Book Description
More provocative business thinking from the bestselling author of Purple Cow and All Marketers Are Liars
As one of today's most influential business thinkers, Seth Godin helps his army of fans stay focused, stay connected, and stay dissatisfied with the status quo, the ordinary, the boring. His books, blog posts, magazine articles, and speeches have inspired countless entrepreneurs, marketing people, innovators, and managers around the world.
Now, for the first time, Godin has collected the most provocative short pieces from his pioneering blog—ranked #70 by Feedster (out of millions published) in worldwide readership. This book also includes his most popular columns from Fast Company magazine, and several of the short e-books he has written in the last few years.
A sample:
• Bon Jovi And The Pirates
• Christmas Card Spam
• Clinging To Your Job Title?
• How Much Would You Pay to Be on Oprah's Show?
• The Persistence of Really Bad Ideas
• The Seduction of “Good Enough”
• What Happens When It's All on Tape?
• Would You Buy Life Insurance at a Rock Concert?
Small is the New Big is a huge bowl of inspiration that you can gobble in one sitting or dip into at any time. As Godin writes in his introduction: “I guarantee that you'll find some ideas that don't work for you. But I'm certain that you're smart enough to see the stuff you've always wanted to do, buried deep inside one of these riffs. And I'm betting that once inspired, you'll actually make something happen.”
Customer Reviews:
Another winner- big time!.......2007-09-10
I think that Seth's books are getting better. But this is not a book book, its a collection of articles, newsletters and blog posts. But it is real, quality, and very useful. Such useful ideas as, " The best marketers, of course, use the needle and the vise at them same time:. They don't assault, they don't demand, instead they earn attention. And they apply their marketing pressure so consistently and in such a measured and relentless way that sooner or later, they profit from it. " A great book if you want it in small lumps or more, It would be a good plane ride book, but bring a highlighter! I love this one
"I. Humans tend to work on a problem until they get a good enough solution, not a solution that's right.
2. The marketplace often rewards solutions that are cheaper and good enough, instead of investing in the solution that promises to lead to the right answer."
A Shot in the Arm.......2007-08-24
Whether you're an internet entrepreneur, a New Economy worker, or a creative-type, you'll find something of value in Godin's riffs. Written with a dose of humor, and short enough to be devoured in a trip to the bathroom, these think pieces are just what the doctor ordered to stir things up and give you a new perspective on the business of business.
I have reviewed business books for years and can smell BS a mile away. Godin is one of the few "experts" who really get it. Highly recommended. Buy a copy because you'll want to read it again and again.
For the marketing- minded and money- making only ... .......2007-08-20
Seth Godin is a supersalesman of the NetAge, a wonderblogwhiz successful to the manymillions. He puts in print for us here eight years of his previous postings packaging it anew for paperback bucks. He hypes and rehypes a number of key formulas for making the reader a riskier retailer of his own personal product. He gives us a variant of E.M.Schumacher's 'Small is Beautiful" and tells us 'Small is the New Big" He explores endless examples with small stories which show us how to better be the respectful, rightthinking managers of our own mental means.
He teaches us how to live and think faster and better, and make it all work for us.
However between his message and my execution of it falls the abyss. NO KLUTZES WANTED HERE this book seems to say, and all I can do is go round and round and round with my own worried words never able to sell them not one single little bit. (Dig-a-bit?)
In any case if you are of another mind, more practical, realistic, technically competent, marketing mindful- this work can provide plenty of fodder for the moo.
Get a Great Creativity Boost.......2007-08-07
Reading this book was like hooking up to a battery charger for business creativity. The book doesn't read like a typical "how to." There are just short bursts of genious that jump off the page and make you think about how and why you do what you do. I keep the book at my desk at the office and I often refer back to it when I'm trying to solve a marketing or operational challenge.
Seth is a red rubber ball.......2007-07-19
As I read this book, I thought "Seth Godin is like a red rubber ball." You know, you throw a ball against a concrete wall and it just bounces off. It looks pretty and makes a nifty noise. But the wall doesn't move.
And that's Seth Godin. A lot of action, but no real impact. This book is a big idea without a next step. A complaint without a solution. Seth is the guy who stands up to start a standing ovation, but does it so awkwardly that no-one joins him. This book is a celebration of everything Seth abhors about marketing and business and management, written with the luxurious smugness of someone who cannot suggest a practical alternative.
I can understand why Seth's rant seems to be "everyone is afraid of change". That's what my rant would be if I had a lot of ideas, but couldn't actually convince anyone to follow my suggestions. I'd think "it's them! They're all stuck in the status quo!"
To illustrate the point, Seth recalls a time a salesperson tried to pin an executive down to make a yes or no decision. The exec was non-committal, and then showed the pushy salesperson the door when she asked the exec to sign a document giving her permission to take the offer to a competitor. Seth uses this as evidence that some people are afraid to make a decision. I say, if a salesperson tried to force me to make a decision on the spot, they'd get shown the door too. But this just proves the point. An inability to influence is somehow the other guy's fault.
