Reader Views

How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes

Author Mary Greenwood does it again with “How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes.” This follows her book “How to Negotiate Like a Pro,” which has now won six awards and this new one is just as impressive. It is a great book for anyone who works in mediation, is thinking about becoming a mediator or to use in a classroom when training mediators. The advice is simple, straight-to-the-point and effective.

There are only 55 pages in this book, but they are full of valuable information on mediation. My only experience with mediation was with my divorce and, after reading this book, I realized that the mediator was following a process. The mediator helped us make a very painful process short, effective and less expensive.

The author starts the book by defining what mediation is. Then she compares the differences between a negotiation and mediation. In chapter two she explains the role of the mediator and begins the 42 rules of mediation. The 42 rules include: setting ground rules, not showing emotion, letting the parties tell their story, being neutral and not having any bias, not letting the parties get bogged down, being the devil’s advocate and follow up. There are many other rules besides what I mentioned and they cover the topic from A-Z.

Following the chapters are several appendices with mediator’s opening statement, glossary terms, what makes a good mediator and resources. They are great references that are set up to be easily referred to. The resources also include what is available in every state.

I thought that this is a great book, straight-to-the-point and simple. I definitely walked away with good knowledge about what a mediator is supposed to do. I highly recommend “How to Mediate Like a Pro” for anyone who is a mediator or thinking about becoming a mediator.

How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes
Mary Greenwood
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595469628
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (3/08)

The Internet Financing Illusion

Vincent Panettiere details his personal journey in a nightmarish pursuit of global financing in his book “The Internet Financing Illusion.” The book is a diary of global scams and reveals the reality of internet financing fraud.

Early in 2003 Vincent Panettiere was exploring alternative financing for a new commercial venture as a film producer. He was drawn into an Internet global financial venture that became all consuming. He made application for and was promised funding of $ 28.5 million dollars in investment capital. Vincent takes the reader on his personal journey through the baffling and often menacing world of cyberspace.

Arrangements were made with 24 year old Anamika Biswas of Kolkata, India, who claimed to have $33 billion to invest in several companies. Twenty-four entrepreneurs from four countries applied for funding and provided investment agreements for future profits from their company’s new ventures.

I found myself absorbed in this intriguing narrative which includes the actual e-mails Vincent exchanged with Biswas and his fellow investors. These e-mails point out the incongruity, lies, and deceitful text that internet scam artists use to ensnare their victims. This first hand information and these instructive warnings are written to help keep the reader scam-proof in cyberspace.

While reading Vincent’s story, I personally received three e-mail notices telling me of my good fortune. They informed me of an inheritance waiting to be claimed, a lottery winning of $1,000,000 British pounds in a UK Lottery drawing and of participating in the estate of a tsunami victim. Even while deeply engrossed in the woes of Vincent’s diary of internet scams, I felt the excitement being $ 2,000,000 richer with just a click on the web link. I was just another of the millions of people subject to become victims of another internet scam.

The appendix is informational, instructive, and filled with illustrative samples of ways to recognize and report a suspicious financial funding illusion.

The fast moving plot, the colorful cast of characters, the global communication, and the legal maneuvers resulting from deceit, greed, and delusions, give promise of an award winning fictionalized movie script. Powerful writing, timely and fascinating “The Internet Financing Illusion” reads like a fast paced novel from the first page through to the final fast moving climax.

The Internet Financing Illusion
Vincent Panettiere
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595385676
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views

Marketing Your Small Business for Big Profits

The synopsis on the back of the book starts with “If you are ready for success…then this book will inspire you to take your business and your life to the next level!” Just reading this quote would inspire any person in a small business to quickly dig through all the information David Mason provides to be more successful. Being a small business owner myself, I’m always looking for ways to improve it. “Marketing Your Small Business for Big Profits” certainly didn’t disappoint me and I’ve already implemented some of his suggestions. My report: it works!

One of the most important things Mason stresses is to think of the customer, specifically to answer their question of “What’s in it for me?” He advocates that at the start of a “business relationship the prospect doesn’t care about you. All he or she wants to know about is the benefit, advantage, service, or personal enhancement you offer that no one else does.” Furthermore, this should be spelled out in the USP (Unique Selling Proposition). Often this USP is referred to as a tag line – the few words that tell the prospect exactly what you offer.

Throughout the book Mason has blocks called “Performance Development Insight” which basically are the aha’s. For example: A prospect who wants to be a customer will remain a prospect if the information on how to order your product and start benefiting from it is unclear. One that I had to smile at is “The litmus test for any direct mail piece is to ask yourself ‘If this were to arrive in my mailbox today, would I open it?’ How many of us sit by the garbage can as we sort out our mail and immediately throw out the direct mailings? I’m sure I’m not the only one.

