No comments about Practical Business Math Procedures Brief Edition with Student DVD, wsjinsert,BuMath Handbook.

3 comments about Statistics for Business and Economics (9th Edition).

1. This is a very readable and useable text for undergraduates, business students, and general readers who want to learn or brush-up on basic statistics. There is a tremendous amount of information in its 1200 pages, but it is well laid out, amply illustrated, with lots of practical work. The answers to the odd numbered questions are provided in the back to aid self-study. There are several appendices that provide important tables and the methods for calculating important statistical formulas. The index is also quite helpful.
   
   I think the book has a good balance of the technical with the practical. It is easy on the eyes and though statistics necessitates the use of a significant amount of math, it is well explained and never overwhelms the reader.



2. Very good text book with very useful and practical real cases, which make the boring theory interesting. I think it is very useful for my job and daily life.



3. I did not have much statistics background while in undergrad or through my job experiences and found this book to be quite easy to understand. The problems at the end of the chapters were quite useful in that they seemed applicable to the real world. I thought the most useful section was on regression so if you are interested in learning about that topic, this textbook is quite useful.

2 comments about Business Mathematics: A Collegiate Approach (8th Edition).

1. Easy to understand. The book takes you through a process, step by step. The information is user freindly and applies to real-time financial life. The only thing I didn't like was that the chapters were divided into sections (which is good) but the publisher did not reiterate the chapter with each section. So you could be in section 3 - but will have to flip the pages to find out which chapter you are in.



2. I bought this book for a class course but found out that the book is okay with the following examples that come after each section it covers. I only wish it could be written with more examples that are more step by step. I was told that this book came with a problem book wish it was sold as a package option for those that needed.

2 comments about Business Statistics Demystified.

1. Business Statistics Demystified makes use of analogies that helps in clearly getting the points across about the topics given in the book. It makes sure that the reader understands the points by using different analogies over and over again. It even includes an appendix that gives information on using basic math necessary for statistics along with further explanations on the topic of levels of measurements. This saves the trouble of having to rely on a whole lot of different resources for mathematical concepts used in statistics. The quizzes that focus on the chapters and the exams that focus on several chapters combined help to narrow down what is most important in learning this subject so that the reader does not get too overwhelmed with all the information. It features side bar notes throughout the book; here you will find important terms and definitions. The book explains the essentials in how to apply statistical studies to help in making important business decisions and what type of graph to use when preparing a report. The book is like a textbook written in an informal fashion which makes it easy enough to understand and it is worth every dollar spent. You cannot go wrong.



2. I'm not too far into this book, and I am learning from it, but I found it very disconcerting that for the first two chapters, most of the quiz answers were just wrong.
   
   The book would say something, the quiz repeated that language, but that was not the right answer.
   
   Yes, you can get a corrected quiz answer sheet on the web.
   
   However, authors have to approve the final gallies before they go to press. These authors had the chance to make sure the quiz answers were correct, and they didn't.
   
   I'm not sure how much I can trust their information, and I'm going to find another book to make sure I pass the class I'm taking.

5 comments about Statistics and Finance: An Introduction.

1. an interesting and authoritative perspective on many things of practical interest in asset management



2. This book is an ambitious and unique combination of stat and finance - and because of the very close relationship of the two areas, this book is excellent and useful for 1) statisticians who want to learn financial modeling; and 2) financial analysts who need to understand the underlying stat concepts at a relatively advanced level. It is generally well-written and the author provides clear explanation on many finance theories.



3. Ruppert tries to cover too many topics in too few pages. As a result, the treatment of topics is perfunctory at best, and the exercises are almost nonexistent. If you really want to learn the material, look at the table of contents, and for each chapter, buy a separate textbook.



4. I am a post graduate student in Finland. I've been trying to find a suitable book which would take me a step further after Luenberger's Investment Science (Cochrane's book is a too large leap for me). This excellent book which does just that. It covers interesting topics such as Michaud's resampling, volatility surfaces and interest rate models. The treatment of various topics is rather short though. However, after each chapter Ruppert has a bibliography where he recommends additional reading for each subject.
   
   Text is extremely readable and even though I am not in MIT like some reviewers (possibly meaning that I might not be that smart) I found the text easy to understand and the examples in the book really help to elaborate the text. If you want some light reading that tells you a little about a lot, this is the book for you.
   
   
   In addition, you can find some nice R code for the book which a little bit of googling.



5. A must have book for anybody looking to learn statistics as applied to finance. Explainations are as elaborative as provided in other great books like Hull and Neftci. I strongly recommend this book!

5 comments about Statistics for the Utterly Confused (Utterly Confused Series).

1. If you are studying for the GMAT or a similar test, this book might be helpful. However, if you are struggling with a problem and need practical advice on what test to use and how to perform it, pass this book by. I bought this book in part because it said on the cover that it would tell you how to use Excel for statistic. Forget that unless you think being told "this can be done on Excel" is how-to instructions.



2. Do yourself a favor and avoid this book. The book does not explain, it only documents, with heavy and unnecessary use of terminology. If you want to learn and understand, get Bartz's "Basic Statistical Concepts," an excellent book in it's 4th edition.



3. This book is structured more like a reference than a text. As such, it will be helpful as a second reference source to an actual text book to help clarify concepts. There are many better books out there for instruction.
   
   My biggest problem with this book is the number of errors in the examples. It seems like you can't go 10 pages without running into an error that make you go, "wait a minute... didn't he just say... but now he's saying...???"
   
   A very good example of such an error is on page 239, example 12-1, where the author states a problem that involves a proportion at 60%, then shows the math at 65%. This book is full of these kinds of issues and will, at times, completely throw you off track.



4. I had to take a college Statistics 2 class and this book was much easier to understand than the textbook. This book became attached to me during the class. For anyone having to take a statistics class (even high school level), I highly recommend getting this book to have as a reference guide. The book even shows you how to do the formulas in excel to get the answers needed to questions!



5. Sorry--Purchased this for my husband as statistics is a part of his business class. I am not able to rate the book from a personal stand point. I believe it has been a help for him, though.

No comments about PRACTICAL BUS MATH PROCEDURES With Student DVD, WSJinsert,BMathHandbook.

5 comments about Applied Linear Statistical Models.

1. This book was a required text for my Data Analysis course. I am not a stats person and have had only a rudimentary introduction to the subject, so I was surprised to find that this is a very approachable book. It is A TOME, but only because the authors are so thorough in their explanations. If you have seen hypothesis testing and are comfortable with the normal distribution, you will be able to face this book. If you are not, be aware that the exercises in the first chapter refer to the prerequisite material not covered by the book.
   
   After the introductory chapter, the authors gave just the right amount of theory to explain the topic at hand and give extensive footnotes for further information. Lots of graphs and example software output are included, all very helpful. I found the text to be well-organized, with coverage given to explanation and examples of each topic.
   
   My one complaint with the book is that it included no instruction on how to work with software programs to get the desired results, so if you are entirely new to the area and do not know how to use Statistix (which has a thorough and self-explanatory help system), R, Minitab, and SAS (which do not), going will be rough. One of the other reviewers mentioned a SAS guide. You may need it if your professor does not demonstrate software use in class.



2. Second year Ph.D. student in Statistics at Iowa State University
   
   I can't think of a single better non-theoretic linear models book. You need to have at least one semester of undergraduate statistics under your belt to follow this book, but it's useful and readable for everyone else. Undergraduates, graduates, professionals...whoever. Given its non-theoretic approach and extremely clear explanations, it can be read by undergraduates with only a minimal background in statistics, but it is comprehensive enough to be useful to anyone. There is no better linear models reference. The textbook is thick (almost 1400 pages) and covers most linear models topics in great detail including regression, ANOVA, and analysis of covariance. My only disappointment regarding content was the rather slim coverage of random and mixed effects models and GLM's. On a positive note, the book provides excellent coverage of diagnostics and remedial measures, which is very often skimmed over in linear models books. Additionally, it has exceptionally well-written, though fairly brief, coverage of model selection and validation, another topic that is a little lacking in many linear models books.
   
   The explanations and choice of exercises are both well-done. The explanations and examples are both clear and thorough, although I would have definitely preferred to see more graphs. It's the kind of topic where visual illustration greatly increases understanding. Generally, the exercises seem a little bit too easy, especially for graduate students, but they do mix in a few harder problems and they pick good, non-contrived problems.
   
