Rodger Dean Duncan: Change-friendly Leadership - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Leadership and organizational change expert, founder and CEO of Duncan Worldwide, and author of the visionary and very practical book Change-Friendly Leadership: How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance, Rodger Dean Duncan, Ph.D. describes how change is part of every organization in the 21st century and has become a constant. Rodger Dean Duncan provides the insight that change is no longer simply a management issue but has now become a key leadership attribute, The ability to implement change and engage the people affected by that change is a key element of leadership. Rodger points out that people are not resistant to change, but rather to the stress brought about by the change. As a result, a leader must engage the people and understand their heads, hearts, and hopes. Rodger presents his framework for change through his Four T's strategies. The author also presents his seven steps to successful implementation of change through engagement of the people involved in and affected by that change. Learn how to lead change successfully in any type of organization in any type of industry.

Rodger Dean Duncan is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, November 1, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Leadership and organizational change expert, founder and CEO of Duncan Worldwide, and author of the visionary and very practical book Change-Friendly Leadership: How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance, Rodger Dean Duncan, Ph.D. describes how change is part of every organization in the 21st century and has become a constant. You will learn:

* Why change is now the normal part of any organizational life

* Why change management is now a core leadership attribute

* How to apply the Four T's strategy to change management

* How to use the seven steps to implement change through engaging the people

Rodger Dean Duncan, Ph.D. (photo left) is widely known for his work in leadership and organizational performance. His clients range from cabinet officers in two White House administrations to top executives in more than a dozen industries. He's been a senior executive in two Fortune 500 companies. He earned his PhD at Purdue University, and writes an internet column that reaches opt-in business subscribers in more than 130 countries. Bestselling author Stephen R. Covey calls Duncan's work on leadership 'brilliantly insightful, inspiring; profound, yet user friendly; visionary, yet highly practical.

After an early career as an award-winning journalist and university professor, Dr. Rodger Dean Duncan founded Duncan Worldwide consultancy in 1972. His client roster includes American Airlines, IBM, Consolidated Edison, Sprint, Black & Veatch Engineering, eBay, the Federal Reserve Bank and presidential cabinet officers in two White House administrations.

A highly-sought-after speaker, trainer, and executive coach, Rodger is widely known for his expertise in the strategic management of change – for individuals as well as for organizations.

My book review of Change-Friendly Leadership: How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance by Rodger Dean Duncan.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with leadership and organizational change expert, founder and CEO of Duncan Worldwide, and author of the visionary and very practical book Change-Friendly Leadership: How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance, Rodger Dean Duncan, Ph.D.. as he describes how change is part of every organization in the 21st century and has become a constant. Rodger Dean Duncan provides the insight that change is no longer simply a management issue but has now become a key leadership attribute, The ability to implement change and engage the people affected by that change is a key element of leadership. Rodger points out that people are not resistant to change, but rather to the stress brought about by the change. As a result, a leader must engage the people and understand their heads, hearts, and hopes. Rodger presents his framework for change through his Four T's strategies. The author also presents his seven steps to successful implementation of change through engagement of the people involved in and affected by that change. Learn how to lead change successfully in any type of organization in any type of industry on Blog Business Success Radio.

Change-friendly Leadership by Rodger Dean Duncan - Book review

Change-Friendly Leadership

How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance

By: Rodger Dean Duncan, Ph.D.

Published: September 18, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0985213507
ISBN-10: 0985213507
Publisher; Maxwell Stone Publishing












"Change really is a big deal. Work hard to accommodate people's feelings - their heads, hearts, and hopes - and your change effort can be one of the success stories", writes leadership and organizational change expert, and founder and CEO of Duncan Worldwide, Rodger Dean Duncan, Ph.D., in his visionary and wisdom filled book Change-Friendly Leadership: How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance. The author describes how change is an integral component of the modern world, and provides his people focused approach to transforming change from a time of stress to one of organizational engagement and competitive advantage.

Rodger Dean Duncan recognizes that change is not only inevitable for any organization, but also that constant change is the new normal for all of society. The author provides evidence that change management has moved far beyond just one more management skill. Instead, the author places the ability to manage change successfully in the ranks of crucial leadership abilities. Rodger Dean Duncan shares the concept, that engaging the feelings of the people in the organization, is the essential part of the change process.

Regardless of the organization or its industry, the idea of change is stressful. The author offers the important insight that the stress of he change is what creates the resistance to change; and not the actual change itself. To engage the people who feel this stress, Rodger Dean Duncan presents a process that focuses on the real human dynamics involved in the change.

Rodger Dean Duncan (photo left) understands that the human element of change is central to the change success. The author also recognizes that those very real feelings and emotions are all too often not taken into account by the leaders of the change. To help facilitate change through engagement of the people involved, and for considering their their hopes and fears, the author presents his Four T's strategy for change:

* Think-friendly: Being curious, asking questions, challenging assumptions
* Talk-friendly: Opening dialogue and really listening to others
* Trust-friendly: Earning trust and extending trust to others
* Team-friendly: Establishing genuine collaboration

With this overall framework in place, Rodger Dean Duncan shares his seven steps for change-friendly leadership. Those seven steps are as follow:

* Validate the journey: Make a sold case for change
* Scan for speed bumps: Understanding and handling resistance
* Chart the course: Earn everyone's commitment
* Build a coalition: Bond people together for synergy
* Ford the streams: Understanding emotions and the company culture
* Stay on message: Provide open and honest communication
* Mind the gap: Keep on course so the goal becomes reality

For me, the power of the book is how Rodger Dean Duncan combines a strong theoretical framework for understanding the human dynamics of change, with the practical strategies and techniques for facilitating successful change. The author establishes the crucial leadership attribute of understanding and facilitating successful organizational change management. Rodger Dean Duncan moves beyond the standard position that change is a management issue, and places change firmly in the realm of leadership.

Rodger Dean Duncan takes a visionary viewpoint that change is already, and will continue to be a key element of business, the economy, and of society as a whole. As a result, the book employs a holistic approach to engaging people and the entire organization in the change process. To further illustrate the various principles in action, in real world settings, the author also includes a series of important case studies.

I highly recommend the essential and important book Change-Friendly Leadership: How to Transform Good Intentions into Great Performance by Rodger Dean Duncan, to any leaders in any organizations, regardless of industry or economic sector, seeking a clear and people oriented approach to managing the inevitable and now ubiquitous change. This book will change how you think about change as a whole, the role of leadership, and of the people who are affected by that change.

Happy Halloween

Have a safe and fun filled Halloween everyone.

If I Knew Then, What I Know Now! by Cynthia Hammond-Davis - Book review

If I Knew Then, What I Know Now!

College and Financial Aid Planning From A Parent's Perspective

By: Cynthia Hammond-Davis

Published: November 28. 2011
Format: Paperback, 84 pages
ISBN-10: 1936513285
ISBN-13: 978-1936513284
Publisher: PENDIUM









"I am writing this book because just like you, I have experienced overwhelming anxiety, stress, and sleepless nights with concerns of college planning, thinking about where my children might attend college, and wondering how we would be able to pay for it", writes radio talk show host, motivational speaker, and founder and Executive Director of The Light of the City, Inc., Cynthia Hammond-Davis in her clear and concise book If I Knew Then, What I Know Now! College and Financial Aid Planning From A Parent's Perspective. The author describes her struggle as a mother to find ways to cover all aspects of her family's quest for a college education, and shares her experiences in obtaining funding, educational planning, and how to navigate the college financial maze.

Cynthia Hammond-Davis understands first hand the challenges that parents of college aged children face in searching for the right college, and obtaining the funding to pay for it. The author shares her resourceful strategies and techniques, learned through trial and error, for finding grants and scholarships to fund her children's college education. Cynthia provides real world proven advice for both parents and students to ease the school planning and selection process; as well as finding success in receiving non-repayable financial aid. The author stresses a teamwork approach to finding solutions, and achieving success at getting into the school best suited to the student, and paying for it as painlessly as possible.

Cynthia Hammond-Davis (photo left) recognizes the critical importance of beginning the college selection and funding process early in the child's life. The author presents advice on the value of maintaining good grades and for achieving high scores on tests including the SAT and ACT. Cynthia Hammond-Davis also points out how a strong list of extra-curricular activities helps the student in both the admissions and financial aid processes.

Cynthia Hammond-Davis covers all of the crucial areas of the educational journey from grade school through high school and on to post-secondary education. The topics covered in the book include the following:

* Teamwork is the key
* Find your gifts/talents and abilities/strengths
* The importance of good grades and SAT?ACT scores
* Extra-curricular activities and community service
* Student athletes - NCAA collegiate sports
* Finding the right college
* Get to know your child's counselor now
* Scholarships
* FAFSA - Free application for financial aid
* How to find the best college for your buck
* Counting up the cost
* Professional judgment and appeal letters

For me, the power of the book is how Cynthia Hammond-Davis provides a comprehensive overview of the entire selection and funding process succinctly and with clarity of vision. The author personalizes her own family's journey to choose the right school, and to obtain grants and scholarships to offset the high cost of education. The story of that quest provides a backdrop to the more technical details of the book, and provides a context for the often bewildering array of acronyms.

Cynthia Hammond-Davis eases the jargon burden by presenting detailed explanations of what the initials and departments mean. The plain language approach extends into the financial areas of the book where the numbers are shown with real world meaning for parents and students. The author also provides a list of additional resources to guide families toward additional funding agencies, college preparation courses, and information about the myriad of possible colleges and their programs.

I highly recommend the handy and information packed book If I Knew Then, What I Know Now! College and Financial Aid Planning From A Parent's Perspective by Cynthia Hammond-Davis, to any parents, students, educators, and counselors who are seeking clear and readily applicable information preparing for college, selecting the right school, being admitted, and finding the funds to pay for that educational opportunity. This book is an indispensable guide for families who are planning a college education for their children.

The Book of Business Awesome/UnAwesome

I personally found powerful value in Scott’s first book Unmarketing, I’ve recommended it to over 1000 peers, I was really worried about his sophomore effort. But it's not called "the book of business awesome" for nothing. The other side is titled, "the book of business unawesome" - one a collection of things done right, the other a warning for those who choose to ignore this medium and message.

People who love their customers, who work for themselves, who care about better business – love this book.

His chapter on the "third circle of influence" is the best one pager on the revenue of reach - an instant addition to my arsenal on why business professionals need to join this wired tribe, NOW.

I love that he constantly tackles the inner fears of marketing and business types "people are going to challenge and attack our product!". Scott shares how brand leaders instantly flip bad reviews and solve customer problems - and in some cases get out in front of them like the new multimillion dollar McDonald's campaign.

In the world of client/donor service I continually argue with peers whose programs are focused on exhausting acquisition when the numbers show time and time again it is loyal customers/donors who hold the most revenue potential. It is time to serve and engage them in this medium and stay out front ahead of those who would steal them away from you.

Refocus: Companies/Charities aren't awesome, people are. Business IS personal, we often say "it's about relationships" - well if that is correct then it’s the humanization of brands and us as professionals that are going to build and strengthen these relationships. He’s helped me, let him help you.

Scott tells a couple stories of revenue business that started with one tweet, but he reminds the sceptic "you don't build a house with a hammer, twitter is just a tool you use in collaboration with your existing networks. If you sucked without social, it will only amplify how much you suck". He shares what the ROI will look like and that’s what we need more of instead of just the "how to”.

Scott's 30 tips for speakers is a rant from the cheap seats that will have any avid conference attendee throwing their lanyard in the air screaming "amen brother!!". It could honestly be published as a mini-book and given to speakers when they are confirmed to speak.

Like many business professionals I am sick of "wow, they went viral" stories. We never hear how they built their platform, how long did it take to get viral, what is the revenue and what does life after viral look like? Did the business scale up to succeed or was it just a big blip? Scott dedicates an entire chapter to the gritty details of this, it could be the first time I've seen this done so thoroughly, another big gift to the skeptic of social media strategy.

Moving to the UnAwesome side.... Scott dedicated this to the naysayers, negatives, sceptics - you will see someone in your work peers in this list. The head of marketing or finance who says "my kids spend all night on the twitter and bookface, I don't pay staff to spend all day playing farmville."

The best part of the unawesome side is that it speaks to the busy and overworked, it helps them understand the roots of trends instead of ridiculing them for not understanding. Social media isn't just tied to the web, it's about the future of mobile web. By 2014 the Internet will be used by more mobile devices than desktop computers. Google already reports that 61 % of users won't return to a site they couldn't access quickly, is your site mobile and tablet ready?!

Finally someone challenges the overhyped power of the Facebook like. Finally some really smacks down the droning pathetic "show me the ROI of social media" with the real understanding of an HR, marketing professional and business owner (Scott has been all three). Funny enough though, his book, all these detailed case studies, the actual strategy and comfort talking numbers results in Scott once again writing the best business case for social media integration I've seen to date.

Two for two Mr. Stratten.

A special thanks and shout out to the Toronto Star Small Business Club for hosting a private session where I got to hear and meet Scott!

I leave you with a couple of great video’s from Scott on ROI and better Social Business, Paul

Chris Ruisi: Step Up and Play Big - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, "The Coach", and author of the motivational and very concise book Step Up And Play Big: Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps, Chris Ruisi, describes simple and effective strategies for becoming exceptional in every area of your life. Chris Ruisi shares his eight simple principles for overcoming mediocrity and achieving excellence. Chris presents a process for creating a personal vision, discovering yourself, understanding leadership, and transforming your life. Chris offers his proven approach to not only developing a vision, but for taking action to make that vision a reality. Chris provides the concepts and the exercises to move forward in a logical and effective way that goes beyond platitudes but contains actionable techniques that anyone can learn. Chris Ruisi shows you that achieving excellence need not be difficult, but simply requires that you do something to leave your comfort zone. Chris Ruisi demonstrates that anyone can step up and play big; achieving more than they ever thought possible.

Chris Ruisi is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, October 30, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, "The Coach", and author of the motivational and very concise book Step Up And Play Big: Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps, Chris Ruisi, describes simple and effective strategies for becoming exceptional in every area of your life. You will learn:

* Why achieving excellence just means taking action

* How to apply eight simple practices to achieve success

* How to learn the exercises to move out of your comfort zone

* Why stretching out of mediocrity leads to ever greater sucess

Chris Ruisi (photo left) is a nationally recognized executive coach and leadership expert, professional speaker, and author who challenges business leaders to step up and play big. Drawing on his 35+ years as a senior level executive on the corporate front lines, Chris helps his clients to discover how to find and use the full measure of their capabilities.

Chris draws upon his real life experience as the former President and COO of USLIFE Corporation and as a member of the office of the Chairman and the Board of Directors, where he also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Using this wealth of knowledge, he helps his clients to develop the practical skills and solutions necessary to navigate the risks and demands of the current economic climate. He has offered advice and guidance to CEO’s; other C Level executives; entrepreneurs and the several Boards of Directors on which he has served.

His method incorporates his own proven expertise on how real organizations and decision- making work in order to help others build real time solutions. Through enlightening, positive and interactive sessions, Chris works with his clients to cultivate their vision, set goals, prioritize their strategies and then execute a targeted solutions-based plan.

A review of the depth and scope of Chris’ assignments reveals that the one overriding goal of all of them was to position the company for further growth through the performance of its employees. These assignments included mergers and acquisitions, shareholder relations, executive compensation, work flow improvements, the identification of redundancies though functional restructuring and senior key management succession and development programs.

Chris combines his detailed insights into the areas of leadership, management, effective team building and motivation with real life anecdotes to create humorous, inspiring, informative and entertaining speaking programs.

Throughout his corporate career, Chris has received acclaim as a decisive, respected and effective leader, among both superiors and colleagues alike. Chris has been recognized for his abilities as a rational problem-solver who is able to keep cool, and promote a calm sense of solution-finding among others, through the challenges faced by a major public company in the financial sector. He has also been acknowledged as the kind of leader who has the unique ability to drive individuals to top performance levels.

One of his readers offered this quintessential description of Chris Ruisi: “Here’s a guy who has made good decisions and bad ones and knows the difference. He consistently offers common sense wisdom and gives great advice, especially for those in a marketplace embroiled in chaos.”

My book review of Step Up And Play Big: Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps by Chris Ruisi.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with nationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, "The Coach", and author of the motivational and very concise book Step Up And Play Big: Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps, Chris Ruisi, describes simple and effective strategies for becoming exceptional in every area of your life. Chris Ruisi shares his eight simple principles for overcoming mediocrity and achieving excellence. Chris presents a process for creating a personal vision, discovering yourself, understanding leadership, and transforming your life. Chris offers his proven approach to not only developing a vision, but for taking action to make that vision a reality. Chris provides the concepts and the exercises to move forward in a logical and effective way that goes beyond platitudes but contains actionable techniques that anyone can learn. Chris Ruisi shows you that achieving excellence need not be difficult, but simply requires that you do something to leave your comfort zone. Chris Ruisi demonstrates that anyone can step up and play big; achieving more than they ever thought possible on Blog Business Success Radio.

Step Up and Play Big by Chris Ruisi - Book review

Step Up And Play Big

Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps

By: Chris Ruisi

Published: June 26, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 158 pages
ISBN-10: 1599323168
ISBN-13: 978-1599323169
Publisher: Advantage Media Group














"My personal belief is some people spend way too much time thinking and considering versus acting to make something happen", writes speaker and nationally recognized leadership expert Chris Ruisi, in his motivational and very concise book Step Up And Play Big: Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps. The author describes how it doesn't take a huge effort to step up and play big, and shares his simple and proven strategies for being exceptional in all areas of your life.

Chris Ruisi recognizes that for many people, the easiest path is to sit in the safety of the middle, and not move beyond that comfort zone. To overcome the inertia of mediocrity, the author presents a simple, and readily understood system for achieving success. Chris Ruisi shares eight steps, that anyone can take, toward breaking free of the ordinary, and for entering into the realm of the extraordinary.

For the author, the steps from that area of comfort are what he calls the stretch point. As the person stretches and moves forward, their bar for achievement is raised, and raised again, with each additional stretching exercise. Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, Chris Ruisi recasts them as opportunities for people to display their inborn greatness.

Chris Ruisi (photo left) understands that even with a simple system for stepping up and playing big, the individual must still take the initiative to move forward. The author points out that the process only works if the person works the process. To help guide the reader toward stepping up and playing big, Chris Ruisi presents each of his eight principles as simply and as engagingly as possible.

With the concepts made accessible and doable for anyone, the author provides the individual with every opportunity possible for the achievement of success and personal growth. the eight pillars of stepping up and playing big are as follows:

* To step up and play big, start with a vision
* To step up and play big you need to find your full capabilities
* To step up and play big, you have to fight distractions
* To step up and play big requires knowing what leadership is and isn't
* To step up and play big means you know how to use leadership
* To step up and play big requires new or better habits
* To step up and play big means handling the tough stuff
* To step up and play big, you must stay focused to make the right decisions

For me, the power of the book is how Chris Ruisi combines his philosophy of stepping up and playing big with the simple and readily applicable steps to make it a reality. The author provides a complete process for becoming the exceptional person that anyone can be, through a proven set of principles. Unlike many programs that require learning very difficult exercises that discourage the person, this book presents a very simple series of concepts and activities. The exercises are readily understood and can be readily applied at any time.

The key, as always, is to actually do the activities. Chris Ruisi uses sports examples to motivate the individual to achieve their own excellence. Chris Ruisi is refreshing as an author, as he gets right down to business, and shares his points immediately. This directness and straight forward approach gives the reader the incentive to get going with the process, and stepping up and playing big, right away.

I highly recommend the straight talking and readily accessible book Step Up And Play Big: Unlock Your Potential to Be Exceptional in 8 Simple Steps by Chris Ruisi, to anyone seeking a simple, realistic, and proven approach to breaking away from mediocrity and achieving excellence in all aspects of their lives. This book will get you going, and moving forward to achieving the success you deserve.

The Next Convergence by Michael Spence - Book review

The Next Convergence

The Future of Economic Growth in a Multispeed World

By Michael Spence

Published: August 7, 2012
Format: Paperback, 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1250007704
ISBN-13: 978-1250007704
Publisher: Picador














"This book is about the 100-plus years that began in 1945 and will run to the middle of the twenty-first century. Since we are slightly over halfway along, we can think of it as a midterm report. It is about two parallel and interacting revolutions: the continuation of the Industrial Revolution in the advanced countries, and the sudden and dramatic spreading pattern of growth in the developing world", writes Professor of Economics at the Stern School of Business at New York University, and winner of the Nobel 2001 Prize in Economic Sciences, Michael Spence, in his brilliant and landmark book The Next Convergence: The Future of Economic Growth in a Multispeed World. The author describes how this century of rapid growth has created a fresh interrelationship between the developed and developing worlds, and the effect of this massive trend on the five billion people who live in the developing countries.

Michael Spence recognizes that while the huge asymmetries between the developing world and the developed world remain, their disparity is decreasing over time. The author refers to this narrowing of the gap as convergence, and this increasing interdependence bring with it fresh challenges for the entire global population. These new realities will require fresh perspectives, understanding, and solutions.

Michael Spence points out that we in the developed world will have to view these emerging challenges through the eyes of the people in the developing world. They in turn will have to see the issues through our eyes as well as their own. With the emerging nations rebounding faster from the 2008 global economic crisis faster than the advanced economies, these new economic centers are rapidly becoming the world's engines of economic growth.

Michael Spence (photo left) understands the increasing importance of the emerging countries to the overall global economy. The author points out that this rapid rise in production and consumer demand from the developing world is one of the untold stories of globalization. These new economies are critical to global demand for products and services, and are part of the forces for worldwide economic stability.

The author traces the history and future of globalization over one hundred years. Included in that historical examination is what happening in the previous fifty years, followed by some ideas of how the next fifty years may unfold in the world economy. The author divides the book into four overarching sections:

* The global economy and the developing countries
* Sustained high growth in the developing world
* The crisis and its afermath
* The future of growth

For me, the power of the book is how Michael Spence applies his economic analysis to the overall global economy, by tracing where it has been, and what the future may hold. the author presents his historical analysis in a clear and concise manner. His forecasts for the future are based on the existing data, including questioning whether current high rates of growth in the BRIC nations are sustainable, and how the developed world will respond to the increasing economic influence of the emerging markets.

Michael Spence examines the potential for more instability, and also the drives that work toward stabilization of the world economy. The book is very balanced in its approach, is free of extreme ideological viewpoints. Instead, Michael Spence offers a realistic consideration of the challenges and opportunities facing both the developed world and the emerging countries.

I highly recommend the important and well researched book The Next Convergence: The Future of Economic Growth in a Multispeed World by Michael Spence, to any business leaders, elected officials, public policy makers, academics, students, and anyone interested in the past, present, and future of the global economy. This landmark book will change the way you think about globalization and its possible future.

The Digital Dollar by Joe Wozny - Book review

The Digital Dollar

Sustainable Strategies for Online Success

By: Joe Wozny

Published: October 2012
Format: Paperback, 213 pages
ISBN-10: 0978097467
ISBN-13: 978-0978097462
Publisher: FairWinds Press











"This book is meant to serve all knowledge levels and to speak to all audiences who want to have a better understanding of which online activities they should in", writes online media thought leader, strategist, and CEO of Concentric, Joe Wozny, in his very practical and information packed book The Digital Dollar: Sustainable Strategies for Online Success. The author describes what he calls the digitalroadmap Strategy Process to develop and implement a successful and measurable online business strategy.

Joe Wozny understands that is essential to ask the right questions about your online business strategy to ensure that you receive the best answers. The author presents a strategic approach to online business, and shares the tips and techniques needed to execute that strategy. Joe Wozny employs a road map based method for navigating the online business world, and guides the online entrepreneur toward the route to achieving the goals best suited to their industry and individual business. Joe Wozny recommends taking action toward building an online business, learning the often complex and confusing array of tools and devices by using them, and learning and measuring the results in real time.

Joe Wozny (photo left) recognizes that not only do entrepreneurs have different business goals, and are part of different industries, but they also possess different levels of online experience. The author also considers the different ways that his readers will read and apply the information provided in the book. To best provide the necessary information, in the form best absorbed by the reader, Joe Wozney offers three different study methods:

* Reading based on building and maintaining engagement
* Reading by industry type or organizational goals
* For those new to the internet and/or social media

With the different reading and learning styles considered, Joe Wozney shares hands on and actionable strategies and techniques as follows:

* Who are you: What's in a name on the internet
* The King of the road: Content
* No-cost and low-cost marketing options: Maximizing your efforts
* No-cost and low cost marketing options: Linking, directories, and portals
* No-cost and low cost marketing options: Low-hanging content & communication
* Can you find me? Search
* The big buzz: Social media marketing and communications
* Not to be overlooked: Digital advertising outside of paid search
* Website evolution
* Mapping your route to digital success: Digitalroadmaps
* Finding a starting point

For me, the power of the book is how Joe Wozny combines an overall strategic approach to digital entrepreneurship with the practical techniques to put those strategies into action. The entire book follows the action oriented approach and offers a complete how to guide for establishing an online business in any industry. Joe Wozny realizes that different readers will have varying degrees of internet and social media knowledge and existing skills.

The author also understands that readers will address their needs in different ways and at various stages of the business development. The book is arranged to accommodate that range of learning styles and desire to get right down to business. Joe Wozny also arranges the book into clusters that enable a business person to focus on the areas that most affect their online venture, and to address any areas where knowledge and skills may be lacking.

I highly recommend the very comprehensive and results oriented book The Digital Dollar: Sustainable Strategies for Online Success by Joe Wozny, to any current and potential internet entrepreneurs who are seeking a clear and concise guide to planning and implementing a digital company. This book, with its various custom approaches, will appeal to anyone regardless of their current level of internet knowledge and abilities.

Triple Crown Leadership by Bob Vanourek & Bob Vanourek - Book review

Triple Crown Leadership

Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations

By: Bob Vanourek, Gregg Vanourek

Published: June 19, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
ISBN-10: 0071791507
ISBN-13: 978-0071791502
Publisher: McGraw Hill












"The central message of this book is that leaders should commit to the overriding aim of building excellent, ethical, and enduring organizations", write retired major corporation CEO Bob Vanourek; and educator at the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship and the Royal Institute of Technology, Gregg Vanourek, in their leadership and organization transforming book Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations. The authors describe a fresh approach to leadership and corporate actions based on the principles of excellence, ethics, and endurance that boost performance, engagement, and impact.

Bob Vanourek (photo left) and Gregg Vanourek recognize that that the recent corporate scandals, debacles, and global financial crisis had their roots in a failed leadership model. The authors see history as repeating itself, as the lessons have only been partially learned by the current leadership teams. The authors remain confident that dramatic changes in that failed leadership business model will take place very soon.

In anticipation of the realization in the corporate boardrooms that a new leadership model is essential to the very survival of their organizations, the authors examine the form of that new leadership paradigm. Through the three principles of excellence, ethics, and endurance, which the authors call triple crown leadership, leadership will be transformed propelling their companies forward to new heights.

Gregg Vanourek (photo left) and Bob Vanourek understand that poor leadership, dysfunctional company cultures, a lack of ethic or sustainability, and continual scandals not only destroy the organization but the lives of people as well. The authors have seen great leadership in action as well, and attest to its energizing and life changing power. The authors have the expressed purpose of transforming leadership from the outmoded style to a new and vibrant model based on their three pillars.

The authors utilize horse racing metaphor as the basis for describing and establishing their life and organization changing leadership model. They present the process, in the book, as follows:

* The Triple Crown quest: Excellent, ethical, and enduring
* Head and heart: New approaches to people and their development
* The colors: Leaders employ the purpose, values, and mission
* Steel and velvet: Judgement of when to use hard or soft leadership edges
* Stewards: Empowered teams and group performance
* Alignment: Aligning the organization to the Triple Crown quest
* Breakdowns: Why some organizations fail in the quest
* Turnarounds: Using the quest pillars to rebuild a company
* Startups: Adjustments needed for these unique challenges
* Social impact: Impact on all stakeholders, communities, and the world
* Snapshots: How to assess progress

For me, the power of the book is how Bob Vanourek and Gregg Vanourek combine their theoretical framework for a new leadership model with the strategies and techniques for establishing the fresh leadership principles. The authors present a comprehensive blueprint, based on their three crucial pillars of leadership, to rebuild and strengthen any organization. The rich insight offered by the authors, that the standard leadership model has led to failure, scandal, and disaster, gives the book resonance with readers who value ethics, excellence, and endurance.

Another insight shared in the book is how the new Triple Crown leadership model is more effective in every way, creating greater performance levels, more engaged employees, and a stronger bottom line. The authors bolster their case with in depth interviews with other business leaders who share their thoughts on the demise of the older paradigm, and the benefits of the Triple Crown quest.

I highly recommend the idea filled and engaging book Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations by Bob Vanourek and Gregg Vanourek, to any organizational leaders, at any level, who are seeking a fresh and effective model of leadership to replace the proven failed existing model. This book will give heart to those who are convinced that ethics and values have a central place in the overall and sustainable success of any organization.

You and Your Partner, Inc. by Miriam Hawley & Jeffrey McIntyre - Book review

You & Your Partner, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Couples Succeeding in Business, Life and Love

By: Miriam Hawley, Jeffrey McIntyre

Published: August 21, 2012
Format: Paperback, 184 pages
ISBN-10: 0615648975
ISBN-13: 978-0615648972
Publisher: Enlignment, Incorporated












"Over the course of our 30-year marriage, which included various careers for each of us, we were always in search of a more harmonious life, so we joined forces and started a business together", write CEO of Enignment®, Inc., Mariam Hawley; and President of Elignment®, Inc., Jeffrey McIntyre, in their enlightening and very insight filled book You & Your Partner, Inc.: Entrepreneurial Couples Succeeding in Business, Life and Love. The authors describe complexities and challenges for married couples in operating a successful business partnership, and share their real world proven techniques for achieving harmony in both the company and the marriage.

Miriam Hawley and Jeffrey McIntyre understand the desire for couples to start a business venture together. The authors took the entrepreneurial plunge, and achieved success and fulfillment in growing their dreams together. The authors also recognize that the married couples entering into their own businesses are very diverse in their ages, backgrounds, and business objectives. The authors point out that each couple faced many challenges and obstacles to overcome on their business and life journeys. The book provides a series of in depth interview with almost fifty couples who combined business with marriage, and found happiness and success both aspects of their lives.

Miriam Hawley and Jeffrey McIntyre (both in photo left) recognize that there are many reasons why couples want to start a business of their own. In each case, the couples shared a special vision of their company as an extension of their life partnership, as well as a going business concern. The authors define four main motivators for starting a couple oriented business. Those four motivators are as follows:

* The practical partnership
* The tradition behind your partnership
* The vision for your partnership
* The mission for your partnerships

The authors provide comprehensive interviews with almost fifty entrepreneurial couples who touch upon the following challenges and opportunities in creating their own successful businesses. The chapters and interviews include the following:

* Copreneurship: An exciting and productive model for the 21st century
* Defining the structure and objectives of your professional partnership
* Each partner contributes: A look at roles and boundaries
* Successfully incorporating your children and extended family
* Positive communication: Free to be fully self-expressed
* Work-life integration: Making time for self-care, play and more
* Soul support: Encouraging each other's talents and growth
* The joys and challenges of growing your business together

For me, the power of the book is how Mariam Hawley provide a complete examination of spousal business partnerships through a series of real world interviews. The authors share their own experiences, and provide their ideas for successful copreneurship. At the same time, they describe openly the challenges that couples face as they operate their own companies. The book is divided into a series of chapters that cover the various aspects of business partnerships. Each chapter includes a series of takeaways for readers to incorporate those concepts into their own businesses.

The key to each chapter are the in depth interviews with several couples who faced and not only overcame the obstacles, but transformed them into real positives for the company and their marriages. an added feature of the book is the list of resources, included as an appendix, for additional research into building a successful business; and for discovering even more information about the couples interviewed in the text.

I highly recommend the very hands on and personal experience based book You & Your Partner, Inc.: Entrepreneurial Couples Succeeding in Business, Life and Love by Miriam Hawley and Jeffrey McIntyre, to any married couples seeking to start, purchase, or expand a business successfully. This book will guide you and your life partner toward achieving your business goals while enriching and strengthening your life together.

Sybil Stershic: Share Of Mind, Share Of Heart - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Founder and CEO of Quality Service Marketing and author of the concise and very hands on book Share of Mind, Share of Heart: Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits, Sybil Stershic describes the key marketing tools for building engagement in non-profit organizations. Sybil Stershic provides the strategies and techniques for strengthening the organizational mission through enhanced marketing, brand enhancement, and personal engagement. Sybil shares ideas for improving the non-profit customer experience, and for engaging staff and volunteers to improve the organizational image and brand. Sybil offers advice for engaging and aligning actions with the organizational mission and for getting all stakeholders on the same page. Learn how to build relationships between staff and volunteers to ensure that the non-profit becomes a point of connection and engagement for all.

Sybil Stershic is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, October 25, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Founder and CEO of Quality Service Marketingand author of the concise and very hands on book Share of Mind, Share of Heart: Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits, Sybil Stershic describes the key marketing tools for building engagement in non-profit organizations. You will learn:

* Why marketing and branding are important for non-profit organizations

* How to market effectively to all non-profit audiences

* How to engage staff and volunteers to implement the mission

* How to create and execute an effective non-profit marketing plan

Sybil Stershic is a respected thought leader on engaging employees through internal marketing, Sybil Stershic is the author of Taking Care of the People Who Matter Most: A Guide to Employee-Customer Care (WME Books 2007). She shares her expertise on her Quality Service Marketing blog, where she also interviews other experts and provides insight into the best ways to gain share of mind, share of heart.

Sybil is an accomplished speaker and business professional who helps service providers strengthen employee-customer relationships. She founded Quality Service Marketing in 1988, specializing in internal marketing and mission-focused/customer-focused staff development. She also teaches marketing fundamentals and conducts workshops nationwide for nonprofit and corporate managers.

In addition to her professional work, Sybil has been active as a volunteer leader in local and national nonprofit organizations, including serving as Chairman of the American Marketing Association.

My book review of Share of Mind, Share of Heart: Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits by Sybil F. Stershic.

My book review of Taking Care of the People Who Matter Most: A Guide to Employee-Customer Care by Sybil F. Stershic.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with Founder and CEO of Quality Service Marketingand author of the concise and very hands on book Share of Mind, Share of Heart: Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits, Sybil Stershic, as she describes the key marketing tools for building engagement in non-profit organizations. Sybil Stershic provides the strategies and techniques for strengthening the organizational mission through enhanced marketing, brand enhancement, and personal engagement. Sybil shares ideas for improving the non-profit customer experience, and for engaging staff and volunteers to improve the organizational image and brand. Sybil offers advice for engaging and aligning actions with the organizational mission and for getting all stakeholders on the same page. Learn how to build relationships between staff and volunteers to ensure that the non-profit becomes a point of connection and engagement for all
on Blog Business Success Radio.

Share of Mind, Share of Heart by Sybil Stershic - Book review

Share of Mind, Share of Heart

Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits

By: Sybil F. Stershic

Published: July 16, 2012
Format Perfect Paperback, 142 pages
ISBN-10: 1934229342
ISBN-13: 978-1934229347
Publisher: WME Books












"Marketing can help you stand out in a crowded market and obtain the resources and attention you need to carry out your mission", writes Founder and CEO of Quality Service Marketing, Sybil Stershic, in her concise and very hands on book Share of Mind, Share of Heart: Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits. The author describes the characteristics of marketing for non-profit organizations, and provides proven tools and techniques for engaging everyone affected by the organizational brand.

Sybil Stershic understands that marketing is essential for reaching and engaging the many and varied stakeholders who are crucial to the success of any not for profit organization. The author also presents the important concept of branding within the context of a non-profit environment, and shares the principles of marketing for developing and enhancing that brand promise.

Sybil Stershic provides a guide to discovering the service value of the non-profit brand, and how to present that difference to the customers, volunteers, and staff members. At the same time, the not for profit brand must have a consistency of message that demonstrates and delivers on the promise of service. The author offers a comprehensive blueprint for establishing an engaging marketing plan for the non-profit, and for implementing that plan effectively to all critical audiences.

Sybil Stershic (photo left) recognizes that a non-profit organization must have a mission, take care of the people who implement that mission, and maintain the level of engagement that keeps the mission fresh and alive. That concept strikes to the core of the message of sharing the mind and the heart. The author presents marketing and branding advice that serve that mission and engagement.

Sybil Stershic provides a complete road map for living the organization's mission, engaging the people involved, and for maintaining the freshness of that core message. The sections in the book that share this cause are as follows:

* Understanding non-profit marketing and your brand
* Why non-profit marketing needs to be different but the same
* Taking care of the people who most impact the brand
* Introduction to internal marketing tools of engagement
* Connecting to the organization
* Connecting to the customers
* Connecting to other employees and volunteers
* Keeping people engaged
* Making it happen: Your internal marketing plan

For me, the power of the book is how Sybil Stershic combines the theoretical framework for marketing a non-profit organization and its brands, with the practical strategies and techniques for executing the organizational mission. The author shares real world tested methods for achieving the goals of the organization through effective marketing, brand recognition, and engagement of the people involved in that mission.

Sybil Stershic provides a very user oriented guide in the form of part information and part workbook. This dual format offers the reader an opportunity to plan and think strategy and techniques along with the author. The book also contains numerous case studies, of the principles in action, in real world non-profit settings. This illustrative approach provides depth and background to enrich the understanding of the concepts.

I highly recommend the very practical and indispensable book Share of Mind, Share of Heart: Marketing Tools of Engagement for Nonprofits by Sybil Stershic, to any non-profit executives, managers, board members, volunteers, funding agencies, or end users of the services who are seeking a clear and compact guide to non-profit marketing, brand management, and engagement. This book will transform any non-profit organization from the ordinary to the outstanding in achieving its mission and goals.

