Club Reviews: NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE

NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. Chris Voss. HarperBusiness

Run, don’t walk, to get this book! It is a practical guide to always getting a better outcome if you follow his advice. His advice makes so much sense, along with examples and the explanation of ‘why’ something worked. I most loved his examples of ‘use your late night DJ voice’ – and we all know what that sounds like. His technique of mirroring is spot on. I’ve been doing it for years, trained as a Transformative Mediator, which works just as he describes it.
I was one of the first to study Fisher and Ury’s Getting to Yes before I graduated law school in 1982. Just as Chris Voss describes, this approach is so limited compared to what Chris recommends. I’ve been a Mediator (Florida Supreme Court Certified in Circuit Civil and Family) for over 12 years. My success is based directly on the principles Voss espouses. These work.
The good news is once you become aware of the labels he uses, you will find yourself recognizing and putting into practice his approach almost seamlessly.  I found new techniques and an excellent refresher course in his information. Everybody negotiates every day. This is a great guide to doing it better. Anne Bloom

Unless you’ve been a lead international negotiator for the FBI, this book will open your mind to the how’s and why’s of high stakes negotiating.
We live in a world of conflict and the biggest obstacle for overcoming it is fear. What could be a higher stake then when gambling on one man’s life?  Chris Voss, takes the reader to the threshold and then walks the reader through it. The words are simply, empowering.
The mindset of the author is clear, the value of being a skilled negotiator will improve your relationships and position you to get the things which will impact your life and others around you.
Grateful for having this. Marc Cohen

Voss draws you in with some requisite self back-patting and stories of famous negotiating failures in law enforcement. 
Lesson 1: Understand why people want, not what people want, most notably, people want to be understood and accepted. "Listening is not a passive activity. It is the most active thing you can do." Voss quickly recounts a hostage situation where it takes an entire team to listen to one person. Who would have ever thought?
Voss reminds us that we may never have to deal with negotiating with a kidnapper or terrorist, but "life is negotiation." However, he goes on to explain that most of our daily interactions at home and work are a series of negotiations based on the universal urge of "I want."
The title suggests rigidity most of us don't encounter in the workplace and Voss explains early that a hostage negotiator "has to win." He can't split the difference by agreeing to let the hostage taker hand over half their captives and dispatch the rest. But, for the rest of us his book reads with a combination of adventure and valuable lessons that we can adapt with a lot more flexibility than Voss ever could. 
He gets to the practical applications in everyday life, but his negotiating style and skill clearly were formed by a long career of never being able to compromise. Most of us will never shed the stresses and anxieties that often come with negotiation, but trying a few of the skills presented by Voss at least has the possibility of shaving off a few dollars the next car purchase. After all, car salesman don't tend to take hostages. Patrick Whiteside 

This book has a lot of valuable material about negotiation regardless of whether you are an experienced or novice negotiator.
I graduated from business school over forty years ago, and negotiation skills were not part of the curriculum.
This book is invaluable for any old or new dog that wants to learn new tricks.
The author helps the reader understand the psychology that is embodied in a negotiation. Negotiation should not be a clash of wills or butting of heads. 
According to the author, you have to give your opponent “illusion of control.” Know the difference between “you’re right” and “that’s right” responses.
Ask “ calibrated questions.”
This is a book that needs to be read several times in order to be able to process and implement the strategies that the author provides.
Keep this book on your bookshelf and continually review and practice the skills outlined in the book. Michael Geringer

Great title that instantly made me want to read the book.  I am a real estate agent as well as an investor, so negotiation is of utmost importance to me.  I never want to split the difference as I want my price.  Although negotiation is a part of life, I initially assumed this book would be about real estate investing so I was a little disappointed when the book opens with hostage negotiations.  Although the stories about his hostage negotiations are interesting I got tired of them and wanted to get on with situations that would most effect my work.
I have always been of the opinion that everything in life is negotiable and that attitude has served me well.  I did pick up some pointers that I will put to use.  I found the 7-38-55 percent rule very interesting, and for that very reason I hate trying to negotiate in an email or over the phone.  Sadly so much of today’s real estate involves negotiation by fax, which albeit very convenient doesn’t give you the opportunity of rapport building and mirroring. Emily Gilday Miami, Florida

I was interested in reading this book because I use similar books in several of my classes. I wanted to see if there were any "new ideas" on an old and familiar topic - negotiating. The opening chapters grabbed my attention, since the author is very confident of his skills and tactics. He made a very interesting statement that the first step is getting over the common aversion to negotiating. I think most people are adverse to negotiating and feel that in order to be successful, you have to go in hard, in order to not appear to be weak.  
The author identifies several tactics, that on the surface, seem logical, such as using open ended, or calibrated, questions repetitively, as well as slowing the process down to buy time, shifting the frame of conversation from your counterpart's problem to solving your problem, the importance of listening, showing respect and the gathering of information. Other tactics highlighted include mirroring and labeling. I was intrigued by the concept, "The flip side of Getting to YES -  the importance of getting to NO," since Voss feels that NO actually kick starts negotiations. and I agree that it has some merit. 
However, as the book went on, I started to get a bit bored with all the "success stories" the author discussed. I recognize that Voss uses these stories as successful examples of implementing his strategies and techniques, and did mention a couple of negotiating "failures.".  However, I was left with a feeling of arrogance and superiority on the author's part. There are so many variables that affect the success or failure of negotiations; I think I would have found more value in the book if he had delved more deeply into "what ifs...." Although Voss implied that the strategies from  Getting to YES (BATNA, etc.) were old school and not very effective, I saw many similarities with Yes and his strategies - he just posed them differently. The author emphasized that several of his techniques should be used in conjunction with other techniques of his. I don't think I would use his book solely for my classes, but I would incorporate several of his techniques with other negotiating styles (Fisher & Ury, etc.). Claire Mostel

For a business book, surprisingly entertaining. This a great resource to prepare for, and then handle, negotiations for any type of matter.  The techniques are well explained, and a prep-worksheet web link is included. 
Chris Voss presents solid strategies and approaches to negotiations that, properly applied, will secure the best possible outcome for you the Negotiator.  In addition to picking up solid negotiating tools, I really enjoyed seeing how top experts used these tools to resolve high stakes transactions where lives were in the balance. 
Colorful real world scenarios bring the lessons home.  If mastering the art of the business deal is not enough to intrigue you, certainly the excitement of facing kidnappers, bank robbers and international terrorists will.  This book details interactions with all. Doramary Russel

I loved this book. Author Chris Voss did a great job of illustrating his points with compelling real-life stories,  as opposed to simply relying on his reputation as a top-notch hostage negotiator to carry the book.  He built in credibility along the way with his analysis of what went right AND wrong and was never afraid to admit when he or his team members made mistakes.  He seemed intent on helping the reader learn from his experiences and that generosity of spirit comes through.
Part of the reason this book works so well is that the strategies and techniques are based on human psychology, and as the description of the book points out, are "...field-tested tools for talking anyone into (or out of) just about anything." The examples used in the book directly illustrate HOW the tools and techniques work and in certain cases, explain why other approaches don't work. In the situations that went horribly wrong, Voss does a great job of conveying his utter sickness and horror at the lives lost and then is able to step back and explain how it happened like he did in the Burnham-Sobero case in Manila. His ability to debrief and provide lessons learned are invaluable to anyone in any career or in any relationship with other human beings. Voss does a great job of boiling every human interaction down to psychology.
The review of each chapter with Key Lessons provides an excellent method for making sure the reader understands and can apply the concepts and techniques. Because of the density of the stories used to illustrate each point, it's helpful to have the key concepts (and the sub-headings within each chapter) to review later. I plan to review these Key Lessons from time to time and refer to this book as I navigate both my personal and professional life. Kathy D. Doran

Without a shadow of doubt, this is one of those books once you have started to read you just do not want to put it down.  But even before I had started to read, I was quite impressed with Chris Voss and his background.  After all if anyone should know about negotiation, I can't think of anyone better prepared than one who is skilled as a hostage negotiator.  Right away Voss points out the use of open ended questions as a tool to better negotiation.  Sometimes this is also called calibrated questions.  Whatever we choose to call them, they are questions that must be responded to but do not have a fixed response.  NO canned answers here!  Voss also points out his use of passive-aggressive techniques.  He just keeps asking questions until he gets the other side to give up and give him what he wants.  I was quite intrigued by Voss account of negotiation in history.  He says that over time we found out that brute force just does not work.  He shares examples where he says the brute force approach simply pushes the aggressor into the "nuclear option" and people die.
Voss talks a lot about his negotiation training at Harvard.  He says he discovered that we are not all "rational actors."  So simply negotiating to maximize one's own value does not work.  We find people are not fully rational or completely selfish and thus their actions are not stable or predictable.  Over time negotiators found they had to be trained in quid pro quo bargaining and problem solving.  Emotions and emotional intelligence were found to be keys to success.  Voss introduced his concept of Tactical Empathy.  Listening is key!  Looking to influence behavior brings success when a negotiator can get into the mind of the other person.  He says "Life Is Negotiation."  I won't spoil it for you, GO READ IT! 
Trained negotiators know they can't stick with what they believe, they have to build several hypothesis and work hard to reveal the other persons surprises.  Then comes another concept called Mirroring. It is called isoproxim and essentially is imitation.  The language of negotiation is primarily a language of conversational rapport.  Page 49 has a lot of Key Lessons worth checking out!  Emotions will derail communications.  We must be able to label the other person's pain, not feel it.
Then comes a whole section with lots more detail on his concept of Tactical Empathy.  Let me share just a few points:

