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In Survival Is Not Enough, former Yahoo executive and author of Permission Marketing Seth Godin turns his attention to the predominant issue facing all business today: change. Godin takes the perspective of an evolutionary biologist, borrowing ideas from the likes of Richard Dawkins, Jared Diamond, and Matt Ridley to formulate his own prescription for business survival, a concept he calls "zooming," which he defines as "stretching your limits without threatening your foundation." The result is a wide-ranging and eclectic menu of useful ideas that just about anyone looking to enhance their career, job satisfaction, and their company's prospects would do well to consider. --Harry C. Edwards
Book Description
It's come to this. All the confusion and chaos and change and turmoil in our working lives have finally tipped the balance. We now need a new way of doing business.
Every generation sees a fundamental change in the way we organize to do work. From Frederick Taylor's classic Principles of Scientific Management (1914) to Henry Ford's assembly line, from The Organization Man (1956) to In Search of Excellence (1982), our businesses reflect the times in which we live. Survival Is Not Enough is the next big step.
Most of us view change as a threat, and survival as the goal. Yet we work too hard to consider just getting by as our primary goal. In Survival Is Not Enough, bestselling author Seth Godin provides a groundbreaking new way to organize companies to thrive during times of change. It contains a simple yet revolutionary idea: We can evolve our companies the same way nature evolves a species.
Darwin was right. Evolution is a fundamental force of nature, and Godin demonstrates how this force can be unleashed in any organization. The first step is to eliminate the anti-change reflex that's genetically coded into all of us. Once a company learns to "zoom" (embrace change without pain), it is much more likely to evolve. And a company that evolves can become ever more profitable.
Whether the market is up or down, whether technology is hot or not, in all industries, from retail to tech to restaurants, the organic approach to organizations described in this book will always outperform the competition. As long as our world is unstable, evolving businesses will win.
Customer Reviews:
Think without the box.......2007-07-15
Seth Godin is the guy that think outside the box, think without the box, kicked of the box, why that box? This was the first Seth's book I read, but I follow Seth trough his blog for a time, and he point his words with precision to targets. Direct or indirectly his words come and growing answering my business, social, marketing, economics oriented mind.
Just three words resume "Survival is not enough" : mDNA, meme and zoom. Simple like that! Along the book, this three words growing and come to make meaning. Seth develop a analogy trough a evolution (Darwin's evolution) and company evolution, on the company evolution DNA was replaced by mDNA that changes faster than DNA. Don't be astonished if you read that the best sex you must do is with your boss. On that book, sex goes the meaning of natural selection, its fine, believe me.
Finally, make zoom, do it all the time, don't be worry about changes, doing the same think all the time is the more efficient way to fail your company. Don't believe on championship strategies, "feel" your customers, and let your business grow from botton to top, or from the boundaries to core.
Another wheel turner..........2006-08-29
Like all of Seth Godin's books, "Survival Is Not Enough" does a great job at helping his readers think outside the box (sounds cliche but its very true!). Much of the advice is practical and can be applied to your own business or job. Any motivational speaker or business author can easily recommend for you to embrace change or innovate or do this or do that. But Seth has a special way to tell a story (or in this case) present a theory that cuts to the bone and leaves you with a mouth watering idea that you can take with you and apply to your business or company. You might even wonder later how you survived all along without reading this book (And That's just it....you simply survived all this time, rather than evolve aka "zoom" and gain major marketshare in your respective industry or field.
ZOOM!!.......2006-08-08
As another reviewer indicated, this is Godin's most thought provoking book. His relates to businesses to Darwin's evolution theory, from their birth to possible extinction. Like the species, we evolve, or ignore necessary changes. That can lead to missed trends, anxiety and possible extinction. Its amazingly simple, and I have mulled this book over several times in the past few days.
