Book Description
"Toyota is becoming a double threat: the world's finest manufacturer and a truly great innovator . . . that formula, a combination of production prowess and technical innovation, is an unbeatable recipe for success."
-- Fortune, February 2006
For the first time, an insider reveals the formula behind Toyota's unceasing quest to innovate and do more with less, a philosophy that has made it one of the ten most profitable companies in the world (and worth more than GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and Honda combined). In a rare look into Toyota's ability to consistently achieve breakthroughs that outperform the competition, The Elegant Solution explains what Toyota associates have known all along: it's not about the cars. Rather, Toyota's astounding success is just the visible result of a hidden creative process that begins with a seven-digit number.
One million. That's how many new ideas the Toyota organization implements every year. These ideas come from every level of the organization -- from the factory floors to the corporate suites. And organizations all over the world want to learn how it's done. Now senior University of Toyota advisor Matthew May shows how any company can achieve an environment of everyday innovation and discover the kinds of elegant solutions that hold the power to change the game forever. World-class benchmarks like Lexus, Prius, Scion -- even Toyota's vaunted production system -- are simply shining examples of elegant solutions.
A tactical playbook for team-based innovation, The Elegant Solution delivers powerful lessons in breakthrough thinking in a provocative yet practical guide to the three core principles and ten key practices that shape successful business innovation. Innovation isn't just about technology -- it's about value, opportunity, and impact. When a company embeds a real discipline around tapping ingenuity in the pursuit of perfection, the sky is the limit. Dozens of case studies (from Toyota and other companies) illustrate the universal power and applicability of these concepts. A unique "clamshell strategy" prepares managers to successfully lead and sustain the innovation effort.
At once a thought-starter and a taskmaster, The Elegant Solution is a vital prescription for anyone wanting to truly master business innovation.
Customer Reviews:
Nice stories, little new content.......2007-08-27
I excepted a lot from the elegant solution. It has been recommended by a lot of persons as a must read. Honestly, I was dissapointed. It's still an good book, but didn't find it as "classic" as people had suggested to me.
"The elegant solution" is about tools for creating innovation on your job. These tools are based on Toyota's tools and practices. The book is devided in three parts. The first part sets three general principles. The second part, by far the largest, provides the tools for innovation, the practices. The last part talks about implementing these practices.
The three principles are "the art of ingenuity", "pursuit of perfection" and "rhythm of fit". They were interesting principles, but not really new or shocking. Sometimes I found them even a little too vague.
The practices range from "thinking in pictures" to "master the tension". Each chapter shortly states the practice and explains the key ideas. After that it uses stories to clarify the practice. Lot's of stories are from inside Toyota. Some stories related to Lance Armstrong, a little too many in my opinion and they were somewhat boring. Anyways, in general, the stories were what made the book interesting.
The third part didn't provide very much content.
In summary, I enjoyed the book, for the stories. I didn't find the practices new and the book didn't provided me with any new insight that other lean books did not provide. The book was written a little bit too much in a "popular style" which annoyed me.
Worth reading for the stories. When wanting to know more on lean or toyota I'd recommend other books like "Toyota way" or "Lean product and process development".
Good nuggets, lots of fluff, some really sloppy thinking.......2007-08-22
I came to this book via the Shampoo Problem that's been floating around the internet these past couple of weeks (which he published in his Change This manifesto). The puzzle is this - a high-end health club puts nice shampoo in their showers, but customers keep stealing it. How do you implement a solution that takes no time to implement, doesn't inconvenience customers at all, and doesn't require any money? That's a lot of constrictions, but the author claims it can be done! (you can search for the answer yourself, I don't want to spoil your fun.)
The question itself reminded me of so many bad professors who would ask totally subjective questions and disregard legitimate answers until they found someone who agreed with them. "Who can give me an example of an apple that's tasty? Macintosh? No too sweet. Granny smith? No too bitter. Golden delicious? Why yes Bobby, you get a star."
This is the tone in my head while I read the book - condescending. Maybe he didn't write it that way, but that's how I'm reading it, and honestly, it fits. On page 21 he chides psychologists for loving "to explain our uniquely hardwired capabilities in hugely complex terms. Sixteen types, thirty-four strengths, etc." and then goes on to give his "easier, more elegant" (but no less arbitrary "four basic buckets of natural ability." (Four because the ancient Greeks loved the number four.) Of course, what he fails to mention is that the psychologists he's referring to all write for pop magazines like Cosmopolitan and their articles appear alongside such classics as "10 ways to improve your sex life" and "5 ways to tell if your man is cheating on you." He also never mentions the "four basic buckets of natural ability" again and they have absolutely no bearing on the rest of the book. (The book is filled with useless random made up facts like those.)
He also throws out sentences that have huge presumptions built in to them, but have absolutely no evidence to back them up. Stuff that, in a seminar you wouldn't want to question him on because "there is no right answer" or the facts are obscure enough that he could bluster his way though most arguments that weren't from an expert on the subject. In book form, though, and knowing better myself, I read this stuff and think "well there's a very poor and inaccurate description." Luckily there's an only 50% chance that even the next sentence will depend on you agreeing with that statement, much less the next page.
In a later section he rehashes "the scientific method" (I put it in quotes because he botched his basic characterization of it) and compares it to other four step iterative processes, mostly those developed by the military - Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA), Scan-Analyze-Respond-Assess (SARA), etc. and comes up with his own version, cleverly called IDEA - Investigate, Design, Execute, Adjust. It's not much different than the others, but it's his and he can teach it in seminars as his own. FWIW, "While Toyota officially recognizes only PDCA (not IDEA), they actually use all of these (methodologies) to some degree." (page 73-4)
Well of course they use all of the methodologies to some degree - they all describe the same basic thing, and very few organizations are so button-down that they actually only use a single methodology and follow it to the letter each time.
The very next sentence is "Let's look closer at the process." But that's pretty much the last time PDCA is mentioned in the book, the next section is about process in general and why it's good to "Insist on a common approach."
Another example of sloppy leaps in logic and condescending attitude is the Edsel. (page 93) Ford did their research and designed a car that people would want - except nobody wanted it. Why? "The problem was, all the research was based on a forty-year-old market belief... that buyers fell into one of four income segments: low, low-middle, upper-middle, and upper... Except markets don't think that way. When it comes to cars, consumers were thinking `lifestyle,' not income."
I like how he swaps an old marketing tool for a modern one as if that's the answer to all the world's problems. Lifestyle marketing was originated in the 70's and 80's as a result of - surprise surprise - new market research techniques developed by psychologists who were using statistical analysis more and more in their psychological research. (I wonder if he thinks those psychologists are too complex now.)
He also utterly fails to get into the concept of lifestyle marketing - he tells you why the Edsel failed, and what they should have done, (or his completely arbitrary and baseless versions of them) but what they should have done is literally one word. "lifestyle." Shame on Ford in the 1950's for not using an 80's marketing concept to understand how the market thinks. Why didn't they use the word "lifestyle" instead - then the Edsel would have been a huge success.
Hansei is another example of this sloppy, condescending thinking. "Hansei is the rigorous review conducted after action has been taken. It's a huge and absolutely vital part of learning. And with few exceptions, our Western culture is just plain miserable at it." Of course there's not one mention of the term "post-mortem" which is a western term and performs the exact same function. Sure most businesses don't do it (most businesses don't follow a lot of best practices), but don't pretend that Toyota or "Eastern culture" somehow invented the concept and that nobody in the west does it. If there's an existing best practice that we understand, then why not just tell us about it rather than pretending that it came from the fount of the Toyota godhead?
"Ford hadn't gone to the field to see what was actually happening. They remained in the office and believed the data. Big mistake. The Edsel was dead on arrival, a complete and utter failure."
Of course the next chapter is about how Toyota did the same basic thing, but managed to succeed. Their data told them that the youth of today would be the car buyers of tomorrow (startling, I know). The case study for the Scion reveals absolutely nothing about the techniques they used to study the market - it's the after report.
"Where are these kids going to buy the car? There's no time or money for new stores. That's a problem. That means they go to a Toyota store. Okay, so they'll know it's a Toyota. How do we get around that? Think? We don't. It's not the ugly stepchild. It's legit, but different. It's Scion, offspring of Toyota. Don't ignore the Toyota link, it's got cred...."
Note the use of the magical word "Think" in that paragraph. He totally neglects to address what "Think" means. Think is the Elegant part of the solution (he also likes the word "Intuitive" and uses it liberally), yet he doesn't describe it at all.
"Think" is where all the magic happens. Katie Lucas calls this the "Run really, really fast" step for "how to win a marathon" methodologies. It's the step where all the real difficult, nitty-gritty stuff magically happens. South Park summarizes it "Step 1: Steal underpants. Step 2...... Step 3: Profit."
