Business-to-Business Golf : How to Swing Your Way to Business Success

Book Description

Preparation is the key to a successful round of business golf and this book is your business advisor and golf pro all in one. It is packed with eighteen holes worth of insights and techniques for playing business golf and developing client relationships. Through a variety of business topics and tips, this book will also help you create more time to host a guest and close a deal. A scorecard is enclosed for you to record your score. Detail answers are provided to measure your results.

Customer Reviews:

Solid advice for the new business golfer.......2007-03-21

I am just beginning to incorporate golf as a method for acquiring new clients in my practice. Michael's book answers many questions I've had about how best to conduct a 'business round' of golf. Not only does he give a wealth of info on proper golf behaviors and etiquette, he also provides a wide range of advice on how to build a successful business. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to integrate the wonderful game of golf with becoming a better businessperson.

A great investment. Required business reading........2004-05-04

Author Mike Smith is articulate and delivers a highly organized, common sense look at how to comport oneself while on the links w/ a client. All 18 chapters give you the chance to score your "game" versus what may be your competition! A fun, quick read choc full of great advice. Go for it!

Refreshing.......2002-08-04

In this age of ethical confusion detached from traditional sources of guidance Mike's delightful compendium of observations is refreshing indeed. This slender volume poses and answers disarmingly simple questions that often lead to exquisitely delicious reflections on morals and mores.

You'll love it if you love golf or life.

Fun to read - excellent insight.......2002-07-20

Mike Smith's book is packed with tips that are very helpful both on the golf course and at the office. As a re-emerging golfer, I found it helpful for my golf game and etiquette, and it has given me useful insight into running my business.

Fun Reading For Entrepreneurs and Golfers.......2002-07-19

If you're an entrepreneur who likes to play golf or if you think playing golf could be a good business networking opportunity for you, you'll enjoy reading "Business-To-Business Golf: How To Swing Your Way To Business Success" by Michael Smith.

Smith divides his book into eighteen chapters, one for each hole of golf. Smith begins by posing a question about business-golf etiquette, answers it, and then discusses solid business ideas based upon his experience in the financial services industry and as an entrepreneur in the field of manufacturing.

On the 6th hole, Smith gives us this scenario: "... You're on the green putting for a birdie from about twenty-five feet away. Your guest is standing quite close to you and does not seem to realize how much it is bothering your concentration. You wish to communicate using one of the following:"

Smith gives three possible golf-etiquette answers:

"A. Wave your arm at your guest to have him or her move a little and say nothing.

B. In a pleasant way, ask your guest to move away since it is bothering you.

C. Don't rock the boat since this is an important client and you do not want to miss any sale opportunities. Go ahead and putt."

What? Whack the guest on the shin with your putter is not an option? Smith says the correct answer is B because it shows diplomacy and shows you're willing to confront problems without hesitation. Smith says C is the worst choice because it may indicate a personal weakness your guest is trying to probe--a lack of assertion which might well lead you to hide problems from the client.

On the 8th hole, Smith poses the question: "...Your second shot finds you just off the fairway in the rough. While addressing the ball, you inadvertently touch the ball with your club and the ball moves from its original position about an inch or so. You know full well that the golf rules mandate a one stroke penalty."

What do you do? Smith gives these choices:

"A. Do not worry about it since your guest was on the opposite side of the fairway and could not have possibly noticed.

B. Your intention is to say something but wait until later in the round.

C. You immediately add the penalty to your score and hit the ball. You advise your guest right away of your score."

The birdie (correct answer) is C. However, since the film "The Legend of Bagger Vance," I question people who call strokes against themselves for just touching the ball. Are they really just being honest or are they sacrificing an insignificant golf stroke to impress me with their Matt Damon honesty?

So, maybe, if you are playing the skeptical, untrusting sort, it's better to ignore the minor touch. Or, if you feel it's really a question of ethics, take a huge swing and run it over the top of the ball! Personally, I feel that the rules of golf should be changed to exclude any stroke, excluding putts, which moves the ball less than about five feet!

Many of the golf-etiquette lessons are pretty basic, but some are also more advanced and could really help you in a business-golf situation. For example, I didn't know that the rules of golf disallow a person to search for a ball for more than five minutes.

While half of "Business-To-Business Golf: How To Swing Your Way To Business Success" is devoted to golf etiquette, the other half is devoted to business lessons entrepreneurs will find useful.

For example, Smith tells us about the 80/20 principle which says that for many businesses only 20% of all customers account for 80% of the company's sales. Smith compares business measurements to golf scores. How can you know how well your company is doing if you don't keep proper score?

