Tested in the Trenches: A 9-Step Plan for Building and Sustaining a Million-Dollar Financial Services Practice

Book Description

Build a great financial services practice, AND a great life filled with passion, purpose and enthusiasm.

With more than one million financial services practitioners in the United States and Canada, competition for clients can be intense. While some professionals believe that working furiously around the clock at the expense of a personal life is the route to success, top-producing industry veterans Ron Carson and Steve Sanduski disagree. They believe that financial services is a commodity business, and as such, that performing better, delivering better financial plans, or having access to certain products doesn’t differentiate advisors effectively. Rather, differentiating through service, brand and relationship is the only sustainable way advisors can compete.

In Tested in the Trenches: A 9-Step Plan for Building and Sustaining a Million-Dollar Financial Services Practice the authors explain how securities representatives, insurance professionals, investment advisors and CPAs can do just that . . . and create great lives along the way. Based on concepts taught in professional coaching workshops worldwide, Tested in the Trenches outlines:The four ""foundation"" steps to success.Four ways to generate revenue.15 habits of top achievers. Forms and checklists to organize your financial services practice. Online sources for additional business-building ideas and tools.

If you have the sincere desire to make significant improvements in your financial services business – and your life – clear your schedule, read Tested in the Trenches, then go back and implement each idea in the order it is presented. By doing so you'll be prepared to join the rarefied group of personally fulfilled and professionally successful top achievers.

Customer Reviews:

Tested In the Trenches.......2007-01-04

Covers the essence of Ron Carson's pathway to success. It is easy reading. Nicely laid out. Has summary after each chapter. Here's a practicing investment advisor who openly tells you how he does it, and still produces better numbers than any of his disciples AND ALL OTHERS in the largest independent broker/dealer in the country. If you are open to goal setting, and have strength in relationship building, this book is a powerful "how to" tool.

Excellent Book.......2006-08-31

I had already implemented much of what was suggested in this book, but to have my ideas validated has given me alot of confidence. I know it works, my business has increased revenues by 40% pa (profit 55% pa) over the last 3 years sticking to the core principles covered in this book.

This captures what is wrong with this industry.......2006-08-19

This book could be "A 9-Step Plan for Building and Sustaining a Million Dollar [insert name of industry here] Practice". It doesn't really talk of how to become a better financial advisor - just a financial advisor who is happy and who makes nice with clients.

This book could have been written by PT Barnum.

Where do I get the three hours of my life back that it took for me to read this?

hallem04.......2006-08-11

This book is a must for all advisors. It cuts through the mustard and gives sensible advice on how to position your practice. Of all the self-help business improvement books I've read it ranks in the top one or two.

Andrew Byers, CFS.......2006-08-08

This book was recommended to me by my boss. I read it in two days (which is extremely fast for my reading speed and schedule). After reading his copy, I've decided to buy my own copy on Amazon. The reason...
This book is like a movie that you could view time and again and still pick up something new from watching it. This book has too much information and ideas to just read once. I look forward to my re-readings!

Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches

Average customer rating:

Good book with good examples
Great Book.... But minor editorial issue!
Great reference guide for any web development PM.
Very Helpful
This book changed my life...

Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches
Thomas J. Shelford , and Gregory A. Remillard
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Project Management | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

PMP Exam | Project Management | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0321112555

Customer Reviews:

Good book with good examples.......2007-04-24

Before I read this book I took more of a waterfall approach to my design projects. My clients weren't really involved much after the discovery meeting, proposal, and payment date requirements. Pay half now, pay half when we're done. That was the model we used. This book has taught me to take a more iterative approach, which really gets the clients involved. Our team can more effectively manage change and adjust our projects to meet the ever evolving needs of today's web clients.

The authors did a great job presenting "not so fun" information in a very digestable manner. They did so without being foolish "dummies". They also responded to a few of my email queries on subjects that I didn't immediately comprehend. Nice work guys.

Great Book.... But minor editorial issue!.......2007-02-10

This book is a great book about project management for the web. It is insightful and provides very useful information. I especially liked Chapter 5 - Managing Change - and how the authors addressed common problems by providing a bulleted list of the symptoms and solutions to each type of problem. The authors' use of bulleted lists throughout the book work well and assist the reader with identifying key issues and/or things to think about. They also make it easy for the reader to quickly refer back to things and skim.

However, with that said, there is a minor editoral issue with this book. Everytime a bulleted list is presented the text leading into the list ends in a period (.) rather than a colon (:).

To illustrate:
- on pg 66, "Here are some tips for conducting a needs assessment." And the bulleted list follows.
- on pg 186, "...and they will be testing for bugs or defects in some or all of the following areas." And the bulleted list follows.
- on pg 268, "Here are some examples of successful Open Source products that are in widespread commercial use." And the bulleted list follows.

Having served as an Editor for several professional academic journals, this drove me absolutely mad every time I saw it. If the authors/editors of this book are going to be wrong, at least they are consistently wrong 100% of the time... which I believe is actually less maddenning then if they had gotten it right only some of the time.

If you can get past this minor editorial glitch that appears rather frequently, then definitely buy the book!

Great reference guide for any web development PM........2006-12-13

Anyone working in Interactive Marketing, whether as a Project manager or Account Manager, should keep a copy of this book on their desk for everyday reference.

The authors provide a great information source for web projects, with chapters covering everything from the basic definition of the PM role within an interactive/web development project, to a detailed list of responsibilities for every team member. The chapters on team roles and Communication Cues are a must-read even for seasoned PMI certified PMs.

The rest of the chapters follow the standard PM process (Project definition, planning, managing the various stages of the project, QA etc), putting everything within the web development perspective. The real life case studies are a great learning tool, and anyone who has worked as a PM on a web/interactive project will undoubtedly must have already faced similar challenges.

Extensive chapters on Technical Build and QA are written without inundating the reader with tech acronyms and confusing jargon. On top of that, the book includes an appendix which addresses specific projects such as brochure ware, B2B portals, e-commerce web sites, intranets and e-marketing projects. Even better, a second appendix offers a great overview of what you really need to know regarding technology as it applies to the needs of a web development project manager.

Whether you are new to Project Management or a seasoned PM, this book is a must read and great reference for the next time you will find yourself managing a web project and a number of cross functional team members who all seem to have a different vision or agenda.

If nothing else, get this book for the CD. The content includes such useful sample forms like the creative brief, an issues log database, need assessment sample forms, and an excellent template for the dreaded technical specifications form among others. In fact, the CD content, along with the real life case studies, makes this a worthwhile purchase.

Very Helpful.......2005-08-02

I'm working with a design studio that is now offering web services to its clients. This book has been very helpful, giving us a look at web projects and procedures.

It is skewed to larger projects than we will likely be involved in.

The best parts of the book are the descriptions of real projects and real problems.

Humor helps the message get through: that these kinds of projects frequently change, new problems crop up, people don't always react the way you'd expect and that it's all part of the job.

This book changed my life..........2005-02-23

It is true.

I was wondering: Why, given clints and good "implementors"-developers and designers (we are a small team), things go ugly every time?
This book gave me the answer - Poor management!

P.S This is my first book review ever.

-----------
sorry for my English

Marketing from the Trenches: Your Guide to Retail Success

Average customer rating:

Marketing from the Trenches
Vice President REDS Realty LLC
Guaranteed Results!
A Must Read for Every Retail and Food Establishment

Marketing from the Trenches: Your Guide to Retail Success
Rudolf, J Waldner
Manufacturer: Gotham City Publishers Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Entrepreneurship | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0978989309

Book Description

Marketing from the Trenches is a must read for every retail business owner, manager, and entrepreneur. Through anecdotes, real-life experiences, and documented growth trends, the book reveals to the reader proven methods that will grow their business. The increasing endorsements are a testament to the author's growing list of followers. The author's three "P"s are far more relevant than the scholastic marketing model's four "P"s, most especially for those in retail operations. The writing style is casual with an ever present tongue-in-cheek sense of humor that won't allow the reader to put the book down.

Customer Reviews:

Marketing from the Trenches.......2007-05-31

What can I say the book is "Outstanding".

This is one of the only books that I was not able to put down. When it was delivered to my home I was pulling up at the same time. I got the package opened it up and read the complete book before getting out of my car. The greatest part of this book is the readability. This book is funny and is packed with great information that I put into play that very moment. If your interviewing skills are a bit rusty you need this book. It will give you a new way to be more effective in interviewing.

To the Author - Thank You.

Vice President REDS Realty LLC.......2007-03-20

This is the direct approach for marketing that brings value to any company, any business. Rudy's approach to marketing gives true meaning to giving customers what they want and deserve, everbody in my office will be reading this book.

Guaranteed Results!.......2007-02-08

I rolled out Rudy's program after attending his seminar (prior to his published book), and it has become instrumental to the daily success of our marketing efforts. Increasing interaction with customers and establishing business partnerships in our trade areas have been two of the most effective strategies we've applied to enhance our presence. The results are clear and measurable: increased traffic and sales. Marketing from the Trenches is a smart, low-cost method that will steer your business in the rigth direction and deliver extraordinary results.

A Must Read for Every Retail and Food Establishment.......2007-01-13

Ever since reading Marketing from the Trenches, I cannot enter a retail or food establishment without checking to see if they follow Waldner's formula for success. I see now why I return again and again to some establishments, while avoiding others at all costs after only one visit. This can be the death nail to a shop without ever knowing why. The book is extremely easy to read and understand. Even the busiest shop owner has time to read this fast-paced book. In fact, it should be required reading. If you own a retail or food establishment, make sure to purchase a copy of Marketing from the Trenches and to FOLLOW it's simple guides. You will be rewarded with continued sales and success.

Telesales Tips From The Trenches: Secrets of a Street-Smart Salesman

Average customer rating:

The Most Helpful Book I Have EVER Bought
Lots of tips, lots of typos, lots of contradictions
Excellent Book
Tested salesmanship methods
All gems... really great. Worth every penny

Telesales Tips From The Trenches: Secrets of a Street-Smart Salesman
Joe Catal
Manufacturer: Business By Phone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 188108115X

Book Description

This 217-page book is for anyone who ever has to call a total stranger who has never heard of you or your company, and you're trying to ask him for money, an appointment, or get an information package in his hands on the initial call.

It's for the person whose paycheck is dependent upon producing sales. It gives hundreds of ideas and concepts showing you how to sell in a systematic and intelligent manner, learned from years of selling in the trenches. What you read today, you use today. No filler, just time-tested technique after technique.

See three actual chapters from the book on voice mail, screeners, and opening statements.

If your competition reads this book and you don't, you or your sales force won't stand a chance. This is a must read for anyone who wants to know what the top sales reps are doing by phone.

Here Are Just a Few of the Hundreds of Tips

• How to write an effective opening

• Answers for any type of objection

• Callback scripts that close the sale

• Leaving voice mails that get results

• How to find hot leads

• Selling on the inbound call

• How to get quality referrals

• Sure-fire closing techniques

• How to steal accounts

• How to get past screeners

• Great questions to ask

• How to prospect painlessly

• Selling large accounts

• Why you should raise your prices 25%

And much more!

Customer Reviews:

The Most Helpful Book I Have EVER Bought.......2007-09-19

I was skeptical about this book, even after I read the reveiws... I went ahead and bought it and I was very pleased with the results. It should be a handbook for anyone doing telesales (Inbound and Outbound). Good for Business owners, who call clients and potential clients (He focuses on that as well). Also great for sales reps who want to increase sales. My sales increased dramatically and my calls were more productive. I think it could even prove effective for sales reps who are not on the phone.

He even goes over how to answer the phone, what to say when someone is out to lunch, and how to get past gatekeepers when making outgoing calls.
It's an easy read, almost a page-turner and interesting too. I want to memorize it and anyone in sales/marketing should... Even a seasoned salesperson.

Don't buy another book about telesales until you have read this one. Trust, it is the only one you will need.

Lots of tips, lots of typos, lots of contradictions.......2005-08-13

Overall, I would say it is a good book for non-sales people to buy. Joe points out many things to think about and makes many good suggestions.

Two things bother me about the book:

- It has numerous typos and grammatical errors. Sometimes I've had to re-read sections to understand what he meant to say.

- There are several contradictions. One example is on page 25. He says: "If they don't return your call, wait two days before calling back." But then 2 sentences later says that you should leave a voice mail stating: "If I don't hear back from you by the end of the day, I'll try back before I leave the office."

Personally, I don't want to buy from a sales person that doesn't do what they say they are going to do, so this is a really poor suggestion and really poor customer service (especially if the person you are calling really does want to talk to you)!

Excellent Book.......2004-08-08

This is a no B.S. book on what it takes to sell by phone.
Whether you're setting appointments or closing the deal by phone it really doesn't matter. This is a hard hitting book.
I like the authors no nonsense approach to selling. They're either a high probability prospect or not.
The book teaches you how to get in and out of calls quickly and find the buyers today. The best on phone sales I've ever read.

Tested salesmanship methods.......2004-04-08

A few things struck me about this book.

1. It teaches you when to say "No" to suspects. I learned from it to be more discerning with whom I am talking. This book tells you how to determine, in minimum of time, if you are talking to someone who can buy from you (even if the other party won't admit that he's not interested or that he doesn't have the authority to buy). Like they say on Wall Street: "fill or kill".

2. It gives you tips to help you establish your authority early in the call. How to deal with various brushoffs (more or less graciously).... When it's better to be direct, or even blunt... It's not just one style of selling, but rather a mix of hard- and soft-sell techniques that can be adapted to the situation.

3. It gives you specific expressions to use. Short sentences that sound natural and go past the initial indifference and suspicion of people... I'm studying it to learn how to keep the flow of conversation so that it doesn't seem contrived, and how to go from one idea to another in a natural way so that I don't sound like a telemarketer.

4. There's indeed no filler. Just lots of ideas about prospecting, presentation and closing. Some may not apply to your work, but you can extract the priciples. I've read this book two times and I open it almost every day. You must read it - now!

All gems... really great. Worth every penny.......2004-04-02

I've been doing a bunch of jobs, CSR, Techie,
Help Desk, LAN ADMIN, telcom sales, upselling for
existing customers, etc. And, as such, the more
I learn from books, the more I know how valuable
my own personal career experience is, and the more
I guess that there's a lot more to learn and master
in this craft than anyone can imagine.

Think about moving from a bicycle speed, to tractor
speed, to car speed, to high performance roadster,
to airplane, to rocket ... this is how a sales

star evolves ...all the while, staying within the
bounds of acceptable phone behavior in terms of
honesty, truthfulness, not deceiving, not lying
obviously, and generally, being nice on the phone.
The big difference, is SPH, and getting a lot more
done, in a small period of time.

In this regard, Joe Catal's book, SALES FROM THE
TRENCHES is really great.

I take it with me all the time to work. In the beginning,
I figured my collegues might take me as an amateur
for needing a book on my desk, while I work...after a while,
and meeting and exceeding all targets imposed on me, as a sales
rep, and mainly because I often have 2 jobs and work 13 hours
a day sometimes, and boredom, I take Joe's book with me to
work ...it really keeps me awake, amused, and I keep trying
out the rebutals, techniques that are new all the time.

Most of them work marvelleously...for example, "are you
prepared to DENY your family so-and-so priviledge ?" or
"I've been in the business for a while. When I'm told me
a customer like yourself, that you need to think about, it's
often because of the price. The price is too high, right ? How
much too high ? " etc. etc. etc.

All gems...

The other comments, about super-stars being a different breed
from other people punching in the clock and behaving like the
GRIM REAPER and often getting rewarded for being among the worst
possible employees in the company, bringing everyone down, even
the top performers, also rings true. I've been in the business,
sales, for under 3 years, and Joe Catal is on the money.

I think the GOOD MONEY is not in sales or telemarketing, but
higher in account management and project management, by the way.

Book Description

This text has been written in clear and accurate language that students can read and comprehend. The author has minimized the number of explicitly state theorems and definitions, in favor of dealing with concepts in a more conversational manner. This is illustrated by over 250 worked out examples. The problems are extremely high quality and are regarded as one of the text's many strengths. This book also allows the instructor to select the level of technology desired. Trench has simplified this by using the symbols C and L. C exercises call for computation and/or graphics, and L exercises are laboratory exercises that require extensive use of technology. Several sections include informal advice on the use of technology. The instructor who prefers not to emphasize technology can ignore these exercises.

Men at War 1914-1918: National Sentiment and Trench Journalism in France during the First World War (Legacy of the Great War)

Average customer rating:

Men at War 1914-1918: National Sentiment and Trench Journalism in France during the First World War (Legacy of the Great War)
Stephane Audoin-Rouzeau
Manufacturer: Berg Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

World War I | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0854963332

Book Description

This study is based on the extraordinarily rich and varied range of trench journalism that brings to life - in the vivid language of the soldiers themselves - not only their suffering but also their vulgarity, sentimentality and idealism.

A Survival Guide for Paralegals: Tips from the Trenches

Average customer rating:

short book, quick read
A Survival Guide for Paralegals

A Survival Guide for Paralegals: Tips from the Trenches
Alan Gelb , and Karen Levine
Manufacturer: Cengage Delmar Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Economic Conditions | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Legal Profession | One-L | Law | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1401814336

Book Description

The Survival Guide for Paralegals: Tips from the Trenches, by Karen Levine and Alan Gelb, offers hundreds of tried and true tips from successful legal professionals on how to "survive" your job. The book discusses paralegal work issues, dress, asking for a raise, and office politics in a highly motivating, fun, and empathetic way. From research and interviews to administrative responsibilities and time management, this book is a resource of user-friendly and user-tried hints.

Customer Reviews:

short book, quick read.......2006-03-01

This book was okay. It did not live up to my expectations however. The "tips" were general and not things you don't already know. It's not worth the money, but maybe check it out from the library. Some information was usefeul.

A Survival Guide for Paralegals.......2003-07-01

I am looking for my first job in the paralegal field, and thought this book would be more helpful so far as providing insight into the various areas within the field. However, there are only two chapters that cover specific specialties in the field, one on litigation and the other describes the corporate culture. The rest of the book deals with very general topics, such as how to get along with people in the office, how to be organized, how to deal with stress. Give me a break!

Hello, He Lied -- and Other Tales from the Hollywood Trenches

Average customer rating:

An IRRATATING READ!!!!!!
Excellent advice about more than just the movie business ...
BUY IT NOW -- -- It's the best guide to Hollywood deals
First Hollywood book I ever read
Next to "Hollywood Animal," must-have for screenwriters

Hello, He Lied -- and Other Tales from the Hollywood Trenches
Lynda Obst
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Direction & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0767900413
Release Date: 1997-09-02

Amazon.com

Hollywood producer Lynda Obst (Flashdance, Sleepless in Seattle) recounts her own battles in Hollywood's trenches--from her beginnings as a journalist to her current role as the maker and breaker of careers. Like other "classic" Hollywood books--Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth Anger and You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again by Julia Phillips--Hello, He Lied is saturated with sleaze and proves, once again, that most of Tinseltown's stars are seriously lacking in the upstairs department.

Book Description

"Never go to a meeting without a strategy." "Ride the horse in the direction it's going." These are just two of the gems unearthed from the trenches of Hollywood by Lynda Obst, one of the most successful producers in the movie business today. In Hello, He Lied, Obst offers real, practical advice to would-be professionals in any field: "Thou shalt not cry at work," "thou shalt not appear tough," "thou shalt return all thy phone calls," and more. She takes us inside high-pressure meetings with David Geffen, onto the set of Sleepless in Seattle, and into the heated negotiations for The Hot Zone and reveals what she's learned in more than twenty years in the business: how to swim with the sharks--and not get eaten.

Customer Reviews:

An IRRATATING READ!!!!!!.......2007-09-05

Sorry guys, but I was unfortunate enough to have bought this book years ago from some hollywood bookclub I can't even remeber anymore, but this is THE MOST SUCK UP book, on how to make it in Hollywood that I ever had the time to waste reading. Do yourself a HUGE FAVOR and take her advice with CAUTION--PLEASE!

For the most part I simply felt her advice was outright--dishonest in a way...Tip-toe here...Compromise there...For what?

Talking about sucking up, she mentioned a pitch session she had with David Geffen, who wasn't even listening to her. After she was done he simply said to her, "You know, you'd be more attractive if you had some collogen shots." Obst's response? "What did he mean?" IT WAS OBVIOUS THIS MAN WAS BEING RUDE! Obst wasn't even honest enough to admitt that!

You want to learn the business and how to break in with at least half a chance on developing enough clout to call a shot? Consult with the INDUSRY HERETICS and PROFESSIONAL MAVERICKS! Obst is doing nothing but rehashing COMMON WISDOM a zillion different ways. The answer is not in COMMON HOLLYWOOD WISDOM.

You learn the RULES then BREAK THEM!

Excellent advice about more than just the movie business ..........2007-06-13

Ms. Obst has written a delightful book filled with many lessons about how to get complicated projects completed, something she's expert at accomplishing. This book has applications for most complex business projects, and also for building a career. Obst knows how to get over hurdles, deal with interference, hang in for the long haul, and keep the project moving along despite all the difficulties that come with big dollar, competitive deals.

It's one of the few excellent business books I've ever read (including the ones I had to read in business school). Even though it's centered on the movie business, the author has shared many nuggets that are relevant to all kinds of endeavors. Very high recommendation! Plus it's quite entertaining from start to finish.

P.S. The negative comments of some reviewers are a mystery to me. Complaints about "Hollywood movies" (whatever that stereotype means), and unsettling business practices are common enough feelings, but these feelings are not sufficient as critiques of Hello He Lied. If you truly want to learn more about how big deals are done, read this book.

BUY IT NOW -- -- It's the best guide to Hollywood deals.......2006-06-29

HELLO HE LIED is written by Lynda Obst one of the top female producers in Hollywood. (I only say female because she does talk about the challenges of being a woman in Hollywood). Her films include such classics as THE FISHER KING, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE and CONTACT. She lives in Los Angeles and Texas -- which should give you a hint already that it's important to get some distance now and then (and maybe more) from TWINKLETOWN -- I MEAN TINSELTOWN. Her advice to NEVER GO TO A MEETING WITHOUT A STRATEGY is one we all should remember. All too often we worry about our powerpoint or our clothes or our car-- and not the strategy and outcome we want. IT's this good common sense business stuff that makes Lynda's book different from so many schmoozerama books -- how to schmooze and meet and network with Moguls in Hollywood. All too often MAGIC is associated with Hollywood movies and dealmakings and Lynda lets you know that it's not magic but good hard work and a thick SKIN. She also mentions Yoga and has a bit of a zen approach to all of this that makes us realize it ain't brain surgery! Her chapter on the TAO of Power and her description of how the film THE HOT ZONE did/didn't get made is fascinating....what a smart lady this is. If you are a woman you'll like the section called CHIX IN FLIX...oh you don't need any more recommenation-- just buy it - used or new-- I don't know why it took me so long to read it....BUT DO IT -- all of life is Hollywood in some way now -- ie American Idol etc.

First Hollywood book I ever read.......2005-12-29

Lynda Obst uses her experience as an accomplished film producer to explain to new people how to make it in Hollywood. She hits every topic right on the head. I have experienced the same things in getting my films made, particularly The Indie Pendant. All of her info can used by anyone wanting to become a filmmaker. The chapter on figuring out which way the horse is headed was probably the best chapter I have ever read on getting things done in Hollywood. Look for all of this info and more during The Indie Film Hour on World Talk Radio. Hosted by myself. www.vdefilms.com

Next to "Hollywood Animal," must-have for screenwriters.......2004-11-29

"I wouldn't go near ______________ this week. It's scary over there." Direct quote. Fill in the name of any major studio/media conglomerate and you have the essence of HELLO, HE LIED: Know the territory. And have a tanda--that's the term for a group of allies, especially women. Novel concept. In a business where according to superstars such as Mollie Gregory (WOMEN WHO RUN THE SHOW) women are about as supportive as the final contestants on "The Bachelor," future movie moguls cwill be uplifted by Lynda Obst's lessons learned from being a "d-girl" (that's story development girl) and working on films such as THE ENGLISH PATIENT (standard line in Hollywood: "Great! If you get Julia Roberts we're a go!" Lynda's comment: "Like you're too dumb to know that Julia's unavailable.") Another lesson: Never go to a meeting (or have a conversation in Hollywood) without a strategy. Good advice for all of us, but especially for writers.

