A No-Nonsense, Common-Sense Guide to Getting to the Top of the Tree How does one become a CEO? Many people know they want to climb the corporate ladder, but don't have a clue about how to ascend that ladder without losing their grip. In this insightful, controversial program, Jeffrey J. Fox offers solid, practical advice and recommendations on how to fulfill your ambition to better yourself, to be a contributor, to make a difference, to grow professionally, and to be more successful. The seventy-five "rules" that Mr. Fox -- founder of a marketing and consulting firm and an MBA graduate of Harvard Business School -- outlines are actions you must take, traits you must develop and things you must avoid in order to succeed. Mr. Fox's short and simple one-lesson-per-topic approach is an intelligent and straight-forward method of business instruction. This guide sets forth the qualities that every successful leader must have: vision, persistence, integrity, and respect for superiors, subordinated, and peers. Whether you want to become president or CEO of a corporation, buy a business, start a business, run your own business, or have a long and fruitful career in a large corporation, How to Become CEO will give you the power to control your own business destiny.
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"This book helped me resolve an internal conflict that I have been struggling with. I started an MBA program this fall. I want to do well in my classes, but I couldn't think of a legitimate reason to want good grades given that I do not plan on using this degree to get a job. I'm already employed and I already have a graduate degree. Why should I worry about my grades? One theme from this little book is that you need to know how to use your time well. Several of the tips are about using time to get work done to show that you can handle the burdens of being a senior executive. If I can do well in my classes given that I work full time, that will show that I can handle a heavy work load. That insight helps me get through the down times when I would rather not be studying."
— Jon (4 out of 5 stars)
"Fox's guide is filled with 75 tips that are short, sweet, and to the point. Moreover, the ideas themselves are fresh. ... Refreshing!
— BooklistEven MBAs from the best graduate business schools will find essential insights and practical lessons in How to Become a CEO.
— John Quelch, former Sebastian Kresge Professor of marketing at Harvard Business School, now Dean of London Business School" Very quick read - this book is a short, to the point guide on "rising to the top of any organization." A lot of pointers provided a wake-up call to me, because I was not doing the extra little things that the book suggested -- it's amazing how the basics are overlooked when you're shooting for the moon. I highly recommend the book because it's a short read, and like Fox's other books, you will pick up 4 or 5 central themes that apply to your career and will make you successful. It is light reading, so if you are looking for the detailed path to upper management, you may have to consult something more than this Cliff's Notes guide to the top. "
— Lauren, 2/5/2014" I intend to keep this book near by and refer to it in the future. It is written in such a concise fashion that it makes it easy to focus on specific sections for advise. I did not expect to be blown away by it and was not, but certainly there is very good information to be successful professionally and personally. "
— Jon, 1/24/2014" I like reading concise, actionable information. If this book is anything, it's that. And it was good stuff too. "
— Josiah, 1/18/2014" A should-read book on executive ability in managing your career. "
— Lori, 1/14/2014" A collection of very pithy but helpful axioms that offer advice. It ranges from attitude, dress sense, family to keeping an idea book, helpful reading lists etc. read in a day. "
— Phil, 1/5/2014" I did not agree with every tip given in this book. There were a few good tips, but overall, this book reads like an outline. "
— Angela, 12/30/2013" Very informative, in an easy-to-read manner. "
— Kelsey, 12/20/2013" When you get this as a gift from your mom you know she views you as a failure (but she'll still love you no matter what). Actually some cool and interesting gems scattered throughout with a slew of other obvious ones. Hopefully after you read it you'll get a better job and not a worse one (like me). "
— Thomas, 11/28/2013" Decent tips, especially for the youth but if you've been around the block, skip it. "
— BeerDiablo, 11/14/2013" Boring, useless book talks about things like how to use a cigar. simply superficial. "
— Mahmoud, 9/10/2013" In plain speak, this book enumerates the things that most people have to learn from experience. I don't think it's not true, but perhaps I'm not cut out to be CEO right now, because I do like to go to office parties. Jeffrey Fox says don't go to office parties if you want to be CEO. Sigh. "
