The Frugal Librarian

The Frugal Librarian PDF Author: Carol Smallwood
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 0838991874
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 298

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Book Description
This collection speaks to universal concerns, presenting creative and resourceful solutions from dozens of librarians representing a wide variety of institutions.

Think Inside the Box

Think Inside the Box PDF Author: Tim Nelson
Publisher: Wcg Press
ISBN: 9780989250306
Category : Organizational change
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
Think Inside the Box maps a regimen to discover and revitalize the exceptional business that exists inside your current organization. Businesses add complication and complexity as they grow. Winners and losers exist side by side in product catalogs and among customers. Sorting through the noise to focus on the core and eliminate the wasteful is a constant management challenge. The methods and tools in this book are the same ones used by consultants and private equity investors. Think Inside the Box walks you through the process step-by-step. You have the data and you have the tools; we provide the map and the directions. The regimen detailed in Think Inside the Box: Is data driven, using data readily available in the organization. Relies on the well-established 80/20 rule to direct focus and attention. Anchors analysis in the fundamental elements of any organization; products and services and the customers who use them. Demands no rare or unusual skills, techniques, or technology. Adapts simply to new data as it becomes available. Has a proven track record; applied to over 850 businesses acquired and integrated in one Fortune 150 company, ITW, which has consistently produced superior results. Think Inside the Box doesn't stop with analysis. It takes you from insight through execution. It shows you how to identify your most profitable products and customers. It walks you through how to combine those two lists to map your business into four boxes: The Core, Supporting Products, Benefactor Customers, and The Residual. Next, we show you how to take the resulting Quad Map and unearth the treasures locked inside each box. We demonstrate how, when, and where to apply over twenty distinct improvement tools and techniques including: Product Line Simplification Visual Production Kanban Inventory Management Dedicated Equipment One-at-a-time Manufacturing Value Stream Analysis In the final section, we detail the project management, program management, and organizational change management tasks and challenges you will face in taking advantage of the multiple opportunities that will create using the Quad Map and Tool Kit. Finally, we discuss how to embed the process and the tools into the ongoing operations of your business. The result is a business built to adapt to change. Organizations that have followed this process and used the tools and techniques systematically have seen sustained improvements such as: Eliminating 25% of catalog items without reducing total gross margin Increasing on-time deliveries to over 97% by instituting Kanban inventory management Reducing suppliers from over 200 to 40 Increasing revenue per employee from $137,000 to over $425,000 Improving operating income from 4% to over 28%

Inside the Box

Inside the Box PDF Author: Drew Boyd
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 145165930X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
“The ‘inside-the-box approach’ can reveal key opportunities for innovation that are hiding in plain sight” (Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive). The traditional attitude toward creativity in the American business world is to “think outside the box”—to brainstorm without restraint in hopes of coming up with a breakthrough idea, often in moments of crisis. Sometimes it works, but it’s a problem-specific solution that does nothing to engender creative thinking more generally. Inside the Box demonstrates Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT), which systemizes creativity as part of the corporate culture. This counterintuitive and powerfully effective approach to creativity requires thinking inside the box, working in one’s familiar world to create new ideas independent of specific problems. SIT’s techniques and principles have instilled creative thinking into such companies as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, and other industry leaders. Inside the Box shows how corporations have successfully used SIT in business settings as diverse as medicine, technology, new product development, and food packaging. Dozens of books discuss how to make creative thinking part of a corporate culture, but none takes the innovative and unconventional approach of Inside the Box. With “inside the box” thinking, companies of any size can become sufficiently creative to solve problems even before they develop and to innovate on an ongoing basis. It’s a system that works! “Boyd and Goldenberg explain the basic building blocks for creativity and by doing so help all of us better express our potential” (Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational).

