Kaplan and David P. Norton introduced the Balanced Scorecard, a revolutionary performance measurement system that allowed organizations to quantify intangible assets such as people, information, and customer relationships. Then, in The Strategy-Focused Organization, Kaplan and Norton showed how organizations achieved breakthrough performance with a management system that put the Balanced Scorecard into action.Now, using their ongoing research with hundreds of Balanced Scorecard adopters across the globe, the authors have created a powerful new tool--the "strategy map"--that enables companies to describe the links between intangible assets and value creation with a clarity and precision never before possible. Kaplan and Norton argue that the most critical aspect of strategy--implementing it in a way that ensures sustained value creation--depends on managing four key internal processes: operations, customer relationships, innovation, and regulatory and social processes. The authors show how companies can use strategy maps to link those processes to desired outcomes; evaluate, measure, and improve the processes most critical to success; and target investments in human, informational, and organizational capital. Providing a visual "aha!" for executives everywhere who can't figure out why their strategy isn't working, Strategy Maps is a blueprint any organization can follow to align processes, people, and information technology for superior performance.

    On one side, we have industrial strengths: companies, governments, and institutions (i.e., the "Inc.") that apply significant resources, talent, and money to simplify the complex, apply standards and consistency, deliver economies of scale, and create global brands. On the other we have individual-strengths: autonomous individuals and small companies (i.e., the "Peers") engaged in local, small scale, customized, and specialized efforts to create just-right unique goods and services, often tapping into their own social networks to promote and distribute them.When companies and peers each are able to focus on what they do best and can handle what is difficult, annoying, or just plain impossible for the other, the effect of the collaboration is salutary for both sides. The skills and assets of the small and the large are complementary and symbiotic, mutually dependent and yet autonomous.By tapping into the inherent and unique talents on both sides Peers Incorporated transforms the sources of value creation, and therefore of power. It lets us transcend the tradeoffs that have long plagued the industrial economy. It leverages standards and rules without squandering theimagination and initiative of free-spirited human beings. It harvests operational discipline without straitjacketing our capacity to adapt. It multiplies the purchasing and creative power of consumers the world over, without consigning them to quasi-feudal, top-down organizations. These new organizations are the embodiment and the lifeblood of the transition to a new cooperative capitalism, one that is dramatically more efficient, more innovative and more humane.Peers Inc. deepens and enriches recently emergent practices such as the sharing economy,crowdsourcing, collaborative production, and collaborative consumption. It is fostering relationships that go beyond simple peer-to-peer interaction, enabling peer-to-business, peer-to-government, and small business to big business. They aren’t bound by the goods of the industrial age, they are able to exchange expertise, networks, data, light and energy, or whatever else creates value for both sides.

    Collected by Tom Parker for over 25 years, these are rules that are practical, quirky, and as entertaining to read as they are relevant to the reader. There's a rule of thumb for just about every subject imaginable money, marriage, cooking, health, weather, cars, gardening, restaurants, travel. This is the priceless knowledge that's accumulated not from reading, but from "living." Tempted by a string of pearls at a yard sale? Rub them against your teeth: The rule of thumb, as your grandmother might have told you, is that a genuine pearl will grate. Not sure how to choose a puppy? Pick one whose tail wags in sync with its walk a sign of calmness. To win at blackjack, assume that any unseen card is an eight. And remember, a rule of thumb works four out of five times (including this one).

    When inexperienced entrepreneurs ask my advice about their idea for a tech startup, they often worry "What if Google decides to compete with us? They will crush us!" I respond that far more startups die of suicide than homicide. If you can avoid hurting yourself, then you are already better off than most of your competitors. Startups are a chance to build something entirely original with brilliant and ambitious people. But startups are also dangerous. Limited money means there is little room for mistakes. One bad decision can mean bankruptcy. The potential payoff attracts capital, which in turn attracts scam artists. The unscrupulous often lack the skills needed to succeed, but sometimes they are smart enough to trick investors. Even entrepreneurs who start with a strong moral compass can find that the threat of failure unmoors their ethics from their ambition. Emotions matter. We might hope that those in leadership positions possess strength and resilience, but vanity and fragile egos have sabotaged many of the businesses that I’ve worked with. Defeat is always a possibility, and not everyone finds healthy ways to deal with the stress. In this book I offer both advice and also warnings. I've seen certain self-destructive patterns play out again and again, so I wanted to document one of the most extreme cases that I've witnessed. In 2015 I worked for a startup that began with an ingenious idea: to use the software techniques known as Natural Language Processing to allow people to interact with databases by writing ordinary English sentences. This was a multi-billion dollar idea that could have transformed the way people gathered and used information. However, the venture had inexperienced leadership. They burned through their $1.3 million seed money. As their resources dwindled, their confidence transformed into doubt, which was aggravated by edicts from the Board Of Directors ordering sudden changes that effectively threw away weeks' worth of work. Every startup forces its participants into extreme positions, often regarding budget and deadlines. Often these situations are absurd to the point of parody. Therefore, there is considerable humor in this story. The collision of inexperience and desperation gives rise to moments that are simply silly. I tell this story in a day-to-day format, both to capture the early optimism, and then the later sense of panic. Here then, is a cautionary tale, a warning about tendencies that everyone joining a startup should be on guard against."

