The Obvious: All You Need to Know in Business. Period.

This book was short but sweet. Although, as the author reflects, most of what is written is obvious there were still many moments of "yeah, I'll have to remember that point" for me. I greatly appreciated the book and recommend it to those who are searching through the stacks of "how to be smart in business" or even "self-help" books for a particular book that will have lasting impact.

Obviously a great book, especially for people about to start a career in the business world. It's an easy read that is light-hearted and funny, but it's also informative. Although many of these ideas may be obvious, they're not all that apparent to those who are just getting started in business. I received "The Obvious" as a gift, following graduation, and I've already bought a couple copies for friends in similar positions.

Whether you are the boss or the employee, the key to success is obvious. The Obvious is a no nonsense book that gives common sense answers to the difficult questions about business success. In fact, this text is so saturated in realistic reasonable advice that the majority of people will find this information truly enlightening. For the majority of people, work has become a quest for more money and less actual work. Most of us hardly even try to veil this desire. If we could earn grotesque amounts of money for sitting on our butts thinking about work we'd all be thrilled. Unfortunately, here comes one of the first big obvious truths. In order to make money you actually have to work at it. You can't sit and think about it. You can't talk about it at a meeting. You have to actually do something. Not only do you have to take action to work but you have to actually have a point to that act. Don't just create a complicated mess of extravagant exploits so that others will see how great you are and pat you on the back. No one is going to notice anyway because they are too worried about their own problems. Instead, work smart, put your all into your efforts, tell the truth, and think like a team member. The results will come in time. The Obvious was refreshing. The author stated the plain facts without apology or any sort of gooey sugar coating. The result is a workable guide for real employees and their employers.

Should be required reading for anyone who comes into contact with another human being. The Obvious is the handbook for better business practices. Concise, to the point, immediately useful and fun to read. Mr. Dale shares his business philosophy with us and successfully merges it with case studies of the heavy hitters in business. The result is a 229 page smart bomb with universal principles and a clear message to do no evil. I'm in the sales and hospitality industry(have read many of the popular books) and everyone I speak to agrees that people are starving for good service. The Obvious addresses this famine with obvious (but often absent in business) four star service solutions. The first page of Chapter 1 says there are enormous opportunities and rewards for anyone who's willing to give people what they want. I know, I know, it's obvious, but it's a superb way to excite and compel you to read on. Mr. Dale knows that business is ever-changing today and he encourages us to go ahead and reinvent it. The chapters are short but deliver powerful remedies. Chapter 14 is "Imagine You Worked for You." What an unusual and provoking way to take stock of yourself. The Obvious is just the right size, too, so it's very portable. It's a must-have for your personal and professional growth. Read it, share it, practice it, feel better about yourself, move ahead, stand out, be memorable, build sound relationships and reap the rewards. I love this book! I'm giving it 5 stars.

Nice book. It was an easy read. I can't say I was crazy about it, though. Back in 1990 an employer handed me Dale Carnegie's book entitled How to Win Friends and Influence People which I read then and a few times since then. And in 2005 I attended (and graduated from) the Dale Carnegie Course. The instant book (The Obvious) seems to be a rehash of what Carnegie's book was all about. And it doesn't come close to being as good. The Obvious has 15 chapters: 1. Work is a Verb 2. It's Not about You 3. Be Nice 4. Listen More than You Talk 5. Every Job is Sales 6. Simple is Better than Complicated 7. Less is More 8. Say What You Mean 9. Honesty 10. Open Your Mind - Let Ideas In 11. Reality - Deal with It 12. Don't Keep Score 13. Energy - The Unfair Edge 14. Imagine You Worked for You 15. The Inventory I would have liked the book better if the subtitle hadn't been "All You Need to Know in Business." That is simply not a true statement. There is so much more one must know! Accounting, the law, marketing, sales, the Internet, and computers, are just some of the things that come to mind. 4 stars!