Management decision making Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"More than any other business book released this year, "Hard Things" gives an insider's perspective on what it's like to lead and scale a startup." -- --Business Insider's Best Business Books of 2014 "This is easily one of the essential books every business leader should read if they're looking for proven and honest management advice." -- --Entrepreneur's 25 Amazing Business Books from 2014 "The most valuable book on startup management hands down" -- PandoDaily "There is more than enough substance in Mr. Horowitz's impressive tome to turn it into a leadership classic." -- The Economist

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER THAT WILL HELP YOU FIND THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO DO THAT WILL MAKE EVERYTHING ELSE EASIER - OR UNNECESSARYYOU WANT LESSYou want fewer distractions and less on your plate. The daily barrage of e-mails, texts, tweets, messages, and meetings distract you and stress you out. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what's the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller pay cheques, fewer promotions - and lots of stress. AND YOU WANT MOREYou want more productivity from your work. More income for a better lifestyle. You want more satisfaction from life, and more time for yourself, your family, and your friends.NOW YOU CAN HAVE BOTH - LESS AND MORE.In The ONE Thing, you'll learn to* Cut through the clutter* Achieve better results in less time* Build momentum toward your goal* Dial down the stress* Overcome that overwhelmed feeling * Revive your energy * Stay on track* Master what matters to youThe ONE Thing is the New York Times bestseller that delivers extraordinary results in every area of your life - work, personal, family, and spiritual.WHAT'S YOUR ONE THING?Table of Contents : 1. The ONE Thing 6 : 2. The Domino Effect 12 : 3. Success Leaves Clues 17 : The Lies : They Mislead and Derail Us 26 : 4. Everything Matters Equally 32 : 5. Multitasking 43 : 6. A Disciplined Life 54 : 7. Willpower Is Always on Will-Call 61 : 8. A Balanced Life 72 : 9. Big Is Bad 84 : CONTENTS : 1 : TheONEThing_PMS200+Blk.indd 4 1/17/13 2:18 PM : 2 : PART : The Truth : The Simple Path to Productivity 96 : 10. The Focusing Question 102 : 11. The Success Habit 112 : 12. The Path to Great Answers 119 : Extraordinary Results : Unlocking the Possibilities within you 130 : 13. Live with Purpose 135 : 14. Live by Priority 146 : 15. Live for Productivity 156 : 16. The Three Commitments 175 : 17. The Four Thieves 190 : 18. The Journey 208 : Putting The ONE Thing to Work 218 : On the Research 224 : Index 226 : Acknowledgments 232 : About the Authors 236 : Resources 239 : Copyright 240

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Brown writes with a winning combination of thoughtfulness, pragmatism and enthusiasm... He avoids the trap of presenting design thinking as a panacea. Mr. Brown charts its failures as well as successes…” — New York Times “It’s like getting golf tips from Tiger Wood’s coach. Tim Brown’s firm IDEO has won more medals for innovative design than anyone in the world. If you want to be more innovative at work or in life, study with the coach of champions.” — Chip Heath, co-author of Made to Stick “In his new book, the CEO of design shop IDEO shows how even hospitals can transform the way they work by tapping frontline staff to engineer change.” — BusinessWeek “This should be mandatory reading for marketers and engineers who can’t understand why a product as cool as the Segway wasn’t a breakout hit.” — Inc. “Tim Brown has written the definitive book on design thinking. Brown’s wit, experience, and compelling stories create a delightful journey. His masterpiece captures the emotions, mindset, and methods required for designing everything from a product, to an experience, to a strategy in entirely different ways.” — Robert I. Sutton, author of The No Asshole Rule “With people like Brown codifying design thinking, the tools are out there to solve our problems if a few people are willing to attack them with that sort of tenacity.” — Core77 “Tim Brown’s vision, intellect, empathy and humility shine through every page of this book. Change by Design is for dreamers and doers, for corporate executives and NGO leaders, for teachers, students and those interested in the art of innovation.” — Jacqueline Novogratz, founder, Acumen Fund and author, The Blue Sweater “Design thinking... is a way of seeing the world and approaching constraints that is holistic, interdisciplinary, and inspiring.” — Ivy Ross, executive vice president of marketing, The Gap “Brown is clear, persuasive, and often funny... Even for those of us without our own sovereign nation or blue-chip corporation, design thinking offers a guide for rethinking and organizing our everyday creative processes.” — SEED “Brown makes a potent case for employing this creative collaboration in a variety of settings.” — Miami Herald “With clarity and crispness, Tim Brown, CEO of the honored, global design consultancy IDEO, demonstrates through noteworthy examples how the principles of design found in a studio can be applied to many of the most urgent challenges facing society, business and government today.” — Peter F. Eder, World Future Review “In his highly readable and compelling new book, Change by Design, Tim argues that “design thinking” needs to permeate every organization—and shape all of its interactions with its constituents.” — Gary Hamel, writer of Management 2.0

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Book SynopsisWhen we are baffled by the insanity of the “other side”—in our politics, at work, or at home—it’s because we aren’t seeing how the conflict itself has taken over. That’s what “high conflict” does. It’s the invisible hand of our time. And it’s different from the useful friction of healthy conflict. That’s good conflict, and it’s a necessary force that pushes us to be better people. High conflict is what happens when discord distills into a good-versus-evil kind of feud, the kind with an us and a them. In this state, the brain behaves differently. We feel increasingly certain of our own superiority, and everything we do to try to end the conflict, usually makes it worse. Eventually, we can start to mimic the behavior of our adversaries, harming what we hold most dear. In this “compulsively readable” (Evan Osnos, National Book Award-winning author) book, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley investigates how good people get captured by high conflict—and how they break free. Our journey begins in California, where a world-renowned conflict expert struggles to extract himself from a political feud. Then we meet a Chicago gang leader who dedicates his life to a vendetta—only to realize, years later, that the story he’d told himself about the conflict was not quite true. Next, we travel to Colombia, to find out whether thousands of people can be nudged out of high conflict at scale. Finally, we return to America to see what happens when a group of liberal Manhattan Jews and conservative Michigan corrections officers choose to stay in each other’s homes in order to understand one another better, even as they continue to disagree. All these people, in dramatically different situations, were drawn into high conflict by similar forces, including conflict entrepreneurs, humiliation, and false binaries. But ultimately, all of them found ways to transform high conflict into good conflict, the kind that made them better people. They rehumanized and recatego­rized their opponents, and they revived curiosity and wonder, even as they continued to fight for what they knew was right. People do escape high conflict. Individuals—even entire communities—can short-circuit the feedback loops of outrage and blame, if they want to. This is an “insightful and enthralling” (The New York Times Book Review) book—and a mind-opening new way to think about conflict that will transform how we move through the world.Trade Review"Insightful and enthralling...with a scrupulous eye for scientific evidence that is rare in a book this entertaining, Ripley also explains how it is possible for hardened combatants to leave behind the conflicts that once defined the core of their identity." — New York Times Book Review"Amanda Ripley has combined skilled reporting, deep research, and riveting storytelling into a stellar work about an urgent topic. At a moment when too many Americans are at each other’s throats, this is the book our country needs." – Daniel H. Pink, author of When, Drive, and To Sell is Human "Rarely have I read a book as downright clairvoyant as High Conflict. While most of us were raging at the rage in our culture, Amanda Ripley composed a lucid, compulsively readable roadmap to a world in which we can live with one another again. Honestly, I’ll never argue the same way again." – Evan Osnos, National Book Award winning author of Joe Biden “Ripley brilliantly illuminates the forces driving us to build impenetrable walls between ourselves and differing others, as well as the forces empowering us to build bridges over those walls. The lessons couldn’t be more captivating or timely.” — Robert Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-Suasion “This is one of the most important books that will be published in 2021. The COVID vaccine will soon free humanity from a biological pandemic, and this book, if widely read, could free humanity from an equally deadly scourge— high conflict.” – Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, NYU-Stern School of Business, author of The Righteous Mind, co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind “The unforgettable stories in this book show how even people who disagree profoundly can still connect with one another and make progress. A book to give you confidence in the future.” – Omar Epps “A brilliant book that reveals how poisonous showdowns work. But more than just highlighting the problems, Ripley's book also provides solutions. Equally valuable in our personal lives, as in navigating the polarized time we’re living in.” – Jonah Berger, New York Times bestselling author of The Catalyst and Contagious "Amanda Ripley shows that the same minds that get us into bitter tribal battles can get us out of them. Via riveting stories in diverse settings—urban gangland, a war-torn central American nation, fractious municipal politics—Ripley proves that happy endings can happen in real life." – Robert Wright, New York Times bestselling author of Why Buddhism is True "The fascinating stories, global history, and dialogue from local politics Ripley includes keep the book moving at a brisk pace... Readers interested in conflict management and negotiation and the decision-making process will be intrigued as Ripley thoughtfully explains the intensities and nuances of conflict, and the crux of high conflict in any setting." — Booklist "A revealing study of 'high conflict,' the intractable sort that seems to be running like a virus through American society... Ripley’s observations are provocative, and she introduces us to ideas of mediation and problem-solving that would make many people less miserable if put into practice... Students of mediation, social psychology, and conflict resolution will find much of value here."— Kirkus Reviews "Illuminating. Amanda takes us around the world to understand how people learn to stop demonizing the other side and start agreeing to disagree productively. I think it should be required reading for everyone in politics and the media—and for anyone who’s had a squabble with a colleague or a blowup at a family gathering." — Adam Grant (LinkedIn)

