Wired for Good: Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits

Book Description

Wired for Good is a nuts-and-bolts guide to strategic technology planning for nonprofit organizations—no matter how large or small. This book leads nonprofits through a planning process that will help them align their technology use with their mission and strategic goals, determine what the appropriate technology tools are to meet those goals, and how the technology will be implemented and supported over time. This essential guide also shows how to win support for a strategic technology plan within an organization, evaluate a plan's effectiveness, and help staff and other stakeholders adapt to the changes new technology will bring about.

Wired for Good shows nonprofit professionals how to

Get their organization ready for the strategic technology planning process
Dispel the myths surrounding technology planning
Understand the benefits of strategic technology planning
Overcome organizational resistance to strategic technology planning
Define the roles and responsibilities of staff and other key stakeholders in creating a successful plan
Make the best use of volunteers and consultants
Find the funds to support technology implementation

Customer Reviews:

Great book to utilize technology as a nonprofit.......2003-09-22

This book has helped me tremendously in my strategy on how to create a solid technology plan. Joni confirms the idea that technology is more than just a tool, it is a way to acheive your mission as a nonprofit. Technology is a necessary part of life now and instead of just buying it and making it work, you should first sit back and think it through. This book will help you do that.

The book is easy to read and gives straight forward advice on how to create and complete a technology plan for a nonprofit. I would highly recommend it for any nonprofit, whether or not you are buying technology soon, this book can help

Outstanding resource for all nonprofits.......2003-06-13

This is a superb guide to technology planning that will be a valuable addition to any nonprofit's management toolkit. I work in the nonprofit technology field (full disclosure--I know Joni personally), and I'm recommending this to everyone I know. I'm even buying copies for friends who work at other nonprofits. Based on Joni's experience leading dozens of nonprofits through the Silicon Valley program of the same name, "Wired for Good" covers every topic a nonprofit should consider in the course of developing a technology plan, and it's filled with real-world examples and worksheets readers can use themselves. It's written in an engaging, conversational style that won't intimidate non-techies, but it also tackles complex topics in a way that experienced users will find rewarding. Despite the rapid pace of technological change, the book's insightful and comprehensive approach to tech planning guarantees it a long shelf life.

Very useful for all nonprofits.......2003-04-27

Wired for Good is a wonderful resource that is long overdue and a very welcome addition to the nonprofit community. Too many nonprofits focus on operational technology planning - what computer to buy and what software to put on it. Those nonprofits who take the next step and plan strategically for technology are the ones who reap the organizational benefits technology can bring, while the others only tread water.

This book is not just an overview of planning, but gets into the nuts and bolts of the process. Using real life experiences and examples it provides applicable techniques and tips, not just theories. There are many examples of how nonprofits have executed the various parts of the planning process and the results of their actions. Too often guides like these go deep into theories without any practical advice or real-life examples, but not here. The examples here draw on the experience of a wide range of technical and non-technical nonprofit staff, making it widely understandable and accessible.

Using this guide, organizations can make solid, lasting improvements to the way they conduct their business, allowing them to make better use of their resources and provide better products and services.

Book Description

In the last few years, 9/11, a tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and many other tragedies have shown us that the vision of God in today’s churches in relation to evil and suffering is often frivolous. Against the overwhelming weight and seriousness of the Bible, many Christians are choosing to become more shallow, more entertainment-oriented, and therefore irrelevant in the face of massive suffering.

In Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, contributors John Piper, Joni Eareckson Tada, Steve Saint, Carl Ellis, David Powlison, Dustin Shramek, and Mark Talbot explore the many categories of God’s sovereignty as evidenced in his Word. They urge readers to look to Christ, even in suffering, to find the greatest confidence, deepest comfort, and sweetest fellowship they have ever known.

âJohn Piper and friends tackle some of the hardest and most significant issues of Christian concern, producing one of the most honest, faithful, and helpful volumes ever made available to thinking Christians. It is filled with pastoral wisdom, theological conviction, biblical insight, and spiritual counsel. This book answers one of the greatest needs of our timesâto affirm the sovereignty of God and to ponder the meaning of human suffering. We need this book.â
â R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

âFor all who don’t live a charmed life, for all who have given themselves to the point of exhaustion, for all who have been betrayed by pious backstabbers, for all who wonder if they can even go on, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God will be green pastures and deep, still waters.â
â Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr., Senior Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee

âThis is not another theological volume that complicates what appears to be an irreconcilable paradox; it is a book that grows out of practical experience and applies Scripture to a realistic world where we all live.â
â Jerry Rankin, President, Southern Baptist International Mission Board

âThis book will challenge you to believe that God is truly sovereign, not just in the safe haven of theological inquiry, but also in the painful messiness of real life. You will be encouraged to live more consistently by God’s grace and for his glory.â
â Mark D. Roberts, Senior Pastor, Irvine Presbyterian Church, Irvine, California

Customer Reviews:

A BLESSING!!!!!.......2007-08-03

I think this is such a hard topic for many of us who personally have gone through difficult times. I know the theology, but it didn't make my heart feel any better. I have three special needs children and I have never been able to really understand our suffering within our family. I know God is wonderful and works all things for good for those who love him. I believe in Romans 8:28, but my heart had moments where life felt so difficult for my husband and me. This book has been a real blessing to me and has really given me hope while raising these babies. I realize that God has called me to raise these children for a purpose higher than i really know here on earth. I needed this book at just this time in my walk. I pray that whoever reads this book will be as blessed as I have been. If God led you to read these reviews, i say buy this book and let God speak to you through it. God bless~

Humbling Essays.......2007-02-05

This book has some great essays. It provides a great mix of theology, and personal testimony, and narratives of how God uses suffering to progress the gospel. The question of suffering is very complex so having a variety of writers from diverse backgrounds attacking the issue from slightly different perspectives helps the reader to understand how God uses suffering to glorify Himself, to mature us in Christ, and to progress the gospel. Suffering can not always be explained, but we have a God who has suffered through his Son and that should bring great comfort to us. The most poignant essays were by Piper and Joni. Another good essay was Suffering and Missinaries. The book starts off with essays by Piper and Taylor putting suffering within the framework of God's sovereignty.

