Rating: 
Summary: Great Book, Great Thinker, Great Insights
Review: A lot of people missed this book. Maybe it is not a best-seller.
Maybe the book title, The Future of Success misled people, making them assume that this is just another cliche' self-help book.Not quite the case, if you have really read this book, and get
astounded by its rigorous analysis on both future and present
social and economic trends. Actually a lot of people still don't quite get it! They question
why they have such a good education and years of solid professional experience, and yet they lost their jobs. Yes, depreciation of college degrees, oversupply of professionals, rise of Free Agents economy, death of job security
and staff loyalty,internet and information technologies eliminating non-value-adding jobs, and deep cuts on company expenses have all contributed to such a tough job market---which have also created
negative impacts on social life, work life, and more importantly
family/marital life. This book is an eye-opener. It tells you how to cope with the
changing world, and has provided a road map for us to understand
both our work life and personal life better. Personally, I am a heavy books-consumer. I read at least 1 to 2
books per week. I think, in recent years, this book" hits" me
most, and have" Whack the Side of my Head" most. Read it, and I am sure Robert B. Reich will not disappoint you!
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Commentary On Our Changing Workplace
Review: Although the title is overly ambitious, The Future of Success is an interesting commentary on our changing workplace. The author, Robert Reich, a Brandeis University professor, was the Secretary of Labor during President Clinton's first term. Consumed by work and neglecting his family, Reich decided that the toll was too great and left his cabinet position to return to academia and write this book. Reich's work is important because he explains the drivers of our new economy with its great consumer deals, endless workweeks and vanishing job security. In this new world, rewards are given for results, not seniority within the company. We can conclude therefore, that since teams are typically formed to achieve specific results, they will continue to be an important organizational structure in the new economy. Increased competition is driving most businesses to focus on results. This philosophy favors a results-based organization structure in which teams are the basic building block. Although the reader expects Reich to end this book with stunning insight on balancing the vast benefits of the new economy with its requirement of personal sacrifice, the author provides no specific recommendations. Instead, the disappointing final chapter provides some vague recommendations for increased dialogue and improved public policy. Nevertheless, the book's compelling content makes up for its tepid epilogue. Reich's background gives him unique qualifications to describe the driving factors behind the new workplace. I recommend that you put this on your list.
Rating:
Summary: An enlightening, useful read
Review: Be patient with the somewhat plodding beginning and you will find Robert Reich's description of the new economy and how it changes our lives compelling. For people with the skills that support the new economy, the opportunities are great, but uncertainty is also great: we must "make hay while the sun shines." For those without these skills, the changes can be devastating. Reich's comments on the trade offs in terms of family life, community life, increased social stratification, and a simple need for quiet, reflective "human" time interested me particularly. They are perhaps the most important part of the book. Mr. Reich did an excellent job of describing a new economic world that--to borrow from an advertising slogan--is not your father's Oldsmobile. While we have more choices as consumers than ever, there's enormous pressure on companies to turn profits, often at the expense of their workforce. Definitely a worthwhile read, one which I've thought a lot about since I read it one year ago.
Rating:
Summary: An enlightening, useful read
Review: Be patient with the somewhat plodding beginning and you will find Robert Reich's description of the new economy and how it changes our lives compelling. For people with the skills that support the new economy, the opportunities are great, but uncertainty is also great: we must "make hay while the sun shines." For those without these skills, the changes can be devastating. Reich's comments on the trade offs in terms of family life, community life, increased social stratification, and a simple need for quiet, reflective "human" time interested me particularly. They are perhaps the most important part of the book. Mr. Reich did an excellent job of describing a new economic world that--to borrow from an advertising slogan--is not your father's Oldsmobile. While we have more choices as consumers than ever, there's enormous pressure on companies to turn profits, often at the expense of their workforce. Definitely a worthwhile read, one which I've thought a lot about since I read it one year ago.
Rating:
Summary: An insightful look into our society
Review: I picked up this book in the airport and found it to be a fascinating discussion of how our society has changed over time as it relates to work and home. If you are a Conservative, don't let Reich's left-leaning policy stances deter you from reading this book. His insights are informative no matter what your political leaning. What I've appreciated about this book Mr. Reich's ability to so clearly explain his observations. It makes the subject of economics, demographics, and trends very approachable and easily understandable - even for those without a PH.D. The major themes, with some revealing excerpts, are:
Our economy is transitioning from one centered on mass-production that favored sellers to a personalized economy favoring the buyer.
- As new technologies give all buyers wider choice and easier access to something better, they render all sellers less secure. Most people would rather feel secure than insecure, but insecurity is not bad for an economy. It spurs innovation, the other major principle of the new economy. (pg 27)
- As noted, buyers are less constrained by production scale, distance, or information. With access to a widening choice of products and services coming from almost anywhere on the globe, and armed with better comparative data about price and quality, buyers can more easily switch to something better. The easier it is for buyers to switch to a better deal, the harder sellers have to work to attract them and to keep them. (pg 31) There are two emerging types of workers: geeks and shrinks.
-The geeks draws on his endless fascination with a medium - a technology, a science, a visual art, a literacy form, a system of symbols, with its own rules and internal logic. The shrink, by contrast, draws on her fascination with people - their aspirations and fears, their yearnings and needs, their unexamined assumptions. The shrink is empathic where the geek is analytic. The geek understands it - the possibilities for novelty within a given medium. The shrink understands them - what they could possibly want or need. (pg 57) As families work more, the scarce resource becomes time and attention. Thus there is a trend toward "outsourcing" those tasks that were once conducted by family members:
- Families are making these calculations all the time - perhaps not quite as systematically, but surely with some feel for relative costs and benefits. And as both men and women work harder for pay, they're subcontracting out more of what were once family responsibilities. By 1996, spending on take-out meals from restaurants exceeded spending on meals consumers at restaurants. By 1997, spending on take-out meals and restaurants exceeded spending on groceries. And even the supermarkets are offering more prepared food: roasted chickens, soups, grilled salmon, cooked vegetables, casseroles. If you wish, you can order your meals or your groceries by phone, fax, or Internet. (pg 171) -When I had a birthday as a young boy, my mother baked me a cake using flour, sugar, and other basic ingredients. By the time my kid sister had her first birthday, my mother had relented to the extend of using cake mix. Then came the big squeeze. By the time my own children were young and had birthdays, my wife or I ordered ready-made cakes with customized messages on top. Now, it's not unusual for parents to subcontract the entire party to restaurants that specialize in children's birthday. These restaurants supply not only the cake but also the balloons, party favors, and games - plus the all-important supervision and cleanup. Pay extra and they get a clown, and even someone to take the video. Meanwhile, Mom or Dad can duck out to check for messages. (pg 172).
Rating:
Summary: An insightful look into our society
Review: I picked up this book in the airport and found it to be a fascinating discussion of how our society has changed over time as it relates to work and home. If you are a Conservative, don't let Reich's left-leaning policy stances deter you from reading this book. His insights are informative no matter what your political leaning. What I've appreciated about this book Mr. Reich's ability to so clearly explain his observations. It makes the subject of economics, demographics, and trends very approachable and easily understandable - even for those without a PH.D. The major themes, with some revealing excerpts, are:
Our economy is transitioning from one centered on mass-production that favored sellers to a personalized economy favoring the buyer.
- As new technologies give all buyers wider choice and easier access to something better, they render all sellers less secure. Most people would rather feel secure than insecure, but insecurity is not bad for an economy. It spurs innovation, the other major principle of the new economy. (pg 27)
- As noted, buyers are less constrained by production scale, distance, or information. With access to a widening choice of products and services coming from almost anywhere on the globe, and armed with better comparative data about price and quality, buyers can more easily switch to something better. The easier it is for buyers to switch to a better deal, the harder sellers have to work to attract them and to keep them. (pg 31) There are two emerging types of workers: geeks and shrinks.
