Brilliant Business – serie

Selection tests are now common in interviews and this book covers everything you need to know from knowing what the tests are used for to how to do well in them.

This book explains why employers put you through these hoops, and why you shouldn't worry about them. It offers ways for you to prepare for, survive and improve your selection test results, assess your own ability and learn how test results are weighted against other selection methods.

This book will include comments from employers who use the tests, psychologists who design them, and applicants who have faced them. 

This book provides reassurance and plenty of genuine work-through examples. It covers everything right down to test anxiety, test simulations and misuse of tests.  

Many of us feel that we spend too much time in unproductive meetings when we could be getting on with some ‘real’ work. Well, meetings are real work and effective meetings are the springboard for great results. Brilliant Meetings gives you the tips, tools and techniques to transform all your meetings into positive experiences. It shows you how to:

prepare better get more out of meetings when you’re there follow up effectively to get the results you need attend only the meetings that matter use meetings to boost your profile and your career

Brilliant Meetings gives you a commonsense, workable and practical approach to making all meetings brilliantly effective, for participants, meeting leaders and organisations.

Companion website: http://www.meetingexpert.co.uk

Numeracy tests are increasingly a part of the recruitment process, but taking numeracy tests is something most of us dread, let alone practise.

Brilliant Numeracy Tests will give you all the practise you need. You’ll gain experience with realistic practice questions and answers, become familiar with all the common tests, both general and organization-specific, and feel comfortable with a range of difficulty levels.

Written by an experienced psychologist who has designed and administered numeracy tests, you’ll find a variety of effective strategies, tactics and tips to achieve peak performance.

Companion website: www.pearson-books.com/numeracyandverbaltests

In business, there is a moment when everyone has to make a pitch; it might be your own personal OK Corral, when the consequences of failure are too painful to even contemplate, but it will always be an occasion where the outcome really matters.

Brilliant Pitch will equip people to tackle pitch situations (however tough), improve their own skills and, importantly, leave them enthused about the idea of pitching and looking forward to the next one. It will do so first by outlining how to approach any pitch, then how to tailor the approach in different situations. There are secrets from the masters. There are pitch stories. (Such as the agency which pitched to British Rail, and deliberately kept them waiting in reception for an hour, with bad refreshments and no explanation for the delay…) The book brings the process to life, rather than simply listing things to do. It shows readers how they, too, can become great at pitching.

 Brilliant outcomes:

It eliminates the possibility of doing a 'bad' pitch

It will help readers get the content and preparation spot on by focusing on the needs of the audience.

It will help give readers tons of confidence so they’ll not only deliver brilliant pitches, but they’ll be eager to pitch time and time again.   

If you’ve ever struggled to craft a persuasive message that really hits the spot you’ll know

it’s harder than it looks. Wouldn’t it be helpful to have an expert on hand to give you tips and tricks? Someone who could pass on their knowledge and know-how? Someone

who told you how the professionals really do it? Well, that’s exactly what this book does for aspiring copywriters. Think of it as a rocket-assisted launch for your writing career.

 

Brilliant Copywriting is packed with practical techniques to help anyone who works with words to improve their writing. It lifts the lid on the world of professional copywriting to

reveal the trade secrets of top-notch practitioners. It’s the book every copywriter wants when they start out, full of facts, details and insights that normally take years to acquire. It will also be invaluable for anyone who works with words in pretty much any industry.

Writing spreadsheets, budgets and forecasts is an important part of many managers roles, but do you need help in understanding and presenting the information in a clear and concise way? This step-by-step guide shows you the advantages and potentials of using spreadsheets. After reading this book you’ll be able to master company accounts; understand balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and cash flow systems; and learn to analyse and monitor your company’s financial performance.

BRILLIANT OUTCOMES:• How to save time and gain control of your business.• Ability to understand, analyse and present financial information in a clear and concise way.

BRILLIANT FEATURES:• Up-to-date examples and spreadsheets.• On-line downloads of examples and spreadsheet models• New 234mm X 156mm format to make

Discover everything you need to know to take control of your accounts and manage the success of your business or personal finances.

Brilliant Accounting is the practical, step-by-step guide that will help you get to grips with accounting basics. Written by an accounting expert with years of experience, Brilliant Accounting is free from technical jargon and theory and is packed with practical examples and expert tips and tricks.  

