Book Description
MARKETING: THE CORE, 1/e by Kerin, Hartley, and Rudelius continues the tradition of cutting-edge content and student-friendliness set by Marketing 7/e, but in a shorter, more concise package. The Core distills Marketing’s 22 chapters down to 18, leaving instructors just the content they need to cover the essentials of marketing in a single semester/quarter. Instructors using The Core also benefit from a full-sized supplements package that surpasses anything offered by the competition, while students will appreciate the easy-to-read paperback format that’s equally kind to both the eyes and the pocketbook. The Core is more than just a “baby Kerin”; it combines great writing, currency, and supplements into the ideal package for budget-conscious students and time-conscious professors.Customer Reviews:
excellent.......2007-03-09
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Client at the Core: Marketing and Managing Today's Professional Services Firm
August Aquila , and Bruce W. Marcus Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0471453137 |
Book Description
"Clients At The Core is an essential blueprint to helping us all take the next steps. The authors, battle scarred by the evolution of professional firm management and marketing from then to now, have captured the changing needs of the firms in this turbulent new economic era. This is a well-written book that uses plain language to convey practical, well thought-out ideas."Download Description
"August Aquila and Bruce Marcus reward readers of Client at the Core with an imaginative map for the perilous journey through the twists and turns of marketing and managing today's professional services firm. It is creative and thorough."Customer Reviews:
Marketing 101, 201, & 301 for Professional Services.......2005-08-31
Gerry Riskin (co-author Herding Cats and Beyond Knowing.......2005-06-12
Required reading for my marketing leaders.......2004-09-25
Aquila and Marcus Deliver Practice Advice for Success.......2004-09-07
Focus on Application.......2004-08-22
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Beyond the Core: Expand Your Market Without Abandoning Your Roots
Chris Zook Manufacturer: Harvard Business School Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 1578519519 |
Book Description
All companies must grow to survive-but only one in five growth strategies succeeds. In Profit from the Core, strategy expert Chris Zook revealed how to grow profitably by focusing on and achieving full potential in the core business. But what happens when your core business provides insufficient new growth, or even hits the wall?
In Beyond the Core, Zook outlines an expansion strategy based on putting together combinations of adjacency moves into areas away from, but related to, the core business, such as new product lines or new channels of distribution. These sequences of moves carry less risk than diversification, yet they can create enormous competitive advantage, because they stem directly from what the company already knows and does best.
Based on extensive research on the growth patterns of thousands of companies worldwide, including CEO interviews with twenty-five top performers in adjacency growth, Beyond the Core (1) identifies the adjacency pattern that most dramatically increases the odds of success: "relentless repeatability;" (2) offers a systematic approach for choosing among a range of possible adjacency moves; and 3) shows how to time adjacency moves during a variety of typical business situations.
Beyond the Core shows how to find and leverage the best avenues for growth-without damaging the heart of the firm.
Customer Reviews:
Practical and Insightful .......2005-03-28
An Outstanding Growth Guide for Global Business Leaders.......2004-05-13
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Beyond the Core - it's a relatively quick read that is focused, insightful and well structured. More specifically, I think there are three key things that make this book stand out in comparison to many other business books I've read: 1) it takes a global perspective 2) it is highly data driven and has great examples and 3) its very actionable and offers lots of insights on implementation.
To elaborate, the first thing I really liked about Beyond the Core is that it takes a truly global perspective with examples from Europe, Asia and Latin America. As an MBA student majoring in International Business Strategy who will be working in a global firm after graduation, it was great to read about the strategies that firms such as Li & Fung (HK), Ambev (Brazil), Lloyd's Bank and Vodephone (UK) and STMicroelectronics (Italy). Overall, I also liked that the book mixes an array of fresh case studies (Tesco, Biogen, Ambev) with more traditional ones (Dell, Nike, American Express).
