BROKE BY GLENN BECK - KEVIN BALFE
REVIEW BY ILAXI
The Facts - The Future And the Fight to Fix America. The time has come and the Author predicts the empire on the edge of chaos! Financially broken, spirits broken and faith shattered. The Author takes readers on ride to 234 years of history, culminating with the Great Recession and the bipartisan recklessness of Presidents Bush and Obama.
Glenn Beck is an Author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers: An Inconvenient Book, The Christmas Sweater, Glenn Beck’s Common Sense, Arguing with Idiots, the children’s version of The Christmas Sweater, and The Overton Window.
A chock full of reference and with over 400 pages packed to the brim, this book provides a exposure of America's decline and head for big bang for the buck! It's roughly divided into three parts:
Part I - The Ancient history, the foundation of the nation, monetary policy of Hoover, FDR, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush II and now Obama.
Part II - Covers the crime of the century, the cover up and "the murder
weapon".
Part III - The Plan. Author's Action call. Response to critics and his understanding of the role religion, government, family etc plays in shaping the American nation.
Broke exposes the truth about what Americans are really facing. Most people have seen pieces of the puzzle, but very few have ever seen the whole picture—and for very good reason, leaders have done everything in their power to hide it. If Americans understood how dire things really are, they would be demanding radical reform right now. Despite the rhetoric, that’s not the kind of change politicians really believe in, says the amazon review. Leaders can no more fool the nation - the citizens.
Packed with stories from History, Resources, citations, teachable pin points, custom illustrations are all a part of the book that highlights concerns and debates. The book is an entertainer and eye opener. Corrupt power and game play with history reeling through the years and politics making a 'fiscal mess' and crisis knocking the door. The author speaks of plans as action call to - Decentralize power and authority, cut spending, stop printing money and create policies that support a sound currency. And finally live your own life so that you are not dependent on the government. A great pick from a bold, argumentative and honestly truthful host of Fox news network who knows all, reveals and guides all. Good pick.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan
Tinderbox: The Past and Future of PakistanBy M J Akbar
New Book by M J Akbar is recently launched in Delhi by HarperCollins India - Find the Books Page and reviews of the Books on M J Akbar's Blog.
Here's a review from Economist Print Edition for quick read:
Future unrosy
Was Partition always going to be violent?
Jan 20th 2011 from PRINT EDITION
The Economist
Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan. By M.J. Akbar.
HarperCollins India; 343 pages; 499 rupees
WHEN India and Pakistan began, in 1947, they shared many of the same peoples and a legal and administrative history going back five centuries. What explains their subsequent divergence, with India now broadly stable and prosperous and Pakistan crisis-ridden? According to M.J. Akbar, an erudite Indian journalist who is a Muslim, “The idea of India is stronger than the Indian; the idea of Pakistan is weaker than the Pakistani.”
India was founded as a secular democracy. Given its great diversity, it is hard to think how it could have been otherwise. Pakistan was created to be a homeland for India’s Muslims, an idea that was weak on two counts. First, because it implied a threat to Muslims, or Islam, in Hindu- majority India that in retrospect appears bogus. India’s 160m Muslims are free and no worse off than Pakistan’s 180m. Second, the Islamic rationale for Pakistan contained an ambiguity about the role of Islam in the new state, which has given rise to extremism. As Mr Akbar writes, “the germ of theocracy lay in Pakistan’s genes.”
No one would have been more appalled by this than Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. A whisky-drinking anglophile, he envisaged Pakistan as an India-style democracy. Yet he also helped begin its descent by playing upon chauvinist Muslim fears for political gain. A stalwart of the independence movement, he had been a late convert to the cause of Pakistan, swayed to it only after the early collaboration between Hindu and Muslim freedom-fighters had broken down.
There were many reasons for this. Indian Muslims had a history of violent opposition to the British that was at odds with Gandhi’s non-violence. Their elite felt superior to Hindus—a hangover from the Mughal empire—and feared losing their residual privileges under Hindu rule. The leaders of the Congress party, including Jawaharlal Nehru, were insensitive to these fears. It also suited India’s British rulers to worsen the schism. Had any of these parties acted differently, the calamity of partition, in which perhaps a million perished, might perhaps have been avoided.
Among many recent books on Pakistan, Mr Akbar’s stands out. Above all, it is a fine and detailed history of Indian Muslim anger and insecurity, spawned by the 18th-century decline of the Mughals, and the way this played out in the freedom struggle. It is a lively read; Mr Akbar is a stylish writer with an excellent eye for a gag. Of the Mughal emperor Babur, he writes, he “was equally adept at writing poetry, art criticism, military strategy and piling rebel skulls in the shape of a pyramid.”
The book’s final chapters, on Pakistan’s recent struggle with militancy and extremism, are less good. That may have to do with Mr Akbar’s nationality. Denied much access to Pakistan, Indian analysts sometimes struggle to keep abreast of it. But that Mr Akbar is Indian, let it be said, is largely immaterial: his book is fair and balanced. So, too, were his opening remarks at its launch, attended by an array of Indian leaders. “If Salmaan Taseer had been an Indian Muslim, he would be alive today,” he said, referring to the Pakistani governor of Punjab, murdered by a fanatic this month. That was provocative; also true.
You can find more reviews from Livemint, msn, india today, etc. If you've read the book, send in your reviews and do post your comments. Thanks.
- ilaxi
Have Pen, Will Travel:Observations of a Globetrotter
Have Pen, Will Travel:Observations of a GlobetrotterBy M J Akbar
Bylines compilations on Author's Journey
An enjoyable travelogue — a compilation of articles describing the author’s journeys to places all over the world. Many of these had originally been published in Akbar’s columns. The author travels the world extensively and, in his inimitable style, proceeds to write about it, giving us a glimpse of places that we may never get to see. Aside from visiting different continents like Africa and America, Akbar also explores the furthest corners of India. His witty observations and keen insight make the book engaging and informative at the same time.
Read more in Books and find the Author's new Book Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan
- ilaxi
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tomorrow's Young Achievers
TOMORROW'S YOUNG ACHIEVERS BY PUSHPENDRA MEHTA
REVIEW BY : Ilaxi Patel
I confess, I love to read Management Books that inspire younger minds, that delve with the old as well as the ‘New Rules’ which work well with upcoming or established Entrepreneurs. Pushpendra Mehta’s Book ‘Tomorrow’s Young Achievers’ is Highly Recommended. The book is inspiring for young achievers as the Author shares his profound knowledge and experience with his readers.
Tomorrow’s Young Achievers by Pushpendra Mehta is an Enrepreneural package that consist of valuable 31 career defining insights for Generation X. In four Chapters, the Author shares his life experiences and lessons acquired during his Academic journey at Northwestern University, subject matter experts, personal observations, specific classmates and subsequent Professional careers. Travelled across 11 cities/towns within India and Overseas, Pushpendra Mehta is well versed with diverse cultures, is equipped with modern technology tools and gadgets and prepares young minds to be focused to determine their future in 2025 – 15 years from now, facing challenges amidst Learning curves and change, getting ready for Job or Entrepreneurship and even preparing the younger generation for socio-economic, cultural, political, legal, creativity, business, environmental and technical changes.
The Book is really a great entrepreneurial memoir with tons of interesting anecdotes and advise with insights to script own career destiny in an uncertain world. It Emphasize how Entrepreneurs can create a culture of candor that can allow them to grow beyond par to make a niche for themselves. Pushpendra Mehta gives an insight into some unique trials Entrepreneurs face and interestingly pin points key message highlighting illustrations that speak of entrepreneurial traits.
The Author provides informative insights on Entrepreneurship, Marketing, NGO, Communication and Life visioning to dream big and talks of Unconventional risks creating lasting impressions. He draws lessons learnt from the under privileged in slums of Mumbai and Peru and having dealt with NGOs, he speaks of lessons learnt in marketing and striking a chord with customers on the street. How to live and fight risks each day is a challenge indeed for the underprivileged and yet, he observed through their business ventures, there are limitless options to explore as Entrepreneurs.
Summing up the contents, here is a glimpse into some important topics from Four Chapters:
Chapter I: It takes Learning and Change to Tango
The Author advise to facilitate Learning with change by being yourself and building own natural strengths. His interactions with a successful Entrepreneur reveal that Playing safe is one of the biggest risks in 21st century. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Marc Zuckerberg and many others started young and fresh without the burden of the word ‘experience’ and they made it Big. He recommends to experiment out of comfort zone and measuring performance each quarter. He feels the Importance of mentor or coach. ‘Objective, sagacious or experienced coach + smart young You’ to make up duo to brace up to the challenges leading to 2025.
Chapter 2: Script your own Career Destiny in an uncertain world
Learn to wear unlike hats – Job or Entrepreneurship. Developing skills for both. Should a job not work or you face a lay off – be prepared to be an Entrepreneur, advices the author. The chapter provides lessons for the mainstream and non mainstream professional with his month experience with the Underprivileged. He weighs force on mastering the art of negotiations and highlights that Tomorrow’s CEOs will come from HR and PR and get ready to master these skills apart from mastering voice techniques and speech skills. He Focuses on creativity and charting business plans. Updating on International Business, practices, new ventures and unexplored options.
Chapter 3: Life visioning, dreaming Big, Unconventional risks and clut of communicators
Most of the Authors talk of dreams but Pushpendra Mehta talks of life visioning and dreaming big. To start when young and fresh. Big dreams = repeated failures + Reject rejection + Vary Approach – bouncing back with bigger dreams to achieve goals. Rebuffing Pessimism and never give up are some success tips mentioned by the Author.
Chapter 4: Your Choice will determine your Future in 2025
Choices determine destiny, says Pushpendra Mehta. Being Friends and what friends mean is a topic which reflects today’s changing cultural scenario where friends are new family who stand by day to day. At University or job, the most overlooked aspect is ‘Interviewing the Boss’ and this is an interesting thought that the Author pens down. Other highlights of this chapter are asking for help, be caring or self absorbed leader and an amazing tip to go and work for a leader/boss who remains unchanged for years to grab the best experience but a tip more for which you need to read the book! And finally, being Chief Happiness Officer – Be Positive and stay Happy in an Unhappy world.
In an Economy Boom, opportunities have never been better for Entrepreneurs and I feel, Entrepreneurs should read this book as ‘How to stay tuned’ to their own business and even face challenges with competitive companies in their own markets. Pushpendra Mehta’s Academic and Professional journey gives an insight to grab opportunities and strike big with wide ranging resource that offer something for business pioneers of all stripes.
And finally my concluding note: Tomorrow’s Young Achievers – This Book is a Boon and a Blessing. It is Well-written, great Entrepreneurial message, passionate plea, bold and courageous and a great book to reflect on what it means to Achieve and find youself in 2025. A must Read - Must pick, Enjoy.
(Tomorrow's Young Achievers is available at all leading stores and you can even buy on the Author's Website.)
