I found this book really enjoyable. This is probably because it contains the story of the author as he learns life lessons on his road to improved wea...moreI found this book really enjoyable. This is probably because it contains the story of the author as he learns life lessons on his road to improved wealth and security. I also like the 'no-fills' and down to earth writing style of the author. He speaks his mind because he has nothing to prove. This makes the story even more powerful.
There are plenty of 'make millions' books out there but following along with the author's journey endears the story to the reader I believe. The start of the book could be considered a little strange but it is there to convey a message which the intelligent reader will understand. The meat of the book is the author's story but it certainly contains plenty of insight and practical advice on what it takes to become 'financially free'.
The books is easy to read and the power of the story draws you into each chapter. The practical advice is a refreshing change from so many other money making books out there. If you are in business or if you are aiming to become financially independent that I'd certainly recommend this book and the advice contained within. (less)
Full disclosure - I was provided a copy of this book by the author.
This is an enjoyable book however I did feel that it lacked a central direction. Th...moreFull disclosure - I was provided a copy of this book by the author.
This is an enjoyable book however I did feel that it lacked a central direction. This sort of made it feel to me like a number of incidents some what loosely connected together. Each scene in itself is well written and grabs the reader, however when they are over there just isn't that impetus to turn the page and keep reading.
The characters are engaging and distinct which make the book more enjoyable. What I would have liked to have seen is a underlying motive for the actions that drives the story along and provides the glue that binds the whole thing together. To me the reader simply isn't driven from scene to scene they are simply following. An enhanced sense of mission throughout would provided greater engagement I feel.
None the less, if you like stories that involve modern action and espionage themes then this book is a worthwhile read. It is somewhat unique to have a action female lead but the author does make that character work along with the other around her. The writing is crisp and engaging and does not get bogged down and the action sequences are well written and keep the reader's attention while maintaining vivid imagery. Never too much or too little detail here, which is sign of write who knows their craft.
In summary, a good read for those who enjoy action and international intrigue, however a more defined central direction through out may have improved the story in my mind. (less)
Full disclosure, I was provided with a free review copy by the author.
This is a great book that every small IT services business should read. It highl...moreFull disclosure, I was provided with a free review copy by the author.
This is a great book that every small IT services business should read. It highlights the things that in my experience IT businesses should be focusing on. It is not a long book and that makes is perfect for the 'time poor' IT services business. Some may say that the chapters are too short or not done in enough depth but in my experience for the audience that the book is aimed it works extremely well.
The author acknowledges that most businesses in this space grow via referral and that is one of the major points of neglect by many small IT businesses. Like or not, social media is here to stay and the author highlight the leveraging of tools like Linkedin for growing your network. Smart businesses understand the leverage that social networking can bring and the information provided here should only hone these skills.
Much of the information in here is spot on however in my experience the target market are not always able to craft engaging blog articles and successfully stand up in front of audiences and make an impact. That does not mean that they shouldn't try what the book outlines and find what works for them. There are plenty of options illustrated and if you only implement one in your business then I'm sure you'll discover the benefits. This will hopefully in turn lead you to try additional suggestions from the book.
One criticism of the book I have is that it doesn't speak about the importance of metrics. Yes, you can do everything it outlines but how do you know it is actually working? How do you know email newsletters are having a greater impact than say blogs. Metrics will help you understand what works and what doesn't. It will provide your business with important information on exactly what return on investment you are receiving. This however in no way detracts from the value of what is presented.
So in summary I would highly recommend this book to any small IT provider who is struggling with growing and marketing their business. My research independent of this book indicates all of the topics are spot on for what needs to be done in this increasingly competitive field. The book is easy to read and hold your attention throughout. It is short enough for even the most time poor business owner to read yet full of some great marketing insight that if implemented will bring return to the business.
