1 comments about Personal Portfolio Management: Fundamentals and Strategies.

1. This is a wonderful book that covers all aspects of investing. It will be helpful to the first timer as well as those who want to continue their investment knowledge. The first few chapters take you through the basics of investing. The final chapters explain investment timing and predicting economic conditions. 'Personal Portfolio Management' will help you through all investment problems by breaking them down so that you can understand and master them. I recomend this book to anyone who is interested in understanding the ideas and theories in personal portfolio management.

5 comments about LEGACY LEADERSHIP: The Leader's Guide to Lasting Greatness.

1. Whether you are an experienced, new or aspiring leader, or someone who coaches, develops or consults to leaders in any type of organization, this book is required reading! Leadership is so much more than creating a solid vision and enrolling engaged followership. Exceptional leaders also bring heart, soul, and a lasting legacy to the work they do and the change they inspire in the world. Books on leadership line bookshelves everywhere, but in this global economy it is not enough to be a good leader or even a great leader. Good to Great is an outdated concept. Drs. Sandstrom and Smith wrote the treasure map for the new future and teach us how to go beyond great to creating Legacy Leadership. This book will have lasting impact on the results you'll achieve as a leader, no matter what type of organization you are in.
   
   -- Suzi Pomerantz
   Executive Coach and Author
   Seal the Deal: The Essential Mindsets for Growing Your Professional Services Business



2. Legacy Leadership is an incredible tool in developing the leader within you that is interested in leaving a legacy to others. By the time I had read the first chapter, I had many "action" notes written in the margins of the book. And then what a pleasant surprize to find a complete workbook at the end of the book that mapped out how to implement each of the items I wanted to work on! Dr. Sandstrom and Dr. Smith have given me the tools I need to be sure I have my plan of action organized and ready to go! Instead of just having great theories alone, I have a definite plan to follow that is challenging me to step up to the plate every day.



3. Legacy Leadership is an essential resource for seasoned leaders and those who aspire to a leadership role. Jeannine Sandstrom and Lee Smith have done a masterful job of providing an effective framework and method for leaders empowering them to leave their mark professionally and personally. This book serves multiple purposes and is easy to navigate. You can open it to any page and find value. While it is directed at multiple levels, it is an especially worthwhile resource for senior organizational development professionals as well as people newer to the profession. It is evident throughout that these authors are extremely knowledgeable and have taken a complex topic and made it navigable and relevant. I recommend Legacy Leadership with confidence for anyone who seeks to influence and leave a lasting legacy.
   
   Merry Marcus
   President
   Break Through Consulting, Inc.



4. In every group activity, even the most collegial and cooperative, there will of necessity be a need for leadership. It's simply a matter of how human beings are genetically and culturally hardwired. In "Legacy Leadership: The Leader's Guide To Lasting Greatness" co-authors Jeannine Sandstrom and Lee Smith (executive leader coaches and co-founders of CoachWorks International) draw upon their many years of experience and expertise to present '5 Legacy Practices' that are common to all great leaders. Readers are provided with a philosophy, a model, and a proven process for bringing out their individual best, for developing effective leadership, for establishing and nurturing an organizational leadership culture which will ensure personal and group success. Within its pages, "Legacy Leadership" provides its readers with a complete seminar and workshop for mastering the basic principles and practices that will insure leadership success, making it a very highly recommended addition to personal and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement reference collections and supplemental lists.



5. From my first connection to the Legacy Leadership® system, I was struck by its ability to leverage the best in individual leaders and their organizations. The publication of Sandstrom and Smith's thinking in their long awaited book, provides a powerful blueprint for leaders who are developing others. Of the many books on the market, this one will be the resource that stays within easy reach of leaders who want to consciously make a difference.
   
   Carollyne Conlinn, Associate Faculty, Graduate Executive Coaching Program, Royal Roads University
   www.greatquestiongame.com

5 comments about Use the News: How to Separate the Noise from the Investment Nuggets and Make Money in Any Economy.

1. I could have just as easily borrowed from PT Barnum and made the subject line: "There's a sucker born every minute."

   Anyone who's watched Maria in action on CNBC and who knows ANYTHING about making money in the markets has to realize she couldn't trade, speculate, or invest her way out of a paper bag on her own.

