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Me, Inc. How to Master the Business of Being You: A Personalized Program for Exceptional Living
Advance praise for Me, Inc
"Ventrella takes the best practices of Fortune 500 companies and shows how you can apply them to another important venture--you! Your life deserves at least as much attention as your job does, so read this book and turn your time on Earth into a satisfying, meaningful enterprise."
--Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager? and Leading at a Higher Level
"Rarely does a book so authentically capture the essence of what a true personal brand transformation is all about. Me, Inc. provides a unique approach to discovering your personal brand and making it a reality. Through Ventrella's insights and invaluable self-discovery tools, readers quickly learn that when you build your personal brand, you build a brand of value--value that eloquently translates into success throughout every facet of your life."
--Laura Tessinari, Senior Partner, Director of Training, Ogilvy & Mather
"The Me, Inc. program has guided me on the path to even greater personal and professional achievement and life satisfaction than I ever thought possible."
--Jack Hallahan, Vice President, Advertising and Brand Partnerships, MobiTV
"In all of the thirteen years since I first heard Ventrella speak on this subject, I have consistently been impressed by the value of his approach and the responses of the hundreds of students who have benefited from his structured program. With the publication of Me, Inc., Ventrella reveals to a much larger audience the way to create successful, happy lives. His students at Fordham and executive coaching clients have been applying it with excellent results for years."
--James A. F. Stoner, Professor Fordham University, Graduate School of Business Administration
"Me, Inc. provides a clear road map to achieving your goals and finding greater work-life balance. Ventrella's approach offers an interesting and powerful way to assume control; by managing your life's ambitions as seriously as you might a business endeavor, you can clarify your thoughts, set priorities, and turn your dreams into reality. Ventrella is a very effective coach and, like any good boss, he doesn't let you off the hook. You want to change things? Look no further."
--Teri Schindler, Media Consultant, Patrick Davis Partners
"Ventrella takes the best practices of Fortune 500 companies and shows how you can apply them to another important venture--you! Your life deserves at least as much attention as your job does, so read this book and turn your time on Earth into a satisfying, meaningful enterprise."
--Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager? and Leading at a Higher Level
"Rarely does a book so authentically capture the essence of what a true personal brand transformation is all about. Me, Inc. provides a unique approach to discovering your personal brand and making it a reality. Through Ventrella's insights and invaluable self-discovery tools, readers quickly learn that when you build your personal brand, you build a brand of value--value that eloquently translates into success throughout every facet of your life."
--Laura Tessinari, Senior Partner, Director of Training, Ogilvy & Mather
"The Me, Inc. program has guided me on the path to even greater personal and professional achievement and life satisfaction than I ever thought possible."
--Jack Hallahan, Vice President, Advertising and Brand Partnerships, MobiTV
"In all of the thirteen years since I first heard Ventrella speak on this subject, I have consistently been impressed by the value of his approach and the responses of the hundreds of students who have benefited from his structured program. With the publication of Me, Inc., Ventrella reveals to a much larger audience the way to create successful, happy lives. His students at Fordham and executive coaching clients have been applying it with excellent results for years."
--James A. F. Stoner, Professor Fordham University, Graduate School of Business Administration
"Me, Inc. provides a clear road map to achieving your goals and finding greater work-life balance. Ventrella's approach offers an interesting and powerful way to assume control; by managing your life's ambitions as seriously as you might a business endeavor, you can clarify your thoughts, set priorities, and turn your dreams into reality. Ventrella is a very effective coach and, like any good boss, he doesn't let you off the hook. You want to change things? Look no further."
--Teri Schindler, Media Consultant, Patrick Davis Partners
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Scott W. Ventrella
6 books2 followersScott W. Ventrella is principal of Positive Dynamics, a company that develops and implements performance improvement programs that tap the inherent potential in people. He began his career with the Juran Institute, a leading professional-services firm in quality management. An adjunct professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business, Ventrella lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 28, 2020
I listened to the audio book and it is very good with great ideas.
I recommend this book.
I recommend this book.
Read
August 20, 2007Kudu baca neh. So I can be Me, Inc. and you can be You, Inc.
June 14, 2020
The author Scott Ventrella provides a step by step guide to creating an exceptional life plan. Borrowing from his extensive knowledge in coaching businesses to understand purpose, develop strategies and execute tactical plans, Mr. Ventrella uses those business tools in sharing how this can be done on a personal basis. The book also has several relevant business stories and personal coaching stories that allow the reader to better understand the lessons in a context different from their own life.