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Book SynopsisIn The Joys of Compounding, value investor Gautam Baid builds a holistic approach to value investing and philosophy from his wide-ranging reading, combining practical approaches, self-cultivation, and business wisdom. He integrates the strategies and wisdom of preeminent figures whose teachings have stood the test of time.Trade ReviewOver the years, as I’ve realized the importance of learning through wisdom instead of suffering, my favorite gift has been to give a person a great book. This book is going to go to the top of that list. -- Arnold Van Den Berg, founder of Century ManagementGautam Baid presents exactly the types of examples and insights from fabled investment practitioners that I believe can help investors avoid common yet predictable traps. The Joys of Compounding is a most useful reference for lifelong investment learning. -- Thomas A. Russo, managing member, Gardner Russo & Gardner LLCGautam’s book The Joys of Compounding provides a foundational framework on investing that is required reading for all investors. This book is the best investment one can make from those beginning their investment journey all the way to experienced practitioners. Successful investing requires a lifelong love of learning and this book provides a broad array of concepts and tools to guide you with your own personal investments or making investments for your clients. The most comprehensive investing book I have ever read. I highly recommend The Joys of Compounding for anyone interested in becoming a better investor. -- Paul Lountzis, president of Lountzis Asset ManagementGautam's book is wonderfully insightful. It is truly a pleasure to read and a reminder of some of the most essential tenets of sound investing. -- Sanjoy Bhattacharyya, managing partner, Fortuna CapitalGautam Baid is a marvelous role model because he's such a joyful and passionate student of worldly wisdom. This book, which is infused with invaluable insights and inspiring quotations from many great investors and thinkers who have guided him on his journey, is a powerful reminder of how enriching it is to dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of continuous, lifelong learning. -- William Green, author of The Great Minds of Investing and Beyond RichAn instant classic! Gautam Baid’s book is the definitive guide to lifelong learning for investors and anyone seeking to reach their full potential. A must read. -- John Mihaljevic, chairman of MOI GlobalThis edition benefits from a clearer focus on Gautam’s voice and insights as well as offering a fresh opportunity to learn and relearn those key lessons that will make us better investors and better human beings. -- Guy Spier, CEO of Aquamarine Capital and author of The Education of a Value InvestorDestined to become a must-read investment classic. * Rational Walk *This book forces readers to think about compounding in terms of human traits such as positive thoughts, good health, good habits, wealth, knowledge, and goodwill. * Enterprising Investor *Table of ContentsForeword1. Introduction: The Best Investment You Can Make Is an Investment in YourselfPart I: Achieving Worldly Wisdom2. Becoming a Learning Machine3. Obtaining Worldly Wisdom Through a Latticework of Mental Models4. Harnessing the Power of Passion and Focus Through Deliberate PracticePart II: Building Strong Character5. The Importance of Choosing the Right Role Models, Teachers, and Associates in Life6. Humility Is the Gateway to Attaining Wisdom7. The Virtues of Philanthropy and Good Karma8. Simplicity Is the Ultimate Sophistication9. Achieving Financial Independence10. Living Life According to the Inner Scorecard11. The Key to Success in Life Is Delayed GratificationPart III: Common Stock Investing12. Building Earning Power Through a Business Ownership Mind-Set13. Investing Between the Lines14. The Significant Role of Checklists in Decision-Making15. Journaling Is a Powerful Tool for Self-Reflection16. Never Underestimate the Power of Incentives17. Always Think About the Math, but Avoid Physics Envy18. Intelligent Investing Is All About Understanding Intrinsic Value19. The Three Most Important Words in Investing20. Investing in Commodity and Cyclical Stocks Is All About the Capital Cycle21. Within Special Situations, Carefully Study SpinoffsPart IV: Portfolio Management22. The Holy Grail of Long-Term Value Investing23. The Market Is Efficient Most, but Not All, of the Time24. The Dynamic Art of Portfolio Management and Individual Position Sizing25. To Finish First, You Must First FinishPart V: Decision-Making26. Read More History and Fewer Forecasts27. Updating Our Beliefs in Light of New Evidence28. Life Is a Series of Opportunity Costs29. Pattern Recognition30. Acknowledging the Role of Luck, Chance, Serendipity, and Randomness31. The Education of a Value InvestorConclusion: Understanding the True Essence of CompoundingAppendix AAppendix BAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIn today's workplace, employees are routinely expected to coordinate and manage projects. Yet, chances are, you aren't formally trained in managing projects - you're an unofficial project manager. FranklinCovey experts Kory Kogon, Suzette Blakemore, and James Wood understand the importance of leadership in project completion and explain that people are crucial in the formula for success. This updated and revised edition of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager offers practical, real-world insights for effective project management and guides you through the essentials of the people and project management process: Initiate, Plan, Execute, Monitor/Control, Close Unofficial project managers in any arena will benefit from the accessible, engaging real-life anecdotes, memorable “Project Management Proverbs,' and quick reviews at the end of each chapter. If you're struggling to keep your projects organised, this book is for you. If you manage projects without the benefit of a team, this book is also for you. Change the way you think about project management - 'project manager' may not be your official title or necessarily your dream job, but with the right strategies, you can excel.

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Book Synopsis"This is one of the most important Agile books since The Phoenix Project." ―Charles Betz, author, instructor, and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research Drive real change through actual business outcomes, not rigid practices and a handful of buzzwords.Being Agile isn't the goal; the true goal is successful outcomes. And successful outcomes come from embracing business principles that engender high-performing organizations, not from following a formula. The award-winning Sooner Safer Happier lays the foundation for achieving what truly matters: delivering better value sooner, safer, and happier. Every chapter of this practical guide to business success clearly articulates the typical ways of working that organizations get wrong (antipatterns) and quickly follows them with what to do right (patterns). Each pattern helps empower teams and leaders and allows the organization as a whole to break free of prescribed Agile practices to achieve true agility and success.Anyone looking to drive successful business outcomes needs this book on their desk to dip into over and over again.“This is a realistic approach to adopting (or not adopting) agile in your organization. The theory is sound; the practice is extensive. I strongly recommend this book.”—Dave Snowden, Chief Scientific Officer, Cognitive Edge, Creator of Cynefin“Sooner Safer Happier is a must-read for any business leader looking to succeed in the digital age.”—David Silverman, co-author of Team of Teams

