Every company needs to figure out the best way to beat the competition. What do you do if the other guy is already dominating the market? Should you challenge them head on or lie low for a while? Should you offer customers high-end features or a low-end price? Or both? During their years at Microsoft, John Zagula and Richard Tong answered such questions so effectively that they helped Microsoft Office and Windows grow from a 10 percent to 90 percent market share. As venture capitalists, Zagula and Tong have continued to test and perfect their system with hundreds of companies of all sizes and at all stages. Now they're sharing their best ideas and methods in an easy-to-apply book that will be enormously helpful to marketers in every industry and leaders in every size company. The Marketing Playbook explains the five basic strategies for a competitive market-The Drag Race Play, The Best of Both Play, The High-Low Play, The Platform Play, and The Stealth Play. It illustrates how each one works, how to pick the best one for a given situation, and then how to implement it effectively in the real world. Just like a great sports coach with a well-designed playbook, managers who read this book will have the tools, tips, and tricks they need to leapfrog market research, craft a smart strategy, motivate their team, and start scoring major points with customers and against the opposition.

Price: $17.99 USD

If you read the original Buffettology, you know exactly half of what you need to know to effectively apply Warren Buffett's investment strategies. Published in 1997, the bestselling Buffettology was written specifically for investors in the midst of a long bull market. Since then we've seen the internet bubble burst, the collapse of Enron, and investors scrambling to move their assets -- what remains of them -- back to the safety of traditional blue chip companies. As price peaks turned into troughs, worried investors wondered if there was any constant in today's volatile market. The answer is yes: Warren Buffett's value investing strategies make money. The New Buffettology is the first guide to Warren Buffett's selective contrarian investment strategy for exploiting down stocks -- a strategy that has made him the nation's second-richest person. Designed to teach investors how to decipher and use financial information the way Buffett himself does, this book guides investors through opportunity-rich bear markets, walking them step-by-step through the equations and formulas Buffett uses to determine what to buy, what to sell -- and when. Authors Mary Buffett and David Clark explore Buffett's recent investments in detail, proving time and again that his strategy has earned enormous profits at a time no one expects them to -- and with almost zero risk to his capital. In short, The New Buffettology is an essential companion to the original Buffettology, a road map to investment success in the worst of times.

Price: $19.99 USD

This book is a must for anybody involved in, or about to become involved in, launching new products and services to the market place. It is easily understood, and provides a wide and extensive range of information dealing with critical issues involved in launching new products. Contents include: Planning Strategic management Registrations or expressions of interest Rating your product Financing your new product How much money will I need...? A budget, Basic record keeping Attracting venture capital Product development Are these issues pertinent ... A launch - issues to address How will we market our new product? Marketing What is marketing?, Market research What is a market?, Marketing questions What business are you in? The marketing audit Selling the product A Sales and Marketing strategy Targeting customers Creating demand - Creating sales Prospecting and finding customers New customers, Generating interest Why won't my product sell? Consumer / Buyer behaviour Buying signals, The distribution chain Price points, Establishing credibility Communications, Selling your idea Case studies, Checklists Is your business well run? The conception period for some major innovations Buildings Engineering products Some pitfalls

Price: $24.95 USD

A golden investing opportunity you can't afford to miss!. The time is always right to invest in gold, but today's economy has made this precious metal an ever more essential element in a properly allocated portfolio, as well as a particularly good commodity for long trading. Product manager for precious metals at Barclays Capital, Jonathan Spall provides a comprehensive overview of the subject and answers all the questions pertaining to investing in gold, including: Who are the major market makers?; How and where is gold traded?; Why are central banks committed holders of gold?; How is interest on gold calculated?; Which factors most affect price fl uctuations?; How does the gold option market work?; Should you invest in physical gold, ETFs, futures, or mining shares?. You'll also learn all the terminology regarding gold trading, plus you'll get key information about the gold exchanges around the globe. With How to Profit in Gold , you will be on solid ground to correctly interpret the market and make the best investment decisions for your situation. As most investors know, gold is a "safe haven" asset that can actually increase in value during stock market slumps and recessions. But what else do you really know about this commodity?. Are you taking full advantage of it? Do you know how to work it into your overall investment strategy? How to Profit in Gold is a comprehensive tutorial on making gold a profi table part of your investment strategy. Jonathan Spall, a 25-year veteran of the precious metals market, provides an inside look at how the precious metal is traded and priced, along with valuable insight into gold's unique position in the marketplace. Filled with practical advice designed to help you get started right away, How to Profit in Gold explores such topics as: Simple and complex gold trading processes; The pivotal role central banks play in the gold marketGold exchange-traded funds (ETFs); How spot gold is traded; Why gold mining companies have traditionally hedged, and why they no longer do so; Strategies for investing in the retail market. Spall provides an extensive glossary of terms you'll need to know, and he debunks various myths regarding thismarket, including the Fed's supposed scheme to keep gold prices artificially low during the 1990s. The effects of global economic growth, the weakened dollar, the credit crunch, and the recent creation of enormous funds each affect the gold market; put them together and they add up to potential profits gold investors have never before dreamed of. Gold is a surprisingly small market. When you learn how to navigate it, the potential for excellent rewards becomesevident. Can you afford not to start investing in gold?