Actually, I think it's Seth who is stuck. His book "Small is the New Big" reads like it was written by a 14 year old boy - where everything is black and white (you change or you die) and he's discovering things other marketers have known for a long time (it's not about needs, it's about wants).
Yawn.
On the positive side, Seth has some creative ideas and a lively writing style. He's obviously an observer and a collector of little marketing nuggets. But after reading about 50 pages it all became very monotone and self-aggrandizing.
Judging from the reviews on Amazon, it looks like Seth has touched some people's lives for the better. So there must be something there. But for me, this is like listening to a first-year MBA student fumbling through a bad business plan. Bounce, bounce, boing, boing.
Book Description
Invaluable." --SUCCESS. "In simple, straightforward language, Fournies offers practical solutions to the problems of employee performance ... [This book] should be on the desk of anyone who manages others."--ENTREPENEUR. THE TOP 10 REASONS EMPLOYEES DON'T DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO:
10. They don't know why they should do it;
9. They don't know how to do it
8. They don't know what they are supposed to do
7. They think your way will not work
6. They think their way is better
5. They think something else is more important
5. They think they are doing it
4. They are punished for doing it
3. They are rewarded for not doing it
2. It's beyond their personal limits
1. No one could do it
This book tells you how to avoid or handle each situationÑand the 6 other reasons that comprise the total list of reasons employees don't do their jobs. Universally praised and a perennial best seller, this book made The New York Times business bestseller list in early 1998--10 years after it came out! Why? Competition to attract and keep good employees is fiercer than ever. Today's employers need the no-nonsense people-management skills this book teaches. Based on real experiences of 25,000 managers surveyed by a Columbia Graduate School of Business professor, this results-oriented guide--newly updated for todayÕs changing workplace--provides proven, straightforward methods that work on real jobs, in real businesses, in the real world. This updated edition also gives you new input from 5000 additional managers, plus more help with temp workers, service industries, flex time, computers, telecommuting, stress, and safety!
Customer Reviews:
Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed to Do and What To Do About It.......2006-08-30
Lot's of effective hands on things you can use immediately. Great use of your time & enjoyable to read as well.
A common workplace question definitively answered........2006-05-02
The truth is that in this book, as in others expressing simple truth, the value may be in the reminder. Others who have reviewed this book seem to think that its content may be somewhat simplistic, or maybe just basic stuff. My observation is that yes, for me, much of the information in the book is basic, the ideas are not new to me, nor are the recommended responses. The fact remains that in too many work places productivity is less than optimum and is not what it might be because of the specific reasons offered in this little book.
Whether you have ever been expected to manage employees or not, you will relate to the content of this small volume. Those who manage others will gather hints on how to better understand their reports and will receive suggestions that if used will allow them to become better managers. All employees will gain a perspective from which they will be better able to communicate the frustrations they may be experiencing in their work situation.
This short book should be read by all who work.
Good Basics and Several Great Tips.......2006-05-01
Talk about a super long title that clearly states what a book is about! When you pick up "Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To Do and What To Do About It" by Ferdinand F. Fournies, there's no doubt what you think you are getting. The question is of course if you DO get that and how valuable the information is.
There are apparently 16 different reasons why an employee might not do what they should. These are: They don't know why, they don't know how, they don't know what, they think your way won't work, they think their way is better, they think something else is more important, there are no positive consequences, they think they ARE doing it, they are rewarded for NOT doing it, they are punished for doing it, they anticipate negative consequences, there are no negative consequences for NOT doing it, there are obstacles they can't fix, they have personal limits, they have personal problems, and the task is simply impossible. That's quite a lot of reasons for one "problem"! Just having that list can really be helpful. A manager who thinks "My employee is simply an idiot! I told him what to do!" might take a step back and realize there really IS a problem that can be fixed, once it is identified.
I realize that a lot of these items are common sense - but it's amazing how many times in the workplace that I've seen bad managers completely ignore the real problem and just yell at an employee. That rarely helps!
Now, while the basic list is good, I do have some issues with this book. The first is that the book opens telling you "Now a manager could be assaulted or killed by the employee [for not handling problems effectively]." Good God Almighty. Talk about a nasty way to sell a book - "read me or you could DIE!!!"
The book does a good job of laying out each type of problem in detail, and then giving specific solutions. You might say "they're common sense" but obviously if so many managers out there are NOT handling these situations well, they need a little kick in the behind. Maybe they're just too stressed and aren't actually thinking about the problem. Maybe this book will help give them that extra insight they need into using a good solution.
One thing that bothers me is that the book makes it seem that every problem CAN be solved by following these few easy steps. There's a small FAQ in the back that says in essence "Oh yeah, sometimes this fails and you'll have to demote or fire the person." It would have been more helpful if in each section there were the regular tips, but also "drastic steps" and then "when to give up". I suppose they want to be positive - but if they give you only a few things to try, and they aren't working, it would be good to have a progression of what to do next. To keep trying those same things becomes an exercise in futility and frustration. In fact, it's sort of funny, he says at one point that, if these tips don't work, go buy my next book to learn what to do then :)
Still, it's a good basic primer for the new manager of how to handle a variety of situations. I definitely have worked in many situations where managers did NOT know these things and the environment suffered because of it. If you feel like you already know these things, borrow the book at the library and skim through - you might pick up a tip or two. If you're a new manager, then I would suggest buying this. It's the sort of book that you read in the bathroom, going just over a single chapter, and focussing on how to handle that one specific issue. You're probably going to run into all of these issues over time, if you stay on a managerial path.
Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To Do and What To Do About It.......2005-09-03
This is a well written, easy to read, common sense guide for managers and supervisors of all levels of experience. You don't have to be an MBA to understand and use the information provided.
Good Stuff.......2005-08-30
This is a basic book for all new managers. It tell you about all the things they don't teach you in school and gives you concrete action plans to take away the negative impact of the problem. The key areas are ranked as to their occurrence in the management environment. It is a quick read and an even faster process of applying the essentials. Great Book! I am recommending it to my students.
Book Description
How To Sell More, In Less Time, With No Rejection Using Common Sense Telephone Techniques-Volume 2 builds on the ideas and techniques covered in Volume 1 information thousands of sales reps worldwide have used on the phone to get more business, beat call reluctance, and make more money. Regardless of whether you use the phone to set appointments or manage accounts between outside visits, or if you handle ALL of your business by phone, youll get hundreds of profit-building ideas you can use right now. Art Sobczak, veteran salesperson, editor of the international TELEPHONE SELLING REPORT sales tips newsletter, and trainer of thousands of professional sales reps shares time-tested, word-for-word ideas you can use right now to take the pain out using the phone in cold calling, qualifying, managing accounts, negotiating, and selling. Here's just a small sample of the hundreds of ideas you'll get in this book: Voice Mail, Screeners, Getting to Decision Makers Why you shouldnt go above, around, under, or through screeners, and what you should do instead to get them to actually HELP you What to never say on voice mail messages How to get buyers to welcome and expect your next call Word-for-word examples of messages that work When leaving no message is better Words to avoid that are sure to get you labeled as a time-wasting, self-interested "salesperson," meaning youre screened out, brushed off, or left waiting for call backs that never arrive
Building that Professional Telephone "Look" Through Your Voice and Words How to get rid of image-destroying "umms" How to build rapport, credibility, and likeability Listening for key buying words and emotionsknowing when to talk and when to shut up
Interest Creating Opening Statements 13 actions and word-for-word mistakes that ensure failure and resistance, and what to say instead A no-brainer, fill-in-the blanks opening statement template for prospecting calls that gets them interested Case study examples of horrible openings, and great alternatives you can use and/or adapt
Selling With Questions Loads of word-for-word questions that get them thinking about, seeing, and feeling their problems and pains--precisely the situations you can help them with through your benefits Putting them in a frame of mind so they want to hear what you have There are such things as dumb questions in sales. Examples, and how to avoid them How to ask about money
Presenting With Power The not-so-secret, "secret" to great presentations How to position what you say as more credible and believable, instead of sounding like a salesperson Using stories to create irresistible visual images
Getting Commitment and Closing Over 50 word-for-word examples of conversational closing and commitment questions you can use today to get agreement, and sales How to get larger sales just as easily as you would get smaller ones
Self Motivation, Beating Call Reluctance, and Rejection Characteristicsthat you can emulate--of wealthy salespeople Avoiding negative assumptions that are sure to invite failure How to avoid choking under pressure
Dealing Successfully With Objections A painless way to address objections and resistance How to blow away price objections Turning "I want to think about it," into, "I WANT it." How to ensure you dont hear, "We dont need it." Why what youve probably heard before about objections is bogus, and what you should do instead. (For example, "You should love objections," "The selling doesnt start until you hear an objection," "Youll hear three objections before youll get a yes," "Every objection puts you that much closer to a yes." Thats ALL bunk!)
Successfully Following Up By Phone How to end a call to ensure success on the follow-up. How to avoid starting follow-ups with the useless and idiotic statement and question, "I sent you out the material. Didja get it? Any questions?" What you should and shouldnt mail after calls How to set solid phone appointments so theyre ready and waiting for your next call
Case Studies of Actual Calls See actual transcripts from calls submitted by fellow sales reps in the field, or calls received by Art. Youll see what didnt work and why, so you can avoid the same mistakes, and suggested alternatives to get success and agreement. Some of the cases include,
What to say when they "buy it locally" Failed prospecting calls, and why they went down in flamesneedlessly Why ending a call with "Keep us in mind" is asinine, and what to say instead How to position value instead of selling on price How to build relationships with regular customers to keep their loyalty
Prospecting How to get referrals who are eager to speak with you Getting them talking whey they say theyre not interested Why leaving messages on prospecting calls could be a waste of time Over 20 other prospecting pointers to help you get interest, the appointment, and eventually the sale
Even More Stuff to Help You Sell More Why believing that using the phone is "Just a numbers game" will demoralize you and ensure call reluctance The right way to use conference calls to sell to multiple decision makers How to handle prospects who "Need information sent right now!", and determining if theyre for real, or just yanking your chain How to keep customers after that first sale Positioning yourself as the "least risk vendor" instead of the higher-priced vendor Telesales lessons from the O.J. trial
Brief Teletips Over 130 brief, to-the-point tips you can use right now. Any ONE of these could pay for the book on your very next phone call, or help you avoid a mistake that could cost you more than the price of the book! Some examples:
How to respond to the "Send literature" request Eliminating telephone tag What to say to the prospect who perpetually strings you along Showing them how a lower price might actually be more expensive Why they dont care about your products or services, and what they do care about which decides whether or not theyll buy
Customer Reviews:
Wish i'd written this book because.......2007-06-25
My apologies, i must have been reading a different book. I wish i had written this book because i'm no expert and i feel i could probably have written it. Please don't take that the wrong way, i think you only need to get one great idea for you to get value out of a book and i'm sure there are lots of those in here.
