Management by Proverbs: Applying Timeless Wisdom in the Workplace

A Must have for all the managers that wish to be sucessful GOD's WAY!

If you have heard the saying "there is nothing new under the sun", then it must apply to the principles of the Book of Proverbs and how they apply to business thousands of years after they were written. This is an excellent book, and a timeless look at how basic principles guiding human behavior apply in the workplace.Often in western business there is an attempt to assume that "business" and "religion" don't mix and that somehow the Judeo-Christian value system outlined in the Bible is better left at the door when coming to work. However, nothing could be further from the truth. As outlined in this book, Proverbs gave us all sound advise that for thousands of years has helped people be successful in their work and business interactions. The recent headlines of 2002 and 2003 about the lack of workplace ethics, costly corporate scandals and allegations of management fraud that dominate the business section and wiped out the retirement accounts and employment of countless employees, demonstrate that these principles are needed now more than ever. One look at the chapter/principle headings and one might assume these principles are right out of a Covey or Drucker book. This book gives some insight into the possible origins of many of the popular business and management philosophies.Some of the principles discussed include "Value employee input", "Invest in Employee training", "Regard profit as a means not an end", "Measure performance validly", "Measure twice, hire once", and many more principles which when applied effectively will increase the success of any business venture. Each chapter examines the passages in Proverbs, provides examples of real-life business stories demonstrating them in action, and discusses the manner in which they may be applied.Overall, this book is a must for anyone who manages people, or engages in running a business. The focus on the right priorities, and the right methods to achieve results is sound and relevant in today's business climate, as it has been for thousands of years. Highly recommended!

This is simply a phenominal book. Rarely do we business folks find a combination of good business practice and careful scripture study in one volume. The author is apparently both a business professor and a seminarian, and it shows. All you have to do is look at the footnotes to see that this guy knows his stuff. But it's not an academic book. It's among the most readable business resources I've found in a long time -- sort of in the vein of Covey and Blanchard. Besides all that, there is a wealth of managerial and leadership wisdom in here -- tips that, as the author says, are both timeless and road-tested. I'm looking forward to reading Zigarelli's other work.