The Good Home Company

Praise for The IKEA Edge“A very good book from a talented business leader [that links] values, culture, and the achievement of business and social objectives together. I have read it now three times and learned something from every passage.”—Michael Spence, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences,2001 “With Anders Dahlvig’s recommendations, we could solve many of the world’s problems by persuading the big multinationals to change their Memorandum and Articles of Association. Big business working in the interests of humanity would be a powerful tool.”—Gordon Roddick, cofounder of The Body Shop “The IKEA Edge is a fascinating case study of an entrepreneurial company’s growth to maturity. Anders Dahlvig is incisive and surprisingly straightforward in sharing the IKEA story. As a fourth-generation family business owner, I recognize the inherent paradox of building a ‘good,’value-driven company and managing for profit. Anders Dahlvig proves it can be done.”—Antonia Axson Johnson, Chairperson, Axel Johnson AB About the Book: With Anders Dahlvig at the helm from 1999 to 2009, the furniture giant IKEA averaged 11 percent yearly sales growth and annual operating profits in excess of 10 percent. The company hired more than 70,000 new employees and opened new stores around the world—all while maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s best corporate citizens. In The IKEA Edge, Dahlvig tells the story of how IKEA matured from an entrepreneurial startup toa leader in the furniture industry. He recounts his 26-year career at the company and what he learned along the way. In his rise from store manager to president, Dahlvig developed the unique vision he relied upon to lead IKEA through good times and bad—by combining traditional business goals likeprofit and growth with the progressive interests of social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Dahlvig proves that these objectives, which are usually viewed as polar opposites, can actually work wonders together. The IKEA Edge serves as an expansive case study for “doing good businesswhile being a good business.” Dahlvig clearly lays out the cornerstones that support IKEA: a vision of social responsibility; market leadership with a balanced global portfolio; differentiation through control of the value chain; and building for the long term—four principles that can be appliedin any business, in any industry. social and business agenda—and it continues to grow, even during the worst global recession in history. In a time when the public’s trust of business has hit bottom, such an approach to business is more critical than ever. A combination of personal memoir, callto action, and strategic vision, The IKEA Edge provides the inspiration and information you need to develop a social-good/good-business agenda for your own company. Public trust, brand recognition, customer loyalty, and a world-class reputation will soon follow.

A complete guide to the basics of entertaining at home with confidence and ease -- filled with 100 of the best recipe choices for entertaining and lots of tips to make it all look perfect.The four elements of a great party are the Entertaining Equation: Good Company + Good Food + Good Setting + Good Planning = Great Time! Betty Crocker's Entertaining Basics: Learning to Entertain with Confidence details all the steps to take to guarantee that a party adds up just right.One hundred of the best recipes to prepare for a party are here, from appetizers to desserts (all photographed) in an easy-to-read and easy-to-follow format. Plus, you'll find more than 25 easy Set the Scene" decorating ideas (all photographed) for making festive additions to the table such as: a picture frame serving tray; illustrated menu-, buffet-, or placecards; rustic cast-iron candleholders; iced decorated wine bottle.And, there are more than 80 how-to's (all photographed) explaining basic and slightly more advanced cooking techniques such as: pressing out pizza crust dough; layering lasagna ingredients; cutting and seeding a jalapeno chili."

A great house really is the sum of its parts. This is the thinking that makes "Good House Parts required reading for anyone who imagines living in the "perfect" home one day. Drawing on 15 years' experience as a nationally known author and residential architect, Dennis Wedlick empowers homeowners to make a distinction between the whole house--and its unique components. He identifies hundreds of examples of quality house parts--from doors, windows, and roofing to dormers, columns, and fireplaces. The book invites readers to look at their homes in a whole new light.- A unique way of looking at home construction, renovation and remodeling.- Features a broad range of house styles by prominent American architects.- Written by an articulate, highly promotable architect with a following.

A great house really is the sum of its parts. This is the thinking that makes "Good House Parts required reading for anyone who imagines living in the "perfect" home one day. Drawing on 15 years' experience as a nationally known author and residential architect, Dennis Wedlick empowers homeowners to make a distinction between the whole house--and its unique components. He identifies hundreds of examples of quality house parts--from doors, windows, and roofing to dormers, columns, and fireplaces. The book invites readers to look at their homes in a whole new light.- A unique way of looking at home construction, renovation and remodeling.- Features a broad range of house styles by prominent American architects.- Written by an articulate, highly promotable architect with a following.

