This is a complete guide to finding, negotiating, contracting, and working with consultants and service contractors. It includes essential information on needs analysis and step-by-step instructions for preparing the solicitation package. Drawing on his many years of experience as both consultant and manager, Herman Holtz explores and explains relevant issues and provides practical guidelines applicable to many different situations. He outlines what consultants can offer, both in terms of areas of competence and types of service and provides detailed information on resources, bids, and proposals. Holtz cites numerous examples drawn from actual case histories and provides worksheets for every stage of the process and useful resource lists.

Who holds the upper hand when a company considers investing millions of dollars in a hot sponsorship property? All too often, sponsors find themselves considering what look like take it or leave it deals with little or no guarantee of a return on their investment. Sponsorship's Holy Grail levels the playing field for sponsors by providing an objective, step-by-step, process-driven methodology that assures that the relationship will deliver measurable results. Whether considering a new sponsorship opportunity, monitoring performance of an existing relationship or entering into negotiations for renewal, Sponsorship's Holy Grail puts the prospective sponsor in an unprecedented position of strength. Learn to negotiate based on business goals. Obtain the most essential sponsorship benefits without paying for unproductive frills. Compare opportunities with confidence. Best of all, be confident and prepared when the chairman calls to find out what the company is getting for its money. A ballplayer wouldn't think of stepping up to home plate without a bat in his hands. ready to knock their next sponsorship deal out of the park.

This book focuses on aspects of Industrial Mathematics (Networks; Complex Systems and Behavioral Game Theory) and Theoretical Computer Science (Behavioral Game Theory and Applied Math). Its major contribution is that it introduces new models and "informal" algorithms that solve social-choice problems (using behavioral Game Theory), it introduces new mathematical proofs, and it introduces new algorithms that prove that the Myerson-Satterthwaite Impossibility Theorem is wrong or inapplicable. The Myerson-Satterthwaite Impossibility Theorem has been a major foundation theorem in various branches of Computer Science and Applied Math. The book analyzes Industrial Organization, Mechanism Design, Political Economy and Complex Systems issues in the global accounting/consulting industry, the "Quasi-franchising industry" and the global Credit Rating Agency (CRA) industry which are currently some of the most international of all services industries, and have or can have substantial effects on international trade and international capital flows. During 2000-2019, the services sector in general expanded in many countries and especially in emerging markets countries - and that is having substantial effects on the evolution of national economies. The objectives and achievements of this book are multifaceted. It explains the macroeconomic, behavioral operations research and political economy issues that affect and the evolution of accounting/auditing firms, CRAs, management consulting firms and environmental auditing firms. It also analyzes the types of intra-company decisions and group dynamics and auditor-decisions that can have significant effects on innovation and competition within the accounting/consulting industry and (on clients' industries) and on overall economic growth in nations. Furthermore, it analyzes structural changes and antitrust problems in the global accounting/consulting industry and the CRA industry and explains how these antitrust problems and structural changes have worsened climate change and corporate compliance with environmental regulations. Among these topics the author also talks about issues that affect audit contract, contracting between CRAs and issuers, and industry structure and evolution by critiquing various existing CRA business models and introducing new business models for the future.

From business models to unique selling propositions, from product offerings to sales, marketing and pricing strategies, this book reveals what sets Chinese electric car manufacturers apart from their Western counterparts. Chinese automakers are gradually establishing themselves as the new trendsetters in the automotive industry as they make technological advances in various fields, especially in electric vehicles. As more of them look overseas for opportunities, especially in the European market, it is time for the local players to better understand who they are up against and take steps to keep up with the rapid growth of their Far Eastern competitors. Based on Simon-Kucher's project experience, this book shows what is going on behind the Great Wall, informs readers about the latest technological trends and advances in China, and offers suggestions on what Chinese newcomers should bring with them when they come to town. Sharing valuable insights for all readers with an interest in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, this book will be particularly relevant for managers and decision-makers at Western OEMs, suppliers, and other relevant players in the automotive industry.

CLIENT, CLARIFY, CREATE, CHANGE, CONFIRM, CONTINUE, CLOSE = THE SEVEN SECRETS OF CONSULTANCY

""Most change methods are effective. For the most part, each one is theoretically sound, well-researched, and clearly articulated. But when they're put in organizations, they fail-at least 70 to 80% of the time.""

George Smart, Managing Partner, Strategic Development Incorporated

The definition of a consultant is someone who facilitates organisational change and provides expertise on technical, functional and business topics during development or implementation. In other words a consultant is someone who helps others to change.

However, change isn't such an easy target to achieve. Research shows that the vast majority of change programmes fail. On a daily basis we hear about projects that are delayed, cancelled, over budget or boycotted by the end user. The problem is that we can never force people to change - remember the backlash against Jamie Oliver's healthy school meals campaign where parents handed junk food to their children through school fences. The key to successful change is to engage with the end user and help them want to change.