“Marketing Your Small Business for Big Profits” is a short book, a little over a 100 pages. However, it’s extremely powerful and to the point. Mason doesn’t mince words; he just tells it like it is. His vast experience and knowledge comes through his writing and the reviews and endorsements from high-powered successful people are plenty. But, there is more. Mason not only shares facts in this book, he gives away a half-hour of his time to any buyer of his book. His telephone session of consultative coaching is worth $250.00, and you can get it for only $12.95 plus desire to succeed. Now, isn’t that enough to entice you to find out what David Mason has to say about your success in your business?

Marketing Your Small Business for Big Profits
David Mason
Morgan James Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781600370779
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views

Straight Talk for Success

“Straight Talk for Success” is written by Bud Bilanich, who is also known as “The Common Sense Guy.” He definitely has been given the correct title. I found “Straight Talk for Success” to be well-organized and easy-to-understand. The book is arranged in five parts. Each section has its own chapters that give you further advice on the topics presented. All of the information provided is based upon common sense, which makes it easier to apply. After reading the whole book, you will see that the title is perfect.

About a week ago, a friend commented that most of my “gurus” just provide me with information that should be common sense. I totally agree with this, however, sometimes when life gets in the way, we need to have other people lead us back to what makes sense. When events at work become so convoluted it is easy to get lost and feel helpless. Reading “Straight Talk for Success” helped me put a lot of things into perspective. One of the biggest ways it will influence me is in how I deal with situations with other people, especially co-workers; one in particular. Bilanich reminded me to act assertively, keep my integrity, and to learn from the situation.

The biggest feeling that I had when I finished reading “Straight Talk for Success,” was excitement. I am looking forward to applying the principles that I learned to my career so that I can get myself out of a slump that I feel myself falling into. I am looking forward to putting these new tools to work, so that I can present myself with confidence and integrity. It feels so good to be excited about doing something well, especially when I know that my career helps others.

I highly recommend this book for people in the work world. It is appropriate for those at every stage of their career. It would make a wonderful gift for a college graduate who is just starting out. I wish I had something like this way back when. It will also be good for people who are in the middle of their career when they feel themselves hitting rough patches. People nearing retirement can still benefit from this book because it will help them finish strong. “Straight Talk for Success” would also be the perfect text for a work retreat.

Straight Talk for Success
Bud Bilanich
Front Row Press (2008)
ISBN 9780963828095
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/08)

The Way of Leading People: Unlocking Your Integral Leadership Skills with the Tao Te Ching

“Let's play Follow the Leader!” Perhaps you remember playing this game when you were younger. Didn't we all want to be the leader? In fact, were you disappointed when you weren't chosen to be the leader? We can't all be leaders all of the time. Imagine if we all wanted to be leaders in the workplace. You can’t all be leaders as there has to be some followers. Perhaps you have been placed in a position of being a leader and aren’t quite sure what qualities a leader should possess. What should a leader do in order to have his followers walk alongside him to success?

Are all leaders always successful? No, they aren't. It is a smart leader who realizes his mistakes, makes changes and leads others in the right direction. “The Way of Leading People” seeks to convey the Tao Te Ching method of leadership. It is over 2500 years old but remains effective to this day. Not only can these principles be utilized in business, but also in relationships and life.

“The Way of Leading People” is a soft-cover manual. This is not a textbook by any means. It is written in very easy-to-understand language and is sure to help any of its readers. There are 81 sections in content. Each section is written in poems with the ideas of Tao Te Ching clearly presented. Each section has black and white pictures of large skyscrapers and other abstract art to add to the ideas. It is sure to make you think and evaluate just what a successful leader is. This is an excellent book for anyone who is currently a leader, hopes to be a leader or is a follower who wants to help his leader become more effective. “The Way of Leading People” would make an excellent addition to the reference section of libraries of businesses and families alike.

The Way of Leading People: Unlocking Your Integral Leadership Skills with the Tao Te Ching
Patrick Warneka, Timothy H. Warneka and Lao Tzu
Asogomi Publishing International (2007)
ISBN 97809768627
Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (1/08)

The First Steps to Becoming a Realtor: An Insight to the Initial Costs of a Career in Real Estate

Henry D. ‘Hank’ Myers is writing to alert new and prospective realtors of the time-consuming effort required to become successful in the real estate industry. He draws from twenty years experience as a successful California realtor and offers expert advice concerning the level of commitment necessary to succeed in this competitive market.

“First Steps to Becoming a Realtor” is a compact users manual for anyone thinking about commencing real estate as a profession. Each of the nine chapters is packed with information. Myers provides tools that will equip the reader to get started and to follow through with their decision to become a part of this growing and exciting industry.

