Week 12 Prompt Response

 

Author: Michael D. Watkins

Title: The First 90 Days: Proven strategies for getting up to speed faster and smarter

Publication Date: 2013

Number of Pages: 278

Geographic Setting: Corporate Offices

Time Period: Present

Subject Headings:

Leadership

Executive ability

Strategic planning

Management

Business & Economics / Careers

Business & Economics / Leadership

Business & Economics / Management

 

The Readers’ Advisory Matrix

The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins

 

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

-A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)

 

2. What is the subject of the book?

This book gives strategies for quickly moving between being hired as a new manager and becoming useful to the company. The author calls this the "breakeven point" (Watkins, 2013). There is a lot of talk about the sequence of transitions between career points. Statistics and business tools for people managing are shared.

 

3. What type of book is it?

This is a business management book geared at new corporate managers in the category of social, economic, and political sciences.

 

4. Articulate appeal

What is the pacing of the book?

The pacing is structured and engaging.

 

Describe the characters of the book.

Most characters in the book are generic, example characters to outline specific situations and how they can be managed.

 

How does the story feel?

Formal, career-growth focused.

 

What is the intent of the author?

The intent of the author is to cover an introduction, foundations of management, strategic thinking strategies, team building, motivating subordinates, communication, conflict resolution, performance management, and change management. The author intends for reader to walk away with real-life strategies for handling their new management jobs. Ethical leadership, continuing education, and diversity are included.

 

What is the focus of the story?

The author has a specific audience in mind and speaks in first and second person to them. The author is focused on strategically covering the foundations of leadership supplemented by study results and self-reflection exercises.

 

Does the language matter?

Yes.

 

If the setting important and well described?

The setting is a corporate work environment. The setting is important to the subject of the book.

 

Are there details and, if so, of what?

There are many details about different situations that may come up when a new manager is hired into a corporate environment.

 

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic material? Are they useful and clear?

There are many self-reflection charts and scientific study results. There are also graphs and charts outlining revenue numbers and hours worked.

 

Does the book stress moment of learning, understanding, or experience?

Moments of learning, understanding, and experience are all stressed in different ways.

 

5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1. Focus – new managers are going to pick this book up for its focus

2. Pacing – it is easy to absorb information quickly

3. Detail – many studies are shared

 

References

Watkins, M. (2013). The first 90 days: Proven strategies for getting up to speed faster and smarter. Harvard Business Review Press.