I haven't suffered much. I was humbled by stories of suffering in this book. The book was very encouraging because the authors of these essays were very honest in their struggles, but yet praised God for the suffering. Their endurance was not their effort, but God's strength working through them.

Suffering and yet Sovereignty.......2006-12-06

In Piper's book, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, he makes a clear distinction at the very beginning of Chapter 1 that the reasoning behind his book stems from the ultimate reality that God is the supreme value in and above the universe. I found that comforting, knowing that this book was going to focus on suffering without giving God the easy way out. After reading through it, I realized that this is exactly the focus that Piper intended to convey in his writing. It gives a very heartfelt and sincere, yet firm message that the Lord allows all things according to His will and purpose.

Throughout scripture we are reminded of God's purposes in suffering and the vital role that it plays in strengthening our faith and dependency on God. I had not yet come to grasp however, (until reading this book) that many times suffering is the cost of obedience. I think too often we are told that obedience leads to greater fulfillment and contentment in Christ. Ultimately, yes, but there is definitely something to be said for individuals that choose to be obedient, knowing full well that the road is paved with suffering.

I also found it interesting that this type of suffering leads not only to greater obedience but also to greater compassion. This wouldn't have been my natural inclination. I don't usually think about the Apostle Paul, Jeremiah the Prophet, or King David as being very compassionate. Perhaps this is due to their human perspective in relation to their sufferings and the call on their lives. However, you can not read the words of Christ and not sense the compassion that he has for us.

I would and have been recommending this book to a number of my friends. Excellent read!

Excellent Book!.......2006-12-01

When the condition of suffering is brought up in today's society, relatively few people can identify with. The modern world, more specifically Western society in all its affluence, is populated with denizens that spend most of their brief lives attempting to avoid suffering. People look to various techniques or goods in their quest to minimize any type of suffering for a mere hint of such a condition is undesirable. From drugs, money, sex, food, entertainment, religion and so on are being utilized for escapism as the reality of suffering becomes too much. As Christians, how are we to endure suffering or even explain it? All too often I hear Christians ask the question of why bad things happen to good people?

The recently released book Suffering and the Sovereignty of God edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor aim to answer the question of suffering from a biblical basis. Based on the 2005 Desiring God National Conference of the same name, the editors have assembled the speakers from that event to put to paper the content of their sessions. If you attended the conference, the book's editors have arranged the various essays by themes instead of the actual order of each session and included additional material outside the conference relating to suffering.

The heart of the book is divided into three parts:

1. The Sovereignty of God in Suffering
2. The Purposes of God in Suffering
3. The Grace of God in Suffering

Part one contains two essays - one written by Pastor Piper and the other by Mark R Talbot. - that tackle the role of God's sovereignty in our suffering. Part two considers the "why" of suffering in four essays - two by Piper, one by Steve Saint, and one by Carl Ellis Jr. Part three closes out the book looking at grace in suffering with writings by David Powlison, Dustin Shramek, and Joni Eareckson Tada. The last part of the book contains appendices of Don't Waste Your Cancer by John Piper and David Powlison as well as a transcript of the Q&A session with Piper and Justin Taylor from the conference.

The arrangement of the chapters is purposeful, attempting to let each chapter build upon themes and concepts addressed. Even so, the chapters do not have to be read in order to benefit from the writings. In part one Piper shows how God is sovereign over the various methods Satan uses to cause suffering. As humans we all too easily attribute suffering to the Enemy and leave God out of the picture. Mark Talbot, in his essay, reiterates God's sovereignty and goodness through suffering and simultaneously engages the errant view of open theism. Then in part two the book covers the reason of "why" suffering exists. Here in this section Piper explains the ultimate reason for suffering is to "display the greatness of the glory of the grace of God." The second essay is based on a chapter from another of Piper's books Let the Nations Be Glad and works out some reasons how suffering affects a Christian. Steve Saint then further extends this line of thinking into relationships in missions and relates it to his own personal experiences. The final essay of the section by Carl Ellis Jr. parallels Saint's in some ways as he examines suffering in a horizontal sense of one human to another. Part three then engages how God's grace in suffering. David Powlison's essay helps to demonstrate how God meets us in our personal sufferings. There is no quick and easy answer as Dr Powlison aptly points out but he guides us through some biblical principles to help us out. Dustin Shramek reminds us of the immense pain that suffering produces. Though Christians may know the theologically correct answers to suffering, as humans the emotional and physical pain of suffering still exists and does not usually quickly pass. Closing out this final part of the book, Joni Eareckson Tada shows us how we are to place our hope and joy in God and not our own circumstances. Suffering tends to draw our gazes inward and on the Self which is our naturally sinful tendency instead of looking to God. The appendices serve as a coda for a few months after the conference both John Piper and David Powlison were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Don't Waste Your Cancer is Dr. Piper's pre-surgery meditation on his condition that God purposed in his life; Dr Powlison added his own thoughts to this writing shortly after being diagnosed himself. The Q&A portion gives Piper an opportunity to address some corollary issues tied into suffering as well as some personal insights.

