EigenGraphs

Material Hotels and Virtual Hotels

Can you imagine some thing as a Web hotel? Yes. Virtual worlds like Second Life whirls the possibility to produce internet hotels which can be fashioned as you choose and in reality you sustain the possibility to make hotels which will yet outrank famous hotels like Hilton in New York and you can position your hotel or hotels in several urban center or nation in the world, an case is Hoteller Kbh, which is both a material and a internet hotel.

Internet hotels are, like whatever different virtual place, unreal, they are hosted on a web host and as such only exist on the internet. Anyhow, internet worlds can be exactly as exciting as proper world experiences, just as fanatic gamers of WoW or Facebook application program plots like Mafia Wars.

The entire conception of constituent worlds are vividly reported in books, both e-books and paper books. Volumes provides insight in virtual globes but volumes are also good for trip plannings, on-line bookstalls like Bogpriser is a wonderful point to start researching both graphic and proper international magnets. Virago is another online bookstore where you’ll discover books on almost any matter and Virago have both reasonable terms and outstanding help. If you are using iPad, you are already acquainted with Amazon and e-books, which is a superb substitute to paper records, particularly if you call for to have lots of volumes with you while traveling.

Do you remember when that TV show came on a few years back that showed you step by step how all great magic tricks are done? It was called Magicians Secrets Revealed or something like that. I can’t remember the exact name, but the point is this: That show stirred up a hornets nest! The day after that show aired, four of the most famous magicians were shown voicing their outrage during interviews on the national evening news. These poor guys were extremely upset and angry because they witnessed first-hand while all their greatest magic tricks were being explained in full detail. They knew the “Cat was out of the bag” that “The genie was out of the bottle.” They knew their magic would no longer have the amazing impact it once did. I’m about to make a point, so please bare with me here and keep reading…

Everyone knows this famous American line: “A magician never reveals the secret”.

Well, I guess everyone knows this except for the magician standing there revealing every great magic trick there ever was. Right there on Fox TV, for the first time in U.S. history, everyone was shocked to see this magician revealing every classic magic trick that most famous magicians perform on a regular basis. Step-by-step, and in great detail, right on the big TV screen, a magician in full black disguise answered the age old question: “How did you do that?”

He broke all the rules of magic. Most important, he broke the code that all magicians said they’d never break.

Ok, I know by now you’re wondering why I keep talking about magic and magicians secrets so I’ll just go ahead and get to the point right now.

You may already know this, but sales, marketing, and advertising are very similar to magic. For instance, only a small percentage of the people in the world fully know and understand how to perform a magic show. Likewise, only a very small percentage of the people in the world know the true secrets of sales, marketing, and advertising. Even less people know how to generate anything more than 10,000 visitors a day to their website. And trying to get these people to reveal their secrets is next to impossible. Until now…

Sales, marketing, and advertising are a true art and science. And the people who have mastered this art and science are not usually willing to tell others the secrets that keep their bank accounts full of cash. They are afraid that if others find out their tips, tricks, and secrets, they will become far less effective. So they keep their mouth shut!

Until now…

One of these masters of marketing has just come forward and decided to break the secret code among internet marketers. It’s been called “The most revealing book on the internet!” off by over 175 companies. It’s sad to say but the truth is most business opportunities on the net are one big lie designed to do one thing and one thing alone, and that is… TAKE YOUR MONEY and run! The result is that 98.5% of all people starting a new business opportunity will never see an income from it.

But during my travels I figured out why the average person starting up an internet business will never make a nickel…You wanna know why?

The reason why is actually quite simple. It all goes back to that “Magician never tells” principle we talked about above. You see, there are a few “True Professional Internet Marketers” that actually do know the big secrets that really do generate enormous money on the internet. You may have seen a few of them giving their pitch on TV infomercials. But even though these big-shots are truly making enormous cash, they will never tell you the big secret of how you can do it yourself. They will only tell you just enough to keep you excited and optimistic.