Seth's feedback loops are crucial to understanding what and where the company needs to evolve. In Holland, in companies of 50 or more, a work council is required by law. It is loosely translated as our unions. I am a student of Dynamic Governance (DG), a way of managing as it provides equivalence in decision making. It also provides double linking-- which I'd equate to feedback loops. Two representatives from the level below is in the group above. One is the person accountable for the group's goals, the other, elected by the group. They buy in because they are represented, and when a decision is handed down-- implementation feedback gets to the top. It is so powerful that in Holland if a company adopts DG-- a work council is not required. Imagine in the US, the Auto Workers Union deciding they are so "heard" that they feel comfortable disbanding. Another DG premise is almost right out of Seth's mouth-- the engagement of all available intelligence within a group is used. I think combining this book and DG would give a company the power to ZOOM!
Thoroughly enjoyable..........2004-06-21
I really enjoyed Seth Godin's Permission Marketing so I had high expectations of Survival is Not Enough and I must say that my expectations were easily met.
I read the book cover to cover in one day and found that Seth's insights were not only meaningful but inspirational.
Any person managing people or thinking of starting a company should invest in reading this book. It will definitely change the way you see the role of people in your company and how companies hold on to survival for dear life rather then embracing change to continue and succeed and as we're shown time and time again "Survival is Not Enough"
Has some interesting ideas.........2004-06-14
Has some interesting ideas. I don't know how much of it can actually be implemented, however. Just because there's chaos around you doesn't mean you have to live/work in chaos. Remember the hare and the turtouise fable?
Book Description
A perfect blend of theory and practice, Making the Team unites cutting-edge research on groups with practical management principles. The clear, step-by-step approaches offered in this book will prove especially useful for managers-in-training as well as seasoned executives. The book is organized into 3 primary tasks for the leader/manager: 1) Accurately assessing and improving team performance; 2) Managing the internal dynamics of teams (diversity, conflict, and creativity); and 3) Optimally leveraging the team within the larger organization. For Human Resource employees and trainers, consultants, and all levels of educators.
Customer Reviews:
Not up to standard.......2007-04-17
This book was a required text, otherwise I never would have read it. The book is full of inconstancies, bad literary technique, and it takes to many pages to cover not enough material. The authors personal prejudices are obvious. There are better books on teamwork available.
Excellent textbook........2006-03-09
I was required to purchase this book for a project management course and it's one of the better texts I've read on the topic. Well organized and easily referenced, one of the main strengths of the book is it's analysis of real world examples. Very good text overall.
Worth the Price for "External Evironments".......2001-04-19
Leigh Thompson has done it again. Like few others this Northwestern University scholar takes current research and puts it on the page like few other experts. I particularly found the sections on dealing with conflict within teams, creativity, and social capital (in the External Evironment section) worth reading. I keep this book with me when I am meeting with a team. I use the individual chapters as a guide for activities there. If you have an interest in teams, Leigh Thompson is the one expert you should include in your library.
Making the Team Makes the Grade!.......2000-01-16
Whether you work in teams, design them, or study them, you will find much of value in this book. Drawing on a wealth of social and behavioral science findings, Leigh Thompson shows the advantages, and the pitfalls, of getting things done through teamwork. Clearly written, with many case examples, Thompson builds on her research and consulting experiences to create a complex picture of what makes groups tick. I particularly liked her explanation of how to foster creativity in teams, as well as how to deal with the inevitable conflicts that arise. She notes that teams are not a panacea. However, under the right conditions, properly organized teams contribute substantially to their organizations. If you're dissatisfied with the way things are going in your organization, this book would make a great (anonymous?) gift for your boss!
Book Description
The old "direct and control" model of management no longer applies in today's business environment. To be effective, managers must capitalize on group dynamics and build effective work processes. The authors present a new model of facilitation that focuses on getting work clone -- the key element to success.
Customer Reviews:
It gave me EVERYTHING I needed to facilitate!.......2004-04-24
This book held my hand, walked me through what I needed...I KNEW I had to somehow "get" my team to work together, but HOW? Weaver and Farrell gave me a model as well as I loved the "quick fix" section, which I went to right away. There they knew just what are the common areas that keep people from being effective on a team and most importantly what in the world to do about them
Read this book. It is the best on facilitation that I have seen.