In short? A highly recommended read for any small to medium IT business owner.(less)
Full disclosure - I was given a free copy of this book by the author
If you have never gotten into the self improvement/financial independence movement...moreFull disclosure - I was given a free copy of this book by the author
If you have never gotten into the self improvement/financial independence movement then there is plenty of worthwhile material for you to mull over here. If however you have already started down this path then some of what you read here may seem repetitive. This is not due to the author it simply due to the fact that success comes down to a few things done correctly.
Perhaps my disappointment with what I find here is the fact that it doesn't seem to provide a call to action or a provide a plan of how to get started. It certainly lays out the benefits and what you should be achieving but honestly, if I was starting out down this path I'd really like to know what I can do to make a difference. I'd like to see a list of steps indicating/suggesting what I should be doing next. It is all well and good to have dreams but for them to be achieve you need concrete steps on how to get there.
Most of the books in this genre are really good on the big picture stuff but I think we need some more nitty gritty here. If the concepts are too broad they are likely to mis-interpreted leading to disappointment with the investment made reading these sorts of books.
So I think the concepts and the thoughts in this book are great but I would have liked to have seen some more real world meat on what I can here and now to move me on the path to my dreams.(less)
If you are a small business owner then none of what this book covers comes as any great surprise. In essence keep costs down, continue to innovate and...moreIf you are a small business owner then none of what this book covers comes as any great surprise. In essence keep costs down, continue to innovate and succeed through small increments. Such ideas are clearly novel to many larger businesses these days who have lost the reason for their existence. That is, to serve the customer.
That said this book is still a worthwhile read for many simply because it is mentioned in so many places these days. It does provided some benefit, even for small businesses already doing what it extolls. However, I would not rate it as a 'must read' as I believe there are many other business books out there that are much more beneficial, especially to the smaller operator.
So in summary, you should certainly add this book to your 'to read' list. However, if you are already a successful small business then you are probably already doing what the book talks about. If however, you are part of a large organisation that has become stagnant and 'lost its way' then you certainly read this book to understand that small is beautiful!(less)
Full disclosure - I was provided a free copy of this book by the author
Unfortunately, I can't say that I was able to get into this book. I found it ha...moreFull disclosure - I was provided a free copy of this book by the author
Unfortunately, I can't say that I was able to get into this book. I found it hard to grasp what the plot was as it seemed to shift from location to location and person to person on a regular basis. This perhaps didn't allow for the scenes or the characters to 'gel' with me. I also felt that there wasn't enough initial depth with the characters in way that would endear them to me. this made it hard for me to become part of the story as I felt as though I was always looking from the outside rather than being part of the story.
It isn't that the book is hard to read, it just didn't seem to grab me initially which made it more difficult to follow. I put this down to what I felt was a lack of character development and depth at the beginning of the book. I will readily admit that I am not a huge sci-fi fan so that perhaps also detracted fro my enjoyment of the book. The plot and the characters just didn't jump out at me early on a grab my attention. Perhaps if I had been more into sci-fi I would have enjoyed it more.(less)
This book certainly has a lot of material that business people should look at, especially those who are 'sales' people. No matter what business you ar...moreThis book certainly has a lot of material that business people should look at, especially those who are 'sales' people. No matter what business you are in or what role you have you need to be 'selling'. This means you need to not only understand sales but importantly also how to generate new business.
There aren't 'tricks' to this, there is simply proven systems that can help you achieve this. This book runs through a whole spectrum of options that are available and it would be truly impossible to say that someone to say that there wasn't something in this book that could help them with the 'sales' process. Surprisingly, I found there was a lot more information in this book than I expected and it also contained more details than I expected. That's what I liked about this when compared to other 'sales' books. It just doesn't merely talk about what 'sales' are it provides you with concrete steps and suggestions to go about generating more opportunities.
Many business owners are not natural sales people and in fact tend to shy away from sales claiming that it really isn't their thing. To the contrary, for a business owner it is always sales first for without demand there is no business. The more you understand sales the better you have of being a success and keeping the income flowing to your business.
