PMP : project management professional exam review guide

by Kim Heldman. A concise, focused study aid aimed at preparing you for PMP certificationThe Project Management Profressional (PMP) certification is the most desired skill in today's IT marketplace and candidates are required to have thousands of hours of PM experience even before taking the PMP exam.As the ideal reading companion to PMP: Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide, Fifth Edition, or any PMP exam prep guide, this focused study tool gives you that extra preparation you need to approach the grueling PMP exam with confidence. More than 120 review questions, two bonus exams, electronic flashcards, and a searchable key term database all contribute to your preparation for taking the PMP exam. Works hand in hand with PMP: Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide, Fifth Edition Six chapters correspond to the six domain areas of the PMP exam: initating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, professional and social responsibility Accompanying CD-ROM features a test engine, electronic flashcards, and a searchable PDF of key termsIf you're looking to be as prepared as possible before taking the 200-question, 4-hour PMP exam, then this review guide is a must-read. --Publisher (Check Catalog)

The essential guide to family and medical leave

by Lisa Guerin. A comprehensive reference for families and employers outlines employee rights while explaining how to protect one's business interests, discussing such topics as eligibility, procedural requirements, and legal concerns, in a guide that is complemented by a CD containing key forms and financial planning spreadsheets. --Publisher. (Check Catalog)

Form your own limited liability company.

by Anthony Mancuso. Every new and existing small business owner wants to form an LLC today because it's an easy way to prevent creditors from seizing personal assets to pay off business debts. And forming a limited liability company offers the business owner the best of two business worlds—the personal protection from business debts of a corporation, plus the informality and tax benefits of a partnership or sole proprietorship.Achieving the best of both business worlds can come at quite a cost if LLC status is sought through a hired lawyer. Fortunately, Form Your Own Limited Liability Company provides the step-by-step instructions and forms needed to form an LLC easily in all 50 states, at a huge cost savings. This bestseller covers how to: • choose a valid LLC name • prepare and file articles of organization • create an LLC operating agreement • set up a member-run or manager-run LLC • take care of ongoing legal and tax paperwork —and more.The 6th edition has been carefully revised and updated to reflect the latest changes in state LLC law and related tax law, including state-by-state changes to LLC statutes and state contact information. All needed forms are included on the book's CD-ROM. --Publisher (Check catalog)

The 1-2-3 money plan : the three most important steps to saving and spending smart

by Gregory Karp. Syndicated columnist Karp ("Spending Smart") stresses that after income and other taxes, it is far easier to make a dollar by not spending one than by working for one. He gives simple 1-2-3 instructions on how to assess one's personal financial situation and then provides motivational details on how to spend less and save more. There is also valuable advice on improving one's credit, defending against identity theft, and selecting appropriate savings and investment vehicles. Karp's clear, balanced guide, useful for most readers, is highly recommended. --Library Journal. (Check catalog)

The end of work as you know it : 8 strategies to redefine work on your own terms

by Milo Sindell. The Sindells (coauthors of Sink or Swim) explore why employees feel disengaged from their work and offer tips for creating greater alignment between who you are and the work you do. The authors are clear-eyed about why so much work feels meaningless ("How does creating a PowerPoint presentation on this quarter's revenues... make a difference in the world?"); they stress that workers must see their jobs as an opportunity for professional and personal growth-not just a paycheck-and provide eight strategies to that end: sharing expertise, initiating change, demanding autonomy, creating meaning, sparking creativity, seizing recognition, maintaining balance and building legacy. Each strategy is accompanied by analysis, an illustrative case study, guidance on when to apply it and advice on what will be gained. The book's emphasis on the work-life balance, the necessity of deriving professional fulfillment from work and clear, cogent tips on defining and achieving career goals will help employees at all levels reap personal rewards in the workplace. --Publisher's Weekly (Check catalog)

The flaw of averages : why we underestimate risk in the face of uncertainty

by Sam L. Savage. “Statistical uncertainties are pervasive in decisions we make every day in business, government, and our personal lives. Sam Savage’s lively and engaging book gives any interested reader the insight and the tools to deal effectively with those uncertainties. I highly recommend The Flaw of Averages.”—William J. Perry, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
“Enterprise analysis under uncertainty has long been an academic ideal. . . . In this profound and entertaining book, Professor Savage shows how to make all this practical, practicable, and comprehensible.”—­Harry Markowitz, Nobel Laureate in Economics (Check Catalog)

