Book Description
With the advent of affordable equipment, there are more opportunities than ever in the field of corporate media production. This book examines all aspects of this creative field, from concept development to the final stages of postproduction. The book also clarifies the roles of the writer, producer, director and client while focusing on the dynamics among these key players. This in-depth book captures all the technical and creative elements used in the creation of media in the corporate world.
The new edition has been updated to reflect the most current media production, editing, delivery formats and processes, with an emphasis on DV. There is material on the new digital video cameras and non-linear editing systems, as well as an expanded discussion of audio sweetening. A new chapter on evaluation demystifies this critical process, and there is a new discussion of multimedia.
* Updated to cover the digital video revolution's effect on the tools of corporate media production
* Covers the creative and technical aspects of the job
* Essential knowledge for anyone planning a career in corporate video
Book Description
This volume of A History of the Book in America covers the creation, distribution, and uses of print and books in the mid-nineteenth century, when a truly national book trade emerged. Essays examine the rise of the manufactured, bound product and the idea of the book as the quintessential product of the industrialization of both the print and papermaking trades, which depended on new nationwide networks for finance, transportation, and communication. The volume also chronicles the rise of a uniquely American print culture, as reading and writing were increasingly conceived of as essential to American citizenship, economic success, and cultural achievement.
Average customer rating:
|
Corporate Video Survival (The Video Bookshelf)
Scott Carlberg
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Organizational Behavior
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Human Resources & Personnel Management
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Business Ethics
| Consolidation & Merger
| Decision-Making & Problem Solving
| Distribution & Warehouse Management
| Industrial
| Information Management
| Leadership
| Management
| Management Science
| Motivational
| Negotiating
| Operations Research
| Planning & Forecasting
| Pricing
| Production & Operations
| Project Management
| Quality Control
| Risk Assessment
| Statistics
| Strategy & Competition
| Systems & Planning
| Systems Analysis
| Teams
| Total Quality Management
| Training
Direction & Production
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Communication
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Broadcasting
| Contemporary Issues
| General
| History
| Mass Communication
| Media & Law
| Media & Politics
| Media And Society
| Propaganda
| Public Opinion
| Research
| Technology & Society
ASIN: 0867292806 |
Book Description
Describes a variety of concepts and actions designed to keep the video group in tune with the corporation.
Average customer rating:
|
Financial Management for Media Operations
Richard E. Van Deusen
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Corporate Finance
| Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Performing Arts
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Direction & Production
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Direction & Production
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Finance
| Accounting & Finance
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Communication
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Broadcasting
| Contemporary Issues
| General
| History
| Mass Communication
| Media & Law
| Media & Politics
| Media And Society
| Propaganda
| Public Opinion
| Research
| Technology & Society
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0867293152 |
Average customer rating:
- To Bud Paxson with Gart Templeton
- A primer on success in business, without forsaking God.
- Bud Paxson is a great man.
- Wow, This guy is a visionary!
|
Threading the Needle: The PAX NET Story
Lowell "Bud" Paxson , and
Gary Templeton
Manufacturer: HarperBusiness
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Entertainers
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Religious
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Company Profiles
| Biography & History
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Strategy & Competition
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Money & Values
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
History & Criticism
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Direction & Production
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Media Culture
| Mass Media
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Transportation
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Aviation
| Economics
| Ferries
| General
| Mass Transit
| Policy
| RVs
| Railroads
| Reference
| Research
| Ships
General
| Communication
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Faith
| Christian Living
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Telecommunications
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0887309488 |
Book Description
When Lowell "Bud" Paxson, creator and cofounder of the Home Shopping Network, sold his interest in the billion-dollar-a-year business in 1991, he could have retired and enjoyed the fruits of his labor. His friends advised him to enjoy retirement, go to the beach, and relax.
"I took their advice," says Paxson. "It was a great day!"
