Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for  a Complex World with CD-ROM
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Excelent book
  • One of the best SD books with connection to practical work
  • Excellent
  • buen libro
  • Amazing
Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World with CD-ROM
John Sterman , and John D. Sterman
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 007238915X

Book Description

The leading authority on system dynamics explains this approach to organizational problem solving, emphasizing simulation models to understand issues such as fluctuating sales, market growth and stagnation, the reliability of forecasts and the rationality of business decision-making. The CD includes modeling software from Vensim, ithink, and PowerSim.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excelent book.......2007-10-17

This book is really impressive. Is an eye opener. Must read for Industrial Engineering Students, must have for professors and great addition for a professional looking for new ideas.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best SD books with connection to practical work.......2007-10-06

"Business Dynamics" is a great book leading the newcomer -as myself- into the field of SD and the experienced system dynamicist can use it as a knowledge pool.

Even though the book is rather expensinve -and heavy alike- it covers great wisdom of John Sterman (he is by the way a scholar of the founder of the field, Jay W. Forrester) and is more than worthwhile buying if you are strongly interested in the field.

I was lucky to meet John and Jay this summer during a specific SD workshop at MIT and the yearly System Dynamics Society Conference and could chat with both of them (they are both very practicably using SD with a strong academic background). Learning and getting more experienced in System Dynamics and the use for daily problem solving is a dynamic and evolving process of wisdom with lots of feedback ("Business Dynamics" can help a lot in getting deeper insights.

Best regards

Ralf

5 out of 5 stars Excellent.......2007-08-29

Excellent guide to systems thinking, clear examples, clear thinking and very interesting conclusions reached. highly recommended

5 out of 5 stars buen libro.......2007-02-22

como parte de la materia lo llevo, me salio mas barato que en mexico y me es util para mi carrera

5 out of 5 stars Amazing.......2007-01-12

The definitive book on Business dynamics !
It may look dificult to follow, but it isn`t really easy to read and follow !
The cd brings good examples.
Quantitative Analysis for Management with CD (9th Edition)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Introduction
  • So Much Better Than The University Bookstore
  • Excellent introduction to the subject
Quantitative Analysis for Management with CD (9th Edition)
Barry Render , Ralph M. Stair , and Michael E. Hanna
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131857029

Book Description

Easy to understand-even for learners with limited math backgrounds, this book uses a modeling approach to provide thorough coverage of the basic techniques in quantitative methods and focuses on the managerial applications of these techniques. An interesting and reader friendly writing style makes for a clear presentation, complete with all the necessary assumptions and mathematical details. Chapter topics include probability concepts and applications, decision models and decision trees, regression models, forecasting, inventory control models, linear programming modeling applications and computer analyses, network models, project management, simulation modeling, and more. For an introduction toquantitative analysis, quantitative management, operations research, or management science-especially for those individuals preparing for work in agricultural economics and health care fields.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Introduction.......2006-12-17

We used this book in my "Operations analysis"-class, and it's a great introduction to the subjects discussed. Some very basic probability for estimating values and descision theory. Some regression in addition to other forecasting methods. Good sections on linear and integer programming, and also basic queuing models. Markov analysis is about as far as this book goes, and it basically just touches upon all the subjects in order to make the reader grasp the basic ideas.
One minus is the Windows-only software, no Mac-support there, but that only meant that I had to use Excel, which imo helped me gain a better understanding of the subjects, as I had to formulate all the spreadsheets myself instead of just feeding numbers into the QM-package, which imo seems like a total waste of a chance to learn. Anyway, most areas are covered with respect to both QM and Excel, which makes the non-existant Mac-support bareable.

5 out of 5 stars So Much Better Than The University Bookstore.......2006-11-10

Wow! This brand new book cost $50 less than the same new book at my university bookstore! It was even cheaper than buying a used version of the book from the bookstore. The shipping was so fast, it arrived at my house the day after I ordered it! I'll be looking on Amazon.com for all my future text book purchases!! :)

5 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the subject.......2006-02-28

I read this book as the assigned text for a course in Quantitative Analysis and found it to be an excellent text for such a class. Each Model and equation presented is explained through realistic examples, illustrations, and explanations of the math. This made the subject very easy to comprehend and apply to the real world.

Exercises at the end of each chapter are also based on real-world situations and case studies are included in the book and the CD that go into more detail about a real world use for each model.

