Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand on the Business Battlefield,   ISBN:B002N2XFF0

Customer Rating: 

The concept of having your own personal brand is rather new and refreshing. A must read for any professional in corporate America. I have shared this book with co-workers.

Customer Rating: 

I almost didn't read this book because of the title. Warfare is not the best metaphor for the workplace these days when we should be striving for win/win scenarios.

Still, there are times when you need to be tough, and situations when someone goes behind your back (not mentioning any names here, but it has happened to me!) I read the book and found several things that I could do better-isn't that why you read business books?

The main theme here is personal branding. The style and tone are too militaristic for my tastes, but he does have a different take on branding than other books on this popular topic, and is therefore worthwhile.

Customer Rating: 

Most people tend to believe that if they work hard, deliver results and persevere - their career will follow a predictable progression. However, that's not the case. In his book - "Career Warfare" - author David D'Alessandro writes that hard work and accomplishments are not enough, especially as you advance through the higher levels of an organization where everyone demonstrates those attributes. The author further explains that to differentiate yourself at that level of management requires a personal brand, which can only be built over time - read as, start now. His tips include being recognized for the right reasons; deftly handling detractors as well as being perceived as the go-to person that can be trusted to handle problems or opportunities. Soundview like this book because it D'Alessandro writes the unwritten rules of organizational life that are necessary to advance to the top.

Customer Rating: 

It was interesting to read the thoughts of this CEO on how to build your brand and stand out from the pack. I agree with most of the points that he raises. Many of them seem to be common sense, but aren't so common in the workplace.

I really liked the last chapter where he gave a really good summary of some important points in just a few pages. I also like that he summed up the book for us in just one sentence: "Be conscious every day of what you are building."

Customer Rating: 

The book has opened me to contemporary issues in autocratic management. I was surprised that even those stories are happening to real life.

However, I have to question myself the credibility of those stories. It seems to me that the author make up some of them. You know, it's normal. I once attended a presentation with an international businessman, and honestly, I don't believe his story. In those kind of event, we have to be prepared to understand that those speakers to some extent have to make up stories to fill their presentation. I think D'Alessandro did that. His stories are weird. Maybe I have to face it myself to believe; but let's hope not.