• Playing dumb is a valid negotiating technique
• The key is not sympathy but empathy
• Go toward negative dynamics in a fearless but differential manner
• Empathy is a very powerful mood enhancer

If you are like me you are besieged with telemarketers and you detest them.  Chapter 4 Beware "Yes"-Master "No" reveals a great approach you can use on these folks who are using the "Win at any cost approach" on you.  Here comes the Behavioral Change Stairway Model.  This is about behavior change, sometimes in life or death situations.  Another MUST READ!  Voss emphatically says the win-win approach used by many negotiators is usually ineffective and often disastrous.  He cautions "Do Not Compromise."
The section on being fair is very valuable.  He says people are swayed by feeling they are respected. People comply with agreements if they feel they have been treated fairly and they lash out if they don't.
Let me stop here.  I read the book cover to cover in just a few hours.  Buy the book and read it!  There are some great lessons that apply in all aspects of our lives. Doug Newberry

A wonderful review of tactics to use in negotiation. These suggestions can be used in many contexts, eg buying a car, asking for a raise, or even in financial or legal arenas.
Any one can benefit from the insight and experience that Chris Voss brings to the table.
I highly recommend reading and learning and from this primer in tactics and strategy. Marvin Stein Coral Springs

Having written a book about negotiation, I was very interested to see what Chris Voss, a former FBI international hostage negotiator had to say. Even though negotiating with labor unions was not as exciting as negotiating with ruthless hostage takers who might kill a hostage at any misstep, I was surprised that many of his principles were similar to my forty-one rules. For example, we both know the value of 1) being willing to apologize; 2) not negotiating against ourselves; 3) asking open-ended questions like, “How am I supposed to do that?”; 4) the use of silence in a negotiation; and 5) knowing how to negotiate with a crazy person. 
I learned a few new techniques, too. He suggests using a very specific number when negotiating. $2143.72 sounds like an accountant who has done a lot of number crunching. He showed how to renegotiate a lease with lower monthly rent by pointing out that the landlord’s increased expenses if he gets a new tenant and the apartment is empty for a month or more.
I grimaced when I saw that when he bought his new “salsa red pearl” car, a written offer was given that said “You win” with smiley faces on it. I also got the smiley faces and “you win” message for my new blue Ford Escape. Of course, Voss did not take the bait and got the deal he wanted. However, since this was the third round, I foolishly took the “I win” offer. I wonder how many other car buyers get those smiley faces.
I give the book five stars. He tells many fascinating stories about hostages and then gives the principles learned in each case. At the end there is an Appendix called Prepare a Negotiation Sheet, which summarizes in a few pages the tools he uses in negotiations. Mary Greenwood, St. Augustine, Author of How to Negotiate Like a Pro

Enjoyed reading this book a lot.  From the very literal sense involving police negotiations through just everyday personal situations.  Everything from having a spouse talking down a potential suicide victim from a steep overhead ramp on the interstate to being involved in police work myself for 36 years, the incidents are very relatable.  Also, over the years I have been able to (if need be) walk away from potential personal business transactions.  These include things like buying a new car & being able to call the salesman's bluff and letting a real estate transaction simmer on the back burner until the other party comes around to your terms.
I enjoyed the author's writing style & the contents of the book.  Easy to read and didn't want to put it down till it was completed. Terri Bryant Davie, FL

Never Split the Difference is a book that truly makes sense of the art of negotiating to the general person. It first grips the attention with anecdotes of negotiations and the styles used to acquire the desired outcomes.  The author provides some helpful tips on voice inflection, use of Tactical empathy, and  role playing. It builds anticipation in the beginning until the reader is transfixed and determined to master the art. This type of anticipation continues throughout the book.
I found myself salivating at the prospect that this book would make me a world class negotiator and it certainly delivered. This should be required reading in every business class. Lots of information on negotiation styles and techniques and offers great insights into the human mind. Even provides negotiation dialogues for every day situations.
Easy read because of subtopics in each chapters and content rich with real life situations gives the reader a first row seat into the negotiating room. Working on my DJ voice after this for sure. A definite must in every home library. For those looking to negotiate their next salary, this is the book to teach you how. Deidre Campbell Miami

I found the key lessons from each chapter very useful in breaking down a book packed with real life experiences in mastering the art of negotiating.
Practice and preparation are key in how we use our time to process the information to get what we want.
What I also found helpful from the book was the author’s breaking down three style type’s from the “methodical analyst”, “sociable accommodator” and the “assertive- wanting to be heard”.  Each puts their own value on what’s important and can determine success or failure.
Overall the content of the book delivers without being overly complex.  I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to relate better in negotiating. Peter Kihn Sterling Heights  MI

Engaging and focused. Voss does an incredible job of keeping a steady flow from the very beginning. It is a perfect layout for attention challenged readers. He tells an interesting story, then what to do, what not to do, why, and closes each chapter with the highlights.
Listening, the importance of listening, and the impact of interpreting what you are hearing as to create the appropriate response is the thread from beginning to end. The fundamentals of effective communication permeate through every chapter, scenario, and lesson given. Voss so clearly depicts the impact of communication (verbal and nonverbal), and how it can influence trust and the building of relationships as the negotiator. Verbatim questions to use, and cues to look for make this book a gem to keep handy as you “fake it till you make it.”
One of my favorites. How to position “No” differently within your repertoire, and how to use “No” to open up an entirely new direction of a conversation. More people would go into sales if they weren’t afraid of “No.” Finally, do your homework. Voss wants you to succeed. The Appendix is that perfect outline, setting you up to be a successful negotiator. A guided, fill in the blank, and practice what normally feels uncomfortable or unnatural. Voss is holding your hand and leading you through the process. Angie Stone

Before reading this book I thought of negotiating as a given in all of our human interactions, and although it is, I now realize it is a set of skills that can be honed with practice, especially for those people to whom it doesn't come naturally. I am average at best. The ability to put oneself in another person's shoes and see the world through their eyes depends on one developing those skills that Voss sets forth: mirroring, calibrated "How" and "What" questions, using a label to build empathy, and/or to extract more information, smart anchors, saying "No" without using the word explicitly, face time with your counterpart, non-round numbers, listening which Voss emphasizes that, far from what we have been led to believe, it is not a passive activity.
That what we're looking for is not problem-solving but a people mover took me by surprise because I am a high school teacher and it is what I instinctively do with my students. Since I am a lone figure in the classroom as their teacher, there is no room for good cop versus bad cop positions. I have to be the one the rely on inside those four walls as well as being a supportive friend off the clock as situations may dictate. It is the emotional climate this book emphasizes is key to negotiating, one the school system must realize is the true foundation for learning. We need authentic, *emotional*, sensitive schools.
I love the book because it presents world scenarios, from the seemingly trivial buying real-estate to the more serious hostage-type situations and walks the reader step by step in order to shed light over the common roadblocks we are most likely to encounter. For example, jumping to volunteer a ringleader's full name as a way to let him/her know you're on to them. A premature move to say the least because what are the chances that the person in question would admit to it. I am enchanted by this book since it is practical and I will be reading it again over my Summer break , In Voss words: "Life is negotiation. Prepare, prepare, prepare." Nadja Atkinson 

Great book that details topics helpful for salespeople. This is different than the typical win-win type of negotiating. One strategy used well in this book is to ask open-ended questions to slow down the negotiation, and also to get more information from the other person. The other thing the books shows how to do is getting the other person to agree and believe “that’s right.”
You can find several items you can apply right away and start seeing results immediately. One good way to read this book would be to read one chapter at a time, then try and use some of the concepts before moving on to the next chapter.
Some of the best techniques are around mirroring people’s words. This is an easy concept to start with, by simply repeating back what the other person said. When this is done, the other person will slightly reword what they said, giving you the ability to tailor their words in a way that helps your side of the negotiation.
The book is divided into sections that first start with a type of role playing exercise based on Chris Voss’ real life experiences, then uses that to explain the concept to apply to your negotiating role. About the only negative I had with the book is that Chris Voss spends more time writing about his experience than he does at actually explaining how to apply the concept to business negotiating. On the other hand, there is no filler in this book. The author uses every word purposefully.
I also like the way the author adds an appendix to the end of the book, and gives a summary of each section. This appendix also gives sample questions to ask and checklists to help you with the negotiation.  Great overall read for anyone looking to enhance negotiation skills. Frank Donn Miami, FL

Chris Voss is truly the expert in negotiating. If anyone knows the expertise in life and death situations as well as business decisions, Chris is the one to call upon.

