Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery

FREE Returns

FREE delivery Wednesday, June 7

Or fastest delivery Monday, June 5. Order within 8 hrs 14 mins

Select delivery location

In Stock

[{"displayPrice":"$32.00","priceAmount":32.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"32","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"kl5LI0Wz4rghONTezIPx4I9YR0N7ehhTGDx7XsEUJ7HqG0L7mt3ebHjNN%2F2uIbsh03RGhM3kRrZVe5vAzj0gqYw30YmWMUFirJ2cdqkH6Siql64Qq01vXZkHSggYp3zQTmtupCkPaI%2FzKzeN7czHYg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$18.00","priceAmount":18.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"18","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"kl5LI0Wz4rghONTezIPx4I9YR0N7ehhTG%2F9pBexDo%2FBdugsuvI7auQD%2FxJYKhlhl2dEGMi85aVOZgBkKBS3uMGyHWO9PzZRGOJUDVWYWNgOmkkwsIsNpOR999GWrO5HHxFRghMtXWFJT3l2L7vdtmV%2FSXQSsS%2BkmG2VE0%2FOFZyDX0k%2BdeoPYcfhPhI%2FlTvQD","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$32.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Details

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Friday, June 9 on orders shipped by Amazon over $25

Or fastest delivery Monday, June 5. Order within 5 hrs 14 mins

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by FindAnyBook

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$23.95
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: allnewbooks

Added

Not added

$29.99
& FREE Shipping

Sold by: srwilson62

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See this image

Follow the Author

Bradford D. Smart

Topgrading, 3rd Edition: The Proven Hiring and Promoting Method That Turbocharges Company Performance Hardcover – Illustrated, August 16, 2012

by Bradford D. Smart Ph.D. (Author)

4.2 233 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$13.99

—

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Hardcover, Illustrated

"Please retry"

$32.00

$20.38

$1.63

Kindle
$13.99 Read with Our Free App
Audiobook
$0.00 Free with your Audible trial
Hardcover
$32.00

63 Used from $1.63 17 New from $20.38 1 Collectible from $17.95

Purchase options and add-ons

“BRAD HELPED US DEVELOP THE TOOLS TO PICK A-PLAYER LEADERS AT GE.” —JACK WELCH

Great companies, large and small, rise or fall because of their talent; the more high performers on your team, the more successful your organization will be. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Research shows that only about 25% of all new hires turn out to be high performers.

But companies that have used Brad Smart’s Topgrading system over the past two decades have boosted their hiring success rates dramatically—sometimes even to 90%.

Three huge problems account for the typical poor results in hiring: dishonesty (via deceptive résumés), incomplete information (via shallow interviews), and lack of verifiability (via biased references). Topgrading shows how to solve all three problems. Instead of hiring by your gut reactions to résumés and interviews, you can start using a scientifically honed process that compels candidates to be totally honest.

Smart, one of the world’s foremost experts on hiring, has personally helped hundreds of companies double, triple, or even quadruple their hiring success rates. His clients have ranged from global giants such as General Electric and Honeywell to midsize and small businesses in every field imaginable, and to not-for-profits such as the American Heart Association. And hundreds of thousands of readers have applied the lessons and tools of the first two editions of Topgrading.

The Topgrading system makes hiring easier, faster, and more successful than any other process. And it works at every level, from the front lines to senior management.

For the first time in seven years, Smart has fully revised and updated Topgrading with many new tools, techniques, and case studies. This edition now features 40 companies of all sizes, across a wide range of industries and home countries. It’s the most advanced and useful version of Topgrading ever. The third edition includes:

Simplified Topgrading methods for entry-level jobs.
The new Topgrading Snapshot, which screens out weak candidates in just 15 seconds.
The latest version of the acclaimed Topgrading Interview script.
Case studies from 35 companies not featured in any previous edition.
Many additional innovations created by Topgraders.

Topgrading isn’t just about hiring and promoting—it’s also about developing talent. It enables leaders to reward their A Players, coach their Bs to become As, and weed out the Cs who are beyond improvement.

Many great leaders know that Topgrading works. Find out how it can help your company gain a big competitive advantage.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Portfolio
Publication date

August 16, 2012
Dimensions

6.2 x 1.25 x 9.27 inches
ISBN-10

1591845262
ISBN-13

978-1591845263
See all details

Frequently bought together

Topgrading, 3rd Edition: The Proven Hiring and Promoting Method That Turbocharges Company Performance

$32.00

Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 7

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$14.99

Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 7

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$13.87

Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 7

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Choose items to buy together.

