The fictional Admiral Janitorial Services has a problem: their employees are leaving in droves and they don???t know what to do about it.& nbsp; In...
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Mar 03, 2009
mattthew
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This book claims to be advice about managment, but it's that but is actually a self-help book. It should be two page pamphlet because that's all the practical advice it gives.
The bulk of the book is a completely fictional tale of a company that hires a team of financial/career/life coaches to fullfill the dream lists of its employees and why this makes the company hugely successfull & profitable, and how the fictional characters become the happy and successful people they always wishe More...
The bulk of the book is a completely fictional tale of a company that hires a team of financial/career/life coaches to fullfill the dream lists of its employees and why this makes the company hugely successfull & profitable, and how the fictional characters become the happy and successful people they always wishe More...
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Mar 19, 2009
Iamthird
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An organization can only become the best version of itself to the extent that the people who drive that organization are striving to become better versions of themselves.
People stop dreaming because they get caught up in the hustle and bustle of surviving. And once we stop dreaming, we start to lead lives of quiet desperation, and little by little the passion and energy begin to disappear from our lives.
There are places I want to go, things I want to see and relationships I wa More...
People stop dreaming because they get caught up in the hustle and bustle of surviving. And once we stop dreaming, we start to lead lives of quiet desperation, and little by little the passion and energy begin to disappear from our lives.
There are places I want to go, things I want to see and relationships I wa More...
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Dec 25, 2010
Scott
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Good book. It's one of those rare books that really blends business with something as personal as ones dreams. The concept of the book, a company hiring a person to "manage the employees dreams" is somewhat far fetched for your everyday corporation, but the story of this particular company, a janitorial service, doing it, is a great story to follow. In saying that, the entire book is about the same company, kind of loses its luster, but does remain on track throughout.
What I More...
What I More...
Jul 31, 2010
Shaun
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"The Dream Manager" is a leadership fable in the same spirit as the excellent books written by Patrick Lencioni. The story part of the book takes the reader into the day to day operations of Admiral Janitorial Services. Like many companies today, they have serious difficulties with employee morale and rampant turnover. Simon, the general manager suggests an out of the box idea to improve the morale and turnover problems through helping their employees realize their dreams. Thus, th
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Feb 16, 2010
Nick
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This book took me in two different directions, often within the same page, paragraph, or sentence. At times I felt it's fictional narrative was designed to be emotionally manipulative on a scale even with drivel like Tuesdays With Morrie or Anna Quindlen books. The scenario consists of a simple problem in a simple organization with a familiar, non-complex hierarchical management structure. The rousing successes experienced from a business end and by those who find their dreams fulfilled are c
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Mar 03, 2009
Heather
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Blech. Way too "touchy feely" and the company used as the main example is all fictional! Come on...give me some real data from real life examples. Basically I think I'm supposed to get my employees to fill out "dream journals" and envision their ideal future. Maybe I'll bring some incense to my next staff meeting too.
Feb 28, 2010
Heather
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I really loved this book! It reminded me of how important it is to DREAM! :) What is your dream???! :)
The book tells of a janitorial service business with such a high turnover rate that the organization is inefficient and beginning to be unprofitable. As they try to decide what to do to turn things around they decide they need to invest in their employees more and help them be more engaged. Through several company surveys and focus groups they discover that people are passiona More...
The book tells of a janitorial service business with such a high turnover rate that the organization is inefficient and beginning to be unprofitable. As they try to decide what to do to turn things around they decide they need to invest in their employees more and help them be more engaged. Through several company surveys and focus groups they discover that people are passiona More...
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Apr 12, 2010
Jim
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I'm not a huge fan of parable books. Nothing ever seems to go wrong and I'm left wondering about the real application of the system they propose.
There are a few good suggestions. Listen to your employees, help them plan their future by asking them about what their "dreams" (purpose) is and then suggest how they accomplish it.
I'm not so sure it's as simple as pointing people to college admissions to fulfill their education dream or showing them how they can buy More...
There are a few good suggestions. Listen to your employees, help them plan their future by asking them about what their "dreams" (purpose) is and then suggest how they accomplish it.
I'm not so sure it's as simple as pointing people to college admissions to fulfill their education dream or showing them how they can buy More...
Jun 19, 2011
Alan
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This book is another that presents it's concepts as a narrative story of a fictitious company. While this device effectively provides simultaneous example and concept, it comes off as "too perfect" in many places. Nevertheless, the book provides a powerful idea on a simple way to harness good will in relationships, business or personal.
What are your dreams? Have you given up on them? Have you even forgotten them? This book challenges us to not only remember our dreams but to More...
What are your dreams? Have you given up on them? Have you even forgotten them? This book challenges us to not only remember our dreams but to More...
Aug 16, 2011
Adam
rated it: 
This book had some good messages. I subscribe to the concept of taking care of your employees and they'll embrace their employer. The connection to helping them fulfill their dreams is an approach I hadn't thought of before and will be looking to somehow parlay into my business. I couldn't help but think though as I read the book that the it was about a fictional company. A lot of conclusions and results from implementing this were projected. How realistic are these results? I'd guess that
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Jul 09, 2010
Lora
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I just finished The Dream Manger by Matthew Kelly. I didn't feel like it was super groundbreaking thinking for me, because I have been coached in my dreams this whole last year, but I did really enjoy the idea of also being coached financially in your dreams. Most dreams take money to truly make them happen!
