Book Description

Models, Methods, Concepts and Applications of the AnalyticHierarchy Process is a volume dedicated to selectedapplications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) focused on threethemes: economics, the social sciences, and the linking of measurementwith human values. (1) The AHP offers economists a substantiallydifferent approach to dealing with economic problems through ratioscales. The main mathematical models on which economics has based itsquantitative thinking up to now are utility theory, which usesinterval scales, and linear programming. We hope that the variety ofexamples included here can perhaps stimulate researchers in economicsto try applying this new approach. (2) The second theme is concernedwith the social sciences. The AHP offers psychologists and politicalscientists the methodology to quantify and derive measurements forintangibles. We hope that the examples included in this book willencourage them to examine the methods of AHP in terms of the problemsthey seek to solve. (3) The third theme is concerned with providingpeople in the physical and engineering sciences with a quantitativemethod to link hard measurement to human values. In such a process oneneeds to interpret what the measurements mean. A number is uselessuntil someone understands what it means. It can have differentmeanings in different problems. Ten dollars are plenty to satisfyone's hunger but are useless by themselves in buying a new car. Suchmeasurements are only indicators of the state of a system, but do notrelate to the values of the human observers of that system. AHPmethods can help resolve the conflicts between hard measurement dataand human values. ... Read more

Book Description

In today's changing business world, leaders face more challenges than ever before, whether from increased competition, new ways of reaching customers, or motivating people.

Leadership by the Book is an exceptional new book, brimming with insights, ideas, tools, and tactics for becoming a successful leader. Written in the parable format of Ken Blanchard's bestselling The One Minute Manager. and Raving Fans, it tells the story of a professor and a minister who school a young professional in management skills and ethics. Citing Jesus as a source for practical lessons in effective leadership, the authors explore the concept of "servant leadership" and offer simple strategies for bringing vision and values to any organization. Individuals will learn how to:

• Achieve goals without sacrificing character or faith
• Inspire and sustain commitment and others to give their best
• Build teamwork and celebrate successes
• Find personal passion and meaning in work

Sure to be required reading for managers and employees, Leadership by the Book can also be applied in day-to-day life by parents, coaches, entrepreneurs, and community leaders everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Excellent Idea, Severe Omission
Blanchard and Hybels and Hodges team up for an excellent perspective on leadership from a Christian point of view. While reaching out to the secular marketplace with valid concepts for servant leadership, they put together an excellent framework for leadership. The summary checklist, given on pp. 171ff., offer a helpful concise summary of the book. The glaring omission, and one that I can't believe that Hybels would make, is to clearly point out that following Jesus' style of leadership is absolutely impossible apart from first having a personal relationship with Jesus, in other words, you can't lead like Jesus if you don't have him in your life to help you. I can't believe that there wasn't at least an appendix for those who would like to pursue that issue further. I believe that the authors are posturing too much to get the secular audience to read the book. But for the Christian, it is an excellent book.

An excellent primer for servant leadership
Ken Blanchard's allegorical style leads the reader through a case study as we learn about the leadership style of Jesus. The story helps us get beyond the typical studies, charts and graphs of many leadership books and allows us to touch on the spirit and heart of true leadership.

This book will appeal to those persons who are intuitive and feeling. Ken leaves out the data and speaks to the heart of leadership.

A significantly different Christian leadership book than those put forth by John Maxwell.

Very Slow Story!
I was absolutely bored to tears while reading this book. I think that a lot of the suggestions towards better leadership are very well intentioned and are good ideas, but it is very heavy in religion. If you are a strong believer in JC then this book might appeal to you. I was sick of the many religious references by page 30. The story was also poorly written. I found myself having to re-read portions of the book to understand the point. The only thing I will remember from this book is EGO (you'll get it once you've read it).

Another great Blanchard book
Leaderhsip By The Book is another in a great string of management books. While many books scratch the surface of management and other delve into the minute details, Blanchard and his co-writers deliver practical, useable ideas in a common-sense manner that will allow the brightest of managers see new insights and the newest of managers see the bigger picture of the challenges ahead of them.
The story is told in parable format, similar to Raving Fans and Gung Ho (two books referred to within LBTB), which allows Blanchard, et al. to tell the story of a hard-charging businessman who had built a solid foundation for his direction and effort and had lost his way getting caught up in the fever of big business and big EGO. I'm confident most managers can identify with some of the mistakes made by Michael, the good guy that gets turned around, has a heart attack and finds his way back. The heart attack is symbolic of what often confronts leaders that allows them to see the wrong choices they make that are casued by EGO or other motivators that are not aligned with the idea espoused in this book called servant leadership.
You have to read this book. I am leading a leadership program at work and this book is the capstone of the program. Buy it and get a copy for all your employees who are in the position of leadership, whether in management positions or line positions.

Let there be leaders
This is yet another parable by Ken Blanchard in his characteristic style for driving home powerful messages. This story is around Michael the executive and his friends the minister and the professor. It clearly brings out the pressures experienced by a high-flying executive in his pursuit of success, that soon he loses his links with friends and guidance from the Lord.

Business leaders tend to assume themselves as masters to get things done through lesser mortals to achieve business goals. Their egos start bloating, denying them the true unconditional love bestowed on us by the Lord. EGO is aptly described here as "Edging God out".

The leadership model as described in this book is based on Jesus and, in my opinion has not been discussed in most management books on the topic.