   Whether you want a linear models book for learning purposes or if you just want a reference, this book is an excellent choice.



3. This textbook is excellent. The examples are clear and are very valuable in connecting the theory to reality. The assigned text for my regression course, Introduction to Regression Modeling by Abraham and Ledolter, is horrible. I ended up using the Neter text to learn the material for the regression course as well as the design of experiment course for which it was assigned. I know I will keep the Applied Statistical Models forever as a highly valuable reference book. I highly recommend it.



4. As a PhD student in management, I found this book (5th edition) to have the perfect balance between clarity and rigor. If you are looking for a book that covers both the theory and application of linear regression methods, this is a terrific reference. It is not a light book, in content or weight, so be prepared to work through it slowly. I agree with other reviewers that it is not a book you can jump into without either an intro to stats or a good professor to take you through it (and I had both, which helped a lot). However, the time spent reading this book is well worth it. I read it cover to cover...a first for any math book I've owned (and I've had a lot of math classes...but none of it ever stuck). The chapters present information in layers, and if you still want more detail (for you PhD students in stats and finance), the footnotes are excellent. I bought it as a course text, but I have returned to this book many times. (You will get more out of the book if you are familiar with a little bit of basic matrix algebra.)



5. I was looking for a book that deals with details about regression analysis, simple or multiple, and advanced topics of statistical. I found it!
   
   I recommend to buy this book. It's a excellent book!
   
   Applied Linear Statistical Models

2 comments about Managerial Statistics: A Case-Based Approach (with CD-ROM and Harvard Cases).

1. 
   Crisp and well written. Powerful concepts explained very well. A must for managers to understand basic stats.
   I thought I'll use it for my statistics course and sell it as used later... I decided to keep it. Good, handy reference.



2. This is probably the thinnest statistics book you would ever see but yet it handles all the concepts in a clear and concise fashion. It is useful to own one

4 comments about Guiding Growth: How Vision Keeps Companies on Course.

1. I was the founder and CEO of a small software company ..., and was approached by a much larger technology company ... . After making an acquisition offer I could not refuse, I sold my business to them and agreed to run it for four years.

   If only we had read this book about using vision to guide growth during our transition. Ultimately, the acquisition failed within two years for the buyer. This book offers three components of a well-developed organizational vision: raison d'etre, strategy and values. The buying company never took the time to go beyond a "bumper sticker" for a vision statement. Although it did seem on track with my company's reason for being, there was never an agreement on the strategy. The tension and disagreement (not to mention the time taken) related to these differences effectively crippled my previously highly motivated and productive staff. The key values of the two companies could not have been more different. The centerpiece of our values before acquisition involved doing whatever it took to make our customers happy-most of which had on-going consulting contracts with us. The executive from the buying company literally told my staff that this philosophy was both unnecessary and an expensive luxury.

   This book struck a real chord with me because it made it so clear where the gaps were. It obviously would have taken more than a book to convince the buying company to think more carefully through their plan, but having it all documented could've made the upcoming potholes in the road more obvious. And if we had actually implemented an agreed vision, I am sure the business could have continued on its previous success.

   The first half of the book lays out how vision is important and why it is not just another buzzword, but how it is a crucial element to grow a company. The second half gives more guidelines on the details of implementation. It took some patience to pull all the ideas together in Part I-it is much more conceptual than Part II-- but stick with it-its worth it. The anecdotes are great and the corresponding checklists and appendices give it a lot of substance. The second half is an easier read and filled with practical management advice-some related directly to vision and some just good solid management practice guidelines.

   As a seller of my business, I was very successful. I would have preferred to make the buyer even more successful and watch my company flourish with their greater resources. This book came four years too late for me. I will certainly recommend it to current clients in my consulting practice and keep it handy for my next venture.




2. Yippee! No academic psycho-babble, overly complex diagrams, or overly simplistic management fables in this one. "Guiding Growth" is smart, witty, and engaging - a must-read for business leaders concerned about sustainable competitive advantage.

   Lipton begins by admitting something few other professor/consultant/authors would ever dare: he was wrong. Convinced that the link between vision and growth was over-rated, that vision statements were just a passing fad, Lipton was surprised when his research proved exactly the opposite. Now, readers can reap the benefits of Lipton's change of heart. In "Guiding Growth," he leads us through the journey of understanding how valuable a clear vision can be when articulated and acted upon in a powerful way.