Smith writes: "Do you list your most important statistics? Can you readily assess your key costs? How are your sales listed--by type of units or services, volume or profitability? Who are your most profitable customers? Why do they place their business with you? Are there others that you can add to your list of key customers? Do you know what your tip customers represent in overall sales to your business?"

Smith suggests listing your top 20% of customers by both gross sales and profitability and then looking for similarities between these customers so that you'll have more insight into finding profitable customers.

"Business-To-Business Golf" also contains a short glossary of golf terms (bogey is one over par, birdie is one under par) and a short list of some basic golf rules which people new to golf can use.

Overall, if you enjoy golf (or, are just learning to play it) and you enjoy reading about business, you'll probably enjoy Business-To-Business Golf.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur."

Book Description

You can't touch it or feel it. Sometimes you can't even see it. Yet, intellectual property continues to soar in value, comprising an increasingly greater portion of a typical company's assets. In the age of instant global communication, understanding what intellectual property is, how to protect it, and how to enhance its value are prerequisites for corporate survival.

Enter attorney Deborah E. Bouchoux and her informative book, Protecting Your Company's Intellectual Property. Packed with fascinating and illuminating examples, this book is a succinct, yet comprehensive discussion of the four key areas of intellectual property: trademarks * copyrights * patents * trade secrets.

In addition to defining these areas (for instance, did you know that customer lists and marketing plans are protectable trade secrets?), the book offers practical tools for protecting intellectual property, including:

* Trademark and copyright application forms
* Sample employment agreements
* An Internet usage policy
* Tips on preventing unauthorized dissemination of information via the Web
* A guide for conducting an IP audit, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent IP overview for managers and investors.......2003-06-25

This book offers a comprehensive overview of intellectual property issues, suitable for (among others) high-tech executives, entrepreneurs, and investors in early stage companies (all of which describe me). Its coverage includes trademarks (6 chapters, 70 pages), copyrights (5 chapters, 68 pages), patents (4 chapters, 40 pages), and trade secrets (1 chapter, 18 pages), plus chapters on unfair competition, owning IP created by employees and independent contractors, and conducting internal IP audits. I have experience with software copyrights and biotechnology patents; this book is fairly strong on the former, but only briefly mentions the latter. The material on internal IP audits is rather brief (12 pages) but includes a fairly good audit checklist, and an action plan for protecting a company's IP; also, the first chapter should be required reading for managers, since it points out the many places in a business where valuable IP may be found, department by department.

The writing is very clear -- certainly not "obtuse" as one reviewer claimed -- and the book is quite current, with good coverage of the Internet's impact on copyright and other IP issues, and coverage of recent changes in the law such as the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. The book is a high-level overview for managers rather than a lawyer's or practitioner's guide, but it does describe the application process for trademarks, copyrights, and patents, all in reasonable detail. Yet this book is just 250 pages of highly readable text -- not a huge tome -- which I think makes it suitable for managers, early stage investors, or board members, especially in high-tech companies.

Save the money.......2002-04-21

I found this book very obtuse and thought the author tried to make this subject much more difficult than it really is. Save your money.

Highly Recommended!.......2001-09-28

In the interests of safety, we'll refrain from quoting this fine book by Deborah E. Bouchoux, a specialist in intellectual property who teamed with AMACOM to create that rarest of volumes: a straightforward book about law that is simple to read (it's a formula she should patent). This comprehensive volume covers the nuts and bolts of U.S. patent and trademark law. It also gives advice on how to protect your intellectual property and avoid infringement, and reports on the latest patent trends in high tech. Of most concern for general business managers, Bouchoux reviews how (and why) to conduct intellectual property audits within your organization. With intellectual property emerging as the new corporate treasure of the knowledge economy, we [...] suggest that research and development managers and executives of every stripe study this volume carefully. Why should your attorney be the only one who understands what you really own?

Average customer rating:
Biker Billy's Hog Wild on a Harley Cookbook: 200 Fiercely Flavorful Recipes to Kick-Start Your Cooking From Harley Riders Across the USA
Bill Hufnagle
Manufacturer: Harvard Common Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Biker Billy Cooks With Fire: Robust Recipes from America's Most Outrageous Television Chef

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The Harley Biker's Cookbook: Big Bites for Hungry Bikers

Harley-Davidson Century

Biker Billy's Freeway-A-Fire Cookbook: Life's Too Short to Eat Dull Food

ASIN: 1558322507

Book Description

To help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson in 2003, Bill Hufnagle,aka Biker Billy has collected 200 righteous recipes from HOG members from sea to shining sea.

Average customer rating:

Heads Up on the New Commodity Markets

Energy Derivatives: Trading Emerging Markets
Peter C. Fusaro , and Jeremy Wilcox
Manufacturer: Energy Publishing Enterprises dba Global Change Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books
General & Reference | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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Fundamentals of Trading Energy Futures and Options

Energy Risk: Valuing and Managing Energy Derivatives

Understanding Today's Natural Gas Business

Energy and Power Risk Management: New Developments in Modeling, Pricing and Hedging

Understanding Today's Electricity Business

ASIN: 0974539120
Release Date: 2000-10-15

Book Description

This is the new printed version of our book that went out of print. It desrcibes the new markets of energy trading including weather, electricity, natural gas and emissions trading.

Download Description

The new finanacial markets for energy trading are growing globally. Financial derivatives now influence energy price formation for oil, gas and electricity. The power of the Internet is driving these global changes more rapidly and adding more price volatility. This book is the second of three books on energy trading and risk management written by best selling author Peter C. Fusaro. It covers the key new markets of emissions trading, weather driving, electronic energy trading, bandwidth trading and electricty and gas trading in Europe.

Customer Reviews:

Heads Up on the New Commodity Markets.......2001-12-08

This book is the first that I have seen tackling the newer commodity markets of weather, emissions, bandwidth and coal trading. It is easy to read and quite informative. Peter Fusaro has assembled the leading practioners from the global energy trading community to offer their insights into these emerging markets. Moreover, software solutions, European gas trading, electronic energy trading and iondex construction are explained simply and clearly for the laymen. It's a must buy if you want to get up to speed fast in these rapidly changing markets which are now more important than ever due to the Enron financial meltdown.

Energy Derivatives: Trading Emerging Markets. (Book Reviews).(Book Review) (book review): An article from: The Energy Journal

Average customer rating:

Energy Derivatives: Trading Emerging Markets. (Book Reviews).(Book Review) (book review): An article from: The Energy Journal
Irina Khindanova
Manufacturer: International Association for Energy Economics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Energy Journal, published by International Association for Energy Economics on April 1, 2003. The length of the article is 724 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Energy Derivatives: Trading Emerging Markets. (Book Reviews).(Book Review) (book review)
Author: Irina Khindanova
Publication: The Energy Journal (Refereed)
Date: April 1, 2003
Publisher: International Association for Energy Economics
Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Page: 147(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Socially responsible investment is the fastest growing sector of the collective investment industry. Through its growth and strong financial performance, it has proved to be a major investment force within the financial world. Ethical investment is certainly not a financial protest movement in which people expect to lose their money for a good cause. Over and over again this area of investment has demonstrated that it is a financially sound choice, as well as a socially responsible one.

Customer Reviews:

Photographs, diagrams, and extensive written detail.......2004-02-09

Secrets Of Dr. Zomb is the impressively engaging autobiography of the talented Ormond McGill (quite justifiably considered to be the "Dean of American Hypnotists"). Written by McGill to especially to share the magic of his life and trade with aspiring stage performers and hypnotists, Secrets Of Dr. Zomb uses photographs, diagrams, and extensive written detail to explain techniques for past-life regression, mind control, self-hypnosis, performing hypnosis on stage and much more. An enthralling and information-packed reading experience (especially for students of mesmerism and magic), the Secrets Of Dr. Zomb is one of the more unique memoirs and would grace any community library collection.

Book Description

Clifton Taulbert and his wife Barbara wanted to give their twenty-year-old son Marshall a present that would carry lasting meaning. But how could they surpass the possessions and experiences he already enjoyed, including nice cars and a spring break in Cancun? Marshall's experience was light years from his parents' humble beginnings in the rural South, recalled with such grace in Taulbert's best-selling memoir, Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored.

The gift they decided to give their son wasn't one most twenty-year-olds would immediately appreciate: They would take him down to meet the people of Glen Allen, Mississippi -- neighbors and friends whose insights and kindness had nurtured Clifton through his childhood.

This is the heart-warming story of a caring father determined to help his affluent son understand some of the forgotten values of the past and the true meaning of a gift.

Customer Reviews:

Parfait pour les utilisateurs intermédiaires de MS Excel.......2003-12-31

Un livre idéal pour jeunes professionnels, comptables, analystes financiers... ou toute autre personne utilisant Excel tous les jours.

Fortement suggéré !

Disappointed.......2003-03-02

This book didn't seem to offer me anything that I didn't already get out of something like "Using Excel 2000". If you aren't an extensive user of Excel for financial modeling this might be helpful but it is of little value to the more experienced user and those who have done any amount of financial modeling.

Great tool!.......2001-09-19

This book is just what I needed. I already have a MOUS certification as an expert in Excel but this book will allow me to put to use my in depth knowledge of Excel's features in to practise in a practical business environment within in which I am currently working.
I love the middle section of the book where all the formulas are discussed and the spreadsheets pro formas are just fantastic.
Thanks Steve and thanks for your prompt reply to my recent email

A GREAT book, especially if they ever hire on Wall St. again.......2001-07-28

In just one week, I was able to use this book to teach myself to get OFF the "back of the envelope" and ON to Excel!

Author clears up some confusion.......2001-07-28

I thought that I'd respond to the curious conflicts in reader reviews. If you read all the posted reviews, you'll note that 2-3 readers really don't like the MBA's Guide to Excel. Other readers really do like the book. I've thought about this a bit. And what I actually think is that both readers are right. And here's why I say this.

The critics make two points: One, that the book doesn't cover more than the online documentation covers. Two, that the book doesn't really help someone do upper-division, graduate finance stuff. Both points are right, sort of, but let me respond because I think it's easy to misunderstand the readers comments and because as the author I have a unique perspective on the book.

First, as regard to the point about the book not providing additional information, this isn't true. But the criticism hints at something that's important to consider. The first two-thirds of the MBA's Guide to Excel explains the mechanics of using Excel. This mechanical information is available or mostly available in the online help. This criticism, of course, can be made of any tutorial on Excel. However, for readers who would be happy to read 20 or 50 or 200 pages of onscreen help and don't care if the online help doesn't provide figures and practical business examples, online help is the better option. Some people should forego buying and reading a book. Many people do like books however. Ever when they cover much of the same ground.

As to the second criticism, that the book doesn't cover graduate finance topics, I think the point is very fair and an important point to consider. This book isn't the MBA's Guide to Corporate Finance. This book isn't about financial engineering with Excel. This book is a a business professional's reference to Excel. However, I must point out that it's simply inaccurate to say that the business projects covered in the last third of the book aren't useful to MBAs and other business professionals or aren't MBA-ish. For example, the business planning information (also known as financial statement modeling) goes way beyond the material covered in other Excel books and shows someone how to create a combined income statement, cash flow and balance sheet model. The same thing is true of the capital expenditure analysis. The same thing is true of the profit-volume-cost analysis. But, to be fair to the critical readers, the MBA's Guide to Excel is not an exhaustive compendeum of every business application of Excel. The book covers a handful of common business applications (business planning, capital expenditure analysis, profit-volume analysis, etc.). But it doesn't cover them all. And it emphasizes general business applications of Excel that might be useful in just about any business. It doesn't cover specialized applications of interest only to specific groups (financial engineers or CPAS) or specific industries.

The bottomline, I suggest, is that if you're a business user looking for an Excel tutorial or Excel reference, you'll be happy with the MBA's Guide to Excel. If you're already an experienced Excel user and want specialized knowledge about how to apply Excel to a specific problem, you may be disappointed by the book because it's possible the book won't cover the specific problem.

Hope that helps....

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on November 1, 2004. The length of the article is 566 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Unboxing of Henry Brown.(Book Review)
Author: Sharon A. Roger Hepburn
Publication: Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 2004
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 70 Issue: 4 Page: 917(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Customer Reviews:

first-hand account from a teenager's diary.......2004-07-16

Although the subtitle calls it "a diary of child abuse and escape," the reader only realizes towards the end of the book that this is indeed the author's unedited diary from her teenage years.

As a high school teacher I immediately recognized the writing as that of a high school-level student who is too lazy to use punctuation and to edit their work. This was annoying being that the book is presented as one written by a 41-year-old woman. It is only later that the reader realizes that the author started a diary when she was a teenager where she began to recount the abuse she endured as a child. The book is all the more painful for that realization. It is a raw, up-to-the-minute account of what the author went through, very similar to the unbelievable experiences of Dave Pelzer's A Child Called It. In fact, if Dave Pelzer had kept a diary during his childhood, it might have very well read like this book does.

If this book were repackaged as a teenager's unedited diary (which is what it is; it's certainly not a book), it might indeed do very well for what it is. As it stands, few will give it the chance it deserves because the writing and editing are the most atrocious I have ever encountered in published form. In order to keep reading it, I read it as if the author were mentally disabled or severely educationally-challenged. But the insights are too poignant for that to have been the case, and when the author mentions much later in the book that she kept a diary, the pieces fall together and I realized that that must be what this book is, especially since the subtitle made no sense to me while I was reading the book.

I'm giving it three stars because the author deserves credit for sharing her story. I would actually like to read a follow-up book about her life after her abusive childhood ended.

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