Book Review

12
Oct
  Title: Retire Young Retire Rich
 
Author: Robert Kiyosaki, the world renowned entrepreneur and creator of the “Rich Dad” brand, is assisted by his business partner Sharon Lechter in this addition to the series.
 
Category:
  • Business
  • Personal Development
 
What the book is about:
 
Although you may expect from the title that this is a book about retirement, it is also about the differences between rich and poor and the way they focus on different financial tools.If we are to achieve this rich retirement whilst we are still young  we must increase our skills in the areas of business, finance and money management.

Kiyosaki talks about the fact that it wasn’t until he and his wife set the plan to retire young and rich. If we intend to retire young and rich we need to plan.

Anyone can reach these goals if they adopt the following six habits: Hire A book keeper, Build a winning team, Constantly expand your content & context, Keep growing up, Be willing to fail more and Listen to yourself.

In order to achieve great wealth, either in real estate, paper assets or some other area, we need to build an asset base.

Although the tax breaks info is specific to the US market he does advise readers to consult a professional financial adviser and the ratios discussed are generic worldwide.

The invention of government pensions and other safety nets was to supply the very needy in the industrial age, in today’s current information age we need to be more self reliant.

The focus like some of the other Rich Dad books is leverage.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
As with most of the Rich dad series the principles are relatively timeless.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
I liked the references to the tortoise and the hare. Despite the fact that the book is talking about retiring young, there is still the insinuation that if you adopt the strategies and continue to improve your financial skills you can succeed even if you start later in life.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
A classic book in the series and I am happy to leave this section for others to pick any faults.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Paper Back 
  • Audio book
  • Audio Download
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
www.Audible.com
Category : Book Review | Business | Personal Development | Robert T Kiyosaki | Blog
10
Oct
  Title: Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
 
Author: T. Harv Eker is a multimillionaire, motivational speaker and the founder of a mobile business school (Peak Potentials Training).
 
Category:
  • Business
  • Personal Development
 
What the book is about:
 
As you may expect by the title, the premise of the book is that Millionaires think differently to other people.The book provides seventeen “Wealth Files”, which are examples of how the Rich think differently to poor and middle class people.

We are told that “our current money blueprints will determine our financial success”; the good thing is that we can reprogram our money blueprints.

Our financial blueprints are set by the information we have been exposed to along the way. Invariably our parent’s and other influential people in our lives have ingrained their own views of money in us.

Our subconscious mind determines our blueprints and as these strongly ingrained beliefs can override logic, actions are required to train the subconscious.The book has a four step process to this training: Awareness, Understanding, Disassociation and Declaration.

We are provided affirmations (Called declarations in the book) and they are accompanied by the actions of touching your head and your heart whilst speaking them. By physical activity as well as saying the words it provides more emphasis.

He talks about the fact that certain people may not believe in these theories, because they can’t physically see the millionaire mindset. People pay their electricity bills even though they can only see the results of the electricity and not the electricity itself.

We are advised to have five accounts for our finances, 10% Long Term Savings, 10% Investing, 10% Education, 10% Play & 50% Necessities. The mathematicians amongst us will have noticed we have only accounted for 90%, the last 10% is to be given away to a good cause.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
Not just a book about attitudes but about changing mindsets.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
I liked the start of the book where Eker says “don’t believe anything I say”, referring to the fact that these are his experiences which we can use as a tool but it is our choice whether to use them and if so how.The statement that no thought lives in your head rent free, thoughts are either beneficial or detrimental to your financial health.

Eker’s definition of an entrepreneur being: “someone who solves problems for people for a profit”

 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
As with other books which I have recommended I couldn’t find anything major to improve on. Should anyone else have a view on things that could have been improved please feel free to comment on my blog.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Hard Back 
  • Paper Back 
  • Audio book
  • Audio Download
  • Kindle
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
www.Audible.com
Category : Book Review | Business | Personal Development | T Harv Eker | Blog
9
Oct
  Title: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
 
Author: Susan Jeffers holds a doctorate in psychology and is a world renowned self help guru. Having written over 17 books, this is the one that launched her literary career.
 
Category: Personal Development
 
What the book is about:
 
We all have some fear when we are undertaking activities outside of our comfort zones and this book resolves that we should do the activities in spite of the fear.The Fears addressed in the book are not just the procrastination of facing that your marriage has failed or the fear of making a sales call but can include all fears including heights etc. The book is about creating empowerment to face those fears.

To quote from the book “Anyone reading the book has made the decision that they aren’t currently where they want to be”. If there is anyone reading this review that isn’t currently where they want to be then maybe this is the book for them.

The problem isn’t the fear but how we hold that fear. If we hold the fear from a position of choice and power then the fear doesn’t win. If we hold it from a position of pain and hopelessness the fear wins.

It’s about responsibility, we have to make the decision as to how we are going to experience situations and not be a victim.

As well as examples the book provides exercises to expand our comfort zones.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
An age old classic that provides some basic insights into the subconscious.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
I liked the fact that when some of Susan’s students expressed guilt at leaving their negative friends, she pointed out that they where assuming that the friends weren’t strong enough to survive without them.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
Although this is a small paperback it lasts for six hours when it is converted into an audio book!  I’m sure it wouldn’t lose any of the quality if it was more condensed.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Hard Back 
  • Paper Back
  • Audio book
  • Audio Download
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
www.Audible.com
Category : Book Review | Personal Development | Susan Jeffers | Blog
8
Oct
  Title: Networking Magic – 366 Hot Networking Tips
 
Author: Robyn Henderson is an international networking specialist who has authored and contributed to over twenty books
 
Category:
  • Business
  • Personal Development
 
What the book is about:
 
This is one of a group of books on Networking by Henderson and with 366 Networking Tips, that’s one for each day of the year (even on a leap year).Individuals tend to network on an ad hoc basis but in order to be effective our networking needs to be consistent. Here we are provided a twelve month networking plan.

By providing a month by month plan throughout the year this book maintains a steady flow of energy to negate unnecessary highs and lows.

The exercises and reviews allow us to test and measure different methods of networking and to set expectations in order to refine our networking skills.

The monthly plan including thoughts about Christmas cards and the celebration of other diverse cultural events throughout the year is a great idea.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
Even in today’s high tech world a lot of business is still done face to face. Here is a simple resource for those occasions.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
It really was a resource full of useful tips. Some we may be practicing already but reminders are always great.The monthly “self networking tracker” table was simple but effective.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
It may seem obvious but I would have included a weekly self networking tracker table. Most people will do this anyway but as there are so many tips in the book It could be overlooked initially.
 
Formats available:
  Paper Back 
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
Shop at Amazon.com!
www.networkingtowin.com.au
Category : Book Review | Business | Personal Development | Robyn Henderson | Blog
7
Oct
  Title: The Business Coach
 
Author: Bradley J. Sugars is a multi millionaire business coach and the owner of Action International Business Coaching.
 
Category: Business
 
What the book is about:
 
This parable is framed around a married couple that own a bakery and the process of them taking on a business coach.As we accompany them on their journey, we are lead through the coaches six step process to the businesses progression (Mastery, Niche, Leverage, Team, Synergy and Results).Each of the steps is covered in a methodical way and as the couple complete each step we see the benefits that they achieve by adopting the strategies.

As you may have expected (From a book on business coaching written by a business coach) there is a happy ending to the story. Employing a coach is shown to increase the couples net profit by almost 500%

Even taking a cynical view of this book, most small business owners should find some benefit in this refresher on business basics such as Unique Selling Points and lead conversion rates.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
A great book for all small business owners to remind them of the basics.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
The old adage that facts tell and stories sell is brought home here in the way the story simply gets across the basic business principles.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
The indexing system in the book could benefit from more information.Although the six steps are split down into a form of index at the back of the book, a more detailed index would have made the book easier to navigate.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Hard Back 
  • Paper Back 
  • Audio book 
  • Kindle
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
Category : Book Review | Bradley J Sugars | Business | Blog
6
Oct
  Title: Employed But Not Engaged
 
Author: Michael Smyth is a barrister currently practicing employment law in New Zealand. He is also the owner of approachablelawyer.com
 
Category:
  • Business
  • Management
 
What the book is about:
 
This New Zealand book is a practical guide to getting the right people in the right job and keeping them. If you get the wrong people in the job this book takes you through the processes to rectify the problem whilst reducing any complications.Smyth uses the analogy of personal (marriage) relationships to cleverly frame the relationships between employees and employers.

