Author: Christopher Stoakes
Price: £14.95
Publisher: Longtail
Pages: 255
ISBN: 0955218616
This book is a self-help guide to enable the reader to become more commercially aware. It is aimed at graduates and, therefore, the whole book is written and presented in a certain style to appeal to a rather narrow audience. However, it is full of ‘jargonbusters’ and explains very well what you need to become commercially aware and how to use this knowledge to progress in your chosen field.
The book is split into three parts. The first helps the reader to understand about organisations, what makes them tick, and how to identify the big issues they will face today and in the future. The second part helps the reader understand how to relate to their clients in such a way that they understand who they are, why they are and what to do together to get them where they want to go. The final part looks at how you can develop both professionally and intellectually.
I felt the book was interesting and really explained the subject well I particularly liked the speed-read summary at the beginning of each chapter, which is good for lazy readers.
However, I think the author really has done himself a disservice by aiming the book just at graduates, as I feel it would be well received by a wider audience who wish to increase their commercial awareness.
This book would be suitable for a graduate who wishes to improve their commercial awareness, or anyone else who is willing to read beyond the constant references to ‘you graduates’. It is very easy to read and would be useful to readers who want a practical, portable guide.
Useful? Three out of five stars
Well written? Three out of five stars
Practical? Two out of five stars
Inspirational? Three out of five stars
Value for money? Three out of five stars
Overall? Three out of five stars
Teresa Alvarez, strategic learning and development consultant, Essex County Council
