity", writes Ohio Eminent Research Professor of Contemporary History at Ohio University, and former Chairman of the US International Trade Commission, Alfred E. Eckes, Jr., in his authoritative and well balanced book The Contemporary Global Economy: A History since 1980. The author provides a sophisticated overview of the global economy, including both the positive and negative impact on the developing and industrialized world.



Alfred E. Eckes, Jr. takes a historical perspective on the tumultuous transformation of the global world since 1980. For the author, the increasing globalization brought many changes to the people of the world, including some still unaddressed challenges and problems. Through the eyes of a historian, Alfred Eckes follows the overarching trends in an ever more globalized and interconnected world, and how dramatic alteration of global markets created some serious disruptions in local, national, and international economies. Through the often misguided policies of governments and corporations, serious imbalances were created, resulting in massive dislocation and migration of people. Within the affected countries, people found their lives and their roles in society changed forever.







Alfred E. Eckes, Jr. grounds his historical approach to globalization in a long term historical context, beginning in the latter nineteenth, through the changes of the twentieth century, and ending with the global financial collapse of 2008. Along the way, the author meticulously documents the actions of politicians, trade representatives, and other international actors. Alfred Eckes provides a fascinating outline of the intellectual underpinnings and challenges presented by globalization as well. With an overview of the various economic thinkers, and how their ideas have influenced policy makers, the author offers a backdrop as to why some controversial decisions were made over time. For Alfred Eckes, as the twentieth century moved into the new millennium, many of the challenges and problems created by globalization were not addressed, resulting in severe economic problems and dislocations around the world. The author makes clear that these still existing problems and economic imbalances must be resolved to ensure a successful global economy that benefits all of the world's people.



For me, the power of the book is how Alfred E. Eckes, Jr. presents a serious and compelling portrait of the global economy, and its challenges and actions. The author provides extensive research, and extensive footnotes and a comprehensive bibliography, to support his position. The complexity of the triumphs and failures of globalization are outlined well in this fine book, dispensing with arcane jargon, and presented in approachable and readily understood chapters.



This book will appeal to both supporters and opponents of globalization, as the author offers a clear eyed description of how the global economy reached its current state, and how the actions of the past three decades has led to some difficult challenges. Through an open examination of the problems posed by globalization, policy makers and trade advisers can seek alternatives that will enhance the global economy while redressing the growing imbalances between countries and individuals.



I highly recommend the brilliant and well reasoned book The Contemporary Global Economy: A History since 1980 by Alfred E. Eckes, Jr., to anyone seeking a well written and comprehensive book on the march of globalization since 1980. The author presents the information, in a format that is readily understood by any reader, as to how the driving forces of economic change operate and how they are clearly visible today.



Read the important and essential book The Contemporary Global Economy: A History since 1980 by Alfred E. Eckes, Jr., and discover the growing and still unsettled issues surrounding the global economy. The foremost authority on international economic history is a reliable guide to the world that globalization created, and how to make that world a more sustainable and equitable one today and for future generations.

Tags: The Contemporary Global Economy: A History since 1980, Alfred E. Eckes, Jr., challenges of globalization, history book reviews.

Mitchell Levy: 42 Rules For Driving Success With Books - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio







Entrepreneur and CEO of Happy About® Publishing, and author of the idea packed and engaging book 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books, Mitchell Levy, describes the value and benefit of writing a book to enhance your business. Mitchell Levy points out that a person doesn't even have to write the entire book, as it can be ghost written, a collaborative with many authors, or filled with content provided by clients and customers. Regardless of the content of the book, the authors and contributors found their reputations as experts in their fields were given an important boost upward. Discover how a book will demonstrate thought leadership, drive lead generation, and increase revenue. Mitchell Levy shares success stories of how books have helped other business people, and how book will build your business reputation as well.



Mitchell Levy is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.



The show airs live on Thursday, August 11, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.