The book was also easy to read and not overly technical when explaining mathematic concepts. An excellent text for an introduction to the field of management science.
Strategic and Competitive Analysis: Methods and Techniques for Analyzing Business Competition
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Extremely good reference guide
  • a must have for all business students
  • Selected as "the" text for government all-source analysts
  • Excellent coverage of management analysis tools
  • Outstanding one stop source for techniques and "how to"
Strategic and Competitive Analysis: Methods and Techniques for Analyzing Business Competition
Craig S. Fleisher , and Babette Bensoussan
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0130888524

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Extremely good reference guide.......2005-08-04

I first came across this book whilst doing my MBA at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. The subject was Competitive Analysis and Babette Bensoussan was a guest lecturer. Working in Strategic Projects in a large Australian company, I found this book extremely useful in selecting strategic models to use for my analysis. The explanations of the models and how they work are accurate and precise and enables the reader to apply the model efficiently and effectively.

5 out of 5 stars a must have for all business students.......2005-07-18

I just had the pleassure of having one of the authors (babette bensoussan) as a lecturer at bond university.
This book is THE reference for startegic analytical tools.
it is not one of the usual useless academic books - it is a practical usefull resource for most if not all strategy areas.

5 out of 5 stars Selected as "the" text for government all-source analysts.......2004-01-14


Rather than outline the wonderful aspects of this book, which other reviewers have done so ably, I will just say that I rank the authors up there with Ben Gilad (Israel), Mats Bjore (Sweden), and Jan Herring, Dick Klavens/Brad Ashton, and Leonard Fuld (USA), and we have made this book "the" text for the annual government all-source analysis training that centers on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

This book, in combination with Ben Gilad's "Early Warning", the Leonard Fuld's "New Competitor Intelligence", Dick Klavens and Brad Ashton's "Keeping Abreast of Science & Technology", and Mats Bjore forthcoming book, are the essential five books for any business intelligence professional or anyone seeking to understand best in class business intelligence.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of management analysis tools.......2003-07-23

This book fills a niche that should have been done by somebody a long time ago. It includes most of the popular analysis techniques that a management consultant would normally use, and provides a common process description for employing the method. It makes an excellent complement to Porter's series of books and can be nicely combined with more conceptual treatments in the strategy field. I have already bought several copies for my office colleagues as it will be useful for them in their consulting work as well. I can see why it has gotten many good reviews and I'd concur with these. It is worth having this one on your book shelf although, like me, you may find yourself pulling it off the shelf to refer to on a frequent basis.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding one stop source for techniques and "how to".......2003-03-25

It is rare to find a text that pulls together the many quite different techniques that can be used to analyze a business and the competitive environment in which it operates. This book does that, and more!

The authors have addressed their personal needs as much as the needs of those who will use the benefits of their labours. Now, when asked about a technique or asked for a recommendation as to how to attack an issue, one can turn to this one text and extract the most appropriate tool(s) and make sensible assessments of which of the various analytical tools is most appropriate.

The authors have gone one better - and I suspect that more than one MBA student will appreciate their efforts - they have included a very useful and quite comprehensive outline of financial analytical tools that add to the more "marketing" oriented techniques detailed in the core of the text. The various financial ratios are now at your fingertips. The financial analysis can be woven into the market and environmental competitive analysis.

Oh to have had access to this at an earlier stage of my career.

One of those indispensable tools. A "must have" in the office.
Strategic Planning for Information Systems
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A business led approach to Information Systems Planning
  • Poorly written.
  • Apply business consulting technique to IS/IT
  • Rich resource for experienced strategic planners
  • Excellent Reference
Strategic Planning for Information Systems
John L. Ward , and Joe Peppard
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0470841478

Book Description

"Accessibility and clarity of purpose maintained throughout."
Journal of Information Technology

"Clear, practical, comprehensive."
Output

"A clear exposition of the impact that IS has had on business performance."
Long Range Planning

"Lucid analysis."
Computer Weekly

Strategic Planning for Information Systems (3rd Edition) explores the impact that Information Systems (IS) have on business performance and the contribution IS makes to the strategic development of organizations. It describes IS tools, techniques and management frameworks - all of which identify opportunities for strategic thinking, and shows how IS is an indispensable component in the implementation of a strategic plan.

Since the earlier edition of Strategic Planning for Information Systems, much has changed in the way business is organized. However, the essence of the book remains the same - it is a practical and comprehensive book written in a clear and straightforward way. This new edition focuses more on strategic management of IS than on the progress made in recent years in either technology or business processes. This 3rd edition is substantially updated and illustrated with new cases material and examples. Additional material will cover the role of ecommerce, knowledge management and benefits management systems. This book will also show why Information Systems and Information Technology investment works for some organizations and not for others.

Download Description

Strategic Planning for Information Systems explores the impact that information systems (IS) and information technology (IT) have on business performance and the contribution that they make to the strategic options of organisations. It describes tools, techniques and management frameworks to both align strategies for IS and IT with business strategy, as well as seek out new opportunities through innovative deployment of technology. This book demonstrates why strategic planning for information systems is essential to organisational success, especially in times of increasingly rapid change. Over the long term any organisation will get the information systems it deserves, according to the approach adopted to the use and management of IS/IT. To obtain the whole range of benefits available from IS/IT and avoid the potential pitfalls, every organisation must establish the means to manage IS/IT as an integral part of its approach to strategic management. In the six years since the second edition of Strategic Planning for Information Systems, much has changed in the way business is organised and in the importance of IS for competitive strategies. However, the essence of the book remains the same - it is a practical and comprehensive book written in a clear and straightforward way. The new edition introduces more approaches and techniques to aid in developing and implementing strategies - to enable management and IS/IT professionals to identify what needs to be done and how best to do it.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A business led approach to Information Systems Planning.......2004-06-24

The latest edition of Strategic Planning for Information Systems provides vital guidance for anyone working in this area - in business or in academia. There are no easy answers and the authors provide readers with the concepts and tools they need to tackle the key challenges and develop an IS Strategy for their organisation.

The introduction of a section on Benefits Managment is particularly useful.

2 out of 5 stars Poorly written........2003-11-21

The text is poorly written and rife with grammatical errors. It reads like the author(s) were producing a thesis and were being graded on word-count. They refer to their own research to justify their position. Other statements have no citations to refer to. I doubt if many organizations utilize even a forth of the practices the text suggest. What organization has the time and/or resources to expend on these ideas? I would rather read CIO magazine as it reads better and gets to the point.

If I could, I would get my money back because it is definitely not worth $100+. At best, $20.

5 out of 5 stars Apply business consulting technique to IS/IT.......2002-03-21

Run IS/IT as a service business? Then you need this book which apply popular business consulting world technique to IS/IT. Value chain by M. Porter and 2x2 portfolio adapted from BCG are the two most important techniques to explore.

And you need to know where you are now and where you are going to in order to obtain a really useful strategy. The 3-era-5-stage reference model introduced here is a very powerful tool to position yourself right.

The authors also explored 4 important strategy subject areas for IS/IT: information, application, technology and resource. Which provide useful insight for us.

5 out of 5 stars Rich resource for experienced strategic planners.......2001-09-13

In one respect this book is a classic because it is frequently referenced in the body of literature on IS/IT management and IS/IT strategic planning. Out of the past 50 or so articles on the topic (including corporate and city/state/Federal government strategic plans, PHd dissertations and white papers) over 75% have cited this book.

This is not, however, a "how-to" book that describes a coherent strategic planning process. It's a collection of standalone chapters on each key element of strategic planning. The material is presented in sequential order, but no single chapter depends on another. Moreover, there is no smooth continuity between the chapters or a master chapter that ties it all together. That said, this book is valuable from two perspectives:

(1) Each chapter is highly focused and contains a wealth of information on its topic.

(2) Used as a collection of mature techniques this book could be used to support an effective strategic planning process.

The main value is the fact that each element of strategic planning is thoroughly covered. I frequently use this book as a catalog of procedures and techniques for numerous projects, including strategic planning, assessment, process improvement and IS/IT organizational improvement.

If you are seeking a book that shows step-by-step how to perform IS/IT strategic planning you may not like this book. However, if you are an experienced practitioner this book is a wonderful resource to which you'll find yourself frequently referring.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference.......2001-05-08

I've just finished using this as a text book in my Bsc final year. It is somewhat difficult to read as the writing is not in a flowing manner but it is an axcellent reference with a multitude of tables, charts, lists and diagrams which describe the essentials of strategic IS/IT planning.

Each chapter brings a succinct set of guidelines for the strategic planning novice. A lot of work has gone into compiling this book, it is a work which I will reference again and again.

Buy it if you're into this stuff at all, you won't regret it.
Systems Thinking, Second Edition: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Don't be afraid,
  • Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture
  • Multi-point reference, strong in all areas but very broad
  • Successful Integration of Systems Thinking "Camps"
  • Go west young man go west!
Systems Thinking, Second Edition: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture
Jamshid Gharajedaghi
Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0750679735

Book Description

The first edition of Systems Thinking was the first book to develop a working concept of systems theory and to deal operationally with systems methodology. The author has been working for the last 5 years to incorporate parallel development in quantum theory, self-organizing systems and complexity theory, the sum of which is included in this new 2nd edition. He has tested these concepts with 200 executive MBA students, and also with Russell Ackoff, one of the founding fathers of systems thinking. Ackoff reported that it was the most comprehensive systems methodology he has seen.

The 2nd edition features the synthesis of holistic thinking (iteration of structure, function and process), operational thinking (understanding chaos and complexity), sociocultural systems (movement toward a predefined order), and interactive design (redesigning the future and inventing ways to bring it about).

Also added are the operational thinking and self-organizing aspect of sociocultural systems, with updates made to the holistic thinking and interactive design parts to incorporate recent new developments.

* Cutting edge thinking incorporates the interaction of holistic thinking, operational thinking, sociocultural systems, and interactive design to develop an all inclusive systems methodology
* Companion website built solely to accompany and compliment the new edition available at www.interactdesign.com
* Operational thinking and self organizing aspects of sociocultural systems added anew, with the holistic thinking and interactive design parts updated to incorporate new developments

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Don't be afraid,.......2007-08-27

This is really aimed at the reader who wishes to work on the transformation of whole organisations. Demonstrating the multi-dimensional relationships between organisational design, performance and behaviour.

This work has had a profound effect on my thinking and development of management ideas. It integrates many concepts into a systemic whole. I have used this book with many management teams in recent years.

If you are venturing into the world of systems thinking then this is probably the most accessible in terms of simplicity and breakthrough applications.

Putting these ideas into practice with your colleagues or management teams might seem a little daunting but it's the only way to learn and master the concepts which will bring deeper insight into organisational change and provide you with better solutions to some of your more persistent management issues. Don't be afraid.

4 out of 5 stars Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture.......2007-02-18

My company recommended that I read this book in advance of training session with the author. I scanned the entire book today. Some useful info.

4 out of 5 stars Multi-point reference, strong in all areas but very broad.......2006-04-14

The concepts of system thinking, enterprise architecture, business architecture are big enough by themselves to be covered in a book. Doing it all within the context of a single book is daunting and a topic that Gharajedaghi partially accomplishes.
I read this book as part of the research I did for my doctoral dissertation, so this review will have a bit of an academic bent.

Gharajedaghi is a strong believer in the Enterprise Architecture models of Zachman and that influence shows in his work. The book has a strong academic flavor in its use of terminology and how it describes systems thinking. Executives and consultants looking to understand these concepts will have to work at it a bit, but the work is worth it.

A strength of this work is the fact that includes actual case studies -- something that few people take the time to do. The five cases cover a variety of industries and situations that make the principles that Gharajedaghi discusses.

Overall, if you are a serious student of systems thinking this book is a good second level reference. Peter Senge's the 5th Discipline is the 'pop' version of systems thinking and Peter Checklund is the intermediate level and somewhat similar to this work.

5 out of 5 stars Successful Integration of Systems Thinking "Camps".......2006-02-12

Gharajedaghi's 2nd edition has accomplished an incredible feat - he has successfully integrated and synthesized the systems dynamics of Forrester with the systems thinking and interactive design of Ackoff. Jamshid connects Holistic thinking, operational thinking, socio-cultural models/conceptions, and interactive design into a complementary whole. Our organization has learned and is using Jamshid's methodology and it is fundamentally changing the way in which we see the world and the organizations that will be able to compete in this new "flat" world.

If you're ready to escape the confines of linear thinking and classical science and management approaches to organizational problems, then this is your book. This book is written conceptually, not linearly, and challenges any reader who is used to over-simplified, mainstream books yet it is not an overly technical read that would be approachable only to high-level engineers and systems scientists. Those not having approached systems thinking before might be better off simultaneously working through Senge's Fifth Discipline and Ackoff's Best as primers. Be prepared to read it slowly and repeatedly - the ideas are profound when considered carefully and openly and might challenge many core assumptions.