Then, Paxson began work on his most ambitious project yet: launching PAX NET, the nation's seventh broadcast television network. In Threading the Needle, Paxson takes you behind-the-scenes and into the world of big business, big deals, and deep faith. In this moving personal story, Paxson, a natural-born storyteller, shares the sometimes hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenching struggles of trying to maintain balance in career, spiritual life, and family.
The title Threading the Needle refers to the biblical story of the rich man who approached Jesus and asked how he could acquire eternal life. Jesus responded, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:25) In clear prose, Paxson describes how this passage helped influence the most important decisions in his business--and in his life. He writes, "As I reflected on the imagery of the needle, it occured to me that each of us has three threads, or elements, of life we need to get through the needle's eye: the business or career thread, the spiritual thread, and the family thread. Our responsibility is to cling to the grace of God while we seek to maintain the purpose and balance our lives need so we can thread the needle."
A strongly committed Christian, Paxson knows his national family entertainment network will succeed, despite conventional wisdom that says sex and violence are what sells on television. Known to the media, colleagues, and Wall Street as a visionary and a maverick, the six-foot-six Paxson is a larger-than-life entrepreneur who firmly believes that business and faith are intertwined.
In Threading the Needle, Paxson shares the business philosophy that got him where he is today--chairman of a huge television enterprise that is poised to grow even bigger. Part motivation and part business strategy, Threading the Needle contains a recipe for success that people can implement in their own businesses and spiritual lives.
Customer Reviews:
To Bud Paxson with Gart Templeton.......1999-01-11
Your Book is Living Proof that Character and Morality is Everything!
A primer on success in business, without forsaking God........1998-12-28
"Threading the needle" is a swift reading book,whose title refers to the Biblical passage (Luke 18:25)in which a wealthy young man questions Jesus on how to have eternal life. Jesus answers, "sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me", When the man heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." As a founder of Home Shopping Network, Bud Paxson has enjoyed amazing financial success, but despite his riches, his life was devoid of the love and mercy that only can come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paxson's determination to have a strong relationship with God and business success, is a model for every business person, born-again, or not. As a Jewish believer in Christ, I intend to use "Threading the needle" as a guide to growing my own business success and will recommend it to all whom I do business with.
Bud Paxson is a great man........1998-10-05
I work for Mr. Paxson's PAX NET organization. Knowing him in person is truly an honor for me. Business success aside, Mr. Paxson is a true family man and a real down to earth person. PAX NET, now is PAX TV, receives overwhelming support from viewers all over America... PAX TV, a vision of Bud Paxson, as wonderfully told in "Threading The Needle".
Wow, This guy is a visionary!.......1998-09-16
Bud Paxson is responsible for shaping the way America buys things through television and from the looks of this book he'll change the type of programming we see too. His can do spirit is inspirationally portrayed in this book which is easily read, informative and fun to read. A must read for anyone interested in learning how the TV game is played.
Average customer rating:
|
The Voice of Business: Hill & Knowlton and Postwar Public Relations (Luther Hartwell Hodges Series on Business, Society and the State)
Karen S. Miller
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Company Profiles
| Biography & History
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Industrial Relations
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Industrial
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Public Relations
| Marketing & Sales
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
1945 - Present
| 20th Century
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Social History
| Historical Study
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Practical Politics
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0807824399
Release Date: 1999-01-06 |
Book Description
In 1933, John W. Hill opened the New York office of what would become the most important public relations agency in history: Hill & Knowlton, Inc. By 1959, the combined sales of its clients—which included Procter & Gamble, Texaco, Gillette, and Avco Manufacturing as well as the steel, tobacco, and aviation industries' trade associations—amounted to 10 percent of the gross national product. The Voice of Business chronicles Hill & Knowlton's influence on American public discourse in the years following World War II.
Guided by its founder's conservative ideals, Hill & Knowlton developed a twofold mission: to influence public discussion about issues important to its clients and to educate Americans about big business. Karen Miller shows how the agency tried to manipulate public opinion, political debate, and news media content about such issues as postwar military aircraft procurement, the deregulation of margarine production, President Truman's seizure of steel mills in 1952, and the cigarette health scare of 1953-54. Though its campaigns did not change many opinions, she says, Hill & Knowlton affected the public indirectly by reinforcing the ideas of its clients and other conservatives.
