The Heart of Success; Making It in Business without Losing in Life [Paperback]

Rob Parsons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2002

Jack's father was one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time - the only problem was that the old man had no time, no friends, and died early. The prospect of following in the family tradition seems less than appealing to Jack but on the first day of his MBA he meets a retired professor who offers him a class that wasn't exactly on the curriculum: How to make it in business without losing in life. Over a series of memorable evenings the professor shares with Jack seven laws to turn his life around. Don't settle for being money rich - time poor Believe that the job you do makes a difference Play to your strengths Believe in the power of dreams Put your family before your career Keep the common touch Don't settle for success; strive for significance

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rob Parsons has an uncanny ability for asking life's most challenging questions in an unobtrusive way. Jill Garrett, Managing Director, The Gallup Organisation, UK Before you read one more book on how to climb the corporate ladder read this: it will help you make sure the ladder is leaning against the right wall. Kevin Kaiser, Adjunct Professor of Finance, INSEAD This will be the most talked about business book of the year. It is essential reading for anyone who is serious about genuine business and people development. Professor Jim Saker

About the Author

Rob Parsons is an international speaker on business issues. Each year he addresses thousands of people in live seminars as well as on radio, television and film. He is a lawyer by profession and is married to Dianne; they have two children, Katie and Lloyd.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Hb (January 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034078623X
• ISBN-13: 978-0340786239
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Parson's makes the case for a balanced life, April 19, 2011

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TP (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heart of Success; Making It in Business without Losing in Life (Paperback)

This review is written from the perspective of one UK Baptist Church minister who previously lectured in business and managed a number of organisations at a senior level.

Prior to his present roles Rob Parsons was a successful lawyer. Nowadays he is a well known author and speaker on international business circuits. He also is the founder of the Christian charity `Care for the Family.' He regularly appears on radio and TV espousing the values of marriage, parenting, friendship, and generally living in a way which could be readily associated with those with a Christian ethos.

Like many of Parson's books this one is `an easy read', Nonetheless, it remains informative. If the reader absorbs the central message found in the book and takes to heart Parson's suggestions, then, and especially if they are busy working people with families, they may find themselves re-evaluating their raison d'être, and bringing into balance the need to provide material wealth through work and the demands of family life. In my view the book seems to be targeted primarily at middle and up professionals, or those aspiring to such positions. A group whom it could be reasonably argued wish, (like most other groups), to provide materially, and paternally and maternally, for their families, but whom are more prone to finding themselves consumed by their work lives, and in the paradoxical situation in their strivings to provide actually acting out in damaging family life.

The book tells the story of `Jack'. His father was one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time - the only problem was that the old man had no time, no friends, and died early. Such a prospect was unappealing to Jack. When he started out on his MBA he met a retired professor who was to teach him `How to make it in business without losing in life.' The professor shares with Jack seven laws to turn his life around. Don't settle for being money rich - time poor. Believe that the job you do makes a difference. Play to your strengths. Believe in the power of dreams. Put your family before your career Keep the common touch Don't settle for success; strive for significance (sic).

Parson's book isn't presented as a Christian text, nonetheless, the values espoused therein are aligned to those found in the Christian way. There is even a passing reference to the `carpenter'.
From my observations of church life we would find a good number of working men and women who would fall within the target readership for this book. People in our pews who struggle with work-life, (lived out in a Christian sense), balance. These folks would undoubtedly gain value and guidance from this book, as would many an overworking church minister.