Mastering Entrepreneurship: The Complete MBA Companion in Entrepreneurship

Customer Reviews:

Useful single source for course on entrepreneurship.......2004-06-21

I think the other reviewer does a slight disservice to this collection of writings on entrepreneurship. For someone wanting to learn more about the process of becoming an entrepreneur, there are lots of small insights and useful suggestions strewn throughout this collection.

Different readers will bring different backgrounds to the startup process; thus, some of these readings will be more helpful than others, depending who reads them.

This book does make a nice alternative to a standard text on the subject such as Robert Hisrich and Michael Peters at about 1/5 the cost.

Like the other reviewer, I can also recommend the Drucker and the McGrath and Macmillan books, as well as Rhonda Abrams the Successful Business Plan. But when I need a single book of readings on entrepreneurship for an introductory undergrad or MBA class (as opposed to a text, for example), this is a very handy source.

Banal - but some useful info........2002-12-14

This is a collection of 83 short papers and case studies written mostly by professors at European business schools. They discuss aspects of entrepreneurial opportunities, finance and management, but the chapters read more like articles for an airline magazine than useful business instruction. I found most of the material to be academic, superficial or focused on basic issues. Many of the papers appear to be a rehash of prior works such as The Entrepreneurial Venture by Sahlman, et al. The good news is that the short chapters are an easy scan to glean what valuable information there may be.

There was a good section on e-commerce opportunities, and a few interesting case studies with Amazon.com and Harley Davidson among them.

I would recommend Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker for a good study of the sources of innovation and capitalizing on opportunities, and The Entrepreneurial Mindset by McGrath and MacMillan for a more refreshing book on building new ventures within an existing organization.

Book Description

Monetary policy mistakes can cause serious economic damage. Central banks and their worldwide observers must strive to understand the transmission mechanism of monetary policy so that they know what monetary policy can do and what it should do to stabilize inflation and output--however imprecise that understanding may be. This volume sets out different aspects of the transmission mechanism, covering practical difficulties, as well as focusing on key areas such as the exchange rate and the monetary sector. The experiences of many countries are explained.

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The transmission mechanism of monetary policy explains how monetary policy works - which variables respond to interest rate changes, when, why, how, how much and how predictably. It is vital that central banks and their observers, worldwide, understand the transmission mechanism so that they know what monetary policy can do and what it should do to stabilise inflation and output. The volume sets out different aspects of the transmission mechanism. Some chapters scrutinise the relevance of practical issues such as asymmetries, recent structural changes and estimation errors using data on the US, Euro area and developing countries. Other chapters focus on modelling crucial aspects such as productivity, the exchange rate and the monetary sector. These issues are counterpointed by contributions, which analyse contemporary monetary policy in Japan and the UK.

Book Description

Usability is not enough. This book shows what it takes to design a site so browsers become buyers: the ultimate measurement of success for an e-commerce site. Designing Persuasive Web Sites: Submit Now examines how customers search, evaluate, and make decisions realistically-not using marketing guesstimates.This book focuses on changing the mindset from selling to customers to helping them buy. It begins by exploring how customers make decisions and how that integrates with the online experience. It presents tangible design ideas that can be instantly applied to sites to make them more effective. Real examples are used to provide insight and inspiration that can be directly applied to a multitude of sites. The book provides a simplified description of the essential process necessary for designing a site that gets visitors to click. It concludes with guidelines to for designing any transaction-oriented site.

Customer Reviews:

