Kiss Off Corporate America: Alternative Perspectives for Disenchanted Young Professionals

by Lisa Kivirist

Offers practical advice on fleeing the confines of a cubicle for more spiritually rewarding endeavors, including choosing a self-employed profession, managing time, money, and resources, and following one's dream.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0836235908
• ISBN13: 9780836235906
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

An inspirational book for all

I purchased Lisa Kivirist's book in the " Stage 2: Toes on the Line" stage of my life. I have a very good job in " Corporate America" doing what I like, but I absolutely hate it. I am not new to the industry in which I work, but I have reached a level at which I must weed through, for lack of better word, tons of bull in a never-ending combination of house-of-cards and shell-game trying to accommodate several bosses at different levels with conflicting ideas, huge egos and , in my opinion, often unethical business practices. The final straw was a salary review in which I scored well, but was near the top of my range, so could only earn an additional $165. per year; and a promotion which received no monetary increase because I already make more than the other guys in my department and it wouldn't be fair to them. I was so angry, I quit on the spot, but was encouraged to think about it over the weekend and talk about it on Monday. Needless to say, my mind was made up, but I reconsidered and have decided to stay to the end of the calendar year (gives me time to formulate a great plan and execute it, allowing me to position myself more favorably financially).I spent the first 25 years of my career as a manager with little supervision and did very well. I know that I will be very good at working for myself. I am not 30 something, I am a 51 year old woman with a daughter in college, but I found Miss Kivirist's book to be truly inspirational and uplifting. She has helped me to take that much needed step toward financial freedom and "Life Outside the Corporate Track". Thank you, Lisa, for writing a very supportive book.

A Great Motivational Book for the Corporate-weary Soul

Although I had already made the decision to leave my corporate job before reading this book, I found it to be a great source of motivation for what lies ahead of me as I take a more personal stake in my career and life. While the book won't go much in-depth about starting your own business (other start-up books are better for that), and is a very quick read, the book lays a good foundation for building up the entrepreneurial psyche. Tired of the corporate world? Have no idea how to get the courage to resign? Don't know the first thing about setting off on your own? Read this book first!

How to get out of your office and into your own business.

This is a book about the nuts and bolts of how to "Kiss Off Corporate America" and be your own boss. Ms. Kivirist writes from a first-person point of view and incorporates the stories of others as she encourages you to follow your dreams and work for yourself. If you are curious as to how it is done or what to do in steps, this is your book. She covers the tax issues, the financial issues but most importantly, the personal issues of dealing with the people in your life. Sometimes, those we love most can hold us back more than our own reservations. Kiss Off Corporate America is more than a business book, it is a change-your-life book.

get ready to "free" yourself from your job!

an essential resource for anyone unhappily stuck at a job or company, this book supports the realization that many young people are coming to: that getting the "right" job, leading a safe and secure life, and gathering heaps of material goods isn't the answer for everyone. if you seek a job that actually makes you happy and that you feel good about--not just a job that pays the bills--you will find the tips in this book useful. the difference between "kiss off" and other career books is that the author discusses the emotional nature--and the roadblocks--of following your dreams. this book isn't about finding another job, it's about achieving an alternative lifestyle--where you control your time and seek to maintain a balance between work activities, relationships, and interests. since this lifestyle flies in the face of how our parents were raised, it often results in parents, friends, and co-workers saying, "you left your high-paying job with great benefits for WHAT?" the author offers advice about dealing with these as well as other pressures you will face when you kiss off.also provided is a framework for getting in touch with where you are now, where you want to go, and how to get there. i found the idea of a personal non-business business plan excellent for gathering my thoughts in a constructive and tangible way. as well, the idea of an "experiential sabbatical"--a period during which you try out a variety of potential ideas before committing to a final decision--is a creative way for people to transition out of the cubicle. stories of folks who have actually "kissed off," how they did it, and how they have fared, are sprinkled throughout the book. kivirist also uses humor and sniglet-like terms to describe the life of a "cookie cutter corporate clone," and coins appropro phrases that describe the plight of many corporate genx'ers.