Average customer rating:
|
Making Capital from Culture: The Corporate Form of Capitalist Cultural Production (De Gruyter Studies in Organization)
Bill Ryan
Manufacturer: Walter De Gruyter Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Organizational Behavior
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Marketing & Sales
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
| Advertising
| Consumer Behavior
| Customer Service
| Marketing
| Public Relations
| Sales & Selling
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Social Situations
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 311012548X |
Average customer rating:
|
White Zombie - 91
David Muoz
Manufacturer: La Mascara
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Música
| Entretenimiento
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
No-Ficción
| Libros en español
| Formats
| Books
| Automotriz
| Ciencias Sociales
| Crimen y Criminales
| Educación
| Estudios de la Mujer
| Feriados
| Filosofía
| Gobierno
| Hechos Verídicos
| Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo
| Política
| Sucesos de Actualidad
| Transportación
ASIN: 8479742593 |
Book Description
In this book Almaas brings together concepts and experiences drawn from contemporary object relations theory, Freudian-based ego psychology, case studies from his own spiritual practice, and teaching from the highest levels of Buddhist and other Eastern practices. He challenges us to look not only at the personality and the content of the mind, but also at the underlying nature of the mind itself.
Customer Reviews:
Outdated presentation...........2007-08-19
This book requires a fair degree of familiarity with formal psychology.
Also the book (like the other "diamond mind" books) seems to be laced with bathos.
People with a zen/buddhist background might want to start with part two ("the void and transformation").
Or better yet, go directly to the better written and more recent "Inner Journey Home".
For the seeker who is ready to get on with it........2005-09-14
You've read Freud, Jung, perhaps Teillard de Chardin, Aurobindo, J.G. Bennett, Idries Shah, and so on. The poetry of Rumi and Hafiz calls you to the 'beloved' 'like a broken man walking behind a farting camel'. You have done group and individual psychotherapy, yoga, zen and so on. You have attended workshops, prayed, found a 'right livelihood'. Travel is a genuine adventure. Something propels you to examine the mysteries of the perennial philosophy, it is just something you must do. Your appetite is voracious; you yearn for that 'missing piece'. The great novel that is your life is page turner you just cannot put down.
Almaas is one of the great teachers of the age, and this little book is a good place to meet him.
Getting Specific.......2004-11-21
So far I've read three of the Diamond Approach books: "Essence," "The Diamond Approach," and "Diamond Heart, Book One." For someone working alone, "The Void" is the most helpful because it is the most specific about techniques.
Average customer rating:
- Fun stuff!! Simonson and Palmer are the BEST!!!!!
- More classic Star Wars. Well-drawn, well-written.
|
Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 4: Screams in the Void
Chris Claremont ,
Carmine Infantino ,
Walter Simonson , and
Variou
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Dark Horse
| Publishers
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Star Wars
| Characters
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Claremont, Chris
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Simonson, Walter
| ( S )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Star Wars
| Media Series
| Series
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 5: Fool's Bounty
-
Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 3: Resurrection of Evil
-
Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 6: Wookiee World
-
Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 7: Far, Far Away
-
Dark Encounters (Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 2)
ASIN: 1569717877 |
Book Description
Dark Horse Comics presents the latest volume of Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... featuring classic Star Wars stories not seen in over twenty years! Originally printed by Marvel Comics, these stories have been re-colored and are sure to please both new and old Star Wars fans. Screams in the Void collects issues 54 to 67 of the original Marvel run, along with Star Wars Annual #2. These stories take place after The Empire Strikes Back, as Han Solo's friends continue to search for their lost scoundrel - and Lando Calrissian joins Luke, Leia, Chewie, and the droids on their continuing, galaxy-spanning adventures. Also highlighted are several tales focusing on Luke Skywalker and such classics as "Coffin in the Clouds," "The Mind Spider," and "Serphidian Eyes." Introduction by Geoff Johns!
