Book description
A vital and timely investigation into the opaque and powerful consulting industry--and what to do about it There is an entrenched relationship between the consulting industry and the way business and government are managed today that must change. Mariana Mazzucato and Rosie Collington show that our economies' reliance on companies such as McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY stunts innovation, obfuscates corporate and political accountability, and impedes our collective mission of halting climate breakdown. The "Big Con" describes the confidence trick the consulting industry performs in contracts with hollowed-out and risk-averse governments and shareholder value-maximizing firms. It grew from the 1980s and 1990s in the wake of reforms by the neoliberal right and Third Way progressives, and it thrives on the ills of modern capitalism, from financialization and privatization to the climate crisis. It is possible because of the unique power that big consultancies wield through extensive contracts and networks--as advisors, legitimators, and outsourcers--and the illusion that they are objective sources of expertise and capacity. In the end, the Big Con weakens our businesses, infantilizes our governments, and warps our economies. In The Big Con, Mazzucato and Collington throw back the curtain on the consulting industry. They dive deep into important case studies of consultants taking the reins with disastrous results, such as the debacle of the roll out of HealthCare.gov and the tragic failures of governments to respond adequately to the COVID-19 pandemic. The result is an important and exhilarating intellectual journey into the modern economy's beating heart. With peerless scholarship, and a wealth of original research, Mazzucato and Collington argue brilliantly for building a new system in which public and private sectors work innovatively for the common good.
Slow Trot
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Twine X
The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Foot-long Fry
π§ββοΈβ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook β relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. π΅π I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
FRMhndshk
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Star Sword
ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Sugar Apple
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Lucky Aurora
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Lucky Aurora
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Jungle King
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine.
Danqqqqq
ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Troubled Chick
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. Audiobook immersion without fuss β this app's ease of use is commendable. The app is lightweight and doesnβt drain my battery. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Sprinkle Lovenuts
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ByteBard
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
Dallas Burn
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
Swing Setter
This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Disco Thunder
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Shadow Chaser
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. ποΈ Turning grocery shopping into a thrilling audiobook hunt β what a game-changer! ππ No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ππ± Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Oblivion
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Titanium Ladybug
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection.
Mother Night
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience