Career Book Review - 101 Secrets To Career Success by Rashika Fernando - A Holistic Employment Model

Current U.S. unemployment reigns at roughly 9.5 percent, with at least 14 million jobless Americans. Statistics show approximately 5 applicants for every one available job. Economists predict a multi-year experience of higher than usual U.S. unemployment. Today's global marketplace is restructuring employment opportunities. It's challenging. Now, having the perfect resume and knowing the answers to "tough" interview questions no longer guarantees a job. Many who are working feel unfulfilled, desiring to change careers; yet hesitate for a variety of reasons. 

Following is the first of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve career success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman Rashika Fernando. His new book is entitled 101 Secrets To Career Success.

Fernando sports an impressive corporate career, working primarily in Global Finance. His message transcends the corporate world, addressing careers in general, whether you're employed or unemployed. "101 Secrets" offers a holistic approach to employment, integrating both your personal and professional presence. In today's marketplace, the more these two worlds converge, the happier you'll be. Fernando's 101 career secrets are dispersed among 17 succinctly written chapters, providing an expedient, enlightening read. Following are highlights from four chapters.

Purpose/Meaning. Fernando asks, "Why do you live and go to work?" Each one of us has a purpose in life, waiting to be discovered, he writes. Once we know our purpose in life, everything else falls into place. He believes our overall happiness includes these elements: 1. Be happy with the life that we have. 2. Ensure the continuation of life. This would include procreating, or aiding future generations by volunteering, adopting/sponsoring orphaned children, etc. 3. Enhance life by donating to causes, offering comforting words to someone facing a difficult challenge, etc.

Finding our purpose can be a long journey, unique to our being. Ultimately our career choices should make us happy while getting paid to do it. Combine a mission with your purpose; believe in it and execute it. To act on your purpose, you need a strategy. It allows you to connect high-level dreams into actionable plans. Career Success Secret: "Wanting to understand your life's purpose is the biggest step forward you can take towards success."

Career/Life Strategy. Arguably the best chapter in the book, "Strategizing Your Career and Life" emphasizes the importance of planning. Strategy is the approach you take to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It brings choices into action. There's no formula for strategy, as each of your goals is unique. We strategize every day on a simpler level (mapping out a travel route, daily To-Do lists, etc.) Achieving big dreams is difficult and complex. Strategy brings our dreams to the level of other day-to-day realities. While there's no strategy formula, there is a Strategic Planning Framework: Definition-write down the problem to solve and the goal, which serves as a reference point for planning. Data/Analysis-record what you already know about the problem or goal, analysis you've done, or any assumptions. Strategy-devise your approach to obtain the goal. Tactics/Resources- identifies the smallest details of your plan, Monitoring- review progress in your plan. Career Success Secret: "It is very important that you make a choice rather than hiding behind analysis."

Being Proactive. Proactive people actively participate and anticipate various diversions in their plans, influencing the change towards their goals. Being proactive creates better quality of results and better quality of life. Any quest for success will include competition. Anticipate and plan for inevitable competitive situations. On your journey towards success develop the ability to see what will happen in the next several years. "You can always see the signs of tomorrow today," says Fernando. Regarding the workforce, anticipate continual technological advancements. "Give up what you already know, to learn what you don't know." Career Success Secret: "Being proactive builds your confidence."

Networking. Our success depends on our relationships. To be successful, we need to learn the art of networking and feel comfortable doing it. Networking is essentially being a good friend to others. Our existing contacts and friends are our most powerful network we have. Networking provides friendship, emotional support and encouragement. Connecting with other people helps you realize your own accomplishments and the value that you add. The best reason to network is the wealth of opportunities it provides you. Career Success Secret: "Networking is a matching process whereby your strengths are matched with new opportunities, increasing your chances for success."

