Rating: 
Summary: Cute book full of ideas to make you shine!
Review: Maybe a better title for this book should be, "Tips on how to look good to management and get promoted," but on second thought that's awfully long! I don't think the tactics recommended will necessarily make you a CEO one day but they will go a long way to get you noticed by upper management.I bought this book after skimming it in a bookstore and I have to say, Mr. Fox's tactics and tips seem like winners. I'm not a manager and I think his ideas have helped me and are easily implemented into your daily workflow. For example, one thing Mr. Fox says is to come to work 45 minutes early and leave 15 minutes late. He says that this cements your reputation as a hard worker. My boss does that exact thing and he has been moving successfully up the ladder. Most of his suggestions really hit home. I recommend this book to anyone looking to revamp his/her image and to make himself/herself more attractive to upper management.
Rating: 
Summary: The book is _OK_ . No big deal
Review: The book is _ok_. No big deal.
Unlike the _CEO_ genre books by other authors like Emma Benton, this one sticks to its title - How to _BECOME_ CEO. So throughout, theres that strange aura of the assumption that you are lower in the coorporate ladder and are struggling to climb without much luck. And that's why you need this book. THAT, is a serious demotivator. For I've read books that make you feel you are CEO and the feeling in return, gets you there. THUMB RULE - To have power, act like you have power. But otherwise, some sections are intriguing indeed.
- Skip all Office parties
- Never travel with superiors
- Arrive 45 mins early leave 15 mins late
- Don't carry work home Informative? I don't know. Intriguing. Yes. However, the author plays well to the readers needs. He writes things you've always wanted to do.
- Get a higher paid Job
- Think for One hour every day
- Stay our of Office Politics
- Look Sharp, Be sharp Buy it. But it deserves just a skimming. so says
Capt. Jack Sparrow
cursed pirate of the carribean
Rating:
Summary: Important for its unconventional but correct advice
Review: This book is full of great advice that contradicts the conventional wisdom you hear. For example, advice about smoozing like don't go to parties or drink with coworkers, avoid traveling in company with your superiors so they can relax, and don't put in obviously long hours because it makes you look like you can't keep up. This is different than what I have heard and seen, but it makes sense.
I do disagree with the advice to take the highest paying job. I have made a couple of strategically bad decisions by taking more money instead of taking more responsibility=opportunity. But I can't think of any other nuggets of advice that I would not recommend.
Like another reviewer said, this is a great book to give to someone just starting their career--like a graduation present. There is so much junk advice floating around the business world, and I like this book because it makes sense and makes for a livable professional life.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for you, bad for the company
Review: This book is just a hash-up of "what-not-to-do"s. You may increase your chances of promotion but spare a thought for the company! Ethics and managerial behaviour which is based on strong values will produce a better CEO than one who merely reads this book or thinks that this book holds the key. Whatever happened to real managerial expertise, proper corporate governance, strategic planning/implementation and new business models? In my opinion, this book describes and values political behaviour which actually causes the problems that companies face. I am afraid this book is out-of-date in a world that is changing so fast. An example: the author advises you to say yes to your supervisor's every request, even if he asks you to water the plants! Shows what type of thinking the author is using. Read it only if you want to know what goes on in the heads of the people who destroy a company. Read the book if you want to get ahead but don't let anyone see you reading it.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Gift for Someone Just Starting Out
Review: This little book presents seventy-five lessons, or rules, for career success. The vast majority of the rules consists of short musings on people skills. Like most books giving advice on business and career success, the concepts are easily understood, but as always, are difficult to implement. Nonetheless, this guide to becoming the CEO offers a few precious nuggets of wisdom that anyone could use whether or not they have designs on becoming the Big Cheese or sitting in the top spot of any organization. Several of the rules have relevance far beyond the boardroom. For example, Lesson 27- Don't Hide an Elephant- which deals with the impulse to ignore a festering and looming problem, sounds a lot like what the United States Congress (and more than a few presidential administrations) does on a routine basis. Other rules, such as Lesson 7- Never Write a Nasty Memo- can have painful personal relevance. I have committed the sin of violating this rule, with disastrous consequences. Please, whatever you do, don't break this rule. From a business standpoint, I believe that lessons two, three and four, which deal with customers, are the most relevant. These three rules should remind you that if you have no customers, then you have no business being in business. From a personal career advancement standpoint, the best lessons are Rules 40, 43, and 45, which remind us to listen, do our homework well if we want to be paid well, and most important, to communicate clearly and effectively by speaking and writing in plain English. Managers and executives of all stripes should memorize Lessons 55 and 63 by heart, and live them every day at work. It really does pay to be on the constant lookout for good ideas, but one should never forget that once a good idea is discovered, realizing its potential is critical to success. On a personal level, I believe everyone can get a lot of mileage out of Lessons 62 and 64. Lesson 62- Become A Member of the Shouldn't Have