According to the National School Public Relations Association, it is not the teachers, administration, or local press that are the primary source of information about schools. The most important source of information and "feel" about a school is the support staff - the custodians, bus drivers, nurses, secretaries, and teacher's aides If you are one of these hidden heroes, this book is for you. Learn how to build upon the universal principles of engagement to become a critical link in your school's success. Discover how to become a frontline ambassador, applying the principles of customer service to deal with families, students, and staff. You will even have your boss eating out of your hand This book, co-authored by 4Sight Learning's CEO Sam Bartlett and school administrator Vie Herlocker, builds upon the 4Sight's work with schools, implementing research-based family engagement strategies to create measurable increases in student achievement. Chapters include professionalism, goal setting, communicating effectively, being a team player, and dealing constructively with conflict and change. Included are powerful stories of twenty-one Engaged Ambassadors who share how they make a difference in their schools and communities every day.

The Cloudbase Chronicles is the memoir of Harry Budge, resident chief engineer of John Hancock Center in Chicago. In addition to being one the worlds most recognized structures, John Hancock center is home to some of the loftiest homes in North America. John Hancock Center, affectionately known as "Big John" to Chicagoans, was one of the first truly self contained luxury communities in the world. As chief engineer for the residential portion of the building, Harry Budge experienced a truly unique lifestyle. Part engineer-part supervisor-part personal valet, he shares his humorous, occasionally somber encounters with his staff and his neighbors and his employers. Additionally, the reader will learn what makes a skyscraper like John Hancock Center tick.

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.

All across America, in every state, across industries and occupations, workers are being injured, or killed on the job, or exposed to toxic chemicals from which they are dying.

What has happened to our nation that has allowed corporations and insurers to throw away the lives, the health of so many without caring, without fear of exposure, without being held accountable? It's called Workers' Compensation: the system we thought was there to protect us if we were injured on the job.

The title refers to a workers' compensation system in which worker deaths often cost an employer far less than correcting a safety/health hazard in the workplace; and a system in which the employer is virtually immune from prosecution for the depraved indifference that results in severe injury, toxic exposure, or death.

"Depraved Indifference" represents over five years of research and interviews. The last chapter explores where we can go from here to create a system of fairness and justice, a system that works; that puts the responsibility and accountability on the employer to make the workplace safe for workers.

"Perfect Phrases for Landlords and Property Managers" arms readers with quick and easy phrases to deal with the countless challenges, decisions, and day-to-day responsibilities of being a landlord or property manager. it offers practical, need-to-know advice on everything from dealing with tenants and co-op boards to developing and executing a management plan. Each chapter includes several key principles and advice on the topic and provide hundreds of ready-to-use phrases for readers to go to no matter what the situation.

Jump-start your real estate career

"How to Make $100,000+ Your First Year as a Real Estate Agent" is more than just an introduction to the ins and outs of the industry; it's a step-by-step guide to beginning your career, with insider advice on how to build a lucrative real estate practice. Whether you're just out of college, changing careers, or looking to improve your game, you'll find fresh ideas on maximizing your sales and commissions. Darryl Davis' system puts you on track to a six-figure salary as he helps you Prepare for the real estate exam and get licensed Find the right real estate office where you can truly excel Build a referral base in just 12 months, starting from nothing Generate an endless supply of quality listings-the bloodline to a successful real estate career Develop a network with real estate professionals who can help you get ahead

Packed with practical tips, sound guidance, and valuable resources, this is the essential first step in your new moneymaking career.

A PROVEN PLAN FOR PROFIT- AND CUSTOMER-CENTERED MAINTENANCE.

. Developed by a maintenance/manufacturing/facilities manager with almost four decades of direct profit/loss responsibilities, this guide provides benchmarking tools for the successful design, implementation, and validation of a profit- and customer-centered strategy for maintenance..

. Utilize Ralph "Pete" Peters' four benchmarking tools for maintenance excellence: . The Scorecard for Maintenance Excellence -- maximizes overall best practices. The CMMS Benchmarking System -- optimizes your technology investment. The Maintenance and Excellence Index -- validates bottom-line results. The ACE Team Benchmarking Process -- assures reliable planning times.

