Rating: 
Summary: Unconventional book
Review: The message of this book is conveyed, in a sense, by the way it is written. Tom Peters uses lots of exclamation points (!!!), words in all caps (LIKE THIS!!!), different font faces and font sizes to demonstrate his message that we must be different, we must be bold and energetic, in order to make ourselves distinctive in the working world. The book is divided into fifty mini-chapters that each contain a lesson on how to "brand" ourselves.What is "branding"? It's developing a talent or a skill that you become known for -- one that will give you job security even if you find yourself skipping from job to job. Peters urges you to become an expert at something, to become the "best" at some aspect of your job. And you make your talent known by being a little bit rebellious, unconventional, and fun. However, some may think this book is a bit too cheerful and optimistic. It reads like a relic of the outrageously high-flying dot-com days, when people could skip from job to job and demand higher and higher salaries each time they moved. Those days are over. A new sobriety prevails. But even if their persuasive power is somewhat diminished in this moribund economy, Peters' lessons still have some value -- the value of being an individual, being unique and trumpeting your accomplishments in myriad ways. For a slightly harder-edged look at the working world, try reading my book, "The Rules of Ruthlessness," which offers a different view of making yourself distinct in your career. Some of my strategies resemble those that Tom Peters advocates. "The Rules of Ruthlessness" is available here on Amazon.com -- ...
Rating: 
Summary: Good advice from the branding guru ? but be cautious...
Review: There is no doubt that Tom Peters is a branding genious. And there is no question that "personal" branding is a critical element of professional success. But newcomers to this process are cautioned to take it just a bit slower. What it all boils down to is understanding who you are, what you have to offer, and how to target your audience. So before you take a giant leap into the CEO's office, or towards the front covers of "Time" and "Newsweek" - or even the company newsletter - keep in mind that you never, ever get a second chance to make a first impression. The image you present is the one you will have to live with, and live up to! Step ONE is to do an honest self-assessment of who you are, what you have to say - and how comfortable you are with the concept of self-promotion. Women, especially, show far too much humility about their talents and skills. If we want people to hire us, promote us, buy from us or invest in our companies, they have to know who we are, what we have accomplished and why they should do business with us! But how we tell our story is critical. Self-promotion isn't bragging. It is a valuable business tool that career women must add to their strategies for success - but do it right from the start and jump in with both eyes wide open! (from Marion E. Gold, award-winning author of "The Personal Publicity Planner: A Guide to Marketing YOU")
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