Book Description

A new framework for helping nonprofit organizations maximize the effectiveness of their boards

Written by noted consultants and researchers attuned to the needs of practitioners, Governance as Leadership redefines nonprofit governance. It provides a powerful framework for a new covenant between trustees and executives: more macrogovernance in exchange for less micromanagement.

Informed by theories that have transformed the practice of organizational leadership, this book sheds new light on the traditional fiduciary and strategic work of the board and introduces a critical third dimension of effective trusteeship: generative governance. It serves boards as both a resource of fresh approaches to familiar territory and a lucid guide to important new territory, and provides a road map that leads nonprofit trustees and executives to governance as leadership.

Governance as Leadership was developed in collaboration with BoardSource, the premier resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations. Through its highly acclaimed programs and services, BoardSource enables organizations to fulfill their missions by helping build effective nonprofit boards and offering credible support in solving tough problems. For the latest in nonprofit governance, visit www.boardsource.org, or call us at 1-800-883-6262. ... Read more

Book Description

MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS 9/E builds on strengths from prior editions by offering a rich diversity of cases balanced with current material. In addition to course offerings of the same title as this text, the book is appropriate for advanced managerial accounting courses and/or MBA-level cost accounting courses with an emphasis on management control. The text is organized to develop insights and analytical skills related to how managers go about designing, and using planning and control systems to implement strategies. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This is what you need!
Great book. Clear and helpful. If you want to learn about control systems and business management control, this is the book you need.

from Chile
Es un excelente texto de apoyo para la docencia. Tanto mis alumnos como yo lo hemos utilizado. Es importante el aporte de los autores con los casos de estudio que entregan en cada capitulo, que permite en tender y reforzar los conceptos vertidos en el mismo

Excellent!
A straight-forward no-nonsense approach backed by the right mix of cases. Expensive but worth every penny. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive text provides the current information on research studies, issues and events in labor relations. The book integrates real-world examples and quotes from practitioners in order to bring this dynamic field to life. The Labor Relations Process examines the labor movement from its inception to current and emerging trends, including such topics as unions, labor agreements, collective bargaining, arbitration and labor relations in various business segments including government, white collar, and international contexts.The book gives an in-depth analysis of all facets of the relationship between management and labor, including a study of the rights and responsibilities of unions and management, the negotiation and administration of labor agreements, and labor-management cooperation. Other topics that are explored include the results of the labor relations process and collective bargaining issues such as health care costs containment, pensions, labor productivity and alternative work arrangements. ... Read more

Book Description

Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Professional Billing, 7th edition, is a comprehensive guide for those learning about health insurance claims processing and reimbursement issues. The text utilizes a step-by-step approach to successful completion of health insurance claims. The objectives of this edition are to 1) introduce information about major third party payers, 2) provide up-to-date information about federal health care regulations, 3) clarify coding guidelines and provide application exercises for each coding system, 4) introduce reimbursement issues, 5) emphasize the importance of coding for medical necessity, and 6) help users develop the skill to complete claims accurately. Numerous examples help clarify key concepts. Case studies and review exercises provide users with numerous opportunities to apply knowledge and develop skills in completing CMS-1500 claims accurately. The textbook CD-ROM and accompanying workbook provide additional exercises and practice in completing CMS-1500 claims electronically. Current information is provided on CPT-5 and ICD-10-CM coding systems. The appendices include information about processing UB-92 (CMS-1450) claims and dental claims. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Very misleading
I purchased this book with the accompanying workbook. Although it may contain good information, the answers are not provided to the exercises--in either the book or workbook. Apparently, a separate instructor's manual needs to be purchased. When spending [the money] for both books, I didn't even think that answers would not be provided, much less that I'd have to spend [more money] to get them. I'd recommend the book, workbook, and instructor's manual, unless you're taking a class that allows you to check to make sure you understand the concepts.

I'm not sure why I don't have voting buttons--I read every review here before I submitted mine.

Good book
If your going to Fairleigh Dickinson University and your taking up Medical Administration you will need this book

A must have for understanding billing
extensive illustrations and diagrams. the book explains exactly what is needed to understand the billing procedure.

It's Great!
This book explains a great deal about medical billing. It is written in an easy-to-read style, and organizes the information in logical steps.

LEARN HEALTH PROVIDER CODING
This text, workbook, and instructor's manual - which has the answers :-) - are very well put together, easy to follow and thoroughly cover the usual procedures of coding and touch on many hard-to-code ones. I found the history section informative and much as I wanted to get to the coding work,very thorough and very interesting. There are many questions throughout the lessons that very are well thought out and follow the text extremely well and reinforce what you have just read. This set of instructional manuals will really help you learn this subject. ... Read more

Book Description

Ideal for first-year accounting courses, this market dominating text presents balanced coverage of both financial and managerial topics. In this text, the authors refine their proven approach to accounting's expanding role in business. This text uses the preparation of financial statements as the framework for understanding what accounting is all about. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I have found this book to be a okay for college classes
The book does a alright job of teaching students how to learn accounting.It lacks answers to which could definitly help students. The book's main advantage is that it has many real life examples that help students relateto accounting.

Well laid out, not a strain to follow or learn from.
This book was real easy to pick up the accounting basics that the authors presented. The text is broken up with graphic presentations and real world examples which makes it easy on the eyes and the brain. At the end of everychapter is illustrative problems, discussion questions, multiple choice,exercises and chapter problems. When you've completed a chapter you reallyfeel you know the material. Plus there are tons of internet stuff. Worththe money and cheaper than the other accounting book I was forced to buy.

good college textbook, should be cut to 900 pages
Good if you have lots of time to kill, because it has some pages devoted to useless information such as the stupid poem on page 1022 that hasnothing to do with accounting. It appears the authors placed lots of"real world" trivia that is boring and useless. Entire page of964 talks about the reason why Coca-Cola will not do business with Lakersbecause they signed Pepsi spokeman Shaq O'Neill, it has nothing to do withthe subject butthe extra pages makes you think you got something for thehigh priced book. If you absolutely need this book, go borrow it from yourpublic library and save your money.The book manuscript was NEVER approvedby a CPA or business owner but a long list of college instructors. It doescover all the basics. ... Read more

Book Description

Since 1993, the Information Security Management Handbook has served not only as an everyday reference for information security practitioners but also as an important document for conducting the intense review necessary to prepare for the Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) examination. Now completely revised and updated and in its fifth edition, the handbook maps the ten domains of the Information Security Common Body of Knowledge and provides a complete understanding of all the items in it. This is a "must have" book, both for preparing for the CISSP exam and as a comprehensive, up-to-date reference. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Not written as an exam guide & is Vol 1 of 3 volumes
This book is a collection of papers that covers the ten domains of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) Generally Accepted Systems Security Principles (GASSP). As a compendium of knowledge from acknowledged experts this book represents an exceptionally valuable tool for security practitioners, and because the papers are grouped by CBK domain, it is also a useful study aid for anyone who is pursuing CISSP certification.

The papers, individually and collectively, contain a wealth of information. However, anyone who wants to use this book as a resource for preparing for the CISSP exam should know that this book is Volume 1 of a three volume set. Moreover, this is not a book that was written as a study guide as much as a professional reference, and it isn't the only book a CISSP candidate should read.

For the practitioner this book is an excellent investment because it does cover all ten CBK domains in great detail. However, I recommend investing in the CD ROM version of this book (Information Security Management Handbook on CD-ROM, ISBN 0849312345), which contains this book and Volumes 2 and 3. The CD ROM is more up-to-date and is more convenient then three books that combined contain nearly 2000 pages.

Regardless of whether you opt for this book or the CD ROM, you'll gain a wealth of knowledge from this book and if used in conjunction with other sources of information you will be well prepared to pass the CISSP exam.

CD ROM version significantly different from paper version
Don't confuse this CD ROM with the book that is being sold under the same title (ISBN 0849398290) because there are some major differences besides the media on which the material is provided.

The book is actually Volume 1 of the Information Security Handbook, Fourth Edition. This CD ROM contains Volume 1, plus Volumes 2 and 3 of the handbook, making it a more complete compilation of the material that encompasses the ten domains of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) of Generally Accepted Systems Security Principles (GASSP). See the product page for Volume 1 for reviews and a complete description of that subset of this CD ROM.

Volumes 2 and 3, like Volume 1 are aligned to the ten domains, but have more up-to-date material and new papers addressing a wider array of topics. Moreover, CISSP candidates will find a great deal more study material, and working practitioners will find information that covers emerging trends and technologies that have surfaced since Volume 1 was published.

The new or expanded material of the two additional volumes on this CD ROM are:

Volume 2 - (published in 2000), goes deeper in network security, but also covers interesting topics such as single-signon (will be of particular interest to organizations implementing LDAP), centralized authentication, and related topics in addition to newer coverage in each of the ten CBKs.

Volume 2 (published in 2001), is an overall update for each of the CBKs and contains a lot of fresh material that is fair game for CISSP exam questions, as well as a compendium of fresh material for practitioners.

In addition to the convenience of having all of this material on a CD ROM vs. over ten pounds of paper, the contents are searchable using the built in search facility, and can be printed when hard copy is required. This is a nice feature for consultants who can bring a wealth of reference material on site for quick cross-referencing during assessments or developing action plans that are consistent with the GASSP. Of course, the fact that this collection is more complete, comprehensive and up-to-date than the book by the same title makes this an attractive choice for anyone who requires working references or wants to prepare for the CISSP examination.

Excellent reference!
Excellent reference!

This is an excellent security reference!

If you are looking for a pure CISSP prep book, this is not the best. But for general info sec, this is an awesome book.

A Must for Information Security
This CD is a must for all CISSPs and those who wish to become one. This CD ROM also has material not found in the printed format.

Good supplemental reading for the Security dude
This book gives good supplemental reading about the 10 domains. It is a must read for the CISSP candidate, but don't depend on it entirely. The chapters are well written, thought provoking and topical. You need it on your shelf if you're a real security person. ... Read more

Book Description

A five-step strategy for turning a commodity into a necessity

When products and services become interchangeable, price becomes the ultimate determinant for consumers. Indispensable shows businesses how to break out of that cycle by using The Five Drivers-a strategy that takes companies to the next level of performance. Renowned business consultant Joe Calloway looks at how real companies have made their product or service "mission critical," and satisfied customers in the process.

