The Handbook of Employee Engagement contains cutting edge contributions from a wide array of world-class scholars and consultants on state-of-the-art topics key to the science and the practice of employee engagement. The volume presents comprehensive and global perspectives to help researchers and practitioners identify, understand, evaluate and apply the key theories, models, measures and interventions associated with employee engagement. The Handbook provides many new insights, practical applications and areas for future research. It will serve as an important platform for ongoing research and practice on employee engagement. Combining an excellent balance of academic perspectives and practical applications this Handbook will prove to be invaluable for academic researchers in the field of organizational behaviour, organizational development and organizational psychology. In addition, human resource and organizational development practitioners and consultants should not be without this `state-of-the-art' and informative resource.

From Stephen R. Covey—the late, legendary author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People—a set of principles for achieving a happy and fulfilling life of primary greatness.

Many of us are hurting. We have chronic problems, dissatisfactions, and disappointments. Although we generally make it through the day, a lot of us feel overwhelmed by burdens we carry. We try to “lift the load of life” each day and sometimes it’s just too much. The idea of living a “great life” seems a distant dream.

Stephen R. Covey believed there were only two ways to experience life: primary greatness or secondary greatness. Through his books and speaking, he taught that the intrinsic rewards of primary greatness—integrity, responsibility, and contribution—far outweighed the extrinsic rewards of secondary greatness—money, popularity, and the self-absorbed, pleasure-ridden life that some people consider “success.”

In this posthumous work, Covey lays out clearly the 12 levers of success that will lead to a life of primary greatness: Integrity, Contribution, Priority, Sacrifice, Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Diversity, Learning, Teaching, and Renewal. For the first time, Covey defines each of these 12 qualities and how they can be leveraged and enacted in your daily life to lead you to success and happiness. Featuring his trademarked wisdom that is beloved and has inspired countless readers and leaders, Primary Greatness once again delivers classic Covey advice in a concise and reader-friendly way.

The follow-on to the bestselling Time to Think and Living with Time to Think. - 'As we make sense of change in the 21st century, a deep understanding of the Thinking Environment should be part of every leadership development programme. It intrinsically values the contribution and humanity of each person, and drives team effectiveness. Its power is evident in higher quality relationships, as well as in shorter, smarter meetings. Bravo!' - Rosemary Grant, Statutory Director, Johnson & Johnson Medical UK The quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking we do first. The leaders, professionals, parents and teachers who understand this are at the top of their fields and inspire some of the finest independent thinking in their environments. In More Time to Think, Nancy Kline shares ten effective ways to help people think for themselves with rigour, imagination, courage and grace. From learning that the mind works best in the presence of a question (so never be afraid to risk being wrong) and that a key factor in the quality of a person's thinking is how they are treated by the people with them while they are thinking, to the importance of appreciation and of facing what you have been denying, Nancy Kline shows how to create a successful Thinking Environment, whether for two people or a larger group. - Praise for Time to Think 'Do not be fooled by the simplicity of this process. It will unleash the power of your whole organisation.' - British Telecom 'This process is not just a set of techniques. It's a way of being in the world.' - Shirley Edwards, Xerox Corporation Praise for Living with Time to Think 'A beautiful book. Every page is a gift. Its compassionate wisdom illuminates your life and invites you to greater intimacy with your best and truest self. Nancy Kline writes to her god-daughters, and in so doing, offers timeless wisdom for us all.' - Mark Williams, bestselling co-author of Mindfulness

Organizations today are being challenged to make sense of changes in environments that, now more than ever, are described as VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous). They are also being driven to understand how the future will evolve and what impact it will have not only on the organizations themselves, but also on industries and societies. In recent decades a field has emerged to support organizations in addressing these challenges: strategic foresight. This book is a comprehensive introduction to strategic foresight. It presents a history of the field and explains the main principles in thinking about the future. The book describes how organizations can apply strategic foresight, and explains how it relates to other fields such as strategy, innovation and leadership, highlighting the relevance of strategic foresight not only for organizations but also for individuals, particularly managers and leaders. Grounded in the theoretical foundations of strategic foresight, the book reflects the latest academic research and explores practical applications in different contexts. It draws on more than two decades of experience that the author has in the field as a researcher, a consultant and in the corporate context. This is essential reading for managers and leaders of public and private organizations who want to establish strategic foresight practices, as well as students of foresight and managers in the fields of innovation, research & development and marketing.