persuasive and profitable telephone communications.......2003-08-31
This book has some sensible advice and workable techniques for persausive and profitable telephone communications that you can use right away, regardless of your industry, particulary if you rely on cold-calling to get that appointment. The sections that I've found helpful include developing a selling telephone image, how to avoid language that sounds "salesly" or threatening, leaving voicemail messages that have impact, how to deal with screeners to get to the correct decision-makers. Even better are the templates that you fill in, depending upon your product or service, to stimulate interest at the beginning of your call, using a recommended menu of words and phrases (this was invalable for me). Other sections I have dog-eared include setting appointments over the phone, handling follow-up calls, dealing with different objections, and some great closing ideas. A great investment.
persausive and profitable telephone communications.......2003-08-31
This book has some sensible advice and workable techniques for persausive and profitable telephone communications that you can use right away, regardless of your industry, particulary if you rely on cold-calling to get that appointment. The sections that I've found helpful include developing a selling telephone image, how to avoid language that sounds "salesly" or threatening, leaving voicemail messages that have impact, how to deal with screeners to get to the correct decision-makers. Even better are the templates that you fill in, depending upon your product or service, to stimulate interest at the beginning of your call, using a recommended menu of words and phrases (this was invalable for me). Other sections I have dog-eared include setting appointments over the phone, handling follow-up calls, dealing with different objections, and some great closing ideas. A great investment.
To sell or not to sell that is the question!.......2002-03-20
I read alot of books and in right now my current interest is in sales. This book teaches you one thing - sell by questioning and then providing the solution! It is that simple to sell really!
After reading it I gave copies of the book to all our salespeople and results are improving...
How To Sell More In Less Time With No Rejection, Volume 2.......2001-12-25
I've read over 500 books on selling, persuasion, and influence. This is the best book on telesales that I've ever read. It's in my top 5 sales books of all time.
Initially I thought the book was expensive..., but after I read it, I realized it's worth 50 times what I paid for it!
Book Description
Herman Cain believes there is a better leader in everyone and that leadership is about recognizing the potential in yourself and others. In Leadership Is Common Sense, the reader is provided with the necessary tools to realize that potential. Cain, former Chairman of the Board of Godfather's Pizza, Inc., also shares an in-depth account of Godfather's Pizza turnaround to profitability.
With infectious enthusiasm, Herman Cain demonstrates the value of having a dream with the motivation, determination and passion needed to achieve it.
Customer Reviews:
Incredible - Hits the Nail on the Head.......2006-01-13
I first saw Herman Cain as a keynote speaker at a project management professional seminar. His speach blew me away. Since then I've been a huge fan. I purchased this book and it, like his speech, as outstanding. A great read from and about a great man, with great advice about leadership.
More Empty Phrase-making from Jack Kemp???.......2005-11-27
Not only did our anonymous reviewer forget the 80's economic boom, he apparently forgot to read the book. Hint: Jack Kemp didn't write it...
Previous Reviews.......1999-02-08
In reading the reviews of this book, I see that some people are writing reviews without reading the book. In fact, the do not even know who wrote the book. They are just more interested in downgrading a person and their ideas.
More Empty Phrase-making from Jack Kemp.......1998-12-28
The title may be the best thing about Jack Kemp, not that "leadership" or "common sense" have anything to do with the former Congressman and HUD chief. This book reads like a sloppy collection of Kemp speech notes, culled from years of underwhelming speeches to confused Republican audiences -- confused because they came to hear a celebrated "conservative" speaker who says nothing conservative. Even on taxes, Kemp betrays the conservative philosophy: he argues that lower rates will net the government treasury more loot as the dollar turns over more often (a theory not yet substantiated). The conservative position has always been, and remains, that government needs to do with a very modest budget and treasury, and that tax cuts are good and right because the money in question belongs to its earner and no one else. Fiscal budgetary conservatism has never been Kemp's bag. In this book he argues against debt-reduction and warns that deficits are no big deal. Borrowing money and netting the treasury more money are, you see, ways to ensure that fat-cat bureaucrats like Kemp, who headed HUD from 1989-1992, get to spend lots of "public" money on their pet projects. Instead of elmiminating the neighborhood-wrecking agency -- a truly conservative idea -- Kemp bloated its already-exhorbitant budget by another 40%, leaving suburb-wrecker Henry Cisneros a well-oiled monster of a liberal attack dog. Race is another favorite topic. The irony is he demostrates with every sentence that he simply knows nothing about race. His words and ideas betray his complete ignorance of history, anthropology and sociobiology. For liberal Republican Kemp, "race" is synonymous with "color." It's a good thing he is not a serologist.
