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.
Po1son
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
Kazami of Truth
The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Lskeee
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ I'm amazed by the app's versatility in downloading audio. It accommodates various sources seamlessly. Tone adjustment is a thoughtful addition that adds a personal touch to the audiobook narration. It's like having a narrator tailor their voice to my preferences. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
ThoughtTracer
Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. ππ Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook.
Jade Fox
User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Y0dler
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Sleek Assassin
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back!
Pinup Diva
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. π Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking β this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! π²π The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Spunky Sphinx
Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Palomino Cake
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
RawSkills
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. π§ This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! ππ³ The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Lunar Treat
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
NexusNavigator
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life β it's a unique experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
Plegasus
No more worries about compatibility β ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse.
SunnySnap
ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless.
Midnight Rider
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions.
Infinite Hole
With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting β pure magic! With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. 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!
Screwtape
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§
Natural Mess
Mastering audiobook navigation β this app's ease of use is commendable. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Glyph
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
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