Entrepreneur and CEO of Happy About® Publishing, and author of the idea packed and engaging book 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books, Mitchell Levy, describes the value and benefit of writing a book to enhance your business. You will learn:



* How writing a book establishes your reputation as a thought leader



* How a book can serve as an integral part of any marketing program



* How publishing a book will build your business and personal brand



* How to write and publish a book in less time than previously thought







Mitchell Levy (photo left) is CEO of Happy About® Publishing. He is a strategist, educator & prognosticator helping companies succeed by putting tools in the hands of corporations and individuals to allow them to create their own success. He is a frequent media guest and a popular speaker, lecturing on business and management issues throughout the United States and around the world. He has started 13 companies and joint ventures since 1997; and has provided strategic consulting to over 100 companies.



Books are his latest and most powerful toolset. He has written 11 business books and through Happy About® Publishing has published over 50 titles. He has helped his authors generate leads, get speaking engagements, get written up in major newspapers and magazines, asked to host programs for major TV networks and double their annual income and in one case quadruple it. There is no doubt that books work.



My book review of 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books by Mitchell Levy.



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 entrepreneur and CEO of Happy About® Publishing, and author of the idea packed and engaging book 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books, Mitchell Levy, as he describes the value and benefit of writing a book to enhance your business. Mitchell Levy points out that a person doesn't even have to write the entire book, as it can be ghost written, a collaborative with many authors, or filled with content provided by clients and customers. Regardless of the content of the book, the authors and contributors found their reputations as experts in their fields were given an important boost upward. Discover how a book will demonstrate thought leadership, drive lead generation, and increase revenue. Mitchell Levy shares success stories of how books have helped other business people, and how book will build your business reputation as well on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books, Mitchell Levy, book publishing, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

42 Rules for Driving Success with Books by Mitchell Levy - Book review

42 Rules for Driving Success With Books



By: Mitchell Levy



Published: January 1, 2009

Format: Paperback, 144 pages

ISBN-10: 160773012X

ISBN-13: 978-1607730125

Publisher: Super Star Press























"As a marketer in today's turbulent times, you must be wondering what you can do to demonstrate your effectiveness", writes entrepreneur, CEO of Happy About®, and editor of the idea packed and engaging book 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books. Mitchell Levy shares forty-two rules, as written by thought leaders in marketing and branding, that describe the value of writing or co-authoring a book to boost business success, credibility, branding, and marketing for a businessperson.



Mitchell Levy pulls together an impressive array of brief essays, written by some of the acknowledged experts in their fields. What is intriguing about this group of short articles, each providing one of the forty-two rules, is that they also represent one of the formats for creating a book. For Mitchell Levy, the writing of a book, whether alone, ghostwritten, or though a multiple author collaboration, is the crucial factor. The editor considers having a book published is a fast track to a reputation of expertise in the author's business or professional arena. For Mitchell Levy, a book is a permanent measure of credibility and thought leadership, that gives the author a distinct advantage over any competitors.







Mitchell Levy (photo left) divides the forty-two rules into five separate section, each considering one aspect of the value of having published a book successfully. Those five section are:



* Success

* Growth

* Credibility

* Branding

* Marketing



Within each of these five article groupings are found seven to ten idea based articles, focusing on different aspects of the overall section. With each of the essays being written by a different thought leader, the overall effect is one of several different perspectives and approaches to the subject. This diversity of opinion and differing ideas lends extra value to this treasure trove of a book.



For me, the power of the book is how Mitchell Levy brings together a diverse group of leading thinkers into one volume on the value of having published a book. The overarching umbrella concept of the book is how a book can drive success both both the business and personal areas of the author's career. The stories make clear that a book is powerful tool in both marketing and branding an author as both credible and highly successful in their field.



Mitchell Levy adds value to the book, by pointing out that even though the various contributors to the book are both credible and successful, that it's up to everyone to create their own rules. While the forty-two rules worked well for the various writers, they are are not hard and fast, or carved in stone. A successful business person should look to understanding the rules, and then feel free to break them or add to the rules, based on their own experience and business needs. The contributing essays also contain a very practical side of how to use a book, once written and published, in several creative and exciting ways to help build the author's reputation in both the short and longer terms.