#1 New York Times Bestseller

The latest groundbreaking tome from Tim Ferriss, the best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek.

From the author: “For the last two years, I’ve interviewed nearly two hundred world-class performers for my podcast,The Tim Ferriss Show. The guests range from super celebs (Jamie Foxx, Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc.) and athletes (icons of powerlifting, gymnastics, surfing, etc.) to legendary Special Operations commanders and black-market biochemists. For most of my guests, it’s the first time they’ve agreed to a two-to-three-hour interview, and the show is on the cusp of passing 100 million downloads.

“This book contains the distilled tools, tactics, and ‘inside baseball’ you won’t find anywhere else. It also includes new tips from past guests, and life lessons from new ‘guests’ you haven’t met.

“What makes the show different is a relentless focus on actionable details. This is reflected in the questions. For example: What do these people do in the first sixty minutes of each morning? What do their workout routines look like, and why? What books have they gifted most to other people? What are the biggest wastes of time for novices in their field? What supplements do they take on a daily basis?

“I don’t view myself as an interviewer. I view myself as an experimenter. If I can’t test something and replicate results in the messy reality of everyday life, I’m not interested.

“Everything within these pages has been vetted, explored, and applied to my own life in some fashion. I’ve used dozens of the tactics and philosophies in high-stakes negotiations, high-risk environments, or large business dealings. The lessons have made me millions of dollars and saved me years of wasted effort and frustration.

“I created this book, my ultimate notebook of high-leverage tools, for myself. It’s changed my life, and I hope the same for you.”

Start and grow a durable business in the rapidly growing wellness industry! As we emerge from COVID-19 the world sits on the cusp of a massive wave of wellness industry growth. This "Fourth Wave of Wellness" will bring hundreds of millions more people into healthier, happier lifestyles, creating millions of jobs and producing massive entrepreneurial opportunities. Whether your goal is to work from home, open a neighborhood wellness studio or launch the next global wellness brand, Building a Wellness Business That Lasts is your definitive guide. Wellness has become one of the largest and most important business opportunities of our age, fueled by massive societal trends, rapid technology innovations, and hundreds of thousands of wellness business entrepreneurs. Independent teachers, trainers, and therapists and studio, gym, spa, and salon owners across the globe are transforming shopping malls and downtown districts with wellness experiences that help hundreds of millions of people live healthier, happier lives. Author Rick Stollmeyer is the co-founder and CEO of Mindbody, Inc., the leading technology platform for the wellness industry. Over more than two decades, Rick built Mindbody from a garage startup into a multi-billion-dollar technology platform for the wellness industry, helping thousands of wellness business owners achieve their visions in the process. This experience has given Rick a front row seat to the explosive growth of the wellness industry. He brings that unique experience and his passion for entrepreneurship to Building a Wellness Business That Lasts. This book will inspire and inform you at the same time and will serve as a powerful guide you can refer to on your path to success.

Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. This is not a crazy, idealized notion. Today, in many successful organizations,great leaders are creating environments in which people naturally work together to do remarkable things.

In Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek, internationally bestselling author of Start With Why, investigates these great leaders from Marine Corps Officers, who don't just sacrifice their place at the table but often their own comfort and even their lives for those in their care, to the heads of big business and government - each putting aside their own interests to protect their teams.

Sinek argues that this is what it means to be a leader and asks are you a leader?

While the principles of minute taking have hardly changed for hundreds of years, the technology we use to help (or hinder) us changes all the time. This second edition takes account of the increasing use of laptops, data projectors and other equipment in meetings. It examines carefully the advantages they bring and the best ways of incorporating technology into sound procedures that preserve the integrity of minutes. It doesn't, however, neglect the fact that pen and paper - and a range of options in between - are still perfectly valid tools for the professional minute taker. The new edition is the first of the newly branded 'Key Guide' series - condensed pocket books on a range of subject matter for those new to the subject or for those who want core subject information in one slim volume.

