7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Basic Content, Commercial, August 10, 2002
This review is from: Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Women in Business (Unlocking the Secrets Series) (Paperback)
Every once in a while we find a book that is well-meaning, has lots of good information, but was written by consultants who were just a bit too commercial. It's obvious that Anna Wildermuth wants to help you with your appearance and Linda Brakefall wants to help you with your empowerment, professionalism, and effectiveness. Their addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses are easy-too easy for this reviewer-to find in the book. OK, let's get past the commercial and the authors introducing themselves at the beginning of the book. Let's get into the meat.
The book is organized into 26 Keys for success. Each key is a chapter with text written by the authors and a wide range of guest columnists-cameo appearances, if you will, by people with expertise in the subject matter. These contributions, in a smaller type size, are a bit of a stopper as you read the book, but build a sort of sense of community. Hmmm. Stopper. Like a speed bump or a curve in the road.
Actually, the whole book is designed with curves and speed bumps that slow the reader's pace so more can be absorbed. The pages are filled with tips and quizzes and quotes and questions to answer. Quite a bit to absorb-like the authors mixed a stew and threw everything in that would add to the "body." The "body" of this book is loaded. It's a potpourri of information and advice about being taken seriously, rising to the top, charm and charisma, personal and professional style, approachability, color, clothing, business travel, image, and working with your shape. You will find helpful information on business make-up, hair and grooming, business etiquette, interviewing for a job, presentation skills, and public speaking.
The authors cover a wide range of topics, though I'm not sure that I agree with all they suggest. Being a man, I asked a couple of businesswomen to look at this book with me so I could be sure to be fair. Their response included words like "inconsistent," "unprofessional," and "very basic."
There's a section in the back of the book offering resources for additional learning. By category, you will find what I believe are book titles and authors. There is insufficient detail for those who might want to access additional information, but readers could use search engines on the world wide web to do their research.
The authors are, no doubt, fine professionals in their fields. Unfortunately, while it offers valuable content, this book is not as professional as it could be. Advertisements at the end of every chapter is a bit much. The publishing of this book was managed by The Jenkins Group, says a statement on the back cover. They should have been more deeply involved to keep this stew from becoming stone soup.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended reading for women in the business world, September 9, 2002
This review is from: Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Women in Business (Unlocking the Secrets Series) (Paperback)
Collaboratively written by experienced business woman and public speaker Linda Breakeall and certified professional image consultant Anna Wildermuth, Unlocking The Secrets Of Successful Women In Business is a thoroughly "reader friendly" how-to, self-help guide written especially for women seeking to develop an effective and successful business career for themselves. Individual chapters offer a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques about everything from basic business etiquette, to pointers that help women be taken more seriously (lower your voice, be wary of smiling too much, avoid starting sentences with uncertain phrases such as "I think", and more), to maintaining a professional image, to job interview tips, and much, much more. Unlocking The Secrets Of Successful Women In Business is very highly recommended reading for women in the business world from the novice entry-level beginner to the seasoned corporate executive seeking to rise even higher within the corporate environment.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Women in Business, October 17, 2001
This review is from: Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Women in Business (Unlocking the Secrets Series) (Paperback)
An insightful, informative, quick and easy read for the young or more experienced professional business woman. The advice provided by the authors in this book can have a huge impact on career potential and success in the business world.
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