But now there’s shocking news! A time has come just like when that masked magician broke the code among magicians and revealed how all magic is done. This time it’s a “Real Professional Internet Marketer” who is breaking the code among the “Big Players” involved in marketing on the net. Finally one of the true hot-shots who has already made his internet fortune has revealed all the secrets that until now, have never been released.

Yes, it’s true! Every secret tip, trick, technique, and tool has been clearly laid out for you in an easy to read book.

Ok, now I know what you are thinking… “Why are you going to tell me all the secrets? Wouldn’t you make even more money if nobody else knew the secrets”

I believe there’s a time and a place for everything in life. I have used my time wisely to accumulate enough money to easily retire 7 times over. It’s like this: Does Bill Gates really need to make any more money? Of course not, and that’s why he now gives away a lot of his time, knowledge, and money. I truly believe that once you make your fortune in life, it’s time to give something back to the people of the world that helped you get it in the first place.

That brings us to your next question: “If you have so much money to retire on, then why don’t you just give out this book and all the secrets for free?” Well… there are 2 important reasons.

1. I don’t want thousands of people doing this. If everyone knew the secrets contained in this book, it might not be as effective for the people who are currently using this system to provide for their families. So charging a fee helps limit the amount of people that know how to do this which will protect your income too!

2. The second reason I don’t give this book out free is because I’m an old fashioned kind of guy and I believe that if you have a high quality product that you worked hard for, you should protect its value. I know for fact that once you give something away free, it no longer has any value. I’ve worked for years to perfect the techniques outlined in this book, and never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would ever share these secret techniques with anyone.

…I did all the work and made all the discoveries over the past few years and now it’s your turn to make some money!

Below are just a few samples of what you’re about to learn:

How to put an end to the insanity of staring at your computer screen for hours on end with nothing to show for it! This exciting book shows you step-by-step how to bring in a rock solid income by spending no more than 1 hour a day in front of your computer.

Have you heard about all these people that have fancy looking websites with spectacular products and services on them but no orders coming in? Here’s a shocking fact so hold on to your chair for what I’m about to tell you: There are thousands of ugly websites with boring products out there pulling in more orders than they can handle at this very moment! How? Because they know it’s not about a pretty website with pretty products…The “Real Internet Experts” know it’s all about traffic, traffic, and more traffic. These guys know the secrets to getting over 10,000 new visitors a day to their website automatically and without lifting a finger! The same closely guarded techniques they are using to do this are all revealed in the book. It doesn’t have to be a secret anymore!

Are you spinning your wheels with “the search engines” and getting nowhere? Here’s a fact: You will go hungry and broke if you continue to invest your time and energy into getting that 1st page, # 1 ranking that everyone is struggling to achieve. There’s a much better way folks that you are just minutes away from discovering! You’re about to be the master of your domain!

By now you must have seen hundreds of different ads promising to get your website listed on thousands of different search engine directories for FREE. You probably already know that it’s just another lie. But this online book will show you how to turn their own lie against them and get all the “Real Traffic” they don’t want you to know about for yourself. I am going to show you a single internet marketing tactic that beats these guys at their own game and takes their own traffic!

So exactly how much does it cost to find out all these techniques, tips, tricks and secrets?

Only $19.95!

That’s all! Just $19.95 to have the code of “Internet Marketing Professionals” broken in front of your very own eyes! A one time fee of only $19.95 to have all of their secrets revealed for the first time! It’s these Internet Marketing Professionals that have been keeping you down all this time by telling you their outrageous lies over and over again. Don’t let them do it to you anymore! They’re in control right now but you can easily take it away from them. Take control of your own internet destiny starting right now!

Can this book really bring thousands of new visitors to your website starting today? Absolutely! I’m so confident about this online book that I’m going to reveal all the secrets to you for 60 days to try them out for yourself…If you aren’t completely satisfied with your new income and the thousands of new visitors to your website, I’ll give you 100% of your money back. No Questions Asked!

Let’s wrap this up… I’ve perfected a very unusual internet money-making system. This ideal internet business gives me up to $2,778.50 in a single day! I really believe you can learn and use this system to give you the same income I’m currently bringing home. Everything you need to get started with this system is provided to you for less than the price of dinner for two!