Club- contains a lot of truth. Though you may lament doing some things, they are often necessary to do in order to achieve a higher purpose. I can attest to the truth of the author's words from personal experience, `Each time you admonish yourself with "Gee, I shouldn't have done that', there will be ten other times when the results will prove that you should have.' However, Lesson 64- Record Your Mistakes with Care and Pride- is probably the most difficult lesson for all. Many advise us not to live in the past and not to obsess over failures and mistakes. However, we can learn more from our mis-steps than from our successes, and we can use failure to grow and become better people. Granted, this hard to imagine when one is failing or has failed, but in retrospect, it can be a powerful learning tool if used. As an aside, Lesson 51- Stay Out of Office Politics- is an insightful and brilliant analysis of too many workplaces. Setting rife with politicking signal for all to see that no matter how beneficial the work or activity may be, they do not count for anything in that particular environment. To escape this pernicious hell, simply prove your worth and demonstrate your ability by working, and soon enough, someone will tap you for a spot in a setting where your work, effort and results do count for something. I personally liked Lesson 34- Go to the Library Once a Month- as it warms my heart. The public library is a wonderful institution, and contrary to what the generals, spooks, and politicians say, is the most vital asset to our national security, and as such deserves our continued and unhesitating support. This book makes an excellent gift for someone just beginning a career. I have a niece who is just starting out, and I think I will pass along a copy to her. It just may prove to be one investment that pays dividends now and later.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Gift for Someone Just Starting Out
Review: This little book presents seventy-five lessons, or rules, for career success. The vast majority of the rules consists of short musings on people skills. Like most books giving advice on business and career success, the concepts are easily understood, but as always, are difficult to implement. Nonetheless, this guide to becoming the CEO offers a few precious nuggets of wisdom that anyone could use whether or not they have designs on becoming the Big Cheese or sitting in the top spot of any organization. Several of the rules have relevance far beyond the boardroom. For example, Lesson 27- Don't Hide an Elephant- which deals with the impulse to ignore a festering and looming problem, sounds a lot like what the United States Congress (and more than a few presidential administrations) does on a routine basis. Other rules, such as Lesson 7- Never Write a Nasty Memo- can have painful personal relevance. I have committed the sin of violating this rule, with disastrous consequences. Please, whatever you do, don't break this rule. From a business standpoint, I believe that lessons two, three and four, which deal with customers, are the most relevant. These three rules should remind you that if you have no customers, then you have no business being in business. From a personal career advancement standpoint, the best lessons are Rules 40, 43, and 45, which remind us to listen, do our homework well if we want to be paid well, and most important, to communicate clearly and effectively by speaking and writing in plain English. Managers and executives of all stripes should memorize Lessons 55 and 63 by heart, and live them every day at work. It really does pay to be on the constant lookout for good ideas, but one should never forget that once a good idea is discovered, realizing its potential is critical to success. On a personal level, I believe everyone can get a lot of mileage out of Lessons 62 and 64. Lesson 62- Become A Member of the Shouldn't Have Club- contains a lot of truth. Though you may lament doing some things, they are often necessary to do in order to achieve a higher purpose. I can attest to the truth of the author's words from personal experience, `Each time you admonish yourself with "Gee, I shouldn't have done that', there will be ten other times when the results will prove that you should have.' However, Lesson 64- Record Your Mistakes with Care and Pride- is probably the most difficult lesson for all. Many advise us not to live in the past and not to obsess over failures and mistakes. However, we can learn more from our mis-steps than from our successes, and we can use failure to grow and become better people. Granted, this hard to imagine when one is failing or has failed, but in retrospect, it can be a powerful learning tool if used. As an aside, Lesson 51- Stay Out of Office Politics- is an insightful and brilliant analysis of too many workplaces. Setting rife with politicking signal for all to see that no matter how beneficial the work or activity may be, they do not count for anything in that particular environment. To escape this pernicious hell, simply prove your worth and demonstrate your ability by working, and soon enough, someone will tap you for a spot in a setting where your work, effort and results do count for something. I personally liked Lesson 34- Go to the Library Once a Month- as it warms my heart. The public library is a wonderful institution, and contrary to what the generals, spooks, and politicians say, is the most vital asset to our national security, and as such deserves our continued and unhesitating support. This book makes an excellent gift for someone just beginning a career. I have a niece who is just starting out, and I think I will pass along a copy to her. It just may prove to be one investment that pays dividends now and later.
Rating: 
Summary: Just like his other books...
Review: This reads and looks just like his other books. I wouldn't classify this as rules for the CEO as much as they are rules for being a leader in business. But, I guess how to become CEO has a better ring to it? With that being said, I found this an enjoyable read and from time to time re-read this book. It always rings true.
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