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How to use brands to gain and sustain competitive advantage
Read a Q&A with author John Gerzema [PDF].

Companies today face a dilemma in marketing. The tried-and-true formulas to create sales and market share behind brands are becoming irrelevant and losing traction with consumers. In this book, Gerzema and LeBar offer credible evidence--drawn from a detailed analysis of a decade's worth of brand and financial data using Y&R's Brand Asset Valuator (BAV), the largest database of brands in the world--that business is riding on yet another bubble that is ready to burst--a brand bubble. While most managers still see metrics like trust and awareness as the backbone of how brands are built, Gerzema asserts they're dead wrong--these metrics do not add to increased asset value. In fact, by following them, they actually hasten the declining value of their brands.

Using a five-stage model, The Brand Bubble reveals how today's successful brands--and tomorrow's--have an insatiable appetite for creativity and change. These brands offer consumers a palpable sense of movement and direction thanks to a powerful "energized differentiation." Gerzema reveals how brands with energized differentiation achieve better financial performance than traditional brands have. Plus, Gerzema helps readers develop energized differentiation in their own brands, creating consumer-centric and sustainable organizations.

Author: John Gerzema, Edward Lebar
Hardcover:  272 pages
Company: Jossey-Bass  (2008-10-13)
ISBN: 047018387X
List Price: $27.95
Amazon Price: $13.97
Used Price: $13.97
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Tags:   Brand Bubble Looming Crisis Value

This first-ever survey of spiritual beliefs and practices among managers and executives finds that, while most people have strong spiritual beliefs, few feel that they can act on those beliefs at work. And yet, overall company performance is actually higher in companies where company values and spiritual values coalesce. Filling a gap in today's literature on spirituality and business, this book examines five proven models for introducing spirituality to the workplace and spells out the strengths and weaknesses of each model. More than a personal guide to spiritual well-being, it shows how you can harness the immense spiritual energy at everyone's core, and outlines solutions for bringing that energy into the organization.

Author: Ian Mitroff, Elizabeth A. Denton
Hardcover:  288 pages
Company: Jossey-Bass  (1999-10-15)
ISBN: 0787946664
List Price: $35.00
Amazon Price: $23.80
Used Price: $9.99
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Tags:   Spiritual Audit Corporate America Hard Look Spirituality Religion Values Workplace Warren Bennis

This book takes a brand new look at the entire audit process for both auditors and auditees. No longer will auditees need to feel like they must comply with an auditor's checklist without understanding why compliance is helpful to, or necessary for, the organization. Likewise, auditors will learn a fresh approach for developing feedback and reports that are more than lists of failings, but are value-added assessments of an organization's strengths and areas for improvement. By educating them as customers of the audit, this guide teaches auditees how to get the most value from their audit. Auditors will receive guidance about how to make their job something organizations will appreciate as a tool they can use to improve their company.

This complete how-to guide will help auditors and organizations plan for their internal or external audit. O'Hanlon himself is a registered IRCA Lead Auditor and Lead Auditor trainer who teaches you the previously undiscussed areas of the audit process. Additionally, this book will show both auditors and auditees how to make your audit a process that creates value for the organization, not just a tool to ensure compliance. Internal, second- and third-party auditors and auditees can use the numerous frequently asked questions to prepare for the situations they will encounter during an actual audit.

Author: Tim O'Hanlon
Hardcover:  240 pages
Company: ASQ Quality Press  (2001-11-01)
ISBN: 0873895304
List Price: $54.00
Amazon Price: $49.99
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Tags:   Quality Audits Iso 90012000 Compliance Value Added

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Tags:   Welcome Audit Value International

Value Added Auditing. John H. Johnson. Management/Quality Consultant, Vice President. J-E-T-S, Inc. Quality Consultants. First presented at the 1995 ASQ National Audit Conference ... (more...)

Tags:   Value Add

December 23 , 2008 . THE NEW 2008 VALUE AND TAX INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE! To find your property, simply click on PROPERTY SEARCH under our Quick Links at the right then ... (more...)

Tags:   Joseph Testa Franklin County Auditor Welcome

Auditors Add Value to Government Performance . A new Framework of Auditor Roles and Practices gives auditors a wide array of tools and methods to improve how ... (more...)