The Culturally Proficient School.......2007-06-01

The make believe school district of Maple View in this book may not be so make believe. After all, the purpose for writing this book is to challenge educational leaders to go beyond the comfort zone that schools have operated in culturally for a long time. With that in mind, Maple View is really a composite of many schools all over the nation that are faced with the challenges of modern education in all its complexity, growing diversity and social changes.
The authors begin with proving the case for the importance of having cultural leadership. Schools, like the community at large, reflect changing demographics, growth and the need for expansion, equal opportunities to achieve, and continued availability of appropriate resources. Like the community at large, dynamic leadership is required to meet the challenges. Where do the leaders begin? The authors say to begin with oneself and they provide the tool for discovery with the Cultural Proficiency Receptivity Scale. It is the first of many reflective tools offered in this book.
This book is written to highlight several different characters as they travel along the road to cultural proficiency. With each of the five guiding principles for culturally proficient leadership, a vignette is presented that reflects the conversation between and among characters struggling with the various issues of cultural proficiency. Then an opportunity to write and reflect in the book format is provided to the reader. This self reflection tool is an opportunity to record current thoughts and can be looked at again and again as the reader's cultural proficiency begins to grow.
Key to this book is the discussion and reflection about the next tool - the Cultural Proficiency Continuum. The Cultural Proficiency Continuum can help the reader to understand her own road to cultural proficiency and what challenges lay ahead in order to keep progressing. Once again the format is discussion, conversation, and the opportunity to reflect. The Continuum is a challenge to every reader to be honest with one self. Only then, do the authors purport that individual growth can actually take place. When individuals change, buildings can change, school districts can change, and communities can change.
The authors outline their thoughts about what leadership standards should look like and the self imposed moral obstacles that can keep leaders from creating schools that are inclusive of all students. These standards are not necessarily easy to achieve, but they are essential for cultural proficiency in schools. The authors believe that nothing less than narrowing the gaps in achievement and equity are at stake here and the culturally competent leader is deliberate in thought and action in creating the atmosphere and climate of cultural competency.
The culturally competent leader uses both formal and informal communication to keep the conversations ignited that can lead to organizational changes. Organizational changes are built upon relationships. Those relationships occur at all levels in the organization (the school) and communication is the key to building relationships. Those conversations occur every day between and among students, teachers, administrators, school personnel, parents, school board and community members. The authors describe different modes of conversation that can enhance or impede cultural proficiency and provides a final tool to use in the form of dialogs which can be utilized as practice conversations.
Lastly, the authors present a challenge to school leaders to change both personally and professionally. Cultural proficiency requires questioning assumptions, changing attitudes, and transforming environments. All leaders make choices. Choices mean commitment. A commitment to cultural proficiency can make a difference in every student's life.
This reviewer found The Culturally Proficient School and its companion books, Cultural Proficiency: A Manual for School Leaders (Lindsey, R.B., Nuri Robins, K., Terrell, R.D., 2003) and Culturally Proficient Instruction: A Guide for People Who Teach (Nuri Robins, K., Lindsey, R.B., Lindsey, D.B., Terrell, R.D., 2002) to be very insightful in discussing the challenges of creating schools that openly strive to accept each and every student and to give value to their contributions to the fabric of the school. Especially interesting was the key to it all - the Cultural Proficient Continuum. This tool is meant to serve as a constant challenge for personal change. In a day when the conversation is all about student scores and achievement, it is inspiring to read about the conversations that should be taking place among all the parties in education. These conversations could be the impetus for systemic change that could truly narrow both achievement and equity gaps that as a democratic society we seek to overcome.

The potential to vastly improve everyone's online experience.......2005-10-26

I've been involved in Website design and implementation since 1996. I don't claim to be the top designer, but the success of my sites gives me enough stature to comment on a book like this. First, the downside of this book: It was published in 2003. Consequently, some of the references and information in it are a bit dated. But when you understand the points Chak makes in this book--that doesn't matter. The upside of this book is quite substantial.

When I began reading this, I figured it would be smart to keep a notepad next to the book because I'd probably pick up a pointer or two. I ended up with copious notes and several things to follow up on.

I've read umpteen books, newsletters, articles, and e-mails about Website design. Many of them propose the "right" way to implement a site. That way is "right" because it's the way that particular author does it. Fortunately, Chak stays above the fray, not even venturing into that territory. Instead, he focuses on the theme of getting your Website's visitors to do what you want them to do.

Most "how to do a Website" authors seem to forget why anyone has a Website in the first place--they get lost in the glitzy stuff and forget the site visitor. Chak stays keenly aware of the visitor throughout the entire book. In fact, five of the eight chapters are about Website visitors.

If you have a Website for any reason other than self-stroking your ego, then Chak's book is a "must read." Each chapter provides a solid explanation of key concepts for going beyond simple usability. That's where you want to go. You want to convert visitors into customers.

