Lessons from the Sandbox: Using the 13 Gifts of Childhood to Rediscover the Keys to Business Success

by Alan S Gregerman

Overview

Shows how insights gained from children can help companies grow, innovate, improve the bottom line, and make magic with customers, employees, and shareholders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809224388
Publisher:	McGraw-Hill Companies, The
Publication date:	06/01/2000
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 5.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Alan Gregerman, Ph.D., father of three, is founder and president of Venture Works, Inc., a Washington, D.C., consulting firm with Fortune 500 clients. He is an award-winning public speaker who is known as "the Robin Williams of business consulting."

Table of Contents

	Preface	xi
	Acknowledgments	xv
	Introduction	1
Part I	Living	15
1	The Gift of Play	23
2	The Gift of Enthusiasm and Energy	45
3	The Gift of Focus	61
4	The Gift of Urgency	75
5	The Gift of Leadership	89
Part II	Exploring	101
6	The Gift of Wonder	107
7	The Gift of Curiosity	123
8	The Gift of Questioning	139
9	The Gift of Trying	153
10	The Gift of Creativity and Innovation	167
Part III	Belonging	185
11	The Gift of Participation	191
12	The Gift of Cozy Places	205
13	The Gift of Accomplishment	219
	Conclusion	231
	A Note for Working Parents	239
	Concluding Note	241
Appendix	Testing Your IQ	243
	Great Things to Read	247

What People are Saying About This

Daniel Simpkins

With a three-year-old at home, I couldn't tell if Lessons from the Sandbox was teaching me more about being a dad or about being a CEO! Regardless, it opened my mind and filled it with wonder.(Daniel Simpkins, President And Ceo, Salix Technologies)

Jordan D. Lewis

Alan Gregerman has a wonderful way of reminding us of valuable lessons we learned long ago. With clear words and poignant examples, he underscores how we can draw on our early heritage of wonder, enthusiasm, and participation to be more successful - and happier - in business and our personal lives. Lessons from the Sandbox is well worth the read.(Jordan D. Lewis, Author of Partnerships for Profit, The Connected Corporation, and Trusted Partners)

Harry Jansen Kraemer Jr.

As the CEO of a global healthcare company and the father of four, all I can say about Lessons from the Sandbox is Yes, Yes, Yes! It is rare to find a book that is simple, informative, honest, and a lot of fun. (Harry Jansen Kraemer, Jr., Chairman & Ceo, Baxter International)

Paul V. Lombardi

Alan Gregerman has an uncanny way of relating business objectives to the talents and attitudes we all had as children. The result is funny and provocative. (Paul V. Lombardi, President & Ceo, Dyncorp)

Evelyne Steward

Lessons from the Sandbox is a wonderful book about recapturing the magic and sense of wonder we all had as children.(Evelyne Steward, Vice President/Worklife, Discovery Communications)

Lou Ann Scanlan

Lessons from the Sandbox is simply awesome! Now I understand why I love being a mother and the CEO of a high tech company. It's all about making magic, feeling free to jump in a lot of puddles, and living and working at the speed of life. (Lou Ann Scanlan, President & Ceo, Uucom)

Editorial Reviews

Like Peanut Butter & Jelly Management by Chris Komisarjevsky (Forecasts,Mar. 20), this lighthearted book draws on the lessons of childhood and family life to instruct readers how to run more productive and successful companies. Gregerman, a Washington-based consultant, believes that every employee and manager would benefit from taking a more childlike approach to work. Specifically, Gregerman's Big Lesson #1 is "You can only do really good work if you enjoy what you're doing." Other lessons include: "Matters of the greatest importance require urgency and persistence"; "We can only learn and grow if we are willing to try new things"; and "Never assume that an older sister or a co-worker is an expert with a scissors." Although it's true that adults avoid puddles whereas children love jumping into them, Gregerman doesn't make a convincing case that jumping into a puddle will transform his readers into more creative problem solvers. Aside from all its amusing anecdotes and funny quotes from kids, however, this book isn't likely to satisfy those in search of substantive management advice. Agent, Nancy Crossman. (May) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

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