Overall this book is immensely profitable whether you read it from cover to cover or skip around. The writers all engaged suffering horizontally while at the same time vertically. Despite the brevity of each chapter for a collaborative work such as this, the topics were handled with conciseness and depth. Suffering is an immensely personal condition that creates more difficulty in our already difficult human lives. Suffering and the Sovereignty of God helps guide us in the biblical truth Christians have that answer the hard questions when such circumstances arise and how we should bring this Truth to a dying world.

A Blessing from Audio to Print.......2006-11-04

This topic could be no more relevant for the church. It's not a question of modern days, but one that has continued long throughout the history of Christianity. Maybe, however, no other group of gifted men have come together, as one, to put together such a gem of all books.

I am thankful for such a book. You will find it honest, true, straighforward, and absolutely and purely Biblical. If you're wanting a read that will make you feel perky, good about yourself, and inward focused, than don't read this. If you're ready for a heart-wrenching, long-enduring read, than pick this up (and be sure you can sit for a while).

This book will bring to the front of your heart one of the issues that you have just bumped down to the bottom of the priority list. Get it. Read it. Pray through it. Cry through it. Live with the truth of it.

Average customer rating:

A heartwarming and faith building book!
a book you'll never put down - ever
Sometimes it's not the answer you're looking for...
absolutely inspiring!!!!!!!!!!
From an author with Cerebral Palsy, Lynn McDaniel

Joni
Joni Eareckson Tada
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Devotionals | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0310240018

Book Description

The award-winning story of a young woman who triumphed over devastating odds to touch countless lives the world over with the healing message of Christ. Includes photos and illustrations by Joni.

In a split second on a hot July afternoon, a diving accident transformed the life of Joni Eareckson Tada forever. She went from being an active young woman to facing every day in a wheelchair. In this unforgettable autobiography, Joni reveals each step of her struggle to accept her disability and discover the meaning of her life. The hard-earned truths she discovers and the special ways God reveals his love are testimonies to faithâ€™s triumph over hardship and suffering.

The new 25th Anniversary edition of this award-winning story--which has more than 3,000,000 copies in print in over 40 languages--will introduce a new generation of readers to the incredible greatness of Godâ€™s power and mercy at work in those who fully give their hearts and lives to him.

Joni has written an afterword in which she describes the events that have occurred in her life since the bookâ€™s publication in 1976, including her marriage to Ken Tada and the expansion of her worldwide ministry to families affected by disability.

Joni is now available for the first time in an unabridged audio version read by the author.

Customer Reviews:

A heartwarming and faith building book!.......2007-04-12

Our mother used to read us children's books every night, so we were surprised one night when she started to read to us from this book. We loved it almost at once. I don't think I'll ever forget the impression that was made on my mind when we read about Joni's story and her experiences. Even as a little child, I could understand her faith in God and how if I had my own troubles, that would help me too.

This has got to be one of those books that is a rare treasure that many people don't find. It is an excellent book and a heartwarming story of faith, determination and hope. I'd reccomend it to anyone, especially to parents who want a good book to read with their families. It may not be as exciting Harry Potter, but the lessons I learned from it still help me each day!

a book you'll never put down - ever.......2006-06-16

This is one of those few stories that never leave you. Even after you have read the book, closed it and put it on the shelf, the story remains and you can't get it out of your head. A bright, energetic, full-of-life girl goes diving into the shallow water - an act that will forever change her life and ultimately change the lives of millions of others.

Suddenly, this athletic, independent young girl is trapped in a body that will not move. Paralyzed from the shoulders down, she finds herself no longer independent, but fully dependent on the care of others for the simplest of tasks. Things we take for granted like wiping away tears, blowing your own nose or brushing your hair - now on someone else's time table, not your own.

Understandably, this turn of events shakes her faith as she shakes her mental fists at God for dashing all her hopes and dreams for the future. Failed romances, rocky friendships, family heartaches - Joni holds nothing back in this insightful view into her world.

Through her emotional and spiritual failings, the author shares her growth and understanding of God's plan for her life and the lives of others. Using her mouth to draw and paint, the author became an established artist long before people realized that the artist whose work they were admiring was completely paralyzed and unable to use her hands. This revelation thrust her into celebrity where she has been able to make more of an impact on the lives of others than she would have ever been able to have accomplished prior to her injury.

Through her charity, Joni & Friends, the author has provided for wheelchairs for the disabled around the world and opened the doors of opportunity to wheelchair bound people everywhere.

I've seen the author on Larry King a few times and always wondered, "how does that woman keep smiling and keep such an upbeat attitude?" It is hard to imagine a worse fate than what she has endured since her accident, yet after reading her personal account of her life since that fateful summer in 1967, the reader understands exactly why she smiles and truly has joy in her life. I picked up this book thinking it would be 'interesting' and nothing more - I was delightfully surprised to find this to be a page-turner I could not put down. Even though I've finished reading this autobiography, I doubt I will ever truly put this book down. This is a story that sticks with you long after you've closed the back cover.

