This book provides an overview of predictive methods demonstrated by open source software modeling with Rattle (R') and WEKA. Knowledge management involves application of human knowledge (epistemology) with the technological advances of our current society (computer systems) and big data, both in terms of collecting data and in analyzing it. We see three types of analytic tools. Descriptive analytics focus on reports of what has happened. Predictive analytics extend statistical and/or artificial intelligence to provide forecasting capability. It also includes classification modeling. Prescriptive analytics applies quantitative models to optimize systems, or at least to identify improved systems. Data mining includes descriptive and predictive modeling. Operations research includes all three. This book focuses on prescriptive analytics. The book seeks to provide simple explanations and demonstration of some descriptive tools. This second edition provides more examples of big data impact, updates the content on visualization, clarifies some points, and expands coverage of association rules and cluster analysis. Chapter 1 gives an overview in the context of knowledge management. Chapter 2 discusses some basic data types. Chapter 3 covers fundamentals time series modeling tools, and Chapter 4 provides demonstration of multiple regression modeling. Chapter 5 demonstrates regression tree modeling. Chapter 6 presents autoregressive/integrated/moving average models, as well as GARCH models. Chapter 7 covers the set of data mining tools used in classification, to include special variants support vector machines, random forests, and boosting. Models are demonstrated using business related data. The style of the book is intended to be descriptive, seeking to explain how methods work, with some citations, but without deep scholarly reference. The data sets and software are all selected for widespread availability and access by any reader with computer links.

Women and Leadership around the World is the third volume in a new series of books (Women and Leadership: Research, Theory, and Practice) that will is now being published to inform leadership scholars and practitioners. The purpose of this volume is to explore areas of women's leadership in four regions around the world: the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Hence, we have included 14 chapters that cover a wide range of important topics relevant to women and leadership within specific contexts around the world. Our goal for this volume is to provide readers with explorations of women's experiences as leaders, including recent research studies, analysis and interpretation of statistics unpacking the status of women in various sectors and countries, stories of influential women leaders with national or local spheres of influence, and including recommendations for positive change to increase women's access to positions of authority. The volume contributors use various theories andconceptualizations to problematize, historicize, and analyze women's limited access to power, and their agency as leaders from the grassroots to the national scene, from education to non-profits and business organizations. Overall, the book contributes interpretations of the status of women in various countries, presenting the stories behind the numbers and statistics and uncovering not only challenges but also opportunities for resiliency and effectiveness as leaders. The authors offer recommendations for change that cross national boundaries, such as structural changes in organizations that would open the door for more women to access positions of authority and be effective as leaders. It is rare to find a book with such a diverse array of topics and countries, making this a timely contribution to the literature on women and leadership. The authors remind us to continue to expand the literature base on women and leadership, drawing from both qualitative and quantitative studies as well as conceptual explorations of women as leaders in different countries, regions, indigenous communities, and across different sectors. The more we know, the better informed will be our efforts to create appropriate leadership development activities and experiences for emerging women leaders and girls around the world. This book contributes significantly to that very effort.

Time and again, the authors have observed how a great program faculty creates unique learning experiences to everybody's satisfaction. They have experienced the pleasure that all involved feel when great learning has taken place, when the program participants leave the sessions with an enhanced skill set and co-created answers to pending and future challenges. They are also aware that creating such moments of truth, involving the value proposition of business schools, corporate universities or other training institutions, has not been mastered everywhere. They have written this book to contribute to the ongoing professionalization of business education and aim to share some of the key lessons learned when creating unique learning experiences entailing learning that sticks. A great means to this end is using cases in executive education. While the variety of what can still be called a case is extremely wide, the authors by no means preach that cases are the only way forward. Like every tool, cases must be applied wisely and with a minimum amount of skill. There is also a bigger toolset available and there are also additional contextual factors to consider. They include teaching and learning traditions in different local settings. They comprise individual's learning preferences. As the authors outline in this book, the case-based method nonetheless offers tremendous potential. The art and science of case writing are still known to too few of those involved in delivering executive education seminars.

