"What's the most effective path to success in any domain? It's not what you think. Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you'll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world's top performers, from professional athletes...

"It is one of the enduring enigmas of the human experience: many of our most iconic, creative endeavors--from Nobel Prize-winning discoveries to entrepreneurial inventions and works in the arts--are not achievements but conversions, corrections after failed attempts. The Rise explores the inestimable value of often-ignored ideas--the power of surrender for fortitude, the criticality of play for innovation, the propulsion of the near win on the road...

Pick a subject. Any subject. Now become an expert on it ... instantly.

From the publisher: Expert judgment is a major source of information in almost every industry today. Experts can help project managers ensure that their projects are completed successfully, on time, and on budget. In some cases, their input can be vital. Too often, however, companies lack detailed processes for finding and consulting with experts, which can make it hard not only to choose the right expert but to match his or her expertise to the project...

Draws on the examples of chess champions, violin virtuosos, star athletes, and memory mavens to outline a powerful approach to learning that enables proficiency through strategic goal setting, self-motivation, and feedback exercises Almost all of us have the seeds of excellence within us-- it's just a question of nurturing them by reducing expertise to a discrete series of attainable practices. Ericsson and Pool introduce an incredibly powerful approach...

"Differentiating yourself from your peers is the challenge that every professional faces. This book gives you the clarity, process and confidence to make yourself stand out in a crowded market place." Toni Hunter, Partner, George Hay Chartered Accountants "This easy-to-read book shows you how to build a firm foundation to win business regularly from your network. Highly recommended for any corporate professional or small business owner." Charlie Lawson,...

Most people recognize that Arthur Andersen was a great Firm. For the authors, it was perhaps the greatest. Its fulminating, unexpected and shameful collapse, with the Enron case and ensuing disappearance from the market, leaving a cloud of local professional firms, has left in the collective memory a totally negative image, erasing any earlier merits as if they never existed. After an introductory chapter, that goes briefly through the Arthur Andersen...

Stop crunching numbers and start truly serving your clients Integrative Advisory Services is the CPA, accounting professional and bookkeeper's guide to the future. As technology paves the way for increased self-reliance and DIY financial services, much of the traditional data entry tasks of accounting professionals and bookkeepers will be reduced. Yet, nothing can replace the human side of the client-advisor experience and the desire to improve your...

"With staffs that are collectively larger than the Russian army, the Big Four accounting firms are a keystone in global finance --but do they really provide stability and safety? Leading scholar Ian Gow and award-winning writer (and former KPMG director) Stuart Kells warn that a house of cards may be about to fall. Across the globe, the so-called Big Four accounting and audit firms - Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG - are...