Review: Filling the GlassWritten by Reviewed by Philip Abelard
Continued from page 1
Consider technique he calls, Bragging about Negatives. Are you having a problem explaining a price increase, for example? Try this: "Are our rates expensive? Absolutely. Why do we charge so much? Because we can. Because our clients are willing to pay that much for results we generate. Is competition cheaper? Absolutely. But do you really think they would charge less if they could charge more? They charge less because that's what they can get for results they generate." No excuses, no convoluted explanations, no mealy-mouthing. Reality. If you ever want to promote an idea, a proposal or yourself, if you ever want to sell anything to anybody, story of Clyde Thompson winning a job by bragging about his prison record is, by itself, worth price of book. Maher's unique perspective illuminates even familiar in new and revealing ways. "As far as this, I'm okay, you're okay stuff," he writes, "maybe you're not so okay. It's not like everybody is. The universe has produced Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and Adolf Hitler. They weren't okay. And to be frank, I'm still not all that convinced about Attila Hun . . . [When it comes to self esteem,] you know yourself a lot better than I do. If you don't think much of yourself, who am I to contradict you?" Oddly enough, book's hardheaded skepticism ultimately makes it more inspirational--and more positive--not less. The ending is an emotional body blow. Filling Glass is not perfect. Some strategies could use more amplification: two or three are worthy of books of their own. A few anecdotes seem to have been included more for their entertainment value than because they add much to message. And occasionally, Filling Glass yields to self help temptation of promising more than it or any book or program can deliver. The over-promising is unnecessary, and Maher should know better. But, as he himself notes, "Marketing has it's own truths which are often hidden from heart." No matter, Filling Glass: The Skeptic's Guide to Positive Thinking in Business is a strong $$$$$: our highest recommendation. For once, cover blurbs are right. And when Guerrilla Marketing author Jay Levinson writes that Filling Glass should be "required reading for any MBA program," proper response, even for those of us without televangelist hair, can only be "Amen." Books for Business Ratings $$$$$ A Must-Read, Invaluable $$$$ Well Worth Investment $$$ Some Worthwhile Content $$ Invest Your Money Elsewhere $ Demand a Refund
Philip Abelard writes the syndicated Books for Business column. He may be reached at booksforbusiness@yahoo.com.
| | The Secret to a Happy LifeWritten by Marsha Jordan
Continued from page 1
My great grandma and her family rarely drove 13 miles into town because gas was too expensive and they couldn't all fit into car anyway. When they did go to town, they had to change flat tires every few miles and in winter they froze with no heat in car and frequently got stuck in snow even though they had put chains on tires. As a newlywed, when my grandmother moved to her new home with her new husband, she packed all her belongings into a horse-drawn wagon. As they drove away from her parents' home, she said "I forgot to bring a broom." Her husband replied, "The house we'll be living in has a dirt floor, so you won't need a broom." This was my grandmother's life. How many of us could live like that and still be happy? Maybe part of reason she could be happy was that she did not have high expectations that we have these days. She expected to lose children to death. She expected to have to work hard and not have much to show for it. She accepted whatever happened and kept going, taking each day as it came. Maybe our problem is that we cannot accept hardship when it comes because we expect our lives to be better and easier than they sometimes are. When I compare my life to my great grandmothers, I realize that we are very fortunate to have all good things we enjoy in our lives. Let's count our blessings and be thankful! During this joyous season, when we celebrate fact that God loved us each so much that He was willing to give up his only son to die in our place, we can be very thankful for THAT and for many many other blessings. Question of Day: How many blessings can you count in your life that you are grateful for? Marsha Jordan, Director HUGS AND HOPE FOUNDATION A ministry designed to share God's Word and His love with families of critically ill children http://www.hugsandhope.com Join Us! Together we can make a difference
Marsha is a disabled grandma who lives in northern Wisconsin with her husband and toy poodle, Louie. She founded a nonprofit organization to help sick children called The Hugs and Hope Club. She enjoys collecting antiques and having fun with her grandson
|