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Book SynopsisA Business Week, New York Times Business, and USA Today Bestseller "Ambitious and readable... an engaging introduction to the oddsmakers, whom Bernstein regards as true humanists helping to release mankind from the choke holds of superstition and fatalism. " -The New York Times "An extraordinarily entertaining and informative book.Trade ReviewAGAINST THE GODS appeared in the "Washington Is Also Reading..." section of The Washington Post Book World. The book is described as, "A comprehensive history of man's efforts to understand risk and probability, from ancient gamblers in Greece to modern chaos theory."-The Washington Post Book World, September 20, 1998Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction 1 TO 1200: BEGINNINGS 1. The Winds of the Greeks and the Roleof the Dice 11 2. As Easy as I, II, III 23 1200–1700: A THOUSAND OUTSTANDING FACTS 3. The Renaissance Gambler 39 4. The French Connection 57 5. The Remarkable Notions of the Remarkable Notions Man 73 1700–1900: MEASUREMENT UNLIMITED 6. Considering the Nature of Man 99 7. The Search for Moral Certainty 116 8. The Supreme Law of Unreason 135 9. The Man with the Sprained Brain 152 10. Peapods and Perils 172 11. The Fabric of Felicity 187 1900–1960: CLOUDS OF VAGUENESS AND THE DEMAND FOR PRECISION 12. The Measure of Our Ignorance 197 13. The Radically Distinct Notion 215 14. The Man Who Counted Everything Except Calories 231 15. The Strange Case of the Anonymous Stockbroker 247 DEGREES OF BELIEF:EXPLORING UNCERTAINTY 16. The Failure of Invariance 269 17. The Theory Police 284 18. The Fantastic System of Side Bets 304 19. Awaiting the Wildness 329 Notes 339 Bibliography 353 Name Index 365 Subject Index 369

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Book Synopsis**New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday Bestseller for May 2022** Tony Fadell led the teams that created the iPod, iPhone and Nest Learning Thermostat and learned enough in 30+ years in Silicon Valley about leadership, design, startups, Apple, Google, decision-making, mentorship, devastating failure and unbelievable success to fill an encyclopedia. So that's what this book is. An advice encyclopedia. A mentor in a box. Written for anyone who wants to grow at work--from young grads navigating their first jobs to CEOs deciding whether to sell their company--Build is full of personal stories, practical advice and fascinating insights into some of the most impactful products and people of the 20th century. Each quick 5-20 page entry builds on the previous one, charting Tony's personal journey from a product designer to a leader, from a startup founder to an executive to a mentor. Tony uses examples that are instantly captivating, like the process

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Book SynopsisDevelop the mindset and presence to successfully manage others for the first time. If you read nothing else on becoming a new manager, read these 10 articles. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you transition from being an outstanding individual contributor to a great manager of others. This book will inspire you to: * develop your emotional intelligence * influence your colleagues with the science of persuasion * assess your team and enhance its performance * network effectively to achieve business goals and for personal advancement * navigate relationships with employees, bosses, and peers * get support from above * view the big picture in your decision-making * balance your team's work and personal life in a high-intensity workplace

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Book SynopsisThis volume brings together the best--known and most influential articles on sensemaking in organizations by one of its most distinguished exponents, Karl Weick. * Brings together the best most influential articles written by one of the gurus of sensemaking -- Karl Weick.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction ix Part I Organizations as Contexts for Sensemaking 1 Introduction 3 1 Sensemaking in Organizations: Small Structures with Large Consequences 5 2 Sources of Order in Underorganized Systems: Themes in Recent Organizational Theory 32 3 Organizational Redesign as Improvisation 57 Part II Components of Sensemaking 93 Introduction 95 ECOLOGICAL CHANGE 97 4 The Collapse of Sensemaking in Organizations: The Mann Gulch Disaster 100 5 The Vulnerable System: An Analysis of the Tenerife Air Disaster 125 6 Technology as Equivoque: Sensemaking in New Technologies 148 ENACTMENT 176 7 Enactment Processes in Organizations 179 8 Enactment and the Boundaryless Career: Organizing as We Work 207 9 Enacted Sensemaking in Crisis Situations 224 SELECTION 237 10 Toward a Model of Organizations as Interpretation Systems 241 11 Collective Mind in Organizations: Heedful Interrelating on Flight Decks 259 12 Improvisation as a Mindset for Organizational Analysis 284 RETENTION 305 13 Organizations as Cognitive Maps: Charting Ways to Success and Failure 308 14 Organizational Culture as a Source of High Reliability 330 15 Substitutes for Strategy 345 REMEMBERING 356 16 The Attitude of Wisdom: Ambivalence as the Optimal Compromise 361 17 Management of Organizational Change Among Loosely Coupled Elements 380 18 Organization Design: Organizations as Self-Designing Systems 404 Part III Applications of Sensemaking 421 Introduction 423 19 Small Wins: Redefining the Scale of Social Problems 426 20 Cosmos vs. Chaos: Sense and Nonsense in Electronic Contexts 444 21 Sensemaking as an Organizational Dimension of Global Change 458 Index 473

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Book SynopsisWith a new foreword by Ken BlanchardHow management can effectively rid themselves of monkeys' other people's responsibilities that cling to them and prevent them managing efficiently.This book explains in simple-minded if abstract terms how to achieve a balance between supervision and delegation for reduced tension and improved productivity in the workplace.There is a high correlation between self-reliance and morale,' stress the authors. With humour and logic they describe the delicate business of assigning monkeys to the right masters and keeping them healthy, i.e., fed and cared for: if monkeys are managed properly, you don''t have to manage people so much.'

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA parable written for the age of technological disruption . . . brilliantly told -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Remarkable . . . a work of art . . . one puts this book down shaking one's head at the folly and human cost of it all -- Paul Kennedy * Wall Street Journal *Gripping . . . in Gladwell's deft hands, the Air Force generals of World War II come back to life as the stirring 20th-century equivalent of Adm. Horatio Nelson and his band of audacious captains from the age of fighting sail . . . Gladwell is a wonderful storyteller -- Thomas E. Ricks * The New York Times *Impassioned . . . engagingly written -- Saul David * Telegraph *Riveting . . .The Bomber Mafia looks at one of the greatest moral challenges of the Second World War -- Michael Lewis * author of The Fifth Risk *Told with the muscular, driving narrative and fizzingly charismatic (real-life) characters of a movie -- Ed Grenby * Radio Times *A thought-provoking, accessible account of how people respond to difficult choices in difficult times . . . Gladwell's easy conversational style works well . . . his portraits of individuals are compelling -- Diana Preston * Washington Post *Unexpected empathy . . . fabulistic energy * Esquire *Lively, engaging . . . a fascinating story -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *Important and characteristically readable . . . Gladwell is possibly the most confident storyteller in non-fiction. He always knows exactly where he is going, and he takes you with him in pleasure and comfort. -- Simon Kuper * New Statesman *Gladwell's eloquence and flair for lateral thinking make for a compelling read -- Simon Griffith * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisDon't let a fear of numbers hold you back.Today's business environment brings with it an onslaught of data. Now more than ever, managers must know how to tease insight from data--to understand where the numbers come from, make sense of them, and use them to inform tough decisions. How do you get started?Whether you're working with data experts or running your own tests, you'll find answers in the HBR Guide to Data Analytics Basics for Managers. This book describes three key steps in the data analysis process, so you can get the information you need, study the data, and communicate your findings to others.You'll learn how to: Identify the metrics you need to measure Run experiments and A/B tests Ask the right questions of your data experts Understand statistical terms and concepts Create effective charts and visualizations Avoid common mistakes

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Book SynopsisDecline can be avoided.Decline can be detected.Decline can be reversed.Amidst the desolate landscape of fallen great companies, Jim Collins began to wonder: How do the mighty fall? Can decline be detected early and avoided? How far can a company fall before the path toward doom becomes inevitable and unshakable? How can companies reverse course?In How the Mighty Fall, Collins confronts these questions, offering leaders the well-founded hope that they can learn how to stave off decline and, if they find themselves falling, reverse their course. Collins' research project-more than four years in duration-uncovered five step-wise stages of decline: Stage 1: Hubris Born of SuccessStage 2: Undisciplined Pursuit of MoreStage 3: Denial of Risk and PerilStage 4: Grasping for SalvationStage 5: Capitulation to Irrelevance or DeathBy understanding these stages of decline, leaders can substantially reduce their chances of falling all the way to the bottom.Great companies can stumble, badly, and recover.Every institution, no matter how great, is vulnerable to decline. There is no law of nature that the most powerful will inevitably remain at the top. Anyone can fall and most eventually do. But, as Collins' research emphasizes, some companies do indeed recover-in some cases, coming back even stronger-even after having crashed into the depths of Stage 4.Decline, it turns out, is largely self-inflicted, and the path to recovery lies largely within our own hands. We are not imprisoned by our circumstances, our history, or even our staggering defeats along the way. As long as we never get entirely knocked out of the game, hope always remains. The mighty can fall, but they can often rise again.