Ostensibly the whole book is about that one word "Think" but the tools he provides - the IDEA loop, mind mapping, story boarding are nothing new, and the book is utterly lacking a cohesive whole. They're just scattered ideas, praised one second, and then dropped in the next chapter. He even mentions the Toyota "dashboard" which is a tool for getting a quick overview of a problem - except he (again) utterly fails in to a dashboard. "Dashboard" doesn't even appear in the index of the book, and if it did, the only occurrence would be on page 113.
Here's all the text on page 113. "Creative Visual Control - Visual control is an integral part of Toyota's methodology. The Project Management Office of Toyota's North American Parts Operation (NAPO) used creative visual `dashboards' to track performance in their Stretch Goals Initiative (see Chapter 9)."
Chapter 9 is on how to stretch goals, not about dashboards. He clearly states "Visual control is an integral part of Toyota's methodology" yet it's explained nowhere in the book in any depth.
In fairness, Toyota did do something Ford didn't do (or at least something he claims Ford didn't do) - they got to know their market. Really engage them and have a conversation with them. Learn about them, and let those learnings drive their product, and he does get into that in the book.
The main thrust of the book - if I can understand it all because it's couched in so many superlatives and it jumps from topic to topic so fast that it's really difficult to tease core themes out - seems to be something like: Move forward by getting hands-on experience with your product and your customers. Don't dictate strategy based on numbers alone, or build bureaucracies - get down and dirty and get to know the product you're selling and get to know the marketplace. Come up with grand "elegant" visions for the future, but innovate little by little - tiniest bit by tiniest bit. Listen to everyone and implement every good idea, then standardize it so that the whole company benefits. Don't let the numbers do all the talking; learn the context, the story behind the numbers. Which is a pretty good message, and he does give you some tools to do that, but the tools are often vague, and you feel that the real tools are mentioned only in passing.
The subtitle of the book is "Toyota's Formula for Mastering Innovation." If this book was about the "formula" for Coca-Cola, it would say something like "cola syrup and seltzer" and go on about the intuitive and elegant way they matched cola syrup to the bubbling process and created a dynamic new soft drink and how the other soft drink companies of the day - lemonade, sugar-water and apple-juice - failed to really understand the problem, which is why they didn't come up with the cola + seltzer combination first and why they lost so much market share. (If only apple juice had thought "lifestyle" instead of "income segment!")
Overall, it's an okay read and a decent introduction to the subject of business innovation, though for a book that's supposedly written by a guy who's on the ground floor with this stuff, I would expect a *lot* more meat and a lot less fluff. Get it if you think you'll like it, but don't expect as much as the other reviewers seem to be hinting at.
"Keep it lean. Scale it back, make it simple, and let it flow.".......2007-05-22
The subtitle of this book ("Toyota's Formula for Mastering Innovation") is not inaccurate but somewhat misleading. Although, yes, Matthew E. May has much of interest and value to say about the Toyota Production System, his attention is by no means limited to it and to the remarkable organization within which it was developed and within which it continues to flourish. Today, Toyota is one of the ten most profitable companies in the world and worth more than General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and Honda...combined. Obviously there are reasons for such extraordinary success but it would be incorrect to assume that other organizations can achieve the same success once they know what Toyota's "formula for mastering innovation" is.
What about this book's title? According to May, "Elegance isn't about being hoity-toity. It's not about lofty concepts and grand designs. It's not about beauty or grace, or anything to do with aesthetics - ugly is okay. Elegance is about something much more profound. It's about finding the `aha' solution to a problem with the greatest parsimony of effort and expense. Creativity plays a part. Simplicity plays a part. Intelligence plays a part. Add in subtlety, economy, and quality, and you get elegance...Elegant solutions relieve creative tension by solving the problem in finito as it's been defined, in a way that avoids creating other problems that then need to be solved. Elegant solutions render only new possibilities to chase and exploit. Finally, elegant solutions aren't obvious, except, of course, in retrospect."
Elegant solutions include library, paper money, pencil, wallet, wristwatch, icebox, mortgage, Social Security, credit card, cell phone, and auto leasing. These and other elegant solutions, as May correctly points out, "universally change the world's attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and habits." Efforts to formulate elegant solutions are guided and informed by three principles: ingenuity in craft, pursuit of perfection, and fit with society. "They're the raison d'etre at Toyota, and nonnegotiable."
Earlier, I suggested that this book takes a close look at the mindset and the process by which Toyota continues to formulate elegant solutions. In fact, the Toyota organization implements a million ideas a year. May also includes within his narrative dozens of non-Toyota cases that indicate that none of the individual concepts are new, or even unique to Toyota. All organizations that formulate elegant solutions have people at all levels and in all areas of operation who possess both an ability and a determination to collectively and completely master all of the concepts as "a way of life, not a program centered on select teams led by specialists with artificial agendas."
But what about much smaller organizations, especially those with severely limited resources? Decision-makers in those organizations will be delighted (and perhaps surprised) to find that May provides a wealth of material that they can immediately put to use, once they understand the "deeper principles" that he discusses in Part I and the "ten key practices supported by tools and techniques" that he discusses in Part II. Then in Part III, May explains "how to put the practices and tools together well to achieve a [desired] result." He helps his reader to track the course of an exemplary team through a day of searching for the elegant solution.
For me, some of the most interesting and valuable material is provided in Chapter 12, "Make Kaizen Mandatory," as May poses again (as he does in other chapters) a combination of Problem, Cause, and Solution:
Problem: Innovation is hit or miss.
Cause: Creativity is misdirected and mismanaged.
Solution: Embed the kaizen ethic.
After a brief review of the factors that came together to help embed the kaizen ethic in Japanese business ethic during the decade or so following World War Two, he goes on to explain that at companies such as Toyota, the key issue is that they view kaizen in terms of standards that are created by the individuals performing the work, and, that standards are dynamic, and not everything gets standardized. These companies establish a best practice, document the standard, and train accordingly. Then in the next chapter, May shares his thoughts about "the power of lean" thinking and execution that reduce (if not eliminate) inconsistency, overload, and (most important) waste. Here is another combination:
Problem: Too many, too much - of everything.
Cause: Assumption that more is better.
Solution: Start thinking lean.
Once again, when it comes to innovation and designing solutions, the emphasis remains the same: "whatever you do, keep it lean. Scale it back, make it simple, and let it flow."
And that is what elegance really is all about.
Easy Reading.......2007-03-25
A must read for learning how to implement and sustain continuous improvement enabking lean to become part of the compny's culture
Interesting but little new insights.......2007-03-14
If you're trying to learn how to develop great products, this is not the book that you need to read. However if you're looking for a relatively entertaining book that has a lot of anecdotes of how Toyota and other world-class product developers have approached product development, this will suit you fine.
Book Description
Expert tactics to become make the most of every swing trade
In Mastering the Trade, veteran trader and educator John Carter shares his hard-won five-point technique for successful swing trading. In addition, Carter helps you move to the next level of confidence by explaining how markets really work and detailing behind-the-scenes market mechanics.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-09-30
Well rounded book on trading for people to gain an overview of all markets. The best ones like this are by those who actually trade.
This is one of the first I read as a beginner, where some of the things were over my head but still held a lot of interest. Re-reading it now brings out the full benefit. Great book.
Anyone knocking this book does not trade daily........2007-09-27
When I first heard the reviews of John Carter's Book ,I was a bit confused. Some people said the book was great, some said it sucks. Then I bought the book and read it. This book is a very good look at trading from top to bottom and in the middle. The people that are dogging this book must not trade at all period. These are very simple and easy strategies to follow with examples to support. PLEASE BACKTEST and USE TIGHTER STOPS, because the guy is either filthy rich or got balls of steel....I am sure Carter did not put a lot of his losers in the book but he did put some. I find it sad that people dog this guy so much. Yeah, he is greedy..very greedy, but his products are what they are, GOOD. My only complaint is his DVD's are 2400.00 and his open software indicators are copied from the Tradestation library and are 1600.00. ALL in all he has a great book and a good website with a free trial that is only 14 bucks. He has some excel downloads worth that alone. Buy this book if you want to day trade or get a better perspective of other succesful traders. You will learn a lot. Try to buy his other products 2nd hand they are too HIGH. If the guy's products wasn't so high he would be a lot more popular and respected. He has been called a snake oil salesman. He is not that,he is just a greedy salesman and a helluva trader... Great Book on trading!!!!!!!!!
Great Read.......2007-09-08
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it!! It covers all aspects of trading not just strategies and setups e.g. trading tools, trading mindset etc....lots of great information on futures, equities, options and forex.
A great trader's course.......2007-08-10
This book is a great trader's course. The author tells you everything you need to know, from selecting computer hardware (this info might be a bit dated), to risk management, financial psychology, discipline needed to trade all markets. There are about 10 chapters with setups where the author shows you the entry, exit points and stop loss points and gives about 4 or 5 examples of how he successfully traded each of the setups he is showing you. My only complaint is that the author only shows 3 or 4 failures in the whole book. This might lead a person to be overconfident and think that trading is so easy a caveman can do it. :)
If the author has a dozen setups that can work in any market, and he can trade 24/7 on the global markets, forex, etc. and he applies the risk and money management techniques in his book and he only has a 6% failure rate, he should be a multi-billionaire by now.