Secondly, Beyond the Core is highly data driven and the recommendations are based on empirical evidence, not conjectures. As a student of business strategy, I too often come across books or theories that are supported by nothing other than a few select examples that prop up the author's hypotheses. Beyond the Core, in contrast, is supported by an enormous amount of financial, competitive and market research and by many CEO interviews and studies by Bain & Company. This is extremely insightful as it helps the reader understand the odds of success and failure across the business world and thus leads to much more informed strategies.
Finally, Mr. Zook has focused nearly a third of the book on implementation and execution strategy. This makes the book and its recommendations highly actionable instead of leaving the author asking "so what?" The book sets out a systematic and understandable road map for adjacency expansion. More importantly, it discusses issues that are critical to growth initiatives such as: organizational structure, decision making processes, staffing, accountability and reporting, etc.
In sum, I highly recommend Beyond the Core, especially to global business leaders looking for a practical guide for profitably growing their businesses. Enjoy!!
Questionable Choice of Examples and Lack of Definitions!.......2004-03-15
I found Profit from the Core to be a directionless mishmash of data without firm definitions that repeatedly espoused the idea of "stick to your knitting." As a result, I took up Beyond the Core with great trepidation. At first blush, Beyond the Core seemed to cure some of the peripheral problems of Profit from the Core . . . until I began to notice how almost all of the important examples of continuing business model innovation had been excluded that seemed to fit all of the criteria (except perhaps being willing to be interviewed by the author). Mr. Zook continues to avoid defining what "the core" is, so that basic problem continues.
The book's message is "stick to your knitting . . . unless you have not choice . . . then don't go away from your cost advantages and knowledge." If you want to know a little more about that message, you can read all of the key points in the book summarized in the Afterword on pages 189-192 in less than five minutes.
The book will mainly be helpful to those who are thinking about making unrelated acquisitions. The advice: Don't do it! The odds are way against you . . . but even the most unrelated acquisitions sometimes work (GE bought NBC and has done well with it, for example). The book lacks clear direction for how some overcome the odds.
The book was also curiously silent about how companies can use small experiments to test their way into new areas. That's the way that most firms expand beyond their core.
The methodology looks very much like those employed in Build to Last and Good to Great . . . but don't believe it. Cases were selected in part based on whether Mr. Zook could interview the companies. So it's really a subjective sample. So take the conclusions with a selective grain of salt. Here are some of the cases of those who have prospered with expanding into new areas that seem to fit the Zook criteria but don't appear in the book: Beckman Coulter; Berkshire Hathaway; Clear Channel Communications; Education Management; GE; Iron Mountain; Nucor; Paychex; Sony; Virgin Group; Xilinx; and Zebra Technologies. It's not surprising that the book fails to describe the discipline of continual business model improvement as a best practice . . . a serious omission for this subject.
Ultimately, I think the flaw behind the book is to look at moving "beyond the core" separately from looking "at the core." If the two books had been combined into one that looked at how to outperform the competition, there would have been the basis of helpful insights. Or, this book could have been scoped down into how to grow into new areas with internal development activities versus acquisitions. That would have been helpful. But with the focus of "beyond the core," you are left in a never-never land that you may not want to be in. The other interesting question that could have been addressed is how companies prospered by eliminating the old core and replacing it with a new one through acquisition as a number of companies have.
As I thought about why the author might have chosen this direction, I realized that it may be an unconscious use of the older ways of strategic thinking. Those analytical schemes separated thinking about existing business areas from entering new ones. For some time though, most strategic thinkers have emphasized seeing the questions as connected. You should, for example, be pursuing your best opportunities. That means comparing all choices in some manner at the same time.
The other problem with data-heavy studies like this one is that you are relying on backward impressions (with 20-20 hindsight). Studies of best practices are best done by looking at the decisions and actions when they are made . . . and then measuring the results to see what happens. Interviews taken at such times reveal much different information than the neat success stories spun after the fact. Clayton Christensen does a good job of explaining this issue in chapter one of his new book, The Innovator's Solution.
As I finished the book, I began to think about the many unsuccessful unrelated acquisitions that I have run into among companies. In almost every case, I remember reading a thick book by a name consulting firm that had explained at the time of the purchase why the acquisition could not miss. Perhaps a follow on for this book would be how to avoid bad advice in evaluating acquisitions.
