5 comments about Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step: Maximizing Performance and Maintaining Results.

1. Much more than "what is the BSC!" This book gave me the practical background necessary to forge ahead in my company with the BSC. Kaplan and Norton's text did a good job explaining what it is, but Niven gave me the confidence to implement. It's really a 5-star book and I highly recommend it. I've highlighted and tabbed so much of this book it looks like one of my graduate course textbooks.



2. I read this book for a graduate accounting information systems' class and I LOVED IT!!! This book does a awesome job at presenting necessary information that all businesses should know.
   
   Whether you are a owner of a large or small company, or a manager searching for ways to unite your department, this book will help you. It will enlighten the reader on the things every business must emphasize to maximize performance and profits.
   
   It is written as a guide to first explain the importance of a Balanced
   Scorecard, explain the making of a scorecard, then gives you detailed information on how to create a scorecard using simple to follow steps. Each step is detailed just enough to give the reader a solid understanding of each step and its' role in the whole process. Behind-the-scenes details such as warning signs to look for during the creating stages are also given.
   
   The book finishes with a lot of hands on examples and helps the reader feel confident in the undertaking of the project. After reading this book, my understanding of a balanced scorecard was greatly enriched. I started out thinking it was another useless flow chart which no one would benefit from. After reading this book, I see it as a tool that no company should be without.
   
   I feel this book is an excellent resource for any company to use to implement a balance scorecard. Even if you do not want to implement a scorecard, a lot of tremendously, helpful ideas on uniting workers for a common goal, bringing a work staff together, maximizing profits and overall, simply building a better business are in this book. It's a
   MUST READ for all management and business owners.



3. Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step: Maximizing Performance and Maintaining Results
   
   This book was an excellent resource on the Balanced Scorecard. Mr. Niven does an outstanding job of outlining the issues and history of the Balanced Scorecard in order to quickly get the reader up to speed before jumping into the actual implementation process. The book is written in a manner to accommodate the lowest common denominator, making it very easy for the reader to understand the points Mr. Niven makes.
   
   As the title of the book suggests, Mr. Niven tackles the implementation process in a straight forward, step-by-step approach. He takes the reader along and builds the process like a pyramid, one layer at a time. Mr. Niven uses personal experience and examples of past failures and successes to drive his points home. At the end of each chapter he pauses to recap the major lessons that have been learned.
   
   After guiding the reader through the implementation process, he then takes time to show how to maintain the Balanced Scorecard and to apply it to other areas, such as corporate governance and executive compensation. All in all, he makes the Balanced Scorecard a very understandable subject and provides much needed confidence in the reader that one can be implemented successfully.
   
   This is a must read for both organizations interested in the Balanced Scorecard and students pursuing business degrees.



4. Truely a good strategic book for any organization. This book covers graduate theory and explains well in details; taking you step by step in the Scorecard practices.



5. I was looking for something to supplement Kaplan & Norton ... some different Strategy Map illustrations, etc. This book had been recommended by an acquaintance who had heard the author speak. I found the text to be somewhat rambling (almost like a folksy mind dump) and loosely structured. The examples and illustrations I was looking for weren't there. Maybe you had to hear the author speak.

1 comments about Foundations of Financial Mgmt.

1. This book came very fast and was in better shape i thought than was stated.

5 comments about Earned Value Project Management, 3rd Edition.

1. So far I have found two books dedicated to the topic of earned value: this book by Fleming and Koppelman and another book entitled `Using Earned Value' by Alan Webb. Note that I am not listing the earned value `Cliff notes' entitled `Project Management: The Commonsense Approach" by the Lamberts, which will not add to your understanding of earned value management or analysis, and serves, at best, as a memory jogger on the basic concepts.
   
