No comments about The Preferred Leader Assessment.

5 comments about The System: A Story of Intrigue and Market Domination.

1. This is an excellent book and a must read for board of directors, senior management, and all managers. The three strategic components that Terry touches on in the book are the keys to a successful business strategy. This book is being circulated internally at our corporation. One final note, this book reads like a novel. No doubt that there should be a movie to follow. If you enjoyed Barbarians at the Gate both book and movie, you will love this one as well. Well done Terry and Ken.



2. I don't think it's a dud as one reviewer stated, but it's really quite thin. As a novel I do not like it although Terry would probably do a passable job as screenwriter for "The Bold and the Beautiful" or some other daytime drama/soap opera. The characters of the book are like that, sort of two-dimensional, too-perfect characters constantly plotting against each other and I could not make myself believe in them and their actions.

   Anyway, the meat of the book is in the presentation of a business strategy built on three pillars; focus, fortify and foster futurity. I like that part, but it could have been condensed into a five-page (or so) article for some economic magazine instead of creating what I'd like to call a use case with complications. As a strategy I think it is common sense, but then a lot of things are, and economic/business/strategic works are often needed to explain the obvious. I do not consider it as innovative as Ken Blanchard tries to make it sound (in particular "focus" has been a staple of business strategy on and off for ages). What is very good is the way he presents a cyclic way of thinking about strategy. There is no one thing a manager needs to do and then everything will be fine, it is instead a cyclic series of steps including recurring evaluation of business opportunities and competitors to make sure that your company makes money. Those who lead must not be afraid to change what the company does when it is needed to stay ahead of the pack, even if it means changing the core business!

   Discussion and arguments are a bit lacking. In the book, the two main characters discuss the strategy, but Terry basically skips any fact-based argumentation and just states that "David was now all fired up" (or somesuch) to show that the ideas are absolutely fabulous. If there's a proper article on this somewhere (preferably publicly accessible on the Internet) I'd really like to read it. For instance I do not believe that all companies can change as quickly as is needed without incurring prohibitive costs.

   In conclusion: do read the book for the business value of the ideas but ignore the story, which actually detracts from the value of the book.




3. An interesting book mixing fiction with strategy. Provides a good insight on business and is a must read for the modern corporation executives.



4. The System: A Story Of Intrigue And Market Domination by Terry Waghorn and Ken Blanchard joins the genre of business novels with a new twist, adding intrigue and plotting to the cauldron. Tim Hunt and David Atkins must come up with a plan to save an old-economy business due for a hostile takeover. It soon becomes apparent someone will literally kill for this opportunity; for the business could unleash a powerful Web service which will revolutionize the Internet, and many out there would murder to stop it. Intriguing, gripping, and packed with business reality.



5. This book is billed as a model for successful enterprise tansformation, however, the only real thing you learn in this book is how lazy writing and an even lazier plot make for an extremely dull and predictable "book-fomercial" for the author's employer and for the strategy consulting industry in general. If you've never been in business, any kind of business, you might be able to believe that companies in trouble can be transformed into market dominators by: a) a simplisticly-trite, four step methodology that, by the way, includes, b) having a friend who has just turned his own company around, and c) is a multi-multi-millionaire who has tons of bucks and time to analyze your business for you, d) just happens to own (as a side business) the hottest, wiz-bang, most revolutionary product the marketplace has seen since Microsoft, (he actually even says this in the book) and e) Oh yeah, this product just happens to complement your company's business.

   Those are just a few of the amazing cooncidences that make this book not only a poor read from a business perspective, but also a disappointment from an entertainment point of view. Take my advice, if you really want to read the book, save your investment capital for something more useful and check the book out at your local library.

No comments about 4 Book Collection of Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson: Raving Fans, Gung Ho!, Whale Done!, and Who Moved My Cheese?.

No comments about I Want My Life Back! A Fable for Grown-Ups Who are Tired of Living in Limbo.

No comments about The Masters Of Success.

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3 comments about Speaking of Success: World Class Experts Share Their Secrets (Volume 1).

1. Wow! Sometimes we just need that ONE more push or that ONE more story to turn an average career into an exceptional one. I am so grateful because that is just what this book did for me. The authors' insights were great but it was that one story from Ms. Friedman that resonated so clearly...... that helped me to close a deal which I was unable to close for 2 years. Thank you so much! You are my new best friend!



2. This is one of the most inspiring and motivational books I've read in a long time. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to help turn their lives around, learn what it takes to be successful, help remove mental obstacles, and learn from the successes of others.
   
   Edward Segal, author of "Profit by Publicity: The How-to Reference Guide for Real Estate Agents and Brokers" (iUniverse, 2007)



3. Karen's success stems from her core beliefs, integrity, commitment and passion for her craft. She didn't end up here by chance...an inspiration in fortitude, tenacity and perseverance. She is unique in her ability to deliver a coaching session that is constructive and fun. I strongly recommend anyone read this book and learn from this pro!

No comments about Everyone's A Coach: You Can Inspire Anyone To Be A Winner.

3 comments about Ministry on Fire: Fanning the Flame of Your Congregation.

1. Dr. Humphrey's book is aimed at church leaders, but it has principles that are applicable for other fields as well. He draws on his many years of experience as a successful pastor (I've been lucky enough to attend his church a few times, and I'd rate him as one of the top preachers in the country), who as worked in a variety of church settings from a small rural church to a large urban congregation. Although, having been through it more than once, Dr. Humphrey understands the experience of helping a church grow, that is not the reason to get this book. This is not a book merely about numbers and growth; this is a book written by a genuinely spiritual person who is a deep moral thinker and has advice on creating a burning flame for Christ in his church and yours. If you are involved in church leadership, it would be a wise move to read this book.



2. I'm not a minister, and so I certainly do not lead a congregation. Given the title of the book, I thought it might be interesting, but did not think it would apply to my life. And so one recent evening when I was too tired to pick up the novel I'd been reading, I thought I'd just leaf through Ministry on Fire before going to sleep. What a surprise! I stayed up until 2:30 AM to finish the book! The author brilliantly elucidates the multifaceted concept of momentum as applied to leadership, and he explains what it is to be a successful servant-leader with engaging parables and warm anecdotes. You can sink your teeth into this stuff and apply it to your life whether -- in a sacred or secular setting -- you lead a church, a business, a sports team, a classroom, or a family.



3. Humphrey's ability to analyze biblical leadership and find a way to connect it to modern day church leadership is amazing! He shares lots of stories of what he and others have encountered in ministry which is very revealing and packed full of wisdom.

No comments about Liderazgo Inteligente: Inspiración y sabiduría desde el corazón de un líder.