Rating: Summary: Nice fairy story, but it really doesn't help that much Review: I read this book in about 30 minutes. It is an engaging fairy tale, but it ends there. It tells everyone what they already know, and then suggests that if they want to survive (find cheese), they will need to be willing to change. Well OK, that's fair. But when you start to look at how do you get people to change, how do you engage senior leaders to make change happen - the tumbleweeds start blowing by. I am sorry, but people do not want to change, and reading a book doesn't do it. To change requires leadership, engagement, ownership and collective communication. This book addresses only part of this. Caveat Emptor!
Rating: Summary: Wow! I will never look at change the same way again Review: This is a quick-read. I would recommend this book to others that are looking at life and wondering where they are. I would not put too much weight in any one review. Check it out for yourself and see. I thought that it was worth the money. After reading the book it is easy to see the characters in other around you and how they deal with situations.
Rating: Summary: Why would anyone read this book? Review: The book can be summed up in a sentence:Be prepared for change and don't be closed minded. You might expect that the book will expand on this theme, but it doesn't. The first section portays a scenario in which some friends are hanging out together, talking about how their lives have changed. One friend mentions recalls a story called "Who moved my cheese," and tells his friends how much he and everyone who knows it likes the story. The second section portrays two mice and two men in the story of "who moved my cheese." The moral of the story is as stated above. The final section returns to the group of friends, where they all agree that the story was wonderful and they all loved it. The print in this book is so large, that the 90-odd pages probably contain less than 1000 words. This is no more a book than a glorified essay. Caveat emptor.
Rating: Summary: Read it before change hits you again! Review: A quick read will give you an insight how some people manage change better than others. Learn to let go what does not work quicker. Adapt and adjust rapidly. If something does not work, look for alternatives. Need I say more. Read it before change hits you again!
Rating: Summary: Pablum for the masses -- avoid Review: My firm recently distributed this book before revealing our new health plan that cut most of our benefits. The premise of the book is to convince you that things change, and it says that in about 15 different ways, and then tells you to accept change. Hardly an original thought between the two covers which are pretty close together. It's more like a pamphlet than a book. But it is being used as a tool by management to cow their herds into submission. I believe HR managers who use this sad excuse for presenting change should be ashamed of themselves (they should read "empowering HR in the M&A process"); management that endorses it is lacking in communication skills (they should read Jack Welch's Battle Plan for Corporate Revolution) ; and intelligent readers who buy it will be embarassed that they succumbed to the hype (they should read anything else). "The glass is half full" -- I just saved you [money].
Rating: Summary: How To Succeed In Changing Times Review: Life becomes a lot easier and much more satisfying after reading simple parables like this by Spencer. The simplicity and humor of this story make for an enjoyable read, while also delivering a way in which to enhance your life. I live and work in New York, where the pace of life is constantly changing from fast to really fast. Along with my co worker I handle the legal documents for 20 domestic and international currency traders for a major investment bank. When my desk is piled high with tasks I need to accomplish, I sometimes forget what this book reminded me: "the universe gives you only what you can handle." Reading Spencer's book reminds me that change is something not to be over analyzed or resisted. When I have wasted time disagreeing with my work the result was that I became stressed out over the thought that I would never be able to complete my tasks! The way out of my maze at work was to look at what needed to be done first, do it, and then move onto the next thing. My desk is now a source of pleasurable anticipation of additional work. Thank You Spencer! Another book I highly recommend is called "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane. The Kanes are expert guides through the maze of life where "finding the cheese" (i.e. satisfaction and fulfillment) becomes a moment to moment occurrence.
Rating: Summary: Very Disappointing Review: I'm not a regular reader of "self-help" books, but I bought this one because I had heard it described as "amazing", and, frankly, because it sounded sort of fun, all of these little people and mice running around having life experiences inside of a maze. Also, it was very short, so I figured that even if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be making too much of a commitment. Now that I've read it, I wish I had my money back and I wish I had my time back. It's not insightful, it's obvious. It's not clever, it's patronizing. And the "optional" section at the end, where everybody sits around discussing how to apply to their own lives the lessons learned is downright painful.
Rating: Summary: A life of fear or a life of joy Review: Who Moved My Cheese is a simple parable, a quick read, but it packs a whopper of a message. I read a lot of the reviews on this book and most of them were trashing the book. I tend to disagree. We all go through change at multiple times in our lives. This book is not only geared to employment changes, but to relationship, friendship or moving changes, to name a few. The principles explained here can be applied to any situation in one's life. Unfortunately, we tend to become narrow-minded and don't realize that the principles stay the same, even though the situation may change - sometimes we just need a gentle reminder of that fact. The quotes from the book are great! Such as, "If you don't change you can become extinct." "The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese." "When you move beyond your fear, you feel free." The main message I gained WAS to move beyond my fear, and I was able to relate that to many areas in my life and the "change" for me was great! As Blanchard says, " It is safer to search in the maze than remain in a cheeseless situation." How true! Life's journey is about change, but it is how we choose to embrace it to make our journey that much more enjoyable or disastrous! So, "Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again!"
Rating: Summary: A Good Value Review: While it is true that much of the information in the book is nothing new, I think those that pan the book on that basis forget that knowing what to do is only half the battle - the other half is actually doing it. What then may appear to be a negative as far as simplistic dialogue and small size becomes an asset in the rereading necessary to change ones habits to incorporate the wisdom of these few pages. Change is the one constant after all, so dealing with it is crucial as the book makes very clear. It's an excellent brief parable.
Rating: Summary: All Managers should read this one Review: The easiest way to remember a story is through visualisation. This story tale emphasises the difficulties experienced with change in great detail. I bought the paperback, the cost although on the expensive side, is worth the simple message. I have shared the book with all my employees and will buy my manager a copy as well. The only certainty in life is change...
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