Book Description

Sustainability has become a buzzword in the last decade, but its full meaning is complex, emerging from a range of different sectors. In practice, it has become the springboard for millions of individuals throughout the world who are forging the fastest and most profound social transformation of our time-the sustainability revolution.

The Sustainability Revolution paints a picture of this largely unrecognized phenomenon from the point of view of five major sectors of society:

Community (government and international institutions)
Commerce (business)
Resource extraction (forestry, farming, fisheries etc.)
Ecological design (architecture, technology)
Biosphere (conservation, biodiversity etc.)

The book analyzes sustainability as defined by each of these sectors in terms of the principles, declarations and intentions that have emerged from conferences and publications, and which serve as guidelines for policy decisions and future activities. Common themes are then explored, including:

An emphasis on stewardship
The need for economic restructuring promoting no waste and equitable distribution
An understanding and respect for the principles of nature
The restoration of life forms
An intergenerational perspective on solutions

Concluding that these themes in turn represent a new set of values that define this paradigm shift, The Sustainability Revolution describes innovative sustainable projects and policies in Colombia, Brazil, India and the Netherlands and examines future trends. Complete with a useful resources list, this is the first book of its kind and will appeal to business and government policymakers, academics and all interested in sustainability.

Andrés R. Edwards is an educator, author, media designer and environmental systems consultant who has specialized in sustainability topics for the past 15 years. The founder and president of EduTracks, an exhibit design and fabrication firm specializing in green building and sustainable education programs for parks, towns and companies, he lives in northern California.

Book Description

Behavior-Based Safety, based on the work of B.F. Skinner, includes identifying critical behaviors, observing actual behaviors and providing feedback that lead to changed and improve behavior. The Values-Based Safety Process: Improving Your Safety Culture with a Behavioral Approach, Second Edition provides a concise and practical guide for implementing a behavior-based safety system within any organization. 

Includes two new chapters on hot topics in behavioral safety, isolated workers, and the role of leadership in supporting behavorial safety.
- Updated examples of the observation checklist.
- New case studies covering large plants of 1,200 workers or more. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Values-Based Safety Process SECOND EDITION
This is a great, great book. Having studied safety culture management for many years, this is the best book I have seen on the subject. A practical, meat and potato's guide to establishing a successful, high-performance safety culture, with a proven method that absolutely works. McSween holds your hand and takes you right down the road where you need to go with a clear, understandable writing style that starts at the basics and takes you all the way through how to celebrate your success. The second edition has lots of case studies and a great section on safety leadership. Buy this book! Also, read some great safety articles at McSween's website "Quality Safety Edge".

Improving the BBS process?
Dr. McSween's book 'The Values-based Safety Process' was referenced in a paper he co-authored at last June's ASSE Safety Conference. One challenge we face is applying the principles of BBS in a single worker environment - his paper and book have provided us with insights on how we might move forward - with BBS ownership from all levels in our organization. Well worth the investment.

The Values-Based Safety Process: Improving Your Safety Cultu
I reviewed this book along with four others by other BBS consultant authors and I find this to be the best. Terry McSween has written a very usable book complete with forms, checklists. and essential elements necessary for doing your own process, if you are intending to anyway. I also found the section on safety incentives to be very helpful and neccessary. One is likely to do a poor BBS implementation unless they address the important organizational interface between the popular but controversial safety rewards programs and a new BBS effort. McSween's appreciation for manufacturing organizational cultures seems to me to be on the mark.

The Values-Based Safety Process - a must read for executives
Dr. Terry McSween has written "The Values-Based Safety Process" what many have described as the "most practical book on how to actually implement behavioral-based safety and troubleshoot organizational and system problems within an organization". This book is an essential working reference for every executive, manager, supervisor and safety professional responsible for for helping protect employees, the environment, and property. A very positive review of the book was published in the July 2001 issue of Professional Safety.

This book can help you get a proper perspective of how Behavior-based safety can be an additional element (but not a replacement for) a fundamentally sound total loss control program to protect people, the environment and property.

