Next Book: PRESENT SHOCK

Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now. Douglas Rushkoff. 256 pages


From The Publisher
People spent the twentieth century obsessed with the future. We created technologies that would help connect us faster, gather news, map the planet, compile knowledge, and con­nect with anyone, at anytime. We strove for an instanta­neous network where time and space could be compressed.

Well, the future's arrived. We live in a continuous now en­abled by Twitter, email, and a so-called real-time technologi­cal shift. Yet this now is an elusive goal that we can never quite reach. And the dissonance between our digital selves and our analog bodies has thrown us into a new state of anxiety: present shock.

Rushkoff weaves together seemingly disparate events and trends into a rich, nuanced portrait of how life in the eter­nal present has affected our biology, behaviour, politics, and culture. He explains how the rise of zombie apocalypse fic­tion signals our intense desire for an ending; how the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street form two sides of the same post-narrative coin; how corporate investing in the future has been replaced by futile efforts to game the stock market in real time; why social networks make people anxious and email can feel like an assault. He examines how the tragedy of 9/11 disconnected an entire generation from a sense of history, and delves into why conspiracy theories actually comfort us.

As both individuals and communities, we have a choice. We can struggle through the onslaught of information and play an eternal game of catch-up. Or we can choose to live in the present: favor eye contact over texting; quality over speed; and human quirks over digital perfection. Rushkoff offers hope for anyone seeking to transcend the false now.

Absorbing and thought-provoking, PRESENT SHOCK is a wide-ranging, deeply thought meditation on what it means to be human in real time.


Here's a recent presentation by Rushkoff on Present Shock:



Here's a link to the author's website; an interview with BoingBoing.net; an interview with VICE; and a podcast interview with author and margeting guru Mitch Joel.

Interested in reviewing this book? Please click the link on the top left side of this page.

As always, your contributions are appreciated.

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Review: WORK LIKE A SPY

Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer. J. C. Carleson. Porfolio. 208 pages.

Review by Richard Pachter

You need an angle, an opening, a hook — maybe even a gimmick — to get published and be remembered. In Work Like a Spy, author Carlson leverages the most interesting part of her resume and the result is an clever and enjoyable book.

Will you learn how to work like a spy? Yes and no.

Carlson uses her espionage background to provide various examples of scenarios from the world of cloak and dagger, then explains how an operative would proceed, and provides a parallel situation, with recommended actions in the more mundane world of business.

It's an entertaining and colorful formula, resulting in some breezy and pleasant lessons, especially the parts where Ms. Carlson shares her personal experiences (which were reviewed and approved for publication by her former employer prior to publication).

The question, of course, is whether or not the result adds up to something new and original, or at least a fresh view of the familiar from a different angle.

Not really. Most of what Carlson concludes and recommends involves common sense. If you can't figure out, for example, that you must be extremely careful not to hire a competitor's relative for an important position in your company, you're in big trouble.

And gathering competitive intelligence by listening carefully to disgruntled or harried employees, possibly while consuming an adult beverage or two, is a time-honored tradition, well known to most savvy managers.

Still, if you'd like some clues about intelligence gathering in business — and doing it legally, as Carlson repeatedly admonishes — it's here, undercover.

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Club Reviews: WORK LIKE A SPY

Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer. J. C. Carleson. Porfolio. 208 pages.

The book's title piqued my interest and gave me hope for new and exciting insights to forge ahead in the business world.  Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing new whatsoever--just a 'cloak and dagger' approach telling the reader what they already know.  Anyone who has worked in the corporate world should already be aware of the pitfalls to avoid as described in the book, as well as how to establish trust and be truly ethical and 'make it."  I was truly disappointed, as Ms. Carleson's approach was smoke and mirrors — resulting in "mission not accomplished". Tobi Dienstag; Pembroke Pines

I enjoyed reading the book. It was a quick read, too. Gave a lot of useful information in an easy to decipher format. While some of the text may have been "common knowledge", it was still useful as a refresher course. I would recommend it to others. Terri Bryant, Davie

What a great book! Really enjoyed it from beginning to end. Actually, I'm not sure if I liked it more because of the possible translation of skills form the CIA to the corporate world or simply because her writing about the CIA is so candid yet so beguiling that you wish you'd know more from the inner workings of the organization.
Written like a song, easy on your eyes and fast on your brain, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anybody who wants to learn a little more about improving people's skills, emotional intelligence and how becoming "an intelligence officer" can help you in many walks of life. Miguel Cobas, MD; Miami

Some books you cannot put down. I had no problem putting this book down and out of its misery. No new or classified information here, just tips likely used for capricious means. I prefer teamwork instead. One good point is recognizing when you are being pumped for information. David Shapiro; Ft Lauderdale

Pretty cool premise to get "inside info" approach from mysterious source (CIA). However, fairly predictable as far as the layout and knowledge provided. I liked the third Chapter on Business Counterintelligence because the author describes both legal and illegal ways to obtain sensitive data from a competitor. This helps a business owner understand areas in which to enhance security, as well as engage in "turning the tables" on an aggressive rival. Altogether an entertaining and valuable read, thanks for the opportunity to participate! John Moorehead; Weston