I highly recommend the very approachable and essential guidebook 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books by Mitchell Levy, to anyone seeking a clear and concise collection of stories and essays about the value and benefits of publishing a book. The articles contained in this easy to read anthology are direct, to the point, and offer real value to a would be author.



Read the valuable and success building book 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books by Mitchell Levy, and discover why writing and publishing a book will boost your credibility and enhance your reputation within your industry. This book could transform your good marketing and branding strategy into an outstanding one as well.

Tags: 42 Rules for Driving Success With Books, Mitchell Levy, book publishing, business book reviews.

Mike Silverman: How Reliable Is Your Product? - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio







Certified Reliability Engineer, reliability consultant, Founder and Managing Partner of Ops A La Carte, and author of the reader friendly and very practical book How Reliable is Your Product? 50 Ways to Improve Product Reliability, Mike Silverman, describes the importance of product reliability testing and analysis at all phases of the process. Mike Silverman shares ideas for incorporating the concept of reliability into product design,manufacturing, improvement, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Mike shares proven techniques and strategies to employ in every aspect of the the product development and manufacturing process. He offers ideas for improving testing, measurement, and for anticipating potential product failures.



Mike Silverman is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.



The show airs live on Tuesday, August 9, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.



Certified Reliability Engineer, reliability consultant, Founder and Managing Partner of Ops A La Carte, and author of the reader friendly and very practical book How Reliable is Your Product? 50 Ways to Improve Product Reliability, Mike Silverman, describes the importance of product reliability testing and analysis at all phases of the process. You will learn:



* Why reliability should be an integral part of product process



* How to integrate Design for Reliability DFR into your company



* How to develop metrics to measure reliability



* Some tips and guidelines to create your unique reliability program









Mike Silverman (photo left) is founder and managing partner at Ops A La Carte, a Professional Consulting Company that has an intense focus on helping customers with end-to-end reliability. Mike has over 25 years experience in reliability engineering, reliability management and reliability training. He is an experienced leader in reliability improvement through analysis and testing. Through Ops A La Carte, Mike has had extensive experience as a consultant to high-tech companies, and has consulted for over 500 companies in over 100 different industries in most of the United States and 15 countries around the world. A few of the main industries are telecommunications, networking, medical, semiconductor equipment, consumer electronics, power, energy, and defense electronics.



Mike is an expert in accelerated reliability techniques and owns HALT and HASS Labs, one of the oldest and most experienced reliability labs in the world. Mike has recently completed his first book on reliability entitled How Reliable is Your Product? 50 Ways to Improve Product Reliability. The book was published December, 2010. Mike has authored and published 25 papers on reliability techniques and has presented these around the world including Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the USA. He has also developed and currently teaches over 30 courses on reliability techniques.



Mike has a BS degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is a Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) through American Society for Quality (ASQ). Mike is a member of ASQ, IEEE, Stanford PRN, PRG, SME, ASME, PATCA, and IEEE Consulting Society. Mike is currently the IEEE Reliability Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter Chair.



My book review of How Reliable is Your Product? 50 Ways to Improve Product Reliability by Mike Silverman.



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 Certified Reliability Engineer, reliability consultant, Founder and Managing Partner of Ops A La Carte, and author of the reader friendly and very practical book How Reliable is Your Product? 50 Ways to Improve Product Reliability, Mike Silverman, describes the importance of product reliability testing and analysis at all phases of the process. Mike Silverman, as he shares ideas for incorporating the concept of reliability into product design,manufacturing, improvement, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Mike shares proven techniques and strategies to employ in every aspect of the the product development and manufacturing process. He offers ideas for improving testing, measurement, and for anticipating potential product failures on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: How Reliable is Your Product? 50 Ways to Improve Product Reliability, Mike Silverman, product reliability engineering, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal - Book review

The Full Moon Bride

By: Shobhan Bantwal

Published: July 26, 2011
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
ISBN-10: 0758258844
ISBN-13: 978-0758258847
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation













Environmental lawyer Soorya Giri has achieved success in her career, but in her thirties, she feels the desire to have a husband with whom to share her life. A second generation Indian-American, Soorya considers the traditional practice of arranged marriages an outdated and even absurd concept. Despite her misgivings, she is introduced to Roger Vadepalli, with whom she shares an attraction. Soorya is still uncertain as to the value of a marriage conducted as a business arrangement, and withdraws to explore other possibilities in the fascinating novel of culture and values clash, The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal.