Sometimes it's not the answer you're looking for..........2006-05-25

At 17, Joni (pronounced "Johnny") Earekson prays that God will turn her life around. The answer to her prayer took the form of a diving accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Non-Christians may find Joni's spiritual reflections tiresome or puzzling, but will still find inspiration in a young girl's transformation from suicidal despair to spiritual serenity. Illustrated with photos and reproductions of some of Joni's artwork, this is a worthwhile read, best suited for a summer day under a shade tree or a winter night beside a warm fire.

absolutely inspiring!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-12-06

I first learned about Joni and her life through my nurse. I watched her movie and since then, I have deeply admired her in more ways than one, especially for her strenght and insiring attitude.
I read the book "Joni" and I think it's much better than the movie because it explains in much more details everything that she went through. Joni is a great writer and reading her books is a very pleasant experience!!!
I am also a quadriplegic, and Joni has brought me closer to God by her movie, books, radio programs, website, etc ... I can relate to her when it comes to how it is to live with a disability, so what she says and writes does reach me!!!

I do recommend the book "Joni" to everyone, disabled or not!! It tells the story of a young woman who did overcome a personal tragedy, found a way to keep living and now she is a happy person who helps so many people!!

As she said somewhere ..... " There are many things which are more important than walking"

Carolina (Lola)

From an author with Cerebral Palsy, Lynn McDaniel.......2005-12-02

It has been several years since I read Joni's story, but I still remember being spellbound by her story, all the while identifying with so very much of what happened to her. It's one thing to hve been born with a debilitating disablity as I was and it's quite another thing to have it "happen" later in life. If you enjoyed Joni, you will also enjoy YES, I CAN! by Lynn McDaniel. Joni, I would love for you to read my story and read your review. Please stay tuned for its sequel, YES, I CAN TOO! which should be out soon. Lynn McDaniel Giddens, Montgomery, Alabama

No Mountain High Enough: Raising Lance, Raising Me

Average customer rating:

Five Star Mom!
Dynamos Run in the Armstrong Family
Never Give Up
Read it in two days!
Fast shipping on birthday present

No Mountain High Enough: Raising Lance, Raising Me
Linda Armstrong Kelly , and Joni Rodgers
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Tanita BC554 Ironman Glass InnerScan Body Composition Monitor Elite Series

ASIN: 076791855X
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Book Description

From the mother of champion cyclist Lance Armstrong—an extraordinary story of the resilience of the human spirit and the remarkable effect of great parenting.

Lance Armstrong has dazzled the world with his six straight Tour de France championships, his winning personality, and his poignant victory over life-threatening cancer. Yet the adage that "behind every strong man there is a stronger woman" has never been more true than in Lance’s case. His mother, Linda Armstrong Kelly, is a force of nature whose determination, optimism, and sheer joie de vivre not only nurtured one of our era’s greatest athletes but fueled her own transformation from a poverty-stricken teen in the Dallas projects to a powerful role model for mothers everywhere. This luminous memoir, written with humor and compassion, tells Linda’s story of survival.

Pregnant at age seventeen, kicked out of her home, and mired in an abusive relationship, Linda was a perfect candidate for disaster. But armed with a fierce belief in herself as a work in progress, and buoyed by a tidal wave of love for her little boy, Linda flouted statistics and became both a corner-office executive and a no-nonsense, empowering mom whose desire to excel was contagious. Her resolve to find “the diamond in the Dumpster, the blessing in every bummer” set an extraordinary example for Lance—and will inspire everyday moms to dream big and make a difference.

Funny, resonant, down-to-earth, and utterly unforgettable, No Mountain High Enough is exhilarating proof that sheer willpower can—and occasionally does—triumph over adversity.

From Linda Armstrong Kelly’s No Mountain High Enough:

“This is what it means to be a mother, I realized. It had nothing to do with being old enough or knowing everything or keeping to a strict schedule. It had to do with loving someone with a love so huge, the rest of the world becomes insignificant by comparison. No fear I felt would ever amount to anything, compared to what I felt for my child. No task would ever be too hard for me. No one would ever be able to make me feel small. I was The Mama. You don’t get any bigger than that.”

Customer Reviews:

Five Star Mom!.......2005-12-29

Linda Armstrong started out with enough strikes to doom most to a mediocre life - daughter of divorced parents and a drunkard father (stopped drinking when Lance was born), married at 16, mother at 17, expelled from high school for being pregnant, and abused by husband whom she eventually left. Instead, she raised (inspired, cheered, protected, funded, and assisted his early development and becoming a champion, and then added her inner strength to Lance's during a devastating cancer encounter) a world renowned bicycling champion and major force in cancer research and support.

At the same time Linda went on to complete her GED and worked her way up to a high-level position within a large communications firm. It was not all success for Linda, however - she also had to go through two additional failed marriages (a philanderer, and a drunkard), before finally finding her "true love."

After reading the book it is clear that both Lance Armstrong AND his mother, Linda, are very exceptional and inspirational individuals. I wish I had read this book myself before becoming a parent - my approach and perspectives would hopefully have greatly improved.

Dynamos Run in the Armstrong Family.......2005-08-30

I am glad Lance's Mom decided to write her story. After I read It's Not About the Bike, I was inspired and eager to learn how a seemingly super-human came to be. Now I know: his Mom exudes energy, enthusiasm, and optimism without bounds: who could lose with such incredible and selfless support screaming in your ear on each lap of the race.

This is a book that focuses primarily on Linda Armstrong Kelly. Lance plays a pivotal but supporting role in the story. She is honest and forthright about the men in her life; other women have just shriveled and become bitter. She is unabashedly supportive of her son, in spite of his adolescent fixation with speeding and dangerous shenanagans with his pals. And... she raised a smart son who loves and respects his mother, especially shielding her from some of the pranks that would drive many parents to pack their son off to some military academy. The fireballs come to mind as I write this.

