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2010
How To Avoid the Problems of Target-Setting
Abstract
The advocates and critics of target-setting in the workplace seem unable to reach beyond their well-entrenched battle lines. While advocates point to what they see as demonstrable advantages, critics point to what they see as demonstrable disadvantages. Academic literature on this topic is currently mired in controversy, with neither side seemingly capable of envisaging a better way forward. This paper outlines a more fruitful approach, based both on theory and experience.
Productivity Knowhow
Productivity Knowhow’ covers the entire performance improvement process from start to finish - from identifying where to improve, and by how much, then solving how to improve and, finally, implementing the improvements and making them last. It’s different because:
- It argues that managers at any level in any sector, public or private, need no more than ten ‘cardinal’ performance measures to be in good control of their teams and to highlight where action may be needed
- It covers the alternatives for setting targets for each of these cardinals and quantifying the extent of any gaps that need to be closed
- It reviews the main options available to take action at strategic/ organisation level, tactical/ process level and task level
- It details how to implement change successfully
- It’s based on the experience of many top-class management consultants and ‘what works’, whether a latest fad or not
- Its bullet-point style and widespread use of diagrams and colour make it easy to read and understand
Dick Smythe wrote this book because, as the late Peter Drucker once said, managers have always sought something which lets them “do their job with less effort, in less time, yet with greater impact”
The chairman of a major oil company said “you have produced a handbook on how to follow best practice in every phase of business, even as an investor – I like the way you did it – it’s a guide one can dip in and out of based on the topic one is interested in – congratulations on producing it”
The book costs £20 + p&p. To purchase copies, please email dicksmythe@aol.com
IT Strategic and Operational Controls
Vital information on how to systematically implement IT strategic and operational controls to support and enhance your organisation!
Master IT controls concepts and issues
Written with practicality and convenience in mind, this book is an ideal tool for those without specialised technical expertise seeking to understand IT controls and their design, implementation, monitoring, review and audit issues.
Minimise risk and maximise benefits
This book provides a comprehensive guide to implementing an integrated and flexible set of IT controls in a systematic way. It can help organisations to formulate a complete culture for all areas which must be supervised and controlled; allowing them to simultaneously ensure a secure, high standard whilst striving to obtain the strategic and operational goals of the company.
Benefits to business include:
