Customer Reviews

The Smart Manager's F.A.Q. Guide: A Survival Handbook for Today's Workplace (pfeiffer)

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This is a handy reference for managers that offers quick ideas on topics that range from anger management and change to teams and time management. While this isn't a replacement for a thorough study on the topics, it provides enough information for understanding and implementation. You might want to keep a copy of this book on your desk, next to your dictionary.

All managers can learn at least something of value from this book. It is well-written, carefully organized, and provides a wealth of useful information. The advice is sound, apparently based on extensive real-world experience. I think this is a book which will be most valuable to those who are about to begin or have only recently begun a business career. It covers all of the basics. It is not for "dummies" nor for "idiots" because, first, they won't understand it and, two, because they will be unable to make effective use of whatever they do understand. I strongly encourage supervisors to purchase copies of this book for all who report to them. Or at least for the fast-trackers. Gatto refers to his book as a "toolbox" and that is accurate. Less-experienced employees with ambitions to become managers should review the Contents and then focus on whichever subject is most immediately relevant. Then cherry-pick and implement those ideas, suggestions, strategies, and tactics which are most appropriate. To them I also suggest a periodic review of the Contents. This is a time when change is the only constant. People change. Their needs and interests change. Their circumstances change. This book's subtitle suggests that this is a "survival handbook for today's workplace." For soime, perhaps. For most, certainly, a practical briefing on management basics. Well-done, Mr. Gatto.