Indispensable goes straight to the heart of the issue and reveals how successful companies-of any size, in virtually any manufacturing, selling, or service endeavor-achieve market leadership through The Five Drivers of fierce customer loyalty. Indispensable shows readers how to:
* Create and sustain momentum: overcome organizational inertia and keep moving forward
* Develop habitual dependability: make consistency of performance a defining characteristic
* Connect continuously
* See the Big Picture Outcome: create compelling customer experiences
* Engage, Enchant, Enthrall: make magic in the marketplace

With interviews, detailed case studies, and dozens of real-world, effective customer service ideas and initiatives, Indispensable is just what today's forward-thinking businesses need. ... Read more

Book Description

Business and Society: Ethics and Stakeholder Management, 5th edition employs a stakeholder management framework, emphasizing business' social and ethical responsibilities to both external and internal stakeholder groups. A twin theme of business ethics to illustrate how ethical or moral considerations are included the public issues facing organizations and the decision making process of managers.The text is written from a managerial perspective that along with the twin themes of stakeholders and ethics, shows how to identify stakeholders, incorporate their concerns into the organization's strategy and operations, and also integrate ethical wisdom into their decision making process.In addition, 35 case histories are included to help connect theory and practice through timely and interesting examples. ... Read more

Book Description

Like the most successful businesses, this text successfully integrates innovation with tradition by showing how the preparation of financial accounting information is useful. CORPORATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING uses the preparation of financial statements as the framework for understanding what accounting is all about. ... Read more

Book Description

Using a unique modular approach, this cutting-edge introduction to data communications features 12 core chapters of essential material, 6 advanced modules, and a Companion Website to provide the widest possible range of topics.Plus, 9 mini-chapters for hands-on material and case studies give learners a feel for what they will encounter on the job. For future networking professionals. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Six Stars!
I've recently completed a course using this textbook. Excellent!!! It has been a long time (if ever) since I have actually enjoyed reading a textbook. I feel it should be mandatory reading for all authors and potential authors who will ever feel the need to publish a textbook for undergraduate level work in a technical field.

Most of the many corrections on the online corrections page are minor and insignificant (i.e. typos) and would probably go unnoticed by the reader. With press deadlines in technologies being what they are, it is fully understandable. The choice to include those corrections (a) gave me a sense of security in that it demonstrated the author's thoroughness and (b) proves that you don't have to cut a new edition of your work every six months (which can be quite annoying for anyone who is looking to get a specific edition for class).

I was pretty much convinced that it was impossible to design and publish a textbook in a technical field of a caliber such as this. In general, technical authors either confuse the reader by over complicating the layout and material or they put the reader to sleep by being overly shallow and overly redundant. This is not the case for this book. In the words of Goldilocks, this one is "just right". I strongly recommend it to anyone, whether they have a class requirement for it or not.

Great Book, using in my PSU networking class
This book is great, it starts from the beginning of the networking age and goes through all the newest technologies and ideas about networking. Covers the business aspects of networking, wireless, how TCP/IP works and pretty muct the 802 standars. Book covers everything, this is one book I won't be selling back. A really good reference book for the basics of networking and rules to follow as well when getting into the networking field.

Great Book, but Check Author's Web Site for Corrections
I just finished a semester with this book. Loved it! I didn't think I'd every say that about a textbook, but this one really makes it easy to remember the material. It does so by quizzing you at the end of every section instead of just waiting until the end of the chapter. I found that it significantly improved my retention rate.

I will however caution you that there are errors present in many of the chapters. The errors I came across looked like they were mainly due to poor editing and validation of the technical material. I STRONGLY recommend that you go to the author's web site as he quickly posts any and all corrections by chapter.

For ... dollars, you'd think that the book's publisher, Prentice Hall, would have reviewed the book a bit more thoroughly before publication.

Errors aside, this is a great book that will mostly likely improve further with the next edition.

Ed

Great book -- clearly written by a Teacher
Not only does this book cover network essentials, it is presented in a way that actually promotes learning (!) While this may seem an obvious goal, the author of this book clearly puts great effort into presenting the information in a meaningful way (most books on this subject lack this care). I'd highly recommend this to students, or even to practicioners who would like a refresher or general reference on data communications.

Great Overview of Data Communications
We used this book in my graduate MIS course, and it was a great tool for learning the basics about data communications and networking. Many of my classmates thought that Panko did a great job of explaining data comm concepts, whether it was something as simple as an ethernet LAN, or as complex as an ATM network. Everyone in my class seemed to enjoy the text (both highly technical students with a background in data comms, and students who were learning the material for the first time).

The book is designed to give readers a general overview of a subject, then drill down into the details in later chapters. He starts with the basics (layers, encapsulation, protocols, etc), and then gets into how networks are built from the ground up. Panko has included numerous modules at the end of the book if you want to learn even more about a specific topic.

The author has also put together slides for each chapter which were very helpful in explaining difficult concepts, or emphasizing certain chapters in the text. If you can get a copy of them, I highly recommend using them.

I recommend this book for anyone looking for a way to learn a lot about data communications and networking. This book covers the gamut from LAN to WAN technology, packet switching, ATM networks, frames, IP addresses, etc. It can also serve as a tremendous reference if you need to review a topic later on down the road. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Give yourself a raise--courtesy of the government!
I have to admit, I was not aware of the great opportunities available courtesy of the U.S. Government untill I read this great book by C.W.Allen et all. This book is outstanding and one of the best books that I have ever read on corporations.

I also recommend Inc. Yourself by Judith McQuown, Own Your Own Corporation via the Rich Dad Advisor series and Form Your Own Corporation and Launch a Business in Any State by J.W.Dicks.

Let the government give you a tax free raise and protect your business.

An easy read. Easy to apply
As someone who is just starting out in business, I appreciated the easy to understand and easy to apply advice in this book. I also recommend The Rich Dad advisor series book by Garret Sutton as well as the exellent books by J.W.Dicks.

After talking with dozens of other successful business people and pouring over a hundred "How to incorporate" books, these are the best.

Wow- I had NO idea!
I have seen this book recommended by others, so my roomate bought it and I read it (he's not as motivated I guess!).
Ididn't expect this book to be too interesting; I thought it would be totally referential. And after reading "Own your own Corporation" which was amazingly DULL, I expected this to be equally dull.
INC and GROW RICH is a MUCH better book to read for this topic, and told in plain, simple english. If you are building a business, at some point, you need to decide on a business structure. I firmy believe that INC and GROW RICH will help you.

Reduce taxes by 70% and protect your assets
Two of the biggest predators to business owners is taxes and lawsuits. What I learned from Inc. and Grow Rich was how to significantly reduce taxes (70% and more) and protect my assets.

Taxes are one of the biggest deterrents to wealth. The more you make, the more they (the government) wants to take. By use of the strategies in this book, you are armed with the right information tolegally reduce your taxes down to the absolute
minimum.

Once you establish yourself as a business, you immediately become a target. The information in Inc and Grow Rich will show you how to protect yourself.

Important points covered in the book

* Slash your taxes by 70%

* Tax deductible cars

* Tax deductible educational expences

* Tax deductible life, health and automobile insurance

* Tax deductible trips

* Tax Deductible food

* Tax deductible housing

* Protect your personal and business assets

* Don't pay probate costs

* Don't pay inheritance taxes

* Structure your financial affairs for wealth, not poverty

There is an interesting quote in the book that I would like to share:

"You simply need to learn how the rich get rich & do the same thing! What works for the rich will work for you too."

The book covers in detail the eight legal business structures:

I The Sole Proprietorship
II The General Partnership
III Limited PArtnerships
IV The Corporation
V "C" vs "S" Corporations
VI The Professional Corporation
VII Nonprofit or Not-for-profit corporations
VIII The Limited Liability Corporation

In the chapter called 'Building your Wealth" by C. W. Allen, we learn the four founding principles of getting and staying rich which are:

1) Get into business for yourself and incorporate your business
2) Spend first - tax later (by operating as a corporation)
3) Own nothing - control everything (All your assets protected)
4) Use the magic of compound interest (rule of 72)

The authors bring a varied and professional background and are uniquely qualified to present this information. C.W. Allen is a financial strategist and one of the nations foremost experts on the benefits of incorporating. Cheri S. Hill specializes in the practical, how to side of incorporating and is an established expert in incorporating. Diane Kennedy is a CPA as well as an owner, investor and real estate developer. She practices the advice she gives and shares her secrets, in particular how to reduce taxes. Ms. Kennedy is noted for "performing miracles" taking corporate taxes from the red and put them in the black. She has helped clients save 70% on taxes by proper use of the tax code. She also has information on how to pick a CPA that is right for you. Garrett Sutton is an attorney and an expert at asset protection. "Why work hard to accumulate assets when by doing so you become a target for frivolous litigation?" says Sutton and he addresses this question and others related to preserving family wealth and your hard earned assets.

Overall Inc and Grow Rich is a excellent book for all business people. Also recommend Own Your Own Corporation by Garrett Sutton, Retire Young Retire Rich by Kennedy and Robert Kiyosaki, The Traders Tax Survival Guide by Ted Tesser and Form a Corporation and Launch a Business in Any State by J.W.Dicks.

Easy to Read & Understand
As someone just starting out in business, I found the information easy to read and understand. It's a must for anyone thinking about going into business for themselves! ... Read more

Book Description

If you use training services, especially if you have to pay for them out of your own budget, this book will help you:

- Determine why your employees' performance isn't meeting your expectations, and what to do about it
- Ensure that your employees possess the job-relevant skills they need
- Get training done in the least amount of time and at the least cost, whether training is obtained internally or from vendors
- Leverage training as a true competitive advantage ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good book. Typical Mager - easy to read, lots of good stuff
Valuable book, well worth the reading time. Good for Managers, Training Managers and developers.

Get results, save money: apply this book.
In his typical clear, jargon-free style, Bob Mager explains what training is, and what it's not. "Training" won't fix a problem unless the problem stems from a lack of skill or knowledge.

Mager explains why you can't train your way out of badly designed jobs, or idiotic incentive systems, or a lack of resources. He also shows ways to deal with those barriers to accomplishment.

