Category: Book Reviews

Sunday Bloody Book Review 1 – “WHY MEN DON’T LISTEN & WOMEN CAN’T READ MAPS” by Allan & Barbara Peas

Sunday Bloody Book Review 1 –

“WHY MEN DON’T LISTEN & WOMEN CAN’T READ MAPS” by Allan & Barbara Peas

A must read for any male or female struggling to understand the opposite way of thinking!

For couples who just started dating to those who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. This book sheds light to the little misunderstanding that often lead to big fights. 

It’s a very scientific and humorous approach to the genetic differences between men and women. Millions of years of evolution has imprinted concrete modes of thought for each gender. Though society and upbringing plays a small roll in shaping us into who we are, this book clearly shows that countless years of evolution is hard to ignore. 

“Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps” is an international bestseller that reveals many of the universe’s questions such as:

  • Why men really can’t do more than one thing at a time
  • Why women make such a mess of parallel parking
  • Why men should never lie to women
  • Why women talk so much and men so little
  • Why men love erotic images and women aren’t impressed
  • Why women prefer simply to talk it through
  • Why men offer solutions but hate advice
  • Why women despair about men’s silences

I have to admit, I’ve had my share of thinking that Men are from Mars and Women are the Spawn of Satan. Thanks to this book, I’m more likely to think that we’re all just misunderstood. (Though some women are just plain crazy still… =P )

I only have three rating scales –

  1. Must read
  2. OK read but you’ll live without it
  3. Don’t bother

This book is a MUST READ! It gives you knowledge that will change the way you deal with the opposite gender. It is very well written, with concrete facts and witty commentaries.

why-men-dont-listen-women-cant-read-maps-by-allan-barbara-peas1

 

 


Book Review: 59 Seconds – Think a Little, Change a Lot by Richard Wiseman

Just finished reading the book “:59 Seconds – Think a little, Change a lot” by Richard Wiseman, author of Quirkology.

Highly recommended you pick this up as well.

This book pretty much summarizes all the different self-help myths and methods and explains each of them within 59 seconds, while also explaining whether or not each practice is indeed helpful or not.

 

 

Exposes self-help myths, and presents scientifically proven techniques that help you achieve your aims and ambitions in less than a minute.

59 Seconds exposes self-help myths, and presents scientifically proven techniques that help you achieve your aims and ambitions in less than a minute. From mood to memory, persuasion to procrastination, and resilience to relationships, 59 Seconds presents the new science of rapid change.

Professor Richard Wiseman offers many quick and practical ways to improve your life gleaned from today’s cutting edge-science, and in the process gives a psychologist’s myth-busting response to the self-help movement. Whether you’re looking to be more decisive in your life, to find a new job, or simply to be happier, the chances are that this book has the answers you need. For years, the self-help industry has failed the public, often promoting exercises that destroy motivation, ruin relationships, increase anxiety and reduce creativity. Here, psychologist Richard Wiseman exposes these modern-day mind myths and presents a fresh approach to change that helps people achieve their aims and ambitions in minutes not months. From mood to memory, persuasion to procrastination, resilience to relationships, Wiseman outlines the research supporting this new science of rapid change and describes how these quirky techniques can be incorporated into everyday life. ” Find out why putting a pencil between your teeth instantly makes you feel happier ” Discover why even thinking about going to the gym can help you keep in shape ” Learn how putting just one thing in your wallet will improve the chance of it being returned if lost ” Discover why writing down your goals is more effective than visualizing them ” Find out why retail therapy doesn’t work to improve mood and what does From the Hardcover edition.

Book Review: 59 Seconds – Think a Little, Change a Lot by Richard Wiseman

 


Book Recommendation: How to Talk to Anyone, 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes

Finally able to put down my Angry Birds game…. I actually deleted it off my iPad… I swear games will be the end of me… haha.

Anyway with my new found (or long lost) time now, I was finally able to finish the book I’ve been reading.

I’m actually re-reading this book and highly highly HIGHLY recommend it.

The books is called: “How to Talk to Anyone – 92 Little Tricks for Big Success” by Liel Lowndes.

How_to_Talk_to_Anyone_92_Little_Tricks_for_Big_Success_in_Relationships_

I can 100% say that any success I’ve had in life this far has something to do with this book.

From learning about how to start small talk, to having big business talks, it’s all in here. From meeting someone at a bar to meeting someone in the boardroom. Learn how to talk like the top cats while still being able to communicate to that cute girl at the party.