Customer Reviews:
Fun stuff!! Simonson and Palmer are the BEST!!!!!.......2004-06-15
This material is beautiful to look at, even if the stories are occasionally a tad weak (often, they are very good too, so don't get me wrong).
Walt Simonson is one of the all-time great comics artists, and this is his most unique work, because he combined with inker-extraordinaire Tom Palmer to virtually redefine the boundaries between "penciller" and "inker" in comics. The result has the amazing energy of Simonson, but the neo-realism of Palmer, and it has never been equalled by another Star Wars art team to this day.
More classic Star Wars. Well-drawn, well-written........2003-04-22
I started picking up the Star Wars comics halfway through its run -- right when this book takes off. Compared to the first issues in the series, the art is quite sophisticated and matches well with the imagery seen in the films. Characterizations are remarkably deep considering the plotters were barred from using situations that would pop up in Return of the Jedi.
My favorite bit deals with a young Rebel woman who looks like she could be Luke's first girlfriend, but is actually much more. I won't spoil the surprise here, but let's just say that Mara Jade wasn't exactly a totally original creation.
Most importantly, these stories are FUN and are a great read for all Star Wars fans young and old. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Average customer rating:
|
Bubbles, Voids and Bumps in Time: The New Cosmology
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Astronomy
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Universe
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Nuclear Physics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Nuclear Physics
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0521426731 |
Book Description
In this volume, six leading cosmologists provide a current "state of the universe" report: what we have learned about its nature, but also what pieces are still missing from the cosmic puzzle. The roster of contributors reads like a Who's Who of modern cosmology: A. P. Lightman, Robert P. Kirshner, Margaret J. Geller, Vera C. Rubin, Alan Guth, and James Gunn. The book is an excellent overview of the big questions facing modern cosmology. It does not require a background in physics, so any lay reader who appreciates astronomy and the study of the cosmos will enjoy this lively discussion.
Book Description
These selections from Le système du monde, the classic ten-volume history of the physical sciences written by the great French physicist Pierre Duhem (1861-1916), focus on cosmology, Duhem's greatest interest. By reconsidering the work of such Arab and Christian scholars as Averroes, Avicenna, Gregory of Rimini, Albert of Saxony, Nicole Oresme, Duns Scotus, and William of Occam, Duhem demonstrated the sophistication of medieval science and cosmology.
Customer Reviews:
The best book on medieval cosmology that is available........2000-02-11
Duhem does us a major favour by compiling a mamouth amount of original texts that would otherwise by lost and fragmented in the vaults and basements of many very old universities. The traditional problem with medieval philsophy is actually finding the philosophy itself! Duhem's breathtaking reasearch and presentation of these rare texts makes this book an instant classic. But `Medieval Cosmology' is much more than a compilation of texts; Duhem's clear and concise summaries and transitions of very intricate and detailed analyses of `Place, Time and Void' makes this book not only accessible but a pure joy of scholarship and thought.
Average customer rating:
|
Void Where Prohibited: Rest Breaks and the Right to Urinate on Company Time (ILR Press Books)
Marc Linder , and
Ingrid, M.D. Nygaard
Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Industrial Relations
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Industrial Relations
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Health Law
| Family & Health Law
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Employment
| Business
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Labor Law
| Specialties
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Employment
| English Law
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Industrial Relations
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Safety & Health
| Technology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Labor & Employment
| Business
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0801433908 |
Book Description
"I read this informative book with disbelief and mounting rage. Being denied the biologic right to urinate not only injures the kidneys but is probably a potent risk factor for heart problems. It has been amply demonstrated that work pressure, no-exit situations, and psychologic stressors predispose to progressions of coronary vascular disease. I can think of few stresses more intolerable than the pressures of a full bladder. Not even criminals in solitary confinement confront such torment. This is a vitally important book. It merits the widest dissemination. Without public pressure, such demeaning of human beings will not be halted."--Bernard Lown, M.D., Harvard School of Public Health
Although federal and state regulations require employers to provide toilets, government agencies, incredibly, do not require employers to permit workers to use them. Marc Linder, a labor lawyer and political economist, and Ingrid Nygaard, a physician specializing in urogynecology, place this regulatory breakdown in the wider context of the history of labor-management struggles over rest periods. They emphasize the physiological consequences that workers suffer when they are not allowed to interrupt work to rest or urinate.
