Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

Michael Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited should be required reading for anyone thinking about starting a business or for those who have already taken that fateful step. The title refers to the author's belief that entrepreneurs--typically brimming with good but distracting ideas--make poor businesspeople. He establishes an incredibly organised and regimented plan, so that daily details are scripted, freeing the entrepreneur's mind to build the long-term success or failure of the business. You don't need an MBA to understand or follow its directives; Gerber takes time to explain buzzwords and complex theories. Written in a clear and well-paced manner, The E-Myth Revisited is like receiving advice from an old friend. --Sharon Griggins

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

ATTENTION ALL BUSINESS OWNERS, 23 Sep 2008
A must read for any and I mean any business owners, even if you think you are the next Richard B. you cannot afford to not read this book!!!

This Book Quite Literally Changed My Life, 02 Sep 2008
I read this book after it was recommended to me for about six months, by my business coach, and I remember crying hot bitter tears of recognition, at finally realising why NONE of the businesses I had started in the previous 20 years had succeeded! From the reading of E-Myth however, my life started to change, as I realised I was a raging entrepreneur, I slowly implemented the principles in the book into my current business management, and built a team around me to help my business grow and thrive. I also highly recommend "The E-Myth Manager" which is really pretty much the only book you will need to read on how to choose, hire and motivate staff and team members. If you want to build a business, with value, that someone else will want to invest in or buy, and that won't swallow you whole, you need to read these books urgently.

For people who want to think big from the start, 31 Aug 2008
This book helps people think big from the start. I come across so many women that are running businesses who are not keen to scale up and build a business that can run without them. Michael Gerber's book helps people to think big from the start and to understand the difference between being in business and running a business.

I recommend this all the time to people I work with!

Essential Reading For Business Owners, 30 Aug 2008
As a brand-planner, I recommend this book The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work to colleagues and customers who are owners as I believe it offers a vital point-of-view on being in business for yourself. Too many of us don't really know what we're getting into when we set up a business and this book really opened my eyes to the dangers of making your business a prison where you're consigned to hard-labour for life without the possibility of parole. That may sound dramatic but that's how it feels if you don't get it right. The shift in thinking alone that this book prompts will make a huge difference to you. When you add in the practical tips and suggestions that Gerber offers, you have a handbook for building a business that frees you up to play the role that's right for you in your work and make a success of your business.

In a word: BRILLIANT!, 23 Jun 2008
IF you want quick solutions to your business problems --this book is not the one for you. Instead, as somone wrote before on a review, it is an MBA in book. Well that might be an exaggeration, but believe me it comes close. It spells out why 80 percent of business fail within five years of start-up; I won't give away the answer. But if you are SERIOUS about business then this is an even more SERIOUS book for you. A good read. A very useful read!

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

ATTENTION ALL BUSINESS OWNERS, 23 Sep 2008
A must read for any and I mean any business owners, even if you think you are the next Richard B. you cannot afford to not read this book!!!

This Book Quite Literally Changed My Life, 02 Sep 2008
I read this book after it was recommended to me for about six months, by my business coach, and I remember crying hot bitter tears of recognition, at finally realising why NONE of the businesses I had started in the previous 20 years had succeeded! From the reading of E-Myth however, my life started to change, as I realised I was a raging entrepreneur, I slowly implemented the principles in the book into my current business management, and built a team around me to help my business grow and thrive. I also highly recommend "The E-Myth Manager" which is really pretty much the only book you will need to read on how to choose, hire and motivate staff and team members. If you want to build a business, with value, that someone else will want to invest in or buy, and that won't swallow you whole, you need to read these books urgently.

For people who want to think big from the start, 31 Aug 2008
This book helps people think big from the start. I come across so many women that are running businesses who are not keen to scale up and build a business that can run without them. Michael Gerber's book helps people to think big from the start and to understand the difference between being in business and running a business.

I recommend this all the time to people I work with!

