FOR THE BOOKSHELF 3-1-1999

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts March 1999

March 1999

Short Cuts:
FOR THE BOOKSHELFWork in progress by Michael Eisner, with Tony Schwartz, Random House, New York City, $27.95
This is not the story of how, since 1984 when Michael Eisner joined Disney, the company's market value jumped from $2 billion to $75 billion. It's about how, in a period of record earnings, Disney's leaders knew it was their responsibility to "prevent a slide _ to survive success in part by continuing to risk failure." Eisner's book is a very personal and engaging account of those risks _ and, yes, failures. Of course, the Mouse prevails.

Dance Lessons: Six Steps to Great Partnerships in Business & Life by Chip R. Bell and Heather Shea, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., San Francisco, $24.95
What do you get when you cross a former dancer/actress-turned business consultant with a consultant/author? This is it a management book that compares dance partnerships to business partnerships again and again. For those who can stand such statements as “Partnership is a dance one that can make your feet sore while it lets your heart soar!” there is some worthwhile and even inspiring advice here.