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Rating: 
Summary: Make every MBA student read this book!
Review: ....This is the story of that woman and the company she founded. Today, with over 1,800 Body Shops worldwide, and many a dissenting corporate CEO cursing at the very mention of her name, she commands an empire that still stands for something of value in this world. Anita is one of the very few people I have read or studied, that truly "walks her walk". The others merely pay lip service to the environment or other cultures less 'civilized' than ours. Like Anita, this book really "tells it like it is." This book should be mandatory reading for every MBA student in the world. Perhaps being exposed to Anita's philosophies, examples and case studies of how to build from a start-up to an international retailing empire, will help save a few of them from the "nothing matters but the quarterly bottom line" syndrome. Anita's book lays out a positive path and a myriad of methods one can use to identify, analyze and address business problems and opportunities in a sane manner. It is a way of doing business that first takes into consideration people, not just profits. It's a company with "attitude".
Rating:
Summary: Make every MBA student read this book!
Review: ....This is the story of that woman and the company she founded. Today, with over 1,800 Body Shops worldwide, and many a dissenting corporate CEO cursing at the very mention of her name, she commands an empire that still stands for something of value in this world. Anita is one of the very few people I have read or studied, that truly "walks her walk". The others merely pay lip service to the environment or other cultures less 'civilized' than ours. Like Anita, this book really "tells it like it is." This book should be mandatory reading for every MBA student in the world. Perhaps being exposed to Anita's philosophies, examples and case studies of how to build from a start-up to an international retailing empire, will help save a few of them from the "nothing matters but the quarterly bottom line" syndrome. Anita's book lays out a positive path and a myriad of methods one can use to identify, analyze and address business problems and opportunities in a sane manner. It is a way of doing business that first takes into consideration people, not just profits. It's a company with "attitude".
Rating: 
Summary: Business as Unusual
Review: A dynamic book, reflecting page by page a visually creative presentation that challenges the reader to step beyond the words to discover multiple layers of interrelationships and values. The book undertakes to demonstrate her life's purpose of protecting and valuing humanity and the environment whilst still developing a profitable business. Roddick presents her story, "Business as Unusual" by modeling the same constructs that have underpinned the ethical, moral and business essences of "The Body Shop". The sometimes humorous but always poignant captions, quotes and pictorial representations through out the writing, demonstrates the importance Roddick places on communication. The book also scaffolds the in depth discussion that is used to deconstruct "The Body Shop" story. Roddick does ascribe and briefly describe basic no nonsense commonsense information and elements inherent for all business. She also explores a range of interesting anecdotes, practical problems and ethical values. The reader is encouraged and dared to ponder and reflect on basic elements such as child care, gender discrimination and female beauty whilst being whisked away to analyse the heavier issues of the Amazon and Hemp. Roddick concludes the writing by sharing ten lessons that describe practical information which she suggests may guide the reinvention of the "The Body Shop" of the future. An "unusual" story; certainly worth a read; definitely challenges the creative mind and makes no bones about business responsibility to humanity and the environment.
Rating:
Summary: An inspirational book by an inspiring author
Review: Anita Roddick is an exceptional woman. She is also an exceptional business owner. This book contains a wonderful mix of shared personal experience - including the joys, wonders and pain of being on the front lines in a company dedicated to socially responsible values. Roddick is a true pioneer, alongwith a handful of other business owners throughout the world, blazing trails for businesses with a conscience. There are no maps for what she's done or what she is continuing to do, to make the world a better place. Thank God for people like Anita Roddick!
Rating:
Summary: How businesses can be about public good, not private greed
Review: Anita Roddick is the founder of The Body Shop and is a leading spokesperson for corporate social responsibility who has used her successful business acumen to demonstrate that business decisions based on moral leadership is a sound and profitable model for today's competitive and global marketplace. In Business As Unusual Roddick charts the ups and downs of her business, while sharing her vision of how all businesses can be about public good rather than private greed. Her own company, The Body Shop, is an example of her message concerning corporate responsibility and commitment to human rights and social issues with its 1500 stores serving 86 million customers in 47 markets and 24 languages. Highly recommended reading for MBA students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and corporate managers at all levels of responsibility.
Rating: 
Summary: I expected more
Review: Body Shop is a household name and a corporation with an atttitude. Anita built the company on her beliefs and always stood for what she believed in. I was a little disappointed with this book. I was expecting to read about how she started the company, what drove her to start, her fears, etc but what I found was a book filled with her philosophies mixed with her story on how she grew her business. If you're doing an MBA, yes by all means, this is a great book as it gives you different and fresh business perspectives but if you're looking for a "how I made it book", you may be a little disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: great book to start the year 2001
Review: I picked up the book during my xmas trip to Singapore, and it is a great book. The content is inspiring, with lots of personal view of one of the rare-type captain of industry. Think how bodyshop can be a household name without any advertising, this is a mixture of business, entrepreneurship, and self determination toward the betterment of the world. a crusade from a lady who genuinely love the -world-, an activist legend of her own. The book is full of Anita's journey and experiences (and the growing pains). It maybe just a buzz for bodyshop, it is still an enjoyable reading, and thus worth buying. The way the book is presented is beautiful and enjoyable, one of the business-book-trend that i love, from the tom peters lots of pictures and wordings, to gary hamel new -leading the revolution-, this one comes with lots of -quotes- in GOLD COLOR pages. I beleive a book should have content and CONTEXT, the way the books is read, is now as important as the message. Design now play important roles in business books. Yes, this is still a business book. I do not like the cover though.. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Good for everyone.
Review: It's an unusual book, of course. Being usual means to exploit others in the global economic system. Anita knows why we make the money and how we should spend our resource. It's good, good for everyone. It's time for you to do something. To say something is not to do something.
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