   Mark Lipton's writing voice is passionate and profoundly personal. While this book is well-grounded in research and experience, it is Lipton's use of stories and metaphors that will have a long-lasting effect on you. Yes, he makes you think; more important, he makes you feel something in your heart and in your gut. It is this quality that sets this book apart from other business books.

   Be forewarned: the feelings "Guiding Growth" provokes can be very uncomfortable at times. Throughout the early chapters, I stopped often to think and jot down notes about my own vision, my own raison d'etre, as Lipton raised "Why?" questions over and over again. By the end of Chapter 4, I was saying "Yes! Yes! Yes!" as the vision for my work became clearer. Reading Chapter 5 brought tears to my eyes as he described the strong connection between vision and deeply held values based on life experiences.

   The second half of the book holds valuable advice for all business leaders: how to put that vision into action, overcome obstacles, and avoid pitfalls. Lipton's Vision Framework has been tried and tested - he proves his points with examples drawn from well-known companies.

   Kudos to Mark Lipton for having the guts to publicly concede that he was wrong and for taking the time to share his lessons learned with us in this book. -- Cynthia C. Froggatt, author of "Work Naked: Eight Essential Principles for Peak Performance in the Virtual Workplace" (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2001), ...




3. Reading "Guiding Growth" has been a joy - finally a practical book about vision. Like Lipton, I was suspicious about the whole vision industry, but his book has helped to look at the concept in a different light.
   The distinction between the 3 principles - raison d'etre, strategy and values is most insightful (especially since raison d'etre and strategy are often mixed up).
   Despite all good intentions, the reality is that the vision process often ends with the communication of a vision statement. Lipton shows how the real impact can go far beyond just an energising event: it is pivotal in guiding and sustaining growth.

   In my own experience vision is often treated with more suspicion in Europe than in the US. Lipton's book, however, is as valuable for those who are in charge of building or changing an organisation in the US as in Europe (or any other part of the world) - Guiding Growth goes beyond the hype. It asks some tough questions and invites you to think about how you can unlock the wholehearted commitment of your workforce by providing meaning to the existence of the organization. A must.




4. Ah, corporate vision statements. Before reading Guiding Growth I did not put great faith in them. I, as the author, Mark Lipton, was not convinced of the power of corporate visions at the beginning of his research. Visioning to some extent has been a management fad that has come and gone. However Lipton's research finds that for companies who truly have a vision that helps their companies stretch and grow, and is deeply embedded in their organizations; the market returns are demonstrably better.

   Vision, in Lipton's model is composed of three elements: raison d'être, strategy and values. In Guiding Growth Whole Foods Market is quoted as saying `our vision statement reflects the hope and intentions of many people. We do not believe it always accurately portrays the way things currently are at Whole Foods market so much as the way would like things to be. It is our dissatisfaction with the current reality, when compared with what is possible, that spurs us toward excellence and toward creating a better, company and world.' Strong stuff indeed. And in ManyWorlds' experience, for many companies the articulation of a vision is often based on their heritage, not to where they want to grow, and not what differentiates them.

   Lipton also examines the role of executive groups (not teams) and the alignment of people processes with vision, to bring the vision alive, real and accountable. The book is as much about leadership and organizational culture as it is about growth and vision, which are of course the fruits and seeds of each other, within the organizational greenhouse. He writes, `Organizations rocketing through extended periods of growth. To succeed, they need a combination of all the right ingredients and they must be in near-perfect alignment. If one element is missing, or out of alignment, then the potential for failure rockets as well...all organization share the same need to have the right ingredients in place and to ensure they are aligned and that is what the executive group accomplishes through the vision framework.'

   Peppered with examples from a range of companies and with deeper analysis of high-growth organizations such as Oakley, Lipton has done an excellent job of presenting both a visioning framework and insights into culture and leadership into a practical and usable work. Helpful lists of questions, checklists and exercises bring this already enthusiastic text to a more approachable and actionable level. Highly recommended for executives and managers from a variety of functional areas including business unit heads and `service lines' such as HR.