She is a mom that celebrates Mother's Day, everyday. Now, if she can figure out a way to bottle and sell her optimism and energy! Enjoy the read.

Never Give Up.......2005-08-12

A very well written book bringing the reader the life of an adoring Mother and her son. Neither would give up on their individual dreams in their respective pursuits of happiness in their lives. Enjoyable, insightful reading start to finish. Many congrats to both, and a special congratualtion to Lance for winning his seventh Tour deFrance.

Read it in two days!.......2005-08-02

Funny, sad, interesting, well-written, inspirational. I have great respect and admiration for Linda Armstrong Kelly. She is a remarkable woman with an incredible ability to adapt to any situation life throws her way. What a great woman!

Fast shipping on birthday present.......2005-07-26

Last minute birthday shopping arrived faster than predicted! My sister loved it!

The Third Opinion: How Successful Leaders Use Outside Insight to Create Superior Results

Average customer rating:

Very Good book on critical areas
Exponential Thinking
Clarity and logic on an often-muddled subject: leadership
Great Book for Leaders
practical advice for a real world

The Third Opinion: How Successful Leaders Use Outside Insight to Create Superior Results
Saj-nicole Joni
Manufacturer: Portfolio Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1591840090
Release Date: 2004-03-08

Book Description

Most business leaders will admit that their companies can benefit greatly from an outside review, by someone who knows the industry inside out. But in tough times, few can afford to have high-priced strategy consultants on retainer. The solution, according to Saj-Nicole Joni, is to build a network of informal advisers who can provide Â“outside insightÂ”Â—a review that has become as important as strategic planning or capital asset allocation. But where do you find these advisers, and whatÂ's the best way to work with them?

Through in-depth interviews with some of the most successful executives in the world (Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates, Bill Rubin, John Mack, and Oprah Winfrey among them), Dr. Joni explains how effective leaders create and work with a wide-reaching brain trustÂ— people who give them unbiased opinions on tough issues. Using real-world examples, Dr. Joni shows how these outsiders provide the kind of impact and guidance that cannot be achieved from within. And with this knowledge, readers can not only meet but also surpass the raised bar of excellence in todayÂ's business world.

Customer Reviews:

Very Good book on critical areas .......2007-06-13

this book deals with the critical leadership skill of seeking competent, unbiased "third opinions" i.e. not going it alone or relying solely on staff and possibly biased peers in making important decisions.
It covers in detail sometimes neglected areas for executive - thinking, relationships, focus.
Not only does the author describe each area in detail, she offers a good deal of advice for putting putting the theory into practice.

I give it 4 stars because the writing is often-time hackneyed "consultant-speak" but I recommend it for any executive or would-be executive.

Exponential Thinking.......2005-12-30

Peter Senge said it best: "Today there are two types of leaders in business: those who don't know everything they need to and those who don't recognize it . . . The Third Opinion is for everyone who knows that they need help making critical decisions and for those whose friends may need to bring it to their attention."

Dr. Joni has provided the research that shows why we can benefit from the power of many. Her research showed a surprising level of isolation at the top of our organizations. "While some leaders find a way to build trusted leadership circles that integrate outside insight and have a few confidants, many are on the other end of the spectrum and only experience greater isolation with each move up the leadership ladder." The background for this research is that the 21st century has drastically changed leadership requirements for our organization. This new paradigm requires new thinking - exponential thinking. It also requires three new habits: the habit of mind, the habit of relationships and the habit of focus.

Exponential thinking comprises six steps: Understanding our own mental models that guide our thinking, Developing our ability to discern patterns, Check and Recheck our hidden assumptions, Create varied scenarios of the future, Look for ways to broaden our line of sight, and Invest in our ability to think in the gray spaces. "Exponential thinking allows you to see all sides of a complex issue; it's the process of examining context, looking for interrelationships, exploring assumptions, and asking questions that reveal the full truth and potential of a situation, like a prism revealing the full spectrum of color within white light." Exponential thinking is best done with others.

Dr. Joni logically explains how these keys - the three habits and exponential thinking - applies to emerging leaders, key leaders and senior leaders in our organizations. Using some tried and true tools to understand our management style, and that of others, we can place ourselves in the organization's structure. Then, armed with a tool she developed, the Star of Complexity Map, we can discover where our growing edges are and work to fill those gaps with trusted third opinions.

This book has helped me explain the minor explosion of CEO groups forming. Independent thinkers, trusted colleagues join together to work on each others business and even personal issues. Vistage International (formerly The Executive Committee) is one such organization. Membership has grown from 11,000 CEOs worldwide to more than 12,000 members in 15 countries. Why do busy executives take time for such meetings? The answer is they have learned the power of exponential thinking, even if they call it something else. This is a must read book for anyone aspiring to leadership in our organizations.

Clarity and logic on an often-muddled subject: leadership.......2004-03-22

Dr. Joni has created a clear, logically compelling case for a new kind of leadership appropriate for the complex age we live in. Too many leaders (and leadership models) still believe that leading is all about making decisions in the splendid isolation of the corporate suite. Dr. Joni shows how to create teams of inside and outside advisors that will keep you from becoming the next Enron -- and avoid being blindsided by the competition you never saw coming from the corner office. More than that, there is profound advice here for leaders at all levels of their careers trying to navigate the tricky waters of corporate politics. A must-read for business people today.

