Finance

This is a useful Guide to Living as & Working with Immigrants in a Multicultural USA, not a Multicultural World. It really has little or no street-credibility outside the USA.

I've worked for a US Fortune500 Company for 20 years, and in over 30 Countries.

The book confesses upfront to its limitations : although the information is US-centric, Williams, Clifton & Thomas believe their concepts are universal - but they haven't the experience to back that up. They admit they don't know whether current observations will hold up in different cultures, or whether different cultures have different profiles with respect to the lenses. The initial research has focussed on race, culture, nationality & ethnicity. In practice 90% of its focus is on race & ethnicity. Sexual orientation is ignored, and the word 'gay' doesn't appear until over 80% of the way through the book - and its only for one sentence.

Consider some of the Lenses :

For the Assimilationist they talk about "adapting US business norms appropriately, given global norms and standards" - well I've never met a "Global norm" - and as for being able to adapt US norms, there's the problem - you have to reject US norms in order to get on with the outside world. The Assimilationist must think about "Western cultural arrogance" - woah - what about "US Cultural arrogance" - ask a Canadian or a Mexican or the French how they feel about US hegemony.

The Culturalcentrist talks about the "Irish, Polish & Italian Communities", and in the same breath about the "Asian Community" - I'm sure the "Asians" would argue they had less in common between India, Vietnam, Korea etc than those Europeans, who at least had Catholicism in common.

For the Seclusionist : "Globalisation ... diminishes the authority of the USA" - hmm, I thought everyone was rioting recently complaining that Globalisation meant US hegemony? The Seclusionist "rewards the efforts of the majority group" - oh so Williams has never thought of a Society where the dominant group is itself a Minority, such as in Apartheid-era South Africa, and a number of other inequitable Societies today?

The Transcendant options were just not for me - according to Williams you are either 'Religious' or you are 'Spiritual' - nothing else applies. I am neither, and quite happy thank you. I'm always made to feel uncomfortable with this aspect of US Society, and it would be good if Williams had a section on how to work with 'agnostics'.

The Elitist offered no alternatives - what about Communism or Socialism - the inequalities of US Society would not be tolerated in Scandinavia. As I say to my friends in Minneapolis, it's a pity the wrong shipload of explorers colonised North America.

For all the talk about race, there's no mention of working with people in mixed-race relationships or of mixed-race ethnicity - over 10% of marriages in the UK are mixed-race, even though the ethnic minorities constitute less than 8% of the population. I find mixed-race marriages in the USA to be a tragic rarity - and why aren't they promoted in TV programs?

There were no examples of other diversities which can be just as sensitive in Society, such as no case studies featuring Native Americans, Hindus, Moslems, Lesbians, Vegetarians or people with Physical/Mental disabilities.

The much-promoted mystical Chapter on the Eleventh Lens was a real disappointment - just some new world 'Nirvana' where everyone loved each other and did right by each other (I presume so long as you could still hire & fire at will).

When I looked through the Bibliography, I understood; of the 86 references, only 2 of them weren't published in the USA, and they were published in London (both looking back at the USA). You can't write a book about a Multicultural world if you don't read/travel widely.

Williams continually refers back to Title VII of the (US) Civil Rights Act (pity he didn't include it as an Appendix). It would have been nice to talk about the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights - since so much of US Society doesn't comply with it. I recall when one of our Senior US Executives starting to spout about Affirmative Action etc at a staff meeting in Germany - he had to be told to leave or they'd call the Police - because his US-speak was illegal under anti-Nazi legislation.

I scored myself on the Lenses : I am Colorblind, an Integrationalist, Meritocratist and a Multiculturalist. Williams was (in 2001) inviting Contributors to help them develop the book for a wider audience - I'm going to volunteer to help them, because boy do they need it.

