B. S., Incorporated

by Jennifer Rock, Michael Voss

"I enjoyed the hell out of this book. It harpoons the bloated, mindlessly self-destructive tendencies of American corporations. But it's also a human story. Which is why--despite the absurdity and arrogance and plain ol' stupidity on display at BSI--I'd kind of like to work there. Are they hiring?" - Bill Anderson, President, One Voice Creative Media

Business Solutions, Inc., is falling apart at the seams. While employees are killing time stalking free snacks and filming porn in the HQ stairwells, the company's co-CEOs bring in shadowy corporate consultants to shake up their business in ways even they don't understand.

As the communications manager tasked with translating C-suite doublespeak, Will Evans is constantly torn between his blue-collar warehouse past and his white-collar future. When he is put in charge of rolling out a dubious strategy the consultants brand Optelligence, Will is thrust deep into a muddle of absurdity and responsibility he never expected. Enter Anna Reed, corporate mercenary with heels as high as her ambition. To her, BSI is just a stepping-stone to a better job at a smarter company. Demoted to Will's team on her first day, she's ready to steamroll anyone to get her career back on track.

When BSI is pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, Will hatches a covert plan that just might save them all. But he needs Anna's cunning and courage to pull it off. Can Anna, the consummate job jumper, find a reason to go all-in on BSI? Or is she better off bailing and letting the company go down in flames?

B.S., Incorporated was so laceratingly dead-on in its satire of corporate culture that it gave me nightmares. Jargon-filled, soulless nightmares. This book absolutely skewers its target. - Jilly Gagnon, coauthor of Choose Your Own Misery: The Office

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2016

About the author

Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss spent two decades careening through corporate America and barely lived to write about it. As company journalists, speechwriters, and C-suite advisors, they stockpiled insider stories and cautionary tales. Both live near Minneapolis where they own a communications agency, speak to groups of all sizes, and share their perspectives in publications like the Washington Post. Operation Clusterpuck is their second novel.

Reviews

[Helene Jeppesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely receive books for review when the offer comes from people or publishers that I don't normally work with; mostly because it turns out that the books seldom interest me. However, when I received an e-mail about this book I immediately requested a review copy because it sounded different and refreshing.
Basically, the authors behind this novel have co-worked to gain a special insight into companies and how they are built and expanded. Through these observations, they then sat down and wrote "B. S. Incorporated" which is a fictional novel dealing with Will and Anna who work together in one of America's biggest companies which is, unfortunately, going bankrupt.
I loved how this novel managed to educate me in so many areas when it comes to businesses and how they work; meanwhile, it entertained me because of the amazing dynamics between the characters. In short, the authors have created something magical from a topic that could very easily have become boring and uninteresting.
I'm not working in a large business myself, and I don't have any particular interest in doing so. Nevertheless, I love reading about careers completely different from mine, and I do think that this novel speaks the truth! What is going on in this fictional story is what is going on in the real world, and you know that it's the truth because the authors have lived and breathed this world themselves!
"B. S. Incorporated" turned out to be the most pleasant reading surprise to me this year so far, and I highly highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in broadening their vision or learning more about how large businesses really work in a time of crisis. And did I mention that on top of that, this book is actually funny? :D

[Megalion · Rating 4 out of 5]

For everyone that's ever had to deal with corporate BS. Especially handed down from a business consultanting company.

If you've watched or heard of House of Lies on Netflix, they ARE the consulting company who push atrocious changes onto existing companies.

I found the first 20%of the book difficult to get through because it set the stage with lots of corporate doublespeak. I'd recommended to cut this down to about 10% and start the humorous jabs around then too.

The jabs are really spot on and had me laughing out loud through my lunch. And several times had to cover my mouth to keep from spitting my drink over my Kindle.

One of the more sublime ones ...
"you don't want to be a Columbia. Or a Jigsaw."
"A what?" Will looked up.
"A Columbia- like the space shuttle. A guy who screws up one pivotal thing and brings the entire crew down in a ball of flames." Judd winced at the explanation. "A Jigsaw leader preys on the fears of his employees, pitting them against each other to see who wants to survive the most."


The huge divide between those two things makes the comparison even more astonishing for how accurate it is sometimes.

There's a number of quirky characters. I want to be Bennie when I grow up. Running gag jokes like what would make great band names. And they really are good candidates.

Even a simple sentence can be gold.
"Les had the interpersonal skills of a picnic ham."

Definitely recommended and DO hang in there through the slow start. It's worth it.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura.125Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on www.125pages.com I was not expecting much from B. S., Incorporated. I hoped it would be a cute read in the same vein as The Devil Wears Prada, where a plucky heroine saves herself from an unfriendly work environment. I did not get that, and I could not be happier about it. What I got instead was a sharp and smart tale from Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss that was equal parts humorous and thoughtful. Anna is a woman on the rise. She is following a carefully crafted career progression plan that brings her to BSI a huge copier and office supply company. As soon as she starts, things begin to change. BSI is going down a path that they might not recover from and it is up to Anna and her co-worker, the most optimistic nice guy ever,  Will to create a plan to save it.

The plot of B. S., Incorporated was a rich combination of comedy, ingenuity and sass. It all worked very well together to create a dynamic storyline. The writing of Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss was nicely detailed and it read as one voice even though there were two writers. They were able to include a wide array of emotion and heart throughout. There were a few small pacing issues where I was unsure of how much time had jumped, but nothing substantial. The world built was superb. Set in only three locations, corporate headquarters, a warehouse and a bar, it was interesting to see how they all intersected. There was a nice emotional tug wrapped through the story. I enjoyed seeing Anna grow and her path change. The characters were what set this read apart. They were an engaging bunch, from the lecherous finance guy, to the PR Manager full of inventive curses, to the snarky barmaid, all played their roles to perfection.

B. S., Incorporated is not the book I thought I would read. Expecting more of a chick-lit feel, this was instead a smart comedy with a great cast. There were a few issues, as a business person IRL I was a bit frustrated with the C level employees as they were all portrayed as bumbling fools and that just drove me crazy. That small annoyance was not enough to hamper my reading. Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss crafted quite a debut and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Favorite lines - Actually, Human Resources intersected rather nicely with classic literature. HR departments operated like the ninth circle of hell from Dante’s Inferno: a frozen lake of blood and guilt. The staffers tended to either be barbarians—slashing headcount with impunity—or bleeding-heart softies with no guts or authority to add any value. And employees needing help skated circles on that frozen pond, twirling between continuously changing generalists who listened with great empathy, before routing the hapless skaters to a call center in Mumbai.

Biggest cliché – My consultant told me to.

 Have you read B. S., Incorporated, or added it to your TBR?This book was most likely received free from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

From the blurb, I expected a crazy send up of the business world - more along the lines of The Office and Dilbert. But what we have here is a heart-felt story of a company manager and new hire who have to save the owners of a large copier supply firm from themselves. There are two protagonists - a male and a female - each representing different points of view (people vs process). Although they are hard to like in the beginning, by the end most will appreciate the warm fuzzies that they (and this book) engender.

Story: Business Solutions Inc.'s owners are looking for new market opportunities after years of a successful business selling copiers. They've hired a fancy consultancy firm and created a new product/service (it's a mystery!) called Optelligence. Frontlines communications manager Will Evans started from the original factory distribution area and worked his way up over the years - the business is his life. New hire Anna wants to sink her leopard skin stilettos into BSI and make her mark. When everything starts to fall apart around them, they will have to band together to save the company from itself.

The blurb is honestly very misleading - nearly all the points about the craziness of the company make this sound more like a surreal comedy. But the struggles of our two leads are much more personal - the story is about Will and Anna and believing in the company as well as themselves. The 'evil' bad guy here is the parasitic consultancy firm - getting its hooks into the two co-founders and leading them down a path to profits on the consultancy's end but bankruptcy on the BMI end. Is this book realistic? No, not really - at least not to the extent it is taken here. But the emphasis is on the characters - and there are some really wonderful ones in B.S. Incorporated. It is a very heartfelt story.

The two leads - Will and Anna, will go through a transformation and catharsis by the end of the story, creating a nice circular storyline. Sure, the battle between white collar and blue collar is a bit one dimensional (the blue collar guys work hard honest hours and have the best rapport with the clients while the white collar guys screw up constantly, create fiefdoms, have sex with the secretaries, and lay off the blue collar guys to save their own jobs. The only decent guys are kind of sad sacks while the women are predatory, unfortunately, or housewifely assistants. In a cast as large as in this book, that was honestly a bit of a disappointment.

There are some cute lines in there and a few chuckles. This is a book you read for the heart and not for humor. And for a hyperrealized, if simplistic, view of American business (especially midwest style since this is set in Minnesota). The only thing missing was another consultancy firm pushing ISO9000 or TQM quality management principles to unsuspecting lineworkers. But in all, I really enjoyed it. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review should have been written months ago, guys this book is hilarious. Anyone that has worked in corporate America will greatly appreciate this novel. It has every type of "office worker" imaginable. I laughed so hard in this book because this book felt real. Even though Anna isn't really my cup of tea (I mean those corporate ladder climbers are soooo annoying ;) ) I liked her character a lot, she felt real.

