The role of, and the means to achieve, resilience (the capacity to be sustainable through the impact of multitudinous future changes in a connected, dynamic environment) are increasingly the focus of corporate strategy departments and government think tanks. The increasing volatility in economic markets, the natural environment and society generally require new tools to think about, and take meaningful action towards, the achievement and maintenance of resilient policies and practices. The field of Complexity Thinking arguably has a significant role to play in both informing and assisting our organizations in achieving resilience in this context. This workshop aimed to explore the nature of this role and the ways in which Complexity Science may be combined with other disciplines to increase resilience in many areas of human endeavor. We hope that the papers offers here represent a broad basis from which to begin such an exploratory discussion.

This is the second book from the lead author, Raymond Perras. Teaming up with two leadership coaching clients (Marcel Bellefeuille from the world of professional sports, and Bruno Lindia, a CEO and business owner), Raymond has developed a unique and groundbreaking effort to bring forward some issues that do not often get dealt with in a leadership book. Based on the concept of Peak Performance (the right stuff, in the right amount, at the right timeTM), this work provides a leader with insight into how to maximize results while reducing stress. Modern organizations need effective leaders. It is no longer sufficient to have the most advanced technology or systems to achieve maximum performance. There is growing evidence that future gains in productivity will only come from the people that do the work. Accordingly, the emphasis must now be on the human potential and not the hardware and systems. Extensive research by the Zenger-Folkman Group has produced very sobering results showing that organizations that are exceeding expectations and beating competition have a very definite focus on developing their leadership skills and abilities. They enable and empower their workforce to act with initiative, commitment to the goals and harmony in the group. Zenger-Folkman found that organizations that foster effective leadership increased some results over less successful ventures as follows: reduced turnover by 50% 3-5 times higher profits 2-3 times higher employee engagement 150% increased customer satisfaction 4-5 times more employees willing to go the extra mile. Clearly, effective leadership is the key to superior performance at this time. In the 10 Discussions for Effective Leadership, the authors share their experience on ten activities that can make or break a leader. By doing the right thing, practicing empowerment, trusting your team, telling the truth, planning jointly, defining your vision and sharing it, leading by example, asking good questions, thinking like a champion, and remembering that your are "alone at the top," you can ensure that you will be an effective leader. This book aims at providing a no nonsense discussion of activities that make a big difference for leaders seeking to increase their effectiveness and exceed their expectations. It calls for "contemplation" of ways and means to transform the context and content of their leadership activities in order to enable their teams to dramatically improve their results.

Due in part to globalism and economic development, the Asian business sector has been rapidly expanding. Thanks to the increasing industrialization and economic growth of China and India in particular, tourism as well as business opportunities in the Asian sector are booming. Managerial Strategies and Practice in the Asian Business Sector is a comprehensive reference source for theories and practices related to business integration in Asian countries. The research presented within this timely resource closely examines a number of essential topics such as ethics, competition, and entrepreneurship in an era of globalization and economic expansion. Illustrating innovative insights concerning the development of business strategies in this growing region, this book is an invaluable reference for business executives, students of business, academics, policy makers, or any professional concerned with globalism and the intricacies of Asian business and information technology integration in the Asian business sector.

Based on the internationally acclaimed best-seller The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge Values Cards are an excellent tool for learning and conceptualizing the importance of values clarification, as put forth in Kouzes and Posner's classic book. Activities using these cards are incorporated into The Leadership Challenge Workshop Facilitator's Guide Set, 4th Edition. In addition, a stand-alone Facilitator's Guide dedicated to multiple innovative and effective activities is available, allowing trainers, human resource professionals, and consultants to facilitate learning opportunities for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders who want to refine their leadership skills. As Kouzes and Posner explain, the best leaders have a clear understanding of their personal values and ideals. The Leadership Challenge Values Cards can help any leader (or aspiring leader) to clarify the personal values, as well as shared values, that will guide them in all situations. The Values Cards are pre-printed with words such as creativity, loyalty, and teamwork so that participants can identify and record the values that are most meaningful to them. After the workshop or coaching session, the cards become a take-away for the participants--they can use their deck as a tool for reflection and as an aide for helping to clarify the values with their own constituents.

In the ever-growing world of technology, it is becoming more important to understand the developments of new electronic services and mobile applications. Innovative Mobile Platform Developments for Electronic Services Design and Delivery is a comprehensive look at all aspects of production management, delivery and consumption of e-services, self services, and mobile communication including business-to-business, business-to-consumer, government-to-business, government-to-consumer, and consumer-to-consumer e-services. This volume is perfect for the interest of professionals, academic educators, researchers, and industry consultants by providing the latest interdisciplinary research as a new platform for learning and research dissemination.

