Why do projects fail?The people who plan and execute major projects are often highly skilled and highly regarded. They are not obviously incompetent. Where a project uses external suppliers or contractors as a significant support to project delivery, the risk of a fundamental failure seems to escalate. Is this a failure of project management? A failure of procurement? A failure of both? Or are there other factors at play? This book aims to be a self-help manual. It will enable you to improve your personal and corporate performance. It will also help you ensure that the sub-system elements of a project, where there are 'interfaces' between systems that need to 'talk' to each other, will be effectively managed - with no nasty surprises. Buying and integrating advanced technologyRight First Time - Buying and integrating advanced technology for project success does not pretend to hold the key to a 'nirvana' of project delivery. Rather, it gets straight to the point about buying - and integrating - advanced technology. It recognises that integrating sub-systems is fertile ground for failure and that effective procurement is increasingly important in project delivery. The failure of one sub-system can undermine an entire project, and the integration of sub-components is all too often assumed to be a technical problem that 'technical people' will overcome. Few projects make integration a defined subset of the overall project plan, yet most will benefit from doing so. A project management playbookA management book rather than a technical book, Right First Time - Buying and integrating advanced technology for project success focuses on the difficult issue of sub-system integration in the context of third-party (supply) relationships. If you are responsible for project management and practical delivery, at senior or junior level, it provides lots of practical questions to help you work through the issues, acting as a catalyst for supplementary questions and lines of investigation, focusing on potential problem areas relevant to your own context. Powerful learning outcomes and self-reflective questions at the end of each chapter enable you to create key action points and assess your organisation's approach to improve project management governance and ensure you get it right first time. Project managers, procurement managers, business change managers, commercial managers, mobilisation/transition managers, product managers and contract managers will all find value in this comprehensive guide to managing sub-system integration for project success.

There is a general consensus that deep-seated changes are reshaping the way production and work are organized, the way employees, employers and their representatives deal with each other, and the way governments seek to shape society. In this work a group of leading scholars take stock of the evidence and implications of the new workplace. Drawing on examples from a variety of national contexts, they seek to characterize the nature of contemporary workplace change, and assess its implications for the organization of work for workers, for employment relations and for public policy.

The workplace is a crucially important site for learning in today's learning society. In this authoritative book, the authors look at the changing nature of the work and the effects that this has on the skill and knowledge requirements of individuals, its implications for the workplace and employment, and ways in which these changing requirements can be met. The editors are founder members of the Working to Learn group, and are internationally recognised as leading experts in vocational education and training. International in scope and based on their wide-ranging experiences and research, this book brings together the implications of workplace changes for educators, managers and society. In an age where jobs and work - and the success of organisations - are increasingly dependent on developing skills and knowledge, this will be important reading for educators, trainers, human resource managers and policy makers alike.

This book examines the paradoxical position of irregular migrants in European society, who are often labelled as 'illegal' residents but who in fact provide much needed, essential support to welfare systems. Focusing on care work at home for the elderly, the book argues that increasingly restrictive immigration policies directly contradicts the growing need for care-givers since the majority of those employed are a result of illegal immigration. The book also explores the personal issues faced by these irregular migrants such as their concerns for family members that are left behind and the pressures that migration imposes on these relationships as migrants struggle to improve the daily conditions of their lives.

As the growth in teleworking, 'virtual teams' and 'virtual enterprises' has shown, the economic landscape is increasingly characterized by an ability to work across spatial and organisational boundaries. Only with this redesign of working methods and business processes can the promise of the digital age be delivered. This book draws upon an international, multidisciplinary team of editors and contributors, and presents the most recent academic research on the subject.