Also the porn filming stuff was hilarious, I am really not sure what that says about me personally, even months later I am laughing at that scene.

Overall the book was well developed thoughtful and you really must read it if you have been in the corporate environment and have worked for a really bad company. The characters are amazing and the plot makes you think. This is a fantastic novel.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book in exchange for review, as always the opinions are my own.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Funny; It's Funny Because It's True

This is a remarkably rewarding and entertaining novel. It's a satire, a romance of sorts, a screwball comedy, and a touching meditation on the dehumanizing and maddening consequences of devoting oneself to the corporate life.

The premise is simple enough. Anna is an ambitious corporate shark on the make. Will is a good-natured middle level success whose heart is still back in the warehouse in which he started. Their company, B.S., has made a number of poor strategic decisions and is floundering and on the way down. Can Anna and Will combine forces long enough to convince the high level execs that there is a path to salvation?

There's a lot going on here. On one hand this is a generous and slightly melancholy meditation on corporate life in a time of great insecurity; it reminded me of the classic Joshua Ferris novel of downsizing, "Then We Came to the End". But then, the book is also authentically, acidly funny. Loaded with both subtle and obvious mockery of all things corporate, the authors have fine and practiced eyes for all of the petty idiocies of that life.

But many of those targets are easy, even if deserving. Our authors go much further. They have added at least two dozen incidental characters, from the boardroom, the barroom, and the cubicle farm, who shine during their moments on the page. Lots of witty dialogue and cross-talk and one-liners make this read like an updated version of those old screwball comedy movies in which everyone was fast, furious and witty.

On top of that, as the book builds to a finish and we learn whether corporate salvation is at hand the story actually builds up tension and drama. That's way more than what I expected, given that I expected that this would just be a sort of prose version of a Dilbert comic strip.

So, wildly entertaining, wise, and surprisingly engaging, this was a happy find. (Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real talk, this book stressed me out. It took me a few extra days to read it because I just couldn't deal with the too real stresses of a job I basically lived through. For a moment I wanted to rate this book lower because of the stress, but I realized that the authors did a superb job bringing you into the story and characters and it's not really their fault that I worked for a similar company that went through a similar situation and ended up having to leave the company because of it. Call it corporate PTSD if you will, but I think the authors did a good job capturing the corporate world in this humorous book.

Will is my favorite type of character, sarcastic and pragmatic. He is navigating the system and chaos of things he basically has no control over, while simultaneously trying to keep his job. If you've ever worked in a corporate environment, or known someone who has, the banter and insight Will shares with his trusted friends/coworkers will make you laugh. Every office needs a Will.

Anna was a less likable character, but she grows on you as the story progresses. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to say I liked her character until the very end of the story, which can be a good thing. You're never quite sure where her loyalties lie and that brings about an interesting turn of events. I really enjoyed her "real" moments when she wasn't projecting Corporate Anna and actually acted like a normal human being.

All in all I would say this book is a funny read. If you've been through a corporate transition, there may be some stressful "too real" moments for you but hopefully the humorous take on everything will bring you through the story with a smile.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.

[Alka · Rating 5 out of 5]

B.S. Incorporated is written superbly with just the right dose of everything that fits the big companies - corporate life, consulting, sales, warehousing, and not to miss the boardroom drama. It reminded me of the book I had once read - The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt, only without any operational lessons which in future may be classified as MBA textbook reading.

(Read more book reviews at my blog Ethereal Jinxed.)

The excellence of this book may be attributed to the career experiences that the two writers bring with them, because of which they were able to knit a tight storyline. In the start, it’s a little confusing with the bombardment of so many characters. But once you get the hang, yes hang, you are ought to complete it, even if it means staying through the night – situational funny, incredible quips yet intriguing and insightful. All-in-all, a perfect package and I give it 10-on-10.

P.S: If any one knows another book with two authors and he/she likes it so much to recommend it, please let me know. Because, I am all in for recommending this one!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*

In all honesty, this book just wasn't for me. Though I can definitely see it has appeal, for me it was way too loaded with the corporate jargon side, and while I was expecting this, I did feel like I wanted just a little more character depth. I found a complete lack of connection with any of the characters, as you didn't really get to know them.
On the whole this book was just ok.

[Monica Wiant · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever worked in corporate communications, you simply must read this book. It's funny, big-hearted, and strikingly honest even when it's hilariously absurd. I had to look up the authors to see if we actually worked at the same company (we haven't) because the setting felt so familiar.

[Kristine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-written novel NAILS the corporate work environment with humor and spot-on office antics. Full review coming soon to Hall Ways Blog.