I did not like the book very much.  It was not useful or inspirational.  Most of the information had to do with being a CIA officer and what she did or did not do. Finding a niche is already known in the business world.  I could continue but I would have to mention parts of the book and that is not what I am supposed to do. Patricia Garcia; Miami

This book was interesting!  It has something that those looking for work, those already in the workplace and those who are the senior leaders of business can use and/or pass on to those they mentor.
At first I was bored with the way she was writing but found she had a flow to her style that although hard to follow at times, I soon came to understand that the ideas she puts forth are very useful.  Going from the basics of networking and learning what to listen and look for from an interviewer to how to put together a team and maintain loyalty from those you meet along the way.  You may meet those people on the way down too, and it is ever so nice to have friends when you are down on your luck.
The introduction of terms such as "Strategic Elicitation" which introduce the basics of how to get information without seeming to really want it, bring the whole book together for me.
I liked the book but I did not find the book exciting.  It was not boring to me either.  I think I can put some of the ideas and exercises together for a nice how to job search lesson to some of those getting ready to leave the active duty military for the civilian sector in the next few months.  Forrest Carper; Bossier City, Louisiana

The book is interesting and easy to read, but I don't share the author's belief that the information contained in it can help the reader with such things as getting hired or promoted or closing a sale. Where I think these things have an application is in deciding whom to hire if you're a business owner or the person in charge of hiring at a corporation. Liliana Delara

The author has a creative idea to tie her CIA agent experience and how it relates to having a job in the private sector. Even going as far as explaining how some CIA principles (ie: targeting, solicitation, counterintelligence, screening), translates in the corporate world.  The author does a well translating the principles with brief examples and lighthearted approach.  Although the author doesn't reveal any new "secrets" for success in the workplace, I believe this book could aid people exiting public service or law enforcement jobs and trying to get into the private sector or vice versa.  The book can help them translate their experience into something those potential employers are looking for. Isadora Cipolletta

The principles of working like a spy do translate to the everyday workplace, such as crisis management, ethical challenges and employee investigations. Some of the tips are common sense, but I enjoyed reading her experiences and I got some good ideas for the workplace. Mary Greenwood, St. Augustine

Being involved in the Surveillance industry and helping management get a clearer vision of their OPs, this book had extraordinary appeal to my interest.
I was not disappointed!  I cannot recall nodding in agreement this many times while reading a book.
Nicely structured, J.C. Carleson pulls back the curtain and allows us to see inside the mind of an intelligence agent and then goes on with a "how to" on setting up this culture in within an organization. Well worth reading, again! This was great. Marc Cohen; Pembroke Pines

This book gives the strategies that one has to adopt to maneuver and advance in a razor edge cut throat business environment. May be a good primer for covert talent acquisitions and take-overs. Compels the reader to think at what extent does one have to reach or breach to get ahead?  Lily Orticio; Aventura

Easy to read and understand. J.C.Carleson shows us how simple paranoia, diligence, and adherence to detail can be successful in our "real world" as in her "real world".
Practical applications that are useful for sales techniques, and ways to monitor your organization from internal and external threats and challenges are suggested and can be used by any manager. Definitely recommended as a management tool. Marvin Stein, MD; Coral Springs

J. C. Carleson (yes, she’s a woman, but conveniently neglected to put that on the front flap) has written a book that is easy to read, and yet that does have some good ideas for succeeding in the business world.  She wrote about some practices of the CIA, and how they could be applied to working in your present organization.  I like the way she created a scenario of what might have happened with the CIA, and then converted some of the actions to activities that would work in any field of business.   Chapter 7, Making a Sale the CIA Way, described eight ways to attract a customer, or a new job, such as aiming high, identifying the decision maker, meeting on neutral ground, following through, and keeping it positive.    Wish I’d used more of these techniques long before I retired! Betty G Hubschman; Whitsett, North Carolina

I was prepared to hate this book. Let's just say I was prejudiced against it even before reading the flap. My first thought was, "Great, here's a person who's trading on her 'glamorous' insider job title and she'll try and impress us with all her shoptalk and war stories." I was anticipating a shallow read, long on pithy personal observations and short on substance. I've spent three out of the last five years as an analyst in an intel center. I switched to a writing position with the same organization and work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, so I thought "Work Like a Spy" would be a flimsy excuse of a book used to shine the light on the author. I expected a book of "look how clever I am" stories disguised as an advice book for worker bees. I decided to be fair and drop my preconceived notions. I opened my mind and after I read the first 25 pages, I began to see value in the book.  Author Carleson has written a thoughtful, well-documented book that would help anyone in any stage of life because it's based on psychology and proven tactics for "motivating" other people to provide you with what you want. The section on elicitation ("Strategic Elicitation" in the second chapter called "Secret Agent Boot Camp") was especially helpful. The use of a very realistic job interview as an example of how to get details about the interviewer so the interviewee could craft an effective response was realistic and informative.
Other chapters were equally helpful and practical. For example, chapter four  ("Creating Your Team") provides five strategies that the CIA uses developing individuals and teams. This section is extremely valuable and easy for the lay person to apply to personal and professional goals. I especially liked the author's example used in the fifth strategy: "Make Room for Lone Wolves." Carleson used the example of the gruff senior officer with bad interpersonal skills, but who was extremely good at his job by, "...getting taciturn, tough, and grizzled officials from target nations to spill their secrets, because he was just like them. I suspect that, on average, his conversations with this recruited assets consisted of a small fraction of the number of words used in parallel conversations between other officers and assets. Yet in his gruff, taciturn way he got the job done when no one else could."  This book is well written and practical. Readers should look past the title, the gimmicky cover art and give this book a chance. Kathy Dolbow Doran; Miami Beach