Customer Reviews:
The New Cosmology?.......2006-11-04
Do we even have cosmologies anymore? Is this for real? At least it has lots of good pictures: a ptolemaic map made during the 15th century, lots of things that look like nothing much, a chart of the orbital velocities of the planets in the solar system.
Book Description
At one time or another most people ponder the question of where they came from, how the universe came into existence and what it''s all about. The information presented in these pages is designed to clear away common beliefs and assumptions one might have and offer different and rather radical perspectives. By doing so it gives the reader a clear sense of that which is ultimately incomprehensible. "It is rare that a book so thoroughly covers such an expansive topic....a must-have for any library." -Kenyatta DaCosta ".a work of genius." -Kenyatta DaCosta ".a surprisingly joyous reading experience! It gets better and better with each turn of the page." -Kenyatta DaCosta
Customer Reviews:
Stand-up comic's first book .......2006-06-05
Great book. Basically it's a kind of joke book. Most of the pages in the book are blank, describing the "Non-Space Non-Time before Creation", but the introduction and end notes are funny, especially once you know most of the book consists of blank pages.
Book Description
"I had the privilege of working closely with Marvin and McKinsey for many years. This book makes Marvin come to life and perpetuates him as a role model."
-Peter F. Drucker
"A wonderful book about a wonderful man. In many ways, Marvin's McKinsey framed the hypotheses in our own search for excellence-for example, passion for values, belief in people as the prime resource, and willingness to let people experiment. As well as I thought I knew Marvin, however, this remarkable book, drawing on the collective memories of those who worked most closely with him, taught me a ton about how extraordinary the man really was and what made him that way. Many have called Drucker the man who invented management; I think history will conclude that both he and Marvin Bower share that pedestal."
-Bob Waterman, coauthor of In Search of Excellence
"Marvin Bower became a legend, not just within McKinsey & Company, but within professional services and the business world more broadly. In everything he did and said, he embodied the professional approach and the importance of values. This book sheds remarkable insight on a remarkable man and on the power of constancy of purpose."
-Ian Davis, Worldwide Managing Director, McKinsey & Co.
"It is as Marvin would have wanted it-simple, honest, fact-based, wonderful stories with a long-term perspective. An insightful read about the father of management consulting."
-Lois Juliber, retired COO, Colgate-Palmolive
"This book provides fascinating insight into the early days of modern management consulting. It is an extremely enlightening look at the origin of one of America's most important professions and one of America's most innovative leaders."
-Thomas H. Lee, founder, Chairman, and President, Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P.
Customer Reviews:
Marvin Bower: The creator/inventor of management consulting.......2005-06-24
Elizabeth Haas Edersheim holds a PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and worked at McKinsey & Company from 1979 to 1988. She is now strategic advisor to a number of Fortune 500 companies. The late Marvin Bower is seen as the creator/inventor of management consulting. I see this book, which was published in 2004, as a semi-autobiography. It is split up in two parts, whereby the first part - Translating a Vision into Reality - discusses the creation and development of McKinsey & Company and the second part - A Leader's Leader - discusses the impact of Bower on others.
