Gawain ng Tunay na Manager: Mag book review (Mark Sarte)

The Confident Leader

The Confident Leader written by Larina Kase is a great read for those wishing to draw out their leadership potential or else just want to improve their leadership skills. The book is divided into two parts. First, it discusses the six growth steps used by confident leaders. Second, it shows how leaders can turn problems into opportunities

It is gives out the always-important idea that leaders should first learn to grow for themselves before they can grow others. The six growth steps given here are logical in their order to help achieve leaders o help grow themselves. These six growth steps are: Get your exceptional vision, Realize your commitment, Organize your team, Win with the right decisions, Turn anxiety into optimal energy and, Harness your strengths and Release Control.

Honestly, this book is quite thick if you’re a student who is working on his/her thesis and just don’t have the time to read. But still, you learn a lot from his book like what happened with me that could help in the smooth flow within a thesis group. The most important thing that I found here is to turn your weaknesses into strenghts. It doesn’t mean that if you are weak at somethging you automaticallly don’t do it. It means getting out of your comfort zone and make your weakness complement your strenght.

The confident leader is a book that has a n excellent framework on how to grow as a leader. Not only this, it also helps you grow as an individual. Many practicing managers now would surely find this book helpful as various organizational scenarios are given wherein we can see that scenario happening to ourself and just now fully realizing what it means.

Gawain ng Tunay na Manager: MAg book review (Pao Decena)

The Ultimate Guide To Time Management

Reading this book was definitely an eye-opener for me. At first, I was reluctant, mainly due to the fact that I have never read a management book, but also because I am not much of a voracious reader. The first few chapters focused on explaining why is time-management necessary. I thought to myself, “Well duh, Time-management is knowing how to allocate your time properly”. But this book really caught me with my pants down. It was literally schooling me on what it really means to know the value of time, and its importance especially when handling a business. It took me awhile to digest some of the information and techniques listed, but once I’ve tried applying it in a much simpler situation, I know longer questioned its validity and reliability.

This book has a lot of concepts and theories. From time-saving concepts to knowing the value of your time in the form of monetary gain, this book tackles the time-management in every aspect entrepreneur should know in order to be successful. Like what the book says, it’s knowing how to “get later earlier”. Knowing how to cut down on the time wasters and establishing a more effective approach in management. What I really liked about the book is that it shatters the “idealistic” image of an effective manager and provides examples that ameliorate the reasoning behind the approach. I particularly enjoyed his viewpoint on “open-door” policy. The Author states how much of a “b.s.” approach it is in management, simply because it is an invitation to problems and nuisances. Dan Kennedy’s viewpoint on time-management and its importance in business is unique and radical, not because of how he states their relationship, but through his crafting of a fool-proof guide that clearly defines the finer details of time-management.

In general, this book is an essential tool for the everyday businessperson. Every chapter doesn’t emphasize on just “time-management”. The book breaks down “Time-Management” into detail, and it either gives us with profound insight, or a possible appalled reaction, depending on the reader. The manner in which the author explains his theories makes me a believer. Stating that everything we perceive, read in books, or hear in seminars, are not necessarily what is seen in the workplace. He talks about the harsh reality of being in the corporate world or managing a business, and not the fantasy of just making money with mere scheduling.

There is one chapter in this book that I can truly relate to, and it is identifying the time-wasters or time-vampires. As a person, knowing the factors that greatly diminish my time is important. To be able to properly react in those situations, and to make sure that the frequency of them arising is reduced to its most minimal degree. If this is achieved, time-management would be much more effective and chances to perform the necessary activities is increased.

Gawain ng Tunay na Manager: Mag book review (Ed Chua)

“The book made me THINK about how we as Canadians are preparing, on NOT preparing, for the inevitable....It was one of the best books I have read lately to help explain why the War for Talent is imminent.”–Canadian Career Information Association

“In this thought-provoking book, Gordon lays out the critical situation employers will face - do face - in finding and holding employees who have the education and training to get the job done....Recommended for business leaders, educators, human resource professionals, politicians, and enlightened citizens who are dedicated to making a difference for the generations that will follow us.”–Midwest Book Review

“Ed Gordon's latest book, The 2010 Meltdown, builds off his earlier success, Skill Wars, and makes a convincing case that organizations failing to be proactive to help create a skilled labor pool may very well face their own demise in the long term.”–The City Line

“A must-read for community leaders looking to understand this paradigm shift. The author makes a convincing case that those organization failing in the foresight and fight necessary to make the shift will begin to disappear along with low-skilled jobs.”–Michael Metzler President/CEO Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

"Maganda sya!" -Ed Chua

Reading the book has been fun since it made me view countries, such as the United States, India, Canada, etc. as organizational units that can and must be managed like any other business organization. With the looming jobs crisis that is said to be experienced by the countries and the world, application of the things that we have learned throughout our stay in the institution can possibly provide solutions. Let’s take for example the case of China: Gordon argued that with the level of education that it provides its citizens, the job requirements that its businesses have for its potential employees, and the it’s focus on massive and low-cost manufacturing, even though that it will be an economic force to be reckoned with, labor development issues such as the utilization of advanced technologies that requires a high tech workforce. Though, for now, we can say that the competitive advantage that China has against the other countries, in terms of manufacturing, is unparalleled, but with the consideration of the rate of technological advances, the constantly changing environment, and the seemingly unclear strategic position of China in terms of the development of its people, their future may not be as bright as what we had previously believed… not unless they decide to secretly mass produce weapons and war machines and take over the world.

