Market Share Reporter 1999: An Annual Compilation of Reported Market Share Data on Companies, Products, and Services (Market Share Reporter)

Book Description

"Reading this wonderful book is like having Jane Vella at your side. She gives us the courage to risk changing our established habits of teaching."
--Clifford Baden, director of programs for professional education, Harvard University

"By marrying theory and practice, Vella has shown how to design learning that takes hold of the learner--mind, heart, and muscles."
--Jack McCall, professor, Principals' Executive Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

"You'll feel as though you've found the keys to creating profound and powerfully effective learning experiences. Anyone responsible for engaging a group of adults in learning will find this book invaluable!"
--Rod Brooks, vice president for administration, EXPLORIS

Known for her work in popular education and her worldwide teaching experience, Jane Vella has significantly changed the way we view adult learning. In her three bestselling books--Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach, Training Through Dialogue, and How Do They Know They Know?--she writes with one basic assumption: that learning is most effective when teachers involve their students in the learning process.

In Taking Learning to Task, Vella shifts the spotlight from teaching tasks to learning tasks. Unlike traditional teaching methods, learning tasks are open questions leading to open dialogue between teacher and learner. To illustrate this unique approach, Vella provides seven steps to planning learning-centered courses, four types of learning tasks, a checklist of principles and practices, critical questions for instructional design, key components for evaluation, and other tools. She also shares real-world examples of successful learning programs, including online and distance-learning courses. Taking Learning to Task is a hands-on, practical guide to designing effective learning tasks for diverse learners and diverse content. Teachers, trainers, and all types of instructors will find a wealth of advice for refining their day-to-day practice.

Customer Reviews:

This book grew on me (slightly)..........2006-03-19

This book was an assigned text for a seminary class, which is the only reason that I read it. I have a degree in secondary education, so I spent considerable time during college studying these types of concepts, though the terminology in this book was new to me. I began this book with a chip on my shoulder about the psychobabble that seems to dominate many discussions about pedagogy, and she certainly reinforced several of those irritations. For instance, she spent considerable time describing the futility of lecture. I realize that lecture has significant limitations, but I think it is a silly overgeneralization to disregard its potential entirely.

Beyond this ideological dispute, my primary complaint about the book is that it is dreadfully dry. Vella is long on theory and short on inspiration. She may have some good things to say about teaching, but if the experience of teaching is anything like this book, who would want to do it!!

Having said these things, she was able to redeem herself on several levels. She provides some great tips for allowing learners to actually learn. Some of that information is summarized in several helpful charts. Her explanation of time management was particularly insightful. Specifically, I am compelled to make sure that I stop trying to fit too much "What" (content) into the allotted "When" (time slot). There is clearly some good stuff in this book; it is just a shame that it is so boring to find those nuggets of wisdom!!

By the way, how can a 130-page book cost $34? That is a crime. For that reason alone, I wouldn't recommend this book.

Good for new educators.......2002-02-11

When you are teaching a class of adults, do you find yourself wondering if the class is getting the information? Do you wonder if you are talking too much? These are questions for all adult educators, and this book is a good first start. It teaches the use of learning tasks rather than lectures.

Jane Vella is a trainer and an adjunct professor. She has written past works on adult training and, at times, refers to them in this book. The cultures and educational backgrounds of students she has taught are many, and she uses that experience. These techniques will help educators work with that.

The book is a short piece that has an easy tone. The beginning educator can easily access this without being caught up in theoretical discourse. This is designed for use rather than reflection. Likewise, Vella gives plenty of examples to walk you through the different steps in planning learning tasks. In one example, she discusses an online history course. Rather than have the student read the test and answer questions (basically enforcing rote memorization), the example asks the student to investigate how the US president gets power through the Constitution. The question is more of an open question that invites exploration rather than a closed question that asks for a parroting of the answer.

Unfortunately, not all of the steps are explained clearly. In some places, there is no example to illustrate the point. In one instance, she mentions there needs to be critical feeling in the lesson. This sounds like a great idea and probably the point that requires the most explanation, but there is no example to make sure the reader follows the writer.

There is also, in my opinion, a bit of bombast. Towards the beginning, Vella mentions graduate students she works with who have trouble with their dissertations. She proposes that they would have no trouble at all if they had learning tasks since preschool. Why is this in the book? If students were lectured on dissertations since preschool, I think they would have success in writing a dissertation in graduate school, too. Because this statement is in the beginning, it makes me wonder if she believes she has a system or idea that will sell itself.

Nonetheless, Vellaýs book is good for the new instructor or the instructor who feels there must be a better way than lecturing; in contrast, the book may not be a good investment...

an important book for all training professionals.......2001-03-01

I think this book is a must for all people working in the field of adult education. Jane Vella has a unique way to give new life to old concepts, and to make us rediscover the basic principles to be used when designing and leading trainings. The concept of learning task Vella offers into this book it's a powerful tool for creating learning experiences that are going to make a difference in partecipant's life.

Book Description

Management guru Mark McCormack, author of the business bible What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, has gathered together his essential business rules in a comprehensive trade paperback edition.

His more than 200 rules to live by cover every facet of business, including communication, management, negotiation and sales.

Highlights include:

How to relate your ideas so they are clearly understood
They way to manage different types of people
The art of science of negotiations
The key to success-how to convince a customer and complete a sale

And much more!

This practical, down-to-earth guide is required reading for every manager (and those who want to be).

Average customer rating:

Book Review

An Unpleasant Overview

Great Book, Great Class...........NOT

Required reading for a Class

Formulation, Implementation and Control of Competitive Strategy with PowerWeb and Business Week card
John Pearce , and Richard Robinson
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0072831553

Book Description

Contemporary research in strategic management, with an emphasis on conceptual tools and skills created by scholars and practitioners in the field are evident throughout this 11-chapter book. Pearce and Robinson’s Formulation, Implementation and Control, 8e, retains its high level of academic credibility and its market-leading emphasis on Strategic Practice. The material presented here is the text material that can be found in Strategic Management, 8e. It continues to have strong support from longtime adopters and growing support in schools with a desire to provide straightforward treatment of strategic management with a practical, systematic approach. Pearce and Robinson will continue to use a unique pedagogical model created by the authors to provide logic and structure to its treatment of strategic management which in turn makes the material more easily organized by the instructor and learned by the student.

Customer Reviews:

Book Review.......2005-10-22

Pearce & Robinson have put together a very informative book with very current issues that managers today are dealing with.

An Unpleasant Overview.......2003-11-13

I used this book in a graduate business class, and found it to be generally unpalatable, as did the rest of my class. My problem is largely in the self important, stilted writing style which is particularly notable in Chapter 3 under ecological factors (in which some popular, but scientifically questionable, theories seemingly influence the author's thinking detrimentally). As an aside, but a very distracting one, the layout of the book is absolutely horrid. There are numerous inserts, fact boxes, exhibits, and case studies scattershot throughout the book seemingly at random, which substantially breaks up the text. Additionally, many of the text boxes and examples involve copious texts and backgrounds in blue ink, which I am sure raised the production costs of this already very expensive book needlessly (not providing increased value to the end user...you would think they would read their own book).

Largely the chapters are enormous lists with overly wordy jingoistic explanations. The section on "SWOT Analysis" is particularly annoying. It tries to sound like it is based on highly scientific principles, whereas, in reality, it is still a bunch of subjective value judgments. (Guesses, mostly, in actuality.) The terminology rarely cuts through to the central point, making the book enormously long and unwieldily. Likewise, it is very difficult to look up things as much of the information is scattered in seemingly illogical places.

Overall, I obviously did not like this book, but gave it two stars despite it's faults due to some of the interesting case studies it contains. There are some excellent, thought-provoking cases examined. Unfortunately, there is insufficient discussion of these cases, which would have proven beneficial. The case studies aren't totally unbiased, either, as they largely are lifted directly from 'Business Week' (whose name and logo even appear on the cover) so is 'Business Week' didn't think it important, there is probably a dearth of information in the book on that subject.

Great Book, Great Class...........NOT.......2000-06-12

This book is as jaded and contrived as Dr Peirce's class. There is only one chapter worth reading #7, the rest of the book serves absolutely no value. Furthermore, I agree with the previous reviewer that Dr. Peirce makes some very strong statements in his class. However, why didn't the put them in his book? I guess other professors in the field would have laughed at him. Do not buy this book..........and save yourself 15 weeks of torture by not taking his class at Nova............MBA99

Required reading for a Class.......1998-11-27

This book is a good general overview of strategic management but lacks well thought out insight into what makes a strategy successful. For example in class Dr Pearce calls SWAT analysis worthless. If that is the case then why doesn't he say that in this book? Furthermore, chapter 7 is the only worthwhile chapter in the book. But even then it lacks sufficient depth to be useful to a student or practitioner of strategic management.

Formulation, Implementation and Control of Competitive Strategy with PowerWeb and Business Week card

Average customer rating:

Formulation, Implementation and Control of Competitive Strategy with PowerWeb and Business Week card
John Pearce
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MUBE26

Book Description

Star Happy Quilts is an easy and fun pattern book. It's composed of three simple and different star blocks arranged in lots of variable ways. First you make the blocks, then you play with how to arrange them. The quilts were made up in five sizes, each arranged and colored differently. Then Judy drew 27 other variations to pick from. Within a particular size, you don't have to figure any yardage, regardless of which arrangement you want to make. It's all there for you, and yet the possibilities are nearly limitless!

Star Happy Quilts has thorough and accurate rotary cutting instructions and piecing diagrams, plus full-size templates and quilting motifs.

The best part of Star Happy Quilts is that it is a social book. Playing with the arrangements after the blocks are sewn is perfect for the social settings of quilt classes, guild meetings, or private get-togethers among quilting friends.

Average customer rating:

Classical MBA litterature

The Best Articulation of the Case for More Speed

superior insight on how to change a cost focus to time

Competing Against Time: How Time-Based Competition is Reshaping Global Markets
George Stalk
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

Classical MBA litterature.......2000-07-06

In 1990 this book was revolutionary. Today, it is mostly interesting as the first book on the subject. Nobody in todays (business) world can have missed out on the concept that time is (or can be) a competitive advantage.

If you have missed this basic fact, do read this book, it explains in rather boring terms why it is so.

Personally I think they put to much emphasis on time as a competitive advantage, and tend to disregard other factors, equally important. A more relevant reading would in my opinion be D'Aveni's Hypercompetition, that takes the concept to its logical conclusion, which Hoult and Stalk misses.

Unfortunately, neither of the authors are very entertaining writers, especially as this book is usually mandatory/recommended reading in most MBA classes on strategy.

In conclusion, good, once revolutionary, but today mostly over-rated.

The Best Articulation of the Case for More Speed.......2000-05-21

Today's readers will think that this book is simply stating the obvious. That shows how much influence the book has had. Prior to the book's publication, most people felt that "getting things right" was more important than speed. This book points out that speed can actually be helpful in getting things right by encouraging you to improve your management processes so you do things right the first time.

Many companies have had trouble implementing this concept in the way it is articulated. They simplify their process, but may not improve it. This may mean that new products arrive in the market that are not really ready for the customers. That can be all right if you can quickly fine-tune the products in beta tests and the customers have that expectation because you are giving them so much benefit anyway. If you do this with me-too products that don't work, the results can be disastrous in terms of damage to your company's reputation and customer relationships.

The authors do not spend enough time on helping people understand how to improve their processes, and how to create more speed without killing stress on the people involved. For many companies, this book can be dangerous. I think this book could use a new edition that would address these two areas in more detail.

On the other hand, if you have any doubts about the potential benefits from speedier action, you should read this book. It will change your mind using excellent examples.

Have a speedy read!

superior insight on how to change a cost focus to time.......1999-09-23

Simply put, an oustanding book that has all the nuts and bolts needed to allow a company to transition to a time based focus from a cost based one. Easy to read, the logic is perfect. A must buy to have on your shelf (better yet ... on your desk). I read it first when I received my MBA ... read it again this last week .... and gave copies to top management I know around the country.

Competing Against Time How Time Based Competition is Reshaping Global Markets

Average customer rating:

Competing Against Time How Time Based Competition is Reshaping Global Markets
Stalk George
Manufacturer: The Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LBUBKM

Book Description

A comprehensive set of practical tools to lead novice and veteran practitioners alike through the complexities of business process design. Whether fundamental or incremental changes are required, this hands-on tool kit integrates systems theory, economics, and psychology to provide the detailed procedures, checklists, data-analysis worksheets, and other resources essential to identity, analyze, and design processes that improve organization and human performance.

Customer Reviews:

A practical book to start a BPM initiative.......2000-05-16

Since I teach Business Process Management I tried to find a book for the course, that would stress the essential practical perspective for this subject, which is also required at Master's level. The point was to give the appropriate practical insights of issues discussed in an academic manner anyway. I decided to use this book in the course and it turned out to be a successful choice, as my students remark also. I find the book excellent if combined with other typical literature on BRP and TQM. This book in no way covers EVERYTHING that a practitioner might need to redesign business processes but it certaintly gives a plethora of guides and tools/instrument -such as forms to fill in for specific stage in a BPM methodology- and also a continuous case in point to apply what is described in theory. In other words, tt does not cover all aspects needed in a real-life situtation, but is an excellent start for a practitioner. One thing is certain from my experience, that this book is suitable combined for lecturers or trainers on BPM issues. Finally, I would expect a newer edition and also some more real-life examples. Yours sincerely Nick Yagoulis yagoulis@city.academic.gr

Designing Cross-functional Business Processes

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Designing Cross-functional Business Processes
Bernard Johann
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass Inc., U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OLSAYS

Book Description

RAND designed the survey to assist states in defining problems with their employment-based health insurance markets and in analyzing the impacts of policy options. This report briefly describes the survey, provides an overview of the objectives in editing the data and imputing for missing or edited values, and describes the specific cleaning procedures used.

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