"Reinventing the Information Technology Department" is both anecdotal and informal but deals with a subject which is of interest to chief information officers (CIOs) and IT Managers, addressing questions such as: how does the IT department keep pace with business change?; how do we provide stable and responsive IT platforms?; how do we add recognized value to the organization?; how do I reinvent my department?; how do I get onto the board?;This text offers an alternative view of the new roles of the in-house IT function and proposes a rethink about IT services within companies, suggesting a self-help approach to redefining/reinventing in-house IT for CIOs. The text explains that new modes of business thinking and operation are essential if a company is to succeed in the near future and in light of this, covers topics such as self-organizing systems, knowledge management, multi-stakeholder perspectives and empowerment initiatives in relation to the overall business and in particular the IT function Each chapter of this text contains implementation templates for readers to take themselves through the repositioning or re-engineering of the IT function and their own departments.

What is resilience?Resilience is the ability to cope with setbacks and find solutions to problems. It is the ability to bounce back from adversity and hardships, learn from experiences and move on. Being resilient means having the strength and conviction to confront life's challenges and adapt positively to difficult circumstances. A 2020 Gartner survey revealed that 74% of CFOs and finance leaders planned to keep their previously on-site workforce working remotely post COVID-19. Even before the pandemic, the work environment had become one of constant change. People could no longer expect job stability, working time had become increasingly fluid and sophistication of technology meant that businesses were no longer limited to specific geographical locations to manage their workforce. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the uncertainty and stress it created to the realisation that the world of work will need to change to deal with economic uncertainties and modified ways of working, means that resilience is now more important than ever. Why is resilience important?We need to build our resilience to cope effectively with ambiguity and change, and to bounce back in the face of adversity. This is particularly important if we manage and lead others at work. Well-being in the Workplace - A guide to resilience for individuals and teams is aimed at managers who need to build resilience in both themselves and their team and improve their own and others' well-being. Remote working makes it even harder for managers to identify if team members are struggling, and employees may lack the support network to help them cope with stress in their work and home environments. Recognise the warning signs and take positive actionA practical guide, this book will equip managers with the skills and confidence to effectively build their own and others' resilience and support their team's well-being. It covers: An introduction to what resilience is and why we need it; The challenges for managers of building resilience in themselves and others; How to assess your own levels of resilience; Tips for physical, emotional, mental and social well-being; How to build resilience in team members; and The benefits of building resilience and how to make habits stick. Managers, team leaders, those in HR roles, and employees looking to adapt to new ways of working will find this book invaluable. Understand the benefits of building resilience and how you can support your team's well-being - buy this book today!

Since the advent of electronic commerce, and the increasing sophistication of the information systems used in business organizations, control and security have become key management issues.
This is a comprehensive review of these issues written for the business reader. It includes coverage of recent developments in e-commerce, as well as the more traditional systems. The text is intended for any manager whose work depends on financial or other business information. It includes case studies, summaries and review questions, making it ideal as a source text for students of business studies at postgraduate or advanced level.

For some unknown reason, Peter Altschul was born totally blind. He grew up in a working-class town where, with the help of his persistent mother, he broke through barrier after barrier, determined to live a full life.

After attending a private school that initially turned him away-simply because he was blind-Peter details how he discovered his gift for music, eventually playing percussion in the orchestra, marching band, and jazz ensemble at Princeton University. But it was only after Peter graduated from college that it became evident he would need a guide dog. Heidi, a Weimaraner with a large repertoire of barks, howls, and grunts, would assist Peter for the next eight years through the halls of New England Conservatory, where he eventually obtained a master's degree in music composition. Peter relays how he blazed a unique professional trail while simultaneously overcoming obstacles; managed his uneasy relationship with music; and embraced his unexpected entrance into an unfamiliar and romantic world. He also provides an unforgettable glimpse into the wonderful ways his five guide dogs supported him on his journey from urban bachelorhood to the light of love.

"Breaking Barriers" shares a compelling account of one man's journey through life as he and each of his specially trained dogs learned to trust each other, ultimately melding into a smooth working team that tackled the world-together.