Verne Harnish
182
Paperback
21 offers from $11.94
Gino Wickman
7,303
Paperback
258 offers from $3.45
Geoff Smart
2,187
Hardcover
217 offers from $2.08
Jim Sullivan
301
Paperback
18 offers from $15.39
Verne Harnish
701
Paperback
86 offers from $2.22
Michael D. Watkins
9,956
Hardcover
260 offers from $3.76

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Stated simply, the best talent wins and Topgrading helps identify and hire the best talent. This is true for internal promotions and external hires.”
—KEN CAMP, CEO, Hillenbrand

“The Topgrading interview process is one of the best tools in our arsenal for getting an in-depth understanding of high-potential managers. It probably improved our success promoting high-potential managers from maybe 50% to over 80%.”
—BILL CONATY, former Senior Vice President of Human Resources, General Electric

“The most valuable management skill a person can have is the ability to produce high-talent teams. Nothing else even comes close. That’s why Brad Smart’s Topgrading approach should be a top priority process in your organization.”
—PRICE PRITCHETT, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, PRITCHETT LP

“Topgrading is the best practice I know of for hiring and promoting people who turn out to be A Players. In a not-for-profit, that can translate into raising more money to educate the public, and that can save lives . . . Having the best talent at every salary level is crucial.”
—CASS WHEELER, former CEO, American Heart Association

“Turnover came down, and sales and profits skyrocketed. With 98% hiring success due to Topgrading, the business took off.”
—JACK HARRINGTON, then CEO, Virtual Technology, now CEO, Thales Raytheon Systems

“When I look back at the dramatic success of our company, I can clearly point to the implementation of Topgrading as the pivotal moment that made our success possible. I implore every business owner to make Topgrading mandatory. A Topgraded team is the ultimate secret weapon to crush the competition.”
—RICHARD ROSSI, Co-Founder, EnvisionEMI

“We’ve Topgraded the entire company and our sales and profits have soared.”
—ORRIN KLOPPER, CEO, Netsurit

About the Author

BRADFORD D. SMART, PH.D., is the president of Smart & Associates, Inc., a group of professionals who assess candidates for executive positions and train managers to implement Topgrading. A well-known industrial psychologist and consultant, he has personally helped hundreds of companies of all sizes dramatically improve their talent. His other books include Topgrading for Sales. Brad lives in a suburb of Chicago.

Visit www.Topgrading.com

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portfolio; 3rd ed. edition (August 16, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1591845262
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1591845263
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.44 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 1.25 x 9.27 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #165,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #335 in Human Resources & Personnel Management (Books)
- #1,682 in Business Management (Books)
- #2,239 in Leadership & Motivation

Customer Reviews:
4.2 233 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Bradford D. Smart

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Brad is frequently acknowledged as the world’s foremost expert on hiring. Brad’s firm, Topgrading, Inc., consults with many leading companies and hundreds of small and growth companies helping them pack their teams with A Players. Brad has interviewed over 6,500 candidates for hire and promotion to executive positions.

Background:

Brad has been married to wife Mary since 1969, has 11 grandchildren, and competes in Masters Springboard Diving. In his age group he occasionally wins, because better divers eventually drop out and Brad is the “last man … springing!” He completed his doctorate in Management Psychology at Purdue University, entered consulting, and since the 1970s has been in private practice as CEO of Topgrading, Inc., based in the Chicago area.

He is author of eight books, most of which are Amazon, Fortune, and Wall Street Journal best sellers.

The latest book is: Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring High Performers, co-authored by his president, Chris Mursau. Also popular is the most complete Topgrading “textbook,” Topgrading, 3rd Edition: The Proven Hiring And Promoting Method That Turbocharges Company Performance. In addition to writing books on hiring, he and daughter Dr. Kate Mursau wrote Smart Parenting, How To Raise Can-Do Kids.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

233 global ratings

5 star		60%
4 star		17%
3 star		12%
2 star		5%
1 star		6%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Ausssie Man

Good but waffle and self promotion

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 31, 2016

Verified Purchase

Core message great. Some gems right at the end that aren't endlessly repeaters through the book. Lots of repetition. Probably enough content for a great book 2/3 the length. Instead it's a good book. A bit of a sales job on his own branding topgrading . But hey that's why he wrote.it! Skim the first 1/2 with a highlighter and slow down. Especially in the last 20%

Buy it. Use it. If you aren't doing this stuff or something similar aready. .. Watch your business and career transform.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

OC Kiteflyer

Really works-clearly separates the best candidates

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

My company has adopted Topgrading in to our hiring process. Sifting through the chaff has been an en eye opening experience. We just hired our first candidates as a result of this process and because they are “A” players, they are already setting the bar for our established team to catch up.
Also recommend this book for any job seekers! Understand what you are up against and make sure you bring your A game to an interview! Who you are will come out- welcome the thoroughness of the process and be glad you are an A player!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

ATXexas

One of the worst, self-aggrandizing, disasters ever authored. The sad part is there is good info scattered throughout.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

I'm not giving these 2 stars lightly. In fact, I'd say that there are some really great insights in this book and the Topgrading system has merit. However, as a hiring manager who uses Topgrading, this book is nearly useless. It's just Bradford telling you, over and over again, how awesomely awesome Bradford is. You think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not.

