Product Description
The bestselling business classic published 62 years ago that Raytheon CEO William Swanson made famous in his Unwritten Rules of Mangement.Now, updated and revised in 2001 by James G. Skakoon and re-titled The Unwritten Rules of Business, these universal and enduring rules are available to business readers everywhere. Filled with sage advice and written in a spare, engaging style, these rules offer gems of knowledge and insight on working with others, reporting to a… More >>
The Unwritten Laws of Business
Tags: business classic, business readers, james g skakoon, sage advice, unwritten laws, unwritten rules, william swanson, working with others
Basically, as a 50-year old professional, this book delivers little of what I have not already learned through trial and error.
This book allows you to learn without the scar tissue which I have accumulated from my “trial and error” travails.
Had someone come to me with this book when I was young — when I intentionally continued to live in my world (by stealth) in order not to heed to the advice of my elders and continued to avoid their prophetic advice — I would have been much better informed.
My recommenddation for AARP-card carrying members like myself, get a young’un to deliver this common sensical verse of advice at the young and restless person’s door step (God forbid a gray-haired geezer be the deliverer of this book of truisms); and, then pray that the easily read words written therein somehow can be absorbed — even if only partly. This book only offers good advice, so the more taken — the more good is given.
“Pass it on.”
Rating: 4 / 5
I loved this little gem of a book. It gently reminds us how to be a better employee or employer, but I think this advice ultimately can help us be better in ALL of our relationships. Imagine if we let our ethics be our assett with our friends, neighbors and family, as well as our supervisors and co-workers. The title does not do this book justice, because it is not just the business community who needs these lessons. Whether you serve ice cream at a local shop, superivse small children at a day-care, teach in a classroom, or manage a multi-million dollar corporation, this book is all you need to guide you. Buy multiple copies and give it to college graduates and high-school students applying for their first job. If you are a high school guidance counselor, teach it to your students. If you are a boss, give it to your employees when they are hired (and read your own copy again and again!). If you are an employee, keep it on your desk and look at it from time to time to remind you to be your best. Thank you Mr. King and Mr. Skakoon for your timeless wisdom.
Rating: 5 / 5
We recently read the book for our book club who has been together for over 10 years and it led to the longest most on task discussion to date. All of us in the book club, regardless of age or profession, share the common experience of having had a boss/supervisor, having been a boss/supervisor, and having had an interview. The information in the book reminded me of my dad’s generation and the ethics and expectations he taught me that I wish were practiced by more today. In particular, the piece on integrity being an asset was a good reminder that only we can control our integrity and increase that asset or allow it to become a liability if misused. If all professionals took into consideration the “unwritten laws,” work places would be much more productive, positive, and personally stimulating. As I continue in my career in education moving ever so quickly into administrative roles, I hope to use this book as beginning discussion point for creating workplace norms within the educational setting for teachers and administrators who sometimes feel outside the “business world” when really we are educational salespeople, classroom CEOs, and community managers. Great book with timeless information! Thanks to the original author as well as Jim Skakoon who only increased its value and readability.
Rating: 5 / 5
Oh, I wish I would have had this book when I first started working! What a difference it would have made in my career! When I read it, I kept nodding my head in agreement. This is a great book – a must read for anyone who is starting out in the business world. For anyone who has already been out there a while, it’s a great refresher of the things we know we should be doing, but oftentimes don’t always do. Also, I think I will give it a read before starting any new job, so that I start on the right foot. I think this would make an excellent gift for parents or relatives to give to college grads.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have been in business for over a decade and I live and breathe by many of the principles discussed in this book. I discovered these directives on my own through trial and error (mostly error) and from my numerous mentors. I certainly would have been better off if I had been exposed to this book as a graduate. The directives are quite simple but without them laid out in such simple terms and put into context most people would completely miss them. I will be purchasing this book for my kids their senior year of college.
Rating: 5 / 5