Next Book: What To Do When It's Your Turn

What To Do When It's Your Turn by Seth Godin

From the author...
I THINK WE'RE WASTING THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME.
This is an urgent call to do the work we're hiding from, a manifesto about living with things that might not work and embracing tension when doing your art.

Is in full color throughout. It feels more like a high-end magazine than a book, and I think even people who hesitate to buy and read books will be engaged by this one.

The format is new for me and as far as I know, no author has written a book quite this way. My hope, if we are able to reach a lot of people, is that I'll be able to do other books like this, and even better, so will you and other people with ideas to share.

Explores, as directly as I can, the dance we all have to do with our fears, the tension we all must embrace in order to do work that we care about. It pushes us to dig deep inside so we can do better work and impact the things we care about.

Is urgent, personal, in-your-face and as honest as I could make it.

Some of the people featured in the book include:
Mark Frauenfelder, Timothy Leary, Grace Hopper, Miles Davis, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Leonardo Davinci, Leonard Bernstein, Ai Wei Wei, Erich Fromm, Mike Ambassador Bruny, Allison Myers, Akira Kurosawa, Walter Mischel, Richard Nixon, Isaac Asimov, Ella Fitzgerald, Gutenberg, Shirley Chisolm, Heisenberg, Madame Curie, The Staypuft Marshmallow Man, and David Crosby.

Want to read and review this book? Please click on the link at the top left of this page. (Supplies limited.)
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Club Reviews: A WORLD GONE SOCIAL

A World Gone Social: How Companies Must Adapt to Survive by Ted Coine, Mark Babbitt. AMACOM. 256 Pages
The very first statement in the Forward is dead on!  After 38 years as COO of a 14,000 member organization in the "defense business" I can tell you mass advertising is almost useless, a relic of the past.  Today it is all about customer contact and that means social.  It is pointed out so very well that the key is engagement.  It is very true today that business executives do not write the rules, customers do!  Customers want to voice their opinions and be heard and they want their thoughts acted upon.  Anything else brings inevitable death for a business.  Customers today no longer tolerate being ignored.  This being social today just has to be the "new normal" because it is also what our associates are demanding in the workplace.  As it points out the big issue is not social media, FB, Twitter or some other platform, it is transparency with customers and associates.  Trust is the new competitive advantage.  Organizations must adapt or die!  Peter Aceto gives the bottom line right up front "Less jargon, more sincerity...Less propaganda, more value...Less process, more humanity."  The authors tell us that the 20th century attempts organizations used to fine tune the status quo, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, the Lean Movement are not real change.  Real change is human change.  It ain't easy but it is essential!  If you are leader of an organization or any part of it, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!  Because my space is limited, I just want to share with you a few key points from the book:

Today's organizations find themselves in a catch up mode trying to seize the moment before opportunity passes.  Organizations are just getting into the social age so they can lead, not follow.  Today way to many executives see "social media" as all hype and this must change! Executives must recognize that today the majority of the workforce are Millennials who think differently and they think social.  The authors say so very well, "We as organizations and leaders must adopt social, collaboration, open environment or we simply won't survive.  For many of us who are still entrenched in the old way, we must adapt and change!  If not, we need to get out of the way.  The authors make this critical point, "The powers that be-those previously  able to hoard knowledge-are now impotent rulers and the powers that were."  The article about Stan Phelps purple goldfish is insightful but you will have to read the book to learn more.  Social is how business is done and it works because we are social creatures.  Social media allows us to be more of us.  And we must recognize that both good and bad are magnified in the social media. For sure as the authors share, "the customer holds all the cards."  Businesses do business like the customer wants to do business or they decline and die in time.  Social media provides the customer "a good and bad voice."  Enough bad voices can kill you!  Engagement is key today.  It is no longer a top down issue.Everyone in a business must be engaged to be successful.  In the online era, an online community is critical.  Successful organizations have large online communities that are sharing and self-learning.  And here is the bottom line-"Those unwilling to change will cease to exist."  Key to remember in today's social world is that large is a relic of the past and even large organizations best find a way to be small to survive.  "Flat" is the new normal.  Organization associates from bottom to top must be empowered to make decisions.  Hierarchy is DEAD!  We must have ordinary people with an extraordinary network fully engaged and making decisions.  Jim Claussen says, "My passion is the social organization-or rather bringing the social leader to organizations.  Right now they are about as common as blue unicorn."  So this tells us, we have a very long way to go.  It is pointed out that successful CEO's today must be social and above all they must be sincere.  There is a sense or urgency and there are no two-day courses.  As John Carlzon so appropriately says, "If you are not serving the customer, you job is serving someone who is."  Lest we forget, in today's world, the customer is KING!  Chapter 12 does a wonderful job of sharing that customer service is a leadership issue and we must have leadership by example.Social media is marketing.  John Wanamaker points out that "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted, the trouble is I can't figure out which half."  Open collaboration is our new normal.  The authors conclude by saying, ours is a world gone wild and to survive you must be on the social bandwagon.
READ this book!
Doug Newberry

