The Corporate Directory of U.S. Public Companies 2002: Company Profiles and Indexes (Corporate Directory of Us Public Companies)

Product Description

This is a down-to-earth approach to working with young children with a new focus on working with children with disabilities and special needs. Paperback, 448 pages.

Customer Reviews:

Bring back censorship NOW!.......2007-02-05

The only good thing I can say about Persuading Aristotle is that the author at least practices what he preaches. One of the nifty quotes he uses to introduce the various chapters (if I read another book trying to get credibility by quoting others I'm going to join a `bring back draconian censorship' pressure group!) is the following one from Churchill:

"Before they start, they do not know what they are going to say; when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have finished, neither they nor their audience know what they have said."

Nothing sums up the book better than this quote.

I've read some bad business books before, but this one is it. Essentially it's a list of losely related `facts' practically anyone can think up if they sat down for a moment and then pasted them together in a book. Example: in chapter 3 Thinking and Organizing, the author writers about organizing one's persuasion into 4 or 5 point plans and then, for no apparent reason, switches over to a discussion of deductive and inductive reasoning which btw is quite misleading. According to him we should chose inductive reasoning because,

"Inductive arguments are more creative and powerful than deductive ones because they move beyond established facts. Their proofs are looser and their conclusions can be more speculative and dynamic. We must use our own judgment to decide whether the evidence strongly supports the conclusion. On the other hand, deductive arguments are conservative. The true/false test mostly means a deductive conclusion is locked into things we know for sure. Most of the things that are worthwhile and interesting to think about - like the best organisational structure for your business - lie beyond the banalities of what we know for sure! Although we might accept that Socrates is mortal, where does that conclusion take us? Not very far, because it is so plainly obvious! When you are analysing your business or even your love life, it is far more dynamic to take a look beyond what is known for certain."

Now, this is simply banal. Even undergraduates doing a basic course in critical thinking know that the two forms of reasoning are used for very different purposes, and are certainly not in competition with each other for your attention! Furthermore, no mention is made of the crucial distinction between truth and validity, leading one to conflate the conclusions of deductive arguments with those of inductive ones. And what, pray tell, is a conservative argument? Do we chose argument structure on the basis of our political affiliations? I honestly believe that Peter Thompson has no idea what the distinction and/or application of the two forms of reasoning are.

This presentation of argumentation (all 2 pages of it!), ends up with the amazing claim that, "If you are presenting in a business climate where time is short and there is agreement about the basic issues, always argue inductively." (why the agreement on basic issues should be the difference that makes the difference is not explained). What are basic issues? That today is Monday? That we both want to get a good deal? No mention whatsoever is made of (at least some of) the main forms of inductive reasoning (universal generalizations, statistical reasoning, cause/effect or analogical arguments) nor, predictably, are their uses and abuses mentioned. Given Thompson's treatment of argumentation that is probably a point in favour of the book!

Btw, the two-page section on argumentation is followed, mysteriously, by a section on cross-cultural communication (one page exactly). Useful tip to remember - apparently Asians do business differently to Australians.

I will not go on discussing any other sections of the book except mention that it is at least perfectly consistent in its slap-stick treatment of the other issues - the section on negotiations is probably my favourite. Enjoy!

Book Description

Fulfill the practical potential of DOE-with a powerful, 16-step approach for applying the Taguchi method

Over the past decade, Design of Experiments (DOE) has undergone great advances through the work of the Japanese management guru Genechi Taguchi. Yet, until now, books on the Taguchi method have been steeped in theory and complicated statistical analysis. Now this trailblazing work translates the Taguchi method into an easy-to-implement 16-step system.

Based on Ranjit Roy's successful Taguchi training course, this extensively illustrated book/CD-ROM package gives readers the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and apply the Taguchi method to engineering projects-from theory and applications to hands-on analysis of the data. It is suitable for managers and technicians without a college-level engineering or statistical background, and its self-study pace-with exercises included in each chapter-helps readers start using Taguchi DOE tools on the job quickly. Special features include:

An accompanying CD-ROM of Qualitek-4 software, which performs calculations and features all example experiments described in the book
Problem-solving exercises relevant to actual engineering situations, with solutions included at the end of the text
Coverage of two-, three-, and four-level factors, analysis of variance, robust designs, combination designs, and more

Engineers and technical personnel working in process and product design-as well as other professionals interested in the Taguchi method-will find this book/CD-ROM a tremendously important and useful asset for making the most of DOE in their work.

Customer Reviews:

Blatant Commercialism.......2007-05-07

I found this book to be noting but a thinly disquised sales pitch for software, training and consulting services. A real rip off.

Great book for practical applications.......2002-03-29

I bought this book hoping to learn DOE using Taguchi Methods and apply what I learned to real life problems in my work. It was very helpful. Not only did it help me learn the methods I needed to perform my testing at work but I did it in only 8 days of reading. The book was very easy to read and the examples helped me understand everything I needed to know to apply this method to real situations. A great buy for anyone looking to learn Taguchi Methods.

An Introduction to More Effective Experimentation.......2002-02-20

The challenge that all research directors and senior scientists face is that virtually all scientists are originally trained to believe that the only proper way to conduct an experiment is to vary only one factor at a time while holding all other variables fixed. This belief, which can be shown mathematically to be totally incorrect, has been a drag on the scientific community for decades, causing experimental science to be much less productive than it should be. In fact, by properly designing experiments in which several factors are varied in a carefully thought out, predetermined pattern, much more information can be obtained with far fewer experiments.

What Dr. Roy has achieved in his book on experimental design is to clearly explain why this is so and to provide the tools which allows his readers to overcome their ingrained beliefs and adopt a more effective method of designing their own experimental programs.

Of particular interest is his discussion of experimental design using orthogonal arrays (Chapter 4) for it is in this part of the book that the full power of modern approaches to experimentation become most evident. Here, he illustrates how a set of as few as eight experiments can be used to determine how three presumable independent factors, such as time, temperature and concentration, can be studied to obtain detailed information not only on how each factor individually effects the quality of the final product, but also on the extent to which the factors interact.

Historically, learning this type of technique for designing experiments has been a daunting task since somewhat tedious mathematically manipulations are required for both the design of the experiment and the analyses of the resulting data. However, included with Dr. Roy's book is complete software which eliminates the need for the experimenter to either manually solve the handful of equations needed to extract the results in useful form, or to develop custom spreadsheets in an attempt to automate the process. The software is easy to use and includes all of the tables and data which are used in the book to illustrate the principles of experimental design. The software is also capable of assisting the experimenter in designing sets of up to eight concurrent experiments, rapidly analyzing the data and generating graphical and tabular presentations which greatly aid in the interpretation of the results.

This is an extremely useful book which can have a major beneficial effect on the productivity of any laboratory engaged in experimental process research such as crystal growth, chemical synthesis or manufacturing. By allowing the reader to overcome his innate aversion to varying more than one experimental factor at a time, the book makes it possible for the reader to become a much more productive scientist or engineer and become a role model for his coworkers to emulate.

Must have for Quality Control Professionals and Educators.......2002-02-05

First, I completely agree with all the good things mentioned in the other reviews, but wish to add the following comments:

1. The discussion group (usenet) hosted by Dr Roy is fantastic. If by chance you don't "get it" from reading the book, a simple question posted to the usenet frequently gets you an answer, often within a few hours (its a vocal crowd!!). Many times, the author himself responds to usenet questions. And, on at least one instance, after I repeatdly asked my question, he began exchanging emails with me, which then led to some pleasant phone disscussions.

2. User friendly software and support. See above.

3. Taguichi is frequently attacked by full blown Design of Experiments statistical types who miss the whole point. I strongly encourage all professionals interested in gauging quality control to try out his books and the free software downloads....

An excellent book with powerful software and support......

Reads like a winner, looks like a winner, performs likes a winner....... need I say more...

