Rating: 
Summary: At Long Last
Review: At long last there is a fast, easy to read book targeted for the right audience - not HR or OD, but for the busy executives who are committed to improving performance.As a long time user of the performance and gap analysis methodology, I know this works when managers stop looking at quick fixes or silver bullets. They are willing to spend time/resources to diagnose the multiple causes of performance gaps and then invest in the appropriate solutions. For HR and OD professionals who want to be true business partners, give them this book! !
Rating: 
Summary: What's ethics got to do with it?
Review: Dr. Blanchard should stop putting his name on books others have written! This is deceptive to those readers who respect and trust his "brand." Has he no shame?!
Rating:
Summary: What's ethics got to do with it?
Review: Dr. Blanchard should stop putting his name on books others have written! This is deceptive to those readers who respect and trust his "brand." Has he no shame?!
Rating:
Summary: Helped me to get out of the Ready ...Fire... Aim mentality
Review: I loved this book. I must confess that far too many times I've jumped the gun and implemented solutions when I wasn't really clear on the root cause. The authors give some great tips on how to ask "High Yield" questions that uncover both the root cause and alternative solutions. I read this book on Sunday morning and was applying the concepts on Monday when the week's problems started piling up. Now I'm sharing the book with my team and other department heads. I believe this book is going to change the way we look at performance issues and problems.
Rating:
Summary: Helped me to get out of the Ready ...Fire... Aim mentality
Review: I loved this book. I must confess that far too many times I've jumped the gun and implemented solutions when I wasn't really clear on the root cause. The authors give some great tips on how to ask "High Yield" questions that uncover both the root cause and alternative solutions. I read this book on Sunday morning and was applying the concepts on Monday when the week's problems started piling up. Now I'm sharing the book with my team and other department heads. I believe this book is going to change the way we look at performance issues and problems.
Rating: 
Summary: One page of guidance spun into a 100 page story
Review: I read this book in about an hour. I suspect the authors were able to churn this little "fable" out in about three (3) working days. The essential message of the book is quite valid. The delivery is rather problematic. I do have one question: What was in it for Mike?
Rating:
Summary: Zap the Gaps
Review: I'm giving a copy to my CEO. This is a quick read that provides immediate results. It takes root cause analysis to another level by clearly defining the relationship between performance and the variety of solutions available through HR. It also provides the step-by-step receipe for avoiding the training-as-an-activity problem.
Rating:
Summary: Zap the Gaps
Review: I'm giving a copy to my CEO. This is a quick read that provides immediate results. It takes root cause analysis to another level by clearly defining the relationship between performance and the variety of solutions available through HR. It also provides the step-by-step receipe for avoiding the training-as-an-activity problem.
Rating:
Summary: Short and to the point!
Review: In this busy, busy work world finding a usable tool that is easy to read and use but highly effective is like finding a diamond in the rough. Helping people develop on the job is a top responsibility for managers. If you want to do that, read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Blanchard
Review: Ken Blanchard certainly knows how to crank out
books . . . his latest, ZAP THE GAPS!, coauthored with
Dana and Jim Robinson, describes an approach and then
gives a framework for improving a company's overall
performance through its people. It uses the typical Blanchard formula; i.e., a parable
that will help you understand complex material by
presenting it in a very readable and entertaining fashion . . . the result: you'll learn how to better solve a problem and not jump at the first solution that comes your way . . . instead, you'll be given a technique for helping you first understand the problem's root cause--thus making for a better overall solution. But just don't think you have to work in a business environment
to benefit from the book . . . its message can also be
applied to nonprofit organizations, clubs and even families. You can most likely it in one sitting, yet you'll
be thinking about it long afterward . . . I especially liked
this one line, used by an executive answering his phone:
"Mike here. What can I do to help make your life perfect?" The same executive was quoted as giving this other bit
of helpful advice: "So tomorrow start taking your star
employees to lunch. Get them to tell you their secrets,
one-on-one. That won't cost your company very much at all." Lastly, I enjoyed learning the following acronym: GAPS . . . it
served to summarize the book's key message, which
encourages you to:
Go for the "shoulds."
Analyze the "is."
Pin down the causes.
Select the right solutions.
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