Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits

Customer Reviews:

Excellent introduction to behavioral study.......2006-01-30

This text provides a very clear introduction to ABC analysis as well as the use of PIC/NIC in the study of organizational behavior. In addition, it offers several examples that never leave you wondering how these techniques should be applied. The inclusion of feedback and coaching advice for leaders is terrific. If you are a manager or student of human behavior this text is a great introduction.

Insightful.......2005-11-30

Generating a breakthrough in an organization often requires the implementation and deployment of innovative methods and tools. Those same methods and tools are often accompanied by new processes and strong evangelization by a committed champion and his/her disciples. While those elements are necessary, they are insufficient as they often fail to address the fundamental behavioral changes needed to achieve and sustain the desired outcomes. This is an area where most managers and change agents feel uncomfortable today because, whether they are called the 'soft side' or 'people issues', changes at that level are the hardest of all. Trying to better understand this psychological aspect of change management, I decided to follow Larry Leach's advice and purchased 'Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits' by Leslie Wilk Braksick (ISBN 0-07-135878-1).

Over the next few bullets I will try to summarize what I have retained from this interesting book:
- The ability to apply behavioral science consistently is a key distinguishing feature of great leaders. Behaviors are the key to good execution and lasting results, and they are a response to the environment or corporate culture.
- The goal is not only to change everyone else's behavior but also our own as our behaviors as leaders directly affect everyone within our organization as well as our organization's profitability
- The failure of change management programs is attributed in 31% of the cases to project management issues and in 31% of the cases to people issues The critical link between behavioral science and business results is pinpointing a few key behaviors. Those behaviors have to be defined according to the NORMS of objectivity (Not an interpretation - Observable - Reliable - Measurable - Specific) so that they can be communicated, recognized, tracked, and measured. Those behaviors need to be aligned in the different departments. To implement a change you need to know the antecedents, behavior, and consequences (ABC). Consequences have 4 times more impact (80%) on behaviors than antecedents (20%). Antecedents backed up by consequences will produce the greatest challenges. The most powerful consequences are either PIC (positive-immediate-certain) or NIC (negative-immediate-certain). Discretionary effort is often a result of PIC consequences. NIC consequences often lead to mere compliance. Absence of PIC/NIC often lead to behavior extinction. Ways of providing consequences are feedback (positive or constructive - deliver them in a 4:1 ratio - this is also the most powerful motivator of performance and a key to coaching), tangible items (here remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder) activities, or work processes. Effects of consequences: Positive reinforcement (key to discretionary effort), negative reinforcement, punishment, or extinction.
- Managers must invest time in providing frequent, timely (key to maximizing its impact), and pinpointed feedback to their direct reports Coaching is how one delivers feedback, based on observing, analyzing performance, and delivering feedback (constructive and positive) Shaping is about perfecting a chain of behavioral steps through the systematic application of positive reinforcement. Each step should be challenging but realistic. Behaviors closer to the goal need to be more positiviely reinforced.

Finally! Tools for Change Management!.......2005-08-27

At last someone has provided a resource for the change agents of the world to learn and apply! Dr. Braksick's book provides a wealth of understanding around behavior---and more importantly tools that finally allow practioners the ability to understand and change those behaviors. If you are a Six Sigma practioner trying to change behavior, this book is a must! This book was part of the core material used at JP Morgan Chase during its Six Sigma deployment (2001-2004).

CEO Technology Firm.......2002-10-22

Amazingly insightful book, understanding behavior is the secret to becoming a successful leader. Leslie's ability to help the reader understand how to apply the concepts of behaviorism is world class. This book is extremely well written. The examples bring the concepts to life and you walk away with a meaningful understanding of how to apply behavioral principles in business. This book was clearly written by someone who applies the concepts in taking on real business challenges.

Supplies Missing Link.......2002-04-14

This is an outstanding book that supplies the missing link to implementing strategy. People make all organizations function effectively and efficiently, and it is an element many managers overlook when implementing strategy. Managers need to identify the behaviors necessary to fulfill strategy, and then align the reward system with these behaviors. Another important point was the impact managers have on the people in their organizations. Managers possess tremendous power as a result of their position/rank on the organization chart, and they need to be more cognizant of how their actions impact people ranked lower in the firm.

Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits: Developing Leadership Behavior That Drives Profitability in Your Organization

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This isn't your ordinary guide to management
Looking for a new twist?

Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits: Developing Leadership Behavior That Drives Profitability in Your Organization
Leslie Wilk Braksick
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0071490671

Book Description

This book gives away tools and methods used by the largest behaviorally based management consulting firm in the world-CLG (www.clg.com). It is filled with client stories, case studies, testimonials, and-most importantly-the secrets to what has led to personal and organizational transformations in blue-chip companies: Behavioral Science applied to business.

Why is being a leader more challenging now than ever before?

Our world has never had greater threats, nor greater opportunities. So many of them come down to people...relationships...behavior.

It is up to you to engage the hearts and minds of your people-and to unleash discretionary performance through the systematic use of Behavioral Science. Nothing changes until behaviors change.

It's about your success

If you are a leader with an agenda for change, this is the book for you. It's not enough to have brilliant strategies, efficient processes, and agile people. Dr. Braksick shows how to make these ingredients work together so you can transform your organization's performance.

Using the clear guidance in this book, you can identify the behaviors needed in your organization to consistently produce desired results. You will learn how to arrange the work environment to encourage those behaviors up and down the organization. And you will learn how to change your own leadership behaviors to make things happen while engaging people's hearts and minds.

Refreshing candor

Dr. Braksick helps leaders tackle their toughest business challenges, using the science of human behavior, backed by more than 80 years of research. In her unique, engaging way, Dr. Braksick makes Behavioral Science accessible to leaders, translating it into usable tools you can apply immediately.Her directness, caring, and passion for improving performance and organizations is inspiring.

Be the leader for others that you seek other leaders to be for you

Make a difference through your words and actions-as these are your most powerful gifts. This book gives you the simple formula for unlocking success in yourself and in others.

Customer Reviews:

This isn't your ordinary guide to management.......2007-09-08

This isn't your ordinary guide to management: tips featured here have been tested and successfully utilized by the largest behaviorally based management consulting firm in the world and blends client stories and case studies with insights on how these processes have helped transform and enhance blue-chip companies. This is actually applied behavioral science, so college-level holdings strong in either business or behavioral science will find its specifics on leadership, options, and changing behaviors to create a powerful work atmosphere to be engrossing.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Looking for a new twist?.......2007-07-05

As a consultant myself, I am always looking for a new twist on the areas that are important to our clients. The author has covered an area that most books just skip over.....maybe because it is hard work. So much of what we deal with on a daily basis with our clients, internally or at home has to do with behaviors this book really takes you through the process of clearly understanding the role of behaviors on others as well as the bottom line results of the organization.

If you are tired of reading the same old same old, you'll want to add this to your library.

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UNLOCK BEHAVIOR, UNLEASH PROFITS

Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GPXUEW

Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits: How Your Leadership Behavior Can Unlock the Profitability of Your Organization

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Unlock Behavior, Unleash Profits: How Your Leadership Behavior Can Unlock the Profitability of Your Organization
Leslie Wilk / Wilk Braksick, Leslie Braksick
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OG41TQ

Book Description

Regardless of the job market situation, there is always a certain level of voluntary employee withdrawal - lateness, absence, avoidance of work, undue socializing - that affects the well being of the organization. This volume explores the various manifestations of employee withdrawal, how they may be assessed, and identifies relevant antecedents and moderators, attitudinal as well as behavioral. The authors have focused on issues such as national culture and perceptions of absence legitimacy, components of voluntary employee turnover, the role of performance management process in employee withdrawal behavior, and current controversies concerning the withdrawal phenomenon. In addition, some creative perspectives on changing information technology, the taxonomy of lateness behavior, and the association between smoking and absenteeism are offered.

