Kirkus Discoveries Book Review 

 Rodriguez Jr., J. A.
NOT INTUITIVELY OBVIOUS
Xlibris (180 pp.)
$22.99; $15.99 paperback
August 12, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4415-1542-1
Paper: 978-1-4415-1541-4

The first in the prospective Not Intuitively Obvious series of business books is geared toward helping prospective candidates transition to a professional work environment-and thrive.
In a crowded business-nonfiction market, how-to resources are as rare as grains of sand on a beach. However, it’s rare indeed to find a business guide that combines brevity, precision and practicality, all in under 200 pages. How does someone with little or no experience in a professional setting avoid the pitfalls, booby traps and slippery slopes endemic to that world? For Rodriguez, the answer is simple—listen and learn from those who have succeeded and don’t make their mistakes. Not only does the author list these mistakes, he offers the best practices to nip those errors in the bud, saving newbie professionals much angst, missed opportunities and bruised egos. The road begins with developing a foundational mindset. In less adept hands, the definition of this thinking would be punctuated with platitudes and business-speak, but not here. Rodriguez offers readers nuggets of hard-learned lessons and pithy advice that will speed any wannabe professional toward their goal. Not Intuitively Obvious jampacks an incredible amount of good sense, actionable lines of attack and business best practices into a small yet powerful package. This is not just a booklet of bullet points and action items though. Each chapter is written in concise, well-considered prose that does not waste space or the reader’s time. The author’s suggestions are valuable and relevant to today’s workplace environment, and the book provides no-nonsense, no-frills advice designed for quick assimilation and even quicker execution. New entrants into the workforce—and experienced workers hoping for a leg up—will find this an indispensable guide.

Engaging, concisely written and exceedingly accessible.

Kirkus Discoveries, Nielsen Business Media, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

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