Andrew's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/81719 en-US Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:07:15 -0800 60 Andrew's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 10859963 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:07:15 -0800 <![CDATA[Vault Career Guide to Consulting]]> Vault Career Guide to Consulting
author: Eric. Chung
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/22/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10798562 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:49:13 -0800 <![CDATA[Naked Finance: Business Finance Pure and Simple]]> Naked Finance: Business Finance Pure and Simple
author: David Meckin
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792597 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:32:54 -0800 <![CDATA[If It's Raining in Brazil, Buy Starbucks]]> If It's Raining in Brazil, Buy Starbucks
author: Peter Navarro
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.17
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792567 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:32:24 -0800 <![CDATA[Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In]]> Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
author: Roger Fisher
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.61
book published: 1991
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792531 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:31:51 -0800 <![CDATA[Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step (Perennial Library)]]> Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step (Perennial Library)
author: Edward De Bono
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.82
book published: 1973
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792516 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:31:35 -0800 <![CDATA[Pick Me : Breaking Into Advertising and Staying There]]> Pick Me : Breaking Into Advertising and Staying There
author: Nancy Vonk
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792485 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:31:04 -0800 <![CDATA[Why We Buy: The Science Of Shopping]]> Why We Buy: The Science Of Shopping
author: Paco Underhill
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792476 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:30:50 -0800 <![CDATA[Kiss & Sell: Writing for Advertising]]> Kiss & Sell: Writing for Advertising
author: Robert Sawyer
name: Andrew
average rating: 2.50
book published: 2004
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792349 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:28:45 -0800 <![CDATA[How to Win Friends & Influence People]]> How to Win Friends & Influence People
author: Dale Carnegie
name: Andrew
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792271 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:27:11 -0800 <![CDATA[Kotler on Marketing: How to Create, Win, and Dominate Markets]]> Kotler on Marketing: How to Create, Win, and Dominate Markets
author: Philip Kotler
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10792216 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:25:36 -0800 <![CDATA[Game Theory at Work: How to Use Game Theory to Outthink and Outmaneuver Your Competition]]> Game Theory at Work: How to Use Game Theory to Outthink and Outmaneuver Your Competition
author: James D. Miller
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 10791448 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:22:50 -0800 <![CDATA[Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle]]>
While I thought the medium of the story was unique, the message was not. The plight of the authors and the stories they relate are not unique to them or their industry. Anyone who works for a PSF, such advertising or consulting, knows what its like to have the 'higher-ups' tell you to make a million revisions to your work. I found myself frequently thinking, "Yup, I know what thats like..." as I read, which only served to make it that much more enjoyable. ]]> Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle
author: John Rolfe
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/20/07
shelves:
review:
Quite entertaining and easy to read--I flew through this book. The interactions between the two authors (using two separate fonts) gives different points of view on the same situation. The anecdotes are funny and some of the commentary had me laughing out loud.

While I thought the medium of the story was unique, the message was not. The plight of the authors and the stories they relate are not unique to them or their industry. Anyone who works for a PSF, such advertising or consulting, knows what its like to have the 'higher-ups' tell you to make a million revisions to your work. I found myself frequently thinking, "Yup, I know what thats like..." as I read, which only served to make it that much more enjoyable.
]]> 8649567 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 09:29:05 -0800 <![CDATA[The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference]]> The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
author: Malcolm Gladwell
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2002
rating: 1
read at: 04/07
date added: 11/04/07
shelves:
review:
The book is very monotonous. Save yourself the trouble of reading the entire book and just read the title twice and take a guess at what's inside...you won't be far off.
]]> 8553765 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:24:44 -0700 <![CDATA[Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and unknowns in the dazzling world of derivatives]]>
Top shelf stuff.]]> Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and unknowns in the dazzling world of derivatives
author: Satyajit Das
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 10/07
date added: 11/02/07
shelves: business, top-shelf
review:
Entertaining and educational. The author blends a good mix of story telling and financial knowledge. The format is simple to follow. A derivative is presented and explained and then a story from financial history is used to illustrate the use of the derivative. People with limited finance knowledge (myself included) should still find it an interesting and understandable read.

Top shelf stuff.
]]> 8553370 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:15:53 -0700 <![CDATA[The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't]]>
Beyond the redundancy it was quite interesting to learn about the pervasiveness of assholes in the work place, but even more interesting is the extent of asshole research. There's an ton! Quantifying the cost of assholes is an interesting concept. By expanding on the "total cost of asshole" you can calculate who is creating/destroying value in the workplace. In the formula: X = Revenue - (Salary + Benefits + Bonus + Training + Asshole Charge), if X < 0 then the asshole is destroying value. Bottom line It's OK to have one, just don't be one.]]> The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
author: Robert I. Sutton
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 10/07
date added: 11/02/07
shelves: business
review:
This book is based on an HBR article and after having read the book, I think it was probably a better platform for the content. The book is redundant after the first couple of paragraphs. Accolades to Dr. Sutton for taking a 6 page article and turning it into 197 pages of asshole statistics available in hardback for $22.99.

Beyond the redundancy it was quite interesting to learn about the pervasiveness of assholes in the work place, but even more interesting is the extent of asshole research. There's an ton! Quantifying the cost of assholes is an interesting concept. By expanding on the "total cost of asshole" you can calculate who is creating/destroying value in the workplace. In the formula: X = Revenue - (Salary + Benefits + Bonus + Training + Asshole Charge), if X < 0 then the asshole is destroying value. Bottom line It's OK to have one, just don't be one.
]]> 7344513 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:34:01 -0700 <![CDATA[The Undercover Economist]]> The Undercover Economist
author: Tim Harford
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.43
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 07/06
date added: 10/06/07
shelves: business
review:
This book takes text book economics and applies it to real life situations. It does a good job of pointing out the obvious to anyone with any knowledge of economics. Recommended for those who have trouble applying theory to the real world.
]]> 7344150 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:17:25 -0700 <![CDATA[Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This: A Guide to Creating Great Ads, Second Edition]]> Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This: A Guide to Creating Great Ads, Second Edition
author: Luke Sullivan
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at: 06/05
date added: 10/06/07
shelves: marketing
review:
The quintessential ad book. Advertising 101.
]]> 7344000 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:12:29 -0700 <![CDATA[When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management]]> When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management
author: Roger Lowenstein
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 08/07
date added: 10/06/07
shelves:
review:
You kinda want to feel sorry for them, but then again, not really. Highly leveraged + Low Liquidity = Ooops!
]]> 7343987 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:07:14 -0700 <![CDATA[Freakonomics Rev Ed: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything]]> Freakonomics Rev Ed: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
author: Steven D. Levitt
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 06/05
date added: 10/06/07
shelves:
review:
This book offers interesting analysis on seemingly unrelated phenomena. A good bathroom book--each chapter takes a look at a comparisons/causations in different scenarios making each chapter readable on its own. Some of the authors arguments are quite convincing, such as the decline in crime being related to Roe v. Wade, other topics the author writes about are a big "zzZZZzzZZzzz," such as the historical usage of children's names. You should skip that chapter and save that half hour of your life for something more worthwhile. I haven't read the new edition, but it probably hasn't changed much.
]]> 7343359 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 09:51:20 -0700 <![CDATA[Ugly Americans: The True Story of the Ivy League Cowboys Who Raided the Asian Markets for Millions]]> Ugly Americans: The True Story of the Ivy League Cowboys Who Raided the Asian Markets for Millions
author: Ben Mezrich
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 09/07
date added: 10/06/07
shelves: business
review:
This book had the potential to be something amazing. It could have a been a deeply insightful look at a pivotal time in financial history, but it definitely fell short of my expectations. For all the research, interviews and behind the scenes information the author was able to get, the story is extremely superficial and does a better job of describing the Tokyo nightlife than anything financially insightful. That said, the book was able to keep me reading on a purely entertainment level.
]]> 2052292 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:07:07 -0700 <![CDATA[Musashi]]> Musashi
author: Eiji Yoshikawa
name: Andrew
average rating: 4.40
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 01/04
date added: 06/17/07
shelves:
review:
Interesting book. Far better and more believeable than anything by Clavell (Shogun). Good plot and well written. Kinda long.
]]> 2052255 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:03:59 -0700 <![CDATA[Tai-Pan]]> Tai-Pan
author: James Clavell
name: Andrew
average rating: 4.03
book published: 1966
rating: 3
read at: 01/03
date added: 06/17/07
shelves:
review:
I dont like fiction, but it held my interest.
]]> 2052228 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:01:31 -0700 <![CDATA[The Illustrated Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream]]> The Illustrated Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1988
rating: 5
read at: 01/04
date added: 06/17/07
shelves:
review:
You don't have to go far to find what you're searching for...and yet, you do.
]]> 2052122 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:59:23 -0700 <![CDATA[Warrior of the Light: A Manual]]>
A warrior knows the power of words.]]> Warrior of the Light: A Manual
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 01/05
date added: 06/17/07
shelves:
review:
A warrior takes every opportunity to teach himself.

A warrior knows the power of words.
]]> 1358569 Tue, 22 May 2007 03:50:57 -0700 <![CDATA[Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing: A Simpler and More Powerful Path to Higher Profits]]>
TDABC allows for greater drill down and easier implementation, but other benefits beyond that are lackluster. Also, some companies might not require the type of drill down that this provides. Somple implementation examples are given. The extensions of TDABC in combining it with Lean Management/Six Sigma or Benchmarking are weakly supported.

]]> Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing: A Simpler and More Powerful Path to Higher Profits
author: Robert S. Kaplan
name: Andrew
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 05/07
date added: 05/22/07
shelves:
review:
Trouble staying awake, but what should I expect, its quite a technical read. TDABC seems to be a slight innovation on the previous ABC costing who's real benefits have yet to be proven; A revolutionary costing method TDABC is not. The difference in the two is the method of deriving the costs/cost drivers. Traditional ABC maps processes and estimates cost whereas TDABC counts capacity and multiples it by a cost per capacity.

TDABC allows for greater drill down and easier implementation, but other benefits beyond that are lackluster. Also, some companies might not require the type of drill down that this provides. Somple implementation examples are given. The extensions of TDABC in combining it with Lean Management/Six Sigma or Benchmarking are weakly supported.


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