Reviews (32)

Broadcast Media isn't always the best advertising medium.
A very insightful book on advertising.However, I am surprised that Mr. Williams bothered to put it in print since he apparently believes the only way to advertise is through broadcastor intrusive media (radio and television). Intrusive media is just that.That is why consumers often turn the station on their radio and televisions when the programming they are listening to or watching is interupted by advertising.Print advertising is non-intrusive and therefore looked upon by choice by the consumer. An effective advertising campaign can be accomplished by many different mediums and most often with a mix of more than one.

Half Price!What a Deal!
My college marketing professor read from this book often.When I ran across it at a half priced book store it brought back memories of many hours of lecture.For that reason alone, I took it home.Since reading it for myself, I cant help but promote the book.Be forewarned, if you are looking for a detailed plan of action book - this is not it.The book is simply a collection of thought provoking insights and fundamental principles delivered in one or two page blips.They tend to be sarcastic.

Huh! No Secrets Here
I have read many books relating to ads & advertising and found this one to contain no value, no guidance, no tips and NO SECRETS.
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Subjects:  1. Advertising    2. Advertising & Promotion    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business Communication - General    6. Business/Economics    7. Advice on careers & achieving success    8. Business & Economics / Advertising & Promotion    9. Business   

Reviews (15)

Best book on facilitation I've read
This is a wonderful, practical, well-written book, with 60 facilitation secrets that are worth far, far more than the price of the pages. In fact, I learned more from this book than I did from a nationally recognized Advanced Facilitation course for $1700.
Great Book For The Executive Suite
The Secrets of Facilitation is a great book for facilitators, from those about to facilitate their first session to those of us who have been practicing for over 25 years.I counted over 200 Post-Its and notes in my copy.Beyond what we facilitators gain, the "secret" of The Secrets is the value this book will have to those in Executive Suites and serving on Boards.
Facilitating Success
The Secrets of Facilitation delivered success for me at a recent series of conferences. My primary role on the day was to open the conference and engage delegates in thinking about the future and formulating questions, and observations to put to various speakers throughout the day. Thereafter my role was to facilitate the question and answer sessions and generally keep the conference moving along. Getting the opening right was crucial to the success of the day.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business meetings    5. Business/Economics    6. Decision Making & Problem Solving    7. Group facilitation    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Business & Economics / Decision-Making & Problem Solving    10. Business negotiation   

Editorial Review

This fifth edition of Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Book
The book was sent to me in excellent condition and took only a few days to get to me around Labor Day weekend. The price was great too. I recommend this seller to everyone.

One the best guides for business writers
This A-Z reference book can answer lots of specific questions at each step in the writing process. It's on the short list of recommended resources in my book The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing and Communication.

sort of cheating
This book is exactly the same as "Handbook of Technical Writing" by same authors. The only difference is in the cover picture and colors. I think it is not a cool thing to sell the same book with two names without mentioning it. So if you have that one, do not buy this one. They are exactly the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business/Economics    5. Writing Skills   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Psychology    5. Social Psychology    6. Speech    7. Theater - General    8. Communication Studies    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech    10. Media, information & communication industries   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business networks    5. Business/Economics    6. Executive Management    7. Industrial Marketing    8. Management - General    9. Marketing - Industrial    10. Sales & Selling - General    11. Strategic alliances (Business)    12. Business & Economics / Sales & Selling    13. Management & management techniques    14. Sales & marketing   

Reviews (1)

The "ah ha" moments

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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Digital communications    5. Information society    6. Information technology    7. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    8. Social aspects    9. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    10. Communication Studies    11. Sociology, Social Studies   

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Speech    6. Communication Studies    7. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (21)

A way to understand howspreading words works
As social science proffesional involved in the marketing field, I am continually dared -if not demanded- to explore entrepeneurial iniciatives to get on the edge of the competition and reach smarter and demanding customers to seed an idea and make it roll over the world, it is sure that task is not easy, and many of times even good ideas not suceed, why?
Excellent source of knowledge for innovation management
I have been using this book for years in research and teaching at the university level. There are other fine books that concern innovation diffusion and adoption but Roger's book is THE reference. Many of my students in information systems struggling to find a theory to study information systems have "adopted" parts of this book, especially the five factors that determine adoption, e.g., relative advantage, complexity and compatibility. A more tricky area is to categorise potential and actual adopters,e.g., who wants to be a laggard? I also like the discussion on "pro-innovation bias",i.e., that innovation is sometimes seen as a law-like process wich is not always the case. Some big companies' alleged "innovations" are not really needed by the users. This book should be valuable to all that are interested in change processes in social systems.

Excellent book
This is a trully magnificent and wonderfully-written book. It offers a thorough introduction to diffusion research and it is packed with a ton of illustrative applications that make the content seem relevant and not abstract to the reader. A must for anyone interested in diffusion of innovations (either technological or of political nature). Cant praise it enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Business Communication - General    4. Diffusion of innovations    5. History    6. Marketing - General    7. Study and teaching    8. Technology (General)    9. Business & Economics / Marketing / General    10. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (2)

I would rate the book once it is received
Failing this class need the book to define words that are not in other dictionary's book was ordered January 20, 2006......still waiting

NEVER GOT MY BOOK BUT PAID
Yeeeaaahhhh...so here I am in college waiting for this book that I ordered about a month ago, and it hasn't come yet, when my credit card number was taken, and I'm falling behind in this class, and I tried to get a hold of amazon but they won't get back to me. Hmm! Great!!! Gonna send it or what???? I'm getting pretty pissed, thanks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Culture    2. General    3. Intercultural communication    4. Interpersonal relations    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Social change    8. Sociology    9. Speech    10. Communication Studies    11. Cultural studies    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (2)

Just what I wanted
Saved some money and came in plastic shrinkage wrap ...was new too! Thanks

Words to Work By...
This is a terrific resource for business today and I recommend it highly.Some years later, the only piece that I review on a regular basis from my graduate studies are O'Rourkee's notes on LISTENING - and it has certainly paid off. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business/Economics    5. Case studies    6. Communication In Business    7. Communication in management    8. Entrepreneurship    9. Leadership    10. Management    11. Management - General    12. Business & Economics / Business Communication    13. Business communication & presentation   

Reviews (23)

Don't wait more than 30 seconds to buy this book!
This book should be read by everyone!Whether you are a salesperson, a public speaker, or anyone that wants to communicate more effectively, this book will help you do it.Written in a breezy, interesting style, the author gives great suggestions on how to make a presentation effectively.It is a short book, by design.My only regret about this book is that I was unaware of its existence until a month ago.
Agood little book about the art of communication
What sort of person do you really hate to engage in conversation?For me, it's somebody who doesn't know when to stop speaking.
Sometimes 30 Seconds Is An Eternity
The most interesting thing about this book is that the author feels no pressure to legitimize his assertion that there is something special about 30 seconds. Because his background is in the field of television entertainment, (never to be confused with communications), he finds significance in the length of television commercials, which frequently run 30 seconds. That this is done for financial reasons, not attention-span reasons, has evaded him completely. HTGYPAI3SOL is just another in the endless chain of How To books penned by individuals struggling with delusions of expertise, whose only skill is self-promotion, that package the obvious and resell it to the gullible. Readers who find anything in this slim and overpriced tome even remotely surprising or counter-intuitive are advised to probe deeper into the self-help section of the bookstore for volumes on Shoe-Tying For Beginners, The ABCs Of Writing Your Name, and Gravity - It's Not Just A Good Idea, It's The Law. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Communication - General    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. Management - General    6. Phonetics, phonology, prosody (speech)    7. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (20)

Very well written book, a "bible" for internet business owners
This book is for every decision maker of an Internet business that sells products or services online or offline.
Good, but could have been better
What makes a book exciting are the "aha" moments -- seeing things from a different point of view or being introduced to concepts anew.What is exciting in this book is the notion or Persuasion Architecture.It draws upon marketing concepts of segmentation and applies it to website design and, smartly, suggests ways to draw in the reader/prospect/visitor so that they go on a journey that is more likely to result in a positive relationship or successful conversion.The authors also highlight the ways in which marketers and web designers sadly miss (or mess up) the opportunity to ask for the purchase.So, while this is packaged and presented smartly, it unfortunately gets diluted by going off on many pretty fundamental tangetial discussions.It appears as if there was not enough meat to make a book out of the concept of persuasion architecture and so they threw in sophmoric stuff.Thus, it was up to the reader to hold onto the true kernels of interest while the authors took us off-course.Interestingly, I think there is enough meat in the concept of persuasion architecture if they had drilled down deeper into the nuances of building/designingvariant website journeys.Frankly, I think the authors got tired.There were also a lot of grammatical errors in this book.If the brothers weren't so frenzied about getting more and more books to press, perhaps the ones they do write would be closer to perfection.

A Must Read for Any Website Owner
I find that when I really like something I can sum up my thoughts in very few words. On the other hand, when I really hate something I can wax eloquent for days. My review of Call to Action can be summed up in a single word: Wow!
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business/Economics    5. General    6. Internet advertising    7. Internet marketing    8. Business & Economics / E-Commerce / Internet Marketing    9. Business & Management   

Reviews (5)

Just What I Needed...
This book is helping me tremendously at work and in my personal life. I had no idea how weak my language was.I was afraid to say what I thought and ask for what I want. I was always concerned that I would disapoint people out inconvenience them. This book helped me to learn how to communicate effectively while continuing to be a really nice person that gives and gets respect.

Powerful!
I love it!It's immediately practical and useful.I learned how to respond to my critical boss, assertively address a backstabber, and most importantly, convey my anger and disappointment without blamin the other person.That lesson alone was worth way more than the price of the book.What a value!I'm using what I learned in this book every day.

The basics of good communication skills
Although the title might lead you to think this is a book on creating the correct powerful phrases to improve your writing that is not what the book is about.This is a book about oral communication and how to express yourself in a manner that is non-confrontational and yet lets the other person know what you think.Meryl Runion discusses phrases that kill and cause the recipient to lose respect for you and your message as well as positive phrases to express yourself.She devotes a chapter each to various situations where power phrases could be used.Examples of some of those situations include using them to perfect a connection, to say what you think, to say what you feel, to make powerful requests, to refuse what you don't want, to get people to open up, to apologize without groveling, to respond to unkind criticism, to handle angry persons, to express anger, to handle disagreements, and to address issues."How to Use Power Phrases" is a book on verbal communication and responding appropriately to various situations and is a recommended read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Communication - General    3. Business/Economics    4. Communication    5. Communication (Specific Aspects)    6. Interpersonal communication    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Oral Communication In Business    9. Oral communication    10. Personal Growth - Success    11. Business & Economics / Management    12. Business communication & presentation    13. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (2)

odd, fun book
This collection of 1000 signs covers everything from postings you see every day to those that are unique to various locations, such as Australia's kangaroo crossing sign.Chapters are: Animals, Man, Stop, Dog, Transport, Children, Miscellaneous, Danger, Weapons, Toilets, No! and Work.Not much text, printed in English, German and French.Photos are in color.Photographers and locations credited, but no index.This is a goofy but fun book, and interesting to leaf through.

Signposting around the planet.
The title of this intriguing chunky photo book has a word missing, it should have been '1000 ROAD SIGNS'.Actually probably about 940 official highway signs and the rest being privately made but still relating to roads.The three-language text for the twelve chapters (Animals, Man, Stop, Dog, Transport, Children, Miscellaneous, Danger, Weapons, Toilets, No! and Work) is on single pages and mixed into the relevant photo sections. Considering that the subject matter is rather uninspiring, visually this book looks rather good, photos are twelve, six, four or one to a page and there are plenty of spreads with one photo.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Graphic Arts - General    3. Photography    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Subjects & Themes - General    6. Communication Studies    7. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (7)

Great content
Have not completed my review; at first glance, my whole staff should have one

Stark Logic
Although only 14 pages deep into Keith Rosen's,"The Complete Idiot's Guide To Cold Calling", it is clearly evident that the content quality of this work is superb,both in logic and presentation.The intellectual level of the content is particularly striking. Overall, the work is judged ideally compatible with the needs of professionals seeking to succeed in markets where participants are relatively sophisticated,or beyond.

Not Just About Cold Calling But New Prospecting Ideas, Too!
Who hasn't at some point in his or her career sat staring at the phone, paralyzed at the prospect of picking up the receiver and making that dreaded call? For most of us, cold calling is the weakest link in our chain of selling effectiveness. This book puts it all together, step-by-step, and shows you how to turn this greatest of challenges into your own personal secret weapon. Plus other outstanding prospecting ideas that will help bring in even more business. There is very, very good stuff here, on every page. This book should be required reading for every business person everywhere.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business/Economics    5. Home-based Businesses    6. Industries - Retailing    7. Psychological aspects    8. Success in business    9. Telemarketing    10. Telephone selling    11. Business & Economics / Business Communication   

Reviews (12)

Too much good advice
This book contains lots of useful advice. Following all the advice requires a larger commitment to networking than I can make at this point, however, it has honestly changed the way I approach and interact people in social and professional situations. It's worth what I paid for it in the store and even cheaper online.

Good refresher
Many lists of very specific, practical things to do.A good, easy refresher and you'll learn some new tips.

A GREAT NETWORKING RESOURCE
Ms. Darling gives practical techniques for developing a profile for the value of each of one's contacts. She reinforces the concept that networking is not sending junk email, but providing real value to real people in return for the same. I like the fact that she reminds the reader that networking doesn't just happen in business, and that the contacts one makes elsewhere can be part of one's network. Her book is excellent and I was lucky enough to hear her speak once. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Communication - General    3. Business networks    4. Career development    5. Career/Job    6. Careers - General    7. Careers / Job Opportunities    8. Motivational    9. Social networks    10. Advice on careers & achieving success    11. Business & Economics / Business Communication    12. Business & Management   

Reviews (17)

If Sun Tzu were a Marine....
The US Marine Corp's version of Sun Tzu's Art of War.Concise and direct as would be expected from the Marines, yet with depth enough to make the points clear.A wonderful work for explaining how the Marines fight wars and a good resource for a competive advantage in any context.A handy resource for the military or military history enthusiast.A must read for every Marine.Insight for business leaders and more.

Outstanding!
I liked this because it's direct(no psychological excuses for your inadequacy). It's short so there's no wading through opinion and hearsay. It's timeless because it's based on principle. It's applicable like Danforth's "I Dare You"(you have to think:"how does this apply to my life"). It's fully referenced so you can dig deeper.I catch myself going back and rereading it all the time(no you can't borrow mine).

Sun Tzu and Clausewitz distilled for the MTV generation
Great book that takes elements of traditional knowledge about war making (Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, etc) and combines it with the know-how of war as gathered by the United States Marine Corps in the modern era.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Life - General    3. History: American    4. Leadership    5. Military Science    6. Business & Economics / Business Communication    7. Defence strategy, planning & research    8. Naval forces & warfare    9. USA   

Editorial Review

Modern conversation is a lot like nuclear physics, argues William Isaacs. Lots of atoms zoom around, many of which just rush past each other. But others collide, creating friction. Even if our atomic conversations don't turn contentious, they often just serve to establish each participant's place in the cosmos. One guy shares a statistic he's privy to, another shares another fact, and on and on. Each person fires off a tidbit, pauses to reload while someone else talks, then fires off another. In Read more

Reviews (13)

Dialogue - Communications alternative
Isaacs offers alternatives to edicts, confrontations, arguments, debates. He uses anecdotes and metaphors to make his points memorable, often vivid or amusing. He makes how-to-do-it understandable. His most important points are simply stated:
Going to the root of our problems
William Isaacs insightfully introduces the concept of systematic group thinking in this book. He beautifully portrays how our lives at personal or business level can be impacted by breakdown in communication and shows us a practical solution that every reasonable and objective person can follow to improve her life. There are plenty of examples to absorb the complex topics clearly. The book begins with defining dialogue and expands on how to build capacity for new behaviors. Then it leads us into more advanced topics such as predictive intuition and architecture of invisibles. Isaacs describes the idea of container and fields - subtly borrowed from Quantum physics - to define the patterns of collaboration and ways to better position us for each dialogue situation. I found it easy to apply the listening, respecting, suspending, and voicing framework in my day-to-day life. Isaacs has drawn on many sources and great thinkers e.g. Bohm and Kantor throughout the book. The reader will gain an "applied understanding" about some of the major emerging theories and ideas in context of one of the most fundamental dimensions of our life: creativity by resolving our conflicts at home, work, teams and focusing our collective energy on improving our lives lucidly. Great read! I strongly recommend this book and believe in the positive message and energy it sends.

A Dialogical Dissection
Isaacs� book is at once highly readable, pleasant, challenging, thorough, and dense. The author brings together theoretical works from physics, linguistics and psychology to assess modern communication problems and how, through dialogue, those problems can be overcome. He also uses many of his own experiences and case studies to show how dialogic approaches have helped resolve serious differences between groups in the private and public sectors.This book not only offers us the opportunity to reflect on our own mindsets and practices, it also provides useful frameworks and strategies for those compelled to help groups resolve differences. As someone seeking leadership positions in education, this book will always be kept close at hand.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business Life - General    5. Business/Economics    6. Communication    7. Communication In Business    8. Communication in management    9. Leadership    10. Management    11. Management - General    12. Business & Economics / General    13. Business communication & presentation   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business Life - General    5. Business/Economics    6. Commercial correspondence    7. Communication In Business    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Business & Economics / Business Communication    10. Business communication & presentation   

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. General    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Methodology    6. Research    7. Sociology    8. Communication Studies    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication    10. Social research & statistics