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span>The state auditor is reporting that the value of seizures of cash and property that were connected to crimes in Minnesota surged in 2007. (more...)

Tags:   wcco com Auditor Value Seizures Surged 2007

We expect the highest levels of performance, honesty, and integrity from ourselves. We strive for an environment where people ... (more...)

Tags:   PHOENIX CITY AUDITOR DEPARTMENT VALUES

In pursuit of Internal Audit's mission, we believe the following value statements are essential: Independent Performs independent and objective reviews to support University ... (more...)

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Value of Audit Reports To the Legislature OAG reports provide objective, unbiased, and independently developed information that members of the Legislature can use in making ... (more...)

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Mark Stewart Lorain County Auditor Lorain County Admn. Building 226 Middle Ave., 2nd Floor Elyria, OH 44035 Monday thru Friday 8AM - 4:30PM Phone: (440) 329-5207 (more...)

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Mr CHAN Bar-keung, Peter. Assistant Director, Value for Money Audit Division One (more...)

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Since I?m not going to be rich anyway I sure as HELL am not going to spend 50+ hours a week in a cubicle making someone else or shareholders wealthy. Call me crazy, but I actually value time spent with friends, family and pursuing my own interests. With that said, how realistic, or if you?re aware, how specifically do I go about obtaining a job in accounting, auditing, computer programming that will require less than 40 hours a week? Very good information, Alec, but I simply don?t care about being CEO or CFO. I?m not that ambitious. (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question obtaining accounting auditing job hours

Ive been trading stocks for the past two years or so and I've done very well for myself. Ive been with the same broker the entire time under a personal account. My accountant suggested I create a business so I can write off some of my expenses. So after doing so, I closed my personal account with my broker and set up an account under my business name. I funded the account with the amount needed to legally day trade and my broker told me I would have to wait a while for all my paperwork to be processed through the IRS and he would call me when I could start trading again. Weeks past with no response. I tried calling several times and he seemed to avoid my calls or just said my account wasn't ready when I did get a hold of him. I even inquired about him releasing me from our contract due to the long delay and he refused unless I payed a huge percentage of my account value. So I backed off and patiently waited. Over 4 months passed when I finally got a call from my broker who told me their firm was shutting down. He then went on to admit to me that my account had been good to go soon after I opened it but their firm was being audited because of some shady business practices and he needed a few accounts with over $25k in them so they would appear legit. So basically, I was lied to and kept from my means of income for over 4 months and he withheld my $30k wrongfully, in my eyes. The money is insured so I will get it back, but even for that I have to wait until February. So, what legal action could I take against either my broker or his firm, if any? (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question legal action

1 - Which of the following are continuous variables and which are discrete? a - speed of an airplane b - age of a college professor chosen at random c - number of books in the college bookstore d - weight of a football player chosen at random e - number of lightning strikes in Rocky Mountain National Park on a given day 2 - The college student senate is sponsoring a spring break caribbean cruise raffle. The proceeds are to be donated to the Samaritan Center for the Homeless. A local travel agency donated the cruise, valued at $2000. the students sold 2852 raffle tickets at $5 per ticket. a - kevin bought 6 tickets. what is the probability that kevin will win the spring break cruise to the caribbean? what is the probability that kevin will not win the cruise? b - expected earnings can be found by multiplying the value of the cruise by the probability that kevin will win. what are kevins expected earnings/ is thes more or less than the amount kevin paid for the six tickets? how much did kevin effectively contribute to the Samaritan Center for the Homeless? 3 - the one-time fling! Have you ever purchased an article of clothing worn the once to a party, and then returned the purchase? this is called a one-time fling. about 10% of all adults deliberately do a one time fling and feel no guilt about it! in a group of seven adult friends, what is the probability that a - no one has done a one time fling b - at least one person has done a one time fling c - no more than 2 people have done a one time fling 4 - the denver post reported that a recent audit of the LA 911 calls showed that 85% were not emergencies. suppose that the 911 operators have just recieved 4 calls. a - what is the probability that all four calls are in fact emergencies? b - what is the probability that 3 or more calls are not emergencies? c - how many calls would the 911 operator need to answer to be 96% [ or more ] sure that at least one call is in fact an emergency? 5 - on the leeward side of the iland of oahu, in the small village of nanakull, about 80% of the residents are of the hawaiian ancestry. let n = 1, 2, 3, ... represent the numbr of people you mus meet until you encounter the first person of acestry in the village of nanakull. a - write out a formula for the probability distribution of the random variable n b - compare the probability that n=1, n=2, n=3 c - compute the probability that n>4 d - in waikiki it is estimated that 4% of the residents are of hawaii of the residents are of hawaiian ancestry. repeat parts a, b, and c for waikiki. i apologize for the misspelled words and incorrect punctuation any help would be greatly appreciated please show your work so that i can follow along thank you very much! (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question Help Statistics

