Robert Ashton – författare

Are you leading the life you want? Or could you be living a happier, more successful life?

 

If you’ve picked up this book, then - like a huge number of people today - you want to improve your life for the better. Maybe you’re at a crossroads or your personal life has changed and you’re not sure where to go next? Whatever your circumstances, you know you want to change.

 

Great. But, don’t just think it – do it!

 

Changing your life does not have to be a daunting process. All you need to remember, is that the key to successful life change is lots of small, but positive steps, that together create huge impact. The Life Plan contains 700 of these small steps, leading you step by step through each area of your life.

 

The Life Plan is your key to a new you. A step-by-step checklist process that allows you to review and improve every aspect of your life. It will become an invaluable source of reference as it delivers a set of simple, practical, often amusing - but most importantly - achievable tips on success, wealth, health, stress, relationships and your career.

 

Personal development should not be like a trip to the dentist; something you endure to free yourself of pain. It should be more like a holiday, helping you create the opportunity to try new things. There’s nothing here you won’t enjoy.

 

The Life Plan will not only provide soul-searching questions that are specific and personal to you, it will help you find the answers too. Refer to it whenever doubt or choice confronts you, and discover what success looks like to you. Work out how you want to be viewed by those around you. Define a clear vision for the rest of your life. Discover the things about yourself and your world that you passionately want to change. Find out how to successfully campaign for what you believe is right. Become more influential, and as Ghandi said: ‘be the change you want to see’.

 

The indispensible handbook that every entrepreneur needs, Brilliant Checklists for Entrepreneurs is packed with hundreds of easy to follow, detailed lists that tell you everything you need to know, everything you need to think about, and everything you need to do to when starting and managing a business.

The fast, focussed guidance in this practical and user-friendly book covers all aspects of your business journey right from thinking up your business idea, writing a plan and getting funding, and selling your business.

The new edition of this bestselling book for entrepreneurs has been fully updated to offer the most extensive start-up toolkit of invaluable advice and expert guidance.

 

Relevant to entrepreneurs of any experience, it covers absolutely every aspect of starting a business from bullet-proof plans to the best way to structure a business for a successful sell-on later. It includes information on brand management, customer service, marketing, financials and staffing, so you are fully prepared to set sail on your business journey.

While much has been written on the subject of the English Civil War, the Second Civil War has been largely neglected. Robert Ashton, author of the standard history, The English Civil War, now provides a detailed and erudite account of the origins of the Second Civil War, covering the years from the end of the First Civil War, in 1646, to late 1648, the eve of the trial and execution of Charles I. After Parliament defeated the king's forces in the First Civil War, says Ashton, there followed an uneasy period of double dealing within Parliament, between Parliament and its Scots allies, between Parliament and the king, and between Parliament and the Army. After two years of mounting tension, war again broke out in 1648 in a series of regional risings, culminating in an invasion by the Scots and their defeat at Preston.Ashton explains how the royalists found the support to take up arms again in 1648. Analyzing regional, county, and national developments in England, as well as events in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, he isolates the social, political, institutional, and religious factors that helped to alienate conservative elements from the victorious parliamentary faction. He shows why so many Scotsmen who had fought alongside the English roundheads entered the second war on the king's side in 1648 and how this resulted in a disastrous split within the Scottish political nation. And he explores not only why former supporters of Parliament deserted their allies and embraced the royalist cause, but also why others did not. The book concludes by considering the main characteristics of insurgency in the Second Civil War and the reasons for and consequences of its failure.

This volume collects together out of print and hard to find sources on the behavioural implications of accounting. It begins with the 1952 monograph, The Impact of Budgets on People by Chris Argyris, considered by many to mark the beginning of behavioural research in accounting and is followed by: a critique of the general state of accounting research in 1960 critical evaluation of Argyris’ research and other behavioural studies discussion of the research activity in the behavioural aspects of accounting during the 1960s and 70s a comprehensive perspective on the development of behavioural accounting research in the 1980s including discussion of the division of behavioural accounting research into two branches.

Although there has been increased emphasis on research that attempts to understand, evaluate and improve audit decision making in recent years it is less well-known that some noteworthy contributions to the study of audit judgment were made in the 1950s and 1960s. This anthology contains five such contributions which in the mid 1980s were previously unpublished, out of print or not widely appreciated. The volume discusses: the importance of studying audit judgment actual studies of audit judgment techniques for quantifying the evaluation of internal controls.

The fact that London was parliamentarian rather than royalist was one of the principal reasons for the defeat of Charles I in the English Civil War. This book reinterprets London's role. It examines the relation of the municipality and of the City fathers as business magnates with both of the early Stuart kings and their parliaments, and explores the business connections of the City with the royal court, concluding that, far from being the natural allies of the king and court as is generally assumed, the City elite had mostly been seriously alienated from them by 1640. Professor Ashton offers an interpretation not only of the City's role in the years before 1640 but also of the reasons lying behind its support for parliament in 1642. It is both a contribution to the debate on the origins of the Civil War and a study in depth of the connection between big business and politics in early Stuart England.

Although there has been increased emphasis on research that attempts to understand, evaluate and improve audit decision making in recent years it is less well-known that some noteworthy contributions to the study of audit judgment were made in the 1950s and 1960s. This anthology contains five such contributions which in the mid 1980s were previously unpublished, out of print or not widely appreciated. The volume discusses: the importance of studying audit judgment actual studies of audit judgment techniques for quantifying the evaluation of internal controls.

This volume collects together out of print and hard to find sources on the behavioural implications of accounting. It begins with the 1952 monograph, The Impact of Budgets on People by Chris Argyris, considered by many to mark the beginning of behavioural research in accounting and is followed by: a critique of the general state of accounting research in 1960 critical evaluation of Argyris’ research and other behavioural studies discussion of the research activity in the behavioural aspects of accounting during the 1960s and 70s a comprehensive perspective on the development of behavioural accounting research in the 1980s including discussion of the division of behavioural accounting research into two branches.

A SHORT COURSE IN TIME MANAGEMENT BASICS.7 Lessons in Time Management is a quick course in managing your time effectively and getting things done giving you everything you need to know in just seven short chapters. From understanding how you work best, learning to say 'no' and simplifying your desktop, to effective scheduling, prioritization and delegation, you'll soon be on track to clear your desk by the end of the day.* Lesson 1: It all starts with you* Lesson 2: Understanding your job* Lesson 3: Organizing your workspace* Lesson 4: Managing your workload* Lesson 5: Coping with your colleagues* Lesson 6: Communicating effectively to save time* Lesson 7: Time management favouritesExplore the main themes and ideas in time management, get a basic knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, and test your progress with practical and thought-provoking exercises. 7 Lessons in Time Management is your fastest route to success.ABOUT THE SERIES7 Lessons are for people who want to succeed at work. From negotiating and content marketing to finance and social media, the series covers the business topics that matter and that will help you make a difference today. Written in straightforward English, each book features a course of 7 short lessons so that with just a little work, you can quickly master the subject.

Like it or not, the internet has become integral to every aspect of our lives, with smart phones, tablet computers and wifi enabling us to communicate easily and instantly.Whether you're a rising star in the corporate world or a silver surfer, to make an impactonline you have to be able to write clearly, convincingly and in a way that emphasisesyour character too. Best-selling business author Robert Ashton and internet native JessJuby will help you communicate more objectively and effectively online, both at work andat home.

If you know how to sell, you know how to succeed. Selling is the most important, and perhaps the most misunderstood workplace skill. Once you understand how to sell you will become more persuasive, naturally and confidently.This book has four sections, enabling the reader to focus on their most pressing need:* Selling basics - a simple, explicit guide to the sales process;* Selling yourself - and how to get noticed, connected and respected;* Selling to colleagues - presenting, persuading and getting promoted;* Selling to customers - winning orders and succeeding in shops & at shows.This book will help the reader:* Learn the basics about how to sell and why people buy;* Recognise the importance of goal setting and measuring personal performance;* Understand how to find, then influence people able to contribute to their success;* Become more confident in taking the lead and steering things they way they want them to go, at work, home and in social situations.

Great copywriting just got easierIt's strange to think that there was a time when only the privileged few could read or write. The rest of us relied on the spoken word. Storytelling was used to pass knowledge on from one generation to the next. Now, most of us are literate and use the written word to gather information and inform our decision making. Increasingly we do this online, with social media and messaging enabling rapid, spontaneous global communication. But rather than freeing us from the need for clear, effective written communication, it actually makes good communication even more important. The less we communicate face to face, the greater the opportunity for misunderstandings. Of course, all writing communicates your message to people you cannot see and may never meet. It means you can influence more widely; it also means you must take care not to make assumptions aboutyour reader, especially those who see your public postings. Successful copywriting is constructed from carefully selected words, each with a clear purpose. It is written to prompt feelings, thoughts or actions. It is clear, concise and at times comforting. It is also comprehensible, even to those not yet confident users of your language. Reading this book, and following the techniques it introduces, will make you a more effective writer. Expertise in grammar is not needed as all the necessary jargon is simply defined and, anyway, some forms of business writing deliberately ignorerules. This book is for people who want to write for results. Each of the seven chapters in Copywriting In A Week covers a different aspect:- Sunday: Focusing your message- Monday: Using layout, pictures and colour to make words memorable- Tuesday: Writing effective letters- Wednesday: Making advertising work for you- Thursday: Communicating clearly with the media- Friday: Preparing promotional print- Saturday: Composing proposals and presentation visuals