Voluntary Employee Withdrawal and Inattendance A Current Perspective

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Voluntary Employee Withdrawal and Inattendance A Current Perspective
Meni (EDT)/ Krausz, Moshe (EDT) Koslowsky
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OSG0SE

Book Description

T. Viéville: A Few Steps Towards 3D Active Vision appears as Vol. 33 in the Springer Series in Information Sciences. A specific problem in the field of active vision is analyzed, namely how suitable is it to explicitly use 3D visual cues in a reactive visual task? The author has collected a set of studies on this subject and has used these experimental and theoretical developments to propose a synthetic view on the problem, completed by some specific experiments. With this book scientists and graduate students will have a complete set of methods, algorithms, and experiments to introduce 3D visual cues in active visual perception mechanisms, e.g. autocalibration of visual sensors on robotic heads and mobile robots. Analogies with biological visual systems provide an easy introduction to this subject.

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A Conversation with Dan Jenkins

A real disappointment

The best of one of golf's best writers

"Laugh-out-loud" funny!

very funny; quality writing by Jenkins

Fairways and Greens
Dan Jenkins
Manufacturer: Main Street Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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Missing Links

ASIN: 0385474261
Release Date: 1995-05-01

Amazon.com

The fun in reading Dan Jenkins's golf writing is that no matter how askew his slant or how teed off he may be about something, he can never hide his passion for the game and the respect he has for the players who've nearly mastered it. This collection of nearly three dozen selections from his work at Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest is alternately irreverent and revering, continually insightful, and often hilarious.

Both his writing and his thinking are as bold as a six-foot putt uphill: his deep respect for the Ben Hogans, Tommy Bolts, and Byron Nelsons is as palpable as his disgust with the game's corporatization and the self-important foolishness of swing theorists and TV announcers. A fine golfer himself, Jenkins isn't content to just sit on the sidelines opining; "Golf with the Boss" is a luscious romp around the links with President Bush, and "You'll Not Do That Here, Laddie," has him touring, and suffering on, the courses of the game's birthplace in Scotland.

Years after the fact, his reportage continues to resonate and spin like a crisp drive on a chilly morning. "It was, I still believe, the most remarkable day in golf since Mary Queen of Scots found herself three down to an unbathed bagpiper and invented the back nine... What happened?" he asks in "Whoo-Ha, Arnie!," his dramatic account of the 1960 U.S. Open. "Oh, not much. Just a routine collision of three decades at one historical intersection. On that afternoon, in the span of just 18 holes, we witnessed the arrival of Nicklaus, the coronation of Palmer, and the end of Hogan." To be sure, it was one for the ages, and Jenkins's prose etches it in stone with dead-solid perfection. --Jeff Silverman

Book Description

"Tell me about plumbing, fine. Tell me about carpentry, terrace gardening, the timer on VCRs. Go ahead and explain cellophane. Tell me about all of these things, but don't try to tell me about golf, okay? Golf I know."--Dan Jenkins

After four decades of covering golf-not to mention "playing scratch from the blues and gambling for my own money when I didn't have any", Dan Jenkins most definitely knows golf. He may, in fact, know the game better than anyone on the planet. Now, his latest and long awaited collection brings together his best writing on the game, from serious pieces on timeless classics like the 1954 Masters and the 1960 Open to humorous takes on everything from the best things in golf-the best bar is Club XIX in the Pebble Beach Lodge-to his unrequited love of golf carts. With a cast that includes everyone from Hogan, Palmer, and Nicklaus to all of the lurkers and spoilers on the PGA Tour, the book is a timeless addition to great golf literature.

Customer Reviews:

A Conversation with Dan Jenkins.......2007-04-02

It is important to remember what this book is...it is not a history of golf, though it does have some historical aspects about it. It is a collection of the best writing of one of golf's all-time best writers.
It's funny, humorous and, at times, touching...it is not designed to be golf history...

The book is best read and enjoyed when read as if one is sitting around a table with Dan and his friends, having a beer(s) and swapping stories. That's what it is really---ole Dan Jenkins, the best writer of his day,telling stories about how it once was, what made golf special then and lends to the specialness of golf today.

Take it for what it is, enjoy and remember how it was before metal woods, hot balls and the corporate takeover of golf. This is a book for old guys, those of us who remember and appreciate Hogan, Nelson, Palmer, Nicklaus, the old crowd.

Young fans of golf today, say 50 and younger, need to come to an appreciation of those men as icons of golf, then read this book to see and understand them as flesh and blood people, something more full and colorful than simple iconic figures.

This book has a place in golf history. It is about a time that has passed, a very human and humorous look at golf as it once was, a time that was pretty good to those of us who lived through it and appreciated it then---and now.

A real disappointment.......2006-11-03

There are not many golf books I do not like. Unfortunately this book was painful to read. Nothing new from a golf perspective and grins were few and far between. Author comes off completely self absorbed and arrogant...in my opinion.

The best of one of golf's best writers.......2001-01-23

Funny stories from this talented writer and lover of the game. Having followed golf from such a priviledged and close position, what makes Jenkins writing so enjoyable to me is his historical perspective. This guy can really put the contemporary players into historical perspective for us.

"Laugh-out-loud" funny!.......1998-08-26

Fairways and Greens provides a "laugh-out-loud funny", account of Jenkins experiences in the golf world over the past fifty some-odd years. An irreverent but often factually accurate account of the game of golf in general and many of the PGA's all-time heros, in particular.

very funny; quality writing by Jenkins.......1998-06-29

buy it!

THE BEST OF FAIRWAYS & GREENS: A TIMELESS ANTHOLOGY OF GOLF STORIES.

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THE BEST OF FAIRWAYS & GREENS: A TIMELESS ANTHOLOGY OF GOLF STORIES.

Manufacturer: P/B
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0583325203

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FAIRWAYS AND GREENS

Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H1OCNS

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John Feinstein on Open
John Feinstein
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download

Courses | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000EPRHI4

Trouble on the links: for all their country-club glamour, immaculately groomed greens and undulating fairways, golf courses in America are overbuilt and ... : An article from: Mortgage Banking

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Trouble on the links: for all their country-club glamour, immaculately groomed greens and undulating fairways, golf courses in America are overbuilt and ... : An article from: Mortgage Banking
Albert Warson
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Courses | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Mortgage Banking, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2005. The length of the article is 3420 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Trouble on the links: for all their country-club glamour, immaculately groomed greens and undulating fairways, golf courses in America are overbuilt and being sold at deep discounts. Lenders are being much more conservative, and developers are advised to include houses on the courses.(COMMERCIAL)
Author: Albert Warson
Publication: Mortgage Banking (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 66 Issue: 1 Page: 118(6)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Fairway to Green 2006 Calendar (Capturing the Beauty of Golf, Featuring: The Artwork of Larry Dyke)

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Fairway to Green 2006 Calendar (Capturing the Beauty of Golf, Featuring: The Artwork of Larry Dyke)

Manufacturer: DaySpring
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar

Inspiration | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books

Product Description

2006 calendar printed on museum quality linen textured paper. Features twelve scenes from some of the world's most famous and beautiful golf courses. An inspirational Scripture is paired with each painting.

Fall renovation of greens and fairways (Product Use Bulletin)

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Fall renovation of greens and fairways (Product Use Bulletin)
Tom Mascaro
Manufacturer: West Point Products Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Courses | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007HO2UA

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Green fairways,
Louis Thomas Stanley
Manufacturer: Methuen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007J0YK0

Marthas Vineyard, a pleasant island in a summer sea, a land of old towns, new cottages, high cliffs, white sails, green fairway, salt water, wild fowl, and the steady pull of an ocean breeze

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Marthas Vineyard, a pleasant island in a summer sea, a land of old towns, new cottages, high cliffs, white sails, green fairway, salt water, wild fowl, and the steady pull of an ocean breeze
Walter Prichard Eaton
Manufacturer: Press of the Kalkhoff Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

Five-Minute Activities is an invaluable source of ideas for language teachers. It contains resources of over 130 short activities for the language classroom: some are well-tried favourites clearly restated, others are new ideas or variations. Teachers will find activities which can be used to: * help learners to learn or practise particular aspects of language * help students and teacher to get to know each other * provide a smooth transition between two major parts of a lesson * supplement a coursebook * introduce or round off lessons. The activities are designed to combine learning value with interest and enjoyment. Most of them can be adapted to suit classes of different levels of ability, and in many cases there are additional suggestions for variations or extensions of the basic activity. Almost all the activities can be student-led.

Customer Reviews:

Endlessly useful.......2007-08-11

I taught adult EFL in Poland this summer, and this book was the most popular by far with all the teachers. Even if you don't use an activity straight out of the book, flipping through helped me generate ideas of my own. Yes, it very much depends on your students, class size, level, etc.--but what's new about that? The activities range from the true quickie "filler" to sound ideas on practicing grammar points. And yes, I did have to adapt most of the ideas, but that's nothing new either. It's pricey, but I think worth it.

Ideas, but they are few and obvious.......2007-02-19

I only found one idea that I'd consider using in this book. It's thin for $25.00 and the activities are largely variants on very simple ideas I've already seen in fifty other places. I don't think you need this book unless you really have no ideas at all, in which case it's as good as any other book.

Useful.......2007-02-13

I have already used some of the activities in class.
Oriented more to high school, and I have early college ESL

I take exception for its usefulness for EVERY teaching situation..........2006-03-20

This book has been of limited usefullness for me. I've found only a few activities in here that would be practical for my classes of 40 Korean middle schoolers, but I also believe I'm in a bit of an unusual situation trying to teach English to such big classes. That being said, I did find it useful for, if nothing else, getting my own ideas rolling. I would also like to add that it's rather pricey for a flimsy little book, but I'm sure that if my situation were different it would have been well worth the money. I can pretty much recommend it to everyone EXCEPT those with unusually large class sizes, but it would be good for them too if they could find it used. Otherwise there are good resources to be found online for free.

Good Activity Resource Book.......2005-07-20

This book contains many quick activities that require little preparation. It's a good tool for use in the EFL classroom. Many of the activities seem geared for middle school and up, though they can be easily adapted for elementary students. This book would be quicker to use if the activities were marked as appropriate for beginner, intermediate and advanced at the beginning of the description.

Book Description

The end of romance...

The Wakefield twins' older brother, Steven,  is heartbroken. His girlfriend, Tricia Martin, no  longer seems interested in him. She breaks their  dates and doesn't return his calls. Steven can't  understand why Tricia's feelings have changed so  suddenly.

Jessica is thrilled that  Steven isn't dating Tricia anymore. She sees it as  the perfect oppotunity to pair him with her best  friend, Cara Walker. Elizabeth, Jessica's twin,  thinks that scheming, gossipy Cara is all wrong for  Steven. She's determined to find out the reason for  Tricia's strange behavior--and horrified when she  discovers the awful truth.

Customer Reviews:

Why is Tricia Martin ignoring Steven?.......2007-08-05

I love these books! The early Sweet Valley High books, 1-60 are the best. Don't buy the re-written ones at the bookstore, instead go to a used bookstore, or Ebay and buy the ones that were written in the 80s.
Reading these books are like watching a corny 80s teen movie. The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Fast Times At Ridgemount High to name a few.

In this book Steven (older brother of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield) is wondering why his girlfriend Tricia Martin is ignoring him. She doesn't seem to want to go out on dates anymore, and hasn't been returning his calls. Steven later finds out that Tricia has cancer and is trying to break-up with Steven before it is too late.

This is quite a good, moving book. I read recently that this is Francine Pascal's (the creater behind SVH) favourite book.

I give it 5 stars, even though it was corny at times.

~~Kat

Another great SVH book..........2002-05-27

I really liked this Sweet Valley book. It tells about Steven and Tricia's relationship and how much they loved each other. Tricia is brought up in a lot more SVH books, because Steven is constantly comparing every date to her.

early series great!.......2001-12-09

i think the earlier sweet valley books were the best. the series is great and you really can connect with the charachters and what they are going through. this book was really touching. francine pascal has the best book series out there!

Depressing,dull rubbish.......2001-08-05

In this Steven is still mooning around because his girlfriend Tricia is ignoring him.The truth is that she is dying and doesn't want him to be hurt so she wants to stay out of his way.My suggestion is to go for the SVH books that came much later in the series not the white covers as they are yawn-worthy.