3 comments about Mass Career Customization: Aligning the Workplace With Today's Nontraditional Workforce.

1. The sign of a great innovative breakthrough is that the moment you learn of it, it's easy to embrace. Everyone who reads this book will agree that it's time to think differently about the workplace; mass career customization is the future. The authors describe a new model and vision for career progression that will likely transform organizations. Mass career customization is a concept that can benefit individuals who need a new lens for thinking about their careers. This concept can also help organizations in their ability to attract, retain and develop talent. The authors present a new method of managing the myriad of preferences and career paths that employees desire; application spans from Gen X and Gen Y to working parents and everyone who wants to create a career path to fit their life.



2. An excellent book that squarely confronts a major challenge that businesses face today - how to address the core issue of retaining top talent. The book starts by outlining the six main demographic and cultural trends that are impacting the workforce. In a nutshell, the retirement of the baby boomer "bulge" cannot be replaced by the much smaller generations that follow (Gen X, Gen Y). In addition, the growing number of women in the workforce and the changing views of men in the workforce has made "work/life balance" possibly the single most critical factor in choosing whether or not to remain at a job - and even whether or not to take a job.
   
   So, faced with a shrinking talent pool and the overwhelming economic advantage in keeping excellent people, rather than hiring and training replacements, what is an organization to do? According to Mass Career Customization, is to allow employees to customize their careers the same way they customize computers that are purchased from Dell. Giving employees the option to "dial up" for more intensity, increased learning experiences, more extensive travel when they are younger, or when their kids are older, or when their spouse is on a break and allowing them to "dial down" for a slower career advancement, reduced salary, and restricted opportunities when raising small children or caring for aging parents. By providing this option, in a way that is fair and companywide (which is the problem with well meaning flexible work arrangements - which are usually "one-offs") organizations allow people to customize their career and remain with the company as their life circumstances change.
   
   I have seen the value of this in my own life, as my wife is now on the "intense track" (I think the dial broke off in her hand when she pushed it past 10 :) ), and my job is flexible and allows me to handle the child care (and read lots of business books). I think that this is an outstanding tool for companies to use in recruiting and retention - and, as the authors point out, it has tremendous "option value". That is, most of the employees (90-95%) will choose the "normal" path, but simply knowing that other options exist for them makes the company a very attractive employer.
   
   Obviously, changing the corporate HR system to incorporate this in a "fair" way is where the challenge gets difficult. What I admire most is that the authors are working for a company (Deloitte) that is implementing this program - so the theory has been tested (at least a little) before being written about.
   
   Of course, no book is perfect and I think this book shows an evolution in thought as the writing progressed - becoming a little more refined in thought towards the end. As a specific example, I think the early focus on the difference between a "corporate ladder" (up or out) and a "corporate lattice" (multiple paths) is not as valuable as the core aspects of customization (mid book) or the "option value" which is only touched upon at the end. Also, I would have simplified the model as I believe most of the factors that are measured (Pace, Workload, Location/Schedule, Role) are actually correlated. But those are quibbles - the demographic research is compelling, the conclusion is solid, and the problem addressed is excruciatingly relevant for employees and employers alike.



3. I strongly recommend this timely and instructive book to all those involved in developing talent in professional service firms or any business seeking to hire, retain and prepare their younger employees for leadership. Although much of the book discusses methods for retaining and promoting women, who now make up half of the graduates of our finest universities and grad schools, it also has great applicability to Gen X and Y men, many of whom would prefer to have part-time schedules and are as likely as women to work some hours from home. In place of the more widely accepted, rigid up and down, "all or nothing" ladder, the authors advocate a more flexible, option-providing lattice as a model for the workplace. Berko and Weisberg convincingly show that the lattice, or MCC, much better accommodates what they call the "sine curve" of a modern career - the different periods where employees can dedicate varying amounts of time to advancing within their firms.
   The authors demonstrate that flexible work arrangements, such as permitting young mothers to "ramp up" after a maternity leave, are an incomplete substitute for a more comprehensive process that meets the interests of employees to modify and adjust workloads, where that work is performed and the opportunity to customize their careers to closely match their long-term objectives. Only a career-long methodology will address the overriding interests of the organization to hire and keep their best talent while providing enough flexibility, not just in dealing with maternity leave, but over a several decade career path.
   The book is particularly helpful because it provides the reader with a framework for implementing MCC and case studies showing how well-respected firms have successfully customized MCC to recruit and retain their highly regarded employees while broadening their leadership pool.

