Book review - Blink - Malcolm Gladwell

Blink is about the power of thinking and decision making in the blink of an eye. Throughout the book, Gladwell presents to his readers that the decisions we make in the first instant are often the best ones. He stresses the fact that when a person has to much information about a subject, it can hinder them from making a “good” choice. He uses a lot of studies to portray this message that I thought were all very interesting. There are two main points in this book: 1. Sometimes less information is more information, and 2. People who are not experts in a subject should not be making decisions for that subject.

SWAY: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior

“Sway” outlines several situations or circumstances in which irrational behavior and thinking takes over the brain’s ability to use critical thinking.  Some of the modes of thinking discussed in the book that lead to irrational behavior are loss aversion, commitment, diagnosis bias, the “chameleon effect”, the “mirror, mirror” effect, the anticipation factor, and group dynamics.  Using research from the fields of social psychology, behavioral economics, and organizational behavior, as well as several explanatory stories, Sway discusses the many dynamic and psychological forces that influence all aspects of our lives. SWAY is a very thought-provoking text, with many real-world life examples, studies, and experiments that make sense of the irrational behavior we see everyday in all facets of society, from the government, to the workplace, to our personal lives.  SWAY provides the skills necessary to practice rational and logical thought at all times, no matter what other psychological forces are involved.  If that’s not enough, the book is put together in a very smooth-flowing and easily read matter, so just about anybody could learn something from this book.  I would say that the biggest impact this book had on me was the it got me to start thinking a lot more about the way I think and psychological forces behind it all.   

Manager Revolution!

The exclamation point in the title of this book is no mistake. Manager Revolution! is a dynamic and powerful read. Yoshio Hatakeyama, President of Japan Management Association, presents a comprehensive yet concise manifesto of effective management skills. Manager Revolution! is clearly written and well-organized. Hatakeyama explains the direct steps of action required for managers to succeed in their positions, build trust in order to motivate workers, leave a lasting change in their organizations, and work more efficiently. Checkpoints after each section make the learning experience more interactive, and easily measure the reader's progress. First published in 1981, Manager Revolution! remains practical and effective in modern management careers. This book provides a solid foundation in the art of human management.

The Google Story

Lava lamps, five star dinning and personal trainers. Those are just some of the things that come to mind when many people think of the Googleplex. The Google Story by David A. Vise and Mark Malseed touches upon these job perks but also goes in depth on how the company came to be. The book is written in an easy to follow story (as the title implies) starting with early childhood background on the creators and then ending with where Google as a company is now. For someone like myself who is not up to speed on all the latest internet and technological advances the writers do a great job at explaining everything in a way almost anyone can understand. Not only will readers of this book be able to leave with a great story they will also pick up great businesses practices from the Google creators.

A Million Bucks by 30

This book is a basic, easy to fallow guide on how to take responsibility for ones own finances and future at a young age. It teaches that self management is the best way to prepare oneself to later manage larger groups of people and larger amounts of money. As silly as the title makes the book out to be, it's an "idiot's guide to saving, investing, and being money smart even when you don't think you have the money to do so." The book suggest setting sub-goals to achieve one's larger goal, investing in real estate and not living outside one's means; the emphasis is on saving over spending, and staying connected to ones community and corporation is see what opportunities are at their finder tips.

Book Review The Dip!

Kurtis Wu
MEDIA MANAG.
BOOK REVIEW

Book Review: The Dip

The Dip, written by Seth Godin, is a book that takes on the saying “Never Quit!” This was a very brief and interesting book that talks about quitting in life. It starts first by addressing that all successful people are quitters. They just quit the right things and at the right time. To pursue something meaningless and unproductive can hold you back for years. This is what Godin believes is the key to obtaining a goal. The goal is also a stressed in this book. Godin believes the same traditional reasons why goals are important in a person’s life. Godin then dives into all aspects of life that involve quitting. Exercising, diet, smoking, jobs, friendships, and relationships are all addressed in the book. He then gives funny anecdotal examples of specific situations.
The Dip is the formula of the book, which is basically a relationship between results and effort. It is a graph states the obvious, which is that the more you want to achieve, the more effort you have to put in. So it is a direct relationship. What Godin means by The Dip is that there is literally a dip in results, as you continue to put in more and more effort. The Dip is what causes many people to quit early before achieving their goal. For example, if your goal is to get a ripped six-pack abs, there will be a dip where you will keep doing sit-ups and there are no results. Not only are there no results, but also you are in pain, impatient, irritated. There are basically periods of time that are frustrating, and Godin says we need to push through it to get to your goal.

The Secret Language of Business by Kevin Hogan

Kevin Hogan’s The Secret Language of Business is a unique book that examines the nonverbal communication important to business and professional relations. In his book, Hogan expresses the importance of mastering and controlling your own body language in order to get ahead in both life and business. Admittedly a very dull read, the book delves into how to read people and how to present oneself. Often compared to poker, the author takes time describing the importance of taking necessary risks, but not before carefully reading the other players involved and how you are coming across to them. Through non-intimidating language, this book stresses the significance of self-awareness and the examination of others. Manipulating body language and filtering information you pass on to others is helpful in creating a positive, honest image of yourself. Hogan explains in his book how appearances and perceptions are very important elements to consider when it comes to business relationships. He urges the worth of controlling how you are viewed and how you interpret others in personal and professional life. Never lying, taking responsibility for faults and never over-selling yourself are just a few issues Hogan pushes the reader to understand. Although boring to read, I would consider Hogan’s advice useful.