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Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book by one of America's foremost businessmen.
Review: As the founder of Amway Corporation, the world's largest and most successful direct-selling organization, Rich DeVos is uniquly qualified to comment on a new way of seeing the world of business. Mr. DeVos is a highly respected person of impeccable character whose message of freedom and hope is becoming more acceptable to business leaders worldwide. The DeVos and Van Andel (co-founder of Amway) families have quietly become two of the wealthiest and influental families in America today. Their philosophies of fufilling financial obligations to one's family, friends, charities, etc, through helping others acheive their goals is refreshing. Although not an active Amway Distributor myself, I can't help but marvel at the number of media-driven attacks on Amway Corporation. This company, through the vision of both it's founders and distributors, is THE model for today's company attempting to balance an innovative spirit with corporate and social responsibility. This privately-held, debt-free, multibillion dollar corporation has put billions of dollars into the pockets of hard working people worldwide. As a corporate executive, I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a glimpse into the life of a man whose company stands on the forefront of the business world heading into the next millenium.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth buying (and reading)
Review: I am not involved in Amway (Rich de Vos sure is!), nor am I an ardent Christian (I believe Rich de Vos is), yet I have no hesitation in recommending this book. I suppose I'm always on the lookout for new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. "Compassionate Capitalism" provides some real meat for a hungry world in need of just that - new ideas. Economics is a complicated field (so I've been told - I'm no expert), yet Rich de Vos has managed to demystify it, at least as far as this reader is concerned. His ideas seem to be free of any real political ties or religious taints (religion doesn't enter into the book at all) - he seems just to be genuinely interested in people (I wish I couldn't hear the sneers, but unfortunately I do). I also admire him as an American. Goodness knows America has the driving force and energy to influence the whole of this world one way or another, but it doesn't really seem to have the will (nor, perhaps, the imagination) to do anything really creative (sure they have introduced fuel efficient motors - a relative concept at the best of times - but have you seen the size of the 1999 and 2000 models? ). So learning that there are ideas out there which do not just mean more of the same, and bigger and meaner (whether from the auto industry or the rest of the military-industrial complex) is somewhat reassuring. One thing I'm sure of: every American (those who can read) should digest this book. It doesn't try to convert. It simply tries (very well) to make sense out of the current madness.
Rating:
Summary: People helping people help themselves
Review: In the mid 1970's I was an Amway Distributor and one thing that always stuck with me were the tapes by Mr. Rich Devos. To this day, even though I am no longer associated with Amway, I enjoy listening to "Four Winds", "Selling America" and other audio tapes recorded by Mr. Devos. This man has a voice and something to say! He is great. An outstanding businessman and an outstanding American. In Compassionate Capitalism, Devos explains that the "dog eat dog", law of the jungle and every person to himself rat race mentality is not only not necessary to achieve success but in fact, impedes success. Devos offers a completely different vision of capitalism. A vision of capitalism as the finest tool yet known to help people become all they can be for others as well as themselves. In Compassionate Capitalism, Devos offers more than just a vision, it is a plan--a practical plan--a proven plan. And it is not just about Amway and it's incredible success stories. It's about you and me and everyone. How we can all become more by helping others help themselves in a nation of free enterprise. Compassionate Capitalism spells out clearly and eloquently the guiding principles and concrete steps to take to make your life and your world better. Devos shows how your energy, your ambition, and your spirit of enterprise can travel together down a path in which the spirit of capitalism and moral values inextricably merge. Devos illustrates both how success is achieved and what it really means. He demonstrates how compassionate capitalism is the only solution to the most crucial issues of our time---poverty, homelessness, hunger, the enviroment, and the many other challenges that face us in the new millenium. Whether you are the owner of a huge corporation or a worker on a assembly line, a student about to graduate or a homemaker ready to enter the job market, this important guide to success the compassionate way can be the most inspiring and enlightening book you ever read. Highly recommended. AND to repeat, I am not an Amway Distributor. Just someone who appreciates Mr. Devos and what he is doing to create a stronger nation, the compassionate way.
Rating:
Summary: A Book The Country Should Read
Review: Mr. Devos is a worldleader in business and people development. He is a phenominal writer and speaker. Devos demonstrates and lives the compassion he teaches, his is an example for America and the World. Amway is changing the face of business for the better, like it or not!
