Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing and what really is the message?
Review: Any blurb that says "humorous" has to be treated with caution. This book is mildly clever in places but one is left wondering what really is the 'takeaway'. Yes we all know that the right person is needed in the right job but how profound is that as a business lesson. Even "Who moved my cheese?" had more to offer than this somewhat trite attempt at a business parable. Give me books like "The obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive" and "Death by Meeting" any day.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing and what really is the message?
Review: Any blurb that says "humorous" has to be treated with caution. This book is mildly clever in places but one is left wondering what really is the 'takeaway'. Yes we all know that the right person is needed in the right job but how profound is that as a business lesson. Even "Who moved my cheese?" had more to offer than this somewhat trite attempt at a business parable. Give me books like "The obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive" and "Death by Meeting" any day.
Rating: 
Summary: I can't believe Gallop approved this book!
Review: Given the success of Gallop's other books, Now, Discover your Strengths and First Break all the Rules, I was excited to read their latest venture. A parable that teaches the lessons of their first two books sounded interesting. Unfortunately, the title is the only thing of interest.
Distilling wisdom through the ENDLESS puns and barnyard "humor" is near impossible. The countless jokes were unbearable -- and I use the word "jokes" lightly because it is so unfunny. Anyway, here's what I learned:
1) Reading books about management and running organizations is a waste of time, as the authors conceded that most books are "good for firewood." Funny, isn't this a book about management and running organizations? Hmmm...
2) 360-degree feedback is a waste of time, except for the fact that "it can get dang cold in January" and once again, you can use the reports for firewood. Also, they go into great detail, page after page, describing ridiculous animal competencies, then go on to use the report for role/job selection. WRONG! 360 should never be used for role/job selection. 360 is a developmental tool. However, in one sentence in the Epilogue, they say that 360 is useful on a limited basis, but never really explain or demonstrate how to use it or that they used it incorrectly to prove some unknown point.
3) Organizational Climate surveys...also a waste of time. But certainly not more so than pages of goofy questions with silly barnyard humor. (In the Epilogue, in one sentence, they say these surveys can be valuable. Incidentally, the only reason I got to the Epilogue was that I wanted to be fair when I wrote this review.)
4) Training to help develop new skills is a waste of time (OK. I get it. Let people do what they are best at. There, I just saved you from reading this book, as this is the only valuable sentence that I took away from the entire book. But of course, I already knew this because I read their first two books.)
5) Meditation and stress management are useless. This is sad because I know several people who meditate and they seem to manage their stress quite well.
This entire book was a great idea...then came the reality. I can almost see the authors laughing to themselves, saying, "let's see how many puns we can squeeze into one book." Animals Inc. was not aMOOsing, as the cow might say, EGGstremely informative as the chicken might say, or anywhere in the NEIGHborhood of being valuable, as the horse might say. If those jokes annoyed you, do not buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Animals review....
Review: Here is a story that has been used by The Gallup Organizations' (the polling company) clients for over thirty years, and has just been released on audio. This tale introduces you to a group of metaphorical barnyard animals trying to run a successful business. Once they decide that education is the key to success, the members of Animals, Inc. set up training classes. The various animals work hard to overcome their natural shortcomings. The workhorse tries to operate the computer; the shy sheep makes sales calls, etc. Get ready for some unpredictable and funny results.
Rating:
Summary: Run for your life!
Review: How excruciating. This book would appeal only to HR-types with enough influence to make this required reading in a dysfunctional organization. A functional organization would send it back for a refund. With hundreds of really useful books out there, why waste time with this one?
Rating: 
Summary: Very funny and informative
Review: I love this book and will recommend it to others. Not only is it hilarious, but it is totally on target about everything that is wrong with management today. But it doesn't just show what's wrong --- it points people in the right direction: The "animals" do their best work when they are using their natural talents. I was very inspired reading this book, and I am still laughing out loud as I remember some of the scenes and characters. Anyone who works in a company or any kind of organization should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Learn and Laugh - what a concept
Review: I read this book over two months ago. There are still times when I am driving and recall a character and scene and start to laugh. This is a fun and insightful view of the absurdity that has crept into how we manage people. Setting people up for success - WOW now there is a concept. We hire employees because of who they ARE, and then we manage and "develop" them around who they are NOT! Ken and Vandana not only demonstrate their critical insights around the basics of excellence in human performance, but they offer a practical way to look at something differently. Face it, we have not changed how we manage people in over 100 years!
Rating:
Summary: Learn and Laugh - what a concept
Review: I read this book over two months ago. There are still times when I am driving and recall a character and scene and start to laugh. This is a fun and insightful view of the absurdity that has crept into how we manage people. Setting people up for success - WOW now there is a concept. We hire employees because of who they ARE, and then we manage and "develop" them around who they are NOT! Ken and Vandana not only demonstrate their critical insights around the basics of excellence in human performance, but they offer a practical way to look at something differently. Face it, we have not changed how we manage people in over 100 years!
Rating:
Summary: Painfully cynical if you think about it
Review: On the surface, the story emphasizes that people should be assigned to tasks that use their talents. But below the surface I found a dark theme biased against personal and professional development. Throughout the story, management tries to improve worker morale (360 reviews for all animals), does extensive employee training (computer training for a horse), makes adaptations for employee limitations (installs extensions so a mouse can operate a tractor), but the attempts only end up hurting the company. This is because the farm animals' strengths and weaknesses are obvious, easily categorized, and unchanging (e.g. chickens lay eggs and scarecrows do not). I defy anyone to make the same kinds of fatalistic judgements about human beings in a professional setting. On second thought, I would strongly caution you not to do so! (e.g. "Why do you want to train for *that* job? You're [a woman/blue collar/in a wheelchair/<insert other category>] -- you're just not suited for that type of work.")
I found this story an ugly, cynical message masquerading as light-hearted business advice. In order to like this one, you'll either need to refrain from analyzing the themes or you'll *really* need to enjoy animal puns.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD TEACHING TOOL
Review: The farm animals panic when Farmer Goode decides to retire. Big Moe, the pig, calms the animals down and convinces them to run the farm after Goode retires and transfers ownership of the farm to them. Big Moe becomes president of the farm and puts certain animals in top positions. "It's seniority," he says, he's read all about it. Big Moe learns a lot about running a business, but things get out of hand when a series of situations arise, from the animals wanting greener pastures, to trying another's job, to experiencing lack of self esteem. Soon they have evaluations and surveys going around in an effort to improve things. And then there's Edward Biggs, a large man who wants the land for a shopping mall and is willing to take advantage of the animals to get it. I've reviewed business books using fictional characters before, but I can't ever recall one with animals! Although this is a first for me, the idea isn't as silly as it sounds, and I'll tell you why. _Animals Inc._ is comprehensive in its business advice. The author shares some grounded, intelligent wisdom on morale and performance, as the cover mentions, but it also shows us the "right way" to use the fundamentals we learn about running a business. Through this entertaining concept the information and advice is easy to comprehend. By the time I got to the second Audio CD, I realized Animals Inc. would be perfect for junior high, high school, and even college entrepreneur/business classes. Not because it has animals in it, but because it's straightforward and entertaining, and has a strong chance of keeping the students' attention.
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