I felt A World Gone Social is definitely a timely book & one much needed at this time in our society.  It gives good tips about what to do & what not to do to stay relevant in today's workplace.  Whether doing business globally or locally, we all can learn some new ideas when going online.  We are no longer in the Flintstones era but have progressed to the Jetsons.  The authors break down the segments nicely & in an easy to read format. Terri Bryant, Davie

A World Gone Social can be summarized in 2 single words -personal interaction. The personalization of one human interacting with others and in groups sharing feelings,thoughts,ideas and philosophies via any form of internet forum, Twitter, Facebook , Linkedin etc. will be the glue that will cement relations with customers, clients,  competitors, employees that will shape the corporate and business strategy of the future. 
This well written and documented book can serve as a primer for the whys and how tos  of implementing and using this approach in business, personal advancement, customer service, reputation maintenance and marketing for the 21 century.
The authors showed concrete examples and thorough knowledge of the subject and presented the concepts in an easy to understand and implement format. Highly recommended and hope to use this information in my own medical practice. Marv Stein, Coral Springs


"Social Media" "Social World" how do I as a business leader/manager, employee, job seeker learn to use it to stay competitive in this new computer driven world. Co-authors Mark Babbitt and Ted Coiné provide you the guide on using this new world that not only betters you but makes you a success!
Do not fear the social world, embrace it. 
Society is undergoing revolutionary changes, in order to excel so must business. Personal engagement with employees and customers alike builds trust and loyalty. In this present shock world, a business cannot think that what was said years ago matters anymore. Coine and Babbitt outline and detail a step-by-step playbook on how to identify and fix a failing Industrial Age system and how to forecast a successful system.  
Their "OPEN" concept – Ordinary People, Extraordinary Network - gives you the knowledge that you cannot afford to leave talent, skills, engagement and contribution of many on the table. Decision-making and taking action on the most important strategic issues are no the job of a few but of everyone. 
Customer Service is the leadership issue in this Social Age, customer experience comes first. Businesses and those who want to succeed in bringing their business or message to the masses need to understand how people today are getting their information and what drives them to get involved. Forrest Carper

A World Gone Social serves as a slap of reality to managers who must either hop on the social media train or cower as it runs them over.  The book, however, also provides a guide to addressing the issues surrounding companies' policies concerning and use of social media as a business tool.
My business and I have accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn. I keep up with old friends and new on Facebook and Instagram.  A World Gone Social made my organization's social media presence feel stunningly inept and inactive. The book case studies had me running to the company manual to update our employee social media policy.
A World Gone Social confirms that flat is the new black, and companies must develop strategies for social media that integrate multiple levels of organizational planning including marketing sales, and even production, and that allow for previously unimaginable creativity and interaction inside the company and with clients.
The chapters and sections were separated into manageable pieces, which allowed for reading a little or a lot.  The subject matter and writing style kept me taking on just one more chunk before putting down the book.
Maybe after reading A World Gone Social, I will be able to evolve from a dinosaur into a blue unicorn. Scott D. Rembold, Coral Gables

What does this book have to do with dinosaurs?  They are extinct because of something they didn't see coming or have control over. Social media is having the same effect for business owners who don’t embrace it. Am I a dinosaur? Maybe, just maybe I have had the layers of the onion peeled back for me by reading A World Gone Social by Ted Coine and Mark Babbitt.
As building relationships is the fundamental basis for any business relationship ultimately resulting in profits, now more so than ever this is true.  Using “social” to create trust and “giving” to others rather than looking at “what’s in it for me” is the game changer.
I owned a manufacturing business from the late 70’s through 2007.  Just as social was coming of age I transitioned out of owning a “brick and mortar” business. Now I am working in my own network marketing business. Am I social? Good question. Reading this book is a game changer for me.
So I am going social! I am updating my Facebook page, I am tweeting, participating in LinkedIn conversations, listening to Podcasts and learning to do Podcasts myself. All of this because of reading this book. I believe just as there are no coincidences, I was and am ready for these changes.
A special thanks to you Richard and the connection that has been in place since your days at the Miami Herald doing business book reviews. Tom Hinz, Blue Lake, CA