   The fact that a book like this could be written; the fact that a book like this could sell; and, disturbingly, that such a vacuous treatment (but then why should it be any different than her "on-air" persona?) could garner so many favorable reviews speaks volumes re the gullibility of the "investing" public.

   Oh well, I guess I should be glad--it provides yet more evidence that for all the modern technology and superficial sophistication in the financial world, the market game is likely to pretty much remain the same at the core.

   If you want to be "dumb money" follow Maria and by all means STUDY this book. If you want to make money, you could probably do better by picking any number of other investing books almost at random.




2. ...I happen to think she is a very smart and charismatic woman, in addition to being strikingly beautiful. This book is aimed at investing novices...I was left pretty much clueless about investing. I relied on him to do all that. This book was a real help in those dark times. Bravo!



3. I am from Brazil, and I never had watched her TV programs. I brought the book with curiosity, due the opposite opinions of the readers.
   As indicated on the title, it is how to separate noise from news. How many nuggets one can find reading tons of newspaper or hours watching TV, during a lifetime?
   This is a usefull book. It should be carefully studied.How to separate nuggets and noise in this book is your first task. If you are able to do this; then you will SURELY make money in any economy!



4. The book is interesting in a since that it was written by a person who has been exposed to some of the most prominent people/events. On the other hand, I believe that it has very little practical use.



5. Take this book seriously and study! At least, chapter 11 and after are excellent. Maria tells a lot of short and insightful story about many kinds of important company events. She tells a lot of easy and interesting stories that incorporate academic finding in finance. Her suggested process of information gathering and information analyses are excellent.
   
   For the ones who are too lazy to get away from their trading desk, this book may be annoying.
   
   Some students in finance class always complain "it is confusing" no matter how hard you try to make it easy to understand. Forget about those complaints in your decision making about whether to read this book or not.
   
   Some reviewers complain that Maria is not qualified to give an investment advice because she has no experience as a trader. Experience as a trader? If anyone is a real smart trader to complain about Maria's qualification, he/she has to know in the first place that this book is not written for him/her.

No comments about Escape from Management Land: A Journey Every Team Wants Their Leader to Take.

4 comments about The Real Estate Investor's Pocket Calculator: Simple Ways to Compute Cashflow, Value, Return, and Other Key Financial Measurements.

1. Correct me if I am wrong but looking at the definitions for assessment ratios they are defined as appraised price (P) * assessment ratio (R) = assessed value (A) so restating this as P * R = A then R = A / P which is not consistent with the book. The book states that R = P / A which is invalid. If you take the example of asked price which for this example lets say it is the appraised price of $107,500 and assessed value of A = 90000. If you use the formula of R = A / P then the ratio is 83.7% if you run the numbers defined in the book formula you get 1.194444444444. Other than that, the book has been very good at figuring the value of a given property. This also applies to the Assessment ratio adjusted.
   Here is the reference I found for defining the assessment ratio http://co.laplata.co.us/asrinfo.htm



2. Michael c. Thomsett's REAL ESTATE INVESTOR'S POCKET CALCULATOR: SIMPLE WAYS TO COMPUTER CASHFLOW, VALUE, RETURN, AND OTHER KEY FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS finally places in the investor's hands the same tools real estate agents use to calculate yield, values, taxable income and operating expenses. All different types of value are revealed in chapters which cover everything from acceleration techniques and methods for reducing interest to ways of maximizing investment returns. Worksheets, tables and charts provide clarity and all the formulas needed to succeed. Very highly recommended as an essential, basic pick any real estate investor should keep at hand.



3. I ordered this book for my business library and and happy with it, athough it does have some errors in it. However, the material is informative enough to undersatnd, which allows me to perform the calculations in it.