Amidst anemic job markets and media stories featuring the distress, we can only direct our own lives. If you're dissatisfied with your career or frustratingly unemployed, read "101 Secret's" Chapter 4: "Controlling Your Destiny." The global marketplace presents an evolving employment landscape. Old industries fade to reveal new career opportunities. Experiencing career success in today's marketplace requires a paradoxical selfishness. Only by engaging in relentless introspection (regardless of age), with a goal to integrate both your personal and professional being, can you best contribute to society. Fernando's holistic approach to career and life offers steadfast advice in today's tumultuous world.

Complement Fernando's message with Jay Miletsky's "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.

To view the Table of Contents for 101 Secrets To Career Success, visit http://rashikafernando.com/Book_Details.html.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Taking Control of Your Career, I Know You Want Too - Book Review

Indeed, I suppose everyone is concerned with their career, and we all realize that there are choices we make now which will have drastic effects on the rest of our lives later. If you make all the right moves, you will move quickly to the top, of course you need the savvy and skills to stay there, and you'll need the leadership talents to do it right, once you do achieve such lofty heights. Thus, career planning is paramount.

If you wish to advance in your career, if you want to find the right job and keep it in a solid industry you will need to do a little bit of research, study, and get the correct information. Not long ago, I was discussing this with a friend and I recommended a very good book for her to read. It's one I could just as well have recommended to you as well. In fact, let me do that now - the name of the book is:

"What Next?: The Complete Guide to Taking Control of Your Working Life," by Barbara Moses, published by Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd, England; (2003), 336 pp, ISBN: 978-075136-4460.

If you want upward mobility in your career then this is the book to read, and there are chapters on getting the right job, surviving in the workplace, and seizing opportunity. Also, you'll learn how to be the best boss with the best leadership schools in this fast pace world of ours. Why is that important you ask? Well, once you get to the management level, you are in charge and you can make or break the company and your team. For instance let me give you a recent example, no not in the book, but it made me recall the advice I learned in this book;

An interesting article in Government Executive, an insider US government publication with an online newsletter; "Executive Coach; BP's Tony Hayward: Worst Leader of the Year," by Scott Eblin and it was essentially about the reality of taking your career to the next level, written on June 9, 2010. The article had this quote, but I recommend that you do go find this article online and read the whole thing to form your own opinion;

"I'll acknowledge that it's just too easy to nominate BP CEO Tony Hayward as the worst leader of the year. Granted, he's got some stiff competition, but he deserves every inch of the big target on his back. Like a lot of people, I've got a crick in my neck from shaking my head after all of the stupid things he's said and feckless things he's done."

Had Tony Hayward read this book by Barbara Moses, I just bet he'd have been able to handle the onslaught of negative media which has taken 10s of billions of dollars from the BP market cap after this spill. If you plan your career from the start, from the time you get out of college and get that first big break, until you one day become the boss, then you'll need this book.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it's hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.

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Job Interview Tips - 3 Important Things To Always Remember

A job interview can be a daunting experience. One of the big challenges is to come across as being confident even though you are very nervous. For most of us there is a lot on the line when we go for that job interview and if its that dream job then its really important that you put your best foot forward and show them what you are made off. Interviews need not be such a nerve wrecking experience. By following some basic tips you can be calm, confident and completely in control. Lets quickly look at 3 important things that you need to keep in mind at all times.

1. Punctuality
Needless to say, when you are late for your interview you might as well not go. Punctuality is something that is valued by all employers simply because it speaks volumes about your ability to organize your time. Always be prepared for the worse. Plan for that traffic jam and if you use public transport, make sure you plan for the worse. Always arrive 10 minutes early and never arrive 1 hour early.

2. Body Language
As I already mentioned, coming across as a confident person is incredibly important. Your body language will however be an easy way to tell if you are not confident. Try and look people in the eye when you talk to them. Don't twitch with your hands and move slowly and deliberately. Try and relax as nervousness is a trait of someone who is not very confident.

3. Talking About Yourself
Its amazing how most people tend to sell themselves short. We all have this fear of coming across as arrogant and often we sell ourselves short during a job interview. Its important that you speak confidently about your qualifications, your experience and your skills. The important distinction is to not talk up your personality traits too much as that can come across as being arrogant. Talk up your skills, experience and qualifications as much as you can.

