... a thoroughly engaging and entertaining story that reveals to the reader how to be at [the] cause rather than at the effect of circumstances in one's life.... Jim is a true educator, which is revealed in this book, as it draws out of readers what they already know but don't realize." -Sri Gyan James McCaughan, Educator Mount Madonna School, Watsonville, CA A delightful, motivational story about a young man, Jerry Artson, who works in a high tech firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. When the company goes through drastic downsizing and realignment, Jerry and his coworkers are dismayed by the layoffs and changes. Jerry and his new boss can't seem to agree on anything. Disillusioned and dejected, Jerry visits a friend, Mary Green, who owns a very successful nursery. Mary listens to Jerry's woes and takes him on as an apprentice, teaching him the concepts of self cultivation and organizational gardening. Mary's coaching helps Jerry turn around and take what he has learned back to change the culture of his company. Jim Martin worked for a major US corporation where he held several leadership positions and taught courses in personal development. An avid rose gardener, he gradually came to realize that gardening and people development have a lot in common; that is, if you create the right environment, plants will grow and the same applies to the development of people. The Thinking Tomato shows how these concepts can be applied to any organization.