Book Description
On the heels of the Enron trial, there are many lessons to be learned from the barrage of fraud hammering corporate America -- including how to spot signs of future impropriety. In a gripping and intriguing read, BUSINESS FAIRY TALES uses real-world scandals to illustrate the top twenty most common methods used by companies to fraudulently overstate their earnings and hide their debt. Based on an analysis of the frequency of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions, it identifies the twenty most prevalent accounting schemes. The book explains each accounting trick with a detailed, engaging story of a company and the officials who committed a spectacular version of that method of fictitious financial reporting. It goes behind the scenes to describe the organization's acts of deception, and to examine the character failures of the leaders. In addition to the specific cases, the book presents a compelling argument for the kind of reform that is needed, as well as the ethical frameworks that must support authentic reform. Ultimately, BUSINESS FAIRY TALES equips and empowers readers with the skills to spot signs of potential accounting fraud so that investors and employees can be forewarned of future financial shocks. It provides analysts and students with the specific, tell-tale signals of the top twenty financial-reporting frauds and schemes -- signals that are inevitably left behind in financial statements that have been manipulated.
Customer Reviews:
Mediocre.......2007-07-25
This book provides a better analysis of financial accounting problems than you can find in the news media. But it's not thoughtful enough for me to recommend it. The author sounds like an academic who has little experience as an investor.
The book provides little perspective on which mistakes did the most harm. I can't tell whether the author sees any difference in seriousness of Enron's inconsistent reports to the SEC about when it adopted mark-to-market accounting and the absence of market prices to guide its so-called mark-to-market accounting (it seems obvious to me that the former is trivial and the latter is outrageous, but I wouldn't have learned that from reading this book).
I'm also disappointed that the book never takes the perspective of the villains to ask why they thought they could get away with bad accounting. Were they all confident that perpetually rising stock prices would ensure that investors would never complain? Could they have have thought they would make enough money before getting caught to profit even if they were punished? In some cases I can guess why the answer might have been yes to one of these, but in most cases I'm as puzzled as I was before reading the book.
The book suggests a number of signals that investors might look for to detect fraud. But none of them are valuable enough to change the way I read financial reports. A few, such as sales growth not meeting expectations or rising inventory / sales ratios, are valuable signs of an overrated company even though they rarely indicate accounting problems. Most of the signals the book recommends involve things like increases in receivables where there's no obvious way to distinguish routine fluctuations from changes that indicate problems, so I suspect the number of false alarms would make these signals useless.
I suspect that avoiding the stock market during bubbles is a more practical and effective way of avoiding harm from accounting fraud than trying to follow this book's advice. I'd guess that 10% of investors will learn to avoid bubbles if they try, but I doubt more than 1% will succeed at identifying fraud. If you do try to identify fraud, pay more attention to people such as Jim Chanos who have found ongoing frauds than to books such as this that only do post-mortem analysis.
The book claims that a benefit of Sarbanes-Oxley is that it restored investor confidence in corporate financial statements. This seems misguided. The stock market decline that prompted Sarbanes-Oxley was largely due to mistaken extrapolations of real trends in internet-related profits. Many investors prefer to exaggerate the role played by fraud because it distracts attention from the mistakes they made at the peak of the bubble. It's unclear whether increased investor confidence is desirable. Accounting fraud is most common at peaks of bubbles because investor confidence makes it temporarily easier to avoid questions about suspicious accounting practices. Stock markets appear to function best with moderate amounts of suspicion among investors to help keep corporate reports honest.
Business Fairy Tales.......2007-02-15
This books a very "heavy" and to some tedious subject understandable and even enjoyable. In my opinion, anyone interested in the subject of financial statement manipulation will find this book well worth while.
Very Useful Knowledge and Entertaining.......2007-01-10
One of the major functions of my department is to perform financial due diligence on companies we may purchase or involve in a joint venture. Just the author's list of points to consider in examining financial statements and the potential fraud they may contain is worth the price of the book. I have the book in my office and have suggested that our staff review those major points each time they begin a new due diligence. The points are also good to review before making personal investment decisions.
The tales of corporate shenanigans are used to illustrate how his points indicated that something was going on and are very entertaining. You don't have to be an accountant to benefit from this book.
Valuable Information For Accountancy Literate Investors.......2007-01-08
Business fantasies (including turn-arounds) sound really good, until reality crashes in. How do the manipulators get away with it? Well, people don't understand what the manipulators are up to, and the fantasy is much more appealing. People looking for investing opportunities want to believe in a bright future, so they overlook minor issues like false and deceptive financial reporting.
This book describes many of the financial techniques used to create the fantasies. It can be quite useful to serious investors who want to avoid investing in fairy tales, but a reasonable knowledge of accounting is necessary to understand the material. Many of the suggestions would be very difficult to implement by anyone without access to internal records, so don't expect to use everything directly.
Business Fairy Tales.......2007-01-05
This book gives you exposure to all kinds of financial shenanigans that have taken place in the corporate world. He gives you real world facts. It makes one aware of what you should be concentrating on when analyzing a business that you are interested in putting in your investment portfolio. The author is also a great story teller and ends up with the outcome of the executives involved if they live happily ever after or had to serve time.
