World's Best Value-Global Competition in the Information Age

Book Description

The Information Age is Changing Everything! People around the world are working harder than ever. Businesses everywhere operate in an environment of substantial competition. Yesterday's skills and business practices limit growth potential. Organizations and companies desperately want employees with the right skills and knowledge. Everyone wants to be successful and have balance in their lives.

World's Best Value(tm) - Global Competition in the Information Age provides clear and easy to understand system solutions for 21st century leadership, competition and sustaining business values. World's Best Value(tm) is as applicable for start-up companies as it is to Fortune 500 global corporations. This definitive business guide for the new millennium provides unique and timely insights in customer satisfaction, world-class products and services, high-performance leadership teams, quality, sustaining principles for long-term success and much more.

World's Best Value(tm) can help anyone increase his or her capacity for personal leadership and achievement. Make the creation of World's Best Value(tm) your new-century resolution and be prepared to learn something about yourself and what is important in business.

The journey begins!

Customer Reviews:

Solid Material...Sensible Commentary.......2000-11-17

According to Faw, "World's Best Value companies are like leaders. Steven Covey describes the paradigm shift from management [italics] to one of principle-centered leadership [italics]. Leaders develop, contribute and make a difference in the lives of their employees, community, customers, and shareowners -- each and every day. Leaders are not found everywhere, but countless numbers are in pursuit of an excellence leading towards World's Best Value." As this brief excerpt correctly indicates, there really isn't much that is new in this book. And frankly, I was irritated by the constant repetition of "World's Best Value in bold face throughout the book and struggled to suppress my irritation while trying to absorb and digest the book's contents. In fact, the material is solid, presented with a crisp prose style. Faw views this book as "a simplification of complex business system perspectives...a guidepost for business survival and long-term success." That is an accurate description.

In Chapter 1, he suggests the characteristics of (here we go again) the "World's Best Value:

* World-class products and services

* Best practices, business and information systems

* High-performance team members

* Low-cost values

* Total quality management culture

* Intensive global customer focus

* Principled centered leadership

Once again, nothing new. However, with this initial chapter, Faw creates an appropriate context within which to present follow-up material (on each of the aforfementioned subjects) in the succeeding 15 chapters. He does become overheated at times (eg "If you're not changing the world, you're taking up space!") but, on balance, the material is sound and his discussion of it is lucid as well as well as sensible.

Helpful Overview of Top Management Tasks.......2000-10-27

This is a book of to-do lists built around today's best practices of global companies. If you want a reference guide to help you understand the kinds of things you should be thinking about, World's Best Value will be useful for you. The key limitation of the book is that it provides too little guidance in how to go from where you are to these levels of effectiveness. Most companies will have difficulty moving from where they are to this standard, and the book seems aimed primarily at large, wealthy companies in technology-rich industries which have abundant staff resources to do all the things involved. If you are a convenience store operator in Dallas, for example, I suggest you look elsewhere for guidance.

Unfortunately, most business books do not attempt to provide an overview of what the firm should be working on. Most take one little area, and blow it up in detail. As a result, management becomes a patchwork of little areas suddenly expanded. The result is distorted. World's Best Value overcomes that weakness. If you are working towards becoming a global, world-class company, you will find the book a good touchstone.

World's Best Value is built around the idea of having

(1) "World-class products and services"

(2) "Best practices, and [top flight] business and information systems"

(3) "High-performance team members"

(4) "Low-cost values"

(5) "Total quality management culture"

(6) "Intensive global customer focus"

(7) "Principle centered leadership" (a la Stephen Covey).

I thought that the most eloquent and new parts of the book related to the importance of having global customer-based thinking, the qualities of market leadership, and measuring how you are doing in providing World's Best Value.

There are three weaknesses that recur in the book. One is that the examples are overwhelmingly built around a limited set of companies that few would think today are world's best companies (AT&T -- which is barely surviving, Ford -- which is having SUV tire problems, and Motorola -- which is faltering in the cell phone business). To the author's credit, he does raise some doubts about AT&T's new strategy and admires Nokia.

The second weakness is that the author assumes a familiarity with many of the advanced management concepts described in the book. I have that background, so I understood what he was talking about. If you don't have this familiarity already, you won't get enough here to learn the basics. You will have to look elsewhere to fill in your knowledge. But no one can cover everything in one book. This book could have used a little more grounding for those who are unfamiliar with these ideas.

The third weakness is a stylistic one. For my taste the book came across a little too much as a plug for a set of consulting services. But you may see it differently. Just as one example of this problem, the book's title appears somewhere between 125-150 times in bold-faced type in the book, reflecting a trademarked service. This felt like looking at a billboard on a freeway to me.

After you have finished thinking about the tasks described here, I suggest that you develop a game plan for how to accomplish those tasks in the order that will allow you to make the most progress while generating resources to pay for the other new tasks. It seems to me that customer listening will be a good starting point for most. Our old nemesis, the communications stall, is at work in most organizations, and this focus will help you uncover where else you don't have the understanding you need.

Good luck and Godspeed in providing the best value you can globally!

incisive business advice.......2000-10-03

This book would be useful for anyone in almost any kind of business. Faw is one of the world's top business leaders, but he decides to share his advice with anyone who chooses to read his book. I think we should take advantage of this generosity. Chapter by chapter, he lays out practical steps for creating a successful global business. He is specific enough that you can use the book as a blueprint for laying out a business plan.

There are two key points he emphasizes which I found heartening. First is that customer satisfaction and customer service must be of the highest priority in any business. As a frequent customer, this is good news for all of us! Any businessman who doesn't value customer service will get what is coming to him. Second is that businesses must be socially responsibility. He cites both his own company dedicated to giving money to good causes and Bill Gates' huge donations to help bring technology to everyone. Again, any business that tries to keep all the profits to itself will not last in the global market.

My only small gripe about the book is the constant boldfaced use of the trademarked term "World's Best Value." It gets in the way of the text and makes the book sound at times like a giant advertisement. But this is only a small gripe for a very solid book full of helpful information. Highly recommended for anyone thinking of starting or expanding a business.

Faw's brain in print.......2000-05-27

It took awhile for me to understand what was meant by the title of Rob Faw's new book, "World's Best Value - Global Competition in the Information Age". But just two chapters into it and I realized that what I was reading was the equivalent of having a high-profile, successful chief executive officer, at my beck and call - there to pick his brain about how he did it.

I am accustomed to interviewing CEOs and other executive of companies - particularly those running high-tech firms - having been a business reporter for the past 17 years at a large, metropolitan daily. But never in all those years was I able to pick an executive's brain like this book allowed me to do.

It turns out World's Best Value is really a concept, emanating from Faw's mind, flowing onto the pages of what really is a step-by-step guide to successfully starting, running, or establishing, a business, during these times when the Internet, telecommunications, and conventional buying and selling, have melded into one large, global pot. If you are selling widgets in Small Town America and you aren't paying attention to competitors who have figured out how to sell them internationally, sorry, you lose - or you will lose, soon. Take Faw's word on that. Or better yet, take the CompuServe-AOL example, which Faw points to in his book.

The book was immediately inspiring. It made me believe that I could lead a company, or at least play an important role in one, were I to follow Faw's guidance. After all, he did it. Faw is an American success story. He went from a $50,000-a-year-job in a cubicle at some company, to heading up Westell, Virtual Access plc, - a communications industry pioneer with digital subscriber line technology. The fact that he is now worth millions and there seems absolutely no need to share his secrets with the rest of us, is not evident anywhere in the book. Instead, he shows he is still frugal, still "one of us," by sharing such personal feelings as flying coach to Scotland with his wife, Jill, and commenting about the excellent service he received as compared with having to wade through telephone menus at another airline flying domestically. (I've been there.)

If I were having trouble picking a Christmas gift for the executive in the family who has everything, or, if I were just working my way up the ladder, I would choose "World's Best Value" only because any executive, no matter how bright or high up or low in the ranks, would glean a thing or two from Faw's excellent outline for success in the global information age. Worth reading twice.

- Frank Ruiz, columnist

Book Description

This text introduces students to fundamental policy issues in environmental law, allowing them to explore these various legal topics, enhanced and brought to life with pertinent cases and readings. It is designed as a primary text for courses in environmental law through not only business schools, but also schools of engineering - specifically civil engineering and environmental engineering departments, geology departments; it is also appropriate for real estate study. The language of the text avoids the overuse of legal jargon, providing clear explanation of legal terms when they arise.

Customer Reviews:

Environmental Law Text........2006-11-08

This is one of three texts for a graduate level environmental law class I'm taking. It is extremely well written and organized - I recommend it!

Legal and Regulatory Environmental Business

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Legal and Regulatory Environmental Business
Peter J. Shedd , Jere W. Morehead , and Robert N. Corley
Manufacturer: Irwin/McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0072881119

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Clean Water Handbook
Lynn M. Gallagher
Manufacturer: Government Institutes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Completely updated to capture all new revisions and new aspects of the law, the new Clean Water Handbook provides environmental professionals with a comprehensive roadmap to the requirements, legal interpretations, and critical issues of water pollution control law. Written from a legal perspective but intended as a practical resource, this handbook contains both the legal text of the Clean Water Act and the expert interpretation environmental professionals need to understand what their companies' responsibilities are and how they can fulfill them.

Environmental Aspects of Real Estate and Commercial Transactions, Third Edition: From Brownfields to Green Buildings

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Environmental Aspects of Real Estate and Commercial Transactions, Third Edition: From Brownfields to Green Buildings
James B. Witkin
Manufacturer: American Bar Association
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1590312872

Book Description

This is a comprehensive and practical resource to the range of environmental issues that arise when real estate is developed, operated,sold or financed.

From Sprawl to Smart Growth: Successful Legal, Planning, and Environmental Systems

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A great contribution to planning literature
baby steps
Directing and Focusing Development
Must Read On Urban Sprawl
Combatting Urban Sprawl

From Sprawl to Smart Growth: Successful Legal, Planning, and Environmental Systems
Robert H. Freilich
Manufacturer: American Bar Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1570737193

Book Description

A step-by-step guide-complete with proven cases from around the country-showing how states and local governments can control sprawl, maintain urban areas, enlarge their quality of life through new urban and mixed use developments,.

Customer Reviews:

A great contribution to planning literature.......2007-06-01

This is a must-read for any city, county or region that is considering a growth management system. Dr. Freilich is one of the pioneers in American growth management systems, and his personal experience in designing the systems is an invaluable resource. In response to Lewyn's comments, linking growth and infrastructure can be VERY controversial. If not done properly, it can lead to invalidation or takings liability. Even if done properly, a variety of stakeholder - including neighborhoods, the development and building community, and local administrators - usually weigh in heavily. The controversies can be particularly intense during the formative stages of the program. No jurisdiction should undertake this type of system without learning the lessons gleaned from this outstanding book.

baby steps.......2001-01-24

As one of the other reviewers pointed out, this is a good introduction to modest, relatively noncontroversial things local governments can do to slow suburban sprawl, such as requiring development and infrastructure to move together. But I wish Freilich had been a little less optimistic, and focused more on how inadequate such steps sometimes are. For example, Portland and Minneapolis both have variations on urban growth boundaries, and Freilich praises the Minneapolis program. However, the Minneapolis program has basically been a failure: the Twin Cities keep losing people because the growth boundary includes far more land than the Portland version. Also, I would have emphasized that sprawl is a result not only of land use but of highway and education policy.

Directing and Focusing Development.......2000-02-14

This book provides an excellent introduction to the planning techniques for directing and focusing development available to state and local governments and a critical assessment of how they have been used in a variety of local and regional settings.At a time when state and local competition for available land has become increasingly intense, an understanding of the legal and policy bases of these approaches and the different ways in which they might be used in planning is critical to finding ways to accommodate legitimate public goals to the expectations of property owners.

Must Read On Urban Sprawl.......2000-02-14

"From Sprawl To Smart Growth" belongs on the "must read" list of anyone working to combat urban sprawl. Bob Freilich brings 30 years of first-hand experience to this complex topic, and he tackles it with great enthusiasm and a unique historical perspective.

Combatting Urban Sprawl.......2000-02-14

No one but Robert Freilich could maintain that the past 35 years of his life has been dedicated to combatting urban sprawl. When most of us hadn't graduated from law school, he was giving his own unique brand of "thoughtful consideration" to a critical issue which most communities had yet to recognize. Robert's book is an exceptionally informative volume, combining history of law, politics, and planning with a dash of autobiography. A great read!