I immediately sensed upon reading the book, the refreshing and not boring, analytic, no nonsense approach of the author. It makes a lot of sense having a background in business and additionally being a CIA analyst, to genially write a business book that will help you make better business decisions. It is general enough, applicable to many circumstances, but specific in its analytic approach. Well written and understandable, one of the better and most enjoyable business books I have read. Highly recommend it. EJ "Henry" Ventura, Jr.; Coral Gables

If you've always wanted to know how you can sniff out top-secret insights in the corporate world, don't expect to find out how by reading Work Like a Spy. You'll be no closer to an answer. You will, however, be inundated with first hand accounts of J. C. Carleson's work experience at the C.I.A and various examples of how she was a pro at getting what she wanted from other people while she worked for the C.I.A. What I wanted from this book was something more than the basic common sense the author offered. Susan Taslimi Litten; Parkland

I found the premise of using CIA techniques as procedures to assist a less-intriguing business a very engrossing read.  The thought of using clandestine, covert activities to make my own business more effective and efficient has broad appeal.

Throughout the book I realized something. I don't want to work like a spy.

The use of most of the applicable or transferable suggestions is tenuous at best.  The author provides an extensive back story to make a relatively small point in the world of those of us who don't have the business model of a spy agency.  Applying the procedures Carleson outlines, I would spend all day performing counterintelligence instead of doing my job.  It just is not practicable or suitable for small business.  For Fortune 500 or 1000, companies, many of the techniques could be entirely applicable, but for me, with ten employees, it does not provide much to help me day-to-day.

Despite that, I found the section on recruitment to be the most interesting, informative, and directly usable to my business. Focusing on getting the right people for the job,not the right resume, is something to which I have to pay close attention.

In the end, it was a well-written, interesting book. But as for my job, I have to shelve it under fiction. Scott D. Rembold; Coral Gables

The book is interesting as it had a twist ... it was like a little about an organization CIA which has always been intriguing for many of us and then that she was able to incorporate her teachings and also some insights as to what takes to be a CIA make the book more interesting and of course the title was catching.  I think that the book could be made into a movie ... and as world is more on intellectual sphere at this time ... there are more spies in the business world than anywhere else and the stakes are high.

I definitely place it for as recommending reading for those starting a business, already owning a business which they are contemplating taking to a higher level.  And of course the Internet business of the new start … as talents is very important thing when one is starting a venture. Magda S. Saltzman

The examples provided by the author show how even the best in the business can be mislead by intelligence gathered. I found it easy to navigate and an individual's "self awareness" is a valuable tool in business or any relationship.  I recommend this book for the "spy" in all of us. Peter Kihn; Sterling Heights MI

After a slow start when reading J.C. Carleson's book, I was rewarded with worthwhile suggestions to help in various areas of business organization situations in all areas of a company.

Elicitation, screening, recruitment, and counter intelligence strategies are the important valuable strategies given. Positive values and integrity are a necessity.

It amazing how many of the CIA strategies can be used in most areas of your business and your life.

Some you may all ready be using!

The most intriguing parts of the book were the descriptive anecdotes that actually happened

in the CIA. They added that extra zing to the book! Margot Byrnes; Miami

I enjoyed this book! It was entertaining and carries a great message. Indeed, there are a lot of ways to emulate “the spy business” in the world of business. I wanted to read this book to see if I knew a lot of what it contains. I do. But I still found many nuggets worth remembering and reading. There is a lot of valuable information contained in this book, framed in a way that makes it almost irresistible! Who doesn’t want to feel like a spy as they research and prepare for a meeting? I have always looked at someone’s web site before meeting with them. Little did I know that I was engaging in leadership analysis, a CIA technique! It will make things a whole lot more fun from now on to couch them in spy terminology, but this is not a put-on. There really is a lot of relevant information to be gleaned from her words. And after all, as she says, we leave in a world where information has value. So does this book. Anne Bloom; Davie

This is not a boring, standard business book. This book starts off exciting and delivers right to the end. Carleson provides an interesting perspective on getting ahead in the business world through the eyes of a former agent. While the strategies make sense that are introduced and the stories around them are fascinating to absorb, they both tie in together making each chapter very interesting and wanting to learn more.  Trisha Molina; Miami

I loved learning how to  “Work Like A Spy.”  A practical lexicon, yet still engaging, I have been recommending this book to everyone.  And the cover art is awesome! Doramary Russell; Coral Springs

