Robert L. Shook
Personal
Data
Personal
Data:
Children--Carrie, RJ, and Michael.
Home
Town: Columbus, Ohio
Education:
B.S., The Ohio State University, Business Administration.
Best-selling
author Robert L. Shook has been working full-time as an author
since 1978. Widely known as one of America's premier
business writers, he is the best-selling author of four books,
published in eight languages and holds over 100 weeks on the
best-selling lists. He is co-founder and past chairman of
the board of Shook Associates Corporation, American Executive
Corporation and American Executive Life Insurance Company.
A former contributing editor of Success Magazine, he specializes
in writing nonfiction, business-related books.
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Shookbooks
Authored (partial list)
Jackpot!
Harrah's Winning Secrets for Customer Loyalty
(John Wiley & Sons, December 2002)
Jackpot is the story of the birth and dramatic
growth of Harrah’s, America’s premier gaming and entertainment
company...an enlightening business tale of how an already
successful company fought off aggressive competitors by focusing
its resources on customer service and long-term customer loyalty.
Longaberger:
An American Success Story (New
York Times #1 Best Seller)
(HarperBusiness, March 2001) by Dave Longaberger (with Robert
L. Shook).
Dave Longaberger was one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs
of his generation. His vision, his unorthodox business methods,
and his belief in people resulted in the creation of one of
the largest and most successful private companies in America.
Longaberger: An American Success Story is Dave's fascinating
firsthand account of how he created and grew his company into
the largest basket manufacturer in the United States, employing
thousands of people, revitalizing his community, and inspiring
everyone involved with a commitment to quality, craftsmanship,
and a unique management philosophy.
Predatory
Marketing
(William Morrow, January 1997) by C. Britt Beemer, founder
and CEO of America’s Research Group (with Robert L. Shook).
Beemer and Shook deliver a powerful message on how to implement
effective marketing strategies and how to determine consumer
trends.
I’ll
Get Back to You
(McGraw-Hill, August 1996)
Co-authored with Eric Yaverbaum, one of the nation’s
leading publicists. The authors have compiled techniques used
by a cross-section of successful, high-profile people on what
they do to get their phone calls returned.
The
Greatest Sales Stories Ever Told
(McGraw-Hill, May 1995)
A collection of favorite sales stories as told by America's
top salespeople. Featured stories told to author include:
Mary Kay Ash (founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics); H. Ross Perot;
William Chaney, CEO of Tiffany & Co.; Isadore Sharp, founder
and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels; Alan "Ace" Greenberg,
CEO of Bear Stearns. Among book's stories are
those told by America's top insurance agents, stockbrokers,
real estate agents, the world's number one car salesman, the
all-time most productive Electrolux salesman.
Franchising:
The Business That Changed the World
(Prentice-Hall, 1993)
Co-authored with Carrie Shook and written in cooperation with
the International Franchise Association, book highlights profiles
on ten leading franchisors such as McDonald's, H&R Block,
Holiday Inns, Dunkin' Donuts, Pizza Hut.
The
Name of the Game is Life
(Contemporary Books, 1992)
Co-authored with C. Ramon Greenwood and written in cooperation
with the NCAA. The 300+ page book includes 13 profiles
of successful men and women who were outstanding college athletes.
This book contains an important message for America's youth.
It reveals how lessons taught by participation in sports can
be transferred to non-athletic endeavors. Included are
in-depth profiles of such role models as President Ronald
Reagan, President Gerald Ford, U.S. Senator Bill Bradley,
Dave Bing, Dr. Bobby Brown, Roger Staubach, Julius Erving
("Dr. J").
The
Winner's Circle: How Ten Stockbrokers Became the Best
in the Business
(New York Institute of Finance, 1992)
Co-authored with RJ Shook, the author's son, who works at
Prudential Securities world headquarters in its Financial
Strategies Group. This book profiles ten of America's
most successful stockbrokers.
It's
About Time
(Penguin Books, 1992)
Co-authored with Michael Shook, the author's 23-year-old son,
this book contains fascinating trivia about everything you
ever wanted to know about time.
What
Are the Odds?
(Penguin Books, 1991)
Co-authored with Michael D. Shook, this book contains more
than 200 pages of statistical information about Americana.
Included are the odds of being audited by the IRS, the likelihood
of a Domino's pizza being delivered late, percentage of transvestites
in the U.S. who are married, the chances of being born a twin
or triplet, and 1,000+ other thought-provokers.
The
Best Kept Secret in America
(Contemporary Books, 1991)
This management book, co-authored with James L. Gagan, founder
and CEO of United Consumers Club, Inc., the world's largest
buyer's club, is both insightful and witty, a wonderful guide
for entrepreneuring in the 1990s.
The
Wall Street Dictionary
(New York Institute of Finance, 1990)
Co-authored with RJ Shook, this extensive investment dictionary
has nearly 6,000 entries, more than any other book of its
kind.
Hardball:
How to Turn the Pressure on Without Turning the Customer Off
(William Morrow Publishers, 1990)
The author treads on thin ice as he reveals never-before-told
secrets about high-pressure selling tactics. He believes,
"All super salespeople use high-pressure, but they execute
it with finesse, coming across as low-key; otherwise they
would not be effective at it." Contrary to what
people generally think, the author maintains that a high-pressure
salesperson may have integrity and the customer's best interest
at heart. This is a Nightingale-Conant six-cassette
audio best seller.
Successful
Telephone Selling in the '90s
(Harper & Row, 1990)
This best-selling book, co-authored with Martin Shafiroff,
has been updated for the 1990s. (Originally published
as Successful Telephone Selling in the '80s, Harper &
Row, 1982). This publication is the number one book
on the subject of telephone selling.
Turnaround:
The New Ford Motor Company
(Prentice-Hall, 1990)
The story of how Ford's management turned around the giant
automotive company in the mid-1980s after having suffered
$3.3 billion losses in 1980-83.
Only
in Texas, Only in Virginia, and Only in Canada
(GP Putnam's Sons, 1990)
This trilogy, co-authored with daughter Carrie Shook Coolidge,
is a series of travel books about what's unique in America.
How
to Close Every Sale (Warner Books, 1989)
Shook teams up with Joe Girard, the world's greatest car salesman,
to tell about how to close sales.
All
You Need to Know About Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks
(John Wiley, 1989; revised and re-released in 1993)
Co-authored with patent attorney Frank Foster, this book provides
all you need to know about its subject--just as its title
suggests.
Honda:
An American Success Story
(Prentice Hall, 1988)
The story and management philosophy of one of the most interesting
companies in the world--and its incredible success in America.
The
Perfect Sales Presentation
(Bantam Books, 1986)
Here the author claims to have achieved the "impossible":
He has written the perfect sales presentation based on the
findings of his panel of five great sales experts: Mary
Kay Ash, Bettye Hardeman, Joe Gandolfo, Buck Rodgers, and
Martin Shafiroff (see other Shook books to identify each of
these super salespersons). Audio and video rights have
been sold. A Macmillan Executive Book of the Month Club
Main Selection.
The
IBM Way..Insights into the World's Most Successful Marketing
Organization by Buck Rodgers with Robert L. Shook
(Harper & Row, 1986)
This best seller was also published in the United Kingdom
(#5 nonfiction best seller), Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Holland,
Norway, Japan (#1 nonfiction best seller), Italy, Spain and
Germany. A Fortune Book Club Main Selection, Book-of-the-Month
Club Alternate Selection and Executive Program Main Selection.
Audio rights sold to Warner Communications and Listen USA.
Co-author Buck Rodgers is the former IBM Corporate Vice President
of Marketing.
How
To Make Big Money Selling by Joe Gandolfo with Robert
L. Shook
(Harper & Row, 1984)
Joe Gandolfo is the world's leading life insurance agent whose
average annual production exceeds $800 million! This
is a book for every salesperson, no matter what the product
is.
The
Shaklee Story
(Harper & Row, 1982)
This book traces the Shaklee Corporation's amazing growth,
examines its unique philosophy, and tells about the astonishing
success of Shaklee's huge sales organization. More than
700,000 copies are in print.
Why
Didn't I Think of That!
(New American Library, 1982)
A book about ten of America's most exciting and innovative
entrepreneurs, including the creators of the Pet Rock, the
Slinky, the Mood Ring, the Frisbee, the Hula Hoop, Toughman
Contests, Cabbage Patch Babies, The Erotic Baker, Celestial
Seasonings, Eastern Onion, and Rent-A-Wreck.
The
Chief Executive Officers
(Harper & Row, 1981)
Profiles of the CEOs of ten great American companies: Avon
Products, Inc., General Motors, General Electric, Dupont,
American Express, Gulf Oil, AT&T, Prudential, Federated
Department Stores, and UAL, Inc. These stories offer
interesting insights into the individuals who run big business
in America.
The
Real Estate People
(Harper & Row, 1980; paperback, Barnes & Noble, 1981)
Based on live interviews with America's most successful real
estate personalities, including Harry Helmsley, Sam LeFrak
and others.
The
Entrepreneurs
(Harper & Row, 1980; paperback, Barnes & Noble, 1981)
A book based on live interviews with some of America's most
interesting entrepreneurs including W. Clement Stone, Mary
Hudson, Mary Kay Ash, John DeLorean, Roger Horchow, and William
McGowan, founder of MCI Communications.
Ten
Greatest Salespersons
(Harper & Row, 1978; paperback, 1980, published in Spanish,
French and German)
A Fortune Book-of-the-Month selection, this book is based
on interviews with America's super salespersons. Included
are the world's number one insurance agent, Joe Gandolfo;
the world's leading retail stock broker, Martin Shafiroff;
and Joe Girard, the number one automobile salesman in the
world.
