There's No Elevator to the Top

July 28, 2008
As vice chairman of a global executive search firm, Ramakrishman uses his access to the top executives at major corporations to ask the one question aspiring CEOs, and even new entrants to the business world, would most like to know: What do you know now that you wish you had known 20 years ago? The result is a low-key, highly personal look back at success. The advice Ramakrishman elicits from the executives delves into such areas as the importance of choosing only 'A' players when seeking to assemble a strong team and striving for a flatter organizational structure to promote communication and information flow. The subject matter does not vary significantly from standard career topics like the importance of networking, but the real value here is access to the wisdom and guidance of proven leaders such as Steve Reinemund of Pepsi and Terrence Marks of Coca-Cola. Chapter-ending executive summaries underscore key points that will benefit anyone—regardless of their corporate ranking—looking to advance in their field.

October 15, 2008
Longtime search executive, Ramakrishnan, sets out to examine and dissect todays popular management principles and insights by traveling the world to interview members of the C-suite, the corporate worlds chief officers. Stories abound as the author recounts thoughtful conversations with leaders of Fortunes largest companies and CEOs of start-ups, including wisdom and advice from executives of Charles Schwab, JC Penny, Aetna, Cadbury Schweppes, and MediaCorp Group of Singapore to name a few. Lessons learned from his interviews include: everyones the CEOs boss; everyone thinks they own you; not everyone likes you; know whats going on; your constant responsibility is to filter and synthesize the information flow for your benefit; corporate culture begins with you; prepare as much as possible, then expect the unexpected; leaders know how to rally the troops; always strive to be better; and in the end, theres only you left to blame. There is so much richness in the ideas and experiences chronicled in this excellent book, which offers special insight for library patrons.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)