Consider this: If your life continues in the same way it’s been going…

Will you actually be where you honestly want to be in life this same time next year?

How can you be certain you’ll be any closer to the financial freedom you want?

Will you’re dreams, plans, and desires actually come to be your reality?

If you don’t like your own answers to the above questions… I will help you take the steps to get you on the right path toward changing your financial situation forever.

If you plan on getting different results in your life, you obviously need to do something different than you’ve been doing.

Yes, you can keep dragging yourself out of bed to that meaningless, never ending day job, putting in those miserable, long days at your job. Yes, you can keep hoping and praying that one day you’ll some how get ahead and make something substantial for yourself.

But why on Earth would you bother putting yourself through all that?

Why not put a stop to all that misery right here and now. It’s a matter of simply investing in yourself and finding out how easy it is to create more than one income stream. With this time-tested, proven program in your hands you’ll begin to discover the real, genuine secrets to bringing in absolute wealth and freedom. Take a moment to think about this:

$19.95 is a painless drop in the bucket compared to the money you’d be missing-out on if you choose not to get this course. Looking at it that way…

If you don’t take action now while it is fresh in your mind, then -
when will you?

Get your copy of this money making, traffic pulling online book right now!

Don’t put this off - you’re worth it.

Soon you can live life on your terms - and this book will help you every step of the way.

http://www.averagejoeswealth.com

About the Author

None

When it comes to selling ebooks online, one thing is
certain: a small focused website that features just
one lead product will far outsell a big website that
features lots of products and links.

By focusing on just one product, you avoid distracting
your visitors or forcing them to make decisions. That
way, they’ll take the time to study your product and
the chances of making a sale are vastly increased.

I can see the evidence for this in my own business.
While the main company website (BizzyDays.com) continues
to bring in a steady stream of sales, it’s actually the
individual websites for each of the ebooks that are
responsible for the lion’s share of orders.

The problem, however, with having one website for every
single ebook is that it adds a lot of extra overheads.
In general you’re looking at minimum $100 for any kind of
webhosting and somewhere between $8 and $35 for a domain
name.

These are not huge figures, but let’s face it, costs are
costs and if you’re in business you want to keep them as
low as possible.

That’s why I felt it was worth sharing with you my little
‘trick’ for setting up brand new websites for just the
price of a domain name.

This week I launched a new website for our ebook publishing
guide “You Step By Step Guide to Success On The Internet”.
The TOTAL cost to set up this new website
(http://selfpublishing-ebooks.com) was just $8.97!

So how did I manage that?

Firstly, it’s worth noting that I use an excellent hosting
service for my main website BizzyDays.com. One of the many
features they include for just $9.95/month is the ability to
create your own sub-domains (http://subdomain.domain.com).

So, the first step I took was to set up a new sub-domain (I
called it http://selfpublishingebooks.bizzydays.com). Next I
designed the website and published it to this address.

Then, I went along to http://www.DNbuy.com and bought the
domain name www.selfpublishing-ebooks.com for $8.97. The reason
I bought it at DNbuy is because they offer a whole range of
domain name services completely free (domain parking, URL
re-direction, e-mail re-direction, etc.).

Once I had the domain name, it took me just a couple of
minutes (via the DNbuy website) to set up the new domain
name to point (or re-direct) to the sub-domain I’d just
created (http://selfpublishingebooks.bizzydays.com).

I’m even able to ‘cloak’ the address shown on the browser’s
address bar, so that, even though people are surfing on
http://selfpublishingebooks.bizzydays.com what shows up on
the address bar is http://selfpublishing-ebooks.com.

Finally, DNbuy even re-directs my e-mails for free.
This enables me to create new addresses (like
sales@selfpublishing-ebooks.com) and have any messages
that are sent to these addresses re-directed to my
regular e-mail address inbox.

And that’s it! A brand new website — hosted and all —
for less than $10.

Now there’s no excuse not to create sales-focused
mini-websites for ALL your ebooks!

