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2nd out of 105 books
—
12 voters
The Secrets of Consulting: A Guide to Giving and Getting Advice Successfully
by
Gerald M. Weinberg (Goodreads Author),
Virginia Satir
Partial Contents- Why Consulting Is So ToughSherby's Laws of Consulting - The Law of Raspberry Jam - Weinbergs' Law of Twins - The Hard Laws of Consulting- Cultivating a Paradoxical Frame of MindWhy Paradox? - Optimitis and The Tradeoff Treatment - The Orange Juice Test- Being Effective When You Don't Know What You're DoingThe Problem with Specialists - Featuring Failure -...more
Paperback, 248 pages
Published
January 1st 1986
by Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated
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The author has been a consultant since age 13, when he worked at a local supermarket as a substitute stock boy, noticed that no one was buying the rutabagas, and suggested to the produce manager that they be thrown away, and their shelf space be utilized for something with greater turnover. The produce manager told Weinberg that this was a great idea, did as he was told, and asked him, "Now, what is the least popular vegetable?" Weinberg learned the lesson for good: if a consultant solves the cu...more
One of the best and most enjoyable business books I've read. Certainly on my top 10 list.
I came across this in some IT book club -- it was a $30 paperback and I was aghast. Have since probably bought and given out 50 copies (Gerry, you can send thanks) to engineers, auditors, and others who need to bring humor and sense to situations.
It has sayings: "Things are the way they are because they got that way." Remember it.
I came across this in some IT book club -- it was a $30 paperback and I was aghast. Have since probably bought and given out 50 copies (Gerry, you can send thanks) to engineers, auditors, and others who need to bring humor and sense to situations.
It has sayings: "Things are the way they are because they got that way." Remember it.
Dec 27, 2012
Cori
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
business,
non-fiction,
leadership,
sdg-book-club,
business-analysis,
how-to,
self-help,
strategy
This book is a very quick read because it is a bunch of ProTips smashed together. I had a co-worker tell me that this is a book from the point of view of an old school consultant. I think the consulting work I will be doing will somewhat relate to what Weinberg has written, but it will also be more structured as well.
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Worth reading for everyone involved in business.
A quick read and actually pretty utilitarian. Weinberg has that peculiar sense of humor of older "systems" (i.e. computer science) guys - an unhealthy love of puns, alliteration, riddles, goofy parables, etc - but it doesn't interfere with the clarity of his messages. This is not "consulting" as a methodology or a framework akin to what one may expect from a McKinsey or HBS alum. By his own description Weinberg sees the role of the consultant less as a problem solver and more as a "jiggler"; som...more
Mar 24, 2009
Bill Glover
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who needs to work with and influence others.
A book can only do so much, but this book is the closest thing I've ever seen to a howto guide to consulting. A person could do some good, and make a very comfortable living just following Carl Weinberg's advice. This is especially useful for technical consultants.
This is a very honest and forthright book about consulting. It is also quite funny.
It's not just a book for consultants, but also for people who use the services of consultants. I think I can get the most mileage out of it if I can entice my clients to read it.
It's not just a book for consultants, but also for people who use the services of consultants. I think I can get the most mileage out of it if I can entice my clients to read it.
I consider this book essential reading for anyone who wants to make changes in an organization. This is also one of the books that I use in training ScrumMasters. I've read it half a dozen times and keep a copy at home and a copy at work.
Was very useful & definitely thank MCR for lending it to me!
Feb 14, 2008
Jason
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people with jobs
Recommended to Jason by:
Bill Caputo
Shelves:
library
This one was recommended to me years ago, but I only got around to reading it last December. It looks like a very specific topic, but I would recommend this to anyone who has to deal with other people for work in any way. That probably includes most people who have jobs. A lot of it is common sense, but it's presented in a way that help you remember those insights when you need them. The copy I read was from the library, but I now own a copy for myself. This is one of those books that one would...more
Timeless wisdom.
Why do consultants fail?How do I become a consultant of repute?What are the skills needed to become a consultant? If these and some other questions come to your mind when you think of consulting as a career,here is the book that should be really helpful.In a simple and lucid way the author has drawn upon his rich experiences and the daily lives' chore to make the reader understand the intricacies of becoming a successful consultant.
Good read
Good read
Looks like a lot of advice given in a very approachable and brief format. Lots of insight into human interactions, and not a lot of fluff and sunshine. It is one of two Weinberg books I currently own, and I'm realizing that two is not nearly enough.
Very thought provoking and humorous book. Although it leaves the reader with more questions than answers it definitely contains numerous advice on the subject. I only wish I read it before I started to be a consultant.
Essential reading for every consultant, this book is also a fun read. I learnt a lot fo things, and I'll never see the the job of a consultant the same way now.
This was one of the excellent books assigned to us in a class taught by Fred Brooks. It has wide application and is fascinating reading.
Read this book if you are new to consulting, otherwise you may already know much about what you may find here.
Very quirky and entertaining. There are some good tips in here for consultants.
A must read even if you never do any consulting. Good stuff.
Well worth reading.
May 17, 2009
Daryl
marked it as to-read
Re-reading!
Jun 17, 2013
Schell
marked it as to-read
Jun 17, 2013
Sta
marked it as to-read
Jun 16, 2013
Kevin Smith
marked it as to-read
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Oct 25, 2012 05:03pm