Check out this April 2019 article in CoBank Magazine by Munoz!
Managerial forensics is the practice of gathering relevant corporate information for the purpose of analyzing and identifying reasons for managerial obstacles, mismanagement, bankruptcy, and corporate demise. This book assembles a cast of leading academic and business experts and shares their views on the best practices in corporate analysis. Following the notion that the past offers insights into the future, the book examines the maladies in contemporary business and offers strategies for corporate revival and turnaround.
Updated to integrate the management of associated information processes, expand some application discussions, and provide additional reference material, the intent of this monograph is to help business professionals use waiting line (queuing) analysis methods to improve both service and manufacturing business applications of queuing situations. Emphasis is given to discussing the caveats in applying waiting line theory and becoming aware of the assumptions used in developing that theory. The importance of accounting for variability in waiting line processes is discussed in some detail because the basic queuing equations provide only average performance data under steady-state conditions.
Understanding how much variability can exist for a given waiting line scenario provides a manager with the insight required to reduce these effects and develop innovative solutions for improving service while reducing operating costs. In general the mathematical tone of the book is focused on applications, not the derivation of the formulas presented. The few derivation exceptions illustrate some approaches not commonly discussed in textbooks—for example, the use of state diagrams and random number approximations of the probability distributions for use in simple simulation models. To aid in understanding the material presented, some practical examples are given at appropriate points in the text and some simulation approaches using common spreadsheet software are described.
Online writing plays a complex and increasingly prominent role in the life of organizations. From newsletters to press releases, social media marketing and advertising, to virtual presentations and interactions via e-mail and instant messaging, digital writing intertwines and affects the day-to-day running of the company – yet we rarely pay enough attention to it. Typing on the screen can become particularly problematic because digital text-based communication increases the opportunities for misunderstanding: it lacks the direct audio-visual contact and the norms and conventions that would normally help people to understand each other.
Providing a clear, convincing and approachable discussion, this book addresses arenas of online writing: virtual teamwork, instant messaging, emails, corporate communication channels, and social media. Instead of offering do and don’t lists, however, it teaches the reader to develop a practice that is observant, reflective, and grounded in the understanding of the basic principles of language and communication. Through real-life examples and case studies, it helps the reader to notice previously unnoticed small details, question previously unchallenged assumptions and practices, and become a competent digital communicator in a wide range of professional contexts.
“Kim Wilkerson and Alan Weiss have done us a big, remarkably cost effective favor—by distilling an entire course in Effective Communication into one extraordinarily useful, charmingly written book. Wow.”—Robert B. Cialdini, Author of Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion
“The success or failure of every relationship (business or personal) relies solely on communication. This rare book is power in your hands, turning everyday conversations into successful, golden communications.” —Dave Paulsen, President, Transamerica Distributors
The Language of Success provides pragmatic and practical advice on how to harness the power of language in business and in life. Influencing for results, creating a culture of intelligent inquiry, utilizing critical questioning skills, and managing critical situations are all integral to success in any setting. The concepts, skills, and techniques to achieve results are applicable whether in the office or with family or friends. In this day and age of intense focus on engagement, commitment, and most significantly, results achieved, the readers will benefit by learning thought-provoking key principles, applicable practices, and techniques to leverage and ensure success with the language they use every day.
Too many business owners are working in reverse where they are the fuel for their business. Their business needs to be fuel for them so they can fulfill their personal and professional aspirations and goals. This book challenges owners of mid-market and small firms to think about their business as a wealth generator rather than just a place to work. It focuses on helping entrepreneurs to thrive by having the business provide fuel for their personal lives instead of their own business consuming their personal lives.
Sustainability reporting provides nonfinancial and financial indicators of an organization’s environmental, economic, and social dimensions of its operations. The globalization of corporations and widely publicized corporate misdeeds (e.g., Nike’s child labor problems) has increased public scrutiny of corporate behavior. As pressure grows from a variety of stakeholders (e.g., investors, creditors, customers, and NGOs) for corporate transparency, sustainability reports provide vital information to meet the demand for disclosures about environmental, economic, and social impacts. In addition to addressing stakeholders’ demands, this reporting enhances internal decision-making. Managers are better able to assess risks, monitor company resources, establish competitive advantage, create employee loyalty, and engage stakeholders.
This book is intended for MBA students, executives, and managers who want to learn about the value of sustainability reporting. In this book, they will discover the internal and external benefits of sustainability reporting, the basics of existing reporting frameworks, and the reaction of the investment community. Detailed examples of sustainability metrics from numerous organizations are provided to illustrate the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. This book will enable readers to assess how reporting can add value for his or her own organization.
Information security is at the forefront of timely IT topics, due to the spectacular and well-publicized breaches of personal information stored by companies. To create a secure IT environment, many steps must be taken, but not all steps are created equal. There are technological measures that increase security, and some that do not do, but overall, the best defense is to create a culture of security in the organization.
The same principles that guide IT security in the enterprise guide smaller organizations and individuals. The individual techniques and tools may vary by size, but everyone with a computer needs to turn on a firewall and have antivirus software. Personal information should be safeguarded by individuals and by the firms entrusted with it. As organizations and people develop security plans and put the technical pieces in place, a system can emerge that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Virtual teams are an integral part of today’s global business environment. Traditional face-to-face communication is frequently being replaced with technology mediated communication methods including phone, email, fax, synchronous chat programs, and videoconferencing.
While virtual teams offer various advantages to organizations and individuals in flexibility and the ability to overcome geographic distance, they face unique challenges. Virtual teams are often made up of members of various cultures with diverse communication styles. Men and women also tend to behave differently in virtual environments. Challenges occur in the forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning phases of team development, and virtual teams must be able to cope effectively with those obstacles if they are to be successful and reach their potential. Team participants should be selected carefully for various personal characteristics that help assure success and trained in how to be effective virtual team members. Various team strategies can be implemented to improve effectiveness and satisfaction of virtual team members. This second edition features an overall updating of content, statistics, and references, especially in the sections on technology. New real-world cases provide opportunities for readers to apply principles covered in the book in developing organizational solutions.
History is an evolving inspection with new revelations continuing to be uncovered. The globalization phenomenon has roots throughout the world. It is important for all nations and people as they join the interconnected world economy to understand and appreciate the similarities shared by all in the past, continue to exist and impact the future. We are experiencing, in the words of Michael Rostovtzeff, the realization that “…the difference between the ancient economy and modern are differences of scale, not of kind.” Such common heritage is the fulcrum upon which the modern commercial dealings are based. Business principles are more universal than perhaps any other set of human standards. The exchange imperative was practiced by every society on earth and it is a shared process that continues to unite the world.
This book, based on case studies in the healthcare sector, reveals a working strategy that explores a well-kept secret of top management: that a more balanced gender distribution on the boards of healthcare organizations results in an improvement of the organization’s overall performance. Organizational success for healthcare institutions depends in part on insuring that an organization’s management team possesses and reflects key characteristics that can predict that success. By further linking these characteristics to gender, the research suggests that it is reasonable to assume that an increased if not dominant presence of females on boards will lead to improved performance. In this evolving world environment of an aging population coupled with funding constraints that are applied to healthcare organizations based on performance, healthcare organizations’ top management and researchers will find this book a must read. A new perspective emerges as a practical solution for the healthcare organization’s survival.