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Book SynopsisAn effective Chief Technology Officer shapes almost every aspect of a modern business. This book shares the experience and advice of veteran CTOs and industry experts for handling IT crises, leading tech teams, and creating an inspiring vision for your company. In Think Like a CTO you will learn: Effective interaction and relationship building with other C-level executives Creating long term visions and executing on short term goals Interviewing, hiring, and terminating team members Negotiating salaries and managing promotions Architecting future proofed systems Handling security breaches and ransomware attacks Putting together budgets and working with your CFO Identifying and managing outsourced vendor opportunities Managing and communicating bad news by leading with data, not passion Being the kind of leader that employees want to follow and emulate Becoming a CTO is an incredible accomplishment. It's also one of the hardest transitions a technologist can make. This high-power and high-pressure role demands skills that are rarely developed as a software engineer. Think Like a CTO shines a light on all the areas an aspiring CTO needs to master to succeed. You'll learn how to build incredible working relationships with the rest of the C-suite, transform a company with private equity, and recruit and manage your development team. With this book as your guide, you'll quickly become a trusted leader figure with an inspiring vision for your company. about the technology Every modern company is a technology company, and that makes the CTO one of the most important leaders in an organization. The CTO must plan a company's technology vision, build and lead the team to get it done, and effectively interact with business leaders, clients, and investors. A highly effective CTO is vital for a company's continued growth and success. This book will show you how to be that CTO. about the reader For technology leaders working in or aspiring towards a CTO role.

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Book Synopsis LEADING FROM PURPOSE IS TRANSFORMING LEADERSHIP AT THE WORLD''S TOP COMPANIES''I can''t imagine leading Ben & Jerry''s without it'' Jostein Solheim, CEO of Ben & Jerry''s ''Makes lives deeper, organisations stronger and society more cohesive.'' Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever''Purpose has really enhanced my impact as a leader.'' Ralph Hamers, CEO of ING Bank''My purpose has acted as a guiding light to help me centre and ground myself to lead effectively when it''s needed most.'' Loren Shuster, Chief People Officer at LEGO Drawing on ten years of experience working with more than 10,000 executives from companies around the world, Nick Craig takes you on a revelatory journey to understand your purpose, find clarity and focus and lead with inspiration.When uncovered, purpose becomes our most fundamental guiding principle. Explaining where true purpose lies and demystifying whereTrade ReviewA testament to the power of purpose, based on powerful insights on how to apply it in a way that makes lives deeper, organisations stronger and society more cohesive. -- Paul Polman, CEO, UnileverCaution: this is a book about purpose. Do this work and it will change the way you live, love, parent and lead. Once you live your purpose, you can't unlive it. -- Brené Brown, New York Times bestselling author of 'The Gifts of Imperfection', from the forewordAfter 25 years of corporate life, I knew there was an underlying driver, but could not put my finger on it - that is until I explored with Nick his work around Purpose. Since then, my purpose has acted as a guiding light to help me centre and ground myself to lead effectively when it's needed most. -- Loren Shuster, Chief People Officer at LEGONick Craig's breakthrough book will transform your leadership as you discover your authentic purpose. With his depth of understanding, brilliant insights and powerful examples, Craig enables you to find the deeper meaning of your life so you can make a lasting impact on the world around you. -- Bill George, Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School and former Chair & CEO of MedtronicWorking with Craig dramatically changed my professional path and I can't imagine leading Ben & Jerry's without it. -- Jostein Solheim, CEO of Ben & Jerry'sArticulating my own purpose has not been a process of invention, but a process of discovery, and working with Nick helped put the various pieces together. Having discovered my own purpose has really enhanced my impact as a leader. -- Ralph Hamers, CEO of ING BankLeadership - useful, generous, humble leadership - is our most urgent need today. Nick Craig shares his wisdom on how each of us can make a difference, starting now. -- Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author of 'Linchpin'Some say it takes up to 10,000 hours to master a skill. Fortunately, Nick Craig has done the hard work for us. Listen closely, because Nick Craig is truly the Master of Purpose. * Scott A. Snook, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Harvard Business School *Nick Craig has developed a model that unlocks that journey, creating a pathway for clarity of purpose and mission. The implementation of this model across several hundred of senior leaders has seen deeper alignment with core values, a greater focus on our core mission and continued improvement in the culture and performance of the organisation. * Michael Schneider, Managing Director, Bunnings Group *

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Book SynopsisTackle complex situations with critical thinking.You're facing a problem at work. There are many ways you can approach the situation, but each comes with its own pros and cons. How do you sort through all the information so that you know you're taking the right path?The answer is in how you think. The HBR Guide to Critical Thinking will help you navigate your most challenging issues, from difficult problems to tough decisions to complex scenarios. By carefully observing the situation, gathering information, inviting other perspectives, and analyzing what's in front of you, you can move forward with confidence while building this crucial leadership skill.You'll learn how to: Question your assumptions Keep an open mind to opposing viewpoints Sidestep cognitive biases Use data—when appropriate Grow comfortable with ambiguity Find innovative and creative solutions Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

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Book SynopsisSociologist Duncan Watts explains in this provocative book that the explanations that we give for the outcomes that we observe in life - explanations that seem obvious once we know the answer - are less useful than they seem. Watts shows how commonsense reasoning and history conspire to mislead us into thinking that we understand more about the world of human behavior than we do; and in turn, why attempts to predict, manage, or manipulate social and economic systems so often go awry.Only by understanding how and when common sense fails can we improve how we plan for the future, as well as understand the present-an argument that has important implications in politics, business, marketing, and even everyday life.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews of Everything is Obvious:'A fascinating book that ranges through psychology, economics, marketing and the science of networks.' Wall Street Journal 'Watts is an enjoyable companion... His enthusiasm is admirable and the book will hold valuable insights for a great many professions.' Prospect 'Penetrating and engaging... Common sense is a kind of bespoke make-believe, and we can no more use it to scientifically explain the workings of the social world than we can use a hammer to understand molluscs... It's this sort of study, not common sense, that will shed bright light on human affairs.' * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisGetting what you want even if you are the boss isn't always easy. Almost every organization, big or small, works among a network of competing interests. Whether it's governments pushing through policies, companies trying to increase profits, or even families deciding where to move house, rarely can decisions be made in isolation from competing interests both within the organization and outside it.In this accessible and straightforward account, Hans de Bruijn and Ernst ten Heuvelhof cast light on multi-stakeholder decision-making. Using plain language, they reveal the nuts and bolts of decision-making within the numerous dilemmas and tensions at work. Drawing on a diverse range of illustrative examples throughout, their perceptive analysis examines how different interests can either support or block change, and the strategies available for managing a variety of stakeholders.The second edition of Management in Networks incorporates a wider spread oTrade Review"In an increasingly interactive world knowledge of how networks operate and evolve, and how they can be managed effectively, is increasingly important to students and practitioners of public administration, public management and public policy. In the first edition of this excellent book, the authors developed the idea of "process management" - contrasting it with other forms of such as "project-based" management – highlighting the advantages of using a process lens as a guide to producing better public sector outcomes. In this thoroughly revised and expanded new edition, the authors continue this pursuit, adding detail and nuance to their analyses of the best (and not-so-good) strategies that can be used to enhance collaboration between public, civil society and other actors in the pursuit of public value and the public good."Burnaby Mountain Chair, Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University and Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore"Management in Networks (second edition) is a fundamental guide for policy makers and managers who wants to consciously decide and act in today’s uncertain and complex world, where all decisions involve many actors, with different values and targets."- Giovanni Azzone, Professor of Management and Rector Emeritus, Politecnico di Milano, ItalyTable of ContentsChapter 1 our interconnected world and what it means for decision and policy makingChapter 2 strategies for making decisions in networks – the processChapter 3 strategies for making decisions in networks – the content Chapter 4 a process, not a projectChapter 5 smart command and controlChapter 6 strategic behaviourChapter 7 trust and rules of the gameChapter 8 processes and content

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Book Synopsis''Understanding Strategic Management'' is the ideal introduction to strategy for students who require a concise, informative and practical approach. The book''s four-part structure defines the concept of strategy, before using the overarching strategic framework of analysis, formulation, and implementation to show how strategy can be used to develop a sustainable competitive advantage in business.The author conveys the realities of strategic management through diverse, international and contemporary examples, while Strategy in Focus boxes use examples from popular media to show strategic management issues at work in the headlines we read every day. A longer, integrated case study in every chapter ties together multiple strategic challenges that affect businesses large and small, public and private. Review and discussion questions then encourage students to be critical of the material and juxtapose alternative concepts and frameworks to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Students Trade ReviewAn extremely well-written and interesting book as the basis for a strategic management course with many different examples, interesting case studies, and discussion questions that activate students to engage in the course and the material. * Marius Wehner, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Germany *A well-written book that captures the essence, concepts, theories and emerging ideas of strategic management in simple, lucid language. * Sami A. Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudia Arabia *A user-friendly resource to accompany students in their learning journey...Provides an easy to comprehend analysis of strategic management processes in organizations. * Virginia Bodolica, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates *Table of ContentsPart One: What is Strategy? 1: What is strategy?Part Two: Strategic Analysis 2: Evaluating the macro-environment 3: Industry analysis 4: The Internal Environment: value-creating activities 5: The Internal Environment: a resource-based view of strategyPart Three: Strategy Formulation 6: Business strategy 7: Corporate strategy 8: International strategyPart Four: Strategy Implementation 9: Organizational structures and strategic change 10: Strategic leadership 11: Corporate governance

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Book SynopsisWe live in a time of relentless change. The only thing that?s certain is that new challenges and opportunities will emerge that are virtually unimaginable today. How can we know which skills will be required to succeed?In Five Minds for the Future, bestselling author Howard Gardner shows how we will each need to master five minds that the fast-paced future will demand:· The disciplined mind, to learn at least one profession, as well as the major thinking (science, math, history, etc.) behind it· The synthesizing mind, to organize the massive amounts of information and communicate effectively to others· The creating mind, to revel in unasked questions - and uncover new phenomena and insightful apt answers· The respectful mind, to appreciate the differences between human beings - and understand and work with all persons· The ethical mind, to fulfill one''s responsibilities as both a worker and a citizen<

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Book SynopsisLearn why bad decisions happen to good managersand how to make better ones.If you read nothing else on decision making, read these 10 articles. We've combed through hundreds of articles in the Harvard Business Review archive and selected the most important ones to help you and your organization make better choices and avoid common traps.Leading experts such as Ram Charan, Michael Mankins, and Thomas Davenport provide the insights and advice you need to: Make bold decisions that challenge the status quo Support your decisions with diverse data Evaluate risks and benefits with equal rigor Check for faulty cause-and-effect reasoning Test your decisions with experiments Foster and address constructive criticism Defeat indecisiveness with clear accountability

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Book SynopsisAddresses the central dilemma established firms face: how to continue to harvest past success while driving the organization, its people and its processes, toward future growth and opportunities.Trade Review"A pragmatic framework to help mature enterprises escape the pull of their pasts and embrace the new reality of work." -- John Chen, CEO, Sybase

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Adaptive Action offers new ways to think about the limitations in traditional planning: it enables you to name and explore the uncertainty in your systems; it promotes shorter cycles of action and feedback, enabling you to respond to unexpected events and take corrective action more quickly."—Leadership Excellence"Adaptive Action does an excellent job of building on the theories and methods that underlie our current thinking about complexity. Eoyang and Holladay provide an introduction to practical tools that, before now, have not been gathered into one volume. They organize these resources in a way that takes the reader progressively deeper into the application of adaptive action and brings complexity into greater focus. This book demonstrates how a powerful, but simple framework can uncover deeper meanings and influence change."—Maya Townsend, Founder and Principal Consultant, Partnering Resources"Adaptive Action takes a giant leap forward. It moves us closer to understanding how complexity impacts us, our organizations, and society. Then, it reveals how we can be proactive in managing today and influencing tomorrow."—David W. Jamieson, University of St. Thomas and Past President, American Society for Training & Development"Staying a step ahead is very difficult, but Adaptive Action provides the tools and questions that every leader should ask at work and at home. Presenting a simple, flexible, and iterative approach that includes inquiry, discovery, shifts, and action, this book provides a blueprint for everyone looking to increase organizational capacity and creative thinking."—Cindy Elkins, Vice President, IT Americas at Genentech

