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.
Scarlet Mary
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs.
Apex
ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. 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!
Polar Bee
π Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions β audiobooks make it a breeze! ππ§ Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. Iβve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
Married Man
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. π‘ Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine β this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. π±π The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Mr. Gadget
π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
CuriousCraft
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Miss Fix It
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook 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!
Winter Underdog
π©βπ³ Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! π³π§ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Married Man
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Lucky Brandy
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail.
Patton Digger
The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Nutmeg
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Snout Pixie
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Sokol
I'm blown away by how this app has made my commutes productive and my downtime entertaining. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Demo Zero
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient β no more complicated processes. I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience.
Shy Warrior
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Intimidation Station
I've fallen in love with literature all over again, thanks to this incredible app. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. 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.
Amphibi-Dangerous
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface β it's a true delight. πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π
Princess Dove
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. 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!
McDreamy
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
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