About the Author

Michael Hopkins is owner of BizzyDays eBook Publications.
Download Brand New Original eBooks for FREE at:
http://www.bizzydays.com
Download The eBook Publishing Success Package at:
http://selfpublishing-ebooks.htm

Can you encounter the number of times where a Credit Card Sale was generated, only to receive a “Refund Notification” from your contracted e-commerce processor on behalf the “customer”?

Welcome to the electronic world of “cyber-shoplifting”.

Unscrupulous people, disguised as potential “customers”, systematically opt to ordering goods (using credit cards) in electronic form of delivery, only to request a refund minutes or days later after receiving the product.

The “cyber thieves” consent the well-known “loophole” of specific e-commerce processors who deploy a “no questions asked” refund policy.

Some… might concur to the predicament that a “liberal refund policy” boosts sales, but it is statistically verified that these claims are unthinkingly based gross sales figures, where refunds are *not* accumulated to
extract the “net profit” (minus refunds).

In numerous cases, the cyber thieves
(or else called freebie hunters) automate their thievery, by using pre-made templates to ask for a refund, in order to save time and reap as many digital products as possible, for gratis.

A portion of cyber thieves, download a
digital product, whether ebook or software, only to illegally sell it online at eBay or sell it in “warez sites”.

Optimistically, these unprincipled pinches are either prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law, for infringement of copyrights, or face
imprisonment along with heavy fines.

So if you want to avoid getting targeted by cyber thieves (and losing thousands), the wisest approach is to conduct business with an e-commerce processor who will protect
you against dodgy “freebie hunters”
(see http://traffic-engine.net/stormpay
for a genuine payment processor).

After all, it is *your duty* to forming your own “refunds policy”, not your processor’s.

About the Author

George Papazoglou is the author behind http://cyber-software.com and http://traffic-engine.net
This article may be freely distributed / republished, as long as it contains the author’s credits and the precise entirety of the provided article, titled: “How to Eliminate Credit Card Refunds from ‘Digital Thieves’”.

Do you continue to generate interest and secure interviews for jobs that you do not want?

The interview process can be time consuming and very unproductive when you are preparing to discuss a job that you really don’t want. When you write resumes that are historical in nature (listing your work history and responsibilities), you communicate that you are looking for the same type of position. The only way to attract the right attention is to highlight information that is relevant to the job you really want.

Take an objective look at your resume. Does it sell you for the job you really want? Have you highlighted any items that you DO NOT WANT TO SEE in your next job description? It may help to remove your name from the top of your resume before you ask someone you respect to review the document and give his or her opinion on what job this person is targeting.

Focused resumes are powerful job search tools!

Focused and organized resumes draw attention to your key skills and unique accomplishments rather than the tasks and responsibilities you have performed in past positions. By promoting relevant skills and achievements, you guide your reader to the information they are seeking and the details that you want to promote. The key to success is to use the top third of resume to highlight and support the skills that respond to the specific requirements outlined by your target company in their advertisement or position description.

Review the position you are targeting and highlight the three key qualities the employer is looking for in a potential hire. Then, match your key skills and accomplishments to these three qualities. Finally, highlight the information you have selected at the top of your resume using an appropriate category title, for example, key accomplishments or related skills and accomplishments below your profile section.

If you are contacting an employer that does not have a position posted, search for a job description or posting at a similar company using the position title. When you have found the right job description, match your key skills to the requirements outlined in that position. This action is not as time consuming as you make think. Often changing the priority listing of your key skills and accomplishments may be the only changes required to submit your resume to a number of different companies.

When you are changing careers, or looking to advance within your existing company, use transferable skills to sell yourself. Creating a resume using transferable skills is most successful when you include accomplishments that you have developed outside of the workplace. For example, coaching a sport demonstrates leadership skills, communication skills and an ability to work effectively with people - skills that all employers value. Researching, analyzing, preparing reports, and presentation skills are a few of the transferable skills that students develop during their education.

Plan to participate in the creation of your resume. If you do not participate in the creation of your resume, you may not be able to respond to specific questions during an interview and this could change the outcome, or the momentum, of the interview.

If you have an idea that you believe will attract the attention of your target, use it. Creativity is rewarded.