Chak isn't yet another Web designer who can sling a line of BS and then call it a book. He's a Web designer who has worked for major clients and has amassed the expertise that comes from that experience. He's also a solid researcher, and you can see this in his real-world examples. Add to this the fact that he's a great writer who communicates clearly and you have all the ingredients for an excellent book on Web design. After you read this book, you'll see why Chak is also in demand as a speaker at Web conferences.

This book has the potential to vastly improve the online experience for everybody. The trick to making that happen is to get all Webmasters to buy a copy, read it carefully, and implement what they learned. We can always hope....

A note on style and composition: Form is important, as it dictates readability. Fortunately, this book actually uses Standard Written English (SWE). In an age where most "authors" seem oblivious to basic writing, this book stands out as one where the author actually cares about communicating to the reader. Given the subject matter, Chak's consideration for the reader is a crucial plus.

Easy to read introduction to designing for ecommerce.......2003-07-20

What a pleasure to find a book on this subject that's easy to read. Andrew Chak puts forward each principle clearly, with illustrations, then at the end pulls it all together in a demonstration of how it works in the context of one example.

He divides users of ecommerce sites into browsers, evaluators, transactors and customers, and shows you how to satisfy each one. He links his ideas to persuasion techniques put forward by Robert Cialdini in "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion".

He explains that you can use six key elements of influence to change the behaviour of web site visitors:
- scarcity
- commitment and consistency
- reciprocity
- social proof
- authority
- liking.

While this book doesn't go into any great depth or subtlety, it is an excellent introduction to designing for commercial web sites. It requuires no background as an interface designer, usability expert, graphic designer, marketer or programmer, but would be helpful for all of these disciplines.

Isaac Epp.......2003-05-06

Actual purpose and persuasiveness in design is often completely neglected, this is a must read for anyone doing digital design. The book is worth it's weight in gold for Chapter 6's "The Design of Everyday Pages", It has excellent design notes... really top notch.

How to prove through your site that you deserve trust.......2002-12-26

It is reasonable to say that the point of web design that was most underappreciated for the longest time dealt with assumptions about surfer attitudes. While the common chant was that the Internet was the new economy that relied on brand identity and not profits, it turned out that the chanters were right that it was new, but wrong as to the reason. People did move to the web in large numbers, but were far more reluctant to purchase than anyone anticipated. Fancy graphics, marketing hype and free stuff were not enough to convince many people to buy as old marketing tactics proved largely ineffective.
The answer turned out to be very simple. Create a site that is well organized and make sure that the potential customer can back out of a sale at any time, even after it is consummated. The latter is your decision and requires no significant amount of web expertise to execute. Developing a site that is persuasive in appearance and organization is hard, and this book will show you how to do it. Using sites that are commercially successful, most often Amazon.com, the author shows you the simple, yet effective ways to convince a viewer that you are a site that can be trusted.
The principles that are emphasized in the book are not hard to learn and require no training in graphic design to understand. In fact, most are organizational rather than structural. Advice such as always informing a potential customer that they can opt out of a purchase goes a long way towards convincing them that you are a site to do business with. Showing them where they are on the site also helps increase the level of comfort, even among veteran web shoppers.
Online purchases continue to rise and are apparently the one bright spot in what is considered a poor Christmas 2002 shopping season. Therefore, there is money to be made via an online presence and only a fool would ignore this market. However, the difference between being there and exploiting that avenue is a large one and the information in this book will increase your chances of being profitable.

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How to Make Great Money Hosting Speed Dating Events: A Complete Start-Up Guide Anyone Can Follow
Naomi MacKay , Rebekah MacKay , and Elizabeth MacKay
Manufacturer: Your Choice Dating.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Entrepreneurship | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0973497807

Book Description

This spiral bound book comes in a packaged kit with sample templates for all the print materials you will need at your events and a CD-ROM with a printable version!

If you've ever thought of entering the speed dating industry, but weren't sure how or where to start, here is the book for you! Step by step we'll show you how to earn great money in your spare time. With a speed dating business, you have the freedom to work as much or little as you like. You will learn everything you need to know in simple, easy to follow steps so that you can run a business you will really enjoy. Start your own successful Speed Dating business today with proven techniques and guidance from industry experts! You won't find these industry essentials anywhere else!

