The Decision-making Pocketbook
Authors: Neil Russell-Jones
Publisher: Management PocketBooks
Year: 2000
ISBN: 1 870471 76 8
Price: £6.99
Format: Paperback, A6 size, 112 pages

I read this during a period in which I had to make decisions in an area which was not familiar to me, which was very complicated and on which I had received conflicting advice. In spite of my initial cynicism that such a small book, of necessity written in general terms could be of real use I found that it was helpful.

Why? It gives a structure into which the individual imponderables can begin to fit, quite suprising really that what one thinks of as an idiosyncratic issue can be so structured.

Value for trainers? Yes, as an aide memoire to the processes which need to be explored when working with any group on any problem on which decisions need to be made. It also explains models and theories in simple language with useful diagrams. It does not supply a programme as such to be lifted and so is of no use to any trainer looking for an easy fix, but for its size it does contain much useful summarised theoretical and practical information which should give ideas as to how a programme on this important topic can most effectively structured.

The Cross-Cultural Business Pocketbook
Author: John Mattock
Publisher: Management PocketBooks
Year: 2000
ISBN: 1 870471 73 3
Price: £6.99
Format: Paperback, A6 size, 112 pages

Now here is a topic to strike terror into the heart of those who fear ‘political correctness’. I write of course from the standpoint of the authentic equal opportunity trainer and wondered what such a tiny pocket book would have to teach me. It just shows how wrong even the most pure of us can be. This little book is a very useful guide to techniques and suggests ways of adapting them to different circumstances. It is based on a sound value system which avoids patronising language - mostly! The major paradox of recommending the avoidance of stereotyping while explaining the differences which cultural backgrounds may make to business practice is openly confronted. I was prepared to jeer but ended up feeling that this can be a valuable aid for trainers looking to work on this issue.