About the Author

Brenda Koritko is the author of I Manage Me Guide to Hot Jobs a timely ebook providing techniques to help you achieve your immediate career goals with benefits throughout your career. http://www.imanageme.com

Till some years back bedding used to be made from white cotton cloth. nowadays you find so much diversity in these bedding that it becomes hard to choose. The latest are available in attractive prints and colorings that change the look of your sleeping room

The following are some factors that matter a lot when you buy a bedsheet.

Calculate the beds proportions

You might think that all twin beds or king sizing beds measure the same, but sadly it is not so. The top dimensions might be the same, but again the measurings differ with each maker. So make sure that you calculate all the measurements of your bed from top to bottom, side to side and also the thickness of the mattress you are using. Your bed could be shorter or longer than another one from the same manufacturer. It is always better to be available with your beds proportions prior to shopping.

Choose your Depot

Bigger departmental shops have a separate division for linen and bedding and offer branded sheets and in-house brands under the same roof. If you want something ethnic like embroidered bedding or lavish ones there might be a shop selling what you want close by. The Internet is full with fresh new patterns every day. For those who still love their cotton fiber sheets, a discount shop is where you should go.

Do you know what is a thread count?

A thread count means the count of threads consisted in one square inch of a sheet in both weaving directions. You will find this thread count on the bedsheets label. For a lush feel, a high thread count is desirable. Beware of a very high thread count as the sheet may have slimmer threads and not the texture you want. A soft bed sheet has a thread count that lies between 175 and 250.

Decide on material for your bedsheet

Take care to choose a fabric that you can afford and is cozy too. If you prefer wrinkle-free sheets then go for cotton blends or you can buy basic cotton fabrics. A cold night calls for a flannel bed sheet. Then there is the all time favorite silk, satin or microfiber that offers luxury.

Check out the sheet dimensions

The size of the bedsheet you select has to be checked at this point. It is crucial to verify if the bed sheet you are buying will fit well on your bed. The first wash can shrink your bedsheet by at least 7 %. If you have really liked the bedding you plan to buy, always invest in some additional sets. This way an accidentally torn sheet can be replaced fast.

Once all the above factors are taken care of, you are sure to purchase a nice and inexpensive bed sheet soon!

More Info

• Bedroom
• Bed

Remember the song “Who Let The Dogs Out”, the song didn’t get any airtime on the radio until it was played at a few sporting events. Then everybody and their mother started singing the song nationwide. Just like the song “Who Let The Dogs Out”, being a Birddog (New Investor) in the real estate business you’ll go unknown until you become rich or someone notice you. This book will be known as who let the dogs out in the real estate industry. Well trained dogs, I must say who are smart & rich will come from this book.

In this book we want to make you rich, I have no problem sharing my secrets. Think about it, how many people would be blessed from your wealth. Your family, friends and church could use your help to make life a lot better. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating wealth for selfish pleasure but for shared wealth. In your abundance you can help support many needy people and organizations.

Are you interested in reaching the status of wealth? If not please stop reading this book and return it to the where you found it. Because the only thing you will get from this book is wealth. You will gain wealth in information, method and money. The action and time must come from you along with true commitment.

I have learn over the years that people not only need opportunities but a plan. If you don’t have a plan you don’t know where you’re going. If you don’t plan your life you will leave a poor legacy. So, let’s start planning your life and get rich while planning.

The real estate business provides some truly amazing opportunities for most people to become rich. Using the principles and services of my company, we can help you locate property & people who for one reason or another are motivated to sell. We teach you how to negotiate a deal to purchase the property at a discount, and then structure finances that allow you to make a profits. You will be able to find deals for more experience real estate investors who can give you a nice amount of money for your work.

The best part is that you can do all this without using a lot of your own money.

I would like to invite you to visit our website because all you need is a break and Tricomm can provide that opportunity.

Everyone needs some superfriends to help balance your weakness it’s called leverage.

Have a good day!

Jimmy L. Hutchinson Jr.