Darlene Price: Well Said! Presentations & Conversations - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio

Communications trainer, coach, President and Founder of Well Said, Inc., and author of the practical technique packed and results oriented book Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results, Darlene Price, describes the importance of effective communication skills for presentations and conversations of all types. Darlene Price provides evidence that communication skills are the most sought after ability in the corporate world, and that superior communicators are more likely to be promoted than their counterparts. Darlene Price shares tips for all types of communications, ranging from public speaking and audience presentations, to meetings, email, and person to person conversations. Darlene offers ideas for overcoming public speaking fears, and for creating speech content that is compelling and engages the audience. Learn how to improve your existing communication skills to achieve even greater success in any field, profession, or industry.

Darlene Price is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, October 23, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Communications trainer, coach, President and Founder of Well Said, Inc., and author of the practical technique packed and results oriented book Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results, Darlene Price, describes the importance of effective communication skills for presentations and conversations of all types. You will learn:

* Why communications skills are so important to success in any career

* How to avoid the pitfalls experienced by many speakers

* How to create better speech content that engages the audience

* How to communicate better person to person or electronically

Darlene Price (photo left) is President and Founder of Well Said, Inc., an international training and consulting firm specializing in high-impact presentations and effective communication. Darlene’s professional mission is to increase the success of others by helping them present themselves and their message more effectively. As a 20-year veteran of the speech communication training field, Darlene has personally coached over 5,000 business professionals on the art of effective presentations and interpersonal communication. She has presented to audiences across six continents and coached the chief officers and senior leaders in more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. In addition, her work as a corporate spokesperson has earned her seventeen industry honors including one Emmy Award and nine Telly Awards.

Darlene has recently authored a new book, Well Said!Presentations and Conversations That Get Results. She’s also written over 20 training manuals and co-authored a book with Stephen Covey and Brian Tracy entitled Speaking of Success: World Class Experts Share Their Secrets. Darlene earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in Marketing and Speech Communications from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina and a Masters Degree in Adult Education from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is ranked as a Certified Executive Coach through the College of Executive Coaching, and is certified through the Protocol School of Washington as an international business etiquette consultant.

Darlene is a supporting member of National Speakers Association, International Coach Federation, American Society of Training & Development, International Association of Facilitators, Toastmasters International, the Screen Actors Guild, and Optimist International.

My book review of Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results by Darlene Price.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with communications trainer, coach, President and Founder of Well Said, Inc., and author of the practical technique packed and results oriented book Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results, Darlene Price, describes the importance of effective communication skills for presentations and conversations of all types. Darlene Price provides evidence that communication skills are the most sought after ability in the corporate world, and that superior communicators are more likely to be promoted than their counterparts. Darlene Price shares tips for all types of communications, ranging from public speaking and audience presentations, to meetings, email, and person to person conversations. Darlene offers ideas for overcoming public speaking fears, and for creating speech content that is compelling and engages the audience. Learn how to improve your existing communication skills to achieve even greater success in any field, profession, or industry on Blog Business Success Radio.

Well Said! Presentations and Conversations and Conversations That Get Results by Darlene Price - Book review

Well Said!

Presentations and Conversations That Get Results

By: Darlene Price

Published: August 22, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 0814417876
ISBN-13: 978-0814417874
Publisher: ANACOM












"A survey of American executives found that the most sought-after skill in the workplace today is the ability to verbally present clearly, confidently, and concisely", writes communications coach, and founder and President of Well Said!, Inc., Darlene Price, in her practical technique packed and results oriented book Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results. The author describes the essential skills for presenting ideas effectively to others, whether to a large audience, a small group, electronically, or person to person.

Darlene Price understands that people who possess superior communication abilities are more effective in achieving their goals and those of their organizations. Those employees are promoted earlier and more often, and reach greater heights of success than their less communication skilled colleagues. The author shares proven tips and techniques for enhancing anyone's level of communication skills. Darlene Price includes real world tested advice for improving presentations to large audiences or to smaller groups, better meeting results, superior written skills, and for excelling at technology based interactions. The author also shares ideas for boosting a person's level of self confidence, creating an even greater amount of success.

Darlene Price (photo left) recognizes that people listen to, engage with, and buy from people who they like and trust. In today's high touch world, the author emphasizes that superior communication skills are more critical than ever for achieving positive outcomes. As a person becomes more proficient at communication, they also develop greater self confidence, which in turn further enhances their abilities to share ideas, persuade, and engage others.

Darlene Price offers real world proven techniques in four overarching sections. Each of the sections is further subdivided into chapters that present the many and varied aspects of effective communication in any instance and medium.

The four overall sections are as follows:

* Laying the groundwork for getting results
* Developing persuasive content
* Mastering a confident, dynamic delivery style
* Seizing every opportunity to persuade decision makers

For me, the power of the book is how Darlene Price provides a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the many forms and styles of communication. The author shares her own proven tips for transforming even the most insecure speaker into a confident and effective one. Darlene Price presents techniques that work in every medium and in any industry or profession.

The author doesn't simply describe a laundry list of techniques, but offers rich detail for ensuring that each one is understood completely. Darlene Price also bolsters her concepts with illustrative examples of the principles in action in real world situations.

I highly recommend the engaging and very hands on book Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results by Darlene Price to any managers, executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and employment hunters who are seeking a clear and well presented guide to improving their communication skills to a level never before imagined possible. This book, and the concepts it contains, will change your success level from ordinary to fantastic.