Essential Reading For Business Owners, 30 Aug 2008
As a brand-planner, I recommend this book The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work to colleagues and customers who are owners as I believe it offers a vital point-of-view on being in business for yourself. Too many of us don't really know what we're getting into when we set up a business and this book really opened my eyes to the dangers of making your business a prison where you're consigned to hard-labour for life without the possibility of parole. That may sound dramatic but that's how it feels if you don't get it right. The shift in thinking alone that this book prompts will make a huge difference to you. When you add in the practical tips and suggestions that Gerber offers, you have a handbook for building a business that frees you up to play the role that's right for you in your work and make a success of your business.

In a word: BRILLIANT!, 23 Jun 2008
IF you want quick solutions to your business problems --this book is not the one for you. Instead, as somone wrote before on a review, it is an MBA in book. Well that might be an exaggeration, but believe me it comes close. It spells out why 80 percent of business fail within five years of start-up; I won't give away the answer. But if you are SERIOUS about business then this is an even more SERIOUS book for you. A good read. A very useful read!

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Excellent introduction but you will need more detail, 09 Jan 2008
Well maybe not a complete book of self sufficiency but certainly a very good place to start.

Some people have criticised this for being more a book for dreamers than realists but as every ambition starts as a dream is that such a bad thing. Large sections of this book are really aimed at the smallholder so if you have five acres and a cow you are pretty much the target audience for this book but even if you have just a semi and an allotment you should find something of value in here. A lot of it is also an introduction rather than a complete manual. So, for example, covering how to keep chickens in just three pages is never going to be a complete guide but it does have a place, it let's me know that putting chickens in my back garden is a viable idea and that really is its value this is usually the first place to look for a start to my next downsizing project.

Of course that breadth of subject and shallowness with which each is treated is also it's problem; the range of subjects covered here is probably unrealistic for any one person to cover and if you do try any of them you will probably want more detail. So while it's inspiring and might encourage you to believe you can do more than you thought you could you it really is just the first step. Nonetheless it's an excellent place to start and for inspirational value alone I'd recommend this.

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

ATTENTION ALL BUSINESS OWNERS, 23 Sep 2008
A must read for any and I mean any business owners, even if you think you are the next Richard B. you cannot afford to not read this book!!!

This Book Quite Literally Changed My Life, 02 Sep 2008
I read this book after it was recommended to me for about six months, by my business coach, and I remember crying hot bitter tears of recognition, at finally realising why NONE of the businesses I had started in the previous 20 years had succeeded! From the reading of E-Myth however, my life started to change, as I realised I was a raging entrepreneur, I slowly implemented the principles in the book into my current business management, and built a team around me to help my business grow and thrive. I also highly recommend "The E-Myth Manager" which is really pretty much the only book you will need to read on how to choose, hire and motivate staff and team members. If you want to build a business, with value, that someone else will want to invest in or buy, and that won't swallow you whole, you need to read these books urgently.

For people who want to think big from the start, 31 Aug 2008
This book helps people think big from the start. I come across so many women that are running businesses who are not keen to scale up and build a business that can run without them. Michael Gerber's book helps people to think big from the start and to understand the difference between being in business and running a business.

I recommend this all the time to people I work with!

Essential Reading For Business Owners, 30 Aug 2008
As a brand-planner, I recommend this book The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work to colleagues and customers who are owners as I believe it offers a vital point-of-view on being in business for yourself. Too many of us don't really know what we're getting into when we set up a business and this book really opened my eyes to the dangers of making your business a prison where you're consigned to hard-labour for life without the possibility of parole. That may sound dramatic but that's how it feels if you don't get it right. The shift in thinking alone that this book prompts will make a huge difference to you. When you add in the practical tips and suggestions that Gerber offers, you have a handbook for building a business that frees you up to play the role that's right for you in your work and make a success of your business.

In a word: BRILLIANT!, 23 Jun 2008
IF you want quick solutions to your business problems --this book is not the one for you. Instead, as somone wrote before on a review, it is an MBA in book. Well that might be an exaggeration, but believe me it comes close. It spells out why 80 percent of business fail within five years of start-up; I won't give away the answer. But if you are SERIOUS about business then this is an even more SERIOUS book for you. A good read. A very useful read!

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Excellent introduction but you will need more detail, 09 Jan 2008
Well maybe not a complete book of self sufficiency but certainly a very good place to start.

Some people have criticised this for being more a book for dreamers than realists but as every ambition starts as a dream is that such a bad thing. Large sections of this book are really aimed at the smallholder so if you have five acres and a cow you are pretty much the target audience for this book but even if you have just a semi and an allotment you should find something of value in here. A lot of it is also an introduction rather than a complete manual. So, for example, covering how to keep chickens in just three pages is never going to be a complete guide but it does have a place, it let's me know that putting chickens in my back garden is a viable idea and that really is its value this is usually the first place to look for a start to my next downsizing project.

Of course that breadth of subject and shallowness with which each is treated is also it's problem; the range of subjects covered here is probably unrealistic for any one person to cover and if you do try any of them you will probably want more detail. So while it's inspiring and might encourage you to believe you can do more than you thought you could you it really is just the first step. Nonetheless it's an excellent place to start and for inspirational value alone I'd recommend this.

Wow - the first book you must read if you want to know about coaching, 31 Aug 2008
Simply the best. Its meant to be 5 stars but I made an error! Oops

You don't need to say more than that. The GROW model is simple, powerful, and works! The number of issues and topics related to coaching these days can begin to overcomplicate the issue. At its heart is a process for raising awareness and generating responsibility. End of story.

If you read this book, try it out and make a difference by helping someone else - it will be worthwhile.

One of the most accessible and influential books on Coaching, 25 Aug 2008
In this highly influential book, Sir John Whitmore describes what he believes coaching is, how it can be used, and the skills required for coaching. Whitmore also outlines his GROW model which can be used both in a personal, corporate and team context.

Chapters 1 to 4
explore what coaching is

Chapters 5 and 6
look at the skills of questioning

Chapters 7 to 10
introduce Whitmore's GROW model - Goals, Reality,Options and Will

Subsequent chapters discuss a range of topics - including motivation, coaching the corporation, feedback and assessment and coaching teams. Whitmore also includes chapters on emotional intelligence and spirtual intelligence and their relation to coaching.

This book is underpinned by Whitmore's belief in the values and potential of coaching and his emphasis on the performance-related, psychological principles on which he believes coaching is based. In this third edition, Whitmore explains more fully the principles of coaching and illustrates them with simple analogies both from business and sport.

This is an accessible and clearly written book which gives an invaluable introduction to the principles of coaching and the widely used GROW model. Each of the elements of the GROW model are carefully delineated with supporting coaching questions. This book is useful for all new coaches and managers using coaching skills in performance management - particularly, if they would like a model to complement outcomes based coaching models they may be aready be using in business or corporate coaching.



A very good introduction to coaching, 25 Apr 2008
Coaching for Performance by John Whitmore describes the skills and the art of coaching, as well as the benefits. The book is a very good introduction to coaching and is written in a very easy to read style.

A great guide for anyone in the training industry, 13 Jan 2007
Clear and with a straight forward layout, this book makes some relatively complex ideas very simple. I train drivers and instructors, and have made this one of my recommended texts due to the success I have had following Whitmore's approach. I use many of the techniques in the book as part of my training course. Enjoyable and inspiring to read, if you are stuck wondering which of the bewildering array of coaching books will give you a comprehensive yet understandable introduction to the subject - this is the one.

The "Grandfather" of Coaching Books - and Still One of the Best!, 23 Dec 2005
This book, now in its third edition, is the grandfather of coaching books and approaches. Much of what has come to be known as professional business coaching came from Timothy Gallway and Whitmore's sports training techniques. As such, the book provides a simple foundation for coaching based on the context of awareness and responsibility through asking questions and listening. He presents the G R O W model of coaching - Goal, Reality, Option, Will - as a format for coaching sessions.