Time Management In A Week is a simple and straightforward guide to getting things done, giving you everything you need to know in just seven short chapters. From understanding how you work best, learning to say 'no' and simplifying your desktop, to effective scheduling, prioritization and delegation, you'll soon be on track to clear your desk by the end of the day. This book introduces you to the main themes and ideas of time management, giving you a basic knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, together with practical and thought-provoking exercises. Whether you choose to read it in a week or in a single sitting, Time Management In A Week is your fastest route to success:- Sunday: It all starts with you- Monday: Understanding your job- Tuesday: Organizing your workspace- Wednesday: Managing your workload- Thursday: Coping with your colleagues- Friday: Communicating effectively to save time- Saturday: Time management favouritesABOUT THE SERIESIn A Week books are for managers, leaders, and business executives who want to succeed at work. From negotiating and content marketing to finance and social media, the In A Week series covers the business topics that really matter and that will help you make a difference today. Written in straightforward English, each book is structured as a seven-day course so that with just a little work each day, you will quickly master the subject. In a fast-changing world, this series enables readers not just to get up to speed, but to get ahead.

First published in 1974, Into the Hollow Mountains was a landmark book featuring black-and-white images taken by Robert Ashton around the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, alongside original writing from local creatives including author Helen Garner. Fitzroy 1974 presents an authentic record of what it was like to live and work in one of Australia's most bohemian enclaves during a time of unprecedented change.In 1970s Fitzroy the colonial roots of urban Australia were still on show from bluestone lanes to hard-case pubs. The suburb began to teem with a new diversity, as the children of migrants set about finding their place among the high-rise commission flats. The streets were a sanctuary for First Nations People from all over the Kulin nation and beyond. Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Mercy sat beside the Divine Light Mission, the Greek Orthodox Church and the good Protestant nuns, around the corner from student flop houses and industrial sweat shops. Fitzroy become a haven for painters, musicians, writers and photographers chasing cheap rent, driving a creative legacy rivalling Greenwich Village in New York or Montmartre in Paris.Now published with new writing edited by novelist Gregory Day, this compelling collection offers a rare glimpse into one of Australia's most influential suburbs at a pivotal moment in history.

LONGLISTED FOR THE NEW ANGLE PRIZE 2025LONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE 2024'Essential reading for anybody who wants to understand rural life' Patrick Galbraith, author of In Search of One Last Song'This is a book of life and why we should celebrate our roots before it is too late' John Connell, author of The Cow BookWhere Are the Fellows Who Cut the Hay? is an ode to rural life, charting traditions of the past, how they were lost and why we need to reconnect.Exploring the relationship between everyday items and the communities that make them, Robert Ashton provides a snapshot of twenty-first century England. Where are the people who grow barley, milk cows and produce wool? How have their farming methods become less ethical, sustainable and natural over time? And what are we doing today to reverse that change?Inspired by George Ewart Evans's Ask the Fellows Who Cut the Hay, Ashton gives voice to local people and travels rural Suffolk in search for innovation, interweaving his own personal connection to Evans and to the land. Part memoir, part social history, Ashton's thought-provoking book is a manifesto for why, against all odds, we need to step back in order to progress.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NEW ANGLE PRIZE 2025LONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE 2024‘Essential reading for anybody who wants to understand rural life’ Patrick Galbraith, author of In Search of One Last Song‘This is a book of life and why we should celebrate our roots before it is too late’ John Connell, author of The Cow BookWhere Are the Fellows Who Cut the Hay? is an ode to rural life, charting traditions of the past, how they were lost and why we need to reconnect.Exploring the relationship between everyday items and the communities that make them, Robert Ashton provides a snapshot of twenty-first century England. Where are the people who grow barley, milk cows and produce wool? How have their farming methods become less ethical, sustainable and natural over time? And what are we doing today to reverse that change?Inspired by George Ewart Evans’ Ask the Fellows Who Cut the Hay, Ashton gives voice to local people and travels rural Suffolk in search for innovation, interweaving his own personal connection to Evans and to the land. Part memoir, part social history, Ashton’s thought-provoking book is a manifesto for why, against all odds, we need to step back in order to progress.

We rely on the soil and its rich biodiversity for our food, traditions and folklore, but are we guilty of taking it for granted? In Down to Earth, Robert Ashton traces our evolving relationship with the soil from Neolithic flint miners to modern day naturists. By engaging with the people who work the land – gardeners, farmers, gravediggers and archaeologists – he unearths a wealth of practical wisdom, moving from the mysteries of ancient folklore to the urgency of today's environmental crisis.Each chapter explores an aspect of our connection to the earth, seeking to deepen our understanding of its importance. All life depends on the soil, and this book serves as a vital call to treat our most precious resource with the reverence and respect it deserves.