The Author Pushpendra Mehta is an alumnus of Northwestern University (USA) and Sydenham College (Mumbai, India) and CEO of Vcherish.com with Consultancy firm, a new age Marketing, PR and Communications Consultancy Service. Serves as ‘Career Strategist and Mentor’ to Young Minds-Students, Executives and Entrepreneurs. He can be contacted at pushpendramehta@gmail.com
REVIEW BY : Ilaxi Patel
I confess, I love to read Management Books that inspire younger minds, that delve with the old as well as the ‘New Rules’ which work well with upcoming or established Entrepreneurs. Pushpendra Mehta’s Book ‘Tomorrow’s Young Achievers’ is Highly Recommended. The book is inspiring for young achievers as the Author shares his profound knowledge and experience with his readers.Tomorrow’s Young Achievers by Pushpendra Mehta is an Enrepreneural package that consist of valuable 31 career defining insights for Generation X. In four Chapters, the Author shares his life experiences and lessons acquired during his Academic journey at Northwestern University, subject matter experts, personal observations, specific classmates and subsequent Professional careers. Travelled across 11 cities/towns within India and Overseas, Pushpendra Mehta is well versed with diverse cultures, is equipped with modern technology tools and gadgets and prepares young minds to be focused to determine their future in 2025 – 15 years from now, facing challenges amidst Learning curves and change, getting ready for Job or Entrepreneurship and even preparing the younger generation for socio-economic, cultural, political, legal, creativity, business, environmental and technical changes.
The Book is really a great entrepreneurial memoir with tons of interesting anecdotes and advise with insights to script own career destiny in an uncertain world. It Emphasize how Entrepreneurs can create a culture of candor that can allow them to grow beyond par to make a niche for themselves. Pushpendra Mehta gives an insight into some unique trials Entrepreneurs face and interestingly pin points key message highlighting illustrations that speak of entrepreneurial traits.
The Author provides informative insights on Entrepreneurship, Marketing, NGO, Communication and Life visioning to dream big and talks of Unconventional risks creating lasting impressions. He draws lessons learnt from the under privileged in slums of Mumbai and Peru and having dealt with NGOs, he speaks of lessons learnt in marketing and striking a chord with customers on the street. How to live and fight risks each day is a challenge indeed for the underprivileged and yet, he observed through their business ventures, there are limitless options to explore as Entrepreneurs.
Summing up the contents, here is a glimpse into some important topics from Four Chapters:
Chapter I: It takes Learning and Change to Tango
The Author advise to facilitate Learning with change by being yourself and building own natural strengths. His interactions with a successful Entrepreneur reveal that Playing safe is one of the biggest risks in 21st century. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Marc Zuckerberg and many others started young and fresh without the burden of the word ‘experience’ and they made it Big. He recommends to experiment out of comfort zone and measuring performance each quarter. He feels the Importance of mentor or coach. ‘Objective, sagacious or experienced coach + smart young You’ to make up duo to brace up to the challenges leading to 2025.
Chapter 2: Script your own Career Destiny in an uncertain world
Learn to wear unlike hats – Job or Entrepreneurship. Developing skills for both. Should a job not work or you face a lay off – be prepared to be an Entrepreneur, advices the author. The chapter provides lessons for the mainstream and non mainstream professional with his month experience with the Underprivileged. He weighs force on mastering the art of negotiations and highlights that Tomorrow’s CEOs will come from HR and PR and get ready to master these skills apart from mastering voice techniques and speech skills. He Focuses on creativity and charting business plans. Updating on International Business, practices, new ventures and unexplored options.
Chapter 3: Life visioning, dreaming Big, Unconventional risks and clut of communicators
Most of the Authors talk of dreams but Pushpendra Mehta talks of life visioning and dreaming big. To start when young and fresh. Big dreams = repeated failures + Reject rejection + Vary Approach – bouncing back with bigger dreams to achieve goals. Rebuffing Pessimism and never give up are some success tips mentioned by the Author.
Chapter 4: Your Choice will determine your Future in 2025
Choices determine destiny, says Pushpendra Mehta. Being Friends and what friends mean is a topic which reflects today’s changing cultural scenario where friends are new family who stand by day to day. At University or job, the most overlooked aspect is ‘Interviewing the Boss’ and this is an interesting thought that the Author pens down. Other highlights of this chapter are asking for help, be caring or self absorbed leader and an amazing tip to go and work for a leader/boss who remains unchanged for years to grab the best experience but a tip more for which you need to read the book! And finally, being Chief Happiness Officer – Be Positive and stay Happy in an Unhappy world.
In an Economy Boom, opportunities have never been better for Entrepreneurs and I feel, Entrepreneurs should read this book as ‘How to stay tuned’ to their own business and even face challenges with competitive companies in their own markets. Pushpendra Mehta’s Academic and Professional journey gives an insight to grab opportunities and strike big with wide ranging resource that offer something for business pioneers of all stripes.
And finally my concluding note: Tomorrow’s Young Achievers – This Book is a Boon and a Blessing. It is Well-written, great Entrepreneurial message, passionate plea, bold and courageous and a great book to reflect on what it means to Achieve and find youself in 2025. A must Read - Must pick, Enjoy.
(Tomorrow's Young Achievers is available at all leading stores and you can even buy on the Author's Website.)