Having met Jamshid on several occasions, I have found him to be one of the brighest men to grace our world with a significant contribution to share - he very well may have the current "best" answer to organizational design for our times. To dismiss him as simply an "Ackoff disciple" or another guru trying to sell his services is shortsighted. Linear, prescriptive books become best-sellers that catapult authors into 5-digit fee days - Jamshid's 2nd edition isn't the stuff of best-sellers, but rather for "best-thinkers."

3 out of 5 stars Go west young man go west!.......2005-11-17

If this book takes you back to the source material, then it will have accomplished its goal. The book itself, lacks the finesse of it's intellectual founders. But by god do we need this book in order to point us back. The last three years have been a result of reading all the source material for the book and for that Jamshid - I thank you.

The best of luck.
Business and Competitive Analysis: Effective Application of New and Classic Methods
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Competitors...Beware!
Business and Competitive Analysis: Effective Application of New and Classic Methods
Craig S. Fleisher , and Babette E. Bensoussan
Manufacturer: FT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131873660

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Competitors...Beware!.......2007-08-16

Whether a branding consultant, senior line manager or strategic planner, (the Bensoussan/Fleisher book) "Business and Competitive Analysis" provides a multitude of analytical techniques that can help one think about, build and successfully drive implementation of a winning operating roadmap. For example, with `hard' assets...e.g. buildings, plant and equipment...almost `nil' vs. that of their manufacturing counterparts, predominantly service-providing firms such as banks, insurers and investment firms might find Chapter 17 - Corporate Reputation Analysis - to be of particular value for managing "this", arguably their MOST important asset [as "reputation", NOT customers, is what usually "belongs" to a firm]. Babette and Craig...Thank you for sharing this important toolkit with us. With it, we certainly cannot say "but I did not know".

- Kevin McClair, Financial Services Industry Veteran and Wharton MBA
Systems Thinking Basics: From Concepts to Causal Loops
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Academic Text
  • Best used as a course book
Systems Thinking Basics: From Concepts to Causal Loops
Virginia Anderson
Manufacturer: Pegasus Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  1. The Manager's Pocket Guide to Systems Thinking and Learning The Manager's Pocket Guide to Systems Thinking and Learning
  2. Systems Thinking, Second Edition: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture Systems Thinking, Second Edition: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture
  3. An Introduction to General Systems Thinking (Silver Anniversary Edition) An Introduction to General Systems Thinking (Silver Anniversary Edition)
  4. Introduction to Systems Thinking Introduction to Systems Thinking
  5. The Systems Thinking Playbook The Systems Thinking Playbook

ASIN: 1883823129
Release Date: 1997-03-01

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Academic Text.......2007-06-26

Fairly good text book, while it explained the use and need for CLD's it fails to provide a first reader on how to actually draw the loops! It does not guide or recoomend what software to use in doing the drawing... we are all not technical drawers.....

5 out of 5 stars Best used as a course book.......2002-06-22

At 144 pages this book is a short introductory text and workbook that is designed to introduce systems thinking. It starts by building an awareness of systems thinking as a discipline, and by providing a series of learning activities that lead you through the basics.

The two main techniques that this book teaches are (1) behavior over time graphs and causal loops, both of which are the main tools employed in systems thinking. These are also the foundation of system dynamics of which systems thinking is a subset (system dynamics uses expanded techniques such as simulation models and analysis of alternatives).

What I like about this book is the clear explanation of the basics and the use of illustrations and learning activities. I also like the summaries of system archetypes and system thinking tools included in the appendices, which provide starting points for further study. It's not the best book for self-study because it is written more as a workbook than an introductory text. As such it is best used in an instructor-led course, or in conjunction with more in-depth books about system thinking (my favorite is Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity by Jamshid Gharajedaghi).
Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Nice Guide for Beginners
  • A Must-Have for Entrepreneurs
  • Exellent Book
  • Brief and to the point
  • Invaluable advice for the budding entrepreneur
Entrepreneur's Notebook: Practical Advice for Starting a New Business Venture
Steven K. Gold
Manufacturer: Learning Ventures Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GuidesGuides | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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  3. The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams! The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!
  4. What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business)
  5. Start Your Own Business (4th Ed.) (Start Your Own) Start Your Own Business (4th Ed.) (Start Your Own)