Larry Bailey, CSP

A concise and practical guide for behavior-based safety
Dr. Terry McSween has produced a concise and practical guide for implementing a behavior-based safety system within any organization. This book was the best book on behavioral safety that I have ever read. This book is easy to read and to understand, and most of all, easy to set into action in the work environment. ... Read more

Book Description

If the word "hero" still belonged in the historian's lexicon, it would certainly be applied to John Wesley Powell. Intrepid explorer, careful scientist, talented writer, and dedicated conservationist, Powell led the expedition that put the Colorado River on American maps and revealed the Grand Canyon to the world. Now comes the first biography of this towering figure in almost fifty years--a book that captures his life in all its heroism, idealism, and ambivalent, ambiguous humanity.In A River Running West, Donald Worster, one of our leading Western historians, tells the story of Powell's great adventures and describes his historical significance with compelling clarity and skill. Worster paints a vivid portrait of how this man emerged from the early nineteenth-century world of immigrants, fervent religion, and rough-and-tumble rural culture, and barely survived the Civil War battle at Shiloh. The heart of Worster's biography is Powell's epic journey down the Colorado in 1869, a tale of harrowing experiences, lethal accidents, and breathtaking discoveries. After years in the region collecting rocks and fossils and learning to speak the local Native American languages, Powell returned to Washington as an eloquent advocate for the West, one of America's first and most influential conservationists. But in the end, he fell victim to a clique of Western politicians who pushed for unfettered economic development, relegating the aging explorer to a quiet life of anthropological contemplation. John Wesley Powell embodied the energy, optimism, and westward impulse of the young United States. A River Running West is a gorgeously written, magisterial account of this great American explorer and environmental pioneer, a true story of undaunted courage in the American West. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Growing With the Country
Reading this book was like being present at the creation of America. It will appeal especially to U.S. history buffs and to anyone interested in the American West. Worster's telling of the feat that won Powell fame, leading the first expedition down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, has definitely renewed my passion for exploring the West. Powell was a man of ideas, as well as action. For a quarter century he was at the forefront of debates over reserving land for American Indians, how to foster family farming in the arid West, and the thorny issue of water rights. For many years, Powell was a prominent official in Washington, as head of the U.S. Geological Survey, which he helped create, and in other positions. From what I gather in this book, Powell may have been as important as any single individual in making support of scientific research a normal function of the Federal Government. From the perspective of one man's career, Worster touches on a multitude of topics: railroads, telegraph, photography, landscape painting of the West, Mormon settlements, and many more. For the comprehension one gains of American life in those times, this biography is the equal of a first rate novel. Although a work of scholarship, it is written to be enjoyed by the general reader.

Informative but a little sterile.
The book is well written and informative about the events of Powell's life and the geological survey in which Powell played such a major role. My primary disappointment with the book was that I felt I didn't know the person John W. Powell much better after reading the book. The book provided very little information about Powell's life outside of his work.

An Enchanting Piece of Scholarship
I enjoyed this book immensely. Thorough, evocative, thrilling, and comprehensive in its scope, it was a delight from beginning to end.
I completed a major in Geography at Illinois State University many years ago, where Powell taught at one time, and I am embarrassed to admit the sad truth that in all the courses I took nary a word was ever mentioned about the great man. Considering his extraordinary contribution to our understanding of the natural world, it is all too sad.