The legal guide for starting & running a small business

by Fred S. Steingold. Over 600,000 new businesses open each year, nearly all of which are small businesses. These small business owners are likely to confront a bewildering array of legal questions and problems; ignoring them can lead to disaster, but with lawyers typically charging $200-$300 an hour, hiring one to answer routine legal questions can be a fast track to the poorhouse, especially in today's economic climate. Fortunately, there is an alternative. Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business provides a wealth of practical and legal information on everything from choosing a business structure to insurance and tax rules and it even provides tips on creating a home-based business. Written in plain-English, it explains how to: raise start-up money and choose between a sole proprietorship, partnership or LLC; obtain licenses and permits; buy or sell a business or franchise; negotiate a favorable lease; insure the business; hire independent contractors safely; understand small business tax rules; adopt the best customer policies; cope with financial problems and resolve legal disputes Also included are helpful suggestions for further resources.The 11th edition is completely updated and revised to provide the latest regulations, tax numbers and business realities.

(Check Catalog)

Start-up nation : the story of Israel's economic miracle

by Dan Senor. Hampered by an Arab nation boycott that makes regional trade impossible and endowed with precious little by way of natural resources, Israel has beaten the odds to become a major player in the global business world, especially in the technology sector. With the highest number of startups per capita of any nation in the world and massive venture capital investment, Israel is one of the world's entrepreneurship hubs. Senor, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Singer (Confronting Jihad) track Israel's economic prowess using a number of factors, including the social networks and leadership training provided by Israel's mandatory military and reserve service, a culture of critique fostered by centuries of Jewish tradition and an open immigration policy for Jews that continually restocks Israel's population with motivated people from around the world-all of which foster a business climate in which risk is embraced and good ideas are given a chance to grow. The authors ground their analysis in case studies and interviews with some of Israel's most brilliant innovators to make this a rich and insightful read not just for business leaders and policy makers but for anyone curious about contemporary Israeli culture.

Superfreakonomics : global cooling, patriotic prostitutes, and why suicide bombers should buy life insurance

by Steven D. Levitt. Economist Levitt and journalist Dubner capitalize on their megaselling Freakonomics with another effort to make the dismal science go gonzo. Freaky topics include the oldest profession (hookers charge less nowadays because the sexual revolution has produced so much free competition), money-hungry monkeys (yep, that involves prostitution, too) and the dunderheadedness of Al Gore. There's not much substance to the authors' project of applying economics to all of life. Their method is to notice some contrarian statistic (adult seat belts are as effective as child-safety seats in preventing car-crash fatalities in children older than two), turn it into "economics" by tacking on a perfunctory cost-benefit analysis (seat belts are cheaper and more convenient) and append a libertarian sermonette (governments "tend to prefer the costly-and-cumbersome route"). The point of these lessons is to bolster the economist's view of people as rational actors, altruism as an illusion and government regulation as a folly of unintended consequences. The intellectual content is pretty thin, but it's spiked with the crowd-pleasing provocations-"`A pimp's services are considerably more valuable than a realtor's'" -that spell bestseller. --Publisher's Weekly. (Check Catalog)

First comes love, then comes money : a couple's guide to financial communication

by Scott Palmer. Happy Couples Know How to Talk About MoneyThe number one cause for divorce is financial infidelity. Now "The Money Couple" reveals the missing ingredient needed before any financial program or plan can work: healthy financial communication. This book tells you how to: Diagnose your level of financial infidelity Identify your individual Money Personality Master the Money Huddle and the Money Dump Achieve financial goals once and for all. (Check Catalog)

Jim Cramer's getting back to even

by Jim Cramer. James J. Cramer is the cofounder of thestreet.com, an on-line financial publication. After earning undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard, he joined Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he worked in the Private Client Services unit. In 1987 he founded Cramer, Berkowitz & Co., a private hedge fund he ran until 2000. He hosts a daily one-hour national radio show, "Real Money." He lives in Summit, New Jersey. (Check Catalog)

The management myth : why the experts keep getting it wrong

by Matthew Stewart. Stewart (The Courtier and the Heretic) reflects on his unconventional path to becoming a successful management consultant-despite a complete lack of business knowledge or experience, let alone an MBA. He offers an insider's perspective on the industry, revealing the astonishingly high routine consultant fees and the absurdity of leading firms depending on consultants fresh out of school to tell them how to run their business. Following in the footsteps of "shamans," consultants "envelop their work with an aura of sacred mystery" and "outrageously unjustified" levels of self-confidence to add to their perceived expertise. Gleefully revealing the magician's tricks, Stewart takes readers on a whirlwind tour of how this industry came to be a powerhouse. Filled with fascinating insider anecdotes and featuring a who's who in the consulting world, including Peter Drucker, Michael Porter and Bruce Henderson, this wry, absorbing book will enlighten executives about the value consultants actually bring to their clients. -Publisher's Weekly. (Check Catalog)