Thinking Inside the Box

Thinking Inside the Box PDF Author: Adrienne Raphel
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 1472144619
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
'Beautifully researched account, full of humour and personal insight' David Crystal, author of Making Sense: The Glamorous Story of English Grammar 'A witty, wise, and wonderfully weird journey that will change the way you think . . . This book is a delight' Bianca Bosker, author of Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste 'Delightfully engrossing, charmingly and enthusiastically well-written history of the crossword puzzle' Benjamin Dreyer, author of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style 'Full of treasures, surprises and fun . . . richly bringing to life the quirky, obsessive, fascinating characters in the crossword world' Mary Pilon, author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game 'A gold mine of revelations. If there is a pantheon of cruciverbalist scholars, Adrienne Raphel has established herself squarely within it' Mary Norris, author of Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen Equal parts ingenious and fun, Thinking Inside the Box is a love letter to the infinite joys and playful possibilities of language, a treat for die-hard cruciverbalists and first-time crossword solvers alike. The crossword is a feature of the modern world, inspiring daily devotion and obsession from millions. It was invented in 1913, almost by accident, when an editor at the New York World was casting around for something to fill some empty column space for that year's Christmas edition. Almost overnight, crosswords became a phenomenal commercial success, and have been an essential ingredient of any newspaper worth its salt since then. Indeed, paradoxically, the popularity of crosswords has never been greater, even as the world of media and newspapers, the crossword's natural habitat, has undergone a dramatic digital transformation. But why, exactly, are the satisfactions of a crossword so sweet that over the decades they have become a fixture of breakfast tables, bedside tables and commutes, and even given rise to competitive crossword tournaments? Blending first-person reporting from the world of crosswords with a delightful telling of the crossword's rich literary history, Adrienne Raphel dives into the secrets of this classic pastime. At the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, she rubs shoulders with elite solvers from all over the world, doing her level best to hold her own; aboard a crossword-themed cruise she picks the brains of the enthusiasts whose idea of a good time is a week on the high seas with nothing to do but crosswords; and, visiting the home and office of Will Shortz, New York Times crossword puzzle editor and US National Public Radio's official Puzzlemaster, she goes behind the scenes to see for herself how the world's gold standard of puzzles is made.

Thinking in New Boxes

Thinking in New Boxes PDF Author: Luc De Brabandere
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 0812992954
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 353

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Book Description
When BIC, manufacturer of disposable ballpoint pens, wanted to grow, it looked for an idea beyond introducing new sizes and ink colors. Someone suggested lighters. LIGHTERS? With an idea that seemed crazy at first, that bright executive, instead of seeing BIC as a pen company—a business in the PEN “box”—figured out that there was growth to be found in the DISPOSABLE “box.” And he was right. Now there are disposable BIC lighters, razors, even phones. The company opened its door to a host of opportunities. IT INVENTED A NEW BOX. Your business can, too. And simply thinking “out of the box” is not the answer. True ingenuity needs structure, hard analysis, and bold brainstorming. It needs to start THINKING IN NEW BOXES —a revolutionary process for sustainable creativity from two strategic innovation experts from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). To make sense of the world, we all rely on assumptions, on models—on what Luc de Brabandere and Alan Iny call “boxes.” If we are unaware of our boxes, they can blind us to risks and opportunities. This innovative book challenges everything you thought you knew about business creativity by breaking creativity down into five steps: • Doubt everything. Challenge your current perspectives. • Probe the possible. Explore options around you. • Diverge. Generate many new and exciting ideas, even if they seem absurd. • Converge. Evaluate and select the ideas that will drive breakthrough results. • Reevaluate. Relentlessly. No idea is a good idea forever. And did we mention Reevaluate? Relentlessly. Creativity is paramount if you are to thrive in a time of accelerating change. Replete with practical and potent creativity tools, and featuring fascinating case studies from BIC to Ford to Trader Joe’s, Thinking in New Boxes will help you and your company overcome missed opportunities and stay ahead of the curve. This book isn’t a simpleminded checklist. This is Thinking in New Boxes. And it will be fun. (We promise.) Praise for Thinking in New Boxes “Excellent . . . While focusing on business creativity, the principles in this book apply anywhere change is needed and will be of interest to anyone seeking to reinvent herself.”—Blogcritics “Thinking in New Boxes is a five-step guide that leverages the authors’ deep understanding of human nature to enable readers to overcome their limitations and both imagine and create their own futures. This book is a must-read for people living and working in today’s competitive environment.”—Ray O. Johnson, Ph.D., chief technology officer, Lockheed Martin “Thinking In New Boxes discusses what I believe to be one of the fundamental shifts all companies/brands need to be thinking about: how to think creatively, in order to innovate and differentiate our brands. We need to thrive and lead in a world of accelerating change and this book challenges us to even greater creativity in our thinking. One of the best business books I’ve read in a long time.”—Jennifer Fox, CEO, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts “As impressive as teaching new tricks to old dogs, Thinking in New Boxes is both inspirational and practical—a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to sharpening one’s wits in order to harness creativity in the workplace.”—Peter Gelb, general manager, Metropolitan Opera