Jobs that were once well-defined are now multifaceted. New realities have placed a premium on employee cognitive processing to fulfill complex occupational roles. But human conscious cognitive capacity is limited, making it nearly impossible for employees to keep up without being overloaded. Stajkovic and Sergent refute the common assumption that technological automation is the only way forward. Instead, they directly tackle the issue of employee cognitive overload by proposing cognitive automation as an alternative solution. The authors present a sampling of cutting-edge research showing that conscious guidance is not required for all goal pursuits; goal-directed behavior at work can be automated via priming of subconscious goals. Building on research in social psychology and organizational behavior, Stajkovic and Sergent introduce four models to explain how subconscious goals are primed in organizations: *Auto-motive model: Repeated practice with a goal makes cognitive automation possible. *Goal contagion: Observing and inferring goals of others creates cognitive automation. *Means-goal priming: Confidence in your goal pursuit enhances cognitive automation. *A history of reinforcement: Money, feedback, and social recognition used to reinforce goal achievement become associated with the goal, resulting in cognitive automation. The authors canvas a broad range of knowledge concerning the problem of employee cognitive overload in contemporary organizations and rely on multidisciplinary research to propose cognitive automation as a solution that can address it directly. This book is a deep well of valuable information for those interested in solving real work problems with application of science of organizational behavior (SOB).

The insightful chapters collected here show that markets are a matter of concern because they can be spaces for making concerns matter.' - David Stark, Columbia University, US and author of The Sense of Dissonance: Accounts of Worth in Economic Life'Do those impersonal allocation mechanisms that we call markets even exist as such? Or should we drop this questionable euphemism if what we want is to address the political struggles and bureaucratic processes that control economic life? Readers interested in a measured approach to the subject matter will find a set of clues here. By considering markets as nodes of concerns, the works assembled in this volume guide us along a subtle path.' - Fabian Muniesa, Ecole des Mines de Paris, France Concerned Markets tackles the intersection between markets and politics, investigating the very current issue of designing markets to include multiple values. When political, social, technological and economic interests, values, and perspectives interact, market order and performance become contentious issues of debate. Such 'hot' situations are becoming increasingly common and make for rich sites of research. With expert empirical contributions investigating the organization of such 'concerned' markets, this book is positioned at the centre of the rapidly growing area of interdisciplinary market studies. Markets investigated include those for palm oil, primary health care and functional foods. The authors also examine markets and environmental concerns as well as better market design for those at the bottom of the pyramid. Scholars, postgraduate and PhD level students in finance, economic sociology, marketing, organization theory and economics will find this book essential reading. Policymakers and practitioners will benefit from the fresh insight into the design and maintenance of market systems. Contributors include: L. Araujo, F. Azimont, R. Chakrabarti, F. Cochoy, S. D'Antone, G. Dix, S. Geiger, D. Harrison, J. Hauber, L. Johansson, H. Kjellberg, A. Mallard, K. Mason, W.I. Onyas, C. Ruppert-Winkel, A. Ryan, R. Spencer, I. Stigzelius

Tackle complex situations with critical thinking. You're facing a problem at work. There are many ways you can approach the situation, but each comes with its own pros and cons. How do you sort through all the information so that you know you're taking the right path? The answer is in how you think. The HBR Guide to Critical Thinking will help you navigate your most challenging issues, from difficult problems to tough decisions to complex scenarios. By carefully observing the situation, gathering information, inviting other perspectives, and analyzing what's in front of you, you can move forward with confidence while building this crucial leadership skill. You'll learn how to: Question your assumptions Keep an open mind to opposing viewpoints Sidestep cognitive biases Use data-when appropriate Grow comfortable with ambiguity Find innovative and creative solutions Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