Wherever you are, whatever the situation. This book has a tip in there to help you with your personal and professional life!

Highly recommend this book. Communication is often overlooked and underrated.

Book Recommendation: How to Talk to Anyone, 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic Book Launch at National Book Store

National Book Store cordially invites you to the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic book launch on November 3, 2010, 5 pm, at National Book Store Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Chicken Soup for the Soul features 101 holiday stories that spread the special joy, wonder, and blessings of the season. These include stories of finding the perfect Christmas tree, being with family, seeing the awe in a child’s eyes, and enjoying the magic of the season. Included in the book is a story entitled “My First Noel” by Filipina writer Nyx Martinez about spending Christmas with the Ik tribe in northern Uganda, East Africa.

Nyx Martinez is the managing editor of Mabuhay magazine, the in-flight magazine of the Philippine Airlines. She hosts a travel show on Living Asia Channel and runs the FunDaytion, an outreach project for terminally ill children.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic Book Launch at National Book Store

RSVP:

Chad DeeT: 631.8079

E: deecb@nationalbookstore.com.ph

Filipina Writer featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic

NYX MARTINEZ  CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: CHRISTMAS MAGIC

Nyx Martinez—Filipina artist, travel-writer, inspirational speaker, and volunteer in East Africa for nearly four years, shares a unique Christmas story in this year’s Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic.

“My First Noel” describes her 2005 encounter with the remote Ik tribe of Northern Uganda. Nyx spent over a decade as a fulltime volunteer around the world, working mostly with underprivileged children. Upon returning to Manila in 2006, she set up a project for terminally-ill kids called The FunDayTion, and organized live concerts and rehabilitation workshops for inmates in the Maximum Security of the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa.

Her extensive travels, advocacy through art and outreach programs have been featured in RPN9 TV’s  ’Pinoy Pride’(2007), Action and Fitness Magazine (2010), Candy Magazine (2008), The Uganda Weekly Observer (2005), The Philippine Daily Inquirer (2007), Kampala Live (2005), The New Vision (2005), and The Sunrise (2005).

She is a regular travel-documentary host seen on Living Asia Channel and current Managing Editor of the Philippine Airlines’ Travel and Lifestyle Magazine, Mabuhay.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic will be released worldwide this October, 2010.

Website: www.nyxmartinez.com
Email: nyxmartinez@gmail.com
Tel: 0916 645 5074

Filipina Writer featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic

How to Make Your Social Network WORK for You

WOW! My guest for my segment “Edumacate Me!” really prepared a lot of stuff for us!

“Edumacate Me!” is a segment that’s part of the radio show called “The G-Spot” w/ DJ Vince G where we try to learn something new every Sunday from the guests that come on air with us at Mellow 94.7

My guest this week is Ms. Carissa Villacorta, the author of the book called “Surreality” and one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the US.

Carissa Villacorta talking points for Mellow 94.7 guesting with DJ Vince G

July 25, 2010   830am to 930am

Carissa Villacorta has been practicing Public Relations for the past 8 years in New York City, with clients in Manhattan and the Hamptons

(and author of Surreality)

Contact her at www.carissavillacorta.com

Email carissa.villacorta@gmail.com

TALK TOPIC:

How To Make Your Social Network Work For You (and everyone else)

We always hear about

Intellectual Quotient

Emotional Quotient from a popular book

How about Social Quotient

How to grow in social intelligence

I feel that endorsements and interviews are the two top ways to get a job. So in a way, they’re results of people liking you enough to recommend you or hire you.

How to make the change from being socially inept to becoming socially adept

I am not claiming to be a teacher, as I myself am still a student of life and relationship building

I’ve realized that when I meet new people, I have a tendency to ask not only

How are you?

But also

“How can I help you?”

Though I don’t always say it aloud.

We all appreciate help. Whether in finding jobs, clients, baby sitters, PR opportunities, or making our dreams come true.

Everybody wants to be Cinderella, but they’re not always successful because they want it for themselves. My suggestion is that we all become Fairy Godmothers to each other –We can introduce them to prince charming, make them a dress and take them to the ball. Because only when we are all Fairy Godmothers to each other can we all become Cinderellas too – our dreams come true.

Noone is ever self-made. We are all products of the kindness and generosity of people we’ve met along the way.

And so you can never say thank you enough.

PR for me does not only stand for  public relations, but it means personal relations

You only have one chance to make an encounter count. People may not meet you ever again. Or you may not meet them ever again. So make the 10 minutes they choose to spend with you a positive and pleasant time.