Clear, actionable steps for you to build new values, experiences, and perspectives into your organizational culture, infusing it with the diversity, inclusion, and belonging employees need to feel accepted, be their best selves, and do their best work. Bypass the faulty processes and communication styles that make change impossible in so many other organizations; access these practical tools and ideas for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in your company. Filled with actionable advice Alida Miranda-Wolff learned through her own struggles being an outsider in a work culture that did not value inclusion, and having since worked with over 60 organizations to prioritize DEI initiatives and all the value and richness it adds to the workplace, this roadmap helps leaders: Learn why creating an environment where everyone feels belonging is the new barometer for employee engagement. Develop an understanding of the key terms around DEI and why they matter. Assess where your organization is today. Define and take the small steps that build new muscle memory into an organizational culture. Increase employee engagement, collaboration, innovation, communication, and sense of belonging. Build confidence in how to solve future DEI-related challenges. Get buy-in from colleagues (and even resisters) who can clearly see how to move forward and why. Overcome any limiting work environment and build all new processes and communication priorities that allow your employees to be a part of something greater than themselves while your organization learns to value and embrace the unique experiences and perspective that each employee brings to the company.

'A text which will be valuable for architects and clients...much of practical value...well illustrated...Buy the book if you are involved in office design; it will set you on the path.' Building Design Tomorrow's Office is an ideal sourcebook for architects, interior designers, and others concerned with office interiors and the provision of good workplace facilities. The author summarizes the changing context of office work and identifies the important issues that facilities managers must consider and resolve when handling major physical revisions in the workplace. Laid out in an easy-to-read format, well-chosen case studies exemplify effective design choices.

Meditation has become an essential skill in every business leader’s toolkit, helping leaders adapt to and better handle ever-increasing complexity in their day-to-day environments. The benefits of meditation are varied, and undeniable. Studies on meditation programmes in the workplace show a marked improvement in productivity, decision-making, problem-solving and listening skills.Meditation can bring balance, meaning and mindfulness into the workplace, raise EQ and executive function, and improve the quality of one’s work life. It also reduces stress and anxiety.

If you thought that meditation was too ‘woo-woo’, time-consuming or difficult to do, think again. Meditation for Business Leaders demystifies the practice by sharing examples of top global CEOs who meditate and includes plenty of solid research to back all the benefits. The book also provides simple, step-by-step guidelines for more than 60 different techniques – from beginner to adept – that you can practise and enjoy. Whether you have just five minutes to spare, or 50 – choose an exercise that fits your schedule and desired outcome.

This full colour, illustrated guide includes meditations, mindfulness and breathing exercises, mudras, and postures for you to experiment with to bring greater calm, balance, and wellbeing into your day. Background, benefits, and tips are provided for each technique. The author also guides you on how to introduce a meditation programme into your workplace.

- Specifications: 3 x 2 1/2 inch mini soap box and mini megaphone - Mini book inside: 32-page illustrated mini book about the soapbox's history and its uses - Stickers included: sheet of 2 full-color stickers to customize your box - Perfect gift: a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for friends, family, coworkers

Beyond Diversity and Intercultural Management develops a change model designed to challenge prevailing paradigms in the literature and conversations about equal employment opportunity, diversity, and intercultural management.

Draws on the author's extensive career in professional services, as well as interviews with nearly forty Asian-Australian partners in Big 4 firms to bring life to the topics and themes of the book Provides research-backed recommendations for aspiring cultural leaders can take to accelerate their career progression, as well as a roadmap of what companies should do to increase their leadership cultural diversity Written in an accessible style for practitioners and organisations, with end-of-chapter summaries and questions to guide personal reflection and change Well-endorsed by academics from NIODA and INSEAD, as well as business professionals from PWC and King & Wood Mallesons

The workplace is changing radically, yet the building designs and environmental systems for conventional offices fail to support the more fluid use of space and time practised by these new kinds of office work. Prepared by the team who wrote The Responsible Workplace in 1992, this book is based on a major research project undertaken by DEGW and the BRE. It identifies the key organizational changes, patterns of work, work settings and types of space layouts and it will help specifiers and users of environmental systems understand what products will be suitable for innovative ways of office working.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203223101