Great Book for Leaders.......2004-03-11

This is one of the best books for leaders to come out in a long time. There is no more important topic than getting the best thinking into leaders' decision-making. I left a job once because all my peers told our boss whatever he wanted - not what he NEEDED to hear. That leader could have benefited from reading Dr. Joni's book. She weaves personal accounts into her text, making for very clear and lively reading. The Third Opinion is the perfect book for business men and women everywhere!

practical advice for a real world.......2004-03-10

Dr. Joni has real world experience in the business environment. Too many professors write business books that are theoretical. Dr. Joni based this book on her experiences in corporate America. If more executives followed her guidelines, there would be less Enron and Tyco disasters that ultimately harm consumers and stockholders. This book should be required reading for us all.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Psychology, 3rd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

Average customer rating:

Highly recommended
Great book!
Skeptical but SOLD!
Readability AND depth!
Good Overview

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Psychology, 3rd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
Psy.D., Joni E. Johnston
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1592575005

Book Description

The ABCs of Psychology.

For students looking for a comprehensive resource, or those looking for a self-help book, this new edition provides an easy-to-understand look at both the history and modern practice of psychology. Inside, readers will find what treatment works best for what problem, how to use positive psychology to make oneÂ's life even better, and alternative mental health treatments. TheyÂ'll also learn about how the mind and the body work with each otherÂ—and how to improve the communication between them.

Â• Covers all the basics, but gives extra emphasis to such contemporary issues as fear/anxiety, child psychology, health psychology, mood altering drugs, forensics, and so on
Â• Author is a practicing clinical psychologist with many awards for her popular columns and articles on psychology topics
Â• The Princeton Review identifies psychology as the ninth most popular college degree in the United States

Download Description

You're no idiot, of course. You know that id, ego, and superego aren't the names of characters in an intergalactic comic strip and that the Oedipus complex isn't a giant sports arena. But when it comes to understanding the ABCs of psychology, you draw a complete mental blank. Don't develop an inadequacy complex just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Psychology is an easy-to-understand primer to a field that even today remains shrouded in mystery.

Customer Reviews:

Highly recommended.......2007-10-03

Dr. Johnston has done an excellent job appealing to readers on a very broad topic. Her style and wit are worth the read!

Great book!.......2007-01-25

Teaches you the basics of psychology and in a funny and friendly way...

Skeptical but SOLD!.......2007-01-08

I am studying for the Praxis II Social Studies Test for my teaching certification which includes a section on psychology, a subject I intentionally avoided in college. I got the idea to look at Idiot's Guides from another high school teacher who uses the Idiot's Guide to U.S. History as the text for his class because he says it "includes everything they are required to know and the school authorized text is poorly written and condescending." This teacher is a highly rated and effective teacher so I felt compelled to check it out and I did use the Idiot's U.S. History guide to brush up for the PRAXIS II (and it was excellent!) I was very skeptical that an idiot's guide would be the right study tool for psychology, but the customer reviews on this were so good I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be really great! I was truly surprised at how comprehensive (and up to date) this book is and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a good overview of psychology or who needs a comprehensive review.

Readability AND depth!.......2006-09-13

Psychology is a broad and complex subject and I was afraid any sort of overview meant for "the masses" would fall into one of two categories: too complex and dry to be considered appropriate for a Complete Idiot's Guide (CIG), or too superficial to be considered a decent overview. I was amazed to find that this book was neither. Instead of dumbing down or over-simplifying her topic, Dr. Johnston instead chose to make it interesting by writing with personality, wit, and style, illuminating her points with anecdotes and illustrative examples, and making her points relevant to everyday life. This book strikes a surprising balance between covering the theories and history of psychology and applying it to things everybody cares about.

Make no mistake--this isn't an afternoon's beach reading. It took me some time to get through this book because it's fat with information on everything from language development to schizophrenia. For anyone with an interest in studying psychology this book would make a fantastic introduction; I find it much easier to remember information about such figures as Jung and Freud when it's made relevant to modern and everyday affairs than when it's simply written as history. This book would also make a perfect resource for parents, as it delves quite a bit into how we develop as people, and how parents and childhood both do and don't influence us--including plenty of practical tips.

This book is also wonderful for pretty much anyone who could use some help coping with stress or figuring out how to deal with their troubles, or who wants to better understand a mental illness they suffer from. In particular it would be handy for folks who might not need the full help of a therapist but who could use some tips for healthier living, or people who want to know how to cope with a loved one's illness.

Whether you want an overview on the nature vs. nurture debate, the brain vs. mind delineation, issues of memory, emotions, motivation, stress, self-concepts, personality, or the difference between "normal" and "abnormal" behavior, it's covered in here--and it's covered in a fascinating and detailed manner.

Good Overview.......2006-02-10

This is very good for its intended purpose - a basic overview of introductory psychology.

It covers a wide range of topics including the following: The physical structure of the brain, the effect of genetics on the brain, human development, reinforcement/extinction, the senses, memory, motivation, normal/abnormal psychology basics, and psychotropic drugs.

Within the parameters stated above, I would recommend this book.

Average customer rating:

A real encouragement to me!
God speaks to the heart through Joni

Step Further, A
Joni Eareckson Tada , and Steve Estes
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0310239710

Book Description

Joni's heartfelt and biblically informed response to thousands of letters from people puzzled about the "whys" of suffering. These questions are answered by taking a personal look at how God has used circumstances, people, and events in Joni's life and others' lives. First published in 1978 and updated in 1990. New 16-page photo section and illustrations by Joni.