Proven Strategies in Competitive Intelligence: Lessons from the Trenches

Average customer rating:

The Best Here is Amazingly Good
Nice Assortment of Articles, But Seen Them Before

Proven Strategies in Competitive Intelligence: Lessons from the Trenches
John E. Prescott
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Company Profiles | Biography & History | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Ethics | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Entrepreneurship | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0471401781

Book Description

Tested-in-the-trenches competitive intelligence techniques used at today's top companies

This book brings together the best thinking and practices in competitive intelligence (CI) currently being used at many of today's most successful companies. Featuring contributions from leading industry executives, it covers CI strategies across a wide range of business functions, including marketing and sales, market research and forecasting, product development, and teams.

The only book on the subject offering a comprehensive view of CI, from the CEO down to the tactical CI team
Numerous case studies vividly illustrating cutting-edge CI techniques in action

Customer Reviews:

The Best Here is Amazingly Good.......2001-06-02

As with any anthology, some of the contributions are better than others. But the best case studies in this collection are of real value. In particular, I'd point to the case studies from Shell and other companies that describe how corporate intranets can be used to both collect competitive information from within your firm (sales reps, etc.) and then to make it availalbe firmwide, so that no one gets "blindsided." Any company that's not doing this doesn't understand, as one of the chapters puts it, the overriding importance of CI/Knowledge Management convergence.

I was also amazed by how forthright some of the contributors were, expecially the description of the organizational CI structures at firms such as P&G, Xerox and IBM. I don't know why they're sharing this, but these descriptions are worth the price of the book. Not that you'd want to copy them exactly, but it's vital to know how others organize their efforts in this regard.

And even the more "philosophical" contributions, include Robert Galvin's piece on CI at Motorola, were helpful.

No, it's not a really "how to" book, but it does reveal just how important CI now is to companies in the know, and why others should get onboard.

Nice Assortment of Articles, But Seen Them Before.......2001-04-29

This book is a decent one for your library shelf. It includes a fair variety of articles, quite often featuring widely known names in the CI field. The idea of "proven" and "strategies" may be a bit misleading however, as some of these so-caled proven strategies were really philosphies, tactics or concepts that worked for a short time but were shown to be difficult to sustain. Witness the recent public difficulties at Procter & Gamble or Daimler Benz for example and you'll understand this.

Customer Reviews:

THE TRENCH.......2007-08-30

Steve Alten has a way of telling a story like no other. this book and the others keeps you on a page turning frenzy all the way through the book
a must read for anyone who likes sharks, jaws or a well writen book

Steve does it again..........2007-08-17

You know... I'm sorta glad that I found out about Steve "late". That way I didn't have to lose my mind waiting for the next book in this series. As I'm the 278th person (or so) to post I won't summarize the book. All I'm going to say is go out and GET THIS BOOK NOW! I have loved this series ever since someone at work told me to read it.

I love this extremely gigantic shark and I'm on the edge of the seat, couch, seat at work, bed, or car wating to find out about what happens next. Great writing by a very talented author!

The Trench definately red lines it!.......2007-05-11

WOW! Steve Altens Meg series just keeps getting better. A captured Meg? That doesn't sound like a good idea. You'll find out why when you read this one. Along the same lines as MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror, The Trench finds that extra gear and takes off. No sophomore curse here. After reading it I felt like I had recieved a pretty good education in oceanography, underwater submersibles, and it was fun! I wish I'd had Mr. Alten as a professor in college teaching me this stuff. This, the second in the Meg series, is a must read but don't stop there. Keep going. Also read Primal Waters, the third book in the series and keep a look out for Hells Aquarium the fourth to be coming out too.

Great continuation of the series!!!.......2007-02-28

The Trench was a great book!!! It was like Jaws meets the Abyss. Steve Alten has written a great follow-up to his first book.

I believe the Australian colloquial expression is "bl***y awful"..........2007-02-01

It does have the advantage that it's slightly better than "Primal Blather", or whatever the most recent one's called. It gets two stars, only because I'm a sucker for deep ocean tales, and there's some interesting stuff there. Mind you, the prehistoric deep-sea dragons were a bit of a joke - well, the whole thing is a bit of a joke, and it must be hilarious to Mr. Alten, with ourselves as the butt thereof for buying this tosh. Never again (well, yes, OK, I said that last time too, but I have reformed, really, I have...I am cured, Hallelujah!). I shall NOT buy Meg Mk.IV when it comes out (allegedly at the same time as the much-stalled film of Meg Mk.I).

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