The book is easy to read and surprising comprehensive and pragmatic in its approach. It is well suited to the 'no-sales' type who can learn a lot from the suggestions it brings forward. I would suggest that if you are in business, and especially if you are in business for yourself, then this book should be on your reading list.(less)
It is always good to have someone else tell you what generally makes people 'likeable' for too easily can you stray from that. Every one has a differe...moreIt is always good to have someone else tell you what generally makes people 'likeable' for too easily can you stray from that. Every one has a different likeability factor that is influenced by many things but the book provides focus on what works across a wide audience. Even though many of the concepts are 'obvious' sometimes these do need to be focused on.
The book provides a good guide to some factors that you can implement to certainly improve you 'likeability' which can generally lead to addition benefits in both personal and business relationships. It is not a way for you to pretend to be something your not, it is information about the other persons perspective in the relationship. If you want to be 'liked' you need to be 'liked' by someone so in that context 'likeability' is all about the other party in a relationship, and sometimes that gets overlooked.
There is no doubt that being 'likeable' provides benefits and the book helps you promote and enhance that part of your personality rather than trying to substitute something alien. Like anything that involves the study of human behaviour the answers may seem simple yet they can be some of the hardest to actually live by.
If you are prepared to honestly look at how to improve your relationships then this book is a worthwhile investment.(less)
Even though the ideas in this book are no completely original what I did like was the author has taken the conversion process one step further than mo...moreEven though the ideas in this book are no completely original what I did like was the author has taken the conversion process one step further than most other books. My impression was that the author highlights the concepts of Internet selling but actually provides real examples of what you need to do to make the dream a reality.
It is unfortunate that you need to use the terms 'millionaires', 'work less, live more' with these books because it can make the title seem some what like a get rich easy scheme. I certainly understand why the book needs to have a title like this (to attract readers) however I would recommend people not be put off by the title if it somehow appears 'too slick' at first glance. The book contains a wealth of really handy and well thought out information that anyone looking to sell on the Internet would gain benefit from. As I say, my feeling is that this book actually takes the process just that little bit further than other titles I have read.
Most importantly, this book does not claim to show you how to get rich easy but using the leverage of the Internet it does demonstrate how you can earn more that what your expectation might be. You still need to do the hard work, have a good concept and have a bit of luck but what the book I think demonstrates that many people are already doing something they love and converting it to something they can earn some revenue from is not a huge step. These are the people that will get the most from this book.
In summary, a practical and level headed approach to the opportunities the Internet provides. It goes deeper into the practicalities of making this possible that most similar titles I have read. The book acknowledges that hard work, dedication and some luck are still factors but it does help readers make the most of what may come their way.(less)
This is great book for anyone contemplating starting a business or anyone running a small business. Where the book really shines is in the fact that i...moreThis is great book for anyone contemplating starting a business or anyone running a small business. Where the book really shines is in the fact that it focuses on micro-businesses (i.e. the very small ones).
The book is perhaps more on the motivational side than something like the 4 Hour Work Week but in many ways I found it as inspirational. I found the book chock of really great ideas and through provoking stories about what can work even with such small businesses. I would certainly put this book up as something that small business people should read and do so on a regular basis.
Its content is modern and easy to read. It is more focused perhaps on providing inspiration for the micro-business and demonstrating that you don't have to be big to be successful. It will leave you will plenty of ideas and suggest that you can take into your own business but it is not really focused on creating processes to achieve this. That is something you will have to find elsewhere.
When you are a micro-business the world appears to be very intimidating in a big pond that we call the economy. However, reading this book should inspire these same micro-businesses that they can not only survive and compete but also succeed. It will hopefully provide them with a range of suggestions that they can implement themselves and greatly improve their chances of success. Most importantly, it demonstrates that the greatest capital that is required is simply imagination and the determination to succeed.
For anyone running their own business, this is highly recommended read.(less)
If you are into technology you are going to really enjoy this book. If you are at all interested in IT security then you are going to love this book....moreIf you are into technology you are going to really enjoy this book. If you are at all interested in IT security then you are going to love this book. If you have read Mark's first book (Zero Day) then you are going to find that this one is even better and not just from a plot point of view.
