Next Book: How Excellent Companies Avoid Dumb Things

How Excellent Companies Avoid Dumb Things: Breaking the 8 Hidden Barriers that Plague Even the Best Businesses. Neil Smith with Patricia O'Connell. Palgrave Macmillan. 240 pages.

Here's the author's website: http://neilsmithinsights.com/

From the publisher: Every day, seemingly intelligent and successful companies make headline news for poor decisions that can cause their business to stumble and make many of us scratch our heads in wonder. Why would such a successful business make ”that” strategic decision? Neil Smith, with more than 20 years of experience leading large-scale performance improvements, reveals the hidden barriers that limit excellent companies from reaching their potential, and cause even the smartest managers and leaders to falter. During his experience transforming some of the top global businesses, Smith has identified 8 barriers that exist in every organization and prevent them from implementing literally thousands of ideas to improve the way they work:

• Avoiding Controversy
• Poor Use of Time
• Reluctance to Change
• Organizational Silos
• Management Blockers
• Incorrect Information and Bad Assumptions
• Size Matters
• Existing Processes

Rich with anecdotes and case studies, Smith identifies the ways in each of these barriers interrupt your own business. He then outlines a fast and proven process in which 12 principles of business transformation can break down the processes that hold companies back. What Smith offers his readers is the same thing he offers every day to the major companies he works with,  A PROMISE that by following his insights, the company will be able to increase communication, simplicity, and profit to levels never before attainable.

Throughout the book, Dr. Richard Levak contributes personality and organizational insights that shed light on why an individual or an organization behaves in contrary ways, giving you a better sense of why these internal walls exist and how to be aware of your actions in your day-to-day life.

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Review: SuperFuel

SuperFuel: Thorium, the Green Energy Source for the Future by Richard Martin. Palgrave Macmillan. 272 Pages.

Review by Richard Pachter

As a kid, I loved science fiction. Approaching teen-hood, reading SF (never "Sci Fi" — ugh!) seemed like a natural sequé from the comic books, I'd devoured since I was about six. I also enjoyed my father's Popular Science magazines and even had my own subscription for a while. I liked science in elementary school, too, but as I got older, I found it to be a challenging subject and lost interest. Blame Chemistry (and chemistry, i.e. raging hormones) if you like. Oh well.

But I've always enjoyed speculative fiction, as some SF was called, and even though my interest and grasp of the facts upon which the conjectures are based may be precarious or nonexistent, the "hard" science fiction of Heinlein, Asimov and Clark made my early membership in the Science Fiction Book Club a thoroughly rewarding experience. It was also not too hard on my allowance, which helped, too.

I don't read very much of that these days, as the cheery utopias and grim futures are less appealing in context with our current reality.

But the old SF fan in me might have been the trigger that led me to SuperFuel.

Richard Martin takes a very serious, complicated and highly technical subject and spins a very readable and entertaining text. You can read and/or download an excerpt here.

His premise — that Thorium would be a cleaner, safer and more efficient fuel for nuclear power — is presented in a convincing and lucid manner. The science and specifics are above me. My fault, since Martin does his best to avoid unnecessary jargon and math, instead focusing on the macro, rather than the micro. Though I suspect that if you have a more solid grounding in science, you will come away with a much deeper and meaningful experience and insights.

In addition to his explanation and advocacy, Martin looks at the political and commercial landscape and offers solid suggestions for dealing with any potential roadblocks with "next steps."

I have no clue as to whether or not Thorium is, indeed, the answer to our fuel problems but Martin does a fine job of making its case. SuperFuel is an interesting and entertaining book — even for old SF fans and Popular Scientists.

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Club Reviews: SuperFuel

SuperFuel: Thorium, the Green Energy Source for the Future by Richard Martin. Palgrave Macmillan. 272 Pages.

Super Fuel provides the reader with an understanding of the future as it pertains to the need to develop Thorium based energy. The author does tend to labor in the many aspects of nuclear physics which can be off-putting. Super Fuel provides a window into the future of sustainable fuels. R.W. Groce, Miami

It’s about time somebody opened a  discussion of energy from a commercial view beyond just cap-and-trade(the scientific, security and economic concerns all have to come together as affordable).  This book does a good job of it on the nuclear power choices.   Given the realistic options for green energy in a questionable economy, we must address all we have to work with.  Any substitution for green house producing gas sources like coal, must include nuclear power in some form or other.   But there are huge  problems to solve when it comes to finding alternatives to coal energy production.  This book gives us some background on the  Thorium fueled electronic energy source, (the so called next generation of nuclear) touted and praised as the future of Nuclear Energy production.
This interesting book should get credit for taking on the challenge and doing a respectable job of filling in the history of commercial nuclear power that was derived from the success of the U.S. Navy in harnessing power for ships.  It carries the ball further by hypothesizing the future of Thorium powered nuclear reactors, in light of the Japanese Fukushima flood/meltdown, and disasters of Chernobyl and Three Mile island, that curtailed the building of any new nuclear plants since approved since 1973.
Unfortunately it does not convincingly cover all the criticisms : the politics behind the suppression of new nuclear reactors, or the promotion of this energy source to allies.  It convincingly maintains that time is right for a next generation version of this clean source, and that the security problems can be controlled.  But the question of the Thorium process’ radioactive products  are the biggest concern; as well as the question of producing more fuel (it requires Uranium isotopes) that might be ripe for theft, for construction of a bomb by enemies, and possible destructive consequences if the byproducts fall into the terrorist hands.
I won’t discuss the chemical processes where this discussion gets high tech fast, or the downsides of this innovative approach to making smaller safer nuclear power.  But it is great to draw attention to these issues. This book is quite technically based and this should be left to the academic and professional community to evaluate the scientific accuracy of the authors statements. But the history of development is interesting. Credit author Martin for satisfying the curious as to how we’ll address the future of our aging (vintage 1973) reactors with the LFTRs (Liquid fueled thorium reactors). They apparently work and might be a reasonable investment in a clean energy continuum, but only if this does not undermine the present industry.
The reader gets the impression that this is not a hype book; but an attempt to prove that the technology must  be successfully demonstrated, and then justify the considerable investments if the market forces are to be allowed to address our energy crisis.  There is still a great deal of oil influence and improvements to be accomplished in making alternatives affordable.   It’ll take all types of technology besides solar photovoltaic and natural wind, geothermal and tidal harnessing.   This book sends a message to the would-be energy backer: we’d better get our science perfect.  It’s not just about our finances.  With some estimates as high as 65% of the population against nuclear power;  the everyday business person must  improve his/her technical knowledge to share facts with the average citizen and bring our consciousness  to the knowledge levels of countries we compete with for energy and economic benefits, before we vote this out.  Then we can evaluate  the promises and claims to make real progress.One disturbing fact in the launch of this book however is that energy conservation groups, including the reputable Union of Concerned Scientists, who in their latest newsletter are refuting the claims of safety and improvements by LFTRs over conventional fission reactors now operating.  Investors will have to solve a few of the salt water processes problems like a threats of byproduct disposal, and control of the converting processes if the industry will be able to run this source as a successful investment. Run with it but be sure the case is clear for both pro and cons.
In summary this is an interesting addition to the non-petroleum energy literature, and worthy of consideration for people interested in green investments.  Read this book and see what you think. Jim Swaner, Miami Shores

Super Fuel is one of the most fascinating books I have read in a long time.  It is well written and well documented, relying on extensive research on the subject of nuclear and thorium power.  It delves into the history of nuclear and thorium power and how politics has allowed a more dangerous technology to be adopted when a less dangerous technology (Thorium) was already available.  It explores why the US is stuck in an inertia to change even when better alternatives to traditional nuclear technology exists and how the US is persisting in hanging on to old ways because that is the way it has always been done.  It shows how the lack of long-term planning by our government will leave us behind, while more progressive Asian  nations will move ahead of us in yet another industry.  This book should be required reading for the US Congress. Darlene Johnson, Coconut Grove

What I found to be the recurring issues of Thorium energy were described as "complacency" of the industry itself and "inability"of political leadership to reform it. Comparisons to the auto industry were made but the battle for energy solutions faces is much stronger and complex to resolve.  Many great minds of the past have wrestled with the topic.  I believe anything is possible but time is not on our side - It's not the two minute warning but were in the fourth quarter.  Peter Kihn, Sterling Heights, MI

Super Fuel attempts to promote thorium,a cheap,safe, abundant, and readily available energy source from the past that has been overlooked  but is beginning to be put into use in the rising super powers of China and India.
The author's presentation is interesting but very technical and therefore difficult to understand as well as uninspiring. It reads more like a text book than a promotion for a new clean energy source.
Perhaps if it had been written more clearly, more people would be inspired and interested in the push for thorium.
More information about the mining of thorium and its benefits and use, either real or possible would be helpful.
Perhaps I was searching for something with a more exciting and clear presentation that could explain the availability and possible uses in layman's language that would be easy to understand rather than the scientific presentation. What a disappointment! Margot Byrnes, Miami

"Super Fuel" gives a good historical recount of how uranium based technology won out over thorium for use in nuclear power.  The book does seem to be somewhat one sided.  The author writes many things as though they were facts, but they seem to be more opinion or speculation.  The use of thorium is seen as a safer and cleaner energy source, although there are dangers to thorium the same as there are with uranium.  The author also doesn't cover the fact that if someone did want to build a thorium power plant in the United States, it would take decades to get approval to do so.  It seems like we would be better off building windmills or solar power plants with that amount of time and resources to complete such a project.

The book did give some insightful views of why one technology won out over another.  Not so much that one technology is better than another, but that the politics around the two technologies is what made one technology win. Frank Donn, Miam

Energy is on everyone's mind for this century.  It was amazing to read this book and learn that a possible energy source in the Nuclear family that was much better then Uranium was cancelled because it did not lend itself to military use.  However this material, Thorium seems to be a very good material to be used to produce electrical power for public use and appears to be much safer than what is now used in Nuclear Reactors for electrical power production, Uranium.

It is hope that our political readers will read this book and make a commitment to pursue this power source for the good of mankind.  Also if the United States does this they could be looked upon more so as a leader and begin another another energy revolution just like the discovery of energy started the Industrial Revolution.  It does seem that other countries are pursuing development of this electrical energy source — Thorium.  Let us hope that we can stay ahead of them in development of this green energy source. Gordon Ettie, Miami

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Next Selection: SuperFuel

The next selection is SuperFuel: Thorium, the Green Energy Source for the Future by Richard Martin. Palgrave Macmillan. 272 Pages.

From the publisher:

At the dawn of the atomic age, uranium and thorium were equally important as the element of choice in researching nuclear energy. Either one could have powered the world’s reactors. But it was uranium that won out, and thorium, which is far cleaner, safer, and more abundant than uranium, was relegated to the dustbin of science. With it went the possibility of creating a low risk nuclear energy source to power our planet.  What might have happened had our scientists and our government, and the nuclear power industry invested the resources to develop this little known yet abundant element? Would we face a global energy crisis and the prospect of catastrophic climate change today? Why are countries around the world, including rising economic superpowers India and China, rushing to develop electricity from thorium while the United States, which studied thorium reactors extensively in the 1960s, plays catch up?

Now, as the world searches for cheap, non-carbon-emitting energy sources, thorium is reemerging as an overlooked solution. As one of the first energy experts to promote the development of thorium, award-winning science writer Richard Martin combines science, new historical research, and a gripping business narrative to tell the untold story of thorium power.

Abundant in the Earth’s crust, thorium has been used in various industrial processes since its discovery in 1828. Advocates, writes Martin, an award-winning journalist and senior research analyst for Pike Research, a clean energy firm, say the silver-gray element has another possible use: as an cheap, safe energy source with the potential to “solve our power crisis.” Expanding on his Wired cover story, the author explains that the element was actually used as a nuclear fuel in an experimental reactor built and run by American scientists at Oak Ridge in the late 1960s. Since then, it has become a forgotten technology, losing out to uranium, which powers all reactors operating in the United States. In the wake of Japan’s recent Fukushima Daiichi disaster, many scientists and entrepreneurs are now seeking U.S. government and corporate backing of thorium, which has become the fuel of choice for nuclear energy efforts in India, Japan and elsewhere. Martin focuses on the work of Kirk Sorensen, a former NASA engineer, now head of Flibe Energy, who urges U.S. utilities that are preparing to replace some 30 older reactors to build a new kind of reactor—a liquid-fluoride thorium reactor, which proponents consider to be more efficient and safe than existing plants. He describes how uranium-based nuclear reactors came to dominate the nuclear industry and how industry leaders are now thwarting the use of thorium power, while conceding its possible advantages. They complain of the high costs associated with converting to the alternative energy source. Martin also details Asia’s enthusiasm for thorium power and its implications for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and slowing climate change.

At once a big think book and a science manifesto, SuperFuel challenges us to look back at what could have been different in history and forward to an energy revolution in the making. The most important science and technology book of the year, SuperFuel will change the discussion of our energy future.

 The online press kit, which includes an excerpt of the book, is here.

About the author: RICHARD MARTIN is an energy expert and award-winning journalist. His work has appeared in Time, Fortune, Wired, The Atlantic, The Asian Wall Street Journal, and The Best Science Writing of 2004. Martin is a senior research analyst for Pike Research, a leading clean-energy research firm based in Boulder, Colorado.

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Review: SHINE

Shine: How to Survive and Thrive at Work by Chris Barez-Brown

Review by Richard Pachter

You CAN judge a book by its cover.

I own lots of books. More arrive daily by mail, UPS, FedEx et al. I also love bookstores and libraries. (Yes, I still go to my excellent local public library and even check books out!)

Most of the books I get are advance readers’ copies (ARCs). Plainly bound copies meant for reviewers and retailers (though those sample copies are a vanishing breed, supplanted by pdfs and other digital formats.) I also receive finished books but less these days than previously.

So when I received SHINE by Chris Baréz-Brown, it immediately popped.

Here was a book that’s nicely designed: user-friendly, easy to read: pleasant typeface and clean layout. Very inviting!

I skimmed it a bit and quickly decided that I wanted to read and share it with the Biz Books Club.

And here we are.

The sub-subtitle, “Upping your Elvis,” the author explains, comes from the question U2 front man Bono asks when he enters a roomful of activists who want his participation: “Who’s Elvis here?”

He’s seeking the one person in the place who posses irresistible charisma, the group’s singular go-to guy (or gal).

It’s a good question. There’s usually someone who’s the center of gravity in every organization— and it’s not necessarily the one who is nominally “in charge.”

I’ve never met the author, but it’s implicit that he’s pretty Elvis-y himself.

He’d better be! If he’s a boring stick in the mud, he’d be way out of bounds in writing this book and offer the advice contained herein.

Advice? Yeah, that’s the crux of this book. It’s an advice-and-affirmation text that can be summed up like this: “Be yourself — BUT BETTER!”

So he encourages the reader to dress comfortably — no ties, if you hate ‘em. Dress casually or formally, if that’s your thing. What-evuh!

Be nice; open to change; resourceful; aggressive; but go with the flow...etc.

The short chapters (really just brief raps and rants) are fun and upbeat. Some of the stuff may not resonate with you and some will. You’re free to pick and choose since Baréz-Brown knows that one size fits all is nonsense and unworkable.

But most of the things he discusses are either commonsensical and obvious or kind of miniature licenses to “go for it” and let your freak flag fly by being a bit flamboyant and out there, while still taking the high road and doing the right thing for yourself and others. It’s a virtual pep talk of positivity.

Now, one wonders if any of this stuff is grounded in science and empirical wisdom.

Well, it is, to a great extent. Your attitude determines your luck!

And if you want to be successful, luck — or whatever you want to call it — is essential.

“Upping your Elvis,” indeed!