Profits aren't everything, they're the only thing : no-nonsense rules from the ultimate contrarian and small business guru

by George Cloutier. This slim but forceful debut by turnaround management expert Cloutier serves as a wakeup call for small business owners who have been hit hard by the recession. Don't blame the economy, he writes. Recession or no recession, if your small business is failing, it's your fault! Cloutier dishes out tough love in pithy chapters that introduce his 15 Profit Rules (e.g., Love your Business More than Your Family, The Best Family Business Has One Member and Teamwork Is Vastly Overrated). While Cloutier's provocative pronouncements seem designed for maximum shock value, each rule relies on practical business principles: maintain tight controls, pay for performance and focus on sales at all times. This blunt work will not be for the timid business owner afraid to re-evaluate operations, planning, compensation or family dynamics. For those ready to focus on profits, though, Cloutier's book is loaded with valuable advice on how to get back on track and stay in the black in any economic environment. by Publisher's Weekly. (Check Catalog)

In cheap we trust : the story of a misunderstood American virtue

by Lauren Weber. This splendid, timely history and apologia corrects any misplaced nostalgia for a simpler, thriftier age. Business journalist Weber demonstrates that, from the Puritan settlers to today's economic stimulus measures, America has endured continual cycles of thrift and consumption, an endless battle for behavioral dominance between saving and spending. Among expected topics (wars, the Great Depression, industrial advances, and the explosion of consumer credit), she makes interesting forays into the origins of savings banks, the field of home economics, and the checkered history of National Thrift Week. The final third of the book includes a macroeconomic argument for increased savings and a collection of chapters on the voluntary simplicity and freegan movements, the psychology of frugality, and suggestions for learning the art of thrift. While this may seem a bit of a mishmash, the book is thematically consistent and convincing. VERDICT Weber manages, with panache, to combine a socioeconomic historical exploration that is readable and fun for the lay reader and a thoughtful defense of frugality that doesn't succumb to preachiness. For a sobering, supply-side view of the consumerist conundrum, pair this with Ellen Ruppel Shell's differently themed Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. —Library Journal (Check Catalog)

The secret of shelter island : money and what matters

by Alexander Green. Most of us devote a substantial percentage of our waking hours to making, spending and having more. This desire to accumulate is natural. But when a bigger bank balance – or the things it can buy - becomes our animating purpose, disappointment generally follows. In The Secret of Shelter Island, nationally renowned financial analyst and bestselling author Alexander Green explores the complicated relationship we all have with money and reveals the road map to a rich life. (Check Catalog)

Adland : searching for the meaning of life on a branded planet

by James P. Othmer. Advertising veteran Othmer weathered a couple of decades on the creative side of the field before throwing in the portfolio to write this book. Admen are known not only for their creativity but for their quirkiness and iconoclasm as well, and this book clearly demonstrates the best traits of the trade: it's funny, clever, irreverent, gossipy, and surprisingly insightful about advertising, human nature, and the postmodern business world. Othmer's novel, The Futurist, was acclaimed for its biting wit and satire, which are evident here as the author chronicles his rise from bricklayer to muckety-muck on the creative side of a renowned agency and his trip out the back door again to the real world. VERDICT For anyone interested in a career in advertising, this is essential reading—at least to know what one is in for. But the book's relevance goes well beyond any sort of career preview or critique. In highly enlivening style, Othmer offers astute assessments of the world of business. —Library Journal (Check catalog)

The heretics of finance : conversations with leading practitioners of technical analysis

by Andrew W. Lo. Lo (MIT, creator of the adaptive market hypothesis) and Hasanhodzic (research scientist, AlphaSimplex) have compiled a series of "conversations" with technical analysts (e.g., Ralph Acampora, Gail Dudack, and John Murphy) who use this type of analysis to develop investment or trading strategies. Since the efficient market hypothesis asserts that the use of technical analysis does not produce superior returns, the technical analysts are the "heretics" of the book's title. In the first part of the book, chapters feature interviews with each analyst and cover similar questions, e.g., "What led to your interest in technical analysis?" or "If all patterns/indicators/strategies are in the public domain, what accounts for your superior returns?" These interviews provide an overview of each analyst's approach. The second half of the book provides the heretics' answers to general topics such as the evolution of technical analysis, the role of emotions, and personal traits (e.g., creativity and skepticism). Successful technical analysts appear to have unique traits that contribute to their success. Whether such success can be transferred to other investors is doubtful, and this is a primary lesson readers should draw from these interesting interviews. --Choice (Check Catalog)