A World Gone Social seems to have the overall theme of "meet your customers, clients, employers, employees where they are now"
I recommend this book for anyone looking at starting a business as it goes through the history of businesses and how they attracted clients and were managed to where we are today with 3D printers and flat organizations.
As you read and reread the chapters you discover ordinary people are now managers and when a job is done you move on to the next.
Great book and a text to study whether you are a college grad seeking employment or a company finding your customers. Cynergy Egbert

With computers taking over the world of business, it was inevitable that the social net work would follow.
Communication is easy and wide open to everyone. Ideas, thoughts, opinions, and an enormous amount of information is available to share and contribute to.
All manner of opinions, either positive or negative, go viral on the internet,especially if there are visuals included, even if the information is from the past. The information can still be used to destroy a business or anyone working there.
People have many "so-called friends" on face book to share with. There are even lists to add your opinion to that have turned into actual money making businesses. This can be good or bad, depending on the action or reaction of those involved. Unfortunately, social networking can turn into digital bullying resulting in negative results for companys and people as well.
A World Gone Social written by Ted Coine and Mark Babbit  is the perfect survival guide for those who wish to survive in this social driven world where more transparency and accountability are demanded from customers who are better informed. Margot Byrnes, Miami

When leadership of a Business is more conscious of social media, employee’s care more due to a “feel to fail” mentality.  I found the Authors gave clear examples of how to correct mistakes quickly and staying relevant in the growing social landscape are key’s to learning and thriving in the future.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking to make a greater impact Socially. Peter Kihn, Sterling Heights MI

A World Gone Social is the book to  bring you up to speed on the rising tide of social media.  Not only will you learn social’s impact on how business is done, but also learn the importance of jumping in right away if you haven’t already!  The good news is, it is not too late.  Social platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In and others) are transforming how business is done and what it means to be OPEN (“Ordinary People Extraordinary Network”) for business. 
The insightful analysis of business trends shows that businesses are already moving away from traditional management hierarchies (and so avoiding the ‘management tax’) and toward increasing use of  crowdsourced information and expertise.  The authors show that Social is a definite game changer and dynamic force, similar to the industrial revolution.  It is clear that the information age has matured, and Social Media is disrupting the status quo.  Great handling of this topic – entertaining and a smart lexicon on social media – a must read. Doramary Russell, Coral Springs

My first impression of the business practices this book supports, like to “take your business practices and organization online” was would it really work?   Then I remembered the thesis of a recent book by Siva Vaidhyanathan, called The Googlization of Everything (and why we should worry)  and I thought “be careful”, there might be a tradeoff in this philosophy.  Do we really have to network our personal lives with our work associates, into the business product?  And if we do this, despite the accolades Silicone Valley organizations get, does it necessarily improve organizations and create a successful business model?
I get the point of staying in touch with coworkers when much of our processes are becoming impersonal with no water cooler or lunch breaks, but going to this level with the competition and the customer base is dubious and taking risks.  And what is the purpose of going there, if the primary result is messiness and a complicating waste of time because we’ve overstepped our boundaries.  In large organizations where is a place for families?  Really ...on the net?
Where does the chat and twitter become a real factor, or obfuscation?.  In business there are standards and legal limits that must be maintained,  as anybody whose been stung by an eBay deal can attest to.  This hearsay model of business might be undependable at best.  So why go there?  If this is the new business climate, my question becomes  “Does it meet the customer’s standards and their needs enough to be successful or is the result a throwback and longing for “face-to-face dependability”? James Swaner, Miami Shores

I devoured this book! It helped bring me up to date and is helping me transition from the dinosaur era into the Social Era. I understand what it’s talking about, it’s very easy to read and it makes so much sense. My favorite part was the example of 100 CIOs in an hour, when Ted set out to show the CEO of a company why he needed a social media strategist by using Twitter to identify and, as it turned out, converse with,  100 CIOs. He reached over 1000!  In an hour.

It delights me that the world is becoming more human again, and that the way to beat the bigger is better philosophy is occurring on-line. This book makes it clear that authenticity matters and that honesty really is a good policy. People respond to real. The best takeaway I took from this book is that I no longer view the time I spend on Facebook as a waste of time. Instead, I view it as a productive way of keeping in touch. We may not see each other face to face as much as in decades past, but we can still visit with each other and keep in touch in  a meaningful way. We can all be helpful and participate in being part of the human race, from the comfort of our own devices. As a solopreneur, this is good to know. Welcome to the Social Age. Now go and engage. Anne Bloom Ft. Lauderdale

What an interesting and easy to read book; The World Gone Social is a collaboration between two known authors each in his domain; Ted Coine (leadership development) and Mark Babbitt (social media).
The book is written in a blended style with great emphasize on a flow that takes the reader step by step through the maze of individuals topics.  The headings selected for each segment of each chapter inform the reader well ahead about what to anticipate.
As an industrial psychologist who help the occupiers of the “C” Suite maneuver the landscape of their daily emerging challenges, I see this book as a “Must Read” in every library of a leader of small to medium size organization.
While the average entrepreneur seem to consider social media is outward looking activity, the authors emphasize the like between the “ identity “ of the company which is developed internally and the “image” which is the reflection of the organization outward.  By offering this unique perspective, the authors suggesting that the social media engagement should be look at from a broader perspective and everyone should be involve to their capacity with the input related to the content presented on social media. In summary the book is well written, offers a balanced set of ideas, easy to understand and follow. Doron Zilbershtein, Miami

There is a whole new world out there. As a social media neophyte, this book was eye opening and extremely informative.  I really enjoyed the examples and comparison stories of how companies or individuals used the power of social media to impact their agenda. The best story of all is the United Airlines guitar incident.  After growing his viral video to over 11 million viewers, he is now on the speaking circuit talking about the situation among other things.    
From a business standpoint, a huge take-away is the difference between the companies that engage in social media and the ones who use it for self serving purposes.  It's apparent the ones who engage will still be around in the future.  However, there is a significant business opportunity for someone who can assist those "dinosaur" companies that don't understand the engagement factor.
Overall, a must read for someone who needs to understand the power of social media. Greg Alexander, Plymouth, MN


The title of this book piqued my interest.  Social Media, for example, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. (the writer is a member of these and other Popular Social Media sites) has become a major force in our world society along with the advancements of Smartphones, Pads and computers.  These devices are used in communicating and searching for information.  These devices are plentiful and are what makes Social Media so popular.
The book is about reasons that businesses (including the top people) should use and be acquainted with Social Media.  These reasons to use Social Media are primarily to be in personal contact with the customer and also to solve issues through your following in Social Media (Called in the book - OPEN, Ordinary People Extraordinary Network).
 I think all the major retailers such as Target, Home Depot, Walmart and others already use Social Media extensively for marketing purposes.  This is called business to consumer selling.
Some of the reasons presented for using Social Media are not valid examples and may not be justified.  This is particularly true for Business to Business selling.
There is an added cost in the use of Social Media.  The book indicates that Social Media should be used instead of traditional marketing methods such as print, TV and other Media. This will keep the total marketing cost about the same.  It does seem to be true that Social Media will give you more contact with the customer and help you solve problems or get information quickly, but at what cost?
Social Media is hard to evaluate in its effectiveness, but the book does acknowledge that and gives arguments on why companies should do Social Media.
The book is a good sales tool for the authors if you plan to be more involved in Social Media their consulting would be useful.  The book states that they have been involved with Social Media almost from its birth.
 We do need to learn about Social Media and where it is going.  The book is helpful in detecting what the trends are for Social Media.    Gordon Ettie Miami, FL

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Next Book: A WORLD GONE SOCIAL

A World Gone Social: How Companies Must Adapt to Survive by Ted Coine, Mark Babbitt. AMACOM. 256 Pages

ABOUT THE BOOK
The business world has entered a new era—one in which social media has fundamentally changed the way companies innovate, market, scale, build teams, and serve customers. Welcome to the Social Age.

Containing stories, analysis of real-world scenarios, and indispensable guidance, A World Gone Social provides the tools you need to build a socially enabled team that puts the customer experience first. You’ll discover what it means to create an "OPEN" network of partners, collaborators—even competitors. And you’ll learn why nimble and collaborative organizations will ultimately outlive their Industrial Age competition.

In this new business climate, companies unwilling to change are destined for extinction. A World Gone Social enables you to avoid this fate—and lead your organization confidently into the Social Age.

You can read a sample chapter (pdf link) here.

The book's website with more info is here.