— Miranda, 8/30/2013" A good motivational book for a recent college grads. Not that interesting for the rest. "
— Natalia, 8/21/2013" Simple, readable, but very useful. This is a good book just to keep on your bookshelf. There are a lot of little reminders in here about how people should conduct themselves in order to not just become a senior manager, but to become a good/respectable senior manager. "
— Valerie, 7/24/2013" Read in 2000. I read this to my team at Modus Media--a chapter a day until I quit my job in the fall of 2000. "
— Jenny, 7/3/2013" One of the best books. Simple book with crisp and effective ideas running 2 pages each. A must read "
— Ravikkumar, 6/13/2013" This guy obviously did not become a CEO of any company except his own. He would not know how to. "
— Sui, 4/15/2013" A great book. I'd go so far as to say that this is to business what The Elements of Style is to writing: it's concise, smart, and direct. "
— Michael, 12/22/2012" Nice, clear, compact book. More of the topics are applicable to any situation, not only for CEO candidates. Worth to read. Definitely. "
— Ivo, 9/18/2012" This was a cursery list with no substance. "
— Tara, 7/29/2012" Not bad, but I think it's not worth what I paid. "
— Chhun, 7/14/2012" One of those "airport" books that I read sometime in 2000-2004. The book is concise, most tips are practical but some are just a bit far off like: 1) While on a business trip, eat breakfast in the hotel room instead of going to the breakfast buffet and (2) Don't attend Christmas parties. "
— K.D., 3/1/2012" Super great book! Will always be in my currently-reading shelf. "
— Roda, 1/13/2012" What to learn how to become a CEO or understand how CEOs got his\her position? Give this book a try. "
— Mahuang59, 11/18/2011" Nice, short, to the point, & quotable "
— Dave, 8/16/2011" Quick to read, simple to implement. Could be a series of blogposts, good to have it in one place though. "
— Marcin, 7/24/2011" Short, to the point and powerful. "
— Coenraad, 4/1/2011" Good book on how to climb to the top. Looks like you have to sacrifice your life to do it! "
— Preet, 3/9/2011" Not very good at all. Guy has a marketing firm, and it shows. He packaged some banal crap and is somehow able to sell it. Ain't no theories or anything behind this book. Just simple anecdotes and stuff. "
— James, 2/27/2011" One of the best, quick read books on business! "
— Kelly, 1/18/2011" kisa öz net kurallar. bence ise yarar seyler yazmis adamimiz. belki bi kaç not alip onlari uygulamak gerek yada kulaga küpe etmek lazim "
— Senol, 1/12/2011" More good tips from Fox. I need to begin working more of these into my daily rituals. "
— Mark, 11/1/2010" Dozens of 'rules' that really do merit knowing and following. A very easy to read book with examples. Like "you're not at lunch to eat lunch" and "Customers don't care about you" and "Good manners count - a lot" "
— Tom, 8/16/2010" read it some time ago so I need to re-read but it opens your eyes to the fact that being great at sales is something anyone can aspire to - this book talks you through how to start on that journey.<br/><br/>A very readable style with a large number of short chapters. "
— Matt, 1/25/2010" everyone who thinks they know all Should sit down and read this book and learn NO ONE DOES .. grins.... !!!!! I love this book Rainmaker :) "
— Seabreezegal, 10/16/2009" I read this a while ago, but I thought it was pretty good. It's a short easy read and though the concepts are simple, and may seem a little obvious, they're good things to keep fresh in your mind. "
— Meegan, 3/9/2009" Interesting from a sales perspective, but good to know how "selling" pointers regardless of your field. "
— Maina, 1/27/2009" i thought this book was great. great sales book. "
— Derek, 12/10/2008" A good little book with a lot of common sense approaches that anyone in sales could do with a reminder for. <br/>Its difficult to read any of these guys after Gitomer but worth picking up as it is a short read. "
— Philip, 10/30/2008" Not super impressed. I felt like there was no unique material and it was poor material at best. I wouldn't even bother. "
— Jacob, 7/20/2008" If you are in business this is a must! "
— Gerd, 4/17/2008" It is the salesperson bible since my boss hand me a copy to read. This is a very good book, I honestly think that everybody who wants to be in the business should read this. "
— Kartix, 2/28/2008" Another airport purchase. Common sense stuff but worth the read. "
— Bryan, 1/27/2008Jeffrey J. Fox earned his MBA at Harvard Business School. He consults with top-notch organizations around the world. He is the founder of Fox & Co., in Avon, Connecticut, which is in the business of helping clients grow revenues and increase gross margins. He has written eleven internationally bestselling books, and regularly speaks to organizations and company sales forces.