Mystery and Meaning in John Wesley Powell
The life of John Wesley Powell presents a mystery and a meaning. Powell, of course, achieved fame for his explorations of the Colorado River and surrounding regions, accomplished in two expeditions in 1869 and 1871-72. The romance of a one-armed man, wounded in the Civil War fighting for the Union, now beating the toughest river in the West, retains its charm to this day; Powell's visage graces plaques all over the West, especially at the Grand Canyon. But the bulk of Powell's life was spent not in rugged exploration but behind desks in Washington, as director of the US Geological Survey and the Bureau of Ethnology. In his capacity as a bureaucrat Powell proved a tenacious infighter, successful in all but his most important venture (more on that below). The mystery of Powell's life lies in finding the connection between Powell the explorer and Powell the bureaucrat, which seem at first blush to be at such odds with each other. Donald Worster's biography of Powell does not solve this mystery directly, but provides the material out of which a solution can be constructed. In both endeavors it was Powell's ability to claim and retain the loyalty of subordinates (who, in many cases, did the really serious scientific work) and his extraordinary organizational talent that spelled his success. We can see these skills operating clearly in Worster's careful, detailed, chronological narrative of Powell's life. The battles he fought with his Congressional opponents demanded at least as much finesse as the rapids of the Colorado; Worster's book allows us to see Powell's life, despite the surface incongruity of its two halves, as a fundamentally unified whole. The meaning in Powell's life he shared with many men of his generation in both Europe and America. Raised in a traditional, pious Wesleyan family (hence his given names), he shrugged off the strictures of religion for science; it was to science that he devoted his life, science in which he reposed his trust, science which made his career. The United States still struggles with the conflicts and contradictions between religion which makes its powerful, often deeply conservative, claims, and science, to which we owe our wealth and standing. Powell knew from his mid-twenties to which side he belonged. His experience can still speak to us. Worster's interest in Powell was adumbrated in his earlier, passionate book, *Rivers of Empire* (published in 1985). There Powell's plan to divide the West into hydrological basins, each of which would -- if its water supply was adequate -- serve as the basis for a self-governing, democratic, locally controlled water-use district, became the environmental alternative to the path we actually followed -- the construction of gigantic dams redirecting water hundreds of miles, with concomitant uncontrolled growth, pollution, disfigurement of the landscape, and transfer of untold billions of dollars from the East to the West in perhaps the greatest governmental subsidy in history. Powell's struggle to expound and implement this plan as described in his *Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States* of 1879 ended in his total defeat. Worster tells this story especially well, with full consciousness of the contribution Powell's own missteps made to the result. Powell's great failure forms the counterpoint to his great success. Whether Powell's vision, if implemented, would have led to a different, more environmentally sound -- if less glamorous -- exploitation of the West must remain moot, though there is no doubt about the damage the approach we actually followed has caused. In any case, Powell's story intertwines with issues that haunt us today. Every American needs to know his story.

The New Classic in Western History
This is a beautiful book: well conceived and exquisitely written. It may sound cliché, but this is surely an instant classic. The genius of Donald Worster's A RIVER RUNNING WEST is not that it provides a compelling and captivating account of the life of John Wesley Powell (it does), but rather that through Powell, Worster tells the story of the settlement of the American West, the history of surveying the American West, and the professionalization of science in the 19th Century. Few individuals have represented their times so comprehensively to allow for such a study (only Ben Franklin jumps readily to mind), but Powell serves as a perfect vehicle for a study of period and place. Further, Worster is arguably the finest contemporary writer on the American West, comparable to past greats De Voto and Stegner. To boot, the book's final sentence is an absolute zinger! Anyone interested in the American West must read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Water Resource Development in Northern Afghanistan and its Implications for Amu Darya Basin is part of the World Bank Working Paper series. These papers are published to communicate the results of the Bank’s ongoing research and to stimulate public discussion.

This study examines increased water use by Afghanistan and its implications for other water users in the basin, including the Aral Sea, both in the short and long run through an overview of: a) the amount of Amu Darya flows generated in northern Afghanistan; b) the amount of water presently used in northern Afghanistan, prospective use in the near future, and possible impact of the increased use on the riparian states and the Aral Sea; c) existing agreements between Afghanistan and the neighboring Central Asian states regarding the use of waters in the Amu Darya Basin, their relevance and applicability in the present and in the future; and d) future directions for water resources development and improved water management in the basin. ... Read more

Book Description

The Team Handbook has been the reference of choice for team leaders and team advisors for many years. Many call it their "team bible." Proven. Practical. Now The Team Handbook Second Edition is an even better resource for accomplishing the work of teams in your organization. The new edition of this classic takes you beyond improvement teams to work teams and the teams of today. We've kept the easy-to-use format and powerful content that led more than 800,000 users to success with teams. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Zen for team building
From the time you get the book you realize this book was made by team members for team builders. The book has a lot of white space so you can scribble notes. This book was written so that a basic mind could comprehend the steps needed to build and manage sucessful teams. This is a keeper!