Increasingly, organizations allocate a substantial financial budget to the acquisition, implementation, and management of IT solutions. IT solutions are employed strategic partners in supporting business strategic outcome, and the solutions are tools used to support operational activities within an environment. Given the vast amounts being invested in IT solutions and development, there is a need for a better return and outcome for organizations. Empowering Businesses With Collaborative Enterprise Architecture Frameworks is an essential reference source that provides readers with pragmatic, implementable strategies and direction to create IT with collaborative capabilities that can reduce the cost of running IT within an organization. Moreover, the book offers pragmatic roadmaps to adopting disruptive IT solutions effectively and efficiently and towards gaining a better understanding of enterprise architecture as a means to business decision making. Featuring research on topics such as business engineering, cloud computing, and open systems, this book is ideally designed for managers, directors, and other business decision makers; government and industry policymakers; business and enterprise architects; industry professionals; academicians; researchers; and students.

"The gold standard for communication training programs." -USA Today Business communication sucks. At each meeting and presentation, we are inundated with information, leaving us thirsting for inspiration. Sure, we will check off an action item because we have to . . . but what if we were actually inspired to do something? What if we were so moved that we wanted to do it? Leaders must earn the license to lead. Not by expertise, authority, or title alone, but by influence. In Communicate to Influence, you will learn the secrets of the Decker Method-a framework that has been perfected over the past 36 years. Ben and Kelly Decker add fresh insights to these proven principles so that you can ignite change and inspire action. Discover: The Five White Lies of Communicating: learn which barriers prevent you from getting better The Communicator's Roadmap: use a tool to visually chart what type of communication experience you create The Behaviors of Trust: align what you say with how you say it to better connect with your audience The Decker Grid: shift your message from self-centered, all about me content to relevant, audience-centered content that drives action You are called to communicate well. Not only on the main stage, under bright lights, but every time you speak with your colleagues, your clients, and other stakeholders. It's time to learn how. Stop informing. Start inspiring. BEN DECKER & KELLY DECKER are the leading experts in the field of business communication. They consult on messaging, cultivate executive presence among the leadership of Fortune 500companies and startups alike, and regularly deliver keynotes to large audiences. Together, they run Decker Communications, a global firm that trains and coaches tens of thousands of executives a year. Ben and Kelly live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they constantly test and refine communication techniques with their most demanding audience, their three boys.

As the world is currently in the midst of financial and economic crises, this collection of expert contributions focuses on strategy formation and implementation at various organizational levels to address the challenges ahead. The latest economic turmoil and its ongoing impact on business performance are compelling top managers to develop effective business strategies and redefine the boundaries of their operational and strategic activities. On one hand, tremendous challenges in the competitive business environment have become a source of global threats for many small entrepreneurs. On the other, investors faced with today's volatile economic conditions demand more gains on their capital investments to counter-balance the growing risk of global threats. This book explores the question as to whether it is possible to efficiently and effectively address these threats and obstacles. Are managers capable of planning and implementing strategic actions? What should the major managerial strategy be in order to overcome fluctuations in a market-oriented society? The strategies and practices recommended here are aimed to design continuous development competencies and contribute to the stability, recovery and sustainability of global business operations under volatile economic conditions. This refreshingly novel book seeks to establish managerial strategies and practices for effectively responding to challenges in the competitive business environment, as global volatility and fluctuations continue to worsen.

Project Leadership and Entrepreneurship Building Innovative Teams has been significantly updated to include important new developments in the field of project management (PMBOK 5ed and APM BoK 6ed). This book includes chapters on: project leadership traits, styles, skills, power, motivation, delegation and empowerment; entrepreneurship traits, innovative problem solving, spotting and exploiting beneficial opportunities; leading project participants, client organization structures, project organizations, stakeholders and networking; and leading project teams, team roles, team development, team building. The text uses plenty of exercises and case studies to explain the leadership techniques in a project environment. Lecturer's chapter presentation guide and PowerPoint slides are available from the publisher's website.