Heartwarming story and inspiring.......1997-04-01
I read this book after seeing the author talk about the book on several talk shows earlier this year. Mr. Cain is the epitome of the American rise to success story. His life story is one of hard work coupled with the burning desire to succeed. The obstacles he has faced will ring familiar to many. He has also included the "three plus three" leadership guide that drives his life and that has inspired me in my life. If you want more out of life, inspiration to move on and change, or if you want to improve your leadership skills read this book
Book Description
Presenting the best practices of the best manufacturing companies in the world, this book presents proven models for achieving world-class performance. Using a case study of a fictional company called Beta International, Moore illustrates how to increase uptime, lower costs, increase market share, maximize asset utilization, apply benchmarks and best practices, and improve many other aspects that ultimately raise your company's performance to the level of world-class. 'Making Common Sense Common Practice' takes a good, hard look at plant design, procurement, parts management, installation and maintenance, training, and implementing a computerized maintenance management system. In discussing the successes and failures of the world's premier manufacturers, Moore outlines a stable path of growth for almost any manufacturing company. In today's tough competitive markets, 'Making Common Sense Common Practice' greatly enhances your company's chance to succeed - and profit.
* Third edition features updating plus new sections on innovation, change management, and leadership
* Presents proven models for achieving world-class performance based on real-life case histories
* Highly readable, concrete style brings the key points to life through a case study of a fictitious organization, Beta International, which runs throughout the book, based on real case histories
Customer Reviews:
Great career development material.......2007-01-11
Ron Moore's knowledge and passion for business comes out in his book "Making Common Sense, Common Practice". I give this book to supervisors as required reading material when they are preparing for the Society of Maintenance & Reliability Society's - Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional Exam.
Average customer rating:
- Amazon Needs to review some of these reviews
- Helpful guide for causing the least harm
- an essential reference
- Beautifully balanced book
- Essential reference for any home owner or renter.
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Common-Sense Pest Control: Least-Toxic Solutions for Your Home, Garden, Pets and Community
William Olkowski
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Weed & Pest Control
| Gardening & Horticulture
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The Gardener's Guide to Common-Sense Pest Control
ASIN: 0942391632
Release Date: 1991-05-01 |
Amazon.com
If you have a home, an apartment, a garden, or a pet (or, in some cases, housemates or tenants), you've probably got pests. And if you want to control pests, there's no need to poison yourself. While the Green Revolution and DDT and other pesticides dominated the world of agribusiness, thoughtful scientists world-wide were simultanously and silently working on "Integrated Pest Management", which is often as effective as pesticides at reducing or eliminating pests. From ridding your apartment of cockroaches to dealing with the regional deforestation threats of Gypsy Moths, this is the authoritative book on how to control pests by using the natural mechanisms of control that have kept our planet from being savaged, prior to our human disruptions.
Customer Reviews:
Amazon Needs to review some of these reviews.......2004-01-20
Ignore the two inane reviews below and read the others. You'll see what I mean....
Helpful guide for causing the least harm.......2002-01-14
Despite the opinions of another of the book's reviewers, many responsible, ... homeowners and gardeners have the need to sanely deal with pest infestations. This is the best book for learning about the least toxic and often the most humane way of dealing with pest problems. I have used it for my own home and garden and also as a Master Gardener recommending solutions for other gardeners. I highly recommend it.
an essential reference.......2001-09-20
I answer garden questions (and ones about pest problems) for a living, and I'd be lost without my wonderful dog-eared copy of this book. It is probably responsible for TONS of toxic chemicals NOT being used by paniced homeowners, and belongs in EVERY home.
Beautifully balanced book.......2001-06-23
This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who cares about balancing their own needs as residents of the planet with the needs of all the bugs out there. Insects are introduced, their contributions to their ecosystem detailed, possible ways of controlling them discussed where that is needed, and final, more dire solutions are available where needed. A great resource for those who want their pest control to be as little destructive as possible, and in many cases this is also what is most effective. A good resource to have on hand.
Essential reference for any home owner or renter........1998-08-07
A detailed, well-indexed reference dealing with pests from lice to rats. This is a how-to book as well as a general reference, and although Common-Sense Pest Control is not always the most pleasant reading, it is a godsend to anyone in the trenches. The authors approach is scientific and non-alarmist, with an emphasis on least-toxic solutions. Excellent illustrations. An example of their style: "Few pest problems cause more panic and premature decisions among home owners than those involving wood-destroying insects such as carpenter ants or termites... Whatever the reason, you should not feel pressured. You have plenty of time to find the least-toxic treatment and decide whether you want to do some of the work yourself and contract out the rest to a professional or turn over the entire job to a professional."