Actually recommendable/Muy recomendable
Clear, observative and Easy-going on the subject. It reflects the key guidelines of Team Management. Do not hesitate. Claro, observador y ameno en la temática. Retrata los puntos clave de la Gestión de Equipos. No lo dudes.

A True Guide for Working in a Team Based Environment
With all the dynamics that take place in a team based environment, this book has come to my aid on several occasions, it's the best tool I have in resolving complex team issues.

"Mi Biblia"
I'm agree with the Book descrition about calling it "Team Bible", I have been using it since 1993, An excellent option for those who are internal or external consultants and mainly for Managers in all organizations.

Makes effective project management simple!!
An excellent resource for project managers using cross functional teams. Provides an excellent resource for planning and implementing effective meetings, and ensuring excellent team dynamics. The book is well laid out, user friendly, and provides templates for practical application of techniques. ... Read more

Book Description

*Picked by Amory Lovins as a successor to his paradigm-shattering bestsellers Natural Capitalism and Factor Four * Endorsed by governments, engineering and business associations, companies and scientists from around the world *The essential guide for policy-makers, business people, engineers and others seeking competitive advantage in the new "sustainable economy""The Natural Advantage of Nations" is the undisputed successor to Natural Capitalism and Factor Four, the paradigm-shattering bestsellers that made the case for a profitable new sustainable global economy. The book takes natural capitalism to the next level by outlining the business case for nations to make the jump to sustainable economies through technical innovation. Employing competitive advantage theory and a wealth of case studies the authors and editors provide a clear blueprint for nations and business to make the switch to fully sustainable economies, and to do it profitably. This book is powerful and essential reading for leaders in government, business, science and engineering, and academia seeking a competitive advantage in the new "sustainability economy" as they build wealth and save the earth. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Online Companion to this Book
Greetings,

Michael and I (Editors of The Natural Advantage of Nations) would like to refer you to the online companion that we have built for this book. It contains many supporting resources including links to the source documents that we have researched and also contains a number of reviews and endorsements.

www.thenaturaladvantage.info

We hope you will find this book interesting and of use and are happy to respond to any questions you may have, see our site for contact details.

Regards
Charlie and Michael

Important follow-up to Natural Capitalism
A must read for anyone serious about understanding the global phenonomen and trend of sustainable development. This comprehensive and well-documented book shows specific examples of how sustainable innovation can and needs to transform our globally linked society and economy. While it's a dense read, it's an important book.We're using this book at the Chicago Manufacturing Center to generate ideas for our GreenPlants program that helps manufacturers change to sustain in an incredibly competitive global economy. Contrary to the popular idea that business and environmental and societal stewardship are at odds, the Natural Advantage demonstrates that the time for new multi-stakeholder collaborations between industry, government, and the global community is here. ... Read more

Book Description

This title is a unified approach to corporate sustainability, combining ecological and human sustainability. Key areas covered include HRM, strategic, organizational and environmental issues. Not only valuable to students, it will also prove invaluable to practitioners as a practical guide for change agents in bringing about sustainability in a systematic way. Practice and theory are carefully balanced; uniquely the authors provide a combination of insight into the subject and practical assistance with implementation. ... Read more

Book Description

This book brings together classic readings from a wide variety of sources to investigate how our cities and towns can become more sustainable. ... Read more