   "Earned Value Project Management, Second Edition" by Fleming and Koppelman provides a good treatment of the history of earned value and of the calculation methods of its core measurements. However the book falls short in terms of methods of analysis and interpretation of these measurements, which is really where project managers need guidance and expertise. Indeed calculations are automated by the scheduling packages (e.g. Microsoft Project, Primavera, etc.), in other words getting the numbers is never the problem (although some packages have had their share of problems doing this), or let's just say it's the easy part. Obviously one needs to understand how the numbers are calculated and what they mean but this part of earned value does not require a whole book about it. The true challenge in earned value management is the analysis part. Once you have the numbers, you need to understand what they mean to your project, how they trend, how they relate/influence one another and most importantly how you should use them in gauging the health of your project. This information then needs to be translated in either corrective actions (which are hopefully proportional to the problem at hand) or inaction (provided that you have made the conscious decision, based on the data, to keep things as they are). I believe that this is where this book falls short. It gives the reader an understanding of the concepts but lacks in the guidance that is required for a true, practical, and day-to-day application of earned value on projects. In another words, it's a good start but not quite enough.



2. Fleming and Koppelman have done a decent job of bringing the complex subject of Earned Value Management into perspective. Starting with an interesting history of the subject from its beginnings in 1965, they have broken the subject down into its components and given a clear explanation of the fundamentals. If you're planning on working in the EVMS field any time soon, I would recommend this as a good starting point to familiarize yourself with the subject.



3. I wish I had had this book much earlier in my project management career! The authors of this book are able to bring the esoteric aspects of Earned Value to the masses. Reading this text is easy - not like a reading text book - and the authors provide (somewhat) "real life" case studies to back up their examples.
   
   One author claims to be an expert in Earned Value, and I believe it after reading his explanations - he is able to cut to the essence of the idea without leaving the important details behind. This book is worth the money, especially if you've read other text about Earned Value - you'll appreciate the simplicity of this one.



4. This is a book that talks a lot about Earned Value in terms of history and usefulness; how it advanced since 1967 C/SCSC to today's EVM standard.
   To my amazement, unfortunately, this book does NOT show you how to calculate EARNED VALUE. It keeps talking about how to use it to assess progress and predict future progress but it does not show how to get it.
   This is a MAJOR flaw in my opinion.
   
   I finished reading the book and I am disappointed. It needs more examples. There are better books in the market on this.



5. Unfortunately I never received my book so I can not give any opinion.
   
   Regards

5 comments about The Budget-Building Book for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Managers and Boards (w/CD) (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Guidebook Series).

1. When I purchased this book I thought it might be outdated for my organization. I was wrong - this is an excellent budget WORKBOOK. The author did an excellent job in bringing the complex and problematic issues of budgeting for Nonprofit organizations and takes you step by step into the process. The book covers everything from the start of the budget to financial reporting of the budget. This book also provides numerous samples of budgets. If your a budget manager or director - this book should give a fresh new way to look at the budgeting process.



2. This book has been very helpful to our fiscal staff and me. I have used it to assist our department directors prepare their budgets for the first time. It has saved me hours of work.



3. Being a new treasurer in a newly formed non-profit organization, this book is extremely helpful in planning and executing asset management. It was recommended by the national organization's board and it is well worth the purchase purchase price.



4. The book gives you straight forward step-by-step directions for developing a budgeting process that allows you to move the key budgeting tasks down into the organization to those who will do the tasks being budgeted. You are given informative examples of the key steps in budgeting and lots of forms to adapt and use in your organization. One of the best books on budgeting I have read.



5. Contains some decent tips but disappointing overall. Lacks treatment of the issue of restricted funds, essential to non-profit budgeting. Does not provide insight into effective use of spreadsheet programs like Excel which are essential to budget building. Does not show modern methods for calculating overheads like the FTE system. Contains a plethora of forms that can be used in various stages of the budget building process.

No comments about Corporate Finance plus MyFinanceLab 2-semester Student Access Kit.

2 comments about The Great Contraction, 1929-1933: (New Edition) (Princeton Classic Editions).

1. In these days, in which we are discussing and fighting over the issue of the financial crisis, nothing is better than this chapter of Milton Friedman "Banking History" which reviews carefully and seriously the causes resulting in The Great Contraction 1929-1933, and sent the world into the greatest depression of modern times. Men who do not know history are bound to repete the errors of the past. We hope it will not happen due to Dr. Friedman excelente study



2. It is somewhat a morose sense of timing that a new edition of this book just came out. The authors write what is probably the definitive study of the monetary factors behind the great depression, and hopefully, provide enough information to avoid a repeat. As should be evident by the subject, a highly technical book, even for someone with a background in economics, not light bedtime reading, but well worth reading for someone with an interest in the subject.

5 comments about Money of the Mind.

1. there was a very clever quote mentioned in the book by banker Stillman:
   
   "Every American should reduce his talking by at least two-thirds. There is rarely any reason to talk."
   
   Translated into 2007 prices, I would say the fraction should be upped to at least four fifths.
   
   Verdict: not a bad little book if you can look past the author's anti-Americanism



2. James Grant is the best writer of his generation on Wall Street today. Those looking for a romp or Wall Street Noir might be disappointed. But for a truly literate look at the world of debt, this book not only informs but entertains.
   James Grant. Accept no substitutes.



3. This is THE outstanding history of credit in the US since the Civil War. Grant is a great writer who knows both how to turn a phrase and to dig out and provide the interesting, and sometimes odd-ball fact that is perfect for illustrating his larger point. Grant makes clear that the 20th Century was the century of the democratization of credit and the socialization of risk.



4. Mr. Grant writes a book now 15 years old that could be redone with a new chapter of the subprime follies. Hardly necessary as he goes over the last 100+ years of similar booms and busts of which subprime is the latest flavor. Knowing that America has recovered from all those busts actually provides some optimism versus the press's gloominess. When it seems darkest means its time to buy. Looking forward to a revised edition in a few years. Mr. Grant is an old time American not an anti-American, he's on record as Cleveland being his favorite President, hardly an anti-American.
   This book is well worth the time providing some perspective on today's headlines.



5. Insightful as to American financial history PLUS a great, entertaining read. I disagree with a reviewer who said "the florid style is better suited to short articles." I found his current book of essays so-so. I found this book to be a real page turner and a lot of fun. Five stars for sure.

5 comments about The Richest Man in Babylon: Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century.

1. An easy read, interesting story, excellent advice.
   
   My wife and I have read it and will pass it on to our son. I will buy copies for several friends



2. This book was recommended to me by a professional in the finance industry that I regard very highly.
   But I could not find the book too useful. The info you get reading it is good for a child who needs to learn to save. Not that we, adults do that, but at least we know that! And then, the author just repeats the same idea over and over again, with different characters.
   And I found the whole 'gold lender' paradigm soooooo outdated and unpractical!
   Overall, a total no for an adult, a yes for a child.



3. I have read a lot of finance books by a lot of different authors: Bach, Chatzky, Orman, Kiyosaki just to name a few, but the "Richest Man in Babylon" is the simplest, most clear cut. It also has the least ego (thank you Eckhart Tolle). Simple is good in my case. I don't like a lot of fancy words clouding my understanding of finance. Clason repeats what a lot of other finance experts say, but the difference is that Clason said it first. So he wins. And the book is short.
   
   The "Thou"s and "thy"s are a bit silly and annoying, I admit--but you get used to it and after a while--it's fun. The financial basics told thru parables (i.e. bible-esque tales). I read a few parts out loud to my husband and he was cracking up.
   
   Richest Man in Babylon in a Nutshell:
   
   Pay yourself 1st: Save 10% of your income.
   Pay your debtors: 20% of your income
   Live off 70% of your income.
   
   7 Cures for a lean purse:
   1st CURE: Start thy purse to fattening.
   Save 10 % of what you earn.
   
   2nd CURE: Control thy expenditures.
   Budget your income.
   
   3rd CURE: Make thy gold multiply.
   Invest
   
   4th CURE: Guard thy treasures from loss.
   Study your investments to reduce risk. Make sure you are FDIC insured.
   
   5th CURE: Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment.
   Own your home.
   
   6th CURE: Insure a future income.
   Invest for old age.
   
   7th CURE: Increase thy ability to earn.
   Acquire education and experience to increase income.
   
   Fave quote: A part of all I earn is mine to keep.
   
   If you loved it: Think and Grow Rich, The Automatic Millionaire
   
   If you hated it: Rich Dad Poor Dad



4. Great words of wisdom made even more beneficial by the revision/updates for the 21st century. Always a great read, time after time.