And that's the heart of the matter. In the world of training and development, we talk about performance improvement -- focusing first on the results you want to get, and then examining possible reasons why you're not getting those results. Mager's book demystifies that focus and that examination.

Skeptical? I've been in the training business for over 20 years. For people who want a quick, cogent, useful understanding of both training and performance improvement, there's no better place to start than with "What Every Manager Should Know." ... Read more

Book Description

Develop an insider's knowledge of real estate financing (traditional and creative) while remaining legal and ethical.

A brief but thorough overview of the mortgage loan market, from the concept of inflation to the different categories of lenders and loans.This book builds a solid framework for understanding how to make money in real estate by choosing the right financing.

Knowing the workings of the mortgage loan market as well as all the options available for financing are the keys to success for real estate investors and homebuyers.Financing Secrets of a Millionaire Real Estate Investor offers a comprehensive overview of the basics, followed by clear, concise explanations of the many financing options investors should consider when looking to maximize profits.Demystifying such intriguing concepts as lease/options, sale/leasebacks, double closings, and more, this practical guide gives buyers the knowledge they need to make the best possible purchasing decisions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

There are so many ways to make money in real estate!
There are so many ways to make money in real estate! Since my first flipper property, which I made $8000.00 after reading "Flipping Properties" I have pocketed 7 figures and acquired 7 units - with no prior real estate experience! Bill Bronchick illustrates and delivers, step-by-step techniques, in an user friendly manner! "Financing Secrets" will forever change the way you buy and sell real estate.

Bronchick makes a complex subject easy to understand
Well, Bill Bronchick has done it again. Following his excellent resource Flipping Properties, he's taken the complex subject of creative real estate financing and broken it down into it's component parts and explained each one clearly and concisely in simple language anyone can understand. In the section What to Expect from this Book he says, "This book will show you how to finance properties with as little cash as possible, while maintaining minimum risk and maximum profit." And he does.

Covering such subjects as loans, mortgages, foreclosure, and working with lenders, he gives you the background you need for the later subjects of creative financing, hard and private money, getting involved in partnerships and equity sharing and the more creative subjects of lease options and owner financing.

While the book is geared primarily toward real estate investors, it is an excellent guide for any person considering buying a new home or considering doing some kind of creative financing with an investor or other buyer on a house they already own.
After reading it cover to cover (an easy task) every real estate investor should then add it to their library as a useful reference for many financing situations that may come up in this business.

Great stuff
I recommend this book. If you are just getting started or have a lot of experience... this book will help you. Full of great ideas and solid information to help the creative real estate investor.

Byron Walker
Full Time Investor

Two thumbs way up!
This book had so many good finaning ideas, I read it three times! Whether you are buying as an investor or a homeowner, this book will show you real-life formulas for buying with little or no money. This is the first book that explains real estate financing in a way for the lay person to understand. The author, an attorney, has a real knack for making "legal jargon" understandable.

I would recommend this book to ANYONE who is either buying a home or investment property. ... Read more

Book Description

Hands-on guidelines for using the Balanced Scorecard within mission-driven organizations

Today’s insistence on demonstrated organizational performance is not limited to private-sector corporations. Public and nonprofit agencies are also finding that, as financial resources decrease and demand for results increases, they too must institute performance goals along with programs and processes to consistently progress toward those goals.

Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies identifies the opportunities–and helps eliminate the obstacles–of bringing the popular and proven Balanced Scorecard approach to public and nonprofit organizations.

This results-focused and practical book provides you with:

• Fundamentals of the Balanced Scorecard concept
• Advice on how to alter the "geography" of the balanced scorecard to fit public and nonprofit agencies
• Techniques for developing strategy maps and Balanced Scorecards throughout your organization
• Tools and templates to link the Balanced Scorecard with key management processes

Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies outlines the very real benefits of the field-proven Balanced Scorecard approach, and details how it can be tailored to the unique requirements and realities of nonprofit and public-sector organizations. Let it show you how to use the Balanced Scorecard to help your organization dramatically improve operational and fiscal effectiveness–and better meet the needs of your stakeholders. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book for the 21st century
Niven is one of the best authors on BSC. If this administration and communications tool has been hailed as one the best new concepts in the business world, in nonprofit and government administration it can have even more impact. It is a great general introduction, but even seasoned experts will find enlightenment and a great very updated bibliography. Works very well as a textbook for nonprofit management with HBS cases.

Clear, informative and highly implementable advice
Although the Balanced Scorecard has taken over performance mangagement thinking in business, its linkages and adaptability to public and non-profit organizations has remained extremely challenging. I currently am resposible for leading planning and strategy development for a large social services provider in Canada. Being a strong proponent of Balanced Scorecard theory, I anxiously waited two months for Paul Niven's latest book to hit the shelves in hope that I could adapt the balanced scorecard approach to evaluate our organization's strategy. Long story short >> Balanced Scorecard for Government and Nonprofit Agencies was an incredible investment, and we are now on the way to better measuring and reporting on our organization's progress with the help of this book's advice, tips and proecess design steps.