Book Description

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg in 2002 brought together thousands of delegates who mapped out the future of the global sustainable development agenda. The resulting technical document, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), identifies priorities in the implementation of Agenda 21 and other international agreements, and commitments that will take these priorities forward. This plain language version provides an invaluable reference to the outcomes of the WSSD by explaining the JPOI clearly for the lay person and expert alike. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Voices of the poor from many lands
This book is the third in a trilogy of books on the issue ofpoverty and human development undertaken by the World Bank. This last book will tell you the case studies from 14 countries. In all three books information was gathered from more than 60,000 poor men and women from sixty countries, the true experts on poverty with many stories to tell together withrelevant and important observations. The study is different from other poverty studies in the fact that participatory and qualitative research methods were used. The voices of the poor from the wholeworld can be heard from each page you read. The task for the research team and authors has been enormous, but they have passed with flying colours.
This book has 16 chapters with the story of poverty in 14 countries (Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian federation, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Jamaica) with each country chapter organized with a brief life story followed by the issues and discussions that emerged in the group sessions and individual interviews in each country.
The book ends with advice for politicians and lawmakers, who have failed to address the issue of poverty that in many countries seem to make the rich more rich and the poor more poor. States should work towards reduction of poverty by promoting pro-poor economic policies, invest in poor people's assets and capabilities, support partnership with poor people, address gender inequity and children's vulnerability and protect poor people's right.
We hope the three books and the material presented will be used in international forums in order to formulate efforts and plans to reduce global poverty, instead of collecting dust on the shelves... ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

A brilliant framework, well explained.
The founder of The Natural Step has written what is partly a history of its foundation and growth, partly an explanation of the principles by which it operates and partly a guide to the future of the move towards sustainable operation. It is also partly autobiographical and gives a fascinating insight into an extraordinary career.
Of interest to those concerned with sustainability, to systems thinkers, business strategist and to the general reader who seeks to understand the underlying principles that are elsewhere so well concealed in complexity. Robèrt's genius is in two fields: the first is in revealing the easy to understand (but less easy to apply) principles that provide a guide to moving toward sustainability, and the second is in developing and applying a form of dialogue that invites people into the creative process.
The Natural Step is an international movement which provides education and support for commercial and government organizations seeking to move to sustainability. It does this by providing a framework, a process and case and other materials for assessing sustainability and developing a strategy to move towards full sustainability while maintaining or enhancing commercial viability.
It offers a proven methodology for moving toward sustainability, which is valid at every level from the global to the personal, and is applied in a way that recognizes the requirements that the business (or whatever) remain viable at every step. This book by its founder is a valuable addition to an important literature.
While the whole book is useful, Chapter 2 (Systems Thinking and Consensus), the second half of Ch. 5 on Communication tools, Chapter 6 (The System Conditions for Sustainability), and Chapter 10 (The TNS Framework) are vital to understanding the principles and their application. The metaphor of the tree and branches in chapter 2 is absolutely fundamental to understanding the approach - get away from arguing specific detail (the 'leaves') and focus on the few driving principles ('the 'trunk and branches') that drive the complexity in the leaves.
Each case study makes a particular point. If you choose only one, Ch. 11 the McDonald's case is the one to go for, but each is carefully constructed to illustrate a specific principle.

The most satisfying book yet on The Natural Step
The recipient of the year 2000 Blue Planet Prize (aka the Ecology Nobel), Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert has offered the world a delightful peak at his decade-long adventure in making visible the possibility of a just and sustainable future for all. Beyond skillfully describing the beginnings of the idea of The Natural Step and its framework's scientific basis, he also shares some remarkable stories that express his deep social consciousness and longing for a world that works for everyone.

He lets the reader know, among other things, that
--his heroes are Greenpeace activisits
--participants at the World Economic Forum at Davos (to which he was invited) for the most part seemed unaware of the plight of the world's poor
--the apathy and helplessness that most people feel with regard to our global dilemma may be one of the most serious problems we face in resolving the dilemma
--the economic paradigm must change
--new business leaders may be key to shifting current mass media reluctance to cover issues of social and ecological sustainability
--and so much more!

The materials in the Appendixes are worth the price of the book itself. Invaluable in understanding the core values of The Natural Step, applying its framework, and learning how the agricultural sector (one of many, by the way, who have explored this approach to strategic planning) in Sweden arrived at consensus on developing a sustainable future, the back matter will fascinate as much as the growing pains and other stories in the main portion of this singular, thought-provoking publication.

Essential reading for anyone concerned about our common future.

