Rating: 
Summary: Subtle "Street Smarts"
Review: Debra Benton has written two excellent books entitled How to Think Like a CEO. and How to Act Like a CEO. The title of Fox's is somewhat misleading. Very few executives ever become a CEO. In fact, that's not what his book is really all about. Like Benton, he focuses on "the rules for rising to the top of any organization." As Noel Tichy correctly asserts in The Leadership Engine, all organizations (regardless of size or nature) should constantly develop leadership at all levels. His book, Benton's two, and this book can all help executives to develop such leadership; also, to develop leadership skills in those for whom they are responsible. Hemingway once suggested that all great writers "have a built-in, shock-proof crap detector." I was reminded of that as I read Fox's book. His is a no-nonsense, cut-to-the-chase, no-BS approach to executive development. Perhaps a few of his readers will become CEOs. Good for them. Most of his readers will not but, thanks to Fox, they will be much better-prepared to support their CEO while helping their associates to increase their own effectiveness in decision-making situations. Fox organizes his material within 75 brief chapters which range from "Always Take the Job That Offers More Money" to "Do Not Get Discouraged by the Idea Killers." In Chapter LXVIII ("No Goals, No Glory"), for example, he asserts that "You must create a yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily 'To Do' list. On your 'To Do' list, write the things you have to do to reach your goals. On your daily 'To Do' list, put some action that will get you closer to your long-range goals. This will keep you targeted." Nothing original here. However, in this instance and throughout the entire book, Fox focuses on what is practical rather than theoretical. I presume to add my own strong support of what I call the "The 3Ws Strategy": When meeting with associates to prioritize and then plan initiatives, insist on pinning down "Who will do what by when." In the Epilogue, Fox observes: "Thank you for reading this book. Now, reopen your book to one or two random pages. Put your finger on a section and do what is written. You will be further on your way to becoming CEO." No cutting-edge thinking here but note, again, the emphasis on taking action. Years ago, I became convinced that below the CEO and COO levels, leadership is best defined in terms of initiative. I once helped to plan and implement an "electronic suggestion box" program for a major corporation. The best suggestion came from a man working in the mailroom who was about to retire: "Except for emergencies, why not limit next business day deliveries to emergencies only?" That suggestion saved the corporation approximately $200,000 a year. In this instance, the fellow in the mailroom thought like a CEO and recommended a specific initiative. Fox has written a book which can be of immense value to those who aspire to occupy the CEO position but will be of even greater value to all the others whose career aspirations are less ambitious but who correctly sense that their leadership and management skills can become much more effective. Were I a CEO, I would require all of my executives (at least at the middle-to-senior levels) to read Benton's two books as well as Tichy's and Fox's. Then I would schedule what is generally referred to an "executive retreat" (preferably lasting at least two days and located offsite), with a task force committee having correlated and consolidated in advance the contents of the four books to create an agenda for the program. With school, college, and university graduations rapidly approaching, Fox's book would also make an excellent gift for those interested in a business career. Just a thought....
Rating: 
Summary: Great Business Tips - Bathroom Style
Review: Fox's book is a little tome that is filled with wisdom how to succeed in business or any organization for that matter. While its highly geared for a person who works for a large company its advice is still helpful elsewhere. Fox offers a plethora of tips ranging from when to arrive and leave from work to how handle business trips with your boss all in short form, usually a page or two. This work is very easy to read and understand, there's no complex studies in management involved. All just simple common sense that we often don't think of. A few of his tips seem a little strange, such as never drinking with your coworkers or rarely attending company events outside work. Other then those, this book contains tons of useful ideas for putting you on the road to success. It's easy to read format also makes this book not only informative but great bathroom reading too.
Rating:
Summary: Short, concise, priceless
Review: Short, concise, priceless. Read the book in less than one hour. Great writing style. Excellent points that will help you move up in the ladder in any company - even if CEO is not your intention. Great points that for the most part take little effort, but just a little ingenuity and desire to want to be the best. Key tips about things to do in different situations from traveling with the boss, to socializing at office events, to relationships with fellow employees, to key contacts to make along the way, to key positions that will increase your chance of being noticed and getting promoted... A favorite of mine is that he mentions that if all members of upper management went to Harvard, then it will help if you went to Harvard....(well duh, right?), but say you didn't go to Harvard, follow the same concept by looking at other areas. Not trying to be too simplistic, but if all members of upper management are married men, then if CEO is your life's ambition it's about time to marry your fiance. Not to sound heartless and what not, but if you really want to be on top and you aren't married and all of them are its a check mark against you...you want to build checks marks in your favor. I think that's what this book conveys. The above was perhaps not the best example, but you get the idea - his book helps you analyze your life and professional behavior and improve it so that you have a better chance of getting there. Of course knowledge and skill are still THE keys, but these are the behaviors that go along with those pieces to complete the puzzle. Too many valuable gems to list here, (there were 75 in all) but excellent add to your business library.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book with Powerful Messages
Review: If you are an inspiring business person looking to climb the corporate ladder, this book will provide you with short, but very wise, lessons. Since reading this book, I have personally used this "tips" and found them to be more than effective! It is a book you will keep next to the PC, on the coffee table, or any place! It is good consistent reading!
Rating:
Summary: This book will change your life.
Review: This book is very practical and easy to read. I couldn't stop reading it since the moment I started and I keep reading it every day because I'm convinced that following the 75 steps I will soonly become a CEO. "Avoid Staff-Jobs, seek line Jobs" is the most significant step for me, I used to work as a computer programmer but after reading this step I moved to the marketing department and now I'm making more money and helping the company to improve profits.- Guive yourself the oportunity to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great book but needs to be organized better....
Review: First and foremost, let me say that I read a lot of business / strategy / leadership books. John Maxwell's books, Power of Leadership and 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader are also good reads too. This book would normally get a 5 star rating because it has great bang for the buck. A lot of great wisdom for little cost. But, I am taking off a star because execution was mentioned towards the end. In my opinion, investors pay for execution of a business model. PERIOD. If you don't execute on a proposed business plan you are dead. You won't get to the top because the CEO knows that is what Wall Street and investors demand. I believed that the author used great examples and quotes and is concise and straight to the point. I recommend this book for anyone who wants an easy to read, compact book (good size) and large # of tips on how to get ahead in business, and in life. I believe the key ingredient in getting long-term value out of this book is to highlight the quotes/stories you love and integrate them into your daily life. Practice what you read if it ties in with your values.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: Writing in succinct and serviceable language, Jeffrey R. Fox presents profitable information for anyone aiming for the top of the corporate world. Anyone in the work force, at any level, can use and appreciate his litany of commandments. Applying these suggestions appropriately and sincerely will help you succeed in your personal and professional life. Some of the commandments may surprise you. Many of them will make you reflect on what your mother taught you. Frequently, the suggestions challenge and encourage you to make positive life improvements and to enhance your interactions with your colleagues. The author's no-nonsense presentation is an easy read. Each commandment entry is brief and to the point. We [...] recommend this book to those who want to rise to the top, and be appreciated and respected by others in the process.
Rating: 
Summary: Rules for Americans?
Review: Some very sound and basic common sense that is well organized.
But, some of the rules are a bit pathetic even for a Harvard MBA grad.
Do not drink, do not drink with co-workers, do not attend office parties unless with your mate and so on would never work in Europe nor in many other countries.
Maybe this advice is stricktly for Americans? It is useful when dealing with Americans but I must say, if this is the common thinking of today, then I rather doubt readers will emerge ahead of the pack in the future.
Make no enemies? Remove any backbone first please!
I am afraid that those who succeed take risks and do make enemies as well as unpopular comments, statements and write letters with negative comments.
To avoid this may be politically correct but will never amount to good decision making.
As I stated before, some good common sense advice. And we do need that.
But, if you want to become successful, a CEO woith guts then you must run into trouble, create miracles via well calculated risks, earn stripes and work harder and smarter than anyone else.I was hoping for some good insight and unfortunately found little of use.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and Informative
Review: This is a quick read. I like the style of Jeffrey Fox, he just has the knack of putting golden nuggets of information into concise chapters without sacrificing the lesson. Quite an extraordinary book. One will find helpful tidbits in climbing the corporate ladder. If you like his style, you will like Harry Beckwith's style in Selling the Invisible as well. Like Mr. Fox said, just flip to any page and do what it says, it will only benefit you in the long run!
Rating:
Summary: I dont know if I will be CEO but.....
Review: I enjoyed reading the book and found it helpful in some respects. There are some hints of what not to do that I thought were very insightful, primarily because most employees of a company do the very things he says not to do. I do not know how far you are really going to get to being CEO w/o a high level of education and experience and political savvy, but this book tends to be more of a "attitude" and "methods" adjustment handbook in my opinion. However, it is definitly one for the library.
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