Price: $27.00 USD

The meltdown in the credit markets, the decline in housing prices, and the turmoil in the stock market has rocked the world of the everyday investor. The idea that home ownership and the stock market are the best long-term investments suddenly has been thrown into question. Bearish investment experts are touting historical research that suggests both real estate values and the stock market could stagnate for years to come, thus imperiling the retirement planning of millions of Americans. In The Bull Inside the Bear, investment manager and former Federal Reserve economist Rob Stein argues that the economy is entering uncharted water and investors need to actively manager their portfolios to take advantage of new opportunities and avoid risky sectors. No longer can investors simply rely on a "buy and hold" strategy. The key will be to stay nimble and be ready to increase stock holdings if the economy recovers strongly and be ready to substantially reduce stock holdings if the current problems continue to weigh down economic performance. Moreover, investors must be open to weighting their portfolios in favor of hot sectors depending on economic and financial market performance. Stein argues that it will take several years for the credit markets to stabilize following the crash of the Greenspan-driven credit expansion, which will make investing far more volatile and unpredictable than previously. But by adroitly moving in and out of exchange-traded funds, individual investors will be able to prosper in this new and challenging investment environment.

Price: $29.95 USD

Social convergence has been an objective since the Treaty of Rome in 1957, but it was only in 1997 and 2000 that social and labour market policies were formulated at the European Union level. To what extent have national social and labour market policies in EU member states converged over time? What is the influence of EU policy initiatives and European economic integration on national welfare state reforms? Moreover, what factors can explain differences in the extent to which member states have changed their policies accordingly? Based on quantitative analyses of welfare state changes since the 1980s in EU and other oeCD countries, this study provides a number of new insights into the research on the Europeanisation of welfare states. A wide range of indicators shows that welfare state policies, welfare state regimes and policy outcomes such as pover ty rates have converged across EU countries. However, no pattern of convergence has been found for the group of countries that entered the EU in 2004. Fur thermore, the study sheds light on the functioning of the open method of coordination in employment policy.It shows that the European Employment Strategy has contributed to an increased emphasis on activation in national labour market policy reforms. The study's results indicate that European economic integration and globalisation have also affected welfare states. Based on an innovative approach that relies on data on private social security arrangements, it is shown that increased international economic integration triggers the demand for social protection. The insights gained in this study could improve the effectiveness of the EU social and labour market policies and, consequently, achievement of the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy. This is a volume in the series of the Graduate School of Legal Studies of Leiden University. This study is par t of the Law Schools' research programme on Reform of Social Legislation.

Price: $46.00 USD

Praise for Managing a Corporate Bond Portfolio "Crabbe and Fabozzi's Managing a Corporate Bond Portfolio is a refreshingly good book on the neglected topic in fixed income portfolio management. If you want to understand the latest thinking in corporate bonds, what drives prices and why, read this book. You will emerge with knowledge that will help you get an edge in the competitive investing arena." —Tim Opler, Director, Financial Strategy Group, CSFB "A practitioner's guide . . . a creative, comprehensive, and practical book that addresses the myriad of challenges facing managers of corporate bond portfolios. The chapter on liquidity, trading, and trading costs is a must read." —Mary Rooney Head of Credit Strategy, Merrill Lynch "As a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for managing billions of dollars invested in fixed income product during the mid-1990s, Lee Crabbe was the one Wall Street strategist that I would read every week to help me figure out where value was in the corporate bond market, and for insightful and easy-to-understand special reports that educated me and most investors on the risks and opportunities inherent in new structures and subordinated products. Fortunately for me and investors, Lee Crabbe and Frank Fabozzi have written this book, which compiles much of their previous work on corporate bond valuation, along with new features that are a must read, especially in light of the volatile times in the corporate bond market over the past few years. For portfolio managers, analysts, traders, and even strategists, if there is one book in your bookshelf that you should have on corporate bond portfolio management, it is this one." —William H. Cunningham, Managing Director, Director of Credit Strategy, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. www.wileyfinance.com