5 comments about The First-Time Homeowner's Handbook: A Complete Guide and Workbook for the First-Time Home Buyer (Book & CD-ROM).

1. First off, let me say that my husband and I really appreciate the CD. It has all the forms and lists we needed to feel confident when we bought our first home. From building costs and budget worksheets, to banking support, these documents were a big help.
   
   From why you want to own your own home, what to do when you find the one you're looking for, and what to expect at closing, this handbook walks you through the process. This step-by-step guide shows you how to fill out the attached forms and gives you confidence that is sure to eliminate any buyer's remorse you would have felt after your purchase.
   
   Overall, the book was very helpful and will be a useful tool for anyone going through the process for the first time. Buying your first house doesn't have to be scary. This handbook makes the process an understandable and exciting experience.



2. 
   Though this book's title specifies that it's for the first time buyer, my advice would be to pick it up and read it thoroughly regardless of how many times you've bought or built. It is a super compendium of all the steps a buyer needs to take, including information on motivation and emotions in home buying, taxes, paperwork, hiring a professional advocate such as a lawyer or real estate agent, and an in-depth discussion of how to find out your credit score. The section on credit also gives good advice about establishing and maintaining a good credit score that would be helpful for anyone trying to finance a large purchase. The information in this book should be available from the real estate agent you're working with, but it's good to know it yourself in case the agent isn't keeping your well-being in mind at all times.
   
   I also appreciated the straightforward, matter-of-fact tone of this book. There were no embellishments, just the information in a logical, easy to understand format. It also includes a 15 page glossary, helpful for the novice. Five stars out of five.



3. I just recently finished it and I feel like having taken a course on Real Estate 101. It is helpful, practical, and easy to read. It has great tools like check-off lists and sample contracts all on a complimentary CD.
   
   We are looking into buying a house and this has given me a great base of knowledge to start making smarter decision.
   
   Worth the $$.



4. We're finding out that homebuying, especially the first time around, can be quite a wild ride. This Handbook has provided great information and guidance in the process toward final first home ownership. This book is definitely recommended.



5. I bought this book in preparation of buying a house - we are first time home-buyers and needed to know the basics without getting bogged down with too much jargon or poorly-written advice. I found the book easy to read and the chapters helpful without sacrificing important information that I needed to know. The book comes with a CD with useful forms and other checklists for those geeks and control freaks too who like to pay attention to detail. After reading the book, I no longer felt like an ignoramus and could carry on an intelligent, 2-way conversation with realtors. It was worth the twenty bucks I paid for the book just for the peace of mind and education in house-buying.

5 comments about Fibonacci Trading: How to Master the Time and Price Advantage.

1. To start off I would like nothing more than to take this golden nugget of a book and lock it up never to be seen by anyone except for me, but alas I feel it a duty to give an honest review on what I believe to be a great NEW take on fibonacci trading. I use the term NEW loosely, it's new to most traders because I've never found anyone who teaches what Carolyn covers in depth here, and I feel it offers more value than all the other fib systems that have been around for years.
   I've had the pleasure of meeting the author at a seminar in Los Angeles back in Feb 08, and if I have ever seen anyone working their butt off putting their system to the test on a daily basis it was Carolyn(and no I dont work for her). It was simply amazing to see this method which I had not tried or heard about(I've been trading over 9years) of applying fibonacci levels overlapping each other to confirm setups for potential trades, symmetry setups and time and price confluence and cycles creating a robust set of tools for improving ones trading results. And her results were phenomenal, the prices would react like magnets on the charts she had clusters layed up on, I don't know how else to put it other than impressive! One of the great things about this book is that it's full of charts on almost every page, with a topic like this its nice to see plenty of visual elements to keep you focused on the material being taught, the writing is clear and concise and even though most people will doze off when reading trading books the information is to the point, enough to keep you awake and plugging away at it. Believe me financial books are the number one cure for insomniacs!!!!
   I have to say in my opinion this book is not for a total newbie to trading, it would help if you've at least read one or two other books on trading(not investing) or chart reading, because this books is clearly focused on applying Fibonacci techniques to your trading, its not an intro book on how to trade. One thing to note, she is using a specialty program to draw her charts, thats not available on any trading platforms(I use TradeStation,Omnitrader) or charting websites. So if you want to draw it the way she has you many consider purchasing the program, it may be a good investment in your trading career, or you could always sign up to her Trading Room where she does all the work for you.
   I truly believe using whats taught here is a great set of tools to add to any strategy or system to improve your probability of having winning trades, and I am glad she chose to share her knowledge and expertise to help more traders find success.!



