Rating: 
Summary: At Long Last
Review: At long last there is a fast, easy to read book targeted for the right audience - not HR or OD, but for the busy executives who are committed to improving performance.As a long time user of the performance and gap analysis methodology, I know this works when managers stop looking at quick fixes or silver bullets. They are willing to spend time/resources to diagnose the multiple causes of performance gaps and then invest in the appropriate solutions. For HR and OD professionals who want to be true business partners, give them this book! !
Rating: 
Summary: What's ethics got to do with it?
Review: Dr. Blanchard should stop putting his name on books others have written! This is deceptive to those readers who respect and trust his "brand." Has he no shame?!
Rating:
Summary: Helped me to get out of the Ready ...Fire... Aim mentality
Review: I loved this book. I must confess that far too many times I've jumped the gun and implemented solutions when I wasn't really clear on the root cause. The authors give some great tips on how to ask "High Yield" questions that uncover both the root cause and alternative solutions. I read this book on Sunday morning and was applying the concepts on Monday when the week's problems started piling up. Now I'm sharing the book with my team and other department heads. I believe this book is going to change the way we look at performance issues and problems.
Rating:
Summary: What's ethics got to do with it?
Review: I read this book in about an hour. I suspect the authors were able to churn this little "fable" out in about three (3) working days. The essential message of the book is quite valid. The delivery is rather problematic. I do have one question: What was in it for Mike?
Rating:
Summary: Zap the Gaps
Review: I'm giving a copy to my CEO. This is a quick read that provides immediate results. It takes root cause analysis to another level by clearly defining the relationship between performance and the variety of solutions available through HR. It also provides the step-by-step receipe for avoiding the training-as-an-activity problem.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Blanchard
Review: Ken Blanchard certainly knows how to crank out
books . . . his latest, ZAP THE GAPS!, coauthored with
Dana and Jim Robinson, describes an approach and then
gives a framework for improving a company's overall
performance through its people. It uses the typical Blanchard formula; i.e., a parable
that will help you understand complex material by
presenting it in a very readable and entertaining fashion . . . the result: you'll learn how to better solve a problem and not jump at the first solution that comes your way . . . instead, you'll be given a technique for helping you first understand the problem's root cause--thus making for a better overall solution. But just don't think you have to work in a business environment
to benefit from the book . . . its message can also be
applied to nonprofit organizations, clubs and even families. You can most likely it in one sitting, yet you'll
be thinking about it long afterward . . . I especially liked
this one line, used by an executive answering his phone:
"Mike here. What can I do to help make your life perfect?" The same executive was quoted as giving this other bit
of helpful advice: "So tomorrow start taking your star
employees to lunch. Get them to tell you their secrets,
one-on-one. That won't cost your company very much at all." Lastly, I enjoyed learning the following acronym: GAPS . . . it
served to summarize the book's key message, which
encourages you to:
Go for the "shoulds."
Analyze the "is."
Pin down the causes.
Select the right solutions.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy reader edition of Performance Improvement
Review: Story line is a bit hokey; too much story line, not enough technical information. Although the three levels of performance level "needs" were identified, I never got the feeling that they were aligned with each other. Book is light on the cause analysis. The highest level: Business Goals is missing entirely. Moreover, the book ended with the "capability needs" not solidly aligning with business needs. They were identified, yes, but not aligned. Another area of concern is the inappropriate method of prioritizing solutions. Blanchard's story characters went back to the floor to prioritize, should have gone back to the business goal & objectives.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent information in a really lame story. Nothing new
Review: This is a very quick read. 1-2 hours and you're done. It's a cute little story about 2 people trying to improve quality and performance for their company. The story is about the advice they receive from a friend which is simple and presented well. It's really nothing you can't find in just about every other management book out there. Analyze the problem, look for options and choose the best method to fix it. If you're reading this, chances are you've read other management books. There isn't anything groundbreaking here. But there certainly isn't anything bad about it either. I personally would recommend "The Power of Six Sigma" by Subdir Chowdry over this. But you won't go wrong if you do decide to pick this one up.
Rating:
Summary: Clarifying Barriers to Change
Review: When I finished reading this book, I couldn't believe how well the authors had identified the barriers, in organizations and in individuals, that prevent employees from achieving maximum performance. Too often as line managers, we establish expectations for employees, without knowing if the expectations can be achieved in our current environment, and if the employee has the skill and knowledge to make it happen. This book blew me away with its insight and suggestions for partnering with employees to "Go for the Win!" A must read for managers!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Zap with Action - Zapping the gaps with 'We n Us'
Review: Zap the Gaps is a sure fire way with tips n tricks to improve the Management skills n shoot rise high the company performance. The book marvels a class to bridge the gaps to approach, find and resolve the root causes of the management flaws at grass root levels. The authors state to adopt enhanced strategies to bridge the gaps between the management n employees. The win to excel rule is applied to better the workplace environment to sail smooth in a more applied work force results. The authors have engaging tale with examples as they focus on the problem of high tech firm and their tool Zap gapper brings in a sea of change to tackle the issues. A must read for CEOs n Managers to boost up their egos n bring out the potentialities of employees to scale for better performance. It sure is like zapping in action for results with a more 'Team work - We n Us'
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