-The geeks draws on his endless fascination with a medium - a technology, a science, a visual art, a literacy form, a system of symbols, with its own rules and internal logic. The shrink, by contrast, draws on her fascination with people - their aspirations and fears, their yearnings and needs, their unexamined assumptions. The shrink is empathic where the geek is analytic. The geek understands it - the possibilities for novelty within a given medium. The shrink understands them - what they could possibly want or need. (pg 57) As families work more, the scarce resource becomes time and attention. Thus there is a trend toward "outsourcing" those tasks that were once conducted by family members:
- Families are making these calculations all the time - perhaps not quite as systematically, but surely with some feel for relative costs and benefits. And as both men and women work harder for pay, they're subcontracting out more of what were once family responsibilities. By 1996, spending on take-out meals from restaurants exceeded spending on meals consumers at restaurants. By 1997, spending on take-out meals and restaurants exceeded spending on groceries. And even the supermarkets are offering more prepared food: roasted chickens, soups, grilled salmon, cooked vegetables, casseroles. If you wish, you can order your meals or your groceries by phone, fax, or Internet. (pg 171) -When I had a birthday as a young boy, my mother baked me a cake using flour, sugar, and other basic ingredients. By the time my kid sister had her first birthday, my mother had relented to the extend of using cake mix. Then came the big squeeze. By the time my own children were young and had birthdays, my wife or I ordered ready-made cakes with customized messages on top. Now, it's not unusual for parents to subcontract the entire party to restaurants that specialize in children's birthday. These restaurants supply not only the cake but also the balloons, party favors, and games - plus the all-important supervision and cleanup. Pay extra and they get a clown, and even someone to take the video. Meanwhile, Mom or Dad can duck out to check for messages. (pg 172).
Rating:
Summary: Employment Turmoil in the 90s
Review: If you have changed jobs or careers willingly or unwillingly in the past decade, Bob Reich gives a splendid overview of the changes that have wracked the economy. If you are a conservative, please do not be put-off by the fact that Mr. Reich served in the Clinton cabinet. As an economist, he is both engaging and insightful, yet he never lets his text become overwhelmed by statistics. Highly readable. As a junior policy-wonk wannabe, I really enjoyed this fast read. Alas, I wish Mr. Reich was running for Governor in my State (OH).
Rating:
Summary: Why work is getting harder, and life more lonely. . .
Review: Reich (personal bio covered by other reviewers) covers
some of the mega-trends that are affecting our lives. The book follows this train of thought, if only roughly. 1) Technology and globalization is breaking down barriers for competition. With so many suppliers, buyers have more choice. There are better deals everywhere and switching costs are going down. You can change (your house, job, lifestyle) easier than ever before.
- Every year 17% of American¡¯s change residences, and 20% of them change jobs. 2) It is a buyers market and sellers are forced to innovate. Everything must be better, faster, and cheaper. The innovators are increasingly independent, and networked free agents (rather than a vertically-integrated conglomerate). These free agents seek market visibility by associating with large recognized brand portals: Disney, Dell, Harvard, and AOL.
- 90% of the 7,000 entertainment firms in Los Angeles have fewer than 10 employees. 3) Loyalty? Companies are constantly trying to cut costs and looking for cheaper suppliers (and employees). "The underlying cause isn¡¯t a change in the American character. It is to be found in the increasing ease by which buyers and investors can get better deals, and the competitive pressure this imposes on all enterprises. As the pressure intensifies, institutional bonds are loosening.¡± (page 71) 4) The nature of work has changed. There is more emphasis on the individual; they must provided for themselves, and constantly define their value. It is an opportunity, but also a great source of insecurity.
The gap in wealth is increasing.
- In the US, the top 1% of people hold 18% of the wealth.
- CEO pay (as a % of typical worker¡¯s salary) has risen from 40x (1980) to 85x (1990) to 419x (2000) 5) Americans are working longer hours. The opportunity cost of not work is very high: people are compelled to work for that marginal income. The free agent culture: People take their work home with them
- Americans work 350 hours a year more than Japanese and Europeans
- 30% of families are supported by single parents 6) As free agents, we sell ourselves constantly. (Not just when applying for a job) ¡°Individuals now blaze their own career paths by making reputations in their fields, not in their organizations.¡± (page 143) 7) Families are shrinking, as both women and men feel compelled to work more. Many of the functions for the family are being outsourced: meals, childcare, shopping.
- The percentage of unmarried people with no children is 32% (1998)
- In Massachusetts, more babies are born to women over thirty (than under thirty)
- Spending on take-out & restaurants exceeds the spending on groceries. 8) Although technology is making our lives easier, more efficient, we are very alone. As a result, we are paying for attention: spas, clubs, counseling, childcare, and brokerage. Companies are segmenting their markets by their customers¡¯ ability to pay for service (or attention). Invariably, this trend will continue as more people work longer hours and spend less time at home and with their families. 9) Communities are becoming commodities. People are more mobile. We choose our location, neighbors and lifestyles. Friendships start and end easier. We choose the communities that offer the best return on investment: lifestyle, schools, and real estate value. Society is becoming more segregated as people bargain for something better; no one wants to subsidize anyone else. 10) Leadership is about attracting and keeping talent; governance is salesmanship (section title pg. 209). Finally, Reich discusses the choices we must make in light of the world we live in. Overall, it is an insightful and organized view of the hectic life we live.
Rating:
Summary: Why work is getting harder, and life more lonely. . .
Review: Reich (personal bio covered by other reviewers) covers
some of the mega-trends that are affecting our lives. The book follows this train of thought, if only roughly. 1) Technology and globalization is breaking down barriers for competition. With so many suppliers, buyers have more choice. There are better deals everywhere and switching costs are going down. You can change (your house, job, lifestyle) easier than ever before.
- Every year 17% of American¡¯s change residences, and 20% of them change jobs. 2) It is a buyers market and sellers are forced to innovate. Everything must be better, faster, and cheaper. The innovators are increasingly independent, and networked free agents (rather than a vertically-integrated conglomerate). These free agents seek market visibility by associating with large recognized brand portals: Disney, Dell, Harvard, and AOL.
- 90% of the 7,000 entertainment firms in Los Angeles have fewer than 10 employees. 3) Loyalty? Companies are constantly trying to cut costs and looking for cheaper suppliers (and employees). "The underlying cause isn¡¯t a change in the American character. It is to be found in the increasing ease by which buyers and investors can get better deals, and the competitive pressure this imposes on all enterprises. As the pressure intensifies, institutional bonds are loosening.¡± (page 71) 4) The nature of work has changed. There is more emphasis on the individual; they must provided for themselves, and constantly define their value. It is an opportunity, but also a great source of insecurity.
The gap in wealth is increasing.
- In the US, the top 1% of people hold 18% of the wealth.
- CEO pay (as a % of typical worker¡¯s salary) has risen from 40x (1980) to 85x (1990) to 419x (2000) 5) Americans are working longer hours. The opportunity cost of not work is very high: people are compelled to work for that marginal income. The free agent culture: People take their work home with them
- Americans work 350 hours a year more than Japanese and Europeans
- 30% of families are supported by single parents 6) As free agents, we sell ourselves constantly. (Not just when applying for a job) ¡°Individuals now blaze their own career paths by making reputations in their fields, not in their organizations.¡± (page 143) 7) Families are shrinking, as both women and men feel compelled to work more. Many of the functions for the family are being outsourced: meals, childcare, shopping.
- The percentage of unmarried people with no children is 32% (1998)
- In Massachusetts, more babies are born to women over thirty (than under thirty)
- Spending on take-out & restaurants exceeds the spending on groceries. 8) Although technology is making our lives easier, more efficient, we are very alone. As a result, we are paying for attention: spas, clubs, counseling, childcare, and brokerage. Companies are segmenting their markets by their customers¡¯ ability to pay for service (or attention). Invariably, this trend will continue as more people work longer hours and spend less time at home and with their families. 9) Communities are becoming commodities. People are more mobile. We choose our location, neighbors and lifestyles. Friendships start and end easier. We choose the communities that offer the best return on investment: lifestyle, schools, and real estate value. Society is becoming more segregated as people bargain for something better; no one wants to subsidize anyone else. 10) Leadership is about attracting and keeping talent; governance is salesmanship (section title pg. 209). Finally, Reich discusses the choices we must make in light of the world we live in. Overall, it is an insightful and organized view of the hectic life we live.
Rating:
Summary: A good book on the economics behind the life/work balance.
Review: Reich explains very well all the economic trends that make our society increasingly consumer friendly. Thanks to competition you can get more products and services at a cheaper price than you ever could. The dark side of this 24/7 consumer society, is that it is also a ruthless 24/7 workaholic society. The U.S. is a wonderful place to be rich (ideally financially independent). But, it is an increasingly competitive place to make a living. In other words, the U.S. is a consumer's paradise, but often a supplier's hell. Reich develops great metaphors to describe working people in few words. One of them is the Geeks and the Shrinks. The Geeks are the ones who know how to gather and manipulate data so as to develop new products and services. The Shrinks are the ones who research and understand what consumers really want through market research, focus groups, and other tools. The Geeks and Shrinks are like the Yin and Yang of this new business world. They both need each other to create new markets of products and services.
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