The Power of Learning: Fostering Employee Growth

Book Description

The Power of Learning offers a five-step process that makes learning easier and shows how to get trainees more involved. It shows trainers, managers, and employees how individual learning can contribute to a stronger, more successful organization through different approaches to learning. The Power of Learning includes: illustrations and examples that are entertaining and informative; information on learning vs. training; shortcuts to help the reader train and learn.

Customer Reviews:

practical advice from the trenches.......2003-12-13

The Power of Learning is a practical book written with implementation in mind. It's full of insightful ideas that can be immediately appropriated and put into practice by immaginative readers. Useful for anyone looking for inputs to make training and education really work in organizational settings. It could point to some more "academic references" for people interested in furthering their research.

...and got the T-Shirt........2002-12-27

I'm a senior partner in a successful consulting firm and so naturally I have read many books about knowledge management and empowerment etc. This book was recommended to me by an ex-colleague and so I tracked a copy down for myself. It seemed to me that the content of the book was mainly promo material for the author. I didn't feel that he was working with me and my business so much as trying to sell me something. The author goes to great lengths to tell the reader that this is not some sort of training manual. This is, however, some sort of training manual. You could say it is the wool that has been pulled over the eyes of middle management but this would probably be too punishing a metaphor to be fair. The book serves little practical purpose but escapes just one star by being enthusiastically written. The author seems to believe his own hype and this at least affords the book a sense of energy and momentum which is so important in business. In summary, there are far superior texts available but I'll leave you to discover these for yourself!

Trival.......2002-10-28

This book proposes to be an 'learning' tour de force, however i was disatisfied with its intellectual nous. I found the full volume, a collection of tired and hackneyed cliches, the example tests are unfulfilling and frankly at points, patronising. This author simply exploits common consultancy buzzwords. This appears to be a book in a time warp. All in all, this is a very ordinary publication. My advice is steer well clear of this and any other 'enpowerment' authors.

A real Aha! read.......2000-02-17

The Power of Learning takes the reader on a fun journey through actual learning theory to the way our mental processes are stimulated when learning and on to how the principles of learning can be applied in all types of communication. The examples and "tests" are fun and thought-provoking, making this book a real learning experience in itself!

Book Description

George W. Jarecke and Nancy K. Plant present a selection of cases across a broad spectrum of American law to demonstrate that our society relies inappropriately on the legal system to cure ills the system was not designed to address.

Jarecke and Plant note that while we in the United States worry considerably about the problem of individual assumption of responsibility—whether for personal mistakes, financial setbacks, or pure bad luck—we appear uneasy about the concept and unclear about what it means on a daily basis. Not only are we incapable of accepting personal responsibility; we barely know what it means to do so.

Mistakenly, we turn to the legal system to solve this dilemma. Yet our laws as our legislators write them, as judges interpret them, as lawyers argue them, and as juries apply them send mixed messages about whether and how we should exercise personal responsibility.

Each chapter of Confounded Expectations features one main case to explain one legal theory, with other cases noted as examples of facets of each theory. To demonstrate the law that requires merchants to guarantee the quality of their products, for example, Jarecke and Plant discuss the case of the band mothers whose fund-raising luncheon menu included turkey salad contaminated by salmonella. Peripheral cases include a horse falsely sold as a gelding, a riding mower that tipped over when used as instructed, makeup that was guaranteed to be safe but caused a rash, and pigs sick with hog cholera.

Customer Reviews:

An important book for lay people to read.......2000-09-17

"There ought to be a law!" That is the standard complaint uttered when we feel that an outrage of some sort has been perpetrated on us or on society. It reflects our belief in the ability of the law and the justice system to step in and mitigate the effects of behavior we find irresponsible, and if not mitigate, then retaliate or compensate, or some combination of all three. As Jarecke and Plant make clear in this book, there often is a law, but unfortunately the law often works to confound our expectations about reinforcing responsible behavior and punishing irresponsible behavior.

This is an important book for lay people to read. By explaining how and why the law does not work as we expect it to, the authors help us understand better such things as how legal decisions are reached, the importance of "the rule" in law, and the role of precedence. The authors present their case in prose that is accessible, witty, and intelligent, and the cases they use to illustrate their points are often as entertaining as they are illuminating. In a time when we seem to be confronted continually with stories of personal and corporate irresponsibility, Jarecke and Plant shed much light on the law's response to these issues, and what we should and should not expect of our legal system in addressing them.

Book Description

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology attempts to provide concise, critical reviews of timely advances, philosophy, and significant areas of accomplished or needed endeavor in the total field of xenobiotics, in any segment of the environment, as well as toxicological implications.

Agrochemical Environmental Fate State of the Art

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Agrochemical Environmental Fate State of the Art
Marguerite L. Leng , Elizabeth M.K. Leovey , and Paul L. Zubkoff
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Insecticides & Pesticides | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Risks | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Public Health | Administration & Policy | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1566700345

Book Description

Accurate risk assessment is critical to pesticide regulation. This authoritative reference provides an exhaustive evaluation of current agrochemical environmental fate studies, a critical review of current EPA pesticide assessment guidelines, and a wide variety of environmental simulation models. Divided into four sections, this well-organized book provides a wealth of data and information vital to anyone involved in environmental exposure assessment, groundwater, surface water, and water contamination, pesticide regulation, and environmental simulation modeling. At your fingertips, you will have the latest information on the development of meaningful environmental fate data and how this information will result in accurate assessment of potential environmental and human hazards. The inadequacy of current regulatory guidelines and the resulting nonscientific assessment of agrochemical environmental fate are discussed in detail. A wide variety of environmental fate studies are included to demonstrate the current use of data to assess environmental fate and potential hazards associated with agrochemical use. Finally, ten chapters discuss the use of computer models that have been developed for analyzing and integrating data from a variety of environmental fate studies on agrochemicals used under various field conditions.

Agrochemicals from Natural Products (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)

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Agrochemicals from Natural Products (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)
C.R.A. Godfrey
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Insecticides & Pesticides | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0824795539

Book Description

Offers a thorough overview of the important agricultural applications of both natural products and synthetic compounds derived from natural products, presenting detailed information on the isolation, structural studies, biological activity and toxicology of these compounds. The expanding area of insecticidal natural products is highlighted.

Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators, and Food Additives: Volume III: Fungicides, Nematocides and Soil Fumigants, Rodenticides, and Food and Feed Additives

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Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators, and Food Additives: Volume III: Fungicides, Nematocides and Soil Fumigants, Rodenticides, and Food and Feed Additives

Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Food Additives | Nutrition | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000HWW4QE

Bioremediation through Rhizosphere Technology (Acs Symposium Series)

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Bioremediation through Rhizosphere Technology (Acs Symposium Series)

Manufacturer: An American Chemical Society Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Agronomy | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Insecticides & Pesticides | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0841229422

Book Description

The first compilation of research on microbial degradation of contaminants in the rhizosphere. Discusses the interactions between microorganisms, plants, and chemicals in the rhizosphere. Examines the degradation of industrial chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pentachlorophenol, and trichloroethylene, as well as the degradation of pesticides in the rhizosphere. Two review chapters provide overviews of bioremediation and rhizosphere microbiology.

COST 66: Fate of Pesticides in the Soil and the Environment

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COST 66: Fate of Pesticides in the Soil and the Environment
Juan Cornejo
Manufacturer: European Communities / Union (EUR-OP/OOPEC/OPOCE)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Effects of Plant Protection Products on Functional Endpoints in Soil (EPFES), Lisbon, 24-26 April 2002

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Effects of Plant Protection Products on Functional Endpoints in Soil (EPFES), Lisbon, 24-26 April 2002

Manufacturer: Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemist
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

EPFES offers clear guidance for testing and evaluating effects of PPPs on soil nontarget macroorganisms that contribute to the breakdown of organic matter and presents not only considerable background data from the literature but also promising methods for meeting current and future needs for risk assessment of PPPs, including

Book Description

This volume concentrates on the energy involved in plant nutrition and pest control for crop production. Fossil fuel energy used to produce fertilizers and pesticides is evaluated along with the amount, distribution and use of these fertilizers and pesticides throughout the world. Alternatives to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and specifically biological nitrogen fixation and the use of organic wastes are discussed in relation to their economic and energy replacement value. Methods for the conservation of nutrients and pesticides are considered. Finally, the energy balance of nutrients and pest control is reviewed in the light of the economic, policy and social issues of the alternative needs and uses.