$20 per gallon : how the inevitable rise in the price of gasoline will change our lives for the better

by Christopher Steiner. According to Steiner, senior staff reporter at Forbes magazine, surging fuel prices will transform Americans' daily lives almost beyond recognition. With traditional energy sources disappearing and global demand soaring, the U.S. will confront gas prices rocketing to $6, $8, $14 and beyond—prices that will compel sweeping changes in everything from urban planning to food production. He reveals the consequences of each incremental hike in gas prices: at $8 per gallon, air travel will essentially vanish; at $14 a gallon, Wal-Mart stores will become empty ghost boxes ; when gas hits $16 a gallon, sushi will become an extravagance only for the extremely wealthy. While many changes will come at tremendous social and economic cost, Steiner envisions a better future, where human ingenuity will spur greater efficiency and less waste. Although it's unlikely all the author's predictions will come true—he goes so far as to forecast the order in which airlines will go out of business—the surprising snapshots of the future (where rising gas prices might revitalize Detroit) make for vivid and compelling reading. --Publisher's Weekly. (Check Catalog)

Never make the first offer : (except when you should) : wisdom from a master dealmaker

by Donald L. Dell. Legendary sports agent Dell reveals the secrets to successful negotiating in this spellbinding, behind-the-scenes look at deal making in the high stakes world of professional athletics. The treasure trove of practical advice is backed up by mesmerizing tales of the deals Dell closed on behalf of such stars as Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, Jimmy Connors and Patrick Ewing. The author drives home simple yet powerful business lessons: he recalls how his negotiation for a new Michael Jordan basketball shoe reached an impasse until Nike exec Peter Moore blurted out a clear concept for a line called Air Jordan, which subsequently became the biggest licensing deal in history; and his own temper cost him a deal signing a promising young tennis star. Sidebars offer advice from athletes, politicians and dealmakers including former senator and Basketball Hall of Fame player Bill Bradley and former senator George Mitchell, who negotiated the Good Friday peace agreement of 1998 in Northern Ireland. Dell reveals that successful deal making requires strong relationships, trust, self-awareness—the very qualities his star clients embody. --Publisher's Weekly. (Check Catalog)

The myth of the rational market : a history of risk, reward, and delusion on Wall Street

by Justin Fox. Fox, a Time editor at large and economics columnist, here takes readers through the history of academic research on financial markets since the late 19th century. He focuses on the development of the Efficient Market Theory and its fall from dominance, which resulted largely from the rise of behavioral finance. The Efficient Market Theory uses mathematical models to show that investors act on information as it becomes available, making pricing so efficient that an investor would be unable to beat the market without insider information. Fox argues convincingly that this theory has been eclipsed by behavioral finance, which studies investors' psychology to show that markets are not as rational as the Efficient Market Theory presents. The style here is journalistic, with personal stories that make the book entertaining, but ultimately this is a history of academic thought-complete with endnotes-and is best suited for students of finance or people interested in financial theory.-Library Journal (Check Catalog)

In Fed we trust : Ben Bernanke's war on the great panic

by David Wessel. As the central bank of the U.S., the Federal Reserve sets interest rates and provides liquidity to banks in order to provide stability to the financial system. When the financial meltdown that began in 2007 led to the unprecedented failures of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, AIG, WaMu, and Lehman Brothers, the Fed was called on to take a much larger role, essentially becoming an independent fourth branch of the government. It is often said that the Fed chairman is the second most powerful person in the world, and when Alan Greenspan left the post in 2005, his successor, Ben Bernanke, along with Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, would soon face problems that were far more challenging than those of Greenspan's tenure. Wessel's account is a history of the Fed, a biography of Bernanke, and a blow-by-blow account of the decision-making process that took place as Bernanke and Paulson used desperate measures to try to right a rapidly sinking ship. Bernanke failed to anticipate the severity of the financial downturn, but perhaps he did the best that any man could be expected to do. --Booklist. (Check Catalog)

The Panic of 1907 : lessons learned from the market's perfect storm

by Robert F. Bruner. Robert F. Bruner is the Dean of the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and Charles C. Abbott Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. He is the author or coauthor of more than 400 case studies and notes as well as the author of two other Wiley titles, Applied Mergers and Acquisitions and Deals from Hell. Bruner has served as a consultant to over twenty corporations and the U.S. government and, prior to his academic career, worked as a commercial banker and venture capitalist. He holds a BA from Yale University, and an MBA and DBA from Harvard University. (Check Catalog)

