Rating: 
Summary: This should be given to all new hires!
Review: This book is a great little introduction to REAL economics- not the useless junk most often taught in schools- but the real economics that makes the world go-round. This book briefly tries to explain why it is important that everyone in a company understand this, but falls a little short. For more detail on this aspect, I strongly recommend the classic "Open-Book Management" By John Case.This book will also help you understand financial statements, particularly income statements. This comes in handy when looking at your company's public competitors or for analyzing investments.
Rating:
Summary: Great start for the non-business manager
Review: This book is great for the technically inclined management; a definite guide for those of us that have to lubricate and keep the machine running. If you are like me, after reading this book you will have some of the non-technical tools needed to deal with those impromptu invitations to the board meeting. It will be in my reference shelf for years to come!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Basic Business Book - 5 Stars
Review: This book is one of the most simple business books to read and I would highly recommend it to those that are looking to understand how businesses operate. I believe this book would be highest valued by those without extensive business backgrounds and by others that are seeking to understand why some companies are great whereas others are average. Mr. Charan explains the most important element of businesses, generating cash. He then talks about numerous business concepts at a very basic level, which I think would help everyone (including MBAs and CEOs). At 150 pages or so it is an easy read and can be read quickly for those seeking information quickly. I personally have a degree in accounting, an MBA in finance and I worked in corporate strategy. I found this book definitely worth the while and ranks up in the top 2 of overall general business books I have read. I am just now starting to put my reviews online.
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Summary: New corporate managers and young entrepreneurs reading list
Review: This is a concise and quick read that should really be targetd to the new first line manager, supervisor or young entrepreneur. Although written in a simple and obvious advice format, there are a lot of middle managers out there that still need these fundamentals also. I would recommend using this book as a required reading and discussion book with all first time leaders in your company. Charan depicts the key issues of running a corporation to the same gut instincts of running a business in India...everyday cut throat competition for cash...turn it fast! I also support his views on addressing frankly the leadership development issues of your employees. However, I did not think he was thorough enough in the coaching of employees section as his only examples were to fire those that struggled. One of the great challenges in managing leaders is putting them in developmental positions and giving them the tools/coaching to succeed. I find his recommendations lean to a failure in dealing with leaders that may have struggled without the necessary preparation or tools. Overall, this primer book is a recommended book for my new leaders and I would recommend this as a light read on your next three hour business trip...
Rating: 
Summary: Lacking Depth
Review: This is good as seminar notes, but as a book it is simplistic.
Rating:
Summary: Life on the Street
Review: What the CEO wants you to know cuts through much of the complexity surrounding business. Basics topics such as cash, margin, velocity, growth and customers are addressed. They are addresses from the stand point of a street vendor. The street vendor has to have an understanding of cash, margin, velocity (how often inventory is turned over) and what customers want. What the CEO wants you to know is a very easy and quick read. It brings together a lot of the basic factors that affect a business operation. What the CEO wants you to know views these basic factors as a whole with a perspective on how they interact. What the CEO wants you to know is a good get back to the basics that matter for the business executive. For any employee this book is a good view in what top management should be considering and how you can impact the company's top and bottom line (the book also covers what these terms mean). I recommend this book.
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