Excellent practical guide to the art of facilitating.......1997-11-26
This book is an excellent practical guide for assisting managers in accomplishing work through their people. As the manager's role becomes more of a facilitative one, this book can help individuals learn useful skills they can pull off the pages and put immediately into practice. The abundant tables and figures clearly illustrate the principles. The Quick Fix guide at the end of the book offers pragmatic solutions to common problems at work. I recommend this book to all my clients!! Dennis S. Reina, Ph.D. Principal, Chagnon & Reina Associates, Inc. Organizational Development Consultants dsreina@pwshift.com
Book Description
A new edition of the book that lead the self-directed work teams revolution. Leading Self-Directed Work Teams is one of the best-selling books on teams ever published. Now, the perfect guide for any team leader has been revised and expanded to reflect the new realities of team-based organizations. By explaining how team leaders differ from conventional supervisors, this informative volume which is based on the author's successful seminars and workshops is especially useful for those managers who move from hierarchical to participatory structures.
This edition feature more practical examples and techniques than in the previous edition, new research, dozens of tips and checklists, case studies, and valuable training exercises. It has been used and praised by experts at Motorola, M.I.T., AT&T and many other organizations.
Download Description
The classic book on team leadership--now revised and expanded for a new era!
Customer Reviews:
Very good coverage of self-directed teams.......2007-05-26
"Leading self-directed work teams" consists of 6 parts. The first part introduces the concept of self-directed work teams, it's history and especially the difference between traditional organizations and self-directed work teams. Part 2 gives a case study from Kodak. Part 3 talks about the assumptions that leaders in organizations have and how it affects the SDWT. Part 4 describes the role of the team leader and a description on what team leaders do day-to-day (there are actually 2 part 4s, which is kinda weird). Part 5 talks about problems and solutions and the final part gives some tests which you can do to see how suitable you are for a team leader (I need some minor changes, it says).
I loved the beginning of the book. The first couple of chapters were fantastic and I quickly finished part 1. I didn't find the case study interesting. I liked part 3 quite a lot, but then when the book went on I felt it was not getting much better. The author tried to think of concrete tools for a team leader to use, but somehow they didn't feel natural (like the 5 stages of team leaders). Near the end of the book, I felt something was missing from the book. I don't know exactly what it is, maybe the team member perspective, maybe more concrete tools. (simulation games?)
Despite the above critique, I recommend the book to anyone involved or interested in self-directed teams. Kimball Fisher wrote in a clear style which kept me reading the book. Theory was followed with concrete examples. It's not a lot of pages so it's easy to read in a relative short time.
I learned a lot from this book. I'm a promoter of SDWT in my organization and the book made me realize how difficult the transition is. How difficult it is for supervisors to adopt their new roles and for team leader to broaden their job responsibility. It clarified my experiences. SDWT are the future but the part towards them in long.
Decent, But Not Ground Breaking.......2006-10-28
As other reviewers have noted, an interesting read for the military leader and "ops" guy alike. But at the end of the day I tend to lump this book together with the tedious, dime-a-dozen management specials out there. As a former military officer I'll be the first to toe the line and admit that a lot of what Mr. Fisher explores is right on target - just not new territory.
At the end of the day, a good primer (or refresher) but not entirely college math.
All MILITARY Leaders Need This Book.......2001-07-21
***The second industrial revolution is definitely in full swing. As we progress from the traditional style organizational leadership and head towards team-building and progressive leadership, this book illuminates what will work. So many leaders in the military have failed to adapt to the cultural changes of the new millenium, and thus the failure to retain Officers and Enlisted alike. All military leaders must accept that fact that EMPOWERMENT is the key to organizational success. This book defines what empowerment is and how to effectively implement the "Self-Directed Work Teams." Covers what a true leader is how "barking direct orders" is not effective as empowering others to perform. Set boundaries instead of rules. I am a military Officer and have seen many times the follies that many Officers make when making leadership decisions. This book not only shows you what is wrong with the traditional systems, but also how to implement effective leadership.