Paul Niven's writing style provides a clear and informative description of the balanced scorecard approach to performance planning and measurement - and presents easy-to-follow steps for designing and implementing performance systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of nonprofit and public sector programs. I highly recommend this easy-to-read book to anyone interested in understanding how the world's leading approach to performance measurement and management can be successfully incorporated into your organization.

Good & Practical Book on Balanced Scorecard
I've read most of the literature on the Balanced Scorecard and the previous books by Norton & Kaplan and Paul Niven himself. Being a Management Consultant of 15 years, I worked with numerous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and have the usual skepticism towards theory books. This latest book on Balanced Scorecard was easy-to-read with numerous examples from Balanced Scorecard implementations in public sector. I found the step-by-step approach to be practical and quite down-to-earth with numerous take aways for a reader interested in BSC or a performance management practitioner, like myself. The book rightly touches upon the challenges in the scorecard implementations, and offers valuable advice. If you haven't read any previous books on this subject, you can read this book alone for a good idea on what the Balanced Scorecard is all about, and how you go about its implementation. ... Read more

Book Description

Scott reveals vast amounts of financial accounting information drawn from recent research that has until now been hidden in academic journals. He provides a clear, easy-to-use framework for students to (1) place this information in a financial accounting context, (2) explain and analyze the information intuitively and (3) to reveal the informationÕs relevance in understanding the practice of accounting.

Reviews (2)

A must-read for junior accounting doctoral students!
Before reading any classical texts from Watts & Zimmerman and Beaver, I think any junior accounting doctoral sdudents should read this book!
Excellent introductory book for anyone who wants to do capital market research in the future!

Strongly recommend!

A Research Book
Professor Scott explains financial accounting theory drawn from recent research. He provides a clear, easy-to-use framewaork for students to 1) place this theory in a financial accounting context,2) explain and analyze the theory intuitvely and 3) reveal the theory's relevance in understanding the practice of accounting. Similar good textbooks in this field includes Positive Accouning Theory by Watts & Zimmerman, Financial Reporting: A Accounting Revolution by Beaver and An Introduction to Aplied Professional Research for Accountants by Ziebart. ... Read more

Book Description

This much acclaimed text has been fully updated to incorporate the latest advances in the field.As leading authorities on adult education and training, Elwood Holton and Dick Swanson have revised this edition building on the work of the late Malcolm Knolwes.

Keeping to the practical format of the last edition, this book is divided into three parts.The first part contains the classic chapters that describe the roots and principles of andragogy, including a new chapter, which presents Knowles program planning model.The second part focuses on the advancements in adult learning with each chapter fully revised updated, incorporating a major expansion of Androgogy in Practice.The last part of the book will contain an updated selection of topical readings that advance the theory and will include the HRD style inventory developed by Dr. Knowles.

This new edition is essential reading for adult learning practitioners and students and HRD professionals.It provides a theoretical framework for understanding the adult learning issues both in the teaching and workplace environments.

* Definitive classic, 5th edition sold over 20,000 copies.
* Essential reading for a wide audience of practitioners and students in the field of adult learning and human resource development.
* Incorporates Knowles'classic theories on adult learning alongside the latest advances in the field. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Andragogy for the 21st century
Since the term "andragogy" was first coined, several theoretical schools have developed around the topic of adult learning.This book provides a context for Knowles' ideas about andragogy and demonstrates the relevance of his ideas in the 21st century.

Unreadable
This book was the text for an adult learning course, and all 300+ students judged the book to be incomprehensible.So many complaints were received that the instructor apologized,saying it was the only book the school could find.There is good information in this book, but you need dynamite to unearth it.I have a better than average vocabulary, but I had to keep a dictionary by my side as I read, and even then I found words from the text for which I could find no definition.Some chapters had to be read 4 times before I understood the authors' message.Reading this book was a guarantee for a nap or a headache.Please, somebody stop this book before it kills again!

very comprehensive look at adult learning theory
This book is like a one-stop shopping guide to Adult education. It is so comprehensive that I doubt it leaves out one development in the history of adult education.My only warning is that the opening chapters which basically trace many theories of learning (both adult and traditional) are hard to get through -- it reads more like a research paper that summarizes every major educational theory since the beginning of time.But, if you don't want to know that much, you can simply skip these chapters and get right to the meat of the adult learning theories which are more appropos.For those who need a quick primer on learning theories, you'll love the first few chapters for their abundance of quick summary information.A useful guide to adult education.

Excellent primer of Adult Learning Theory
Malcolm Knowles is known as the "Grandfather of Adult Education" in many circles, and this update of his original book does him justice. I recommend the book as a primary resource for people looking for informationabout how adults learn (adult learning theory), as well as what works andhow to make it work in different situations.

An essential read for HRD professionals and adult educators
For those new to Knowles work, this book really is a 'must'.It takes the reader through the essentials of adult education, both in the traditional environments of adult education and in settings such as the workplace. Itprovides a theoretical framework for understanding the adult learningissues faced by professional educators each day, and also offerssignificant guidance on future practice. To those who have read pasteditions of the book, as I have, you will find the Swanson and Holton worktrue to the spirit of Knowles, and the two authors have introduced morethan enough new material to justify buying this Fifth Edition. ... Read more

Book Description

Grant writing skills are essential in gaining funding from government and foundation grants for a nonprofit organization. In the past, there were no college degrees in grant writing and very few, if any, books on how to write a grant. The process of learning how to write a grant was mostly trial and error, but times have changed. Today, grant writing is a science – a skill that reflects a precise application of facts or principles.