Let there be leaders....who lead as servants of the Lord.

Highly recommended for all men and women who would like to lead in leading. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is an experience-rich book on how companies can createvalue by becoming smart organizations.Based on research andconsulting engagements with the world's largest R&D-intensivecompanies, it reveals how senior managers can dramatically improve thereturn on their companies' investment in R&D and technology.

TheSmart Organization brings new perspective to management decision makingthroughout the organization.It identifies the key practices thatenable successful organizations to deliver a stream of winning productsand services.Smart organizations, say the Mathesons, haveinternalized nine interlocking principles essential in creatingcorporate cultures that emphasize making the right strategic decisionsat the right time. They use best practices to support these decisionsand sustain their success.These principles--among them, embracinguncertainty, disciplined decision making, and value creationculture--enable companies to make appropriate choices about their R&Dplanning, portfolio management, and product strategies.

Drawing onthe experiences of R&D-intensive organizations all over the globe, theauthors illustrate the book with best practice examples from companieslike Hewlett- Packard, 3M, Merck, Proctor & Gamble, DuPont, Monsanto,and AT&T.They stress the importance of evaluating trade-offs,investigating alternatives, and getting buy-in across functions toensure that decisions will be viable from both the technological andmanagerial perspectives.They show how managers can apply thesemethods more broadly to create a smart organization.The Mathesonsclearly demonstrate that changing the decision-making process is anefficient means of reforming culture and improving not just R&D butoverall company performance. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great book. If you liked the HBR article, you'll love this!
Frequently organizations face the challange of what not to do. They tend to believe in the person presenting the idea, rather then creating a rigorous process for evaluating the options before them. Companies adopting best practices in managing their investment options realize substantial gains in their long term bottem line. This book quantifies this performance difference, and what the best practices are across a range of industries.

Why aren't organizations more rigorous in selecting projects? The book outlines several barriers which are extremely relevent:

· It will make a popular champion look bad,

· Organizational resistance to change, or cannibalization of an existing business for a new opportunity,

· We confuse the urgent with the important,

· Its hard to agree on measures and success criteria

· People are afraid of making the wrong prediction, so they don't make any,

· Its hard to normalize results from different contributors,

· Business plans are not integrated with new project activity,

· Power and politics, a methodical evaluation leaves no room for interpretation and "behind the scenes" trade offs between groups and individuals,

· Lack of strategy.

The best practices outlined in this book are backed by substantial research. I would have like to have seen a few additional chapters on application of best practices in real companies ... a case study of a turn around.

Ideas in the book come to life!
Thank you very much for sending me a copy of The Smart Organization. I have completed only two chapters, but find the book to be thoroughly engaging. Especially, the six dimensions of decision quality.

My current job is proving to be a daily "case study." The ideas contained in the book have come to life, helping me to better understand my environment at work and make better decisions along the journey.

Great insights for all concerned with strategy and renewal.
Focusing on large R&D intensive organizations, this book explores nine key principles that make these enterprises effective, such as: open information flow, systems thinking, and continual learning. The author's emphasize the decision making process as a means of changing and improving overall organizational performance. If you are seeking new insights into how strategy is developed, excellence can be achieved in decision making, and organization renewal can be realized, you will find this book enlightening and fascinating reading. The insights offered here are by no means limited to high-technology firms; they apply to any organization seeking to be successful in today's fast-paced markets. This work includes an organizational IQ test (a diagnostic tool) for identifying root causes of the barriers to improving decision processes. There is an impressive amount of knowledge about organization to be gleaned in The Smart Company. Whether you are a technology -based bus! iness or not, you will find many nuggets in this work. We highly recommend it.

One of the best organising frameworks I've met
The Strategic Decisions Group framework for smart organisation is informative. One reason for this is that the authors are reporting a practical benchmark study of R&D which appears to include every American corporate I've ever heard of. They do readers the great favour of synthesising this into a 9 principle framework for Smart Organisation. 3 principles for achieving purpose: -continual learning -value creation culture -creating alternatives 3 principles for mobilizing resources: -open inforamtion flow -disciplined decision making -alignment and empowerment 3 principles for understaning environment: -systems thinking -embracing uncertainty -outside-in strategic perspective What I especially like is that for each principle 5 How do you knows? are given scaling the difference between an organisation which hasn't got a clue about the principle (not smart) to one that lives it (smart org) For example these are the 5 how-you-knows of alignment & empowerment: 1 Examine the strategies at different levels (eg technology strategy to portfolio strategy to project startegy). In smart org: there are clear strategies at all levels taht provide useful guidance for decision making. Strategies at one level are clearly linked to the next. Lower level strategies interpret and carry out the implementation of higher-level strategies. In not-smart: few strategies or they provide little guidance for decision-making. They are viewed cynically as corporate PR. Links among strategies are absent, unclear or ambiguous 2 Examine the value measures used to evaluate decisions at different levels. In smart org: there are clear measures of value at all levels. Value measures at one strategic level are clearly linked through the strategy to measures at the next level. In non-smart: There may be no value measures. If there are, each level sets its own values or decision criteria, with no special requirement that they be related to values and strategies at other levels. 3 Examine the approvals required to make or carry out important decisions. In smart org: Decisions require few approvals because people understand the strategy and are trusted to carry it out. Meetings with upper management are viewed as adding value. In not-smart: Decisions require many levels of approval. Review meetings are perceived as wasting time. Often meetings with upper management are feared because it may redirect efforts and change priorities without clear reason. Upper management often feels overloaded with the need to check on subordinates. 4 Examine the roles of people involved in an important recent decision. In smart orgs: Many people participated in the decision process,at multiple levels in the organisation. A dialogue was carried out in the process that continually aligned and refined the vertical links. Management at different levels collaborated to build a high quality decision and achieved aligned commitment to action. In non-smart: Either few people participated in the decision or so many did that the process got bogged down. Typically, lower level employees make proposals to upper levels for approval or rejection 5 Examine a recent decision that was controversial. In smart org: People unified around the decisions aand carried it out with little intervention. They understood the reasons for the decision and believe the organisation is carrying out a sensible strategy for creating value. In non-smart: The decision did not stick and was undone or remade over and over again. 100+ of us are discussing frameworks like these in a free e-mail group : Organising Creativity Network. e-mail me, Chris Macrae, at wcbn007@easynet.co.uk if you are passionately interested.