Although I listened to this version, I believe that this book is better read in physical or e-book form. There are many activities to complete and a physical book is better suited to ensure that you get the most of these insightful lessons and activities.
Highly recommended for folks developing a plan for self-improvement. If you don't want to do the work, this may not be the book for you.
Although I listened to this version, I believe that this book is better read in physical or e-book form. There are many activities to complete and a physical book is better suited to ensure that you get the most of these insightful lessons and activities.
Highly recommended for folks developing a plan for self-improvement. If you don't want to do the work, this may not be the book for you.
January 4, 2021
I really liked this book but the audiobook was not the best way for me to take in the book. I think I need to purchase the book so I can do all of the prompts to help improve my overall life. Very interesting concepts of taking business strategies and applying them to our own lives to make sure we are living driven and fulfilling lives.
May 16, 2017
A few checklist items to have a ponder over.
April 30, 2021
I want to start by saying that, I should have listened to the reviews regarding this audiobook. Me, Inc. is a workbook, not something you can listen to and possibly learn from. If you listen too books in a car or someplace where you cannot take copious notes do not get the audio version.
Having said that, I will get into Me Inc. a little bit. I was excited to learn that the author is a former Juran Institute trainer. Dr. Joseph Juran Generally does not get first billing to Dr. Deming; however he was one of the key contributors to bringing the quality movement forward in America. The institute that bears his name, although not as well known as the Deming Institute, still exist today spreading the quality message. The fact that the author worked there, brings a level of credibility to the text.
Me and corporated takes a step-by-step business approach to improving the quality of your life. For some this may be off putting, but for me it was refreshing as I am comfortable with this approach. It requires you to deeply reflect on what is important and what you need to-do and not to-do to achieve your most important goals. The book is well written and not "too business-y" with several real life examples throughout to demonstrate the author's points and how they will achieve the purpose he intends.
Final note I am someone who listens to audiobooks on a lengthy commute but does not have the ability to take notes. The audiobook did a good job of encouraging me to purchase gay Kindle version; however, at this time I cannot judge whether the methods that the author lays out are effective or not. I do intend on reviewing the Kindle version and using it as my workbook in the very near future. The strategy seems very sound, but until I can test it, I cannot accurately review whether the methodology is successful.
7/5/19 update
I have Incorporated many of the Me Inc concepts into my quarterly planning. I am following a method of hoshin planning, Kaizen improvement, and hansei reflection. Me, Inc directly supports this method of improving.
Having said that, I will get into Me Inc. a little bit. I was excited to learn that the author is a former Juran Institute trainer. Dr. Joseph Juran Generally does not get first billing to Dr. Deming; however he was one of the key contributors to bringing the quality movement forward in America. The institute that bears his name, although not as well known as the Deming Institute, still exist today spreading the quality message. The fact that the author worked there, brings a level of credibility to the text.
Me and corporated takes a step-by-step business approach to improving the quality of your life. For some this may be off putting, but for me it was refreshing as I am comfortable with this approach. It requires you to deeply reflect on what is important and what you need to-do and not to-do to achieve your most important goals. The book is well written and not "too business-y" with several real life examples throughout to demonstrate the author's points and how they will achieve the purpose he intends.
Final note I am someone who listens to audiobooks on a lengthy commute but does not have the ability to take notes. The audiobook did a good job of encouraging me to purchase gay Kindle version; however, at this time I cannot judge whether the methods that the author lays out are effective or not. I do intend on reviewing the Kindle version and using it as my workbook in the very near future. The strategy seems very sound, but until I can test it, I cannot accurately review whether the methodology is successful.
7/5/19 update
I have Incorporated many of the Me Inc concepts into my quarterly planning. I am following a method of hoshin planning, Kaizen improvement, and hansei reflection. Me, Inc directly supports this method of improving.
November 19, 2015
One of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard...
"My former consulting colleagues and I had a saying 'In God we trust, all others bring data.'"
Things that I liked...
"Have you ever had one of those friends who seems to suck up every bit of yourself that you're willing to share? She's always calling you on the phone to tell you about her latest crisis but never seems to inquire as to how you're doing. Perhaps you should consider cutting back on the amount of time that you spend with this individual..."
"You are your own most important customer."
"A new client, Joe serves as an example of someone who let a fire burn for too long. He called me up one day in a panic. 'My wife told me today that she's going to leave me." He exclaimed in disbelief. 'I don't understand it at all. We just had a fancy anniversary dinner last week. This is completely out of the blue!' The thing is, after some examination, it became obvious that this wasn't completely out of the blue. Joe is a sports fanatic. He's either out playing golf or watching sporting events on tv year around. When he and his wife were married fifteen years ago, Sarah accepted his habits with a 'That's just the way Joe is' kind of attitude. But then they had two kids and Joe's job changed so that he had to be away from home more often. Instead of helping Sarah cope with the increased stress, Joe escaped into sports more than ever. Sarah became increasingly fed up, but Joe did nothing to change. He was deep in the complacency zone, doing only the bare minimum to keep his increasingly average marriage alive. Eventually, Sarah couldn't handle it anymore. That's when she announced that she was leaving him, and she did. If Joe had leapt into action and focused attention on his wife's unhappiness before it overwhelmed her, he might have been able to salvage his marriage but unfortunately, he did not."
"My former consulting colleagues and I had a saying 'In God we trust, all others bring data.'"
Things that I liked...
"Have you ever had one of those friends who seems to suck up every bit of yourself that you're willing to share? She's always calling you on the phone to tell you about her latest crisis but never seems to inquire as to how you're doing. Perhaps you should consider cutting back on the amount of time that you spend with this individual..."
"You are your own most important customer."
"A new client, Joe serves as an example of someone who let a fire burn for too long. He called me up one day in a panic. 'My wife told me today that she's going to leave me." He exclaimed in disbelief. 'I don't understand it at all. We just had a fancy anniversary dinner last week. This is completely out of the blue!' The thing is, after some examination, it became obvious that this wasn't completely out of the blue. Joe is a sports fanatic. He's either out playing golf or watching sporting events on tv year around. When he and his wife were married fifteen years ago, Sarah accepted his habits with a 'That's just the way Joe is' kind of attitude. But then they had two kids and Joe's job changed so that he had to be away from home more often. Instead of helping Sarah cope with the increased stress, Joe escaped into sports more than ever. Sarah became increasingly fed up, but Joe did nothing to change. He was deep in the complacency zone, doing only the bare minimum to keep his increasingly average marriage alive. Eventually, Sarah couldn't handle it anymore. That's when she announced that she was leaving him, and she did. If Joe had leapt into action and focused attention on his wife's unhappiness before it overwhelmed her, he might have been able to salvage his marriage but unfortunately, he did not."
March 29, 2011
I'm not sure what to think of this one yet. I started it a couple weeks ago and ejected the CD. I'm trying to return to it with an open mind.
Apparently it is going to take me 16 weeks to get through all the exercises in this book, if I really take the necessary time to go through all the steps. I think that's probably a good thing in terms of my personal growth, but one thing that results in this book being neglected and given a low rating. And it's hard to hold yourself accountable to a book! But I think there is some decent stuff to be gleaned from the process, and it certainly is a lot cheaper than the emotional bootcamp/therapy stuff I have been putting myself through on the side.
I'm pretty sure I will need to consult a hard copy of this text, though. Answering questions and responding to exercises, especially returning to things after a week or two of working on them, will be better accomplished that way.
ETA
3.5 stars, if I could. Interesting. I would like to see a lot of this stuff written down, but listening to it was a good first step. Some of it is corny and I wouldn't do, but there was a lot of useful stuff in here about making short-term, long-term, and "über" goals... about clarifying what you want in various parts of your life, ranking them, figuring out how your decisions affect you AND those you care most about, and using this information to move forward.
Apparently it is going to take me 16 weeks to get through all the exercises in this book, if I really take the necessary time to go through all the steps. I think that's probably a good thing in terms of my personal growth, but one thing that results in this book being neglected and given a low rating. And it's hard to hold yourself accountable to a book! But I think there is some decent stuff to be gleaned from the process, and it certainly is a lot cheaper than the emotional bootcamp/therapy stuff I have been putting myself through on the side.
I'm pretty sure I will need to consult a hard copy of this text, though. Answering questions and responding to exercises, especially returning to things after a week or two of working on them, will be better accomplished that way.
ETA
3.5 stars, if I could. Interesting. I would like to see a lot of this stuff written down, but listening to it was a good first step. Some of it is corny and I wouldn't do, but there was a lot of useful stuff in here about making short-term, long-term, and "über" goals... about clarifying what you want in various parts of your life, ranking them, figuring out how your decisions affect you AND those you care most about, and using this information to move forward.
Read
July 19, 2008I only listened to about 1/3 of this book before I ditched it. I found it exceptionally trite.
January 27, 2016
on Audio- I knew they were selling things, it is a self-help book. The Level of smug was far to high for me
April 7, 2016
Great book to remap your life by in times of change & reflection. I'd recommend this to others who seem lost or stuck in life. Great insights, strategies & motivational quips.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews