Leading At The Edge, Second Edition by Dennis N.T. Perkins - Book review

Leading at The Edge

Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition, Second Edition

By: Dennis N.T. Perkins, Ph.D.

Published: March 28, 2012
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0814431941
ISBN-13: 978-0814431948
Publisher: AMACOM










"The Shackleton expedition's extraordinary tale is one of the most exciting stories of polar exploration. It is a story about a leader and a group of explorers who endured conditions of hardship and deprivation more extreme than most of us can even imagine", writes chief executive officer of The Syncretics Group, Dennis N.T. Perkins, Ph.D., in his leadership lesson and wisdom filled book Leading at The Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition, Second Edition. The author shares the leadership lessons gleaned from his study and description of the famous Shackleton expedition to the South Pole; and presents his Ten Strategies for Success that demonstrate effective leadership principles during difficult times.

Dennis Perkins understands the importance of good leadership, and especially leadership during very stressful times and circumstances. The author offers the story of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton as an example of great leadership during the most difficult conditions imaginable. Dennis Perkins terms this extreme situational leadership as leading at the edge. The leadership principles practiced by Shackleton provide an striking example of effective leadership and maintaining a cohesive group of followers despite facing nearly impossible odds of survival. In an environment of bitter cold, heavy ice, shortages of food, and complete isolation, Shackleton not only welded the group together, but also in good spirits, and very much alive.




Dennis N.T. Perkins (photo left) recognizes the importance of teamwork and leadership in all situations. The author also knows the critical role that leadership and a cohesive team play in those very challenging times of strife. The analysis of the leadership techniques employed by Shackleton point out the difference between survival and disaster hinges on the leader. The role of the leader is magnified in times of trouble, and at the edge of possible oblivion, is when true leadership skills are needed most.

Dennis Perkins offers the ten most important leadership strategies utilized by Ernest Shackleton, and how they ensured his crew's survival, when other Antarctic teams perished in that hostile environment. The ten strategies include:

* Never lose sight of the ultimate goal and focus energy on short term objectives
* Set a personal example
* Instill optimism and self confidence but keep an eye on reality
* Take care of yourself
* Reinforce the team message: We are one and live or die togerher
* Minimizes status differences
* Master conflict within the group
* Find reasons to celebrate and to laugh
* Be willing to take a big risk
* Never give up, as there is always another move

For me, the power of the book is how Dennis Perkins combines the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and how he led his crew to survive, with a practical set of leadership strategies based on those employed by that polar explorer. The author combines a fascinating account of the Shackleton expedition with a series of ten strategies based on those used by Sir Ernest. The author further illustrates his Ten Strategies for Success through a number of case studies of the strategies in action in other perilous settings.

Dennis Perkins demonstrates the crucial elements of effective leadership on what he calls the edge, where failure to lead will end in disaster or even death. With this overarching concern in mind, the author offers hands on advice, and self analysis tools for anyone to enhance and constantly improve their own leadership skills.

I highly recommend the empowering and very engaging book Leading at The Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition, Second Edition by Dennis N.T. Perkins, Ph.D., to anyone seeking a very different type of leadership book that stretches the concepts of effective leadership to the limit and discovers success. This book will change the way you think about and approach leadership in a crisis situation, where failure will end in disaster, and survival is of the essence.

Tags: Leading at The Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition, Second Edition, Dennis N.T. Perkins, Ph.D., leadership development, business book reviews

The Analyst by P.T. Dawkins - Fiction book review

The Analyst

By: P.T. Dawkins

Published: August, 2011
Format: Paperback, 300 pages
ISBN: 9781605947235
Publisher: Llumina Press















After David Heart’s father’s estate is squandered by bad advice, his mother faces eviction and his grandfather needs life-saving surgery. A seemingly-helpful family friend finds David a seat at a bucket-shop off-Wall Street firm with the promise that money flows like wine. This fateful step begins David Heart's journey through the world of finance, where everything has a price, in the thrilling and page turning novel The Analyst, by P.T. Dawkins.

The author brings his almost three decades of personal experience, in the high powered and often unethical world of high finance, to the pages of his novel. The aptly named David Heart, torn by emotions, his sense of ethics and ideals, and the desperate need for ready cash, finds his moral values challenged in ways he never thought possible. The author names his characters, seen representatives of various archetypes, to illustrate their role in this modern day morality play. David Heart begins his voyage through the shark infested waters of finance with high ideals and the best of intentions. Abused by a cruel head trader named Blackie, an archetypical villain, David takes some life changing steps in attempt to re-balance his ethical worldview.



P.T. Dawkins (photo left) provides a novel that is, at its core, a tale of ethical and moral principles. Once compromised, these critical values are very hard to regain, and they can only be repurchased at a very high cost. Faced with the dark world of the bucket shop, and its complete lack of ethical values of any kind, David seeks his salvation in the form of the street wise saleswoman Sandy Allen.

What David soon discovers is the price of return to his own world of ethics and moral values, is full of dangers, deceit, and hidden agendas. The descent into the world where money is all that matters, and how it was obtained is not even part of the equation, David learns that no one can be trusted. Survival in this fall from grace world requires an understanding of its special code, and that redemption can only be achieved through its own terms.

The novel is a morality play, where the characters are representatives of types, and the world is one where what David considers the normal rules of behavior no longer apply. Through the entry point of the bucket shop, David enters into ever deeper levels of the sordid underbelly of society. David must live the hero's journey, and rise above the standards of the place, to reach his salvation and that of his financially troubled family. Through a series of compromises, the author demonstrates how morals and ethics cab be corrupted very easily. The ideals once lost, can only be retrieved through an act of redemption. For David, redemption is inexorably linked with personal tragedy and sacrifice.

I highly recommend the fast paced and several layered book
The Analyst by P.T. Dawkins, to anyone seeking an exciting read, that will keep them spellbound until the novel's final resolution. This book, and the lessons it conveys about ethics, morality, and the corrupting power of money, will change the way you think about the world of finance and many of the participants in that world.

**************



This book review is part of the The Analyst by P.T. Dawkins – NURTURE Book Tour.

Tags: The Analyst, .T. Dawkins , thriller novels, fiction book reviews

Ghost In The Wires by Kevin Mitnick - Book review

Ghost in the Wires

My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker

By: Kevin Mitnick

Published: April 24, 2012
Format: Paperback, 448 pages
ISBN-10: 0316037729
ISBN-13: 978-0316037723
Publisher: Back Bay Books













"I have hacked into some of the largest companies on the planet and penetrated the most resilient security systems ever developed - hired by the companies themselves, to help them close the gaps and improve their security so they don't become the next hacking victim", writes the world's most famous (former) hacker, and now security consultant Kevin Mitnick, in his fast paced and insider information packed book Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker. The author describes, in vivid detail, his shadowy life as an elusive and highly effective computer break-in specialist, and of his career as a sought after expert on uncovering even the most unsuspected entry points into supposedly highly secure computer systems.

Kevin Mitnick recognizes that any security system will have weaknesses that can be exploited by illegal computer entry artists. He would know that very well, as he was one of them. In his page turning account of his career as a computer, on both sides of the law, the author shares his adventures in entering the computer systems of the world's largest corporations. Staying constantly one step ahead of the authorities, Kevin Mitnick established his reputation for being skilled enough to slip through any security system. Very often, the skills he demonstrated in his dark side career were not even based on technology. Very often, the most critical element of illegal computer entry was simply an old fashioned confidence game. For Kevin Mitnick, there was more than one way to gain access to a very secure computer system.



Kevin Mitnick (photo left) understood both the computer systems that he was gaining entry to, and the psychology of the people who worked in the technology industry. That familiarity with both computers, and with how technical people think, created the impetus for the author's most successful and audacious entries. At the same time, Kevin Mitnick was aware of how the security experts who were tracking his every move conducted their investigations.

In the end, Kevin Mitnick not only revolutionized how security personnel, in both the public and private sectors, addressed the issue of illegal computer break and enter. The author is himself, part of that technology security revolution, as he has since turned his own skills and techniques to the discovery and apprehension of other illegal computer hackers.

For me, the power of the book is how Kevin Mitnick describes the methods and deception techniques used by illegal computer hackers. He shares his own story of his career on the wrong side of the law, and of others who were operating illegally as well. Despite the often historical aspect of the technology and systems involved, the story reads like a thriller novel, and not a dry computer hacking manual. The author does provide a real service to the reader by sharing some of the most frequently used deception tactics, that are as timeless as the confidence schemes from which they were spawned.

The author arms the reader with a warning that there are very real and very dangerous computer hackers still in operation throughout cyberspace. Through an understanding of some of their tricks and deceit, computer users in all sizes of companies and with their home computers, can avoid many of the hacking intrusions that present a real threat to computer network security.

I highly recommend the warning filled and expert computer security advice book Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin Mitnick, to anyone in any industry or who owns any technological device, and is concerned about the very real dangers of illegal intrusion. This book provides the background and sounds the alarm that despite often heard assurances, that there are real dangers of illegal computer break and enter still alive and well, and needing to be secured against their actions.

Tags: Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker, Kevin Mitnick, computer and online security, business book reviews

Accounting for Value by Stephen Penman - Book review

Accounting for Value

By: Stephen Penman

Published: December 23, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 264 pages
ISBN-10: 0231151187
ISBN-13: 978-0231151184
Publisher: Columbia University Press













"Valuation is a set of methods for determining the appropriate price to pay for a firm. Accounting is a set of methods for producing the information for the determination" writes George O. May Professor and Morgan Stanley Research Scholar at the Graduate School of Business, Columbia University, Stephen Penman, in his accessible and common sense based book Accounting for Value. The author describes how valuation is really the same as accounting for value for assessing the evaluation process of equity investments.

Stephen Penman recognizes that there are many evaluation tools and methods for establishing equity investment valuations. Those techniques include the popular tools of modern finance such as the cost-of-capital, the CAPM, and discounted cash flow analysis. For the purposes of this book, and for creating clarity for the investor, Stephan Penman dispenses with those approaches. In their place, the author returns to the basic principles of value investing based on common sense. The author's methodology offers an understandable set of principles that are accessible to any investor, regardless of experience and sophistication. Stephen Penman develops the concept of establishing an appropriate value to avoid paying too much for any equity investment; and for forecasting the expected return on investment from purchasing for growth.



Stephen Penman (photo left) presents the important connection between valuation and accounting, and offers the powerful insight that the two concepts represent close to the same thing. Put another way, valuation is at its core, accounting for value. With this concept in place, and understood by the investor, Stephen Penman provides the basic and common sense tools for avoiding overpayment for any equity investment. With a firm grasp of accounting for value investing, the investor will understand the following:

* Price is what you pay, but value is what you get
* The real investment risk is the risk of paying too much
* Base investments on what you know and not on speculation
* Avoid overpaying for speculative growth

For me, the power of the book is how Stephen Penman provides an understandable and effective method for valuating potential investments. The key to his straightforward concept is the connection between valuation and accounting. Instead of presenting the usual, and very often confusing tools of modern finance, the author offers the logical, and time proven principles of value investing. Stephen Penman brings the legendary Benjamin Graham school of value investing into today's market by recognizing that there are not only changes in the economy, but in accounting and modelling of finance as well.

Stephen Penman also combines the critical accounting basics of the balance sheet with the income statement to apply accounting for value. Not only will this approach uncover fresh investment opportunities, but also reduces the risk of overpaying for the equity. The entire premise of the book is to have investors thinking like accountants, and the author is very effective in achieving this objective.

I highly recommend the essential and fundamentals oriented book Accounting for Value by Stephen Penman, to anyone who is serious about investing in sound, fundamental stocks. This book will benefit the beginning or experienced investor, accountants, and anyone interested in the coupling of accounting with equity valuation.

Tags: Accounting for Value, Stephen Penman, value investing, business book reviews

Journalism Primer by Jim Pumarlo - Book review

Journalism Primer

A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media

By: Jim Pumarlo

Published; September 28, 2011
Format: Paperback, 62 pages
ISBN-10: 1937391027
ISBN-13: 978-1937391027
Publisher: Romeii LLC









""Community news will survive by delivering the basics" writes long time community newspaper journalist and editor, and director of communications for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Jim Pumarlo, in his no nonsense, concise, and very hands on book Journalism Primer: A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media. The author describes the importance of local newspapers to their communities, and share proven techniques for providing high quality news that will benefit both novice and veteran journalists and editors.

Jim Pumarlo recognizes that small, community based newspapers face some very difficult financial challenges in today's economy. Despite those monetary concerns, the author presents compelling evidence that by providing high caliber journalism and a strong local focus, community newspapers will thrive. Reduced revenues have caused many cutbacks at local newsrooms, and have caused a decline in the overall journalistic level of those publications. For Jim Pumarlo, these reductions in reporting staff are the wrong way to go, and are actually speeding up the decline in the relevance and revenue of the papers.



Jim Pumarlo (photo left) offers an alternative vision for developing a successful community newspaper, based on high quality reporting, and a strong local focus in the overall news coverage. Instead of considering as is so often the case, that reporters are a cost center rather than a revenue source, the author provides a strong business case for high level journalism. For Jim Pumarlo, solid and locally oriented content is essential for building revenues for the newspaper. This commitment to excellence in journalism is essential whether the content is published in a print newspaper or in the online version.

Instead of cutting back on serious reporting, Jim Pumarlo recommends improving the standard of the journalism to the highest possible level. The author dispels the misconceptions that have grown up around what local readers want in their local coverage. To rebuild the trust and value in the local newspaper, the author provides the following set of guiding principles for strong and relevant local journalism:

* Be timely with stories
* Be relevant with the information
* Be clear and understandable
* Be inviting and compelling
* Be engaging and offer editorial opinion
* Be accessible and available online

For me, the power of the book is how Jim Pumarlo connects high quality, locally focused journalism, with increased revenues for community newspapers. The author presents a solid case for increasing and maintaining a top quality journalistic standard as the key to financial stability and growth for small newspapers. With an emphasis on delivering the highest quality of content, both in the print and online versions of the publication, advertising and circulation income will increase.

Instead of the shortsighted cutting of reporters, Jim Pumarlo recommends the superior and proven road map to success of providing a high quality product that will be in demand by the readership. The author guides both novice and experienced reporters and editors through the process of creating and writing a compelling and relevant community newspaper. The result will be a profitable and thriving newspaper with ever increasing revenue and circulation.

I highly recommend the practical and real world proven technique packed book Journalism Primer: A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media by Jim Pumarlo, to anyone involved in a small community newspaper in any capacity, who seeks a clear and outcome oriented guide to operating a modern, successful small publication. This book will increase the revenue, circulation, and the overall journalistic caliber of any community newspaper.

Tags: Journalism Primer: A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media, Jim Pumarlo, community newspaper development, business book reviews

Stephanie Chandler: Own Your Niche - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



CEO of BusinessInfoGuide.com and Authority Publishing, and author of the very practical and straight talking book Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business, Stephanie Chandler, describes how to become a successful online marketer the right way. Stephanie provides the advice and the proven techniques for not only achieving internet business success, but to in fact own your special marketing niche, through establishing yourself as an authority.. Stephanie Chandler shares her ideas for transforming a website into a lead and customer creation tool. She offers secrets to better business blogging and social media community building. You will also learn the importance of content marketing and how to leverage it effectively for your business. Stephanie also offers some tips for gaining some free publicity and public relations the do it yourself way. Learn as well how to implement some internet based revenue streams that really bring in some actual revenue without any hype or some costly gimmicks.

Stephanie Chandler is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, May 10, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

CEO of BusinessInfoGuide.com and Authority Publishing, and author of the very practical and straight talking book Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business, Stephanie Chandler, describes how to become a successful online marketer the right way. You will learn:

* Why you should dominate your own niche market on the internet

* How to establish your authority in your niche area

* How to build a successful niche business online

* How to get some free publicity and share ideas though blogs and social media



Stephanie Chandler (photo left) is the author of several books including Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business, Booked Up! How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book to Grow Your Business, From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-books, And Information Products, and The Author’s Guide to Building an Online Platform: Leveraging the Internet to Sell More Books.

Stephanie is also founder and CEO of Authority Publishing, specializing in custom book publishing and social media services, and BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs. A frequent speaker at business events and on the radio, she has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, BusinessWeek, Inc.com, and Wired magazine, and she is a blogger for Forbes.

My book review of From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-books, And Information Products by Stephanie Chandler.

My book review of From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money With Books, E-books, And Information Products by Stephanie Chandler

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



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



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

Let's talk with CEO of BusinessInfoGuide.com and Authority Publishing, and author of the very practical and straight talking book Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business, Stephanie Chandler, as she describes how to become a successful online marketer the right way. Stephanie provides the advice and the proven techniques for not only achieving internet business success, but to in fact own your special marketing niche, through establishing yourself as an authority.. Stephanie Chandler shares her ideas for transforming a website into a lead and customer creation tool. She offers secrets to better business blogging and social media community building. You will also learn the importance of content marketing and how to leverage it effectively for your business. Stephanie also offers some tips for gaining some free publicity and public relations the do it yourself way. Learn as well how to implement some internet based revenue streams that really bring in some actual revenue without any hype or some costly gimmicks on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business, Stephanie Chandler, internet marketing techniques, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Matthew David: Marketing With A Mobile App - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Specialist in building rich technologies for websites and author Matthew David describes why mobile apps are so important for all businesses. He shares his ideas on how any business can build their own mobile app for all types of smartphones. Matthew guides us through the app building process and shares his ideas on their value to business. The process will demonstrate the simplicity of creating a mobile app for anyone, regardless of their experience in coding or smartphone understanding. With this process demonstrated on Matthew David points out that any company, of any size, can have a strong mobile presence, complete with their own downloadable business mobile app.
.
Matthew David is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

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

Specialist in building rich technologies for websites and author Matthew David describes why mobile apps are so important for all businesses. He shares his ideas on how any business can build their own mobile app for all types of smartphones. You will learn:

* Why the untethered mobile customer is so important for business

* How to reach the mobile customer and build relationships

* How to create mobile applications effectively and with minimal programming

* How to create your own business mobile app



Matthew David (photo left) is a specialist developing rich Web solutions using technologies like Flash and the latest Web design techniques. In addition, he works in online sales, marketing, and search engine optimization, with the aim of driving business to customer sites. Matthew partners with many companies as a business strategist, works closely with the World Wide Web Consortium Group (W3C), and is on Adobe's Advisory team.

Mathew David is author of the very practical book HTML5 Mobile Websites.

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



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



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

Let's talk with specialist in building rich technologies for websites and author Matthew David describes why mobile apps are so important for all businesses. He shares his ideas on how any business can build their own mobile app for all types of smartphones. Matthew guides us through the app building process and shares his ideas on their value to business. The process will demonstrate the simplicity of creating a mobile app for anyone, regardless of their experience in coding or smartphone understanding. With this process demonstrated on Matthew David points out that any company, of any size, can have a strong mobile presence, complete with their own downloadable business mobile app on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: TheAppBuilder, Matthew David, mobile customers, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Beautiful Ambition by Tara Brooke - Book review

Beautiful Ambition

My Secrets to Love, Happiness & Success

By: Tara Brooke

Published: January 1, 2012
Format: Paperback, 236 pages
ISBN-10: 1600379788
ISBN-13: 978-1600379789
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing














"Throughout my life, I have also embraced and loved the idea, that I could offer great advice to other people - even if making a difference, just for one person! - Which could help them, in turn, then realize their dreams", writes model and businessperson Tara Brooke, in her inspirational and deeply personal book Beautiful Ambition: My Secrets to Love, Happiness & Success. The author describes how people can take a fresh approach to life regardless of their personal background, trials, or struggles in their history.

Tara Brooke understands living a life of trauma and personal difficulties and difficult challenges. Her own background as a child of divorce, and a very unsettled home life, provided her with an appreciation for the value of life and for dreams and opportunities. As a result, the author has empathy and sensitivity for the problems and pain of other people. Tara Brooke shares her insights and experience in overcoming her own obstacles as she discovered her life purpose, through embracing life, and believing in herself. The author offers a complete road map to personal self discovery to transcend past difficulties, and to move forward toward an even better life than the individual had ever dreamed or imagined to be possible.



Tara Brooke (photo left) recognizes that even though she faced personal hardships while growing up, those same challenges helped make her the successful person she is today. Instead of considering her formative years as traumatic, the author treated them as an important learning experience. Through her life, Tara Brooke learned the power of love, of having dreams, of not giving up, and of working hard to create the life she really wanted to live. She developed her personal credo that she and anyone else can be who and whatever they really want to be in life.

She took on the personal responsibility of creating her own life, through the guiding principles she provides to others. As a result, Tara Brooke offers her experience and advice in the following aspects of life:

* Finding out who you really are
* Decisions made today will create your tomorrow
* Forgiveness is the key to a healthy and happy life
* How to get personal self esteem and to support other women
* Money management based on common sense
* Finding the right life partner
* How to eat healthy foods
* Creating a plan to achieve your dream life

For me, the power of the book is how Tara Brooke combines her personal journey with practical hands on advice for building a dream future. Every chapter in the book is part of the overall blueprint for embracing your dreams and for fulfilling your life purpose. The author doesn't simply present tired nostrums, but takes her readers into the real challenges that they face in their lives. Tara Brooke offers her life story as an example, but as only one example. She guides her readers toward finding their true inner selves, and following their own dreams.

Along the way, the author presents her experience and suggestions to make the transition from today to tomorrows dream life less difficult and even more rewarding. each chapter contains valuable takeaways, and very practical steps toward breaking free of the past, and for moving forward to a brighter future. The author even includes a number of healthy eating recipes as an added bonus feature.

I highly recommend the very transformational and life changing book Beautiful Ambition: My Secrets to Love, Happiness & Success by Tara Brooke, to anyone seeking a hands on guide to finding their true destiny, and for achieving the life of their dreams. This book offers an understanding and loving path to personal fulfillment and happiness for anyone.

Tags: Beautiful Ambition: My Secrets to Love, Happiness & Success, Tara Brooke, personal development, business book reviews

Anita Campbell & David Langton: Visual Marketing - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Well known blogger, CEO and founder of Small Business Trends and BizSugar, Anita Campbell; and visual communication designer and blogger, David Langton, co-authors of the idea packed and very hands on book Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design, describe the importance and impact of visual elements in all marketing materials. Anita and David offer insights into the power of a compelling visual component in everything from websites to brochures to product packaging. They provide ideas for visual marketing that include games, cartoons, infographics, and mobile apps. Discover how even the most jaded and distracted customers will find their attention captured by powerful images of all types. Learn how your small business can out-compete much larger competitors through the application of arresting visual marketing images in all of your marketing materials.

Anita Campbell and David Langton are my internet radio show guests on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

The show airs live on Thursday, May 3, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Well known blogger, CEO and founder of Small Business Trends and BizSugar, Anita Campbell; and visual communication designer and blogger, David Langton, co-authors of the idea packed and very hands on book Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design, describe the importance and impact of visual elements in all marketing materials. You will learn:

* What visual marketing is and why it is so important

* How to incorporate visual marketing elements into your marketing

* Why visual marketing works in all media and marketing materials

* How successful small businesses have used visual marketing successfully



Anita Campbell (photo left) is Founder and CEO of Small Business Trends, an online community reaching over 2,000,000 small business owners annually.

After a career as a corporate attorney, Anita became an entrepreneur. Always fascinated with the Web, she now is in the online publishing business providing advice, tips and information for small businesses and entrepreneurs via websites and social media.

What started in 2003 as one website solving a simple problem (how to publish articles online for a monthly newsletter), has since turned into a portfolio of award-winning websites serving the small biz community, including Small Business Trends and BizSugar.

Anita Campbell is the Founder of the Small Business Book Awards and the Small Business Influencer Awards.

She holds a B.A. from Duquesne University and a J.D. from the University of Akron Law School.



David Langton (photo left) is a visual communication designer, and co-author of Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design (Wiley Publishers) was recognized in Graphic Design USA's annual review of designers in America as one of the People to Watch. David is co-founder with Norman Cherubino of Langton Cherubino Group whose work is featured in Designing for the Greater Good (HarperCollins).

David has more than 20 years experience providing conceptual direction for Fortune 500 companies and serves as a consultant to leaders and marketing executives of small and medium businesses.

Langton Cherubino Group is a communications design firm, based in NYC, dedicated to improving the way that businesses and their audiences interact. Our visual, messaging, and interactive solutions provide the visual intelligence needed to inform and captivate and have served some of the best-known names in health care, finance, business and philanthropy. Langton Cherubino Group created the award-winning national wellness program for Pfizer, the largest drug company in the world; online videos for Unilever; segmented marketing kits for the Ernst + Young; and a new logo and branding system for Greater New York Hospital Association.

David analyzes the effectiveness of communication programs and directs the development of strategic positioning with creative and unique solutions. His work has been honored with awards from International Golden Quill for Strategic Communications, Apex Grand Award, International Association of Business Communicators and the Great Design Show International Competition.

David's work as a cartoonist has been featured in Funny Times, Comic Relief Magazine, Success Meetings Magazine and The Best of the Best American Humor (Three Rivers Press/Random House). David is often quoted in business press including, most recently, Crain's New York Business and Entreprenuer.com. He is frequently featured in design publications such as Step Inside Design, Graphic Design USA and How Magazine. He was featured in the Designer's Survival Manual (How Books). David spoke at the NAVA variable annuity communications seminar in Washington and has made frequent presentations about corporate identity design, employee benefits launches and integrated marketing solutions.

David is a former design manager of corporate communications for Home Life Insurance Company and is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design. He also pursued writing and liberal arts studies at Brown University.

My book review of Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design by David Langton and Anita Campbell.

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



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



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

Let's talk with well known blogger, CEO and founder of Small Business Trends and BizSugar, Anita Campbell; and visual communication designer and blogger, David Langton, co-authors of the idea packed and very hands on book Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design, as they describe the importance and impact of visual elements in all marketing materials. Anita and David offer insights into the power of a compelling visual component in everything from websites to brochures to product packaging. They provide ideas for visual marketing that include games, cartoons, infographics, and mobile apps. Discover how even the most jaded and distracted customers will find their attention captured by powerful images of all types. Learn how your small business can out-compete much larger competitors through the application of arresting visual marketing images in all of your marketing materials on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design, Anita Campbell, David Langton, marketing techniques, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

Visual Marketing by David Langton & Anita Campbell - Book review

Visual Marketing

99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design

By: David Langton, Anita Campbell

Published: September 27, 2011
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1118035674
ISBN-13: 978-1118035672
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.





"The world is visual. We use our eyes to take in much of the content that influences our behavior, tempers our reactions, and informs our decisions", write visual communication designers and blogger, David Langton; and CEO and founder of Small Business Trends and BizSugar, Anita Campbell, in their idea packed and very hands on book Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design. The authors describe how eye catching visuals can simply grab and hold the attention of the customer, and share ninety-nine eye grabbing and provocative ideas that will transform your marketing completely.



Anita Campbell (photo left) and David Langton understand the power of the visual for customers, and how seeing an arresting visual presentation will gain attention in ways never imagined previously. The authors provide compelling examples of a wide variety of visual images, ranging from the static to the very dynamic, and from the humorous to the highly interactive.

Through harnessing and utilizing the many forms of visual marketing concepts and variations effectively, even the most jaded and casual customers will become engaged and immersed in the overall marketing message. With the addition of powerful and compelling visual components, even the most ubiquitous marketing materials can become thought provoking and emotionally powerful for the potential or existing customer.



David Langton (photo left) and Anita Campbell recognize that people learn and internalize information, including marketing messages different ways. Through the power of the visual marketing concept, many wide ranging visual and interactive images can be utilized effectively across all types of marketing materials. The power of visual attracts and retains the attention, of even the most uninterested people, provided that compelling visual elements are used by the marketer.

The authors present three overall categories to share their ninety-nine concepts of visual marketing in action. Within each chapter are examples, ideas, creative thinking starters, and visual marketing case studies. The three chapters are:

* More than a website
* Images are everywhere in the physical world
* Power to the print item

For me, the power of the book is how Anita Campbell and David Langton combine the principles and reasoning behind the premise of visual marketing with very practical applications of the idea in the real world. The book is well arranged, with each of the three chapters containing a veritable cornucopia of ideas to kick start any visual marketing program. The authors move far beyond the website as well, and include many traditional marketing pieces, with a fresh visual update.

Each page contains ideas you can use, case studies, and a very valuable takeaway tip, to keep the many concepts in mind. The book is also a visual treasure trove of amazing and arresting images, in keeping with the overall theme of the book. The book is a welcome addition to any marketing library, as it covers the seldom considered area of visual marketing very well.

I highly recommend the ground breaking and thought provoking book Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design by Anita Campbell and David Langton, to any marketers who are seeking both a practical and comprehensive introduction to the power and importance of visual marketing. This book will change the way you think about and approach every aspect of your marketing program, as you will always consider the visual impact of each marketing component.

Tags: Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Market with Images and Design, Anita Campbell, David Langton, marketing techniques, business book reviews

Mark Mueller-Eberstein: No Fear Business Leadership - Blog Business Success Radio

Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



CEO of Adgetec Corporation, Professor at Rutgers University, and co-author of the thought provoking and transformational book No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, describes the challenges presented to leaders in the new globalized and digital economy. Mark points out that fear of this new business landscape is paralyzing many formerly highly successful leaders. Mark provides evidence that not only is the marketplace evolving rapidly, but a new young generation of highly motivated, community oriented, and increasingly international employees expects innovative and responsive leadership,. Mark offers advice for leaders to make the transition from the previous economic model to the new digital and global age, where failure to adapt means failure as a leader.

Mark Mueller-Eberstein is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on BlogTalkRadio.

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

CEO of Adgetec Corporation, Professor at Rutgers University, and co-author of the thought provoking and transformational book No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, describes the challenges presented to leaders in the new globalized and digital economy. You will learn:

* What No Fear leadership means and why it is critical to understand

* How the increasingly digital and globalized economy are transforming leadership

* Why the young under thirty Playstation Generation is leading the change

* How to become a No Fear leader to stay ahead of the competition



Mark Mueller-Eberstein (photo left) is founder and CEO of Adgetec Corporation, whose mission is to help organizations and their leaders realize value globally.

Mueller-Eberstein is a recognized thought leader, speaker, mentor, and coach for topics as:

- Leveraging IT for business success
- Global consumerization of IT
- Connecting people
- Reducing ambiguity
- Organizational culture for next gen
- Organizational leadership values

In addition to blogs, whitepapers and research papers, Mark Mueller-Eberstein is the author of Agility - Competing and Winning in the Tech Savvy Marketplace and No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys. Mueller-Eberstein's books are written based on his over fifteen years of global experience in the IT industry, working with companies and governments to choose, adopt, roll out, and measure the impact of new technologies.

My book review of No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys by Pekka A. Viljakainen and Mark Mueller-Eberstein.

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



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



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

Let's talk with CEO of Adgetec Corporation, Professor at Rutgers University, and co-author of the thought provoking and transformational book No Fear: Business Leadership for the Digital Age, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, describes the challenges presented to leaders in the new globalized and digital economy. Mark points out that fear of this new business landscape is paralyzing many formerly highly successful leaders. Mark provides evidence that not only is the marketplace evolving rapidly, but a new young generation of highly motivated, community oriented, and increasingly international employees expects innovative and responsive leadership,. Mark offers advice for leaders to make the transition from the previous economic model to the new digital and global age, where failure to adapt means failure as a leader on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: No Fear: Business Leadership for the Digital Age, Pekka Viljakainen, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, leadership development, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

No Fear by Pekka A. Viljakainen & Mark Mueller-Eberstein - Book review

No Fear

Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys

By: Pekka A. Viljakainen, Mark Mueller-Eberstein

Published: September 15, 2011
Format: Hardcover: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 9814346667
ISBN-13: 978-9814346665
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corp/Ccb














"Many good organizations come to a point where protecting the status quo for the leading individuals becomes the main motivation and reward", write former president of Tieto International, Pekka Viljakainen; and founder and CEO of Adgetec Corporation, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, in their thought provoking and transformational book No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys. The authors describe how organizations that can take calculated risk, add new territory, and discover and utilize new opportunities will move ahead of their status quo seeking competitors.



Pekka Viljakainen (photo left) and Mark Mueller-Eberstein understand that fear of failure is a limiting force that works against change and enhanced competitiveness. The authors realize that fear is a powerful emotion, and that it is part of everyone's character. To counter this sense of fear, the authors present their concept of No Fear, where the emotion is processed, understood for what it is, and works toward creating solutions to the fear inducing challenges.

For the authors, dealing with and controlling that fear, and developing innovative solutions to problems, is essential for leaders. For the authors, fear equals failure, and the leader who succumbs to that fear does a real disservice to the entire organization, its employees, and its customers.



Mark Mueller-Eberstein (photo left) and Pekka A. Viljakainen describe a world of change, and that leaders must be prepared to adapt to that transition in the global community, or fall by the wayside. Not only has the global landscape changed, but the authors point out that the people have different goals and aspirations as well.

The new young entrants into the workforce and the global economy are young, innovative, and are very comfortable with using technology and social media. The authors refer to their version of the youthful Millennial Generation as the Playstation Generation, who are the Digital Cowboys who are the first adopters of new technology and innovations.

Pekka Viljakainen and Mark Mueller-Eberstein present what they call six planets of change in the global economy. Those six changes that a No Fear leader must recognize and practice to gain the support of the Digital Cowboys are as follows:

* Maintaining productivity when it becomes stalled
* Understanding the globalization impact on competitiveness and leadership
* Capital flows travel in many directions with stiff competition for access
* Consumers are changing in tastes, attitudes, and behaviors
* Online and networked economies are mainstream and accessible everywhere
* Innovation is moving at a faster rate than ever before

For me, the power of the book is how Pekka Viljakainen and Mark Mueller-Eberstein combine their analysis of the limiting and disempowering emotion of fear, with an understanding of the new global economy and the rising influence of the young Digital Cowboys. The authors offer a compelling case that failure to overcome the fear of this new market reality represents a failure of leadership. Instead of succumbing to this fear, the authors along with a distinguished group of guest contributors, provide an alternative path forward for leaders who display the No Fear qualities of leadership.

The book contains a comprehensive discussion and plan of action for achieving the No Fear type of community leadership, that is and will remain critical for success and even survival, in the new digital and globalized economy. Any leader who fails to understand and act upon this manifesto for change will fall behind the competition.

I highly recommend the insightful and must read book No Fear: Business Leadership in the Age of the Digital Cowboys by Pekka Viljakainen and Mark Mueller-Eberstein, to any business leaders, regardless of country or industry, who are serious about understanding the rapidly evolving dynamics of the new digital global economy, and of the employees who will dominate its future. This book will change the way you think about and approach leadership in the new age of the Digital Cowboys.

Tags: No Fear: Business Leadership for the Digital Age, Pekka Viljakainen, Mark Mueller-Eberstein, leadership development, business book reviews