Mark Williams' research outlining 10 human mindset "lenses" solves problems both in and out of the workplace. His work is extremely well organized for easy reference; you'll recognize in yourself and/or others the Assimilationist, Colorblind, Culturalcentrist, Elitist, Integrationist, Meritocratist, Multiculturalist, Seclusionist, New Age/Transcendent and/or Victim/Caretaker. With hope, you'll recognize that you've been reaching for your inclusive ELEVENTH LENS where paradoxical thinking acknowledges and discerns the strengths and weaknesses each lens brings to the whole personally, professionally and socially -- and globally. See also the developmental framework in A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber and Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan.

"The Ten Lenses" is a badly needed breath of fresh air -- a sophisticated, intellectually grounded, and constructive framework for thinking about diversity issues. It respects and values all people and all perspectives on diversity. It opens a path to understanding each different perspective, even those dramatically different from one's own. It helps take the emotional charge out of verbal interactions between people whose approaches and reactions to diversity issues are widely divergent. It provides a new framework and a new language through which we can talk about diversity and move towards greater understanding. "The Ten Lenses" was an enormous help to me and I highly recommend it.

If your job is selling then you have to know how to sell no matter what the economy. You have to understand demand for your product and how it adds value to a customer. Although the principles apply to all forms of selling including department store selling, the focus of the book is really on those who sell larger value products where there may be an extended sales cycle. It seems that there are always a few real sales stars with any endeavor. What makes this small percent successful at selling when none around them seem to be able to sell anything? Author James DeSena examines this and has found that there are ten laws that a sales person must understand and use if they want to be one of these power sellers.

These ten immutable laws are 1) create high value, 2) decide on your market, 3) develop customer expertise in your selected market, 4) build relationships for repeat business, 5) start with a leader's perspective, 6) lead from within, 7) make it a team effort, 8) build lasting success, 9) drive toward exceptional results, and 10) manage multiple customer priorities. Each of these laws is given its own chapter to fully develop what the law means and how to apply it in the real world. Mr. DeSena also provides many useful examples with stories from companies such as American Express and Honeywell.

Although there is nothing really new in the book it does represent a summation of the best practices in customer-centric sales theory. "The 10 Immutable Laws of Power Selling" is a recommended read for anyone who wants an understanding of the customer-centric approach to selling and how it provides long-term success as a sales person.

As a consultant, I am forever selling my services or a recommended solution to someone. Do-it-yourselfers like me can use all the sales help we can get. "The 10 Immutable Laws" is a book that I can pick up, start anywhere, read a few pages and find something that helps. I've tried other sales books, but none seemed as complete or conveniently organized. For me, I prefer to read a little, digest, absorb and apply the contents, and then go back for more when I am ready and need it. It could be even better to look for pages that would support the day's activities and read those. In any event, reading straight through, cover to cover could be a bit taxing. Who knows? Using the book regularly, I may even turn into a sales professional.

10 Immutable Laws of Power Selling is easily one of the best sales related books I have read. The author succinctly addresses something on the minds of sales professionals today - how to survive in the 'new' environment. The book's ten laws are fantastic -- they're clear and concise and supported with real-life examples and case studies. What really separates this book from other sales-related books I've read, though, is the author's premise that there is a common thread that runs among power sellers -- they are leaders. By explaining what sales leaders do and know, the author gives readers a goal to strive towards--the goal of becoming a sales leader. To me, the book was downright inspiring. After I read it, I couldn't wait to try out the ten laws. Highly recommended reading!

As a potential consultant, I found this book quite useful for idea developemt. It helped to shorten the elusive search for skills that I not only had, but that I could sell. I would suggest this as a starting point for anyone looking to make the jump from employee to consultant.

It's not all in 10 minutes, but many 10 minute excersises you can use to begin controlling your personal debt at once. Very helpfull for my wife and I to work together within these guidlines. Easy to understand

I was disappointed in this book because it provides ten minute definitions and very little practical or useful insite.

Harry Potter is a good book, but it is not the best book I've ever read. I liked how the characters were described. For example Harry Potter is described as having black and scraggly hair. I would recomend this book to anybody who likes adventure books.

This is a great intro to accounting. It will probably take a couple days to a week to read, depending on your background, but you will come away with a pretty solid understanding of accounting fundamentals.

If you have been exposed to finances and business topics then you'll grock the material quickly. If you are brand new to business and accounting then it will be a bit tough - you'll have to pause and think about the explanations. It's worth it though. You'll learn more faster from this book than from a 1000 page book that covers the same material.

In brief, Dr. Label's 10 Minute Guide... is a godsend for those of us who are 'MBA challenged'. Written in simple, easy to understand language, the book opens up the world of accounting to those who have no formal training in business. The Ten Minute Guide... serves as a useful guide and reference for those who want to keep their own books, or to better understand the finances of another business.

Dr. Label skillfully introduces the four key areas of accounting- GAAP rules, the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement. For each area, he painstakingly defines the components that go into each area and the relationships between the individual components in an area as well as the relationships between different areas. He broadens his explanation of each area by introducing simple to follow examples of their use throughout the text. Although most of the book's emphasis is on the accounting required by sole proprietorships or partnerships, Dr. Label does extend the concepts to the stock corporation, and devotes two chapters to the analysis of a corporation's financial statements.

In addition, Dr. Label takes the reader through audits and auditors, the basics of keeping a general journal, the use of various financial statements for short and long term analysis, and the use of budgeting in business. Finally, one chapter covers some basic information on the internet and accounting (a subject that is a book unto itself), and Dr. Label thoughtfully provides a comprehensive and understandable glossary of key terms for quick reference.

Although the book is small, it is packed with a lot of useful information which is presented in a clear and succinct manner. It serves as an excellent springboard into the world of accounting, and provides a firm basis for understanding financial data and making good judgements based on such data. After reading this book, one can safely and confidently converse with an accountant and walk away with one's wallet full of cash still in one's pocket. Imagine that!

I have been involved in a small family business for twenty years. My background is engineering. When I was at the university I never felt a need to study or understand business let alone accounting. During the last 10 years in my families business I have continued to take over more and more of the management of the company. As I have done this I have had to understand more and more about accounting in order to deal with my bankers, my financial advisors and my CPA. For years I have been struggling with this topic. A friend of mine gave me a copy of The 10-Minute Guide to Accounting for Non-accountants, and it was like a new world had opened up for me. The book was written in a manner that was so easy to use and understand in my daily life, that by the time I finished reading it (and I couldn't put it down-an accounting book?), I felt so much more confident in dealing with my financial people. Good job! I have now bought the book for ten of my friends.

I really found this book to be a superb combination of practically and vision. It is a great read, precise and thought provoking. It makes you really want to jump out of your seat and participate in the creation of the future. One really important point among many is that we cannot move forward, adapt and be innovative by relaying on the past as a point of reference. The only way to really be successful and prosperous is by dropping our old parameters, learning from future and applying it to the present. I have read this book twice. I highly recommend it to those who do not want some else eating their cheese. I look forward to Mr. Grulke next book.

I really found this book to be a superb combination of practically and vision. It is a great read, precise and thought provoking. It makes you really want to jump out of your seat and participate in the creation of the future. One really important point among many is that we cannot move forward, adapt and be innovative by relaying on the past as a point of reference. The only way to really be successful and prosperous is by dropping our old parameters, learning from future and applying it to the present. I have read this book twice. I highly recommend it to those who do not want some else eating their cheese. I look forward to Mr. Grulke next book.

'Ten Lessons from the Future' is the ideal books to help MBA students conceptualize the challenges of the future and to break open the prison of contemporary thinking. Grulke's first hand knowledge of trends that will shape the next decade, as well as his keen synthesis on how disruptive technology will shape the future makes this book one of the best business books on the shelf. Any predication of the future is precarious at best, but Grulke paradoxically paints a believable picture of an increasingly fractal environment. This book needs to be compulsory reading at any Business School who wishes to prepare their students for the challenges of the future.