The book begins with a few foundational beliefs of coaches. Unlike old models of management that work from the "carrot and stick" approach, a coach believes in the potential of the client. Whitmore believes that people are only able to change only that which they are aware. Responsibility must stay with the client if they are to perform. Questions raise awareness and yet maintain the client's responsibility. If the coach tells the coachee something, awareness may increase slightly, but responsibility in now in the hands of the coach, the source of the information. Questions cause the client to pay attention to their actions, think at higher levels, and provide feedback for the coach to work from.

The G R O W model provides a sequence of questioning and for the coaching session. A coach starts with the client's goal. Either an end goal, like "retire at age 45," or a performance goal, such as "write a new training manual by December." After further clarifying the goal the coach can move on to the current reality of the situation. Asking such questions as: What have you done on the manual up to now? What are the needs that you think a manual might help? What has kept you from finishing the manual these past two years? Options are then generated from the client as to how they can achieve their goal. Finally, What will you do? Whitmore builds several checks and balances into this last step to ensure performance.

The final section of the book is new territory in this 3rd edition. Coaching used to be about performance - doing, acheivement. In the past few years coaching has moved to underlaying motivations of personal fulfillment: the "why" underneath the desire to achieve performance goals. Whitmore includes new chapters on coaching for purpose, getting to life's meaning.

Of the dozen books on coaching that I own, this one has consistently been the book I refer back to as I try to explain to someone what is coaching: Believe in the potential of people; raise awareness and maintain responsibility through questions and listening; and follow the GROW model. All are the essence of good coaching.

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

ATTENTION ALL BUSINESS OWNERS, 23 Sep 2008
A must read for any and I mean any business owners, even if you think you are the next Richard B. you cannot afford to not read this book!!!

This Book Quite Literally Changed My Life, 02 Sep 2008
I read this book after it was recommended to me for about six months, by my business coach, and I remember crying hot bitter tears of recognition, at finally realising why NONE of the businesses I had started in the previous 20 years had succeeded! From the reading of E-Myth however, my life started to change, as I realised I was a raging entrepreneur, I slowly implemented the principles in the book into my current business management, and built a team around me to help my business grow and thrive. I also highly recommend "The E-Myth Manager" which is really pretty much the only book you will need to read on how to choose, hire and motivate staff and team members. If you want to build a business, with value, that someone else will want to invest in or buy, and that won't swallow you whole, you need to read these books urgently.

For people who want to think big from the start, 31 Aug 2008
This book helps people think big from the start. I come across so many women that are running businesses who are not keen to scale up and build a business that can run without them. Michael Gerber's book helps people to think big from the start and to understand the difference between being in business and running a business.

I recommend this all the time to people I work with!

Essential Reading For Business Owners, 30 Aug 2008
As a brand-planner, I recommend this book The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work to colleagues and customers who are owners as I believe it offers a vital point-of-view on being in business for yourself. Too many of us don't really know what we're getting into when we set up a business and this book really opened my eyes to the dangers of making your business a prison where you're consigned to hard-labour for life without the possibility of parole. That may sound dramatic but that's how it feels if you don't get it right. The shift in thinking alone that this book prompts will make a huge difference to you. When you add in the practical tips and suggestions that Gerber offers, you have a handbook for building a business that frees you up to play the role that's right for you in your work and make a success of your business.

In a word: BRILLIANT!, 23 Jun 2008
IF you want quick solutions to your business problems --this book is not the one for you. Instead, as somone wrote before on a review, it is an MBA in book. Well that might be an exaggeration, but believe me it comes close. It spells out why 80 percent of business fail within five years of start-up; I won't give away the answer. But if you are SERIOUS about business then this is an even more SERIOUS book for you. A good read. A very useful read!

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Excellent introduction but you will need more detail, 09 Jan 2008
Well maybe not a complete book of self sufficiency but certainly a very good place to start.

Some people have criticised this for being more a book for dreamers than realists but as every ambition starts as a dream is that such a bad thing. Large sections of this book are really aimed at the smallholder so if you have five acres and a cow you are pretty much the target audience for this book but even if you have just a semi and an allotment you should find something of value in here. A lot of it is also an introduction rather than a complete manual. So, for example, covering how to keep chickens in just three pages is never going to be a complete guide but it does have a place, it let's me know that putting chickens in my back garden is a viable idea and that really is its value this is usually the first place to look for a start to my next downsizing project.

Of course that breadth of subject and shallowness with which each is treated is also it's problem; the range of subjects covered here is probably unrealistic for any one person to cover and if you do try any of them you will probably want more detail. So while it's inspiring and might encourage you to believe you can do more than you thought you could you it really is just the first step. Nonetheless it's an excellent place to start and for inspirational value alone I'd recommend this.

Wow - the first book you must read if you want to know about coaching, 31 Aug 2008
Simply the best. Its meant to be 5 stars but I made an error! Oops

You don't need to say more than that. The GROW model is simple, powerful, and works! The number of issues and topics related to coaching these days can begin to overcomplicate the issue. At its heart is a process for raising awareness and generating responsibility. End of story.

If you read this book, try it out and make a difference by helping someone else - it will be worthwhile.

One of the most accessible and influential books on Coaching, 25 Aug 2008
In this highly influential book, Sir John Whitmore describes what he believes coaching is, how it can be used, and the skills required for coaching. Whitmore also outlines his GROW model which can be used both in a personal, corporate and team context.

Chapters 1 to 4
explore what coaching is

Chapters 5 and 6
look at the skills of questioning

Chapters 7 to 10
introduce Whitmore's GROW model - Goals, Reality,Options and Will

Subsequent chapters discuss a range of topics - including motivation, coaching the corporation, feedback and assessment and coaching teams. Whitmore also includes chapters on emotional intelligence and spirtual intelligence and their relation to coaching.

This book is underpinned by Whitmore's belief in the values and potential of coaching and his emphasis on the performance-related, psychological principles on which he believes coaching is based. In this third edition, Whitmore explains more fully the principles of coaching and illustrates them with simple analogies both from business and sport.

This is an accessible and clearly written book which gives an invaluable introduction to the principles of coaching and the widely used GROW model. Each of the elements of the GROW model are carefully delineated with supporting coaching questions. This book is useful for all new coaches and managers using coaching skills in performance management - particularly, if they would like a model to complement outcomes based coaching models they may be aready be using in business or corporate coaching.



A very good introduction to coaching, 25 Apr 2008
Coaching for Performance by John Whitmore describes the skills and the art of coaching, as well as the benefits. The book is a very good introduction to coaching and is written in a very easy to read style.

A great guide for anyone in the training industry, 13 Jan 2007
Clear and with a straight forward layout, this book makes some relatively complex ideas very simple. I train drivers and instructors, and have made this one of my recommended texts due to the success I have had following Whitmore's approach. I use many of the techniques in the book as part of my training course. Enjoyable and inspiring to read, if you are stuck wondering which of the bewildering array of coaching books will give you a comprehensive yet understandable introduction to the subject - this is the one.

The "Grandfather" of Coaching Books - and Still One of the Best!, 23 Dec 2005
This book, now in its third edition, is the grandfather of coaching books and approaches. Much of what has come to be known as professional business coaching came from Timothy Gallway and Whitmore's sports training techniques. As such, the book provides a simple foundation for coaching based on the context of awareness and responsibility through asking questions and listening. He presents the G R O W model of coaching - Goal, Reality, Option, Will - as a format for coaching sessions.