It only takes a moment, to make, or break an impression.

•         A moment is a retail of time.
Make the moment count.

•         It’s not only about the peso counter, but also about the personal encounter
From the onstage impression to the offstage experience

MAKE THAT ENCOUNTER COUNT

Don’t give them a chance to say cute nga pero snob. The best thing people can say about you is “Gwapo na, mabait pa.” Or “Mabait na, guwapo pa.”

What’s the use of knowing a lot of people to look for a job if none of them want to help you? You know those people you don’t ever want to see again? You don’t want to be one of those people right?

George Washington said in his Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior from the 1700s

Everything done in company must be in consideration of everyone who is present

Always be considerate of people who are on the same room, same street, same country – people who are going to be affected, sometimes disturbed by what you do. Ask Is this right, is this decent, is this considerate?

==

HOW TO GROW IN SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE

Don’t drop names of people you don’t really know or don’t know you

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

It’s not who you know it’s who knows you.

It’s not who knows you, its who likes you.

Don’t overpromise. Don’t talk too much. Just do your best, pray for the rest and let the results do the talking.

Try not to backstab. You don’t want to see bloody backs everywhere right? You don’t want someone to have a bloody back. You don’t want a bloody back. So don’t stab people with sharp words, especially behind their backs.

Strive not to improve others, but to improve yourself in patience, tolerance and understanding.

Words can break relationships. Especially those you hear from other people.

Conversations are two-way dialogues. They’re not monologues. There was a guy I’ve hung out with thrice already  before he found out (from someone else) where I worked and what I do.  Then he seemed surprised. That’s because he never asked me.  He kept on talking about himself for hours on end. And I didn’t want to interrupt his monologue.

Here are the top recent realizations I have while learning about PR or what is commonly known as public relations, but what I call Person Relations

1. Showing up is the greatest compliment. Staying in touch is the second best compliment.

2. The 24-hour cancellation policy should apply not only in restaurant or hotel reservations but also in social commitments. It’s hard to book another guest, as much as it is to book a new appointment in your day.

3 It has always been my job / second nature to invite friends and strangers to events and goings on. But I only invite up to three times. Decline it, and you will not hear from me again. (Ping Pong)

4. Just say yes. I’m a yes girl. Yes to all invites, openings and opportunities. Let the wind take you to doors that open up for you. And some doors are opened up through invites.

5. I’m allergic to flakes. I hope noone lets it happen that they’re described as flakes. They’re people who say they’d come but actually don’t.

Inversely, I like it when people come on time – plus points for early. Reliability is key.

5.  Respect your word. I strive to live by ‘And the word was made flesh.’ They say ‘don’t say it if you don’t mean it.’ I say, don’t say it if you won’t do it. Make it real.

6. The easiest thing to do is to be happy for other people’s success. I don’t know why other people find it hard.

7. People must have a balance of confidence and humility. There are some who are painfully shy, and there are some who are PAINFULLY confident. Both are equally disturbing. Strike a balance and you won’t turn others away.

8. I don’t understand how people can make saying sorry a habit. How about not doing anything that requires an apology? And only say you’ll make it up if you really would.

Confident but not cocky. Cultured but not flashy.

Humility, gratitude, honesty, courtesy and genuine interest in others are still key.

Confident but not self-absorbed.
Well-bred but not flaunting.
Accomplished but not flashy.
Initiates but not flaky.
Humility and genuine interest in others are still key.

Rule of the world is give and take. We should all start in giving.

Start happy.

Live in peace.

Show up. Keep your word. And keep in touch.

I love socially adept people. They just know what to say, when to say it. How do they do it, and when did they learn it? Kudos to their parents!

Cover of Surreality by Carissa Villacorta

Charlotte Iserbyt – Deliberate Dumbing Down of the World

This is definitely going on my “To-Read” list!

Charlotte Iserbyt – Deliberate Dumbing Down of the World

A WHISTLEBLOWER’S ACCOUNT

Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt, former Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. Department of Education, blew the whistle in the `80s on government activities withheld from the public. Her inside knowledge will help you protect your children from controversial methods and programs. In this book you will discover:

  • how good teachers across America have been forced to use controversial, non-academic me
  • how “school choice” is being used to further dangerous reform goals, and how home schooling and private education are especially vulnerable.
  • how workforce training (school-to-work) is an essential part of an overall plan for a global economy, and how this plan will shortcircuit your child’s future career plans and opportunities.
  • how the international, national, regional, state and local agendas for education reform are all interconnected and have been for decades.


A CHRONOLOGICAL PAPER TRAIL

the deliberate dumbing down of america is a chronological history of the past 100+ years of education reform. Each chapter takes a period of history and recounts the significant events, including important geopolitical and societal contextual information. Citations from government plans, policy documents, and key writings by leading reformers record the rise of the modern education reform movement. Americans of all ages will welcome this riveting expose of what really happened to what was once the finest education system in the world.

Readers will appreciate the user-friendliness of this chronological history designed for the average reader not just the academician. This book will be used by citizens at public hearings, board meetings, or for easy presentation to elected officials.

Publication of the deliberate dumbing down of america is certain to add fuel to the fire in this nation’s phonics wars. Iserbyt provides documentation that Direct Instruction, the latest education reform fad in the classroom, is being institutionalized under the guise of “traditional” phonics thanks to the passage of the unconstitutional Reading Excellence Act of 1998.

Charlotte Iserbyt Deliberate Dumbing Down of the World

Bieber vs Glass Door, Shrek The Final Chapter Review, Pope Condoms and More!

You’ve found “The G-Spot” with DJ Vince G.

A radio show on Mellow 94.7 FM every every Saturday from 6-9am and Sundays 6-10am.

Listing down all the stuff I talked about On Air in case you wanted to check it out.

Listen online – http://Mellow947.fm

Connect with me on Facebook.com/djVinceG or on Twitter.com/VinceGolangco

Talked about:

Shrek – The Final Chapter was fun to watch! Mellow 94.7 hosted the premier and I was able to bring my little cousins with me. It was much better than Shrek 3, which I thought was pretty bad. This one had a nice story and lots of funny moment. As always, the characters, like Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy(Donkey) and Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots) were AWESOME!

Guest for “Edumacate Me” – This is my segment, every other Sunday, where my listeners and I try to learn something new from our guest. In short, we try to get an “edumacation!”

TOMORROW,  Sunday, May 23, my guest on “The G-Spot” for my segment “Edumacate Me!” will be Marybeth Nave, a TV show host and Vice President for an Online Job Portal who says that “Finding a job is like going on a blind date!” So she’s coming in to “edumacate” us on how to succeed at both! Sunday, May 23, on “The G-Spot” with DJ Vince G, 6am-10am. Only on Mellow 94.7 – Sounds Good!

Marybeth-Nave-Job-Hunting-Blind-Dating

Sex shop to give away “Pope condoms”

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A Dutch sex shop will be giving away 2,000 “Pope condoms” this weekend in a dig at the Roman Catholic Church.

De Condoomfabriek (The Condom Factory) said it wanted to make a point about sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and the Vatican’s opposition to contraceptives.

The condom wrapper carries the image of a papal figure with an unmistakable general likeness to Pope Benedict, though the figure’s face is removed. It bears the words “I SAID NO! We say YES!” framing the papal image.

The suggestion of a “pope condom” caused a diplomatic row last month when Britain’s Foreign Office was forced to apologize for a memorandum by a civil servant that suggested Benedict launch a papal-brand condom on his pending visit to the UK.

YouTube Video of the Day

Justin Bieber hits glass door

Justin Bieber vs Glass Door in an epic battle!

Bieber = 0, Glass Door = 1

justin-bieber-hits-glass-door-vs-youtube

On This Day – May 22

1570 – 1st atlas, with 70 maps, published

1892 – Dr Washington Sheffield invents toothpaste tube

1931 – Canned rattlesnake meat 1st goes on sale in Florida

1955 – Oldest man to drive in the Grand Prix (aged 55) finishes 6th

1961 – 1st revolving restaurant (Top Of The Needle in Seattle), opens

1994 – Toronto NBA franchise unveils name “Raptors” & logo

#1 Song Today, May 16th in the 90s:

THE 1990s

1999 Livin’ La Vida Loca Ricky Martin
1998 My All Mariah Carey
1997 MMMBop Hanson
1996 Tha Crossroads Bone thugs-n-harmony
1995 This Is How We Do It Montell Jordan
1994 I Swear All-4-One
1993 That’s the Way Love Goes Janet Jackson
1992 Jump Kris Kross
1991 I Don’t Wanna Cry Mariah Carey
1990 Vogue Madonna

Fact or Fiction

When flying in a non-pressurized airplane, a woman’s breast implants can expand until they explode.

