"What's The Economy For, Anyway? is a thought-provoking, funny, readable, anti-ideological book based on the cult hit film of the same name. Here, scholars John de Graaf (author of Affluenza) and David Batker tackle thirteen touchstone economic issues and challenge readers to consider just what the point of our economy is. Emphasizing powerful American ideals such as working together, pragmatism, and equality for all, de Graaf and Batker set forth a simple, powerful goal for any economic system: the greatest good for the greatest number, over the longest run. Their vision will appeal to a wide array of readers across traditional silos. Drawing from this nation's rich economic history, the book shows that the good life in America is achieved when people and markets work together with an active government to create a better economy, one that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. Beginning by taking our fetish for GDP and shattering it, the chapters touch on quality of life, health, security, time management, worklife, leisure, social justice, and perhaps most important, sustainability. This sparkling, message-driven book is exactly what we need: a guide to what really matters, and how we can use the resources of our economy to make the world a better place"--

"The father of Open Innovation is back, this time with his most expansive, most significant book yet. Open Innovation described a new paradigm for the management of industrial innovation in the 21st century: How useful industrial knowledge today is widely distributed around the world and firms must open up to work with external partners to commercialize internal innovations, and allow unused internal ideas to be taken to market by others externally. Chesbrough's forthcoming Open Services Innovation demonstrates how the open innovation approach applies to companies both in the service businesses and those that want to be there. The book explains how companies must make two crucial shifts: one from products to services; and the other from closed to open innovation. Readers will discover: A competitive strategy and approach to business for today's services-based economy; A framework with guiding principles that will enable any business unit, company or industry to experience renewed growth and profits. Four new concepts are introduced and described in detail: Think of Your Business as a Services Business Co-Create with Customers and Partners Extend Services Innovation Outside Your Organization Transform Your Business Model with Services and Open Innovation Also learn about Services Innovation in Large and Smaller Companies, Open Services Innovation for Services Businesses, and Services Innovation in Emerging Economies Chesbrough enlightens his readers by explaining the need to develop a new perspective about business, one that rethinks the business models in a services-based economy. Chesbrough establishes that the future prosperity of companies comes from progressive shift to a largely services-based economy, driven by continued innovation. Chesbrough provides more than anecdotal material on how we must view industries, he leads us to examine how we do business. It is one thing to think of the automobile as a means for transportation, it's another to thing to provide transportation services over a life time"--Provided by publisher.

"Master the fundamentals of leadership-at every stage in your career Often, when leaders experience trouble, they look to blame an outside source or expect a small tweak to right their ship. But many times they've actually lost their grip on the very basic foundation of leadership. The business environment may change, but no management trend can displace the core laws, proven over centuries, of excellent leadership. Unusually Excellent is an essential resource for leaders that brings these fundamentals together in a new and comprehensive way. This book will help leaders at any level keep their focus on the bedrock principles that will make them extraordinary. Thoroughly practical, day-to-day primer for achieving and maintaining their highest level of leadership, for today and for a lifetime The author's Harvard Business Review articles are among the most highly read in the magazine's history Written for all leaders who need to develop and renew their leadership skills Using a sports analogy, the author breaks the work of leaders into three parts: pregame: a matter of character; game day: a matter of competence; and postgame: a matter of consequence."--

Why do some initiatives take off while others founder? How have some communities managed to achieve so much while others struggle? What distinguishes the good companies from the bad? Looking at some of the world's greatest success stories, Hamish McRae sheds a fascinating light on 'what works' and why.

Ken Fisher has written the monthly "Portfolio Strategy" column for Forbes magazine for the last 25 years, making him, so far, the fourth longest-running columnist in the magazine's history. This book is a collection of his columns from 1984-2004.

A risk advisor for top financial institutions explains how limitless risky behaviors toppled a 158-year-old institution, using the story to illuminate the interconnection of the global financial system, as well as broader policy implications.