The Author Pushpendra Mehta is an alumnus of Northwestern University (USA) and Sydenham College (Mumbai, India) and CEO of Vcherish.com with Consultancy firm, a new age Marketing, PR and Communications Consultancy Service. Serves as ‘Career Strategist and Mentor’ to Young Minds-Students, Executives and Entrepreneurs. He can be contacted at pushpendramehta@gmail.com
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Dark Side
The Dark Side By Jane Mayer
Review by : ilaxi
A highly gripping and suspense read by a staff writer of New Yorker, documents the nefarious deeds of George Bush Administration. The 'Then and Now' - well researched and shockingly revealing book for those who stand for the truth. Extraordinary stuff, however disturbing. This book begins by making the case that al Qaeda was not on the Bush Administration's radar screen prior to 9/11. After the attack, Dick Cheney filled a void of leadership with David Addington and greatly exaggerated the terrorist threat to the point of throwing overboard American ideals.
They worked through back channels to push through a legal authorization of military commissions. Then they proceeded to set in motion all the measures that resulted from what they conceived to be a full scale War on Terror. They got the President to sign off on bypassing the Geneva Conventions for al-Qaeda and the Taliban; they set up the legal authority to detain "illegal enemy combatants" indefinitely without habeas corpus rights; and they set the stage for using interrogation techniques such as waterboarding, sensory overload and deprivation, humiliation, sleep deprivation, etc - techniques that were subject to abuse and can only be called torture. Then, they threw aside the fourth amendment to enable spying on Americans. Jane Mayer shows how the administration basically ignored the Geneva Conventions, which the United States helped establish and long championed, to literally beat out false and useless information from terrorists. Water boarding being the most notable example, the book also details other methods used to obtain information and how many times the tricks used by the CIA resulted in incorrect information.
The accounts of torture are very disturbing. Some torture resulted in death from which no one has been held to account. Mayer specifies that some Government Lawyers and Personnel did fight against policies but they generally failed. An example is Alberto Mora, whom she mentions of risking his career in protesting the torture policies and was up against an array of forces.
Jane Mayer refers that Bush administration used the fear of extremists to drive through policies and new laws that served to weaken constitutional rights while at the same time expand policy powers. The Dark Side takes a blow to the Bush Administration and pulls away the loyal Bush supporters as it makes one wonder how a group of people in the White House can wreck havoc as Jane writes, ""For the first time in its history, the United States sanctioned government officials to physically and psychologically torment U.S.-held captives, making torture the official law of the land in all but name."
Can you blame Bush and Blair? Bush administration had been a greater threat to American Constitution than Osama bin Laden. I recommend The Dark Side - a Must Read apart from another 'The Prosecution of George Bush for Murder' - Those who know the Truth, the facts remain true.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Blood Brothers
Blood Brothers by M J Akbar
Book Launch & Reviews from Main Blog
Blood Brothers is M.J. Akbar’s amazing story of three generations of a Muslim family – based on his own – in Telinipara and how they deal with the fluctuating contours of Hindu-Muslim relations.
Telinipara, a small jute mill town some 30 miles north of Kolkata along the Hooghly, is a complex Rubik's Cube of migrant Bihari workers, Hindus and Muslims; Bengalis, poor and 'bhadralok'; and Sahibs who live in the safe, 'foreign' world of Victoria Jute Mill. Into this scattered inhabitation enters a child on the verge of starvation, Prayaag, who is saved and adopted by a Muslim family, converts to Islam and takes on the name of Rahmatullah. As Rahmatullah knits Telinipara into a community, friendship, love, trust and faith are continually tested by the cancer of riots. Incidents - conversion, circumcision, the arrival of plague or electricity - and a fascinating array of characters - the ultimate Brahmin, Rahmatullah's friend Girija Maharaj, the workers' leader Bauna Sardar, the storyteller Talat Mian, the poet-teacher Syed Ashfaque, the smiling mendicant, Burha Deewana, the sincere Sahib, Simon Hogg, and then the questioning, demanding third generation of the author and his friend Kamala - interlink into a narrative of social history as well as a powerful memoir.
Blood Brothers is a chronicle of its age, its canvas as enchanting as its narrative, a personal journey through change as tensions build, stretching the bonds of a lifetime to breaking point and demanding, in the end, the greatest sacrifice. Its last chapters, written in a bare-bones, unemotional style are the most moving, as the author searches for hope amid raw wounds with a surgeon's scalpel.
Book Launch & Reviews from Main Blog
Blood Brothers is M.J. Akbar’s amazing story of three generations of a Muslim family – based on his own – in Telinipara and how they deal with the fluctuating contours of Hindu-Muslim relations.
Telinipara, a small jute mill town some 30 miles north of Kolkata along the Hooghly, is a complex Rubik's Cube of migrant Bihari workers, Hindus and Muslims; Bengalis, poor and 'bhadralok'; and Sahibs who live in the safe, 'foreign' world of Victoria Jute Mill. Into this scattered inhabitation enters a child on the verge of starvation, Prayaag, who is saved and adopted by a Muslim family, converts to Islam and takes on the name of Rahmatullah. As Rahmatullah knits Telinipara into a community, friendship, love, trust and faith are continually tested by the cancer of riots. Incidents - conversion, circumcision, the arrival of plague or electricity - and a fascinating array of characters - the ultimate Brahmin, Rahmatullah's friend Girija Maharaj, the workers' leader Bauna Sardar, the storyteller Talat Mian, the poet-teacher Syed Ashfaque, the smiling mendicant, Burha Deewana, the sincere Sahib, Simon Hogg, and then the questioning, demanding third generation of the author and his friend Kamala - interlink into a narrative of social history as well as a powerful memoir. Blood Brothers is a chronicle of its age, its canvas as enchanting as its narrative, a personal journey through change as tensions build, stretching the bonds of a lifetime to breaking point and demanding, in the end, the greatest sacrifice. Its last chapters, written in a bare-bones, unemotional style are the most moving, as the author searches for hope amid raw wounds with a surgeon's scalpel.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Project Management
Essential Managers : Project Management
By Andy Bruce
Review by ilaxi
This Book is a great 'Guiding Light' - I mention this because Project Management is a wide topic. Any good business needs to begin with a plan to blueprint for operating and building company eg. Establishing, Budget, Targeting market, Competition etc. This book provides check lists with diagrams, graphs and examples that focus on SWOT (Strength, weakness, Opportunities and Threat) analysis of business. There's expert advice on team work, communication and developing Leadership and the authors' co-experience brings to limelight the basics of understanding the Project with topics like:
1. Defining Project
2. Planning Projects
3. Implementing Plans
4. Monitoring Performance
Quickie tips and perfect gem picks, this book from Defining leads to non stop information through monitoring and tracking progress tips, overcoming probs, dealing with change and summarizing assessment on management skills too. Dorling Kindersley's reference books has been a classy pick and gem on book shelf, this book also stands a 'Sure Pick' for lovers of Management field.