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Book SynopsisFor fans of The Black Swan and written by a veteran Wall Street Journal reporter, this is a fascinating deep dive into the world of billion-dollar traders and high-stakes crisis predictors who strive to turn extreme events into financial windfalls. There’s no doubt that our world has gotten more extreme. Pandemics, climate change, superpower rivalries, technological disruption, political radicalisation, religious fundamentalism — all threaten chaos that put trillions in assets at risk. But around the world, across a wide variety of disciplines, would-be super-forecasters are trying to take the guesswork out of what formerly seemed like random chance. Some put their faith in ‘black swans’ — unpredictable, catastrophic events that can’t be foreseen but send exotic financial instruments screaming in high-profit directions. Most famous among this group of big-bet traders are those who run the Universa fund, who, on days of extreme upheaval, have made as much as $1 billion. Author Scott Patterson gained exclusive access to Universa strategists and met with savvy seers in a variety of fields, from earthquake prediction to counterterrorism to climatology, to see if it’s actually possible to bet on disaster — and win. Riveting, relevant, and revelatory, this is a must-read for anyone curious about how some of today’s investors alchemise catastrophe into profit.Trade Review‘It’s not just the wild success of the catastrophists that makes this book fascinating but the way their philosophy reversed many of the “rules” of investing.’ -- John Arlidge * The Sunday Times *‘A closely observed chronicle of the storm-chasing edgelords of finance and the critics with whom they clash … Even those unfamiliar with, or uninterested in, the oscillations of the stock market may find themselves gripped by Patterson’s account.’ -- Marie Solis * The New York Times *‘In Chaos Kings, the indefatigable Scott Patterson has done it again: delivered a riveting account of Wall Street mavericks whose unconventional understanding of risk has netted them a fortune and us a fascinating account of how they did it. The unlikely partnership between Mark Spitznagel and Nassim Taleb has made them rich, saved their clients from financial calamity, and, under Patterson’s deft pen, produced an epic page turner.’ -- William D. Cohan, New York Times bestselling author of Power Failure, Money and Power, and House of Cards‘Scott Patterson’s Chaos Kings is an extraordinary exploration of cutting-edge efforts to understand the manifold and interconnected risks slamming civilisation at an alarming rate. It’s a critical read for anyone with an interest in what’s coming next and how to prepare for it, financially and otherwise. Scott has an uncanny knack for diving into the fascinating convergence of technology and investing, so I’m always excited to see what he’s discovering.’ -- Bradley Hope, New York Times bestselling co-author of Billion Dollar Whale and co-founder of Project Brazen‘Fast paced like a thriller but, also, thought-provoking in its willingness to show us the range of possible catastrophes, Chaos Kings tracks the adventures of contrarian investors who, rather than hide from chaos and confusion, seek it out. Their reward in many cases: a fortune. This book teems with great stories as well as market insights that you won’t get from conventional investors.’ -- Aaron Brown, former Chief Risk Manager at AQR Capital Management, and author of The Poker Face of Wall Street and Red-Blooded Risk‘Financial markets covet stability; they don't like surprises. In our new age of crisis, Scott Patterson convincingly recounts how a unique type of trader has learned to embrace the disruptions and make a lot of money doing so. Combining risk theory, finance, and portraits of some of the most interesting billionaires of doom, Patterson takes us on a disturbing tour of what could come tumbling down. But he also provides a detailed road map showing average citizens how to steer past catastrophe. You’ll be left wondering whether these Chaos Kings are brilliant, opportunistic, visionary, or even loathsome. In Patterson’s lively account, you’ll definitely find them fascinating.’ -- Juliette Kayyem, former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and author of The Devil Never Sleeps: learning to live in an age of disasters‘The world is an increasingly unstable place, threatening to go off the rails at any time. This chaos is devastating to many, but a boon to a few who are cashing in on it. Read this engaging book to learn about who they are and how they do it.’ -- Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics and author of Financial Shock and Paying the Price‘We live in a world of pandemics, climate change, war, and unstable institutions. Scott Patterson’s fascinating Chaos Kings is a provocative look at those placing big bets who believe they have tamed the financial risk whipped up by these unruly beasts. It holds perceptive insights for anyone who lives — or invests — in our modern uncertain world.’ -- Russell Gold, author of Superpower and The Boom‘A captivating, important, and unsettling book. Chaos Kings takes a timely look at how to survive and prosper in an increasingly uncertain and unstable world of global warming, pandemics, and geopolitical danger.’ -- William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier: how the world’s greatest investors win in markets and life‘A richly reported work that features a fascinating ensemble of quirky characters. Important reading for anyone interested in risk-taking now — and in the future.’ -- Anita Raghavan, author of The Billionaire’s Apprentice‘Rock-star status is reserved for a clique who have made storm-chasing in stocks and bonds into something between an art and a science, and an extraordinarily lucrative one at that. They are the subject of Chaos Kings, a new book by Scott Patterson, who casts an engaging and accessible light on what makes these oddball savants tick, and how they make fortunes from disaster … Chaos Kings avoids making readers feel like they’re out of their depth … The power of the competing egos at play and the urgency of their message on everything from pandemics to the climate to the health of your lifesavings carry the tale.’ -- Katie Martin * Financial Times *‘Wall Street Journal stalwart Patterson continues his explorations of high finance with a clutch of contrarian risk takers … Deft, accessible analysis and guidance. Complex economic and scientific theories lucidly rendered.’ -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review‘Wall Street Journal reporter Patterson (Dark Pools) delivers an illuminating investigation into those who profit from anticipating crises … [T]he author has a knack for translating complicated financial manoeuvres into easily comprehensible terms … Detailed yet accessible, this will appeal to fans of Michael Lewis’s The Big Short.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Chaos Kings will provide the reader with plenty of food for thought — along with some sleepless nights.’ -- Matthew Partridge * Money Week *‘The book highlights those who have made money while the world falls apart. But not just any money — this book talks about making billions while there is metaphorical, or literal blood on the streets … It’s fascinating, a little sickening, and one heck of a yarn of a book. It is well worth the read and the learning that will come from it … Patterson’s book is one of the best financial stories around. Highly recommended.’ -- Chris Reed * NZ Booklovers *Praise for Dark Pools: ‘Richly reported … an invaluable piece of timely journalism that should be read by regulators and anyone with a cent in the stock market … You will never look at the opening bell in the same way.’ * Financial Times *Praise for Dark Pools: ‘Remarkable … even long-time participants in electronic markets will learn a lot from this book.’ * Forbes *Praise for The Quants: ‘Fascinating and deeply disturbing … Patterson gives faces and personalities to the quants, making their saga accessible and intriguing … [he’s] onto a big story that begs follow-up.’ * New York Times *Praise for The Quants: ‘Scott Patterson has the ability to see things you and I don't notice. In The Quants he does an admirable job of debunking the myths of black box traders and provides a very entertaining narrative in the process.’ -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, New York Times bestselling author of Fooled by Randomness and The Black Swan

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsForeword ix Introduction: Problem Solving for the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century xiii Chapter 1 Learn the Bulletproof Problem Solving Approach 1A straightforward seven-step process is the key to bulletproof problem solving. Chapter 2 Define the Problem 31Take time upfront to fully understand the problem and its context. Chapter 3 Problem Disaggregation and Prioritization 49Cleave the problem into manageable parts. Chapter 4 Build a Great Workplan and Team Processes 87Drive your workplans from hypotheses to action for efficient problem solving. Chapter 5 Conduct Analyses 111Start with summary statistics and heuristics to find simple answers to complex problems. Chapter 6 Big Guns of Analysis 135Employ sophisticated tools of analysis with confidence when they are needed. Chapter 7 Synthesize Results and Tell a Great Story 179Synthesize your analysis and turn it into a compelling narrative. Chapter 8 Problem Solving with Long Time Frames and High Uncertainty 195Add tools to address issues of long time frames and uncertainty. Chapter 9 Wicked Problems 235Unpick wicked problems to yield surprising insights. Chapter 10 Becoming a Great Problem Solver 253The magic of the bulletproof process is now yours. Appendix: Blank Worksheets for You to Try 259 About the Authors 265 Acknowledgments 267 Index 271

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Book SynopsisA NATIONAL BESTSELLER & FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE MONTHFull of powerful, practical lessons on changing how we think and act. –Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google A must-read for board members, executives, and investors.” – Amy Bance, investor and Fortune 500 Board Member  The Venture Mindset is a playbook on how to adapt to a rapidly changing world, make smarter bets, launch new ventures, and transform traditional organizations into hubs for innovation, from a top Stanford professor and a technology executive.   Venture capitalists are known for their extraordinary ability to spot opportunities. They know how to identify emerging trends, how to bring new industries into being, and when to hold them and when to fold. Their unique mindset has made them the force behind world-changing companies such as Amazon, Google, Moderna, SpaceX, and Zoom.   Stanford Professor Ilya Strebulaev has devoted two decades to studying VCs’ counterintuitive approaches to decision-making and the reasons behind the successes and failures of corporate innovations. Alex Dang has witnessed up close how VCs’ thinking and mechanisms can create successful businesses at companies like Amazon and McKinsey.   Combining their insight and extensive experience, they present nine distinct principles that will help you make better decisions, transform your business, and achieve remarkable results, no matter your industry.   In The Venture Mindset, you’ll learn:   •         One question VCs ask that will change the way you evaluate opportunities •         Why you should encourage dissent and be wary of consensus •         The number one killer of innovation in traditional corporate environments •         Why it’s crucial to learn when to ‘pull the plug’ on initiatives •         Why failure is not just an option, but a necessity   Packed with entertaining stories and scientific precision, The Venture Mindset is a must-read for anyone who wants to be better equipped for the era of uncertainty when industry, company, and career can be disrupted overnight. The Venture Mindset will teach you more than how to simply survive. It’ll teach you how to win big.

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Book SynopsisA well-crafted business plan generates enthusiasm for your idea and boosts your odds of success--whether you're proposing a new initiative within your organization or starting an entirely new company. Creating Business Plans quickly walks you through the basics. You'll learn to: * Present your idea clearly * Develop sound financial plans * Project risks--and rewards * Anticipate and address your audience's concerns Don't have much time? Get up to speed fast on the most essential business skills with HBR's 20-Minute Manager series. Whether you need a crash course or a brief refresher, each book in the series is a concise, practical primer that will help you brush up on a key management topic. Advice you can quickly read and apply, for ambitious professionals and aspiring executives--from the most trusted source in business. Also available as an ebook.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"For ... readers interested in keeping up with what serious thinkers are thinking about thinking, this book offers nourishing food for thought." -- Kirkus "Thinking is excellent and mind-expanding in its entirety." -- BrainPickings