TNS leaps forwards!
Anyone who has heard Karl-Henrik Robert speak in person will want to read this personal account of the evolution of TNS to date. He writes boldly and brightly - from his heart. I enjoyed it immensely and gained further insights into how to share The Natural Step story with others. Buy it! ... Read more

Book Description

Agroecologists from around the world share their experiences in the analysis and development of indicators of agricultural sustainability in Agroecosystem Sustainability: Developing Practical Strategies. The authors build on the resource-conserving aspects of traditional, local, and small-scale agriculture while at the same time drawing on modern ecological knowledge and methods. They define the relationship between agroecology and sustainable development.Leading researchers present case studies that attempt to determine 1) if a particular agricultural practice, input, or management decision is sustainable, and 2) what is the ecological basis for the functioning of the chosen management strategy over the long term. They discuss common findings, define the future role of agroecology, and explore strategies for helping farmers make the transition to sustainable farming systems. Preserving the productivity of agricultural land over the long term requires sustainable food production. Agroecosystem Sustainability: Developing Practical Strategies covers topics that range from management practices specific to a particular region to more global efforts to develop sets of indicators of sustainability. It links social and ecological indicators of sustainability. From this foundation we can move towards the social and economic changes that promote sustainability in all sectors of the food system. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A must buy book for everyone
I am from Thailand and a native Thai.
I read his book; he is my professor.
I am impressed with his idea- the so " socratic idea".
I love his book and everyone should buy it. ... Read more

Book Description

Helps you understand the psychology of the corporate structure and why corporations need to encourage "soul" in order to survive. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I love Carol Orsborn's interview
I am a big fan of Carol Orsborn's books (including "Inner Excellence at Work: The Path to Meaning, Spirit and Success.") It's great to read her in an informal interview with the folks at New Dimensions. They really capture the flavor of her wisdom and advice. All the authors who are featured make an important contribution to the field of spirituality and business. Read this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Science faces major challenges in tackling the interlinked problems of poverty and environmental sustainability. This book calls for a restructuring of our present arrangements to achieve integrated natural resource management--integration across scales, system components, disciplines and knowledge types. It advocates the necessity of modelling, multi-scale analysis and action research, institutional and organizational development, and communication enhancement. The book draws on case studies throughout the world. ... Read more

Book Description

The concept of the "triple bottom line" (TBL) -- the idea that business activity can simultaneously deliver financial, social and environmental benefits -- was introduced in the early 1990s. A decade on, The Triple Bottom Line: Does It All Add Up? brings together the world's leading experts on corporate responsibility to assess the implications, benefits and limitations of the TBL.

This collection provides a review of what has already been achieved in stimulating change in corporate culture and bringing businesses to appreciation of the importance and benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and good environmental performance. It further explores the conceptual and practical limits of the metaphor of the TBL and sets out what can be achieved through regulation and legislation, presenting detailed professional procedures for environmental accounting and management and social auditing.

The contributors' wealth of experience and insight provides a vivid picture of how much attention is now being focused by business on delivering more than just financial targets, and they clearly outline the necessary steps for successfully continuing along this trajectory.

Contributors: Carol Adams, Tom Baxter, Jan Bebbington, Nancy Bennet, Ian Buckland, David Cutteridge, Deborah Doane, John Elkington, Geoff Frost, Rob Gray, Adrian Henriques, Rupert Howes, Vernon Jennings, Alex MacGillivray, Markus Milne, Paul Monaghan, Ros Oakley, Jonathon Porritt, Julie Richardson, Rupesh Shah, Cornis van der Lugt, Wendy Webber. ... Read more

Book Description

In Mad Dogs, Dreamers and Sages, Zades and Stephens, speak to the urgent need for genuine, sustainable growth in today's businesses and organizations.The book shares insights gained from their Odyssey Project on imaginative intelligence, a two-year experiential research project in search of primary sources of innovation from architecture, art, business, design, filmmaking, journalism, literature psychology, religion, social science and theatre. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Visionary doesn't begin to describe it
Fortunately, early in my career I had the good fortune of working for Steve Zades.

Unfortunately, it was too early in my career for me to appreciate what an extraordinary leader, visionary and person I was working for. I still see the day I resigned as among the three biggest mistakes of my life.