ASIN: 0976279045

Book Description

Entrepreneur's Notebook propels you on a whirlwind tour of the start-up process. It is an invaluable reference for new and experienced entrepreneurs that includes chapters on a wide range of topics, from entrepreneurial team building to business plans to financing. This excellent book provides an incredible amount of practical information that will help you make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes. The author, Steven K. Gold, is an accomplished entrepreneur who has co-founded and led five early-stage ventures. As an investor and mentor, he also advises many entrepreneurs and young companies. He earned his B.S.E. in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and his M.D. from Brown University Medical School.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Nice Guide for Beginners.......2007-06-16

The author writes a nice overview of the entrepreneurial process. It's basically for novices but it does a good job for this audience. The only problem I have with this book is that it is too basic and is therefore non-unique because it is so low-level. Regardless, I must say that for the right audience, it does a fine job over giving the big picture.

If you are advanced or aspire to become advanced, I would recommend "The Startup Company Bible for Entrepreneurs" but only for high-tech entrepreneurs. Even this author has recommended it.

5 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Entrepreneurs.......2007-05-14

Steven gives great illustrations to drive home his insightful advice for entrepreneurs. As he's "been there, done that," we can take his advice to heart in the hopes of becoming a success like him!

5 out of 5 stars Exellent Book.......2007-05-11

Great book for getting ready to open a new business. Would refer to anyone thinking about opening a business.

5 out of 5 stars Brief and to the point.......2007-04-27

This is a delightful little book that contains a wealth of useful and helpful information and ideas on starting a small business and ensuring that it is viable and succesful. The book is well written and easy to follow and interesting to read.

This is a must read for entrepreneurs, particularly budding ones as the information the book provides is very practical and can help you avoid making costly errors. The book covers a wide range of topics including the start-up process, marketing the business on a small budget, cash-flow forecasting, among other things.

The book is an excellent companion for the entrepreneur that is well worth having.

5 out of 5 stars Invaluable advice for the budding entrepreneur.......2007-03-04

This book does a terrific job of presenting some of the most important issues entrepreneurs face when embarking on new ventures, touching on topics such as the business plan, funding, team building, and cash flows. Using simple, yet stunningly accurate models of the entrepreneurial process, Steven Gold distills complex subjects into simple, practical, take-away messages. The classification of entrepreneurial personalities (professionals, pragmatists, and inventors) is something I think we can all relate to. I find the metaphor which compares building a new company to making "stone soup" equally compelling. There are countless books out there for budding entrepreneurs, but this one is no fluff. It gets right down to the nuts and bolts so you can concentrate on your business.
Value Added Risk Management in Financial Institutions: Leveraging Basel II & Risk Adjusted Performance Measurement (Wiley Finance)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Very timely. Thoughtful presentation
  • Risk management as an asset, not a cost
  • Timely and useful for bankers contemplating BIS 2
  • Practical Application
  • Essential Reading for Risk Managers Implementing BIS 2
Value Added Risk Management in Financial Institutions: Leveraging Basel II & Risk Adjusted Performance Measurement (Wiley Finance)
David P. Belmont
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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  3. The New Basel Capital Accord The New Basel Capital Accord
  4. Risk Management and Value Creation in Financial Institutions Risk Management and Value Creation in Financial Institutions
  5. The Basel Handbook: A Guide for Financial Practitioners (2nd edition) The Basel Handbook: A Guide for Financial Practitioners (2nd edition)

ASIN: 0470821159

Book Description

A new perspective on risk management
Risk management has evolved to address the more strategic issue of optimization of return on risk. This has been accompanied by statistical, mathematical, and financial techniques which-when actively applied-can aid an institution in producing disproportionately high returns on risk. Adding Value Through Risk Management aims to describe these techniques, illustrate their application, and discuss their strategic value for financial institutions.
David Belmont is Director of Group Risk Control for Nexgen Financial Solutions Group (NFS).