The narrative that Kelly used to get his point across was pretty gripping for a business/self help book. Even though it was fictional, it painted a good picture of what can More...
The narrative that Kelly used to get his point across was pretty gripping for a business/self help book. Even though it was fictional, it painted a good picture of what can More...
Apr 30, 2010
Heather
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This was a recommended book to me when I was still taking classes and found that it was such a great motivational read! I gave it to my manager at work and it's one of those books that can change your whole outlook on your job, life, and inspire you to dream and dream big!!! All it takes is believing that your dreams are a possibility and moving in a direction to achieve them! AWESOME MUST READ for anyone needing a new perspective on their lives!
Oct 18, 2010
Katelyn
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I received this from my last employer after they initiated a lesser version of the Dream Manager. I have since left that company, but decided to read the book anyway. I have to say it is an intriguing idea. It would be especially effective in a business that can't offer employees their ultimate dream job because it would provide value for them in another way with the hopes of keeping them a little longer than normal.
May 11, 2009
Radym
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Although the author claims time and again that anybody can start a dream manager program at their place of work, it seems almost impossible to implement from the standpoint of a lone supervisor in a large library system. I think the premise is great, and I will definitely try to use parts of the program in the work that I do, but I don't know if it will ever go beyond that.
Feb 09, 2010
Kendra
rated it:
Dream baby, DREAM!
Are you
* Unmotivated
* Negative
* Cynical
* stuck
* in a rut
* depressed
* uninspired
* clueless
* dunno what the next step is...
Then this IS the book for you!!! Read it, think about it, follow the directions it provides, but most of all, sit back in your chair, put your feet up, close your eyes and DREAM!
Are you
* Unmotivated
* Negative
* Cynical
* stuck
* in a rut
* depressed
* uninspired
* clueless
* dunno what the next step is...
Then this IS the book for you!!! Read it, think about it, follow the directions it provides, but most of all, sit back in your chair, put your feet up, close your eyes and DREAM!
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Jun 25, 2010
Ryan
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A revolutionary idea for anyone who manages people. Matthew Kelly is a better speaker than writer, but his message and passion for life is timeless. I didn't rate this book higher, perhaps because I'm suffering a bit of Matthew Kelly overdose. But if you've never encountered Matthew's work, I'd recommend this book, as well as "Rediscovering Catholicism." Better yet, listen to his speeches... in person or on CD.
Mar 28, 2011
Hannah
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Great ideas. Some cheesiness with the case study - would have been awesome to have used an actual case study instead of a fictional one - since that lends significantly more credibility to the ideas. That being said, there are great ideas here and you should take the hour or so needed to read the book. And then go dream!
Jul 19, 2010
Nahid
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I really enjoyed the book and found the story inspirational and very believable. The idea is to make dreams a goal. Kelly shows you how you can take steps to achieve goals, therefore live your dreams. I used this as inspiration to make my own dream of publishing my first novel The Ruby Tear Catcher, a reality.
Aug 05, 2011
Patti
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Business books are dreadful. This one was really dreadful. Newsflash for managers: employees want fair pay and fair treatment. They don't want you to serve as their personal guide and mentor. While it may be hard for you to believe, they don't really even like you.
Nov 15, 2011
Richard N.
rated it:
I liked it.
A quick, enjoyable, digestible combination of instructive fiction followed by supportive detail. Nothing terribly new, but a good entry in the Career Development and Management library.
A quick, enjoyable, digestible combination of instructive fiction followed by supportive detail. Nothing terribly new, but a good entry in the Career Development and Management library.
Oct 31, 2009
Jeannie
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Excellent book. Well worth reading. Makes you stop and think. What are my dreams and am I really striving to achieve them. How can I help others achieve theirs as well, especially may families.
Nov 25, 2010
Bruce
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I didn't actually care for this book much: too long, could have covered everything in 25 pages. But I liked the idea and to some extend have been employing it with general success.
Nov 05, 2010
Thought I would send this on to all my goodreads friends. Sheri recommended this book, commented it would be good for parents, managers, friends, spouses, etc
I downloaded it this morning
I downloaded it this morning
May 04, 2009
Matt
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One question that managers don't ask enough if at all is ,"What are your dreams and how can I help you obtain them?" This is the focus of this book. Very nice and quick read.
Feb 09, 2009
Jennifer
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Very good book. I think if more corperations paid attention to their workers dreams, the success rate would be higher, as well as morale.
I read this book in one night.
I read this book in one night.
Jul 15, 2010
Hpidge
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One of the best books I have ever read! Not only made me think about how it applies to work, but also home and personal life. The story was realistic, well told, and enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone!
Dec 21, 2007
Jenn
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It is amazing how themes repeat in your life until you get it. My boss asked me to read this book just a few weeks after I came back from a seminar on Life Success. Then she turned around and gave me a dream journal for Christmas. Working for a company, much like the one in teh book, that takes time to worry about what you want and makes effort to help you figure out how to get there can make all the difference in the world.
It isn't just about work. What do you do to help those peop More...
It isn't just about work. What do you do to help those peop More...
Feb 23, 2009
Joy
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Very interesting concepts on helping your employees reach their dreams and its benefit for the employee and the company.
Jan 31, 2012
Ealopez826
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Decent book on management. I didn't really like the way it includes advice godsend behind made up stories but still solid.
May 30, 2011
Kit
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As a mother, it was a good reminder that I still need to have dreams, not just dreams for my children and our family, but for me.