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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

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Next Book: BUSINESS WITHOUT THE BULLSH*T

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


FROM THE PUBLISHER
As columnist for the award-winning "Sales Source" blog on Inc.com, James has distilled blunt secrets from the hundreds of successful executives and entrepreneurs he has interviewed over the years. BUSINESS WITHOUT THE BULLSH*T provides quick and dirty solutions that cut straight through all the BS of office policies, procedures, and politics.

Here's the author's website.

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Review: THE CASE OF THE MISSING CUTLERY

The Case of the Missing Cutlery: A Leadership Course for the Rising Star. Kevin Allen.

Short book, short review.

When I wrote a weekly biz books column for the Miami Herald, I imposed a few limitations, which I communicated to publishers, publicists and authors. Among them, “No parables,” after I’d covered “Who Moved My Cheese,” a popular but obvious tale about the perils of resisting change.

Fables and parables seemed like lazy and contrived ways to teach a lesson. And they were multiplying like vermin. Far too many to take seriously, I decided. Surely there are plenty of real-world examples available.
 
Indeed! Kevin Allen provides a great one here. His account is a perfect illustration of the most important qualities and behaviors required for leadership, based on his own experience managing a diverse team at NYC's JFK Airport. The brief tale is clearly conveyed and a pleasure to read.

That’s the first 14 pages of this 60-page book. The rest of it is ok, but laden with less compelling nuggets, formulas, quotes and the like. With respect to Mr. Case, it’s not needed. Very little of it seems new, fresh or revelatory. It’s not, by any means, horrible, though a real letdown after that first great part.

But if you want to read a terrific, telling and true tale that teaches, consider the lesson provided by The Case of the Missing Cutlery. The remainder of the book is entirely optional.

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Club Reviews: THE CASE OF THE MISSING CUTLERY

The Case of the Missing Cutlery: A Leadership Course for the Rising Star. Kevin Allen.

Easy to read and understand!  I really enjoyed this book, starting with the opening story of his early management trial.   He presents very practical insight into group dynamics, group management and problem solving.

I attended many "Leadership Courses" while in the military and this book puts everything we spent months going over into a nice concise, straight to the point  book.  The real life examples Mr. Allen uses are great!!  He gives us the leadership skills a person needs to be aware of intermingled with concrete examples and practical exercises.  

His writing style gives confidence and his identification of the "Gang of Four" is so right.

I feel this book is a good read for anyone interested in business management, sociology or psychology and would find this book enjoyable, practical and useful.  This is especially true for those new graduates of our business schools and military leadership courses who have a lot of theory but little in the way of tools to lead.

If a person takes the time to ponder the relevance of their own experience and apply his insights that person will have a starting point in their own development as a leader. Forrest Carper

It’s a very short book that could be even shorter.  I found it to be very repetitive as Allen continually reminds us of his successful “Priceless” ad campaign with Master Card, and how his likable personality made him a successful leader.   As for solving …”the case of the missing cutlery”, it seems to me it didn’t take any genius to go to the commissary and observe what was going on to quickly solve that mystery.  Then in lieu of a reprimand you enlist the guilty to trying to figure out a remedy.

The so called 'leadership lessons’ are just basic common sense examples of how you can accomplish more with honey, etc.  To take five chapters to deal with the cutlery case is an example of trying to stretch out a thesis lacking in actual worth.  I didn’t like the book at all and felt as though I was reading a grade school primer. Emily Gilday

Great book, short and precise and buoyant!

I was lucky and started right from college into management, but reading this book I see so many mistakes I made, not realizing how to deal with people I managed, I only focused on getting the job done.

Using these techniques would have made my life a lot easier!

I hope all future managers read this book and respect those they manage as people, rather than just getting the job done.

I am hoping to get back into the workforce, although with the economy it is tough.

This book has also helped me revise my resume and I give it a "thumbs up"! Cynergy

I have read and found Kevin Allen's book, The Case of the Missing Cutlery very interesting.  And since Kevin spent  many of his professional career years at Marriott, my favorite hotel chain, I was into the book as soon as I received it.  As you know it is a small book and a very easy quick read.  I spent the first 38 years of a 50 year career in the business world being at the top of a very large organization.  So I have experienced many time what Kevin presents in his "Case."  All too often people who may be well intention just keep doing what seems right but is costly and wrong.  They fail to come up with the right decision.  I like this idea of going undercover.  I know many times as I slipped into spots where I was not usually seen in my organizations I witnessed many things that may have felt right but were not.  And as Kevin found, they are clearly not in the best interest of our customers/clients.