FICTION

Sorry, but this myth is busted! Despite the bizarre stories you may have heard, no woman has suffered the pain and embarrassment of having her breasts explode on an airplane. The implants may expand a bit, particularly when flying at extremely high altitudes – but at that point no one is likely to notice, as everyone will have passed out from lack of oxygen.
Oh, and the same goes for inflatable bras, so whether the augmentation is internal or external, ladies need not forgo air travel for fear of explosion

Sorry, but this myth is busted! Despite the bizarre stories you may have heard, no woman has suffered the pain and embarrassment of having her breasts explode on an airplane. The implants may expand a bit, particularly when flying at extremely high altitudes – but at that point no one is likely to notice, as everyone will have passed out from lack of oxygen.

Oh, and the same goes for inflatable bras, so whether the augmentation is internal or external, ladies need not forgo air travel for fear of explosion

Reason to party today – coz it’s happy hour somewhere in the world.

National Heroes Day (Sri Lanka) – Commemorates the struggle of the leaders of the National Independence Movement to liberate the country from colonial rule in 1971.

Mister Rogers Neighborhood PREMIER

May 22, 1967. Minister Fred Rogers hosted this long-running PBS children’s program. Puppets and human characters interacted in the neighborhood of make-believe. Rogers voiced of many of the puppets and educated young viewers on a variety of important subjects. The last episodes of the program were made in 2001. Almost 1,000 episodes were produced over the show’s history.

Quote of the Day

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” ~Tom Krause

Thanks for listening to “The G-Spot”

Hope it was good for you too…

“Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed” book launch & preview

Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee and Chairman & CEO of PestBusters, Thomas Fernandez, and Profit Strategist of Maneuver Marketing, Sant Qiu will be sharing their business strategies and success secrets at the Niche Dominators Book Launch in Philippines on 27th Feb.

Book launch for “Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposedwill the on Feb 27 (Sat), 2pm at National Book Store, Glorietta 5. This is a follow-up on the authors’ National Bestseller “Secrets to Dominate Your Niche“. Both authors are Singaporean. They are Entrepreneur of the Year awardees – Thomas Fernandez and Profit Strategist – Sant Qiu.

Millionaire Entrepreneurs Share Some Never Before Revealed Business Secrets In Business Book To Help Businesses Through The Crisis

– Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed

Manila, Philippines – Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed is the follow-up book to one of the region’s bestselling business books, Secrets To Dominate Your Niche, which was also a bestseller in the Philippines and featured in the Entrepreneur (Philippines) magazine and The Philippine Star. Singaporean co-authors Thomas Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of PestBusters and Sant Qiu, Profit Strategist of Maneuver Marketing, share more of their real-life business strategies on how to create a niche, differentiate a business and dominate the industry in their usual no-nonsense, no-holds-barred writing style. This time, they have also gotten 10 highly successful millionaire entrepreneurs to share their business secrets as well.

In this follow-up book, the co-authors provide readers with specific and highly actionable differentiation strategies to show how one can dominate the market even if one is a latecomer in an industry, create strategic differentiations to stand out from the overcrowded marketplace, hit the hot buttons of their target market to motivate them to buy, and even how to gain market share by using the seemingly counterintuitive strategy of admitting a flaw in one’s product or service. They also include various interesting real-world examples of how companies, big and small; local and international, have successfully applied these strategies to become market leaders in their industries.

Readers will find it easy to implement these strategies in their own businesses as the authors have broken down complex concepts into simple, executable action steps that they can follow in a step-by-step manner. There are also detailed templates like an actual sales pitch letter and a customer relationship building process that one can adopt and adapt accordingly. At the end of each chapter, there is an Action Steps section guide that reads like a to-do list on what readers need to do to apply their newly learnt knowledge in their business.

In his Foreword for the book, Brian Tracy, an internationally renowned bestselling author, speaker and business consultant, wrote that Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed“is not one of those ‘superficial, theoretical, positive-thinking’ kinds of books. Instead, you’ll find hard-earned insights and real-world business strategies that will give you a rare and intimate look into the closely guarded success secrets of top entrepreneurs.”

Jack Trout, recognised as the world’s foremost marketing strategist and author of iconic marketing books like Positioning, also Differentiate Or Die and his latest, Repositioning, wrote in his review of Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed, “I’ve always advised companies that want to be more than they should be that, ‘It is better to be niched than to be dead.’ This book tells how to go about being niched.”

Niche-Dominator-Book-Launch-Secrets to Dominate Your Niche

Book Highlights

Chapter: Seas Of Opportunities

Be The Man With The Plan—Using the light-hearted example of the movie Ocean’s Eleven, the authors show how having a good plan can help one gain access to critical resources like money, expert manpower, etc, that can turn their business idea / plan into action.