At long last (we have) found a potential path to salvation..
Quoted from an e-mail from a major aerospace corporation executive: "Some of us at (large aerospace company) have at long last found a potential path to salvation in the Mathesons' new book, 'The Smart Organization.' (Director, Technology) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Well rounded introduction
I bought this book as a prep for a licensing exam. I found it to be a good starting point for further research. (a handy bibliography is provided at the end of the book) The author does a good job at introducing issues that get ignored in the general education of a designer. At least half of the book was case studys the methodology of practicing designers. ... Read more

Book Description

The future is happening today, and the most successful organizations will be those that understand the dynamics of the "big picture" in which their decisions are being made. This book describes how to understand and influence that picture. Irene Sanders pioneered the application of chaos theory and complexity to strategic thinking -- the most essential skill in today's fast-paced business environment. Now, in this straightforward, easy-to-read book, she shows how the most up-to-date strategic thinking is done, and how you can begin using it in your enterprise.

Sanders' original and practical approach moves far beyond traditional forecasting, futuring and scenario-building. The new science of chaos and complexity has shown scientists and business professionals alike the importance of looking at the world as a whole system, rather than as a collection of deterministic principles. Consequently, the human mind -- through the integration of intuition and intellect -- is now recognized as the only information processor capable of understanding the level of complexity in today's global business environment. By engaging the mind's eye through the use of visual thinking, Sanders shows you how to develop insight about the present and foresight about the future, thereby allowing you to see and influence the future as it is emerging. The new planning paradigm presented in Strategic Thinking and the New Science is nothing less than a transformation of the science of business.

For the first time in history, we have the knowledge, tools and techniques to develop visual thinking as the essential insight/foresight skill of the future. In addition to breakthroughs neuroscientists have made about brain-mind interactions, artists and psychologists are revealing the role of imagery in the creative process. And now, the new field of scientific visualization brings all of this information together with computer graphics to demonstrate how visual images can be used to engage our imaginations, enhance learning -- and stimulate our deeper levels of awareness.

In this groundbreaking book, Sanders is the first to define the new model of strategic thinking -- a model that is bound to revolutionize organizations of all types as they begin to see and influence their futures -- today. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Strategic planning enters the 21st century
As the Director of the Colorado Center for Chaos and Complexity, I have frequent occasion to survey the literature on applications of the new sciences of complexity, as well as on more fundamental developments. Irene Sanders' new book is an extremely valuable addition to the growing body of work applying ideas from chaos and complexity to strategic planning and management techniques. In fact as a direct result, I have hired Irene to be Director and Chair of our Business Network, and have charged her with bringing her vision of a wholistic and systems view of the planning process to the national and international business communities. Her insight and recognition that the process of strategic planning should account for the emergent characteristics of an organization is in complete accord with the modern view that reductionist thinking cannot begin to capture the full span of that organization's dynamical behavior. I fully expect that Irene and her systems view will quickly become the standard for organizational planning by which all others are measured. We at the Colorado Center for Chaos and Complexity feel privileged to be associated with Irene Sanders, and look forward to a long a successful association.

Linking understanding to complexity theory over the ages.
Besides being a wonderful strategy resource for any organization, this book provides an absolutely wonderful view into the epistimology of complexity theory. From the presocratics to current day paradigms, Irene Sanders has collected a detailed and readable history of knowledge and its marriage to the complex world. This book is highly recommended for practitioners, academics working on their dissertation (like myself), and those with an eager interest in complexity theory.

Great Primer and Guide
This is an excellent book, serving as both primer and guide to the application of complexity and chaos theory to business and organizational strategic thinking. Ms. Sanders navigates the history of the development of "new science" with skill and genius, drawing in the novice and reminding the experienced of key milestones in history - all in an accessible and compelling language... and that is only the first half of the book. In the second half she makes the science of chaos and complexity applicable - not simply as a new technique for planning, but more importantly, as a new way of thinking about the world. Her techniques (the Futurescape), based on developing "insight about the present, foresight about the future" give new life to strategic planning sessions. I have seen the book used in a variety of settings - from Graduate School of Social Work classes to urban leadership planning sessions - and its techniques are equally effective across a wide variety of audiences. Though her command of the subject is impressive, one notices that this author wrote a book that is meant to be used, not one meant to show off her considerable knowledge. Use it if you want to enliven planning sessions, want a new way of viewing the world, want to engage a diverse group, need a compelling visual tool...Great book.

A good introduction
Irene sees the beauty of the science of complexity. I was looking for a framework that would bring into focus (1) the relationship underlying the science of mathematical complexity and (2) long-term planning with incomplete, fragmented, and non-linear information. This book is a step in this direction.

The 1st half of the book is the history of chaos theory that leaves you with a limited understanding of the scope of the science. The second half of the book is far better, and I enjoyed it. Someone wrote in their review it should be required reading for high-school students. I agree. It is a good introduction. Thanks Irene for a good tool to frame our discussion of this emerging field of science.

Smooth Reading
Sanders did an excellent job of providing the necessary supporting foundations and theories that go hand in hand with the enhancement of critical thinking skills. This book is a must for anyone in any field in order to help develop and re-enforce critical thinking skills. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on extensive research he conducted at M.I.T.'s Sloan School of Management, professor Charles H. Fine determined that fruit flies hold the key to the future of business. Not the insects themselves, actually, but the way geneticists study their extraordinarily condensed life spans to gain insight into the much more drawn-out human existence. In like manner, Fine suggests that industries with a very rapid evolutionary rate, or clockspeed, be examined for information that will benefit businesses of all kinds--as well as national economic systems, universities, and even religious institutions--although any edge that emerges may, without additional work, prove to be fleeting. In Clockspeed: Winning Industry Control in the Age of Temporary Advantage, Fine lays out his resultant theories of business genetics. He focuses on "fruit fly industries" such as personal computers and information-entertainment providers and the lessons he says can be learned by dissecting their internal processes, product development procedures, and organizational arrangements. He then proposes ways that other companies can utilize the positive patterns of industry structure that appear. Those whose eyes do not glaze over at the mere thought of calculating "capital equipment obsolesce rates" should find this absorbing and thought-provoking. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Book Description

The world's oldest and best-organized conglomerate now reveals management techniques everyone can use. Unlike other guides to business, The Mafia Manager shuns theoretical verbiage to present the philosophy of leadership that founded and captained "The Silent Empire" through centuries of expansion and success. Some sample pearls of wisdom:

-"Be sure you understand what your boss has ordered before you act on his command. What if you whack the wrong guy, or bomb the wrong joint...Learn the art of asking questions."
-"Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer."
-"Don't become involved in any office political battle without first asking yourself, 'What's in it for me?' and then 'What's in it for them?'"
-"If you must lie, be brief."
... Read more

Reviews (17)

Excellent guide for moving ahead at work
This is an excellent book for people who find themselves struggling in their professional life. Do you find yourself working twice as hard and getting nowhere fast? Then you need an education in the realities of the business world and human nature. If you are already doing well in your professional life then this book is probably a waste of your time as you've probably already mastered the information contained within. If you are a scholar or looking for some insight as to the inner workings of the mafia save your money and don't buy this book.

However, if your looking for some basic guidelines on how to behave at work to move ahead,or if you believe your coworkers are actually your "friends" then get this book right away. The strength of this book is how it describes in lay man terms what you need to do to survive and thrive, and despite the mention of the word mafia in the title I didn't find the tactics in this book evil. While I found some of the tactics used on subordinates, when you become manager a little outdated. I found the parts describing your behavior to your boss and peers very informative.

A realistic view of the business world
This book offers advice that is more practical than one would initially expect. Having worked in the bureaucratic jungle of D.C. for a few years, I can say from experience that the author does quite a good job in explaining the nuances of the business world. This book cuts through a lot of the b.s. that is taught in a typical MBA program and offers some interesting insights into managerial thinking (or lack there of). Also, the author has a style that makes retention rather easy. While I still value humility and compassion in the workplace, the "Mafia Manager" portrays an environment that is more truth than fiction. Most management books are absolute garbage - this isn't one of them.

Worth the Time and Money
I read this book 2 years ago and picked it up again for guidance!!! Its common common sense. The references to human ego, are on target! However, don't get confused; this book isn't on how to be a leader. This book is for leaders that find themselves in organizations (old and new) bound by red-tape, corporate beuracracy, and "...the family business" -- yet hope to reach the top "...of a bone pile."

Makavelli: The Ressuraction
Here lays the crucifix and ressuracton of Machiavelli.

the mafiaso's calls it the corporate guide to machiavelli, its a book to cheer about. it reveals the perfect touch to set up a standard and be the decision maker even in a very sensitive issue involving security and intelligence. the corporate guide analyzed in practical terminologies, the best means of controlling and directing a course.

it is a must read for those intellectuals aiming to cease and maintain power and its effects. the aurther tries to direct the mind of his reader into a style of thought. you will be enthausiasted to learn how you can really act and people will behave..................................., never mind. try the stuff. its breathtaking, mouthwatering, its illuminating and fascinating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has some great parts
Well, people - not a big fan of such gendre. This little gem is useful from the view that some of the advice is applicable even for us mortals unable to engage in murder and intrigue on a daily basis. Most salient aspect for me was the the chapter on organization. Very brief, applicable and most importantly, practical.