This book covers everything you need to know, from understanding reports to using accounting information to manage and develop your business.

In this new workbook, NLP trainers, David Molden and Pat Hutchinson, have gathered the very best NLP techniques from years of teaching and training people from all walks of life. Each exercise has been chosen for maximum impact to ensure brilliant results, every time.

Designed as a complete, step-by-step programme, it details every core aspect of NLP, from creating compelling outcomes and changing old habits right through to personal strategies for success and modelling excellence. Ideal for personal or professional use, it provides an invaluable resource to help you or your clients achieve their very best in life.

 

Brilliant Online Marketing covers every aspect of online marketing from website design right through to cutting-edge techniques from the online lead generation. Free from ‘technobabble’ and jargon it will appeal to anyone who wants to learn how to make the most of this fast-moving and exciting marketing channel.

This book will show you how to use email, blogging, social networking and online media to reach your customers. Focussed on actions that produce results, online support is also available through author’s website www.alex-blyth.co.uk

Keep them coming back for more

 

Brilliant Customer Service is your guide to help you deliver exceptional customer service and keep your customers coming back time and time and again. It’s for anyone involved in any organisation – whether you run your own business, manage people or you are a customer facing employee. It doesn’t matter what your budget is, you’ll find lots of simple changes you can implement right now to build a highly successful customer service strategy.

BRILLIANT OUTCOMES

·        Identify your customers real needs and how best to meet them

·        Build trust and long term loyalty with your customers to stay ahead of the competition

·        Make sure you are remembered and recommended

Whatever you do in life, whatever you hope to achieve, Brilliant Influence will help you get there – with the power of influence. It shows you how to build the support, trust and respect you need to propel your life forwards to take on challenge after challenge.  

 

Based on over twenty years of influencing experience, the author combines psychological principles with case studies and examples to show you how to:

- Use body language and appearance to establish instant rapport.

- Select words to gain lasting trust and respect.

- Understand how people make decisions so you get a ‘yes’, every time.

- Know how to apply a ‘win-win’ negotiation approach, so you never lose.

 

The author has an active website: www.mikeclayton.co.uk, a blog: Shift Happens! At: www.mikeclayton.wordpress.com and Twitter: @mikeclayton01

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.

 A brilliant business needs a brilliant business plan and this is the book to help you write one. It will take you step by step through the process to help you build  a business plan quickly and easily and then use it to build your business.

 

This book introduces the basic concepts of business planning, shows you a swift and smart way to prepare a business plan and reveals how to use a business plan to run your business more effectively.

 

This book is ideal if you need a plan to show your bank manager, small investors and employees, or to use as a chart for steering your business. It contains:

- Step-by-step instructions on how to build your brilliant business plan from scratch.

- A range of model plans for very different businesses to show you brilliant business planning in action.

- Advice on what delights banks and investors, as well as what not to do.

Being brilliant at networking is the essential skill for personal and career success, whether going after a dream job, branching out and starting a business or simply to meet new people. With new and updated chapters, the second edition of this book will show you how to become a brilliant networker.

 

Packed full of tried and tested techniques and secrets from some of the UK’s most successful networkers, Brilliant Networking, Second Edition contains useful tools, anecdotes and real life examples of people who have used networking to secure their dream jobs, make career moves, grow their business or even find their life partner, to those who network and connect people professionally for a living.

New to this third edition is an expanded leadership chapter - most leaders fail because they have no idea how to create a vision and strategy for their team or business plans for their offerings, and so this chapter following leadership will explore “Vision, strategy and plans”.

 

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about management – but were afraid to ask. The third edition of this book is a refreshingly honest and practical guide to the best managerial practice.

 

Designed to give you a head start over those learning just from experience, this book contains an invaluable mixture of generally agreed best practice and real-life experience of others to provide the tools, tactics and techniques for every situation, to help you achieve brilliant management results.

 

Most management books are theoretical, strategic or task-focused – this is different: fundamental principles of successful management are told in a refreshingly short readable way.

The benefits of being a brilliant negotiator are immense and this updated second edition of Brilliant Negotiations will show you how to negotiate skilfully and creatively in any situation – you will learn exactly what line of questioning and responses to take to get exactly what you want and a little more!

It takes you through the key strategies and phases of negotiation, providing many examples of right and wrong approaches, and is packed full of insider tips to ensure you get what you want with minimum stress. It offers practical, compact advice, it is not academic or theoretical and doesn’t overburden the you with examples.

Brilliant Outcomes: Get the most out of every negotiation situation. Get what you want and even a little more! Learn to be a tough and respected negotiator.

 

Full of tips, examples and exercises that will transform your writing from the same old same old into something that’ll mark you out from the crowd. Get the confidence and creativity to take your business writing from something that does the job into something that’s brilliant.

 

Brilliant outcomes

Produce business writing people actually want to read

Persuade and inspire people, sell more, or get that job

Get a distinctive, powerful and engaging writing voice

Whether you’re new to freelancing or a seasoned freelance operative, Brilliant Freelancer is packed full of ideas and case studies to help you build a happy, productive and profitable freelance life quickly and easily.

From building your client portfolio right through to staying motivated and surviving the tougher times, Brilliant Freelancer gives you everything you need to take charge of your career and start moving in the direction you want to go.

No matter what kind of team you’re in or what role you play, Brilliant Teams gives you the core ingredients to make you and your team a truly brilliant one. You’ll find out exactly what it takes to excel as a team player and leader, as well as common team ‘traps’ to avoid.

Brilliant outcomes

¨       Find out what it takes to be a brilliant team player and leader

¨       Learn how to get the best out of your environment

¨       Understand different teams and what makes them tick

Written by the features editor of the leading UK weekly for PR professionals, PRWeekand featuring contributions from journalists, PR professionals and small business owners, this book shows you how to successfully use PR to promote yourself and your business.

 

Coveringevery aspect of public relations, from identifying your compelling proposition, pitching a story and writing a press release, through to mastering social media and executing a good campaign, it is packed full of insider stories, sample press releases and examples of good PR, so you’ll find out how to make a winning impact.

 Brilliant Outcomes :

Learn how to present yourself or your business to the public

Understand the elements of a PR campaign and how to pitch to the media

Find out how to manage a crisis

Discover the power of social networking and how to get noticed online

For anyone who wants to have a more fulfilling and successful work life, this coach-in-a-book will guide you step-by-step through the process of finding your ideal career.

Whether you are looking for your next opportunity, stuck in a rut, or even wanting a complete change of career, this book will help you have a happy, successful career. It is packed with smart advice; clever exercises; insights from world-class careers experts; and stories from people, like you, who’ve already taken the journey.

 BRILLIANT OUTCOMES

Understand what makes you happy at work and how to identify your ideal job

Create a plan to ensure your future success and satisfaction

Know every technique to land the job of your dreams

Use smart ways to get ahead and stay ahead at work

Know that your future work will be fulfilling and rewarding.

Many people struggle to lead a project with a successful outcome and they fail to keep them to budget, deliver on time and motivate a team. This book combines practical tools, personal tips and psychological insights to that you can:

- Realistically plan not only your time and resources but everyone else's- Understand your team's strengths and weaknesses- Monitor everyone's work and review their progress- Ensure your communication skills and feedback inspire and encourage your team- Successfully meet project initiatives and objectives

Whether running a company or working for an organisation, Brilliant Workshops will equip you with all the practical tools and effective techniques you need to run your workshop effectively.

 

This book challenges the myths about delivering effective workshops and will give you all the essential information you need to deliver brilliant workshops to any audience.

The new edition of this brilliant bestseller gives full support through every step of the way of starting a business, making the whole process easier, so you remain inspired and on the road to success.

Author Caspian Woods is a renowned entrepreneur and this book includes his vast experience of starting businesses, coaching new start-ups and interviewing hundreds of successful entrepreneurs from Bob Geldof to Phillip Green.

You will learn how to:

• feel positive, energised and enthused

• be clear about the start-up process

• be able to tailor it to suit their individual needs

• know which parts to focus on for success

• where to go for further reading/support.

This new edition features new material on using social media to reach new markets, improve customer service and recruit staff. It also features new information that accommodates recent changes in the economy.

Packed full of anecdotes from the most accomplished presenters around, this book contains all the tools, tips and encouragement  you need to make a sensational presentation.

 

It covers every aspect of presenting, from preparation and planning right through to dealing with nerves and mastering the art of presentation performance.