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Very timely. Thoughtful presentation.......2005-05-03

This book is a gem - very timely and well-thought out. David Belmont obviously has a lot of experience in this area, but also has put in a lot of thought-leadership into this book. He traces the Basel II accord to its roots in M&M economics, and convincingly argues why bank risk management is a critical function. He then traces a thread from risk management to capital management and shows why and how banks can make use of Basel implementations to achieve a high degree of control and positioning of their operations.
The only knock on this book is that I found several typos and simple editing errors - it is clear that deadlines won over editorial quality. Hopefully the next edition will be cleared up in this regard - nevertheless I highly recommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars Risk management as an asset, not a cost.......2004-05-01

This is a book that every bank board member should read. Sure, any board member worth his/her salt will be familiar with Basel II and risk measures such as VaR, but how many think of Basel II as a cost or imposition, and VaR as just another piece of information? Mr Belmont's easy to follow approach should allow readers to examine the way in which they can differentiate their own institution by using the investment in regulatory risk management to create, rather than just protect,shareholder value.

Thankfully, Mr Belmont strikes a good balance between theory and reality, both in his explanantion of market behaviour and in the presentation of his arguments. This is a book that the "mathematically challenged" like me can still enjoy and benfit from.

5 out of 5 stars Timely and useful for bankers contemplating BIS 2.......2004-04-14

Even without the incentives provided by the upcoming Basel 2 guidelines, this book is timely and convincingly puts forth the proposition that active risk management is in itself a valuable component in the creation of shareholder value. Returns on investment in more sophisticated tools for risk quantification will be enhanced when the information is not only used for performance measurement, but also for such shareholder value-added activities such as capital allocation and balance sheet structuring.

I recommend this book for all practitioners of risk management.

5 out of 5 stars Practical Application.......2004-03-22

Belmont has done an exceptional job at communicating the importance and practical application of risk measures for today's business environment. The book offers the reader a thorough assessment of what banking executives face everyday and how best to manage these risk and regain the control necessary for any banking executive to grow its business without putting into jeopardy the best interest of its shareholders, which in no small measure is a testament to Belmont's clear understanding of the challenges faced by most executives and the demands they face in terms of managing near term performance goals with long term stability.

5 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for Risk Managers Implementing BIS 2.......2004-03-17

Given the dual pressures banks face from regulators and investors to address the challenges of Basle 2 and create shareholder value, this book is highly relevant and timely. It provides practical, concise and real world guidance to any senior bank executive seeking to add value in his institution by optimizing the usage of economic capital. Economic capital based performance measures are clearly presented and illustrated with real life examples. Additionally, anyone implementing Basle 2 must ask how this can be done and what value it creates for the organization. This book provides the answers.

The book quickly gives a real world context the value of risk management information to bank CEOs, CFOs, institutional security analysts, and investors. It then goes on to demonstrate theoretically and practically how risk management information can be used to address key strategic decisions faced by senior bank management.

Any risk manager, CFO, or CEO in a financial institution should find this book valuable if they seek to create shareholder value in their institution. Similarly, anyone seeking to rise to the executive suite must understand the issues addressed in this well written book.
ACT! 6 for Dummies
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Honest help for Act 6
  • No information on synchronizing
  • Act! is a program that is as good as you want it to be:
  • CUT TO THE CHASE AND BUY THIS BOOK
  • Take me by the hand and show me everything
ACT! 6 for Dummies
Karen S. Fredricks
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764526456

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Honest help for Act 6.......2007-01-12

This is a great reference with a lot of useful tips. It's not afriad to point out some of Act's shortcomings. This is really useful when you're trying to do something that should be easy and obvious (like look up some sales/opportunities and then run a report based on your look-up) and you can't figure out how to do it. The ACT manual is no help because it can't be done, so of course they don't have any instructions on how to do it.

Act for Dummies is honest about what Act can and cannot do and offers great work arounds, tips and shortcuts. The author's website is also a lot of help.

3 out of 5 stars No information on synchronizing.......2005-06-02

While this book does explain how to manage contacts, there is absolutely no information on the most difficult part of Act!: How to synchronize. Do not buy this book if you are looking how share databases with other users. Although there is a chapter titled, "Sharing information with others", there is no mention of how to synchronize!

4 out of 5 stars Act! is a program that is as good as you want it to be:.......2004-12-30

I've used Act! 6 as long as it has been out. Prior to that, I struggled through buggy earlier versions, going back ten years or so, or however long they've been out. For my use, contact management, I've looked at other programs and have not seen any program any better than Act!, but then again, I'm used to this program. If I had to do it all over again, I would still go with Act!, but I would read this Act! for Dummies book from cover to cover. For the first few years I only learned what I felt I had to learn. And, because of that my knowledge base was limited, which resulted in Act! having a limited value to me. I can tell you that most the people in our company that use Act! don't use it like they should. They don't recognize the program's power to make them more efficient and organized. Most people will continue to use their old methods of organization, i.e., hand written Day Timer methods, etc., will never actually use the appointment scheduling features, and then tell people that Act! simply isn't helping them much. Little do they know that Act! is the most powerful organizational program that they can buy, from my view, and all they need to do is learn it and use it. It took me time, but now I have six sales people under me, who travel. They all synchronize daily, so that I can schedule things for them to do, or they can flag notes for me to read, and we're always on top of our priorities. They can be in a motel in Lansing Michigan, and me in my office in Reno, Nevada, and we're all over our responsibilities as if we're in the same office. If something important slips through the crack, it's because someone isn't using their Act! program, or they aren't using it correctly. This program is like an incredibly powerful tool if put into the hands of someone who wants to succeed, while if put in the wrong hands it will not be used, it will be useless. The learning curve can take a very long time, as it did with me, simply because I didn't want to learn any more than I had to learn, to deal with my immediate needs. The power in this program can not be unleashed unless you do more than what I did, and take the time to learn it, and make sure you work it. Some of my sales people don't even open the program in the morning for hours. How can this program help these people? But, little by little, as they see how great this program can be, they are coming around. I recommend contacting an Act! consultant, and pay them a kings ransom if necessary, but learn this program faster than your competition can, simply by reading this book from cover to cover TWICE if you have to. And, every time you need to learn more, don't put it off, learn it now. Time is too valuable not to put this program to work for you. You can manager yourself, a crew of people, while also managing a powerful mass mail (or email) marketing program with this program if you are smart enough to learn this program as fast as you can. There is simply no other program with this kind of power that I've ever seen. I'm sold on this program again and again, as I find ways to take advantage of its horsepower. Managing a database of contacts couldn't be done at this level without Act! But, I don't give it five stars yet, until Act! decides to put on more traveling seminars, so I can send our sales people to them in our own town at least once a year. Act!, get working on that, will you? Then again, don't let my competition learn to use Act! In that respect, it's a secret weapon.

5 out of 5 stars CUT TO THE CHASE AND BUY THIS BOOK.......2004-02-26

ACT6! for Dummies is not only extremely informative, it is fun and easy to read. It is a great starting place to learn the many aspects of the program and it is a great reference once you are using the program regularly. If you can figure out how to use this program to its fullest by using the book supplied by ACT, you are probably not in sales, you have a lot of extra time on your hands, and you love to watch paint dry. Unless you are selling real estate in South Florida and one of my competitors, buy ACT6! for Dummies and get yourself on track fast.

5 out of 5 stars Take me by the hand and show me everything.......2004-02-22

I'm not a computer buff so I bought this book and was gratefully taken through an overview of the basics of Act! 6 and then the details. It not only showed how to use Act! 6, but also how to maximize the use of Act! 6.

The important thing about the book is that it is written for the reader (not in tech-speak), with a wonderful sense of humor. In fact, it's as if the author is right there with you as you go through and learn/use the program. After having used Act! 6 for a while, if I have more sophisticated needs, I look them up in the book and have the answer quickly and painlessly.

I hesitated buying Act! 6 for a while, but once I bought the program, I also bought this book. Now I am a confident and effective user.

Books:

  1. Case Analysis and Fundamentals of Legal Writing
  2. Corporate Information Strategy and Management: Text and Cases
  3. Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice (PSI Classics of the Counterinsurgency Era)
  4. Courage: The Backbone of Leadership
  5. Crafting and Executing Strategy : The Quest for Competitive Advantage - Concepts and Cases (Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases)
  6. Crafting and Executing Strategy : The Quest for Competitive Advantage - Concepts and Cases (Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases)
  7. Crafting and Executing Strategy : The Quest for Competitive Advantage - Concepts and Cases (Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases)
  8. Critical Chain : A Business Novel
  9. Customer Relationship Management: A Strategic Imperative in the World of E-Business
  10. Data Analysis and Decision Making with Microsoft Excel (with InfoTrac and CD-ROM)

Books Index

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