The book begins with a few foundational beliefs of coaches. Unlike old models of management that work from the "carrot and stick" approach, a coach believes in the potential of the client. Whitmore believes that people are only able to change only that which they are aware. Responsibility must stay with the client if they are to perform. Questions raise awareness and yet maintain the client's responsibility. If the coach tells the coachee something, awareness may increase slightly, but responsibility in now in the hands of the coach, the source of the information. Questions cause the client to pay attention to their actions, think at higher levels, and provide feedback for the coach to work from.

The G R O W model provides a sequence of questioning and for the coaching session. A coach starts with the client's goal. Either an end goal, like "retire at age 45," or a performance goal, such as "write a new training manual by December." After further clarifying the goal the coach can move on to the current reality of the situation. Asking such questions as: What have you done on the manual up to now? What are the needs that you think a manual might help? What has kept you from finishing the manual these past two years? Options are then generated from the client as to how they can achieve their goal. Finally, What will you do? Whitmore builds several checks and balances into this last step to ensure performance.

The final section of the book is new territory in this 3rd edition. Coaching used to be about performance - doing, acheivement. In the past few years coaching has moved to underlaying motivations of personal fulfillment: the "why" underneath the desire to achieve performance goals. Whitmore includes new chapters on coaching for purpose, getting to life's meaning.

Of the dozen books on coaching that I own, this one has consistently been the book I refer back to as I try to explain to someone what is coaching: Believe in the potential of people; raise awareness and maintain responsibility through questions and listening; and follow the GROW model. All are the essence of good coaching.

From Riches to Riches, 20 Feb 2008
Not living in the UK, I actually hadn't seen the programme and the book was a christmas gift. It's an easy read telling some good stories - and let's face it, who doesn't like a good story? I found the dragons' backgrounds very interesting and some of their values very close to mine. Lots of ideas in there for the budding entrepreneur. Would I actually go on the show with my own ideas - I'm not so sure. Would I contact certain dragons with a solid business proposition - I hope so.

Educational?, 05 Feb 2008
This book probably is good in its content but unfortunately you soon realise that it is riddled with spelling errors and mistakes! Maybe its me being picky but surely when you spend £10 on a book you should expect the basics to be right. I lost count of how many spelling mistakes there were which suggests it was written and put together rather hastily.

This just serves to annoy the reader from start to finish.

Good but short, 07 Nov 2007
This is intresting however large font and information repeated mean that you don't get a massive amount of information from this book. However the advice and background on the Dragon's is intresting. Ewan's econimics section is very good and if you like the TV program then you should like this book.

Applied Language Solutions, "The one that got away", 08 Oct 2007
After reading the new Dragons Den book, I thought that like the programme it was extremely enjoyable. After watching the series, I was really interested in finding out more about the entrepreneurs and what happened next and the book helped me do exactly that.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find a whole chapter dedicated to the company I work for, Applied Language Solutions and its founder, Gavin Wheeldon. The Dragons chose not to invest in Gavin's translation company but yet we have proved to be one of the most successful companies to appear before the dragons so far, "The one that got away." I thought it was commendable of the dragons to include both their successes and the investment opportunities they missed. It made the book a more interesting and believable read.

I would definitely recommend this book. If you are a fan of the programme or looking for tips on how to be the next Duncan Bannatyne this is the book for you.


LINGsCARS in DD Book! Hey, read about me! - Ling, 30 Sep 2007
Well, I have just received my pre-launch copy of this book. What a book! I have just re-read the whole thing again. Apart from the fact that I am the subject of one chapter (entirely accurate BBC content and perfect research about LINGsCARS.com, I must say - I have no quibbles with anything written about me), this whole book brilliantly inspires you and me with more ideas about being successful in business.

I really enjoyed my time on Dragons' Den and my business has more than doubled, since I went on the programme. It's a shame I haven't had the chance of first-hand advice from Richard Farleigh and Duncan Bannatyne since the show, but reading this book nearly makes up for that.