5. I highly recommend the AUDIO MP3 version of the Richest Man in Babylon The Richest Man in Babylon

2 comments about Currency Trading and Intermarket Analysis: How to Profit from the Shifting Currents in Global Markets (Wiley Trading).

1. Great Book. The ability to think independently, and to see the outliers, not the current fads, is what makes his analysis so valuable. When is the next volume coming out!?



2. This book will be helpful to those seeking an introduction to the interrelatedness of the currency, commodity, equity and fixed income markets. The book is well written and easy to read. However, I would not suggest the book to a person with no technical, economic or financial background.
   I have followed Mr. Laidi's currency outlook for over a decade now both on TV and in print, and can honestly say that I have yet to come across another analyst with the foresight of Mr. Laidi (he called the bear market and USD collapse when the rest of Wall St. were still believing in an unending bull market).
   Although many of his correlations referenced in this book are obviously backward looking, it does teach traders to take a global market perspective before narrowing down to specific currency pairs. I felt his explanation of the FED, under both Greenspan and Bernanke, really did a good job on a very difficult topic, as many traders, like myself, really don't understand the different weapons the Fed and other central banks posses.
   Equally useful and informative was his chapter on the effect of interest rates, there isn't enough space for me to go into it, instead I will let you gather the pearls of wisdom for yourself.
   Mr. Laidi finally concludes that some of the historical tendencies are currently being challenged and that only time will tell if a new relationship has emerged or if history will again be proven right. Pick up this book if you want to read the work of an original thinker at the top of his craft. Whether you trade FX or another market, I think you will benefit from Mr. Laidi's insight.

5 comments about Fundamentals of Futures and Options Markets and Derivagem Package (6th Edition).

1. I needed to understand everything I could about Futures and Options in a short time and this book was perfect for that purpose. The introduction about futures and options is great and the content in general is very easy to understand and follow. I really liked the examples and the way the author explained each topic. However, I have to confess that maybe my engineering background helped me to understand the math behind, but I believe that even if you don't have much mathematical knowledge you can follow the book.

   A big plus of this book is that it contains a chapter about Value at Risk and one focused more on more recent types of derivatives contracts (e.g., energy, weather, etc.).

   In general, I think that with this book you could cover more ground more quickly than with other books.




2. As promised this book contains no calculus.However it looks more like a formula sheet.There are some typos in some important parts.The intuitive explanations for some important topics are omitted or not well explained.Solutions manual is just a waste of time.Actually the book doesn't contain good questions at all.Despite the fact that it's one of the most used textbooks for the entry level in options and futures it's really not worth the money.One can find online lecture notes and do with them without having to pay that much money.



3. I am a student who happens to have read both John Hull's 'Options, Futures and Other Derivatives' and his 'Fundamentals'. To say that 'Options, Futures and Other Derivatives' is a good book is a great understatement, and can even be considered an insult. Yet, this book, which is targeted at readers who are not as acquainted with derivatives fails to impress. Through out the book you can feel how John Hull struggles to explain things in a simple manner. Sadly, his efforts have failed, and this is most evident when my fellow classmates had a hard time understanding the materials starting from Swaps. When we reached the section on options pricing, the book lacks the rigorous math that is needed for students to fully appreciate the beauty of deriving things like Black-Scholes. Overall, if you are a beginner, go straight to 'Options, Futures, and Derivatives'. This book is not worth wasting time over.



4. By games I mean the fact that the answers to about a third of the questions are found in a solutions manual that, last time I looked (in early Sept '07), was unavailable for purchase. The answers to another third of the questions are not to be found anywhere. The answers to the last third of the questions are in the book--but these questions are not very interesting or challenging. Why must we play this game? Why not just put all the answers in the back of the book? (I know, I know: it's all about the money, etc. But still . . .)
   
   As for the content of the book, I'm told that this isn't Hull's authoritative book (that would be 'Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives'). I feel like a sucker for having bought it. Is it good to make your customer's feel like suckers, Mr. Hull?



5. Even though my professor didn't use the book as much as I expected, the content of this one were merely boring lectures explained the reason why my school changed the book after this semester.