About the Author

Mr. Hutchinson is the founder of Tricomm Worldwide Funding based in San Diego, California. He now serves as Senior Vice President of Operations and Consultant.

www.Tricommworldwide.com

When it comes to selling ebooks online, one thing is
certain: a small focused website that features just
one lead product will far outsell a big website that
features lots of products and links.

By focusing on just one product, you avoid distracting
your visitors or forcing them to make decisions. That
way, they’ll take the time to study your product and
the chances of making a sale are vastly increased.

I can see the evidence for this in my own business.
While the main company website (BizzyDays.com) continues
to bring in a steady stream of sales, it’s actually the
individual websites for each of the ebooks that are
responsible for the lion’s share of orders.

The problem, however, with having one website for every
single ebook is that it adds a lot of extra overheads.
In general you’re looking at minimum $100 for any kind of
webhosting and somewhere between $8 and $35 for a domain
name.

These are not huge figures, but let’s face it, costs are
costs and if you’re in business you want to keep them as
low as possible.

That’s why I felt it was worth sharing with you my little
‘trick’ for setting up brand new websites for just the
price of a domain name.

This week I launched a new website for our ebook publishing
guide “You Step By Step Guide to Success On The Internet”.
The TOTAL cost to set up this new website
(http://selfpublishing-ebooks.com) was just $8.97!

So how did I manage that?

Firstly, it’s worth noting that I use an excellent hosting
service for my main website BizzyDays.com. One of the many
features they include for just $9.95/month is the ability to
create your own sub-domains (http://subdomain.domain.com).

So, the first step I took was to set up a new sub-domain (I
called it http://selfpublishingebooks.bizzydays.com). Next I
designed the website and published it to this address.

Then, I went along to http://www.DNbuy.com and bought the
domain name www.selfpublishing-ebooks.com for $8.97. The reason
I bought it at DNbuy is because they offer a whole range of
domain name services completely free (domain parking, URL
re-direction, e-mail re-direction, etc.).

Once I had the domain name, it took me just a couple of
minutes (via the DNbuy website) to set up the new domain
name to point (or re-direct) to the sub-domain I’d just
created (http://selfpublishingebooks.bizzydays.com).

I’m even able to ‘cloak’ the address shown on the browser’s
address bar, so that, even though people are surfing on
http://selfpublishingebooks.bizzydays.com what shows up on
the address bar is http://selfpublishing-ebooks.com.

Finally, DNbuy even re-directs my e-mails for free.
This enables me to create new addresses (like
sales@selfpublishing-ebooks.com) and have any messages
that are sent to these addresses re-directed to my
regular e-mail address inbox.

And that’s it! A brand new website — hosted and all —
for less than $10.

Now there’s no excuse not to create sales-focused
mini-websites for ALL your ebooks!

About the Author

Michael Hopkins is owner of BizzyDays eBook Publications.
Download Brand New Original eBooks for FREE at:
http://www.bizzydays.com
Download The eBook Publishing Success Package at:
http://selfpublishing-ebooks.htm

A Journey into the Heroic Environment: A Personal Guide to Creating a Work Environment Built on Shared Values, 3rd Edition

Rob Lebow (SelectBooks, New York 2004 1590790618) $21.95

REVIEWED BY SHARIF KHAN

Living in what Alan Greenspan called an era of “infectious greed” with corporate titans facing serious jail time, Ex-WorldCom CEO, Bernard Ebbers, leading the way facing life behind bars, and sobering laws in place such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act making ethics and values increasingly important components in every organization, it would do well to learn how to help organizations create heroic environments based on higher standards of excellence. Mr. Rob Lebow, former Director of Corporate Communications for Microsoft, with over twenty years experience helping companies implement his Shared Values Process to create what he calls, a Freedom-Based Workplace, attempts to do just that for readers in his book, “A Journey into the Heroic Environment.”