Book Description
Trees are the ultimate sunlight-harvesting machines. The care and nurturing of trees has been a recurring theme in Chelsea Green's publishing program, from The Man Who Planted Trees to Julia Alvarez's A Cafecito Story. Here is a book that foregoes romance in favor of straightforward, practical knowledge. Twenty-five years ago, when Hans Morsbach became interested in cultivating trees and managing small woodlands, he searched for a good how-to manual. He never found one, so he decided to write his own someday. Based on his subsequent experience, combining deep research into the academic literature on forestry with his successes and failures as a small-scale commercial tree farmer, the result is Common Sense Forestry, an indispensable reference for anyone who owns or wants to own wooded property. Morsbach is an unabashed nature lover as well as a businessman, and well understands the essential importance of a long-term approach to sustainable forest management. In this highly readable and entertaining text, the author offers a comprehensive look at managing existing woodlands by creating, and later maintaining, forests that promote biodiversity while providing an income stream. This comprehensive examination of sustainable forestry includes everything from choosing land to beginning a forest through seeding and transplanting, from pruning and thinning to harvesting trees, from debates over herbicides and clearcutting to working with professional foresters, from business strategies to tax planning. While Morsbach's personal experience is in the Midwest, the information in this book is applicable to a wide range of trees and is relevant to all regions of North America.
Customer Reviews:
The Tree That Made My Copy.......2007-05-06
. . . gave its life for a good cause.
This is the most important book on my shelves as I "manage" my 75 Virginia woodland acres.
I like Morsbach's maverick approach to forestry, in particular the emphasis he places on aesthetic and environmental considerations. Once again, the committed, thoughtful individual trumps a whole barrel full of clipboard-carrying "experts."
The book contains multiple grammatical errors that are slightly distracting to me, a former editor, but otherwise entirely trivial.
Common Sense Forestry.......2007-03-09
Anyone with a desire to manage a small timber parcel would do well to buy this book. I manage a small woodlot and took a 30 hour forestry management class from my state's forestry department. The knowledge gained from reading this book complements that course as well as anything I've come across so far. Both add practical insight into effective silviculture practices. This book gives the reader a practical approach to managing a woodlot or timber parcel profitably. Recommended.
Highly readable - a pleasure to read.......2006-03-27
This is a highly readable book. The author generously shares his considerable knowledge in language that makes the text easy to understand. Everything about it is well done: the book is well-organized and well written, with beautiful illustrations.
It's a pleasure to read, even for someone who will never grow a forest.
Handbook for the new forester and a delight for anyone else.......2004-10-26
This is a book for anyone who likes to read about someone's interesting life or observations, for anyone who likes to get a glimpse of a good man's mind and heart, for anyone who enjoys seeing things in a new way, and--of course--for anyone who owns or may buy wooded property. For the latter, it is an indispensable guide. For the rest of us, it is both delightful reading and consciousness-raising.
Hans Morsbach, a Chicago businessman and (for the past 30 years) also a Wisconsin forester, provides all the practical advice to amateur foresters he would have liked to have had 30 years ago. The book is full of practical suggestions and insights; however, it is anything but a dry how-to book. Morsbach is often funny, particularly when he shares his early naivete and many false starts, or, say, when he notes under a picture of a hawk perch that the hawks express their admiration by never perching on it.
He is also deadly serious, offering many insights and suggestions based upon his own intensive research, such as the use of hedgerows to enhance the success of any crop. A new insight for me (with no intention of ever starting a forest or growing any crops) was that lone individuals can do something worthwhile for the environment by buying and cultivating even small wooded properties.
But what is so remarkable is that Morsbach writes with such humility, honesty, and love--of humanity, of nature, and of his own learning experiences. He writes in clear simple candid language with an uncanny ability to let the reader see into the heart and mind of a savvy businessman who loves nature and cares about our environment. He has clearly raised the bar for practical guide books.
Awesome.......2004-08-20
If you are interested in the subject, this book is an easy read and will be as hard to put down as your favorite novel.
I'm about half way through and I'm not looking forward to being done. I will definitely use it for future reference.
Average customer rating:
- Restates Simple but Important Lessons
- Not very informative.
- Disappointing
- Don't think to hard, it only takes a little "Common Sense"
- A must-read book for anyone in a supervisory position.
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Common Sense Supervision
FULTON
Manufacturer: TEN SPEED PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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First Time Supervisors Survival Guide
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Crisp: Excellence in Supervision: Essential Skills for the New Supervisor (Fifty-Minute Series)
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New Supervisor
ASIN: 0898152585 |
Customer Reviews:
Restates Simple but Important Lessons.......2005-11-05
If you're looking for a supervision textbook, this ain't it. If you're looking for an integrated theory of leadership, this ain't it.
But if you'd like to have a simple, little book that will prod you and remind you about actions and attitudes that go into good supervision, then Common Sense Supervision is an excellent choice.
This book is a collection of common sense thoughts about supervision, each paired with a quote. This is not a book to read straight through. It's a book to keep handy and dip into from time to time.
Nothing here is novel. Nothing here is difficult. Nothing here is likely to leave you slapping your forehead at some incredible insight you've never heard before.
But that doesn't mean that the material here isn't important and it doesn't mean you don't need to be reminded of it from time to time. That's what this book is excellent for, reminding you about important things.