Book Description
PRAISE FOR From CINDERELLA to CEO
"The storybook Cinderella sits and waits for her prince charming to come. From Cinderella to CEO is a rewrite for modern day Cinderellas. This book tells women to climb on their own horse and ride to their destiny. It's full of great road maps on everything from how to survive a wicked boss to how to surround yourself with swans!"
—Pat Schroeder, former Congresswoman, President & CEO of the Association of American Publishers
"Cary Broussard has produced a great compass for women who are navigating their journey through work life. This is a primer that turns fairy tales into actionable road signs that will transform starry-eyed neophytes into seasoned professionals. This book is much more than a 'yellow brick road' map. It is an atlas that not only helps the reader plot her successful course; but, it also underscores ways for managing a successful career, as well as identifies road markers and landmines that could derail a career. It is a must read."
—Esther Silver-Parker, Vice President of Diversity Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
"If you have aspirations to be successful and happy in your career, then From Cinderella to CEO is the book for you! Cary Broussard has decoded folklore and articulated a play-by-play game plan to help women win in the ballgame of business. And best of all, this fairy godmentor wisely refers to cutting edge twenty-first century thinking by interpreting business as pleasure!"
—Linda K. Bolliger, Founder & CEO, Boardroom Bound®
"From Cinderella to CEO offers something for everyone. No matter which rung of the corporate ladder you are perched upon you will appreciate Cary J. Broussard's fresh perspective on women in the workplace. Whether you are just starting out, mentoring a new hire, or thinking about starting your own business you'll look at things differently after reading this book. Broussard understands that while work styles may vary by gender, these differences complement each other and savvy employers and employees will prosper when both styles are encouraged to flourish."
—Marti Barletta, author of Marketing to Women: How to Understand, Reach, and Increase Your Share of the World's Largest Market Segment
Download Description
An appealing, entertaining, and practical book that will help women get ahead in today's competitive work world Fairy tales have fascinated people for hundreds of years because they impart lessons that are relevant to anyone, in any time or place. From Cinderella to CEO applies the wisdom of the fairy tale to the world of work. With motivational stories, advice from female CEOs and experts, and amusing examinations of ten favorite fairy tales as business parables, the book offers valuable workplace lessons about acting with integrity and inclusion, cultivating allies and "fairy godmentors, surviving office politics, and surviving in a volatile economy. From Cinderella to CEO offers every woman the confidence to create a realistic yet passionate vision that can transform her career with a full menu of tools to get there. Cary Jehl Broussard (Dallas, TX) is one of the country's top experts in marketing to women and diverse populations. She is well known for creating Wyndham's Women on Their Way program, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars each year and has transformed the experience of women business travelers. Anita Bell (Hudson Valley, NY) is a freelance writer who specializes in topics of interest to women. She has authored or coauthored nine books on career issues, fitness, nutrition, emotional health, and parenting.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Read.......2006-11-04
From Cinderella to CEO was a great read, a lot of fun; Full of good advice. If you've had a job, you'll see yourself in many of the stories; I know I did. This would be a wonderful gift for a new graduate.
Cary Jehl Broussard--Dynamic Since Girlhood.......2006-01-23
Cary's delightful journey into all the archetypes that fairy tales present helps us realize that the big bad wolf, the wicked witch and the trolls under the bridge whom we encounter at work can be sidestepped to our advantage--and gracefully.
She taps the age-old wisdom that helps us find our path safely through the forest of the corporate world. I've known Cary since she was about 10 years old, and she's always been wonderfully refreshing. The same Cary shines through in Cinderella to CEO .
Patrice Dickey, author of BACK TO THE GARDEN: Getting from Shadow to Joy
Surprisingly effective. .......2005-11-02
Cary Broussard's terrific new business book is filled with straightforward and powerful advice on how to get where you want to go in business. The great thing is that she does it by using our favorite fairy tales as metaphors for life in business. She takes us back to a time (our childhood) when we believed that anything was possible. By taking us there, she makes us see that in fact almost anything really is. It's a book, you'll come back over and over again.
For women and men.......2005-11-01
Absolutely loved it! This book is a great tool for a woman at any point in her career. It's appropriate for men too!
Loved it! A "Must Read!".......2005-10-26
I started the book and finished it over the weekend. I wasn't expecting to want to read the book cover to cover, but I couldn't help it! I am buying this book for all my girlfriends for Christmas.
Average customer rating:
- cheap but not so interesting...
- Cute book
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Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia: A Storybook (Pictureback(R))
Golden Books , and
Mary Man-Kong
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Journey to Mermaidia (Hologramatic Sticker Book)
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Barbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia
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Barbie Fairytopia: A Storybook (Pictureback(R))
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Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia Elina Doll
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Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia Nori Doll
ASIN: 0375874925
Release Date: 2006-01-10 |
Book Description
Barbie stars in Barbie™ Fairytopia: Mermaidia™, a retelling of the new direct-to-DVD movie. This time, the brave fairy Elina must travel to the magical world of the mermaids for an amazing undersea adventure! With full-color illustrations and press-out fairy paper dolls, this storybook will be a must-have for all Barbie® and fairy fans!
Customer Reviews:
cheap but not so interesting..........2007-02-14
I got this because my daughter has the doll... the book is okay.
Cute book.......2006-05-16
My daughter, who is [...], loves this book. It comes with 3 punch-out paper dolls. The story takes about 5-10 minutes to read. It's a 3rd grade reading level.
Average customer rating:
- A Pocketful of Wonder
- A treasure
- beautifully worded and illustrated!! breathtaking!
