The Blue Line Imper ative: What managing for value really means
Author: Kevin Kaiser and S. David Young
Publisher: Wiley & Sons
Balancing between meeting consumer needs and turning in a profit are diverging principles. Survival requires understanding and efficient execution of both. Authors Kevin Kaiser and S. David Young are of the view that value creation — which a company does to sustain its long-term health and survival — occurs only when consumers’ interests are the defining force.
They explain why every decision a company makes either creates value or detracts from it, and why, if they hope to survive and thrive in today’s increasingly competitive global marketplace, company leaders must make value-creation the centerpiece of every business decision.
Dubbed “Blue-Line Management,” the authors consider the principles and practices as defined by value and their implementation. They are also of the view that failure to properly define and assess value often makes it difficult for managers to effect long-term success.
Get A Job: How I found a job when jobs are hard to find
Author: Dan Quillen
Publisher: Quillen
The author, a human resources personnel professional of more than 20 years, lost his job during an economic crisis. He made 130 applications and got 31 interviews. He was getting the interviews but not the job. In this easy-to-read book, he gives practical tips about social networking, the importance of resumes and cover letters and what to include and exclude and goes right down to font style.
He also guides readers through the interview process and devotes a whole chapter on what to do before the interview, and another on the interview process itself and post-interview follow-up. While Quillen offers practical tips on landing a job, he also writes about the importance of staying positive and how crucial that is. Being an older employee when he was laid off, he devotes a chapter on age. Quillen also throws in a chapter on the job market in today’s New Economy and how important it is for the job seeker to seek about that position instead of waiting for it to fall from the sky.
Unlabel: Selling you without selling out
Author: Marc Ecko
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
A unique book on entrepreneurship from graffiti artist, Marc Ecko, who founded the brand Ecko Unlimited. He grew the urban lifestyle retail business to include fashion and media. Few are aware that Ecko began his career by spray-painting t-shirts in the garage of his childhood home. Armed with lots of creativity and courage, he invested in the business his brand.
Ecko writes candidly about his rollercoaster ride to success, with its dips and highs. In a way, the book is very much reflective of the graffiti artist in him as it comes with lots of black-and-white visuals. It is an autobiography, guide for entrepreneurs, a book on graffiti works and marketing all rolled into one.
His message: embrace pain, take risks and be yourself.
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