Shobhan Bantwal explores the difficult cultural questions in all of her novels, and this one is no exception. The main character Soorya Giri represents the modern Indian-American internalizing the values of North American society, while her more immigrant parents provide a glimpse into traditional Indian society and customs. The unmarried Soorya Giri collides with that tradition when her parents decide an arranged marriage is best for their daughter. For Soorya, the concept of arrangements makes no sense to her, as she believes a marriage should be about love and passion. An arranged marriage is more about pragmatism, business, and societal standards which leave Soorya repulsed by the idea, despite her interest in aspiring film maker Roger Vadepalli. While he is in a hurry to finalize the nuptials, he faces other inter-generational culture clashes of his own.



Shobhan Bantal (photo left) moves deftly between the cultures of India and America, expressing sympathy and compassion for both worldviews. The very attractive and intriguing character of Soorya Giri provides a crucial bridge between the two cultures, along with the internal conflicts that the vast differences create for her. Modernity offers Soorya the personal power to determine her own destiny, both romantically and financially. Tradition offers a different form of marriage partnership and financial security. The wisdom shared by Shobhan Bantal is that neither culture is entirely right or wrong. They are only different paths toward the same goal of fulfilling and secure marriage bonds. While she focuses on Soorya Giri, Shobhan Bantal recognizes that cultural change offers different challenges for men, even within a traditional society. Roger Vadepalli meets with obstacles in his quest to succeed in a modern industry, rather than the more traditional family career path set out for him

Shobhan Bantal creates a magical yet very real world, where people live partly in modern America, and partly within the centuries old traditions of India. Along with presenting a captivating love story, Shobhan Bantal touches on some very critical social issues. She addresses head on the concept of how arranged marriages can work in the twenty-first century. For the author, if arranged matches are to survive, they must change dramatically to reflect gender equality, and the ability of both men and women to earn either an independent or shared living.

The concept of the empowerment of women, equal in rights and privileges to men is put to the test, with Soorya Giri providing evidence that even matches considered attractive and satisfactory in the traditional sense are open to the the woman making the final decision. Shobhan Bantal understands that as India, and the people of that amazing country become an even more integral part of the global community, traditions and the modern world will both be forced to make some compromises on values, with fresh new ideals emerging as a result.

I highly recommend the delightful and compelling novel The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal, to anyone seeking the powerful combination of a love story filled with some important cultural issues that call into question both the traditional and modern worldviews. The author treats her memorable and captivating characters with respect and compassion, and provides powerful and realistic character studies that transcend culture, time, and place.

Read the enjoyable and idea challenging novel The Full Moon Bride by Shobhan Bantwal, and discover how and why traditional and contemporary cultures have much to offer to one another; as well as much to learn. As with all of the novels by Shobhan Bantwal, this story contains a strong and well drawn female character, who remains with the reader long after the last page is read and contemplated.

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For much more information about Shobhan Bantwal and The Full Moon Bride, you can visit her website shobhanbantwal.com and you can order your own copy at Amazon.com.

About The Full Moon Bride:

What makes a marriage—love or compatibility? Passion or pragmatism? The Full Moon Bride is a compelling story that explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as young Indian-American attorney Soorya Giri navigates the gulf between desire and tradition.

In choosing between two very different men, Soorya must reconcile her burgeoning independence and conservative background. And she must decide what matters most to her—not just in a husband, but in a family, a culture, and a life.

About Shobhan Bantwal:

Award-winning author Shobhan Bantwal calls her writing “Bollywood in a Book”—romantic, colorful, action-packed tales, rich with elements of Indian culture—stories that entertain and educate. Shobhan has five published novels by Kensington Publishing, with a sixth slated for 2012. Shobhan can be contacted through her website: shobhanbantwal.com or Facebook.

Tags: The Full Moon Bride, Shobhan Bantwal, Indian culture, fiction book reviews.