Synopses & Reviews
When a group of people gather together to generate ideas for solving a problem or achieving a goal, sometimes the best ideas are passed over. Worse, a problematic suggestion with far less likelihood of success may be selected instead. Why would a group dismiss an option that would be more effective? Leadership and communications expert John Daly has a straightforward answer: it wasn't sold to them as well. If the best idea is yours, how can you increase the chances that it gains the support of the group? In
Advocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing Others, Daly explains in full detail how to transform ideas into practice.
To be successful, leaders in every type of organization must find practical and action-oriented ways to market their ideas and achieve buy-in from the members of the group. Daly offers a comprehensive action guide that explains how to shape opinion, inspire action, and achieve results. Drawing on current research in the fields of persuasion, power relations, and behavior change, he discusses the complex factors involved in selling an ideaand#8212;the context of the communication, the type of message being promoted, the nature and interests of the audience, the emotional tenor of the issues at stake, and much more. For the businessperson, politician, or any other member of a group who seeks the satisfaction of having his or her own idea take shape and become reality, this book is an essential guide.
Review
'\"I love this book. It is one of the few books Ive read recently that fundamentally changes the way I think about the world. Just as surprising, it is fun to read, drawing on examples as far afield as urinals, 401(k) plans, organ donations, and marriage. Academics arent supposed to be able to write this well.\"Steven Levitt, Alvin Baum Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and co-author of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything -- Adolph Reed Jr.'
Review
'\'\\\"In this utterly brilliant book, Thaler and Sunstein teach us how to steer people toward better health, sounder investments, and cleaner environments without depriving them of their inalienable right to make a mess of things if they want to. The inventor of behavioral economics and one of the nations best legal minds have produced the manifesto for a revolution in practice and policy.
Nudge wont nudge youit will knock you off your feet.\\\"Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology, Harvard University, Author of
Stumbling on Happiness -- Steven Levitt\''
Review
'\'“This is an engaging, informative, and thoroughly delightful book. Thaler and Sunstein provide important lessons for structuring social policies so that people still have complete choice over their own actions, but are gently nudged to do what is in their own best interests. Well done.”Don Norman, Northwestern University, Author of
The Design of Everyday Things and
The Design of Future Things -- Daniel Gilbert\''
Review
'\'“This book is terrific. It will change the way you think, not only about the world around you and some of its bigger problems, but also about yourself.”Michael Lewis, author of
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and
Liars Poker -- Don Norman\''
Review
'\"Two University of Chicago professors sketch a new approach to public policy that takes into account the odd realities of human behavior, like the deep and unthinking tendency to conform. Even in areaslike energy consumptionwhere conformity is irrelevant. Thaler has documented the ways people act illogically.\"Barbara Kiviat, Time -- Michael Lewis'
Review
'\'\\\"Richard Thaler and Cass Sunsteins
Nudge is a wonderful book: more fun than any important book has a right to beand yet it is truly both.\\\"Roger Lowenstein, author of
When Genius Failed -- Barbara Kiviat - Time\''
Review
'\"A manifesto for using the recent behavioral research to help people, as well as government agencies, companies and charities, make better decisions.\"David Leonhardt, The New York Times Magazine -- Roger Lowenstein'
Review
'\'“How often do you read a book that is both important and amusing, both practical and deep? This gem of a book presents the best idea that has come out of behavioral economics. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to see both our minds and our society working better. It will improve your decisions and it will make the world a better place.”Daniel Kahneman, Princeton University, Nobel Laureate in Economics
-- David Leonhardt - The New York Times Magazine\''
Review
'\"Engaging, enlightening.\"George Scialabba, Boston Sunday Globe -- Daniel Kahneman'
Review
'\"The suggestions in Nudge provide fascinating examples of how tiny changes in context can cue radically different behaviour. Awareness of these cues empowers consumers, voters and decision-makers.\"Rebecca Walberg, National Post -- George Scialabba - Boston Sunday Globe'
Review
'\"An essential read . . . an entertaining book. . . . The book isnt only humorous, its loaded with good ideas that financial-service executives, policy makers, Wall Street mavens, and all savers can use.\"John F. Wasik, Boston Globe -- Rebecca Walberg - National Post'
Review
"Daly, a distinguished communications expert, has produced an exceptional study, which is comprehensive and well documented. . . . This book is certainly a critical piece of scholarship for the business/management curriculum and a great selection for academic libraries."and#8212;J.B. Kashner, Choice
Review
"A clearly written, vividly illustrated discussion of 'internal advocacy'and#8212;that is, advocacy inside organizationsand#8212;combining the best of traditional and contemporary research from a variety of disciplines with a host of historical and current examples from business, politics, education, and the world of non-profits and social movements. The book is wonderfully rich in examples and narratives, and leaves the reader with a hefty tool kit for successful advocacy efforts."and#8212;George Cheney, coauthor of Organizational Communication in an Age of Globalization
Review
Winner of the 2012 Diamond Anniversary Book Award, as given by the National Communication Association.
Review
Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic 2012 Title for Business Management and Labor within the Social and Behavioral Sciences category. Diamond Anniversary Book Award - National Communication Association
Synopsis
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A groundbreaking discussion of how we can apply the new science of choice architecture to nudge people toward decisions that will improve their lives by making them healthier, wealthier, and more free\\n
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Synopsis
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Every day, we make decisions on topics ranging from personal investments to schools for our children to the meals we eat to the causes we champion. Unfortunately, we often choose poorly. The reason, the authors explain, is that, being human, we all are susceptible to various biases that can lead us to blunder. Our mistakes make us poorer and less healthy; we often make bad decisions involving education, personal finance, health care, mortgages and credit cards, the family, and even the planet itself.
Thaler and Sunstein invite us to enter an alternative world, one that takes our humanness as a given. They show that by knowing how people think, we can design choice environments that make it easier for people to choose what is best for themselves, their families, and their society. Using colorful examples from the most important aspects of life, Thaler and Sunstein demonstrate how thoughtful choice architecture” can be established to nudge us in beneficial directions without restricting freedom of choice. Nudge offers a unique new takefrom neither the left nor the righton many hot-button issues, for individuals and governments alike. This is one of the most engaging and provocative books to come along in many years.
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About the Author
John Daly has published more than 100 scholarly articles, produced five books, and made numerous conference presentations. He has served as editor of two academic journals and is the president of the National Communication Association, as well as the president of the Council of Communication Associations. He has been on the Board of Directors of the International Customer Service Association and the International Communication Association. Daly has worked with more than 300 companies and public agencies worldwide on topics related to communication, influence, and customer loyalty. In recent years, he has worked with corporate entities such as American Airlines, IBM, Marriott, Merck, and Merrill Lynch, as well as governmental units such as the White House, Department of the Army, Department of Interior, and many others.