Professional Resources Books

Key Performance Indicators Manual: A Practical Guide for the Best Practice Development, Implementation and Use of Kpis
by Ausindustries

PLEASE can anybody at Amazon tell me why does take that long to obtain a copy of this book? Its now almost 5 or 6 month and I have not yet recieved this book, I need that book, can anybody speed up the process?

Many thanks in advance.

Key performance indicators (KPIs)are measurements of how well you are meeting goals or objectives that have been identified as success factors for strategic and tactical initiatives. There are two ways KPIs are used: (1) to determine to what extent critical success factors are being met if your approach is strategy->critical success factor->KPI, or (2) as to quantify goals if you are using the Goal-Question-Metric framework. In either case, identifying the right things to measure and how much (or little) of whatever it is you're measuring is an indicator that you're meeting your targets is the difficult part.

This book has three parts: (1) an introduction to KPIs, and an 8-step approach to developing them, (2) exercises for working through the 8 steps, and (3) a facilitator guide. The third part of the book is a welcome addition because any process that is going to produce KPIs (strategic planning, process improvement or new initiatives) is generally a collaborative effort with stakeholders who may or may not see the big picture. This is especially the case when you're trying to develop and get consensus on what key performance indicators are valid in a cross-functional or enterprise-wide effort.

The eight steps themselves are straightforward and are provided within the context of a framework of Initiate/Build/Implement/Review.

INITIATE consists of three steps: (1) align the KPI development with any other activities that are affected by the specific initiative, (2) set the purpose for the stakeholders who will be involved in KPI development, (3) obtain consensus on how the KPIs will be developed, which is where Parts 2 and 3 of this book show their value). BUILD is comprised of steps 4 identify critical success factors, or in the case of the Goal-Question-Metric approach, identify the questions, and 5, select the KPIs or questions. IMPLEMENT is performed in steps 6, which is the development of reporting and review frameworks, and 8, using the KPIs as an enabler for performance improvement; i.e., refine them as needed. REVIEW is a single step, 8, which is a continuous monitoring and refinement of KPIs, as well as monitoring to ensure that they are still valid.

This is an excellent resource to support group planning and decision making. It's well-written and clearly presented. I especially like the inclusion of Parts 2 and 3, both of which will allow you to use this book as a meaningful tool instead of a "how to" guide. Highly recommended.

I took a leadership course that used this book and I must admit that I was very impressed with the simplicity but yet earthly manner which Nancy Huber (author) has spoken in, as she speaks directly to the heart. She calls forth to search for the leader within us: reasoning us with logic of what it means to be a true leader, encouraging, motivating, building a vision, desiring a change, building a community around us, to find the authentic side of us, and acting upon in "doing" leadership in all aspects in our lives rather than just "knowing" the technical aspects of it at work. It really helps to align one's life compass with one's life call, and I highly recommend it as you will never be the same after reading it. This book is for those who desire to be a true leader, enough to warrant for a true change. It contains pure andedote of truths that will only make you stronger in character and more in tune with your true self. Once you've started to "lead from within", you won't feel artificial or fake again at work, any place or anywhere else. Excellent book... highly recommended.

This book really helped me to explore my own ideas concerning leadership! It provided wonderful exercises at the end of each chapter that solidified the material for me. It helped me to realize that we are all leaders and we can all develop our own philosiphies about leadership.

What could an LP expert possibly teach me about Human Resources? The answer, after reading this outstanding book, is "plenty." This is indeed the future of my profession.

Author Copeland writes about creating a "loss-free" organization. This goal is now non-negotiable. He insists that associates deserve a better work environment than they have today; I must agree. And he tells you how to get there, step by step. That's the recipe for a great book.

This is a makes-sense book that I highly recommend to anyone in HR who takes their responsibilities seriously and strives everyday to protect associates in a nurtured environment.

Yes, Mr. Copeland, LP and HR can indeed work together to make a much better workplace, one that is violence-free, harassment-free, and respectful...all the while accomplishing the business' goals.

HR Pro? Read this book! I recommend it to one and all.

It's a book that I proudly share with my peers,and that's the best compliment I can give to any book.