The first chapter - Marvin Bower - discusses is a short summary on the working life of Marvin Bower, who was born in Cleveland in 1903 and died at the age of in January 2003. During his lifetime worked for a total of 59 years at McKinsey & Company, which he almost personally transformed from "a nearly defunct accounting and engineering firm into a preeminent adviser to senior executives throughout business and, on occasion, government". His most remarkable distinction was his dedication to value and his personal integrity, which is a common theme throughout the book. Bower was the first person to graduate from Harvard Law School (1928) and later Harvard Business School (1930). The short second chapter - The Vision - discusses Bower's vision of and passion for management consulting which began during his career as a lawyer at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue between 1930 and 1933. His vision and values led the management consulting firm of McKinsey & Co., which was formed by James O. McKinsey, from a staff of 18 in 1933 to 2,500 by the time of his retirement in 1992. The third chapter - The Profession and the Institution - discusses the profession of management consulting and the institution (McKinsey & Co.). Bower conceived his vision of the institution as one firm with: a national presence; a strong firm personality; high-caliber, talented, and committed people; aversion to complacency; and regenerating leadership. Each is discussed in detail. "And - except for its personnel - a good reputation is a professional firm's most valuable earning asset." The fourth and final chapter of the first part - Defining Moments of Leadership and Influence - discusses the nine points of key decision making spanning a 60-year period. Each of these nine points is discussed in detail, they range from the decision to go for a one-firm identity nationally in 1939 through to the objection to a joint venture with venture capital firm DLJ on 1969.
Chapter 5 - The Bower Reach - starts the weaker second part of the book. This chapter discusses the power and reach of Marvin Bower's leadership, which is truly astounding. During Bower's 17 years as managing director of McKinsey, more than 50 of the consultants evolved into CEOs of leading global companies. The author identifies 6 attributes responsible for his rich legacy of leadership. One of the most useful parts of this chapter is Bower's 1950-memorandum titled "Steps in Making and Executing Decisions", which essentially discusses McKinsey's famous problem-solving model (for more, read Ethan Rasiel's The McKinsey Mind). Chapter 6 - Inspiring Organizational Courage - discusses the fact that Bower was not reckless, but fearless. "Not all clients were willing or able to muster the courage required to make bold moves; others were put off by Marvin's bluntness." This courage is discussed through case examples at Royal Dutch Shell (1956), Price Waterhouse (1979), and Harvard (1979). Chapter 7 - Educating a Generation of Leaders - discusses some examples from the list of graduates from the "Marvin School". It discusses in detail the careers of Harvey Golub (ex-Chairman of American Express), Gary MacDougal (leader of the Illinois welfare system reform), David Ogilvy (founder and ex-Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather), and Don Gogal (president and CEO of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc.). There are some short, but impressive, CVs from other McKinsey alumni. The book is concluded with a note by the author, timelines for Marvin Bower, McKinsey & Co. and Harvard Business School, a brief biography of Marvin Bower, and Marvin Bower's speech at the Partners' Conference of 1964.
I must admit that I am somewhat disappointed by this book. It starts of strong in the first part, but loses strength very much in the second part. Even so, we must acknowledge that Marvin Bower's work has left an enormous impact on business and the world. He was the visionary who created and developed management consulting through McKinsey & Company. I believe that the strongest part of his leadership was his principles and values, which are discussed in great detail in the first part of the book. I must admit that I expected more detail on McKinsey & Company itself, such as the problem-solving techniques, internal training, and recruitment of the strongest talent in the world. One other comment I have is that I am now quite interested in Marvin Bower's personal memoirs to which the author makes lots of references. I have been quite hard and given this book 3 stars (4 stars for the first part and 3 for the second part) just to indicate my disappointment. I recommend readers to read the first part of the book, the author's note and appendices.
Highly Recommended !.......2005-02-23
Marvin Bower may be the most influential businessman you've never heard of. The firm he shaped into an international powerhouse, McKinsey & Company, doesn't bear his name, and he never made splashy public gifts. Yet the company that spawned the management consulting industry would not exist today without this remarkable man's clear, compelling vision. Bower or his consultants transformed countless companies and executives for the better. Here, author Elizabeth Haas Edersheim assembles dozens of testimonials to Marvin Bower's integrity, honesty and drive to excel. Her book contains the story of his life, but it reads less like a biography and more like a Harvard Business School case study - a bit dry, and chock-full of interview transcripts rather than compelling narrative. However, its similarity to a case study is oddly appropriate, since Bower was one of the first graduates of the Harvard Business School and remained connected with it for many years, even defending its case study method of teaching when it came under attack in the late 1970s. We recommend this book to leaders, to those who aspire to lead and to consultants who want to study the best of their profession in action.