Enhanced Biodegradation of Pesticides in the Environment (Acs Symposium Series)

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Enhanced Biodegradation of Pesticides in the Environment (Acs Symposium Series)

Manufacturer: An American Chemical Society Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Soil Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Horticulture | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This new volume offers comprehensive information on microbial adaptation for pesticide degradation. Among the many topics covered in its 20 chapters are a general description of enhanced biodegradation as it occurs in an agricultural context; the microbial aspects of enhanced biodegradation, including the genetics, biochemistry, and ecology of pesticide-degrading microorganisms; and the potential impact of enhanced degradation on pesticide fate in aquatic systems and groundwater. Practical options for the management of enhanced biodegradation are also examined, both to enable continued agricultural use of susceptible pesticides and also to exploit the degrading capacity of microorganisms for waste disposal and environmental remediation.

Fate and Prediction of Environmental Chemicals in Soils, Plants, and Aquatic Systems

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Fate and Prediction of Environmental Chemicals in Soils, Plants, and Aquatic Systems

Manufacturer: CRC Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Insecticides & Pesticides | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0873716167

Book Description

Fate and Prediction of Environmental Chemicals in Soils, Plants, and Aquatic Systems focuses on the chemical persistence and ecotoxicological behavior of pesticides in soil, water, and plants. The book examines recent developments in research on various substances and relays information regarding transport, adsorption, absorption, accumulation, degradation, biological effects, toxicity to aquatic organisms, air pollution, exposure, and risk estimation. Leading international scientists present their advances in analytical methodology and instrumentation in the fields of agrochemicals and environmental chemistry. This useful review of data, methods, and principles will benefit environmental researchers, managers, biologists, chemists, pharmacologists, and others interested in assessing the potential for contamination of soil, air, water, and plants.

Book Description

Borehole geophysics is frequently applied in hydrogeological environmental investigations where, for example, sites must be evaluated to determine the distribution of contaminants. It is a cost-effective method for obtaining information during several phases of such investigations. Written by one of world's leading experts in the field, A Practical Guide to Borehole Geophysics in Environmental Investigations explains the basic principles of the many tools and techniques used in borehole logging projects. Applications are presented in terms of broad project objectives, providing a hands-on guide to geophysical logging programs, including specific examples of how to obtain and interpret data that meet particular hydrogeologic objectives.

Book Description

With growing concerns over environmental issues and global energy consumption, there is increasing interest in nuclear power generation, despite its diminished role in the West over the last few decades. Many of those involved with nuclear power and environmental agencies see controlled expansion of nuclear plants as the most environmentally friendly way of meeting growing energy demands. Nuclear Renaissance: Technologies and Policies for the Future of Nuclear Power examines the future of nuclear power in the contexts of economics, environmental sustainability, and security of electricity supplies. A range of future technologies is considered, illustrating the technical challenges and opportunities facing nuclear power. This semi-technical overview of modern technologies meets the growing interest from scientists, environmentalists, and governments in the potential expansion of nuclear power. Various countries are starting to announce plans for new nuclear plants, either to replace those being decommissioned or to provide additional power. Many commentators regard this renaissance as just beginning. Nuclear Renaissance: Technologies and Policies for the Future of Nuclear Power is essential reading for physicists, engineers, policy-makers, researchers, energy analysts and graduate students in energy sciences, engineering and public policy.

Customer Reviews:

Superb Overview of Nuclear Power as of 2003.......2006-01-30

This book is slightly marred by a somewhat fuzzy Afterword and reuse of identical language when the same information is repeated in different sections leading to a jarring sense of deja vue for one reading it cover-to-cover (As I did).

However it is a wonderful, highly readable, generally excelently observed, world overview/annotated bibliography of nuclear technologies -- providing in one volume valuable perspective, awesome research, and pointers to more definitive treatments for nearly every item discussed.

Essential for any decent library.......2005-04-04

Every university library in the UK and USA should have a copy of this; and every college teaching any kind of technology and society qualification.
Bill is not shy of stating his own opinions, but this never has any detrimental effect on the objectivity of the content. He really does not like the accounting distinction between a waste and an asset; particularly where plutonium is concerned, as this makes no difference to what you would actually do with the stuff. He is quite aware that it makes a big difference to the balance sheet of British Energy, but as he says, since this company was effectively destroyed by low electricity prices, it has to be bailed out by the UK government anyway. The term "actinide management" in the American dominated G-IV report also comes in for some criticism as a pointless euphemism for what eveyone knows is fuel reproessing.