They say that people form impressions of each other within the first 5 seconds when they meet. Needless to say that first impressions count - and they count a lot in a job interview. Make sure you present well and do whatever it takes to make that first five seconds count. It can make or break your interview and maybe even your job opportunity and your career.

Do you know what the frequently asked interview questions are? See my blog for some great interview techniques and tips to help you out...

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101 Ways to Boost Your Performance

Performance is very critical to individual and corporate survival and progress. Therefore, any individual or corporate organisation that wants progress needs constant performance assessment. Regular performance assessment is also important for people and organisations that are already ahead, because complacency is very dangerous. This is why we are examining this book "101 Ways to Boost Your Performance."

John Fenton, author of this text is one of the greatest salesmen the United Kingdom (UK) has ever produced. Fenton is the creator of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management. He is also the architect of the 'Year of Selling' national campaign which helped 47,000 salespeople fight their way out of the 81/3 recession.

Fenton is the leader of ten UK National Sales as well as the president of the Institution of British Engineers. He is the founder of the Institute of Continuing Performance Development.

In this text, the author provides a catalogue of management techniques to help you improve your skills and achieve your ambition. He shows you how to cut to the bone of marketing, communication and administration, and offers a new insight into the processes of staff management, recruitment and development.

The author X-rays concepts such as shortcuts to knowing your product, your market, your competition and salesforce; how to cut paperwork by half and manage your time better; how to motivate your staff to even greater achievements, etc.

As far as structure is concerned, this text is segmented into 13 chapters. Chapter one is entitled "Foundation stones for effective management". According to Fenton here, it is a glaring glimse of the obvious to say that no amount of production is of the slightest value unless the products are sold for cash. He adds that selling is the very crux of any commercial or industrial enterprise.

Fenton says personally, he loves signs, and there are a lot of them in this text. "Try placing some of them strategically around your place of work - they remind people why they are there. Without reminders, they quickly forget, and allow their personal priorities to take precedence over the priorities of the business," says this author.

He adds that his favourite sign comes from ex-Avis chief Robert Townsend thus: "Is what I'm doing, or about to do, getting us closer to our objective or making us money?"

Fenton educates that a lot of companies do not see selling as the be-all-and-end-all of their business. He says they make things, or set up as experts in providing some kind of service, and then sit back and wait for the customers to come to them, which of course they do not.

In Fenton's words, "The result is failure, unless they have enough personal contacts to keep them struggling along as a small company. If the product is good, professional sales promotion can turn any small struggling company into a large and prosperous one." He says customers are the business, adding that the customers come first, not the products or services, or the factory or the corporate image, or the founder or owner of the company.

Chapter two is interrogatively entitled "Is marketing bunk?" Fenton educates that marketing is fashionable, and as soon as anything becomes fashionable, all sorts of 'creative' types move in and make ludicrous claims for their own magical powers. He adds that there are grains of truth in all their claims, but there is also a lot of flannel as well. "So let's define what marketing should be about: 'Marketing is the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably'," says Fenton.

This author adds that without marketing, all you can do is to keep on selling the same products and services to the same customers. According to Fenton, inevitably that will lead to your going out of business, because you are standing while the world outside moves on.

Using the principles of marketing, however, you adjust, amend or change the products or services and the ways in which you sell them, in order to suit the changing needs of your changing customer base. In other words, you react positively to the constant evolution of your marketplace.

According to Fenton, marketing is only bunk when it is applied incompetently. He adds that it is also bunk to call your Sales Manager a Marketing Manager, and your Sales Office a Marketing Services Department.

The author examines concepts such as the competitive edge; improving performance; watching the bottomline; and cutting down the administration, in chapters three to six.

Chapter seven is based on finding and keeping the best people. Fenton educates that the snag is, of course, that without people there is no business. He advises that the first thing to do is to ensure that you get the best people possible in your team. The right people will be the ones who work for the furtherance of the business before their own self-interests, expatiates Fenton.