Overall, a very good book, but the author makes trading seem a lot easier than it really is. In real life trading, unlike the book, you won't have only 3 failures for every 50 successes.
I agree..... Don't believe the Hype!.......2007-08-07
The last reviewer covered it well.
It's the same kind of information that you can obtain easy out of other trading books. This book does not cover much on stocks more on intraday trading E-Mini SP,Mini-Sized Dow,Forex..etc.
When you go through this book it shows you mainly intraday charts 2 min,3 min, 5 min,15 min,60 min,240 min,... I hardly see a daily,weekly,monthly chart in this book. I have no understanding why he never looks at the big picture before he trades a stock or an index. It's more of a daytrading book on futures indexes than anything else. A better book to read is "Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader" by Oliver Velez and Greg Capra.
Still the best book to purchase is "Technical Analysis of Stock Trends" by Robert D. Edwards and John Magee , on charting and charting patterns which was originally published back in 1948. Its still the bible of Technical Analysis. I prefer the 5th Edition since it was written by the original authors and you may be able to get it used on amazon.
Product Description
An accessible, reliable course for the trader looking for profits in the competitive, dynamic world of trading. Each section of the book offers clear examples, concise and useful definitions of important terms, over 90 charts used to illustrate the challenges and opportunities of the market; and how you can take advantage of patterns. Written in the parlance of the day trader s world, you ll enjoy the experience of being taught trading skills by the best of the best. This focused and effective trading resource features seven key lessons to further a trader s education including market basics, managing trades, psychology in trading and planning, technicals, utilizing charts, income versus wealth building producing trades, and classic patterns. It truly is as Paul Lange says, Many of these lessons have been taught to students worldwide over a span of 4 years. These lessons contain powerful information that goes far beyond the basics you may find in many introductory trading books.
Customer Reviews:
A disappointment.......2007-06-10
Although there are many insightful and terrific lessons to be learned here if you are a Pristine Trained Trader you will recognize the book to be a compilation of Paul Lange's weekly trading lessons. A free weekly service from Pristine. I suspect Mr. Velez' name was added for name recognition and, thus more sales. It is Mr. Lange's book, however, make no mistake. That said Paul Lange is one of the most astute traders and best educators around. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Lange and was constantly amazed at his trading prowess and his ability to convey the information. It's simply this book offered nothing new.
A very poorly written book !.......2007-05-25
I went through this book and its not as good as the original
Velez/Capra "Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader" which I purchased in the past.
It's a book you just skim through and that's about it.
I agree with the last reviewer comments. Close to the poorest written book I've read...
Very poorly written, but some useful info.......2007-04-28
This is close to the poorest written book I've read. However there is useful info in it if you can decipher Velez's lingo. Basically Lange, the "co-author" typed what Velez recorded in his classes at Pristine. After I started crossing out hype and BS, I found the book much clearer.
Also I agree with other reviewers comments that the book is an advertisement for Pristine. You can get some details on how Pristies are taught to trade, but don't think like I did that Velez covers much of it.
The hardest part in finding useful info is that it appears Velez is so "elite" that he has to use his own slang in lieu of standard trading terminolgy (Ex: a play ILO a trade, topping tails ILO shooting stars on candle charts.) Velez names trade set-ups as though he discovered them. If he knew candlesticks he would realize many of his ideas are not his discovery. So why name them? Maybe because Velez seems to have a "special" word for almost every normal trading term. That's not teaching, nor conveying information which is what books like this should be written for, that's probably just to intimidate clients, make them feel like he is the master.
I don't know that I would recommend buying it as I own it and am not sure I will ever reread it to jot down the useful parts.
Sloppy edition.......2007-03-20
The senior author uses green and red candles in his website. Hasn't any reviewer, including Velez himself, noticed that the candles' colors should have been changed to black and white before publishing the book? A bad start for an otherwise welcome addition to every trader's library.
Not to be Missed.......2007-03-18
I just finished "Strategies for Profiting on every trade". Just a couple of comments up front; first, I suspect that Paul Lange had much more to do with this book than he was given credit. Second, there were constant references to the color of bars and indicators in the book but the book is in black and white. At one point they labeled the lines "red", "blue" etc. but otherwise, throughout the book you had to find the lines based on the text, not the color.