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Book SynopsisRichard Koch is the author of 15 highly acclaimed books, including the best-selling 80/20 trilogy --- The 80/20 Principle (over 700,000 copies sold), The 80/20 Individual, and most recently Living the 80/20 Way. As well as lecturing and broadcasting, he is an extremely successful entrepreneur and investor. His ventures have included Filofax, Belgo, Plymouth Gin, Capstone, and Betfair, the world's largest betting exchange. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and at Oxford University. His investment successes have propelled him well into The Sunday Times Rich List.  Table of ContentsTable of Contents Foreword Preface to the fourth edition INTRODUCTION 1. The use and abuse of strategy 2. A brief history of strategy 3. Swings in strategic thinking: seven phases 4. Towards a synthesis 5. From quick and dirty strategy to nearly perfect strategy PART ONE: BUSINESS UNIT STRATEGY A do-it-yourself guide 1. Overview 2. What businesses are you in? 3. Where do you make the money? 4. How good are your competitive positions? 5. What skills and capabilities underpin your success? 6. Is this a good industry to be in? 7. What do the customers think? 8. What about the competitors? 9. How do you raise profits quickly? 10. How do you build long term value? 11. Conclusion 12. Addition note on the theory of Business Unit Strategy PART TWO: CORPORATE STRATEGY 1.The joy of Corporate Strategy 2. An ecological view of Corporate Strategy 3. Five dimensions of Corporate Strategy 4. The strange power of the 35 word strategy 4. Conclusion PART THREE: STRATEGIC THINKERS PART FOUR: STRATEGIC CONCEPTS, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

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Book SynopsisDecision Analysis for Management Judgment is unique in its breadth of coverage of decision analysis methods. It covers both the psychological problems that are associated with unaided managerial decision making and the decision analysis methods designed to overcome them.Table of ContentsForeword Lawrence D. Phillips vii Preface ix Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 How people make decisions involving multiple objectives 15 Chapter 3 Decisions involving multiple objectives: SMART 33 Chapter 4 Decisions involving multiple objectives: alternatives to SMART 65 Chapter 5 Introduction to probability 95 Chapter 6 Decision making under uncertainty 117 Chapter 7 Decision trees and influence diagrams 161 Chapter 8 Applying simulation to decision problems 187 Chapter 9 Revising judgments in the light of new information 221 Chapter 10 Heuristics and biases in probability assessment 245 Chapter 11 Methods for eliciting probabilities 275 Chapter 12 Risk and uncertainty management 297 Chapter 13 Decisions involving groups of individuals 309 Chapter 14 Resource allocation and negotiation problems 337 Chapter 15 Decision framing and cognitive inertia 361 Chapter 16 Scenario planning: an alternative way of dealing with uncertainty 387 Chapter 17 Combining scenario planning with decision analysis 423 Chapter 18 Alternative decision-support systems and conclusions 437 Suggested answers to selected questions 469 Index 475

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Book SynopsisHOW DOES MAGIC HAPPEN? The Ogilvy advertising legend—“one of the leading minds in the world of branding” (NPR)—explores the art and science of conjuring irresistible products and ideas.Sutherland, the legendary Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, uses his decades of experience to dissect human spending behavior in an insanely entertaining way. Alchemy combines scientific research with hilarious stories and case studies of campaigns for AmEx, Microsoft and the like. This is a must-read. —Entrepreneur (Best Books of the Year)Why is Red Bull so popular, though everyone—everyone!—hates the taste? Humans are, in a word, irrational, basing decisions as much on subtle external signals (that little blue can) as on objective qualities (flavor, price, quality). The surrounding world, meanwh

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Book SynopsisThe one, only, and by far the best book synthesizing psychology and investing. In addition to providing modern, scientific knowledge about psychology, this book provides a mirror into the mind and wide breadth of knowledge of one of the leading practitioners of brief and effectual cures. Will help to cure your trading and your life. -Victor Niederhoffer, Chief Speculator, Manchester Investments Author, The Education of a Speculator and Practical Speculation How refreshing! A book that rises above the old NLP model of the 80''s and provides insights on how our relationship with the market is indeed a very personal one. Not only has Steenbarger provided some fantastic tools for the trader to transform his mindset, but he has contributed unique trading ideas as well. Brilliant! -Linda Raschke, President, LBRGroup, Inc. ''Investigate, before you invest'' was for many years the slogan of the New York Stock Exchange. I always thought a better one Table of ContentsChapter One: The Woman Who Could Not Love. Manufacturing Cars and Success. Sue, the Survivor. Finding Solutions amidst Problems. Accelerating Change by Doing What Comes Unnaturally. Going against the Flow with Sue. Finding Solutions. The Fearless Trading Inventory. An Inventory of Solutions. Enacting the Solutions. Conclusion. Chapter Two: The Student WhoWouldn’t Study. Ken, the Failure. Diversification in Life and Markets. The Psychology of Paralysis. Decisions and Uncertainty. Altering the Risk-Reward Equation. Shifting Risks and Rewards in Trading. Music, Moods, and Pivot Chords. Tom’s Pivot Chord. Breaking Routines. Breaking the Routines of Trading. Conclusion. Chapter Three: The Woolworth Man. The Interview from Hell. Observing Patterns. Invoking the Internal Observer. Rule-Governed Trading. Taking Your Emotional Temperature. Inoculating Yourself against Stress. Effort and Emotional Change. The Trader as Addict: Breaking Stops. Becoming More Rule-Governed in Trading. Using Emotion to Make the Contrary Move. Conclusion. Chapter Four: Traders Out of Their Minds. The World’s Most Powerful Glasses. Phil, the Addicted Trader. Exploring the Dual Mind. The Mind of the Trader. Solution-Focused Money Management. A Trade from the Couch. Shifting Selves in Trading. Stationarity and the Moods of the Markets. Conclusion. Chapter Five: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary. Getting inside Mary’s Journal. Afflicting the Comfort Zone. Repeating Patterns. Changing Repetitive Patterns. Doing What Comes Unnaturally. Resisting What Is Best for You. Creating Powerful Emotional Experiences in Trading. Conclusion. Chapter Six: The Evil Spiders. Communication and Metacommunication. Metacommunications in Trading. The Communications of Traders’ Bodies. The Mind beneath the Human Mind. Knowing More than You Know: Implicit Learning. Minding the Complexity of the Markets. Conclusion. Chapter Seven: The Big Man beneath the Bed. Big, Silent Walt. Creating Powerful New Experiences. Regression: The Mind’s Time Travel. Entering the Time Portal. When Your Gears Remain Locked. Novelty: The Key to Change. Novelty in Therapy: Making Translations. The Role of Consolidation in Change. Walt’s Consolidation. Conclusion. Chapter Eight: Buried Alive! The Art of Timing in Therapy and Trading. Markers and the Markets. Markers with the NYSE TICK. The Power of Dreams. Dreams as Emotional Communications. Repetitive Dreams: The Themes of Life. Hypnosis: Accessing Other Minds. The Waking Trance: Daydreams. Conclusion. Chapter Nine: Trance-Forming the Mindscape. The Radio Dial of Consciousness. Changing Behavior by Changing Contexts. Trauma and the Radio Dial. Dr. Brett Receives Strange Communications. Mind Experiments. Mapping the Mindscape. Experiments with Trading. Conclusion. Chapter Ten: The Coat in the Closet. Stopping the Morning Frenzy. Stopping on the Way to New York. Knowing More than We Know We Know. Joan and Her Inner Voices. Repairing Multiplicity. Triggers. Joan’s Lullaby Therapy. When Efforts at Change Fail. Conclusion. Chapter Eleven: Pinball Wizardry. Creating Models of the World. Modeling Yourself as a Trader. Playing Market Pinball. Contrary Trading: Fading the Maps of Traders. Internal Maps and Inkblots. Maps and the Language Traders Use. Conclusion. Chapter Twelve: A Session at Gunpoint. Jack, Man in Crisis. Facing Life’s Challenge. When the Game Is on the Line. The Edge in Crisis Counseling. Dr. Brett’s Trading Crisis. Creating Change by Creating New Roles. Leaps and Tempos. Conclusion. Chapter Thirteen: A Dose of Profanity. Understanding Your Relationship with Yourself. Dave, the Narcissist. Regression and Multiplicity. Narcissism and Regression. The States of Daily Experience. Effort and Partial Consciousness. Achieving a Novel Mind Frame. Changing the Posture of Mind. Conclusion. Chapter Fourteen: Trading from the Couch. Propositions for Trading Psychology. Changing Your Mind: Applying the Principles. Matching Your Trading to Your Personality. The Great Frontier: Developing Trading Expertise. Implications of the Implicit Learning Research. Greatness and the Acquisition of Expertise. Etching the Brain. The Quest for Market Mastery. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisOffers insights into the fundamental nature of outstanding performance. This title also offers practical guidance to individuals on how to manage their careers strategically, and to companies on how to identify, develop, and keep talent.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2011 Gold Medal Book Award in the Operations Management/Productivity/TQM category, Axiom Business One of the winners of the 2010 Best Business Books, strategy+business magazine for 2010 "[Boris Groysberg's] new book, a meticulous study of the performance of Wall Street analysts, asks the key question: is the success of individual 'star' employees transferable to other businesses? In other words, is it the team/institution that is key to the high performance or is it mainly down to the individual concerned?"--Stefan Stern, Financial Times "[B]rilliant... [T]he best business book of the year on human capital... [Groysberg's] findings, and the force and richness of both his data and his presentation, should have an indelible effect on how we understand exceptional performance."--Sally Helgesen, Strategy + Business "What if talent is more like an orchid, thriving in certain environments and dying in others? It's an interesting question, full of nature-versus-nurture overtones; we could debate it endlessly. But Boris Groysberg, a professor at Harvard Business School, has spoiled the debate with an unsporting move. He's gathered some data. And what he discovered forces us to rethink the argument."--Fast Company "The book is fascinating reading, as Prof. Groysberg digs deeper into the implications for knowledge workers and portability of jobs... [T]here are lessons in here for executives and knowledge workers in general and, more particularly, human resources officials concerned about the talent war for knowledge workers."--Harvey Schachter, Globe & Mail "Chasing Stars is an important work challenging the myth that talented workers can succeed anywhere. It proves that the best employer-employee relationships are mutually beneficial and that both can gain much from each other if they try."--ForeWord "Early in the summer, Paul DePodesta read a book that intrigued him. Its title was Chasing Stars. Its author was Boris Groysberg, an associate professor at Harvard Business School. Its thesis had a practical application that had yet to reveal itself to Mr. DePodesta. It did in November, when the Mets hired Mr. DePodesta to be their vice president of player development and amateur scouting... [T]he most telling template for how they might return the Mets to prominence [is] Dr. Groysberg's examination of how businesses and organizations can create environments where talent can flourish... Mr. DePodesta was ... encouraged by the upshot of Dr. Groysberg's findings: The author could map out general conditions under which 'stars' would thrive in new organizations."--Mike Sielski, Wall Street Journal "Chasing Stars highlights the key factors that improve the odds of successful job transitions. Build a network that extends beyond the confines of your research group and department. Evaluate the cultural and intellectual attributes and resources of a potential employer. Value those things above the monetary compensation in any offer package."--Peter S. Fiske, Nature "Over 10 years, Groysberg--who is associated professor in the organisational behaviour unit at HBS--and his colleagues collected data on what happened to star analysts from Wall Street firms and their professional ranking when they moved to a rival firm... The exhaustive study, examined in detail in Groysberg's new book Chasing Stars, came to an unexpected conclusion: stars who switched jobs generally did poorly, often for at least several years."--Australian Financial Review "Given all the time and money that organisations spend wooing high-flyers to join their ranks, a few minutes spent absorbing the findings of Harvard Business School's Boris Groysberg would be a very wise investment."--Catherine Fox, Australian Financial ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction 3 Part One: Talent and Portability Chapter 1: Moving On 15 Chapter 2: Analysts' Labor Market 35 Chapter 3: The Limits of Portability 51 Chapter 4: Do Firms Benefit from Hiring Stars? 77 Part Two: Facets of Portability Chapter 5: Stars and Their Galaxies: Firms of Origin and Portability 93 Chapter 6: Integrating Stars: The Hiring Firm and Portability of Performance 125 Chapter 7: Liftouts (Taking Some of It with You): Moving in Teams 141 Chapter 8: Women and Portability: Why Is Women's Performance More Portable than Men's? 163 Part Three: Implications for Talent Management: Developing, Retaining, and Rewarding Stars Chapter 9: Star Formation: Developmental Cultures at Work 197 Chapter 10: Turnover: Who Leaves and Why 239 Chapter 11: A Special Case of Turnover: Stars as Entrepreneurs 253 Chapter 12: Measuring and Rewarding Stars' Performance 273 Chapter 13: Lessons from Wall Street and Elsewhere 321 Appendix 343 Notes 353 Index 437