'The digital age provide tremendous opportunities for organizations who adapt new technologies, implement disruptive business models, introduce new ways of working and who drive on innovation. There is no doubt that one of the most important capabilities for 21st century organizations is ''mastering creativity''. Andres Hatum has done a fabulous job in taking readers of his latest book on a journey where they learn how to build and include creativity in the DNA of their organizations. A must-read for every business and talent profession.' -Nick van Dam, Global Chief Learning Officer, McKinsey & Company, Nyenrode Business University, the Netherlands and the University of Pennsylvania, US 'This book is a welcome addition to the steadily growing literature on creativity and organization. The author achieves the twin hurdles of rigorous analysis for the academics and practice-based relevance for practitioners. The book provides ample frameworks and case examples to identify key factors which influence and enhance creativity in organizations. These factors range from individual characteristics through organizational factors such as structure and culture to more contextual and environmental conditions. The author then shows how developing creativity, as a key organizational competence, can positively influence strategic decision making to enhance exploration rather than exploitation, to increase agility and to facilitate proactive change.' - David Wilson, Open University, UK 'Mastering Creativity in Organizations offers a comprehensive and pedagogical treatise of the forces and factors that facilitate creativity in organizations and the numerous challenges that this involves. The book is richly illustrated with a variety of cases from a range of different sectors, including sports, advertising, manufacturing, consulting, primary education, the entertainment industry, and the culinary industry. Thanks to his fantastic access, Professor Hatum takes us behind the scenes and gives us an inside look into a number of iconic organizations such as Cirque de Soleil, FC Barcelona and Tetra Pak - exploring their leadership practices, HR strategies, office design and several other key issues. However, as the authors attests, creativity is not just for the exceptionally talented genius or for the people working in these extraordinary organizations. Everybody, and every organization, can learn to work in more creative ways from the unique cases in this book.' - Torkild Thanem, Stockholm University, Sweden This book identifies best practices, leadership styles, and organizational structures for the stimulation of organizational creativity. Andres Hatum first explains what creativity means in an organizational context. He then explores the ways in which an organization can foster it, with an aim to help any company - not just companies in creative fields or industries - become an organization in which new ideas flow, new processes are developed, and new products are brought to market. In doing so, he provides scholars with a solid framework for studying and understanding the deeper meaning of creativity. Andres Hatum's new framework for understanding organizational creativity offers examples from a rich variety of companies and situations. The book balances theory and practice for a multifaceted approach that brings its analysis into the real world. In-depth case studies include FC Barcelona, elBulli, Almodovar, and Cirque du Soleil. Managers will find case studies describing exceptional organizational creativity and practical takeaways that can be applied in their own firms. Students will find concrete analytical frameworks for thinking about creativity in organizations, and academics will find a different approach to the study of creativity, one that is grounded in practice.

A high level of employee commitment holds particular value for organizations owing to its impact on organizational effectiveness and employee well-being. This Handbook provides an up-to-date review of theory and research pertaining to employee commitment in the workplace, outlining its value for both employers and employees and identifying key factors in its development, maintenance or decline. Including chapters from leading theorists and researchers from around the world, this Handbook presents cumulated and cutting-edge research exploring what commitment is, the different forms it can take, and how it is distinct from related concepts such as employee engagement, work motivation, embeddedness, the psychological contract, and organizational identification. Examining topics such as high-commitment work systems, work attitudes and motivation, the Handbook provides integration with related literatures. Internationally applicable, sections also discuss the implications of culture differences for commitment and present the latest developments in research methods and analytic techniques that can be used to advance our understanding of commitment. Comprehensive and engaging, the Handbook of Employee Commitment is essential reading for commitment scholars and researchers interested in the latest developments in the field as well as for international scholars who will benefit from its guidance on how to approach research in unique cultures. It will also prove of prime interest to managers and management consultants with its wealth of suggestions to guide evidence-based practice. Contributors: S.L. Albrecht, N.J. Allen, B.K. Anderson, L.M. Arciniega, J. Barling, T.E. Becker, K. Bentein, M.E. Bergman, D.R. Bobocel, N.L. Bremner, C.T. Brinsfield, G. Caesens, A.C. Chris, L. Clark, A. Cohen, S. Datta, V.L. Dhir, O.J. Dineen, R. Eisenberger, J.A. Espinoza, J. Felfe, M. Gagne, D.G. Gallagher, I.R. Gellatly, Y. Griep, S.D. Hansen, L.M. Hedberg, M.R.W. Hamstra, B.C. Holtom, P. Horsman, J. Howard, V.A. Jean, K. Jiang, Z. Junhong, E.K. Kelloway, H.J. Klein, J. Koen, E.R. Maltin, B. Marcus, J.P. Meyer, N.A. Morelli, A.J.S. Morin, F. Mu, A. Newman, H. Park, E. Read, R.A. Roe, O.N. Solinger, H. Spence Laschinger, D.J. Stanley, F. Stinglhamber, M. Trivisonno, R. Van Dick, W. Van Olffen, A.E.M. Van Vianen, R.J. Vandenberg, C. Vandenberghe, D. Wang, S.A. Wasti, J. Wombacher