 

Brilliant outcomes:

- Learn the top ten tips of presentation mastery

- Discover how to make presentations powerful, colourful and memorable

- Always feel confident and inspired to give it your very best shot

- Deliver an inspiring presentation, even with no visual aids.

FAZED BY FACEBOOK? TONGUE-TIED BY TWITTER? LOST ON LINKEDIN? LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SOCIAL MEDIA JUNGLE, AND FIND OUT HOW TO GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED.

 

Social media is easy when you know how – this practical guide shows you how to get started, then refine and improve your strategy to get real business results.

 

Many businesses know that social media is important – but they either haven’t made a start or are dabbling without a proper strategy in place. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the task – how much of my time will it take? When will I see the benefit? What do I do to get heard? How do I integrate it with my marketing and business goals? What are the risks?

However given that 91% of adults use social media regularly, it’s a superb opportunity for you to find and engage with present and potential customers much more interactively than traditional marketing methods. Brilliant Social Media will help you get started with social media, then refine and improve your experience with a series of sample straightforward steps that you can start to implement straightaway.

 

Brilliant outcomes:

Understand how social media works and which platforms will best suit your business Plan a social media strategy that fits into your wider digital and marketing strategies Connect with your customers, identify new clients and find out what people really think of your business Adapt and refine your strategy as you learn from what works, and what doesn’t

"Taking the mystery out of economics is a public service. Brilliant Economics achieves this with aplomb". Chris Giles, Economics Editor, Financial Times   "Economics is vitally important in everyday life because we are all living with the consequences of the global crisis, but it's often confusing. Brilliant Economics is a crystal clear and illuminating guide through the maze of financial jargon and difficult concepts. It explains in straightforward terms what the economic theories mean and also how they affect the things everybody cares about - jobs, prices, interest rates". Diane Coyle, OBE, Enlightenment Economics and Smith School, Oxford University "Phil writes in a clear manner, simplifying ideas that can be complex. He has a fine ability to mix relevant and topical observations with more detailed discussions, bringing a topic to life and making it easily understood". Ian Bright, Senior Economist, ING and leader of eZonomics, ING’s international consumer economics project

 

Do you know David Ricardo from Adam Smith? What is the importance of Keynes and Friedman? How can a central government’s economic policy impact on your job, your wealth and your happiness? And are some things really too big to fail?

In Brilliant Economics, award winning journalist Phil Thornton introduces you to the fundamentals of economics and monetary policy. It’ll help you become more knowledgeable about economics and will give you an awareness that will help you in good times and bad.

 

Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. But in real terms it affects all of us on a daily basis: what we can buy, where we can live, how our careers develop and where we can go on holiday.

Brilliant Economics is your easy-to-understand introduction to the world of economic policy, theory and how these things practically affect you. Beginning with the basics of economic thinking, the book looks at key theorists and key economic ideas. It explains how economies grow and why recessions happen. You’ll understand about unemployment and recognise the importance of inflation. Learn why buying a house may make sense and find out what the real role of governments are, and why they ask you to pay tax.

 

What does it take to really shine in any interview?

Learn how to recognise your strengths and play to them, how to deal with your weak spots and avoid panic and clichéd answers. Discover the art of turning every question to your advantage and learn the secrets behind a brilliant answer, so you will always know the right thing to say.

With over 200 of the most commonly-asked questions and ideal answers, this is the book that will make sure that you are ready to handle anything an interviewer throws at you.

BRILLIANT OUTCOMES

Learn how to turn any question to your advantage Feel prepared and in control – no matter what questions are asked Be ready and able to show your strengths

How do you get your CV to the top of the pile?

When you apply for a job, your CV is compared to hundreds of others. You've only got the time it takes the employer to scan the pages to show how brilliant you are. How do you impress them when you don't know what employers are actually looking for?

Now fully updated and revised to give you the most up-to-date and effective guidance, Brilliant CV tells you what a prospective employer is looking for and how to write it – now.

·    Learn how to write CVs that make the shortlist

·    Understand what employers love and loathe

·    Revamp your existing CV with minimum effort

·    Learn how to make the most of online applications and social media

Find out what works in the real world and learn how to put it into practice through examples, exercises, samples and templates. With brilliant new chapters on how to tackle online applications and using social media to land that perfect job, you’ll be well prepared and ready to really shine and stand out from the rest.