If you're in charge of a group and you're the sort of person who benefits from quick review of things you already know are important, then buy this book. It will be worth far more than the cover price. Buy it and dip into it frequently.
On the other hand, if you find yourself feeling insulted when you read something you already know, something that's "common sense," then don't waste your money on this book. Go find something that does give you value.
Not very informative........2005-10-14
This book is appropriately titled. If you have ANY common sense you will not learn anything. There are lots of lists with no elaboration; for instance "25 common mistakes of first time supervisors". There are no comments on actions one should take to avoid them, just a list. The bulleted and list based layout causes most of the pages to be half blank. This book has only about 30 full pages of text. It takes about 25-30 minutes to read cover to cover.
Disappointing.......2004-02-14
If you have any common sense of your own, you don't need this book. Having been supervised yourself should have taught you these basics, such as "Don't criticize superiors" and "Be patient and calm" I also didn't care for the bullet/list style of writing.
Don't think to hard, it only takes a little "Common Sense".......2000-02-29
Common Sense Supervision by Roger V. Fulton is a clear-cut guide for those who have obtained a new supervisory position and/or those who have been in a supervisory position for a short period. I think it is more geared toward the first time supervisor and could be a very useful tool by those who are becoming first time supervisors, whether it be through promotion or direct job placement. Roger V. Fulton has written this book in a clear-cut, no-nonsense style that can be understood by anyone. It touches on many, but not all of the situations that a supervisor may face. The book outlines the major responsibilities of a supervisor and many of the problems they may face with these added responsibilities. It begins by assuring you that you have made strides in the right direction by purchasing the book. The ideas, concepts, and solutions presented in this book are so practical and concise that they can be used immediately to help assist any supervisor be a good or better supervisor than they ever thought they could be. The book also states that its text does not tell you how to handle every situation since every situation, employee, and supervisor is different. I think that is good to let the reader know that this book doesn't have all the answers, which I think no book can do when it comes to dealing with people. The books material really gives you a guide to follow in order to be successful as a supervisor, but it is the individual who must use this guide along with their own common sense to handle each new and challenging situation they may face. The book touches on topics such as your role as a supervisor, getting along with your boss, setting the example for your employees, winning the respect of your employees, winning confidence, and preventing and handling problems in the work environment. The book explains these topics in a common, everyday workplace sense and even gives a brief problem solving method and a decision making process that can be followed by the reader. At times the book seems to be a reassurance for the reader of their abilities to be a successful supervisor. It reads too at times like a confidence builder for someone struggling in the position of supervising or someone unsure of their ability to become a supervisor. I think this book does a great job of providing the reader with a lot of essential information that can be used in everyday situations. It also does a good job of letting the reader know that there is a lot more to being a supervisor than what's contained in its text. The book is merely a start of what it takes to be a successful supervisor, as it states, "experience will be your best teacher and you will be its best student." This book is a great asset for any supervisor, whether it is the new start supervisor looking for success or the already successful supervisor who has forgotten the basics that made them successful in the first place.
A must-read book for anyone in a supervisory position........1999-12-28
This is a very enjoyable book about what it takes to make a good supervisor. With it and it's companion book by the same author, Common Sense Leadership, a person who is new to being in a position of authority, will be able to go into that position with the quotes of great world leaders and thinkers, readily available to meet any situation that arises. Hopefully the book will help the reader avoid costly mistakes and help him or her rise up the leadership ladder.
Customer Reviews:
Forget individual stocks.......2006-06-17
Forget trying to beat the market. Most people can't do it over the long run, no matter how many hours of work you put into it. Instead just put your money in an S&P 500 or Total Stock Market index fund and forget it.
They did not equal the market average.......2006-01-15
The S&P 500 Index returned 14.9% per year. The Beardstown Ladies, when their returns are calculated correctly, earned 9.1% per year. See A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel, quoted by en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beardstown_Ladies
Self-glorification at its best ..........2005-06-30
If you are planning to read this book to learn about some "Beardstown Ladies magical formula to beating stock market", then forget it. This book is not for you.
"The Beardstown Ladies Common-Sense Investment Guide" is a self-glorifying book by the "Beardstown Ladies", about the "Beardstown Ladies". In brief, this book is all about how some small town ladies got lucky in the stock market.
In no way can this book be considered a "Investment Guide". Most of the ideas presented in this book are self evident and already known to the general public. There are no specifics on how much they made but based on some of the numbers quoted, it does not look like they made millions or anything close to it. Again the pompous ladies have quoted just the beginning and ending numbers, so it might seem that they got good overall returns, but if you try to find the compounded rate of returns, it turns out to be mere few points above or close to the market and that too over a not so long period.
The book just talks about its so called "great" successes. But fails to tell any of their failures.
This book should probably have been renamed as "Beardstown Ladies book of recipes".
All you can take from this book is ... If some small town ladies can make "some" money in the market, you too can :-)
-Sachin
Poor Bearded ladies..........2005-04-08
Allow me to chime in a little, too. The ladies were probably running a ponzi game. It's hard to say whether it was intentional or not, but am I glad they are totally forgotten at this point. This episode does prove that not everything in print is true. A cynic's corollary: most things in print are not true.