Winning
Images
(Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 1977; paperback, Pocketbooks,
1978; published in Spanish, French and Japanese) .
Every person, product and company needs a winning image.
This book tells how to get yours.
Total
Commitment with Ronald Bingaman (Frederick Fell
Publishers, Inc., 1975)
A book based on taped interviews with twenty successful Americans
about what motivates them to succeed. Included are individual
chapters on John W. Galbreath; Jesse Owens, Kemmons Wilson,
founder of Holiday Inn; Edgar Speer, Chairman of U.S. Steel;
Willard Rockwell, Jr., Chairman of Rockwell International;
Kingman Brewster, Jr., former president of Yale University
and U.S. Ambassador to England; Sam Snead; Pete Rose; Colonel
Harland Sanders; Hugh Downs, Alan King, Dr. Denton Cooley;
and others.
How
to be the Complete Professional Salesman with Herbert
M. Shook
(Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc., 1974; paperback, Barnes
& Noble, 1975)
A complete guide for both novice and seasoned salespersons.
To be re-released in Autumn, 1994 by Lifetime Books, Inc.
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Non-Business
Books
Wheel
of Fortune
Co-authored with David Sams (St. Martin's Press, May, 1987)
The first-ever book about America's highest rated syndicated
television show (with a viewing audience of 42 million per
day).
The
Healing Family
by Stephanie Simonton with Robert L. Shook (Bantam, 1984)
Ms. Simonton is the co-founder of the renowned Cancer Counseling
and Research Center in Dallas, Texas. She is the co-author
of "Getting Well Again." Book explains how
family members can support to cancer patients.
Survivors:
Living With Cancer
(Harper & Row, 1983) A book containing profiles
of twelve cancer patients, offering hope and inspiration to
each of us. The author wrote this book and "The
Healing Family" during the year his wife of 21 years
lost her seven-year bout with cancer.
What
To Name Your Dog
Co-authored with daughter, Carrie Shook Coolidge (Tribeca
Communications, 1983) In addition to lists of names,
the book includes many anecdotes about dog names, including
those of White House dogs, Frisbee champions, and renowned
trademark dogs, such as RCA's Nipper, and Tige of Buster Brown
fame. In a special section, celebrities tell how they
named their dogs.
The
Book of Why (Hammond, Inc., 1983)
Answers to hundreds of questions such as: "Why do we
keep score in tennis as 15, 30, 40, game?" "Why
is a ship a 'she'?" "Why do we use the expression
'red tape'?" Why do we give somebody the 'cold
shoulder'?" and many more. The book includes illustrations.
169
Ways to Score Points with Your Boss (Contemporary
Books, February 1998)
A collaboration with Alan R. Schonberg, founder and CEO of
Management Recruiters International, Inc., the world’s
largest search firm.
101
Favorite Parables from the Talmud (Dutton, Autumn,
1998)
Co-authored with Rabbi Bradley Bleefeld, this book tells endearing
stories with wonderful messages.
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Community Activities
Member
of board of directors of Franklin County American Cancer Society
since 1985; chairman of the board since September 1996.
In 1994, Shook was the unit’s Volunteer of the Year.
Member of board of directors, Value City Department Stores
(NYSE). Past member of board of trustees of Opera/Columbus;
Players Theatre of Columbus; and the Columbus Adopt-A-School
Program.
The
author has appeared on more than 600 radio and television
talk shows, including the Disney Channel, CNN, "The David
Susskind Show," "The Sally Jessy Raphael Show,"
and "The Today Show." He is available for
speaking engagements on a limited basis.
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Carrie Shook
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of Carrie Coolidge Bio
Shookbooks
Authored
Franchising: The Business That Changed the World
(Prentice-Hall, 1993)
Co-authored with, father Robert L. Shook, and written
in cooperation with the International Franchise Association,
book highlights profiles on ten leading franchisors such as
McDonald's, H&R Block, Holiday Inns, Dunkin' Donuts, Pizza
Hut.
Only
in Texas (GP Putnam's Sons, 1990)
Only in Virginia (GP Putnam's Sons, 1990)
Only in Canada (GP Putnam's Sons, 1990)
This trilogy, co-authored with father, Robert L. Shook, is
a series of travel books about what's unique in America.
What
To Name Your Dog Co-authored with father, Robert
L. Shook, (Tribeca Communications, 1983) In addition
to lists of names, the book includes many anecdotes about
dog names, including those of White House dogs, Frisbee champions,
and renowned trademark dogs, such as RCA's Nipper, and Tige
of Buster Brown fame. In a special section, celebrities
tell how they named their dogs.
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R.J. Shook
(click
here for updated bio)
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of Page
Michael D. Shook
Personal
Data
Resides:
Carbondale, Colorado
Education:
Bachelor of Social Sciences/Arts & Humanities, Colorado
State University.