Implementing the Precautionary Principle: Approaches from the Nordic Countries, EU and USA

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Implementing the Precautionary Principle: Approaches from the Nordic Countries, EU and USA

Manufacturer: Earthscan Publications Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1844073122

Book Description

** The most current and authoritative assessment of the successes and failures of the legal use of the Precautionary Principle in handling risks to human health and the environment
** Covers critical sectors such as the chemical industry, GMOs, agriculture, fisheries, the Law of the Sea and the Convention on Biological Diversity
** Indispensable reading for all legal and risk professionals in business, industry, government and NGO communities

This authoritative handbook addresses how the Precautionary Principle is implemented in different sectors, and examines its successes, failures, strengths and weaknesses in implementation. Sectors and subjects covered include chemicals, GMOs, the Law of the Sea, fisheries and nature conservation, and the book draws on cases in the EU and Nordic countries, where use of the Principle is highly advanced. Ultimately, the book provides an indispensable appraisal of the question as to whether the Precautionary Principle is relevant to avert major environmental and health risks, and how and when it can be used successfully. Includes an annex of legal instruments that enshrine the Precautionary Principle.

The changing role of management: today's paint industry managers need to have a much broader understanding of legal, regulatory and environmental issues. ... company.: An article from: Coatings World

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The changing role of management: today's paint industry managers need to have a much broader understanding of legal, regulatory and environmental issues. ... company.: An article from: Coatings World
Joseph P. Cristiano
Manufacturer: Rodman Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Coatings World, published by Rodman Publications, Inc. on November 1, 2003. The length of the article is 1630 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: The changing role of management: today's paint industry managers need to have a much broader understanding of legal, regulatory and environmental issues. More importantly, they need to change their management methods to avoid being absorbed by these activities that contribute little to the overall success of their company.
Author: Joseph P. Cristiano
Publication: Coatings World (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2003
Publisher: Rodman Publications, Inc.
Volume: 8 Issue: 11 Page: 50(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Commercial Landowner CERCLA Liability Protection: Understanding the Final EPA All Appropriate Inquiries Rule and Revised ASTM Phase I

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Commercial Landowner CERCLA Liability Protection: Understanding the Final EPA All Appropriate Inquiries Rule and Revised ASTM Phase I
Barry Cik
Manufacturer: Government Institutes
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0865871574

Book Description

Buyers of commercial real estate now have new liability protections against hazardous substances contamination on their propertyeven if they know about it at the time of purchaseprovided they conduct all required research under the Environmental protection Agency's (EPA) new All Appropriate Inquiries Final Rule. Commercial Landowner CERCLA Liability Protection provides a comprehensive examination of the new EPA Final Rule and compares the new EPA rule to the previous Phase I All Appropriate Inquiry Standard Practice established by ASTM.

Cosmetic Regulation in a Competitive Environment

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Cosmetic Regulation in a Competitive Environment
Norman F. Estrin , and James M. Akerson
Manufacturer: Informa Healthcare
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0824775163

Book Description

A summary of current and emerging domestic and international regulatory issues. It delineates the roles of organizations and programmes to navigate the legislative mass - for large and small personal care companies. The contributors describe the most common means of conducting safety tests to evaluate irritation, sensitization, photoirritation and photosensitization.

Energy Law Settlements and Negotiations: Leading Lawyers on Dealing With Regulatory Commissions, Understanding Political and Market Forces, and Making the Right Deal (Inside the Minds)

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Energy Law Settlements and Negotiations: Leading Lawyers on Dealing With Regulatory Commissions, Understanding Political and Market Forces, and Making the Right Deal (Inside the Minds)
Aspatore Books Staff
Manufacturer: Aspatore Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1596225106

Product Description

Energy Law Settlements and Negotiations is an authoritative, insider's perspective on key strategies for representing and advising today's leading energy companies. Featuring leading lawyers from some of the nation's top firms, this book offers invaluable perspectives on common land issues such as: siting, space availability, safety concerns, and contractual questions regarding how energy will be generated. From reaching a settlement to litigating and arbitrating energy disputes, these authors discuss in detail key strategies for negotiating deals in this ever-evolving industry. Additionally, each author outlines the elements necessary to maintain a balance between energy costs, the environment, and maintaining company reliability. These attorneys define tactics that are imperative to an energy company's success and daily practice, and that will hold true into the future. The different niches represented and the breadth of perspectives presented enable readers to get inside some of the great legal minds of today as these lawyers offer up their thoughts around the keys to success within this dynamic field. Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world s most respected companies nation-wide, rather than third-party accounts from unknown authors and analysts. Each chapter is comparable to an essay/thought leadership piece and is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession, or topic is headed and the most important issues for the future. Through an exhaustive selection process, each author was hand-picked by the Inside the Minds editorial board to author a chapter.

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