Long-term care : how to plan and pay for it.

by Joseph L. Matthews. Joseph Matthews has been an attorney since 1971, and from 1975 to 1977 he taught at the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. He has for many years been involved in matters relating to seniors, and is also the author of Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions and How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim, both published by Nolo. (Check Catalog)

IRAs, 401(k)s & other retirement plans : taking your money out

by Twila Slesnick. More than 78 million baby boomers, representing some 29% of the U.S. population, are approaching retirement, and about 58 percent of retirement assets are in defined contribution plans.If you want or need to take money out of your retirement plan—whether you've inherited a retirement plan, wish to buy a house, or just need money—IRAS, 401(l)s & other Retirement Plans will help you make the best choices concerning these plans, and cope with the accompanying rules and regulations. Filled with sample forms and charts, this book covers: • tax strategies before and at retirement • penalties for drawing money out early • distributions you must take • minimizing taxes • distributions to your heirs …and much more, including explanations of all the common types of retirement plans including 401(k)s and other types of profit-sharing plans, Keoghs, IRAs, and tax deferred annuities.The ninth edition incorporates the changes brought about by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and includes all of the information regarding the new rules for taking money out of Roth 401(l) plans and anticipated changes to Roth IRA conversion rules. (Check Catalog)

And Then the Roof Caved In: How Wall Street's Greed and Stupidity Brought Capitalism to Its Knees

by David Faber. CNBC's David Faber takes an in-depth look at the causes and consequences of the recent financial collapse. And Then the Roof Caved In lays bare the truth of the credit crisis, whose defining emotion at every turn has been greed, and whose defining failure is the complicity of the U.S. government in letting that greed rule the day. Written by CNBC's David Faber, this book painstakingly details the truth of what really happened with compelling characters who offer their first-hand accounts of what they did and why they did it. (Check Catalog)

Can I wear my nose ring to the interview? : the crash course : finding, landing, and keeping your first real job /

by Ellen Gordon Reeves. This fresh, authoritative guide isn't just for nose-ring wearers.It's for anyone who's ready to get serious about the job search, in any economy. Start by approaching your search with a professional mind-set-from printing business cards (before you're in business) to dressing the part (even for that phone interview)-and follow through strategically: writing a killer cover letter and resume, nailing the interview, negotiating salary, getting your career off on the right foot, and establishing lifelong skills for presenting yourself on and off paper. (Check Catalog)

How to write a business plan

by Mike McKeever. Author, teacher and financial manager Mike McKeever shows readers how to write the business plan and loan package necessary to finance a new or expanding business and make it work. He helps readers make realistic financial projections, develop effective marketing strategies and refine overall business goals. With How to Write a Business Plan, entrepreneurs learn how to: evaluate the profitability of a business idea; estimate operating expenses; prepare cash flow, profit and loss forecasts; determine assets, liabilities and net worth; find potential sources of financing; present their plan to investors. How to Write a Business Plan has been completely updated with the latest resources both online and off and also provides several sample business plans. (Check Catalog)

A colossal failure of common sense : the inside story of the collapse of Lehman Brothers

by Lawrence G. McDonald The Inside, Untold Story of The Collapse of Lehman Brothers-As It's Never Been Told BeforeThe CEO and his court . . .Richard [Fuld] had even turned Lehman's board of directors into a kind of largely irrelevant lower chamber. This was yet another group to rubber-stamp his decisions and collect generous fees. It was not for supplying well-meant and lucid wisdom in the current wild marketplace but for agreeing with the monarch, accepting his all-knowing take on the bank's investments. Above all, the board was created not to rock the royal barge as it made its stately way downstream.What they didn't understand . . .Later that day, Mike confided to Larry and Alex, "Neither he [Lehman president Joe Gregory] nor our chairman [Richard Fuld] understands the dangers of securitization, the leverage in the system. They cannot understand. And they will never understand. (Check catalog)