By Andy Bruce
Review by ilaxi
This Book is a great 'Guiding Light' - I mention this because Project Management is a wide topic. Any good business needs to begin with a plan to blueprint for operating and building company eg. Establishing, Budget, Targeting market, Competition etc. This book provides check lists with diagrams, graphs and examples that focus on SWOT (Strength, weakness, Opportunities and Threat) analysis of business. There's expert advice on team work, communication and developing Leadership and the authors' co-experience brings to limelight the basics of understanding the Project with topics like:
1. Defining Project
2. Planning Projects
3. Implementing Plans
4. Monitoring Performance
Quickie tips and perfect gem picks, this book from Defining leads to non stop information through monitoring and tracking progress tips, overcoming probs, dealing with change and summarizing assessment on management skills too. Dorling Kindersley's reference books has been a classy pick and gem on book shelf, this book also stands a 'Sure Pick' for lovers of Management field.
Reducing Stress
Essential Managers: Reducing Stress (Paperback)
by Tim Hindle
"Stress will probably affect all of us at some time in our lives..."
Review by ilaxi
How Stressed Are You? This is the first question arising in today's Tech times. World Health Organization has predicted that by 2020, depression will be the greatest burden of ill health in the developing world and will be the second largest cause of death and disability!!!! One wonders but sure this book has a great in-depth dose of Reducing Stress pills of info with analysis Quiz on Page 16 that actually lets one recognize existence of stress and later reducing it. In Analyzing the causes of Stress, society, the working world and daily life have changed almost beyond recognition in the past 50 years and these changes have contributed to a major increase in stress, says the author. Many factors add fuel to blown minds as we deal coping with daily life. The book has cool tips on Getting Organized in life itself, manage time, check the attitudinal traits, taking out time to relax, understanding personality types, building better relationships and check Health. Emotional despair is a major health disorder and so, before it's late, check those Stress flaws and learn to use mind power through Tim Hindle's book on 'Reducing Stress' - A good pick.
by Tim Hindle
"Stress will probably affect all of us at some time in our lives..."
Review by ilaxi
How Stressed Are You? This is the first question arising in today's Tech times. World Health Organization has predicted that by 2020, depression will be the greatest burden of ill health in the developing world and will be the second largest cause of death and disability!!!! One wonders but sure this book has a great in-depth dose of Reducing Stress pills of info with analysis Quiz on Page 16 that actually lets one recognize existence of stress and later reducing it. In Analyzing the causes of Stress, society, the working world and daily life have changed almost beyond recognition in the past 50 years and these changes have contributed to a major increase in stress, says the author. Many factors add fuel to blown minds as we deal coping with daily life. The book has cool tips on Getting Organized in life itself, manage time, check the attitudinal traits, taking out time to relax, understanding personality types, building better relationships and check Health. Emotional despair is a major health disorder and so, before it's late, check those Stress flaws and learn to use mind power through Tim Hindle's book on 'Reducing Stress' - A good pick.
Friday, September 02, 2005
How to Succeed Without Working So Damn Hard!
How to Succeed in Business Without Working So Damn Hard: Rethinking the Rules, Reinventing the Game by Robert J. Kriegel
Review by: ilaxi
Damn Hard Cash Crunch & Start Living!
It has ever been a race to meet the deadlines, blindly following up the routine work pressures and sacrificing the wee hours of life in order to gain achievement to label n brand it as `success' -This is the major folly of most efficient people at workplace who pay a price missing wider opportunities to enhance better future. The game is all about Working wisely and not Damn Hard as the Author advice cool tips on how to succeed in Business with a sharpened job performance pulling in the effective measures to take charge of total control of time schedules. Robert Kriegel's own experience has inspirational theme to add to productivity with less efforts. He focus on more efficiency reducing stress levels at workplace. With latest technology creeping in day in and out, cell phones, computers, internet demands more Time, money and energy levels to cope up with mounting work pressures. I personally feel, work never has a dead end but life's frustration do! And this is where Robert's insights are really helpful to be a success and re-think over working Damn hard as its endless. There is a time for let-go and just do nothing sometimes to rejuvenate oneself again and Robert's book is a tip on ice-berg `Work wonders, work wise ways' and there you scale higher to achieve in this economy crunch - all gains and no pains. I personally recommend this book for workaholic Businessmen and management leaders.
Review by: ilaxi
Damn Hard Cash Crunch & Start Living!
