Gold Medal Winner, General Business, 2012 Axiom Business Book Awards Understanding the post-crisis consumer In Spend Shift, John Gerzema, world-renowned expert on consumer values, and Pulitzer prizewinning author Michael D'Antonio document the rise of a vibrant, values-driven post-recession economy. To tell the story of this movement, the authors travel to large cities and small towns across eight bellwether states, to examine the value shifts sweeping the nation. Through in-depth observation, proprietary data from Young & Rubicam, and interviews with experts, the authors analyze the changing consumer psyche, document the five shifting values and consumer behaviors that are remaking America and the world, and explain what it means to businesses and leaders. Explores a movement in society where the majority of American consumers are embracing both value and values Shows how post-crisis consumer expectations and behaviors will drive business decisions Draws on interviews with CEOs and entrepreneurs to reveal how companies like Ford and Etsy are reconnecting with the post-crisis consumer Compelling and insightful, Spend Shift is essential reading for anyone interested in how values are changing and how businesses can connect with consumers after the recession.

Inspired by the principles developed in the "Service Profit Chain", Mike Hohnen takes you through each of the steps needed to create an outstanding service business. We live in a world of abundance, there is plenty of choice everywhere. The result is a widening gap between supply and demand in virtually any category you can imagine. When that happens, many companies have a knee-jerk reaction, and the recipe is more or less always the same: initiate rigorous cost-cutting programmes, reduce staff and/or services, offer discounts in many forms, and increase advertising aggressively. This, however, is the equivalent of trying to steer and brake as your car begins to skid on black ice while going through a sharp curve. As you hit that declining demand curve, you need to perform what at first seems like a counter intuitive move: hold your price, improve your quality, and narrow your focus in the market. In this book, you will not only understand why but also see how you can do that.

This book describes the methods and algorithms for image pre-processing and recognition. These methods are based on a parallel shift technology of the imaging copy, as well as simple mathematical operations to allow the generation of a minimum set of features to describe and recognize the image. This book also describes the theoretical foundations of parallel shift technology and pattern recognition. Based on these methods and theories, this book is intended to help researchers with artificial intelligence systems design, robotics, and developing software and hardware applications.

Discover a renewed sense of God's purpose and find the courage to pursue your greatest dreams with this comforting guide to spiritual fulfillment and success. Albert Einstein once said, "Problems cannot be solved with the same mind-set that created them." To resolve our problems and deal with our mistakes, we must be willing to be transformed by God's process of healing and strengthening. We have a tendency to think of our present situation in polarizing terms: good or bad, up or down. Due to the seasonal nature of our life experiences, this is an easy trap for many of us. We overlook the fact that there are transition times, such as the season between graduation and the amazing job; between divorce and remarriage; between the failure and the success. The Shift explores the ways we can survive the seasons in between with the courage that comes only when you're sure of God's purpose for your life.

Publishes in-depth articles on labor subjects, current labor statistics, information about current labor contracts, and book reviews.

There is a silver bullet in sales its called timing when you get to highly motivated decision makers at EXACTLY the right time: after they experience a Trigger Event BUT before they call your competition. When you have the right timing the sale almost happens by itself There are few challenges getting to the prospect, understanding their dissatisfaction, presenting a solution, or closing the sale. By luck or sheer numbers youve had timing happen before, not its time to make it happen again, and again, and again. ... simple but profound truths that will help you leverage intent for immediate action and cut down the selling cycle, while creating lasting bonds with customers. Stephen M.R. Covey, author of the New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller The Speed of Trust "... an entirely new perspective on things that are hiding in plain sight for all sales professionals. Well done!" Kevin Fancey, Senior Vice President of Sales, Ricoh Canada Inc By combining the power of relationships with timing - what Elias and Shanto call "Trigger Events" - the authors present a powerful sales strategy... Keith Ferrazzi, #1 NYT Bestselling author of Who's Got Your Back and Never Eat Alone Elias and Shanto have brought referrals into the 21st Century, showing you how to capitalize on the key moments that will bring you success in a busy, fast-paced world. This is a must read! Ivan Misner, NY Times Bestselling author and Founder of BNI and the Referral Institute

An updated edition of a standard in its field that remains relevant more than thirty years after its original publication. Over thirty years ago, sociologist and University of California, Berkeley professor Arlie Hochschild set off a tidal wave of conversation and controversy with her bestselling book, The Second Shift. Hochschild's examination of life in dual-career housholds finds that, factoring in paid work, child care, and housework, working mothers put in one month of labor more than their spouses do every year. Updated for a workforce that is now half female, this edition cites a range of updated studies and statistics, with an afterword from Hochschild that addresses how far working mothers have come since the book's first publication, and how much farther we all still must go.