Change the Way You See Everything through Asset-Based Thinking [Hardcover]

Kathryn D. Cramer (Author), Hank Wasiak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

This brilliantly simple book on the philosophy known as Asset-Based Thinking, instills success-oriented habits in even the most die-hard cynic. Its transformational lessons--conveyed through unique photographic metaphors and inspiring stories from real people--reveal how the slightest shift in perception can lead to monumental results in both business and in life. ABT is not just positive thinking, but rather a systematic observation of "what works." Kathryn Cramer, an acclaimed corporate consultant, and Hank Wasiak, a creative icon of the advertising industry, have produced a work that looks and works like no other business or self-help book-because it IS like no other book. Change the Way You See Everything is a revolutionary approach to every aspect of life that bears not just reading, but re-reading, and sharing with people in your circle. You'll never look at the world the same way again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though the content may not be groundbreaking (it distills down to the old refrain, "accentuate the positive"), the photo-heavy and text-light format of Cramer's and Wasiak's discourse on fostering life- and business-improving habits and worldviews strips the hyperbole and fluff common to many self-improvement books, presenting the essentials in an innovative way. Short enough to read on a truncated lunch break (the authors estimate 45 minutes cover-to-cover) and looking not unlike a slick Powerpoint presentation, the book walks readers through the how's and why's of thinking positive ("it leads directly to the thrill of victory"; "you feel more motivated and energetic") and includes the obligatory success stories, though these are glitzier than most-musician Moby and actress Sonia Manzano among them. Bullet-point lists and brief explications of the virtues of asset-based thinking (or, ABT as it's referred to in the book) are presented alongside illustrative photographs, so the photo of an executive-looking gentleman baiting a Holstein with a red flag accompanies the section on conflict management; a pair of socks appear next to "Knock Somebody's Socks Off." Though some exercises cross into the absurd (one suggests readers "drive the 'wrong way' to work so that it takes twice as long. Find out what you appreciate about the new route"), this breezy read is the go-to title for readers seeking an attitude realignment.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Hank Wasiak is co-founder of The Concept Farm, one of the hottest creative development companies in the world. He is an advertising industry icon who works with the corporate elite of global and domestic business. He lives in New York City. Kathryn D. Cramer, Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist, sought-after corporate consultant and speaker, and the author of several books on personal effectiveness and professional development. She is the founder of The Stress Center at St. Louis University, and managing partner of The Cramer Institute, an internationally recognized coaching and consulting firm. She lives in St. Louis, MO.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Running Press; 1 edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076242723X
• ISBN-13: 978-0762427239
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars offers neither breakthrough ideas nor revolutionary approach...but worthwhile to be read by first timers!, May 26, 2006

By 

Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Change the Way You See Everything through Asset-Based Thinking (Hardcover)

At first glance, this book seems quite exciting, judging from its colourful presentation format, with visually appealing photographs, breezy light text & catchy phrases. After perusing it, I regret to find that it offers neither breakthrough ideas nor revolutionary approach.

In the field of business writing, the concept & philosophy behind ABT (what I would term as perceptual sensitivity or acuity) was first broached by Edward de bono in the early 70's with his series of lateral thinking books, starting from the ground-breaking `Mechanism of Mind.' His former discipline, Michael Hewitt-Gleeson from Down Under went on to expand his former mentor's ideas by introducing the CVS2BVS equation in his book, `Software for Your Brain.' He even created a web-based School of Thinking to teach his stuff.

Many business consultants/authors have since then come out with their own insightful interpretations. They include, to name just a few, Joel Arthur Barker (`Future Edge'), Jerry Wind (`The Power of Impossible Thinking'), J Philip Kirby (`Thoughtware'), Moshe Rubinstein (`The Minding Organisation'), Mark Brown ('Dinosaur Strain'), & Luc de Brabandere (`The Forgotten Half of Change'). A few others even introduced some creative twists to the original concept, e.g. Wayne Burkan's "Wide Angle Vision' (or 'Splatter Vision')& George Day's `Peripheral Vision.'

Coming back to this book, I would like add that I actually enjoyed reading the inspiring stories of real people & also doing the workouts & reflections, some of which seem absurd to some readers. At the end of the book, the authors have provided some ABT cards which one can pull out & create laminated cards for sharing the ideas with others. The authors have also incorporated one last visual challenge at the end of the book, What Do You See?.

I am particularly intrigued as to why the authors did not include a bibliography or references at the back of the book.

On the whole from the standpoint of enhancing perceptual sensitivity or acuity, I would rate this book a 4 for its colourful presentation, brilliant simplicity & catchy phrases, although I am quite inclined to rate it a 3 in the light of what I have just reviewed.

For those readers who have not read any of the books mentioned in this review, this book is therefore still worthwhile to be read & played with.

Additionally, I would recommend:

- Playful Perception, by Herbet Leff;
- How to Use Your Eyes, by James Elkins;
- The Playful Eye, by Julian Rothenstein;

for those readers who are keen to explore further.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars pretty pictures, white space, and hot air, December 3, 2008

By 

Gambit293 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Change the Way You See Everything through Asset-Based Thinking (Hardcover)

There is a massive industry of self-help books, cds, dvds, seminars, and training courses. The common thread through all this media is that the authors and promoters make a ton of cash "inspiring" and "instructing" others, using generic, vague, high-level truisms about goals, attitude, and life in general.

"Change the Way You See" is no different. It has slick packaging, pretty pictures, thick glossy papers but it substantively offers nothing more than broad, sweeping generalizations, rehashed ideas, needlessly technical terminology, and obfuscated common sense. Is it brilliant and profound to write in letters on one empty page something like, "focus + distance?" Or is it an easy way to fill space in a $25 book?

Much like "The Secret," Change the Way's brilliantly "different" attitude boils down to positive thinking.

THINK POSITIVE. There, I saved you $25 and 45 minutes.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SPRING SHAKE UP, April 21, 2006

By 

Jill D. Tibshraeny (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Change the Way You See Everything through Asset-Based Thinking (Hardcover)

No New Year's resolutions for me. Every spring I like to take stock and re-focus my attitude. Lucky me. I found "Change the Way..." extremely positive and upbeat while packed with serious thoughstarters and guidelines. I had fun reading it. I never felt beaten down with heavy self-help negativity but rather uplifted by the light style and photographs. "Change the Way..." actually practices as it preaches! I'll go back to this book again and again to reflect, refocus and re-enter my life. I highly recommend it.