While I was in the BBC Dragons' Den warehouse filming, these two Dragons (Richard and Duncan) gave me more ideas about improvements to my contract hire and leasing, new car sales business. They suggested cross-selling insurance. I took them up on it and now earn over £1000 a month in referral commission purely from their idea. Thanks to these two Dragons! Many more ideas like this are contained in this book.

As an immigrant to the UK from China, I wish I had read a book like this 10 years ago! I would say - just buy it and read it again and again, especially at the discounted Amazon price. If anyone wants to contact me, anything @lingscars.com works.

Ling Valentine

Great book, but terrible online content, 10 Sep 2008
I ordered this book as part of my Masters in Business Administration course. The book is neatly structured, mainly separating subjects in three main parts: Strategic Positioning, Strategic Choices and Strategy in Action.

I also found the case studies presented in this book to be of great help when studying for the Business Environment module of my MBA. A matrix table presents a guide for each case study in the book and what are their main focus. For example, if you want a case study that focus on Porter's five forces, then read the TUI case study on page 619, and so on.

The book also comes with an "student access kit" to access further content online, and claims that users would have access to more than 30 "classic case studies" within the companion website.

The book is good but I must say the so called online content is a joke. You can only find the case studies that came with the book, and there are no further "classic case studies" to be found. I was particularly interested on a given business case which is mentioned in the book as available in the companion website for my dissertation, and I can't help but to feel cheated about it.

I emailed support asking for advice but I never got an answer, and I tried to call Pearson's support line but I have never received a call back or a proper answer to my query.

The experience I had with Pearson's student access kit was terrible that comes with this book, and I would warn anyone who is thinking to buy one of their books or a standalone student access kit to stay away from them.

Buy BEFORE you start your dissertation!, 14 Aug 2006
I started my dissertation very late - too late - and bought this book to help me through. It's a very simple, uncomplicated book which helps you set out your dissertation in the right way and guide you through the process of planning it, writing it, and checking it.

Also, as it is written by an ex lecturer the advice is coming from the right sort of person. There is a checklist at the back of the book which helps you mark your own piece of work and check that you've done the basics. It also has some useful tips yo help you avoid the most common errors.

I managed to get a First for my dissertation, thanks largely to this book. But save yourself rushing about like I did if you can, and buy this simple little book early, before you start!

very helpful and it's in plain english, 18 Apr 2005
I bought this book alongside with other books on writing dissertations. I found this the most useful and helpful of the lot as it was written in a clear logical way that i could understand, there were no fancy words, complicated issues etc.

Throughout my dissertation it has provided me with guidance on what to write in certain sections of my work, not only that it has provided me with the structure of what a dissertation should look like. Overall it has kept me sane and I would definately recommend it to people who are undertaking a dissertation, plus it is at a reasonable price too.

Lets wait and see., 01 Jun 2004
I bought this book some time ago, knowing that i would have to choose a dissertation for when i go back to university in Sept 2004. The task is much more difficult as i am currently on placement in Westminster and my university is in Sheffield so its impossible to recieve any help/ advice on what i am supposed to do. I haven't read a book in at least 8 years and then that was a shakespear book for my GCSE's i think? Anyway this was the first book i have read in all that time and found it easy to get into. It had some nice tips and advice on how to choose the right subject. It was very limited in parts and after reading two thirds of the way into the book i got bored and just flicked through the rest - it was unhelpful for my subject of Business information systems as i think it is more aimed at social degree's and masters thesis students. I did take a couple of tips from it and feel that it was a good first book to read in order to progress onto other more MEATY titles, which will go more into depth about dissertation writing. I have Since gave the book to my girlfriend and read three other titles (becoming the proverbial book worm) - i hope she gets more from it than i did. I will see if it was helpful, when i begin my final year in Sept.

Very helpful!, 11 Feb 2004
I have used this book constantly whilst thinking about my dissertation and when doing the write up. Very helpful, and very informative!

