The speed of data collection, an increase in the volume and complexity of data, the pressure to be innovative and adaptable, and the need to learn and share across geographic and corporate boundaries are just a few of the factors that make managing knowledge central to any organizations success today. Knowledge creates the capacity for effective action, and making that knowledge flow in a way that supports organizational learning is a key component, perhaps the most vital asset, for a learnin...

The phrase communities of practice is relatively new; the concept and its utility is not. Simply put, a community of practice is a learning community. When people realize that they can benefit from sharing their knowledge, experience and insights with like-minded and similarly-motivated people, the seed for a community of practice gets planted. E-learning communities, continuing education groups, cooperative education groups and apprenticeship programs are all, in some form or fashion,...

When you can delegate and supervise well, you will not believe how efficient and easy managing your team can be.Managers’ performance reviews, their salary increases, and basically their fate within the company in general are judged by the results they deliver, yet those results are usually produced by a team of employees working under them. Thus, the most important and broad-reaching aspect of a manager’s job is the ability to delegate and supervise extremely well...

47 strategies elite managers follow to reach the highest level of successThe McKinsey Edge culls the personal best practices of an exclusive group of managers connected to McKinsey & Company, a firm that services eighty percent of the world’s largest corporations.Through a wealth of 47 rigorously selected, battle-tested, immediately implementable, and practical tips, readers discover the secrets to building the self, growing with others, e...

Do you dread networking events? Do you feel drained at social gatherings? Do you dislike making small talk? If you identify with these traits of introversion, this book is your saving grace. As the saying goes, our network is our net worth. The foolproof way to grow your business is to go out there and meet people face to face. But who said extroverts get to have it all in business? In fact, introverts often make excellent listeners who have the potential to develop more meaningful relatio...

Total quality management (TQM) is a term initially coined by the Naval Air Systems Command to describe its management approach to quality improvement. It has since taken on many meanings. Simply put, TQM is a management approach to long-term success through customer satisfaction. It is based on the participation of all members of an organization in improving processes, products, services, and the culture they work in.This concise introduction to and overview provides:• The primary eleme...

Mentoring has a significant beneficial impact on the life of the protege. How can you effectively be this person for employees and help them achieve their highest visions of themselves? Laura Stack, The Productivity Pro, defines mentoring and explores how you've benefited from mentoring relationships in your life. The objectives are for you to: • Discover the benefits of being a mentor and a protege. • Avoid potential pitfalls of mentoring relationships. • Understand ...

Management issues frustrate managers and employees alike, consuming countless hours of productivity and taking a serious toll on morale and turnover.The Manager's Answer Book answers more than 200 common questions that managers ask with common-sense and actionable advice, ranging from the basics of how to be a manager to the subtle nuances of handling sticky situations. Questions include:What makes some managers succeed and others fail?Is it more ef...

Award-Winning Finalist in the Business Category of the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards SEDUCE STAKEHOLDERS There is a high demand for internal financial/accounting officers, executives, managers, controllers, project managers, or change agents who are able to drive change in their organization, without having the formal authority. How to create support, engagement, ownership, and buy-in for strategic initiatives? How to dea...

In From Concept to Consumer, renowned product developer Phil Baker reveals exactly what it takes to create great products and bring them to market.Baker’s product successes range from Apple’s PowerBook to the Stowaway portable keyboard, the most successful PDA accessory ever created. Here, he walks you through the entire development process, showing how to develop products holistically, reflecting the crucial linkages between product design, engineering, testing, manufactu...

Today's Hottest Trends for On-the-Spot Marketing!"A must read for media and marketers.”—Alan Cohen, CEO, OMD USA"What do fish tacos, data storage, and disaster relief all have in common? Each has harnessed the power of marketing that amplifies via the real-time social web. These and many other case studies are part of this engaging new book that details strategies for marketers to understand, evolve, and profit in the social age."—John Gerz...

How to Leverage Talent You Don’t OwnCampbell Soup Company and PepsiCo seek advice from anthropologists to understand customer tastes and preferences. Google and Intel engage experts in social science and biomechanics to assess how people think about and use technology.Companies are gaining advantage through a new capability-strategic use of external experts-made possible by technology and the globalization of talent. Leaders everywhere recognize that lean,...