Free to Succeed: Designing the Life You Want in the New Free Agent Economy [Paperback]

Barbara Bailey Reinhold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

The "new economy" is rapidly becoming a free agent economy. Today one third of all American workers are free agents, and in the next decade the percentage will rise even more dramatically. Whether by default (downsizing is here to stay) or design (job dissatisfaction is at an all-time high), more and more of us are becoming free agents.

In Free to Succeed, veteran career coach Barbara B. Reinhold offers invaluable advice on:

• The 10 Essential Strategies for Succeeding in the New Free Agent Economy
• Discovering Your Free Agent Profile: "Rebel," "Imagineer," "Philosopher," and more
• The 7 Steps to Free Agency
• How to become an "intrapreneur"-creating start-up ventures within your company
• Developing a "sidecar" venture to satisfy creative needs and help transition you to a more rewarding career

Plus
• sixteen in-depth exercises designed to motivate and guide your transition to free agency, resource listings, and more.

For entrepreneurs, "intrapreneurs," small business owners, artists, writers, freelancers, and anyone seeking more creative options, Free to Succeed will help you achieve greater fulfillment in your career and your life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Reinhold, career coach for Monster.com and director of Smith College's career center, offers a fresh approach to job searches. First, she recommends readers identify which of six personality types they most resemble, then advises they look for rewarding positions that meet their personal needs. Featuring examples of people who created great work situationsAe.g., by starting a business or forming a partnershipAthis book is best for experienced employees seeking a change. Agent, Susan Lee Cohen. (May)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

With Manpower, Inc., the temporary agency, the nation's largest private employer and one-quarter to one-third of American workers operating as "free agents," this author offers analysis of this "new economy" and advice on how to succeed in it. Free to Succeed is a self-help book. Reinhold is director of Smith College's career and executive development center and Monster.com's online career coach. Even in part 1, which describes the "new economy," her book is full of charts and checklists. Part 2 spells out the "Seven Steps to Free Agency" through 22 "stories" with their own charts and bulleted lists. Part 3 supplies helpful resources (books, journals, Web sites) and offers 25 pages of "Exercises to Get You Moving." Reinhold's "busy" style may turn off some readers, but even the most jaded will discover valuable factoids and approaches here. Glossary and bibliography appended. Mary Carroll
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Plume (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452282519
• ISBN-13: 978-0452282513
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give Yourself a Present by Focusing on Your Future, May 22, 2001

By 

Geoff (Marlborough, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free to Succeed: Designing the Life You Want in the New Free Agent Economy (Paperback)

This unassuming book is the best tool I have found to identify my personal and professional priorities. "Free to Succeed" served as a launchpad for me to think creatively about how I can take control of my work life, and keep the personal and professional in balance. The profiles of real-life clients ground the text, making it easy to see myself and my situation more clearly. The activities helped me to develop and individualized short and long term career plans. This book is a career counselor between two covers.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Touch With Reality, September 5, 2002

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Free to Succeed: Designing the Life You Want in the New Free Agent Economy (Paperback)

Free to Succeed describes accurately the ever changing work force that is effecting career opportunities. It emphasizes individuals pursuing several rotating career opportunties as opposed to doing the corporate dance as layoffs are becomming more apparent in Big Blue(IBM) and other large corporations.

This book gives some good exercises to give the reader a clear idea of his or her free agent strenghts and weakenesses. Some people have strong imaginations but just lack the nerve. Others may be gamblers with the lack of a strong purpose. To sum it up, this book is a good tool for self evaluation.

The glossary is pretty good and some good resources for web surfers. Some pretty good case studies even if some of them are a bit too repetitive. Its certainly worth a read.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY helpful and easy to read, May 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Free to Succeed: Designing the Life You Want in the New Free Agent Economy (Paperback)

I love this book's format! The few longer chapters at the beginning give a lot of information, especially about the seven stages of "doing your own thing," and then each stage has its own little stories to illustrate the points. So no matter where you you are in the process of creating and running your own venture, you can turn to the places in the book where you need inspiration and practical advice. Her stories are to the point and easy to remember. She writes as if she is sitting in the room with you. A book to read, check back with, and give to friends.