. Already used by over 5000 organizations including Honda of America, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Siderar, BigLots, and the Air Combat Command, these powerful benchmarking tools can be immediately applied to maximize your organization's maintenance excellence..

. Extensive worldwide case studies and the author's actual experiences provide valuable real-world insights..

. A COMPLETE AND PROVEN PROGRAM FOR PROFIT AND CUSTOMER-CENTERED MAINTENANCE
. * The Scoreboard for Maintenance Excellence * The CMMS Benchmarking System * The Maintenance Excellence Index * The ACE Team Benchmarking Process * Improving Craft Resources with Overall Craft Effectiveness (OCE) * How OEE and OCE Synergize for Profits * Developing CMMS as a Maintenance Business Management System * Key Requirements for Profit- and Customer-Centered Maintenance * Validating Results Using Your Maintenance Excellence Index * Summary of Today's Key Best Practices for Improved Profit and CustomerService.

This is Jordan Shifrin's second book on the "Corpus Condo" or laws and procedures governing Associations. Sprinkled throughout are his own philosophies, jokes and a few favorite quotes.When he is not writing, he provides legal advice to Associations, rides a motorcycle, plays golf and tennis and dusts off his toy soldiers.Jordan Shifrin grew up on the north side of Chicago, attended Senn High School, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's degree in history. He was a clothing salesman, insurance adjuster and a teacher before he went to law school, but always wanted to be a writer.This book is chock full with a wealth of valuable information but also keeps the interest level of readers who do not take themselves too seriously.

The purpose of this reference, training manual is to provide an overview of building systems for both operators and administrators. It is presented in easily understood layman terms. It is intended that this manual can be used as a training tool and as a reference source for building operators, operations managers, property managers and tenant service personnel. The manual has been divided into sections, with each section covering a particular portion of the mechanical systems. Each section outlines in general the characteristics of operation of the equipment. Comments regarding the interaction of components and systems, and their purpose for being provided as part of the building mechancial equipment package are included. It is respectfully requested that this manual not be copied by any means without permission in writing from T.D. Air Balance Service.

Readers will learn methods of selling and speaking which the author has learned from 30 years of sales experience. Here he teaches the nine steps of presentation that will lead to buying and selling success. (Real Estate)

This is the guide to maximizing the value of your most valuable asset. Millions of Americans are investing in home improvements, hoping to increase the long-term value of their most valuable asset. But do you know which home improvements will make your home's value jump, and those that won't? This practical guide covers all of the topics every homeowner must consider before getting started - improvements that add the most value, which should be undertaken first, and how to do it right from the very start. From remodeling the kitchen to landscaping the front yard and everything in between, you'll learn which improvements you should undertake, and which are a waste of your time and money."How to Improve the Value of Your Home" will help you get the most bang for your home-improvement buck - with handy tips on lowering the cost of home maintenance and home improvement projects. If you aren't sure whether now is the right time to remodel, a simple quiz helps you to determine what you can afford to do and what to expect as a long-term payoff. And there's more. Calculate the cost versus the value of improvements. This title shows you: what homework you need to do before tackling additions; how to find the resources and information you need; where to find the right contractor to do the work; how to set a home-improvement budget; and, ways to improve home energy efficiency. It offers tips on saving on home insurance; and, simple ways to create curb appeal.

Maximize profits in the single-family and multi-unit rental market . .

You probably know that small rental properties are among the safest, most affordable, and most profitable investments around. With the a little help, however, you can minimize both your investment and your costs and send your profits straight through the roof!. .

In this comprehensive handbook, real estate investing expert Steve Berges reveals the secrets that have made him one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the field." "He shows you all of the indispensable tricks of the trade, explains why they are so important, and connects them to other essential steps for super-profitable investing. Arming you with his Five Golden Rules for Success, Steve Berges also shows you how to: . . . Select a house and negotiate the best price and terms . Perform a comprehensive financial analysis to maximize value . Secure financing and prepare for your closing . Find qualified tenants and draft favorable lease agreements . Reduce operating costs, increase rents, and improve profitability . Avoid the little-known pitfalls of real estate investing . . .