Not All Adjacencies Are Appropriate.......2004-02-12
In the first chapter of this book, Zook discusses what he calls "the growth crisis" which many (most?) organizations encounter. He observes, "Finding or maintaining a source of sustained and profitable growth has become the number one concern of most CEOs. And moves that push out the boundaries of their core business into 'adjacencies' are where they are most often look these days." I agree with Zook that these strategies have three distinctive features: "First, they are of significant size, or they can lead to a sequence of related adjacency moves that generate substantial growth. Second. they build on., indeed are bolted on, a strong core business. Thus the adjacent area draws from the strength of the core and at the same time may serve to reinforce or defend that core. Third, adjacency strategies are a journey into the unknown, a true extension of the core, a pushing out of the boundaries, a step-up in risk from typical forms of organic growth." Much of the material in this brilliant book is guided and informed by what Zook claims is "the new math of profitable growth." Specifics are best provided by Zook himself.
Zook presumes that those who read this book already know what a core business is, and more specifically, what the core business is of their respective organizations. Given his objectives, that assumption is probably necessary so that he can explore the opportunities which (key word) appropriate adjencies offer. Fair enough. However, my own experience suggests that companies frequently extend the boundaries of a core business without fully understanding what that core business is. Railroads probably offer the best example. Only much too late (if then) did senior-level executives at major railroads realize that their core business was transporting people and cargo, NOT "railroading." Obviously, trains are confined to the tracks as are ships to the water and trucks to the roadways over which they proceed. Early on, what if owners of railroads and their associates had addressed questions such as those Zook poses in his Preface (Page ix)? Had they done so, presumably they would have recognized appropriate adjacencies which include taxi cabs, Super Shuttle, local delivery services, and "overnight" delivery services (e.g. DHL, FedEx, and UPS). While they're at it, why not own or forge strategic partnerships with over-the-road trucking companies and cargo airlines? Given the central locations of railroad stations in major metropolitan areas, it would have been easy enough to combine a full-range of travel services within an upscale retail mall.
The question to ask, therefore, is not what an organization's core business is. Rather, what could AND SHOULD it be? The correct answer to that question is important, of course, because without a proper core, there can be chaos. Also, the correct answer suggests appropriate adjacencies by which to achieve and then sustain increasingly more profitable growth.
In the Afterword, Zook imagines himself engaged in what he calls the proverbial "elevator" conversation during which he reviews the "key messages" contained within his book. It serves no good purpose to list them here because each must be carefully considered within a meticulously formulated context. However, once the book has been read, I strongly recommend that all of these "key messages" be reviewed on a monthly (if not weekly) basis. For decision-makers in at least some companies, this may well prove to be the most valuable book they have read in recent years.
Standing Tall.......2004-01-31
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Value-Added Public Relations: The Secret Weapon of Integrated Marketing
Thomas L. Harris Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0844234125 |
Book Description
From Wonderbra to McDonalds, from Harley-Davidson to Viagra, today's world-leading companies and brands are using public relations to add power and persuasion to all of their marketing messages. Information, rather than salesmanship, builds credibility with sophisticated and skeptical consumers, and public relations, long viewed as the most trustworthy source of information about products and services and the companies that provide them, can effectively reach targets where other marketing communication tools fall short.
In Value-Added Public Relations, Thomas L. Harris, the industry-leading expert in marketing public relations (MPR), examines how and why public relations plays a critical role in integrated marketing and explains the many ways PR can add value to an integrated marketing communications (IMC) program. Harris analyzes the relationship between product- and corporate-brand building and, through dozens of case histories and examples, shows how some of the nation's most successful marketers have used PR techniques to enhance all of their marketing messages. Among the book's features is a comprehensive guide to writing an IMC plan including writing a situation analysis, setting objectives, developing a strategy, devising tactics, and then measuring results. Detailed descriptions of more than 50 effective PR tactics involving all media, including new technologies, are also included.