Price: $64.99 USD

An in-depth examination of a powerful new trading strategy "Fischer provides an intriguing and thorough look at blending the Fibonacci series, candlesticks, and 3-point chart patterns to trade securities. Backed by explicit trading rules and numerous examples and illustrations, this book is an invaluable tool for the serious investor. Read it." –Thomas N. Bulkowski author of Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns and Trading Classic Chart Patterns In this groundbreaking new book, Fibonacci expert Robert Fischer and coauthor Dr. Jens Fischer successfully merge Fibonacci applications with candlestick charting to create an innovative trading strategy that will help you enhance profits and reduce risk. Filled with in-depth insights, helpful charts and graphs, and practical real-world examples, Candlesticks, Fibonacci, and Chart Pattern Trading Tools reveals how correctly combining these different strategies can give you a noticeable edge in challenging market times–regardless of whether you are a short-term or long-term trader–and improve your chances of success under a variety of market conditions. You’ll be introduced to the critical aspects of this synergistic approach through in-depth analysis and detailed explanations of: Core combinations of Fibonacci trading tools with candlesticks and regular 3-point chart patterns   The magic figure "three" and its relevance in pattern recognition Fibonacci-related trading strategies, selected candlestick chart patterns, and regular 3-point chart patterns Applications of these trading strategies–double tops, Fibonacci price extensions, PHI-channel applications PHI-ellipses as trading tools And much more Along with the computer technology of the WINPHI charting program included on the companion website, Candlesticks, Fibonacci, and Chart Pattern Trading Tools will help you understand and implement this profitable trading strategy to the best of your ability.

Price: $69.99 USD

Micro-nanotechnologies (MNT) are already making a profound impact on our daily lives. New applications are well underway in the US, Asia, and Europe. However, their potentially disruptive nature, along with the public's concerns, has produced a number of challenges. Commercializing Micro-Nanotechnology Products provides a snapshot of the current market situation and details the need for MNT development. It outlines the problems facing today's businesses and discusses the processes for commercialization, road mapping, technology transfer analysis, and entrepreneurial development. The book begins by detailing the steps required to turn an idea into a marketable product. The editors give examples of previously successful products and relate to their own experiences in development. Next, the text focuses on the importance of entrepreneurship and the required steps to finance and develop a marketing strategy. It contains various definitions of nanotechnology and how each relates to roadmap and production issues. Three detailed case studies from the leading MNT development and manufacturing companies describe how each venture started and progressed to become a market leader. These studies offer valuable insight into overcoming the challenges related to achieving financial backing and specifying the right product for development. This reference provides the only insightful appraisal of the current status of micro-nanotechnology products. It describes a concise process for product commercialization, from market research to end product realization. Commercializing Micro-Nanotechnologies provides a clear strategy for choosing the right product to development and overcoming challenges inthe growing global market.

Price: $99.95 USD

Renewable Energy in Russia and the CIS is a unique overview of the renewable energy sector in the states of former Soviet Union, with reference to the current legislative environment and promotion strategy. Assesses each market in terms of existing RE capacity, demand, government incentives, drivers and economic viability. Analyses RE resources and opportunities in each market giving examples of installed RE capacity by market and category. Provides listings of useful contacts in the fields of Government, technology partners, investment partners, banking and legal. This authoritative report provides analysis and information to assist industry professionals, investors and prospective developers in their assessment of the opportunities available as Renewable Energy is incorporated into a balanced energy portfolio in each of these markets: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Georgia; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Moldova; Russia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan (associate member of the CIS); Ukraine; Uzbekistan. Within each market each of these input resources for generation of RE are reviewed: Biofuels; Biogas (including LFG); Geothermal; Mini-hydro; Ocean; Solar; Biomas; Waste; Wind.

Price: $290.00 USD