Customer Reviews:

A real encouragement to me!.......2007-03-18

Joni has experienced hardship first hand, and she understands (and acknowledges) the hurt that we feel as children of God. This book really impressed upon me that we cannot see God's provision or glory if our lives are moving along without any problems. God uses the hard times in our life to get our attention and to reveal Himself in a more personal, powerful way. This book really helped me deal with emotions related to my cancer -- Joni does not promise a happy ending (in our definition) to all of life's problems, but she does point out that nothing happens outside of God's control or love. She is believable because she has experienced this herself.

God speaks to the heart through Joni.......2003-10-31

I decided to write a review on this book because no one has yet and someone should let you know what a treasure it is. Although it has been years since I read it, this book has meant the most to me of all the books on my Christian bookshelves (except the Bible of course). Joni's experience of suffering paralysis after a tragic diving accident at age 17 has given her a unique perspective on suffering. It speaks to God's ability to see us through anything. I read it during a season of suffering, depression, anger and questioning. Joni speaks deep truths from the Lord that resonate within your spirit and help you to find peace in Christ. She helped me believe that God loves me and I learned to accept the difficult circumstances God was taking me through. Notice I said "through," Joni has been through the valleys, where there are no easy answers, and has come out victorious on the other side. One of the most beautiful aspects of Joni's book is how clearly her joy and hope shine through what could have been a life of darkness in her wheelchair.

Book Description

From the bestselling author of Diamonds in the Dust and More Precious than Silver comes another devotional treasure. These 366 daily meditations by Joni Eareckson Tada reveal priceless pearls of Godâ€™s kingdom hidden beneath the surface of our circumstances, waiting for us to discover and claim. Includes illustrations by Joni.

Customer Reviews:

2007 ECPA (Christian Book Awards) Winner in the Inspiration & Gift Category.......2007-07-07

While Joni Eareckson Tada has triumphed over the powers of darkness, as she says in the introduction of her daily devotional, "Pearls of Great Price": "I have experienced more than a few irritants in my life, not the least of which is four decades of quadriplegia. The twelve months during which I wrote Pearls of Great Price was a year of pain and hardship like none other. My bones are getting old, tired, thin, and frail...and lately, it's not been easy. But God continues to give layer after layer of life-transforming grace; he has made each irritation smooth and acceptable. All because of his help and hope." Joni Eareckson Tada has written numerous books which focus on the sanctifcation process out of suffering and tragedy; the joy of the Lord is her strength.

Joni's books can be very inspiring and help you on the path to physical healing which Jesus Christ has purchased for you in the atonement. As we comply with His perfect will for us, He gives us His blessings. Jesus identified with us at calvary and took our sins and our griefs, suffering and poverty. The next step is to read books by A.B. Simpson, which Amazon carries, some titles would be: "Fourfold Gospel"; "The Lord for the Body: Discovering God's Plan for Divine Health and Healing"; "Supernatural: Making Room for the Power of God".

Read these books along with Joni Eareckson Tada's for a full understanding of all God has for you in the redemption. Encouragement where you are with Joni's books will help you receive your healing as you read A.B. Simpson's books. As you feed your spirit, you will be able to grow. As the Bible tells us, "Like newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby"; you can be healed, mind, body and spirit.

Two areas of the Gospel covered in A.B. Simpson's book, "The Fourfold Gospel" (which Amazon carries) are:

1. Jesus Christ as Sanctifier - Sanctification as both a crisis and a process through a subsequent post-salvation experience of giving ones life completely over to Christ.

2. Jesus Christ as Healer - Physical Healing found within the atonement and available for the child of God to access today.

Realities of Life.......2007-03-11

This book puts the christian life in perspective. It is open and honest and shows that God's ways are not always our ways. Joni, has opened her heart to show how God brings good from trials and tribulations. It is an awesome devotional tool. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to those who have or are going through tough times.

INSPIRED.......2007-01-14

I am thirteen days into this devotional. It is excellent and I am truly inspired to stay with it and can feel an improvement in my relationship with our Father each time that I read and pray the day's devotional. I have started many devotional books over the years, but this is the only one that I will likely read all year and maybe again next year. It is truly inspired!

Average customer rating:

Very Thought-provoking
humbling, encouraging, and thought provoking
This book saved my life.
Excellent resource
True Comfort for the Afflicted...

When God Weeps
Joni Eareckson Tada , and Rev. Steve Estes
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0310238358

Book Description

A practical and deeply biblical investigation of the problem of pain and a hopeful portrait of a God who weeps with us.

Customer Reviews:

Very Thought-provoking.......2007-05-16

This book answers the difficult questions that many ask, but not many can answer. Joni is uniquely qualified to explain why there is suffering in the world. I've read it through twice, and have purchased it for others who have also benefitted greatly from her insight. I recommend this book to others often as it has been so helpful to me personally.

humbling, encouraging, and thought provoking.......2007-03-31

Everyday life sometimes tarnishes our faith in ourselves and others as well as our joy in simple things and the whole idea of "life" in general. But then every once in a while something, somebody, or some situation comes along that jolts us out of our stupor enough so that we see clearly the beauty in our lives and give us perspective as to what REALLY matters (as opposed to all the other relatively trivial nonsense we allow to consume our everyday lives). For me, WGW provided one of these jolts. I don't see how a person could NOT be moved by Joni's story, regardless of your spiritual views. Can you imagine being paralyzed by an accident in the prime of youth? Think about it. No, THINK about it. Her story absolutely breaks your heart. And yet, it instills such hope and humility and reenergizes your faith in other people and the potential in yourself. This book precipitated a defining point in my life by playing a prominant role in causing a true spiritual awakening.

