We are all assailed on a daily basis with blandishments to buy and commands to carry out. And, let's be honest, some are inaccurate, slapdash, erroneous, mistaken and often downright dishonest. In fact, much of what they tell us is not just simply wrong, it is wrong in a way that is funny - it makes us laugh. In Empty When Half Full, a plethora of such nonsense is quoted and analysed, highlighting the silly, surreal and often hilarious nature of it. Organisations large and small are equally guilty. So much so that sometimes what they say to persuade us can be positively dangerous. From...

Managers are under increasing pressure to get results, and their competence is judged on the combined performance of their whole team. When their staff are content they perform well; when they are motivated they perform even better.

How to Motivate People shows managers how to inspire individuals or teams to develop. It clarifies the underlying principles for motivating staff to get results and maximize performance and sets out clear guidelines on how to reduce negativity, boost positive feelings, foster enthusiasm and involvement, and focus effort on key issues.

The first in the "Smart Skills" series, "Meetings" offers all you need to know to get the most out of meetings - from setting meetings up, leading them, to how to make the most out of them once the meeting is over. A must for any employee, manager, freelancer of business owner. The book offers proven, practical advice on: setting objectives and creating practical agendas; deciding who should attend and when and where; effective chairing and effective participation - the communications skills necessary - listening, observing, questioning and getting your points across; dealing with problems;...

Part of the Smart Skills series, Persuasion offers all you need to know to get the most out of your business operations. With the current global economic crisis excellent persuasion skills have become invaluable as businesses now more than ever must maximise every opportunity they face. Persuasion is not only required as part of negotiation, but in every aspect of working and business life. There are many different facets to persuasion and different approaches this book provides the details that will help you get ahead in the workplace. A must for any employee, manager, freelancer or business...

Smile and the world smiles with you; so says the song - but it sometimes seems that we are assailed on all sides by melancholy. So many people we cross paths with are apparently unable to crack a smile. It can get you down and we need an antidote. Some people are cheerful, there is a "smile city" in America and one country, Thailand, is known as "the land of smiles." The author has visited often and reckons that if anywhere can make you smile this is the place. Whether you are idling on the beach, and missing arrest by a whisker; visiting the ancient city of Sukhothai and climbing to a hidden...

Fed up with the strenuous process of travel: the slow queues, the delays, the crowds and the extreme discomfort of the average economy airline seat? The author in this case, decided it was time to do something about this. He arranged a trip designed to be the antidote to the routine travel misery - and booked a trip travelling only first class. The first challenge was to decide where to go. He decided to fly to Bangkok, stay in the world renowned Oriental Hotel, continue onto Singapore and stay at the equally famous Raffles Hotel. He then travelled in style back to Bangkok on the Eastern and...

By his own admission, Philip is living a humdrum life in the Essex coastal town of Maldon. His new boss at the town library is a pain in the neck, making even the job he loves difficult, and he longs for something to kick start him out of what he admits is a bit of a rut. Soon after a new and unexpected friendship begins he determines to make some changes. Then one day his routine walk to work has him finding a dead body, involved with the police and feeling he must help his new friend by investigating a mystery from years past. As events following the death carry him along, an abandoned...

If you want to be the best, you have to have the right skillset. From confidence and assertiveness to managing stress and mindfulness, THE ULTIMATE SELF CARE BOOK is a dynamic collection of tools, techniques, and strategies for success. Discover the main themes and key ideas, and bring it all together with practical exercises. This is your complete course in wellbeing at work. ABOUT THE SERIES ULTIMATE books are for managers, leaders, and business executives who want to succeed at work. From marketing and sales to management and finance, each title gives comprehensive coverage...

This book reviews a variety of aspects of the specific task of selling successfully as it applies to those working in the property sector. It provides guidelines and approaches that will enable one to sharpen their sales skills and maximise the results they produce.