Customer Reviews

The Unwritten Laws of Business

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Basically, as a 50-year old professional, this book delivers little of what I have not already learned through trial and error.

This book allows you to learn without the scar tissue which I have accumulated from my "trial and error" travails.

Had someone come to me with this book when I was young -- when I intentionally continued to live in my world (by stealth) in order not to heed to the advice of my elders and continued to avoid their prophetic advice -- I would have been much better informed.

My recommenddation for AARP-card carrying members like myself, get a young'un to deliver this common sensical verse of advice at the young and restless person's door step (God forbid a gray-haired geezer be the deliverer of this book of truisms); and, then pray that the easily read words written therein somehow can be absorbed -- even if only partly. This book only offers good advice, so the more taken -- the more good is given.

"Pass it on."

I loved this little gem of a book. It gently reminds us how to be a better employee or employer, but I think this advice ultimately can help us be better in ALL of our relationships. Imagine if we let our ethics be our assett with our friends, neighbors and family, as well as our supervisors and co-workers. The title does not do this book justice, because it is not just the business community who needs these lessons. Whether you serve ice cream at a local shop, superivse small children at a day-care, teach in a classroom, or manage a multi-million dollar corporation, this book is all you need to guide you. Buy multiple copies and give it to college graduates and high-school students applying for their first job. If you are a high school guidance counselor, teach it to your students. If you are a boss, give it to your employees when they are hired (and read your own copy again and again!). If you are an employee, keep it on your desk and look at it from time to time to remind you to be your best. Thank you Mr. King and Mr. Skakoon for your timeless wisdom.

I have been in business for over a decade and I live and breathe by many of the principles discussed in this book. I discovered these directives on my own through trial and error (mostly error) and from my numerous mentors. I certainly would have been better off if I had been exposed to this book as a graduate. The directives are quite simple but without them laid out in such simple terms and put into context most people would completely miss them. I will be purchasing this book for my kids their senior year of college.

We recently read the book for our book club who has been together for over 10 years and it led to the longest most on task discussion to date. All of us in the book club, regardless of age or profession, share the common experience of having had a boss/supervisor, having been a boss/supervisor, and having had an interview. The information in the book reminded me of my dad's generation and the ethics and expectations he taught me that I wish were practiced by more today. In particular, the piece on integrity being an asset was a good reminder that only we can control our integrity and increase that asset or allow it to become a liability if misused. If all professionals took into consideration the "unwritten laws," work places would be much more productive, positive, and personally stimulating. As I continue in my career in education moving ever so quickly into administrative roles, I hope to use this book as beginning discussion point for creating workplace norms within the educational setting for teachers and administrators who sometimes feel outside the "business world" when really we are educational salespeople, classroom CEOs, and community managers. Great book with timeless information! Thanks to the original author as well as Jim Skakoon who only increased its value and readability.

Oh, I wish I would have had this book when I first started working! What a difference it would have made in my career! When I read it, I kept nodding my head in agreement. This is a great book - a must read for anyone who is starting out in the business world. For anyone who has already been out there a while, it's a great refresher of the things we know we should be doing, but oftentimes don't always do. Also, I think I will give it a read before starting any new job, so that I start on the right foot. I think this would make an excellent gift for parents or relatives to give to college grads.

The book has a unique charm to it that will prompt many readers to revisit, reread and highlight sections throughout their careers.

The chief obstacles to career success are personal and administrative in nature with problems arising from the violation of the unwritten laws of professional conduct rather than errors relating directly to work. That was W.J. King's observation in 1944 and he expanded on that observation in a series of three articles for "Mechanical Engineering". That series of articles was published as a book The Unwritten Laws of Engineering. For some sixty years, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers published this book to an audience of mechanical engineers. The book was rescued from general obscurity by William H. Swanson, Raytheon's Chief Executive Officer. Swanson referenced this book in his famous pamphlet on corporate management. Effective career guidance has no expiration date and this book has been updated, retitled and published in the popular business press version.

The Unwritten Laws of Engineering became an underground classic and with more than 100,000 copies published over sixty years. This book was often given to new engineers at the beginning of their careers as helpful professional guidance. This "little big book" is straight forward in its approach and succinct in its guidance. This book of less than 110 pages is subdivided into three sections - "What the beginner needs to learn at once", "Relating chiefly to managers" and "Professional and personal considerations". What is affirming is that so many of these principles and laws outlined in 1944 for mechanical engineers remain true and pungent today for professionals.

Today's business literature is replete with list-driven works that will, reputedly, effectively address problems as varied as strategic planning to the effective use of e-mail. The "flavor of the month" approach has dominated much of the popular business literature as a whole. What is remarkable about the The Unwritten Laws of Business is that this small book may actually be read instead of just being prominently displayed on office bookshelves. The principles outlined in this work are certainly not new or especially novel to the experienced manager, for example:

· If you have no intention of listening to, considering, and perhaps using someone's opinion don't ask for it.
· The common belief that everyone can do anything if they just try hard enough is a formula for inefficiency at best and for complete failure at worst.
· Never miss a chance to commend or reward subordinates for a job well done.

Even in our era, that is better known for its regulatory oversight and litigation, these principles and "unwritten laws" still ring true and clear. These laws are time tested and proven guides to professional and administrative behavior in large and small, public, private and non-profit organizations. Individual career success is situationally dependent and is often a complex undertaking; however, the application of these laws and principles will most certainly reduce both the frequency and magnitude of crisis in the early years of a professional career.

The book does earn its label as a little big book. It is an interesting and useful guide, although by design not a comprehensive guide to career success. It is a useful book for both the seasoned employee and the novice, alike and is a welcome addition to any professional's library.

I wish I'd had this little gem 20 years ago. Helpful and enjoyable. I gave my copy to my boss.

This is an incredible find. It was not only a quick, easy read but very inspiring too! I loved all the words of wisdom and examples throughout. I could relate almost everything in this book to personal and work related experiences. I think everyone in the professional world should have a copy and when your having one of those days and need inspired you can open it to any page and give yourself a boost. I loved it and will get a copy to give to my boss as well.

i have written a lot of books about management, strategy, and all that.
but this small book is, by far, the best of all.
recommended for everyone that has to do anything with management. period!

Sound advices on management, ethics, leadership, communication, coordination, etc, that are insipred from best practices. Recommended.