Resurrecting an abandoned, ‘failed,’ 1972 study, undertaken by graduate students from the social psychology department of a major United States university, with over 17 million survey responses from workers and managers in 40 countries and over 32 Standard Industrial Codes, that was not able to reveal any conclusive connection between job satisfaction and individual or organizational performance, Mr. Lebow’s research team started their own investigation. Bringing a fresh perspective to the study, Lebow realized that the key to solving the mystery of overcoming cultural challenges to create exceptional levels of performance, was not going to be found in the hard numbers and statistics of the survey, but in the actual, literal comments of all the participants. Using this creative intelligence, Lebow indexed the most often addressed topics in all the discarded surveys by country. And the revelation was that all the surveys from the different countries mentioned the same subjects. This became the Lebow Company’s 20th Century Rosetta Stone that finally cracked the code to the secrets of unlocking high performance that were embedded in the previously undecipherable 17 million worldwide surveys that the original research missed.

Under the scrutiny of this new lens, the Lebow research group discovered that it was Values, not job satisfaction issues, which resided at the core between performance and what managers and workers were really looking for. Lebow’s research suggested that there were eight values that all people respected throughout the world regardless of race, religion, nationality, industry, gender, educational level, or organizational status. Furthermore, the Lebow research group concluded: “that these eight Shared Values…represent the major factors that contribute not only to job satisfaction and employee morale, but to an organization’s performance, competitiveness, speed to change, innovation at every level, willingness to learn new things, and overall operational success. [That] this was the universal Cultural Return On Investment (ROI) linking people to performance.”

While the author does not mention exactly how he came to this revolutionary conclusion, he claims that the correlation between organizational performance and these Shared Values has been tested and validated with over 2,300 organizational sites. These universal Shared Values which Lebow calls The Eight Principles of the Heroic Environment ® are as follows:

1. Treat others with uncompromising truth.

2. Lavish trust on your associates.

3. Mentor unselfishly (and be open to mentoring from anyone).

4. Be receptive to new ideas, regardless of their origin.

5. Take personal risks for the organization’s sake. 6. Give credit where it’s due.

7. Do not touch dishonest dollars. (Be honest and ethical in all matters).

8. Put the interests of others before your own.

So that’s the Big secret? Sounds like the everyday sage advice that a Corporate Yoda would give to his executive team of Jedi knights. Admittedly, this is something we all know and have heard before. They are timeless principles - psychic energy patterns memorialized in the collective unconscious - embedded in human experience itself. But how many of us actually practice these principles?

What makes this work significant is not the list of values which are bandied about at boardroom meetings and showcased on fancy plaques, but the Process (”acting Heroically is a process”) that the Lebow research group has engineered in implementing these Shared Values company-wide through stories, examples, illustrations, charts, graphs, ways of communication, and sequential steps to follow. Lebow provides readers with practical tools they can use to actually practice these principles in transforming their corporate culture into a heroic environment.

So what does a ‘heroic environment’ look like? Lebow gives us a model, a vision, to look forward to: “Imagine what would happen in a work environment if people were given the freedom to act the way they really wanted to act - with courage, creativity, and independence from fear of criticism, or worse. And when people are respected and appreciated, they want to contribute even more, to rise to their true potential. I call that kind of place - a place where people act heroically - a Heroic Environment.”

I was skeptical at first with this rather rosy picture - feeling that employees given too much freedom would slack-off or go into their own little dream-world. But after finishing the book, I felt Lebow had pulled it off, in terms of providing tools that managers, employees, and consultants can use in transforming corporate culture for the better. After all, people don’t get up in the morning wanting to fail they want to feel significant - knowing they’ve done a job well-done.

One of the main tenets of the book is that the traditional corporate approach of solving problems from the top down is the kiss-of-death. Frontline workers need to be given autonomy, responsibility, and accountability to solve problems themselves, letting the customer’s needs, rather than the company’s policies, drive each transaction. To accomplish this, ‘only hire people you trust, but once you’ve hired them, trust them.’ Management’s role is simply to encourage people on the frontlines to experiment and explore new ideas on their own. The best way to manage is to let go and let great, not stepping in to fix problems or criticizing, but to examine the breakdown of the workflow and empowering frontline workers to make their own decisions and changes by providing them with the necessary resources.

According to Lebow, this is the only way to bring back respect to the phrase, “Made in America.” He recounts how Toyota’s plant workers average 50 changes every two and a half shifts, which would give most American managers a nosebleed. In America, Lebow states, fixing problems is management’s job! In contrast, by empowering its frontline people to experiment, fix problems, and make continual proactive changes without fear of failure, Toyota is now financially worth more than Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler-Mercedes all put together. To put things in perspective, Lebow goes on to point out that it took Ford about nine months to make a change to their production line, while it only took Toyota three and one-half hours!

Overall, A Journey into the Heroic Environment, accomplishes its main purpose in serving as a guide to creating a Freedom-Based work environment built on Shared Values. This is not an academic book or scholarly read, nor is it a scientific journal. Use the information and The Personal Work Style Assessment (included in the book) to formulate your own hypotheses and come up with your own conclusions. The book itself, from start-to-finish, can be considered a case study in corporate transformation told in the form of a business story with a chance meeting between John, a disgruntled assistant plant manager of a telecommunications company, and Kip, a mysterious, senior executive mentor figure. The book is simple in its approach, but not simplistic easy-to-read, but certainly not easy to implement. I highly recommend this book as a path to a rewarding journey that will open up the soul to a brave new heroic world.

Author: Steven Rigolosi
ISBN: 097737873X

During the past few years most of us have watched reality television shows such as Survivor and The Amazing Race. In essence, these shows revolve around contestants teaming up, paring off, and plotting against one another in their quest for victory. First time author, Steven Rigolosi, has now skillfully adapted this reality format to the printed page with, Who Gets the Apartment?

An advertisement is placed in a neighborhood Manhattan newspaper, The Clarion, where a luxurious 3000 sq ft. duplex penthouse comprising two bedrooms, fireplaces and three baths, and some other goodies, is offered for rent at the incredibly monthly low rental of six hundred dollars. If you have any idea of the tight and expensive rental market situation in Manhattan, you can very well appreciate how laughable this sounds!

The apartment is quickly gobbled up with, however, one drawback- the rental agent had cunningly rented the same premises to four different individuals. The four comprise an assistant district attorney, Venice, a struggling artist, Ian, a computer geek, Oliver, and an editor, Corinne, who all find themselves moving into the apartment at the same time. The question facing them is which one will keep the apartment, as they all have a valid legal right to the lease.

The suspenseful story plays out with four different possible scenarios crafted as short stories, each with unique plot twists. Should the four play the game of chance and roll the dice? Perhaps, it is everyman for himself, and let the most devious one win the apartment? If the apartment is large enough, why not all live in it for the two year term? Then again, how about banding together and bring the scoundrel who rented them the apartment to justice? The stories are contrived wherein friendships and relationships are tested during the course of several days offering different perspectives of humanity and human interaction.

Rigolosi is an original voice who uses a very clever and unique approach in inviting reader participation involving discussion, speculation, and philosophical reflection. He further teases and entertains his readers by including in the novel a sequel, Good Boys Never Win, that presumes the foursome had agreed to a plan of action and in so doing arrived at a very satisfactory feel- good conclusion. Their success now leads them to indulge in another situation involving one of the foursome’s boss and his secretary. Herein again by putting all of their heads together they are able to bring about vicious revenge on two individuals who deserve it.

Rigolosi can clearly write, keeping his readers on edge with his easy-to-read narrative, lovable characters, and intentionally intriguing plot. I would tend to agree with the author’s publicist who indicated to me that as a student of pop culture (and a former editor of sociology texts), Rigolosi is poised to accomplish something in which few authors have succeeded-turning watchers of television into readers of book.

Norm Goldman is the Editor of the Book Reviewing & Author Interviewing site http://www.bookpleasures.com Bookpleasures.com comprises over 30 international reviewers that come from all walks of life and that review all genre. Norm also offers an Express Review Service. You can find out more about this service by clicking on http://www.bookpleasures.com Norm is ranked among the top 1000 Amazon.com reviewers.

In addition, Norm is the editor of the travel site http://www.sketchandtravel.com Together with his artist wife Lily, the couple blend words with art focusing on romantic destinations.