Author Doug Levinson Creates Business Not For Dummies 75/25: Three Quarters of an MBA, One Quarter of the Grief A Legitimate Alternative to a Two Year, Top-Flight Graduate MBA Program

(PRWEB) May 8, 2007 -- "75/25 is a legitimate alternative to a two year, top-flight graduate MBA Program," says author Doug Levinson. A user-friendly, comprehensive distillation of the fundamental information taught in the nation's top MBA programs, 75/25 uses revolutionary, but proven techniques to quickly, accurately and painlessly teach business concepts to non-business people. Levinson doesn't "dumb down" business. Rather, he tackles intimidating material head-on, but with a disarmingly witty and engaging style. Levinson synthesizes a mammoth amount of intricate material into a colorful 144 pages that overcome the seeming impenetrability of business concepts in a fun and entertaining way. His ingenious approach opens the door to the fascinating world of business for a huge new audience: smart people who, for whatever reason, lack the time or the resources to devote to a traditional two-year graduate program.



to start at the beginning Levinson, who describes himself as a "recovering lawyer turned university professor," used his impressive credentials, including an MBA and extensive business experience, to create 75/25. The book, developed from Levinson's on-going work teaching at top-tier graduate schools -- including UCLA, USC and UC Berkeley, demystifies the world of business for readers with no business background. "Because business is everything and everything is business, understanding business is exceptionally important," says Levinson.

75/25 contains thirteen short, stand-alone, information-packed chapters that parallel the basic curriculum of premier MBA programs. Levinson effectively enlightens the reader about the world of business with an ideal balance of high-level conceptual information and down-to-earth language and examples. Carol Stabler, a former Junior High School English teacher turned amateur business student, concurs, "At first, I was both intimidated and intrigued by the subject matter. MBA level business seemed like a tough trek; 144 pages later I had that happy, dumbfounded look on my face I've seen so often on students who never believed they could master something, but suddenly did. This moment of received empowerment is heady stuff!"

Levinson manages, without seeming patronizing, "to start at the beginning," welcoming everyone -- from novices with absolutely no business background to executives looking to sharpen their skills. For example, "Everyone knows that finance has something to do with money, but what does that mean?" And, "Every dollar bill says, 'Federal Reserve Note' right at the top. Don't you think you ought to know what the Federal Reserve Bank is, how it works and why it matters?" And, because 75/25 begins at the beginning, it can progress to less familiar concepts smoothly -- demystifying them in compelling, logical, bite-sized steps.

Levinson -- citing technical jargon as one of the single greatest impediments to learning and retention -- translates off-putting, pretentious prattle into inviting, everyday language. Levinson states, "By getting behind the jargon, we get beyond the jargon.

"Did you know that -- when it comes to financial statements -- there are only 3 basic types and they each answer 3 very simple questions?" asks Levinson. "So why all the mystery and mumbo-jumbo? How empowering would it be, if literally ten minutes from now, you could not only read financial statements but understand them?" Levinson cautions, however, "The language of 75/25 is conversational, colloquial, and often amusing, but the content of 75/25 is no joke. This isn't Business for Dummies. Using 75/25 is easy -- mastering it isn't."

Pam Campisciano, an entrepreneur with no formal business training who runs a successful graphics firm, found 75/25 extremely helpful. "Simple 'handles' and familiar, every-day examples make seemingly complex business concepts completely easy to understand and remember. The strategic repetition of key points, as well as the chapter-ending summaries, cement material to the reader like crazy glue," she observes.

"Think macroeconomics doesn't matter, or is beyond your understanding?" Levinson asks. "After reading 2 or 3 pages, you'll have your brain completely around it. You'll be able to explain to your friends why the inflation they hardly give a second thought to, is as important as the taxes they fret over." And, 75/25 creates similarly empowering, "ah ha moments" over and over. As Levinson jokes, "It's a lot better to be a lion than the lion's dinner."

75/25 grew out of Business For Lawyers, a completely original course that Levinson developed from the ground up, and now teaches at the UC Berkeley and USC Law Schools. "Our students love him," says Scott Altman, Vice Dean, USC Law School. Levinson quips, "If lawyers can learn this material, anyone can." But, Levinson's non-traditional style is crucial to the success of his courses. Jose` de la Torre, Professor Emeritus, UCLA Graduate School of Management (where Levinson taught business law to MBA students for nearly a decade), says, "Doug is among the most gifted classroom instructors I have ever known. His courses are fast-paced, fun, extremely entertaining and full of original, irreverent and often profound insights."

75/25 is a totally original, one-of-a-kind tool for transforming vitally important, but daunting business concepts into clear, usable tools for "real people," in their everyday lives. For that reason, 75/25 is perfect for students, entrepreneurs, professionals, businesspeople, women and, yes, even lawyers. In spite of its short length and user-friendly style, 75/25 -- unlike existing "MBA-Lite" books -- is a legitimate alternative to a two-year, top-flight graduate program. 75-25 is a timeless reference that readers will enjoy turning to again and again.

From the outside looking in, the world of business may seem overwhelming. From the inside looking out, however, business becomes a fascinating, exciting, and robust path to empowerment. This is especially true since business is everything and everything is business.

75/25: Three Quarters of an MBA, One Quarter of the Grief! published in March, 2007 by ProStar Publications, Inc., can be purchased through Amazon.com (75/25 on Amazon) and at www.75-25.com.

Contact: Helaine Ross Public Relations
hrpr @ sbcglobal.net