My great grandfather started a company and after he passed on my grandfather inherited it and it has grown to become a strong business. My brother worked at the company and eventually came to run it and own 49 percent of the stock. My grandfather owned the remaining 51 percent. My grandfather has now passed on, and as stipulated in his will my uncle received the 51 percent. His will also required that my uncle later sell 1 percent to my brother so that the ownership was split 50-50. Due to this my brother has to split the companies profit (dividends) between him and my uncle. To give as little money to my uncle as possible he has raised his salary continually until my uncle was able to have a lawyer set a cap on it. My brother has been late or short on dividend payments multiple times. He uses the companies money to pay for his car, house, taxes and nearly everything he buys. No one knows where his salary of hundreds of thousands a year is going either. However, when my uncle tried to expense his cell phone bill my brother refused. My brother is putting the company at risk by leaving almost no savings for the company if in need. He does not consult my uncle for any company decisions such as getting a new lawyer or buying new warehouses. My uncle has asked to help run the company so as to find out what my brother is doing with all the money and my brother refused. We are not sure if he has been doing anything illegal with the money but do not know how to find out. My uncle does not want to alert the IRS for fear he will be implicated in whatever my brother has done, neither does he want to hire a lawyer to sue or an auditor to check on the company for fear that my brother will sue back. My brother has lawyers he hires on the company dollar without my uncles approval and when my uncle asked to hire a lawyer he refused. Another problem is that my grandfathers will also had a buy-sell agreement that requires my uncle to sell his ownership to my brother in 2011. The price is based on fair market value and therefore my brother has used the past years to lower the companies value by buying warehouses and vehicles and taking away the company savings. I would appreciate any help on what action my uncle should take, because he wants to be sure before he sues my brother or gets an audit. (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question Private company ownership questions

ok so kinda upset over an auditors decision.... in 2006 the place i was renting caught up in flames.. no worries i had renters insurance. But what i had forgot to do was to put a special policy on my sports card collection.... Valued at a little over 148,000.00 (collection was of old cards that were giving to me by a family member). on my 2006 and 2007 taxes I claimed the loss. they audited me i brought in proof of the value but they still decided against me. if anyone can offer me advice??? that would be nice. do they have to prove that i never had the cards??? or the value??? thanks joe (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question irs casualty loss

They create new money with value taken from our existing dollars, there being no new value behind it, then loan it to our government AT INTEREST, according to their own determinations Congress is by law banned from auditing, yet they are a private shareholder company where all shareholders are private banks. Many foreign controlled banks. on 11/22 in 39 cities across the country there will be protests at Fed offices. The one in DC will be across the street from the Fed office because the Fed itself, of course, is 'private property'. Have we had enough yet? Would you support HR 2755 to abolish the Fed, or at least write/fax your reps on 11/22 to audit the fed and regulate it? Anyone going to the rallies? http://www.endthefed.us/ (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question Isn sort telling protest denied permit