Know Your Target Market Intimately—Citing the disconnect between what businesses offer and what the market actually wants as one of the reasons for the lack of sales, the authors show how businesses can improve results immediately by having better understanding of what their target market really want and position their products or services to match that.

Chapter: Grow Your Market Share With Credibility

Demonstrate The Difference—One of the ways to differentiate one’s products from the competitors is to do a visual comparison, like for example, the famous Dove “Litmus Campaign” that is still being used today to demonstrate the mildness of its soap.

Admit Your Flaw And Gain Market Share—To counteract the prevalent scepticism of a cynical marketplace, the authors propose admitting to a product or service flaw but with the twist of turning it into something that is positive for one’s prospects. It is like how popular furniture company IKEA explains the lack of assistance because customers can find the information they need on the price tag, which means that they don’t need to pay for help they don’t need. This was the same strategy that made the “Think small” campaign for the VW Beetle such a huge success.


Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed also features in-depth case studies of 10 successful millionaire entrepreneurs in their own individual 14-page chapters:

  • Goh Kai Kui of Goh Joo Hin (owner of the New Moon Abalone brand)

He reveals how he focused on a specific target market to penetrate an established industry and grab a sizeable market share in a short period of time.

  • Dr David Tan of David Tan Medical Aesthetics

He reveals how he creates a strong competitive advantage and become the go-to aesthetic doctor for well-known local and international celebrities in just a year.

  • Ivan Lee of ThaiExpress Holdings

He reveals how he branded and differentiated his F&B business to build a $100 million empire in just 7 years.

  • Leonard Tan of PurpleClick Media

He reveals how he leveraged on a growing market trend and his expertise to build a million-dollar business in just 1 year.

  • Lynn Tan of Fusion Cosmetics

She reveals how she took over a non-performing brand and created the right positioning to make it into a leading hair care brand.

  • Michael Tien of Atlas Sound & Vision (distributor of the Bose brand)

He reveals how he used warfare strategies to rebuild a failed family business into the market leader for high-end audio and visual products.

  • Dr T. Chandroo of Modern Montessori International

He reveals his strategies for branding and growing one of the largest pre-school organisations in the world.

  • Merry Riana of Merry Riana Organization

She reveals how she used word-of-mouth marketing and social networks to build a strong personal brand.

  • Chan Chong Beng of Goodrich Global

He reveals how he turned the tables on an entrenched industry practice to become the dominant market leader.

  • Angelo Augustus of Pertama Holdings (Harvey Norman Singapore)

He reveals what are some of the selling and retailing strategies that helped increase his company’s revenue during a global recession.

Established and highly respected Singaporean entrepreneurs like Charles Wong, Managing Director of Charles & Keith International, Elim Chew, Founder and President of 77thStreet and Kenny Yap, CEO and Chairman of Qian Hu Corporation have also endorsed Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed.

As Mr Yap said in his review of the book, “If you apply just one of the practical and rarely shared strategies and tools you discovered in this book, you can expect to see your sales skyrocket. I personally know some of the feature entrepreneurs and even I’m surprised to read about some of the secret strategies they used to dominate their industries.”

Inline with its concept of revealing success secrets from top entrepreneurs, Niche Dominators: Success Secrets Exposed’s book cover is designed like an open book. It has become a bestseller in Singapore and just recently started retailing in the Philippines through National Book Store chain. This 304-page book is retailing at P885.00 at all major National Book Store outlets from February 1 2010.

Thomas-Fernandez-Sant-Qiu-Niche-Domination-Begins
secrets-to-dominate-your-niche-book-sypnosis

Sunday Bloody Book Review 6 – “THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER” by Ken Blanchard, Ph.D & Spencer Johnson

Sunday Bloody Book Review 6 –

“The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard, Ph.D & Spencer Johnson

This book is not about becoming a leader or a manager in one minute; instead, it is about how a manager can achieve big results in very little time.

The authors, Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson talk about the three basic secrets that a one minute manager should follow: One minute Goals, Praising and Reprimand. The authors also stresses on the fact that ‘people’ are the most important resource in any industry.

Written in the form of a story, the book meets its purpose of putting across the basic motives of a manager in very simple but powerful words. What Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson has written has already become a management masterpiece with the book being made a compulsory reading in many industries in the US and Japan.

This book is your magic mantra to what can be achieved in ONE MINUTE !