Reading through this book for me is more than a stroll down memory lane, as now I can see how incredibly far this road can go.

Any self-respecting ad person (creative, account service, media placement or otherwise) should have a copy of this book sitting between their copies of Hey Whipple Squeeze This and Eating the Big Fish.

Somewhere between Adam Smith, Stan Richards, Napolean Hill, Luke Sullivan, Marcus Aurelius and Carlos Castenda, Steve Zades has carved out a niche for himself as a true Business Philosopher King.

Excellent
Zades and Stephens have really done their homework. I found this book to be highly insightful and helpful, plus it was an enjoyable read. It's
ahead of the pack; I highly recommend it.

a reader in Los Angeles
I read Mad Dogs, Dreamers and Sages after reading the inspiring September cover story in Inc. magazine on Sundance and Robert Redford, which was excerpted from this book. The article was terrific. The entire book was not only excellent but it was inspirational as well. The book is different from so many of the business and leadership books out there in that it can be savored and enjoyed as well as applied rigorously. The hardest thing in any organization is to grow the top line. This book makes you believe it is not only possible, but gives you the tools to do it.

Must Have
This book should be the textbook for free thinking entrepreneurs the world over. Especially now, when corporate and small business growth has become stagnant. Just when it seems we have all our oars in the water pulling in different directions Mad Dogs brings you to a different place, a place full of promise, fresh ideas, and innovation. The clarity in which it is written, leads you to intellectual stimulation and then inevitably to the execution of true growth in yourself, community and your own corporate success . Zades and Stephens have written a true gem. Buy this book before corporate America catches on.

Mad Dogs, Dreamers and Sages: Growth in the Age of Ideas
I highly recommend this book. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience growth and renewal, personally and professionally, no matter where you fit in our world or within an organization. It is uplifting, ground-breaking, informative, and wonderfully written. Don't miss the chance to experience this book and the rewards you will gain from it. ... Read more

Book Description

The inability of development agencies to understand and improve the performance of the organizations they support continues to impede progress in the developing world, even after a decade of reforms. Strengthening the institutions that receive those grants and loans — including government ministries and executing agencies as well as nongovernmental organizations — has become the key to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of development assistance.

This book offers a clear-cut methodology to diagnose institutional strengths and weakness at the onset of development activities. In this way, beneficiaries can respond to growing pressures from donor governments and organizations for accountable and sustainable use of development funding. The authors examine all aspects of organizational performance, including the enabling environment, institutional capacity, management, financial viability, and staff motivation. They also review the methodological issues involved in carrying out an assessment, ranging from the choice and framing of questions to data collection and analysis, the question of who "owns" the assessment, and the reporting of results.

Designed for practitioners interested in organizational diagnosis and social change, this book includes a quick guide for organizational assessment, a sample report outline and questions, and a comprehensive assessment glossary. ... Read more

Book Description

Community and public support are essential to the success of conservation and resource management programs. Often, the level of support received depends on whether or not the goals and importance of the program have been clearly explained to the public, the press, or policymakers. Without good communication, even the best programs are liable to fail.

Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals provides in-depth guidance on achieving conservation goals through better communications. It introduces communication approaches-marketing and mass media, citizen participation, public information, environmental interpretation, and conservation education activities-and offers scores of real-world examples and straightforward advice that will help conservationists develop the the skills they need to communicate effectively. Following an introductory chapter that provides an overview of the communication process, the book:

• describes research techniques for gathering background information and targeting audiences
• outlines the steps involved in developing a communications campaign
• explains how to use mass media-from giving interviews to writing news releases and holding press conferences
• provides examples for developing interpretive media for conservation
• explores long-term conservation education strategies
• presents program evaluation techniques to determine the level of success achieved, or to identify steps for improvemen.

Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals is a much-needed contribution to the environmental literature that will play a vital role in helping scientists, managers, concerned citizens, and students to more effectively communicate their knowledge and concern about the environment, and to achieve greater professional and community success with their environmental campaigns. ... Read more