We in HR are responsible for much of what happens throughout the business, including loss prevention! It wasn't until I read LP For HR that I realized how little I knew about my role in preventing loss, especially regarding violence in the workplace.

After I read this excellent book, I partnered immediately with our security staff. Today, after just one month of following this book's advice, we have made tremendous strides toward creating Mr. Copeland's "perfect" work environment.

Yes, it's all here. My entire staff has a copy, and we're marching to the tune of this knowledgeable drummer. Congratulations to Mr. Copeland for writing what no others seemed capable of writing, in a sensible format.

Look at the news any day of the week...you've got to be saying as an HR executive, "there but for the grace of God go I."

Don't be a statistic, be a reader. Here's the "real deal."

Congratulations, Mr. Copeland. I hope all my counterparts in HR read your book.

This book includes a wealth of information on how to maximize the time you spend on the internet: a characteristic I find vitally important, because, as we all know, it's easy to spend hours looking for something online yet finding nothing. The book is well organized, and the index makes it easy to search for different topics of interest. The book will be of most use to someone who wants detailed information about different facets of the internet. For example, Nelson and Coleman outline the strengths and weaknesses of different search engines and services. They also include great information about government websites that help in researching information about businesses and demographics. The book even has information about how to design your own e-mail newsletter or put PowerPoint presentations online. Certainly, everyone won't need a 720-page guide to the internet, but I can see how it will be a useful tool for me.

The MBA's Guide to the Internet describes itself in the Introduction as "the only book that specifically describes how you can more easily, more productively, and more powerfully use the Internet in business." While I'm not sure about it being the only book that attempts these goals, I know that it is the only book, of the many that I have read, that does a thorough job of it.

For the casual Internet user, this book is overkill. There are others that are shorter and more directed to the occasional surfing expedition.

However, this one is targeted specifically to a business market with timely and realistic discussions of just about everything you would want to know about the important role that the World Wide Web can play in the success of businesses today. Discussions on Setting Up a Web Store, Setting Up an Intranet, Online Banking, Online Investing and more make it a valuable manual for businesses already involved or just getting started with eCommerce.

I purchased this to study for the CDT exam. It is very complete, but reads (as you'd expect) more like a specification than a textbook. Five stars for completeness, and five stars for cure for insomnia.

First off, I'm an architect, so my review is written from that perspective.

This is a great companion to the AIA Handbook. If the AIA Handbook is about running a firm, the CSI PRM is about running a project. An oversimplification, yes, but both books are so dense and full of critical information, no 100 word review could do either justice.

The CD includes many useful references including an overview of MasterFormat and a list of divisions / sections, but does not include the entire MasterFormat "product" (the full MF product includes 95-04 conversion tools and additional documentation).

My only complaint is that the text is so dense it takes a lot of time and energy to absorb all of the information within. :) It's as if they took a 1000 page tome and compressed it into 300 pages. (The product description says 1200 pages, but it's only an inch thick, so I'm guessing 300 pp.)

A must-have for architects who strive to deliver projects in a more expert and professional manner, and wish to more effectively interface with contractors during the construction phase. If you're a pure "designer" or only involved with the front end of projects this will probably stay on the shelf, but if you're responsible for the rest of the process (DD through construction and occupancy) this book is essential.

I can't believe I made it through 6 years of architectural education without being required to own this book.

This book was really an eye opener. I found I could use the information at home, as well as in business. The book became better as it went along, rather than fading out, as if the Author was just getting started. I have heard Ms. Gold speak, and she really is dynamite.

This is one of those little books that says a lot. The information in Solid Gold Customer Relations can be applied to everyday life, as well as to business. From Managers who have to deal with employees to employees who deal with clients, this book is an invaluable guide about how to handle a multitude of personalities and situations. Solid Gold Customer Relations is packed with common sense ideas and has been my main source for departmental employee/client relations guidelines.

Van der Lans offers an impressively thorough education in MySQL 5. It is remarkable how much capability is offered for free in the open source MySQL. The book can also be used to learn generic SQL from scratch. Some early chapters give a quick recap, that should be understandable to an experienced programmer, who does not know SQL. If this describes you, the biggest adjustment to learning it might be its declarative nature, as opposed to the procedural ethos of most programming languages.