I jumped at the chance to review Work Like a Spy by J. C. Carleson because I like to see authors use analogies to relate one type of work practices to the work practices of types of work.  And when I read any business book, I look for those platinum nuggets of wisdom rather than a comprehensive unifying theory of how to run my operations.
In Work Like a Spy, there are some real stretches to equate the skills taught and used as a CIA clandestine service officer with the skills needed in today’s corporate world.  Most notably, Chapter 7, Making a Sale the CIA Way, starts with “persuading a target to conduct espionage is much like making a sale.”  While there are undeniably some similarities, the analogy was more entertaining than it was insightful.
But chapters 5 and 6 are replete with those true nuggets of wisdom that can be directly applied. Chapter 5, Staying Clean in a Dirty World, makes a wonderful case for hard and fast ethical rules that cannot be violated in either the do-or-die world of spying or in the high-stress-high-stakes world of corporate business.  Some takeaways:
·         Treat and protect your reputation and integrity as you would cold, hard cash.
·         Understand that sharks are cannibals.
·         Own the solution, not the mistake.
·         Act urgently when things are urgent.
And they don’t come off as flat platitudes. Ms. Carleson gives real-world examples from both corporate life and clandestine life that illustrate and bolster her best advice.
Chapter 6, Crisis Management Strategies from an Organization that Truly Knows the Meaning of Crisis, is the best chapter in the book.  She lists some of the “many ways that the CIA responded more effectively to a crisis than what [she] had witnessed in the corporate world,” such as:
·         Focus attention outward
·         Continue to acknowledge and reward performance
·         Make senior management more accessible than ever
·         Articulate crystal-clear directives
·         Hand out extraordinary empowerment to your employees
·         Redirect and refocus
·         Protect the employees on the ground
·         Create loyalty by inspiring it and trust by earning it
Each of these is backed up by pages and pages of explanation and examples.  This one chapter alone is reason enough to read the book in its entirety. Chris Ros

I liked the book although I am not sure about her premise that business should follow CIA standards.  It gives an interesting perspective on values and thinking of the CIA subculture.  The author seems to glorify this subculture that she once was a member portraying them as idealistic, having high standards, and representative of a higher caliber of society.  Reminds me a little of the television series MI-5. Darlene Johnson

I enjoyed the book.  While the beginning was a slow start and a bit much to get through, pressing on provided some interesting ideas on intelligence gathering.  In today's world, business leaders are inundated with a great deal of data.  Sifting through the data for useable information was what I took from this.  The analogies in the book are really the exciting part.  The drawback for the book for me was that it appeared to be more focused on larger businesses rather than small operations.  With that said, there is still ample techniques and ideas that make it worth reading and implementing some of the strategies.  This book also made me think of the book "Only the Paranoid Survive." John Lyon, Barre, Vermont

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NEXT BOOK: Work Like A Spy

Work Like a Spy: Business Tips from a Former CIA Officer. J. C. Carleson. Porfolio. 208 pages.

In Work Like a Spy, author J.C. Carleson applies lessons learned from her years as an undercover CIA officer to the business world. Quite simply, the techniques used in the clandestine world are broadly applicable, universal methods for getting what you want from other people.
In the business setting, you may be seeking a new job, a promotion, a big sale, or a regulatory ruling in your company's favor. Whatever it is that you seek, someone has the power to give, and this book will teach you new strategies to get it. Broken into three parts, Work Like a Spy includes an introduction to the basic skill sets used by CIA officers, clandestine methods that can be applied at the organizational level, and techniques that can be applied to specific business situations.

When J. C. Carleson left the corporate world to join the CIA, she expected an adventure, and she found it. Her assignments included work in Iraq as part of a weapons of mass destruction search team, travels throughout Afghanistan, and clandestine encounters with foreign agents around the globe. What she didn’t expect was that the skills she acquired from the CIA would be directly applicable to the private sector.

It turns out that corporate America can learn a lot from spies—not only how to respond to crises but also how to achieve operational excellence. Carleson found that the CIA gave her an increased understanding of human nature, new techniques for eliciting informa­tion, and improved awareness of potential security problems, adding up to a powerful edge in business.

Using real examples from her experiences, Carleson explains how working like a spy can teach you the principles of:
• Targeting—figuring out who you need to know and how to get to them
• Elicitation—a subtle way to get the answers you need without even asking a question
• Counterintelligence—how to determine if your organization is unwittingly leaking information
• Screening—CIA recruiters’ methods for finding and hiring the right people

The methods developed by the CIA are all about getting what you want from other peo­ple. In a business context, these techniques apply to seeking a new job, a promotion, a big sale, an advantageous regulatory ruling, and countless other situations.

As Carleson writes, “In a world where infor­mation has a price, it pays to be vigilant.” Her book will show you how.

Here's a column Carlson wrote for CNN.

Want to participate? It's free! Please send your name and U.S. terrestrial mailing address here. - See more at: http://www.bizbooksclub.com/2013/03/next-book-work-like-spy.html#sthash.96SRWOO9.dpuf

Want to participate? It's free! Please send your name and U.S. terrestrial mailing address here. - See more at: http://www.bizbooksclub.com/2013/03/next-book-work-like-spy.html#sthash.96SRWOO9.dpuf

 Want to review this book? Email your U.S.-based terrestrial mailing address here.