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on August 1, 1999. The length of the article is 1005 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: RESULTS-ORIENTED INTERVIEWING: PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES.(Review) (book reviews)
Author: Ann S. Jennings
Publication: Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 1999
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Page: 393

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Writing for Results: Principles and Practice

Average customer rating:

Writing for Results: Principles and Practice
Dugan Laird
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Business Writing | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Technical | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0201041146

Average customer rating:

Writing for Results: Principles and Practice
Dugan Laird
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Pub (Sd)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKTTIU

Book Description

Careers for Aquatic Types and Others Who Want to Make a Splash lets career explorers look at the job market through the unique lens of their own interests. The book reveals dozens of ways to pursue a passion and make a living--including many little-known but delightful careers that will surprise readers.

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Customer Reviews:

Interesting, but a Bit Shallow.......2007-05-15

This book is part of a series by Blythe Camenson that explores different careers centered on a theme. This volume focuses on water related careers and covers the spectrum from aquatic scientists to the Navy, fishing, cruise staff, water safety and rescue, and water sports.

The book tackles each of these items in a series of chapters. Each chapter talks about what the job entails, training needed, salaries, and employment figures. It then concludes with an interview with someone who is currently employed in the field that touches on their background, their job, and what they do and don't like about it.

The book is interesting and covers a range of things that anyone considering a new career would find interesting. However, it does have its shortcomings. At 150 pages, including an appendix of professional associations, the book just barely wets your appetite for more. Each chapter only focuses on one or two jobs and basically lists the others. This means the book isn't one stop shopping, but it does give you a general idea whether you might want to look for further information on the jobs listed.

Additionally, the book was published in 2000, so some of the information, like salaries, is already out of date. The book focuses on the US, so if you live elsewhere, you'll need to look into local standards, and all the addresses given won't do you any good.

This book is designed to give you a taste of many different careers, and it succeeds. Just plan to do more research after you are done with this book.

Average customer rating:

Simple & Practical Wisdom, but a must if you want to succeed in the 21st Century

Health, wealth and prosperity with a little "gospel"

Excellant use of biblical time tested principals

Everybody Alive Needs To Read This Book

Life Changing

Rebuilding from Ground Zero, An Empowering Guide to Building and Securing Wealth
Seni Hazzan
Manufacturer: JIL Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0971814929

Book Description

Have you dared to be rich, wanted to be all that you could be, including wanting to leave a legacy for the generations to come? If so, you must read this book because it could be worth a fortune to you!

This book is about a changed approach to how lasting wealth is created (different from the cut-throat models currently peddled). This book holds the key to building your life to last! No matter how devastating your current situation is, the ideas in this book will get you out of your mental rut. It provides a step-by-step guideline to take you up the ladder of wealth creation, which the truly rich have been using and the poor never knew.

This book shows and proves that anyone can succeed in America and anywhere in the world diligently and honestly. The key is the know-how. Fortunately, this book is the know-how and the complete guide.

Customer Reviews:

Simple & Practical Wisdom, but a must if you want to succeed in the 21st Century.......2006-01-22

There are those who get rich selling principles and there are those who accomplish great things using principles. Evidently, Seni Hazzan is a businessman who uses principles in accomplishing and living an extra-ordinary life. He has been so selfless in taking time to share his life and experiences through this book. The things that really matter.

This is a simple, yet powerful book.

When I saw DJ's comment, I almost didn't want to pick up the book. Since a friend recommended it, I went against my natural inclination and bought the book. I am so glad I did.

I have always known everything Seni wrote about. Upon reading the book, I realized why my life was going no where and why my friend recommended it.

Looking at DJ's comment: I remember those people who always know the answer but never took a test; always stopping those who want to do the right thing, while they themselves were heading no where.

I have always known everything Napoleon Hill wrote about. But when I applied Think and Grow Rich's principles, my life took a new turn. So I am a big believer in taking a dose of inspiration from books, tapes, seminars or any worthwhile material that can get me and keep me out of the rut. It works.

Or which is better and cheaper: Learning from your own experience or from others?

