Contrary to popular opinion, brainstorming isn't magic. Truly productive brainstorming sessions are dependent on the ability of the leader to create the right environment and let his or her people's ideas flow. Filled with clear, concise guidance and quick, easily implemented techniques, this book provides supervisors, managers, and team leaders the fun, proven activities they need to get idea-packed brainstorming sessions started, and keep them going. Readers will discover how to: ò Ask questions that provoke responses and inspire creativity ò React to and record ideas in a way that encourages participants and prompts more input ò Sort and categorize lengthy lists ò Evaluate ideas ò Prioritize the most useful concepts and expand on them ò And more Containing sample dialogues, as well as resources for virtual team brainstorming, this indispensible book gives readers the activities they need to generate great ideas, fast.

Basic Management Skills for managers, supervisors and team leaders is powerful and guaranteed method to become an effective modern leader and it gives you all the tools to get started and to stay on top of the pile.

Getting teams and groups to function productively is a challenge. For years The Facilitator's Fieldbook has been giving group leaders what they need to make everything run more smoothly. Now fully updated, the Second Edition is truly jam-packed with step-by-step procedures, checklists and guidelines, samples and templates, and more. For managers, trainers, and group leaders in any industry, The Facilitator's Fieldbook is a practical, powerful book that will keep teams and groups humming along and getting results.

This guide includes a wealth of practical information for inexperienced group leaders as well as new tools for seasoned facilitators --more than 100 reproducible forms, checklists, planning aids, and guides. Selected contents are reproduced in CD-ROM format so that you can customize tools to meet your specific needs.

Learn how to make better; faster decisions. You make decisions every day--from prioritizing your to-do list to choosing which long-term innovation projects to pursue. But most decisions don't have a clear-cut answer, and assessing the alternatives and the risks involved can be overwhelming. You need a smarter approach to making the best choice possible. The HBR Guide to Making Better Decisions provides practical tips and advice to help you generate more-creative ideas, evaluate your alternatives fairly, and make the final call with confidence. You'll learn how to: Overcome the cognitive biases that can skew your thinking Look at problems in new ways Manage the trade-offs between options Balance data with your own judgment React appropriately when you've made a bad choice Communicate your decision--and overcome any resistance Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, from a source you trust. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.

How do you find your place in a mystifying world where prosopagnosia reveals only strangers -not recognizing even those most familiar to you? You persevere! When life knocks you down, you can find the strength to stand again. Tara Fall faced all of these challenges and more. She created peace living with epilepsy, having brain surgery, and being a young stroke survivor. Her challenges will never lessen, yet her optimism and hope will never falter. Fall's book is filled with essays sharing lessons she gained throughout her extraordinary journey. In The Art of Brainstorming, you will discover: · Why We Need Ideas And Innovation And That Ideas Are A Powerful And Transformational Force To Be Reckoned With · Asking questions like: Where Does Ideas Come From? How Can We Too Come Up With More New Ideas? · Discover The True Nature, Scope And Character Of Brainstorming · The Brainstorming Process From Start To Finish · Managing The Connections, Dynamics And Interactions Involved In Brainstorming · Making Sense Of Ideas – What To Do Once You Have Them In Hand · …and much, much more. The discussion throughout is illustrated by lengthy extracts from the author’s many interviews with his scientist colleagues on the relation between the mind and the brain.

Have you always dreamed of writing a novel? NaNoWriMo offers your chance. It is a 30 day challenge in which you write a complete novel during National Novel Writing Month. This book will help you learn what NaNoWriMo has to offer, and how to make the most of the challenge. You will learn about required preparation, strategies, resources, and more. Learn how to overcome the most common obstacles to writing a book, and learn what to do to make sure you are successful in NaNoWriMo. This book goes into great detail about everything you need to know to be successful during NaNoWriMo. It also covers things you may not have thought of, such as what to do when the novel is finished. It covers the basics of what to do with your work when the writing and editing is completed, and where to find resources for getting your work read by the masses. The tips and tools you will find within these pages is helpful for all writers, not just those participating in NaNoWriMo. With this information you can develop daily writing habits, write your first novel, and start getting your work seen by the world. If you’re an established writer, NaNoWriMo can help you get back on the bandwagon with your next hit. About the Expert Nicole Thomas is an established copywriter with more than 10 years of experience in the field. She has been writing novels, short stories and prose since 1993, with several publications in literary magazines over the years. She also has work self-published in various arenas. In addition, she has completed the NaNoWriMo challenge twice, and is currently working on a third novel and a non-fiction book series. Nicole lives in rural Missouri, the same state in which she attended high school and university. In her spare time she enjoys camping, concerts, festivals, and spending time with her children and local family. HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.

A new classic, cited by leaders and media around the globe as a highly recommended read for anyone interested in innovation. In The Innovator’s DNA, authors Jeffrey Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and bestselling author Clayton Christensen (The Innovator’s Dilemma, The Innovator’s Solution, How Will You Measure Your Life?) build on what we know about disruptive innovation to show how individuals can develop the skills necessary to move progressively from idea to impact. By identifying behaviors of the world’s best innovators—from leaders at Amazon and Apple to those at Google, Skype, and Virgin Group—the authors outline five discovery skills that distinguish innovative entrepreneurs and executives from ordinary managers: Associating, Questioning, Observing, Networking, and Experimenting. Once you master these competencies (the authors provide a self-assessment for rating your own innovator’s DNA), the authors explain how to generate ideas, collaborate to implement them, and build innovation skills throughout the organization to result in a competitive edge. This innovation advantage will translate into a premium in your company’s stock price—an innovation premium—which is possible only by building the code for innovation right into your organization’s people, processes, and guiding philosophies. Practical and provocative, The Innovator’s DNA is an essential resource for individuals and teams who want to strengthen their innovative prowess.

The all-inclusive guide to exceptional project management that is trusted by hundreds of thousands of readers—now updated and revised The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management: The Comprehensive, Easy to Read Handbook for Beginners and Pros, 6th Edition is a comprehensive guide to real-world project management methods, tools, and techniques. Practical, easy-to-use, and deeply thorough, this book gives you the answers you need now. You'll find cutting-edge ideas and hard-won wisdom of one of the field's leading experts, delivered in short, lively segments that address common management issues. Brief descriptions of important concepts, tips on real-world applications, and compact case studies illustrate the most sought-after skills and pitfalls you should watch out for. This sixth edition now includes: A brand-new chapter on project quality A new chapter on managing media, entertainment, and creative projects A new chapter on the project manager’s #1 priority: leadership A new chapter with the most current practices in Change Management Current PMP certification study tips Readers of The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management also receive access to new video resources available at the author’s website. The book teaches readers how to manage and deliver projects on-time and on-budget by applying the practical strategies and concrete solutions found within. Whether the challenge is finding the right project sponsor, clarifying project objectives, or setting realistic schedules and budget projections, The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management shows you what you need to know, the best way to do it, and what to watch out for along the way.