*******A MUST READ FOR ALL MILITARY LEADERS AND CIVILIAN MANAGERS*** DEFINETLY A GREAT BOOK!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ALL AS A GROWING TOOL. READ IT, LEARN IT, USE IT!
Lessons from an Experienced Practitioner.......2001-05-25
This book is a solid how-to manual for leading self-directed work teams. Kimball does a great job of explaining what self-directed teams are all about and how to lead them.
Leading self-directed team may sound like paradox, but these teams need a special type of leadership. This book goes beyond theory to explain the realities of making these teams really work. Easy-to-read with plenty of examples.
* Mark Kelly, coauthor of MASTERING TEAM LEADERSHIP: 7 ESSENTIAL COACHING SKILLS
Insightful!.......2001-04-17
Kimball Fisher provides a revised, updated look at the techniques for successfully leading self-directed work teams (SDWTs). He draws on basic principles described in his earlier book of the same name. SDWTs are effective, and growing in popularity. Fisher focuses on how leaders must adapt to make them work. He emphasizes the need to truly empower and support workers. He underscores the importance of making the team adaptable to the work itself, rather than clinging to a particular structure. Fisher combines principles with examples and how-to tips that you can apply in your own organization. He provides good summaries of each chapter's highlights. We [...] recommend this well-organized, clearly written book. While some of its contents are similar to recent books on creating teams, empowering employees and using a better management style, it is an excellent recap and a good guide for anyone new to team-building methods.
Book Description
Redefining Airmanship offers the first concrete model of the abstract ideal of "airmanship," and gives the reader step-by-step guidance for self-appraisal and improvement in the areas of flight proficiency, teamwork, and good judgment in crisis situations. The author, Major Anthony Kern, draws on his extensive flight and crew-training experience in the US Air Force, but his model is invaluable for all pilots, whether military, recreational, or commercial. "Kern's work is a breakthrough, and a benchmark." --John J. Nance, author of Blind Trust.
Customer Reviews:
A Must-Read for Pilots.......2002-09-08
How important is this book? It is as important for pilots to read and re-read as Wolfgang Langewiesche's "Stick & Rudder". Than this, there is no higher praise.
Dr. Kern proposes herein a simple but profound model to help us understand airmanship and he proceeds to support, explicate and instantiate that model using clear and well-chosen case material.
This is good stuff! The author draws on his own experience as an Air Force pilot and on his academic background as a human factors expert to summarize elegantly a vast area of knowledge vital to every aviator -- whether military, commercial or GA. As an instrument rated private pilot, I found all of the material in this book very relevent to the issues I deal with when I fly.
The way of thinking about airmanship that Dr. Kern lays out is important to all pilots -- but I believe that it is overwhelmingly important to pilots who are not engaged in either formal training or in the pursuit of advanced ratings. Taking this thinking to heart will keep you growing as a pilot, and will ultimately keep you alive.
For pilots embarked on a professional career path, Dr. Kern identifies goals, exposes pitfalls and outlines methods that will complement and enhance any training program and any intended progression through the ratings.
Please, read, study and reflect on this work. It is outstanding!
Finally.......2002-05-05
Throughout my entire time as a pilot, I have been concerned with the huge gap that exists between the safety record of professionally managed commercial and military flight operations and those of general aviation pilots like me.
I am a 1,000-hour instrument-rated private pilot. I have been flying for about 12 years. Together with a partner, I own and operate my own single-engine airplane that I use frequently in the course of my business and daily life. I live in operate primarily within the Upper Midwest where the environment serves up daily challenges.
Over time, I have observed that most GA pilots seem to gravitate toward one or the other of the polar extremes. I think of them as the can-do achievers at one end of the spectrum and the pocket-protector types at the other end. The achievers are those successful people who seem to be able to do anything. They love a challenge and are risk takers. The pocket protector types love figuring things out and have an infinite willingness to wrestle with a question and figure it out. While there is obviously a broad spectrum in between, this has always aided me in sizing a guy up and figuring out how he approached flying. The best pilots I know posses the attributes of both.
My own personality has always been a source of concern in this regard. I find myself consistently falling short of the best flyers. I can claim neither the innate talent nor the tremendous focus and long attention span that these folks all seem to have. I was always a C student. And I do not have the benefit of a large resource-rich organization to support me. Early in my experience as a pilot, I gave it up - actually twice - because I felt so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of knowledge and tasks that had to be integrated successfully in order to achieve an acceptable level of proficiency.
I am pretty sure that I can get by being a lousy fly caster and poor wing shot and still enjoy a pretty good life. I know that being anything other than an excellent pilot is unacceptable. I think that it is why this endeavor so absorbs me.
I have read everything that I could find on the subject. I attend seminars. I seek specialized training. I spend a lot of time talking with other pilots about issues of safety and competence.
Recently, I have asked the military, airline and other professional pilots that I meet how they (and their organizations) approach the subject. Their responses vary. Some of them adhere to the notion that it is simply a matter of having the Right Stuff. Others indicate that it requires the resources of the US government or a major public company. Many have actually been generous and helpful.
Finally, Tony Kern has given us all a model to work with that is both comprehensive and systematic. He has illustrated it with clear real-life examples make each of the component concepts vivid. This book is a real treasure. It is at once a clear description of the destination and it is the map and the compass that we can all employ along on the way.
Outstanding single-source document for professional flyers!.......1998-12-09
Tony Kern has written a detailed, yet compelling, story for airmanship in the 21st century. His research is thorough, his examples are vivid, and his personal experience ties them together. As a safety professional, I was amazed to see that almost all of his "lessons learned" could be applied to ground operations, as well as flight. Wish I'd written the book!
Every active pilot and future pilot should read this book........1998-08-23
Tony Kern has managed to pull together the wisdom and experience of "the best" pilots around. His use of case studies of real pilots and real situations includes examples from the military, commercial, and geneal aviation communities. In short, the book is useful for any pilot whether they are working toward their private pilot license or are employed as a senior airline captain. For many pilots, it will reinforce what they already know and practice but for many, it will provide the opportunity to become "old" pilots. If you fly, read the book.
A must read for the complete pilot........1998-07-28
A rare resource for insite into avaitions most critical element: The Pilot. No where else in aviation literature has someone captured the standards for professional airmanship. Kern gives the route to complete airmanship, whether you fly a Cub, or an SR-71. A valuable resource and asset for all training department libraries.
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Preventing Employees from Ruining Your Business
Cliff Roberson
Manufacturer: Booklocker.com
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ASIN: 1591138272 |
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Living with the Puerto Rico Shore (Living with the Shore)
David M. Bush ,
Lisbeth Hyman ,
Richard M. T. Webb , and
José González Liboy
Manufacturer: Duke University Press
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ASIN: 0822315904 |
Book Description
In this, the eighteenth title in Duke University Press’s Living With the Shore series, the authors present a "user’s guide" to the coastal zone of Puerto Rico. Presenting a geological appraisal of the history, dynamics, and hazards of the island’s coastline, Living With the Puerto Rico Shore is the first in the series to examine a tropical region and the first to examine an area outside the continental United States.
The book provides detailed descriptions of the entire shoreline, noting the specific coastal hazards of each coastal reach. These hazards include coastal erosion, storm surge flooding, and potential damage from earthquakes. Where high-density development or significant roads and utilities are particularly at risk, these are also noted. The effects that sand mining, seawalls, jetties, and other attempts at coastal engineering have had on the island are examined. Finally, the authors discuss historical and legal aspects of coastal planning in Puerto Rico, presenting guidelines for selecting building sites.
Of interest to all concerned with protecting our shores and beaches and useful to the coastal planner and manager, Living With the Puerto Rico Shore contains an extensive bibliography and a list of agencies involved in coastal issues.
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