Using the words of its own people, this intriguing book provides an in-depth look at the incredibly successful airline that changed the rules of the game with a no-frills business model and innovative corporate culture. Southwest Airlines turns in-depth interviews with the company's leaders, managers, employees, and passengers into a powerful case study of this highly successful, game-changing business. Ranging from the early days of the company to the present, the book covers the history of the airline and its founders, while also detailing the unique corporate culture that attracts employees and passengers alike. Throughout its history, Southwest has championed a culture that puts employees first, creating a productive workforce by hiring for "attitude before aptitude" (because skills can be taught) and allowing employees to be themselves at work. The founders' philosophies of "servant leadership" and a "fun-LUVing" attitude continue to attract employees and influence the company's daily work today. In detailing the airline's inner workings in the words of its own people, this book shows other companies how they can emulate Southwest's powerful business model and strategies, as well as its hiring practices and corporate culture.

"Breaking Free" is about making the transition from working for the man to working for yourself by starting your own business or freelancing. By focusing on the personal experiences, ideas, and actions of a variety of self-employed people--including freelance writers, contractors, service providers, store owners and franchisees, sales reps, and others--this book offers readers deep insights into the ideas and decisions required to make self-employment a reality. Along the way, author and self-employed professional Chris Lauer offers a wealth of practical small-business insights and tips. "Breaking Free" thus offers would-be entrepreneurs and freelancers something priceless--both the skills and encouragement required to shake free of corporate shackles and take the leap into small-scale entrepreneurship.

Featuring real stories about the initial spark that motivated individuals to pursue independence and entrepreneurship, "Breaking Free " follows a variety of entrepreneurs as they move from their jobs as employees to the ranks of the self-employed. It also covers the nuts and bolts of self-employment--pricing and marketing services, keeping an eye on the bottom line, and growing the business, among other topics. In addition, Lauer focuses on the advances in technology that make self-employment easier today than ever before. Unlike most books on self-employment, Lauer uses vivid, real-life stories and tips to help would-be entrepreneurs decide the route that is best for them. Experienced entrepreneurs describe how they came up with ideas for their businesses, how they kept their ventures in motion during the early days and over the long term, how they grew, and when they recognized it was time to call it quits and sell or shutter the business. This is not a book for the next Bill Gates, but for the majority of new business owners and those dreaming of creating their own jobs: people ready to take a few risks to make a decent living on their own terms and gain some independence. Both descriptive and prescriptive, "Breaking Free" presents the latest ways to capitalize on today's many opportunities for self-sufficiency and financial autonomy.

Just about every month, housing values in the U.S. fall. That, in turn, increases the number of people who owe more on their houses than they are worth--either trapping them in homes they may no longer want or putting them in danger of financial catastrophe if they lose a job or are otherwise unable to meet the mortgage. Underwater: Options When Your Mortgage Is Upside Down offers valuable advice to homeowners on ways they can unload a house they no longer want, save a home from foreclosure, or undergo foreclosure and start anew. The book offers smart advice from lawyers, bankers, real estate agents, personal finance experts, and homeowners who have seen the foreclosure process firsthand, as well as those who have been able to save their homes through loan modifications and other creative methods. Those faced with tough choices will find invaluable guidance to help them make well-informed decisions while managing the emotional fallout each brings. Many of the eleven million people in the U.S. now facing the underwater dilemma wonder: Is staying put the only option? What if I can't pay the monthly mortgage bill? Can I save my home?Underwater: Options When Your Mortgage Is Upside Down outlines the options--when foreclosure is a good idea, how to best protect the equity you've built up, the financial repercussions of going into foreclosure, strategies for renegotiating a loan, taking advantage of government programs designed to keep you happily housed, and more. Veteran financial journalist Chris Lauer provides the facts, ideas, and advice that can help any underwater homeowner--especially those facing foreclosure--make smart decisions for a better future. What you'll learn * How to determine whether your home mortgage is underwater. * How negative equity can cause long-term damage to personal budgets and the nation's economy. * What homeowners can do to get out from under an upside-down mortgage. * How to negotiate with your lender to refinance your loan, agree to a short sale, or stop the foreclosure process. * How to protect your equity and limit your financial exposure under various options. * How other homeowners have been able to turn their mortgages around and rise up from dire circumstances. * How the choice to face foreclosure may be the right financial decision.* How to tap into federal programs designed to aid beleaguered homeowners. * How to navigate through the unfamiliar language of real estate jargon and make sense of the alphabet soup of real estate acronyms. Who this book is for The audience for Underwater: Options When Your Mortgage Is Upside Down consists of the millions of homeowners whose houses are either upside-down with their mortgages (owing more on their house than it is worth) and those who fear they may be close to that point. According to the real estate services firm CoreLogic, statistics at the end of the third quarter of 2011 show that about 10.7 million (22.1 percent) of all residential borrowers are underwater on their mortgage obligations. With one expert projecting a further decline of 5% in real estate values in 2012, that number will grow. These people, and those who may enter their ranks, are the audience for this book.Table of Contents * The Real Estate Crash * How Bad is the Underwater Problem * Advice from an Underwater Homeowner * Advice from a Real Estate attorney * Advice from a Real Estate Agent * Advice from a Mortgage Broker * Advice from a Real Estate Agent * Advice from a Real Estate Agent * Advice from a Mortgage Broker * Advice from a Real Estate Expert * Advice from a Real Estate Economist * Advice from an Economist * Advice from CoreLogic Chief Economist Mark Fleming * What You Should Know About Fannie Me and Freddie Mac * Lenders Settle with Homeowners for $25 Billion for Abuses * Twelve Valuable Government Programs * Glossary of Terms * Additional Resources

Insightful summaries of fifteen outstanding management books
Since 1978, Soundview Executive Book Summaries has offered its subscribers condensed versions of the most relevant and influential business books published each year. The company has won acclaim as the definitive selection service for business book readers.
Following its successful first collection, "The Marketing Gurus," Soundview has now compiled "The Management Gurus," which includes summaries of fifteen management classics. One of them is a previously unpublished summary: "Jack Welch and the 4 E's of Leadership." Other featured books include:
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