Book Review: She Wins, You Win

Title: She Wins, You Win

Author: Gail Evans

Year of Publication: 2003

Publisher: Gotham Books, United States of America.

Reviewer: Ada Amogu

New York Times Business Bestseller in her book believes that the success of one woman increase the chances of another woman succeeding in business and also believes that failure of one woman in business increases the chances of failure in business of another woman.

Gail Evans proposed a game plan for women in business and laid out strategies for changing a losing dynamic into a win for all women.

The author gives women practicable tips on how to succeed in what has been categorized as ‘the men’s world’. Some of the tips mentioned in her 190 paged book include the need for women to support each other i.e. women need to know how to take care of each other and look out for each other on the way up. She states the importance of staying together and banding as a team. She believes that once the rule is understood women will rule the business world.

In her book, Gail Evans shares tips for women teams from her experience as the CNN first female Vice-President and also the challenges that the team would face and how they can be overcome.

Gail Evans gives career women tactics and strategies needed to make them productive and successful in the corporate world of business. It is definitely a must read for the 21^st century working woman!

Book Review: It Takes You by Linda Ikeji

Author: It Takes You

Author: Linda Ikeji

Year of Publication: 2010,

Publisher: JLF Publications, Nigeria.

Reviewer: Ada Amogu

An inspirational book written by a former top- model, fashion and beauty consultant, model agent and manager, Publisher and Editor- in- Chief of FM&B Magazine and also Proprietor of the Nigeria Modeling School, 2010 Future Award Style Entrepreneur of the Year and also known for her notable blog  site.

Linda Ikeji in her first book makes use of her life experiences to tell her story in her thirty chapter book. She describes her sojourn in life as one faced with difficulties that she overcame. In her book, she recounts her experience when publishing her magazine FM&B and how her breakthrough eventually came through prayer. The author recommends four (4) things to being successful in life, which are: Work, Perseverance, Believe and Prayer.

The author inspires the reader through chapters such as You Will When You Believe, The Best You Can Is Good Enough, The Person In The Mirror, We Learn Every Time We Leap, Developing A Thick Skin, Start Small And Grow and Be Strong.

The author says “You can be as great as you want to be. It’s really up to you and YOU ALONE. Just remember, everything is possible…when you BELIEVE!” She gives instances in life when one thinks that the grass is greener on the other person’s side, giving one reason to feel unhappy but the author says “No matter how bad you have it, there’s someone who has it worse than you” and comparison of one’s self to another is tantamount to questioning God, a big WHY??

Linda Ikeji in her book encourages the reader to forget pride, embrace kindness and respect people saying “it takes nothing from you to be nice”. The author examines different facets of life such as business, marriage, sex love, friendship forgiveness and happiness. She also talks about people’s persona such as the pessimists or nay- sayers, haters, judgmental people, fake partners and friends that stick close than a brother.

“It Takes You” inspires one to be the best they can ever be despite their present circumstances.

Book Review

Title: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Author: Stephen R. Covey

Year of Publication: 2004

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Australia, Sydney.

Reviewer: Ada Amogu

The 7 Habits of Effective People embodies many of the fundamental principles of human effectiveness. These habits are basic and primary. They represent the internalization of correct principles upon which enduring happiness and success are based on.

Stephen Covey begins by illustrating the most common human challenges faced which are fear and insecurity, “I want it now”, blame and victimism, hopelessness, lack of life balance, “what’s in for me”, the hunger to be understood, conflict and differences and personal stagnation.

The author uses life stories based on his family, social and work experiences in writing this book which simplifies and makes this book understandable and it also makes it easier for the reader to relate to the contents of the book.

Models and tables were used to illustrate and breakdown behaviours, habits and principles for visual grasping and easy understanding.

Stephen  Covey says  that ’The 7habits’ are habits of effectiveness and they include the following: Be Proactive, Begin With the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win/Win, Seek First to Understand, Synergize and Sharpen the Saw and the habits are governed by principles that work hand in hand.

At end of each part, application of the habits is suggested. Instances and tasks are suggested on how the habits can be applied into daily living. Stephen Covey also writes an Afterword: Question I Am Often Asked at the end of the book.

Stephen Covey provides information that makes one stand out in a crowd and gives one an edge over people and also makes everyday living easy to go through.