Grant Writing For Dummies can help anyone who has to seek and secure grant funds in order to keep an agency’s doors open for business or to fund a special project. This reference guide is also for people who want to make a career of freelance grant writing. The easy-to-use format, thorough approach, clear advice, and voice of experience will help anyone to:

• Get the scoop on government and foundation grants
• Go for the gold with multiple grant requests
• Make the case for your grant request
• Use words that make founders say “yes”

Figure out the rules of the grants game to put together your grant application. Reach your goal of receiving funding for your organization from a government or foundation grant. Grant Writing For Dummies also covers the following topics and more:

• Searching for government grants
• Conveying your needs for grant funds
• Fashioning the essentials such as cover letters and abstracts
• Presenting the budget
• Double-checking your grant proposal or application before you submit it
• Win or lose – how to play your next card

Every year, the federal government distributes billions of dollars in grant money to nonprofit organizations. Grant Writing For Dummies guides you along your quest for funding with all the essential information you need to achieve success. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

clear, precise and easy to use
I was struggling through a master's level grant writing course and hitting snag after snag in my own grant writing project. The text books for the course provided contradictory and confusing information that on the whole did not apply to the actual process of grant writing. I gave up and purchased Grant Writing for Dummie. I only wish I had gotten this book earlier. The book is well organized and walks you through the often convoluted process of researching, writing and submitting grant proposals. I appreciated the clear writing and colorful examples of how to phrase and document a grant proposal. I recommended the book to the professor but he was less than enthusiastic about the idea of replacing the standard class textbooks.

Non-Profit Handbook for Excellence
When approached to provide grant writing services, I thought I couldn't do it, then I found this book.

After purchasing, I picked a day to study this book completely and found it wasn't needed. The best feature is the easy reference format, I could simply flip to what I needed and work from there.

The web site listings, foundation break-downs and overall content got me on the right track.

This book will be helpful only if you are seeking a grant for a non-profit. I searched elsewhere for information on sponsorships and other available funding.

What is offered are the absolute basics for getting started on grant writing. Companies will not give your paper or proposal a second glance if you don't take the time to research their specific guidelines.

Buy this book, do your homework and you just might get that grant. It's a far better investment than the internet rip-offs for thirty of more dollars that claim to tell you how to get a grant.

From experience, I'll tell you now, there are no guarantees, each company decides, and this book will be a foot in the door.

If you are not non-profit, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
Nowhere on the front or back cover does it say this book is about getting grants for not-for-profit agencies only. You have to read 3+ pages of the book until it says so.

I returned the book. The little I did read seemed comprehendable and well written.

Grant writing dummy? Not so now!
This book gave all of the info that I needed to write a proposal for a grant. I would HIGHLY reccommend it to anyone that is taking on this project. All of your questions are answered in a very easy to understand manner. You are taken step by step to the completion of your task, leaving you with the feeling that you have done the best job that you could do. I have enjoyed many of your books for 'dummies', don't stop now. Thank yo so very much.

AMAZING INFORMATION!
I've been writing grants on my own for a few years with a very high success rate. I bought this book because I am about to embark on writing some large requests for foundation and federal funding. I was hoping to learn a few more tips from an expert. Boy did I get my money's worth! I wish I would have read this book before I wrote my first grant! There are tons of tips. The book is well written in a smart format that makes it quick and easy to read. I'll definitely use it for a reference text for years to come. Thanks Beverly Browning! ... Read more

Book Description

You'll need to wear many hats in the business of property management: advertiser/promoter (in seeking tenants), host (in showing your property), handyman (in keeping up with and arranging repairs), bookkeeper (in maintaining records), and even counselor (in dealing with tenants and their problems). But Property Management For Dummies will help you maintain your sense of humor – and your sanity – as you deal with these challenges and more.

You may become an unintentional property owner – someone who inherited a house from a relative and didn't want it to sit idle, or someone who transferred to a job in another city and decided to rent your home rather than sell it – or you may have entered the world of property ownership intentionally. Either way, real estate offers one of the best opportunities to develop a steady stream of residual income.

Property Management For Dummies is organized by specific topic areas, so you can easily and quickly scan a topic that interests you, or you can troubleshoot the source of your latest major headache. You'll discover how to

• Evaluate your skills and personality to see whether you have what it takes to be a landlord
• Keep your units occupied with paying tenants who don't destroy your property
• Move in your new tenants and move them out – and everything in between
• Assemble the right team of professionals to help you, from employees to contractors
• Insure your property and understand the taxes that go with it
• Look for additional sources of income beyond rent, including the opportunities and pitfalls of lease options

While many of life's lessons can be uncovered by trial and error, property management shouldn't be one of them – the mistakes are too costly and the legal ramifications too severe. In this book, you'll find proven strategies to make rental property ownership and management not only profitable but pleasant as well. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

You are not a "Dummy" if you read this book.
I met the author at a meeting of the Institute of Real Estate Management in Chicago several years ago. I hold the same "Certified Property Manager (CPM)" designation. So, I did a double take recently when I saw this book on the shelf of a book store. And I did a triple take when I saw that Robert had written it! Robert Griswold is an educator, and it shows in the book. I've been in property management for over 20 years and I bought the book and took it home for several evenings of enjoyable reading. (By the way, my wife thinks I'm nuts! I can't leave my work at the office.) Robert Griswold writes at the easiest common denominator. The book is entertaining and answers the wide variety of questions. Most property managers are "generalists", meaning you have to know a lot of things about a lot of topics: collecting rents, fixing up space, evicting tenants, dealing with difficult people, roof specialist, bookkeeper/accountant, landscape specialist, plumbing specialist, HVAC specialist, etc., etc. One thing that any property manager will know, it is a very detailed career. If you are a person with an interest in property management, a novice or a long-time veteran, this is a must-read book.

A Must Have Reference On Propery Management
Robert Griswold's Property Management For Dummies is a wonderfully practical digest on property management covering every applicable subject both for those considering becoming a landlord and for long time landlords. Easy to read, and easy to jump right to the subject on which one needs the most help, Mr. Griswold's years of experience and wisdom are made accessable to the reader. Having been a property manager for over three years now, I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. For anyone considering property management or being a landlord, this book lets one know in advance all the factors to weigh before making that leap. I'll state it again -- you must have this book if you are in any way going to be involved in property management.

The best information on property management is in this book!
Whether you live on the east coast or the west coast, looking to own a condo or a multi unit investment, this book will help answer a majority of the most puzzling questions a landlord might have in managing a property. It gives simplified step by step instructions on each process throughout the book....fun to read and very clearly written.

If you are about to enter the world of being a landlord, this book will tell you the rules. Every person needs this book for his or her financial self-defense and peace of mind. Read this book and preclude the problem before it happens. ... Read more

Book Description

In this follow-up to his bestselling book Experiential Marketing, Bernd Schmitt introduces the five-step CEM process, a comprehensive tool for connecting with customers at every touch-point. A must-read for senior executives, marketing managers, and anyone charged to drive growth and spur change.

PRAISE FOR Customer Experience Management

"In all his work Bernd Schmitt sets about scraping away the conventional marketing wisdom. Schmitt’s prescription makes it more satisfying to be a customer, more satisfying to be a brand manager. I hope desperately that every company with which I do business reads this book."
–Martyn Straw, Chief Strategy Officer, BBDO Worldwide

"Schmitt finally identifies the bush that a lot of marketing departments have been beating around. He anchors the activities that cost us millions and billions of dollars to ‘end game’ objectives that have never before been so beautifully focused."
–Victor J. Pacor, Chief Marketing Officer, Sony Electronics, Inc.

"With his groundbreaking new book, Schmitt answers a much-needed call for a practical way to enact experiential marketing. His dynamic and engaging voice makes this as entertaining as it is informative."
–John Quelch, Senior Associate Dean for International Development
Harvard Business School ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Packed With Knowledge!
The revolutionary approach that Bernd H. Schmitt is advocating here wouldn't sound so radical to anyone who has ever been in therapy: be aware, see things from other people's point of view, address their concerns. If you've been in $150 an hour territory, this isn't radical, but in the suites of marketing, the author contends, it is brand new. The book is an interesting follow up to the author's earlier seminal work on the broader theory of customer experience. Entitled Experiential Marketing, that work made the case for a customer-experience focus. This book is more of a practical how-to, professorially organized into a neat near-outline format. Here, Schmitt makes the case for dissecting, designing and then improving, the customer's experience with your product. We recommend this book of marketing therapy to anyone selling a product or service - and it is lots less expensive than putting your consumers on the couch.

A New Experience
My experience with this book was generally stimulating and inspiring and sparked many insights. Customer Experience Management is so powerful because it is based on a largely intuitive idea.

Since the beginning of commerce, and buyer and seller interactions, there surely has been some element of customer experience management by the seller, and some subconscious understanding by the customer that he/she is not buying a product or service but participating in an experience.

In his previous book, Experiential Marketing, Schmitt demonstrates that firms who have capitalized on this recent movement and expanded and refined their experiential approach have reaped huge benefits and stayed ahead of the pack. Now, in this sequel to that book, Schmitt elaborates on his previous work and provides a framework for how to efficiently and effectively implement the customer experience management approach.

I found this book to be enormously helpful and an important addition to this fascinating and important field.

A Satisfied Customer
Customer Experience Management is a must-read for busy marketing executives. Although it was a quick read, it should not be taken lightly. The framework Prof. Schmitt outlines carries on where his eye-opening Experiential Marketing left off. It provided me with a good outline and a valuable set of tools with which to jumpstart my marketing department. The case studies were insightful and helped illustrate his methodology and the success many companies around the world are having by making their customer's needs and lifestyle top of mind.

A much-needed book
This book provides a comprehensive and much-needed overview of the total customer experience picture. It goes far beyond the highly-touted (and too often disappointing) CRM craze to provide sound strategies for connecting with the customer at various "touch-points." Any company that is serious about treating its customers right could benefit from this book. ... Read more