2. This book has everything you need to get started in applying the Fibonacci method to futures and commodities trading analysis. I'm still entry-level in trading and feared this would be over my head, but the charts and graphs are helpful and the tone is accessible. I've already read it twice and constantly refer back to it as I work. It takes a commitment (all of trading does), but I have already begun to experience true results where it counts with this guide. It has really refreshed my game.



3. I agree with one person's opinion, this is not a beginners book. Though, if you have a little more than novice level of experience with technical analysis, then you can comprehend the analysis. I thought the examples were good and each topic had plenty of examples, even if you do not understand a topic after the first graph or two. I think she has a somewhat clear writing style....but some of the topics can be a little wordy. Moreover, I give this book three stars because of its price for one(69.95) and the sales pitch for two Dynamic Trading Software($1300.00). Also, along with the software, you need a subscription to eSignal $400 annual fee, Quote.com $400 annual fee...but wait....I think you get my point here. There are other books out on the market that address this Fibonacci Trading Analysis, but I will not give any of them free advertising. If you want to learn Fibonacci, yea it's ok, but I would not rely on just one trading method, would you?



4. This book is NOT for the beginner. You have to have the basics of Fibonacci under your belt before you can even have a prayer that this book would be useful. No basics are explained whatsoever. I am returning it.



5. Traders reading this book should have a basic understanding of technical analysis and charting.
   
   I am familiar with Carolyn's work and this book really does explain 95% of the trading methodology she uses in her trading room.
   
   You do not need the software (Dynamic Trader) mentioned in the book to use her setups. It makes it more convenient (especially the time cycle setups) but any halfway decent trading platform makes it pretty easy to apply the techniques.
   
   As with any trading technique, risk management and mental mastery are as important as the actual entry/exit strategies.

5 comments about Investments with S&P bind-in card.

1. dear sir
   
   i did not receive the book yet.
   
   plz. inform me with the name of the shipping agency you have used to ship the book.
   
   URGENT
   Hani Hanbali



2. I have yet to receive this book and I need it quite urgently.I was just wondering if there is anything wrong with the delivery/order?



3. This review has 3 purposes:
   
   1. This is a great book for learning about investments. I read somewhere that this book teaches you about investments "without the math". There is math in this book. If you want a "math lite" reference, try one of the Dummies, Idiots or Totally Confused series.
   
   2. This book is on the syllabus for a professional exam (CAS); however, the CAS syllabus specifies a 2008 printing. This book shows a 2006 printing, but when it arrived, it was the 2008 version of the 7th edition. I don't know if there was a 2006 printing or if Amazon just has it wrong.
   
   3. Finally, this review is to offset the two bozos who left reviews before me. THIS IS NOT HOW YOU CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE! This is a forum to let other interested parties know what you thought of the text. If you can't figure that out, you probably won't be able to understand what the text is talking about anyway. (See note 1.)



4. As a recent college graduate from a university where I used this text and as a current finance professional, I can attest that this is one of the most solid finance text books out there. Its reach is expansive, but it's incredibly easy to follow. This book is particularly great for the undergraduate level. As I prepare for the CFA exams, I am reminded of how many concepts I learned (and still remember!) from this very text. It will definitely be a permanent fixture in my professional library for years to come.



5. This book is for advanced finance class. The material is hard, especially if professors talk about the materials in details.

5 comments about Journal 10+, 2008-2018 Edition.

1. I ordered this for my neighbor after she saw the one I had been keeping for four years without missing a day. The entries are sometimes very brief or go to the add-on pages, but I always have time for something, even if it is just the weather. Invaluable resource in tracking medical history, etc. I highly recommend it.



2. I was hesitant at first since I'm not into keeping journals but I really wanted to jot down a few things here and there now that I have 2 kids. This is perfect for just that and I've really started to enjoy using it. My sister in law recommended it and I'm so glad she did. I look forward to looking back at past entries (with this book's formatting, its easy to do that!) If you want to write a lot for your daily entries this won't work but for noting a few sentences each day its great!



3. This journal is wonderful. For anyone who wants to leave something of themselves for their family or just remember family events, this is great. There is enough room for daily enteries with extra pages if needed.
   I love writing in this family journal every evening. This product is priceless.



4. For the past ten years, I used two of Dorene Clement's five-year journals. Now, for my next decade, I decided to try this 10 year journal, and I really like it better. At first, I liked all the cutesy parts of the Clement journals (like "favorite song" and "favorite dream") but I got tired of them after just a few months, and eventually left them all blank. This diary doesn't have any of those non-essential features. It's pretty much just lines for writing. I even liked having the address book in the back, just because I had been thinking "I should really back up all the phone numbers in my cell phone in case I lose it" but hadn't gotten around to it; when I got this journal I copied them all into the back. The binding is a gorgeous dark green, and the setup inside is really nice and user-friendly. The circles and slashes on the writing pages are a little weird, and not necessary, but they're tiny, so no harm done. I will enjoy using this so much-- I'll be 35 when I finish it up, and I fully expect to enjoy writing in it every day until then.



5. I have been keeping a journal every year since 1969, usually in a 5 year format. I therefore have 8 journals in my drawer. I have not been able to purchase a 5 year journal for some 3 years, and thought I'd have to have 1 year versions. How pleased I was to be referred on to Amazon site with information about a 10 year journal! I wish I'd known of its existence earlier, as it is perfect for my needs. Brief daily jottings, but plenty of room to add all I want to write, with some extra space if need be at the back. The quality of the binding is very good, and I am ready to start next year. Thank you!

5 comments about The Complete Guide to E-mail Marketing: How to Create Successful, Spam-free Campaigns to Reach Your Target Audience and Increase Sales.

1. I liked this book. It is available for just about anyone. Whether you are an online merchant or a traditional retailer. There is something there for you.
   
   We are given an in depth history of the internet. I never knew it was first used by the military. Then there are when the first emails were sent. Totally mind boggling.
   
   Bruce gives us the low down on four major areas of online marketing:
   
   Paid search advertisements (pay per click)
   Banner adverts
   Classified ads
   Email marketing
   
   Interweaved within all this are case studies that show how the best systems work. Chapter 15 is jam packed with them too.
   
   The author, Bruce Brown teaches how to write an effective email. He starts with the subject line then gets around to the best day to send it. We all know why Mondays are not a good day and most of us can figure out why Fridays are not another good day.
   
   Wait till you find out which is the best day and why. The best time for sending emails are 7am-10:30am. We also get a free treat. That is website optimization tools and some web design helps. The addresses are all in his book.
   
   As usual Bruce gives us a glossary. But because this book is such an easy read you won't need it. I think it is there just in case.
   
   
   
   
   
   



2. With the passing of the CAN-SPAM Act in 2003, it has grown more difficult to legitimately market through email. This book addresses this issue and many others with regard to email marketing. Mr. Brown provides a comprehensive guide to marketing your business or product through email, while navigating spam filters. This book is written for legitimate businesses with legitimate products and services to sell.
   
   Mr. Brown describes how to grow your business through your website. Additional topics covered include how to write an effective sales email, search engine optimization (SEO), and to effectively target your emails. The book includes a glossary of terms and numerous case studies.



3. and it's 5 stars for this book, since here we get clear, easy to follow, and good advices to follow, and we have good selection of experts and good advices. If you plan buy a book on e-mail marketing this one will be good choice.
   
   Also, I need to say, that as good was this book - same bad was another this author's book - The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed
   
   in this book, advices are or outdated, or even wrong, experts so called "advices" are nothing else but sales letters, and it is clear enough, that Search Engine Marketing is not a thing what this author knows.
   
   But this book e-mail marketing, is clearly one of the best till now written on the topic.



4. Most books that promise to be the only manual you need to succeed, do one of two things; either deliver the goods or not. Brown's Email Marketing Guide delivers and more. While some authors make a point of burying valid information towards the back of the book, Brown makes a point of introducing the material in an orderly and logical manner. Brown has put together one of the most thorough and complete books on the vast subject of email marketing. I will definitely recommend it to my friends and business associates.



5. "The Complete Guide to E-mail Marketing: How to Create Successful, Spam-free Campaigns to Reach Your Target Audience and Increase Sales" was selected as a "Notable" finisher in the 2008 Competition in the "Business" Category.
   
   The Eric Hoffer Award (formerly the Writers' Notes Award) for short prose and books was established at the start of the 21st century as a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit. It honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing. The winning stories and essays are awarded prizes and published annually in the anthology, Best New Writing, along with the results of the book awards.

5 comments about Secrets Banks and Lenders Don't Want You to Know/ Mortgage Free for Life!.

1. There are no dumb questions. You don't know what you don't know. We have all been duped over the years that you pay the mortgage, take the tax write off and be happy with it. This is a way to speed up the pay-off process by the payer at the expense of the banks saving you a ton of money over time. Whoever came up originally with this idea should be considered for the Nobel Prize for economics.



2. Water is water! Dah! There is nothing of significance that you can gain from this book! The measured savings are insignificant with a lot or risk! The author was very repetitive to either lengthen the number of pages or he does not understand what he talks about.
   
   The TV ads proclaim shorting the time to pay mortgage by 40% without any additional payments/funds, it's clearly wrong, even a layman can see that you need to pay additional 12000.00 each year to accomplish this.
   
   Well, that's no secret or needs a smarts to figure it out.
   
   Save your money and time, There are no short cuts.



3. I was very skeptical when I ordered the book because I saw it advertised on a TV infomercial. But once I got into the concept and understood what the author was talking about, I realized the system worked extremely well. It's interesting how lenders in the UK and Australia offer this kind of early mortgage payoff plan to their citizens, but in the USA I dare say the entire concept will some day be challenged by the big and greedy banks. The more people who use this system and follow it to the letter, the more money the banks will ultimately lose. If you utilize this system, you can and will easily pay off your 30 year mortgage in as little as 7 years, without increasing your monthly payments or making that "extra" principle payment once a year. I wish I'd had this information 20 years ago, but later is better than never.



4. It is one of the most comprehensive books for the American consumer who has the vision to become debt free and to cash in and utilize their greatest source of equity, their home. It should be a must read for everyone.



5. This book is a great book to learn how to pay your house off early. You can learn other technics as well

5 comments about Building Wealth One House at a Time: Making it Big on Little Deals.

1. John Schaub's book is a must read for all Real Estate Invesotrs. From the beginner to the experienced investor, all will gain some very useful insight from this book.
   It is not a get rich quick book hyping up Real Estate, but rather a very
   low no nonsense way to wealth build through Real Estate one house at a time. John Schaub is not just a promoter, he still buys and sells houses for his own portfolio today.
   It's great to learn from such a pro. He also does a couple of seminars a year on Real Estate. They are also a must for any one wanting to get into the Business (I've been to several of them-they are great!).
   Bottom line-Great Book, a must read.
   Reggie Lal, Be The Smart Investor . com



2. This is one of the outstanding real estates investment books on the market. John Schuab writes as one who has years of experience and knows the ropes.
   
   The advice in this book is rock solid: buy good houses in good neighborhoods, learn to buy at wholesale prices, and attract long-term low-maintenance tenants who will pay off your loans and improve your property value.
   
   One thing I really like about this book is that John Schuab sees the big picture. He may act in the short-term, but he always has a view of the long-term consequences. So, he doesn't' buy a house because it is priced well, or near a school or a shopping mall. He's thinking 20-30 years ahead to what that house's value and rental desirability will be way down the line.
   
   You have to admire that kind of thinking. That's the kind of thinking that invests in houses that will pay big dividends. Good investments and patience pay off in John Schuab's world. Patience is more than a virtue with John Schuab, it's a commandment. The guy still has the first house that he bought 30 years ago, and its one of his best rentals.
   
   Lincoln said, "I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come." "Building Wealth One House at a Time" is one book worth studying.
   
   
   Terry Sprouse -- author of the book "Fix 'em Up, Rent 'em Out: How to Start Your Own House Fix-up and Rental Business in Your Spare Time"



3. This is just great basic but very valuable information, and a keeper for a long term reference for anyone investing in houses. I've been a student of John's (and also Peter Fortunato, who has also commented here), for years and always continue to learn from his good quality advise.
   
   I've bought several and give them away to folks that ask about how to invest in real estate and has been a great start for several and a good reference for experienced investors that often find themselves venturing into high risk, marginal properties instead of staying with a good old house.