[Rebekaneongirlyahoo.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel starts off being an amusing look at wacky office culture versus a more corporate model. It soon turns into race against the clock when the management of Business Supplies Incorporated makes some poor choices with their business model and the company takes a rapid downturn. Will, the normally mild-mannered narrator, has worked at B.S. Incorporated for years. During that time, he’s moved from working at the startup’s warehouse to a more corporate position as the business grew. He believes in what makes B.S. Inc. so great is the people who work there and the ideals the company once espoused wholeheartedly.

However, these things are falling by the wayside thanks to B.S Inc.’s ill-advised business partnership with Synerpoint. Will is eventually tasked with promoting a questionable new program initiative and eventually finds himself placed in the position of having to save the company before it goes completely under. His team includes the disgruntled Anna Reed, the other narrator, who was promised one job then quickly shuttled into another by an unscrupulous manager. Needless to say, her planned career trajectory didn’t encompass this turn of events…

Some of the plots were a bit predictable but they didn’t feel like they came out of nowhere, which is always a plus. The story also managed to make a smooth transition from being light and funny to a more serious tone as the plot progressed. Anna, while mildly annoying at first, even turns into a relatable protagonist. Readers will understand her motives better by the end of the book and will probably have plenty of sympathy for her as a character. However, B.S. Inc. came to an abrupt stop stopped right after an important revelation was made. A sequel is probably in the works, but this issue remains a particular pet-peeve of mine.

That said, this book is definitely worth a read.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

B.S., Incorporated, touted as one of the 10 best business books of 2016, is written as a fictional account that is very telling. Having been on the losing side of corporate changes, I can see this account happening, and most likely more often than one would wish! The tale focuses on the corporate spinners, those whose job is to present changes, new options and failures in the best light possible, even when those in charge have completely lost their minds! Convinced by an outside firm to completely convert their focus onto a new technology offering instead the business they had created and rode to the top of their field, they instead discover just how low they can go. Drama on all levels ensues, forcing the CEO team to accept reality and make the real changes they need to regain their fragile footing in the business world.

Cutthroat at times, it gives a true and honest blow-by-blow of what not to do for success in business today. Unlike other books that are categorized as “business manuals”, B.S. Incorporated lessons will stick with you for some time to come, because of the entertaining format it is in. Even if you are not interested in the business example it offers, it is still a good read, like a soap opera set in corporate America.

[Rachel Never Enough Novels · Rating 4 out of 5]

B.S. Incorporated is a satire of the corporate world. BSI represents the typical large corporation that is on the verge of failing and turns to consultants and ridiculous schemes to try to reinvent their business. The story focuses on Will Evans, the communications manager trying to make sense of the changes and help employees understand what's going on.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, but I got caught up in the drama and flew through the last third of the story. The beginning is a bit harder to get through as it takes a while to get caught up on the current business culture and the major players within BSI. Over time, though, I grew attached to a few of the characters and honestly started rooting for this company to succeed.

I was hoping for more comedic moments, but didn't find them within. This is more enjoyable for anyone's who's worked at a large corporation and experienced the crazy strategies upper management sometimes relies on when the ship is going down.

[Yvonne Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wanted a glimpse into the lives of people working for a large corporation? This book might be a fictional tale, but it reads like the story of some workers struggling to keep their jobs and their sanity. You will find yourself rooting for the underdog. You may even find yourself in need of a tissue to mop up some tears at one or two points in this story of a business just trying to keep its head above water and the employees within trying to keep their jobs.

As a former retail worker I could see some of the stuff I experienced within these pages, but reading this story definitely made me happy I don't work for a large corporation of any kind. Too many hoops to jump through and too much stress wondering if your job will be there tomorrow. I loved this book, and you'll love it too... even if you've never worked for a big business in your life!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mildly entertaining satire of corporate culture. This book features many of the all too familiar, yet unfortunate, scenes and characters typically experienced in a corporate office setting. The story attempts to keep things exciting, with constant action and humorous turns of event, however, it still manages to fall a little bit flat. The story was somewhat repetitive, however, I haven't read another book quite like this one. It does have a firm grasp on its subject, making it recognizable to anyone who has worked in a settling like BSI. The ending was an interesting twist. I wish it hadn't ended there. It seemed a little abrupt and I was very curious to see what would happen next!

[Chelsea DeVries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe you’ve never worn a suit on the job. Or even spent eight hours in stilettos. Yet, most Americans at one time or another have worked the zombie-like 9-5 grind. Yet, if the only experience you have with corporate America is when you binge watched the entire series The Office on Netflix, this book is something you ought to add to your TBR list.

For the rest of the review, visit: https://thesmartcookiephiles.wordpres...

[Donna Milley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very amusing and interesting read. I had flashbacks of jobs I use to have in offices, where apparently much of the daily drama is the same and akin to high school antics. I grew quite attached to the main characters, Will and Anna. The cast of characters were well rounded as they represented people we have probably all known and worked with.

[Ivory · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book to read if you have worked at a large company...pokes fun at workplace commonalities.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3.5 out of four. As a Twin Cities resident, I appreciated all of the local references. All-in-all a fun book, nothing earth-shattering, but I found it enjoyable

[Ankita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

B.S., Incorporated by Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss is a book steeped in the corporate world. B.S., Incorporated is a company that excels in the Copier and Office Supplies business. They have divided their huge pool of employees into two categories: the Rainmakers and the Promisekeepers. An employee who works in a warehouse role is a Promisekeeper. The rest of the population in corporate are known as Rainmakers. Will Evans, a communications director, believes in maintaining harmony between the Rainmakers and the Promisekeepers. He believes that they both must be considered each other's counterparts. However, the fate of the company hangs by a thread when the CEOs decide to sell this part of the company and shift their focus to becoming a market leader in Optelligence. Will has been handed the task of creating the best communication plan to achieve a smooth transition. With the CEOs' unwillingness to share a detailed insight into the meaning, scope, and other tidbits about Optelligence, Will is facing a hard time finishing the assigned task. To add to his troubles, an over-ambitious new employee, Anna, has been added to his team. Something deep inside of him knows that his task is not going to be easy, and he must do everything in his power to ensure that the Promisekeepers do not feel left out while B.S., Incorporated is shifting gears.

B.S., Incorporated offers a fully fledged forensic report of the corporate world. The tone of the book remains light-hearted although many sensitive topics are touched upon, like the HR policies, useless documentation, late-night work culture, a cut-throat competition, a lack of trust among the employees, and the tendency of higher management to send lower management to convey their bad news to employees. Any corporate employee would easily be able to connect with the plot and the sentiments of the authors.

The loyalty of Will challenged today's "save your own ass" professional philosophy, while Anna's style reminded me how the true corporate world works. Bennie, from the Public Relations department, acted as a swear bombarding machine and managed to keep the overall theme upbeat. Corporate politics, surprising twists, and a variety of emotions kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. As a reader, I had never imagined that a book based on office politics would intrigue me, but, here I was, hooked till the last page.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

First to the authors-Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss-please tell me that you are almost finished with the next book. You have me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what direction you will take this.

This book is for anyone who has worked really hard for their employer and not always felt like they are being noticed. It is for the person who is determined to get ahead and put one stiletto in front of the other while not letting anything get in your way(yep, that was me with a nice two inch heal).

You will also enjoy this book if you have ever had that really good idea you want to pitch the the boss but do not want to rock the boat or put your tail on the line. This is an excellent book if you are the executive and have worked your way up from the bottom.

After I purchased my copy, I was thrown into the business world of B.S. Incorporated with all the ling, build up of the company and introduction to the characters. It was a lot of information to read through. It had me laughing, becoming frustrated right along side the characters. The story drew me in like I was an employee working right alongside everyone else.

I was touched by the determination and dedication of Will and Ana and the rest of the Rainmakers and Promiskeepers. I enjoyed it's funny moments and real moments that i could see happening at the various places I have worked. I recommend reading this book!I must warn you, it draws you in, so make sure you have set aside time to read it, you will not want to put it down.

[Oak · Rating 5 out of 5]

B. S., Incorporated is a novel by Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss that takes a comedic look at the craziness that goes on in corporate America. The story focuses on Will Evans, an employee at Business Solutions, Inc. (or B.S., Inc.!). The book has an exciting elements to it; I liked watching Will figure out how to navigate his crazy corporate world. The novel is an intelligent satire of corporate culture. Rock and Voss spent two decades working as company journalists, speechwriters, and communication directors, and their experiences helped shape this witty novel. B.S., Incorporated was a fun book to read.

*I received this book for review*

[Kari Kaviej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I've spent a lot of time in office jobs, and I felt the authors of this book must have followed me through my best and worst days and took notes. The characters are fresh but also recognizable. I laughed out loud at so many parts of this novel. The parts about HR being the circle of hell? Oh boy. I'd say it's fun satire, but it's just so true. Can't wait for a sequel.

[Lauren Golden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no expectations when I began B.S. Incorporated, but I couldn't help but be delighted from start to finish. As a recovering corporate employee, I found Anna and Will's navigation through BSI's unpredictable changes relatable and clever. I can't wait to find out what's up next for these two and their colleagues.