Free Agents: People and Organizations Creating a New Working Community (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) [Hardcover]

Susan B. Gould (Author), Kerry J. Weiner (Author), Barbara R. Levin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0787902837 | ISBN-13: 978-0787902834 | Edition: 1st

Your roadmap for the new world of work

Today's deluge of organizational change needn't leave employer and employee at odds. Free Agents presents a win-win scenario for both. Here, individuals learn how to take charge of their lives and careers, to separate themselves from their jobs and redefine themselves in terms of the new marketplace. Organizations discover a process for aligning the needs of these empowered professionals with the needs of the organization. It helps them to improve their competitive advantage, create and sustain a Free Agent community, and establish an environment where everyone is committed to excellence. An upbeat alternative to marketplace malaise.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Today's deluge of organizational change needn't leave employer and employee at odds. Free Agents presents a win-win scenario for both. Here, individuals learn how to take charge of their lives and careers, to separate themselves from their "jobs" and redefine themselves in terms of the new marketplace. Organizations discover a process for aligning the needs of these empowered professionals with the needs of the organization. It helps them to improve their competitive advantage, create and sustain a Free Agent community, and establish an environment where everyone is committed to excellence. An upbeat alternative to marketplace malaise.

From the Back Cover

Today's deluge of organizational change needn't leave employer and employee at odds. Free Agents presents a win-win scenario for both. Here, individuals learn how to take charge of their lives and careers, to separate themselves from their "jobs" and redefine themselves in terms of the new marketplace. Organizations discover a proven process for aligning the needs of these empowered professionals with the needs of the organization. It helps them to improve their competitive advantage, create and sustain a Free Agent community, as well as an environment where everyone is committed to excellence.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 186 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (February 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787902837
• ISBN-13: 978-0787902834
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,839,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pragmatic approach to succeeding in the new world of work., April 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Free Agents: People and Organizations Creating a New Working Community (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Hardcover)

Whether you are a contract or temporary employee, a consultant or freelancer, or working internally in management or on the front-line, FREE AGENTS is a wonderful gamebook for understanding the new world of work. It clearly explains the new rules of the workplace, and what individuals need to do to succeed, adn what organizatitions need to do to attract the individuals that will enable them to succeed.

FREE AGENTS presents a clear and accessible four step process for individuals to become FREE AGENTS. It provides strategies and tips for individuals to answer four critical questions:
What is the market that I want to serve?
What are the unmet needs of this market?
What are the assets I bring that can meet these need?
How can I continue to acquire new skills, experiences, and relationships that enable me to sustain my employability in that market?

This book helped me understand how I need to change my attitudes and actions to create and sustain my own employability. It also helped me see what companies are doing to attract individuals with the skills they need to succeed.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true "how-to" book for career building, May 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Free Agents: People and Organizations Creating a New Working Community (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Hardcover)

A well-written and logical exploration of the new workplace for both the "employee" & "employer". Defines roles and scenarios for "Free Agents" who shape their careers within one company as well as those who move from company to company. It goes well below the surface (and platitudes) of most self-help books to give real concepts and tools for developing your career and marketability, independent of a specific job or title. It also gives usable guidelines to employers on how to maximize the strengths of "Free Agents" to help grow the company. Case studies highlight the key elements

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good handbook on careers, December 4, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free Agents: People and Organizations Creating a New Working Community (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Hardcover)

A very good handbook when you live in a very uncertain world with no job tenure or job security. Anyone reading the book in the context of career management will find it useful as the sections are generally short and to the point. Also key points are 'bulleted' so it is easy to 'digest' them. The cycle of separating => redefining => positioning => sustaining is very lucidly explained and supported with short case stories. Many of us have to re-invent ourselves; this is a useful handy book to have for thriving in a world that will eventually be dominated by free agents. Even though the book is written for an American readership, it is equally applicable to anywhere on planet earth!