Apparently, he weaved in his faith and belief in writing this book: The same principles that took him out of poverty, took him to Yale, Wall Street etc. He is a phenomenon teacher. In fact this book does not belong to the genre "self-help". This is a book about LIFE.

Why am taking my time to write this review: I DIDN'T WANT THOSE WHO NEED THIS PIECE OF ADVICE FOR THEIR NEXT LEVEL TO BE DISTRACTED, AS I ALMOST WAS. It is too good a book not to be shared with others.

It will be worth your time, money and effort. I am selective in what I put into my mind. I was glad my friend mentioned it to me. I am doing the same for you

Health, wealth and prosperity with a little "gospel".......2005-10-25

I'm astounded at how many are so easily swayed by this new emerging movement of "self-help" positivism that has come the way of infomercials, cheaply arranged seminars, and self-published manuals. As I giggle with incredulity, I see profiteers continuing on their way, preying on the undiscerning, feeble-minded, anti-intellectual.

obviously, there's a market, and the market responds. Such is the life and journey of this book -- recycled principles from self help guides, common sense ethics from the Book of Proverbs, and a touch of inspiration/perspiration sloganeering. The tragedy, though, is the debasing of Biblical theology and disorderly exegesis (if you can even call it that). God help those who put down the $10-$15 for these. I think I'll hit Applebee's and read the Times instead.

oh, and TWO stars instead of one because everybody deserves a little grace.

Excellant use of biblical time tested principals.......2005-08-20

I bought a signed copy of rebuilding from Ground Zero and read it through in one day. The reading was simple to understand and to apply. Since reading the book and properly applying the laws that Seni talks about I have been able to start my own corporation and have been blessed by God by making Him my Senior Partner. A must read for all of those who have to rebuild their lives from ground zeo.

Everybody Alive Needs To Read This Book.......2004-04-08

I am an MBA and a successful business owner. RFGZ was a gift I received from a friend. I wish I read this five years ago before starting my business. Everything I ever knew about life, money and business was blown away by the principles and truth contained in this book.

Honestly, America, nations, people, companies, families, relationships etc can be built succesfully going forward by following the simple steps this gift from God has shared with us. I watched Seni's interview on Family Network with Chuck and Jenni: He is one of the most humble individuals I have ever seen, yet very astute.

Also, through Seni's story and the principles shared in this book, it is clear that any one could succeed anywhere in the world. But living in America increases the chances by more than 10,000% - Seni came from the poor African continent to go to Yale, Wall Street, became entrepreneur of the year etc in spite of everything that could have counted against him. That is what America is all about.

His story is the Century's "Only In America" thriller.

I have read think and grow rich. It has helped me. But don't make a mistake. Seni and Napoleon Hill are not in the same league - Seni is a Doer (he wrote and espoused what he had done from his own personal experience and it worked for him and others and me too!!!); Napoleon Hill was a reporter (he interviewed 500 successful people but he never demonstrated the workings of those principles through his personal life and bank account, though the principles work).

I stand to be challenged on this, I am sure I will win because time will tell: This book is going to be a perrenial and classic bestseller in the league of How to Make Friends and Influence People, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Think and Grow Rich, The Power of Positive Thinking and The magic of Thinking Big.

I recommend it to everyone alive, even if you are at the top of your game. If you are able to consciously sleep before you finish reading this book, you are either too complacent or you are not ready to improve your life, relationship, career or bank account. Because I know there will be one word or formular that will pay you multiples of the cost of the book. Exactly that happened to me.

Life Changing.......2004-03-24

Seni's book is a must read for anyone interested in changing their lives, Wonderful piece of literature a must read for anyone looking to learn the secrets of life.

Book Description

Conceived in 1983, the MOOT CORP Competition has grown from a UT-only business plan competition to the world's most famous new venture competition, attracting elite MBA teams from every inhabited continent. No Longer MOOT chronicles the exciting history of the Competition from fledgling startup to global powerhouse through interviews with past directors, alumni, sponsors, judges, and UT administrators and faculty. It offers an educational, informative and entertaining look into the past — and future — of the event Business Week dubbed the "Super Bowl of World Business-Plan Competition."

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