For the money and size of this text, I recommend that you have a read - really not much downside on this one. ... Read more

Book Description

In her book Modern Competitive Analysis Sharon Oster shows that combining a sound understanding of economic and managerial principles can make a striking difference in the quality of the strategic planning of any organization. Now completely updated, this third edition includes new material on game theory, added value analysis, and strategic intent. Examples are drawn from modern network industries and more attention is paid to newly deregulated markets. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great textbook on competitive strategy
Excellent textbook on competitive strategy using an economics approach. The first edition complemented my business and economics studies at grad school. Includes a chapter on regulatory (public policy) impacts on business; a topic usually missing from strategy texts. Shows how a 'bill becomes a law' from the business/market perspective !

Required at Chicago GSM
An excellent MBA-level textbook introduction to the principles of competitive strategy, with clear explanations and definitions of basic concepts.  Especially good if you feel like you need a better grounding in business-level strategy. ... Read more

Book Description

Fully integrated with the personal computer, this easy-to-use book provides readers with the skills to necessary to apply the techniques of quantitative analysis in all kinds of organizational decision-making situations. It covers every major topic in the quantitative analysis/management science field, showing how each technique works, discussing the assumptions and limitations of the models, and illustrating the real-world usefulness of each technique with many applications and case studies in both profit-making and nonprofit organizations. A FREE CD-ROM readers can use to solve the examples presented in the book is conveniently packaged with the book providing Excel QM, Crystal Ball, TreePlan, QM for Windows and data files for examples.Probability Concepts and Applications, Decision Theory, Decision Trees with Utility Theory, Forecasting, Inventory Control Models, Linear Programming Models, Linear Programming: The Simplex Method. Transportation and Assignment Models, Integer Programming, Goal Programming, Non Linear Programming, and Branch and Bound Models, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Network Models, Project Management, Waiting Lines and Queuing Theory Models, Simulation Modeling, Markov Analysis, Using QM for Windows, Using Excel OM.Appropriate for business managers and analysts. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book for graduates--Not undergrads
After the first week of our class falling behind, my professor mentioned to our class that this book was the wrong format for undergrads. So this book is only good as the teacher and the students. It's easy to read, but hard to understand. And, the CD-ROM was not user-friendly enough, but had an awesome integration into MS Excel. I aced all of my math classes in college (undergrad), but this class...I'm not gonna to ace. But if you aced all math classes and you're using this book for a grad class, then go for it. Otherwise, find another book.

Great Book
I had one of the worst instructors on the planet this semester. I literally had to teach myself this entire course.
This book made it so much easier. Great diagrams, simple explanations. I ended up with an A.

Easy to follow
This book is easy to follow and the included cd makes solving the problems easy. It also has online links for each chapter. ... Read more

Book Description

Policy, methods, and tools to make good decisions

Project success means making the numbers. Project success means delivering business value from the application of resources to project scope and taking measured risks to achieve deliverables. Quantitative methods provide the basis for calculating value, establishing the project metrics that will be the measures of success, and helping project managers understand the numerical values of risks to be addressed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Walks the reader through its mathematical formulas
Quantitative Methods In Project Management by John C. Goodpasture (President and Founder of Square Peg Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in the field of project management) is a straightforward business guide to calculating project values and using basic metrics to measure success. Written especially for corporate and governmental project workers who are not necessarily advanced students of mathematical theory, Quantitative Methods In Project Management carefully , clearly, and comprehensively walks the reader through its mathematical formulas and principles, and is a great resource for learning how to quickly and accurately access the worth of a project goal. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Recommended Read
I thought "Show Biz" was thoroughly entertaining--and highly pertinent given today's media circus around everything from the California gubernatorial election to today's leading companies. I read Bernd Schmitt's previous books in my MBA marketing classes and find still his approach useful in aligning my marketing team around the customer experience. This book clearly showed me how entertainment is becoming part of the marketing mix, and energized me to use show business to increase my reach and relevancy with customers. I highly recommend it.

The Show and The Business
This book is clever and entertaining. It's anecdotal and moves quickly, but packs a lot of punch. It covers a broad span of businesses and illustrates just how this new type of "Show" business is fundamentally changing marketing all over the world. The authors make a strong case for this type of marketing with their commentary on today's consumer/business culture. I think this book would be edifying for industry insiders and anyone at all interested in today's marketing world.

The book itself has a "show biz" appeal to it, but it backs up the "show" by getting down to business. I recommend There's No Business That's Not Show Business for anyone concerned with cutting edge marketing or branding issues today.

This book is a joke!
I have read all books from this author. What can I say? His first and second were good. I don't know what happened, but the quality of his books have been falling since then. The book is full of examples of what can you do to bring a little "show" into your "business", too bad it's written for those few people who get to manage a huge brand, or have something of an unlimited budget to play with! Of course I'd like to have live shows for my customers! Of course launching a watch at a fancy New York dance club sounds cool! Of course I'd love a theme park or a museum of my own! After reading some pages you start wondering if Schmitt is writing for someone to read this book or he's just trying to sell his consulting business. After reading pearls like:"if you're starting a $150 million promotional campaign...", I just had to close this book and look for something more interesting to do. (There's a long time I leave a book unfinished, but this one is entitled to this honor). Get real... ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first, most comprehensive integration and synthesis of thegrowing literature on the cultures of work organizations.It offers acultural perspective that is compatible with mainstream theories oforganizations, while drawing upon the literatures in sociology,anthropology, organizations, communications, education, publicadministration, management, and business to illustrate the major componentsof work-related cultures.It will benefit professionals who areconsultants, trainers, organizational development agents, and literatemanagers. ... Read more

Book Description

Behind every business hero lies a successful strategy. Behind every business failure lurks a bad strategy.

