IT is at the heart of business
938495
I am writing this review because I met Gene yesterday at a vendor event and I want to thank him. He gave the most fascinating and well executed presentation at the event. Due to being captivated by the presentation, I decided that unlike normal, I should actually read the freebie book. So kudos to Gene the person, because even though I normally think I should, I usually don't get around the actual reading.

I read the book in one go, it was a nice easy page turner, that my tired brain could easily digest on the plane. The beauty of it is, in this easy novel package, it really gives you an excellent picture of the flaws of running IT in most organizations, and what you can do to remove those flaws, how to gain more efficiencies, and which flaws to avoid fixing. I would like to thank all 3 writers for making it easy for me to gain understanding why I need to be part of significant change in my IT organization.
4824299
Peter Fingar and his friends have done it again.  Some of us who write on business management can relate to the current issues.  Peter Fingar, along with associates Jim Sinur and Jim Odell, has once more shown the unique ability to see the future and define it for us.  In their new book, Business Process Management: The Next Wave, they outline broader applications of Business Process Management and the use of agents within process architectures.  Another feature of the book shows how process management utilization has progressed from the administrative side of companies to the real world of the manufacturing enterprise plant floor.  This book is an eye opener and business management rule definer.  I think you will like it.
202490
Few things in life are exactly as promised. This is. There is a simple elegance at work here, and if you have this need, this is the product for you.
3935393
A worthwhile read about an interesting business practice. Although 20% time wouldn't necessarily work for my organization, this book did cause me to stop and consider that there are probably some gems hidden amongst our human resources. This short book could be finished in an afternoon, and should be read by anyone interested in business or business leadership.
3051275
The book appears to be geared towards business and handling business relationships however, can also be applied to personal situations.
2510288
This was the first book that I read by author Robert Shook.  In "Heart and Soul", Shook showcases five companies that put people first, and operate on a set of principles.  The five companies are Mary Kay, Davita, Inreturn, Starkey Labs and World Wide Technology.  I was especially interested in Starkey Labs, a company that makes and distributes hearing aids.  Bill Austin is known as a very generous man with a heart of gold, so I enjoyed learning about his company and the wonderful things they do for those who benefit from hearing aids.

If you run a company or business today, "Heart and Soul" is a book that will make you examine how you run your company and determine if your company has heart and soul in its daily operations.  Companies with heart and soul contribute to the greater good in our world.
1770660
If there was a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" for Business, "Fundamentally Different" would be that book. David Friedman has shared the basic building blocks for creating a business culture that are the foundation of any business that wants to strive for excellence or sustain success. As a change management consultant, and Executive Coach I would recommend this for every employee, manager, leader, and business owner. And as a Executive In Residence who teaches professional development and Leadership this should be a must read for every student who plans to be a part of the workforce.
An enjoyable read with valuable takeaways, for business and Life.
3270004
Handsome piece of work and functional as well.
2091343
Interesting reading, Good for anyone in the business world
4833004
As the past owner of a fairly lucrative business and someone who is starting another business, I'd say I'm a bit of a business book junkie. That's why I decided to pick up The Business Romantic when I came across it. Well, that and the premise intrigued me. I'm not even sure I can explain it that well. It's about bringing the human touch back to business, the business lunches, the face to face as opposed to the emails. It's about bringing "romanticism" into your work. Loving what you do and nurturing it almost like a relationship,  will make you better at it and will bring clients and customers to you. These relationships you create with your clients and customers will be the payoff rather than your earnings. It's like the old saying, it's the journey, not the destination.

At least that's what I'm getting out of it.

There is a section of the book, which I suppose is the most important, titled the "Rules of Enchantment." These are guidelines to live by to help construct meaningful experiences. For me, most of these were kind of a given, and I can't even say I agree with all of them. They include:

Finding the Big in the Small
Be a Stranger
Give More Than You Take
Suffer (A Little)
Fake It
Keep the Mystique
Break Up
Sail the Ocean
Take the Long Way Home
Stand Alone, Stand By, Stand Still

I'm not going to go into them, because I don't want to give too much of the book away, but here's my feeling. Most of them make sense. The author makes good points, but much of it, if you're a business owner, seems like things you should already know or be doing. Maybe that's just me though. I suppose many people in business get caught in a rut and forget to enjoy the ride and find pleasure in the small things. Maybe they need a reminder.

There are some interesting elements at the back of the book. Mr. Leberecht has added a "Business Romantic Starter Kit" which includes a playlist, movie list, reading list, destinations to travel, and action items.

