Gung Ho!: Turn On the People in Any Organization

Awesome Team Building Book!

I read this book for a college class and was able to bring it to my team members in a grand fashion at an event. We worked through a community liason in Manchester NH to get the books here in time...Nathan did a FANTASTIC! job for us! Kudos!

Recommended

Succinct reminder of how individuals have to buy-in to an organization and how managers can foster that action. In parts it can be abstruse. I would recommend balancing this book with a quick read of Semper Fi which studies how the Marines manage by using some similar techniques.

Gung ho!

Authors Blanchard and Bowles have written a pleasantly readable account of some ideas that managers can use to motivate their employees. Rather than giving a detailed how-to plan for implementing a workplace motivation program, Gung Ho Is more of an outline that presents a possible approach to increasing the enthusiasm and productivity of the employees in an organization. The dialog between the main characters in the book explores some of the psychological factors connecting people's emotions and how they view and perform their work. Additionally, the authors show how this motivational approach fits into the larger picture of moving an organization toward increased productivity, higher profits, and greater value to the community. An obvious crucial part to the success of any such motivational program is the total commitment of top management, and this requirement is brought out throughout the book. Overall, Gung Ho Is an entertaining, touching, informative, and valuable read.

An Excellent Message

Ken and Sheldon did it again! They are a phenomenal writing duo. Simple message. Written clearly and concisely. Easy read. Gives every reader the "ah ha" factor. Brings the reader back to the big picture and the important overall message.

The Key To Keeping A Buisness Going

Gung Ho(By Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles)is a novel that consist of a special ritual that can help a company called Walton Works number 2,become back in buisness again.'If you're not lead dog the scenery never changes'. In other words if the main character who is given the position as General Manager does not take his new role and put it to use he may not ever see Walton Works making money again.'People have to understand how what they do contributes to the well-being of humankind-makes a difference in their own patch of forest'. This quote is stating that the characters choice of actions take part in what they do whether its helping the buisness or not.

Worth reading

Gung Ho! is another typical Ken Blanchard book. It is a quick read and contains some very useful information, but falls short in giving managers the full picture. Some readers will find the format cheesy, but I didn't take it that way. The book is broken down into three areas: 1. The Spirit of the Squirrel (which discusses the importance of making employees feel that their work is important) 2. The Way of the Beaver (which talks about how managers should tell employees what they want and define the boundaries, but within those boundaries allow employees to figure out solutions in their own way) 3. The Gift of the Goose (which goes over the importance of using positive reinforcement when employees do a good job) These are three very powerful ideas that every manager should embrace. However, there are numerous issues that the book doesn't cover. To give just one example, what should a manager do is one of her employees comes to work every day late and is totally unproductive while he is there? Obviously, The Gift of the Goose (i.e. praising employees) isn't the answer since that will just reinforce the negative behavior. Despite the book's shortcomings, I think it's worth reading if you like management books since it does contain some useful information. But if you want one book that going to cover the subject more dynamically from many more angles, then you should probably look elsewhere. Greg Blencoe Author, The Ten Commandments for Managers

Gung Ho Friends

I not only read this book I practiced it in my organization. It was amazing to see the change in the Associates when they were taught that their work was worthwhile, that they were in control of achieving the goal and how much better the work place is when we cheer each other on. Praise progress and catch people doing things right and you are on your way to success. Our company is proof positive that the Gung Ho spirit is alive and well. Gung Ho friends Johnny

Energizing and inspiring

Written in a symbolic manner, this book is inspiring and memorable. Buy it.

Gung Ho - Finally, a total concept for employee morale

Most companies practice some aspect of the Gung Ho concept. Some are good motivators, others good goal setters. But every company would benefit from the book Gung Ho because it puts together the most valuable concepts for high performance. This book presents in a simplistic way, concepts that would improve any organization. From volunteer organizations to Fortune 500 companies, helping people understand each element of Gung Ho will produce the most productive, happiest employees/volunteers ever conceived by a CEO. Read it. Practice it. Make this book a foundation for your organization

What an inspiration

I just finished my degree in retail business management. A teacher recommended this book. I believe every student in any kind of management degree and those who are already working in management should read this book. It is full of insights to a better work environment and a successful business. It is too bad that too many managers and owners still miss out on this opportunity to improve their business.

Inspirational, instructive

This is a delightful fast-moving story with a lesson. The setting is a factory that is in serious trouble, under threat of closure, because of narrow-minded executives and employees who simply aren't motivated to accomplish the job that must be done. Our heroes are the new plant manager, a woman, and a wise Native American who heads one of the departments-the high-producing department-in the factory. Drawing on the wisdom passed along by his grandfather, the department head (who also holds an MBA) guides, educates, and inspires the new plant manager. Together they turn the situation from hopeless to exemplary and award-winning. The philosophies shared in this volume are powerful and apply to many circumstances, not just manufacturing. This small book is deceiving in its size. There's plenty of white space on the pages. At first, the reader may get the impression that the design of the page layout is unusual and was probably done to bulk-up the book. Gradually, the wide margins seem to make the book easier to read, a page-turner. There really aren't any chapters, though there are some natural breaks in the flow of the story to give you stopping points. Be warned: you won't want to stop. You'll want to stick with this book to the last page . . . then give it to someone else to read.

Even 'Dead Wood' will be Gung Ho to get to work!

The authors have done a fabulous job portraying the success of a doomed business to a multi-million dollar enterprise. The 'Gung-Ho' way of life can relate to any organization big or small. Very simplisitic reading but powerful messages are conveyed throughout this masterpiece. I can't wait to get back to work on Monday. Our whole staff of 18 was given a copy of Gung-Ho and hopefully, the process has already started with our team members. Five goose honks to Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles.

Should be a required book for business students

I am an MBA student. If I were in the field of educating our future leaders...I would require this book as part of the course.

Simplistic yet Profound!

Common sense in a simple story yet so profound in its message. My only hope is that we can get our company to adopt Gung Ho!

A Must Read For All Managers

I work for one of the worlds largest telecommunication companies. Through the use of the Gung Ho! techniques our engineering team has become untouchable.

Excellent Work

Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles have created another classic. In a highly effective parable, they provide a blueprint any leader can use to create organizational excitement in just about any type of organization. The most positive characteristics of this book, like all Blanchard books, are the underlying values and wholesome philosophies that drive the message home at each juncture along the way. Whether a person is leading a small work group, a department, a division, or an entire company, he or she will find many useful ideas in this easy-to-read book. Another book, with a foreword by Ken Blanchard, that I have just finished is also destined to be a classic alongside GUNG HO! I highly recommend everyone ¿ not just people in leadership positions ¿ read WINNING WAYS: FOUR SECRETS FOR GETTING GREAT RESULTS BY WORKING WELL WITH PEOPLE, by Dick Lyles. Dr. Lyles is a protégé of Blanchard and Bowles and this book proves that he, also, has mastered the art of parable writing. This book contains tips that will help anyone be more powerful and charismatic in their dealings with other people.

Director, Communications & Education/Training

This 'weekend read' is an entertaining and invaluable guide for inspiring committment to change and improvement within an organization. The emphasis is on the importance of employee buy-in and participation--an idea new to many leaders of large corporations. I highly recommend this book as a starting point for change managers.

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