This Handbook brings together experts in the field of leadership to provide insights into methods for leadership research. It serves to motivate them to use new research methods to further our knowledge of the leadership field. Illustrating novel approaches to research with sample questions and applications to the field of leadership, this comprehensive and accessible Handbook covers key methodologies in leadership research today, as well as introducing methods that will be invaluable in the future. With chapters written by established leadership scholars, the Handbook of Methods in Leadership Research is arranged to cover three core areas of research: measurement and design, quantitative analytic approaches, and qualitative analytic approaches. The book provides an accessible overview and starting point to discover new methods. All chapters are well researched and provide references for those who want to delve deeper into the topics covered. The volume ends with a summary of tips for each method presented. This book will be an indispensable resource for leadership students, scholars, and practitioners alike, to inspire their future research but also to support their understanding of the quality of research carried out by others. Contributors: C.-H. Chang, S.H. Chong, A.R. Cook, A.J. Dixon, E. Djurdjevic, R.J. Foti, V. Gochmann, J. Gooty, R.J. Hall, R. Ilies, R.E. Johnson, M. Jokisaari, R.B. Kline, M. Lewis, W.-D. Li, R.G. Lord, M.E. McCusker, B. Meyer, P. Neves, S. Ohly, M. Pina e Cunha, A. Rego, E.F. Rietzschel, D. Rus, J. Schilling, B. Schyns, W.K. Smith, S. Trichas, W. Wang, J.M. Webb, B. Wisse, F.J. Yammarino

This is an invaluable volume for all those engaged in megaproject work. It is presented by two leading academics in the field of transport infrastructure who have managed to pull together a very interesting set of contributions prepared by numerous highly qualified academics from across the globe specializing in the planning, appraisal and evaluation of megaprojects. The art and science of decision-making and assessing the impacts of such projects are thoroughly discussed with a view to offering future decision-makers a better steer on the development of such projects. Likely to be of immense importance to practicing professionals, bureaucrats and academics alike concerned with megaproject development, this book examines with great skill and clarity key issues associated with strategic decision-making, public-private partnership arrangements and the application of cost benefit analysis to megaprojects. Spurred-on by globalization and increasing in their number, size and complexity, the challenges that megaprojects pose are likely to grow paradoxically both in times of economic growth and austerity. Given these circumstances, the publication of this book is very timely, much needed and highly recommended.' - Harry T. Dimitriou, University College London, UKThis comprehensive and accessible Handbook presents state-of-the-art research on the decision-making processes in the deliverance of mega-projects - large infrastructure projects for the transportation of people and/or goods. The expert contributors explore how decisions are made at different stages in mega-projects and the multi-actor relationships between public and private partners. They evaluate the perspectives and pitfalls in determining the costs and benefits of a mega-project ex ante, and examine the wider impacts of mega-projects, including issues such as regional growth, energy transition and climate change. Although the focus is on the advanced economies of North America, Europe, and Australia, much of the material is useful for other parts of the world where large transport infrastructure projects are currently underway or will be developed in the coming years. Providing crucial background information for those who want to understand decision-making processes on large transport infrastructure projects, this fascinating Handbook will prove an important source of information for academics, researchers and students in the fields of transport, infrastructure, project management, management science, economic analysis (cost benefit analysis), public policy, environmental policy and ethics. Practitioners, politicians and policymakers involved in large transport infrastructure projects will also find this book to be an invaluable reference tool. Contributors: J.A. Annema, M. Bosch-Rekveldt, C.C. Cantarelli, K. Dwarka, E. Feitelson, B. Flyvbjerg, M. Giezen, R. Gilbert, C. Greve, G. Hodge, R. Konings, C. Koopmans, M. Leijten, D.R. Lessard, C. Macharis, R. Miller, P. Nijkamp, H. Priemus, P. Rietveld, K. Samset, M. Siemiatycki, L. Tavasszy, E. ten Heuvelhof, A. van Binsbergen, R. van Duin, B. van Wee, R. Vickerman