A volume in Research in Public Management Series Editors: Lawrence R. Jones, Naval Postgraduate School This book follows the evolution of a model for quick and efficient national defense war fighting asset acquisition during time of war. It documents the case of a critically important war fighting acquisition program from initial needs identification and program start in 2006 through production and fielding in the period 2007- 2010. The analysis focuses on the entire process of acquisition and contracting from concept development through getting the weapons system into action in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles program (MRAP) is a rapid acquisition program procured within the context of the US Department of Defense's Acquisition Management and Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) framework. The analysis in this book answers the following question: What are the key factors that explain the success of the MRAP program, with success defined as meeting program objectives and warfighter needs? In addition, this book addresses the critical trade-offs made within the MRAP program to develop it rapidly, and some of the potential long-term impacts of these decisions, both positive and negative, for rapid defense asset acquisition in time of war.

Both what leaders do--management--and what they plan for the future--leadership--is faulty today. Performance is low, commitment to excellence is lacking, our expectations are low, unchallenging, and unrealistic. That said, Gilbert W. Fairholm goes on to propose a new philosophical conception of leadership--one that is values-driven, change-oriented, and developmental. Fairholm contends that past theories fail to consider group values as a constraint on leadership performance, and he proposes the constitutional values of respect for life, freedom, happiness, justice, and unity as the basis for a suitable philosophical leadership model. In short, leaders make a priority of one or more of these founding values in addition to any others used in setting their organization's vision. In turn, that vision is the basis of a leader-set organizational culture that applies these values to interpersonal relationships." Values LeadershiP" uses current literature and independent research to provide the rationale for this new thinking on leadership.

Divided into three major sections, this twelve-chapter volume reviews the current values-oriented leadership theories; proposes a philosophy of what leaders should think about and value in performing this important, innovative task into the twenty-first century. It details some of the new technologies modern leaders must adopt in striving for excellence in their leadership. The last chapter defines and elaborates the results sought by values leadership theory. Scholars and students in management, public administration, organizational behavior, and psychology as well as professionals in management roles will find this evolving theory of leadership a unique tool for the tasks and missions of the next century.

A complete, forward-thinking guide to environmental community relations procedures and program development
The Practical Guide to Environmental Community Relations offers a comprehensive hands-on framework for working successfully with community residents and other stakeholders to prevent, resolve, or minimize conflicts on environmental issues. Featuring detailed checklists, forms, and worksheets, the book equips you with ready-to-use knowledge and skills in key areas of environmental community relations development:
* Community assessment--how to identify stakeholders and concerns, determine assessment parameters, conduct interviews, analyze data, and report findings
* Communications--how to develop a powerful communications program through written materials, personal communications, and focused media strategy, and how the essential principles of technical, crisis, and risk communication fit within the context of community relations
* Community relations techniques--how to manage public meetings, tours, availability sessions, and other events, plus advice on how to create and run Community Advisory Panels (CAPs)
* Community relations programs--how to plan and implement programs effectively, including establishing common goals and working with stakeholders constructively to achieve positive results
* Environmental regulations--including RCRA, CERCLA/SARA, NCP, NPDES, EPCRA, and Clean Air Act Accidental Release Prevention and Risk Management Programs
* Cutting-edge issues--investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites, permitting of facilities, federal facilities programs, environmental justice, and more

Complete with mini-case studies revealing important do's and don'ts of community outreach in action, this accessible guide is a vital resource for private and public sector professionals working in environmental and facilities management, community relations, public affairs, and law.

Some people seem to succeed without even trying, but others hustle without ever enjoying rewards. If you're frustrated seeing your neighbors enjoy the fruits of life while you sit on the sidelines, then take action Leverage ancient Chinese wisdom to achieve your personal financial goals, and start enjoying financial freedom. Despite the changes in society, the ancient principles in the Tao continue to be relevant today. This guidebook teaches you how to - unlock the mystery of the Tao Te Ching; - understand how Wealth DNA affects your ability to acquire, retain, and share wealth; and - enjoy life to its fullest once you become rich. You'll also learn about the UFO Model, which translates the ancient Tao into a modern, actionable, step-by-step plan for creating wealth simply and with ease. By transforming your attitude about money, you can uncover new opportunities that lead to riches. This manual proves that you don't need a certain family, education or even luck to live your dreams. All you need is The Tao of Fortune.

