Hey, what's up. Whatever...
Just wanted you to know that I'm reviewing a book this week for the FSRI. It's Frances Cole Jones's The WOW Factor, The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today's Business World (Ballantine). The FSRI offices received a copy in the mail, and I guess they needed someone to decide if it was worth a read.
First off, I want to let you know that I was excited to read the book because I thought it was gonna be about WOW (World of Warcraft) and not about business stuff. When I realized it wasn't about the game I was a little pissed off. Then I figured ...what the heck, I'll read it anyway. I never thought I'd say this, but after reading most of this book (the most important parts) I can say, without hesitation, that I completely recommend it. Here's why:
This Frances chick has laid it down. She, like, wrote about 33 things that can make you a better employee. Stuff like ...Look for Angels Wearing Overalls, The Six Layers of Why, Have a Thick Face, Keep Current Outside Your Comfort Zone ...and all kinds of suggestions like that. Now, I don't really know what this stuff means, but it sounds pretty cool. In fact, I'm thinking of using some of this stuff when I get a job ...I think early next year. Anyways... I'll give you my favorite and least favorite parts of this book.
FAVORITE: At the end of the book Frances drops some serious lines about how we should think about becoming successful. Here's some of them from her section "Don't Ask Permission" on page 174: "Every New Year's Eve, instead of picking a resolution for the year, I pick a motto: a mental bumper sticker that will exemplify how I will move through the world over the coming twelve months. Recently, that slogan was "Don't Ask Permission." It's no coincidence that with that slogan driving me, I sat down and wrote How to Wow."
How to Wow. Huh? I don't know how that fits in with a bumper sticker on her head saying "Don't Ask Permission" but it got her to do something important, and that's good enough for me.
LEAST FAVORITE: Her section on manners. On page 54 she starts getting "preachy" by saying all this stuff that you shouldn't do when working at a job. Here's a few examples:
1. "Wash your hair. Clean your nails." Sheesh, sounds like my mom!
2. "Political buttons, religious pins, Star Trek badges, etc., have their place, but not in interviews or during business occasions." Pleeeeeeease!!!!! If' I've got a rare Star Trek pin, I'm wearin' it, no matter what anybody says!
3. "Don't drink." What? Don't drink while working? Oh, come on! Give me Mountain Dew or give me death!
4. "Please do not wear your sunglasses, either on your face or on your head." Man, is this lady serious, or what? Reminds me of my old piano teacher.
So, there it is, my first frickin' book review for the FSRI. Happy now? I don't know if this helped you figure out if you want to buy it or not, but if you do, just be ready for hearing a bunch of stuff your mom might tell you. Which reminds me, I have to clean out the gutters sometime this week. We had some basement flooding during last week's rainstorm and she's all over me to make sure there's no leaves up there plugging things up. Sheeesh. Well, having the basement apartment puts this on the top of my list.
Out,
Decateur
2 comments:
Wow I am overwhelmed with just a taste of the helpful hints that you have described about this book. I also was a little taken a back I thought WOW was for the Women that Own Wii's... I hear bowling is just a HOOT! I am a little concerned about the no drinking because the water cooler is always teasing me to go stand by it and gossip - so much for tasting it's nectar too!!! I need all the wow I can muster in the workplace so I can't wait to dive in and really conquer the workplace myself! ~Bronwen~
Being Decateur is on temporary leave, I, K.W.A. will respond to your comment.
I apologize for any offense given to the Women who Own Wiis organization you speak of. As for you unusually heathy thirst and peculiar use of water metaphors, I wish you, simply, good luck. Might I suggest you keep a cool bottle of "agua" at your desk if the desire to imbibe so consumes you.
Lastly, I will warn you that Decateur's imagination verges on the fantastical, and any advice, knowledge or opinion he writes or relates should be taken with a degree of skepticism. Personally, I don't believe he actually read this book ...nor any book for that matter.
To Decateur: If you're going to miss a board meeting, let my assistant know. All right? Yes, I might have raised my voice at you during the office Christmas party, but to strip naked and chase my dog Spinoza around the living room for an hour was uncalled for. Also, eggnog is not meant to swim in. I think Kathy in Operations now knows this more than any of us. Just send an email, Decateur. And give our best to your mom.
KWA
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