'Adopting a post-positivist phenomenological perspective inspired by the writings of Husserl and Heidegger among others, Donna Ladkin crafts a series of philosophical questions that prompt the reader to deconstruct and reposition many habitually held views of leaders and leadership. Through her deep questioning, Ladkin reminds us that wisdom -- the virtue of practical circumspection -- is central to the ethical and aesthetic moment of leading. Rethinking Leadership is a refreshing and much-needed re-evaluation of the field, which should be read by anyone with a serious interest in the subject.' - Peter Case, University of the West of England, UK'Writing anything new about leadership might seem like a difficult task these days. Writing anything new and interesting about leadership might seem beyond most of us. Writing anything new, interesting and provocative about leadership is restricted to only a few very talented scholars. Ladkin is one of these very talented scholars -- she has done all three in a groundbreaking review of the nature of leadership and the questions we should be asking about this phenomenon.' - Keith Grint, University of Warwick, UK A must-read for serious leadership studies scholars, Rethinking Leadership offers a radical reconceptualization of leadership as a contextually embedded, physically embodied phenomenon. The book arrives at original and surprising answers to perennial questions such as 'What is leadership?' and 'How do leaders lead change?', by addressing them from a philosophical, rather than psychological or sociological standpoint. Beautifully written, Ladkin makes complex ideas accessible by illustrating them with practical examples drawn from her wide experience as a leadership academic and management consultant across a range of commercial, political and not-for-profit organisations. A fresh voice amongst the crowded field of leadership studies, Rethinking Leadership delivers not just new answers, but an entirely new way of thinking about leadership and its role in contemporary society. Contents: Preface; 1. Why Study Leadership from a Philosophical Perspective?; 2. Why are There so Many Different Theories of Leadership?; 3. Why is it so Difficult to Study Leadership?; 4. What Goes on in the Relationship between Leaders and Followers?; 5. What is Charismatic Leadership?; 6. What is so Important About the 'Vision-Thing'?; 7. How do Leaders Lead Change? Co-authored with Martin Wood and John Pillay; 8. How Can Individuals Take Up the Leader Role Wisely?; 9. What Has it Meant to Rethink Leadership?; Bibliography; Index

A truly international examination of public sector leadership, this book explores the ways leaders of developed nations are addressing current challenges. The overriding question explored by the authors is how public leadership across the globe addresses new challenges (such as security, financial, demographic), new expectations of leaders, and what public sector leadership means in the new era. The book allows the reader to view a large number of situations across the globe to better understand the relation between context and leadership. It integrates the two fields of leadership and public administration, providing a wide-ranging and complementary empirical context to the topic. Transcending state-centered perspectives, the authors include new developments in governance and public-private sector collaboration while retaining a focus on the public values involved. The chapters address public sector leadership issues in a wide array of nations, integrating international perspectives with a globally diverse authorship. Several chapters address issues of collaboration across sectors, changing roles in the New Public Management paradigm, and corresponding new visions of leadership. Several of the chapters are explicitly comparative, including a study of mental health leadership training topics in eight nations, central banking in Europe, and efficiency studies in Britain, Denmark, and Norway. The chapters can be used as thought-provoking case studies as part of a supplemental text, and are accompanied by substantial bibliographies. Scholars, students, and practitioners in leadership, public policy and administration, and organization studies will find this volume a useful reference.

The Handbook of Organizational Politics offers a broad perspective on the intriguing phenomena of power, influence and politics in the modern workplace; their meaning for individuals, groups and other organizational stakeholders; and their effect on organizational outcomes and performances. Comprising entirely of new chapters and insights, this second edition revisits the theory on organizational politics (OP) and examines its progress and changes in emphasis in recent years. This timely and informative book provides a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art studies on workplace politics based on experiences from around the world. The contributors highlight topics such as political skills, political will, politics and leadership, compensations, politics and performance, and politics and the learning climate. Students and scholars will benefit from the up-to-date collection of studies in the field of OP. This Handbook will also be of interest to practitioners and managers from public and private sectors looking for better explanations of internal processes in business. Contributors: S.L. Albrecht, G. Blickle, S.L. Bohle, D.A. Buchanan, M.R. Buckley, A. Capezio, A.M. Carnes, A. Drory, A.J. DuBrin, L. Eldor, B.P. Ellen III, G.R. Ferris, R. Frieder, J.N. Harris, S.E. Hill, J.D. Jacobs, I. Kapoutsis, E.M. Landells, L.P. Maher, G. Meisler, J.P. Meriac, M. Mizrahi, T.P. Munyon, K. Oerder, G.B. Schmidt, N. Schutte, H. Sibunruang, A.L.E. Thomas, D.R. Vashdi, E. Vigoda-Gadot, A. Wihler, D. Windsor