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Book SynopsisWhy are there so many gaps between what firms know they should do and what they actually do? Why do so many companies fail to implement the experience and insight they've worked so hard to acquire? The Knowing-Doing Gap is the first book to confront the challenge of turning knowledge about how to improve performance into actions that produce measurable results. Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton, well-known authors and teachers, identify the causes of the knowing-doing gap and explain how to close it. The message is clear--firms that turn knowledge into action avoid the "smart talk trap." Executives must use plans, analysis, meetings, and presentations to inspire deeds, not as substitutes for action. Companies that act on their knowledge also eliminate fear, abolish destructive internal competition, measure what matters, and promote leaders who understand the work people do in their firms. The authors use examples from dozens of firms that show how some overcome the knowing-doing gap, why others try but fail, and how still others avoid the gap in the first place. The Knowing-Doing Gap is sure to resonate with executives everywhere who struggle daily to make their firms both know and do what they know. It is a refreshingly candid, useful, and realistic guide for improving performance in today's business.Table of ContentsPreface 1. Knowing "What" to Do Is Not Enough 2. When Talk Substitutes for Action 3. When Memory Is a Substitute for Thinking 4. When Fear Prevents Acting on Knowledge 5. When Measurement Obstructs Good Judgment 6. When Internal Competition Turns Friends into Enemies 7. Firms That Surmount the Knowing-Doing Gap 8. Turning Knowledge into Action Appendix Notes Index About the Authors

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Book SynopsisAn organization’s fate hinges on its CEO—right? Not according to the authors of Senior Leadership Teams. They argue that in today''s world of neck-snapping change, demands on leaders in top roles are rapidly outdistancing the capabilities of any one person - no matter how talented. Result? Chief executives are turning to their enterprise''s senior leaders for help. Yet many CEOs stumble when creating a leadership team. One major challenge is that senior executives often focus more on their individual roles than on the top team''s shared work. Without the CEO''s careful attention to setting the team up correctly, these high-powered managers often have difficulty pulling together to move their organization forward. Sometimes they don''t even agree about what constitutes the right path forward. The authors explain how to determine whether your organization needs a senior leadership team. Then, drawing on their study of 100+ top teams frTrade Review“With firsthand knowledge and compelling real-life examples, Senior Leadership Teams presents indispensable guidance on getting your best people to work and thrive – together.” — David Gergen, Director Center for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government

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Book SynopsisMost teams underperform. Yours can beat the odds.If you read nothing else on building better teams, read these 10 articles. We've combed through hundreds of articles in the Harvard Business Review archive and selected the most important ones to help you assemble and steer teams that get results.Leading experts such as Jon Katzenbach, Teresa Amabile, and Tamara Erickson provide the insights and advice you need to: Boost team performance through mutual accountability Motivate large, diverse groups to tackle complex projects Increase your teams' emotional intelligence Prevent decision deadlock Extract results from a bunch of touchy superstars Fight constructively with top-management colleagues

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewBreath-taking and thought-provoking * The New York Times *Truly intriguing and inspiring * Los Angeles Times *Gladwell's most enjoyable book so far. It is a feel-good extravaganza, nourishing both heart and mind. Each of its stories ... has an ending that is both happy and surprising. What ostensibly unites the stories are the twin ideas that an advantage can sometimes be a disadvantage and that a disadvantage can sometimes be an advantage. Yet there is something more powerful and more uplifting that also links them. It is that good beats bad - just when you least expected it * Financial Times *When you read it, you feel like you can topple giants -- Jon Ronson

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Book Synopsis

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