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Club Reviews: SHINE

Shine: How to Survive and Thrive at Work by Chris Barez-Brown

SHINE: How to survive and thrive at work – upping your “Elvis factor”!  is an attractively packaged book… it’s small enough to fit into a briefcase or purse, with small excerpts on being the best you can be at work – as well as at home, with personal lives, and any other time you might have. I liked that each excerpt was just a page or two – easy to read, and easy enough to refer back to, if needed.
Barez-Brown has written a book that I’ll be sending to my children. It’s all common sense, so even if you say to yourself that you know what he’s writing, HE is the one who took the time to do so, and sell the product <grin>. If you read the short book, and can come away with just one or two tips to making life better for you, it’s worth the investment of buying the book and reading it. Betty Hubschman Miramar

The book is an easy read however it is a little simplistic in it is approach to daily work challenges. Suggest getting the cliff note version and save time and money. RW Groce, Miami

From the clever, creative cover where even the word SHINE shines to the end of the book, Brown shares his positive perspective and philosophy toward life and all aspects of it including work. Most lf the suggestions he offers are given in a positive format. There are very few do nots.
As he shares his suggestions, he points out ways to encourage a positive attitude toward life for yourself as well as for the treatment of others. His positive writing format makes you want to follow his advice and philosophy. The anecdotes he shares offer proof that his positive perspective works!
Shine is a book that needs to be shared with others. It's also an excellent book to have on hand to refer to and reflect on when you need a boost to remember to use positive attitudes. This book is a Keeper!!!! Margot Byrnes, Miami

I have a soft spot for the "Inspirational Ideas/Motivational Snippets" genre of business books. Such books tend to be extremely easy reads, invariably provoke a number of thoughts that I immediately want to put into action for my own business, and generally make me feel a positive rush about my work. Shine fits the bill perfectly.
While a sales pitch/brochure for author Chris Barez-Brown's company, the book contains many quite basic ideas about attempting to inject positivity into the day-to-day of the working world. Regardless, Shine inspires with a conversational and slightly off-kilter perspective of how we can change work from drudgery to energy. While somewhat "new-agey," Shine does not feel sappy or corny. It is simple, but not simplistic. It promotes the power of positive thinking about the work place. That we can choose to enjoy work; That we can choose to look and do things differently; The new normal is that nothing should be normal; How to take your business and work from good to great.
It won't revolutionize the workplace, but Shine is a positive, funny, frank, rapid-fire read that I thoroughly enjoyed. If, as Barez-Brown wirtes, "screw-ups create energy" then my work is full of energy. Excuse me while I go up my Elvis. Scott Rembold, Coral Gables

While this book aims to teach us how to Shine at work, it adds very litlle to the basic tenets of most self help and support white papers. Being aware and understanding oneself, showing your personal side and even emotional side at work as well as showing interest in others, has been said before and while perhaps positions one and ingratiates one, but is not new. Becoming special and unique not to mention breathing should be practiced by all. Marvin Stein, Coral Springs

I like how Chris broke out the book into several dozen short chapters all encompassing an intriguing topic. He has way too many good tips to list here. I completely agree with his position on company meetings and how many people spend a majority of their careers going from meeting to meeting, really never getting anything done. Make an agenda, stick to it and only allow people into the meeting that can have an impact on the outcome. Speak in pictures, the PowerPoint approach isn't as effective. I enjoyed the example he gave of Ben Rich who was trying to get funding for the F-117 stealth bomber. His initial presentation of charts and figures didn't impress anyone, but when he came back the next time with just one ball bearing...rolled it across the table to the general to illustrate the size of the radar profile these stealth bombers would have; he got funding immediately.  Another point he makes is to "Have Killer Numbers".  Numbers can have a profound impact, "the trick is to find those that are sexy and back up your strategic focus. To really SHINE always carry three good numbers around with you." With that said, I certainly recommend this book! David Mesas

This book was very unusual. I like a lot of what was said in order to Shine in the workplace or your business.  Most of what was said was already known so it was not a surprise to read it. The author makes it work for him that is all I can say. Patricia Garcia, Miami

