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by Jeffrey G. Madrick (Get the Book)
The very fact that so few economists saw the 2008 economic collapse coming indicates how out of touch they were (and are) with economic realities. Enamored with the idea that capitalism is self-correcting, they failed to heed ample warnings of severe imbalances and risky behavior caused by lack of regulation of the financial markets. Financial journalist Madrick draws on the works of several well-regarded economists, including John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman, as well as philosopher-economist John Stuart Mills and others to examine the shortcomings of contemporary economics. Madrick offers an overview of how economic thinking has evolved from Adam Smith's invisible hand concept, taking aim at seven major ideas that have driven economists in the past 30 years and led to enormous harm. He explores the contradictions in economic theories as economists square off over philosophical beliefs about the proper role of government in the economy, the relative merits of deficits, and government economic stimulus. Debunking many of the ideas of orthodox economics, he laments how little consideration economists give to social justice and human rights or even history. Madrick argues strongly that government support for the nation's infrastructure is as important to the economy as private capital investment. This is a highly accessible look at the dismal science and why it's important to understand the philosophy behind the science of economics. --Booklist
by Art Sobczak (Get the Book)
Proven techniques to master the art of the cold call Cold calling is not only one of the fastest and most profitable ways to initiate a new sales contact and build business; it's also one of the most dreaded-for the salesperson and the recipient. Smart Callin g has the solution: Art Sobczak's proven, never-experience-rejection-again system. Now in an updated 2nd Edition , it offers even smarter tips and techniques for prospecting new business while minimizing fear and rejection. While other books on cold calling dispense long-perpetuated myths such "prospecting is a numbers game," and salespeople need to "love rejection," this book will empower readers to take action, call prospects, and get a yes every time. Updated information reflects changes and advances in the information gathering that comprises the "smart" part of the calling Further enhances the value and credibility of the book by including more actual examples and success stories from readers and users of the first version Author Art Sobczak's monthly Prospecting and Selling Report newsletter (the longest-running publication of its type) reaches 15,000 readers, and Smart Calling continues to rank in the Top 20 in the Sales books category on amazon.com and has sold over 20,000 copies. (Publisher)
by Richard Branson (Get the Book)
Branson is one of the most famous and iconic figures of today's business world, and his Virgin Group is a sprawling global empire consisting of about 400 operations, the most well known of which are in travel, entertainment, and telecommunications; Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Records, and Virgin Mobile are among the most recognized. Branson famously dropped out of school, ironically, to run a student magazine. He started his record business from the crypt of a church and to this day doesn't keep a corporate office he does business from a hammock. A leadership book from a man known as a daredevil both inside and outside the business world may be expected to be different, and it is. Branson's freewheeling spirit comes across in his leadership style as that of a man who values listening more than talking, keeping things simple, and giving employees a second or even a third chance. His approach may seem casual, but his results speak for themselves, and he generously shares stories about the other guys, such as Apple, Google, and even Walmart. --Booklist
by Nathan R. Furr (Get the Book)
Furr and Dyer (coauthor of The Innovator's DNA), both professors at Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Business, offer tips on getting a business to behave like a "lean start-up" by taking ideas to the market without going through the arduous and old-fashioned process of writing a business plan. The book lists the steps that smart start-ups (or established organizations looking to try something new) should follow: come up with an insight, understand the customer's problem, quickly develop "an awesome solution" to that problem, and create a business model, and finally generate revenue and scale your idea. The authors underscore that innovative companies understand the importance of transparency and are unafraid to seek input from outsiders. The strength of the book lies in its many examples and case studies, which range from two young Harvard Business School students founding a company for short-term rentals of high-end dresses to Budget Traveler magazine crowdsourcing editorial content from readers. Fuhr and Dyer present their ideas with clarity and enthusiasm, and include helpful diagrams and charts. Readers looking for a single volume on nimble innovation will find this guide indispensable. --Publishers Weekly
by John C. Bogle (Get the Book)
John C. Bogle shares his extensive insights on investing in mutual funds Since the first edition of Common Sense on Mutual Funds was published in 1999, much has changed, and no one is more aware of this than mutual fund pioneer John Bogle. Now, in this completely updated Second Edition, Bogle returns to take another critical look at the mutual fund industry and help investors navigate their way through the staggering array of investment alternatives that are available to them. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this reliable resource examines the fundamentals of mutual fund investing in today's turbulent market environment and offers timeless advice in building an investment portfolio. Along the way, Bogle shows you how simplicity and common sense invariably trump costly complexity, and how a low cost, broadly diversified portfolio is virtually assured of outperforming the vast majority of Wall Street professionals over the long-term. (Summary)
by Nick Gogerty (Get the Book)
Hedge fund strategist Gogerty explains how investors, whom he terms allocators, can learn to discern economic value and allocate resources to activities that will enhance the overall human condition. The author uses biological metaphors as underpinnings in his discussions. Hence, his use of the term Inos as units of information expressed as organizational capabilities is analogous to biological genes. Similarly, in Gogerty's worldview, organizations equate to biological organisms and clusters are spaces where firms compete just as organisms vie for dominance in ecological niches. His method involves discovering firms that have built and maintained competitively advantaged economic moats that permit them to grow the value of their businesses over time despite economic perils such as inflation and deflation. While the author doesn't provide a list of such firms, he does include numerous instructive diagrams and examples of value investing. His heavy reliance on biological illustrations could muddy the waters for readers with only a slight natural science interest. VERDICT Students of business and serious investors will likely find Gogerty's ideas more useful than general readers. In any case, his arguments will stretch the reader's investment intellect. --Library Journal
by Jennifer Merritt (Get the Book)
Did you read about the janitor who donated $1 million dollars to his local library? Do you ever watch in amazement as your well-off boss haggles over the price of a tuna fish sandwich? Is it possible to find an advisor to help you invest your money--without losing it all to a Bernie Madoff-like con man? In the same spirit of Reader's Digest magazine's popular 13 Things They Won't Tell You series, the editors at America's Most Trusted Magazine have developed the ultimate roadmap for making the most of your money and avoiding the wallet-sucking scams that are keeping you off Easy Street. We talked to everyday and not-so-everyday rich folks, and to the experts who helped make them rich, to learn their secrets on what to save for, how much to save--and where to stash cash so that it grows (hint: not that bank savings account). (Summary)
by Jeffrey G. Madrick (Get the Book)
