The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns Can Change to Sustainable Practices

Book Description

Sustainability may seem like one more buzzword, and cities and towns like the last places to change, but The Natural Step for Communities provides inspiring examples of communities that have made dramatic changes toward sustainability, and explains how others can emulate their success.

Chronicled in the book are towns like Övertorneå, whose government operations recently became 100 per cent fossil fuel-free, demonstrating that unsustainable municipal practices really can be overhauled. Arguing that the process of introducing change -- whether converting to renewable energy or designing compact development -- is critical to success, the authors outline why well-intentioned proposals often fail to win community approval, and why an integrated approach -- not "single-issue" initiatives -- can surmount challenges of conflicting priorities, scarce resources, and turf battles.

The book first clarifies the concept of sustainability, offering guiding principles -- the Natural Step framework -- that help identify sustainable action in any area. It then introduces the sixty-plus eco-municipalities of Sweden that have adopted changes to sustainable practices throughout municipal policies and operations. The third section explains how they did it, and outlines how other communities in North America and elsewhere can do the same. Key to success is a democratic "bottom-up" change process, and clear guiding sustainability principles such as the Natural Step framework.

The book will appeal to both general readers wishing to understand better what sustainability means and practitioners interested in introducing or expanding sustainable development in their communities.

Customer Reviews:

Sustainability.......2007-05-05

My participation in a local "sustainable cities" study circle included reading and studying this book. The book is a study of the renewal that has taken place in Sweden. Faced with a collapsing economy, cities, with collective cooperation from businesses, the government and their citizens brought prosperity back to Sweden. What we mean by "sustainable cities" is a community that is self-supportive--an equilibrium. And this brings about a cleaner, more efficient way of life.

Sweden can be an example for us to follow, especially their developments and the sense of community. The U.S. is not Sweden, nor do we want it to be. Sweden is a socialistic country. That means the government controls more than it should. That's why it needs to start at the bottom, with each individual--a new mindset or outlook. There are things cities can do to bring themselves closer to sustainability without damaging their economy. In fact, with incentives, there may be new growth never before seen.

The book has many positives and negatives. Planning starts with the local municipalities, not the federal or state government. We need to be careful when we try and solve one environmental problem only to create a whole new problem. The book is rife with socialistic thinking. The authors would have been better off leaving "global warming" and politics out.

America is prosperous, it took Sweden a meltdown to come to grips with its future as a nation. In a democracy, with God as its foundation, we will stay strong. There are amazing things that Sweden has done, we should take a look at them.

Wish you well
Scott

How to foment sustainable revolution.......2006-02-13

In the 1980s, Lahti's hometown of Overtornea, Sweden was dying. The worldwide recession left the village in an inhospitable climate with no major industry and a declining population. Lahti organized community residents and developed a plan to revitalize Overtornea using principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Thus was born the sustainability revolution in Sweden that is taking hold in Europe and spreading to other parts of the world. This is not a story, but a how-to manual. The king of Sweden has endorsed Lahti's methods and seen a resurgence of vital business throughout the country while reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption.

Book Description

This book provides a systematic analysis of anti-Taylorist activity at a shop-floor level, analyzing 150 cases of anti-Taylorist initiatives in Scandinavia, the UK and the Netherlands.

Average customer rating:
Student study guide to accompany Introductory oceanography, 7th ed., and Essentials of oceanography, 4th ed
James M McWhorter
Manufacturer: Maxwell Macmillan International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0024208159

Average customer rating:
Introductory Oceanography: Essentials of Oceanography
Thurman
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall College Div
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Oceanography | Oceans & Seas | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0132620723

Average customer rating:

Hilarious book just leaking with great tips

More than informative -- this book is FUN!

Good ideas

Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book

Backpacking Book review

Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book: Traveling & camping skills for a wilderness environment
Allen O'Bannon
Manufacturer: Falcon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Walking | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:

Lighten Up!: A Complete Handbook for Light and Ultralight Backpacking (Falcon Guide)

Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book (Falcon Guides Backcountry Skiing)

Nols Cookery (National Outdoor Leadership School)

Allen & Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips

Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style (Backpacking Light)

Accessories:

Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite

ASIN: 1560449128

Book Description

Hilarious and practical information about the art of backpacking from two NOLS instructors.

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious book just leaking with great tips.......2007-06-27

Thought this book was really good. Lots of little tidbits of knowledge that you may have heard or didn't ever think about. Presented for all ages and all skill levels.