Excerpts from the book The One Minute Manager:

  • People who feel good about themselves produce good results. But let me frame it another way, Ignite your positives of today making them your everyday display, don’t allow negatives to decoy.
  • A winner is not one who never fails, but one who never quits! Winner never quit, quitters never win.
  • Help people attain their goal, get them accomplish the right thing.
  • Praise people immediately, help them reach their full potential. Catch them doing something right.

I only have three rating scales for my book reviews-

1. Must read
2. OK read but you’ll live without it
3. Don’t bother

This book, The One Minute Manager is a MUST READ! The power of the minute is evident and more important than ever! Time is gold and being able to be an efficient and effective leader is more important than ever!

the-one-minute-manager-by-ken-blanchard-and-spencer-johnson

Sunday Bloody Book Review 5 – “THE 4-HOUR WORKWEEK” by Timothy Ferriss

 

Sunday Bloody Book Review 5 –

“The 4-Hour Workweek (Escape 9 – 5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich)” by Timothy Ferriss

 

One of the most forward-thinking books I have read. It discusses, what author Timothy Ferriss calls, the “New Rich” and what is important to this new generation.

The New Rich values time instead of money, so we do what we can to automate our lives in order to spend our time doing things we actually enjoy. We can spend our valuable time with family instead of being at pointless meetings. We can be learning how to dance the tango instead of sitting in a cubicle from 9 – 5. We can be traveling for months or even years instead of only taking a few weeks of “vacation time” from your company.

This book will set you free and will help your entrepreneurial spirits flourish. With very practical sections after each chapter on exactly what resources are available, you are sure to find new ways of automating your life while earning residual income to live the lifestyle you’ve always wanted to. Imagine just working four hours a week… =)

 Excerpts from the The Four-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss: 

  • Parkinson’s Law dictates that a task will swell in (perceived) importance and complexity in relation to the time allotted for its completion. It is the magic of the imminent deadline. If I give you 24 hours to complete a project, the time pressure forces you to focus on execution, and you have no choice but to do only the bare essentials.
  • Pareto created a formula demonstrating that 80 percent of the income in society is produced and owned by 20 percent of the population. This highly debated principle, known as Pareto’s law, also applies in other situations. For instance, 80 percent of company profits typically come from 20 percent of the products and customers.

 
I only have three rating scales for my book review-

1. Must read
2. OK read but you’ll live without it
3. Don’t bother

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss is a MUST READ MUST READ MUST READ!!! Sorry… but I love this book. It’s a very different approach to life and living. Make the most out of your life and escape that cubicle you’re stuck in!  Read the 4-Hour Workweek now! 

the-4-hour-workweek-by-timothy-ferriss

Sunday Bloody Book Review 4 – “SECRETS OF POWER NEGOTIATING” by Roger Dawson

Sunday Bloody Book Review 4 – 

“Secrets of Power Negotiating (Inside Secrets from a Master Negotiator)” by Roger Dawson

You will never realize how important negotiation skills are until you read this book. The author, Roger Dawson, is one of the country’s top negotiating experts and a leading speaker on sales and management.

Everyday, you are constantly negotiating. You negotiate with your friends on where to go eat dinner, you negotiate with your professors for your class grades, you negotiate any time you need to reach an agreement with another person, and you negotiate every time you want something to be done your way.

This book bears with it essential tools needed to be a better at making all parties happy; whether choosing to watch the movie  Iron Man over some chick flick your girlfriend wants to watch or choosing to go party Downtown at Stingaree instead of going to the Typhoon Saloon in PB. This book will make life easier for you.

 Excerpts from the Secrets of Power Negotiating 

  • Devalue the importance of the bargaining chip–don’t let them know how important it is to you.
  • If you reach an impasse, set aside the key issue, and create momentum by reaching agreement on little points.
  • Never jump at the first offer, however good it looks.
  • At the end, nibble for something extra, or something they wouldn’t agree to earlier. However, look out for people nibbling on you. You’re most vulnerable when you think the negotiations are all over.
  • Flinch at the other side’s proposal. They may not think for a moment that you’ll agree to it, and flinching will get you a concession.
  • When asked for a small concession, ask for something in return–it stops the grinding-away process.
  • Position the other side for easy acceptance with a small concession made just at the last moment. 