It has ever been a race to meet the deadlines, blindly following up the routine work pressures and sacrificing the wee hours of life in order to gain achievement to label n brand it as `success' -This is the major folly of most efficient people at workplace who pay a price missing wider opportunities to enhance better future. The game is all about Working wisely and not Damn Hard as the Author advice cool tips on how to succeed in Business with a sharpened job performance pulling in the effective measures to take charge of total control of time schedules. Robert Kriegel's own experience has inspirational theme to add to productivity with less efforts. He focus on more efficiency reducing stress levels at workplace. With latest technology creeping in day in and out, cell phones, computers, internet demands more Time, money and energy levels to cope up with mounting work pressures. I personally feel, work never has a dead end but life's frustration do! And this is where Robert's insights are really helpful to be a success and re-think over working Damn hard as its endless. There is a time for let-go and just do nothing sometimes to rejuvenate oneself again and Robert's book is a tip on ice-berg `Work wonders, work wise ways' and there you scale higher to achieve in this economy crunch - all gains and no pains. I personally recommend this book for workaholic Businessmen and management leaders.
Who Moved My Cheese?
Who Moved My Cheese? By Dr. Spencer Johnson
Review by ilaxi
Change with the Change! Yeah, Who moved my Cheese is all about financial resources, Security and Happiness to retain when things go beyond control with waves of Changes spelling alarm at Business, workplace or Life. The control power is 'You' the person and the author conveys the message with a form of fable - four characters, Sniff and Scurry, the mice and two little people mouse size humans hem and Haw. Cheese relates to our living ways, our jobs and career paths. With the sea of changes swapping in, one got to change with the change is the flavor of the Book. Like the cheese runs out, new sources need to be looked for and this is a moral booster bringing in awareness and alertness to find solutions to spoon feed problems. Easy to read with quick glance, the book might provoke thoughts as to dig into lives of people speaking their experiences after the fable is said as they share their ideas and thoughts. However, every individual Business person or CEO at their work levels, face changes n have a scoop of their life, their best sorted principles n ways, the messages in the book serve only as a boost to face Changes. Life is full of obstacles and to deal with them, Dr. Spencer Johnson brings in a theme 'Who moved my cheese' - esp. the best part is the illustrations and the quickie 'quotes' which can be special motivators. No wonder, an upcoming Lecture presented by a reputed newspaper in my town on 'Who moved my cheese' may prove boon to many esp. in times of money crisis. Whatever, All said, its Thinking process to re-charge with renewed faith and this does the trick - Get the Cheese n say 'cheese' - Nice Read!
Review by ilaxi
Change with the Change! Yeah, Who moved my Cheese is all about financial resources, Security and Happiness to retain when things go beyond control with waves of Changes spelling alarm at Business, workplace or Life. The control power is 'You' the person and the author conveys the message with a form of fable - four characters, Sniff and Scurry, the mice and two little people mouse size humans hem and Haw. Cheese relates to our living ways, our jobs and career paths. With the sea of changes swapping in, one got to change with the change is the flavor of the Book. Like the cheese runs out, new sources need to be looked for and this is a moral booster bringing in awareness and alertness to find solutions to spoon feed problems. Easy to read with quick glance, the book might provoke thoughts as to dig into lives of people speaking their experiences after the fable is said as they share their ideas and thoughts. However, every individual Business person or CEO at their work levels, face changes n have a scoop of their life, their best sorted principles n ways, the messages in the book serve only as a boost to face Changes. Life is full of obstacles and to deal with them, Dr. Spencer Johnson brings in a theme 'Who moved my cheese' - esp. the best part is the illustrations and the quickie 'quotes' which can be special motivators. No wonder, an upcoming Lecture presented by a reputed newspaper in my town on 'Who moved my cheese' may prove boon to many esp. in times of money crisis. Whatever, All said, its Thinking process to re-charge with renewed faith and this does the trick - Get the Cheese n say 'cheese' - Nice Read!
First, Break All the Rules
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
By Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
Building Better Relationships at Workplace
Review by ilaxi
Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman reveal their inner vision to focus on four keys to become excellent managers. Leaders are sometimes someone who yells, explodes, makes nearly impossible demands and rarely consider feelings of his subordinates in the changing scenario of Business challenges. In fact, Managers need the right feedback and know-how to deal with the employees and select them on the basis of talents & not only on skills and intellects. Managers need to pick the right choice, know the strength of the employee and define right results. Their role is to encourage and motivate the staff and the manager is totally responsible to build a team spirit says the Authors. Buckingham & coffman focus on hiring people on their talents rather than experience. The employee need to be appreciated and rewarded for the job done well. Some Managers zoom on in on the weakness of employee to create embarrassment and humiliation. First Break All the rules indeed Shows the Managers to be different and recognize the potentials in the staff. Any employee who is facing a management flaw is `slogging' in an uneasy environment and the results too lead to a downward fall in longer run. The result is either the staff finds the Boss Crazy or leave the job for a better prospects. This book is a read for all Managers & Leaders who want to retain their Star employees and reward them for their expertise to grow mutually. Bosses who are control freaks, unreasonable and not practical fail to survive. HRD is one main branch of company that is important and this book is just a tip on the iceberg, the right guide to Managers & staff to work in harmony, knowing their respective roles. The employees need opportunity to grow, clear concepts of work assignments, be praised for their achievement, right environment & friendly approach, motivation and their voice be heard as regards to their work level opinions & suggestions. First Break All the Rules: What the world's Greatest Managers Do Differently is my one most lovable book and when I read this book, I feel this is the right choice of Gift to give to any Leader who wish to Break Rules for better interaction and involvement, building better work place relationships for fruitful results. Yep, a gift to Break Rules - self improve and training session of Effective Management for Boss too!
By Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
Building Better Relationships at Workplace
Review by ilaxi
Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman reveal their inner vision to focus on four keys to become excellent managers. Leaders are sometimes someone who yells, explodes, makes nearly impossible demands and rarely consider feelings of his subordinates in the changing scenario of Business challenges. In fact, Managers need the right feedback and know-how to deal with the employees and select them on the basis of talents & not only on skills and intellects. Managers need to pick the right choice, know the strength of the employee and define right results. Their role is to encourage and motivate the staff and the manager is totally responsible to build a team spirit says the Authors. Buckingham & coffman focus on hiring people on their talents rather than experience. The employee need to be appreciated and rewarded for the job done well. Some Managers zoom on in on the weakness of employee to create embarrassment and humiliation. First Break All the rules indeed Shows the Managers to be different and recognize the potentials in the staff. Any employee who is facing a management flaw is `slogging' in an uneasy environment and the results too lead to a downward fall in longer run. The result is either the staff finds the Boss Crazy or leave the job for a better prospects. This book is a read for all Managers & Leaders who want to retain their Star employees and reward them for their expertise to grow mutually. Bosses who are control freaks, unreasonable and not practical fail to survive. HRD is one main branch of company that is important and this book is just a tip on the iceberg, the right guide to Managers & staff to work in harmony, knowing their respective roles. The employees need opportunity to grow, clear concepts of work assignments, be praised for their achievement, right environment & friendly approach, motivation and their voice be heard as regards to their work level opinions & suggestions. First Break All the Rules: What the world's Greatest Managers Do Differently is my one most lovable book and when I read this book, I feel this is the right choice of Gift to give to any Leader who wish to Break Rules for better interaction and involvement, building better work place relationships for fruitful results. Yep, a gift to Break Rules - self improve and training session of Effective Management for Boss too!
Myth of Excellence
Myth of Excellence by Fred Crawford and Ryan Mathews
Review by : ilaxi
The success of any company always depend on the discipline of marketing, breaking off the malpractice adopted by and large by many companies. Respect, service, trust, genuine quality are the values to strengthen from the grass root levels. Fred Crawford and Ryan Mathews with a in-depth research of many companies reveals that customer service is the key to success and the customer experience is the prime dedicating factor consideration in time to come. The book is an insight to the companies to offer the best by examining their products and executing them with par excellence to stand by the competitive edge. Myth of Excellence is way of the wizard to gain the confidence of the customers. The idea to give a commission and link to something 'free' is a common notion. The rates pulled up to a 20% and than the discount offered only stems out indecent bargain ethics. Brand name and quality are in demand and customers often resort to the quality and service of the consumer products. Catching promotions do attract but the consumer stays unimpressed if quality, service & trust is not offered. Trust is the key of a merchant's scale to shoot up the success chart. This book is a read for CEOs and Company marketing Dept executives to play their roles and create a brand offering the best of the best to keep the customer list hooked to their line of products. Appreciation of the customers motivates the team for a success. This book is a good read for CEO's of Companies who fall below standards and it stands a handy resource guide to marketers who wish to excel and stand a 'class apart' wading the competition to be on top. I recommend this book as it has the value guidance for Companies who want to reach the 'winning edge'- Whatever be the product!
Review by : ilaxi
The success of any company always depend on the discipline of marketing, breaking off the malpractice adopted by and large by many companies. Respect, service, trust, genuine quality are the values to strengthen from the grass root levels. Fred Crawford and Ryan Mathews with a in-depth research of many companies reveals that customer service is the key to success and the customer experience is the prime dedicating factor consideration in time to come. The book is an insight to the companies to offer the best by examining their products and executing them with par excellence to stand by the competitive edge. Myth of Excellence is way of the wizard to gain the confidence of the customers. The idea to give a commission and link to something 'free' is a common notion. The rates pulled up to a 20% and than the discount offered only stems out indecent bargain ethics. Brand name and quality are in demand and customers often resort to the quality and service of the consumer products. Catching promotions do attract but the consumer stays unimpressed if quality, service & trust is not offered. Trust is the key of a merchant's scale to shoot up the success chart. This book is a read for CEOs and Company marketing Dept executives to play their roles and create a brand offering the best of the best to keep the customer list hooked to their line of products. Appreciation of the customers motivates the team for a success. This book is a good read for CEO's of Companies who fall below standards and it stands a handy resource guide to marketers who wish to excel and stand a 'class apart' wading the competition to be on top. I recommend this book as it has the value guidance for Companies who want to reach the 'winning edge'- Whatever be the product!
The Invisible CEO
The Invisible CEO By Krish
Launch of the book 'The Invisible CEO' with the author A.G. Krishnamurthy on Friday, 8th April 2005 at 6:00 pm at Crossword Ahmedabad.Prof. Atul Tandan (Director, Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad) graced the occasion.
‘The Invisible CEO’ is a repertoire of very deep thoughts and reflections of a person, who till recently led Mudra - one of India’s best advertising agencies
The book includes a critique of brands and advertising and goes well beyond all of that into what touches our lives and living. The core of the book resonates with the following theme: “No matter how different you are, or how much of an ‘odd man out’ you feel, if you believe strongly enough and long enough, it is possible to continue to be who you are and to make a success out of doing what you love.”
A G. Krishnamurthy, founder chairman and managing director of Mudra Communications, began the agency with a start-up capital of Rs.35,000 and one client. In just nine years, Mudra became India’s third and largest Indian advertising agency. Mr Krishnamurthy is currently the chairman of AGK Brand Consulting. The father of four children - three daughters and a son, AGK lives in Hyderabad with his family.
