Customer Reviews

The Vest-Pocket MBA: Second Edition (Vest-Pocket Series)

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

 

 

This is one of the best fast references for business decision making and calculations. Rather than looking throught the voluminous texts which are required materials of business schools, this reference book holds all calculation procedures and examples of formula application required in MBA programs. Additional statistics tables are also included. This is a must for MBA students and business managers.

there are 'way too many typos in the formulas and calculations; really needed a better proofreader and/or formula and table typist. So if you don't already have some experience with the subject matter, you will find working through the examples frustrating as you encounter these errors.

Another caveat: the examples are headed in big bold type, while the principles they illustrate are in smaller italic type. This makes it more difficult than necessary to find the subject you're looking for and to determine what the example is illustrating.

Could also use a Glossary and an Index.

I have purchased the first and second edition in the past and would rate them both 5's. This new edition does not flow as well. I have used these books in the past to train my assistants who usually work with me for two years anmd the results have always been impressive. My current assistant is even more eagar to learn yet we seem to get "stuck in the mud with this edition. " I seriously considered rating this a three but relented when I realise that I was punishinmg the editors for failing to live up to the expectations they created in me due to past stellar performances, so in justice, I rated it a 4.

Why I would not buy this book?
1. No index. You cannot find topics quickly because there is no index. The table of contents tries to help with natural language questions, but you cannot visually find the topics or keywords you are looking for at a glance. An index would be a big improvement for this book.
2. Outdated content. Try finding a discussion about elasticity. Good luck with that topic or any other principle of Managerial Economics.
3. Bad concept. Because the book is designed to fit into a vest pocket (like anybody is really going to carry it around in a vest or suit pocket), the book won't stay open on your desk. You have to hold it open with your hands, so good luck if you have to type any formulas into Excel while using the book as a reference.

I will have to keep looking for an MBA reference book for my library because I sold this one.

Very handy, a good 1-time read to gain an overview, but sitting on the bookshelf since then. How would I navigate a business book without an index?

I received the book in a timely manner and I was happy with the price I paid.

I bought this book for an overview of business principles, but I got much much more, specifically the operations sections. The book provides excellent real-world examples and good examples on quantitative approaches, so you can see what kind of data you'll need to get to put into the formulas. I'll be using samples when I teach in a pre-MBA program at the local university, to help solidify the ideas for students. There are a few errors in the calculations, and granted, it could be a bit more intuitive (glossary, better index) but some great info in here to help launch your business ship. mb

This book presents a very nice summary of materials required by most MBA courses in general.

Want a secret? This book is perfect to stick in your back pocket while you are at work...

I would have kept my copy, but I ended up selling it along with a few other study guides to someone else that would have found it a lot more helpful in his quest to complete his BS in business. I originally ran into hunting this book down because bain4weeks.com recommended it as the appropriate text to study for the production/operations mgmt Excelsior (ECE) test. Excelsior had discontinued that test, so I was attempting to take the equivilant TECEP <www.tesc.edu/students/tecep>.

I failed by 5 points and decided to get another text that more closely related to the test: Operations Mgmt ISBN: 0072476702. Will update when I pass this last test for my degree. But the Vest Pocket MBA was all in all a very interesting read...something to add to a collection (bookshelf). I heard there will be a 4th edition coming out in Dec 2004. What more can then include? Probably will have some more e-business/internet commerce concepts stuffed in. If not in a hurry, I'd wait around for the newer version of it. See <http://www.1yearba.com> for more info on applying college credit through testing to an accredited degree.