Chris's personal stories about his negotiations through out the world in real life situations leave you speechless and wanting to read more. Chris has a way of transforming his knowledge and experiences into a manual of how to negotiate any type of situation in business and personal life with a new way of thinking. 

This book is a very interesting page turner, the complete opposite of a boring business book. There is nothing else quite like his or even close to Chris's situations and training. I highly recommend Chris Voss book as life is truly one negotiation after another and he helps you see a little more clear the different strategies needed to work towards coming to a positive resolution. Trisha Molina Miami

Read more...

Next Book: NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE

NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator Chris Voss.

Voss makes the provocative argument that everything we’ve previously been taught about negotiation is wrong: humans are not rational; there is no such thing as ‘fair’; compromise is the worst thing you can do; the real art of negotiation lies in mastering the intricacies of No, not Yes. These surprising tactics — which radically diverge from conventional negotiating strategy — weren’t cooked up in a classroom, but are the field-tested tools FBI agents used to talk criminals and hostage-takers around the world into (or out of) just about any scenario you can imagine. 

In NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE, Voss and co-author Tahl Raz break down these strategies so that anyone can use them in the workplace, in business, or at home. Voss draws on his experiences in truly life-or-death situations to illustrate these techniques, and offers scores of examples of how they translate into our working lives. He explains how simple these tools can be, such as your tone of voice, the types of questions you ask the other party, or even how you enter the conversation in the first place. Successfully asking for a raise, a new position, a client concession, or a change to the terms of a contract can all be influenced by the techniques outlined in the book. Voss was part of the generation that revolutionized and refined the FBI’s approach to the process  of negotiation. And now he can help readers do the same in their own lives.

We spend most of our days at work negotiating for something. Knowing the most successful, crisis-tested approaches to the process will ensure the conversation more frequently goes your way. What sets these strategies apart from other negotiation paradigms — i.e., the standard thinking in negotiations is to approach them as logical and sequential problems to be solved—is the injection of emotional intelligence and empathy into the negotiation process. This was the game-changer for the FBI, Voss writes, and these are the unique skills emphasized in NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chris Voss teaches negotiation at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He has also taught at institutions such as Harvard University, the Sloan School of Management, and the Kellogg School of Management. Through his firm The Black Swan Group, Voss works with Fortune 500 companies around the world. He is a frequent guest on CNN and Fox News, and has appeared on The Daily Show, Anderson Cooper 360, and NPR.

Read more...

Club Reviews: Busy

Busy: How to thrive in a world of too much by Tony Crabbe

I found this to be another of those books I could not put down once I started reading.  I read the book from cover to cover in one sitting.  I found this book to be an easy ready and it kept my attention throughout.  The author makes some very practical suggestions on how to deal with "busy."

The author makes a very interesting point right up front that "things have changed but we have not."  We still think and operate as if "busy" is the only way to be successful.  We go day after day chasing e mails, phone calls, texts, and meetings.  We never stop or slow down to allow ourselves any "brain rest."  We are always on GO!  But in the final analysis busy is an addiction that will not generate success.  All too many of us are overwhelmed but we let that stress push us to work harder not smarter.  We hear lots about the ability to multitask.  NOT if you want to be successful!  It is a recipe to FAILURE!  The author makes it clear he want to change the way we think about busy. He says rather than bragging about being busy, he wants us to feel at least slightly embarrassed.  He suggests the opposite of busy-sustained, focused attention.  The point is made that our brains are not made for constant business.  In fact, a study out of the University of London reveals that busy lowers our IQ.  Our brains have limited processing power at any given time.  So we must choose to do what is more important and leave the rest of the stuff go.  And Time Management is not helping!  In fact, it is making things worse.  The author shares and suggests we learn how to divide things into inputs and outputs.  Inputs are the things that come to us.  Outputs are what we actually do.  So the author says the key to success is MASTERY-what we choose to do or not do.  We are cautioned about mindlessness.  We just do things because they are in front of us but not the best things for us to do.  I found it quite interesting how the author says "busyness is like a buffet table."  We just keep, piling stuff on our plates, more than we can ever eat.  We must come to the point where we say "enough is enough."  We must recognize the relationship between the quality of the stuff we do and busyness.  We must learn that it is not about rushing around and being impatient.  It is about focusing our attention on the important and letting the other stuff go.  I won't repeat it hear but the section on "Maintaining Attention," pages 52-56, is a MUST read for busy people.  One of the things we find hard to do as busy people is to say NO!  Read pages 70-76 for some practical helps.  The authors says we have to stop being so productive and become more strategic.  We have to stop, playing the "more game."  While productivity does have advantages, it will not keep us ahead for the long run.

In conclusion, what do we do with busy?  Crabbe offers some very practical suggestions:
-Practice strategic focus.
-Play to your strengths.
-Learn that less is more.
-Do the big stuff first.
-Have a balanced scorecard.
-Innovation is a MUST!
-Solve the right problem.
-We must build our brand.
-We must walk our own path.
-Stop procrastinating!
-Learn to manage emotions and build confidence.
-Get away from more and put values first.
-Develop a few good friends.  More is not better!
-Build your support network.
-Work towards affinity, not popularity.
-Learn that enjoyment is a performance enhancer.
-We must develop and have the joy of commitment.
-Learn that boredom is OK!
-Allow yourself to have some "Happy Attacks."
-Finally, we must make our good intentions stick.

Clearly one of the top books I have read this year.  And that is a real compliment from a guy who has read over 200 books a year for over 50 years. You MUST read this book if you feel the pressure of BUSY! Doug Newberry

This was a comfortable and relevant read because I hate being so busy!  Life is going by too quickly to be constantly busy, and contrary to common thought Tony Crabbe says ‘time management’ is not the cure.  I so welcomed his opinion of time management saying it may make us more efficient but less effective  a feeling I have long embraced and now can proclaim!

In our present world where the number of friends on Facebook is an achievement I salute his idea of fewer friends, but cultivating true friendships.  As a senior I look back on friendships of many years.  I enjoy frequent contact with close friends far more than hours spent connecting on Facebook.
Today Branding is so important, and I found this book to be helpful in finding a clear and simple brand.  And then living up to it. 

 What I didn’t like about the book was the multitude of quotes.  Crabbe lists 3 pages of authors from which he drew his arguments and developed his ideas, and 13 pages of notes for the many quotes.  It seemed every thought or argument was supported by a quote,  documented by one of these authors.  It was so frequent that I found it distracting.

After reading this book I find myself aware of how busy everyone claims to be, almost as though it were a badge of honor.  I hope to refrain from this common response after reading this book. Emily Gilday, Miami

I deeply enjoy reading the book. Usually, when I read a business book, I think that may be the book can be summarized in a nice business magazine article without losing any content. With this book, I feel in the same way, but the difference was that the book is not about just one main topic, which you can condense in one article, you will need at least 3 or 4 articles to cover the interesting topics discussed in the books. And this exactly, what it makes the book word of reading.

The book is not a pure business book,  I consider that it is more a business, plus self-help, psychology and new age book. It has like an holistic approach, which makes it especially relevant nowadays.

I think that you can read the book in no particular order and it will be nice too, actually, I will save your time and I will let you know the chapter that you should not miss because they are especially interesting and worth it of your time: Chapter 2, 3,4, 7, 8, 9, 10,11  out of a total of 12 chapters, which is a very good proportion. Think about years ago when you had to purchase a complete CD, just because you like it 1 or 2 songs. With this book, the several interesting chapters included in it make it a very good investment for the reader. Alejandro Silvestre Miami

This was a good one!
As opposed to other books where messages are sometimes lofty and ethereal, this book is very practical, with direct impact on the way to do things. It might not be as hands on as “getting things done” but to my taste is far more understandable and applicable to a wide range of human situations. I find it funny that being a physician making life and death decisions in matter of seconds, I find myself being “good busy” at work, but somehow out of the cocoon of the operating room, I find myself many times scattered, pulled and distracted. 

We are busy because we want the spotlight, because we can’t disengage, because we are open 24/7.
We are busy busy because we don’t want to pay attention.
We are busy because we just can’t commit to what’s important.
We are busy because it’s easier to say yes than no.

The book explores the way busyness creeps into you, destroys the fallacy that we think we can keep up and do it well, and gives you clear pointers about how to reconnect and concentrate your time, your efforts, your real self. Real good book, highly recommend. Miguel Cobas

The author got me when he said if you're reading this book, you are probably too busy to read this book. He was right. It was difficult to fit in the time but I am glad I did. Although it was geared mostly toward professional life, there were areas in personal life that were also addressed. Crabbe's big ideas challenge the way we live today with constant access, or overload, of information. With too much, we need to forget the notion of "more" and do less, but do it well, more in depth, and make it something we love. The book is filled with anecdotes of notable characters in history to illustrate different points and also many psychological studies to back up the advice given. The best thing about the book is that it gives concrete suggestions and examples on how to get past the busyness to live better. Some I could use right away at work, like the brain dump, and turning off email notifications. The author doesn't claim every idea as his own, and even lists a large suggested reading section in the back of his book, which is appropriate since he references many other books in conjunction with the organization of ideas in his own. "Eat that frog" is a book and also an idea he presents, for example. My only complaint is that it is a lot of information in one book, and I felt it could have been either shorter, or more organized into do-able, actionable chapters so that a person could work through different steps or ideas more easily. Crabbe attempts to summarize each chapter with "go do" and "experiment" items, which I do appreciate, but as a busy (I guess I am going to try to stop using that word so much!!) working mom of two small girls I want to read a book once through and retain the main points or life changing advice without having to go back and review it again. I will give him the compliment though that I probably take the time to do exactly that! This subject is so important in this overwhelming culture and he does give very good advice that I will be taking. Sarah Freudenberger

The book was really good and gave great strategies for getting rid of the busy work that is getting in the way of being productive. This would really be good for people that can control some or most of the things that get in the way. Unfortunately, in the corporate world, you can’t really say you won’t do these things. Especially if those things are part of your job responsibilities. There are however some great strategies that everyone can use, regardless of what your job responsibilities are.

One thing I did like about the book was how it summarized each chapter in a way that allowed you to try some or all of the concepts. That way, you could try and implement a few things at a time and see what works best for you.

Most of the things in the book seemed to be recycled common sense idea. But the author does organize the ideas, and add ideas of his own, in such a way that makes this book easy to read and easy to apply to your day-to-day work life. Frank Donn, Miami

Anyone who follows this book club by definition multitasks and is wrapped up in "Busy" activities. 
Tony Crabbe has a message for us SLOW DOWN smell the roses, and dig deep into a limited selected topic or two. This will make you personally and professionally more efficient and knowledgeable and valuable to your work and family. 
Focus , Specialize and differentiate yourself, develop new ideas and concepts by sharpening your attention at work and with your family and circle of friends and supporters.
Once you develop your new habits keep reinforcing the behavior and all the compulsive "busy" activities will be marginalized and only the more important aspects of life, family, business project development in depth will surface. M Stein, Coral Springs

I finally got out of Facebook, now I'm less busy, and more happy! How is that for a nod of approval for Tony Crabbe's How to Thrive in a World of Too Much. How to thrive? It's all in there: stop managing your time, stop being productive, stop justifying busy, stop having so many friends! Time management ruined it for us because what it taught us, unintentionally or not, was to multi-task. Everybody got on to this treadmill where they thought, "as long as I keep busy, everything will be OK." We turned "flow" into panic. And it wasn't long before all of us, including children started to "tune out" in order to cope. Or not.

This book instruct us, do not say time is money, say time is opportunity. The opportunity to make an impact, a must in this global economy, weighs more heavily than productivity as it does not take the place of  differentiation. Consider it. It reminded me a little bit of Arianna Huffington's book Thrive where she introduces the concept of “Third Metric of Success." In the same vein as Crabbe's definition of success, she is aware about  money and power being the two the traditional two metrics, but highlights well-being, wisdom, wonder and community giving as the components of a third metric essential for thriving.   

When busyness is deliberately sought, sometimes expensively so, it feels more rewarding even as it becomes a slippery slope, a hard one to come back from. In a world of too much, it is better to let life go; if it comes back to you, it is yours; if it doesn't, it never was. The more you hold on to it, the faster it seems to go. Sit under a tree, throw your head back, savor you not-to-go cup of coffee, smile, read this book, earn your "being and nothingness." Get BUSY  building your inner resources, tend to your emptiness and getting comfortable with your idleness. Learning to thrive is after all an adaptive challenge. You learn as you go. But don't run. Take your time. Run for what? Nadja Atkinson

If you have ever wondered why the most popular time management techniques don't seem to work for you, Busy may be just the help you need.  Rooted in psychological and change theory and grounded in scientific evidence, the information presented in this work can leave you both inspired and depressed.  You will be given many explanations as to why you may have been unsuccessful in accomplishing your "want to's" in life and many suggestions on methodologies to improve both your professional accomplishments and your personal relationships. 

Without sounding overly statistical, Busy supports its theories with examples of studies or people who demonstrate what it proposes.  The reader is introduced to three essential elements to moving beyond busy:  mastery, differentiation, and engagement.  The author assists the readers in looking at themselves and making decisions that can impact them both professionally and personally.  Each chapter includes a summary of the "Big Message" in case you didn't catch it and some "Go-Do" action steps and things to "Experiment." The concepts are practical and doable and really make a lot of sense. I was shocked to learn that I couldn't name my "15" key relationships.   

As a former certified facilitator in one of the most widely used time management techniques, I was fascinated to learn the whys behind behaviors and motivated to do something about areas in which I have always had issues. Tony Crabbe personalized his theories with his own situation without promoting his work or his services.  He even suggested the works of other authors that would be of benefit.  It is not my practice to relate information to others while I am trying to digest it myself.  With this book, I did it often.  I was eager to finish and to implement. Sara Jane Hope, Ridgeland, Mississippi

Tony Crabbe tells us how to avoid being too busy! The answer is to develop a plan to become more efficient with a positive attitude toward life. Efficiency is the answer for a less stressful, easier personal life and for a better business plan.

Crabbe presents a plan thoroughly explaining the best course of action using a positive attitude. He uses examples of both failures and successes.

Some suggestions to become more efficient follow:
Put in writing on paper (yes, writing)  the most important things to focus on for the day.  Now choose 3 !

Write down the 3 most important activities in priority order on a post - it note and stick it where you can see it all day long.  Before turning on the computer or doing anything else, start working on # 1.
It is about attention, not time. One thing at a time.  Avoid distractions. Realize you can't do or have everything!  Know it is all right to say no! Enough is enough!!!!

Optimize your time by taking advantage of time stuck in traffic to listen to language learning tapes for example.

Performance is what matters. Put your values first, have clear goals, think positive, remembering that less is more. Too much often results in failure.

The lyrics to the song "Accentuate the Positive" by Johnny Mercer/Harold Arlen summarize Tony Crabbe's book perfectly! "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and don't mess with mister in-between, along with the rest of the words make a perfect summary! Everything is perfectly clear and makes sense.
Enjoy the read!!!! Margot Byrnes, Miami

The book is filled with plenty of examples of methods of replacing productivity and use thinking, creativity, and attention to create a large picture.
 Busy is constantly being defined as a work goal of achievement.

The book is divided into three sections Mastery, Differentiation and Engagement.  Mastery defined  as the present conditions of Busy.  
Differentiation defined as success.  Engagement for defining happiness.

The book  makes an interesting read and has a wide variety of ideas and concepts to choose from and apply in our lives. 
This is a great business psychology book.
William Murtada, Miami

Overdosed on advice as to how I can cram more productivity into my hectic days, I was reluctant to take on another volume on the subject. I put my cynicism aside, plunged into “Busy,” and found a horse of an entirely different color. Here was an author spreading the gospel of doing less, not more. Within a few pages I was hooked. After a few chapters, I had done more highlighting, underlining and corner-folding than I have done in my last 10 business books combined. All this in an attempt to hold on to the message of less in a world that keeps asking for more.
As the owner of a creative business, and a resident of the 21st century, I flit from task to text to email to meeting, checking items off my to-do list with intensity and fervor. All this gear-shifting creates inefficiency. “Busy” suggests a different approach. Ignore those emails. Undo that to-do list. Make choices and focus on the things that are important, and get to the small stuff during designated bursts. Pursue depth and real relationships instead of the buzz of busyness.
If one could really apply its lessons, this book could be a life-changer. If we can make clear choices, employ strategy to rethink our priorities, and devalue busy-ness, maybe we can really succeed on another level. I, for one, am going to try. I’m also sharing it with my family and colleagues, to see if we are all up to the challenge of making ourselves more productive and happier, by making ourselves less busy. Robert Kirkpatrick, Miami Beach

This book presents an interesting thesis: improving time management will increase production, but ultimately reduces quality of life and the quality of your output! We are all having to deal with ever increasing streams of input, whether it is email, social media updates or excessive business meetings for those in middle management.  We are so BUSY dealing with the torrents of information coming at us, that we struggle to find time to process all of the information, and have little or no time to get the most important things done.

Crabbe’s reasoning is supported by psychology principals (psychology majors will love this business book), and each section gives great practical tips that define the problem, and then offer practical real life ‘experiments’ to implement to help move from managing information to actually thinking about and engaging in solutions to problems.  This is actually productive, and allows us to achieve a much more fulfilling existence.

I found the reading enjoyable, but really appreciate being able to jump to the helpful exercises in each section.  In the information age, this book provides a helpful guide to navigating the raging stream and making sense out of the clutter. Doramary Russell, Coral Springs

Interesting book that I thought was another Time Management book…surprise…it's a book that says its okay to manage your attention to what you are doing now and not how to manage your time.  In other words, it is okay say no to projects and other tasks in order to concentrate on finishing your current project.  It is okay to base your career not on productivity but by considering success on what matters, and how to put these changes into effect.
The four sections of BUSY - Mastery, Differentiation, Engagement and Momentum show readers how to manage attention not time.  The author shows the reader how to develop a new approach to taking back their life.  It does seem like we have all been overwhelmed by the disease of “busy-ness”, especially since the Internet came hugely popular. Our professional and social lives and are ever more and more consumed by a world of “too much”. This book guides us toward becoming healthier, happier and successful as human beings. It presents research and best practices along with interesting stories and strategies to help the reader truly thrive in today’s busy world.
“How are you doing?” is usually followed by the response “busy” at some point. All around the world people seem over-whelmed; exhausted; in the face of the machine. We keep up, our technology, but we keep falling behind.
What I took away from this book is the following:
Stop managing your time!
It is no longer possible to do it all, or to get on top: there is too much to do. All time management does is is splinter time into smaller fragments; we cram and squeeze activity into every second of our day; we stay busy, but in doing so, we stop thinking and breathing.  So, time management becomes the problem, not the solution!
Stop being so productive!
Having people “work hard” seemed to be the biggest management challenge! Now in some cases that problem is solved; almost everyone works hard. But we still play the “more game”. We assume if we produce more than others, if we respond more quickly, we will succeed or be more of a success. We probably will not since we cannot put our full effort to making “all” our projects excellent. In fact, all this “productivity” can be seen as a weak substitute for genuine impact and differentiation; the things that matter in the information age.
Stop justifying busy
Busy is self-defeating. We tell ourselves that we are busy so we can succeed, either for our loved ones or for our happiness. But as we get caught up in this “busyness”, we tend to disconnect from relationships and activities that probably matter more to us. As we disconnect we damage the very relationships and happiness we are trying to improve.
Stop having so many friends!
Social media is great!  We can maintain all those distant relationships that otherwise wither; but there is a downside: it is another demand we have to manage. In simple terms, the greatest benefit from relationships does not come from the many but the few. In actual fact, aiming or being popular may be bad for you, from a health and happiness perspective! Forrest Carper

Busy was an enjoyable read.  It details that no matter how occupied we might be in our lives, there is always a way to simplify it.  He talks about how it's not enough to just think it, you have to actually change your behavior.  This can involve not just our work schedules but our home life, too.
It is important to make wise choices to get the most out of our day.  Confidence is a big plus in trying to accomplish this. The author breaks this down in simple tables.
I would recommend this book no matter how busy you are or think you might be.  Try to find the time to read it. Terri Bryant, Davie

This book is written for busy people!  At the end of each chapter there is an overview of the material covered "The Big Messages" as well as homework to put in practice what we just learned: "Go-Do", very useful for those that only browse through books.

Tony Crabbe discusses the importance of focus, prioritization, problem solving and innovation. The "less is more" philosophy is the theme throughout the book. The target audience is career minded employees, but the chapter about branding (ch. 7) has excellent application for the self-employed and business owners as well.

The "What I have learned" chapter is excellent, because we can see that this book is not theoretical, but empirical. It gives us a glimpse of how the author practiced what he is trying to teach us.

And I also liked the "Other Books to Read" section. All in all great book and worthy of the readers' time regardless of how "busy" we are. Liliana Delara

This book goes to the point and cuts the frosting of the wording. That's why I wasn't "too busy" to read it.  Enjoyable, practical reminding us to go to organize priorities and balance your actions of tie consumption. EJ "Henry"Ventura Jr. – Miami

As someone who is guilty of being busy all the time, I was forced to rethink my lifestyle when I read How to Thrive In A World of Too Much Busy. In his book, author Tony Crabbe wakes us up to the reality that many of us are pushing ourselves, driving ourselves to be always on when the body and brain aren't designed for it. Rather than just point out the problem, Crabbe offers solutions. Overall, his solutions are common sense. However, by using research to explain how and why we need to change our daily habits, Crabbe makes busting busy seem possible.

Rather than fall into busy by default, Crabbe tells reader to make our primary driver for activity internal "what do I want to achieve?" He urges us to make tough choices with our time, set limits on too much, and to make time in our day for thinking. He also suggests we stop taking busyness so seriously and inject playfulness into our lives to feel less overwhelmed and more creative.

At a time when distraction is rampant, managing attention has become a hot topic and Crabbe lays out an argument for changing our mindset by focusing on the moment or task at hand. When we get caught up in the relentless washing machine spin of fears and concerns, he wants us to immerse ourselves in a single task and allow ourselves to delay our worries for later. The goal is to maximize chunks of focused time, he asserts.

Where other self-help books focus on time management, Crabbe goes deeper to urge us to think differently and examine our values as we navigate the endless quest for success by doing and acquiring more. Instead of striving for more, Crabbe tells us to focus on doing what we love and where we are strong. At the end of each section he gives readers a Go-Do box with steps to take to change our behavior. Making changes is hard work, especially when by being busy, we actually get to feel productive while procrastinating. Most of us need to figure out a better way to work and live and Crabbe gives us a new, well-thought-out approach to move us toward change.
As someone who is guilty of being busy all the time, I was forced to rethink my lifestyle when I read How to Thrive In A World of Too Much Busy. In his book, author Tony Crabbe wakes us up to the reality that many of us are pushing ourselves, driving ourselves to be always on when the body and brain aren't designed for it. Rather than just point out the problem, Crabbe offers solutions. Overall, his solutions are common sense. However, by using research to explain how and why we need to change our daily habits, Crabbe makes busting busy seem possible.

Rather than fall into busy by default, Crabbe tells reader to make our primary driver for activity internal "what do I want to achieve?" He urges us to make tough choices with our time, set limits on too much, and to make time in our day for thinking. He also suggests we stop taking busyness so seriously and inject playfulness into our lives to feel less overwhelmed and more creative.

At a time when distraction is rampant, managing attention has become a hot topic and Crabbe lays out an argument for changing our mindset by focusing on the moment or task at hand. When we get caught up in the relentless washing machine spin of fears and concerns, he wants us to immerse ourselves in a single task and allow ourselves to delay our worries for later. The goal is to maximize chunks of focused time, he asserts.

Where other self-help books focus on time management, Crabbe goes deeper to urge us to think differently and examine our values as we navigate the endless quest for success by doing and acquiring more. Instead of striving for more, Crabbe tells us to focus on doing what we love and where we are strong. At the end of each section he gives readers a Go-Do box with steps to take to change our behavior. Making changes is hard work, especially when by being busy, we actually get to feel productive while procrastinating. Most of us need to figure out a better way to work and live and Crabbe gives us a new, well-thought-out approach to move us toward change. Cindy Krischer Goodman

There is certainly a lot of books, articles, and videos on one or more aspects of time management. This book has taken a very unique approach while at the same time remaining true to some of the tactics and tools that have been around for decades. The best thing about this book from my perspective was the chapter on Managing Attention in the section of the book referred to as Mastery. The other sections were Differentiation and Engagement. The chapter on attention was one of the more unique approaches to self-help that I’ve read recently. I guess that I had just never thought about getting more done or juggling my time issues in that way. If you read that chapter carefully you will come away with a greater appreciation for managing your focus as a most helpful approach for getting things done. I have often felt myself working mentally with 2 or 3 things at the same time. I think that I enjoyed the intellectual challenge. However, I have found myself recently missing the right brain file or putting in a file and losing it. I do write things down on sticky notes and the author would say that I a good idea.