"The Seven Cs of Consulting "offers a consistent and collaborative language that helps both consultant and client deliver value through sustainable change. Based around the author's highly successful 7Cs model (Client, Clarify, Create, Change, Confirm, Continue, Close) this approach is simple and accessible but firmly grounded in research and real life experience.

The 7Cs approach opens up the complexity of sustainable change to the consultant and client and helps them explore- and then avoid - the real issues that cause change to fail within a more professional and trusting relationship.

In this witty, eye-opening guide, Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor Rick Johnson shares his no-holds-barred approach to investing. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience in financial services, he shows hard-working Americans how to design successful investment portfolios and build financial strategies that are fully aligned with their personal values and life goals. plenty of practical advice and relevant, real-world techniques and secrets for: them) goals and accounting for future contributions, expenditures, and withdrawal needs

"The Business of Giving" reviews current thinking and surveys the key techniques any philanthropist or grantmaker should adopt. It also outlines a generic social investment process that can be utilized for all philanthropic or grantmaking programmes. Essential reading for all engaged in or with an interest in philanthropy or civil society in general.

The $10 Trillion Opportunity shows business advisors how to develop comprehensive, integrated exit plans for business owners. With the baby boomer generation approaching retirement age, exit planning has become one of the hottest topics for business advisors. Exit planning is a process that asks and answers all of the personal, business, financial, legal, estate and tax issues involved in selling or exiting from a privately held business. The $10 Trillion Opportunity is a logically structured book with a no-nonsense approach to exploring and addressing a topic that is often misunderstood and at times overwhelming for business owners and their advisors alike. An essential primer for professional advisors and business owners trying to make sense of exit planning, investment banker and former Wall Street attorney, Richard E. Jackim, together with his partner, Peter Christman, have put together a thoroughly readable exploration of exit planning, why it is important and how to introduce exit planning into your professional practice. The $10 Trillion Opportunity includes twelve case studies, fifteen illustrations, a glossary, resource guide, bibliography and a detailed index.

This book places collective entrepreneurship at the center of business strategy to provide a comprehensive discussion of the institutions and policies that nurture entrepreneurship, not only in start-up, but also in large, established corporations (intrapreneurship). The authors show that entrepreneurship is the only economic resource that can not be easily transferred across corporate boundaries. It must be nurtured within business institutions in ways that release the imagination, ingenuity, and creativity of individuals and groups.

The authors look at the complementary roles of venture capitalists and business incubators, the importance of the Internet, job rotation and labor transfers, working teams, cash-based bonuses, ESOPs and stock options, corporate spinoffs, strategic acquisitions, corporate venturing, and strategic alliances. The book also discusses an agenda for government in an entrepreneurial economy, the creation of an entrepreneurship regime, and various related topics, including bridging start-up equity gaps. Corporate planners are provided with insights needed to develop entrepreneurial groups both in and out of their organizations. Independent entrepreneurs are given a succinct summary of things they need to know, from securing start-up capital to finding the money to grow established businesses. VCs, bankers, and other types of funders will find this a concise survey and evaluation, and a useful guide to give to their clients.

Written for the business manager of middle or senior rank who is contemplating a career move from corporate to self-employment, as well as redundant or retired executives seeking to capitalize on their experience and expertise, this book describes how to set up a consultancy practice with little financial outlay and take advantage of a growth market.;Emphasis is given to the need to market the consultancy, and low-budget methods of promotion to create a client base are described. The preparation of proposals, the conduct of assignments, and the importance of presenting subsequent recommendations that will satisfy client needs and lead to recommendations and referrals is discussed. B.H. Elvy is the author of "Marketing Made Simple" and "Salesmanship Made Simple.

Knowledge is the great fifth production factor in our economy, besides capital, labour, land, and entrepreneurship. Perhaps it is the most precious of the five factors, because it takes so much effort and money to keep it well-nourished. Perhaps it is the most strategic of the five factors, because we depend on it to develop business, the economy, and the world at large in a balanced and sustainable direction. Knowledge is certainly one of the least understood factors and one of the hardest to grasp. This book concerns the largest pool of knowledge, which is professional knowledge. This form of knowledge, albeit being very close to business practice, is nonetheless least understood of all. Economists have tried to grasp the knowledge factor, measuring and assessing it in terms of the pools of R&D-expenditures, patented innovations, licences, and other forms of knowledge that can be documented. The pool of professional knowledge is not among these, because it is tacit. It can only exist in our head; it is intrinsically tied to people --the professionals. Professional knowledge is the articulation of scientific and documented knowledge, and the individual experience and dexterity of individuals. It is for this reason that it is so hard to grasp; while for this very same reason, it is so close to the life of business, to the shopfloor of our advanced economies.