4. This book is especially great for a beginner. It made concepts that I have read about in other books much clearer. If you are thinking about investing in real estate, this book will help you. If you have read other books and want to gain a better understanding, or have things simplified for you,this book will help you.



5. Schaub provides a common sense approach to building equity over time via long-term ownership of single-family homes. Purchase one or more homes per year at 90% or less of market value, place 10% or less of the purchase price down and pay no more than a 10% interest rate. If you then hold those homes until they double in value, you may be on your way to generating over $1 million in equity in less than 10 years. Apply the "Rule of 72" (72/projected property appreciation rate per year)to project the holding period necessary for the home to double in value.
   
   Unfortunately, Schaub does not advocate that a property should produce a positive cash flow, instead assuming that an investment home will appreciate 5% per year year in and year out. Such appreciation may or may not occur. What happens if you purchase a house that merely breaks even (rental revenues cover operating expenses, capital improvements and mortgage payments) but the house declines in value due to a falling local real estate market? This is currently the case throughout Florida, Nevada, Arizona, California, etc.
   
   Some of the non-investment advice is rather basic (i.e., don't quit your day job until you have an emergency cash reserve), but the book provides a feasible road map to generating wealth via single-family real estate investments.

4 comments about The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations.

1. With extensive non-profit experience ranging from general volunteerism, management of non-profit outreach and assistance programs as well as board member roles, The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations is one of the best tools I've seen. While serving as board chairperson for the non profit organization Willow Center for Grieving Children, I was able to triple the income in three years by utilizing my own POWER Planning Process expertise coupled with the precision of One Page Business Plan techniques. We've recently hired our first ever, paid Executive Director who will receive a copy of The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations to take our organization to greater levels of success. I have no doubt that the assessment and accountability tools will serve as a vital roadmap to future accomplishments.
   
   Horan includes solid techniques and tactics that effectively marry heart-based and business-minded volunteers and non-profit paid employees, alike. Plus, his one-page format is much more user friendly than the traditional SWOT analysis marketing/business plan that can be overwhelming to people who don't work with marketing and business planning on a regular basis.
   
   Put simply, the one-page format keeps the entire organization on the same page (no pun intended) so that goals and objectives are met.
   
   Lisa Manyon



2. First, I'm so glad in your introduction that you directly address non-profits current need to put business savvy and structure under their social goal orientation. I think this is not a pervasive perspective yet and it really needs to be to improve non-profit success in these days of leaner funding sources.
   
   Strategies, Action Plans, Objectives - looks like you did a good job of translating the business OPBP version over, especially in these 3 more challenging areas.
   
   The assessments starting on page 25, including a personal assessment (yes!!!), are wonderful and provide critical information for adjusting strategies and operational action planning. I think this is a really strong element of the book. People in organizations often don't know how to approach assessing themselves honestly.
   
   Really liked your "Components of a Successful Non-Profit" page - brings it all together.



3. I've used all three of Jim's One Page Business Plan Books, and this one is the best! Concise, informative, creative, and inspirational, The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations is easy for both the consultant and client to use.
   
   Non-Profit Organizations are businesses, too. Most people who write "how to" books for profit businesses aren't also writing books for the non-profit sector. Jim and his One Page Business Plan series is different. Jim and his books comfortably straddle both the profit and non-profit arenas, and are written from an informed perspective.
   
   If you are non-profit organization and it's time to write a business plan, this is the book for you. Within as little as 3 weeks, you will have your business plan done, your board excited and energized, and everyone on the same page.
   
   This is the only business plan I use with my clients -- non-profit and profit alike.



4. I am so pleasantly surprised by this book.
   
   I consult to small and medium size nonprofits on how to either get started or how to get off a plateau or 'stuck' place. This book will now be foundational in how I address these groups.
   
   Terrific, step by step, no nonsense direction.
   
   There is no touchy-feely here, though. If you want hand holding and advice and coddling, this isn't it. This will help you lay down the a, b, c, and d of your plans to move forward. Fill in the blanks, type it up, and go get your work done.

5 comments about Billions of Entrepreneurs: How China and Are Reshaping Their Futures--and Yours.

1. Professor Tarun Khanna describes and explains the social histories, lay cultures, religions, politics, infrastructures, resources, regional differences, and business successes and flops in China and India using personal observations, anecdotes, case histories, and statistics to help readers understand opportunities in Asia to access resources and enter markets there. His style makes the book appealing and interesting as he highlights the contrasts.
   
   Rather than make a case for mirror images, Professor Khanna argues that good businesses will gain benefits from both countries by coordinating resources and market positions. His main example is a chapter explaining what General Electric has done in both countries.
   
   I thought the best part of the book was arguing that natives of each country develop solutions for how to create more successful businesses. That's a point that few multinational companies are going to consider seriously enough.
   
   I always enjoy reading about examples of superior business models, and this book is relatively rich in describing businesses that contain interesting twists on traditional ways of operating. I also didn't know the history of how many of the major new businesses in India got their start.
   
   I hope that Professor Khanna will follow up this book with a narrower focus on the opportunities for small company entrepreneurs in both countries. I think he would do a fine job and the information would be valuable to a much larger audience than this book will probably command.



2. I had the misfortune to be assigned this book as a textbook for a class on global competitive strategy. I was very excited about exploring international perspectives in business, however this book proved useless. Stylistically, the prose is pretentious and verbose, making it difficult to read. It seems as though the author was more interested in showing off his extensive vocabulary than in coherently expressing his point. Also, the author relies heavily on name-dropping and anecdotal evidence to give credibility to his theories. If there is one thing I have learned in my extensive travels, it's that one person's experience does not translate into an immutable or universal truth. In short, this book turned into a very time-consuming and frustrating read with few useful lessons.



3. I was assigned to read this book for a MBA class on international competitive strategy. I found this book to be much more interesting to read than a "traditional" textbook, while retaining its academic roots. By the time I finished the book, my understanding of India and China's culture as well as each country's influence on the global economy was much richer than before.
   
   One example:
   A chapter in the book is dedicated to discussing India's and China's use of soft power and hard power. Soft power is defined as "the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments." The book is very successful in illustrating how India has mastered soft power by spreading its culture internationally through various channels (for example, Bollywood movies). Conversely, China has become very successful at using its economic and military resources to create desired results. Burma/Myanmar is used as an example due to the fact that this country has felt both India's soft power and China's hard power.
   
   While this book is not inclusive of all apsects of China's and India's international influence, it's a great start. I'd recommend this book to anyone curious about India and China. It's a wide-ranging overview of each country's government and culture, which will be a great asset to anyone given the growing international influence of each country. If you're attending the Beijing Olympics, it'd be a perfect read on the flight to and from China.



4. Before starting the book, I was suspicious of an Indian man (albeit a scholar) writing about India and China. Many authors tend to be overly negative or unrealistically positive about their native countries, especially when comparing to other countries... It was impressive how Khanna acknowledged certain bias tendencies and while reading the book I came to respect his unwavering commitment to objectivity. I thought he always gave both countries a fair and critical look, admiring and questioning when appropriate regardless if it was India or China.
   
   As an entrepreneur myself, it was fascinating to get a glimpse into the human stories and anecdotal evidence of the statistics that are abound in major news stories. Those exact personal encounters are what made this a page-turner for me...I felt like I got a chance to meet people I wouldn't have met otherwise.
   
   Finally, I loved the overall optimism that Khanna has for China, India and the world. In today's atmosphere of doom and gloom it's remarkable to see an academic looking forward with excitement. I appreciated the thorough observations, intelligent and substantiated analysis in the book; I am waiting for a sequel about Russia and Brazil!



5. "Billions of Entrepreneurs: How China and India Are Reshaping Their Futures -- And Yours" by Tarun Khana is an in-depth look at the cultural, social, historical and economic forces that make India and China both alike and different.
   
   Khana examines these forces using anecdotes, case histories, statistics and personal observations and makes the point that General Electric succeeded in both India and China by avoiding the temptation to treat these two as mirror images of each other.
   
   Khana will make some readers uncomfortable by challenging assumptions often mistaken for truths. Khana argues that good government and private enterprise, if combined to work together, can overcome the shortfalls of both countries.
   
   The author's objective in the book is to bring an end to the ignorance of the great majority of the Western world toward India and China. I am impressed by the author's research and analysis and insight into the multinational corporations and subsidiaries succeeding in both nations. And Khana's descriptive and illuminating case studies are but one more reason to invest time and attention in reading this book.
   
   By Gunjan Bagla
   Author of Doing Business in 21st Century India