More than informative -- this book is FUN!.......2007-01-12

The author shares his substantial experience with the reader in a uniquely entertaining manner, and the illustrator complements the light-hearted style of the author with [occasionally] hilarious visuals. The character of this book will attract everyone in the household; even those without camping or backpacking experience will find it easy-to-read and interesting. For those already bitten by the 'outdoor bug', new insights presented by the author force us to reconsider our position on a variety of subjects.

Unlike so many of its kind, this book is comprehensive without being obscure; no lessons on building water bucket baskets or how to skin and dry moose meat for the winter. This handbook addresses the basics of backpacking with enthusiasm, and it proves contagious for the reader.

Good ideas.......2006-11-21

Reading this book reminds me that it's possible to learn from all types of backpackers. The book is well written and illustrated. The illustrations have ideas that are not always in the text.

Allen O'Bannon clearly is not in the lightweight backpacking camp, which I am. O'Bannon writes about heavy pack loads (how to properly put on a heavy pack) and leather hiking boots. The book is loaded with ideas that will be interesting to all backpackers. I wouldn't recommend the book to someone just starting out with backpacking. For those readers I would give it just two stars. However, I would recommend it for a current backpacker that wants some fresh ideas or a fairly new backpacker that has read a couple books on lightweight backpacking first. The book isn't loaded with a lot of fluff that can be found everywhere. It is also easy to read and not nearly as boring as many backpacking books.

Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book.......2006-09-28

A friend suggested I read this book before my first backpacking trip. It is a very fast and fun read with tons of useful information. My friend, who is a very experienced backpacker and NOLS alumni, was amazed at the amount of knowledge I acquired just from the book and has since purchased his own copy for reference. I highly recommend this book to any beginner or expert who needs a refresher!

Backpacking Book review.......2006-08-23

I teach a beginning backpacking class for adults and have used several books over the past 15 years. This is the 2nd year that I have used the Allen & Mike's book and it is a much easier read. Students and instructors both like the illustrations as it makes it faster to get through the information. Much more enjoyable than standard textbooks, but with a lot of valuable information.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Reliable Book.......2007-08-08

This book is a true gem.
Set aside the absolutely helpful thoughts on generating ideas, structure, and the nexus of reporting and writing (all of which are invaluable).
The idea that there is a triad of elements upon which all good feature stories are based is an extraordinarily useful one.
Base a story on action, quotation and narration (i.e. the basic information necessary to the story) and go from one element to the next and so on, building the story block by block, says the author.
This concept alone is the best working guide for a writer on a nuts and bolts level, bar none.

Excellent book for journalists.......2007-05-06

This book shows the nuts and bolts about good journalism: writing and interviewing techniques, how to get good story ideas, etc. It has a great deal of examples too. Every journalist should read it at least once. The best thing would be to revisit it every two or three years.

...Horsemen Pass By..........2006-10-01

Cast a cold eye on life on death; horsemen pass by. That's an epitaph. Was it Yeats, or just one he suggested in a poem? How does it apply to Blundell's book? Just this: Here is the one and only worthwhile book ever written for writers. I know, because I that's how I earn my living. Blundell is the best bar none. Throw all the others out. Unless, of course you're another wound-licker who thinks he wants to "learn" to write, in which case, horsemen pass by, and bring on the clowns!

Unique, Refreshing approach!.......2004-06-27

There is a voice in this book, and you can just HEAR this guy as he admonishes writers and drills into their heads the step-by step guide to reporting and writing. The tone is firm with a direct approach to feature writing as the author is adamant that, "reporting and writing can NOT be divorced."

I like the sharp conversational tone; it's like sitting in the classroom. He is very clever with the similes and metaphors to clearly drive his point.

Although this book has made the rounds for years, Blundell offers refreshing ideas and unique insight to writing. He speaks of experience as a Wall Street Journal writer. This is HIS voice, and not a slew of other professional writers churning out a how to book.

I like a quote of his when he tells us that the READER requires specific information and our first priority is to meet that requirement and also that the reader has a deeper and more universal need that has to be met or, he flees. The author said, "nothing is easier than to stop reading."

You won't find the usual writing book addressing topics like these. A sample chapter is Raw Materials - generating ideas; Extrapolation (beyond the event lies a broader, more significant story); Synthesis (assembling promising story ideas from what looks like a junkpile of spare parts); Localization (thinking big); Projection (declining to follow the media sheep to a pasture already overgrazed) and Viewpoint Switching (thinking of a story as a piece of terrain with varying topography).

Also topics titled Shaping Ideas; Story Dimensions, Planning and Execution, Organization, and you get great insight into Handling Key Story Elements that delves into the dreaded leads and endings.