Customer Reviews:
NO NEW THINKING HERE.......2003-03-28
MY KEY LEARNING TO YOU: If your strategy is to focus on how "they did it yesterday" and what worked yesterday, this book is for you. However, if you're a little more forward-thinking, concerned about constantly improving to stay ahead of the competition, and prefer seeking inspiration for creative new strategies, ways of thinking, and of identifying connections between seemingly unrelated concepts to get your marketing in high gear, do some real work: start digging for inspiration, it's everywhere, unlike what's in this book.
Kotler journal writings are more interesting.......2002-12-05
not very useful.......2002-08-29
Valuable, But Not Up-To-Date.......2002-08-21
The book is loaded with several case history examples. While it's well-written, overall, it fails to convey its message while taking into account the Internet. For that, I suggest Michael Levine's Guerrilla PR: Wired, which accepts the Internet's uses in a public relations and marketing campaign.
Overall, Value-Added Public Relations is a strong, if outdated, piece of work. While its suggestions are still useful, and it is a thorough piece of work, it would be worth considering to wait and see if an updated edition is released.
Not a true PR book.......2002-03-10
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Hard-Core Collections: Brutal But Effective Techniques For Getting The Money
David Demercurio Manufacturer: Paladin Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 1581600283 |
Book Description
Learn from a pro the secrets of collecting back child support, court judgments and other "uncollectible" bills by balancing legal issues with street realities. Plus, how to set up your business, attract well-paying clients, ensure delivery of installmentpayments and make sure you get your money up front. For academic study only.Customer Reviews:
unrealistic nonsense.......2007-01-29
Do not Read.......2006-10-16
Total Waste of my time and money.......2006-02-22
Pure Fiction...do not buy if you're looking for professional text.......2005-11-02
The reader will benefit from first-hand knowledge.......2004-03-03
It reveals a part of what goes on in the marketplace,
between consumers and retailers & banks, for example. In
that way, it's very practical and realistic, and
considering the price, is an affordable way to know
more, and to get out of the ivory tower of university
or college based techniques or theories regarding
how to get results as soon as possible, and get paid
for your work promptly.
Clearly, the author knows his stuff, has made a career
out of it, and is not writing this book from having
seen too many movies or what not. The reader will
benefit from first-hand knowledge. Finally, take the
book with a grain of salt, considering that only a
small percentage of people will actually be physically
fit or mentally skilled enough to undertake the
author's business plan and collections strategies, as
I mentioned above.
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Study Guide for Marketing Telecourse to accompany Marketing: The Core 1/e
Roger A. Kerin , Steven W. Hartley , and William Rudelius Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items: ASIN: 0072949058 |
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Libros Essenciales/essential Books: Building, Marketing, And Programming a Core Collection of Spanish Language Children's
Tim Wadham Manufacturer: Neal-Schuman Publishers ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 1555705758 Release Date: 2006-12-01 |
Product Description
Tim Wadham, author of the highly recommended (REFORMA) and invaluable (Booklist) how-to, Programming with Latino Children s Materials (1999), returns with this all new guide for children s and school librarians. He provides a core collection of over 100+ titles including board books, picture books, short chapter fiction, novels, poetry, and non-fiction ideal for serving toddlers to teens. Wadham shares authoritative advice for selecting Spanish titles including: an overview of the market, key elements to consider, review sources, and tips for authoring collection development. There is a wealth of programming ideas that may be used with the recommended core collection or adapted for other books. Wadham offers tips for marketing to your community and increasing circulation for these important titles. This unique resource also includes a guide to publishers and vendors and lists of award-winning books. Whether you are serving a Hispanic community, looking for ways to present bilingual programs, or building a new multicultural collection, Libros Esenciales is an invaluable, comprehensive guide.
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Core Concepts of Marketing
John J. Burnett Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items: ASIN: 0471469483 |
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Membership Marketing (Core Competencies in Membership Management)
Manufacturer: Amer Society of Assn ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0880341645 |
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Student Guide for Concepts in Marketing: The Core 2/e
Roger A. Kerin , Steven W. Hartley , and William Rudelius Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items: ASIN: 0072999977 |
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