The book breaks everything down into simple terms and is full of useful tips on employing the right person and getting rid of the wrong person. We are taken from the initial stage of advertising for the right person through performance management and if necessary to Department of Labour mediation.

One of the elements of the book is monitoring the employer /employee relationship so that the employees are provided the right atmosphere to keep them engaged, this way both sides benefit.

The book recognizes that there are some workers that are doing the bare minimum to avoid being fired.

Anyone who has read the 4 hour work week will know that Tim Ferris was disengaged in his paid job whilst he was researching his first online business. Disengaged people aren’t necessarily bad people they may be just misemployed.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
A good resource for any kiwi employer to keep by their desk. Useful as an easy reference book for kiwi employees to ensure both parties are adding value to the relationship.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
The way the book methodically takes you through each of the stages of the processes. The book is not written as a text book which is why the language is more accessible to the non legal mind.The fact that he addresses that most employers feel they can’t get rid of bad employees without a difficult costly process; his step by step guides in this book dispel that myth.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
As with other books which I have recommended I couldn’t find anything major to improve on. Should anyone else have a view on things that could have been improved please feel free to comment on my blog.
 
Formats available:
  Paper Back 
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Category : Book Review | Business | Management | Michael Smyth | Blog
5
Oct
  Title: Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude
 
Author: Jeffrey Gitomer is a sales Guru and the best selling author of four sales books.
 
Category: Personal Development
 
What the book is about:
 
As you would expect from the title this is a book about having a positive attitude.The difference between a standard positive attitude and the “YES” attitude in this book is that with the YES attitude you are focused and portray a perception that your answer to questions will be YES.The book is Split into six elements of Insight to your inside attitude, attitude self awareness, attitude actions, attitude attributes, attitude achievement and attitude fulfilment.

This is a book that provides a group of resources to help you assess and adjust your attitude to a positive setting.

These resources include (but are not limited to) a test to see what your positive attitude is and a collection of Gitomer’s affirmations.

 
Would I buy this book:

NO

 
 
There was nothing new in here and I believe that there are better books out there to help you achieve a positive attitude.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
I really liked the idea of replacing “I’m Sorry” with “Thank You” whenever someone yells at you or blames you.I thought the Attitude self test was user friendly and provided a good starting point to indicate how much is required to progress to a more positive attitude.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
I didn’t like the comment around attitude books “Don’t go to the library like a cheap bastard. BUY THE BOOKS”.I agree that some personal development books can be read over and over again and I am a fan of each person having their own library. As Gitomer’s reading list may not coincide with ours, there is nothing wrong with trying a book from the library first in order to decide if it is something we want to add to our library.For a book on positive attitudes the comment could have been framed a lot better.

I wasn’t over fussed at his habit of numbering using decimal points, numbering from 1 to 5 then having 5.5 as the next step instead of 6 did nothing for me.

 
Formats available:
 
  • Hard Back 
  • Audio book 
  • Audio Download 
  • Kindle 
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
www.Audible.com
Category : Book Review | Jeffrey Gitomer | Personal Development | Blog
4
Oct
  Title: Living the 80 / 20 Way
 
Author: Richard Koch is an entrepreneur and author of over a dozen books including The 80/20 Principle
 
Category:
  • Business
  • Self Help
 
What the book is about:
 
Similar to Koch’s previous book (The 80 20 Principle) this book expands on the idea that 20% of our actions produce 80% of our results.Here we are shown that this well known business principle is just as relevant in every other area of our life. We are given plans and charts to guide us into working less whilst enjoying our life more.

Koch encourages us to be lazier in the areas that provide us the minimal (20% results)

This isn’t just a book about efficiency; it’s about concentrating on the important areas of our lives.

We are provided a three step plan to focus on the 20% of actions that give us the 80% of our results for each of the five areas of Self, Work & Success, Money, Relationships and the Simple Good Life.

The process requires that we prioritize and then focus on one area at a time. We do not move onto the next area until we have completed the work on the first area.

The main thing that we have to do to get the most out of this book is to Change our way of thinking into believing that Less is more.

 
Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
A great addition to the library.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
As you’d expect in a book that is about focusing on smarter use of our time the book is short enough not to be padded out with unnecessary information but big enough to provide a plethora of resources. I liked the focus on happiness and the practical everyday uses that this principle can be adapted to.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
It might seem a little pedantic but as he used pie charts to provide pictorial clarity, it would have been more beneficial if the charts had been better labelled and printed in colour instead of grey and white. To me the idea of a graph or chart is that it summarises information and in this case the lacking in detail meant a slight lack of clarity for me.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Paper Back 
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
Category : Book Review | Business | Richard Koch | Self Help | Blog
3
Oct
  Title: What Color is your Parachute
 
Author: Richard Nelson Bolles is a member of Mensa and a renowned public speaker.
 
Category: Career
 
What the book is about:
 
This annually reviewed American book is a practical manual for job hunters and career changers.This is primarily a reference book that gives a variety of tools and exercises to assist you in choosing a career direction.It provides practical ways to achieve changes in your current employment situation including sections on ways to hunt for a job, dealing with handicaps, resumes, interviews and salary negotiations.

The annual updates are primarily to include new resources that are continually becoming available as technology and industries progress.

The tools in the book are designed not just for job searching but to help you decide on deeper decisions such as your mission in life.

 
Would I buy this book:

NO

 
 
Rather than buying this new I would get this out of the library as it is updated annually. Even a serial career changer would benefit from working with an up to date version
 
What I liked about this book:
 
Very Comprehensive including some very useful exercises for defining your goals.Because it is updated annually second hand book shops and charity shops are usually good sources of historical copies of the book. I have to confess to owning older versions of this book myself as the basic principles provide a good foundation for career guidance.
 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
Although there is an index at the back I would have preferred a more detailed contents section. The contents Headings cover blocks of thirty to forty pages at a time which doesn’t make rapid searches for information very rapid.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Hard Back 
  • Paper Back 
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
Category : Book Review | Career | Richard Bolles | Blog
2
Oct
  Title: Man’s Search for Meaning
 
Author: Victor E. Frankl is a world renowned author who survived the Nazi death camps of world war two and used his experiences to develop his own branch of psychotherapy “Logotherapy”.
 
Category: Psychology
 
What the  book is about:
 
Considered to be one of the ten most influential books in America, this is a guide to how we can all survive despair by our own choice.Frankl uses his experiences in the death camp to present his theories, which are even more pertinent when we consider that in the death camps he was not employed as a psychologist but underwent the same arduous work and suffering as his fellow inmates.

This inside story of survival in a concentration camp provides an interesting focus on the ways that man can chose his mental attitudes and   to survive.

This book introduces Logotherapy and gives us an insight in how it relates to people under terrible conditions.

This isn’t a book designed to condemn the holocaust but to show how anyone can overcome insurmountable odds

He recommends a sense of humour on all occasions (Even in the death camps).

The title mans search for meaning doesn’t refer to one meaning that is the be all and end all for everyone but that each individual must find their own life’s meaning.

Would I buy this book:

YES

 
 
In the (mass distributed) paperback format it is the kind of book you can keep with you and read over and over again.
 
What I liked about this book:
 
I liked the fact that even though he has written lots of books and this one was supposed to be written anonymously this book is his most famous.It was interesting the way in which he asked his patients why they didn’t commit suicide (As a way of finding what they had to live for) and then used their reasoning to reiterate that they had some meaning in their lives.

This wasn’t a flowery book on positive attitude but a reminder of how hard life really can be.

 
What I thought could have been improved in this book:
 
This is not a light book. I realise that the subject matter of life in the death camps is never a light matter but some people may find the in depth psychology references a little heavy compared to a lot of the books out there on attitude. Having read it several times and listened to the audio book (almost five hours long) several times, I sometimes feel it a bit of a slog.
 
Formats available:
 
  • Hard Back 
  • Paper Back 
  • Audio book 
  • Audio Download
  • Kindle
 
Where available:
  http://www.fishpond.co.nz/
www.thenile.co.nz
Shop at Amazon.com!
www.Audible.com
Category : Book Review | Psychology | Victor E Frankl | Blog