Now, the case of China may be considered as unique, but further reading enlightens us with the truth and the realization that the countries that are currently facing a jobs and economic crises and the countries that are in the process of rapid development have one thing in common: their not so strategic ways. Take the case of the United States: Gordon cited its educational system and the attitude of the students towards it. Young Americans nowadays are more likely to pursue high paying careers instead of pursuing professions that they are more accustomed to. This mindset has led to massive numbers of students dropping out of college and taking low-skill jobs instead. It’s Vegas or bust. Moreover, when coupled with the slow evolution of its education system and the lack of effective intervention efforts by its government, we can safely say that the US is in deep sh…trouble.

Given these, and with further reading of Gordon’s book, it is evident that the scrutinized countries employed quick fixes and seemingly disregarded the future impact of these quick fixes and the environmental factors that would affect their future. So, I would like to suggest now that the future leaders of these countries should be more adept at managing the developmental changes that they impose on their country. The leaders should be able to predict the future that is, by and large, in the process of being weaved by their current policies and ways. Leaders need not be clairvoyant, leaders need only be strategic.

Gawain ng Tunay na Manager: Mag book review (Herms Banico)

The book is entitled “Lead with Efficiency” by three authors namely: Didi Maranon, Moses Catan, and Dondi Catan. This book is about leading people with the best intent of putting the capabilities and resources of people to the best use and give rewards up to the best result. My experience in reading the book is sort of unusual the book concentrates on the spiritual aspect of business. Most of the authors have become spiritual leaders and have background in pastoral and other related aspects.

This experience in reading the book was eye opening and very nice. I was able to relate their experiences with HR aspects and HR practices. I related their experience by using what they did and analyzing through various HR practices. And their discussion on leadership could be related to the HR function on training and development and could also be linked in recruitment especially in finding the right people for the right job.

This book has opened my eyes in using HR concepts on different playing fields. The book tackled leadership and how to handle in leading teams. It talks about how to be a good leader, what are the skills needed and what are the credentials one must possess to be a good leader. It also helps you understand what you should do in solving a problem from a leader’s perspective. The book also mentions goal setting and accomplishing them and the characteristics of good goals. Although the book focuses more on a religious setting I was able to relate it in a HR manager or a practitioner’s point of view.

After reading the book I am more enlightened in the concepts of leadership and how we could use it in the HR side and might as well help the organization. Other people could also use this and learn from it and maybe apply a couple of its concepts and then function as a better leader. For example this book has taught me the importance of delegation, to avoid problems as much as possible you have to give the right job to the right people. This experiences and concepts that they have shared can also be used in the personal side of life especially goal setting. All in all this is a good book although a little short, the ideas are present and it can also be very insightful.

Gawain ng Tunay na Manager: Mag book review (PJ Cando)

"How Successful People Think" by John Maxwell is a great little book and a timely read, particularly in a day where media and others encourage us to follow our feelings almost to the exclusion of thinking.- Michael Taylor (Indian Trail NC)

“Top pick for libraries and business minded thinkers alike.”- Midwest Book review

“Put your dreams to the test.”- Tony LaMantia

Review: Small things hit harder than you think

To be honest, I had a hard time reading the book, with all the school work that has to be done; thesis, projects and f the sort, it took me at least three days before I can fully read the book. But as soon as I read it, it was just like what I felt when I read books that I have interests in such as crime novels like Sherlock Holmes or a fantasy novel like Wicked. This sent me in to non-stop reading mode (as what I call when I experience this feeling when reading). In fact, I can say that this book is something that I think, I could really use not only in what I’m taking in college, but I can see a practical use in it in my life. And in reading the book, I can’t stop reading it, I read it in the comfort room, when I wake up, or even when I am at school. This book filled by boring hours into something fulfilling. Each chapter, the author gives life experiences so that he can explain it in a very simple way where in, I think, even a kid would understand it (although I think there is a difference in understanding something and actually doing it). And at the end of each chapter, the author would raise a question in order for you to actually realize if you are this kind of thinker or not, and reading it, it was like having a good friend to tell you that you can really do it, when you believe it. Actually I think that this is a marvelous book, in fact I suggest that people read it and apply the concepts that the author discussed. It’s easy to read, easy to understand and it doesn’t need you to be a rocket scientist to be like one.

After a few days, I finished the book, and immediately, I re-read it again to fully understand the concepts, and take note: I didn’t re-read it again so that I can make a cute review of this small book; I re-read it because I want it and so far, it has helped me so far. This was a book that didn’t send me to Oz or Wonderland, or made me imagine like I was the famous detective in London, or a Jedi fighting a Sith, this book made me realize, that you are in the real world, and in order to enjoy it, one has to think…and it all starts in your head as an idea. So, to top it off, I’ll tell something from myself after reading the book. The book was successful, at the back, there was something written there:”This book doesn’t tell you WHAT to think, it tells you HOW to think.” So, I did a little experiment: I had this game in my Nintendo DS called Phoenix Wright: Ace attorney, in this game, you have to think, based in the given clues in the crime scene and come up with a logical conclusion to defend your client from being sent to jail when they are innocent of the crime. Now, you may say “This dude memorized the game!” well guess what, last time I played the game was around two years ago, and the cases there are hard to remember. And so I used what I learned from the book, I thought of the big picture, focused on how it was done, thought creatively on how it was done, the possibilities of how the crime was done, asked other people on how can it be done, and I have finished the cases faster than when I last played it. After I have finished the game I have still applied it, sharing the stuff I used to finish the game to other games, gave my ideas to others. And in real life, I realized on how, to plan for my life, what steps am I going to take what’s in it for me and other stuff. Now I can’t rant about how this book helped me in many different things in my life, but what I am going to tell you is that, read the book, and you’ll experience what I experienced in the book. Change your life through thinking!