5 August 2010 | Andrew Falvey
By Sahar Hashemi, Capstone, £11.99
4 out of 5
Do you tap dance into work? Do you take 100 per cent of your personality into the office? No? Then you’re probably not switched on, according to this thought-provoking and user-friendly management guide from Sahar Hashemi.
The author is the co-founder of Coffee Republic and Skinny Candy. The book follows the success of Anyone Can Do It, which described how she founded and ran Coffee Republic.
It is aimed at the employee rather than the entrepreneur, and has practical tips and techniques for any purchaser. Quotes are included from academics and entrepreneurs, and while many of them may already be familiar, they serve to support the points the author makes. A familiar style of describing the desired “habits” is used, with the “eight habits of being switched on” providing the structure for the content. The author’s unquestionable track record gives her views credibility and a real-world feel.
The book is a relatively easy read at 155 pages, although I would recommend a second reading to embed the messages.
Some sections are best applied to production environments, but the book has wide application to all types and levels of employee.
Andrew Falvey
Head of commercial services, DVLA