Want to participate? It's free! Please send your name and U.S. terrestrial mailing address here. - See more at: http://www.bizbooksclub.com/2013/03/next-book-work-like-spy.html#sthash.96SRWOO9.dpuf

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Club Reviews: A Slice of the Pie

A SLICE OF THE PIE: How to Build a Big Little Business by Nick Sarillo.

In the book, A Slice of the Pie, the author Nick Sarillo provides a clearly explicit picture of how he created a culture in his pizza restaurant by using positive behaviors, attitudes, teamwork and honest open communication to create a culture of trust with his employees by treating others with respect and dignity.
It reminds me of the song with the lyrics "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative"
Employees are motivated to ensure good behavior by being acknowledged when it is happening. Mistakes and deficits are reframed in a positive way as a learning opportunity. Employees are asked how they can enhance their behavior rather than how they can do better when something is wrong, The "Nick Experience", as it is referred to, creates a positive environment for both employees and customers who are called guests.
Employees are encouraged to learn all aspects of the workplace in the restaurant creating a true learning community and the opportunity to move up in the company. The focus is to encourage self-development serving a higher purpose making it look more like a school masquerading as a restaurant.
Nick is always reaching out to the community and giving back to it and he encourages his employees to do the same. The business has fundraisers and other activities that involve the community.
There is no need for advertising.
Nick is so transparent and the environment in his restaurant is so positive and enjoyable to be in, it is no surprise that the community freely reached out to him in order to help him work out and overcome his financial problems.
What a joy it would be to have the opportunity to work in such a positive atmosphere and learn at the same time!
Being a guest experiencing "The Nick Experience" must be delightful!
The purpose of the book is to share his ideas and experience with other business people and encourage them to use his methods. How magnificent it would be if more businesses followed his positive environment model! Mr Sarillo"s book  is well written and  easy to comprehend for any one who is interested in enhancing their business. Margot Byrnes, Miami

As a general comment, I found this book easy to read with lots of good information that is helpful.  I think after 50 years in my business, Nick is right saying if you practice the right management/leadership skills you can "Build a Big Little Business."
Specific comments:
Without a doubt the days of "command and control" cultures are gone.  As Nick says, today it is "Trust and Track" to be successful.
Today it is also true that being honest about the "health" of your business (any organization) with staff, investors, customers, is essential to the needed transparency in order to be successful.
I loved the discussion of being nice and being kind.  All too often we see them as the same.  They are not!  Good leaders can be kind without being nice.
As Nick points out the key to organizational success today is CULTURE!  We must nurture, our staff and our customers so they will have great experiences.  That is true success!
Great leaders take no credit for success, it is the culture and the people that make great things happen.
Of course, the "Track" part means we must have the right metrics.
We reap the benefits of a world-class culture by making culture part of every decision you make and action you take.
To achieve really high performance, the culture must be shaped.  The culture must be our focus and our guide in every business decision made.
A key point that Nick repeats is that we have to manage from the inside out.  Top down management died sometime ago!
A strong culture is built around a purpose.  Why are we here is the key question?
Managing by fear is no longer successful.  Success come from "Trusting and tracking."
People have to have a purpose they can subscribe to in order to do their best.  Purpose is what we are all about.
To create a successful organization we start by identifying what we are doing right and then we focus on deficiencies and solutions.
Purpose is the why and values are the how.
To build a high-performance culture, you mjust have single-mindedness and your teammates must adopt your purpose as their own.
As we communicate our purpose to our team members, we must remember that actions speak louder than words.  Our teammates will be watching to see if our actions are in sync with our purpose.
Nick provides us 8 useful tools we can use in everyday life.
Trusting our people is really key if we want our purpose to be lived out from the heart.
Good leaders find they have to let go of some control and employ the trust part of "Trust and Track."
KEY point-it is team members, not managers, who drive the business.  Top down does not work anymore!
In a purpose driven culture, people advance by skills mastery and training.  This puts people in charge of their own advancement and allows them to determine how much they make.
In our purpose driven culture, we need coaches, not managers.
We have to work hard to teach managers that their greatest contribution does not come from some whiz bang idea but rather in helping their team members perform at their very best.
Nick uses his Dad many times as an illustration of how Top Down and Command and Control do not work.  It is very insightful to see how when Nick started his business, he was determined to do everything completely different than he had seen his Dad do it.  Command and control, top down do not build high-performance cultures.
There is lots of discussion about mindfulness.  But this simply means being fully aware of all that is going on around you.
Bottom line is that we find that in a purpose-driven, high-performance culture, the smallest behaviors send messages about the organizations purpose and values and whether they support the culture.
I highly recommend this book for all leaders and managers.  It speaks to both the new and old organizations and and had some very important ideas to offer. Doug Newberry, Cane Ridge, TN


The story of A Slice of the Pie is an excellent example of how relationship building, through a solid team of employees and customer loyalty is beneficial to the whole community surrounding the business.  Sarillo's emphasis on communication, accountability, and trust — both management’s and employees’ — is key to delivering the unique and meaningful experience for the employees, customers and the community at large.  His goal of integrating the company's culture of dedicated service to families and community into every decision made, and every action taken, is clearly demonstrated throughout the book.  
When pursuing the purpose, the employees subject anything they do or say to the Grandma Test (would your grandmother approve of it?)  when mastering the disciplines necessary to share the Nick's experience with the guests. The realization that " the company is really a school disguised as a business" becomes apparent as the team members are trained by their peers. The book gives examples throughout that would help any leader see how they can build purpose into their own companies.  
The restaurant helps the community in numerous ways that aligns with their purpose.  Some examples of this are a Library Incentive Program that rewards kids for reading, sponsorship program for local youth sports teams, and programs that allow nonprofits to hold fundraising events in the restaurants and receive 15% of the net profits during the event. These events and programs allow Nick's to communicate their purpose to the community in a very authentic way. Throughout the book there are many examples and stories to support the process utilized for bringing the purpose of this restaurant to life.  
I would recommend this book to any entrepreneur or leader who would like to see an example of how a foundation of trust along with excellent communication of purpose and values can create a great business where the entire community benefits.  I personally found this story very motivating and hope to visit the restaurant and meet the CEO, Nick very soon. Bari Schanerman, Miami
 
Just finished reading it. Nick is a Master at creating and building his restaurants. I knew Tom Monaghan and observed how he grew Domino's Pizza before finally selling out. Another friend is Tom Feltenstein, who is top consultant to restaurants too. Neither of them have gone to the extent that Nick has in empowering his employees to think for themselves, express their individual behavior, while adhering to the philosophies he has established, which resulted in the high grosses and volumes at his locations. This is a must read for not only any restaurant operator, but can be applied to a number of other industries too. Barry Epstein, Boca Raton


Nick Sarillo has found a very practical approach to convert his command and control operation to a “Carefully Select, Trust, Track, Respect and Share” philosophy.  Apparently this works in a relatively small operation with limited numbers of employees and one in which the owner has the time and money to screen, train and supervise them. The restaurant business has a huge turn over rate and if Nick can cultivate and inculcate followers that maintain high moral and cultural  standards, retain them as team players, and give community charity and make a profit. Welcome a new religion in Illinois. God Bless him. Marvin Stein, Coral Springs


I enjoyed this read. I agree wholeheartedly with Nick about establishing a statement that sums up the organization's mission (or current purpose, as he insists is more meaningful) by which decisions can be best made. I also commend his philosophy of empowering employees through "Track and Trust" rather than "command and control."   
As a frequent restaurant diner, I too appreciate interactions with staff who "get it."  Too often, those charged with customer service just don't. It can break a business. I would recommend this book to owners and managers of businesses who depend on their staff creating an experience that keeps customers happy and returning for more. Kelly Reid
 
Hungry to develop a unique corporate culture within your own small business? Craving a higher purpose that can become the engine that drives your company onward and upward? Consume “A Slice of the Pie,” and you may find nourishment. But, you’ll also get some extra cheese.
Nick Sarillo rolls out a compelling case for defining a clear company culture that governs policy and behavior. His book begins as a “How To” guide to articulating company culture and uniting employees around a common purpose. I found this valuable, and expect to apply some of his advice to my own business, organizing it better around passion and conviction. But, once the author has laid out his thesis, “A Slice of the Pie” rapidly becomes far too specific to his own small pizza chain. His advice on hiring and management may not apply unless you employ an army of low wage hourly workers. While the lessons of respect, openness, and community resonated, they were delivered with an air of corny self-promotion verging on smugness. Sarillo is all too willing to illustrate his own superior system by throwing his competitors, his ex-wife, and his poor, foolish father under the delivery truck. I came away from the book not entirely convinced that I, or anyone else, could ever be as excited about Nick Sarillo’s business philosophy as he is.  But it did make me hungry. Robert Kirkpatrick, Miami Beach


I found the book to be very good.  This was not a typical "how to" business book, this book was more like a novel of Nick Sarillo's journey to save his business.  He went with the unconventional principles of treating his employees with respect and making them feel like they were part of a long term team.  This is unconventional in this type of industry.  The restaurant business is typically a revolving door for employees that are told what to do and used until they quit.  One of the most important messages I took away from the book is the concept that Nick first tells the "why", rather than just tell employees what to do.  The why is the part that really makes it personal to the employee and makes them feel valuable and important to the overall experience for the customer.  Nick also provides advise on how to motivate employees, which is especially hard to do in a typical pizza place.
Nick give many examples of how to deal with conflict and solve problems.  He mostly uses open communication, listening, and transparency into what he is doing.  These simple and basic concepts make others want to work through things with Nick.  He does this both with his employees and his customers.  This message really stands out when he asked his customers to help, and they all came to the restaurant to dine and brought as many people with them as they could find.
Even though this book is written with the small business entrepreneur in mind, I would say the concepts work equally well even with the largest company.  Looking at the cover of the book, one might think it only applies to small businesses.  But I would encourage anyone from any sized business to read this book. Frank Donn, Miami

I would not recommend this book. A person would get the same information watching a Tony Robbins video or by attending an Amway meeting. Ron Groce, Miami