Developing a good strategy is remarkably simple. Yet the subject has become obscured and over-complicated by academics and consultants with their own hobby-horses and proprietary methods. Strategy has become remote from those who need it most: owners and executives.

The Financial Times Guide to Strategy offers more insight than a whole library of academic strategy tomes. It will help you construct a strategic framework for your company, business model, and marketplace. This second edition is fully updated, encompassing changes in the theory and practice of strategy and including commentary on the latest theories and theorists. Coverage includes:

*demonstrating the power of strategy to raise profits
*providing a DIY strategy kit for managers
*distilling strategic thinking since 1960
*providing a lively A-Z of strategy concepts, terms, and techniques

"Strategy has never been so simple, accessible, powerful, and practically directed to raise profits." -Robin Field, Chief Executive, Filofax Group ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Business Strategy Foundation Book
After reading Koch's "80/20 Principle", I was convinced that he's a mind of his own. His non-conform thinking and writing is extraordinary. Had I only read this book on Strategy before entering my MBA, business school life would have been much easier. Koch's book on strategy is a foundation book, covering the crucial basics for "understanding" business strategy (roughly 80%). It helps espcially the student of strategy not to get (too) confused by providing basic understanding what business stratetgy is all about. The chapters:

INTRODUCTION Koch states wonderfully the use and abuse of strategy and the swings in strategic thinking.

BUSINESS UNIT STRATEGY A do-it-yourself guide with excellent examples.

CORPORATE STRATEGY Very critical Mr Koch argues about the value creation of corporate strategy.

STRATEGIC THINKERS A guide to some of the most useful and important 40 strategic thinkers and their ideas.

STRATEGIC CONCEPTS, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES An A-Z glossary. The key words (or rather Consulting & MBA buzzwords)used in the world of strategy.

STRATEGIC SHIFTS IN THE 21 CENTURY Forward lookin Koch claims that the tools of strategy are particular valuable for understanding and exploiting shifts of increasing returns, networks, and the net in our new century.

Excellent primer into theory on strategic management
Are you a MBA student? Management scholar? If yes, then this book is definitely for you. The book is not meant for everyday management decision makers because it lacks practical insight. But the theory side is excellent. The author of renown "80/20 principles" has written a good outline of strategic management theories through decades as well as about the latest developments in this area. In the introductory part he gives an overview about overall theoretical background of the subject starting from the teachings of Igor Ansoff. In the first part of the analysis goes mainly around book business unit strategy drawing parallels to BCS-s and Porter's positioning methodology. In the second part the attention is given to various possibilities of corporate strategy. The third part gives an alphabetic overview of all the main strategic thinkers. The fourth part speaks about main concepts, methodologies and techniques used in strategic planning process. The final fifth chapter tries to predict the future of the strategic planning by analysing the latest developments in this area. ... Read more

Book Description

The Fast Forward MBA in Finance Second Edition–more necessary than ever!

Even Einstein might have had a hard time making sense of the numbers that come out of the typical accounting department. These critical financial figures of a business should be presented in rational, decision-friendly accounting reports to managers. Unfortunately, accounting reports generally fall short of this mark. That’s why managers rely on John Tracy and The Fast Forward MBA in Finance to help them understand all the accounting and financial information so critical to making sound business decisions.

In this robust update of the popular first edition, Tracy explores the natural starting point for managers–the financial statements–and reveals the essential meaning of each. The financial statement framework is then expanded and modified for the decision-making functions of business managers. Practical examples illustrate how to use management models for analyzing profit, cash flow, and capital investment, all of which are clearly explained with a tight focus on the information needs of individual managers.

The Fast Forward MBA––the compact business companion you’ll use every day!

• Keep up with the newest ideas in business
• Brush up on the basics you can’t do without
• Find direct, practical answers to complicated problems

Reviews (3)

Should be entitled Managerial Accounting
Great, straightforward approach to explaining what managers do, and should, look for in the numbers periodically generated by their accounting systems.

Innovative management approach to financial analysis.
Despite the title of this book, it does not really cover the traditional "finance" topics such as weighted average/marginal cost of capital, portfolio theory, capital structure decisions, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, etc. In my opinion, most of the book deals with managerial accounting-----but it does a great job doing so! In fact, this book contains the best treatment of cost volume profit analysis that I've ever seen----and I am a CPA with 10 years experience. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to manage a company "by the numbers".

To reaffirm and not teach
I felt that there was not enough spent on the subject itself and more of a dummy's version of getting acquainted with Finance. If you've ever taken one course in Finance, you wiz through the book without absorbing any more than you remembered. ... Read more

Download Description

Billions of humans and machines are linking as tightly as neurons in a brain, generating and exchanging ideas at unprecedented speed. Living Networks shows leaders how to build organizations that leverage living networks to deepen relationships, promote i ... Read more

Reviews (5)

From Conceptualization to Plan of Action
Ross Dawson's book, "Living Networks," provides an exceptionally lucid and visionary framework in which to chart a succesful company or individual course in the Knowledge Economy. Through concise bullet lists at key points throughout the book, the author provides a series of critical considerations and steps to develop a solid plan of action for the reader to embark on a voyage into the future of high-value commerce that, in a globalized world of business, will be characterized in significant measure by networks and relationships. The writing is quick and lively and the advice and insight imparted are invaluable.

