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Summary: Marketing Magic
Review: American Marketing is a psychological wonder. How to get people to buy a service or product is no longer based on the quality of the service or product but rather on the strategic format of the presentation. This book was sold on its references to the former success of its author. However, as meaningful as the objective of this book was in relaying the message of adjusting to life's changes, the means to do this reached a level no higher than that found in a junior high school beginning writing course. My opinion is that had I spent $2.00 on this book, it still would have been a waste of my money.
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Summary: Bring it to the beach!
Review: This is one of my two must-reads for the beach this summer ("The Trillionaire Next Door" was the other) and I've found that both books had me laughing/thinking about my own business and the challenges ahead. Read it and enjoy!
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Summary: Needs an Afterword
Review: Because this book is being used by "... many corporations, governmental agencies, the military, small businesses, hospitals, churches and schools...", I wish that Dr. Johnson had put in an afterword for managers in his little fable. You see, some employees have been so abused in some previous situation that they aren't just afraid of change, they're too traumatized to believe that a change could be for the better. I'm disappointed that a medical doctor didn't think to include some symptoms to look for to help differentiate a formerly abused employee from a mere Hem. It would have been even more helpful if he had included sound medical advice on where to seek help for formerly abused employees. As for the story itself, if others find it helpful, good luck to them. I found the style annoyingly condescending, particularly from an author whom I do not consider to have thought things through before he wrote.
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Summary: Who Moved My Cheese Today?
Review: I work in information management where change seems to be a daily occurance. Almost everyday, I see people who struggle with adapting to change and I can only hope they too read this book soon. The book isn't going to give step-by-step instructions on how to deal with change (what book could?) but should give anyone insight on how to accept change in their lives. Read it again and again.
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Summary: It is not chance but change that matters.
Review: This is a short story. I recommend that one reads it very slowly or if need be twice, since the moral of the story as applicable to the reader might take some time to reflect. It may be appropriate to relate this story not just to individuals but also to companies that need new direction in view of what is happening in the market place- more relevant in the digital economy. The longer the company has been in a particular business and more successful it has been in the old economy, this story needs to be read by all employees of that company. That will set the thinking to seek "new cheese" that is necessary for survival. Employees also will prepare to change their mindset to acquire skills, change attitudes and look at new opportunities. After all the focus is on long term employability and not long term employment. The case that comes to my mind is the large number of "sick" companies in India, particularly those owned by the Government. There was a time when a job in these companies was considered secure and comfortable with the assurance of the pay check every month. These companies sustained on subsidies and financial support from the Government that over a period of time assured cheese to all employees as their "entitlement". But now that the supply of cheese has run out, thanks to the new economic policies driven by market forces, what we see in most of the employees is a feeling of anger and frustration - " I want my cheese back!" Read this book - and " Say Cheese ! "
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Summary: Cheesy...but good.
Review: This book, unlike other change books which I have read in the past, presents a single, straight-forward metaphor even children can understand. The message is clear -- that change occurs and that you can either embrace it and move forward, or languish in the issues caused by change. I enjoyed this book. While it was not "an earth-shattering, gosh I have to change my life due to this book" experience, it impacted me enough to want to share the book with my co-workers -- I have not seen it since. :)
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Summary: Fun & Eye Opener
Review: I had a great time reading Who Moved My Cheese. The style is fun and entertaining while delivering some excellent messages and insights. I could identify with the characters of the book: their resistance, fear of the unknown, and the discovery of New Cheese when I let go of all that. What I loved about this book is that it is simple, and anyone, from teenagers to senior citizens, no matter what they do in life, can read it and learn from it. Another book that I thought was an amazing eye opener and life changer for me and friends around me is Working On Yourself Doen't Work, by Ariel & Shya Kane, as well as their audio tape Magical Relationships. The Kanes make it easy for us to simply look at some mechanical behaviors without judging them, allowing for magic to happen in our --my life. I highly recommend their book and tapes.
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Summary: Don't give out this book and think you have communicated
Review: Having thought about what happened when this book was given out to my workgroup... This book should not be given to a group. It will have unpredictable results, which you can see by sampling the reviews. Some employees will like the cuteness of the presentation; some will be deeply insulted by the tone and presentation. Those who actually read it will have one of two reactions... ...one group will see it as positive advice to stop ignoring change. (Of course, they may decide to change jobs, perhaps not be the desired result.) ...another group will focus on the negative passage near the end which says that if they don't change they will be fired. (Again, perhaps not the intended message.) If you as a manager have a message to give to a preson or a group, give it clearly and directly. Don't give out this book and think you have communicated or motivated.
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Summary: A few good points in a smarmy, insulting, stretched package
Review: Good points but smarmy, insulting, and terribly stretched to make a book. Borrow someone else's copy and read it. You can read it standing up <smile>.
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Summary: "Simplicity" does not mean "simple-minded"
Review: This book has taken some hard knocks for being too easy - or written for a 12 year old, as another reviewer put it. It's ironic that most of us spend our lives trying to make things simple, yet when a simple parable about change comes along, we cannot accept it! The book is a good, short hammering home of the point of accepting change and making us aware of what we are holding onto and what we should let go (whatever our "cheese" is.) Jesus used simple parables all the time - why can't we?
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