For practitioners, this text provides an easy-to-understand approach to strategic planning and execution. The general recipe for achieving an intended outcome is equal parts of the following: clear vision and mission, a practical strategic plan, daily activities linked to the mission, and unified commitment to the plan. However, orchestrating the details of these necessary components is somewhat more complicated. Crash Course in Strategic Planning uses a process approach to the creation of a strategic plan, providing practitioners with no-nonsense instruction on planning. The volume is arranged to lead the reader through the stages of planning, from the beginning development stages through the execution of the plan to completing the plan and attaining the objective. A variety of recommended planning techniques are supplied for groups to use to accomplish their planning goals, and the final chapter emphasizes the importance of overall organizational commitment to execution of the plan.
When Fortune Magazine estimated that 70% of all strategies fail, it also noted that most of these strategies were basically sound, but could not be executed. The central premise of Strategic Project Management Made Simple is that most projects and strategies never get off the ground because of adhoc, haphazard, and obsolete methods used to turn their ideas into coherent and actionable plans. Strategic Project Management Made Simple is the first book to couple a step-by-step process with an interactive thinking tool that takes a strategic approach to designing projects and action initiatives. Strategic Project Management Made Simple builds a solid platform upon four critical questions that are vital for teams to intelligently answer in order to create their own strong, strategic foundation. These questions are: 1. What are we trying to accomplish and why? 2. How will we measure success? 3. What other conditions must exist? 4. How do we get there? This fresh approach begins with clearly understanding the what and why of a project - comprehending the bigger picture goals that are often given only lip service or cursory reviews. The second and third questions clarify success measures and identify the risky assumptions that can later cause pain if not spotted early. The how questions - what are the activities, budgets, and schedules - comes last in our four-question system. By contrast, most project approaches prematurely concentrate on the how without first adequately addressing the three other questions. These four questions guide readers into fleshing out a simple, yet sophisticated, mental workbench called "the Logical Framework" - a Systems Thinking paradigm that lays out one's own project strategy in an easily accessible, interactive 4x4 matrix. The inclusion of memorable features and concepts (four critical questions, LogFrame matrix, If-then thinking, and Implementation Equation) make this book unique.
This is the time to expand your career opportunities-and the knowledge in here can be the key. This third edition compresses the most significant skills and lessons of a two year MBA into one comprehensive guide. With clear, concise information, expert Tom Gorman includes recent developments in management, economics, marketing, leadership, information technology, and communications. Whether the reader is studying to achieve an advanced degree or needs the concrete, practical skills required in the business world, this guide is the most current and comprehensive available. • Practical guide to the most significant issues facing business professionals today. • A suitable study tool for all graduate students as well as those trying to expand their skills and knowledge in their careers.
Boomers reinvented society; now they're reinventing themselves, and AARP wants to facilitate that process. This book explores both the motivations and the methods of those taking part in the social phenomenon known as recareering. A new generation of American workers is no longer counting the days until retirement; instead they're seeking greater fulfillment in their personal lives by tackling new--and often much more socially significant--work. Switching careers is a challenge at any age, yet boomers may have more to overcome than their younger counterparts. Author Greengard shows readers how to sort out their feelings about their existing career; successfully transition to a new one; and work toward a greater sense of balance in their daily lives. Profiles of recareering veterans show how others have attained their own goals. These are rounded out by tips, quizzes, worksheets, how-to sidebars, and other practical resources.--From publisher description.
"Regardless of how respected or careful a company is, preparing for the possibility of a crisis is essential in today's business world. WHERE’S MY UMBRELLA offers valuable insights that any business should want to hear and follow." Gary Sheffer Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. GE “The best way for any executive to manage any issue is to do so with a 360 view and to reach out to experts. There is no doubt that Len is someone to consult for expert advice.” Rick Sasso President MSC Cruises Len, president of the communications counseling firm The Biegel Group brings his deep experience in a wide range of crises and reputation challenges to WHERE’S MY UMBRELLA. From the Tylenol tampering to 9/11 to hurricanes and environmental crimes, Biegel not only chronicles a host of wakeup calls. He tells what they mean. Len makes the case that many crises can be prevented.
Provides a concise yet rigorous introduction to strategic management and its contemporary challenges, with multiple examples, case studies and references.
Everything you need to know about eBooks is explained in this holistic guide to a new world of readingfrom selection and curation of an eBook collection to training and support for staff and patrons. EBooks are a must for today's libraries, making this introduction indispensable for those who have yet to delve into the ever-expanding universe of downloadable material. This "crash course" is an easy-to-use, hands-on approach that will simplify the decision and implementation processes. It introduces you to eBooks and eReading and covers the many issues surrounding eBooks in circulating libraries including technology, acquisition, and training. You'll learn how to launch a program, what to buy, how to let your public know you've added eBooks to your collection, and how to circulate the materials. The guide will also help you with decisions like vendor selection, how many eBooks to purchase, which delivery platforms to employ, how best to offer access, and licensing agreements. Chapters can be consulted as stand-alone overviews of key areas, or the book can be used as a source of holistic instruction. While it will be especially useful to small or rural circulating libraries, including public libraries, school libraries, and specialty libraries that may have a small staff responsible for all aspects of library service, tips on things like promoting an eBook collection are pertinent to enhancing any collection.
In, A Crash Course in Starting a Business, Scott L. Girard, Jr., Michael O'Keefe, and Marc Price walk you through each phase of planning, conception and development for starting your own business. Whether you're at an unsavory job and looking to venture out on your own, or you've been on your own for a while and want a fresh perspective, A Crash Course in Starting a Business will bring you clarity, depth, and an ignition to get out there and make it happen! Or if you currently know next to nothing (or less) about business and are just looking for a painless read to educate you on the broad topic of entrepreneurship - look no further! Great for students, young professionals, and prospective entrepreneurs of all ages, A Crash Course in Starting a Business has everything you need to build that holistic foundation of entrepreneurship and get you pointed in the right direction to take the first step to getting out there and making it happen for yourself!
2019 Edition (V5) of PR Smith's popular SOSTAC (r) planning system shows how to write the perfect plan and can be learned in 3 minutes. The SOSTAC Guide to your Perfect Digital Marketing Plan, can be skimmed in 30 minutes and digested in detail in 3 hours. The new edition integrates digital developments such as AI, Big Data, IoT, Marketing Automation with brief mentions of VR and AR. So it's bang up to date. The SOSTAC(r) planning system was voted in the Top 3 Marketing Models worldwide by voters in the Chartered Institute Of Marketing's Centenary Poll. SOSTAC(r) has since been adopted by Linkedin, KPMG, Greenpeace and many more bluechips and start-ups. The entire book is written in easily digestible chunks so readers can dip in and out. Who can use this book? The book is aimed at anyone involved in digital marketing, or marketing, or just interested in digital marketing. Readers can see how it all fits together. More advanced marketers use it as a 'dip in & out' (e.g. the digital marketing strategy chapter), while less experienced marketers benefit from all six chapters and the many links to cutting-edge websites, digital tools and videos. The 6 Chapters: Situation Analysis (where are we now?)Objectives (where are we going?)Strategy (how do we get there?Tactics (details of strategy incl. marketing mix)Action (checklists, guides, systems & internal marketing)Control (how do we know if we are going to get there?)Who is the author?PR Smith is the co-author of the hugely influential 'Digital Marketing Excellence' (with Dave Chaffey) and several other marketing books including the best -selling Marketing Communications text going into its 7th ed this year. This new SOSTAC(r) Guide has achieved more than 3,000 pre-sales. The book is now also available from Amazon, iBooks, other networks or www.PRSmith.org/sostac . There is a free Kindle app which allows readers to enjoy this eBook on any mobile, iPad or laptop in addition to a kindle. What Experts Say About This Book "Although most businesses are now doing digital marketing, nearly half don't have a plan - that's shocking! SOSTAC(r) gives you an awesomely simple framework to put that right." Dave Chaffey, CEO Smart Insights"A really good easy-to-follow guide" Ged Carroll, Digital Director VP Europe, RacePoint Global'This is essential reading and an invaluable reference guide for any marketer who needs to create impressive, persuasive and effective digital marketing plans.' IDM SOSTAC(r) Certified Planners online portal is now open for those that want to become SOSTAC(r) Certified Planners. Visit https: //www.SOSTAC.org to register, download manuals drawn from these books and take the online, open-book, multiple choice case study assessment. Upon reaching 60% + the applicant receives a SOSTAC(r) Certified Planner certificate. See http: //www.PRSmith.org/SOSTAC for more or just go directly to https: //www.SOSTAC.org