- My daughter and I both loved this book
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Pockets
Jennifer Armstrong
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0517709260
Release Date: 1998-10-13 |
Book Description
The somber, hard-working people of an isolated town on the plains ply through life in the drabbest of gray clothes--until, in the linings of their pockets, they begin to discover lavishly embroidered pictures of far-away places, sewn there by a mysterious young woman who has recently arrived and taken up work as the town's seamstress. Exploring these stitched visions--of proud ships and sparkling oceans, of golden towers and distant cities, of buccaneers, sea serpents, and gold--the austere townspeople find themselves transformed. A husband and wife suddenly fall in love again, brightly colored flags appear on rooftops, houses are painted in azure and crimson, dances are held...
Pockets is Jennifer Armstrong's tale of people made new by their imaginations, and of the mysterious young seamstress who brings this about. Her luxurious storytelling is equaled by the rich palette and exuberance of Mary GrandPré's illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
A Pocketful of Wonder.......2005-05-10
Picture books come in several different types. Some are functional and educational reads for teaching children. Some are comical romps, spurring laughter from their audience, and some are simply, delightfully, and stunningly beautiful works of art. This picture book written by Jennifer Armstrong and illustrated by Mary Grandpre, falls into this last category. The title might seem a bit plain, even vague at first but it nevertheless hints at a sense of the wonderful and magical, especially given the luscious colors and images that populate these pages. I admit that it was Mary Grandpre's cover art that first persuaded me to crack open this book, not certain what to expect, but delighted by the whimsical cover. I was well rewarded for my curiosity.
Like the artwork, Jennifer Armstrong's richly evocative writing weaves a tapestry to enchant readers from the first sentence. It's a once upon a time tale, with an exotic stranger coming to stay in a plain and pragmatic farming village. But rather than start with the traditional opening, Ms. Armstrong begins with: "A slim schooner of a woman, driven by strong winds and a broken heart, floundered barefoot across the eastern plains . . ." The author maintains her ocean/boat metaphors throughout the story, and it may at first take the reader by surprise, as the story itself takes place in a village far from the sea. But it soon becomes apparent that this is the author's intent, to show how her protagonist differs from those around her, how she yearns for the wildness and creativity she found there. Our protagonist is a seamstress, capable of creating marvelous garments with rich adornment. But the farmers want only plain, drab work clothes for their plain lives, and the young woman must live and dress as they do if she is to live among them. While she agrees to their terms, she chafes at this limitation and lack of imagination. Until she realizes she can create the gorgeous works she wishes . . . as long as they are on the insides of her pockets. You'll have to read the book to grasp the full effect, but as she provides these pockets full of her creativity to the villagers, it gradually transforms the drab and practical town into a joyous and colorful one. The heroine is the catalyst that changes those she encounters before moving on.
I will freely admit that even the adult reader may find the vocabulary of Armstrong's fanciful lists to be a challenge. " . . . frocks and pantaloons of bandle linen; also doublets farthingales, damask mantuas . . ." Fortunately, the lists don't really get in the way of comprehending the story, they merely add to the delicious nature of the tale with these marvelously exotic words. It is not a simple story for a child to read, however, and young readers who struggle with words will probably find this much too daunting! Even a parent may find it a bit difficult to read aloud parts of this without reviewing it a time or two first. That said, it is a delightful story with lovely lyrical text that is meant to be savored and that seems to trip off the tongue and dazzle with its own special magic.
Mary Grandpre's work partners with the text to make a book that is as artistic as it is poetic. Her warm and fanciful pictures are full of the magic and whimsy that the heroine sews into her pockets. With rich colors and swirling shapes, Ms. Grandpre truly captures the theme of the story and demonstrates the light and fire of creativity spilling from those pockets like hidden treasure. It is clear that this team of author and illustrator meld together seamlessly, crafting some rare and beautiful books for readers to discover.
This is a picture book that may be enjoyed by adults as well as children, showing what picture books can accomplish with their artistry and magic. While the very young can find the story too long and the text too mature, older children may find it fueling their own imagination. If you like this book, also check out CHIN YU MIN AND THE GINGER CAT, which also features Armstrong and Grandpre. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad
A treasure.......2000-11-07
Both the artwork and the script are stunning. I have read this book over and over again. It takes the reader far away from the mundane details of daily life to the place of the heart - with all its beauty and wonder. I would recommend this book to adults who appreciate high quality picture books.
beautifully worded and illustrated!! breathtaking!.......1999-09-26
This story is wonderful! Our world needs more stories illuminating the beauty that we so rarely see in our often-hectic lives. Illustrations of this caliber are hard to find. Mary Grandpre truly captured the meaning of the story - she is a one-of-a-kind illustrator. Jennifer Armstrong spins her words as if in a tapestry. Simply beautiful.
My daughter and I both loved this book.......1999-04-17
Pockets is incredible. The illustrations and prose merge to form a work of great beauty. I highly recommend this book. It takes you to places you might never see, shows you the power of imagination, and teaches you how far an act of kindness might take you.
If you liked this book read All The Mama's and The Malachite Palace.
Average customer rating:
- Exquisite!
