From Publishers Weekly
Ventrella, an adjunct professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business who works closely with the Norman Vincent Peale Center, adapts the principles of Peale's mega-bestseller, The Power of Positive Thinking, to the workplace. In keeping with Peale's teachings, Ventrella argues that although people often focus on external factors, the only meaningful limitations they face at work are self-imposed. In a logical, plausible text, Ventrella guides readers beyond self-destructive feelings ("It's awful when I make a mistake") and behaviors, arguing, for example, that the people who are willing to make mistakes often make the best decisions. As Peale proposed and Ventrella reinforces, positive thinkers are focused, determined, patient, confident, calm, enthusiastic and optimistic. They trust themselves, others (and, possibly, a higher power), and they have integrity all of which Ventrella illuminates by presenting exercises, posing critical questions to the reader (e.g., "Would I like it if my actions were broadcast for all to hear?") and describing practical examples from the business world (e.g., Levi Strauss's decision not to do business with China because of its human rights violations). While it's doubtful that even the most earnest readers will be able to transform themselves into positive thinkers overnight, most people looking for a fresh perspective on work and life would benefit from reading this highly reassuring volume that makes Dr. Peale's mission ("showing people how to recapture their innate positiveness, especially when faced with adversity or challenge") surprisingly fresh. (May 10)Forecast: This book's old-fashioned, almost religious tone may put off some readers, but it should easily find a wide audience among people hoping to adopt a healthier attitude toward work.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Using the tenets of Norman Vincent Peale's seminal POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING, this audiobook focuses on positive thinking in business. Scott Ventrella delivers an uplifting performance. He effectively uses pauses to inspire personal reflection and with a calm and patient voice, leaves listeners feeling motivated. The program is like attending a well-planned seminar. However, in several spots the narrator refers to supplementary materials not included in the audiobook. The resulting disappointment for the listener does not inspire positive thinking. D.L.M. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review
Mary B. Money Dean, Valhalla University, Pepsi-Cola Company Corporate universities like Pepsi's Valhalla have as a primary focus raising not only technical skills but awareness of the traits that improve performance. Ventrella has pointed to important ways in which managers of technical operations in a competitive consumer business can accomplish that goal.

Book Description
One of the most powerful forces in business today is the positive psychology movement -- overcoming self-defeating attitudes and developing our talents and positive traits. Much of the new thinking stems directly from the concepts in Norman Vincent Peale's classic bestseller, The Power of Positive Thinking, which has sold over 22 million copies. After years of extensive research with the Peale Center and major corporations nationwide, Scott Ventrella has adapted these concepts to form a systematic program for people in business so that they can achieve greater levels of personal and professional performance. This audiobook provides a practical way for each of us to actually develop and strengthen the ten traits of a positive thinker. The Power of Positive Thinking in Business encourages businesspeople at all levels, disciplines, and functions within an organization to concentrate on objective, rational thinking instead of self-limiting beliefs and negative self-talk. The result is an increased ability to deal effectively with tough situations and difficult people, in both business environments and personal lives. Together, rational thinking and the ten traits of a positive thinker can turn defeatist behavior into productive actions that will overcome the toughest of challenges with powerful, positive results.

Book Info
Audio CD, in jewel case, featuring the ten most powerful ways of positive thinking in business, and what this type of thinking can accomplish. Presents a systematic program for business professionals, for achieving greater levels of personal and professional performance. Audiocassette also available.

About the Author
Scott W. Ventrella, in addition to his work with the Peale Center is principal of Positive Dynamics, a company that develops and implements performance improvement programs by tapping the inherent potential in people. The author began his career with the Juran Institute, a leading professional-services firm in quality management consulting and training. An adjunct professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business, Ventrella has also been a guest lecturer at Columbia, Dartmouth, NYU, and the University of Connecticut. He lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with his family.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Twenty-two million copies ago, Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking first hit the streets. Over the decades, its message of reestablishing our natural positive mind-set has touched individuals from pawnbrokers to presidents. Believing that its principles could be adapted to business, Scott Ventrella has spent several years researching and developing its potential in the workplace. Instead of focusing on training particles, his easily mastered program focuses on people. Kiss those negative beliefs good-bye!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Do you have what it takes to succeed in business? When it comes to work performance, we tend to be our own worst critics, and it is often difficult to see where our true strengths lie. The key to overcoming this kind of self-defeating behavior is to change the way we think. Norman Vincent Peale's great classic bestseller, The Power of Positive Thinking, was the first book to introduce positive thinking as a means to personal growth. Now, after years of extensive research and field-testing, working in cooperation with the Peale Center and major corporations nationwide, Scott Ventrella has adapted those concepts into a systematic program for people in business to achieve greater levels of personal and professional performance.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Ventrella, an adjunct professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business who works closely with the Norman Vincent Peale Center, adapts the principles of Peale's mega-bestseller, The Power of Positive Thinking, to the workplace. In keeping with Peale's teachings, Ventrella argues that although people often focus on external factors, the only meaningful limitations they face at work are self-imposed. In a logical, plausible text, Ventrella guides readers beyond self-destructive feelings ("It's awful when I make a mistake") and behaviors, arguing, for example, that the people who are willing to make mistakes often make the best decisions. As Peale proposed and Ventrella reinforces, positive thinkers are focused, determined, patient, confident, calm, enthusiastic and optimistic. They trust themselves, others (and, possibly, a higher power), and they have integrity all of which Ventrella illuminates by presenting exercises, posing critical questions to the reader (e.g., "Would I like it if my actions were broadcast for all to hear?") and describing practical examples from the business world (e.g., Levi Strauss's decision not to do business with China because of its human rights violations). While it's doubtful that even the most earnest readers will be able to transform themselves into positive thinkers overnight, most people looking for a fresh perspective on work and life would benefit from reading this highly reassuring volume that makes Dr. Peale's mission ("showing people how to recapture their innate positiveness, especially when faced with adversity or challenge") surprisingly fresh. (May 10) Forecast: This book's old-fashioned, almost religious tone may put off some readers, but it should easily find a wide audience among people hoping to adopt a healthier attitude toward work. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile