Author England offers tips for business at all levels

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

By Mark A. Claffey, ThisWeek Staff Writer

Pickerington resident Christopher England always dreamed of being an author, but he never thought his first book would be about business rather than aliens.

"I always thought my first book was going to be about space aliens," he said. "I always wanted to write about science-fiction."

Instead, his book, "Outsourcing the American Dream," explores the consequences of corporate mismanagement and downsizing and offers solutions for leaders in business and government. It is available on-line through retailers such as Barnes and Noble, Borders and Booksamillion.com.

England, 33, is a 1986 graduate of Pickerington High School. He received his bachelor's degree in human resources and business management from Kent State in 1990 his master's in organizational leadership and management from Franklin University in 1995. He is currently employed with Columbia Gas of Ohio as a manager of business strategy and financial analysis.

He said idea for the book was born four years ago after his father was laid off at the age of 55 and his sister-in-law was laid off for the second time in 17 years.

"Downsizing is a viable management tool when it is applied properly, but it is a last resort," England said. "When you cut the fat, you usually lose the muscle."

After hundreds of hours of research and writing the book was finished in 1998. It took England three years and lots of rewriting to get it published.

The title of the book, according to England, comes from what he sees in America today -- ballooning trade deficits, crushing tax burdens, mounting consumer debt, soaring energy costs and wasteful government spending.

"The title also conveys that the American Dream has been outsourced or displaced, but not lost," he said. "We have the opportunity to rekindle the American Dream by returning to values which served us well in the past such as accomplishment, entrepreneurialism, invention, discovery and spontaneity."

The book argues that the number one reasons for all business failures in America is the lack of bold, decisive and visionary leadership in business and government.

"We have to figure out our own destiny," he said. "Employees have to take control, not the employers."

England lists the six key skill areas for today's employees in the work place: communication, interpersonal/leadership, technology, problem-solving, multi-cultural and creative/innovative.

He said the book offers something for everyone in the world of business, be they corporate moguls or lower level employees.

"The book offers something for anyone seeking to take control of his or her life and destiny," he said.

"Certainly many readers will be shocked by what I have to say, and that's good, since most of us need a good swift kick now and again before we'll take action," he said. "If my book touches a sensitive nerve, then I've done my job."

England said he has no idea whether he will write a second book.

"We'll see how this one goes before I think about doing another one, but I wouldn't mind making it my career," he said.

He said he hopes the book, published by Writer's Club Press, will be available in most major bookstores at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.