First things first: Let me begin by saying that on an aesthetic point of view, I love this book. It is the perfect size to carry around… not too big, not too small. And the physical feel of the book is great. It makes you WANT to hold the book in your hands. No doubt, the author took this into consideration when designing the book.
As far as the content, it is filled with golden nuggets of practical, useful information from cover to cover. This is a book that doesn’t necessarily need to be read by starting at the beginning in order to benefit from its wisdom. Instead, it is set up as a reference guide of sorts for you access when wandering how to approach a particular challenge at work. For example, If you’re overwhelmed at work with projects and don’t now exactly where to spend your energy, just pick up this book and look under “Everything is Energy” to provide you with some direction.
The book is set up in a manner to encourage readers to keep it at hands reach.
Although the book appears to have 81 “chapters” they are more like “topics” that are presented in a manner that holds the readers attention with practical and insightful information that can be easily applied to the situation at hand.
Anyone who is truly interested in improving their performance at work should be required to read one topic each day before they even say their first “hello”.
A few of my favorite “chapters” were "Know your north star" followed by "Feedback with Funk".  When things don’t go your way, knowing your true north will guide you in getting through the rough patches so that you can reach your goal.  By the same token, how can you ever expect to learn and improve yourself if you close yourself to the benefits of feedback from your peers, bosses, etc. These, as well as the other topics discussed in this book provide a fresh prospective on how to approach many of the challenges that have plagued man throughout the ages.
Thank You… Thank You very much… The KING has left the building. Alex R. Camacho, Miami

This is one terrific book! I say that because it is full of practical ideas that can help people become stars. But even before that, you will be pleasantly surprised to read some items that you have already put to use. The book, thus, serves too great purposes; it reminds me that I’m already doing some things that have brought me to success, while showing me that I can get it to higher levels. For example, we all know that it is important to break out of an old habit once in a while to keep from getting crusty and dusty. On the other hand it might be a new idea that we associate with people who seem to be carriers of positive energy that flows outward to all of us. The bottom line is that this book full of valuable nuggets is hard to put down once you’ve started reading it. Bob Preziosi, Davie

First impressions are important; my first take on this short book?  "What's not to like about ths book? its so positive". Make yourself over, get rid of the negative in your work situation.  It's your feel-good best friend for openers, at least in the beginning. Take the power of Positive Thinking into the digital age and a "can do" comes through, until we get to a work message of reinvent yourself. I can understand downsize the negatives, but I can't be me? Where did the critical thinking go? I did not think I'd like the short, sweet style for very long: without asking a question - why is so much of our life going to PowerPoint these days?  But its good for a quick pep talk, and it serves the purpose of keeping focused.
For the Human Resources people I say it makes points that help. "Get Back to your Best Core Ideas" but then the skinny book gives the motivational twist that reminds me of Gladwell's Outliers, with a slightly repetitive orientation. I would like to have chapter on integrating your originality into the large organizations that we are not familiar with. Check it out, if that's your thing. Jim Swaner, Miami Shores

I really enjoyed this book. It is a fun read with short sections that are easy to put to use right away. This is a great book to help put the excitement back into getting up and going into work each day. I was able to put several of the topics to use, and turn my daily routine back into an exciting action oriented day. The book also makes your realize that it is about the people at work that makes it all happen, not the processes and procedures of the job. Frank Donn, Miami

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Next Book: Shine: How to Survive and Thrive at Work

Shine: How to Survive and Thrive at Work by Chris Barez-Brown

According to author Chris Baréz-Brown, when U2 singer and inveterate activist Bono first approaches a new organization, he wants to know who the group's "Elvis" is: who's the charismatic get-it-done person.

This new book is devoted to bringing out your inner Elvis, or at least upping your Elvis quotient.

Savvy marketing guy that he is, Baréz-Brown has a bunch of websites and links for further info on the book. Here are several: http://www.howtoshineatwork.com UK site: http://uppingyourelvis.com/

Here's his Twitter account: @uppingyourelvis

And the book's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shine-How-to-Survive-and-Thrive-at-Work/

He's even got a (paid) iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/app/upping-your-elvis/id498463560

Here's the publisher's blurb on the book:
Is your job like wading through quicksand? Do you want to quit every time the printer jams? Or do you love it and want to shine even brighter?
Either way you're not alone. We've put together some simple questions to help you see how shiny your working life could be. Spend a couple of minutes giving us your answers and we'll give you a personalized action plan with some easy steps to get you a bit closer to loving every minute of the working day.

An interview with Chris Baréz-Brown: about the book http://www.financialexpress.com/news/whos-elvis-around-here/848146/0

A UK magazine interview: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1tar1/EntrepreneurCountryM/resources/38.htm

And  one more interview (below).

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