Today I had a couple of things going on in my brain (this review, writing my blog, reviewing an infograph). The ideas were swirling. I referred to the last couple of pages of my favorite chapter and came across an idea that straightened myself out…I needed to use intentional attention and meandering rather than meandering mind wandering attention. It paid off for me. That is the sign of a book worth reading and keeping as a helpful tool for the future. Bob Preziosi, Davie

Tony Crabbe’s book, HOW TO THRIVE IN A WORLD OF TOO MUCH BUSY (or “BUSY” for short),  was one of the best nonfiction books I’ve read in a long time.  I’ve enjoyed participating in Richard Pachter’s Business Book Club, and reading some good, not-so-good, and great business and organizational effectiveness books over the years.  This one was GREAT!  It came at a time in my life where I’m retired, only teach at the university as an adjunct when *I* want to, and have time to share with family and friends here in North Carolina, as well as back in Florida.  I love being a grandmother, and being able to help family and good friends out whenever I can….   And I’ve been able to handle “whenever I can” fine – until this past month (when, coincidentally, I was trying to get this book review on “BUSY” back to Mr. Pachter by the deadline!)

I also belong to a wonderful national charitable organization, and our “Gala” was scheduled for this past month.  We have a relatively small lodge – just about 50 members – and even smaller volunteer staff of workers.  This year, for various reasons, we had even less than the small amount making preparations and following through with preparation, participation, and follow-up of the “Gala.”    Well – things HAD to be done, and HAD to be done in a certain way, at a certain time…  and, all of a sudden, I was thrust into what I had managed to avoid for the past two years – a world of Too Much Busy!

“Busy” reaffirmed that we all can handle only so many things well before we start mishandling things – getting sloppy, getting irritated, getting sick (including “sick and tired”), and so on.   I like the way Crabbe busted busy-ness.  In his Preface (as with every chapter of his book), he presented a concept and then gave concrete examples of why he said what he said, backing it up with real-life instances and examples.  I found myself agreeing with everything he had to say and loving the way he presented his concepts. I actually feel he helped me make it through some of our last-month crises by reminding me that it doesn’t have to be this way the next time – that there are actions to be taken to survive the world of too much busy.

I want to teach this book!  Crabbe covers well-known theories of psychology, education, and business while presenting his concepts, which gives the book even more validity.  Chapters such as Stop Managing Your Time! (…and Go Surfing),  and Stop Striving for “More”! (Put Your Values First) grab your attention…and would make great speeches with almost any group of people, because the core concepts are those we all face. He ends each chapter with “The Big Messages” or summaries of each chapter, and then has a final GO-DO section of things to do to satisfy the goal, and EXPERIMENT with the concept by trying it out.  This is a wonderful way to teach a concept, and Tony Crabbe hits the nail on the head with practical advice on how to change what needs to be changed in your life, your family, and your organizations. Betty G Hubschman – Whitsett, NC

Read more...

Club Reviews: BUSINESS WITHOUT THE BULLSH*T

BUSINESS WITHOUT THE BULLSH*T: 49 Secrets and Shortcuts You Need to Know. Geoffrey James. Business Plus.

My first reaction to the book when I saw the "49 secrets and shortcuts" was oh no not another "to do or not to do" book.  But, to be honest, I was not even through the Introduction when I saw this book to be very practical and a simple book with a concept that can be employed right now!  Right away my intrigue began with the thought that today we are all freelancers, we are our own bosses, we have to sell ourselves, clarity creates power, people trump technology, courage is critical, belief drives results, and business is simple.  All straightforward points that are very actionable.  After reading the Introduction, I was already convinced after my 50 years in the business world myself, that Geoffrey was right on target!
I found Part I on "How to Manage Your Boss" (Secrets 1-7) to be very interesting.  It is a great reminder to both boss and associate that relationships are symbiotic and that to achieve any kind of success both need the other.  I found the 12 types of bosses both humorous but also very accurately describing what I have seen myself in the business world.  James talks about 7 things you can do to keep your boss happy and I found them all to be very true.  Most of us desire to advance and move up.  "Getting your boss working for you" certainly shares ideas that will go a long, long way towards success.  It is an absolute truth that not many of us like performance reviews, both boss and associate, but Secret 4 goes a long way in making the process of performance appraisal productive.  Secret 6 on "handling unreasonable requests" is super!  If in fact the boss and associate relationship is symbiotic then honesty is a must.
Part II "How to Manage Your Co-Workers" (Secrets 8-14) is timely because working with your peers and your boss is critical to success.  I found all 7 Secrets to be right on target for anyone's personal success.  We all need to earn respect, play clean office politics, recruit a mentor, deal with annoying co-workers, and yes we have to deal with those pesky organizational; lawyers, make effective use of social media and last but not least shine in meetings.
In Part III (Secrets 15-21) we see how James defines what really great leaders do to manage their people.  I found Secret 15 to be very intriguing.  James says that good leaders do not view businesses as battlefields and they do not make the competition the enemy.  They take on their competitors through diversity, building great teams, and forming partnerships.  Secret 16 reminds leaders of a very important point, we manage people not numbers.  Secret 17 offers some great insights on how to make criticism effective and not defective. 
Part IV (Secret 22-28) shares some great thoughts on managing ones self.  I found Secret 23 to be very helpful.  All of us look to create more time.  We are busy and time is a valuable asset.  James offers some great ideas on how to create time. Read Part IV!
Part V (Secrets 29-35) is very important because it shares some ideas on how to better communicate.  I found James "5 Rules for Business Communications" in Secret 29 to be right on target and very helpful.  Secret 33 is another nugget.  All leaders speak to audiences and James speaks to how "to work the room" to be a more effective communicator.
Part VI (Secret 36-42) shares some very important ideas if you find yourself trying to manage an emergency.
Finally, in Part VII (Secret 43-49) we are exposed to "How to Cope with Evils."  This is a MUST READ and covers everything from dealing with dirty office politics, coping with management fads, spotting lies, identifying bogus statistics, when its OK to lie to your boss and how to safely be a whistle blower.  Secret 44 and the part on management by consensus really got my attention.  After my 50 years in the business world, most leading large organizations,  I would say from experience that managing by consensus is a huge mistake.  Too often I found that management by consensus meant management by everyone and that never worked for me!  At some point on some things, someone has to decide.  As James tells us, consensus normally does not deal with tough issues so we wind up on soft issues and usually remaining at status quo.  Secret 48 "The 7 Times It Is OK to Lie to Your Boss" is quite humorous.  I would have said it is NEVER OK to lie to your boss but James offers some very interesting insights.  But when all is said and done, I am only partially convinced.
In conclusion, this is a very good and interesting book.  It grabs your attention and holds it.  There are many great insights!  But I would never have call these 49 Secrets.  To me they are more management TIPS that are seldom and often poorly used. Doug Newberry Antioch, Tn.

Now, I really enjoyed this book.  Even though the title starts off with the word "Business" most of the content could apply to personal life, not just professionally.  This book is something I would definitely share with my 2 young adult children as they are relatively new in the business world & hopefully would welcome the advice it contains.  The author made it easy to read, yet didn't dumb it down. Terri Bryant, Davie

I'm a business book junkie and I believe they all have good and effective strategies to use in order to succeed in business.  But this one, "Business without the Bullsh*t" is a treasure trove of "how to" address everyday challenges in the workplace.  The "secrets" are presented in a very simple and easily understood manner.  As a result, the reader can apply them right away in their work environment confident that he/she will succeed. I especially enjoyed the section on "The Twelve Types of Bosses". I constantly found myself identifying with one of the types of bosses that the author mentioned and wishing I had had this book to refer to. This is definitely a book you want to keep at arms length and make a point of reviewing every week if your goal is to genuinely succeed in business. Alex R. Camacho, Miami