A well written, clear exposition
Networks, networking and relationship building through networks have become a very popular theme for business writing, the thesis being that strategic networking is one of the critical keys to business success.

Ross Dawson's first book Developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships, focused on relationships between knowledge working professionals and their clients. His new book has a much broader reach, being concerned with the development of network technologies and the implications for business strategy across the whole range of stakeholder and competitor relationships.

The author has demonstrated that the success of his first book was no mere flash in the pan. He writes excellent colloquial English, develops his argument clearly and logically and uses examples and illustrations well to clarify the main points in his argument (unlike the many authors who seem to use examples to overwhelm rather than enlighten). The subject itself is an important one and, although Dawson is not alone in tackling it, his book is the one I would choose as a guide to understanding and action for the practical business person. (For example, I find it more approachable than Verna Allee's The Future of Knowledge, which is written at a more conceptual level and is rather more difficult to read.) It is one of the few books I have read which is clearly informed by an implicitly (as well as explicitly) systemic view of the world.

Living Networks elucidates these systemic relationships and then proposes strategies to achieve successful competitive placement within the systems that the entity chooses to try to influence. Its prescriptions are also based on values that are made explicit in various parts of the book - for example the value on retaining and fostering diversity despite globalization and the importance of operating in ways that build trust.

The book is arranged in four parts: Evolving Networks; Evolving Organizations; Evolving Strategy; and Future Networks (the evolution of business). Each of the ten chapters in Parts 1 to 3 ends with a summary section connecting it to the argument in the rest of the book.

Part 1, Evolving Networks, is a short introductory section that starts by identifying five key issues that the author seeks to explore. These are the impact of networking technologies on:
* the nature of relationships between companies and those they deal with;
* ways of working and relating within organizations;
* innovation and intellectual property, with a particular emphasis given to the importance of open source models of innovation;
* strategy in an economy in which strategic positioning in relation to the flow of information and ideas is becoming critically important; and
* the need for styles of leadership that move beyond the box of traditional command and control and position their organizations effectively within networks, while developing their capacity to recognize, bring together and exploit intellectual property.

Part 1 provides the base for the main focus of the book in Parts 2 and 3. Part 2 describes the evolution of organizations in a systemic world governed by the rules of complexity, but from the particular perspective of networking, relationship building and innovation. The description is complementary to that in books like Moore: The Death of Competition, Hock: Birth of the Chaordic Age, or Youngblood: Life at the Edge of Chaos, all of which provide different insights on the same general phenomenon.
13 action steps are offered for building network presence. In order to keep the scope of the book within reasonable bounds, the important issues of privacy and of intellectual property are mentioned, but not discussed in any detail.

Part 3 turns to strategy. The thesis is that:
Devices, communications, and industries are all converging into one vast space for doing business. This is the flow economy, in which almost all value is based on the flow of information and ideas. Companies must continually reposition themselves in this flow economy, both to meet new competitive challenges ... and to take advantage of ... emerging opportunities.

The single chapter in Part 4 develops 10 propositions or forecasts:

* We will soon be immersed in connectivity [access will spread and bandwidth will become greater]
* Transparency will drive business and society [suggesting that privacy will vanish]
* Collaborative filtering will be the heart of the networks
* Information filtering will be an evolutionary battlefield [marketers trying to insert messages and technology and other means becoming available to exclude them]
* Open, accepted standards will predominate
* almost all value creation will stem from collaborative relationships
* Collaborative intellectual property models will flourish
* Highly virtualised organizations will be a dominant force
* The rapidly increasing pool of free agents will be polarized [the rich will get richer and the poor poorer]
* People and networks will merge [technologies for integrating the human and the machine are developing].

These are of course forecasts or bets on the future. The development of their implications makes interesting reading and provides a possible direction. Whether we want to, or do go that way is another question. As with the debate on globalization, what we can do, what we should do and what we will do are not necessarily the same and depend in large part on the underlying 'rules of the game', including the measures by which we judge success. What those are and should be is a debate that is taking place at the level of societal governance - a debate of immense importance to us all.

A fun and practical primer to today's economy
There's a lot of confusion out there about what technology means to business in the wake of the dotcom bust. Living Networks finally brings clarity to this field. It explains clearly where we are, and covers what managers have to do in organizations, strategy, innovation, and more. It really is exceptional to find a business book that is both very practical, and also such an entertaining read.

No point doing a synopsis. The book has a Website ... which has an overview and chapters to download. And a "blog", so you get the author's realtime commentary too. Bring on the day when all book's have this value-add!

Two (small) reservations. First, Dawson implies that everything he covers is happening now. Much of it is, but some stuff in the book (especially web services) will pan out over the next few years. Second (if you can call it a problem), the book is so broad in scope that it doesn't have the theory and richness of more specialist books. Want to know the latest on network theory and the social implications? Read Nexus by Buchanan or Barabasi's Linked. Want in-depth network strategy? Information Rules by Shapiro and Varian. Mathematical business analysis of networks? Buy Shy's Economics of Network Industries. The key issues in intellectual property? Lessig's The Future of Ideas. What the new dynamics are for individuals? Pink's Free Agent Nation is still a winner. Want the whole kit and kaboodle: what's happening in the economy today, and what to do about it? No question, Living Networks is the standout book. Hopefully it will get some good competition soon.

