The Unwritten Laws of Business

by W.J. King and James G. Skakoon

Book Overview

The bestselling business classic that Raytheon CEO William Swanson made famous . Every once in awhile, there is a book with a message so timeless, so universal, that it transcends generations. The Unwritten Laws of Business is such a book. Originally published over 60 years ago as The Unwritten Laws of Engineering , it has sold over 100,000 copies, despite the fact that it has never been available before to general readers. Fully revised for business...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038552126X
• ISBN13: 9780385521260
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Crown Business
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

Every College Graduate Should Buy This Book

I have been in business for over a decade and I live and breathe by many of the principles discussed in this book. I discovered these directives on my own through trial and error (mostly error) and from my numerous mentors. I certainly would have been better off if I had been exposed to this book as a graduate. The directives are quite simple but without them laid out in such simple terms and put into context most people would completely miss them. I will be purchasing this book for my kids their senior year of college.

Superb

This is an incredible find. It was not only a quick, easy read but very inspiring too! I loved all the words of wisdom and examples throughout. I could relate almost everything in this book to personal and work related experiences. I think everyone in the professional world should have a copy and when your having one of those days and need inspired you can open it to any page and give yourself a boost. I loved it and will get a copy to give to my boss as well.

Everything You Need To Know

I loved this little gem of a book. It gently reminds us how to be a better employee or employer, but I think this advice ultimately can help us be better in ALL of our relationships. Imagine if we let our ethics be our assett with our friends, neighbors and family, as well as our supervisors and co-workers. The title does not do this book justice, because it is not just the business community who needs these lessons. Whether you serve ice cream at a local shop, superivse small children at a day-care, teach in a classroom, or manage a multi-million dollar corporation, this book is all you need to guide you. Buy multiple copies and give it to college graduates and high-school students applying for their first job. If you are a high school guidance counselor, teach it to your students. If you are a boss, give it to your employees when they are hired (and read your own copy again and again!). If you are an employee, keep it on your desk and look at it from time to time to remind you to be your best. Thank you Mr. King and Mr. Skakoon for your timeless wisdom.

Teachers like it too . . .

We recently read the book for our book club who has been together for over 10 years and it led to the longest most on task discussion to date. All of us in the book club, regardless of age or profession, share the common experience of having had a boss/supervisor, having been a boss/supervisor, and having had an interview. The information in the book reminded me of my dad's generation and the ethics and expectations he taught me that I wish were practiced by more today. In particular, the piece on integrity being an asset was a good reminder that only we can control our integrity and increase that asset or allow it to become a liability if misused. If all professionals took into consideration the "unwritten laws," work places would be much more productive, positive, and personally stimulating. As I continue in my career in education moving ever so quickly into administrative roles, I hope to use this book as beginning discussion point for creating workplace norms within the educational setting for teachers and administrators who sometimes feel outside the "business world" when really we are educational salespeople, classroom CEOs, and community managers. Great book with timeless information! Thanks to the original author as well as Jim Skakoon who only increased its value and readability.

Great Book!

Oh, I wish I would have had this book when I first started working! What a difference it would have made in my career! When I read it, I kept nodding my head in agreement. This is a great book - a must read for anyone who is starting out in the business world. For anyone who has already been out there a while, it's a great refresher of the things we know we should be doing, but oftentimes don't always do. Also, I think I will give it a read before starting any new job, so that I start on the right foot. I think this would make an excellent gift for parents or relatives to give to college grads.