Solid business history.......2004-12-31
I never thought I would end up in business, but did. thought the book was a great look into the history of a firm. It has helped me review some of my own decisions and better understand them - what I did right instinctively and where there might be some opportunity to rethink things.
I enjoyed reading about the founder and found the lessons practical to what I am doing today.
Great Individual - mediocre book.......2004-12-25
This book tells the story - atleast it tries to - of one of the most influential persons in business management, and hence its something worth reading. But on the otherhand, its not a great book from the style of writing - it doesn't really tell a good story and the over-riding focus on integrity - given the more than few recent episodes - I am tempted to say, its not a very balanced piece of work.
But I certainly recommend this book - despite giving it just 3 stars - gives us an insight into this influential person and his life. It provides some great ideas - valid even today on developing and living a concept - in this case - Management Consulting. And well, also shows the importance of being at the right place at the right time and having the presence of mind to realise the same!!
I will still wait for a better written book on the life of Marvin and McKinsey sometime in the future!
A lovely euology to Mr. Bower, but not a great book.......2004-12-25
This is a very nice book written by nice people who clearly love and admire the late Marvin Bower dearly. And if you want a nice, easy Marvin Bower euology, you can read this book. But you won't learn very much about McKinsey & Company, and I doubt you're learning the whole story about Mr. Bower.
Others have mentioned that this book was written well after some of McKinsey's "dark" episodes occurred and as such these incidents are glaringly absent, in particular the Enron case, in which former McKinseyites and McKinsey itself architected the most massive fraud ever perpetrated in American business history that caused many with their 401(k)s tied up in Enron stock to lose all their life savings. There is not a page in the book that does not contain a reference to Mr. Bower's "integrity", and indeed Mr. Bower wasn't there for Enron, but you can as easily make the case that the McKinsey culture that Mr. Bower created was as much responsible for Enron as it was for McKinsey's more successful endeavors. You can't have it both ways. Someone will eventually get the facts on McKinsey and Enron and that will be a hell of a story.
Books:
- Creature From The Black Lagoon: Time's Black Lagoon (Universal Monsters (Dh Press))
- Cultural History through a National Socialist Lens: Essays on the Cinema of the Third Reich (Studies in German Literature Linguistics and Culture)
- Dennis Potter: A Life on Screen
- Dickens on Screen (On Screen)
- Encyclopedia of Film Themes, Settings and Series
- Encyclopedia of Opera on Screen: A Guide to More Than 100 Years of Opera Films, Videos, and DVDs
- Feminist Hollywood: From Born in Flames to Point Break (Contemporary Film and Television Series)
- Film Producing: Low Budget Films That Sell
- Film Scripts One: Henry 5, Streetcar Named Desire, the Big Sleep
- Five O'clock Angel: Letters of Tennessee Williams to Maria St. Just, 1948-1982
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Gaming Industry: Introduction and Perspectives
- How To Teach Your Dyslexic Child To Read: A Proven Method for Parents and Teachers
- Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Classical Musicians
- CNBC Creating Wealth: An Investor's Guide to Decoding the Market
- Culture Jam: How to Reverse America's Suicidal Consumer Binge--And Why We Must
- Maximum Ride #3: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports
- History: Fiction or Science
- CIMA Exam Practice Kit Management Accounting Risk and Control Strategy
- Elites, Minorities and Economic Growth
- Diagnosis Murder: The Silent Partner
How To Tell Your Story In Video: A 10-Step Guide to Better Corporate Productions
Audio in Media (with InfoTrac ) (Wadsworth Series in Broadcast and Production)
Business Mathematics (9th Edition)
A Cognitive Psychology of Mass Communication (Lea's Communication Series)
Portable Video: ENG & EFP, Fourth Edition