Hi I have a simple but little tricky question. I believe there are three ways to purchase a house. 1.Pay cash - If you are a millionaire.. 2.Hire Mortgage Broker - They will contact with Wholesale Lender 3.Contact with Bank directly - Bank has it's own Loan Officer. *If someone doesn't tell the difference between mortgage broker and loan officer, go to yahoo and search "mortgage broker vs. loan officer" . Here is my story. Year 2004 I met Mr.Kim who was a mortgage broker.He always tell others that if someone wants to buy a house, they have to hire a mortgage broker to process their loan(He was acting that option #3 does not exist. That way he could get more jobs to sell.). *Someone might say "Why did you trust the mortgage broker? You are stupid..." You will be surprised to know how so many people have no knowledge about these whatsoever. Anyway I trusted him and year 2005 I purchased my first house. I filled out loan application and prepared all the documents which was prepared by Mr.Kim. The loan was approved: both first and second lender was major Banks. Exactly 2months later, I received a check book by XX (also major bank) bank. I asked my mortgage broker about this and he said that this was a home equity line of credit by XX bank (3rd mortgage): it was issued based on the current value of my property (there's no loan application and no appraisal report..ect.) and my excellent credit. I had no doubt about this at that time (because it was issued from a major bank) and I used the money for home improvement. My mortgage broker, Kim was sentenced for financial fraud for other cases(currently he is in federal prison) In the mean time, my mortgage payment was increased dramatically because it was a MTA program which I had no idea what that was at that time... My monthly payment doubled after 2 years and I had reached a point where I could not make all three mortgage payment including the 3rd mortgage. As the real estate market crashed, the value of my house dropped greatly and I could no longer able to make payment. I knew something was not right. I heard about Mortgage Audit from internet one day and decided to do that. I requested all the documents (including original loan applications..) from the all three lenders. I was surprised to see that there were loan officer's name which I had no idea because I had never met any loan officers. Not only that but also the information on the loan application had wrong information which was prepared by mortgage broker?? or the loan officer?? Since the lender was not a whole sale lender, I had learned that the loan officer from the lender must meet with the borrower directly(Patriot Act?). What do you think about this whole loan process? I want to know how big crime it is when the loan officer never contacted the borrower and accept all the documents from the mortgage broker and approve the loan despite of all the wrong information on the loan documents?? * Some of you might say, "You signed the documents at the settlement and it is your responsibility" However both the mortgage broker and the title agent are currently imprisoned. During the settlement, it is almost impossible to review every single document and sign them. I had to trust whatever I sign because it was conducted by title lawyer. Who would not trust "LAWYER" ?? DO YOU THINK LENDER GAVE US A MONEY BECAUSE THEY ARE CHARITY WORKERS? (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question crime

Hi I have a simple but little tricky question. I believe there are three ways to purchase a house. 1.Pay cash - If you are a millionaire.. 2.Hire Mortgage Broker - They will contact with Wholesale Lender 3.Contact with Bank directly - Bank has it's own Loan Officer. *If someone doesn't tell the difference between mortgage broker and loan officer, go to yahoo and search "mortgage broker vs. loan officer" . Here is my story. Year 2004 I met Mr.Kim who was a mortgage broker.He always tell others that if someone wants to buy a house, they have to hire a mortgage broker to process their loan(He was acting that option #3 does not exist. That way he could get more jobs to sell.). *Someone might say "Why did you trust the mortgage broker? You are stupid..." You will be surprised to know how so many people have no knowledge about these whatsoever. Anyway I trusted him and year 2005 I purchased my first house. I filled out loan application and prepared all the documents which was prepared by Mr.Kim. The loan was approved: both first and second lender was major Banks. Exactly 2months later, I received a check book by XX (also major bank) bank. I asked my mortgage broker about this and he said that this was a home equity line of credit by XX bank (3rd mortgage): it was issued based on the current value of my property (there's no loan application and no appraisal report..ect.) and my excellent credit. I had no doubt about this at that time (because it was issued from a major bank) and I used the money for home improvement. My mortgage broker, Kim was sentenced for financial fraud for other cases(currently he is in federal prison) In the mean time, my mortgage payment was increased dramatically because it was a MTA program which I had no idea what that was at that time... My monthly payment doubled after 2 years and I had reached a point where I could not make all three mortgage payment including the 3rd mortgage. As the real estate market crashed, the value of my house dropped greatly and I could no longer able to make payment. I knew something was not right. I heard about Mortgage Audit from internet one day and decided to do that. I requested all the documents (including original loan applications..) from the all three lenders. I was surprised to see that there were loan officer's name which I had no idea because I had never met any loan officers. Not only that but also the information on the loan application had wrong information which was prepared by mortgage broker?? or the loan officer?? Since the lender was not a whole sale lender, I had learned that the loan officer from the lender must meet with the borrower directly(Patriot Act?). What do you think about this whole loan process? I want to know how big crime it is when the loan officer never contacted the borrower and accept all the documents from the mortgage broker and approve the loan despite of all the wrong information on the loan documents?? * Some of you might say, "You signed the documents at the settlement and it is your responsibility" However both the mortgage broker and the title agent are currently imprisoned. During the settlement, it is almost impossible to review every single document and sign them. I had to trust whatever I sign because it was conducted by title lawyer. Who would not trust "LAWYER" ?? DO YOU THINK LENDER GAVE US A MONEY BECAUSE THEY ARE CHARITY WORKERS? (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question violation

