Practice Management Books

The other reviews here sum up this book nicely. It is very insightful and great to read. Highly recommended.

"Uncommon Practice is the book that lets you hear about the essence of business success straight from the horse's mouth. "
Phil Dourado, Editorial Director, eCustomerServiceWorld.com

In an increasingly crowded market place, there are certain companies that really stand out from their competitors - companies like Tesco, PizzaExpress, Virgin, easyGroup, First Direct, Harley Davidson, Krispy Kreme and Pret A Manger.

This new book by Interbrand and Forum, demonstrates, through interviews with key executives from these and other leading companies, how they provide remarkable experiences for their customers and staff alike. The premise behind Uncommon Practice is that that this success stems from their distinctive cultures uniquely developed to meet the needs of customers. The companies featured have defied conventional wisdom and broken the traditional rules of management to engender exceptional levels of commitment from their people, who, united behind a clear brand vision, translate their belief in the company into exceptional customer service.

Editors Andy Milligan and Shaun Smith have taken care to let the voice of the organisation speak for itself. Uncommon Practice is not a `how to...' book, and does not provide a `quick-fix' list of invariable rules for success. The editors do however provide insight into the core principles and practices that the leading companies featured share but which are uncommon in many organisations today.

Uncommon Practice explores the creation of outstanding brand experiences delivered through people, illuminated with interviews with senior executives and front-line managers.

Critical to the success of these brands is the way they treat their own people. Open management, share ownership, training and appraisals are common benefits, but can you guess which company has an empty seat policy on the company jet, keeps a fleet of yachts, has a monthly beer bus, gives an employee the Bentley for the weekend or awards Tiffany stars? Through a series of interviews with key executives, Uncommon Practice gives an insight into how certain companies have become so successful by providing remarkable experiences for their customers and staff alike.

While I appreciated all the well-written advice given in this handy guide to coping with the traumatic issue of blowing chunks, I really felt that more could have been done to describe the fascinating and artistic differences that puke has to offer. Nothing could be more beautiful and touching than an eloquent story of an all night beer binge followed by a bout of well described projectile vomiting. I think that's a story that we can all relate to.

What's there to understand? What's there to manage? What's a cleaning woman for?

I think this is a criticial book to read prior to other Usability volumes. Wiklund was ahead of his time and now it shows. It's divided into sections each highlighting a different company, a different team (e.g., software development, telecommunications) - I just focused on the section relevant to my current interest - and learned lots of real-world "we've been there - here's how it happens." Although each chapter author writes a bit differently, it all flows just fine. Don't forget to read Wiklund's Intro chapter. Ultimately, Deborah Mayhew's 1999 book helps you put Wiklund's chapters into nuts-and-bolts practice. An important book to re-read and show to newcomers.

Wondefull!! Autistic!!

I paid Amazon about $250.00 for this book six months ago and it is worth every penny. I am not a CPA so I can only read 30 - 40 pages at a time and then my head starts swimming.

However, I am a senior manager at a company whose value is almost 100% dependant on our intellectual property and intangible assets and this book has been my guide in setting policy. I take it with me on every plane flight (about every two weeks) and re-read a section.

Gordon V. Smith,and Russell L. Parr present in detail the theory and methodology associated with the identification, valuation, and economic analysis of intangible assets. The book provides the necessary skills, judgement, and knowledge to truly understand the entire process of intangible valuation.

The Virtual Workplace was carefully reviewed and compiled by the editors. It discusses a wide range of topics on the virtual workforce. It provides a source of ideas through analytical, empirical, and case-based studies and helps in advancing the understanding of "the virtual workplace in relationship to the new computer and communication information technologies, people and organizations in the world" (preface). The text will undoubtedly provide discussion for professionals and students in business management and sociology.

Human aspects from both employee and managerial viewpoints, economic issues, and settings including academic teleworkers and teams are all included.

This book comprehensive introduction and focuses largely on what web-based HR looks like in practice,and what this technology brings to HR's most critical functions.

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Editor Alfred J. Walker briefly introduces the new Web-based technologies that are enabling human resource (HR) managers to operate more effectively. He then offers a series of 17 articles by different authors covering these new approaches. The topics covered include Web-based employee self-service, delivering employee benefits over the Web, creating an HR service center, outsourcing and using the Web for a variety of services, including recruiting, staffing, compensation planning, employee development and knowledge management. This specialized book will primarily interest HR professionals, top executives and information technology professionals involved in setting up HR information systems. Since HR professionals are attuned to human failings, we [...] trust they will forgive the book's occasional information overlaps - hard to avoid with a collection of articles by different authors - and frequently return to this solid and specifically useful book.