Eminently practical AND visionary
This is one of the most exciting books I've read in several years. Ross Dawson deftly examines the evolution of networks, organizations and strategy. He has more than succeeded in his intent, which is to produce a practical business book that shows business people how to leverage networks.
I greatly appreciated the numerous concrete, practical examples from what seems like every continent except Antarctica, based on exceptionally thorough research. Those examples show how what Ross Dawson proposes is not only do-able, but has indeed been done by various companies.
I intend to use a number of the many checklists for action in my work.
If you haven't read his first book, developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships I suggest you read it next.

Readers Digest for dot comedy survivors
The new way to write books
1) Search Google using the latest business phrase
2) Copy and paste a paragraph from each item you find
3) When you have enough paragraphs call it a chapter
4) End of book?
.....No, go to 1) and repeat with new phrase
.....Yes, write another one tomorrow ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's hype and then there's the Internet. The widespread emergence of the World Wide Web and the idea of a network economy have set new records for excess in overheated marketing campaigns, breathless newspaper and magazine articles, and topsy-turvy financial markets. From his perch as founding editor of Wired magazine, Kevin Kelly has long been one of the new economy's chief hypesters. In New Rules for the New Economy, Kelly tries to encapsulate the characteristics of this emerging economic order by laying out 10 rules for how the wired world operates. The result is a dizzying, sometimes confusing, but always thought-provoking look at the behavior of networks and their effect on our economic lives. At the root of this network revolution is communication. As Kelly writes:

Communication is the foundation of society, of our culture, of our humanity, of our own individual identity, and of all economic systems. This is why networks are such a big deal. Communication is so close to culture and society itself that the effects of technologizing it are beyond the scale of a mere industrial-sector cycle. Communication, and its ally computers, is a special case in economic history. Not because it happens to be the fashionable leading business sector of our day, but because its cultural, technological, and conceptual impacts reverberate at the root of our lives.

Reviews (1)

A quick overview of project management
The book is a good, quick read about the hows 'n' whys of project management. I'd like to have seen a bit more about the pros 'n' cons of using project management software, but that's OK.

If you're looking for a book specifically about software project management, immediately start with Steve McConnell's "Software Project Survival Guide". ... Read more

Book Description

The Definitive Guide to the Field's Best Practices In recent years, project management has become a profession unto itself. And with a membership numbering in the tens of thousands, the Project Management Institute is the organization that's setting the profession's standards. In this authoritative handbook, more than twenty-five top experts from academia, consulting, and private industry define the current state of project management and detail for readers all of the practical elements that constitute a superior practice. In clear, accessible language, these experts provide a comprehensive overview of the technical, organizational, administrative, and interpersonal elements of successful project management. They detail the essentials of project planning--from risk management to resource allocation to scheduling. They describe the team-building, motivational, and conflict-management challenges that project leaders face. And they delineate critical success factors as well as major pitfalls to avoid. At last, project managers across all industries can readily reference the best practices of their profession and benchmark their skills against those of their most accomplished colleagues. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

huh?
don't you doctors make enough money? $88 US for one book? That must be some kind of joke, or you are taking some serious meds.

do us all a favour and look at the prices of similar books and don't be so greedy.

The book doesn't cover everything in the PMBOK Guide
The book is ok, though not great in terms of a study guide for the PMI Test, which is the primary reason for my purchase.

It does provide a good overview & discussion on the topics it covers, but it doesn't cover everything outlined in the PMBOK Guide.

Because it doesn't cover all topics, this book doesn't add significant value as a study guide for the PMI Exam. The book would be a good overview/discussion book on the topics covered as it gives various "expert" writings on the issues examined.

As an official PMI Publication, I assumed it would cover all topics in the PMBOK. I guess this is what happens when we shop virtually vs brick/mortar.

COMPREHENSIVE, REWARDINGLY DETAILED, HIGHLY READABLE!
Jointly published by Jossey-Bass and the Project Management Institute, the book's goal is to present a comprehensive guide that covers the central features in the field of project management, addressing: the key aspects of projects and their role in organization; scope management and project planning; human resource management; and integrative issues that explore the project management process from a holistic viewpoint. This is an extremely comprehensive work. All the contributions are thoughtful and in depth.

This work is both highly readable and rewardingly detailed, delving into lots of valuable technical nitty-gritty, leaving this reviewer very impressed. Recommended. Reviewed by Gerry Stern, founder, Stern & Associates, author of Stern's Sourcefinder: The Master Directory to HR and Business Management Information & Resources, Stern's CyberSpace SourceFinder, and Stern's Compensation and Benefits SourceFinder. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

From industrial revolution to information society
The book gives an interesting overview to Nokia, but at the same time it is an interesting story from the industrial revolution to the information society. Nokia has had a long way from paper, rubber, and cable business to cellular networks and handsets. It is also a story about different corporate strategies. Nokia used to be in several industries and huge diversified product portfolio. During the last 10 years Nokia has shifted its strategy to have a clear focus in the telecom industry. And all events are also related to politics.

Actually I feel the most interesting part of the book is 1970's and 1980's. It was the time when Nokia started the shift from paper and rubber industry to consumer electronics and telecom. This time had many dramatic events and great visions. 1990's is maybe the most boring part of the book. There are so many other books that tell about Nokia's most recent days and strategies.

I recommend this book. Especially, it put me to think that each strategy is always related to a prevailing political and business environment. Nokia has been able to successfully adjust its strategy to meet different needs and situations. ... Read more