Hi I have a simple but little tricky question. I believe there are three ways to purchase a house. 1.Pay cash - If you are a millionaire.. 2.Hire Mortgage Broker - They will contact with Wholesale Lender 3.Contact with Bank directly - Bank has it's own Loan Officer. *If someone doesn't tell the difference between mortgage broker and loan officer, go to yahoo and search "mortgage broker vs. loan officer" . Here is my story. Year 2004 I met Mr.Kim who was a mortgage broker.He always tell others that if someone wants to buy a house, they have to hire a mortgage broker to process their loan(He was acting that option #3 does not exist. That way he could get more jobs to sell.). *Someone might say "Why did you trust the mortgage broker? You are stupid..." You will be surprised to know how so many people have no knowledge about these whatsoever. Anyway I trusted him and year 2005 I purchased my first house. I filled out loan application and prepared all the documents which was prepared by Mr.Kim. The loan was approved: both first and second lender was major Banks. Exactly 2months later, I received a check book by XX (also major bank) bank. I asked my mortgage broker about this and he said that this was a home equity line of credit by XX bank (3rd mortgage): it was issued based on the current value of my property (there's no loan application and no appraisal report..ect.) and my excellent credit. I had no doubt about this at that time (because it was issued from a major bank) and I used the money for home improvement. My mortgage broker, Kim was sentenced for financial fraud for other cases(currently he is in federal prison) In the mean time, my mortgage payment was increased dramatically because it was a MTA program which I had no idea what that was at that time... My monthly payment doubled after 2 years and I had reached a point where I could not make all three mortgage payment including the 3rd mortgage. As the real estate market crashed, the value of my house dropped greatly and I could no longer able to make payment. I knew something was not right. I heard about Mortgage Audit from internet one day and decided to do that. I requested all the documents (including original loan applications..) from the all three lenders. I was surprised to see that there were loan officer's name which I had no idea because I had never met any loan officers. Not only that but also the information on the loan application had wrong information which was prepared by mortgage broker?? or the loan officer?? Since the lender was not a whole sale lender, I had learned that the loan officer from the lender must meet with the borrower directly(Patriot Act?). What do you think about this whole loan process? I want to know how big crime it is when the loan officer never contacted the borrower and accept all the documents from the mortgage broker and approve the loan despite of all the wrong information on the loan documents?? * Some of you might say, "You signed the documents at the settlement and it is your responsibility" However both the mortgage broker and the title agent are currently imprisoned. During the settlement, it is almost impossible to review every single document and sign them. I had to trust whatever I sign because it was conducted by title lawyer. Who would not trust "LAWYER" ?? DO YOU THINK LENDER GAVE US A MONEY BECAUSE THEY ARE CHARITY WORKERS? (more...)

Tags:   Resolved Question legal loan

An auditor for a gov agency is assigned to the task of evaluating reimbursements for office visits to doctors paid by Medicare. The audit is to be conducted for all Medicare payments in a particular area during a certain month. An audit is conducted on a sample of 75 of the reimbursements with the following results: Average amount of reimbursement - $93.70 Standard deviation of reimbursement - $34.55 Number of reimbursements where an incorrect amount was provided - 12 a) At the 0.05 level of significance, is there evidence that the proportion of incorrect reimbursements in the population is greater than 10%? What is the p-value of the test? b) At the 0.05 level of significance, is there evidence that the average reimbursement is different from $100.00? What is the p-value of the test? Thank you very much (more...)

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