Myers points out the fallacies in thinking prevalent among entry level agents and shares five cold, hard facts that need to be recognized before taking this first step. He points out the hidden costs that affect the realtor’s net income, the personal cost of time and stress, dealing with co-workers, the time commitment for meetings and events, and the art of negotiation. The final chapter emphasizes the rewards of the profession, both in dollars and in the sense of well-being that comes with a job well done.

I particularly appreciated Meyers’ candid approach in alerting the novice to the special skills required and the potential pitfalls that may be faced during the early stages after launching a professional career in real estate.

“The First Steps to Becoming a Realtor” should be prerequisite reading for everyone who is considering or thinking of pursuing a career in real estate. Every broker should supply a copy to each of his agents. The book is a valuable primer for the novice and an important resource for the veteran.

“First Steps to Becoming a Realtor” is a fast, interesting, and challenging resource, providing insights to inspire the reader to attain a rewarding, consistent success and a lucrative career in real estate.

The First Steps to Becoming a Realtor: An Insight to the Initial Costs of a Career in Real Estate
Henry D. ‘Hank’ Myers
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595452200
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/07)

The Six-Figure Speaker: Formula for a Six-Figure Income as a Professional Speaker

First, let me say this book is not for beginners. It’s not filled with tips on how to be an effective speaker. It has nothing to do with how to project your voice, how to organize a speech, or how to overcome shyness. This book is for the public speaker ready to take it to the next level, the speaker who is ready to go out and speak professionally to organizations and make large sums of money, starting at $2,500. If you’re that person, read this book. If you’re shy, read another book first. If you’re still learning to be a public speaker, but you’re passionate about it, read this book so you can take your career to the next level. This is the book every public speaker should use as a roadmap toward career success.

That said--one fault of the book is it is not a how-to manual. It doesn’t provide a step-by-step listing of how to create your public-speaking career. But it overcomes that small fault by the wide variety of information and viewpoints it provides. The book contains 31 short articles about speaking professionally. These articles are predominantly by Cathleen Fillmore, but she has several guest speakers who write articles or are the focus of the articles as well.

The book is less about public speaking than about how to market yourself as a public speaker and how to get paid what you deserve. The individual chapters or essays cover everything from how to market yourself as a public speaker using a website, to figuring out how much to charge for your speeches, and turning down speaking engagements if they are not right for you. What I found most informative was the information about speaker bureaus that will help you find speaking engagements if you sign up with them. The book contains many examples of how to use speaker bureaus to your advantage, and also how to maintain a positive relationship with a bureau. As the president of the Speakers Gold bureau, Cathleen Fillmore is the type of authority you want to provide you this advice.

Overall, “The Six-Figure Speaker” opened my eyes to the possibilities as a professional speaker. As an author myself who is often asked to give presentations, I found it extraordinarily helpful in providing motivation and direction for a speaking career. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in becoming a public speaker. The book is worth it just for all the resources to other websites and books. I also appreciated the section for notes in the back—I took plenty while reading. Go out and buy “The Six Figure Speaker.” Don’t be a public speaker without it!

The Six-Figure Speaker: Formula for a Six-Figure Income as a Professional Speaker
Cathleen Fillmore
Robert D. Reed Publishers (2008)
ISBN 9781931741927
Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (12/07)

The ‘Knowledge is Power’ Series – The Beginning: Six Skills for Success

“The Beginning” is the first book in “The Knowledge is POWER” career-coaching series. The amount of information provided in this book, which covers less than one-hundred pages, would actually take place over nine sessions. It is divided into five sections. It has an introduction, then covers resumes, interviews, being a new hire and then discusses six skills with strategies for success.

What I really liked about this book is that it is beneficial for job seekers, employees and employees. Utilizing the information presented will help each group do a better job at their job. For the job seeker, gaining insight into the hiring process will give him an edge over others competing for the same job. If first impressions are everything, then it is really important to have a perfect resume to make a great first impression. It also teaches employers what to look for on a resume.

The interview is also a critical part of the hiring process. Once again, information is included for both the potential employee and the employer. Teaching both the interviewee and the interviewer what to ask, what to answer, and what to look for, is critical for obtaining employment. I also think it is beneficial to the employer because it tells them what they can and cannot ask. This could prevent legal issues. What really helped me about this chapter were the questions that the applicant should be asking. So many times in interviews, I have been asked if I had any questions. This is where my mind usually goes blank, because I don’t know what to ask. Now I know.

Adjusting to a new job is tough for a new hire. The section on “New Hires” tells the new employee what is expected of him and how far he should be expected to progress. Successfully getting through the first year of employment can open up the door for the employee to have a successful lifelong career.