I find the book a joy to read.  It has a more “connectedness” approach to the reader. As compared to the more established TQM gurus such as Deming or Juran, or established TQM business models such as Disney or Six Sigma, this book brings a special “freshness” to the subject due to the focus on human connection rather on the process which most often TQM books give a clinical presentation.The human approach to management is highlighted by “culture warriors” instead of “black belts”. The purpose to give a “mi casa, su casa” family atmosphere in a pizza place, is perfect for a staple that ranks high on children’s list. Management also features embedded intrinsic values of respect, recognition, and transparency as presented by narratives and actual illustrations of implements. These values are not new and actually basic, but most often implementation is forgotten by leaders due to their focus on ROI and drive to reach the top too soon without a solid culture base to support it.  Human resource is the most expensive part of business cost but, when handled right, it is the driving force of success. Mr. Sarillo got it right. Lily P. Orticio

Nick Sarillo says that he never got a college degree, but his book shows that he has read a lot on entrepreneurship, adult motivation (including Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, including intrinsic motivation), and readings of popular books by Malcolm Gladwell (Blink), Daniel Pink (Drive), and Stephen Covey (Speed of Trust).  He also has shown himself to be motivated to attend workshops on any subjects that might affect the operations of his business, including Tough Love, Zen classes, and common sense techniques such as the Grandma Test (would Grandma approve?) It seems to be working.  Nick is able to hire young people and groom them for better jobs within the company (and in other companies).  I do wonder how many older people he has in the organization, or how this will play out as the present employees grow older… I peered through my bifocals to see if I could find anyone over 45 on the group photo on the back flap of the book – guess I’ll have to get the old magnifying glass out to check again! Betty G Hubschman, Burlington, NC  

This book was a pleasant surprise.  My first impression of just another entrepreneur saga, was soon revised when I found a much more personable approach.  It was not just about marketing, advertising techniques, or mobilizing modern tech methods to reach people. No, this book was worth reading for the personal elements found at its core.  Yes, they wanted a successful business plan but with character, that set it apart from others.  The best part though, was about how to base your organization on the concept of a "meaningful purpose" statement, which for this restaurant company could be favorably described as "a foundation of community values" with respect for the individual employee.This was a welcome change from the corporate messaging that gets carried away with pricing, image and strict budget values, in standard business books. Before I knew it, I'm reading a "feel good" book about co-operation, grown-ups learning through affirmative training, to manage with love, leadership, and "good behavior".  The empowerment of employees, and supporting teamwork, for the common good and self-development,  made me think I'd like to develop this cultural vision  of mutual support. Unfortunately, it came off a little lacking from the reality check standpoint when he finished the book calling for employees to be "coached"  The company purpose if altruistic, would speak for itself, I think. A few better examples of community building for the common good might have supported the case for unity of purpose;  rather than the disappointing last chapter on  becoming a "cultural warrior". Jim Swaner, Miami Shores

Good story reading. Some useful tips, but the subtitle "How To Build a Big Little Business" should be changed to "The Nick Sarillo Restaurant Success Story". There are some useful tips, but they are certainly not enough to make it into a how to book for building "any" big little business. It still was enjoyable to read. EJ "Henry" Ventura Jr., Coral Gables
 
This book was interesting and informative howto-book for making it in todays business environment. Mr. Sarillo shares with you his formula of creating a successful business even in tough times. Though slow at first, it picks up with interesting personal stories. I will read over sections of book as it also reads like a text book. Being a small business owner also I can appreciate and learn from having read this book. Greg Silvera, Miami  

Before speaking about the book, I must say that the level of training and the extent of developing corporate culture for a company which primarily operates in two restaurants is truly remarkable.  The focus on purpose, coaching, leadership, transparency, and training/development is amazing for a company that size and should be considered for not only small businesses but large ones as well. In regards to the book, “A Slice of the Pie”, I felt it was written by more than one author, or had a style which went from real world to leadership theory. Nick has had success by developing this amazing corporate culture and the real life stories are truly his to write about and share. However,  I felt there were many training models illustrated--such as: the materials on purpose statement, four stages of competence, synergy model,  certification feedback, Karpman Drama Triangle—some of which were well explained and some not, that appeared to be written in a more academic fashion than the CEO explaining about the practical issues of running a restaurant. More practical situations and how they were dealt with, rather than spending more time on training and development methodology, would have been more valuable than focusing on the training methods. I wondered also if there was a training consultant who co-authored the book as a ghost-writer as it doesn’t seem like one person writing and organizing this book based on Nick’s description of his background. Aside from the inconsistency in writing style, I do agree that “A Slice of the Pie” is an excellent book to read and see how small businesses can promote leadership and effective relationships with their staff.  I do recommend it for the many ideas and the effective principles on which the book is based. Randy Lichtman, Miami

I own a small business and was hoping to find that "Magic" formula to take it to the next level.  In "A Slice of the Pie" there were many ideas and worthwhile tidbits but I feel that we are already practicing what Nick is preaching.  We are a team and just want to get even better.  We are active...we are definitive...and we do have fun.  However, I appreciated reading about Nick's struggles and his successes and I was inspired.  There are so many businesses, especially restaurants and similar direct contact service type groups, that really need to read this book and see what they are missing.  The last five years have not been easy for owners/operators of small businesses and some are now closed when they might have had a somewhat easier time if they had read "A Slice of the Pie".  Thanks for the opportunity of reviewing this book. Jeannett Slesnick, Coral Gables