On the manufacturing shop floor, the principle of "value comes from the production of parts rather than charts" crucially applies when using practical statistical process control (SPC). The production worker should need to enter only a sample's measurements to get immediately actionable information as to whether corrective action (e.g., as defined by a control plan's reaction plan) is necessary for an out-of-control situation, and should not have to perform any calculations, draw control charts, or use sophisticated statistical software. This book's key benefit for readers consists of spreadsheet-deployable solutions with all the mathematical precision of a vernier along with the simplicity of a stone ax. Traditional SPC relies on the assumption that sufficient data are available with which to estimate the process parameters and set suitable control limits. Many practical applications involve, however, short production runs for which no process history is available. There are nonetheless tested and practical control methods such as PRE-Control and short-run SPC that use the product specifications to set appropriate limits. PRE-Control relies solely on the specification limits while short-run SPC starts with the assumption that the process is capable-that is, at least a 4-sigma process, and works from there to set control limits. Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) charts also can be used for this purpose. Specialized charts can also track multiple part characteristics, and parts with different specifications, simultaneously. This is often useful, for example, where the same tool is engaged in mixed-model production. Readers will be able to deploy practical and simple control charts for production runs for which no prior history is available and control the processes until enough data accumulate to enable the traditional methods (assuming it ever does). They will be able to track multiple product features with different specifications and also control mixed-model applications in which a tool generates very short runs of parts with different specifications. The methods will not require software beyond readily available spreadsheets, nor will they require specialized tables that are not widely available. Process owners and quality engineers will be able to perform all supporting calculations in Microsoft Excel, and without the need for advanced software.

Never has this capacity for strategic thinking been more important. Over the next few years leaders of all types of organisations - corporate, entrepreneurial, social enterprise and community based - will be called upon to transform their endeavours as the world is hit by successive waves of financial, economic and environmental turbulence. The Power of Strategic Thinking demonstrates not only how to develop the power to think strategically but is full of a myriad of stories, examples and case studies drawn from businesses, not-for-profit organisations and ordinary men and women who are doing just this - applying strategic thinking to make a big difference right now.

These five short stories are about people and organisations struggling with change. In each tale our hero or heroine experiences one of the major pitfalls that beset people going through change at work and discovers how to turn the situation on its head. In short, they learn to work with the grain of human nature and thereby achieve successful change. Although the stories are easy and enjoyable to read, each one packs a punch, illustrating a key technique for dealing with change; the book makes an excellent training aid, and an inspiring read for anyone grappling with the challenges of change. 5 Tales of Change is a companion volume to the author's first book, The 5 Forces of Change, described by Professional Manager Magazine as " - a masterclass on the competencies required to achieve effective organisational change - This work provides an outstanding guide to managers charged with securing organisational change in today's volatile business environment."

Throughout the book, the authors offer a conceptual framework supported by original case study data to explain how and why a small firm should approach strategic planning, the forces influencing the planning process, and the nexus between innovation and planning. The majority of all businesses throughout the world are small firms, which play a crucial role in the growth of the world's economies. Tim Mazzarol and Sophie Reboud address questions such as: what is the value of planning for small firms, and how should these firms approach strategic planning? This book provides an in-depth analysis of the theory and conceptual frameworks associated with planning and strategy in small firms. It also explores key issues linked with why and how small firms should plan and the benefits they gain. This timely book will be invaluable to academics, postgraduate research students and professional advisors working in the field of small business management and entrepreneurship. Supported by original research and comprehensive key theories, entrepreneurs and practicing managers with an interest in understanding the foundations of planning and strategy will find this book of great importance to them.