What impressed me most about this book was how much more 'story-craft' has gone into it. That alone makes it a better book than 'Zero Day' (which was fantastic anyway). Combined with a great plot and returning characters, I would say this is a really, really enjoyable techno-thriller. It is made even more potent by recent events like Stuxnet and illustrates we are moving into a form of warfare that will mainly conducted on line in the future.
The plot is a step up from the first novel 'Zero Day' in that it is centred around nation states doing battle with malware weapons, however the character depth and quality really makes this book shine from others in the field. It is an easy read and would be enjoyed by those without a major technology bent. However, if you are a geek at all then you are going to get so much more from reading this book.
I can't wait for the third book (which is coming) and hope that they turn Mark's books into movies. It is perhaps not surprising that someone who develops such great software (Sysinternals) can produce such a high quality work. The most impressive thing is just how much better the writing has developed when compared to the first. Without doubt, Mark's passion and knowledge for his work flows over into his novels and there is little doubt that next one will be better again.
Full disclosure - I was provided a copy of this book by the author.
The world of E-Learning has opened up new opportunities to so many people these day...moreFull disclosure - I was provided a copy of this book by the author.
The world of E-Learning has opened up new opportunities to so many people these days. The challenge for many is that they may not be experienced with studying and may find doing it online very different from what they first thought.
This book is good primer for those who are getting into E-Learning for the very first time. It covers all the basics and should be handy to many first time students as well, whether online or not. The book takes some handy hints and tips and puts them together in an easy to follow format.
If you are new to the world of E-Learning and looking to get your feet wet this book is a great starting point. It is going to provide you with much of information that you'd probably learn in the first few weeks, however reading the book and being prepared up front is going to make the whole process much less daunting.
In summary, a great first time guide for those getting into E-Learning that is easy to read and has plenty of handy suggestion to help you succeed with your learning in the new online world.(less)
This is a very mentally stimulating book but it is also a very challenging book to read. Given the content and the though provoking concepts that it r...moreThis is a very mentally stimulating book but it is also a very challenging book to read. Given the content and the though provoking concepts that it raises I really think that it is not designed for the casual read. You really need to set aside the time, concentrate and ingest what it has to offer.
It is a book that illustrates how we think. It is a book that demonstrates that the way we think can be manipulated and that is what makes it so fascinating. To really get the most from the book you probably need to view it more as a textbook than a piece of non-fiction. Likewise, in many ways it a book that is probably going to give you the same stimulation no matter how many times you read it.
I will admit that I did find it somewhat distracting that the author keeps mentioning themselves and their work in the book and that does make it a little harder to read. However, at its core this a great book for anyone who is interested in understanding the way that we think and how our thought processes can be manipulated by such simple things.
We consider ourselves so sophisticated in these days of the information age, yet as this book illustrates our brains response in a very consistent way. Reading this book will help you understand these ways and hopefully be more aware of when such automatic responses kick in. However, be sure to set aside the time to study rather than read this book to get the most from it.(less)
Full disclosure - I was provided a review copy of this book by the publishers.
Unfortunately for me in the plethora of business books that are currentl...moreFull disclosure - I was provided a review copy of this book by the publishers.
Unfortunately for me in the plethora of business books that are currently available this one doesn't really stand out. That doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with it, it simply means that it really doesn't stand out from the crowd.
It is a basically a book of quick suggestions and observations organized around a chapter topic. This to me meant that it didn't really get into the meat of things. All the suggestions are great but there are two problems with that. Either, I have read them before or they are the opposite of what I have read before. For example, one suggestion is to 'seed' the tip jar with money to get the ball rolling. Elsewhere I have read you shouldn't do this. Problem is, that both probably apply equally but what I would really like to see from business books in general is actual qualitative results from such idioms. If you reckon that 'seeding' the tip jar is a good idea how about some research or real world testing to see whether it really is the case? Call me old fashioned but I want to see the data.
Business is like philosophy. Different options appeal to different people but the more business books I read the less they tend to stand out. Yes, all the suggestions mentioned are great but you know what? For a regular reader I want something different, I want something unique.
If you are new to business books or interested is some general thoughts and suggestions this book has value. If you are a seasoned reader looking for something a bit out of the ordinary then this may not be the title for you.(less)
The world is divided up into those who believe people are basically good by nature while the rest believe people are selfish by nature. This book is c...moreThe world is divided up into those who believe people are basically good by nature while the rest believe people are selfish by nature. This book is certainly going to appeal to the first group and challenge the second. Like most successful strategies in business it is something that requires investment in both time and effort to be successful, so too with getting on board with the Thank You Economy.
The book certainly has many illustrations and conclusions as to why focusing on helping other is good business. The challenge is that getting a return on investment for such a strategy can take time. However, there seems little doubt that most people these days are hesitant to commit to a product or service without some sort of free sample or strong endorsement. This book encourages the reader to go and develop these means and focus them on driving business.
The book is well written and easy to read. It does not perhaps provide anything startling for those already in the Thanks You Economy but it does provides a few examples and suggestions where a strategy could be tweaked and enhanced. Those that have their doubts about the Thank You Economy are probably going to dismiss the books as fantasy. I would encourage those people to try and keep and open mind and at least try some of the suggestions from the book. In most cases they won't cost you anything and you might be surprises at the results that ensue.
There is certainly enough evidence out there to suggest that, done correctly, the techniques of the Thank You Economy can benefit any business. The greatest challenge for the sceptics is probably just being willing enough to give it a go. So, even if you have your doubts, I'd encourage you to read this book with an open mind and perhaps try a few of the suggestions. For those who have already embraces the ideals championed in the book it is still a worthwhile read in the quest to refine that way that you go about thanking people for interacting with your business.(less)
This book contains plenty of very hand information about branding in SharePoint. It also has plenty of information that can be used as a reference sou...moreThis book contains plenty of very hand information about branding in SharePoint. It also has plenty of information that can be used as a reference source. It is easy to read and should make sense to anyone who has worked with SharePoint.
I would have liked to have seen more practical examples of actually building completed projects. There are plenty of one off examples in the book that are very handy but it would have been nice perhaps to start with a single branding project and develop that throughout the book. However, I do understand that this maybe not what everyone wants from a book like this.
This books is certainly one that is worth adding to your SharePoint reference library and will be a valuable resource that you can refer to again and agin. That said, I think that most will find that need additional resources to really get the hang of SharePoint customisation. This is not the fault of the author it is simply that SharePoint is such a huge product with so many options to work with.
Personally, I would have liked to have seen more development around a single project so that it could tied together however this doesn't detract from an excellent book that is a worthwhile read for anyone looking at doing SharePoint customisation.(less)
I love these sorts of books the delve into the human psyche and attempt to explain why we do things. If you read this book you will certainly learn so...moreI love these sorts of books the delve into the human psyche and attempt to explain why we do things. If you read this book you will certainly learn something about human nature and most likely it will something you didn't appreciate.
Better understanding why people do things and how others attempt to use human nature against us can only better equip you to deal with these attempts to influence you. The book is easy to read and follows naturally from subject to subject. It is certainly engaging all the way through and the only criticism I could make is that I found the booked ended too soon. I would have liked to seen a little more development of the material already covered but it was certainly more than adequate.
If you like understand why people do the things they do then book is certainly for you. It will show you how easily we all can be influenced and what triggers these responses in us. If you are in business then this book will help you better understand how you can use influence to improve your bottom line. If you are not in business then the book is still a very worthwhile read as the impact of influence is all around us and impacting us everywhere we go. Understanding the basics is going to make it much easier for you to be in control rather than surrendering to automatic responses programmed into our nature.