The worship ideas in this book helped folks in my church experience the power of Christ.

"When Will Jesus Be Enough?" encourages us to transcend our particular worship styles and denominational differences and challenges each of us not to confine our worship of God to any formula. This is a creative and uplifting book and is a great resource for church leaders.

This is a straightforward book. The authors cover a lot of ground clearly and easily. This is not a dry book, rather it is engaging enough that it would qualify as an interesting read for both aspiring practitioners as well as someone not involved in, or familiar with, the Substance Abuse treatment field.

This book is quite complete; it covers a complex subject well and allows the reader to get a gestaltic understanding yet also provides for some depth of clinical/granular information.

The book is probably worth the price simply for the references at the back of each chapter (a who's who of contributors to the science of abuse and dependence)..this is well grounded information presented concisely by geniune experts so the reader can come up the learning curve quickly.

Nicholas Lessa (LCSW) and Walter Scanlon, Ph.D. have joined forces to put together an extremely pragmatic and useful reference guide to substance use disorders in clinical practice. Important topics include: 1) understanding mood-altering substances, 2) assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, 3) determining the level of care needed, 4) coexisting mental disorders, and 5) the basics of recovery. My favorite chapter was the one on spirituality as an important factor in recovery. Written in clear understandable language with a personal yet objective tone, Lessa & Scanlon cover the "how to" of providing recovery options, and the elements of an effective counseling environment in real life situations. Levels of Care (LOC) are covered in detail, although how to determine the level of care is not always clear. Theories such as Prochaska & DiClemente's Stages of Change Model, and Gorski's Model of Addiction, as well as terms used in diagnosis from the DSM-IV, and a description of personality disorders are covered, including excellent case studies. I enjoyed this book tremendously and found it very useful as an intern in the substance abuse field. Doug Uhlig, CASAC Intern, Ph.D. Student, New York City.

It took me a week to get through the first two chapters of this book. I would have to stop reading because I couldn't see through the tears. It was as if Mr. Lucas had been living in my heart. He verbalized like know one I have read how the parent of a prodigal feels. His compassionate understanding of God's love for us the true prodigals and how through this He knows our pain and hears our hearts was amazingly comforting. His suggested prayer for the prodigal and examples of what this means gave me courage I wish I could thank him for this book personally. This is a great book for grieving parents that gives understanding, hope and restores faith in a God who understands and loves us and our prodigal. Thank you Mr Lucas.

Jeff Lucas displays a poignant, more compassionate side in his latest work, "Will Your Prodigal Come Home?" I am a fan of Lucas' writing and his acerbic wit is still evident, but his comforting tone and encouraging advice will be a great blessing to any believer struggling with estrangement issues. The subtitle nails it: "An honest discussion of struggle and hope." I found his commentary on guilt especially helpful. As always, Jeff is ruthless in his treatment of the myopic, legalistic religious establishment. Another recurring Lucas theme is "the party" sadly lacking in the lives of so many self-confessed Christ-followers. "Will Your Prodigal Come Home?" is timely and refreshing, and I cannot wait for "The Prodigal-friendly Church."

Pat Sullivan has studied spirituality and its entwinement with daily life for more than 30 years and she has crammed many lessons in this important little book. She believes that an attitude of humility, commitment, integrity and spirit or prayerfulness can foster feelings of satisfaction and joy in the workplace...and one does not have to make a big show of spirituality in order to accomplish that feeling. All religions and creeds can bring their own sense of spirit to work; spirituality and work are not separate: "All work is ministry in some way, if only as a place to try to model appropriate principles and values." Even so, she does not sidestep such issues as right livelihood, mistakes, failures, burnout and unethical behavior. She offers tips for recovery from stress and the ways to handle personal problems that we bring with us to work. The workplace is a community, says Sullivan, where one person's attitude can have a profound affect. It is a place where we express our love through creativity. One of the great stengths of this little tome is its list of resources and notes at the end. It is a must read for anyone who wishes to transform their working life, whether that means changing careers of just changing attitudes.

"Work with Meaning, Work with Joy is a refreshing guide and wonderfully rich overview of the spiritual renaissance taking place in workplaces around the world today. Pat Sullivan is to be congratulated on a marvelous achievement."
John Renesch, business futurist, author of Getting to the Better Future, and editor, New Traditions in Business