One striking feature of the book is the extensive explanation of SELECT. This is the key statement of SQL, and you need to be facile with it. Nine [sic] chapters are devoted to SELECT. Gives you some idea of both the power and complexity of the command. Rarely do other SQL books allocate so much space to a rendition of SELECT. Often, they teach you the basic modes of using it, and then you are left on your own. (Gee, thanks!) Whereas here, for example, an entire chapter is about the SELECT HAVING clause, and another chapter is on the SELECT LIMIT clause. Across these nine chapters are enough worked examples that you can fruitfully mine.

Later chapters delve into more specialised aspects of SQL. Sure, these are all significant. But maybe the most useful is the idea of stored procedures and functions. Vital to optimising performance.

Lest this very mass of detail prove offputting, keep in mind the "Reference" in the book's title. You don't have to read it all at once. As you go thru it, you should develop an intuition of what can be safely relegated to a later reading, when you have specific need of those topics.

Over the last 5 years, I would say I've at least read every book available on MySQL and bought my fair share.

This book is by far the best one available on some of the advanced features of MySQL. It's better than even the Bible and Cookbook series on things like stored procedures, even though it spends too much time on the basics. I loved the large text, but wish there had been more meat on stored procedures, triggers and events (which is why I picked it up to begin with). There are insider knowledge gems sprinkled throughout that will definitely add spice to your SQL, so it's worth a look.

I don't know why even in 2007 authors insist on repeating the MySQL documentation,--it's a MASSIVE amount of wasted space, since anyone using this stuff will be familiar with the online documentation and helpful user commentary. There were a few typos, but that's pretty par for the course. The section on PHP, though, was pretty useless and not particularly good code-wise (in my humble opinion).

One day someone will put out a really advanced cookbook, that doesn't waste space explaining super simple things like "select * from table," but until then it's a great resource. If you can get it at a discount, like on a Borders reward coupon (which they give out like candy) grab it. Clearly, the Europeans still have something to teach us about MySQL! :o))

An invaluable aid for me as a Power Plant Engineer. All questions are completely related to the Utility Industry. I have used this book repeatedly to test the knowledge of Plant Operators in our Power Station. Congratulations to Mr James Russell on a fine publication. Well Done!

I was very impressed with our first purchase of this book and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Author on a fine publication. Our order for more manuals for our remaining Power Plant Operators must indicate to you that we have found this publication very useful. Thank you, Mr. Russell, for your time and effort in compiling an excellent book.

I'm an independent information specialist with several ad agency clients. When I picked up this book, I'd been tearing my hair out over yet another "need it yesterday" assignment. As I read through the interviews in this book, I felt like I was chatting with old friends. It was good to know the challenges I faced were not unique, and I enjoyed reading about how other information pros handled them. I picked up some great ideas.

This book is an excellent introduction for researchers in the ad business, but I'd also recommend it for seasoned professionals. Each professional interviewed for this book had a different area of specialization, and since we can't specialize in everything, the advice and resources that these individuals provide may be helpful even to those who've been in the business for a long time.

Others books have focused on research pros who work in various fields; Super Searchers On Madison Avenue tackles those who function in the advertising and marketing world, using interviews with researchers who find and analyze information for fueling new product launches and ad campaigns. Especially intriguing are case histories showing how successful researchers made the change from traditional careers to being an online researcher.

This book is unbeatable when it comes to resources for understanding and creating good solid goals that match up with diagnosis for various services in the mental health field such as counseling, case management, community supports, CAP, and others. The book gives clear examples of broad and specific goals and interventions that would be effective with each. If you are making a treatment plan and want evidence based goals, or you are using person centered planning this book is for you. Everyone in my office bought one after we were introduced to it and it has really helped with getting approval from the state with our plans for community support services. I suggest trying to find it used, although the later editions have more information. I have purchased several for others and the prices have ranged from $15 to $40.

Very good road map to person centered planning. Many of us in the Mental Health field "talk the talk" and this book shows us how to "walk the walk". A must have for anybody working with people, not only in Mental Health or Substance Abuse but for the medical field as well.