Death By Powerpoint

by Michael Flocker

Does your manager talk endlessly about "engineering synergy" and "bridging disconnects?" Does the guy in the cube next to you eavesdrop and peak at what's in your personal drawer? Have you ever come close to "death by PowerPoint" as you struggle to stay awake in a meeting? If you work in any kind of office--large or small--the answers to these questions are undoubtedly "yes" and you obviously and desperately need Death By PowerPoint . A life-saving guide to twenty-first century corporate culture, it provides incisive coverage of everything you'll need to get ahead (or to simply stay above water): The Art of Office Politics--sucking up effectively, how to deal with control freaks and that annoying guy with all the "new ideas" E-Mail Etiquette--responding to ridiculous requests, managing passive-aggressive messages, and how best to undo E-damage Mandatory Fun--proper etiquette for office parties, the curse of Secret Santa, and undermining your drunken co-workers Sex in the Workplace--how to spot video surveillance, telltale signs that others are getting it on, dumping etiquette, and the treacherous realm of sex with the boss

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Humor

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2006

Reviews

[Chip Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the reasons why you knew you would hate working for a big company, plus lots more reasons why you do, now that you are there.

Published in 2006 and still funny today.

[Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

An utterly trite mini-read from the author of "The Metrosexual Guide to Style," ergo not the most likely of characters to dispense advice on workplace survival. If you have 2 hours and 100% certitude that you will harbor no regrets whatsoever about how they were spent, then perhaps you could consider finishing this. However, do not assume that any of the tips will improve your Powerpoint skills - they certainly won't. At best, you will acquire new lingo like 'layoff lust' (an overwhelming, deeply passionate desire to be laid off) and 'salmon day' (a day spent struggling valiantly against the current, in hopes of succeeding only to get screwed and die in the end).

If you have an IQ of 3 digits, then most of the wisdom contained herein is already known to you. Still, you may get an occasional chuckle, such as the suggestions Flocker offers for livening up the office. "Tell[ing] the new girl the office copier is voice-activated" could be amusing, but others are just childish.

In all, I'm not even sure Flocker has worked in any offices that qualify him to write a book on office humor. Readers beware: this is a humor book run amok, because you will barely laugh.

[lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Flocker hits the stapler on the head in this all-too true-to-life satiric guidebook to officeLife survival ... all the idiosyncrasies of the workaday world are captured in the most hilarious barrage of observation ... the little pukeyCovered tome covers everything from email cautionary tales to personality types and how to deal with them ... and i have to say { or at least bloggishly type here } that just reading this book will make the ofttimes near-weighty existence of corporate life in America bring a smile to your lips and a gleam to the eye ... many kudos ... a must read ... amen

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kind of book is usually a groaner, but this is actually a sharp little package of intelligent satire, which is to say, for once somebody got it right.

[Lydia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing that isn't common sense (don't sleep with your boss), and not even very funny. Not recommended.

Or perhaps my years at a desk job have jaded me? You be the judge.

[Kristy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUNNY!

[Meryl Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book review

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book in finding humor in the workplace.

[G.R.S. Hjelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I'm a bit down I pick this book up and read a section. And I've never worked in an office!! :D

[Chip Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the reasons why you knew you would hate working for a big company, plus lots more reasons why you do, now that you are there.

Published in 2006 and still funny today.

[Jeanne Felfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having spent decades in corporate America, much of that using spreadsheets, I found this a funny read.