(Krish as we fondly called him, is my first Boss and he was the first person who interviewed me for a job at Shilpi Advertising Ltd. Here's my Blog note on him - ilaxi)
Launch of the book 'The Invisible CEO' with the author A.G. Krishnamurthy on Friday, 8th April 2005 at 6:00 pm at Crossword Ahmedabad.Prof. Atul Tandan (Director, Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad) graced the occasion.
‘The Invisible CEO’ is a repertoire of very deep thoughts and reflections of a person, who till recently led Mudra - one of India’s best advertising agencies
The book includes a critique of brands and advertising and goes well beyond all of that into what touches our lives and living. The core of the book resonates with the following theme: “No matter how different you are, or how much of an ‘odd man out’ you feel, if you believe strongly enough and long enough, it is possible to continue to be who you are and to make a success out of doing what you love.”
A G. Krishnamurthy, founder chairman and managing director of Mudra Communications, began the agency with a start-up capital of Rs.35,000 and one client. In just nine years, Mudra became India’s third and largest Indian advertising agency. Mr Krishnamurthy is currently the chairman of AGK Brand Consulting. The father of four children - three daughters and a son, AGK lives in Hyderabad with his family.
(Krish as we fondly called him, is my first Boss and he was the first person who interviewed me for a job at Shilpi Advertising Ltd. Here's my Blog note on him - ilaxi)
Executive Skills
Test Your Executive Skills: Assess Your Potential Through 50 Effective Quizzes by Terry Farnsworth
Availability: This item is currently unavailable@Amazon
Book Review by ilaxi:
Know Your Potentiality - Check skills
There are times on Peak that your Career becomes stagnant in spite of efforts. This amazing valuable Book of Terry has always been my favorite. Doing crosswords and word search is fun and so when I got this priced book, it didn't take much for me to grab the copy as the caption itself reads 'Test Your Executive Skills with thoughtful questions:
1. Are you a good leader?
2. Can you manage outstanding people?
3. Can you run effective meetings?
4. Can you handle a crisis?
5. Can you Manage your Time?
6. Can you seal your own ideas?
Inside are 50 Effective quizzes to assess your potentials and check performances and skills at work levels. If you are an Executive, definitely the book provides management for Success. It has highly perceptive analysis and with his experience as Manager of Personnel Development of UK Corporate Training dept., Terry Fansworth along with his four previous books has tremendous Development boosting to possess Executive skills. The Tests helps to see yourself as others see you and recognize the mistakes and makes one improve. Some of the Topics covered up in the book are: [Random selection]
1. Do you Procrastinate? The delay tactics at work levels never brings in results.
2.Are you well organized? Bad working habits only lead to loss of respect from boss/people who work for you.
3. Are you a good speaker?
4. Can you handle Consultants?
5. How good a Politician are you?
6. Are you leading a balanced life?
7. How Tolerant are you?
8. Do you welcome a Change?
9. Are you in the Right Job?
10.Can you Take Tough Decisions?
More Topics with points to ponder over and Choose the answers that suits best, in a light, relaxed style. In today's time, when there are more Seminars conducted, more lectures through on Management skills and mind management, this Book, if you are able to grab the copy, will be tremendously helpful especially to brush up the Executive skills and ponder upon every Quiz Questions. Even if you can't grab a copy of this book, your answers to above questions will reveal your positive/negative traits. That itself makes a Big Difference. It's 'Attitude' that counts after all! Good Read.
-ilaxi
Availability: This item is currently unavailable@Amazon
Book Review by ilaxi:
Know Your Potentiality - Check skills
There are times on Peak that your Career becomes stagnant in spite of efforts. This amazing valuable Book of Terry has always been my favorite. Doing crosswords and word search is fun and so when I got this priced book, it didn't take much for me to grab the copy as the caption itself reads 'Test Your Executive Skills with thoughtful questions:
1. Are you a good leader?
2. Can you manage outstanding people?
3. Can you run effective meetings?
4. Can you handle a crisis?
5. Can you Manage your Time?
6. Can you seal your own ideas?
Inside are 50 Effective quizzes to assess your potentials and check performances and skills at work levels. If you are an Executive, definitely the book provides management for Success. It has highly perceptive analysis and with his experience as Manager of Personnel Development of UK Corporate Training dept., Terry Fansworth along with his four previous books has tremendous Development boosting to possess Executive skills. The Tests helps to see yourself as others see you and recognize the mistakes and makes one improve. Some of the Topics covered up in the book are: [Random selection]
1. Do you Procrastinate? The delay tactics at work levels never brings in results.
2.Are you well organized? Bad working habits only lead to loss of respect from boss/people who work for you.
3. Are you a good speaker?
4. Can you handle Consultants?
5. How good a Politician are you?
6. Are you leading a balanced life?
7. How Tolerant are you?
8. Do you welcome a Change?
9. Are you in the Right Job?
10.Can you Take Tough Decisions?
More Topics with points to ponder over and Choose the answers that suits best, in a light, relaxed style. In today's time, when there are more Seminars conducted, more lectures through on Management skills and mind management, this Book, if you are able to grab the copy, will be tremendously helpful especially to brush up the Executive skills and ponder upon every Quiz Questions. Even if you can't grab a copy of this book, your answers to above questions will reveal your positive/negative traits. That itself makes a Big Difference. It's 'Attitude' that counts after all! Good Read.
-ilaxi
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