The fashion industry is becoming more and more global, with many companies sourcing and manufacturing their goods overseas. Retailing is no different. As more US retailers begin to expand beyond the home borders, students must have a keen understanding of both foreign and domestic retailing environments in order to remain competitive. International Retailing, 2nd Edition, will lay the groundwork for understanding the retail environment in key countries around the world, including Korea, India, China, and members of the European Union. It will concentrate on how legal, social, and economic measures have affected the distribution of consumer goods throughout the world and provide a conceptual framework for understanding future trends.

The fashion industry is becoming more and more global, with many companies sourcing and manufacturing their goods overseas. Retailing is no different. As more US retailers begin to expand beyond the home borders, students must have a keen understanding of both foreign and domestic retailing environments in order to remain competitive. International Retailing, 2nd Edition, will lay the groundwork for understanding the retail environment in key countries around the world, including Korea, India, China, and members of the European Union. It will concentrate on how legal, social, and economic measures have affected the distribution of consumer goods throughout the world and provide a conceptual framework for understanding future trends.

A delightful debut novel about a woman coming to terms with past disappointments and forging a bright new future-man and dog included. Noelle Ryan works as a veterinary technician at a New England animal shelter, helping pets find homes. If only it were as easy to find one for herself. After discovering she can't have children-and watching her marriage fall apart after a shocking revelation by her husband-she feels as sad and lost as the strays she rescues. She can't seem to get over her ex, Jay. Unfortunately, all Jay wants from her is a huge favor: serving as caretaker for his elderly mother, who blames Noelle for the breakup. While Jay heads off to Atlanta to live the life of a bachelor, Noelle is left only with her Great Dane, Zeke, to comfort her. But when a carefree musician named Jasper tugs at her heartstrings, giving her a second chance at life- and at love- Noelle comes to realize that home is truly where the heart is.

Are you and your family faced with the decision of placing your loved one in a nursing home? The choice may be one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. In Choosing a Good Nursing Home, Sherri L. Mitchell offers valuable insight in understanding the questions to ask to properly explore which nursing home can best meet the needs of your loved one. Choosing a Good Nursing Home enables you to see the facility from a different vantage point. It moves beyond the surface appearance of the home and looks at the areas that will aid you in making a knowledgeable decision. The book covers topics from what to look for in the initial tour of the facility, to knowing what questions to ask if your loved one has dementia, is in need of therapy, has weight loss problems or has pressure ulcers (bedsores). Choosing a Good Nursing Home allows you to make a more informed decision as to where to place your loved one, whether the stay will be for short-term rehabilitation or permanent placement. Sherri L. Mitchell began her career in nursing home administration after her grandmother received poor care in a nursing home. She subsequently became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (L.N.H.A.) in the state of Illinois. She couples her previous experience as a granddaughter (of a nursing home resident) with her experience as an administrator to give you the needed perspective to assist you in selecting a good nursing home. Mitchell resides in Chicago, Illinois with her husband of eleven years. Visit her website at choosingagoodnursinghome.com

Do our surroundings really make a difference in how we feel? In the harmony with which we conduct our daily lives? In our exploration of our personal, professional and spiritual paths? The answer, as shown in The Art of Dramatic Living: Personalizing the Home through Good Design, is a resounding "Yes!" Form, color, texture, light, proportion and material -- as well as cleanliness and order -- are powerful tools for expressing who we really are. In these pages, Dr. Carol Soucek King visits more than thirty residences around the world in which good design echoes the identity of those who live there. A house in Israel connects an active family with their cherished land and the sea beyond. A rustic lodge/camp dwelling in Texas celebrates its owners' retreat from urban life to a setting amid oak trees, creeks and hills. In Italy, a bachelor pares down the size of his living space and number of possessions but not his full expression of his devotion to music, lyrical spaces and elegant entertaining. In Tokyo, a Japanese entrepreneur creates a background to share his interests in global business and fine art with visiting business leaders and diplomats as well as his family. A couple in Sydney, Australia, uses every aspect of their home's historic site and style as background for their thoroughly up-to-the-minute interests and worldwide travels. Today's homeowners want to shape their house to their lifestyle, not adapt their lifestyle to the home. An individual's home is a mirror of their inner self and a person's environment affects their mind, body and spirit. This book goes beyond design to health and well-being. In these and an array of other homes, Dr. King shows how a variety of people in vastly different circumstances have realized that, in creating a home, one is creating one's own universe, and that in order to live life to its fullest, one should make the most of all the tools of good design.