What is interesting in a unique approach to his section titled Wordcraft. He assumes that you the reader already know grammar, syntax and usage. So his goal is to show us how to achieve certain effects at certain places in the story.

You will read some full texts on sample stories that are sprinkled throughout the chapters. Blundell also provides reading material for the writer. He says, "whole forests have died to fill the marketplace with other writing books." One suggestion is Zissner's "On Writing Well."

This is a unique writing book and is meant to read completely. ....MzRizz

Writing as critical thinking.......2002-02-17

One of the biggest mistakes young reporters make is viewing reporting and writing as separate exercises, one following the other. Bill Blundell rightly sees them as one process. Good reporting begets good writing. It begins with critical thinking about your subject, which if done properly brings strong focus and organization to your story. In 20 years as a newspaper reporter and editor I've not run across a more practical, common sense approach to writing than that offered by the Art & Craft of Feature Writing.

Average customer rating:

Must have for your business library

A must-have in every business owner's toolkit

Secrets of Successful Selling

success without stress

applicable to any business or organization

Outrageous!: Unforgettable Service...Guilt-Free Selling
T. Scott Gross , and Scott Gross
Manufacturer: AMACOM/American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Customer Service | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Total Quality Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Techniques | Sales & Selling | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Positively Outrageous Service: How to Delight and Astound Your Customers and Win Them for Life

Why Service Stinks...and Exactly What to Do About It!

When Customers Talk... Turn What They Tell You into Sales

Positively Outrageous Service

Microbranding: Build a Powerful Personal Brand and Beat Your Competition

ASIN: 0814479863

Amazon.com

T. Scott Gross was running a chicken franchise in Texas when he realized that performing outlandish stunts for (and with) customers was a terrific way to boost business. Gross eventually fashioned his somewhat unconventional ideas into a program he dubbed Positively Outrageous Service, and he began teaching it full-time. Outrageous: Unforgettable Service ... Guilt-Free Selling, his written version of this plan, describes the philosophy that already has been adopted by hundreds of companies including Southwestern Airlines and Doubletree Hotels. Inspirational as well as informative, it outlines dozens of viable concepts bolstered by anecdotes that show how they're being effectively used today. --Howard Rothman

Book Description

OUTRAGEOUS! Unforgettable Service ... Guilt-Free Selling

Outrageous customer service is taking American companies by storm. From small-town chicken outlets to suburban furniture stores to corporate giants like Southwest Airlines, extraordinary customer service has become the key to business success.

Spearheading today's hard-serve, soft-sell message is T. Scott Gross, a confirmed believer in outrageous customer service and a wildly popular speaker on the subject. Gross believes that great service, not cut-throat selling, is what customers respond to best. And giving great service is a fun, guilt-free form of selling that anyone can learn to love -- even the most sales-phobic clerk on the company's front line.

Now Gross uncovers the secrets to delivering extraordinary customer service in Outrageous!, a new step-by-step guide to his original POS (positively outrageous service) program. Entertaining without being frivolous, instructive without becoming boring, the books shows business owners and service providers how to:

** build positive word-of-mouth to attract new customers ** use appealing opening lines that engage the customer ** get everyone in the organization to sell through service ** create a world-class service culture that lasts Outrageous! is loaded with lively, real-life anecdotes of extraordinary service, each told with a contagious dose of wit and enthusiasm. In fact, Gross's story-telling abilities are as superb in print as they are in person.

Great selling is a by-product of great service. And this book delivers a sure-fire approach to making serious profits -- and having serious fun -- through positively outrageous service.

T. SCOTT GROSS (Center Point, TX) is widely recognized in America's service industry as a customer service expert. He is a frequent and popular speaker/trainer on his original concept of 'positively outrageous service,' which has been adopted by hundreds of companies around the country, including Southwest Airlines (the customer-centric success story of the airways) and Doubletree Hotels. He recently received a special award from the National Speakers Association, naming him among the top three percent of professional speakers in the United States.

Customer Reviews:

Must have for your business library.......2007-04-13

I love this guy. He puts it right out there about how customer service ought to be, and we all wish that everyone's customer service were as good as some of the shining examples he relates. We are assaulted at every turn by so many bad customer service experiences that we're grateful when someone even does an average job of what they're supposed to do, much less go above and beyond. We should all remember those basic keys to our business: know your customers and their needs and wants; know your product; know what your competitors are doing and how to beat them. Scott Gross goes beyond this with the "outrageous" part: be prepared to do something so extraordinary and unexpected for your customers that they can't help but tell others how great your service is. When was the last time you told all your friends about extraordinary customer service? I have stories from 10-20 years ago that I tell to this day because the service was so great. Do you? I've been fortunate enough to hear T. Scott Gross as a keynote speaker at a conference, and he's just as warm, thoughtful and encouraging in person as he is in his books. If you're in business or deal with the public, or even if you just want to have great family and friend relationships, you must have at least one of his books in your personal library.

