Vistage Book Review
Book Summary: Whacked Again! Secrets to Getting Back on the Executive Saddle
Author: Jim Villwock
Review by: Emerald Chien and Paul Diamond, Vistage International
While Whacked Again! was written for the specific audience of corporate executives, the advice within the book is useful and applicable to anyone trying to communicate their value to the world. The book offers advice and direction for maintaining their current business careers and/or finding a new one. Given the tumultuous economy, the book provides timely advice for those who have lost jobs or who want to protect their job.
Whacked Again! draws on the experience of author Jim Villwock (a Vistage alumnus) in working with top-level executives. He’s observed that executives make the same mistakes again and again. They don’t treat themselves as a product that requires active sales and marketing.
“Even sales and marketing people struggle,” writes Villwock, “because they are no longer selling a branded product but now have to sell themselves. Technology, finance and operations professionals usually know their profession well but need help in establishing their own brand and value inside and outside of a company.”
With chapter titles like “Creating your Brand”, “Getting Your Message Out” and “Preparing for your Interview”, Whacked Again! offers concrete advice and tips on getting interviews, finding opportunities, getting the most out of your peers and network, and creating a true brand and demand for your talent.
Here is a sample passage from the chapter, “Creating Your Brand”:
“Develop a reputation (brand) of being trustworthy. Poor customer service, lying, failing to set proper expectations, divulging private conversations, or stabbing anybody in the back can destroy everything else you try to build.” Your brand is your reputation. It proceeds you and follows you. Villwock argues that it’s imperative to manage it. Here are some other tips:
- Help others before asking them for help
- Smile and be positive, so you can help others
- Dress the brand you want to be
- Make your appearance look sharp (get great haircuts, and keep in top physical shape, for example)
Each chapter is loaded with practical advice and with a recession looming, this book will be helpful for anyone wanting to rise above the perceived value of an average executive or manager.
Many executives spend $200 an hour or more with career, executive and interview coaches preparing to land their next job. This book offers the advice you might get from those three angles in one small package.
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