Nick Sarillo created a place where people go to feel good, similar to the show Cheers. Nick thought outside the box and did not listen to those who told him he would fail, he went on to pursue his dreams, similar to the story of Walt Disney. Nick finds the right team members, he trains them his way using core values and not only teaches them, but inspires them and gives them opportunities and future hope, then puts them in place in his restaurants where they become one with "Nick's experience". A good pizza is not that hard to find, but a great dining experience is priceless, and that is what Nick's strategies are about. Trisha Molina, Miami

A Slice of Pie introduces readers to the inner workings of a pizza shop yet the basic priciples taught in this book is applicable to every level of business and management. There are many books that inform us of the need for clear visions and missions yet very few actually provides the instructions and strategies of how to make that possible. This is what distinguishes this book from many others in its class. It gives anyone the tools to get their own slice of the pie and that is why I give this book an A. Deidre Campbell, Miami
 
It seems that Nick Sarillo didn't spare money or time to make sure that his clients experienced a family dinning experience bar none. And he created a culture that nurtures individuality and leadership, that is also unparalleled in corporate America. His book goes into such detail that it could be used as a manual for company owners and HR directors that prefer a cookie cutter approach to employee management rather than going through the time and expense of reinventing the wheel themselves. Liliana Delara, Miami

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NEXT BOOK: A Slice of the Pie

Next book:
A SLICE OF THE PIE: How to Build a Big Little Business by Nick Sarillo.

From The Publisher
While countless books have been written about culture, with Apple, Southwest, and Zappos as the oft-referenced poster children, there remains a gap in the literature – particularly for small and everyday businesses, where replicating Zappos’ playbook feels anything but realistic. In A SLICE OF THE PIE, Sarillo fills that gap, offering insight into how to create a culture that will support any business through good times and bad – even in an industry where turnover is high, expectations are low, and a college degree is not required.

Sarillo's website: www.nicksarillo.com. A TV news story about his restaurants: here.

And a video here:

 If you're interested in reading and reviewing this book, please send your U.S. terrestrial mailing address here.

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Review: 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.

Review by Richard Pachter

Though a number of historical (and recent) court rulings posit the notion that corporations are people, or possess rights that are superior to human citizens, companies generally behave as a collection of disparate organisms, and then rarely symbiotically. They may occasionally conspire to behave in a consistent and cohesive manner, per management edict and other directives, but there are just too many moving parts and, frequently, opposing agendas.

Internal politics, diverse missions, unclear goals and inept leadership often result in a company at odds with itself. It’s not solely due to malevolence or incompetence (although that happens, too). People are people. Complexity, indifference, lack of urgency and other divergent forces often work against the aggregated power that an aligned corporate organism could potentially generate.

Structure sometimes is the cause. Some internal divisions (and divisiveness) defy logic. Imagine, for example, a company where separate departments devoted to customer acquisition and customer retention executes disparate and unaligned marketing campaigns. Or several groups control portions of an organization’s website, yet no one person or team “owns” it. What a clusterf@#(k!

Neil Smith, the lead author on this book (abetted by veteran scribe Patricia O’Connell), is a veteran consultant. His specialty, as such, is helping companies get out of their own way.

A consultant? Danger! Danger!

I’m always wary of consultants and their books. Many turn out to be extended brochures for their services. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but I want to read a book that informs, enlightens and provokes me. I have nothing against sales brochures — I’ve written a zillion myself, in fact — but I’d rather spend time with a meaty and actionable tome than an extended, self-serving sales piece.

Despite the annoying mantra-like repetition of “the PGI Promise®,” Smith’s company’s guarantee, he and O’Connell do a solid job of presenting their principles, then illustrating them with suitable anecdotes and strategies.

Here are the eight barriers that Smith identifies as being the main cause of the dumb things companies do, in the form of an acronym (A PROMISE): Avoiding Controversy, Poor Use of Time, Resistance to Change, Organizational Silos, Management Blockers, Ignorance of Size, Superficial Assumptions or Wrong Information and Existing Processes.

Fortunately (or unfortunately; take your pick), there’s no acronym that covers Smith’s prescription for dealing with the barriers. Instead, he explains and gives examples for each barrier. In most case, it’s a matter of simplifying existing processes and eliminating bureaucracy and reducing redundancies.

As with many of these types of books, once the problems are laid out, everything seems pretty obvious. But Smith has the advantage of not being a part of the problem and can tackle the problems as an outsider with no partisan axe to grind. Also, as a consultant, he’s empowered by his client to cut through the red tape and bullshit, something internal managers may not be able to do, Often, it’s a matter of sifting through data to determine why things are happening (or not happening).

Perhaps the best service Smith provides for readers is a chance to read about organizations’ dysfunctionalities, his analysis and solutions, so they can look at their companies and solve their own issues or, preferably, avoid them entirely.

Smart enough!

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