Auburn Alabama

User friendly.......2002-02-05

Dr.Roy's book is amazing. He has covered almost everything you need to know about the Taguchi method - even meticulous things. This book will suite both for beginners as well as for experts. The CD which comes along with this book is very helpful in understanding the concept behind the analysis with more than 50 examples. If at all you are looking for a book about Taguchi design of Experiments - I highly recommend one and all to buy Dr.Roy's book and benefit through his work.
I started as a beginner and now Iam an expert in Taguchi analysis - and the credit goes to Dr.Roy - he also helps personally in answering your questions.
Thank you very much Dr.Roy.
Three CHEERS to Dr.Roy!

Customer Reviews:

Solid Hands on Tips.......2002-07-19

Since starting my SPS project last year I have read both the Microsoft SPS Resource Kit cover to cover and SharePoint Portal Server: A Beginner's Guide. Okay books but they are more of an overall this is what you can do, not a "how to do it" manuals.

Last night I got my copy of The Administrator's guide to SPS 2001. This book rocks! If you are looking for the in depth detailed information that is going to make your SPS server run better. This is the book for you.

The information on indexes alone is worth the price to me.

The Utimate SharePoint Admistrator's Guide!.......2002-07-16

If you are a SharePoint administrator or are looking to deploy SharePoint, this book is for you. No one explains the intricaies of SharePoint Portal Server as clearly as Bill English does. The book is superb with both technical information and easy to follow examples which enable the reader to quickly exploit the benifits of SharePoint Portal Server.

The Administrator's Guide to Sharepoint Portal Server 2001

Average customer rating:

The Administrator's Guide to Sharepoint Portal Server 2001
Bill English
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOGQ8M

Book Description

View the Table of Contents. Read the Preface.

"An important contribution to the contemporary critique of high tech industry."
— Contemporary Sociology

"Offers a lot for the general reader. The authors must be congratulated."
—International Migration Review

"Powerful and passionate exposé"
— Journal of American Ethnic History

"An important contribution to the environmental sociology literature."
— Choice

"Powerful, compelling and revealing. Pellow and Park weave a fascinating story of both the historical and current domination of gender, class and race in Silicon Valley."
— Alternatives Journal

" The Silicon Valley of Dreams . . . exposes the numerous inequities that plague the area, from the huge number of temporary workers, the highest per capita in the nation, to the obvious absence of union jobs."
—Conscious Choice

"The authors of [this] important [book] share a sense of compassion for and commitment to the struggle of labor, community, civil rights and environmental activists."
—Los Angeles Times

"The Silicon Valley of Dreams provides a progressive intervention into environmental sociology and into public discourse on the relationship between immigration and environment."
— American Journal of Sociology

"Critical reading for students and scholars in ethnic studies, immigration, urban studies, gender studies, social movements and environmental studies, as well as activists and policy-makers working to address the need of workers, communities and industry."
—Educational Book Review

Next to the nuclear industry, the largest producer of contaminants in the air, land, and water is the electronics industry. Silicon Valley hosts the highest density of Superfund sites anywhere in the nation and leads the country in the number of temporary workers per capita and in workforce gender inequities. Silicon Valley offers a sobering illustration of environmental inequality and other problems that are increasingly linked to the globalization of the world's economies.

In The Silicon Valley of Dreams, the authors take a hard look at the high-tech region of Silicon Valley to examine environmental racism within the context of immigrant patterns, labor markets, and the historical patterns of colonialism. One cannot understand Silicon Valley or the high-tech global economy in general, they contend, without also understanding the role people of color play in the labor force, working in the electronic industry's toxic environments. These toxic work environments produce chemical pollution that, in turn, disrupts the ecosystems of surrounding communities inhabited by people of color and immigrants. The authors trace the origins of this exploitation and provide a new understanding of the present-day struggles for occupational health and safety.

The Silicon Valley of Dreams will be critical reading for students and scholars in ethnic studies, immigration, urban studies, gender studies, social movements, and the environment, as well as activists and policy-makers working to address the needs of workers, communities, and industry.

Customer Reviews:

Groundbreaking.......2005-02-11

"The Silicon Valley of Dreams" by David Pellow and Lisa Sun-Hee Park is a groundbreaking book that connects the environmental justice (EJ) movement with struggles pertaining to immigration, gender, workplace, and globalization. The authors present a new historiography of Santa Clara County, California that reveals a pattern of exploitation of people and resources dating from the Spanish Colonial period to the present. The book makes a compelling case that sustainability will remain elusive as long as for-profit capitalism rules the day.

Pellow and Park study the area's historical development to find common threads between the past and the present. Each economic period was marked by the despoilation and depletion of California's natural resources, and in all cases, the production system was characterized by the exploitation of predominantly poor, immigrant and female labor.

Interestingly, the authors show how the powerful have been consistently supported by their government sponsors even as the rights of the poor have been systematically denied. We find that the Spanish government's funding of the missionaries was not substantially different from the U.S. government's support of the California gold mining industry of the 1800s, the canneries of the early to mid twentieth century or the highly lucrative defense industry of today. Yet the indigenuous peoples and the poor immigrant workers who have labored in the fields and the factories have been consistently denied their political and economic rights. In this light, the fact that the poor suffer disproportionately from environmental injustices should not be surprising, or that the struggle to overcome the powerful interests that profit from the system remains difficult.

The authors show how the electronics manufacturing that dominates Silicon Valley today is not the "clean" industry that is often promoted by corporate public relations firms. We learn how the so-called "immaterial" economy is in fact produced with enormous amounts of energy inputs and demanding physical labor. Management's criminal silence on issues pertaining to workplace safety and the pollution of the local environment clashes severely with the industry's oft-repeated hyperbole about the open and empowered society that is purportedly fostered through information technology.

The author's analysis is supported with moving testimonies from flesh-and-blood workers who have suffered the ill effects of toxic exposure. Their heart-wrenching stories bring home the human costs of our high-tech culture in a deeply compelling way. But the authors also relate how grass-roots organizations have won modest victories in their attempts to protect workers and the community from harm. Clearly, the empowerment of women and minorities and respect for the environment is critical to achieving a sustainable and egalitarian society.

I recommend this highly readable, insightful and important book to everyone.

Book Description

Because of the Internet and globalization, the fast moving consumer goods market has been turned on its head and made more competitive than ever. This book synthesizes emerging marketing thinking in the consumer domain with practical advice on how to profit from changes. It illustrates the key issues facing the fast moving consumer goods industry and provides an analysis of cutting-edge management research and academic insight.

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Book Description

This volume contains over twenty original contributions, written by leading authorities in their field, dealing with decision models for supporting individuals facing situations encompassing multiple criteria and related problems. The book presents interactive methods for solving multiple criteria decision problems, the formation of preferences and applications of novel decision tools to real-world problems. The book is a Festschrift in honour of Stanley Zionts. Professor Zionts is one of the leaders in the field of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). He is founder and the first President of the International Society of MCDM.

Customer Reviews:

mistake.......1997-04-13

this book is not edited by Stanley Zionts The third editor is Jyrki Wallenius btw, this is not a review. A comment.

Book Description

Variable Universal Life offers efficient and thorough training on the most sophisticated insurance product on today's market.

It covers the history of the variable universal life product, its key features and benefits, the details of the product's structure, the regulation and taxation of variable universal life, suitability and managing variable universal life cash values.

If you are taking this course for CE, the CE exam will automatically be added to your basket when selecting CE credit. Certain states require that a proctor/monitor supervise the exam taking process.

Average customer rating:
Agent's Guide to Universal Life
Waid J. Davidson , and Lewis T. Baker
Manufacturer: R & R Newkirk
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9995131323

Average customer rating:
Selling universal life: How to use the fabulous new instrument of life insurance to solve personal and business problems
John F Webb
Manufacturer: Farnsworth Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0878632239

Average customer rating:
Universal Life Insurance

Manufacturer: Dearborn a Kaplan Professional Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Study & Teaching | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0793145090

Book Description

Universal Life Insurance provides a comprehensive introduction to universal life products, including variable universal life and equity indexed universal life. After discussing the factors that stimulated development of these policies, the course introduces students to the features and operations as well as the markets and uses of universal life insurance products. Suitability issues are also identified and discussed.

If you are taking this course for CE, the CE exam will automatically be added to your basket when selecting CE credit. Certain states require that a proctor or monitor supervise the exam taking process.

Average customer rating:

An Informative book

Good overview of life insurance product (VUL)

Variable Universal Life
Dearborn Financial Institute
Manufacturer: Dearborn Financial Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Life | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

New Life Insurance Investment Advisor: Achieving Financial Security for You and your Family Through Today's Insurance Products

ASIN: 079313322X

Customer Reviews:

An Informative book.......2002-07-07

If you know little on the subject of variable universal life you will enjoy this book otherwise this book would serve a more knowledgable person little value.

Good overview of life insurance product (VUL).......2001-11-09

This book provides an overview of variable universal life products in the US. It is designed as a continuing education textbook for financial planners and insurance brokers.

The language is simple to read and it provides exercises in each chapter. A review of different life insurance products is in the first chapter.

If you are interested in VULs because you are considering purchasing one, this is an outstanding book to get for the money. It describes how the polices work in a way that is much clearer than what is provided in a prospectus.

Unfortunately, the book does not make recommendations on companies or what premiums are at various companies. For that sort of advice, a book like "New Life Insurance Investment Advisor" by Ben Baldwin might be of interest.

Average customer rating:
Why Universal Life
David L. Manzler
Manufacturer: National Underwriter Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Life | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0872180255

Average customer rating:
Why Universal Life
Robert Buechner
Manufacturer: National Underwriter Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Life | Insurance | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 087218028X

Average customer rating:
Achieving equality for the affluent market with VULs.(FOCUS: UPSCALE MARKET)(variable universal life insurance ): An article from: National Underwriter Life & Health
C. Ray Trueblood
Manufacturer: The National Underwriter Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000ALQ4K4
Release Date: 2005-07-25

Book Description

This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Life & Health, published by The National Underwriter Company on May 2, 2005. The length of the article is 1702 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: Achieving equality for the affluent market with VULs.(FOCUS: UPSCALE MARKET)(variable universal life insurance )
Author: C. Ray Trueblood
Publication: National Underwriter Life & Health (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 2, 2005
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 109 Issue: 17 Page: 41(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

A comparison of term insurance rates to protection-related charges in universal life insurance.: An article from: Journal of Risk and Insurance

Average customer rating:

A comparison of term insurance rates to protection-related charges in universal life insurance.: An article from: Journal of Risk and Insurance
Richard B. Corbett , and Jack M. Nelson
Manufacturer: American Risk and Insurance Association, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Risk and Insurance, published by American Risk and Insurance Association, Inc. on September 1, 1992. The length of the article is 2210 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.

From the supplier: A universal life insurance policy is an unbundled version of the life insurance contract. In such a scheme, policy owners pay periodically into a fund from where mortality and expense charges are withdrawn. The expenditure for the death protection element is evaluated against insurance rates for renewable term policies. Although the analysis did not focus on the rate of return for universal life policies, the results indicate that death benefits could be obtained at lower costs from annual renewable term insurance.

Citation Details
Title: A comparison of term insurance rates to protection-related charges in universal life insurance.
Author: Richard B. Corbett
Publication: Journal of Risk and Insurance (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 1992
Publisher: American Risk and Insurance Association, Inc.
Volume: v59 Issue: n3 Page: p470(6)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Cross-selling: improves retention. (Cross-Selling: Life Insurance).: An article from: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management

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Cross-selling: improves retention. (Cross-Selling: Life Insurance).: An article from: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management
Daniel Munroe
Manufacturer: The National Underwriter Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on January 20, 2003. The length of the article is 813 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: Cross-selling: improves retention. (Cross-Selling: Life Insurance).
Author: Daniel Munroe
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 20, 2003
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 107 Issue: 3 Page: 14(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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