For the most part, though I found the premise intriguing, I didn't find the book all that absorbing and there were certain aspects of the "business romanticism" that I just didn't agree with.  The author talks about human connection but also talks about how people on the other end of a sale are "targets" and how selling allows us to relate to people without having to engage emotionally.  He also discusses how we should basically lie, or as he calls it "faking it," to sell a brand or campaign. He compares entrepreneurs to con artists and how their efforts are born from the desire to flirt with an artful lie.  I think this lacks ethics and integrity. Sure, businesses fudge the truth all the time I'm sure, but to romanticize it just doesn't fly with me. It makes me feel icky and I am in the marketing business.

What it comes down to is I didn't hate the book, even though it may sound like it. I didn't find the stories very compelling to keep my interest. I found his take on the whole "Business Romantic" concept interesting, but just not my cup of tea. It may be for you or others, but not for me.  I think some of his "Rules of Enchantment" are worthy of a read if you need a reminder or a fresh look at this way of handling your business. And I thought the Appendix with the "Business Romantic Starter Kit" was interesting and as a business owner, I will be checking some of those things out.

Worth the read? I'm up in the air. You'll have to judge for yourself after reading reviews.
1747620
This is a good product for the business. Cant find it any place around are town. It gets shipped right away. I would recommend this product
4223644
The hard part about reading this book is that it doesn't get to the point until half way through. However, the point it is trying to make is very important and requires a lot of build up before it clicks. A quick summary of this book is this, "Most growing businesses fail because their owners see the business as a thing to do work in, when they should view it as a process (that runs itself) that they need to improve."
889755
print is small but the subject is interesting. Our law has elements of Roman and it is noteworthy that so much of law as practiced in Rome carried show business elements to extract sympathy for the client. NOT a search for truth
4551341
Rarely have people outside the computer industry heard of Computer Associates, "CA", even in the tech-hyped investment community. Even in the software industry, many are unaware that it has been in the top  5 software companies by sales for many years.
This book, written in the  early 90's provides a snapshot of how CA's management has created a  specific corporate culture, very different than the typcial fast-moving  software company.
Some points that were of interest to me:
1- The  company growth is largely through acquisitions.
2- The company is an East  Coast software company, not a California or Austin based company.
3- The  company has been in business since the 70's.
4- The founders are still  the managers and they still use the same basic business philosophy that  they started with.
The book is brief and somewhat dated, but I think it  provides an insight into a unique part of the technology industry. If you  have read books on more prominent companies like Apple, Microsoft, and  Intel, this is a good book for expanding your view of successful technology  companies.
2342305
It's full of humor and good ideas for starting and running a small business. To do so is to treat your employees and customers fairly and with respect.
3146933
It looks as expensive as it was,  but the design makes it stand out
2440389
The new Area Manager is wondering on what could be done to retain his customers and his job. Just then a fairy godmother "Charlie" appears and takes him around to businesses that create raving fans through exemplary customer service. Let us take the case of a visit to a departmental store. Our Area Manager is looking for a book to be gifted to this wife on her birthday. Upon arrival he and Charlie are greeted by the sales staff who pin a complimentary white carnation on their suits. The store has a superb play area for children. The rest rooms are glittering and the towels are neat and crisp. The book he is looking for is not available at this store but the lady at the books section dispatches her assistant to procure it from a neighboring shop, gift wraps it and hands it over to her customer - at no extra cost. Our Area Manager is amazed. How can they afford to do this? Pat comes the reply from the man who runs the business - How can you afford NOT to do this?.
Charlie takes our Area Manager for golf in between visits to several such places of excellence. They come up with three simple but important principles to create RAVING FANS.
This book applies to all businesses. Take the case of the IT industry.  Technocrats who focus more on technology than on their customers staff this industry. Till recently, thanks to the global shortage of well-trained professionals in this area, a streak of arrogance and sharp edges were common traits. "We are knowledge Workers - Stock Options and hefty salaries are our birthright" was a common belief in this tribe.
Suddenly, the IT industry finds itself swamped by competition and surplus people. Many companies whose stock prices pierced the roof a couple of years ago find themselves in Chapter 11. Customers have won again. They now exercise their choice and demand value for money- not just tech talk by smart yuppies. As in any other industry, only those companies that ensure stellar customer service at all levels of the Organization will be able to succeed. To all those who need to understand these core values I recommend this book.