4. I bought the book back in September of 2006 and have just started reviewing it. I did find an error as mentioned on page 18 in another review by another reader. The Assessed value formula is backwards and you have to reverse the numerator and denominator variables P & A to get the formula to work. Also the revised assessment example on page 20 has some errors also. The formula (1+i)^y should calculate the revised assessment column on page 20 using the 1.5% average increase in assessed value. When you plug in values with y = 1 as the power the values come out. When you use 2-3 years for y, you get a higher value that does not agree with the examples for Laurel St; Haynes St; Green and Hayward Lane respectively. So far this is the major errors I have found but will write back when I see some more. I do agree the classifications of the related formulas are great to the subject matter being expounded on. However I would also like to see more worked out examples for the formulas as this would also serve as a self check for errors. Some of the simpler formulas have no worked out examples and for some this is needed to lock in the theory.
   
   Carpe Diem
   God Bless
   Dr. Werner

No comments about Root Cause Analysis Handbook: A Guide to Efficient and Effective Incident Investigation (Third Edition).

No comments about Principles of Marketing Engineering.

4 comments about Hot Stock Market Strategies: 5 Secret Investment Tools That Work in a Bull or Bear Market.

1. This book is a good basic starter quide. Like taking a class called Stock Market 101. It is a good place to start. I just happened to read this book first then followed it with the Investors guide to technical analysis. It was a terrific double feature and recommend reading these two together. It was worth the money but not fitting the "hot" title.



2. Save your money. Never, never waste your funds on the drivel this author produces!!
   
   A profitable trader would never have time enough to write even one tenth the quantity of words this person produces.
   
   Find traders that actually make money to learn from. There are a few that have written good books.
   
   As starting points:
   For equities traders try: Professional Stock Trading
   For futures traders try: Trading Day by Day
   
   These are simply starting points, but are written by REAL traders, not worthless-book producers.



3. I thought this book might give me some breakthrough short term tips, but it is the same old stuff. I have always wanted to be a writer, but when I see how many pages a writer takes to say something that could be said in about ten percent of the time,I realize I am to much of a get to the point guy to be a writer--Another words this like so many other investment books, should be and article instead of a book.



4. I checked this book out at the local library and found I was renewing it repeatedly. Finally decided, since it really caught my attention (and I was starting to wear the book out) that I would buy it so I could highlight all the good stuff.
   No mistake about it, there's stuff in there I either don't get or may not apply to my trading style....but it's the good stuff that keeps me going back and digging in! It's really a decent read!

5 comments about Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life.

1. Statistics say that 60% of all businesses will fail in the first six years. The majority of these failed entrepreneurs will turn tail and run back to wage jobs. The rest will try again. Of these individuals, the majority will make the same mistakes and once again fall short with their next endeavor. A small percentage of entrepreneurs, however, will actually learn from their mistakes. They will take each failure as constructive criticism about what skills they lack, what aspects of the business that they didn't fully comprehend, or what type of endeavor best suits them. Then, they will use this information to try again and again until they get the result they desire. To these people, the ups and downs of business are all part of a greater learning experience.
   
   The author of Hermanisms realizes that no one likes the feeling of failure but he does a very good job of pointing out the educational value of such experiences. Having owed and operated a number of businesses (failed and successful) and counseling many troubled entrepreneurs, the author is well educated in the lessons of failure. Hermanisms is the bulk of this hard fought knowledge. Each of the seventy-seven chapters contains a little jewel of advice about integrity, cost cutting, respecting employees, time management, knowing your margins, etc. There is some really good information in this book that will suit almost any type or size of business.



2. I have to admit, I wasn't sure what I would find based on the title. My first thought was "who is John Herman and why would I read about his axioms for business?" Then I started reading the book and found it a very enjoyable read!
   
   It is full of useful wisdom and knowledge. John's warm and casual writing style pulled me in and made the book easy to read. From the sound business wisdom to the anecdotal stories of triumph and defeat, I was hooked! John has done it all in business - he has failed and succeeded and shares wisdom about how to handle both.
   
   There are 77 axioms in this book - each one is short and to the point. Here are some examples of the Hermanisms - Axiom #53 - What did you do today to move the ball down the court? Axiom #60 - A great idea, talent, hard work, good timing, help from others, immense publicity, and luck are sometimes all you need to make it. Axiom #72 - Sometimes we have to trust what we can't see.
   