I only have three rating scales –

  1. Must read 
  2. OK read but you’ll live without it
  3. Don’t bother

“Secrets of Power Negotiating” by Roger Dawson is a MUST READ! It gives you so many insights that have proven vital for me personally. I’m a firm believer that everyone needs to have a sales job at least once in their lives. I’m also a firm believer that you need to know how to negotiate with that job…

secrets-of-power-negotiating-inside-secrets-from-a-power-negotiator-by-roger-dawson

Sunday Bloody Book Review 3 – “WHO MOVED MY CHEESE” by Dr. Spencer Johnson

Sunday Bloody Book Review 3 –

“Who Moved My Cheese” by Dr. Spencer Johnson

The only constant in life is that everything changes. Change is such a powerful force in one’s life and knowing how to deal with it is crucial in both the business world and in our personal lives.

“Who Moved My Cheese” is an amazing guide that teaches us how to embrace and adapt to change. The concepts in this very short book live with me and constantly replay in my head whenever I face new and different events in my life. It is a very short read and one could very easily read this book in 45 minutes.

This book has changed my life in such a positive way. Every time I go through a new and unfamiliar situation, I think back to this book and ask myself, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” 

Summary of book Who Moved My Cheese:

“Who Moved My Cheese” is the story of mice and men. The compare men to mice in a maze where there is a constant supply of cheese for all. Suddenly, the “cheese” runs out and the mice and men are left to figure things out on their own. “Cheese” here is a metaphor for whatever you may hold dear in your life. It could be your dream job, your car, your house, your girlfriend or whatever. Now the question is, when your “cheese” gets moved, what do you do? 

The story teaches us that we can sometimes dwell, pout, cry or be angry when our “cheese” gets moved. We have a tendency to think that we “deserve” that “cheese” and we worked hard for it so we shouldn’t do anything else. On the other hand, the simple minded mice simply move on and look for new cheese. They don’t whine, throw tantrums or get caught up in nasty emotions. They just continue with life.


Excerpts from the book Who Moved My Cheese: 

  • Change happens; they keep moving the cheese.
  • Anticipate change; get ready for the cheese to move.
  • Monitor change; smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.
  • Adapt to change quickly; the quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.
  • Move with the cheese.
  • Enjoy change; savor the adventure and enjoy the taste of new cheese. 
  • Be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again (and again).
  • They keep moving the cheese!

 

I only have three rating scales –

1. Must read
2. OK read but you’ll live without it
3. Don’t bother

This book, “Who Moved My Cheese” by Dr. Spencer Johnson,  is  a MUST READ. It will change your life in a positive way! Change is a part of everyone’s life. Mastering it with this book will be an important part for our personal growth. 

who-move-my-cheese-by-dr-spencer-johnson-book-cover

Sunday Bloody Book Review 2 – “SURREALITY” by Carissa Villacorta

Sunday Bloody Book Review 2 –

“Surreality” by Carissa Villacorta

Surreality is a wonderful book about a girl who humbly finds her place in the world.

It’s a story about opening your eyes and allowing yourself to see the wonders all around you.

Carissa Villacorta has an AMAZING way of taking her readers on a “roller coaster” ride with her while she slowly realizes that being a pea in the pond just means that you have a bigger pond to love and explore.

A must read for anyone searching for their own place in this crazy big world.

My favorite quote from the author is that “Time is gold, money is paper.”

I only have three rating scales for my book reviews-

1. Must read
2. OK read but you’ll live without it
3. Don’t bother

This book, Surreality by Carissa Villacorta,  is a MUST READ! It’s a lot of fun to read and will give you some inspirational insights on the world we live in today. 

 

Surreality Summary

Contemporary life — in all its shapes, sizes and imperfections –is the subject of Surreality, Carissa Villacorta’s acclaimed collection of essays. As a young Filipina surrounded by people, events and experiences in New York City, she ponders on life’s mysteries: its joys, conflicts, and compromises. A big theme to take on, but she writes with specificity and simplicity; her heart is for the taking as she turns glib notions into impassioned dissertations for us, the living wounded. It’s old-fashioned wisdom mingled with new-age wonder: a singular mix that Surreality brims with and basks in.

Carissa’s sense of empathy is charming, natural and bountiful – the extraordinary gift that she shares with her readers. If her fan base is huge, it is no accident (see the quotes below). The effusiveness of people’s responses is matched only by Carissa’s commitment to inspire her readers in rich, incandescent ways. As you will discover by embracing this book, her words are the kind that we need to read in today’s postmodern world. The only way to get a clearer, sharper view of life would be a visit to an eye doctor: no fun compared to the wit and vitality that Ms. Villacorta brings to each of her delightfully entertaining pieces.

surreality-by-carissa-villacorta-book-cover