Rating:
Summary: People helping people help themselves
Review: Some highlights: 1) Compassion is the ultimate goal of capitalism. 2) Capitalism is the economic reality which drives us as individuals to excel and maximize our talents and potential. However, money is not everything. It is just a tool. 3) Albert Schweitzer said, "The purpose of life is to serve and show compassion and the will to help others." 3) Question: So, why do we work? Why do we need money?
Answer: Unless we have, we cannot give. 5) The reality is that most people live their lives very defensively. They are always afraid that someone will take some of what is theirs. They are too busy protecting ~ to give to anyone. 6) Question: So, how do you succeed?
Answer: Be an entrepreneur. Start small, and inexpensive. Be creative, believe in yourself, find a good mentor, have a dream, make a goal, do the basics everyday, learn from mistakes, work hard, care about others, put people before products,don't make excuses, never give up. "Never give up, never give up, never give up"
-Winston Churchill "Success is going from one failure to another failure with great enthusiasm."
- Winston Churchill "One man with courage is a majority."
- Thomas Jefferson "The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."
- Wordsworth
Rating: 
Summary: A successful entrepreneur shares the secrets to true wealth
Review: There are lots of wealthy people out there but most aren't truly happy. This is largely because they aren't fulfilling a higher purpose with their businesses, they're simply out there trying to survive in the often cutthroat business world. DeVos explains what it takes to make your business a positive force in the world; "positive" by virtually any standard. Contrary to a lot of advice you may have heard out there on how to successfully build a prosperous business, DeVos claims that integrating compassion for your fellow man with lucrative opportunities is the real secret to security and happiness. It's the knowledge that what you're doing is making a difference that makes you feel worthy of the privilege and comfort of wealth. And even before the wealth comes, having a compassionate attitude along with sound business acumen (which can be learned) goes a long way towards increasing your chances of attaining wealth and influence. A great book written in a language anyone can understand. I don't have any complaints, but I refrain from giving it five stars because it didn't "knock my socks off!" Highly recommended reading for anyone looking to understand the attitudes and principles necessary for *true* success.
Rating:
Summary: A successful entrepreneur shares the secrets to true wealth
Review: There are lots of wealthy people out there but most aren't truly happy. This is largely because they aren't fulfilling a higher purpose with their businesses, they're simply out there trying to survive in the often cutthroat business world. DeVos explains what it takes to make your business a positive force in the world; "positive" by virtually any standard. Contrary to a lot of advice you may have heard out there on how to successfully build a prosperous business, DeVos claims that integrating compassion for your fellow man with lucrative opportunities is the real secret to security and happiness. It's the knowledge that what you're doing is making a difference that makes you feel worthy of the privilege and comfort of wealth. And even before the wealth comes, having a compassionate attitude along with sound business acumen (which can be learned) goes a long way towards increasing your chances of attaining wealth and influence. A great book written in a language anyone can understand. I don't have any complaints, but I refrain from giving it five stars because it didn't "knock my socks off!" Highly recommended reading for anyone looking to understand the attitudes and principles necessary for *true* success.
Rating:
Summary: Every working person's guide....
Review: This book should be given to every school living person, or for that matter, to every adult. I have just finished reading it, and will read it again. The principles, morals and attitudes shared in it, is itself every day guidance, not taught, or shared in any business, large or small. A job well done.
Rating:
Summary: A Book The Country Should Read
Review: This book was written by one of the most prominent businessmen in the world. He and his partner started with just an idea, as with many other large corporations we are familiar with, and turned it into one of the only debt free companies in the U.S.. Producing billions of anual revenue. Rich Devos has a huge heart and he is more generous than most, for he is willing to share with the world what beliefs and habits put him into the positions that he is at now. Rich Devos has been able to help milliions of people find hope and rekindle their dreams by using a direct selling method that many other companies alike can only wish they had. This book has great stories about success and failure alike, for one does not come without the other. If you are looking for a book with strong priciples and beliefs then this is the book for you. I would recommend it to anyone building an amway business or not, simply because of what it will teach. This book will make you feel proud to be in a FREE country and make you think "why am I not doing my part to help out?"
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