This consultant educates that if your business is to succeed, you have to be able to pick winners and avoid losers. He says he has two pet systems for picking winners, both very simple.

In his words, "If you are interviewing for a sales position, all the applicants will probably be clever enough to give you the answers you want to hear to the usual run of questions. If I am looking for experienced people, then they have to prove that all their experience is worth something. So I challenge them to prove how good they are."

Fenton analytically X-rays concepts such as communications; management techniques; time management; leadership and motivation in chapters eight to 12.

The last chapter, chapter 13 is tagged "Unlucky for some." According to him, there is nearly always a difference between what we are and what we are perceived to be. "Have you, for instance, got any of the nasty little habits which annoy you in other people?... Think of all the things that drive you mad in other people, and then see if they apply to you," guides Fenton.

As regards style, one thing that is really conspicuous in this text is generous employment of graphical embroidery for emphasis and visual reinforcement of readers' understanding.

Fenton uses detailed illustrations to ensure easy understanding on readers' part. The language is comprehensible and the ideas logically presented. What's more, the title of the text is catchy. The author also uses accurate quotes to embellish concepts.

However, the layout of the book needs improvement to make it (more) eye-friendly. On page 114, the expression "...the best people possible on your team", which is Standard American English is used instead of the Standard British English version "...the best people possible in your team" ought to be used because Fenton is a Briton.

Finally, if you are ready to enhance your performance and rise to the top through excellence, then this text is a must-read for you. It is highly fascinating.

GOKE ILESANMI, Editor-in-Chief/CEO of http://www.gokeilesanmi.com/ and Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is a Certified Public Speaker/Emcee, (Business) Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker, Career Management Coach, Renowned Book Reviewer, Corporate Leadership Expert and Editorial Consultant.
Tel: +234(0)8055068773; +234(0)8056030424
Email: info@gokeilesanmi.com; gokeiles2010@gmail.com

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Extra Time Well Spent - Life As a Film Extra

If you've ever been to watch a television show being recorded, you'll have seen what goes on behind the glamorous facade - lots of people dressed in black, running around, muttering into the kind of face microphones singers wear these days, while gently but firmly keeping you, the audience, in your place. Now imagine being part of the show, on camera, but without having to learn any lines. That's a partial description of the film or TV extra's job. You might occasionally be given a line to act, but that's unusual. You might be asked to do something on your own - walk across the shot, sit in a railway carriage next to a principal character, or walk out of a shop - but for the most part you will be in a group of people mingling at a party, dining at a restaurant, drinking at a pub, walking purposefully down a hospital corridor, strolling through the park...you get the picture.

Extras - or 'background artists' - provide colour, noise, anything to give the shot more authenticity - whatever the director needs to tell the story. In the United States, in fact, film extras are called 'atmosphere'. Make of this what you will!

Some would say extras don't need to be able to act, but there's nothing more distracting than some guy in the background who looks so awkward that your eyes are glued to him and before you know it you've missed vital dialogue, and then you've lost the plot. It's actually quite difficult to act as though the camera's not on you. Most often, though, you're filmed in groups or crowds and that makes it a lot easier than, say, sitting alone, in shot, at a cafe table, endlessly stirring your coffee and waiting for your fictitious date.

Established extras casting agencies are the best way in, so try and register with several of them. They have a particular time of year when they accept CVs and photos -read their websites and follow their instructions. They're bombarded with applications and they're busy people. It also helps if you have an interesting skill or three, like horse riding, cycling or CPR. Some extras even maintain a wardrobe of uniforms and specialised work clothes. But tell the truth about skills: it's easy to get caught out, and you will not be popular.

Film extra work is never steady - you might be out of work for weeks or months and then get a three-week job on a feature film. The agency isn't interested in how you pay the rent in between; it's not their job. You could be working days or nights. Very often you won't know when you'll be finished, so you can't make plans. Most of the time you'll be on location and you'll usually have to find your own way there, often in the early hours. You will almost always miss breakfast, or be in wardrobe, or hair or makeup when it's being served. Take something with you to get your blood sugar up and running. Just don't eat it on set.