A good read despite the controversy........2000-02-25
Despite controversy of the past, this is still a great down to earth book that will make you a better investor. One good idea can be worth big money. There are many good ideas and advice within the pages of this book. Especially well suited for those starting an investment club.
Book Description
So you're holding this book in your hand, wondering: Just what does this WWE Superstar know about the world of finance? Have you ever been down to your last twenty-seven dollars, out of a job, and wondering what you were going to do? If anyone needed to learn about finance, it was that person -- and he was me. I've had to learn through my own mistakes, and now you can learn from me. I break it all down for you in easy-to-understand language:
- Give Yourself a Pay Cut
- Set Your Goals Before You Start
- Living Within Your Means
- You Can't Crash-Diet -- Or Crash-Budget
- Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
- How Much Can You Spare?
- Keep It Simple
- Buy-and-Hold Doesn't Mean Buy-and-Ignore
I might not work on Wall Street nor have a finance degree, but I've learned how to save, how to invest. And you too can Have More Money Now.
Customer Reviews:
Good common sense advice.......2006-10-29
The book manages to mix the wrestling tales and finacial tips surprisingly well and gives good advice. If you want to serious investing strategy, look elsewhere, but if you want entertainment and good basic financial advice, this books for you...
Practical Advice and Wrestling Anecdotes--A Worthy Read.......2006-10-20
This is a great, small little book written by one of the more charismatic wrestling personalities of the last several years.
It is a mixture of personal anecdote and "financial advice." I put financial advice in quotes because there are very few specific recommendations that JBL makes over the course of the book. Rather, he gives out general approaches and beliefs that, if applied, he thinks will lead to success for anyone.
And I think he's right--this is the way to do it. It's a principle-centric book, giving you a set of tools, rather than a step-by-step schematic which may or may not apply to your specific situation. Some people may not like it for that reason, however; instead of being told to "work hard and save your money" they might want a list of 10 steps they can take to become instantly wealthy. JBL knows that these "get rich quick" schemes are generally fraudulent, so he stays away from them, giving out the less popular but more honest slow-paced strategies for eventual financial freedom. It's like Mom telling you to eat your green beans. Sometimes, it isn't what you want to hear, and it's certainly not glamorous, but it's probably the right advice.
As a wrestling fan, I enjoyed hearing a little bit about his background and youth. The thing that made me happiest, though, was getting a real insight into Bradshaw's personality--he shines through the pages. You can tell that he wrote this himself, and that's kind of cool in a day and age where celebrities usually pawn such labor off to underpaid, no-name ghost writers. He's witty, if rough, and genuine. Seems like a good, cool guy that some people just wouldn't be able to stand because they wouldn't get his sense of humor.
The one real drawback, and reason I gave it one less star than the full compliment, is due to the books repetitiveness. It's short enough that there's really no call for repeating itself, and yet (like so many other financial advice books, see: Rich Dad, Poor Dad) it does. Early and often.
This is a book of good personal advice and fun wrestling anecdotes. Fans of Mr. Layfield, like myself, will love the ability to see what the man is like through his writing. The personal advice, if consistently acted upon, will lead to success for just about anyone, I have no doubt.
Recommended.
My first Personal Financial Management book I bought...I wish I knew better.......2006-05-11
I first bought this book almost a year ago when I was clueless about personal finance stuff...Me being a wrestling fan the book was pretty interesting when Layfield mentions about stuff behind wrestling's curtain. But with regards with actual financial managment stuff...its ok at best...
Bottom line...don't get this book...Van Tharp's "Safe Strategies For Financial Freedom" is a much better bet!!!
Straightforward approach with anecdotes (Sp?).......2005-08-31
Good book to whet one's appetite for more financial text. True stories that seemed relatively un-influenced keep you going through the pages. (Though you have to go back a couple times.)
Flash over substance.......2005-08-30
I am a big wrestling fan and I love the JBL's gimmicks. But this book have absolutely no financial sense. If you look for a "How to get rich book" forget it! It is more like an endless parade of boring football anecdotes and useless wrestling stories with very little financial astuce. Despite the fact that I love JBL and I love his persona, don't waste a single dollard on this book. Unfortunately, you won't become the second coming of J.R.Ewing by reading this book.
Don't waste your money and your time!
Books:
- Spreadsheet Modeling and Decision Analysis (with CD-ROM and Microsoft Project 2003 120 day version)
- Starting an eBay Business for Dummies
- Starting Your Mystery Shopping Business
- Strategic Negotiation: A Breakthrough Four-Step Process for Effective Business Negotiation
- Strategic Organizational Communication: In a Global Economy (with InfoTrac®)
- Super Service: Seven Keys to Delivering Great Customer Service...Even When You Don't Feel Like It!...Even When They Don't Deserve It!
- Suze Orman Will & Trust Kit
- Tax Savvy for Small Business: Year-round Tax Strategies to Save You Money
- Taxes and Business Strategy: A Planning Approach (3rd Edition)
- The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
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