Is your firm poised for long-term success and viability? Do you even know what that looks like for your firm? The reality is that most CPA firms have their work cut out for them if they want exiting partners to retire comfortably and future leaders to flourish. In the new edition of this popular book and its companion workbook, Reeb and Cingoranelli impart the same no-nonsense advice on succession planning and management that they share with their clients, providing you with the benefits of their years of experience, research, and methodologies. Volume 1 covers fundamental succession and management concepts to ensure that every partner and manager is on the same page and working toward a shared vision. After reading this book you will be able to: Take steps to maximize your firm’s value Shore up your business strategy and operations Remove personal preferences and entitlements from partner discussions Build a strong partner group Ensure your firm survives the departure of key people by creating or improving your succession plan, and more!
Is your firm poised for long-term success and viability? Do you even know what that looks like for your firm? The reality is that most CPA firms have their work cut out for them if they want exiting partners to retire comfortably and future leaders to flourish. In the new edition of this popular book, Reeb and Cingoranelli impart the same no-nonsense advice on succession planning and management that they share with their clients, providing you with the benefits of their years of experience, research, and methodologies. Once your firm’s leadership is on board with the fundamental concepts, Volume 2 provides your implementation team with the tools and resources they need to make it a reality. This workbook includes the tools, tactics, and strategies you need to draft a customized plan and see it through. Each chapter includes expert-developed exercises, forms, and checklists tailored to each phase of the planning process. Also available as a PDF Toolkit to simplify your planning!
The future will bring change for Australia. But whether that change is for the better or worse largely depends on the decisions we make today as individuals and as a nation. Recognising rapid changes in the global economy, environment and policy, the Australian Government engaged the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) to undertake detailed interdisciplinary research to help guide Australian thinking and policy decisions. Dozens of Australia’s finest minds assessed the opportunities available to the nation globally and domestically, charting a course for the future. The resulting findings can prepare Australia to address the challenges ahead and make the most of the opportunities. Securing Australia’s Future synthesises the major themes that emerge from ACOLA’s reports. Each chapter includes key findings designed to optimise Australia’s prosperity and place in the region. The future is a long game but its base must be built now. This book provides a vision for the nation, for its politicians, public servants and industry leaders – a sound footing for securing Australia’s future. It is a vital resource for Members of Federal and State parliaments, senior public servants, industry leaders, universities and the interested public.
“Hot new talent.” —Locus Get to know tomorrow’s brightest creative talents chosen by some of today’s bestselling authors and celebrated artists including Kevin J. Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Larry Elmore, and Brandon Sanderson. Explore 12 diverse new universes of possibility through a variety of creative and fresh new ideas—all in one anthology. From dragons to mythical death dealers, from murder on the moon to deep space mystery, these stories bring you the hot new talent in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Discover the writers who push the boundaries—and break beyond them . . . the illustrators who envision the impossible—and render it real . . . the stories that challenge the way we see ourselves—and see the world in a new way. You’ll love this anthology because of the diversity of stories, unexpected twists and turns, and 16 full color illustrations that bring the stories to vivid life. Get it now. Bonus short stories by L. Ron Hubbard, Todd McCaffrey, and Robert J. Sawyer Art and writing tips by Anne McCaffrey, L. Ron Hubbard, and Larry Elmore “This fine collection will appeal to both fans of science fiction and fantasy short stories and aspiring writers looking for ways to improve their craft.” —Booklist About the Stories: When Gwen’s husband is found murdered, she’s the only suspect. After all, they were the only two people on the moon.—Moonlight One Flora’s father is a mech-soldier of the Slayer Class, but how much of him is really left inside the machine?—The Armor Embrace When an alien with godly intelligence is discovered watching the earth, one man must try to learn if its motives are pure.—Envoy in the Ice If you were stranded in an open boat and the only hope for rescue came from a ghost ship, would dare to ride?—The Devil’s Rescue Some gifts come with heavy price tags, and the giver must rise to the occasion.—Tears for Shülna What if an alien asks for your help with a question, and the answer affects the future of the whole human race?—The Drake Equation Barlow has a talent for finding the dead. Or do they find him.—Acquisition When Varga sets out to explore the ancient stronghold of a long- dead wizard, she discovers that the ruins aren’t as deserted as she thought.—Obsidian Spire If only that reptile in the sewer were something as predictable as an alligator.—Gator On a distant world among the cloud peaks, the light-hawks promise a rich reward for those daring enough to harvest one.—A Glowing Heart In a world where memories can be stripped, Bill discovers that he has a family he has never known.—The Long Dizzy Down Not all spirits have the best of intentions, and they must be dealt with.—The Woodcutters’ Deity You can put an end to something wondrous, but only at a cost.—The Dragon Killer’s Daughter In a life-or-death situation, sometimes you wish that you had a really powerful spell. But that begs the question—what is power?—Useless Magic Some devils are as old as a dream, and more evil than men can imagine.—Adramelech When the world needs saving, three children are called to the task.—The Fox, the Wolf, and the Dove Can an aging sorcerer find a way to track down his old nemesis with the small bit of magic he has left, or is he just fooling himself?—The Magnificent Bhajan
This book covers a wide range of important topics including but not limited to Technology Trends, Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Vision, Communication, Security, e-Learning, and Ambient Intelligence and their applications to the real world. The sixth Future Technologies Conference 2021 was organized virtually and received a total of 531 submissions from academic pioneering researchers, scientists, industrial engineers, and students from all over the world.. After a double-blind peer review process, 191 submissions have been selected to be included in these proceedings. One of the meaningful and valuable dimensions of this conference is the way it brings together a large group of technology geniuses in one venue to not only present breakthrough research in future technologies, but also to promote discussions and debate of relevant issues, challenges, opportunities and research findings. We hope that readers find the book interesting, exciting, and inspiring; it provides the state-of-the-art intelligent methods and techniques for solving real-world problems along with a vision of the future research.
