The Chocolate Elephant Part 1

Putting Information Technology first and the business second is putting the cart before the horse.

In most organisations, there seems to be a disconnect between the business and Information Technology, and in some regards, IT is looked on as the silver bullet that can be used to resolve all problems and issues. This has occurred due to Information Technology becoming so embedded in organisations and being required for the execution of most business processes.

It should be noted that Information Technology is a tool used to enable the execution of a business process. It is an important tool, but nonetheless, it is only a tool.

Organisations need to shift the focus back to the business and ensure that the technology they are using fits in with the requirements of their business processes. This will ensure that businesses become more efficient and effective and that they are only using and being supported for the technology that they require. Only in very exceptional circumstances, should a business process be altered to fit in with Information Technology.

The Chinese Warren Buffett

“The Chinese Warren Buffett” The King of 1% Weekly Returns

The Blue Mist

The science of human factors is often overlooked, yet it is pivotal in the pursuit of safety. Understanding what makes us tick, our behaviours and how we interact with others, and the ability to visualise potential threats and errors has many advantages. Such as developing better interpersonal and communication skills, which can assist in growing your leadership or team working skills. The ability to see threats and errors can improve safety, reduce costs, and increase productivity.

The Blue Mist is a personal guidebook on human factors; through the author’s experiences and research, the reader can explore and learn the basic human factor concepts. Extensive research in well-known disasters such as the Ladbrook Grove rail disaster, The Costa Concordia Grounding, and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter accident, together with the author’s accounts of incidents and accidents, combine to give an informative and fascinating insight.

The field of human factors developed by the aviation industry is becoming recognised as a critical element in many other sectors. Adopted as a safety element in the shipping, rail, and medical sectors, it has increased safety and reduced accidents. This book assists both novice and experienced human factor advocates and is an excellent tool in exploring the human factor concepts and values.

The Art of Sales

I consider the art of sales to be a chess game well-thought, strategically planned and played carefully. One needs to know the rules of the game and the ethics. It is not only a matter of how well you know the game or play it but also a matter of human psychology, soul, character (which includes the elements of patience), fear, insights, instincts and correct observation without being hasty or careless which will help you prevail. It is a matter of how we behave when we are under pressure, when we are surprised and when we realise that we are not going to win. Can we control our nerves? Can we take it easy? Can we look for a different plan and adapt quickly when things go wrong? This is an art and it is more important than the knowledge. It comes with experience. The more you play, the more you are in control. The Art of Sales is based on exactly the same thinking. Play safely.

Problem Solving For Individuals and Companies

This book is a life-changing experience that will project yourself forward by solving problems at all levels both for individuals and companies.

You will find that it entitles you to further enhance your lifestyle with increased opportunities as well as health improvements.

It will also propel you into something that allows you to escape from all types of problems that have perhaps held you back from moving forward, in assisting you to achieve the life that you desire. This will also explain the magic and power that can be achieved from the universe, as well as teach you how to negotiate anything that you desire.

You will also begin to understand and use the hidden untapped power that lies within you.

Practical Management Skills

The author has been a manager for longer than she has been a mother and a wife. Thankfully, no one carries out an annual review on your performance as a wife or a mother, yet you are constantly evaluated when you are a manager. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and focus on the criteria that make you a successful manager. For her, a successful manager is one who is able to gain respect, build a strong team, retain talent, develop people, manage others and work well within a team of other managers. These goals thus make up the backbone of this book.

The genesis of the book came whilst the author was on a maternity leave, when she found herself searching for a hobby that would draw on her strengths and address something that she was personally invested in. After being a manager for a decade, she realised that her passion lay in teaching others how to become better managers and progress their careers, as much as it did with her own ongoing learning and development as a manager.

Although the author's decade of management experience comes from the financial sector, she strongly believes that her teachings are applicable to all industries. English is her third language and writing a book is a new venture for her; however, she thinks that this actually works to the benefit of the book as she uses simple, jargon-free language that helps any readers to easily grasp the managerial concepts raised. The book therefore makes an easy read, whether it is read from beginning to an end, or dipped into to address specific themes that the reader may want to turn to, depending on which part of their managerial experience they currently need help with.

The author hopes the reader finds the book engaging and interesting as well as educational.

Please, Don't Trust Me

Discover the truth behind the much-derided world of estate agency in this no-holds-barred account. From gazumping and sealed bids to Dutch auctions and life-affirming philosophy, this brutally honest book delves into all aspects of the housing market that have never been available to the general public.

Written by a local author who may have sold your house or sold one to you, this book sheds light on the mysteries of estate agency and the rationale behind its practices. Is estate agency really just money for old rope? What links it to the dropping of the atomic bomb? What phrase from 1928 is still causing angst in the house buying process?

With fascinating insights into the history of estate agents and even a discussion of the role of the Bible in the industry, this book explores the tall stories and interesting views that make up this complex world. Whether you’re a seasoned property buyer or just curious about the industry, prepare to be stultified and enlightened by this intriguing read.

As any self-respecting estate agent would say, an internal inspection is highly recommended. So read on and discover the secrets of estate agency that have never been revealed before.

Overcoming Selective Blindness

With a looming cloud of collective defeatism casting an increasing shadow across the NHS, this book offers a potential lifeline to exhausted individuals and organisations. ‘Selective Blindness’ is cited as the reason why the root causes of the NHS’s problems are failing to be addressed and the single biggest risk to the future of the NHS.

Seeking to share experience and learning from a decade of working with trusts to improve services, the pages are packed with practical, simple, and achievable tools and techniques to increase the pace and focus of improvements. The book recognises the need to practically help both those positioned by the bedside and around the board table so that they may be better positioned to address the root cause of local issues to achieve improvements for patients.

Only when this is achieved will they be able to challenge what is described as Selective Blindness present within those in legitimate positions of influencing the future of the NHS.

N Z Small Business Owners Handbook

The N Z Small Business Owners Handbook is an essential guide for the over 500,000 small business owners in New Zealand. This practical and comprehensive book offers clear and actionable insights that every owner and stakeholder needs to understand in order to succeed.

While many small business owners are skilled at working in their business, they often neglect the crucial task of working on their business due to their busy schedules. This can lead to exponentially increased risks and missed opportunities. Simply working harder is not the answer - knowing how to work on your business is critical.

This book offers an easy-to-understand solution, using the analogy of the popular game ‘snakes and ladders.’ Just like in the game, business life can be full of ups and downs. This handbook provides a clear roadmap to help navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that arise.

Whether you are an established business owner or just starting out, this handbook is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to thrive in the dynamic and ever-changing world of small business. With practical advice, real-world examples, and clear action steps, the N Z Small Business Owners Handbook is the ultimate guide to achieving success and realizing your business dreams.

My Value or My Values Restoring Their Peoples' Pride

If you want to read business books that tell you what to do, how to create a better business, how to avoid the pitfalls, don't read any of the 'Strategies to Go…' Strategies to go…like coffee to go…are stories you can take away, read on the go and draw your own conclusions based on what will work best for you and your business. They are based on true stories and tell it like it is--what really happens in business--allowing you to learn the lessons that fit your needs and the strategic needs of your business. These books are deceptively easy to read and therein lies their genius. You could choose to read the stories of the companies of Paul and Tom as just that--stories. The industrial espionage, fraud and betrayal that challenges their values and the telling drawn characters make for a good read. However, there are intelligently researched and imaginatively presented strategies that can, and ought to, be applied to any commercial organisation, or a not-for-profit (NFP) entity generating funds for societal need. I recommend this book equally to those who are in the commercial or NFP sector, where values and profit align to create balanced and sustainable entity. Diane Robinson CA specialises in the NFP sector. Chair of the Auckland Auckland's NFP Group.

My Value or My Values - Redeeming Customers' Trust

If you want to read business books that tell you what to do, how to create a better business and how to avoid the pitfalls, don't read any of the Strategies to Go.

Strategies to Go, like coffee to go, are stories you can take away, read on the go and draw your own conclusions based on what will work best for you and your business.

They are based on true stories and tell it like it is, what really happens in business, allowing you to learn the lessons that fit your needs and the strategic needs of your business.

Most of us spend 1/3rd of our lives sleeping, 1/3rd of our lives at work (at least) and cram everything else into the final 1/3rd. Given the investments that we make in time, shouldn't we be very clear about what makes us get up in the morning, go to work each day to do what we do?
This book tells a story in a unique way and asks these questions. Without launching into the answers, it takes you on a journey that inspires you to go and find the answers for yourself. After all, your career is all about your choices and your life. What you choose to do can define who you are. If you choose to spend your time with others who have shared values, together you can make a difference and achieve great things. At the same time, you might even have some fun and do something truly worthwhile!
If you choose otherwise, you may miss out…it's up to you…

Brian Watson – Group Manager

Laboratories AsureQuality Limited 

My Value or My Values - Rebirth of a Fallen Company

If you want to read business books that tell you what to do - how to create a better business - how to avoid the pitfalls – don’t read any of the “Strategies to Go…”

Strategies to go … like coffee to go… are designed as stories you can take-away, read on the go, and draw your own conclusions based on what will work best for you and your business.

They tell it like it is – what really happens in business – allowing you to learn the lessons that fit your needs and the strategic needs of your business.

Based on the lives and businesses of real people the characters are based on a composite of heroes and villains I have worked with.  You will share their frustrations and anger, the exuberance of their success and their pain of losing, and most of all you will learn from their experiences.