This book offers novel and contemporary thinking of entrepreneurship and change. It espouses the distinct but reciprocal nature of both concepts to unravel high levels of transformation, both in terms of social structures and social relations, inherent in new venture creation. It provides insights from a theoretical, educational, and industrial context with emphasis on holistic approaches to change. Each chapter illuminates distinct elements of the entrepreneurial landscape and the importance of learning, creativity and innovation as tools for practice and knowledge management. This book is an essential resource for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers because it provides new outlooks and dimensions on the transformational powers of entrepreneurship and change.

Talk to just about any Information Technology (IT) executive today and you're likely to hear the same complaint: "Even though we have invested millions of dollars each year in technical infrastructure and support, we don't get the results we expect." The focus of IT management over the past several decades has been on maximizing the benefit that comes from IT investments. Particular attention is paid to finding the right hardware, software, networks, and processes to allow IT to contribute to the bottom line of the business. And still, with all of this focus, IT organizations find themselves unable to meet the demands of their clients. Perhaps a shift in focus is needed. IT PEOPLE: Doing More With Less shifts the focus to the IT people. Because while it is right to focus on getting the hardware, software, networks, and processes right, people are the resources that ultimately make a difference in getting results and meeting the demands of clients. And since people costs are often the largest part of the IT budgets, and our focus has been elsewhere, it could be that a focus on IT people is long overdue. This book is intended for every IT professional (management and individual contributors) who faces the constant challenge of performing a big job with ever-shrinking departmental resources. Whether you are a manager or an individual technician, this book is for you. It will help you improve your ability to plan your work and, meet your commitments while being an effective political actor. Our aim in this book is to provide you with a tool that will not only help you deliver greater value to your organization, but do so in a way that provides a greater degree of job satisfaction andquality of life. IT PEOPLE: Doing More With Less is intended as a practical tool, not a theoretical book. The content of the book comes from the experiences of the authors, each of whom has spent years managing IT organizations and consulting with clients around the worl

Against a backdrop of corporate scandal, business leaders can no longer rely on the old-fashioned style of one-sided community relations programs to promote a good image. Nor can they expect preferential treatment just because they meet their tax obligations. Pressure from all sides is forcing corporate leaders to increase their investments in the communities they serve and redefining their relationships with key stakeholder groups, including employees, suppliers, governing boards, shareholders, and the press. Safeguarding the environment, supporting human rights, eliminating child labor, entering into partnerships with nonprofit organizations, solving community problems, opening up financial reports to scrutiny, consulting with community residents, and contributing to local charities are now essential elements of corporate character. Managing a Company in an Activist World takes the discussion of corporate citizenship to a new practical level, offering business leaders answers to such tough questions as: What do our stakeholders value most? How can we respond to a growing number of formal compliances and informal demands? How do we most effectively communicate our role as a good corporate citizen? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we shake off inertia, public skepticism, and short-term focus to make corporate citizenship a priority without sacrificing growth and profits? Illustrating the depth and breadth of the issues through a variety of in-depth examples-from Jesse Jackson's threatened boycott of Anheuser-Busch to rural Virginians' uprising against Disney's proposed theme park to energy giant BC Hydro's successful response to environmentalists' concerns-Burke demonstrates how community involvement can influence corporate strategy to everyone's net benefit. He goes on to outline specific strategies that corporate leaders can employ to shake off inertia, public skepticism, and short-term focus to make corporate citizenship a priority without sacrificing growth and profits.

Look at organizational transformation in a revolutionary new way that can help you promote a higher level of sustained performance.

Author John L. Lee, a veteran business consultant and the president of Alpha Training and Consulting, provides inspiring and informative techniques that help you improve business operations. You can learn how to understand and modify bad behaviors, formulate a true definition of leadership, and create a model that leads to cultural change.

This guide includes figures and diagrams and provides a mathematical argument for why organizations must change in order to further progress. It examines historical figures whose insights have changed the world--and what you can learn from them.

Much more than a rehash of old ideas introduced in flashy new clothing, this guide seeks to revolutionize thinking for organizational needs. If you're interested in organizational and self-improvement, the "Rising above It All" guidebook provides the case studies, tips, and strategies you need to produce results.

To some, living faithfully and succeeding in the business world may sound like an oxymoron. Yet those who want to walk their faith in all aspects of their lives know they cannot live on an isolated mountaintop or on a deserted island. In Walking My Faith, author Rev. Mary Tudela challenges the notion that personal values and faith cannot coexist with professional ambition and success in today's society . Rev. Tudela, an Episcopal priest and former executive at a Fortune 500 company, offers practical examples on how the values of love, forgiveness, grace, and acceptance can help anyone succeed in today's challenging and often stressful business environment. While exploring the ways that "faith-full" leadership can strengthen work teams and organizations, enabling individuals to live holistic and authentic lives, Reverend Tudela also shares her personal experiences, the stories of others, and eye-opening insights about what awaits those who want to live and work in accordance with their most cherished faith-based values. For anyone on a continual spiritual journey, Walking My Faith offers support and encouragement for living a "faith-full" and authentic life-even in corporate America.