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by James K. Galbraith (Get the Book)
Since the 2008 financial debacle, University of Texas economist Galbraith - yes, he is Kenneth's son, and, yes, he is a stand-out economist in his own right - has made something of a splash. Galbraith criticizes efforts to revitalize banks and at all costs get back to "normal" growth. He explains convincingly why 2008 was a "turning point"- the end of normal - and gives an extended, articulate account of flush postwar economic growth, locating its end in the 1970s. He reviews the millennial derivatives orgy and the banking system's response. Drawing a dark portrait of high unemployment and unsustainable debt, and predicting an increasingly unstable Europe, Galbraith makes it clear he is no friend of "austerity" or capitalism's status quo. Bankers' orthodoxies about debt and credit go forward based on what Galbraith sees as postwar anomalies and false assumptions. In the portrait he draws, credit excesses in the 2010s are deep and worldwide, while energy, global leadership, and technology are wild cards. Systemic collapse, if and when it comes, he warns, will not be a pretty sight. His Cassandra-style conclusions are scattered and confrontational; his fixes are few. But Galbraith puts his pessimism into an engaging, plausible frame. His contentions deserve the attention of all economists and serious financial minds across the political spectrum. --Publishers Weekly
by John C. Maxwell (Get the Book)
Leadership expert and life coach Maxwell (Developing the Leader Within You; 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth) explains the importance of asking questions to develop better ideas, engage others in conversation, and strengthen teamwork. He encourages readers who want to be successful to "embrace asking questions as a lifestyle" and instructs them to call for insightful and probing questions. Part 1, "Questions I Ask," discusses what questions leaders need to ask themselves and what to request of team members. Part 2, "Questions Leaders Ask Me," consists of Maxwell's answers to inquiries directed at him, solicited via social media and his blog. Topics include leadership potential, personal motivation, conflict resolution, and working with difficult bosses. The author concludes by reminding us that quality leaders ask great questions, adding, "They might not always know the answers, but they are made better simply by asking them." VERDICT An intriguing look at leadership with practical advice makes this book beneficial to students of business management and practitioners and to just about anyone who wants to develop and improve their skills. --Library Journal
by John Lanchester (Get the Book)
Lanchester reports that there is a huge gap between people who understand money and economics and those who don't, suggesting this didn't matter until the financial debacle of 2008, when so many people got hurt. We learn the language of money can be used to hide the facts and mislead. The author wants us to recognize the economic forces behind the surface realities of life and gives readers tools to listen or read about economic news, understand the issues, and form an opinion. He devotes the bulk of his book to explaining with understandable words hundreds of commonly used economic terms, such as inflation: When money loses value over time, prices gradually go up and this is normal in economic life; deflation: When money gains value over time, prices go down with near-fatal consequences for an economy; and risk, which economists use to describe the mathematical likelihood of a specific outcome. This excellent primer for understanding money would be a helpful resource for many library patrons. --Booklist
by Warren Berger (Get the Book)
Berger emphasizes the power of inquiry as he challenges us to see things with a fresh eye. He concentrates on game-changing questions, those that can result in actions that lead to real results. The author focuses on innovation and invention stories, explaining that in business, questions challenge authority and disrupt established structures, processes, and systems, forcing people to at least consider something different. Berger offers his framework for problem solving in three stages. The initial why stage involves seeing and understanding, which include noticing what others missed and challenging both our own and others' assumptions. The second, what-if, stage is about imagining that blue-sky moment of questioning when anything is possible; and the third, the how to action stage, is about doing. Asking the right questions will help us discover what matters, what opportunities exist, and how to find them. This thought-provoking book offers important insights to executives, and to those aspiring to leadership, for their business and personal use. --Booklist
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 James K. Galbraith (Get the Book)
