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The 18 Immutable Laws of Corporate Reputation: Creating, Protecting, and Repairing Your Most Valuable Asset
by Ronald J. AlsopA veteran Wall Street Journal editor and authority on branding, marketing and reputation provides the 18 crucial rules for companies to follow in developing and protecting their reputation, which can be their most valuable asset or their worst nightmare. A must read book for senior executives, consultants, advertising, public relations, and marketing professionals.From Enron and WorldCom to the Catholic Church and Major League Baseball, reputation crises have never been more widespread. Now Ronald J. Alsop, a veteran Wall Street Journal authority on branding and reputation management, explains the dangers—and gives organizations the eighteen crucial laws to follow in developing and protecting their reputations. Consider this example of a simple decision made by a low-ranking employee: When rescue workers at the site of the World Trade Center disaster sought bottled water from a nearby Starbucks outlet, they complained that an employee charged them for it. In a matter of hours, the Internet had picked up the story and Starbucks' carefully cultivated worldwide reputation was quickly besmirched. This is just one instance among many of how the business world, ever more global and competitive, has become increasingly difficult to navigate. Studies have demonstrated the powerful impact of reputation on profits and stock prices, and yet less than half of all companies have a formal system for measuring reputation. Clearly, companies in every industry—from Dow Chemical to Disney to DaimlerChrystler—have much more to learn. It is still the rare company that realizes the full value of its reputation: how corporate reputation can enhance business in good times, become a protective halo in turbulent times, and be destroyed in an instant by people at the lowest or highest levels of the corporate ladder. Mr. Alsop provides eighteen thoroughly documented lessons based on years of experience covering every aspect of corporate reputation, with a clear distillation of the complex principles at the heart of a reputation. He explains: • How to protect your reputation when the inevitable crisis hits • How to cope with the many hazards in cyberspace • How to create a reputation for vision and industry leadership • How to establish a culture of ethical behavior • How to measure and monitor your ever-changing public image • How to make employees your reputation champions • How to decide when it's time to change your name The result is a book that is important not only for business executives, consultants, and advertising, public relations, and marketing professionals but also for anyone eager to learn more about the companies they work for, buy from, and invest in.
A Tale of Two Sisters (Mermaid Tales #10)
by Debbie DadeyEcho is thrilled to find a human object in this Mermaid Tales adventure, but will sibling rivalry keep her from appreciating her prize?Echo is dogfish tired of having to share everything with her bossy big sister, Crystal. So she’s extra excited when she stumbles upon a shiny human object near her shell. Finally, something of her very own!Echo is obsessed with people, so she’s very curious as to what her fin-tastic human find might be. Could it be something totally wavy, like a music-making machine? What if it’s something that could allow her to actually talk to humans?Before she can find out, Crystal swipes the object, claiming she found it first! Echo is steaming mad. After the mergirls duke it out in a messy tug of war, their mother takes the object away. “You’ll get this back when you can learn to get along,” she tells them. But that’s easier said than done. How far is Echo willing to go to get her precious human object back?
Return to Beauty: Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin
by Narine NikogosianReturn to Beauty offers regimens made from fresh ingredients that can be found right in your kitchen. With recipes for winter, spring, summer, and fall, you can look beautiful throughout the year. Narine Nikogosian's natural and inexpensive products can be whipped up in less than ten minutes. Have a jar of honey in your pantry? Mix it with a few crushed walnuts to create a sensual, aromatic scrub for oily skin. Use dabs of cottage cheese to lighten undereye circles, or almond oil to rehydrate cracked lips. Narine also provides recipes based on astrological signs, such as for Scorpio, a Gracious Grapefruit Mask made of grapefruit, egg yolk, and soothing honey to rejuvenate your skin even after a late night. Narine is from a long line of Armenian women who have been harnessing the powers of nature to create everlasting beauty. For the first time, she reveals her secrets so that you can have star-worthy skin.
Tao I: The Way of All Life
by Zhi Gang ShaTao is The Way. Tao is the source of all universes. Tao is the principles and laws of all universes. In the sixth book of the Soul Power Series, New York Times bestselling author Master Zhi Gang Sha shares the essence of ancient teachings of Tao and reveals a new Tao text for the twenty-first century that he received directly from the Divine. These new divine teachings reveal how Tao exists in every aspect of life, from waking to sleeping to eating and more. Master Sha explains how Tao uses the processes of normal creation and reverse creation for all life. He also shares advanced soul wisdom and practical approaches for reaching Tao. In this process, healing, rejuvenation, and life transformation occur. In contrast to the ancient Taoist wisdom, knowledge, and practices, the new sacred teaching in this book is extremely simple, practical, and profound. Studying and practicing Tao has many great benefits, including the ability to: • heal yourself and others, as well as humanity, Mother Earth, and all universes • return from old age to the health and purity of a baby • prolong life Enter the realm of Tao with Master Sha. Your life will be transformed.
Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell: Heidi Heckelbeck Has A Secret; Casts A Spell; And The Cookie Contest; In Disguise; Gets Glasses; And The Secret Admirer; Is Ready To Dance!; Goes To Camp!; And The Christmas Surprise; And The Tie-dyed Bunny (Heidi Heckelbeck #2)
by Wanda CovenHeidi Heckelbeck displays her witching skills in this second book of a new young chapter book series!Now readers between the ages of five and seven can read chapter books tailor-made for a younger level of reading comprehension. Heavily illustrated with large type, Little Simon's young chapter books let young readers feel like they are reading a “grown-up” format with subject, text, and illustrations geared specifically for their own age groups!Heidi Heckelbeck seems like any other eight-year-old, but she has a secret: She’s a witch in disguise. Careful to keep her powers hidden (but excited to use them all the same), Heidi’s learning to live like any other kid—who just happens to be witch. And with easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.Thanks to meanie Melanie Maplethorpe, Heidi is cast as a scary tree in the school play, The Wizard of Oz. Heidi decides to get even with Melanie by casting a spell on her. The result of the spell? Melanie—who has the lead role as Dorothy—will forget her lines. As the day of the play nears, Heidi carefully collects all the ingredients she needs. But when she casts her spell, will Heidi’s revenge be as sweet as she thinks?
Hardball: How Politics Is Played Told by One Who Knows the Game
by Chris MatthewsHow politics is played by one who knows the game...Chris Matthews has spent a quarter century on the playing field of American politics—from right-hand man of Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill to host of NBC's highest rated cable talk show Hardball. In this revised and updated edition of his political classic, he offers fascinating new stories of raw ambition, brutal rivalry, and exquisite seduction and reveals the inside rules that govern the game of power.
Making Great Decisions: Reflections for a Life Without Limits
by T. D. JakesThe star of BETs Mind, Body & Soul, and featured guest speaker on Oprah’s Lifeclass, Potter’s House pastor, T.D. Jakes turns his attention to the topic of relationships, guiding you on the right track to making decisions you will benefit from for the rest of your life. In the vein of Joel Osteen’s Become a Better You and Dr. Phil’s Life Strategies, the New York Times bestselling Making Great Decisions (formerly tiled Before You Do) gives you the psychological and practical tools you need to reflect, discern, and decide the next step toward strong relationships in your life. “Remember,” writes T.D. Jakes, “your tomorrow is no better than the decisions you make today.”“My promise is that if you read this book, you will be equipped, you will know all you need to know about making foolproof relational decisions,” writes T.D. Jakes. Choosing the right partner, at home or at work, is one of the most consequential decisions we’ll ever make. How can we be sure that we’re choosing wisely? How do we know if we’re doing the right thing when we change careers? By breaking our decisions down into their five crucial components: Research: gathering informationRoadwork: removing obstaclesRewards: listing choices and visualizing consequences Revelation: narrowing your options and making your selection Rearview: looking back and adjusting as necessary to stay on course Clear-sighted, realistic, and spiritually uplifting, Making Great Decisions is one of those rare books that can change lives.
Matsushita Leadership: Lessons from the 20th Century's Most Remarkable Entrepreneur
by John P. KotterHe was one of the most inspirational role models of all time. Thrown into poverty at age four, Konosuke Matsushita (Mat-SOSH-ta) struggled with the early deaths of family members, an apprenticeship which demanded sixteen-hour days at age nine, all the problems associated with starting a business with neither money nor connections, the death of his only son, the Great Depression, the horror of World War II in Japan, and more. Yet John P. Kotter shows in this fascinating and instructive book how, instead of being ground down by these hardships, Matsushita grew to be a fabulously successful entrepreneur and business leader, the founder of Japan's General Electric: the $65 billion a year Matsushita Electric Corporation.His accomplishments as a leader, author, educator, philanthropist, and management innovator are astonishing, and outshine even Soichiro Honda, J.C. Penney, Sam Walton, and Henry Ford. In this immensely readable book, Kotter relates how Matsushita created a large business, invented management practices that are increasingly being used today, helped lead his country's economic miracle after World War II wrote dozens of books in his latter years, founded a graduate school of leadership, created Japan's version of a Nobel Prize, and gave away hundreds of millions to good causes.The Matsushita story expands our notion of the possible, even for a sickly youngster who did not have the benefit of a privileged background, education, good looks, or a charismatic presence. It tells us much about leadership, entrepreneurship, a drive for lifelong learning, and their roots. It demonstrates the power of a longterm outlook, idealistic goals, and humility in the face of great success.Matsushita Leadership is both a biography and a set of lessons for careers and corporations in the 21st century. An inspirational story and a business primer, the implications are powerful, for organizations and for living a meaningful life.
A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Jonestown
by Julia ScheeresIn 1954, a pastor named Jim Jonesopened a church in Indianapolis called Peoples Temple Full Gospel Church. He was a charismatic preacher with idealistic beliefs, and he quickly filled his pews with an audience eager to hear his sermons on social justice. As Jones’s behavior became erratic and his message more ominous, his followers leaned on each other to recapture the sense of equality that had drawn them to his church. But even as the congregation thrived, Jones made it increasingly difficult for members to leave. By the time Jones moved his congregation to a remote jungle in Guyana and the US government began to investigate allegations of abuse and false imprisonment in Jonestown, it was too late. A Thousand Lives is the story of Jonestown as it has never been told. New York Times bestselling author Julia Scheeres drew from tens of thousands of recently declassified FBI documents and audiotapes, as well as rare videos and interviews, to piece together an unprecedented and compelling history of the doomed camp, focusing on the people who lived there. The people who built Jonestown wanted to forge a better life for themselves and their children. In South America, however, they found themselves trapped in Jonestown and cut off from the outside world as their leader goaded them toward committing “revolutionary suicide” and deprived them of food, sleep, and hope. Vividly written and impossible to forget, A Thousand Lives is a story of blind loyalty and daring escapes, of corrupted ideals and senseless, haunting loss.
Bruce: Reflections On Bruce Springsteen
by Peter Ames CarlinPeter Ames Carlin’s New York Times bestselling biography of one America’s greatest musicians is the first in twenty-five years to be written with the cooperation of Bruce Springsteen himself; “Carlin gets across why Mr. Springsteen has meant so much, for so long, to so many people” (The New York Times).In Bruce, acclaimed music writer Peter Ames Carlin presents a startlingly intimate and vivid portrait of a rock icon. For more than four decades, Bruce Springsteen has reflected the heart and soul of America with a career that includes twenty Grammy Awards, more than 120 million albums sold, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award. Peter Ames Carlin masterfully encompasses the breadth of Springsteen’s astonishing career and explores the inner workings of a man who managed to redefine generations of music.A must read for fans, Bruce is a meticulously researched, compulsively readable biography of a man laden with family tragedy, a tremendous dedication to his artistry, and an all-consuming passion for fame and influence.
What If There Were No Moms?: A Gift Book for Moms and Those Who Wish to Celebrate Them
by Caron Chandler LovelessWhat If There Were No Moms?The very thought can be frightening!Moms do the most, but get the least recognition in the world! Their love, patience, and endless trips to the ballpark are often taken for granted. It's time to tell moms everywhere how special and loved they are. This fun yet heartwarming book will delight any mom and let her know how much she is appreciated for all she does. Inside, charming illustrations bring to life the words of an enchanting poem that tells how much Mom does and how we couldn't get along without her. This is a gift book any mom will cherish and the perfect way to honor the love, compassion, tenderness, and support they give us. It confirms what Mom has known all along -- you really can't live without her!
The Sorcerer's Shadow: The Bard And The Beast; The Pegasus Quest; The False Fairy; The Sorcerer's Shadow (The Kingdom of Wrenly #12)
by Jordan QuinnIn the twelfth fantastical book from The Kingdom of Wrenly series, Prince Lucas and Clara go on an adventure in the forest realm of Trellis!All is not right in the forest realm of Trellis. Birds have left their nests and bears have abandoned their dens, as a mysterious magic threatens the natural order of the deep, dark woods. Together with a band of knights, Prince Lucas and Clara set out on an adventure that pits them against a dreaded sorcerer&’s shadow. There&’s only one problem: How can a shadow be defeated?With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
Captain Awesome Has the Best Snow Day Ever? (Captain Awesome #18)
by Stan KirbyCaptain Awesome is determined to make this the best snow day ever in the eighteenth adventure of the Sunnyview Superhero Squad!Captain Awesome just woke up, and something is suspicious. His mom’s not calling him to come downstairs for breakfast. His school clothes aren’t laid out for him. He peeks out the window and gasps. He can barely see anything through the piles and piles of...snow! This can only mean one thing. SNOW DAY! And it’s going to be the greatest snow day ever! Or is it?With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Captain Awesome chapter books are perfect for beginning readers!
Adrenalized: Life, Def Leppard, and Beyond
by Phil Collen Chris EptingA revelatory, redemptive, and “wild...juicy” (Rolling Stone) memoir from the lead guitarist of the legendary hard rock band Def Leppard—the first ever written by one of its members—chronicling the band’s extraordinary rise to superstardom and how they maintained it for three decades.Meet Phil Collen. You may know him as the lead guitarist in Def Leppard, whose signature song “Pour Some Sugar on Me” is still as widely enjoyed as when it debuted in 1988. Maybe you’ve heard of him as the rock star that gave up alcohol and meat more than twenty-five years ago. Most likely you’ve seen him shirtless—in photos or in real life—flaunting his impeccably toned body to appreciative female fans.But it wasn’t always like this. Collen worked his way up from nothing, teaching himself guitar from scratch and slogging it out in London-based pub bands for years; that is, until Def Leppard formed and transformed from unknowns to icons, from playing openers in near-empty arenas to headlining in those same stadiums and selling them out every night. But as Collen discovered, true overnight success is a myth. Like the other band members, he had to struggle and fight his way to the top; in the end, he says, “our work ethic saved us.” Just as it still does.Adrenalized is an amazing underdog tale featuring a bunch of ordinary working-class lads who rose to mega-stardom, overcoming incredible obstacles—such as drummer Rick Allen losing an arm in a car crash and the tragic death of guitarist Steve Clark, Phil’s musical soul mate. Featuring personal, never-before-seen photos of Collen and his band mates on stage and off, Adrenalized is a fascinating account of the failures, triumphs, challenges, and rock-solid dedication it takes to make dreams come true.
Box of Butterflies: Discovering the Unexpected Blessings All Around Us
by Roma DowneyA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERRoma Downey—best known as the beloved angel on the TV show Touched by an Angel—&“has created a beautiful and personal testimony to the presence of God in our lives and our world&” (Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles).Ever since she was a little girl, Roma has seen butterflies as a reminder of God&’s presence. They have appeared to her in moments when she needed encouragement, reminding her that she is not alone. In this deeply personal book, Roma shares stories from her life, alongside quotes, poems, scripture, and artwork that she prays will uplift you as they have her.Reminiscent of the message of her popular television series, Touched by an Angel, this book&’s central theme is that there is a God, He loves you, and that even in your most difficult moments, He is by your side. The subtle butterfly theme reminds us that the wonder of God&’s love and kindness is sometimes reflected in the gentle whispers of His creation and that we all have the power to transform from simple caterpillars into exquisite butterflies.This inspirational book invites you to return to its pages again and again, as life brings new challenges, or you find yourself in need of new inspiration. Box of Butterflies &“will touch you and move you and strengthen you&” (Kathie Lee Gifford).
Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution
by Melissa Lukeman BohrerMuch has been written of the brave deeds, acts of heroism, and intellectual prowess of the men who drafted the Declaration of Independence over two hundred years ago, yet almost no attention has been paid to the extraordinary women of that time -- women who helped found our nation with courage, sacrifice, and intellect equal to any of the famed male politicians of 1776. Glory, Passion, and Principle tells the story of eight incredible women, each deprived of formal education, world travel, or equal status, and yet all managed to flourish against incredible odds. Whether advising such men as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, or Benjamin Franklin on political theory; publishing poems and plays that would rouse a nation to independent furor; helping negotiate treaties; acting as spies; or fighting alongside men in the military -- these women broke the limiting definitions imposed upon them, much as America was doing for itself, and helped form and found the country that is America today. Each chapter is dedicated to a different woman, starting with Abigail Adams, political confidante and wife of John Adams. Using her intellect to influence her husband's position in the Continental Congress, she earned the distinction of being the only person to put Thomas Jefferson in his place. Nancy Ward, the brave and diplomatic leader of the Cherokee tribe, matured from a young widow to bold warrior, risking her life and those of her people when she warned the Patriots of imminent attack by Native American tribes. She became a strong voice when the Treaty of Hopewell was signed in 1785.Yet another bright light was Sybil Ludington, a seventeen-year-old who took it upon herself to alert her town's militia that the British were coming, and survived a ride twice as long as Paul Revere's. And where Revere got caught, Ludington did not. Alongside Ludington, Adams, and Ward, the five other chapters chronicle the lives of Deborah Sampson, Lydia Darragh, Mercy Otis Warren, Phillis Wheatley, and Molly Hays. Filled with unimaginable heartbreak, personal sacrifice, and cunning survival skills, Glory, Passion, and Principle is an inspiring testament to the women who undoubtedly made a considerable dent in our great nation's history.
The Mystery Across the Secret Bridge (Greetings from Somewhere #7)
by Harper ParisEthan and Ella find a mystery atop Machu Picchu in the seventh book of Greetings from Somewhere, an exciting series about mystery, travel, and adventure.The Briar family is off to Peru! They explore small towns within the Sacred Valley, go horseback riding up into ancient salt mines, help weave alpaca wool into blankets, and then travel to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” While Ethan and Ella are exploring the incredible site, they come across a wooden bridge that leads them to a mysterious stone structure. What is it, why haven’t they heard about it—and why does it seem to look like a snake, a bird, and a puma at the same time?With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Greetings from Somewhere chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score —from Nadia to Now
by Dvora MeyersA “delightful and insightful” (The Wall Street Journal) account of the controversial world of gymnastics and its scoring system, which has propelled powerful and athletic American gymnasts to the top of the sport.It was the team finals of women’s gymnastics in the 2012 London Olympics and McKayla Maroney was on top of her game. The sixteen-year-old US gymnast was performing arguably the best vault of all time, launching herself unimaginably high into the air and sticking a flawless landing. But when her score came, many were baffled: 16.233. Three tenths of a point in deductions stood between her and a perfect score. But if that vault wasn’t perfection, what was?For years, gymnastics was scored on a 10.0 scale. During this era, more than 100 “perfect” scores were awarded in major international competitions. But when the 10.0 scoring system caused major judging controversies at the 2004 Olympics, international elite gymnastics made the switch to the open-ended scoring system it uses today, which values both difficulty and technical execution, making perfect scores a thing of the past—and forever altering the sport in the process.With insight, flair, and boundless love for the sport, gymnastics insider Dvora Meyers answers questions that fans have been asking since the last perfect score was handed out over twenty years ago. She reveals why successful female gymnasts like 2016 Olympics All Around medalists Simone Biles and Aly Raisman are older and more athletic than they have ever been before, how the United States became the gymnastics powerhouse it is today, and what the future of gymnastics may hold.Bolstered by dozens of exclusive interviews with professionals representing every aspect of the sport, The End of the Perfect 10 is “the Simone Biles of gymnastics books” (Slate), a captivating look at elite gymnastics’ entry into the uncharted world of imperfection—and how it has created stronger athletes than ever before.
Super Turbo Saves the Day! (Super Turbo: The Graphic Novel #1)
by Edgar PowersIn this first installment of the Super Turbo graphic novel series, the classroom pets of Sunnyview Elementary band together to form a Superpet Superhero League to fight the crime that is all around them! Can they defeat the evil rat pack threatening their school?Turbo the hamster is the official classroom pet of Classroom C at Sunnyview Elementary…and he has a top secret identity as Super Turbo, crime-fighting superhero! He can&’t believe it when he finds out he&’s not the only superpet in town (or in school)! As he meets fellow superpets, such as Angelina the guinea pig (a.k.a. Wonder Pig) and Frank the rabbit (a.k.a. Boss Bunny), he also encounters a super VILLAIN: a rat who goes by the name of Whiskerface. Can Turbo and the Superpet Superhero League save the school from Whiskerface and his rat pack?This graphic novel adaptation of the Super Turbo chapter book features fun, bright, full-color panels that bring the story to life better than ever before—but with all the same humor and action that readers have come to expect from Super Turbo!
Mia Mayhem Breaks Down Walls: Mia Mayhem Is A Superhero!; Mia Mayhem Learns To Fly!; Mia Mayhem Vs. The Super Bully; Mia Mayhem Breaks Down Walls (Mia Mayhem #4)
by Kara WestMia uses her super-strength to break down walls in this fourth adventure of the Mia Mayhem chapter book series!Mia is determined to be the best in her strength-training class, so she can learn how to lift cars, and climb super tall buildings! But when her own super strength gets the better of her, she ends up causing absolute mayhem. Will Mia be able to rebuild the walls she broke down, one-by-one?With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Mia Mayhem chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.
The Haunted House Next Door: The Haunted House Next Door; Ghosts Don't Ride Bikes, Do They?; Surf's Up, Creepy Stuff!; Night Of The Zombie Zookeeper (Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #1)
by Andres MiedosoMeet Desmond Cole! A fearless eight-year-old who runs his own ghost patrol, looking for ghosts, monsters, and mischief makers everywhere. Oh, and he just so happens to be my new best friend…and thank goodness! Because I&’m afraid of everything.Welcome to Kersville, a town with a spooky history and a collection of ghosts and spirits who are major mischief-makers. Most kids spend their days without ever seeing or dealing with a ghost, but some kids get stuck with a haunt. When that happens, they call Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol. Desmond is the hall monitor of ghosts and monsters. There&’s no job too spooky, icky, or risky for Desmond.I&’m not like that at all. My name&’s Andres Miedoso. I&’m Desmond&’s best friend. We do everything together…including catch ghosts. Seems cool, right? There&’s only one problem: I&’m afraid of everything.With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.
The Emigrant Edge: How to Make It Big in America
by Brian BuffiniBrian Buffini, an Irish immigrant who went from rags to riches, shares his strategies for anyone who wants to achieve the American dream in this New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. Brian Buffini embodies the classic rags to riches tale: born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he arrived in San Diego, California at nineteen years old with just ninety-two dollars in his pocket. Since then he has become one of his new nation&’s top real estate moguls and a founder of the largest business training company, Buffini & Co., in North America. And Brian isn&’t alone in his circle of success: while immigrants compose thirteen percent of the American population, they are responsible for creating a quarter of all new businesses. So, what&’s their secret? In The Emigrant Edge, Brian shares seven key characteristics that he and other successful immigrants have in common that can help produce a high level of achievement for anyone—no matter their vocation. He then challenges us to leave the comfort of our current work conditions to apply these secrets and achieve the success of our dreams.With a timely message sure to resonate with anyone who wants to prosper in the business world, The Emigrant Edge is a passionate, deeply personal story bound to inspire.So what are the secrets? In The Emigrant Edge, Brian shares seven characteristics that he and other successful immigrants have in common that can help anyone reach a higher level of achievement, no matter their vocation. He then challenges readers to leave the comfort of their current work conditions to apply these secrets and achieve the success of their dreams.
The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know to Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad
by Michael A. CusumanoThe world's leading expert on the global software industry and coauthor of the bestseller Microsoft Secrets reveals the inner workings of software giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Netscape and shows what it takes to create, develop, and manage a successful company -- in good times and bad -- in the most fiercely competitive business in the world. In the $600 billion software industry it is the business, not the technology, that determines success or failure. This fact -- one that thousands of once glamorous start-ups have unhappily discovered for themselves -- is the well-documented conclusion of this enormously readable and revealing new book by Michael Cusumano, based on nearly twenty years of research and consulting with software producers around the world. Cusumano builds on dozens of personal experiences and case studies to show how issues of strategy and organization are irrevocably linked with those of managing the technology and demonstrates that a thorough understanding of these issues is vital to success. At the heart of the book Cusumano poses seven questions that underpin a three-pronged management framework. He argues that companies must adopt one of three basic business models: become a products company at one end of the strategic spectrum, a services company at the other end, or a hybrid solutions company in between. The author describes the characteristics of the different models, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses, and shows how each is more or less appropriate for different stages in the evolution of a business as well as in good versus bad economic times. Readers will also find invaluable Cusumano's treatment of software development issues ranging from architecture and teams to project management and testing, as well as two chapters devoted to what it takes to create a successful software start-up. Highlights include eight fundamental guidelines for evaluating potential software winners and Cusumano's probing analysis, based on firsthand knowledge, of ten start-ups that have met with varying degrees of success. The Business of Software is timely essential reading for managers, programmers, entrepreneurs, and others who follow the global software industry.
For the Love of Physics: From the End of the Rainbow to the Edge of Time—A Journey Through the Wonders of Physics
by Walter Lewin Warren Goldstein“YOU HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE” is a common refrain in the emails Walter Lewin receives daily from fans who have been enthralled by his world-famous video lectures about the wonders of physics. “I walk with a new spring in my step and I look at life through physics-colored eyes,” wrote one such fan. When Lewin’s lectures were made available online, he became an instant YouTube celebrity, and The New York Times declared, “Walter Lewin delivers his lectures with the panache of Julia Child bringing French cooking to amateurs and the zany theatricality of YouTube’s greatest hits.” For more than thirty years as a beloved professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lewin honed his singular craft of making physics not only accessible but truly fun, whether putting his head in the path of a wrecking ball, supercharging himself with three hundred thousand volts of electricity, or demonstrating why the sky is blue and why clouds are white. Now, as Carl Sagan did for astronomy and Brian Green did for cosmology, Lewin takes readers on a marvelous journey in For the Love of Physics, opening our eyes as never before to the amazing beauty and power with which physics can reveal the hidden workings of the world all around us. “I introduce people to their own world,” writes Lewin, “the world they live in and are familiar with but don’t approach like a physicist—yet.” Could it be true that we are shorter standing up than lying down? Why can we snorkel no deeper than about one foot below the surface? Why are the colors of a rainbow always in the same order, and would it be possible to put our hand out and touch one? Whether introducing why the air smells so fresh after a lightning storm, why we briefly lose (and gain) weight when we ride in an elevator, or what the big bang would have sounded like had anyone existed to hear it, Lewin never ceases to surprise and delight with the extraordinary ability of physics to answer even the most elusive questions. Recounting his own exciting discoveries as a pioneer in the field of X-ray astronomy—arriving at MIT right at the start of an astonishing revolution in astronomy—he also brings to life the power of physics to reach into the vastness of space and unveil exotic uncharted territories, from the marvels of a supernova explosion in the Large Magellanic Cloud to the unseeable depths of black holes. “For me,” Lewin writes, “physics is a way of seeing—the spectacular and the mundane, the immense and the minute—as a beautiful, thrillingly interwoven whole.” His wonderfully inventive and vivid ways of introducing us to the revelations of physics impart to us a new appreciation of the remarkable beauty and intricate harmonies of the forces that govern our lives.
Green with Envy: Bella's Birthday Unicorn; Where's Glimmer?; Green With Envy (Unicorn Magic #3)
by Jessica BurkhartBella feels jealous for the first time when her cousin visits Crystal Castle and gets along a little too well with Glimmer in the third book in the Unicorn Magic series!Princess Bella is super excited to have her favorite cousin, Violet, visit her at the Crystal Castle! Bella can’t wait to introduce Violet to her best friends, and of course, her unicorn, Glimmer.When Sofia arrives, everyone loves her—especially Glimmer and her BFFs, Ivy and Clara. Soon, Bella feels something she has never felt before: jealousy! Will Violet have Bella seeing green for the entire visit?