Since I traveled extensively for many years I spent lots of time in airports, on planes and in hotels so I started extensive reading and for over 45 years read more than 100 books a year.  I have read extensively and am a student of leadership so much of my reading was on leadership.  One thing novel about Kevin's book is the use of the term buoyancy.  And Kevin uses it to remind us of the absolute need to adjust, sometimes start over and sometimes entirely scrap the way we do things in an effort to do what is both right and better.

I would recommend this book to all leaders.  You just can't go wrong reading material that is right on target and can be read quickly. Doug Newberry

The Case of the Missing Cutlery is a short simple book that pushes the doctrine that effective leadership and problem solving involves more than a scientific approach. The team leader or manager must relate to his members by listening, learning, trusting and most importantly empathizing in order to engender mutual respect and cooperation.

This message resonates the same in all industries and organizations.

Truly if people learned how to respect trust and be honest with each other what a better world we would live in. Marvin Stein, Coral Springs

Short.  Easy to read.  Informative.  Great resource.  A must read for all new and experienced leaders who want to lead others and succeed in today's global business environment.  The principals Kevin introduces are easily relatable and can be successfully applied to any situation that involves people and goals.  This is a book that you definitely want to keep at "arms length". Alex Camacho

I felt the book was short & sweet.  It almost felt like I was reading the Cliff’s Notes version of the actual book, as the author managed to cut to the chase & get right down to the good stuff.  Important reading for a novice in the business industry or anyone that wants to brush up on their leadership skills. Terri Bryant Davie, FL

I kind of liked the idea behind The Case of the Missing Cutlery. When a book promotes itself as a Leadership Course for the Rising Star as written by a successful tycoon, you expect you'll get an anecdotal review of situational learning which is how this little(60pages) work starts out.  In this "case" however the old adage Good things come is Small Packages, applies.

Despite the glitch vocabulary like:  we'll catalyse your organization to achieve balance through organizational analysis and reach flow;  there are some good behavioral lessons being promoted by this interesting 'I learned from experience" guru.

According to Allen, it is all about a way of thinking, and his application of the lessons which others have developed more fully(like Daniel Pink maybe) to mobilize intrinsic motivation in the practical situations, for the good of people rather the extrinsic, rapidly becoming archaic rules from business standards.

   The take-away from this story is not original though: when faced with a crisis - Take Action collectively

1. Acknowledge a problem

2. Consider possibilities

3. Target the cause

4.  Inspire confidence

5. Organize the right team

6. Nominate a catalyst to drive through to a successful conclusion

The people that you inspire, who believe in your shared values, create the conditions of buoyancy that sustain the solutions long enough to reach sustainability. This reaches beyond extrinsic motivators of the carrot and stick approach.  Have we heard this before?  its oft repeated. The presentation of this message is the same, despite a curious promotional twist, that seems like a add campaign, at http://www.buoyantleader.com/

But he saves the best for last.  Don't miss the virtual connections that  Kevin Allen creates to get the management lessons he's learned across.  Yes, it saved the book; you can log into a game simulation to practice these applications - a Game Theory final for the course.  Take  a look, its an original that justifies the cost of the printing. Jim Swaner  Miami Shores

The book is more of an introduction since the topics are simple  originate from complex hospitality business scenarios.  Thebuoyantleader.com may provide the missing sections of this small, short, brief read which  is similar to a text blog with a bit of artist description.  The topics include the change from a dictatorship economy to demand economy.   Also, qualities such as listening, learning, challenges and readiness fall under the new title of this book  The Short Case of  the Buoyant Leader. William Murtada

This book is an effective leaders guide to leadership. A light and easy read will propel its reader from simply a person in leadership to a motivated and effective leader. This should be a mandatory read for all MBA students. Deidre Campbell

The case of the missing cutlery is a book  written in a style of storytelling which is unique to most leadership books that are published.  This style  makes the book easy to read and enjoyable. The concept of leadership is expressed  in the book  in a clear and precise way, however I found it somewhat superficial.  Human behavior is very complex and interactions between individuals and situations makes it almost impossible to make predictions of what works with certainty.  Plenty has been said and written about effective leadership and  just like diets, there is no  one single good answer. The book shows the importance  of making  genuine connections with employees. It  also exemplifies the value of establishing a trusting relationship between leaders and followers. Pilar Somoza
 
Great book – fast read. Wish my previous bosses had read this lexicon on leadership!  Love the clear demonstration of how to achieve buy-in and drive productivity, solve problems and improve job satisfaction, from executive suite down to the factory floor trenches.  Pass this one along to everyone who works with others! Doramary Russell Coral Springs

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