This empowering volume presents current empirical findings and rich personal insights into the evolving challenges women face in attaining-and thriving in-leadership positions. Contributors add new voices to emerging and familiar topics, including leadership styles and traits, growth and learning experiences within career paths, mentoring and entrepreneurial aspects of leadership, and workplace and societal resistance to women in roles of power. Representative first-person accounts shed significant light on real-world double standards and double binds (including the unique obstacles faced by minority women), why the glass ceiling still exists, and steps still needed to dismantle it. Coverage also addresses related legal issues, such as the ongoing fight against pay inequities and conflicts between the DeVos rules and Title IX regulations in the schools. Included among the topics: * * Turn ah-ha moments into pivotal learning. * The important role of women in social entrepreneurship. * Focus group becomes support group: women in educational leadership. * Issues confronting women leaders in academia: the quest for equality. * Leadership means using the courts to demand equal enforcement of and protection for women's constitutional and civil rights. * Organizations concerned with women and leadership. Whether one's interest is local or global, scholars and students in courses on leadership, career development, and women's studies will find Women and Leadership inspiring and stimulating in myriad domains, from research and business to politics and policy.

Traditional management systems were designed to manage routine operations, not to manage innovation. The kinds of management systems we typically have in large companies throw up many roadblocks to innovation. This book compares the management systems of highly innovative companies with those of more typical companies to see how they are different. These are compared across different aspects of management including organization structure, communications systems, incentives, project funding systems, etc. The book contains detailed guidance on how to change management practices to be more innovative.

Economic and business growth is driven by the continuous re-evaluation and optimization of current policies and practices. By implementing more effective procedures, businesses can increase their levels of competitiveness. Factors Affecting Firm Competitiveness and Performance in the Modern Business World is an authoritative reference source for the latest scholarly research on the most appropriate measures and initiatives for firms to become more competitive within various sectors. Incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives through theoretical foundations and real-world case studies, this book is ideally designed for professionals, practitioners, upper-level students, policy makers, and managers interested in the optimization of business performance.

Sticking to the same old routine may be comforting, but it gets most people nowhere. Inspirational speaker and recognized expert in leadership and government affairs, Todd Mitchem dares you to step outside your comfort zone to disrupt everything you take for granted. He calls this willingness to take a risk the "Disruption Effect." In this inspiring book, he shows you how to realize your full potential by intentionally disrupting yourself, no matter what career path or life journey you choose. Using compelling stories from his own life, Todd vividly highlights the key lessons he has learned from both his successes and failures. He then demonstrates how you can apply these lessons to your own circumstances. A major learning experience in his life came in 2013, when he left an impressive career as a corporate executive and leadership expert to join the emerging marijuana industry. Though that single decision sent his life on a wild and disruptive journey, the experience taught him new skills as a leader along the way. Three years later he left the industry as a CEO, having succeeded at taking one brand to "Largest Brand" status and building the world's first social network for cannabis enthusiasts. He then created a government affairs consultancy focusing on disruptive yet collaborative solutions. The author shares other stories about situations in both his personal and business life that he found particularly challenging but that ultimately led to growth and successful outcomes. Complete with exercises to help you master important lessons and stay on track to reach your goals, this motivating book has everything you need to become the owner of your own fulfillment. The message is clear: You, as an individual, have the power to break your paradigm in order to move into a new phase of your life. By disrupting your own way of being in the world, you become free to explore new ways of living and thriving.

Shedding light on current transformations in payment mechanisms and transparency of hospital performance data and prices, this volume of Advances in Health Care Management presents findings on hospital profitability, cost, and organizational structures. Divided into two sections: 'Reimbursement, Cost and Profitability' and 'The Move Towards Transparency', the chapters employ a variety of research methodologies to explore the impact of transformation in payment and debt structures, profitability, and horizontal or vertical integration on outcomes such as price, clinical outcomes, and health plan selection. The authors examine recent changes including the redesign of the U.S. health care system to achieve higher value, and the establishment of mechanisms that transform reimbursement models and promote consumerism through transparency of data. Additionally, the volume takes a look at the emerging trend of transparency between health care stakeholders such as patients, health care staff, hospitals, insurance companies, and the government, providing a valuable insight into how the future might look.