In summary, a very entertaining and enlightening book that anyone who interested in what us tick will find interesting. (less)
A pretty basic book about SharePoint that is probably only good for those very new to the product. Unfortunately, it is probably something that most w...moreA pretty basic book about SharePoint that is probably only good for those very new to the product. Unfortunately, it is probably something that most would read and then never return to, however it does more than adequately cover what SharePoint is and how to use it. The majority of the book is spent explaining the options available in SharePoint rather than going into how they can actually be used. This is common drawback I find of most 'introduction' style SharePoint books. It is aimed to serve a specific niche and it does that well enough.
The book is easy to read and logical to follow. It does draw the distinction SharePoint Foundation and Server but concentrates most of its time on SharePoint Server.
So a worthwhile book if you have never used SharePoint but unfortunately once you have digested the material in here there is little chance that you'll need to go back, which is a pity. It is a book more aimed at illustrating all the options in SharePoint than actually showing you how to employ these to solve business problems, which is as I mentioned, a drawback of many books of this ilk.(less)
Office 365 is a vast product divided up between Enterprise and Small Business offerings. This can make it complicated for users to understand exactly...moreOffice 365 is a vast product divided up between Enterprise and Small Business offerings. This can make it complicated for users to understand exactly what they receive with each package. This book is very clear in its focus on the Small Business or P Office 365 plan. It provides not only a good overview of what features the product provides but also how to implement them. Importantly, the book is not overly technical and is aimed at an IT comfortable end user.
Even focusing just on the Small Business offerings of Office 365 is a tough assignment, given the vast array of features. However, the book does cover all aspects of the Small Business suite from signing up to domains, Exchange, SharePoint and to Lync. Reading this book will certainly help you get up and running with the Office 365 Small Business offering quickly. The book will also provide you with a number of helpful hints when using Office 365 that will certainly save a you a time of and effort.
The book is easy to read but in some cases does tend to try and cover a little too much. It does this by pointing to external links, which is great, but can distract from the flow of information. Unfortunately, many of the links are quite complex so it isn't a simple matter of just typing them in. That is no fault of the author but it would of perhaps been better if such links could have been shortened and provided as reference at the end of each chapter. However that is a personal preference and may not suit all readers I readily accept.
Thus, if you are looking for a good book for coming to grips with Office 365, especially the Small Business or P Plan, then this book is very worthwhile. It is full of information, references, is easy to read and most importantly is written in a way that most small business people with some IT skills can easily understand.(less)
One of those books that you can't read casually and in small snippets. This is more a book that requires you to spend the time with, read slowly and t...moreOne of those books that you can't read casually and in small snippets. This is more a book that requires you to spend the time with, read slowly and think about what is being said. I was surprised at how short the book actually turned out to be, with almost half of the book dedicated to analysis.
This book is one of those that you put on your shelf and refer back to again and again. Doing so will ensure that you get the most from it. The ideas in the book are not earth shattering they are all simply good common sense but sometimes it is actually beneficial to have these presented to you in another form.
A good book but one that cannot certainly be casually. It is however a book that can be read over and over and each time something new can be gleaned from its pages.(less)
Full disclosure - I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for reviewing it.
I think it is always hard to position a book that is a compendi...moreFull disclosure - I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for reviewing it.
I think it is always hard to position a book that is a compendium of other books and it is so with this one. Firstly, you'll need to be a SharePoint developer who uses Visual Studio to get the most from this book. You'll also need to be looking to extend the functionality of SharePoint onto the Windows Phone platform. Given the combination of these audiences it is clear that this book is not for everyone.
The book certainly does allow you to get a feel of the works of the authors from whom the individual chapters have been taken. It will also provide you benefit in the specific subjects that it covers, however you should check these area carefully before investing in the the book as each chapter is somewhat separate from the next.
The chapters certainly contain a wealth of information on their topics and would provide good value for those looking to learn about them, however as I said you will need to be a developer who is comfortable with using Visual Studio and SharePoint to get the most from this work.(less)
This book provides an excellent high level overview of the war. It is more about the politics and the high level personalities involved in the conflic...moreThis book provides an excellent high level overview of the war. It is more about the politics and the high level personalities involved in the conflict rather that a low level analysis of the battles. It looks more so at how the Great War changed the face of Europe and ushered in a new age where technology and industrialisation was the key determinate of national strength.
The book is easy to read and would be of benefit to any student of the conflict of the era. I enjoyed the details surrounding the major players and leaders on both sides, it filled in a lot of gaps in my knowledge. This is more a book about the political history of the Great War rather than a military history, although it does cover that aspect. If anything it provide a good overview from which an interested reader can start doing further research and reading.
I found this book both enjoyable and enlightening on the subject of the Great War. It covers a very wide range of topics and personalities masterfully. It is not a book for those looking for low level details of each battle, it examines more the interactions between the leaders of both sides and how their background and personalities impacted the decisions that they made. If you are looking for a good overview of the Great War and the politics behind it then this book is for you.(less)
Full disclosure - I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by the author.
It has been a long while since I have read a book that surprised...moreFull disclosure - I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by the author.
It has been a long while since I have read a book that surprised me. This book was nothing like I had expected, which was refreshing.
The positives are that I found the book immediately engaging and really connected with the characters. The environment in which the book is set is very different from what I have come to expect in the novels that I read. It is easy to read and generally flows very well. The story line is engaging and highlights, I believe, the importance of relationships and the fact that loyalty is a very honourable human quality and is something perhaps that the we are losing in our modern world.
As much as I enjoyed this book I would have to say that I was disappointed with the way that it ended and speed with which it did. I perhaps would have liked to have seen a more 'extended' conclusion and rounding off of the multiple threads of the storyline. It may have made the storyline a little more 'mainstream' but it is something that many people come to expect these days I believe. I felt that I still needed some closure with the characters I had followed throughout the book.
Even with this in mind I am glad that I had the opportunity to read this book, as it would have been unlikely that I would have otherwise. I found the story and the characters really engaging in a very unique way that really piqued my interest. I would certainly recommend this book to others but would note that some, like me, may be a little disappointed in how it ends. A more robust end game would have certainly completed the experience for me.(less)
Another great book on the power of networking. It is co-authored by the creator of Linkedin, which has surprisingly to many, been around for a lot lon...moreAnother great book on the power of networking. It is co-authored by the creator of Linkedin, which has surprisingly to many, been around for a lot longer that new comers like Facebook. The book is primarily aimed at those people on the career treadmill looking to make a change, however the information provided is certainly applicable to anyone.
This book addresses 'networking' as something you give before you receive. It demonstrates how cultivating a wide and diverse network is what will not only support you through all phases of your career but also provide you that elusive opportunity that you never though would be attainable. The books shows you how to go about building and utilizing a network in an intelligent manner rather than merely collecting 'friends'. Most importantly, it demonstrates that you need to not only nurture and build this network but you also need to contribute back to it if you plan to benefit.
Too many people and businesses scoff at the concept of 'effective' networking. They view it the old world thinking of 'schmoozing'. Nothing could be further from the truth in today's terms. Tools such as Linkedin and Facebook make the whole networking process so much easier but to be effective you still need to create a system to gain the most advantage. That is what this book will show you.
The book is easy to read and very enjoyable. It provides practical examples of effective networking as well as action point for you to take away and implement. There is little doubt that if you take this book to heart and implement even some of the suggestions it contains your chances or networking success are far greater. Take a leaf from the book of these authors who really know their subject and start implementing one of the most powerful success opportunities you have available today - business networking.(less)
This book I think is very handy as a reference book for people who want to 'know' all the functions of SharePoint. Typically, these are the people tha...moreThis book I think is very handy as a reference book for people who want to 'know' all the functions of SharePoint. Typically, these are the people that feel they need to understand the length and breadth of a product before they are willing to experiment for themselves.
With that in mind, it is not recommended that you read this book from cover to cover. Instead it will serve you better to use it as a reference when you start diving into the different areas of SharePoint. It will take you through all the options and explain to you exactly what they all do.