The icing on the cake is the section discussing “Six Skills for Strategies for Success.” This section explains six strategies for making yourself an excellent employee. While I think that everyone in the job market could benefit from “The Beginning,” school graduates and people returning from the workforce would benefit the most. I would have loved to have had access to this knowledge when I was just starting out. I am thrilled to be able to have access to it now!

The ‘Knowledge is Power’ Series – The Beginning: Six Skills for Success
Ronnie Gale Turbane
The Turbane Company (2007)
ISBN 9780979714900
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (12/07)

The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success: Nine Essential Steps for Planning, Budgeting, and Investing

At first glance, you might be a little bit skeptical about a mere 137-page book labeled a ‘bible.’ Yet author Frank J. Eberhart delivers a straightforward and concise look at personal finances…even if you think you’ve put it off way too long. “The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success: Nine Essential Steps for Planning, Budgeting, and Investing” will get you up and on the road toward fiscal achievement in no time flat.

“The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success” is organized in a workbook style format, making it easy to apply your current situation right there as you read. These practical applications make immediate use of what you learn – and as you are learning it - giving you the confidence that you are getting the gist of each concept. Eberhart leaves ample writing space to fill in your own information for analysis and future reference.

If terms like ‘defective granter trust’ or ‘qualified terminal interest property’ make your head spin, “The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success” will take away the pain. Eberhart walks you step-by-step through a myriad of different financial options and even the most confusing terminology. There are plenty of reasons why people procrastinate when it comes to truly managing their money. “The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success” actually makes it hard not to go ahead and get things organized.

Financial advisors and insurance agents all have products to sell so you are never 100% sure that the information they give you is completely unbiased. Are you buying into a smart investment that will positively benefit your financial future or are you simply padding their big ol’ commission checks? With “The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success,” you don’t have those concerns and uncertainties; you have honest, impartial advice meant to profit (pun intended) you and your loved ones.

Frank J. Eberhart wants you to quit postponing your financial makeover and discover how easy it actually is. “The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success” does just that, regardless of your previous fiscal background (or lack thereof). It’s never been this effortless – or pleasant – to make sense of the complicated financial world! Why put it off a minute longer?

The Procrastinator’s Bible for Financial Success: Nine Essential Steps for Planning, Budgeting, and Investing
Frank J. Eberhart
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595411986
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (11/07)

The Author’s Guide to Planning Book Events: Tips and Tools for Bookselling Success

Carol Hoenig’s “The Author’s Guide to Planning Book Events” is an excellent guide to the author about to be published, and seasoned authors may also find some good ideas for their own book events.

Hoenig makes it very clear in the book that an author cannot sell books unless the author is willing to promote the books. She cites many authors who are willing to sit behind a desk and quietly sign books, but she makes it clear that book signings are often not effective. Authors must entertain their audiences by having book events. As an author myself, I have found that even a book signing is going to require some public speaking skill. People will approach you and ask what your book is about, and you must be able to describe your book in a couple of sentences that grab their attention or they will walk off without buying. Hoenig tells authors not to sit behind the table but stand and talk to passers-by. She also suggests doing creative activities like bringing holiday paper and wrapping books for customers at the holiday season.

Hoenig is an excellent source for information about book events, not only because she is an author and can tell us what worked and did not work for her, but more importantly, she is the former owner of a bookstore where she had many authors come to sign books and give presentations. She has worked with everyone from bestselling authors and publishers to unknown and up-and-coming authors, and she provides many examples of what works and does not work.

The real strength of Hoenig’s book is she makes it clear YOU MUST DO EVENTS if you want to sell books. She understands many writers are shy, so she makes suggestions to help them, such as finding other writer friends to interview you before an audience, or doing events with other authors, so you are not by yourself. She also suggests linking up with artists or musicians to cross promote the arts and provide your self with a new audience.

The only aspect where I wish Hoenig suggested more was in addressing authors’ shyness. She provided many suggestions for book events, but I felt she needed to spend more time helping authors improve their public-speaking skills, such as providing more examples of successful speeches and ways to describe your book to make it interesting and ways to overcome shyness. She needed to address how authors can overcome shyness and improve their public persona and public-speaking skills. I am surprised she did not recommend authors go to Toastmasters or similar groups for public speaking.

Overall, I would recommend “The Author’s Guide to Planning Book Events” to other authors, especially new authors. Then I would suggest they find a way to practice the activities Hoenig suggests and to get friends to come to their events and give them feedback on what was and was not successful. The bottom line: to sell books, YOU MUST DO BOOK EVENTS! And you must also figure out how to do them well.

The Author’s Guide to Planning Book Events: Tips and Tools for Bookselling Success
Carol Hoenig
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9781583484760
Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (11/07)