    Endorsed by Cambridge International Examinations for the revised Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies syllabus. It has been written for the revised Cambridge IGCSE (0450) and Cambridge O Level Business Studies (7115) syllabuses, for first teaching from 2013. Reinforces understanding through a variety of activities and discussion points Provides examination preparation with revisions questions and summaries throughout Written in accessible language, but with plenty of detail for top-grade students

    Hardly anyone has heard of it, but those who do swear by it, and they tend to be some of the world's top copywriters. For example, Gary Bencivenga, who retired in 2003 as the world's most effective and highest paid copywriter, named Obvious Adams as one of the most important copywriting and business books he's ever read. Some say that Bencivenga was given the book by David Ogilvy himself, the father of modern advertising. And some even whisper that the allegorical character of Obvious Adams is a veiled reference to Claude Hopkins, whose work is studied by serious marketers to this day. So make use of this treasure that you hold in your hands. Read it once, to enjoy the story. Then read it a second time, to appreciate the wisdom that it shares. Make notes in the margins, and carefully apply what you learn - and your future customers will thank you for having done so!

    The word "talent" by it's use in present times connotes the inherent gifts and abilities in people, hence the parable has been used to teach on the stewardship of our God-given gifts and talents. However, the talent as used in this parable was a currency in biblical times just as the dollar is in our days. A second look at this parable shows that it contains powerful secrets for financial abundance. This book is intended on one hand to be a reminder of the things you may have learnt on finances from the Bible. On the other hand, it is intended to ignite a spark in your heart to take practical steps towards wealth creation. It goes a little beyond conventional teachings on giving, to cultivating wealth-building habits like saving, investing and entrepreneuring. It ends with supernatural wealth building principles through addiction to the Kingdom of God. In this book and the included workbook you will discover how to: Build a Wealth Mentality Develop Financial Intelligence Break the poverty cycle in your life Make, Multiply and Manage Your Money God's way through wise investments Discover and Develop your God-given gifts and abilities to release your financial increase

    Running your own business is nowhere near as tough as you might think. So what are you waiting for? Luke Johnson is Britain's busiest tycoon, with a personal fortune estimated at £120 million. From Pizza Express and Channel 4 to his incisive Financial Times column, Johnson has spent two decades on the business frontline. In Start It Up, Johnson sets out to inspire - and guide - every budding entrepreneur. He tackles the issues that really matter: finding the right idea, sourcing funds, and getting the best from the people you meet on the way - chiefly yourself. 'A must-read for inspiring entrepreneurs, probably the best book available on the subject' John McLaren, Management Today 'Part rant, part outpouring of useful knowledge gleaned from 20 very successful years in business. There is a great deal here that is good' Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks, Financial Times 'For the budding entrepreneur, this clear, thoughtful and passionate how-to guide will be an excellent first investment' Economist Luke Johnson is one of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs with an estimated personal fortune of £120 million. He is Chairman of Risk Capital Partners and The Royal Society of Arts, and a former Chairman of Channel 4 Television. He writes columns for the Financial Times and Management Today. In the 1990s he was Chairman of PizzaExpress, which he grew from 12 restaurants to over 250; he also founded the Strada pizzeria chain and owns Giraffe and Patisserie Valerie. He lives in London and is married with three children.

    Do you have what it takes?If you read nothing else on inspiring and executing innovation, 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 innovate effectively.Leading experts such as Clayton Christensen, Peter Drucker, and Rosabeth Moss Kanter provide the insights and advice you need to:• Decide which ideas are worth pursuing• Innovate through the front lines—not just from the top• Adapt innovations from the developing world to wealthier markets• Tweak new ventures along the way using discovery-driven planning• Tailor your efforts to meet customers’ most pressing needs• Avoid classic pitfalls such as stifling innovation with rigid processesLooking for more Must Read articles from Harvard Business Review? Check out these titles in the popular series:HBR’s 10 Must Reads: The EssentialsHBR’s 10 Must Reads on CommunicationHBR’s 10 Must Reads on CollaborationHBR’s 10 Must Reads on LeadershipHBR’s 10 Must Reads on Making Smart DecisionsHBR’s 10 Must Reads on Managing YourselfHBR’s 10 Must Reads on Strategic MarketingHBR’s 10 Must Reads on Teams

    You will find practical business advice on how to: - Brand yourself as a top blogger and sought-after influencer - Build valuable relationships with PR companies and brands - Secure invitations to important industry events - Work with advertising networks - Develop new revenue streams - Land spokesperson deals and large scale sponsorships - Position yourself at the forefront of the fashion blogosphere Full of action driven exercises, helpful resources and inspirational chapters by top fashion bloggers What I Wore, College Fashion, Gala Darling, Second City Style and Corporette, the book is packed with all the advice and motivation you need to take your blogging career to the next level!