   As a serial entrepreneur I have experienced the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys of owning a business. This book helped validate my feelings and pumped me up for continued success in my current business. You can use this book like a road map on the rewarding, but sometimes difficult, journey as a business owner.



3. Hermanisms is a MUST READ for any small business aspiring to be BIG someday. Herman, with quick witted charm, helps each of us face the challneges of growing a business concept into reality without losing your shirt and shoes as well.
   
   Take the time to read this book every day of your business life and you will find great wisdom, energy, passion and spirit for entrepreneurs in all walks of life. Ths book sits on my desk as a reference guide, helping me be successful in life everyday, Thank you Herman!



4. 
   Are you in business, going into business, or just dreaming of working for yourself or running your own business? Read this book!
   
   John L Herman Jr. is a business failure expert, and most businesses fail. Even successful businesses end up having some less than stellar times -- my consulting business comes to mind.
   
   What's it take to succeed, what if you fail anyway, and when are the cards stacked against you? These are other issues are discussed in this book's 77 chapters, all short, delightful to read, and packed with experience. It's really just great business advice in a easy to read and enjoyable format.



5. John L. Herman Jr. Is a failure expert who after building serveral businesses, he started one that capitalized the assets of failed businesses. This book is 77 examples of lessons learned during his life time. Eg. Do you know your real margins? Or, cost of goods is the most misunderstood part of business. He talks about how to know when to fold vs hold. A very valuable book, with proven insights. Would that I had found this book to give to clients years ago. On sales , if your client wants vanilla, do not try to sell chocolate. On reading, most leaders are readers. Buy this , read it and give copies to your stars.

2 comments about Customer Churn Reduction and Retention for Telecoms: Models for All Marketers.

1. Today there are unprecedented changes taking place in the telecom industry which will affect everyone working in wireless, landline phone, cable TV, satellite TV, VoIP, and electric utilities, plus the thousands of companies that support these industries.
   
   New technologies are being introduced, and consolidations are taking place. In the next few years, thousands of telecom employees will lose their jobs, while, at the same time, new opportunities for exciting employment will open up. Most of us working in the telecom industry know our part of the picture fairly well. But the telecom universe today is so broad that few have the big picture.
   
   The book you are reading gives you the big picture. It fills you in on those sections of the telecom industry that you may not be totally familiar with, but which could be the reason why your part of the industry may be changed beyond recognition.
   
   These changes are not being brought about by "market forces." They are only partly due to new technologies. The driving forces are the marketing activities of many companies that are using new technologies to expand in new directions - directions currently the province of some established industry that had not previously been thought of as a direct competitor. These marketing activities will affect your industry, your company and your job.
   
   What should your company do about the situation? What should you do, yourself, to prepare for the changes? Those are the questions that should be in your mind as you read these pages. They are a guidebook for the future.
   
   This book provides step by step procedures for successful marketing for Telecom industries, including telephone companies, cable TV companies, wireless companies, satellite TV companies and many others. It provides details on how to determine the lifetime value of Telecom subscribers. It shows how to create and market to subscriber segments, and how to use analytics to predict which subscribers are most likely to defect - before it is too late.
   
   You will learn a number of things that you do not know now, including how to compute the lifetime value of your subscribers, how TV ads will become targeted to individual households, how WiMAX could revolutionize phone and broadband delivery, and why electric utilities could become players in the Telecom space.
   
   After reading this book, you will have a master plan for reducing subscriber churn in your company, despite rapidly changing technologies and unexpected competition from industries that used to be placid monopolies. You will learn how to keep your subscribers happy and loyal. You will become a master marketer. What could be better than that?
   
   Arthur Middleton Hughes



2. I bought this book as a gift to my wife who works at a local mobile telecom firm, and handling loyalty and churn management.
   
   We were disappointed that we saw the same title a few days after we had already ordered it in Barnes& Noble website for over 20% less, and they had free rush delivery (2-3 days). I had requested Amazon to give me a credit or a GC worth the difference, but Amazon went behind the rule that they didn't have a price matching policy.
   
   How disappointing.
   
   Because we didn't get the customer service we expected from Amazon, my wife and I will buy our books somewhere else next time. And to think your website was built on selling books online...
   
   Mr. Abe Cipriano