The book addresses not only Joni's personal story but also deals with one of the most difficult and hindersome questions about our existence, namely, "If an all-powerful God exists and He is so good and gracious, why does such suffering and pain exist?" Ever wonder, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Joni helps provide some answers. Joni explores God's role in and relationship and attitude toward the tremendous suffereing humanity endures; and she does so with poise, intelligence, and compassion. She has sort of earned the "right" to speak. I don't mean to diminsh others' input at all, but when a person who can't even move (i.e. seemingly has every reason to scoff at any notion of God or His compassion or caring) tells you about all the beauty and joy in life, it has a way of putting your own "problems" into perspective. The issues raised by WGW will prompt some very uncomfortable but invaluable and necessary soul-searching.

As you can tell, I have a particular affinity for this book - and with good reason: It's a wonderful story/discussion written by a wonderful person that effectively addresses extremely difficult philosophical questions in an well-reasoned and compassionate way.

This book saved my life........2006-07-19

Less than a month ago, I had a miscarriage. After the Dr's appointment when we found out the baby had died, The father drove me home, kissed me goodbye and told me he would be back after work to be with me. It is the last time I ever saw or heard from him. Within a week of that horrible day, my very best friend in the world abandoned me without explanation, ignoring my calls and emails to this day. At my very lowest, contemplating suicide, I went home to visit my parents, and picked up this book next to my mother's chair. I hate to read, but God had other plans for me that day. I could not put this book down, and thank goodness I couldn't. This book made evrything so clear to me. My whole sky opened back up. Life seemed worth living again, so that I could serve God. This book truly saved my life, and I would recommend, no, insist that anyone struggling through a hopeless situation read this. Joni is a true messenger of God and His word.

Excellent resource.......2006-06-30

When God Weeps is one of the best books I have read that addresses the meaning of suffering. Along the way, you are challenged to consider the biggest issues in life -- the sovereignty of God, God's goodness and character, why is there suffering? I have given or referred this book to several people -- those who have lost loved ones or have a terminal illness... Written by one who has truly grappled with these issues and heard God's answer, it's not pie-in-the sky theology, but truth that has been sought out and found like a precious treasure.

True Comfort for the Afflicted..........2006-05-10

'When God Weeps' mines scripture for explanations for the problem of suffering, and finds God's sovereignty (overruling control) to be the promise and the answer that makes sense of it all and provides true and lasting comfort, not wishful, pop psychology whose temporary help fades. Co-author Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic after an accident has "been there" when it comes to the seeking of healing and understanding, and writes in an empathetic, anecdotal style interspersed with scripture in a way that's natural, not pedantic. The appendices list verses that proclaim God's sovereign control over trials, and helpfully categorizes them by type of suffering. The scriptural case presented in this book is so solid, that one is left firmly convinced that there is meaning to be found in the hard times, that God is present, that good will prevail.

Average customer rating:

An Amazing Book
Moran is a favorite

Thomas Moran
Nancy k Anderson
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0300073259

Amazon.com

Thomas Moran hiked through the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone in 1871, when most folks back East thought that stories of hundred-foot-high geysers, thousand-foot-deep canyons, and such were probably hogwash. After he submitted his glorious paintings of cliffs, rapids, and sun-struck vistas, Americans were finally persuaded that the West was as real as it was wild. It is largely because of Moran's glowing, oil-painted testimony that a formerly skeptical U.S. Congress soon preserved those spectacular lands. This book is the catalog of the 1998 retrospective of Moran's work, which opened on the 125th anniversary of the dedication of Yellowstone National Park. Anderson's essays cover every phase of Moran's life and career, from his work as an illustrator and printmaker to his success as one of the gentleman painters of New York City. It contains scores of archival photographs of the rather theatrical Moran as he aged, with his ever-lengthening, ever-whitening chin whiskers, and such treasures as a long letter he wrote from Yellowstone to his beautiful wife, Mary, in which he blithely describes rattlesnakes, tarantulas, and wolves observed at close range. The letter is signed "Your loving Hub." Along with Albert Bierstadt, Frederick Church, John Frederick Kensett, and other 19th-century landscape painters, viewers often associate Moran with what he called "a wonderful age," the optimistic years between the Civil War and the Great War. This book contains plates of every quintessentially American scene he painted--the pulsing sunset over the pristine wilderness, the windswept mountain pass, the misty, rushing stream. A scholarly book, it nonetheless captures much of the wonder Moran and his peers felt for the vast Western landscape and the glowing future it represented. --Peggy Moorman

Book Description

Thomas Moran`s paintings of the American West secured his place as one of the most important landscape painters of the late nineteenth century. This lavishly illustrated book-a survey of Moran`s work throughout his career-presents nearly one hundred of his works, reproduced in color, along with essays by leading authorities that explore his virtuosity in various fields.

Customer Reviews:

An Amazing Book.......2000-07-20

My wife and I were looking for a Thomas Moran book with LOTS of reproductions of his pictures. This book appeared to be what we were looking for. I had Amazon find a copy for me and I gave it to my wife as a birthday present. It was perfect. Lots of reproductions. Lots of good information. Well-organized.

Moran is a favorite.......2000-04-26

This book is the next best thing to seeing a Moran in a Museum. I'm a landscape artist and love his work. The book took me out West where Moran painted and made me feel the experience. A fantastic experience!

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