Customer Reviews

Become the CEO of You, Inc.: A Pioneering Executive Shares Her Secrets for Career Success

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Benjamin Franklin noted that failing to prepare is preparing to fail. In her illuminating book, Susan Butler, an accomplished consultant, philanthropist, and mentor spells out some key steps one can take to prepare for and then realize success (professional and personal): first and foremost, realizing that you are the CEO of You, Inc.; creating a Vision for You, Inc.; building an advisory board/team; preparing a plan; navigating along the way; and effectively marketing You, Inc. Not only does Ms. Butler's book provide a cogent framework to prepare for and then realize success, it is also chock full of practical insights drawn from the author's own prolific career and personal accomplishments. Having benefited enormously from Susan's mentoring when I was the dean of the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management and she served as a key member of the College's advisory board, I personally can attest to the quality of her guidance. Readers of her book will be similarly well served by Susan's mentoring. I wholeheartedly recommend making Susan a member of YOUR (You, Inc.) advisory board.

Mark Zupan
Dean
Simon School of Business
University of Rochester

I received Susan Bulkeley Butler's book so I could interview her for an article in her hometown newspaper, The Abingdon Argus. Honestly, I didn't think it would capture my attention but I was SO wrong! This book is fantastic! I felt as though Susan was speaking to me. For so many years I've waited for things to happen to me, but as Susan says, don't wait for things to happen to you, make them happen. I can't wait to apply the principles of Become the CEO of You, Inc., to my every day life.

Susan shares her life lessons, gained along the road to being the first female partner of Andersen Consulting, with all the warmth of a good friend. She shares more than just "instructions" on how to achieve success, but provides you with the tools to determine for yourself how you will determine and create your own unique successes. Each lesson is punctuated with a wide variety of entertaining and enlightening anecdotes from Susan's life or a story from one of the many lives she has touched. This book is just another way for Susan to postiviely impact more individuals - please let her impact you!

This book is full of practical advice, stated clearly and with a tone of positivity and encouragement. I am at a crossroads in my academic career with some choices to make based on incomplete information... I was feeling paralyzed by my fears and uncertainty about the future, but now am feeling so much more optimistic and energized as I map out how I will accomplish my goals. So far this book has helped me get my fears out on paper, give myself more encouraging messages & tools for success, and improve the conversations I have with my supervisor and colleagues.

I was not expecting to be able to apply Susan's well thought out advice to my career, just yet. As a fairly recent college graduate, I thought the book would apply to professionals who are mid-career or later. I was wrong. The advice is possibly more important for someone just starting off. I will send this book to all of my friends.

Susan has written the essential handbook for mentees, and especially for women. If you don't already have a mentor, I suggest starting with this book. "Become the CEO of You, Inc." can give you the confidence and assurance you need to tackle your current career path, venture a new one, or follow your dreams. I like that it is limitless and founded in principal in practicality. All the essential topics are covered. If you already do have one or more mentors, Susan's virtual mentoring through this book will be a valuable addition to your team (or "board of directors"). I think it would be rare to find a real mentor who could sit with you the few hours it takes to read this book and cover such a complete foundation for success.

Susan provides many examples from her own experience and career, as well as examples from others. While many of her examples are from her Consulting experience, I think the her foundational messages apply across the board and she clearly expresses support for all career paths. I found her advice not only versatile horizontally across careers, but applicable vertically within a career over time. I personally followed Susan's advice to develop my 'A' list, my focus, and what's most important to me (i.e. my vision for CEO of Me) which has revealed doors to me that I can choose to open (or to close).

I just read CEO of You, Inc. while on a flight. There's a lot in this book! The personal stories from Susan and the many contributors bring her advice and lessons alive. Assembled in her 4-step process are practical suggestions around:

- the value of journaling thoughts and experiences
- looking at change as an opportunity
- time management
- effective communication
- the power of first impressions
- mentoring
- financial planning
- and there's a great tie-in of marketing yourself and getting performance feedback

The chapter recaps with Lessons provide concrete, step-by-step actions. There are 32 in all and I'm adding one to each day of my calendar for the next 32 days to create a positive planning and action habit.

Become the CEO of You, Inc. is a lighthouse for anyone that wishes to maximize their personal wealth. Whether this is life balance, fun, job satisfaction, personal growth and skills, income, career, family, friends this book provides a plethora of advices and direction. Drawing on her own life experiences, Susan Butler delivers a must read book for everyone that wants their life to mean something. With numerous lessons, action items, reflections and records, Become the CEO of You, Inc. is much more than just a virtual career mentor; it's a bright light showing you the way in the right direction, keeping you safe from all the career challenges and dangers. A great read filled with priceless lessons to get control of your career and life and get on a successful and fulfilling path.

Susan's book is exhilarating, stimulating and an anchor for lifes' works. The book crosses the spectrum of age with suggestions and direction to fulfilling your goals no matter what age or stage in life your might be. I found the book to rekindle forgotten directions and to offer new insight into achieving future goals for one's self.

This book helped me re-focus and get back on track. It inspired me to take steps that would lead me in a direct path to achieving my ultimate career goal rather than being distracted by offers that would ultimately blur my vision for the future.