Another political issue is that discussions of legacy nuclear waste are separated from discussions of waste from future programmes. Bill ably makes the point that optimising these two issues in isolation is likely to lead to a non-optimal overall programme.

The book is salted with intriguing asides: such as that the oil industries are much better at understanding risk and managing multi-decade projects, whereas todays electricity companies have problems imagining the future only one year ahead. Therefore the logical companies to develop fission reactors in the next 40 years are the existing oil and gas companies, not electricity producers. These companies also have the skills to use nuclear heat for chemical processing and not just electricity production.

There are additional points made that you would not find (certainly not easily) in any original reports: the issue of training and the availability of experienced nuclear engineers in the UK; the difficulty of finding independent nuclear waste disposal experts who have not at some time had a grant or contract from NIREX to study the issues. The "polluter pays" principle may seem obviously attractive, but Bill shows that it has awkward and counter-productive effects within the particular organisational structures we find ourselves inheriting in the UK. Similarly the "intergenerational equity" principle actually leads to exactly the opposite behaviour from that which one might want.

A technology policy point which is better articulated by Bill than anywhere else I have seen is in the view of risk: the public can prefer a techniology which the technical experts regard as not only dangerous, but professionally unethical. The public in many countries prefers risk to be borne by informed volunteers (employees, typically) whereas engineers tend to believe that it is preferable to structure risks so that the overall mininum number of people are affected. Thus many people prefer the option of "partioning and transmuting" fuel wastes to reduce the impact on future generations, even if the extensive new chemical processing required will almost inevitably lead to industrial accidents involving workers at the chemical plant. This is all disussed in the context of detailed expositions of the technologies of nuclear waste burners.

Light is also shed on philosophical distinctions: technical experts are generally logical whereas a sense of "natural order" is more common in environmental campaigners. Thus the two groups can come to opposite conclusions on the question of whether it is legal to dig up and then rebury some ore exactly as it was. Those "motivated by considerations of natural law" might regard it as absurd to criminalise that, whereas a legalistic mindset might take the opposite view.

The book offers a complete guide to all the major fission reactor types in use now and planned for the future, and a complete guide to the nuclear fusion options. This is the bulk of the book, but the technical descriptions are informed throughout by an appreciation of what these design distinctions mean in terms of proliferation risks, electricity grid load-following (or not), and the use of nuclear heat to make hydrogen. If you want ot learn more about the several pebble-bed reactor designs, modular reactors, molten-salt liquid nuclear fuels, reburning fuels without reprocessing, thorium fuel implications for waste management, mixed fission/fusion reactors, reactors cooled by liquid lead or reactors producing 1560 C Helium; then this is the book for you.

What is clear is that a number of different reactor types will be required in the future. If the UK and Russian plutonium stockpiles are to be disposed of, then that requires mixed oxide fuel systems; but if wastes are to be retained and transmuted at some future date using accelerator technologies, then the fuel should ideally be something that can be separated out - but in a way that impedes proliferation. The most proliferation-resistant fuels are also those that increase the volume of high level waste

There are absolutely no simple answers: the 100 tonnes of UK Plutonium is not going away (and with every passing year, more Americium accumulates in it, so increasing the disposal problems). However, with this book I have some confidence that we have in one place all the essentially relevant issues from which workable sets of policies can be constructed.

While in the UK we might prefer to buy our nuclear power in the form of electricity from France, if we are to take climate change seriously, then understanding where nuclear power is being used is an essential part of understanding the world of the 21st century.

Addendum: The book is about technologies world-wide, and policies in the developed world, particularly the background to possible new nuclear build in the USA, UK and the rest of Europe. Nevertheless, as Bill says, there is no need for a renaissance in France, Russia, China, South Africa and India where nuclear fission reactor deployment is continuing and expanding. I would like to know more about those programmes today, but perhaps that is another book.

The editing by the IoP leaves some unevenness: some repetition is expected between sections in what will be for most people a reference book. But to be told three times that the UK will have by 2010 an inventory of 100 tonnes of Plutonium, and that this is two-thirds of the world stockpile, is too much repetition (pages 97, 101 and 102).

The three sections of the book: "The Policy Landscape", "Nuclear Fission Technologies", and "Nuclear Fusion Technologies" are each followed by an extensive list of references.

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