Business executive • MAY 11


there are difficult problem people: however, the more common, persistent and obvious the problem, the more likely its cause is down to the individual


which are accessible and actionable by all. An unusual mix of mini cases from business and the arts, the book stimulates thinking about options and opportunities for your business challenges in new and different ways. The author encourages you to learn how to see your business from the outside in, as customers do, and so create new opportunities. The author describes an exciting new world, where people and technology come together in new ways, and where the threats and opportunities for all of us are treated as potential innovations. HL


Bad Apples: Identify, Prevent & Manage Negative Behavior at Work HH Adrian Furnham & John Taylor Palgrave Macmillan 304 pgs, £26.00, hb ISBN: 9780230584747


This is a very scholarly book; it is about bad behaviour at work. It seeks to describe how, when and why people behave badly in a number of ways. There are many different forms of bad behaviour, so there are inevitably may different causes. The authors believe there are three major sources of the cause of bad behaviour at work: intra- personal (i.e. bad people), inter-personal) (bad groups, and bad management) and organisational (how organisations are structured). The focus for Bad Apples is where the bad behaviour has an impact on the employer or organisation. New technology means new crimes. Individuals and whole organisations are targeted. They can cause not only considerable financial loss, but also loss of reputation. Many people seem to have lost their faith in, and trust of, organisations that


seem not to have security controls and let these sorts of things happen. Business has many ethical issues often shown as choosing between alternatives; ethical violations are common. The authors ask: “What happens when a highly moral, job-engaged person starts working in an organisation that clearly disobeys the law? Organisational practices can strongly shape people’s behaviour.” Corrupt organisations generate corrupt behaviours. A well-run, fair, open organisation with good corporate governance encourages good behaviour. The question is whether to explain and excuse bad behaviour as bad organisations, using bad systems. There is always the issue of individual responsibility. There are difficult, problem people;


however, the more common, persistent and obvious the problem, the more likely its cause is down to the individual. To start sorting the problems direct, specific, clear communication with the problem people is needed. Thus good communication with the employee, hearing and understanding their perceptions is vital. It is about being open and clear, and also about being direct and subtle. People are the core of any organisation; they make them profitable and effective, and they deliver the results. But just as they make a company, staff are, too often, responsible for breaking it, and they cost organisations in lost production, profits and reputation. Of course there are bad people, but often the responsibility for failure lies with other people. TC


Reviews


We cannot review in depth all the books that come into the office. But we receive a lot that are good reading which we want to bring to the attention of our readers. We have an in-depth review section and also a Books Received section, which gives thumbnail sketches of quite a lot of books. We can thus widen the selection offered. We also have a starring system, to give


readers the opportunity to prioritise their choice of possible purchase and reading.


Our system: HHH Highly recommended HH Worthwhile H


if you have the time


the stars appear immediately after the book title. We hope you will find this helpful.


Books reviewed


The Fine Art of Success HHH How Learning Great Art Can Create Great Business by Jamie Anderson, Jörg Reckhenrich & Martin Kupp Wiley


Leading in Turbulent Times: Lessons Learnt & Implications for the Future H by Peter Lorange Emerald


Global Cosmopolitans HH The Creative Edge of Difference by Linda Brimm Palgrave Macmillan


creative genius HH Peter Fisk Capstone


Bad Apples HH Identify, Prevent & Manage Negative Behavior at Work Adrian Furnham & John Taylor Palgrave Macmillan


EQ Checklists HH 20 ways to incorporate emotional intelligence into business practice by Jan Childs Management Books 2000


The Joy of Work? HH Jobs, Happiness, and You by Peter Warr & Guy Clapperton Routledge


Straight Talk H Written Communication for Career Success by Paul R. Timm & Sherron Bienvenu Routledge


Company Meetings H Law & Practice in Singapore by Lee Fook Hong CCH Publishers


Thrive on Pressure H Lead and succeed when times get tough by Graham Jones McGraw Hill


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