    But in this original, eye-opening work, authors David Marcum and Steven Smith argue that the upside of ego is as powerful as the downside and answer questions about ego that have been a mystery to most people.In his landmark book, "Good to Great, " Jim Collins showed that one of two key traits defined leaders who transformed organizations from good to great: humility. But if humility is so powerful, why don't more of us have it? Why does ego allow us to reach good results but never great ones, unless balanced by humility? Why do we need ego to personally succeed, while having it often interferes with the success we pursue?The AnswersUsing five years of exhaustive research, Marcum and Smith provide compelling evidence and matter-of-fact answers on striking the balance between ego and humility to reach the next level of leadership. The authors include case studies to illustrate how ego subtly interferes with success but also how ego sparks the drive to achieve, the nerve to try something new, and the tenacity to conquer adversity.The Early Warning SignsWe all have moments when ego costs us everything from an honest conversation to a job or promotion. Through cross-disciplinary research, egonomics reveals how to detect four early warning signs that ego is becoming a liability, including how:- being too competitive makes you less competitive- defending ideas turns into defending yourself- winning ideas can be halted by the creator's own intelligence and talent- desiring respect and recognition can interfere with successThe Keys to Egonomic HealthThree key principles keep ego healthy:- humility: striking the crucial balance between too much ego and not enough- curiosity: blending free thinking and discipline without bias- veracity: removing fear of giving or getting feedback to produce water-cooler honestyWith a clear focus on elevating the way you do business, "egonomics" is a liberating approach to becoming a rare and respected leader.

    Arrested for fraud in 2008--during the depths of the global financial crisis--the 70-year-old market maker, investment advisor, and former chairman of the NASDAQ had orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in world history, fleecing thousands of investors across the globe to the tune of $65 billion. To this day, questions remain: Why did he do it? How did he get away with it for so long? What did his family know? Who is the elusive Bernie Madoff?In Madoff Talks, author Jim Campbell presents the most comprehensive, insider account of the Madoff saga to date. Based on exclusive interviews with all the players--the Madoff family and their associates, the Wall Street wheelers and dealers, the army of lawyers, analysts, and investigators, the victims of the scheme, and Bernie Madoff himself--the book reveals: what motivated a respected financier to commit such a massive fraud--and why he thought he could get away with ithow Madoff managed to keep the scheme hidden in plain sight--despite numerous SEC investigationsthe shocking failures of Wall Street oversight--and how it could happen againthe true scale of the investment losses―and the victims' ongoing fight for justicewhat Ruth Madoff and the rest of the family knew--and how it shattered their livesMadoff Talks features the first, and likely only, interviews with Ruth Madoff and defense attorney Ira Sorkin, for which Bernie waived attorney-client privilege, as well as never-before-published details from the author's personal communications with Bernie Madoff in prison. A vivid, powerful piece of investigative reporting, the book takes us behind the headlines to show the full human cost of Madoff's crimes, and offers a cogent analysis of the reforms necessary to prevent it from happening again.Meticulously researched and relentlessly riveting, Madoff Talks is the full story of an American tragedy.

     To get the book's methods to work for you in real life, research shows it takes an average of 66 days of consistent practice for a new skill to become a habit. Cheat Sheet: Master Getting Things Done ...In 2 Minutes... is a fast reference tool that captures this organizational system in a concise, step-by-step format that help you embed the concepts while providing rapid refresher when you need it most. It is designed for: 1.) The busy individual familiar with the system and serious about habit change 2.) The newcomer who values time spent on EXECUTION, not reading. Key Benefits: • Excellent compact summary of the basic principles of the Get Things Done system in a fast, convenient format. • Saves you precious time from re-reading the book to re-absorb, remember and categorize concepts. We did all the work for you. • Contains illustrated work flow map to follow during THE critical 2 hour weekly review.
 • Keep the topic relevant and in front of you for times you fall off the program. More than just a book summary, pull up this organization tool to coach you through the entire process. Life just got easier as you cross off tasks after task; achieve multiple goals and milestones, all the while functioning with a clear mind and a sense of relaxed control. 





 This reference summary is designed to be purchased along side the reviewed title Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity.

    If you’re looking for the original book, search this link http://amzn.to/2uzu0Xl) Charles Bukowski was a popular author and poet, but his rise to fame was difficult. He was a drunk and he was crude. He was middle-aged by the time someone published one of his novels. However, fame did not change Bukowski. He continued to live the drunken life of a loser. His writing was popular because it was honest. In the end, Charles Bukowski became famous because he didn’t care what other people thought of him.Our culture defines success by how much stuff we have. The more we have, the better life we must lead. The problem is that society tells us what we need by reminding us what we lack. We become dissatisfied with our current situation, and strive to get whatever is bigger and better. While this is a good strategy if you’re a business, as a consumer it causes us to never be content with what we have.Advertisements tell us to give a fuck about everything, because it’s good for their businesses. The author urges us to give a fuck about only the important things in life... Read more.... This is a ZERO-RISK investment. Should you find this book unworthy of the original coffee price of $2.99, get a REFUND within 7 days! The Time for Thinking is Over! Time for Action! Scroll Up Now and Click on the “Buy now with 1-Click” Button to Download your Copy Right Away! (Disclaimer: This is NOT the original book. If you’re looking for the original book, search this link: http://amzn.to/2uzu0Xl