With lessons learned from COVID-19, a world-leading expert on pandemic preparedness proposes a pragmatic plan urgently needed for the future of global health security. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how unprepared the world was for such an event, as even the most sophisticated public health systems failed to cope. We must have far more investment and preparation, along with better detection, warning, and coordination within and across national boundaries. In an age of global pandemics, no country can achieve public health on its own. Health security planning is paramount. Lawrence O. Gostin has spent three decades designing resilient health systems and governance that take account of our interconnected world, as a close advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and many public health agencies globally. Global Health Security addresses the borderless dangers societies now face, including infectious diseases and bioterrorism, and examines the political, environmental, and socioeconomic factors exacerbating these threats. Weak governance, ineffective health systems, and lack of preparedness are key sources of risk, and all of them came to the fore during the COVID-19 crisis, even—sometimes especially—in wealthy countries like the United States. But the solution is not just to improve national health policy, which can only react after the threat is realized at home. Gostin further proposes robust international institutions, tools for effective cross-border risk communication and action, and research programs targeting the global dimension of public health. Creating these systems will require not only sustained financial investment but also shared values of cooperation, collective responsibility, and equity. Gostin has witnessed the triumph of these values in national and international forums and has a clear plan to tackle the challenges ahead. Global Health Security therefore offers pragmatic solutions that address the failures of the recent past, while looking toward what we know is coming. Nothing could be more important to the future health of nations.
Securing the Internet of Things provides network and cybersecurity researchers and practitioners with both the theoretical and practical knowledge they need to know regarding security in the Internet of Things (IoT). This booming field, moving from strictly research to the marketplace, is advancing rapidly, yet security issues abound. This book explains the fundamental concepts of IoT security, describing practical solutions that account for resource limitations at IoT end-node, hybrid network architecture, communication protocols, and application characteristics. Highlighting the most important potential IoT security risks and threats, the book covers both the general theory and practical implications for people working in security in the Internet of Things. - Helps researchers and practitioners understand the security architecture in IoT and the state-of-the-art in IoT security countermeasures - Explores how the threats in IoT are different from traditional ad hoc or infrastructural networks - Provides a comprehensive discussion on the security challenges and solutions in RFID, WSNs, and IoT - Contributed material by Dr. Imed Romdhani
Protecting Our Future, Volume 2, completes the comprehensive examination of the cybersecurity threats to our nation’s sixteen Critical Infrastructure Sectors begun in Protecting Our Future, Volume 1. Subject matter experts offer an in-depth analysis of operational needs and suggest best practices within the remaining sectors: IT, the chemical industry, commercial facilities, manufacturing, water systems and dams, emergency services, food and agriculture, and transportation. Used separately or together, these two volumes are an excellent foundational resource, and will enable cybersecurity practitioners, students, and employers to gain ground-level insight from experienced professionals, and to develop top-of-mind awareness in the areas most directly impacting the future of our nation’s security.
This book is a collection of thoroughly well-researched studies presented at the Eighth Future Technologies Conference. This annual conference aims to seek submissions from the wide arena of studies like Computing, Communication, Machine Vision, Artificial Intelligence, Ambient Intelligence, Security, and e-Learning. With an impressive 490 paper submissions, FTC emerged as a hybrid event of unparalleled success, where visionary minds explored groundbreaking solutions to the most pressing challenges across diverse fields. These groundbreaking findings open a window for vital conversation on information technologies in our community especially to foster future collaboration with one another. We hope that the readers find this book interesting and inspiring and render their enthusiastic support toward it.
Fifty years ago, riparian habitats were not recognized for their extensive and critical contributions to wildlife and the ecosystem function of watersheds. This changed as riparian values were identified and documented, and the science of riparian ecology developed steadily. Papers in this volume range from the more mesic northwestern United States to the arid Southwest and Mexico. More than two dozen authors-most with decades of experience-review the origins of riparian science in the western United States, document what is currently known about riparian ecosystems, and project future needs. Topics are widespread and include: interactions with fire, climate change, and declining water; impacts from exotic species; unintended consequences of biological control; the role of small mammals; watershed response to beavers; watershed and riparian changes; changes below large dams; water birds of the Colorado River Delta; and terrestrial vertebrates of mesquite bosques.