Honestly, if I have to read one more mastubatory atta-boy to himself, or how 'Dare he Say It, 91%' I swear I'm gonna flip out. It's like cancer for my eyes. It's as if I'd already joined the cult and the cult leader's vapid and forgetful right-hand man won't stop asking me to join the friggin' cult.

25% of this book is worth reading, the other 75% makes you question your decision to crack the cover.

30 people found this helpful

Helpful

roscomann

Good Intentions Bad Application

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 16, 2014

Verified Purchase

I know people will disagree with me by pointing to the success of companies like GE and Goldman Sachs with this model however, I don't know that I can agree with a model that inevitably creates an environment of back stabbing and self preservation vs. success through focus on a rising tide that lifts all boats. I also question the ethical stance regarding the background checks when Brad promotes the idea that soliciting former supervisor feedback even when it may be against a company policy is ok because, "we haven't been or heard of anyone being sued over it" or, to twist it to say, "this is a personal recommendation vs professional" just doesn't sit well with me. I personally think Top Grading is kind of like Communism. It's good in theory but in practical application, it's a horrible idea. In my opinion this model also destroys the value of diversity by creating an environment full of like minded automatons.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jeff C. Annis

This Book is a KEY Resource.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

You must read this book if you have a team or employ people in any capacity. Don't chicken out on the lessons of this book. My personal wealth would be 10X after 40 years as a business owner if I had this knowledge when I was 20 years old. You have to learn this methodology and apply it to your work and your life. This book and the perspectives taught will be life-changing. I recommend their website. I recommend their e-learning opportunities.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Andrea montoya

Good book to aply immediately in your Company

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 17, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is an amazing book to implement a new methodilogy in your HR department. Im really involved in this book and applying everything.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

Wonderful audio book that opens the eyes. Bradford Smart's book instills hope that there is s better way than hire four to get the one motivated, high performing employee you needed. companies CANNOT afford to waste time. Implement TopGrading today!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Michelle Lebovitz

Book is repetitively self-congratulatory...steps on how to complete are buried in unnecessary stories of author's glory days

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 28, 2015

Verified Purchase

The author spends a lot of time trying to keep on selling his book...which i already purchased. Book would be better if the author stops "patting himself on the back" and restating how great the process is and just get to details on what the process actually is, and allow the reader to decide if the process is worthy of praise.

19 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

G. Petrov

Horrible book, horrible premise, D-player writing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a truly horrific book in many ways. It starts with the premise that everyone is a liar and you need to threaten them to stop them from deceiving you.

It then reduces human personality to A-players, and B and C players.

The A players are those who will work their bums off and are also gullible enough to be manipulated into accepting low pay.

The B and C players are everyone else.

On top of this horrendously bad take on team building and running a modern business, the book is simply very badly written. It is repetitive, and needy, and about half of it is trying to justify its premise without offering any (none, zero) evidence, other than name-dropping and random bombastic claims (backed with zero evidence).

The author also writes a lot about himself and how great he is, not surprising given that his mug covers most of the front page.

Nominative determinism doesn’t always work….

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

More of a text book than something fun to read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 18, 2018

Verified Purchase

More of a text book than something fun to read. Topgrading is a great process but it is not applicable across all hiring processes and some of it is too difficult to implement. Definitely worthy of a read though.

Onkar Singh

One of the best books read.......

Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on July 26, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is a must read for every executive, Manager, senior Manager, General Manager, CEO...... It's a Shre shot success pill.

July

The HR How-To Guide Book

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

Incredible How-To HR hand book for effective hiring of "A" players

Alex

Five Stars

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on March 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Lots of great details on how to improve hiring at your company.

See all reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Amazon Prime includes:

Buy new: $32.00$32.00 FREE delivery: Wednesday, June 7 Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used: $18.00

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Author

Topgrading, 3rd Edition: The Proven Hiring and Promoting Method That Turbocharges Company Performance Hardcover – Illustrated, August 16, 2012

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

More items to explore

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Bradford D. Smart

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$32.00

FREE delivery: Wednesday, June 7

Ships from: Amazon.com

Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used:

$18.00