A must-have in every business owner's toolkit.......2004-02-04

If more people read and implemented outstanding service, then we wouldn't be having all those 'siteAsucks.com' and 'siteBsucks.com' web sites.

This book targets the lifeline of any business - your customers -and talks about common sense - how to make them happy - so that they not only come back, but they also tell others!

The concept is very simple. But this is probably the only book I have ever found about delivering "outrageous" service.

I have myself implemented (long before reading this book, of course :-) what I call as "Not Technical Support - But FANATIC'nical Support" on my own site at WebmasterInABox.net

So, it was exciting to see an entire book dedicated to this topic. And in spite of knowing what brilliant customer service is, I had managed to brainstorm about 200 different ideas to provide "outrageous" service, before I had delved even 20 pages into the book.

A great buy. On my top 10 list.

Ravi
Founder & Software Architect

WebmasterInABox.net

Secrets of Successful Selling.......2000-11-28

Here's a customer service success and sometimes hilarious failure story book, packed with practical, real world ideas that really work that you'll really enjoy reading. Gross says great selling is a by-product of great service. He shares his hard-serve, soft-sell secrets and shows you how to make serving customers more fun and less frustrating once you decide to raise your customer service bar to Positively Outrageous Service.

success without stress.......2000-07-14

This is the first book I read which has helped take the stress right out of sales. If anyone is in retail knows how stressfull it may be at times. I highly recommend everyone in retail business today to read this book and enjoy your every day to day sales.

applicable to any business or organization.......1998-11-22

book contains lots of ideas and great examples . . . very inspirational . . . makes success simple . . . all we have to do is apply some of gross' POS thinking!!!

Book Description

This book explores Japanese investment in Europe and Southeast Asia, in relation to the automobile industry. In part I the authors examine industrial organization and policy issues in Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines and Indonesia, looking at Japanese investment and the relative policy successes and failures in these host countries. Part II looks at skill formation systems in the Japanese dominated automobile industry in Southeast Asia and in part III the authors focus on the EU and the very different influence of Japanese investment.

Book Description

This study guide contains basic information on economy, government, business, history and geography, climate, traditions, people, places to visit. Provides information on government, political organizations, and more... Includes basic statistics, information on the most important business contacts and business travel. Updated annually.

Myanmar Country Study Guide (World Country Study Guide

Average customer rating:

Myanmar Country Study Guide (World Country Study Guide
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Myanmar | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 073971516X

Book Description

Myanmar Country Study Guide (World Country Study Guide Library)

Average customer rating:

Myanmar Country Study Guide (World Country Study Guide Library)
International Business Publications, USA
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Policy & Current Events | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Development & Growth | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Economic Policy & Development | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

International | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739743864
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Book Description

Geography, history, people, language, culture, traditions, economy, government, politics, constitution, places to visit, info for travelers. . .

Book Description

This report contains business intelligence information for succesful export-import, business and investment operations, strategic contacts and more... The report also contains selected information on investment and business opportunities, international economic projects, tenders, government projects, as well as, marketing and export-import opportunities information.

Average customer rating:

Vietnam Business Law Handbook
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Business Law | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Franchising | Business | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Law | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Perspectives on Law | Law | Subjects | Books

General | International Law | Law | Subjects | Books

Business | English Law | Law | Subjects | Books

International Law | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739763482

Book Description

This law handbook contains information on basic business legislation, laws and regulatoins affecting export-import, business, foreign investments, property rights, taxation and banking. (Updated annually)

Vietnam Business Law Handbook (World Business Law Handbook Library)

Average customer rating:

Vietnam Business Law Handbook (World Business Law Handbook Library)
Igor Oleynik
Manufacturer: International Business Publications USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Online Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

International Business Publications | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B00005R4VO
Release Date: 2006-01-01

Book Description

Basic business legislation, laws, export-import regulations affecting business, business climate and contacts

Download Description

Basic business legislation, laws, export-import regulations affecting business, business climate and contacts

Average customer rating:

Vietnam Business Law Handbook
Ibp USA
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7KNUW

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