ITIL(R) 4 Direct, Plan and ImproveIf you've achieved your ITIL(R) 4 Foundation certificate, you're probably planning the next stage in your ITIL journey and which qualification to work towards. DPI provides essential knowledge and capabilities for service management professionals, supporting those involved in directing or planning based on strategy and continual improvement - a must-have skillset practitioners should seek beyond Foundation level. DPI is the only one of the ITIL 4 advanced level courses that leads to both Managing Professional (MP) and Strategic Leader (SL) status. The module is aimed at managers and aspiring managers at all levels, providing them with the practical skills needed to improve themselves and their organisation by way of effective strategic direction and delivering continual improvement. An excellent supplement to any training courseITIL(R) 4 Direct, Plan and Improve (DPI) - Your companion to the ITIL 4 Managing Professional and Strategic Leader DPI certification is a study guide designed to help students pass the ITIL(R) 4 Direct, Plan and Improve module. The majority of this book is based on the AXELOS ITIL(R) 4: Direct, Plan and Improve publication and the associated DPI Strategist syllabus. It provides students with the information they need to pass the DPI exam, and help them become a successful practitioner. Suitable for existing ITIL v3 experts, ITIL 4 Managing Professional (MP) students, ITSM (IT service management) practitioners who are adopting ITIL 4, approved training organisations, IT service managers, IT managers and those in IT support roles, the book covers: Key concepts: Scope, key principles and methods; The role of governance, risk and compliance; Continual improvement; Organisational change management; Measurement and reporting; Value streams and practices; and Exam preparation. A useful tool throughout your careerIn addition to being an essential study aid, the author - a seasoned ITSM professional - also provides additional guidance throughout the book which you can lean on once your training and exam are over. The book includes her own practical experience from which she gives advice and points to think about along the way so that you can refer back to this book for years to come - long after you've passed your exam. The essential link between your ITIL qualification and the real world - buy this book today!ITIL(R) is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved. This book is an official AXELOS licensed product.

China has broadcast its message. Calling on Africa, Australia and South America for resources, on the West for support, and on the world for understanding, its role in the global hierarchy is established yet pivotal. But that communist blink in the Imperial eye should not deceive you. China has a well shod foot in the global door of capitalism.
Western politicians, financiers and consumers have allowed opportunistic strategies to dominate global trade for the ultimate benefit of China. Yet the driving forces behind China's border and expansionary controls are often misunderstood and not fully appreciated.
Mackinnon and Powell show how China is adapting its traditional values and practices to target strategic investments worldwide. Understanding China's very different approaches to problem solving permits an effective engagement with modern China as it seeks competitive advantage globally. The authors contend that both China and the West must acknowledge reciprocal and mutually beneficial obligations - if confrontation is to be averted.

From the people who work exclusively from home to the 'portable' manager with no fixed site, the need to communicate is paramount. Mike Johnson's candid appraisal of teleworking, or telecommuting as it is also known, looks at the key benefits: for the individual it provides the opportunity to work from home; for the company it provides major savings on costs. The down side is the lack of human contact and the anxiety of employees who work away from the centre of things. The ...in brief books provide a critical 'snapshot' of the major management fashions and fads influencing business strategy. They cut through the consultants' jargon and steer a practical, common sense course through the theory and hype. They provide managers with a balanced view based on evidence rather than missionary zeal, so that they can be better informed.

Pitman New Era shorthand is geared to the needs of top secretaries and professional shorthand writers. The fastest and most accurate shorthand system, it is in world-wide use with speeds of up to 350 words per minute. The phonetic system is ideal for specialist and technical use - for example on legal, medical and bilingual work - and its speed makes it the first choice for all verbatim recorders. Millions of people across the globe have studied New Era, qualified and entered well-paid professions. Each piece of new theory is reinforced with five practice sentences. Includes short forms, phrase drills and 'practical dictation' sections of letters, memos and reports. Provides appendices with advice on the treatment of figures and verbatim reporting. Gives a separate alphabetic list of short forms and intersections.

Reinvent your organization for the hybrid age. Hybrid work is here to stay-but what will it look like at your company? If your organization is holding on to inflexible, pre-pandemic policies about where-and when-your people work, it may be risking a mass exodus of talent. Designing a hybrid workplace that furthers your business goals while staying true to your culture requires balancing experimentation with rigorous planning. Hybrid Workplace: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review will help you adopt the best technological, cultural, and new management practices to seize the benefits and avoid the pitfalls of the hybrid age. Business is changing. Will you adapt or be left behind? Get up to speed and deepen your understanding of the topics that are shaping your company's future with the Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review series. Featuring HBR's smartest thinking on fast-moving issues-blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, and more-each book provides the foundational introduction and practical case studies your organization needs to compete today and collects the best research, interviews, and analysis to get it ready for tomorrow. You can't afford to ignore how these issues will transform the landscape of business and society. The Insights You Need series will help you grasp these critical ideas-and prepare you and your company for the future.

Having sold over one million copies worldwide since it was first published, Secretarial Duties is well-established as a combined textbook and workbook which covers everything the secretary needs to know. The tenth edition has been completely revised using a new format and layout, and updated to take account of the new NVQ specification, and LCCI and PEI syllabi. It also focuses on the increasing role now played by computer technology in business adminisration. Recent advances in areas such as data storage and retrieval, the internet, speech recognition, automatic call distribution systems, video phones and desktop publishing are all covered. A wide range of in-tray exercises based on realistic case studies are provided at the end of each unit using examples of real forms and other business documents. In working through these realistic simulated business activities, the student is required not only to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, but is also encouraged to develop NVQ and GNVQ standards of competence. Further practice is provided with recent examination questions from LCCI and PEI examinations. The inclusion of a list of worldwide Chambers of Commerce and forms of address for letters to Europe provides a good reference source for those studying or working overseas. Key features retains proven features which have made this book a bestseller covers knowledge for current NVQ elements of competence provides sample examination questions for student practice includes new international reference sources for overseas students up-to-date with new computer technology, postal and banking services fully illustrated with photographs, diagrams and forms Students on NVQ level 2 and 3 administration, LCCI private secretary's certificate and PEI office procedures level 2 courses will find this book invaluable. It will also be useful for adult returners on NVQ level 2 and 3 business courses. For PAs and secretaries, it provides a comprehensive reference source.

Despite how much we know about emotion, Social Functions of Emotion and Talking About Emotion at Work uniquely examines the utility of emotion in organizations against the ways in which both individuals and groups talk about them. Drawing on psychological and sociological research, this book provides groundbreaking insights for understanding how emotions are used in the workplace. Bringing together contributions from leading emotion researchers, this book features chapters focusing on 10 emotions, ranging from awe to shame. Through its exploration of the ways each emotion functions in relation to how we talk about them, this book injects fresh theoretical and practical momentum into how our discussions of workplace emotion can affect how emotional events are appraised over time and place. This, in turn influences the causes, expressions, and consequences of emotions in the workplace. With its novel approach, this book will be an invaluable tool for academics researching emotion, as well as postgraduate students working in the social sciences seeking reference material on emotion. HR managers and general readers seeking greater insight into emotions at work will also find this book to be a useful tool. Contributors include: N.M. Ashkanasy, R.A. Baron, S. Connelly, M. Dasborough, C.D. Fisher, D. Geddes, P. Harvey, M.L.A. Hayward, P.J. Jordan, S. Kiffin-Petersen, H.C. Lench, D. Lindebaum, K.E. Moura, K.A. Perez, R.H. Smith, R.K. Smith, P.N. Stearns, A.C. Troth, M.R. Turner, K.L. Tyran, T.S.H. Wingenbach