Rating: 
Summary: Mackay's best book yet
Review: "Pushing The Envelope" is probably Harvey Mackay's best book since he wrote "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." And, maybe "Pushing The Envelope" is better. Mackay shares his wisdom about how to build a business from the standpoint of a professional envelope maker, one of the world's best salesmen, and probably the leading business self-help writer. Mackay knows his envelopes and much else. He talks about setting resolutions, but realizes most people never keep them. He points out that to succeed you must work hard and stick to your goals until you reach them, like an postage stamp sticks to an envelope. "Initiative is important. Finishative is vital," Mackay writes. Mackay tells you not to take yourself too seriously, and that it is probably good to let the other fellow think he is smarter than you. But "Pushing The Envelope" is far more than a collection of positive thinking aphorisms (yes, there are a lot of those also). Mackay discusses his views about managing people and selling, both of which are crucial to most company's success. And, both areas where Harvey Mackay is a world class expert. Mackay teaches you how to cultivate your sales force. He gives insight on making intelligent hires, and points out that recognizing talent is the most valuable talent of an entrepreneur. Mackay shares his views on getting rid of employees and points out that it is the people who you should fire, but who you don't, that cause you problems. Not that Harvey fires many people himself. Many of his happy envelope makers have worked for him for several decades or longer. And, as Mackay points out, making envelopes isn't a business you would consider naturally fun or sexy. And, some of Mackay's people who left to work for the competition were rehired when they learned that the generous offers made to them by Harvey's competitors were deceptions. More money, better tasting glue on the flaps, and who knows whatever else was offered. Harvey understands the importance of forgiveness and helping other people reach their personal and life goals. Without an aphorism, Harvey cares about people and about his employees. He understands the importance of people. And, that computers can't replace them. This is not to say that old Harvey is as flat as one of his envelopes due to being walked over by chums. As Mackay says, "every dog can get in one bite." After that and I'd bet the pouch is in trouble. "Pushing The Envelope" also briefly discusses why people pay more for some products. Value-added. He really shows you how to successfully charge more for your product by focusing on service. Mackay says this is what smaller companies who can't swing lower per unit costs can offer. "Pushing The Envelope All The Way To The Top" should be read by all business people, even those who cringe at the thought of reading one more Harvey Mackay aphorism! By Chapter 82 (yes, Chapter 82, he writes bite-sized chapters) Harvey runs out of business wisdom and goes off on a tangent telling you about how to properly tip waiters and waitresses and the tennis pro at your vacation resort. Ah, Thanks, Harvey. Just when you are questioning if the book will end without a bang, Mackay falls back to his natural ability in closing a deal to write a chapter about how we all appreciate a good and true compliment. But, I'll save the ending for your own reading. I'll leave you with my favorite Mackay aphorism, "While on the ladder of success, don't step back to admire your work." Peter Hupalo, author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"
Rating:
Summary: Mackay's best book yet
Review: "Pushing The Envelope" is probably Harvey Mackay's best book since he wrote "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." And, maybe "Pushing The Envelope" is better. Mackay shares his wisdom about how to build a business from the standpoint of a professional envelope maker, one of the world's best salesmen, and probably the leading business self-help writer. Mackay knows his envelopes and much else. He talks about setting resolutions, but realizes most people never keep them. He points out that to succeed you must work hard and stick to your goals until you reach them, like an postage stamp sticks to an envelope. "Initiative is important. Finishative is vital," Mackay writes. Mackay tells you not to take yourself too seriously, and that it is probably good to let the other fellow think he is smarter than you. But "Pushing The Envelope" is far more than a collection of positive thinking aphorisms (yes, there are a lot of those also). Mackay discusses his views about managing people and selling, both of which are crucial to most company's success. And, both areas where Harvey Mackay is a world class expert. Mackay teaches you how to cultivate your sales force. He gives insight on making intelligent hires, and points out that recognizing talent is the most valuable talent of an entrepreneur. Mackay shares his views on getting rid of employees and points out that it is the people who you should fire, but who you don't, that cause you problems. Not that Harvey fires many people himself. Many of his happy envelope makers have worked for him for several decades or longer. And, as Mackay points out, making envelopes isn't a business you would consider naturally fun or sexy. And, some of Mackay's people who left to work for the competition were rehired when they learned that the generous offers made to them by Harvey's competitors were deceptions. More money, better tasting glue on the flaps, and who knows whatever else was offered. Harvey understands the importance of forgiveness and helping other people reach their personal and life goals. Without an aphorism, Harvey cares about people and about his employees. He understands the importance of people. And, that computers can't replace them. This is not to say that old Harvey is as flat as one of his envelopes due to being walked over by chums. As Mackay says, "every dog can get in one bite." After that and I'd bet the pouch is in trouble. "Pushing The Envelope" also briefly discusses why people pay more for some products. Value-added. He really shows you how to successfully charge more for your product by focusing on service. Mackay says this is what smaller companies who can't swing lower per unit costs can offer. "Pushing The Envelope All The Way To The Top" should be read by all business people, even those who cringe at the thought of reading one more Harvey Mackay aphorism! By Chapter 82 (yes, Chapter 82, he writes bite-sized chapters) Harvey runs out of business wisdom and goes off on a tangent telling you about how to properly tip waiters and waitresses and the tennis pro at your vacation resort. Ah, Thanks, Harvey. Just when you are questioning if the book will end without a bang, Mackay falls back to his natural ability in closing a deal to write a chapter about how we all appreciate a good and true compliment. But, I'll save the ending for your own reading. I'll leave you with my favorite Mackay aphorism, "While on the ladder of success, don't step back to admire your work." Peter Hupalo, author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"
Rating:
Summary: A great read with lots of can't miss advice
Review: "Pushing the Envelope" not only filled in missing pieces to my business education, but did it in an entertaining, readable way that made it hard to put down. Harvey knows, probably better than any business author, how to make a point using stories and anecdotes, and time after time he brings it back to real-life business situations. Anyone at almost any level will get solid business advice from "Pushing the Envelope," and have a great time in the process.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars
Review: "There are answers to be found in relationships across the board including business, intimate and friendship." -The answers are here.
Rating:
Summary: A must have.
Review: As a semi-new addition to the world of business, I found Mackay's book, along with all his others, to be an absolute necessity. For all you young people looking to succeed in the 'big bad world' out there, Harvey Mackay outlines many great ideas to get you started on your way. From the day I read "Swim with the Sharks", and all of Harvey's subsequent books, my career has never been the same. Buy it, you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: A must have.
Review: As a semi-new addition to the world of business, I found Mackay's book, along with all his others, to be an absolute necessity. For all you young people looking to succeed in the 'big bad world' out there, Harvey Mackay outlines many great ideas to get you started on your way. From the day I read "Swim with the Sharks", and all of Harvey's subsequent books, my career has never been the same. Buy it, you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Harvey MacKay Writes Yet Another Terrific Book
Review: Buy "Pushing The Envelope" today. It is a great book
Rating:
Summary: Harvey MacKay Writes Yet Another Terrific Book
Review: Buy "Pushing The Envelope" today. It is a great book
Rating: 
Summary: Is it me?
Review: Did I read the same book as the rest of these reviews? I like Harvey Mackay and enjoyed Swim With the Sharks, but I thought this book was a fairly simplistic brain dump of cliches and unoriginal thoughts. I do believe Mackay's geniunely decent nature come through and most of the concepts were fairly well presented, but I found very little here I hadn't already heard. I kept thinking to myself that this was Harvey's publisher squeezing out another book under contract. Sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: From Author of "Script Magic: Subconscious Techniques to Conquer Writer's Block: Want to get motivated? Want to do the impossible! You can, with Harvey MacKay as your guide! There are many poignant messages in this book, but the two that touched me the most was the fact that MacKay aimed for and achieved his desires, despite the "odds." And secondly, the subtle message I get from him and his book is that generosity is really the best policy. Tuck it under your pillow at night and read it for inspiration!
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