Business without the bullshit. Does that exist?  And can one get ahead in today’s work world without both perpetrating and learning to accept a healthy dose of bullshit?  It’s a great name for a book and immediately sparked my interest. Finally, a guy that tells it like it is, no holds barred. 
I tend to skip the introduction in most books. I usually find that the author talks a lot but doesn’t really say anything of value.  This time, I did read the introduction and I’m glad I did, because I actually found it to contain the most insightful statements of the book.  The premises of Everyone Is a Freelancer, You Are Your Boss and You Must Sell Yourself, pretty much encapsulate the thinking you must have and the actions you need to take in order to get ahead in today’s work climate. James nails it right from the beginning when he says you have to realize that the days of Company loyalty in return for all your hard work and an expectation of job security are long gone. We are all really just commodities now.  If a Company can find someone to do it cheaper, that’s probably the way they are going to go, even if the quality of the work is lower. 
According to James, the only way to make it through is to always consider yourself as a freelancer and to act accordingly.  You have to constantly be selling and reselling yourself and your services to Management in order to reinforce your value in hopes of being deemed irreplaceable.  At the same time, you need to always be on the lookout for new and better opportunities, keeping your options open and your resume updated so that you are ready to go at a moment’s notice.  Much in the same way Management would drop you without a moment’s hesitation.  He also says you must re-think how you see your boss.  Don’t think of your boss as managing you.  You need wake up and do your own managing.  You have to be managing yourself, your boss, your coworkers and the direction of your own career all at the same time.  You really are your own boss and there is not a moment to rest.  You must be constantly taking action that will “serve your greater purpose”.
I think that pretty much sums up a lot of the book.  Throughout the chapters, James presents scenarios, ideas, tips and tricks.  To be honest, I found much of what he said to be common sense and it wasn’t anything I hadn’t heard before. It was easy enough reading and amiable in its way.  But it also got me thinking something else. Isn’t putting forth whole sets of ideas that most people would just consider the common sense thing to do and a re-hashing of all the same things you’ve read and heard before over and over again its own form of bullshit?  I think so. And that realization turned me off from the book for a bit.
That being said, I did find some of the ideas in the section about managing your boss area to be valuable. James got me thinking about a boss and the relationship to the employee in a much different way than I had before. He says that instead of thinking of the person in that role as a Boss, think of him as someone who is providing you with a service. Some examples he gives are that your Boss gets you resources you need to get the job done, help to solve interdepartmental issues and works to secure money to get you a raise.  That makes me think of a boss in much more user friendly terms. It’s also nice to think of my boss as servicing me instead of my being the one to provide all the services while he reaps all the benefits. 
James talks about the twelve types of bosses which are differentiated by the boss’s motivations in his own career.  By correctly identifying your boss’s type and shaping your approach to him accordingly, you will make your relationship a much more effective and less contentious one.  By helping your boss get to where he wants to go, you are paving the road that will help you get you where you want to go.
He also talks thinking about the Boss not only as someone who has the power to influence what happens to you but as a regular person who, like most people, cares about the opinions of others.  He says that you should actively cultivate your boss’s peers into your own social network. These are the people who your boss listens to and whose opinions he values. Those are the people who affect his own opinions and ultimately, his opinion of you.  If those people like you and see your value and want you around, that message will make its way back to your boss and he will be influenced to like and want you around too.
So, do I recommend the book?  There were only a couple of sections that I thought were really great.  But when I think about it, both of those areas were strong enough and insightful and valuable enough to cause me to re-shape my thinking. That in itself is the highest level of praise. Rivka Kaminetzky

This was an enjoyable book and an easy read.  Geoffrey James lists 49 of what he calls ‘secrets and shortcuts’ you need to know in business,  many of which are just plain common sense.  The format makes it easy for you to search for an topic that might be troubling you, and at the end of each section he recaps his ideas, driving home the important points.
I particularly liked the section of how to communicate and more particularly ‘how to write a compelling email’.  That little secret alone should be mandatory for all incoming employees.  It’s almost like teaching a student how to write a thesis.  In this day of instant communication an effective email is a must. 
For anyone looking for a job, a must read is the section on not only how to get the job interview, but how to ace it. 
All in all, these concise little common sense tips should make life a little bit easier in the world of business if not in your private life as well. Emily Gilday

This is a book I really enjoyed. It cuts to the chase in many areas that are useful for business and for human interactions in general. Dealing with your boss may not be very different than dealing with your wife, after all.
Another good thing about the book is that you can read every paragraph from the perspective of being a boss or being an employee and you extract slightly different perspectives, both useful. At the end of each chapter there is a bulleted key points list that is not very useful if you don't read the chapter first, but very much if you have done so.
I'd like to point out a couple of chapters that stand on their own for brevity and clarity: Chapter 34, how to negotiate an agreement, is a 5 page excellent summary on the topic, and if you don't have time to read entire books dedicated to the topic (getting to yes probably the best one) this little gem will start you on the right track. How to have enough time, (Ch. 23) is also very useful for its simplicity and content.
In summary, many good lines of solid advice can be found in this book. Entertaining, to the point and highly recommendable. No BS here. Miguel Cobas, Miami

 What a fun, entertaining romp about the truth and lies about business as usual.
This little book had many pearls and pointers that should guide any office worker from the neophyte to the senior management.
Mandatory reading for new hires and survivalists in any office environment. Marv Stein, Coral Springs

I think the subtitle (49 Secrets and Shortcuts You Need to Know) says it all, and I only wish I had this book, or a good mentor, many years ago.  As it is, I’ll definitely pass this copy on to family and friends, so maybe they’ll have less trials and tribulations at work.
The book is separated into 7 “parts” – how to manage your boss, your coworkers, your employees, and yourself; and how to  communicate, handle emergencies, and cope with evil.  (What?? EVIL in the office?? Boy, was I naïve back then…) The “secrets” are short, and are summarized at the end of the topic.  Most of all, this is a commonsense book for surviving not only in the workplace, but in life. Betty G Hubschman, Whitsett, North Carolina


I like that this book is written in seven parts and is designed to jump in right wherever you need advice most.
The parts are:
1) How to manage your boss
2) How to manage your coworkers
3) How to manage your employees
4) How to manage yourself
5) How to communicate
6) How to handle emergencies
7) How to cope with evil
In each section, James identifies secrets and shortcuts you may use to get ahead of whoever your competition happens to be or if you want to help others make it in the world of work.
I liked the twelve management styles in the first section and I think it set the tone for the easy read of the rest of the book.
I read each section as they were presented and found that I really did not need to.  Did not have to remember what the previous sections stated before reading any of the other sections.  I did keep in mind the first two parts on Managing your boss and coworkers though.  This to me is a big part of who I deal with on a daily basis.  I can keep the customer happy just by answering their questions, but, if I am not careful with my co-workers, my work life could be difficult.
The  “Five Rules for Business Communication” part I liked.  We are told why it is important to be clear about the specific reason for communication. Mr. James states it’s critical to know the preferred medium of the person to whom the communication is directed, whether that’s face-to-face, phone, or email. Messages must to be short and to the point, while being absent of buzzwords and jargon.  How true!!
The entire work covers many points one can put to use on the spot: job interviews; office politics; layoffs; stress; rejection; failure; and what to do if you screw up are only a few.
This is a "Perfect" read for someone just out of college and perhaps should be a daily or weekly reader. Forrest Carper

While I might call bullsh*t on Geoffrey James designating the tactics and techniques in this book "secrets", Business Without the Bullsh*t is a practical business read full of useful thinking points for both managers and employees.
The seven parts of the book are divided into helpful categories that allow either a quick read cover to cover, or an engaging reference for particular circumstances.  I actually printed the "How to Keep Your Boss Happy" Secret and gave it to two young employees to show them that what I kept telling them about how to advance their careers and keep me from going off the deep end was not complete balderdash.  This information is, at times, full of buzzwords and banality.  Regardless, as a manager, it is important to reflect on the topics presented on a constant basis, to ensure the business is running effectively, efficiently, and effortlessly.  Clichés are clichés for a reason.
Whether it be handling an emergency, considering the next hire, or communicating with the younger generation of workers, the fact that Business Without the Bullsh*t made me think, gave me ideas, and assisted with potential solutions makes it a book that will stay on my shelf. Scott Rembold, Coral Gables

Business Without the Bullshit is simplistic approach to business with not much substance and relevance to today's approach to business. Low rating at best. Ron Groce

