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.
Zero Corn
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Toy Dogwatch
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Gumby Train
πΆ Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! π΅π I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Lady Fantastic
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. ππ§
Freaky Ratbuster
ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination.
Babe
This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. ππ§
Disco Potato
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. β° Waking up to audiobooks β mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! βοΈπ§
Prof. Smirk
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment. 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!
All Natural
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app.
Trash
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. I never knew my daily walks could be so fulfilling β all thanks to this app. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Friday Fox
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sly Silvermoon
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Sapiens
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Pink Hopper
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way.
Santa's Little Helper
π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me!
Cardinal Rebel
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Jersey
I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
MindfulMingle
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
Lskeee
This app is not just about convenience β it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. I can finally tackle my reading list while stuck in traffic β what a win! Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Good William
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. ππ Road trips have never been this entertaining β this app keeps me engaged on the highway! ππ The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
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