Having said that, this is not a book to be missed, especially for intraday traders. Although the writers make it clear that most of the techniques can be applied to any time frame and that the daily charts normally set up the trade, you will find charts all the way from the weekly level to the 2 minute level, with the majority of the lessons seemingly taught and the trades played out on the 5 and 15 minute time frame.
This is a much smaller book that the original Velez/Capra "Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader" and doesn't contain the psychology offered in that book, but it is, never the less, a book packed with information and insights focused on bar by bar chart analysis, much of it, I believe, gleaned from Paul Lang's daily, live, real world experience in the Pristine trading rooms.
If you are new to Pristine trading methods, this will give you an insight and depth into chart reading that you may not have realized is possible. If you are a Pristine trained trader, as I am, this book reinforces what you should already know but will give you many "gems" that I am sure will be new and of value. In either case, this is a "must" book for the serious trader.
Average customer rating:
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Mastering Math for The Building Trades
James Gerhart
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics
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Math to Build on: A Book for Those Who Build
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Measuring, Marking, and Layout: A Builder's Guide
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Chenier's Practical Math Application Guide: For Do-it-yourselfers, Trades People, Students, Etc.
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Practical Problems in Mathematics for Carpenters
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Audel Carpenters and Builders Math, Plans, and Specifications, All New 7th Edition
ASIN: 0071360239 |
Book Description
Instant answers to any construction-related math question. In the office or out in the field, Mastering Math for the Building Trades, by James Gerhart gives you a perfect tool for accurately performing the calculations required in all the major building trades. Down-to-earth explanations, easy-to-memorize tips and tricks of the trade, worked examples, illustrations and tables make everyday number crunching easier, giving you the step-by-step help you need to complete estimates, meet deadlines, and satisfy new customers. Whether you're an old pro or apprentice...contractor, tradesperson or supplier...whether you're building, repairing, or remodeling...you'll find ready answers for: grading and excavating; concrete and other masonry work; septic systems; fluid mechanics; metal framing; engineered beams; fiber optic cabling; estimating software; floor framing and covering; roofing; finishing interiors; heating and cooling; plumbing; electrical; more!
Customer Reviews:
Builders Math.......2007-01-12
This OK for a partimer or as a guide for someone just learning. there is too much missing to complete a job.
Book Description
The last two years have seen drastic changes in the import/export arena, due to a combination of world developments, economic changes, and technological advances. Mastering Import and Export Management is a definitive resource for keeping up to date with the latest laws, regulations, and opportunities in international trade. This invaluable, authoritative volume offers complete, timely, and practical hands-on information on:
* Import/export documentation * Global supply chain operations and procedures * Post-9/11 compliance and security regulations * Identifying invaluable international resources * New import/export technology solutions * Cargo loss control * International marking, labeling and packing guidelines * Dealing with U.S. customs and other key government supply chain agencies * Enhanced record keeping and valuation capabilities * Classification and valuation options * And much more
Mastering Import and Export Management presents cost-effective methods for running an import and/or export operation on any scale, and offers all the tools necessary to do it thoroughly, efficiently, and legally.
Average customer rating:
- Save your money and hire a trainer
- Worth the money if you can afford it and want the best preparation
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Mastering the CPAT: A Comprehensive Guide
Al Wasser , and
Donna Kimble
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Similar Items:
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Master the Firefighter Exam, 15th edition (Firefighter)
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The Firefighter's Workout Book: The 30 Minute a Day Train-for-Life Program for Men and Women
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Rescue Me - The Complete Third Season
ASIN: 1418012297 |
Book Description
This exceptional resource provides aspiring firefighters with the information needed to pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test. It begins by exploring the background and development of the test, including the role the CPAT plays in the Wellness Fitness Initiative. Principles of designing and implementing an effective training program are outlined next, followed by the roles that physical testing, nutrition, fitness concepts, and mental focusing techniques play in successful CPAT preparation. Finally, each CPAT event is discussed, including approaches and strategies designed to meet challenges.
Customer Reviews:
Save your money and hire a trainer.......2007-07-21
I bought this book hoping it would give me some ideas on how to prepare for the CPAT at home. This was NOT the case.
First of all, this book is written at a 5th grade reading level. I would think that a professional fire fighter (or someone who would like to become one) would be able to read a more intelligently written book.
Second, the book spends half of its time explaining the CPAT stations. This information can be found on line in numerous free prep guides and videos produced by the IAFC. Further, the exercises described almost always require some special equipment or they simply suggest practicing with the items used during the actual test. I know how to drag hose...I'm trying to find exercises that will strengthen the upper body muscles used in the drill. I don't have access to the Stair Master, or I'd just practice with it!
Also the book is very expensive for the number of pages. There are not glossy, multi colored photos that would increase the cost of production.
My advice is save your money and hire a trainer or join a gym. You can find many overviews and descriptions of the CPAT stations on line for free.
Worth the money if you can afford it and want the best preparation.......2007-03-20
The CPAT is quickly becoming the standard for the physical testing of personnel for entry into the fire service and by all accounts it appears to be a valid indicator of the physical attributes you need to serve as a fire fighter. I was previously a fire fighter for over 10 years and left due to family reasons and now find myself facing the challenge of preparing for the a variation of the CPAT to get back in.
In preparation for the CPAT I got a 40kg weighted vest and searched for information on the best method of combating what is for me a formidable challenge. Although there is quite obviously a lot of information on the net on the CPAT and how to prepare for it, I was looking for a single trustworthy source which could provide all the information I needed and which would flow and not require me to try and put it into a workable plan.
Although the book is rather expensive I believe that it is the ideal fit for my needs of having an experienced personnel trainer who prepares people for the CPAT and who has provided all the information you need into a single source which provides a plan to prepare for and pass the event.
I'm impressed with the quality of the book that combines well suited and clear photographs with detailed information on the each event along with the best methods to deal with the physical and mental challenges associated with it.
Not everyone has access to the ideal equipment and the book provides ideal training and alternative training programs for preparation including information on the techniques and strategies to use, the mental preparation , skill development, key stats and tips on how best to prepare.
No review will ever tell you if the book is what you're after or worth the money as perception is everything when it comes to books. I can say that I wanted the best information I could get on the CPAT and how to prepare for it and this book suits what I was after perfectly. In that regard I would highly recommend the book if you find yourself in similar circumstances.
But the book is expensive and there is a lot of information available on the internet which you could use to make a workable program and plan for yourself. Personally though as passing the CPAT could lead to a great job as a fire fighter I would go for the book and glean just that little bit more organized information but again it is what is best for your circumstances.
As there is next to no information on what is inside the book a overview of the chapters is below. Good luck.
Preface
Chapter 1- The CPAT History and Development
The joint labor management wellness fitness initiative
Creating the candidate physical ability test
Rules and progression of each event
Chapter 2 - The CPAT the four success principles
Principle 1 setting goals
Principle 2 learning the events
Principle 3 practicing the events
Principle 4 feedback
Case study using the four success principles
Chapter 3 Learning the skills
Module 1 - Biometric testing
Module 2 - Nutritional Concepts
Module 3 - Fitness testing principles
Module 4 - Mental training for the CPAT
Chapter 4 - Learning the events
Module 5 - Stair Climb
Module 6 - Hose drag
Module 7 - Equipment Carry
Module 8 - Ladder raise and extension
Module 9 - Forcible entry
Module 10 - Search
Module 11 - Rescue
Module 12 - Ceiling breech and pull
Case Study - CPAT Trial Run
Chapter 5 - The Master Schedule
Introduction
History of Periodization
The CPAT Periodization model
Phase 1 - Base training
Phase 2 - Strength and endurance
Phase 3 - Strength, power and endurance
Phase 4 - Peak power
Planning guidelines for the CPAT
CPAT test day
Injuries
Overtraining
Case Study - Setting Goals
Appendix A - Weight Training Exervcises
Appendix B - Training Schedules
Appendix C - Nutrition Tracking Journals
Appendix D - Example of the Course Layout
Average customer rating:
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Mastering Automotive Challenges
Bernd Gottschalk , and
Ralf Kalmbach
Manufacturer: Kogan Page
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0749445750 |
Book Description
This book charts the growth and achievements of one of the world's most important industries. The authors, two leading figures in the German automotive industry, describe the strategies that have led to the German industry's great success. They also discuss how German auto manufacturers are meeting challenges from emerging worldwide competitors. This book demonstrates what can be achieved with first-class management, marketing, branding, innovation and clear strategic aims, and as such it holds valuable lessons for managers in all industries.
Average customer rating:
- Not what you are looking for.....
- Everything sells
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Mastering Sheet Metal Design Using Autodesk Inventor
Travis Jones
Manufacturer: Autodesk Press
ProductGroup: Book
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Autodesk Inventor 9 Essentials Plus
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Autodesk Inventor for Designers Release 9
ASIN: 1401826776 |
Book Description
As users delve into features of this software, Mastering Sheet Metal Design with Autodesk Inventor® will help them to discover how sheet metal parts are designed and explore a variety of proven-effective construction techniques. An abundance of examples, exercises, and step-by-step tutorials in every chapter detail the use of commands and command sequences, and speed learning. Instructions for using Autodesk Inventor tools to automate routine tasks, document designs, and enhance productivity is also revealed, along with information on direct support, user groups, and free support options for users of all abilities.
Customer Reviews:
Not what you are looking for............2006-08-23
This is not what we thought it would be. No where does it say it is a book for a computer related course. We were trying to find out metal fabrication information books.... This is not a guide...
Everything sells.......2003-11-19
This is a book that you would get for free in your Autodesk package. Very dry run down tutorials. It took me an hour to go through 100 pgs. and get 2 usefull things out of it (1 per 50 pgs. to help you with the math). It probably took even less time to write it. (Sorry if I offended Travis and Neil but take pride in your creations, step back and see if you can actually follow and like what you did).
But anyways, book is going back, don't recomend it, I only gave it one extra star just to be nice.
Book Description
The bestselling Mastering the Trade presents you with a step-by-step approach for becoming a successful trader. Written with authority by fulltime trader and fund manager, John F. Carter, this straightforward, all-you-need-to-know resource combines an insightful market overview with specific trading strategies and concepts.
Book Description
Are you ready to use the new breed of digital SLR to go beyond point-and-click snapshooting and explore what it has to offer the world of photography? If you have already conquered most of a digital camera's basic capabilities and now wonder what to do with the enhanced features found in digital SLR cameras, this is a dream guide to pixel proficiency. Mastering Digital SLR Photography, Second Edition includes extensive updates that cover the vast improvements in technology in the last 2-3 years, including new camera models, raised bar on resolution, vibration reduction, new kinds of lenses, and more. It goes beyond the standard coverage offered in most general camera books, covering features and techniques specific to digital SLR photography. From initial discussions on hardware selection to professional-level tips and techniques for sports and action shots, this is the comprehensive guide that any photographer needs for refining their digital SLR skills.
Customer Reviews:
Good, here's better.......2007-09-01
Packed with useful information to help you understand your camera and how it works, illustrated with uninspiring photos. For a fast track to better photos, an introduction to exposure, a quantum leap in the percentage of keepers, and stunning photos that teach each concept, Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) is more effective, more inspiring, and an easy read, to boot.
Choosing and using equipment.......2007-07-18
This book provides an overview of equipment available for digital photography (in 2005). Busch begins with a brief introduction of types of digital cameras and how they were developed. Then he describes how digital sensors work and provides implications for equipment. Next, he explains some common SLR controls, such as exposure and focusing. He describes how dust can get into digital SLR cameras and how to clean mirrors and sensors. He also explains the differences between various digital image formats. The next section of the book covers equipment choices in greater detail, such as general lenses, and lenses for special purposes such as close-ups or sports. Towards the end of the book, composition and special techniques such as infrared photography are covered briefly. End material includes a glossary and in index.
Although the book covers a wide range of digital photography topics, I found it didn't address my needs at all. Busch assumes that readers will be experienced and skilled SLR camera users, so he devotes much of the text to describing digital equipment, rather than describing how to use an SLR camera. This book has made me more informed about the equipment that is available for digital SLR photography, but for instructions on how to do SLR photography, it seems I will have to study a film-based SLR book. I'm sure there must be differences in technique between film-based and digital SLR photography, but this book isn't a great resource for learning them.
Excellent overview of digital SLR photography .......2007-03-31
This book covers every aspect of photography using a digital Single Lens Reflex camera. It comprehensively explains all features and how best to use and take advantage of them. Nothing is missed. Most useful for anyone graduating to digital SLR from compact forms of digital camera, or from 35mm SLR cameras. Highly recommended.
Good information but similiar to other titles.......2007-02-23
I purchased this book after reading another title by the same author - Mastering Digital Photography. I thought this book would go into more detail regarding SLR cameras. This book is very similiar to Mastering Digital Photography and includes much of the same content. The book(s) are good, however, I would not reccomend purchasing both titles.
Easy to read and understand.......2007-02-18
This is a very comprehensive book and the author really knows how to convey difficult information in an easily understood way--he is a born teacher. I loved this book, since I went from knowing very little about digital photography to feeling I can carry a technical conversation with anyone on the subject. I have since found this author in other publications, so he is pretty prolific. I like his writing style and will buy more books by him.
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Books Index
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