Understanding digital marketing : marketing strategies for engaging the digital generation

by Damian Ryan. Ryan and Jones, digital media experts, explore marketing as an applied discipline and make thoughtful predictions about where the future of the profession is heading in a digital world. Their stated goal for writing this book is to "help you and your business choose online advertising and marketing channels that will get your ideas, products and services to a massive and ever-expanding market." They accomplish this goal by their contextual approach as well as by the clarity of their presentation. Each chapter begins with "Our Chapter Pledge to You," and each is filled with practical illustrations expressed in concise, uncluttered prose. Topics include developing an online marketing strategy, Web site development, e-mail marketing, use of social media, and online public relations. The text neither panders to the reader, promising instant solutions and expertise, nor overwhelms with opaque language and theoretical illustrations. Rather, the subject is presented in a thoughtful, fulsome manner that nonetheless remains accessible to all readers. Especially valuable to the novice reader is a comprehensive glossary that seeks to define the ever-evolving language of digital marketing. A useful guide to digital marketing and where it will go in the future. --Choice (Check catalog)

Free : the future of a radical price

by Chris Anderson. While the best things in life may be free, a business model based on giving stuff away seems a little crazy. But Anderson (editor in chief, Wired), who made a big splash with The Long Tail, tells us that this business model is already here. In The Long Tail, he showed how online businesses were making good by selling less of more, that is, by selling a huge range of niche or low-volume products that added up to big bucks. Here he demonstrates that the concept of making money by giving things away has already taken hold in the digital world. VERDICT With explanations of basic economic principles like supply and demand and an analysis of the differences between products in the physical world and those in the digital world, Anderson makes the Free premise sound quite reasonable. Lots of companies are making lots of money from "free." Google and Yahoo, for instance, have some of the biggest computer server complexes in the world, yet they let us use their email, news, and search services every day. While this book may not be free, it will generate interest among both academic and general readers.—Library Journal (Check catalog)

Why customers really buy : uncovering the emotional triggers that drive sales

by Linda Goodman. Goodman and Helin, independent business consultants, introduce emotional trigger research, a new approach that uncovers the spontaneous triggers that drive customer sales. They review research in the field, then show how customers emotionally connect with a product or service, and tell how to craft solutions to reach them. Twelve real- world case studies illustrate how emotional trigger research can solve challenges in sales, marketing, and customer relationships. A final section looks at integrating emotional logic into the organization (Check Catalog)

Winning results with Google AdWords

by Andrew Goodman. Now in its second edition, this guide for using Google AdWords features new strategies for selecting and grouping keywords, increasing conversion rates, maximizing online sales and expanding distribution of online advertising campaigns. Goodman, an online marketing consultant, helps web developers and online business owners master the Google Quality Score system in order to write and test web content while filtering out inappropriate prospects. The author also explains how to use Google Analytics to measure conversion rates, bidding, web traffic, profits and other metrics. (Check catalog)

The Wall Street Journal : financial guidebook for new parents

by Stacey L. Bradford. Bradford, an associate editor at SmartMoney.com, presents a relevant and witty overview of the awesome task facing new parents—affording their kids. She covers all the major issues, including child tax credits, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, flexible spending accounts, and 529 plans; even wills, trusts, and disability insurance are considered. Bradford writes from a female perspective, and humor abounds: "Along with hemorrhoids and hormonal mood swings, meager maternity benefits are just one more harsh reality that no one warns pregnant women about." Considering the enormous and long-term expense of a new bundle of joy, her money-saving tips are sure to be popular. Bradford clearly grasps the mindset of new parents and keeps information complete but concise; the chapters on health care and college savings plans are so succinct that it would be nearly impossible not to understand them. Only the chapter "Where Should You Nest?" disappoints, as it is not broad enough to serve most readers. VERDICT Bradford's book offers a more comprehensive framework than Steve and Annette Economides's America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money. Here's one work that all new and prospective parents worried about finances should consider --Library Journal (Check Catalog)

The housing boom and bust

by Thomas Sowell. "There was no single, dramatic event that set this off, the way the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand set off the chain of events that led to the First World War or the way the arrest of political operatives committing burglary at the Watergate Hotel led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. A whole series of very questionable decisions by many people, in many places, over a period of years, built up the pressures that led to a sudden collapse of the housing market and of financial institutions that began to fall like dominoes as a result of investing in securities based on housing prices." (Check Catalog)

Shop class as soulcraft : an inquiry into the value of work

by Matthew B. Crawford. Philosopher and motorcycle mechanic Crawford presents a fascinating, important analysis of the value of hard work and manufacturing. He reminds readers that in the 1990s vocational education (shop class) started to become a thing of the past as U.S. educators prepared students for the "knowledge revolution." Thus, an entire generation of American "thinkers" cannot, he says, do anything, and this is a threat to manufacturing, the fundamental backbone of economic development. Crawford makes real the experience of working with one's hands to make and fix things and the importance of skilled labor. His philosophical background is evident as he muses on how to live a pragmatic, concrete life in today's ever more abstract world and issues a clarion call for reviving trade and skill development classes in American preparatory schools. The result is inspired social criticism and deep personal exploration. Crawford's work will appeal to fans of Robert Pirsig's classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and should be required reading for all educational leaders. Highly recommended; Crawford's appreciation for various trades may intrigue readers with white collar jobs who wonder at the end of each day what they really accomplished --Library Journal (Check Catalog)

Womenomics : write your own rules for success

by Claire Shipman. This collaboration between broadcasting powerhouses Shipman and Kay gives career women explicit permission to demand the balance that's been missing in their lives. The authors assert that after decades of trying to outdo men or fighting the Mommy Wars in the office trenches of the 1980s and 1990s, women have gained enough corporate clout to start changing the workplace to suit their needs. Shipman and Kay review the depth of women's influence as consumers and earners, maintaining that their power gives them the right and the ability to ask for flexibility in their work lives, to negotiate assertively and effectively, to say no and to give up the guilt associated with getting their needs met. Through Shipman and Kay's own stories of struggling with demanding work and home lives and anecdotes from other working mothers, the authors make a convincing argument that with some mental and emotional effort, women can create their ideal work and home lives. Filled with pragmatic and optimistic steps, this book will inspire readers to set in motion a flexibility-driven business revolution that can benefit all women and men, families and workforces. --Publishers Weekly. (Check Catalog)

The housing boom and bust

by Thomas Sowell. "There was no single, dramatic event that set this off, the way the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand set off the chain of events that led to the First World War or the way the arrest of political operatives committing burglary at the Watergate Hotel led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. A whole series of very questionable decisions by many people, in many places, over a period of years, built up the pressures that led to a sudden collapse of the housing market and of financial institutions that began to fall like dominoes as a result of investing in securities based on housing prices." Book jacket. (Check Catalog)

Implementing beyond budgeting : unlocking the performance potential

by Bjarte Bognes. "A philosophy concerned more with leadership than with actual budgeting, Beyond Budgeting is about releasing capable people from the chains of the top-down performance contract and enabling them to use the knowledge resources of the organization to consistently beat the competition. With intellectual assets accounting for 80 to 90% of shareholder value today, people really are every organization's most valuable asset: Implementing Beyond Budgeting: Unlocking the Performance Potential shows you how to build and maximize a performance climate with teams committed to a common purpose, clear values, and shared rewards."--BOOK JACKET (Check Catalog)

Chaotics : the business of managing and marketing in the age of turbulence

by Philip Kotler. The world has entered a new economic stage : from normality to turbulence -- Management's wrong responses to turbulence now become dangerous -- The chaotics model : managing vulnerability and opportunity -- Designing management systems for resilience -- Designing marketing systems for resilience -- Thriving in the age of turbulence : achieving business enterprise sustainability. (Check Catalog)

Fool's gold : how the bold dream of a small tribe at J.P. Morgan was corrupted by Wall Street greed and unleashed a catastrophe

by Gillian Tett. Peter Hancock viewed almost every aspect of the world around him as a complex intellectual puzzle to be solved, and he especially loved developing elaborate theories about how to push money around the world more efficiently. When it came to his staff, he obsessively ruminated on how to build the team for optimal performance. Most of all, though, he loved brainstorming ideas. The team called his exuberant outbursts of creativity "Come to Planet Pluto" moments, because most of the notions he tossed out were better suited to science fiction than banking. But they loved his intensity, and they were passionately loyal to him. They were also bonded by the spirit of being pioneers.The J.P. Morgan derivatives team was engaged in the banking equivalent of space travel. Computing power and high-order mathematics were taking finance far from its traditional bounds, and this small group of brilliant minds was charting the outer reaches of cyber-finance. (Check catalog)

How we got here : a slightly irreverent history of technology and markets

by Andy Kessler. Kessler (Running Money: Hedge Fund Honchos, Monster Markets and My Hunt for the Big Score), a journalist, former hedge fund manager, Wall Street analyst, venture capitalist, and chip designer, presents a fast-paced, albeit condensed, history that reaches back to the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution, breezes through the development of early capital markets and the rise of communications, and connects it all to the explosion of the computer age and the growth of modern capitalism. In offering this brief history of technological change and its ramifications, Kessler seeks to demonstrate the five simple creeds he says he has learned over time: lower prices drive wealth, intelligence moves out to the edge of the network, horizontal beats vertical, capital sloshes around seeking its highest return, and the military drives commerce and vice versa. He writes in a hip style that slings the slang and hits the high points of this fascinating story, providing a more in-depth analysis of how today's modern information age evolved than is found in James Burke's Connections. (Check Catalog)

Get a financial life : personal finance in your twenties and thirties

by Beth Kobliner. First published in 1996, this book helped define the financial consciousness of a generation. The entire book has now been updated with late-breaking information to address dramatic financial developments such as Roth IRAs, student loan deductibility, and the rising impact of the Internet. (Check Catalog)

Legal forms for starting & running a small business

by Fred Steingold. Like most small business owners, you probably can't afford to hire a lawyer to draft the legal documents you need in the course of your day-to-day business. However, there is an affordable solution: Legal Forms for Starting #38; Running a Small Business. Whether hiring employees, buying a business or real estate, leasing commercial space or borrowing money, this has all the forms, on both CD-Rom and as tear-outs, an entrepreneur needs to get the job done. The 5th edition is updated with the latest legal documents, contracts and other forms. Includes all the information and instructions you need to complete and use your forms effectively. (Check catalog)

A gift to my children : a father's lessons for life and investing

by Jim Rogers. The must-have book on life and investing for the next generation--from maverick investor and bestselling author Rogers. (Check Catalog)

Identifying and managing project risk : essential tools for failure-proofing your project

by Tom Kendrick. Fully updated and revised to reflect the latest Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK(R) Guide), this essential resource provides clear-cut methods to implement at any organization and for any size or type of project. Identifying and Managing Project Risk takes you step-by-step through every phase of a project, providing real-life examples and tips to illustrate key principles in project risk analysis. (Check catalog)

The foreclosure survival guide : keep your house or walk away with money in your pocket

by Stephen Elias. Bankruptcy attorney Elias targets the estimated two million American homeowners who are currently in default on their mortgages. Elias explains how foreclosure works, what options there may be for keeping a home when in default, and what to do when that is not possible. He includes instruction on negotiating a workout with a lender as well as chapters on how to use bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure. Elias's section on fighting foreclosure in the courts helps readers understand the circumstances in which they may be able to delay or stop a foreclosure action. The appendixes provide summaries of each state's foreclosure laws, a glossary, and information on finding and working with lawyers and bankruptcy petition preparers.  (Check Catalog)

Mindful economics : how the U.S. economy works, why it matters, and how it could be different

by Joel Magnuson. Magnuson (economics, Portland State Univ. & Portland Community Coll.) presents an intriguing perspective on the U.S. economy by describing the American capitalist system and its key institutions and economic issues, covering the most important consequences of the system and, finally, offering alternatives. His overview of the history and background of the U.S. economic system is thorough, including the development of capitalism, the U.S. financial system and Federal Reserve banks, the stock market, the structure of corporations, and international economic relations. (Check Catalog)

Smart policies for workplace technologies : email, blogs, cell phones & more

by Lisa Guerin. Make your workplace safe for technologyAre your company's employees posting trade secrets on a personal blog, sending harassing email, running online auctions from work, or texting while driving on company business? Along with instant communication, higher productivity, and cost savings, advances in workplace technology can also bring legal exposure. To protect your company, you need to develop clear, specific policies-or update the policies you already have to cover the latest tech developments.Smart Policies for Workplace Technologies provides everything you need to adopt effective rules for employee use of:emailthe Internetinstant messagingcell and camera phonessmartphones and PDAsPacked with sample policies (provided on CD-ROM), practical advice, and real-world examples, Smart Policies for Workplace Technologies will help you make your workplace safe for technology. (Check Catalog)

Building an import/export business

by Kenneth D. Weiss. An international trade consultant offers tips and instructions for every aspect of an import or export business, including government regulations, tax laws, customs requirements, and shipping procedures. Weiss describes strategies for using the Internet to reduce costs and develop a targeted customer base, and tells how to prepare a business plan, address security concerns, and take advantage of NAFTA and other trade pacts. The fourth edition updates website addresses and adds appendices on avoiding scams and selling to retail stores.  (Check catalog)

Dead aid : why aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa

by Dambisa Moyo. Economist Moyo (former head, Economic Research and Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, Goldman Sachs) makes a startling assertion: charitable aid to African nations is not just ineffective—it is worse than no aid. Moyo, who was born and raised in Zambia, joins a small but growing number of observers (including microfinance expert Muhammad Yunnus) who argue that charity from Western nations cripples African governments by fostering dependency and corruption without requiring positive change. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Moyo's argument for such capitalist intervention in Africa, this straightforward and readable work should provide some food for thought.—Library Journal (Check Catalog)