If all this sounds like hard work, which it often is, it's offset by lots of good stuff: dressing up in ll sorts of costumes, watching films being shot, making friends and generally being part of the action. Extras are usually treated (and fed) well, even if sometimes, of necessity, they're herded around. Sometimes you'll be treated less professionally, but if you treat your environment and your co-workers with respect, listen to instructions - and most importantly of all, you don't chatter on set while the cameras are rolling - you should be respected in turn. And as most people know by now, you need to possess a healthy dollop of patience. Filming is a painstakingly slow process. You need to love being there...because you will be there for hours...and hours...and hours.

One small health warning: if your heart's desire is to become an actor, film extra work is not for you. It may look like a way in, but generally it isn't, and it could do you more harm than good. Extra work is for people who want to be in the background, and stay there.

Christopher Spiers founder of Interesting Jobs, the web's premier resource for interesting jobs & fun jobs.

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Lines From Barnabas

This book is thematically about how managers and leaders can motivate employees in the workplace. The use of the word "Barnabas" in the title is just to stress the need for every organisation to have corporate catalysts that are like the Bible Barnabas. Corporate catalysts are those who influence others to think effectively and generate positive results in the workplace. Therefore, this text entitled "Lines from Barnabas" could not have come at a better time.

Alex Okoh, author of this text is the managing partner of Ashford & McGuire Consulting. Okoh has diverse experience in banking and consulting. He was the managing director/CEO of NNB International Bank Plc, Nigeria from 2001 to 2005. Okoh holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria and Master of Science degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme.

Okoh says challenges of life require more than just physical attributes and capacity to overcome. He adds that he has discovered that motivation or emotional composition is also a critical factor in successfully navigating the undulating terrain of life, in a way that brings about internal harmony. Okoh stresses that, however, it is surprising that this intangible but critical element is not accorded required attention to underscore the immense catalytic role it plays in bringing issues into the relevant perspectives for appropriate action.

This author says when he was appointed managing director/CEO of NNB International Bank Plc that was in need of urgent turnaround in 2001, he soon discovered that the more he gave to achieving success, the more frustrated he became, to the extent that he felt like giving up. As a way out of the seemingly insurmountable challenge, he says in 2002, he started sending electronic inspirational messages to the entire staff of the bank every Monday morning. Okoh adds that this strategy worked wonders as employees were extremely motivated to work for the organisation.

This author says in 2004, he extended the audience beyond the organisation and modified the text messages accordingly as he realised (and still realises) that issues that many people had (and still have) to contend with were (and are) beyond professional vocations and engagements. He expatiates that as the text messages started posing the challenge of storage, he had no option but to quickly document them in a book form. The result is this book.

Structure-wise, this text is segmented into 100 chapters. Chapter one is entitled "challenge the challenges". Here, Okoh asserts that calm seas never produce good sailors. He adds that for a good reason, he believes that because easy circumstances hardly produce tough competence. The author expatiates that brilliant military commanders are usually those who have handled arduous engagements and have many times overcome them. Okoh emphasises that the key distinguishing factor is that irrespective of the outcome of the engagements, they come out of the experiences with lessons that are valuable for future occasions.

The author says naturally, we mostly despise discomfort or any harassment of our pleasant spaces, preferring the softness of the calm to the rugged aptitude that is endowed as we acquire the capacity to deal with the turbulence. In Okoh's words, "The creeks may be calm, but they can only produce canoe paddlers. The tough ocean is the crucible where rugged sailors are groomed."

Chapter two is based on the subject matter of staying motivated. Here, the author says you probably have seen the television commercial showing a toddler taking her first unsure steps in life in response to the fascinating attraction of a ringing phone. Okoh educates that this is motivation. He stresses that this is emotion generated and which leads to efforts to do something otherwise thought to be impossible or not previously attempted. Okoh adds that motivation gives people the impetus to walk away from their fear towards their desirable destiny. The author illuminates that God also places mobile phones with fascinating ring tones urging us to walk away from our fears.

In chapters three to twenty, Okoh beams his analytical searchlight on concepts such as keeping on; standing strong; being refreshed; will and ability; turning the tide; positive attitude; being renewed; just moving on; and getting purpose-driven. Others are: picking your reality; pushing the lid; joyous melodies; flowing with his tide; getting persistent; staying occupied; being expectant; source of greatness; and words capable of commanding destinies.

Chapter 21 is christened "lean on Him". Here, Okoh says every event in life portends a potential learning experience. He adds that even the ones that are not so pleasant still help to bolster our preventive or defensive mechanisms to handle similar situations in the future. A new day therefore presents a fresh platform for reinforcing one's positive experiences while seeking new ones, stresses the author. He says as we progress in life, our sorting mechanisms become sharper tending to spot issues that portend possible negative outcomes before they bud.

In chapters 22 to 40, Okoh X-rays concepts such as slowly steadily; existential questions; it is your script; only His time matters; feeling unsecured; opportunities within thorns; setting aside excuses; waiting for destiny; and importance of today. The remaining concepts are: keying into His grace; being led; at your pace; beyond your experiences; He is always persistent; tuning upwards; stepping off; restoration time; seeing the positives; and God is everywhere.

Chapter 41 has the thematic focus of optimism. Okoh stresses the need for you to be looking forwards to an exciting future with a lot of optimism. He adds that this is the frame of mind that looks beyond any difficulties because as the saying goes, "an optimist looks for the opportunity in the difficulty, whilst a pessimist looks for the difficulty in the opportunity". Okoh asserts that it is quite rare to see an opportunity presenting itself alone without being clustered by perceived difficulty.

In chapters 42 to 60, he examines concepts such as it is over; strength for the race; riding the flow; nesting in His ability; it is just around the corner; winning attitude; seizing the season; desiring success; and working for good. Others are: pursuing the dream; a life of service; failing to plan; divine tools; choosing your growth; your heart; being diligent; soaring on hope; making the immediate count; and pressing forwards.

Chapter 61 is entitled "go after the goal". According to Okoh, it is a new opportunity to engage your aspirations. He stresses that someone said the American constitution only guarantees pursuit of happiness, but that you have to catch up with it yourself. The author asserts that this is a situation that many people can identify with and he guesses this is as much why you are up in the morning, trotting your path of endeavour. Okoh says for as long as there is movement along the right direction, success is a matter of time.

Okoh discusses in chapters 62 to 80, concepts such as the verdict being yours; starting out; challenges building you; sharpening your vision; all capable of getting well; assurances of replenishment; remaining upbeat; it is pouring; and walking with insight. Others are: idea capability; listening attentively; simply trust enough; sustaining tempo of aspiration; stepping over temporal bumps; God as being faithful; things not yet seen; reaching for the jewels; it is all in your hand; and living your potential.

Chapter 81 is based on the subject matter of vision and dream. Okoh says the future is pregnant with a whole new set of possibilities. In his words, "People talk about vision and objectives sometimes with the perspective of some utopian, unachievable ideals. I think that is not the purpose of the exercise because any dream that cannot be realised is probably not worth having. It may actually produce more emotional pain than relief and cause what you may call negative motivation."

In chapters 82 to 100, Okoh examines subject matters such as age and mileage; the treasures being within; hope sustaining life; appreciating life; finding your turf; unfolding His awesome; envisioning the future; the learning curve; and preparing for opportunity. The remaining are: victorious disposition; your talent; in the midst of uncertainty; importance of His report; tough times; opportunity in disguise; defeat starting from thinking; regardless of your experience; taking the positive; and His reverence.

By way of stylistic appraisal, this text is unique. Okoh employs the literary technique of de-familiarisation otherwise called metaphor as a technique in the book title. Through this, he is able to create suspense, arouse curiosity by referring to a corporate catalyst as Barnabas and sustaining reading interest. The title also passes for biblical allusion. By using this biblical allusion, those who are already familiar with the story of Barnabas in the Bible will clearly understand the message of the book. Also, the print quality very high and the layout very eye-friendly, especially that only two pages are accorded each chapter. And each chapter is embroidered an illuminating quote. The cover design of the outer front cover is simple and communicative of the fact that motivation is a silent and strategic effort.

The author is able to lend credibility to the book and challenge readers because it is predicated on his own personal experience. Because it is based on his personal experience, he is able to naturally combine Autobiographical and Eye-of-God narrative techniques, and assume the role of an omniscient narrator to offer details. Also the language is mature.

However, some errors are noticed in the text. These are "Acknowledgment" instead of Acknowledgments" (page iii); "masters degree" (outer back cover) instead of "master's degree"; "live your potentials" (page 159), instead of "live your potential". Note: "Potential" is an uncountable noun and the lexicographical symbol showing its grammatical behaviour reads "U", that is, uncountable noun. Also, even though the title of the text creates suspense and arouses attention, it would have been better to use a direct or literal title so that it can appeal to a wider audience that may not be Christians or may not know anything about the life story of Apostle Barnabas. This is especially so because titles are most times points of attraction or unique selling propositions of books. Generally, this text has commendable intellectual depth. It is a must-read for managers, entrepreneurs and organisations that are prepared to achieve results through effective strategy of employee motivation.

GOKE ILESANMI, Editor-in-Chief/CEO of http://www.gokeilesanmi.com/ and Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is a Certified Public Speaker/Emcee, (Business) Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker, Career Management Coach, Renowned Book Reviewer, Corporate Leadership Expert and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: +234(0)8055068773; +234(0)8056030424

Email: info@gokeilesanmi.com; gokeiles2010@gmail.com

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The Career Fix-It Book - How to Make Your Job Work Better For You

"The Career Fix-It Book: How to Make Your Job Work Better For You" by Diana Pace is a workbook designed to help you think about the concept of career in your life. The book is full of exercises to make you think about those things that are really important to you and to evaluate just where you are and where you want to go in terms of your career and life. It really is a book to be used, not just read.

The book begins with a chapter on clearing out the cobwebs, for as the author puts it, in order to take a fresh look at what's wrong or right in your work life, you must first clear out the old misconceptions. There are then a series of exercises which are as good as the work you put into them. These focus on remembering what you wanted when you were young, recognizing the influences of your past and present, what career means to you, and exploring traditional versus nontraditional paths.

The book progresses in a similar manner with short chapters and many exercises and questions to ask yourself. The author suggests in chapter two that you choose your career as you would a lover. Not bad advice really. The book continues with chapters on being stuck, parts of the job such as co-workers, environment, and the transition between home and work to determine the areas you are happy and not. Chapter five was interesting because it talked about standards, but also had an exercise to help determine if you are a workaholic or not. Sure, a simple little quiz does not tell everything, but if you are honest, these quizzes and questions just might bring answers out of you that will surprise you, and if they do, that will be the start of your journey toward something better.

Maybe it is time to move. Chapter six explores this possibility. The next chapter looks at financial matters, while chapter eight takes account of your life outside of work. Volunteering fills a void for many people and chapter nine looks at this. Chapter ten discusses being prepared with the right skills for the career you desire. Next, the author addresses career development and then looks at jobs are just jobs. The last two chapters are on the free agent concept and putting it all together.

This is a short book and very easy to read. However, if you take the time to really think about the questions Pace asks throughout the various chapters, it could take quite a bit of time, and that time would be well spent, because the questions are aimed at determining just what you want out of life and your career. The more you put into answering the questions, the more you will get out of this book, and the more you will expand your thinking to areas not covered here. If you are feeling lost in your career, this book just might provide the questions to help you find the answers.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results, as well as resolve conflict and negotiate. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

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