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Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) (Paperback)
by Cathie Black
| Category:
Self help, Personal success |
| Market price: ¥ 160.00
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¥ 138.00
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Author: Cathie Black
Publisher: Three Rivers Press; Reprint edition
Pub. in: September, 2008
ISBN: 0307351130
Pages: 304
Measurements: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA01575
Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0307351135
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- Awards & Credential -
The bestselling guide to seizing opportunity in the workplace. |
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- MSL Picks -
In a day and age when people are moving faster than the speed of light, ordering mocha tai-chi lattes with extra-fine skim milk, working 80 hour work weeks, and popping a menagerie of pills, it is refreshing to discover that there are individuals who drive hard, but have not lost focus on what makes them human, encompassing a "360 degree" life. One of those individuals is the president of Hearst Magazines, Cathie Black.
Her book, Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life), gives a first person narrative of the highs and lows of her corporate journey. Although the book is geared towards women, that did not deter this male reviewer from reading it; especially as I am always trying to understand the female psyche. The overall theme of this narrative is to help people in the workforce ascertain how to forge an identity and to follow one's hopes and dreams.
Through-out the nine chapters, Ms. Black lucidly speaks about particular traits upon which every business individual should focus and build upon. Those qualities are: drive, risk, people, fear, power, passion, attitude, leadership, and the power of the present. Each of these behaviors comprises a chapter. Half of the chapters has case studies to putting the teachings into practice and the other half has tips on continuing to progress in the business world.
What seems to be one of the best aspects of the guide is the straight- forward language. Black speaks as a mentor, giving sound advice on how to structure a career in the sense of maintaining relationships with people, dealing with conflict within the workforce, and navigating a difficult job. She encourages the reader to know when to exert oneself, when to break the rules, when to take chances, and surprise people just when they think they have you pegged.
In addition to the work-related information, the idea of balancing work and life is presented in a compelling manner. She refers to it as the "360 degree" life. Work, family, leisure, and mind are all a part of this circular existence. Setting parameters and striving for certain goals allows one to properly regulate oneself. Ms. Black admits that she was a workaholic in her 20's, but, as she matured, she realized she wanted more than to simply advance up the corporate ladder.
As a man fresh out of college and now in the corporate world, my life is a whirlwind. It is very helpful to be mentored by a woman who has risen to the top of her profession. As I have just spent four years strumming through thick text-books telling me what to think, Ms. Black's book compliments this education with her insight into the realities of the business world, emphasizing the need for independent thinking and the taking of well-calculated risks.
Overall, Basic Black is a great read. It is not a gripping page-turner that will keep one captivated for hours, but it does give great encouragement to an individual reading it. The behaviors that Cathie Black presents should be at the forefront of every individual's mind in order to create a sense of peace and fulfillment. Yes, we go to work to pay the bills and achieve a certain standard of living; but as we have heard before, "There is more to life". Ms. Black reaffirms this adage through her life which is filled with constant adjustment. As Black writes, "The most important lesson...is that there is no single set of rules for how to succeed, and that trying to copy what someone else has done won't help.
(From quoting The Small Biz.Guru, USA)
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CATHIE BLACK heads Hearst Magazines, a division of Hearst Corporation. She manages the financial performance and development of some of the industry’s best-known magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, and O, the Oprah Magazine. Black made publishing history in 1979 as the first woman publisher of a weekly consumer magazine, New York, and she is widely credited for the success of USA Today, where for eight years, starting in 1983, she was first president, then publisher. Before joining Hearst, she also served five years as president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America. She lives in New York with her husband, son, and daughter.
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From publisher
New York Times Bestseller ... #1 BusinessWeek Bestseller ... Wall Street Journal Bestseller
- Pursue Your Passions
- Take Risks That Are Calculated, Not Crazy
- Achieve “The 360° Life”
- Make Your Life a Grudge-Free Zone
- Orchestrate Your Own Success
The bestselling guide to seizing opportunity in the workplace, from the woman at the pinnacle of the Hearst magazine empire
Every woman dreams of having a wise, funny mentor who understands the challenges she faces. Now, Cathie Black-one of Forbes’s “100 Most Powerful Women” and Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business”-offers invaluable lessons that will help you land the job, promotion, or project you’re vying for. You’ll find out how to handle interviews, which rules to break, and why you should make your life a grudge-free zone. Filled with surprisingly candid, personal stories and advice, this is the only career guide you’ll ever need.
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| View all 6 comments |
Meg Whitman(MSL quoted), USA
<2008-11-20 00:00>
Basic Black does a great job of telling the story of how Cathie deftly navigated the challenges of the workplace and the media business, while also trying to balance the demands of a busy life. Her practical tips on handling typical workplace situations make this an important read for any woman who wants to become a better colleague, a better leader ... and a better person. |
Gayle King(MSL quoted), USA
<2008-11-20 00:00>
Bravo for Basic Black! After reading this book, I understand more than ever why Cathie Black is the huge success she is today. She’s totally fearless! She shares her triumphs, but perhaps best of all, she shares her mistakes so that we can learn from them. I love her candor. Whether you're starting your career or going full throttle, you will benefit from Cathie's insights into business--and life. Basic Black is a true must-read. |
Suze Orman(MSL quoted), USA
<2008-11-20 00:00>
I’m a big Cathie Black fan-in part because we both believe that where you come from in no way determines where you can get to. If you think it, you can create it.Cathie’s career is living proof of that and her experiences, both professional and personal, make for fascinating reading. The life lessons in these pages are smart, true, and reassuring, no matter where you are in your career. |
Rosabeth Moss Kanter(MSL quoted), USA
<2008-11-20 00:00>
Cathie Black is exactly the kind of mentor every woman needs: a talented executive at the top of her game willing to tell it like it really is. Imagine having a private lunch with one of the most powerful women in business, and then feast on her wonderful book. Basic Black is among the very best insider accounts of how to succeed as a leader. |
View all 6 comments |
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