This is a wonderfully titled book of simple and mostly obvious concepts, some of which bear reminding. However this book is flawed. The good news is however you can search for what is relevant to you in a clear table of contents and read those portions and get something out of this book.
The book is organized in an efficient manner and chapters are called “secrets” and they are short. They are so short one has to wonder why a shortcut appears at the end of every secret because at a certain point I found myself just reading the shortcuts. And I can tell you exactly at what point in the book that happened.
Secret 12 is titled how to handle corporate lawyers and this is where I began to lose interest in the message and had to wonder exactly what provoked such a biased almost irrational diatribe from the author. The author clearly believes attorneys are deal breakers and it is almost always best to leave lawyers out of the process and if you must use an attorney then you must also minimize their “legal gibberish”. And you are warned to never rush an attorney’s work or you will be punished. I believe conversely a good lawyer can be a deal maker and add value as a creative and effective problem solver. That has been my experience.
The author became less credible to me as a source of helpful information. I may not have agreed with every point prior however I did think most of the secrets had merit and were worthy reminders to focus, prioritize, communicate effectively, do what you say you will do, be respectful and so on. However I discovered the simple approach is too simple and leaves out too much.
The author makes a point of the importance of making decisions and moving on. But nowhere does he share the insight that when you’ve made a mistake with a decision, own it and fix it. That has been my experience.
With regard to meetings the author suggests they are generally a waste of time and writes if you don't want to attend a meeting "create an excuse that's plausible but not insulting." I find meetings to be important as they provide the benefit of collaborating face to face with others to share, create, prioritize and improve upon singular ideas. That has been my experience.
Above are a few examples of what I did not like in this book. I did like the organization and some of the tactics and techniques presented. My favorite shortcut is “expect something wonderful to happen every day.” This book is full of some good secrets but in my opinion important secrets are missing, the shortcuts should be at the end as a recap and some secrets are simply flawed. Lynn Wiener
The book is full of great advice, here are some of my favorites :
You can catch stress from others! Called mirror neurons, so stay away from stressed people, who seem to be every where in today's business world.
Common Boss lies " We are one big happy family".
The book also offers some great tips, I found this one" the most difficult part of time management is not changing the things you do, it is having the courage and discipline to track what you are actually doing", knowledge is power.
Your resume according to the book is useful for 2 things, positioning for a new job or strengthening your ability to do your current job.
You must create yourself as a brand in today's world. Your photo is your brand logo, brand image is your literacy and your social networking is your media.
I found this to be a great book for all business levels from interns to CEO's and I recommend it for any one in business, no matter what type.
Get the job done and cut out the BS!
Thumbs up on this one! Cynergy Egbert
What an eye opening read…
The book title and tag line led me to believe the book would focus on building a business.  What I found inside was a well written guide to surviving the evolving changes in today's workplace.
Over the past 20-30 years business has changed.  The employee/employer relationship is not expected to last for a decade, let alone a career.  Continuous change is the norm.  How has corporate management and the workforce adjusted?  If  you don't understand this, either as a manager or employee, you may become extinct.
In this book, author Geoffrey James guides you through today's changing workplace.  Each chapter includes the key take always at the end to use as reference when needed.
Business without the bullshit is your guide to managing and surviving today's workplace environment.  From intern to seasoned manager, everyone will find insights to building better interactions in their workplace.
I strongly recommend this book for  anyone looking to elevate their careers. John Phillips

This book is not only  well written  but it is also  full of insights and  applicable suggestions. It is an excellent reference book to keep and review  periodically.  I enjoyed reading it and discussing some of the suggestions with coworkers and friends.  The only disappointment when reading the book was that I wished the author would had  included more about the actual research and interviews done  preceding the publication of the book.  As the author indicated that his book is the culmination of many years or research and interviews with “hundreds of executives”. However,  I still consider this book one of the most valuable business books written in the last 10 years. Pilar Somoza, North Bay Village

Geoffrey James authors and shares business insights through one of the most popular blogs and widely followed Twitter feeds available. Through these outlets, James offers countless suggestions and recommendations on how to become more effective, efficient and successful in the business industry. Theses publications have served as the catalyst for the development of this book. In this book James offers 49 secrets divided into 7 general subject areas. Each of the subject areas as well as the secrets may be read in any order as determined by the reader. This format makes the book useful as a reference guide for managers when faced with specific situations as well as a primer for anyone working in a business environment.
The section on How To Communicate was of exceptional value as it provided 7 secrets that could be of value to managers of any level of experience. In general, this section, as well as the entire book, encourages and identifies ways for business managers to “streamline” (minimize Bullsh*t) in all facets of work. James feels the streamlining will improve the business environment by eliminating the things that “Bog Down” the process. While I can support the need to streamline all business practices and quite frankly to eliminate the BullSh*t, the book at times is too rigid in it positions. It can not be forgotten that successful management is an art and the skillful manager will know when to dramatically streamline a process or communication and when not too. A manager with limited experience may not be able to ascertain the appropriate times it is appropriate to implement these suggestions and when not to. If a newly named manager sends a too blunt or simplistic email (i.e. We need to Hire Richard as editor.), it may not be well received by upper management. It is also important for managers to recognize the preferred skills and methods of their boss and/or organization. As James suggests in section 1, Secret number 2, How to keep your Boss Happy – Communicate Clearly. Clearly should be by the boss’s definition!
Despite these concern, I found the book to be an enjoyable and informative read and would not have any reservation recommending it to other, although I would also offer my own warning regarding the blanket use of all of its secrets without first examining the current work environment.  Andy Gillentine

This book was one of those books you pick up and before you know it it’s done!
It was a great book! It is perfect for anyone who is starting a new business, or role.
The insightful no nonsense secrets and shortcuts are easy reading and readily applicable to daily business. My favorite was #23 How to have enough time.
It seems there is no shortage of time management gurus but Mr. James does a nice job of keeping it simple and concise
A great read—Highly recommended. Chip Moody Jr.

I really enjoyed this book and will be rereading it again to ensure I retain all the teachings.  The book certainly lives up to it's title.  Geoffey James does a great job of providing the readers with proven techniques to accelerate your business success.  He sheds light on how to best deal with bosses and manage employees while also giving you insights on how to effectively communicate ideas.  There's over 40 different secrets and techniques, it's tough to pick my favorites.  I found every chapter even more interesting than the previous one.  james' humor and writing style kept me hooked from page one.  Enjoy the read! David Mesas

I highly recommend Business Without the Bullsh*t to anyone in the working world or those that might join us one day (which means YOU unless you are one of the lucky few whose great  great grandfather invented plastic or something). It is chock full of practical tips that can assist you with dealing with real world situations at working, regardless if you are a Chief or an Indian. The best part is that he cuts out all of the fluff that other books have and gets right to the point.
While the book is laid out in a manner that allows you to jump around and read the sections that look like they apply the most to your situation, and not every topic is going to apply to you on a regular basis, since it is a quick read, I would make a point of reading it cover to cover. I realize that every topic doesn't apply everyday (#5 "How to ask for a raise") but once you finish, I'd keep it handy open it up at least once a week and randomly select one of the 49 topics and read it again. I've done this for the last couple of weeks and you'd be amazed at the fresh outlook you'll get, not only with what you are dealing with today but also what pops up three days from now.  Mike Ewart, Miami Lakes

The concepts presented in the book give the reader a better grasp of how to manage oneself and others in order to grow for the long term.  Treating your current Boss more of a “client” is more relevant today as more challenges and opportunities give people more freedom to move in the corporate world.  Constant learning and keeping your emotions in check are important as well.  I found this book a useful tool in helping people get more from their own work and time spent in reaching individual goals. Peter Kihn, Sterling Heights MI

The book states it has 49 secrets and shortcuts you need to know.  That is absolutely correct! This is a great book for high school and college students getting ready to find employment as well as any employee that wants to make a difference at their current and future job’s. The short chapters make each section easy to read and does not bullsh*t around getting right to the point without wasting any valuable time.
Geoffrey James discusses all the important areas that will help employees become successful in today’s business environment.Trisha Molina

Great concept for a book – loved the organization that allows you to zero in on various areas of specific interest!  Not really a ‘how to run a business book’, but actually a valuable reference for employees who might not have access to a mentor for guidance on office politics or issues.  Would be a nice gift for a high school or college graduate landing their first job.  Nicely done Geoffrey James! Doramary Russell, Coral Springs

The book by author Geoffrey James is a handy reference guide to various business situations relating to communications, people, execution and strategy for advancement.
The book is easy to read and contains at a glance shortcuts of the discussion for each chapter.  As with any book that attempts to provide advice on almost 50 situations some of the subjects are not very comprehensive such as dealing with a egotistical boss who believes that being a bully is an effective way to manage.  On the other hand the chapter on writing effective e-mails was well done…as we all receive hundreds of emails a day those that show some thought  in the subject line will stand out and in my experience also clarifies the content of the mail….too many people who are rushed put out stream of consciousness emails that fail to move the discussion to  a decision making point.
A number of chapters provide advice that if you do not like the job for various reasons the exit strategy should be formulated.  While this strategy works for younger employees who are in large enough cities where there are a number of job choices my experience is that people who do not work in large urban areas are often at  very good company that limits the ability to move….more detail about surviving in these environments would be helpful. 
Another helpful chapter deals with stress and there is some good advice about trying to avoid multitasking as a perpetual state of activity.  Stated another way while deadlines are important the quality of the work is also important…balancing these two are an essential part of advancing within an organization.
Priced at $27.00 this book of 49 ideas is certainly worth the investment. Walter Stanton

Now, I really enjoyed this book.  Even though the title starts off with the word "Business" most of the content could apply to personal life, not just professionally.  This book is something I would definitely share with my 2 young adult children as they are relatively new in the business world & hopefully would welcome the advice it contains.  The author made it easy to read, yet didn't dumb it down. Terri Bryant, Davie

Read more...