Unwritten Laws of Engineering

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 readers today, here are but a few of the gems you'll find in this little-known business classic: If you take care of your present job well, the future will take care of itself. The individual who says nothing is usually credited with having nothing to say. Whenever you are performing someone else's function, you are probably neglecting your own. Martyrdom only rarely makes heroes, and in the business world, such heroes and martyrs often find themselves unemployed. Refreshingly free of the latest business fads and jargon, this is a book that is wise and insightful, capturing and distilling the timeless truths and principles that underlie management and business the world over. The little book with the big history. In the summer of 2005, Business 2.0 published a cover story on Raytheon CEO William Swanson's self-published pamphlet, Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management . Lauded by such chief executives as Jack Welch and Warren Buffett, the booklet became a quiet phenomenon. As it turned out, much of Swanson's book drew from a classic of business literature that has been in print for more than sixty years. Now, in a new edition revised and updated for business readers today, we are reissuing the 1944 classic that inspired a number of Swanson's "rules" The Unwritten Laws of Business. Filled with sage advice and written in a spare, engaging style, The Unwritten Laws of Business offers insights on working with others, reporting to a boss, organizing a project, running a meeting, advancing your career, and more. Here's just a sprinkling of the old-fashioned, yet surprisingly relevant, wisdom you'll find in these pages: If you have no intention of listening to, considering, and perhaps using, someone's opinion, don't ask for it. Count any meeting a failure that does not end up with a definite understanding as to what's going to be done, who's going to do it, and when. The common belief that everyone can do anything if they just try hard enough is a formula for inefficiency at best and for complete failure at worst. It is natural enough to "look out for Number One first," but when you do, your associates will be noticeably disinclined to look out for you. Whether you're a corporate neophyte or seasoned manager, this charming book reveals everything you need to know about the "unwritten" laws of 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.