The people that will get the most out of this book are those who are just getting into SharePoint and want to have something they can refer to when they see all the options that can get presented at times in the product. It would prove to be a very handy book to keep on the shelf as a business gets up to speed with SharePoint as it allows them to easily research just the part they are working with at that moment and continue to do that over time as their confidence with the product grows.
In summary, more a reference book than a tutorial. It provides excellent coverage of just about all the options in SharePoint and what they all do. Is easy to read and would be of value to anyone who is getting into SharePoint and wants to know exactly what each option means. If you are just getting started with SharePoint and want to understand all the bits under the hood this book is an excellent starting point.(less)
Full disclosure - I was provided this book by the publisher for review.
Another solid business book with plenty of valuable advice, however in some way...moreFull disclosure - I was provided this book by the publisher for review.
Another solid business book with plenty of valuable advice, however in some ways it fails to stand out for me. Given the title I was expecting somewhat more of book that would really challenge what is out there in business world but that is not what it turned out to be.
Many of the topics that the books covers contain lots of worthwhile information and experience from the author but I didn't find they were laid out in a particularly progressive order. That doesn't detract from the value of the book but I always find that a logical progression from one topic to the next somehow adds to the value of what has been written.
The chapters are short and concise and overall the book is easy to read. The authors experience at the large end of town certainly provides insight into dealing with issues at the strategic level. I think that it is a book that you'd certainly get value out re-reading as there is a lot of material to digest.
There of course many interesting and topical points in the book and you would certainly benefit from reading it but I still found it lacked that spark, that something that made me want to read on to the finish of the book. I also find myself distracted when authors keep referring back to previous works, especially when I have not read them.
As I mentioned, a solid business book with plenty of worthwhile information however, to me as an extensive business book reader, it seems to lack that spark to keep you fully engaged and wanting to turn the page. However, certainly a worthwhile read for anyone looking at ways of improving their business.(less)
I think that perhaps for those people who haven't read a lot of business books then this would book would provide some revelations. However, to an exp...moreI think that perhaps for those people who haven't read a lot of business books then this would book would provide some revelations. However, to an experienced business reader there are not a lot of revolutionary things contained within. I was expecting somewhat more definitive steps and process on how to grow a business.
I also felt that the books was somewhat restricted by the authors inference to his own experience. I understand that this is in many ways the best method of conveying what works and what doesn't but I found the constant reference to that experience to be somewhat limiting in getting the concepts across. It would have proven more successful perhaps if reference and example had been made to other businesses and business leaders rather than referring to what appeared to be a unique set of experiences.
That said I did find some worthwhile information from the book on the subject of employee relationships and how to improve that aspect of a business. It is always good to hear other people's opinion on working with people as you can never really find one process that works for all.
So in summary, probably not a book for the experienced business reader but certainly has value for people new to business development.(less)
This is a great book that I'd recommend to any small to medium business. It covers lot of territory as well as focusing on the new mediums of social n...moreThis is a great book that I'd recommend to any small to medium business. It covers lot of territory as well as focusing on the new mediums of social networking. There are a lot of chapters to read but they are well divided by topic which makes this book also very handy as a reference tool for later. All you have to do is start implementing a single concept recommended and then expand from there. The author makes it really simple to get started without having to get bogged down in detail.
Most small to medium businesses really do no marketing at all, which is a really pity and in many ways holds their business back. You don't have to spend lots of time and money on the process you simply need to do 'something' and this book will certainly help. From Twitter to Facebook, to blogs and press releases the author covers a wide gambit that is well within the reach and resources of any business.
The books is easy to read and packed with plenty of great advice and information. Most importantly, I felt the book was also devoid of traditional 'marketing fluff' that confuses the issues, especially when it comes to small and medium business who are time and resource poor. Those who have been more progress with their marketing may find they already know some of the material contained in the book but there is still plenty ion there to fill in the holes and help you create a more rounded marketing plan for your business.
So in summary, I think this is a must read for many small and medium businesses who are looking to grow their business and want to make marketing simple and easy. I am confident that the time and money invested in this book will pay dividends.(less)
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