March 2010
Get a dog, don't work like one
****
By Jim Banting
Published by Marshall Cavendish
Price: £12.99
In a time of recession and economic uncertainty, where the fear of retrenchment and austere budget restraints confront staff at all levels, it is important to maintain the balance between a person acting as an employee or employer, and that person acting outside of the workplace as a private individual.
It is dealing with this need to enjoy what you do in the workplace, planning for the future and having enough of a home life to prevent unhealthy build ups of anxiety, stress and fatigue, that Jim Banting has made the focus of his book.
It features a foreword by Luke Johnson, former chairman of Channel 4, and cleverly uses a mix of case studies, opinions, information and personal anecdotes to identify key areas of concern.
He tackles issues like why people choose to overwork, why we allow our day jobs to encroach on our personal lives, why we’re reluctant to become our own boss and how we can use technology to assist in re-establishing the gap between our personal and working lives.
The author’s wealth of personal experience is clearly demonstrated throughout. He uses his previous career experience, such as working in the media divisions of several multinational organisations and his success as an entrepreneur with several startups to his credit, to inform his comment.
While this book is not alone in the marketplace, it is the combination of personal experience, signposting to helpful organisations, relevant information and an informal writing style, which makes it suitable for any member of staff regardless of their level of business experience.
Although some readers may have reservations about the title, it at least guarantees a second look when it’s on the bookshelf. Going beyond the cover, the book is a worthy addition to any collection about either self-improvement or career development.
Reviewed by Stuart Burrell
Marshall Cavendish