With Steve Berges' expert guidance and no-nonsense advice, you can maximize your investment, minimize your time and effort, and make the most of every foray into the real estate market.. .

Get longer, safer system operating life for every facility maintenance dollar!

How do you efficiently manage facility infrastructure? You turn to this hands-on, answer-packed, time- and money-saving guide designed for every facility manager who has to do more with less. It shows you how to conduct seamless facility condition inspections that provide an overall snapshot of the current condition of your facility, generating enormous amounts of priceless information that will help you reduce or eliminate downtime and keep your facility humming.

This comprehensive, portable toolkit packs everything you need to:

* Continually assess the condition status of every aspect of a building: all of its systems and equipment, components and subcomponents

*Identify deficiencies before they become major problems

* Get better performance from every system

Effective resource management and reliable equipment are essential for optimum plant performance. Computer-Managed Maintenance Systems goes beyond the simple selection and implementation of a CMMS. It also defines the changes in infrastructure, management philosophy and employee skills that must be implemented to gain maximum benefits from the CMMS. The book is designed to address the information needs of all levels of plant management.

In this new edition, the authors have added a chapter specifically on the latest technology, Application Solution Providers (ASP) that has revolutionized the way CMMS are used and the benefits they can offer to a business. This solution provides integrated software, hardware and networking technology along with Information Technology (IT) consulting services into an outsourced package. A new appendix on Key Performance Indicators has also been added.
Comprehensive, practical guide that covers selection, justification, and implementation of an effective CMMS in any facilityAll levels of plant management will find useful information in this step-by-step guideIncludes a new chapter on ASP technologies

You're investing in real estate, relocating to a new state, or maybe moving to a new country. You go to the Internet, an endless source of information. But is it current? Is it accurate? Can you even find what you need? Here is an analytic guide to nearly 2000 real estate Web sites. Data for more than 220 regions, states, and countries are divided into six sections representing the major continents.

The book runs the gamut with data resources for broad geographical regions right down to individual localities (including U.S. states). Indexes to Web site titles, key content, sponsors, and country of origin make this guide essential to everyone from real estate practitioners (developers, bankers, and investors, etc.) to students and researchers in the field.

The analysis of the four historic sites featured in this publication-Grosse Ile and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site in Canada, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in the United States, Port Arthur Historic Site in Australia, and Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site in the United Kingdom-provides valuable insight into the creation and management of heritage values.
Each case study articulates how values are identified and assessed by the governing bodies; where (and with whom) the values reside; how the values are implemented into management policies and objectives; and the impact that these decisions have on the sites themselves.
This book will be a vital tool for institutions and individuals engaged in the study or practice of site management, conservation planning, and/or historic preservation. Also included is a CD-ROM that contains supplemental management and planning documents created and used by the site-management authorities.

Beyond the Numbers How Leading Companies Measure and Drive Success William L. Simon "This book stands at the intersection of management and money, the place where modern business fundamentals and current financial principles come together. Business managers have traditionally used accounting-based financials that looked backward, at the wake--showing where the organization had been; today, they are learning to use financials that look forward toward the horizon." --from the Preface Businesses can't afford to have a financial system which only measures its past. In order to build a successful company, you need a financial system that also shows you how to plan your company's future. This must-have book for executives, managers, analysts, and other stakeholders, will show you how to refine your current financials or thoroughly overhaul them. In Beyond the Numbers, you have the opportunity to profit from the experiences of CEOs and CFOs at market leading companies in a variety of industries. You will learn how to build a truly effective corporate financial system--one that:

• Ensures accurate financial reporting that emphasizes necessary details
• Educates key business managers about the refined financial measures needed to reach strategic goals
• Enables financial and operating managers to communicate key data analyses effectively
• Empowers key personnel throughout the company with a clear understanding of the links between financial measurements and overall business strategies
• Emphasizes the right themes when reporting financial health to investment analysts and the business press.

