Tork & Grunt’s Guides to Essential Business Skills
Book One - Tork & Grunt’s Guide to Effective Negotiations
Published September 2008
Through the experiences of Tork and Grunt, you will learn everything you need to know about conducting a successful negotiation and reaching a win-win outcome. The two cavemen show how conventional bargaining from opposing positions generally fails to reach a satisfactory conclusion and how it is important to identify all the issues affecting both parties. They discover they need an overall approach - a "Mammoth Strategy" - if they are to achieve something that suits both sides.
The book demonstrates individual one-on-one deals as well as formal negotiations between teams from the two parties. It explains the importance of detailed preparation and the value of a flexible and open mind-set. It sets out the importance of understanding body language and appreciating both sides of the debate. In modern situations, George and Mary sell their house and later find a way to agree mutually on holiday plans. When Robert is head-hunted for promotion, see how each party handles the negotiation.
Throughout the book there are many examples of different types of negotiations and deals all based on the latest 
academic theories and principles of effective negotiation. You will learn how a creative approach, exploring a broad range of options, can generate new ideas and produce positive results.
This book is about understanding what motivates people, and how to make yourself understood. It's about making everyday interactions effective and successful, getting on with people, and negotiating deals that work for everyone and, most importantly, will last well into the future.
And it's not just about work, commerce and business. It's about all aspects of life, because everyone communicates and negotiates every day.
In reviewing the book, John Patrick Dolan, CEO and President of the Californian training consultancy "Negotiate like the Pros" wrote:
"Tork and Grunt's adventures present a great metaphor for a wide variety of negotiating scenarios, and Bob writes in a way that's amusing, entertaining and accessible to everyone. This book works every bit as much in everyday, domestic situations as it does in business and organisations. Everyone should read it - they'll really enjoy it!"
Book Two - Tork & Grunt's Guide to Great Presentations
Published September 2008
At the end of the book on negotiation, Grunt is persuaded to stand for election as chief of the tribe, but he has never before stood up to make a speech. Fortunately for him, Tork has a good idea of what is involved and coaches Grunt on his presentation skills. Back in the 21st century Jacqui is working on a new product launch and Naomi is preparing for her first management conference in her new post as Finance Director and in addition, the book analyses a well-constructed wedding speech and a famous historic piece of oratory - the Gettysburg Address.
In analysing the different processes involved, the book looks at three distinct areas; how to structure a presentation, using the author's "Goldilocks Principle", how to illustrate it without distracting the audience from what is being said and thirdly, how to overcome fear and establish a conversational rapport with the audience.
The book is unequivocal in denouncing the epidemic of "Death by PowerPoint" citing academic research that examines learning styles and demonstrates the folly of forcing an audience to read and listen at the same time. The book also has something to say about the Presentation Skills trainers and Image Consultants who claim that that communication is only 7% what you say and 93% tone of voice and body language, and quote the frequently misinterpreted Professor Albert Mehrabian as their source. Their claims are false, and the book explains what Mehrabian's research really proved.
The author is a former British Public Speaking Champion and in the section on delivery, the book gives many useful tips and reveals some tricks of the trade for controlling anxiety and projecting your voice. In reviewing the book, Molly Walsh, former President of the British and European Professional Speakers' Association said:
"This book takes a refreshingly different approach to presentations and public speaking by de-bunking many of the accepted theories and getting back to basics. It's an entertaining and amusing read, and is packed full of useful tips and advice. I would recommend it to anyone who has to ‘say a few words' whether novice or professional."
Book Three - Tork & Grunt's Guide to Change Management
(Publication September 2009)
When Grunt is elected chief he faces the challenge of bringing four tribes together under his leadership. He makes Tork his First Minister, but this time it is Grunt who sees how best to proceed and create a harmonious community from groups with different cultures and traditions. The story is an apt metaphor for many aspects of change in society, whether the corporate situation following a merger or acquisition, or the tensions and adjustments in a family as children grow up.
In the first part of the book, the author examines the nature of change, and how you can choose how to react to changes going on around you. The second part of the book examines processes for proactively implementing change, whether this is in a small group or across a multi-national corporation.
...more details will be added once the book is scheduled for publication
