celebrating

Celebrating Failure: The Power of Taking Risks, Making Mistakes and Thinking Big
$14.99
I really enjoyed this book. It should be read by every manager who is interested in encouraging innovation among those who report to him or her.

I think the premise of "Celebrating Failure" is right on: that if a lot can be learned from mistakes why not encourage employees to take a chance and then if they make a mistake, instead of berating them, use it as a learning experience. I have always thought that was true but Ralph Heath has articulated it in a way that makes it clear that mistakes can be growth opportunities rather than career enders. The examples he cites from managing employees who worked at the advertising agency he started and managed for 30 years serve to drive this point home.

I have encountered employees who had such a fear of making a mistake that they were afraid to make a decision and certainly were afraid to take a chance (the old adage: "You can't get fired if you go with IBM" or some other tried and true product or method still holds true). I hope that "Celebrating Failure" can circulate in those companies and encourage some bosses to allow employees to stick their necks out a little. Both the boss and the employe will be better for it.

A great read and full of real life examples. Very well written.

Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah And Christmas
$6.99
I can't imagine a 5-8-yr-old liking this book much, but my 3 1/2-yr-old has LOVED this book for over a year, making me read it over and over and over again. It wouldn't have been my choice for so many repeated readings, but I'm as thrilled as she is to see the daily life of an urban child who celebrates Channuka and Christmas reflected in words and pictures.

Celebrating 70:A Collection of Personal Favorites
$8.99
For one thing, it snuck up on me that James Galway was turning 70...
But the sound he has produced since going solo way back when is wonderful.

LOVE everything about this CD!

Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire
$9.49
In response to Jeffrey Byrnes review, it's "Shining Star" by Chaka Khan and NOT "September" which is performed by Kirk Franklin. Anyway, Chaka pretty much sticks to the original arrangement but she actually makes it funkier if that's possible and if ANYBODY can make it funkier it would be CHAKA. She also hits some astonishing high notes in an incendiary reading of this classic which makes it one of the best cuts on this album. The rest of the cd is also excellent.