Summary The core theme of this book is Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints, otherwise referred to as TOC. Goldratt argues that manufacturing has for too long focused on producing, ignoring what is demanded by the market place, i.e. demand and capacity. Goldratt believes that one should balance flow through a system to meet the demand of
Thirty goals in 63 international matches for England, a remarkable average of more than 20 goals a season in the Premier League and a league championship medal for unfashionable Blackburn Rovers – you’ve definitely done well for yourself. But could you do better? Your decision to quit international football after the European Championships in the
Freud first coined the term ‘wrecked by success’ to explain the recurring phenomenon of people who appear to throw away their best chance of happiness through self-inflicted damage. Maximum Success, written by two Harvard business psychologists and executive coaches, cleverly elaborates 12 different patterns of self-defeating behaviour and ways of tackling them. Take the hero
Summary Handy’s book is a groundbreaking philosophical and practical guide to the inevitable changing ways of organizing work and the workforce. Handy starts from the viewpoint that radical change is not only desirable but essential, if economics and society are not to be irreversibly damaged. The book focuses on the necessity of becoming more creative
Summary Goffee and Jones – the BBC director of human resources – reject the assumption of some business books that the character of a corporation is a uniform, single concept. They see it as complex and multiple-faceted. Every firm is composed of several cultures, they explain. These are fluid, liable to change, and are sometimes
In the fictitious advertising agency Miller Shanks nothing ever seems to go to plan. When The Sun picks up a story that Gloria Hunniford has been groped by a client on an film shoot in Mauritius and PAs are making mock suicide attempts back at the office in London you might be tempted to think
Summary When Giants Learn to Dance sets out to show how truly innovative organizations are winning in the business world, pitting the bureaucratic management of corporate America against the post-entrepreneurial organization.
International rowing won’t be the same without Steve Redgrave – five-times Olympic gold medallist and national hero. But will Redgrave be the same without rowing? The commitment demanded by the sport is no less than a lifestyle – on the water seven days a week, 49 weeks a year. When that is gone, what remains?
You are the youngest British prime minister this century, so it is difficult to criticise the way you have planned your career. Anyone who captures the number one job in the country certainly knows how to scale the careers ladder. In order to reach your post you first had to become leader of the Labour
Where did it all go wrong? From military prodigy to exile and death in St Helena. But what a sparkling career you had in between. Perhaps you should have made the switch from fighting to banking while you had the chance, especially since you were good at maths.
According to the press, the public, Sir Alex Ferguson and Terry Venables, there is only one man for the job of England football team manager. That man is Terry Venables. Having said that, the press and the public are hardly renowned for their good sense and Ferguson is Scottish, but surely ex-England boss Venables is
‘Wanted. Breakfast show host. Hair colour optional.’ This was the advert in the window of Virgin Radio’s offices the day after Chris Evans’ high-profile departure from his multimillion pound morning slot. Maybe another advertisement will soon be appearing in the classifieds in the Surrey environs: ‘Cheeky northern ginger seeks employment as entertainer. Kids parties a
Like your wife, you are at the peak of your career. Also like your wife, you are suffering from a few problems in the public relations department. You must be careful not to sacrifice the respect you have earned for your tremendous skills by behaving recklessly on the pitch. You will find that sponsorship and
Most people settle for one or two significant career changes over the whole of their working life. But you are becoming a post-modern icon by going from one career to three – all within a single year. Pop star and television personality; now you have become the queen of the catwalk. Only Barbie has had
Kevin Keegan’s one shining quality, honesty, has been both his making and undoing. He reached the supposed peak of English football management as result of the respect he engendered in players. Having achieved more than any other English player in the history of the game, including two European footballer of the year awards at a
Career advice for an infant is difficult at the best of times, but Leo, you’re already off to a very fine start. Your problem will not be being loved too little and ignored. Or having a slightly unusual name – pity instead Brooklyn Beckham, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon (Madonna’s first child) and Lucas Morad Jagger
If you fancy riding the waves of power, but do not want to be at the helm, one of the most high profile jobs you can do is that of a spin doctor. We assess the opportunities and risks of being a modern day king maker
Two Christmases ago Jeannine left her job in Melbourne to begin an adventure on the other side of the world. At 28 she realised there was more she wanted to do and struck out from her ‘comfort zone’ to discover Europe. Lying on a beach in Brisbane, she realised that ‘Brisbane wasn’t going to be
This year’s Olympic Games will put Sydney on the map for many people who have never thought seriously about working here. So what has it got to offer today’s job seekers? Richard Willsher reports from the major Australian city
‘It is people with the imagination, the drive, the willingness to think big and take risks…who will make the economy grow and themselves rich.’ Lee Kuan Yew, the ‘father of modern Singapore’, spoke these words at a Chinese New Year celebration in February 2000. Could this be you? Our correspondent Richard Willsher reports from Singapore.