This comprehensive reference covers all aspects of cost planning and estimating for facilities maintenance: A comprehensive approach to M & R planning and budgeting for all major building types in the private and public sectorExpert advice on M & R requirements for building componentsEasy-to-follow tips & examples on assembly costs into a defensible budgetUnderstanding operating costs and exploring opportunities for improvement Building a maintenance and repair cost profile Addresses 10 major building types, including corporate, hospitals, offices, more

With real estate investing on the rebound, more and more people are jumping into the market. But often, return on investment hinges less on the physical property and more on the math.

Have you measured every component of value, such as cash flow, income taxes, financing, and investment yield? Do you know which calculations to use on specific properties? Have you weighed all the risks? The Real Estate Investor's Pocket Calculator helps you analyze the financial picture before committing capital. Simple explanations, worksheets, and more than 100 Excel formulas will have you crunching numbers like a pro.

Learn to:

• Gauge supply and demand
• Project return on investment and equity
• Analyze present and future value
• Understand appraisal approaches
• Evaluate mortgages
• Calculate cash flow
• Compute internal rate of return and debt coverage ratio
• Make accurate tax projections
• Balance escrow and closing
• And much more...

With new formulas, expanded sections on income and expenses, and an updated analysis of market conditions, this second edition helps you make smarter decisions . . . and more money.

Der Kostendruck zwingt auch in der Immobilienwirtschaft zu Uberlegungen, ob die eigenen Dienstleistungen weiterhin selbst oder besser in Kooperation mit anderen oder ganzlich von anderen kostengunstiger zu erbringen sind. Indem Strukturen und Funktionen verandert oder ausgelagert bzw. neue Einheiten gebildet werden, lassen sich Kostensenkungspotenziale und neue Geschaftsfelder erschliessen. Der Autorin gelingt es, dieses komplexe Entscheidungsfeld mit Beispielen aus der Immobilienwirtschaft praxisnah darzustellen, wobei die Aussagen auch auf andere Dienstleistungen ubertragbar sind."

Betreibermodelle - Chancen und Risiken sind das Thema des Buches. Das Betreiber- bzw. BOT-Modell zur Finanzierung offentlicher Infrastruktureinrichtungen ist ein flexibles Deckungskonzept. Vielen Beteiligten sind die Begriffe der Betriebswirtschaft und ei damit verbundenen Risiken unbekannt. Durch diese Darstellung offnet sich das Verstandnis fur Cashflow und den Zusammenhang mit Risikomanagement.

Zunachst geht es um grundlegende Zusammenhange des Modells, eine Begriffsklarung sowie die Darstellung von Charakteristika und Wesensmerkmalen gehoren. Mit dem Risikomanagement greift das Buch eine wichtige Voraussetzung fur eine erfolgreiche Projektrealisierung auf. Die betriebswirtschaftlichen Grundlagen und die einzelnen Bereiche des Risikomanagements uber den gesamten Lebenszyklus von Projekten werden dargestellt. Beispiele aus der Praxis dienen dem besseren Verstandnis des komplexen Themas.

Das Buch richtet sich an alle Beteiligten bei der Finanzierung von Infrastruktureinrichtungen, die einen Uberblick uber alle wichtigen Zusammenhange benotigen, sowohl auf privater als auch auf offentlicher Seite. "

A companion publication to Asset Management, International Case Studies in Asset Management will help companies and professionals develop and support the teaching and learning of best practices in this field. The book presents 32 case studies which illustrate how resistant asset management is to compartmentalised thinking and actions. They provide a means of communicating the importance of integrating different perspectives in order to choose between strategies and solutions. They are also an excellent tool for encouraging and trying out ideas and theories. International Case Studies in Asset Management is vital reading for people working in asset management roles who need the stimulus of new ideas, new ways of looking at things and evidence of what works. It will also be of use to students of asset management and the people who teach them.