If only I had bought it sooner..., 04 Jun 2003
This book is ideal for when you are first thinking about your dissertation. Unfortunely I panic bought it when I was doing the writing up, so it was unable to provide me with information that I didnt already know at that point. I will definitely pass it on to someone going into their final year as it is a good starting point.

Don't expect to learn much, 13 Oct 2008
This is very typical of self-help books. Full of self-assessment exercises, quotes taken from The Oxford Book of Quotations or similar. The text is cobbled together from popular psychology and management theory. Some of the questionnaires would seem to belong in a women's magazine, rather than an academic book. Anyone who has done PD/PSE or a motivation course will have a good idea what to expect. It is amazing that this is set as essential reading on many university courses now.

Excellent book, 01 Oct 2008
I used this in conjunction with the Experts Guide Job Interview DVD Job Interview Skills - Extended DVD & CD, and found them both to be indispensable.

Excellent guide to PDP, 09 Oct 2007
For students at school and university this is an essential guide. Personal and Professional Development Planning is key to making the most out of your experience in any educational institution. Employers are looking for much more that the diploma/degree that you emerge form Uni' with. You are required to be able to demostrate your skills and attributes as they apply to the work that you would be doing. Cottrell shows you how to draw these out, collect evidence and demonstrate what you have gained and achieved through your educational experience.



Lot's of detail, too much, not inspiring, 09 Feb 2006
i was dissapointed when i bought my copy of this book. it is set out very much as an academic text and not very user friendly. i was surprised by the style of book the author chose to do. mostly forms and questionaires to fill in, followed by some short paragraphs. it is very much the typical type of offering from an hr department when they are encouraging time management, or reflective practice. not inspiring or motivational at all. the content is ok, but reminded me very much of the type of exercise they gave us for professinal development courses at university. i did not get a lot from them either. thorough but left me dissapointed.

ATTENTION ALL BUSINESS OWNERS, 23 Sep 2008
A must read for any and I mean any business owners, even if you think you are the next Richard B. you cannot afford to not read this book!!!

This Book Quite Literally Changed My Life, 02 Sep 2008
I read this book after it was recommended to me for about six months, by my business coach, and I remember crying hot bitter tears of recognition, at finally realising why NONE of the businesses I had started in the previous 20 years had succeeded! From the reading of E-Myth however, my life started to change, as I realised I was a raging entrepreneur, I slowly implemented the principles in the book into my current business management, and built a team around me to help my business grow and thrive. I also highly recommend "The E-Myth Manager" which is really pretty much the only book you will need to read on how to choose, hire and motivate staff and team members. If you want to build a business, with value, that someone else will want to invest in or buy, and that won't swallow you whole, you need to read these books urgently.

For people who want to think big from the start, 31 Aug 2008
This book helps people think big from the start. I come across so many women that are running businesses who are not keen to scale up and build a business that can run without them. Michael Gerber's book helps people to think big from the start and to understand the difference between being in business and running a business.

I recommend this all the time to people I work with!

Essential Reading For Business Owners, 30 Aug 2008
As a brand-planner, I recommend this book The E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work to colleagues and customers who are owners as I believe it offers a vital point-of-view on being in business for yourself. Too many of us don't really know what we're getting into when we set up a business and this book really opened my eyes to the dangers of making your business a prison where you're consigned to hard-labour for life without the possibility of parole. That may sound dramatic but that's how it feels if you don't get it right. The shift in thinking alone that this book prompts will make a huge difference to you. When you add in the practical tips and suggestions that Gerber offers, you have a handbook for building a business that frees you up to play the role that's right for you in your work and make a success of your business.

In a word: BRILLIANT!, 23 Jun 2008
IF you want quick solutions to your business problems --this book is not the one for you. Instead, as somone wrote before on a review, it is an MBA in book. Well that might be an exaggeration, but believe me it comes close. It spells out why 80 percent of business fail within five years of start-up; I won't give away the answer. But if you are SERIOUS about business then this is an even more SERIOUS book for you. A good read. A very useful read!

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practi