Thinking Inside the Box

Thinking Inside the Box PDF Author: Jacob Aagaard
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781907982347
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
Jacob Aagaard describes his chess improvement philosophy, developed over twenty years of thinking about one question: How do we make better decisions at the chess board?He delves into such topics as: Chess psychology The four types of decisions we take at the board How to play simple positions What is calculation? How to analyse your gamesThinking Inside the Box is the ultimate self-improvement guide, written for amateurs as well as world-class players

Think Out of the Box

Think Out of the Box PDF Author: Mike Vance
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781564142788
Category : Corporate culture
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In today's fast-changing global marketplace, organizations must adapt to new, sometimes contradictory, demands from customers, competitors, employees, and shareholders. "Think Out of the Box" offers a treasure chest of operational creativity--the same creative solutions which major corporations have used for three decades.

The Frugal Librarian

The Frugal Librarian PDF Author: Carol Smallwood
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 0838991874
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 298

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Book Description
This collection speaks to universal concerns, presenting creative and resourceful solutions from dozens of librarians representing a wide variety of institutions.

Leading Clarity

Leading Clarity PDF Author: Brad Deutser
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119457246
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
More powerful than strategy, culture, or innovation, discover the one business tool that is the ultimate game-changer! Leading Clarity offers a bold proposal that changes the trajectory of your business and leadership. Today’s business environment is more complex than at any time in history with greater ambiguity, chaos and uncertainty. Too often, individuals and organizations become bogged down with competing priorities and the constant press of daily demands. This tangled mass of noise effectively handicaps every facet of business. This book provides a proven, time-tested strategy that has brought dynamic results to hundreds of organizations of all scope and size. Informed by in-depth research conducted by the Deutser team, made up of business strategists, social scientists, organizational psychologists, innovation specialists and designers, the framework and methodologies presented will align focus and drive organizational performance. Leading Clarity takes you beyond understanding the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and teams, and guides you through a dynamic process that unveils what is most critical and most enduring about your business. Clarity is the key measure of unprecedented success and a vital factor in productivity, engagement, and performance. Now, Deutser is sharing the secrets of his proven blueprint for creating clarity. With these powerful principles and stories of how to put them to work, you too can leverage the exponential impact of clarity. Learn how clarity can help you: Lead teams and individuals with clear direction and purpose Value inside the box thinking and innovation Identify the impact drivers that keeps your employees happier, more engaged and performing at their peak Infuse positivity into your organization’s DNA as a profitability catalyst Clarity is the dynamic force that aligns and connects the most critical business principles. Leading Clarity moves you beyond any preconceived limitations and sets new direction, expectation and pathways for success.

Quick Writes

Quick Writes PDF Author: Diana Herweck
Publisher: Shell Education
ISBN: 1425803156
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 81

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Book Description
Practice writing strategies to help prepare students for current standardized tests.

Sacred Bovines

Sacred Bovines PDF Author: Douglas Allchin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190490373
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 265

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Book Description
Some assumptions about biology are so deeply rooted in our thinking that they seem beyond question. These concepts - expressed in playful jargon - are our sacred bovines. With a light-hearted spirit, Douglas Allchin sets out to challenge many of these common beliefs about science and life. Allchin draws on fascinating insights from science to illustrate the ironies in many widespread beliefs. Be prepared to challenge the notion that male and female are fixed natural categories. Or that evolution implies cutthroat competition in human society. Or that we struggle against a fundamental immoral nature. Or that genes establish our identity. Or that science progresses through rare leaps of genius. Or that politics and emotions inevitably taint good science. Sacred Bovines revels in revelations about the nature of science. Reflecting on the many errors in commonly accepted, everyday ideas also fosters creative thinking. How do we challenge assumptions? How do we "think outside the box"? The many examples here provide inspiration and guidance, further elaborated in a retrospective epilogue. An additional "Afterword for Teachers" highlights how the essays can foster learning about the nature of science and describes some practical classroom strategies.