- Twelve Classic FairyTales That Shine Like New
- A Unique Treasure
- Absolutely Gorgeous
- Wonderful illustrations
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Fairy Tales
Manufacturer: Candlewick
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Binding: Hardcover
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Magical Tales from Many Lands
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Let There Be Light: Bible Stories Illustrated by Jane Ray
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From a Distance
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The Twelve Dancing Princesses
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The King of Capri
ASIN: 0763609978
Release Date: 2000-08-28 |
Amazon.com
Berlie Doherty, author of many books for young people, including Carnegie Medal-winner Dear Nobody, says fairy tales "are enchanted dreams. We remember them as if they had been sung to us while we were under the spell of a long deep sleep." And according to acclaimed picture-book illustrator Jane Ray, "fairy tales are the earth beneath our feet, giving us roots and helping us find our place in the world, but they also offer a glimpse of the magical and the enchanted." With two such eloquently mystical creators at the helm, any collection of fairy tales is bound to be magical. Sure enough, this team's magnificent Fairy Tales glimmers and shines, giving new life to traditional favorites such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Cinderella," "Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp," and "Hansel and Gretel." Doherty's retellings are respectful of the originals, while incorporating her own strong, vibrant voice. Ray's watercolor, ink, and collage illustrations, surrounding the gold-framed text, are truly stunning, in exotic colors and exquisite tapestry-style patterns. Characters seem to come from all parts of the world--appropriately enough, since the stories have "echoes in many different cultures." The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and Charles Perrault would be proud. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
Authentic retellings of twelve familiar and well-loved fairy tales, gorgeously illustrated.
With a poet's ear and deep respect for the magic at the heart of our most resonant fairy tales, acclaimed author Berlie Doherty casts a sumptuous spell. Her masterful and authentic retellings of twelve treasured tales are well-matched by Jane Ray's evocative illustrations. Teeming with rich colors, golden trim patterns, silhouettes, and symbols, these pictures—like the timeless stories they interpret—are to be pored over and cherished. Come back to CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE FROG PRINCE, and eight other beloved tales. Enter a haunting world of magic and enchantment.
Customer Reviews:
Exquisite!.......2005-09-04
This is really the best collection of fairy tales that I've ever seen, and I have seen a lot of them. First, the illustrations are simply exquisite. The heroes and heroines of this book are a seemingly multicultural bunch, and there is a dreamlike quality woven through the art. It's an unusual approach, and it makes this collection so appealing to see dark-haired, brown-eyed princesses. I love it, and so do my daughters. And the stories themselves are well told. It's as if the author sifted through all of the versions of these stories floating around, and put down the very best of them -- the ones that you would pick yourself. I don't like it when I am reading a classic story and parts of it just seem simply wrong. But that is most definitely not the case here. If you are looking for a collection of fairy tales, stop. You've found it. Buy it, and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
Twelve Classic FairyTales That Shine Like New.......2001-11-28
This is a physically beautiful volume, medium sized and easy to hold while you have your arm around another person. The illustrations are unique and creative and accented with gold which adds to the magical ambiance. The pages have colorful decorated borders and the interesting use of silhouettes is striking. The text is true to the original tales while being melodious, fresh and inviting. Don't miss the enchanting picture of Cinderella that goes with this text, "She heard a fluttering as if all the leaves were unfurling at once, and the birds of the tree flew down carrying a silver dress and slippers that glittered like stars." Now isn't that a little better than Bibbity Bobbity Boo?
A Unique Treasure.......2001-06-02
The artwork initially caught my eye with this book. Jane Ray's enchanting combination of watercolor, ink, and collage drew me in completely. The design is reminiscent of a beloved scrapbook, and it is truly beautiful. Text blocks and illustrations are bordered with gold accents, creating the illusion that they have been "mounted" on their exquisitely designed backgrounds. The colors are rich and the images range from simple silhouettes to intricately detailed landscapes and portraits.
Ray adds to the book's charm with her multicultural representations of characters. In addition to traditional (Caucasian) depictions, readers encounter a Black "Beauty," a Chinese "Aladdin," a Moroccan sorcerer, a henna-tattooed Indian princess, and a variety of other diverse characters. While the stories all hail from Western Europe, the illustrations and character portrayals add an element of multiculturalism and diversity.
Although many of the story titles are familiar, they are by no means ordinary or generic. Berlie Doherty has traced them back to their roots in order to maintain the original "essence" of the classic tales she has chosen. In a generation where many fairy tale classics have been altered and homogenized by the entertainment industry, Doherty's return to the original versions is both refreshing and pleasantly nostalgic. Fairy tale novices and veterans alike will be enchanted and intrigued.
This book has quickly become a valued treasure in my collection for its unique appeal and beauty. The text is candid and honest, incorporating elements of humor, sadness, joy, and more while still maintaining the original "magic" of the tales. A great book for yourself or as a gift - I highly recommend it!
Absolutely Gorgeous.......2000-09-08
As a longtime lover of Fairy tales, I've gotten rather picky about which picture book versions I pick up. And I wanted to buy this book the first time I flicked through it.
This one includes a variety of stories, all well known, from the obvious choices, like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, to Aladdin, and the Wild Swans. The stories are told well, though without any newness - these are familiar, comfortable stories.
Ah, but it wasn't the tellings of the stories which had me sold on this book. Jane Ray's illustrations are utterly beautiful. Normally, I am a fan of neo-renaissance illustrations - almost realistic, almost three dimensional, and full of elegant landscapes (See Kinuko Craft's work) The illustrations in this book are flat, far more stylized - but they're full of movement and feeling, and they look like they came from the best of medieval manuscripts. The touches of metallic gold only add to this impression. The full colour full page illustrations are also complemented by silhouette illustrations and border images along many other pages. This is inspired art, lovely to look on, and perfectly matches the feeling of fairy tale stories.
Wonderful illustrations.......2000-09-05
While Doherty's new versions of many popular tales are fine, the best reason to buy a new collection of fairy tales is for the illustrations. Jane Ray's illustrations are vibrant and give the book the flair of an illuminated manuscript. Ray's heros and heroines do not simper or look cute, they appear bold and involved. The text on every page is also framed with themed-backgrounds. Middle and older readers will appreciate these new illustrations and texts.
The tales in the book are some of the most popular without any obscure tales to add diversity. The tales are: Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty in the Forest, Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Snow White, Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp, Little Red Riding Hood, The Fire-Bird, Hansel and Gretel, Frog Prince, and The Wild Swans.
Average customer rating:
- At last....
- Sound lessons for business with relevance for managers
- Fluff disguised as business savvy
- finally-interesting and valuable
- A Modern Classic - Funny & Informative
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Goldilocks on Management: 27 Revisionist Fairy Tales for Serious Managers
Gloria G. Mayer , and
Thomas R. Mayer
Manufacturer: AMACOM/American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0814404812 |
Amazon.com
If you're like most people, you probably have at least two different book piles: the vocational and the recreational. The books from the first pile you read for information, guidance, professional advancement, and, hopefully, inspiration. The books from the second you read for pleasure. Some overly dry business writers seem to think the two piles should never mix, but not so the Mayer and Mayer team.
Goldilocks on Management is an entertaining primer for managers, a fictional romp through the past that simultaneously illustrates important management strategies and techniques firmly rooted in the present. The authors have taken time-honored fairy tales and rewritten them in a contemporary style, often with an ironic, humorous twist. Goldilocks, for instance, does sales and marketing for an institutional food products firm, and, when discovered in the three bears' living quarters, grabs an inopportune moment to make a pitch. The infamous new-clothes-seeking emperor is persuaded by foreign investors, two charming and flattering fashion designers, to buy an expensive royal outfit made of "Spinlight." Each fairy tale is followed by an interpretation and advice on how its lessons can be applied by serious managers in less fantastical situations, together with a real-world business example. Though the authors sometimes sound trite, using such overused management-speak as win-win situations and thinking outside the box, their points are useful reminders of common-sense ideas, presented in an unusual but readable format. This is a book with which to wind down, have a quiet chuckle, and hopefully relearn a thing or two to take back to the office. --S. Glass
Customer Reviews:
At last...........2001-05-04
...someone understood that the most serious things are better said while joking!!!!! I've read quite a few books that support humour as a powerful means of education, leadership, etc. but none of them actually took their own advice. We all know that simplicity is the best, most effective way to do things. At the same time it is the most dificult, so we usually hide our ignorance (smatter actually) behind fancy terms, long sentences nobody understands, and extremely 'serious' titles. I guess the authors of this book not only know what they are talking about but are very intelligent people as well.
Thank you Gloria Mayer and Thomas Mayer for giving me the pleasure of reading your book. Btw, I loved the title "Implications for Serious Managers"... That was a good one!!
Sound lessons for business with relevance for managers.......2000-02-27
Though kids would never suspect it, behind all the huffing and puffing, the golden eggs and glass slippers, our beloved fairy tales are chockfull of sound lessons for business. This book brings those magical yarns again to life-but with new force and relevance for grown-up managers.
The book is the brainchild of Gloria Gilbert Mayer and Thomas Mayer, avid fairy tale fans with thriving careers as consultants. During their three decades of involvement in management, the Mayers watched many trends come and go. They also came to a startling realization: the best business practices reflect time-honored principles-in fact, the very stuff of classic children's stories.
"Fairy tales offer us fundamental truths that have persisted across generations," the Mayers point out. "They are simple, direct, fun, and enduring."
Liberally sprinkled with whimsical line drawings, Goldilocks On Management revisits 27 enchanting stories we all know and love. Without sacrificing the cherished staples, the Mayers tell each tale with a distinctive twist to make it more adult, entertaining, and reflective of today's on-the-job realities. (For example, Goldilocks is recast as "a highly compensated professional woman with a serious attitude problem.")
But this fairy tale collection is no mere humorous parody. The "moral" of each story is crystallized as a one-line basic business lesson. Each yarn is accompanied by an in-depth discussion of its applications for serious managers. And every imaginative tale is complemented by a parallel real-world business example-a contemporary case study with striking similarities to the storybook fiction.
A wonderfully playful resource packed with thoughtful insights and practical strategies, Goldilocks on Management takes a fresh and winning approach to excelling in the big bad world of business.
Gloria Gilbert Mayer and Thomas Mayer are corporate consultants, speakers, and writers specializing in issues of concern to health care professionals. They have collaborated on numerous articles, as well as a consumer's guide to HMOs, The Health Insurance Alternative. This book was inspired by their mutual love for classic children's stories and a lesson reinforced throughout their three decades in management. Gloria holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. Tom holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and is also board-certified in Family Practice from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Reviewed by Azlan Adnan, Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu. Azlan has a MA in International Business and Management from the University of Westminster.
Fluff disguised as business savvy.......1999-12-17
When I read the reviews for this book, I wonder if we are all talking about the same book. All the praise sounds like paid endorsements from friends of the authors.
Getting the idea that I didn't like this book? Not at all. Actually I loved it. It was fun to read & quick.
But, that's all it was -- animated & entertaining.
Goldilocks is purely ephemeral with management insights added in order to convince you that what you're reading has substance. The so-called 'business principles' are nothing more than short, shallow blurbs.
Here's how the book is arranged. There are 27 different fairy tales. There are two I'm not familiar with. Ever hear of the "Bremen Town Musicians?" Or "The Old Woman & Her Pig?"
Each tales is modernized and reflects a business theme. For example, The Three Bears operate a budget motel deep in the forest and Chicken Little reads the Wall Street Journal because she follows the prices on corn commodities.
The story follows with details concerning a business issue such as:
=> marketing => team building => sales => cash flow => hiring employees => customer service
A shaded box follows called * Basic Lesson *. Sometimes there's more:
=> how the tale applies to serious managers => a real-life story => a conclusion, called the 'bottom line'
What I found is that most of the time the 'lesson' wasn't what I thought it was. It might be me, but I think the tale's outcomes aren't clear.
Let's talk 'Sleeping Beauty'. You all know the basic story. In the Mayer's version Beauty's parents are wealthy beyond imagination. Think Bill Gates. She has everything she could want -- wealth, beauty, intelligence.
The curse put on her by the uninvited guest is: "Nothing worldly will ever satisfy you. All this wealth is going to bore you, enervate you, exhaust you. It will all seem so tawdry and meaningless that you won't be able to stay awake." (p.67)
The Mayer's lesson is that you shouldn't leave people out of your planning process because it results in poor outcomes.(read Wicked Witch)
My take, from the way the tale is written, is this: when you give someone all they need in worldly goods, when they have everything, then you remove all motivation to excel at anything. They have nothing to strive for.
Or how about the 'Ugly Duckling'? In this version the lesson is to nurture and tolerate your staff's innate skills & differences.
Yet the story makes it clear that the swan (ugly duckling) was forced to leave the ducks because he didn't fit in with the corporate culture. The way he looks doesn't adhere to the duck dress code & he trumpets when he should quack.
In most of these tales the conclusions don't support the story examples.
Who's right? I don't know. Maybe it doesn't matter.
What does matter is the authors came up with a neat gimmick then made the tales fit their pre-conceived business lesson. At least that's my conclusion.
If you come across this book when you're browsing the bookstore & you have time, read some of it. If you see it at the library, check it out. Buy it only if you have extra money around & are looking for some business fluff to break up the day's work.
finally-interesting and valuable.......1999-11-25
Goldilocks is finally an ibnteresting and entertaining management book with a really good message. Comnbining the modernized fictional stories with an understandable real business case type message reinforcing the story is unique.
this is well worth reading for business/management joriented people, or those who would like to become more so.!
A Modern Classic - Funny & Informative.......1999-09-22
Oldilocks On Management is destine to be a modern classic of business literature. The Mayers have an uncanny touch to combine humor and insight while they interlace modern managment precepts around 27 classicfary tales. A wonderfully entertaining book that leaves you laughing and astonished at hom much you have learned - while laughing at each new story.
Move over Lying With Statistics, Oldilocks is here to claim the title ofthe best business read!
Book Description
A classic since its first publication, in 1863, The Water-Babies is the story of Tom, a little chimney sweep, and his magical adventures beneath the waves.
When young Tom flees his sooty, dangerous toil and his cruel master, Grimes, he finds himself plunged into "a quiet, silent, rich, happy place"--a land beneath the water "so out of the way the bad bogies can hardly find it out." There, Tom meets haughty dragonflies, makes friends with a slowwitted lobster, and dodges hungry otters. Eventually he meets the other water-babies and their clever rulers, Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid and Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby.
Charles Kingsley's "fairy tale for a land baby" has charmed generations of readers. This handsome facsimile edition-with Jessie Willcox Smith's twelve exquisite full-color plates and two-color illustrations throughout-is the perfect way to introduce this classic to a new generation.
Download Description
Tom, an ill-treated little chimney-sweep, is turned into a tiny water-baby by fairies in this moralistic Victorian fantasy.
Customer Reviews:
Transformation and redemption.......2007-06-29
This is a classic British "children's" story and is more for adults or older children. It was written in the 1860's. It's a charming look at the transformation of a dirty chimney sweep into a clean 4" water-baby, but on a higher plane also a look at the death of children during this Industrial Revolution time period. Beware: some of the author's prejudices come out in this book especially when it comes to the Irish which he represents as dishonest and magical. There is also an abridged version, and if you use this book with children, you might want to use the abridged version or explain these things to them. If you are an adult, you should read the unabridged version. Charles Kingsley had a good time writing this book!
New unabridged edition forthcoming.......2007-05-04
I would like to point out that in 2008 Broadview Press will publish my unabridged edition of The Water-Babies with the original illustrations by Linley Sambourne. There will be a substantial introduction to the work as well as works by Lewis Carroll, Kingsley himself, and other contemporary writers that help place Kingsley's work in context.
A classic children's book.......2006-07-06
I had to review this book because I was absolutely obsessed with it as a child. I can't count the number of times I must have read it. I'm not sure what my reaction would have been if I'd read it as an adult, as this work was meant for children, but based on my childhood memories, it's a great kid's book! I only knocked off one star based on some of the anti-Irish, anti-American references that were edited out of my childhood copy but are present in some printings.
BoRiNg!.......2005-07-17
Bought because it's purportedly a 'MUST READ' of recommended English 19th century literature and I'm trying to read every good book I can before I die (hopefully at 90). Unfortunately, this book is a waste of time as it's BoRiNg (even w/ the footnotes that I so dearly love).
"My Name is Written in my Eyes...".......2004-08-20
"The Water-Babies" by Charles Kingsley is best described with reference to J. M. Barrie's more famous work "Peter Pan", both of which belong in the canon of Victorian fairytales. Kingsley's work is poised between two words: the world of Christianity and the whimsical realm of fairies, and the onset of the scientific and historical developments that resulted in the evolution theory, industrial factories and the War. Although certainly not as famous as Barrie's tale of the boy that never grew up, Kingsley's story is equally fascinating, though much more difficult to read.
Tom is a young chimney sweep of London, under the brutal care of Mr Grimes who doesn't hesitate in sending him up the filthiest, narrowest chimneys whilst he collects the money from downstairs. Tom himself is quite the little savage, but when his master is employed at Harthover Place, he is in for a surprise. Getting lost on the rooftop and crawling down the wrong chimney, Tom finds himself in a room where three things change his life. The first is a picture of the Crucifixion on the wall. Having no idea who Christ is, Tom is rather intrigued by the picture: "Poor man, he looks so kind and quiet. But why should the lady have such a sad picture in her room?" The second is the young girl asleep in the bed, beautiful and peaceful. The third is his own reflection in the mirror, which horrifies him - "Tom, for the first time in his life, found that he was dirty".
Accidentally waking the little girl on his way out, Tom sets the entire household upon him - out of the house, across the moorlands and down the valley to meet his "death" in a nearby creek, and his rebirth as a water-baby. And there his adventures really begin, as he investigates his new form, meets the river-folk and begins his journey to be reunited with the little girl in the white bedroom - Ellie, who has not forgotten the boy who woke her from her sleep.
Like Barrie, Kingsley's story is chock full of allegory and moralising, namely concerned with images of baptism and rejuvenation, as seen from Tom's transformation from "dirty" (figuratively and literally) to the white form of the water baby, to the moral growth that he gains over the course of the story. Presiding over all of Tom's adventures is the Madonna-like figure of Mrs Do-as-you-would-be-done-by; a fairy queen that takes many different forms and names throughout the course of the story. As well as this, there are touches of the Victorian fascination with insect life, as Tom's `evolution' could also be compared with the pupae and larvae stages of the insect life cycle that (with the onset of microscopes) was being explored by biologists of the age.
But Kingsley's story falls short in several aspects, namely when he is speaking to an adult audience rather than a child one. Though the story is subtitled "a fairytale for a land-baby" and the narrator is conversational and chatty throughout (in fact the style reminds me a great deal of C. S. Lewis in the "Narnia" series) calling the reader "little man" and often providing legitimate queries that the reader would probably be asking at that time, often he strays away from Tom's story to discuss his own personal opinions and theories on the general mindset of the Victorian world - some of which is amusing, some of which is tedious.
For instance, Kingsley perhaps gives us the strongest evidence of the existence of fairies in the world - or at least why experts can never really claim that fairies, water babies and other such creatures do not exist. Only his own words can really do this justice; as the reader says: "But there are no such things as water babies," to which he answers with devastating logic: "how do you know? Have you ever been there to see? No one has a right to say water babies don't exist until they have seen no water babies existing." You can never prove a universal negative!
But these amusing ponderings, and tongue-in-cheek criticisms on other Victorian minds will probably be far over the heads of any children that the book is aimed toward. I can't believe I'm saying this, considering I hate having original books tampered with, but perhaps it would be best to read a young child an abridged version of Kingsley's story, and waiting till they're older for the complete text. For the record, I got my copy at age nine, and didn't get it finished till ten years later. Furthermore, it is a book of its time, and you'll find within its pages several disparaging remarks directed toward the Irish, Americans and several other ethnic groups (heck, this *was* written during the British empire!)
However, Kingsley's book is a necessary inclusion into the library of children's literature - namely because it can be enjoyed by adults too. With a poignant look at the horrors of a sweep's life, to the humorous commentary on his contemporaries, his intriguing philosophy on the nature of fairies and the sublime moments of Christian spirituality, this is a classic to be read and re-read in childhood, adulthood and old age; it'll be a different story each time.
Book Description
Word count: 675.
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A Caravan from Hindustan
James Moseley
Manufacturer: Xlibris Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Akbar and Birbal
ASIN: 1599268159 |
Book Description
For five centuries, Birbal has been one of the best-loved figures in the folklore of India. Polished like gemstones in the river of time, The Birbal Tales' wit and insight have delighted children and grownups from Kerala to Kashmir. Now the complete collection comes to the West, after years of loving research and creative, and historically accurate, restoration.
Moseley's Birbal Tales have won The National Writers Club First Prize for Fiction and the University of Southern Louisiana's First Prize for Juvenile Fiction. This timeless classic is a wonderful gift for children and a treasury of humor and wisdom for adults.
Testimonials
'Absolutely beautiful. I can see why you have a devoted following."
- Duval Y. Hecht, President, BOOKS ON TAPE, INC.
'I have read Moseley's Birbal Tales and must say I was utterly enchanted. The stories are beautifully retold in a style that is not only charming in English but could have come straight from a collection of Persian tales at the Mughal court. Moseley has certainly captured the fantasy court world in which stories of this type are usually cast. He continues in the finest tradition of the Mughal qissagu (storyteller). I trust he will offer more volumes in this collection to the undoubted delight of his readers."
- Wheeler M. Thackston, Professor of the Practice in Persian and Other Near Eastern Languages, HARVARD UNIVERSITY
'Delightful!"
- Swapna Vora, Editor, INDIAN EXPRESS, North American Edition
'At a time when thousands of intellectuals and professionals are migrating from India to the USA in search of wealth, Moseley has traveled to India to collect priceless gems from her immortal tradition and folk wisdom. Devoid of any high-sounding Brahmanic dogma, these tales have entertained and taught people of all levels for hundreds of years. Rendered again in the most lucid style, reading these tales is like reliving one's childhood. The book will fill the void for Indians now living in Diaspora and will give a new dimension of India to its Western readers."
- Ved Prakash Vatuk, D. Litt, Director FOLKLORE INSTITUTE, Berkeley & Former Professor of Folklore, UC Berkeley
'It is so rare to have a book that will charm children, please adult readers, satisfy curiosity about foreign folk tales, and inform any reader regarding a different culture. But here is a book that does it all."
- Ted Maas, ALLIANCE HOUSE, INC.
'James Moseley's collection of Birbal Tales capture the wit and wisdom of the famous Indian courtier while maintaining the simple poetry of those told orally for generations across India."
- Maryann Mahajan, INDIA POST.COM
'Moseley's.prose evokes the magical world of Akbar's court.in witty, charming stories, which are still popular with children in India. Historical notes are appended."
- BOOKLIST
'There are so many wonderful books for very young children, but there is too little good literature for 'middlings" from age seven to eleven. This book, which adults can enjoy as well as children, brings praises from a Harvard Professor to a Hollywood Producer. Interestingly, although the tales are indeed charming and amusing, they are not fictional, but true stories of a wise man who really lived in long ago India in the palace of the Emperor Akbar. Birbal served his Emperor with wit and wisdom, and he became so renowned that even today parents and grandparents use these clever adventures as morality tales."
- IndoLink.com
'This book is very promising."
- V
Average customer rating:
- Great Gift
- Hilarious corporate twist to old-fashioned fairy tales
- Great book!! If you work in an office you should read it.
- It is the most boring book I've ever read.
- Witty...Insightful...He must know my boss!
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Corporate Fairy Tales
Paul A. Brodsky
Manufacturer: Imoco Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0966116550 |
Book Description
Do you like to laugh? Do you enjoy good humor and a quick read? While growing up, most of us are exposed to the standard stock of children's stories, songs, and rhymes and the lessons they teach. For example, from the Three Little Pigs, we learn a valuable lesson about choosing proper home building materials particularly when locating in an area prone to high winds. The story of Little Red Riding Hood demonstrates the importance of today's stalking laws. But what do these stories teach us about big business? Nothing!
If you have ever wondered why so many front-yard lemonade stands are forced to close within hours of opening, it is because these young entrepreneurs don't know how to develop a business plan or implement a quality program. Corporate Fairy Tales fills this literary gap that some speculate was a key element that lead to the great depression of the 1920's.
Corporate Fairy Tales takes many of the well-known children's stories, rhymes and songs that we grew up with and presents them with a corporate twist. Your readers will have an instant connection to the stories as soon as they read the titles. For example, Goldstein and the Three Lawyers, The Pied Piper of Excellence, and The Twelve Days of Business are just a few of the stories included in this book.
Anyone who has ever worked for, dealt with, or encountered big business (which includes most all of us) will enjoy this humorous collection of stories. If you like Dilbert, you will love Corporate Fairy Tales.
Corporate Fairy Tales is the book you SHOULD have grown up with.
Customer Reviews:
Great Gift.......1999-04-23
I bought my first copy in December. Then it was stolen from my desk. I'm sure someone else in my office is enjoying it now. This time I bought a few copies. One for me and a few others as gifts. Good fun reading. ENJOY!
Hilarious corporate twist to old-fashioned fairy tales.......1999-04-21
What a great book - plenty of laughs and situations I could relate with. My co-workers and I loved this book - read it on our lunch hour to each other. This will make a timeless gift!
Great book!! If you work in an office you should read it........1999-04-20
This book makes you laugh at some of the things in the corporate world that might normally make your day tough to get through. I like the idea of taking these everyday office events and turning them into little diddies we can all laugh at. (Note: Theres not a blank page in this book. Unlike other books that tend to waste paper with blank pages. I'm not a tree hugger, I just don't like the distraction.)
It is the most boring book I've ever read........1999-03-24
Dilbert's creator has really worked in the real offices of the world. I can't see how anyone could conpare this to Dilbert. This book was so boring, not worth the money.
Witty...Insightful...He must know my boss!.......1998-12-08
I bought this book for a friend for Christmas, but I couldn't put it down! It's like the author has followed me from job to job. He's caught the nature of the corporate world in a light, easy to read book. I would recommend this book to anyone who works in an office!
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