Why are we pushing every student toward a four-year degree when there are career paths that pay better, require no student debt, and has employers literally begging for workers?I'm talking about the modern automotive service industry—and before you roll your eyes and think "grease monkey," let me share three numbers that will change your mind:$127,000 - What Sarah Chen earned last year as a service advisor at age 23

In my over thirty years of working with automotive dealerships across North America, I've witnessed the evolution of fixed operations from simple repair shops to sophisticated profit centers that often determine a dealership's success or failure. Yet despite advances in technology, training, and management systems, I continue to see the same fundamental problems destroying profitability in service departments across the country.That's why my approach to fixed operations management ...

The Toyota Way Fieldbook is a companion to the international bestseller The Toyota Way. The Toyota Way Fieldbook builds on the philosophical aspects of Toyota's operating systems by detailing the concepts and providing practical examples for application that leaders need to bring Toyota's success-proven practices to life in any organization. The Toyota Way Fieldbook will help other companies learn from Toyota and develop systems that fit their unique cultures.

This results-oriented resource is a must-have strategic partner for project managers of every industry.Shifting priorities, budget cuts, unexpected interruptions….the obstacles that project managers face daily are sometimes relentless and always burdensome. Now, the average project is only growing more complicated.The Project Management Tool Kit is filled with step-by-step guidance that will enable managers to complete even the most complex project...

THE BRIEFCASE BOOKS SERIESNow translated into nine languages! This reader-friendly, icon-rich series is must reading for all managers at every level.All managers, whether brand new to their positions or well established in the corporate hierarchy, can use a little "brushing up" now and then. The skills-based Briefcase Books series is filled with ideas and strategies to help managers become more capable, efficient, effective, and va...

Set the bar for outstanding performanceA follow-up to the top-selling Perfect Phrases for Performance Reviews, this book provides managers with phrases and goals that describe expected future performance from their direct reports. A timesaving job aid for any performance review or plan, the book:Makes it easy for managers to set high performance goals for executives, management, or non-managers employeesIncludes many categories of g...

"The Product Manager’s Desk Reference is outstanding in covering the breadth of the tasks and thought processes involved in product and innovation management."-George Castellion, SSC Associates“Every product manager will greatly benefit from having this reference manual in their office as they live through the exciting twists and turns of product management.”-David Anderson, Managing Director, B2B Channels, United Airlines

Distill Maximum Value from Your Digital Data! Do It Now!Why hasn’t all that data delivered a whopping competitive advantage? Because you’ve barely begun to use it, that’s why! Good news: neither have your competitors. It’s hard! But digital marketing analytics is 100% doable, it offers colossal opportunities, and all of the data is accessible to you. Chuck Hemann and Ken Burbary will help you chop the problem down to size, solve every piece of the puzzle, and integ...

For many CIOs, the value they deliver is elusive. It’s not that they do not create positive business outcomes, it’s that they have a hard time demonstrating value for the money spent. As a result, many IT leaders find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of defending their budgets, cutting resources when times are tight, and struggling to keep pace with an insatiable business appetite for innovation. Meanwhile, business leaders increasingly rely on the cloud and other third parties for th...

The role of the Chief Marketing Officer has never been more complex—or more critical. As the marketing profession rapidly evolves, today’s CMOs and tomorrow’s marketing leaders are expected to balance visionary strategy with precise operational execution.The Next CMO: A Guide to Operational Marketing Excellence delivers a practical framework to help you meet that challenge head-on. Drawing on decades of experience leading marketing teams at startups and mu...

Best practices for implementing Lean techniques in retail and wholesale “Lean Retail & Wholesale is a highly insightful and succinct guide to lean application and a valuable resource for any retailer or wholesaler seeking a competitive edge.” --APICS Magazine, January/February 2015 “Essential reading for those who want to learn how Lean provides a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced, multi-channel, and cost-conscious environment.” --Mark Temkin, Director, D...

Used in conjunction with PMI’s PMBOK® Guide — Fifth Edition (2013), this concise study guide presents all the fundamental knowledge, concepts, exercises, practice questions, and simulated exams needed to prepare for and successfully pass the CAPM® exam on your first try. However, this book is much more than a study guide. It is a valuable desk reference that project team members can use to improve their effectiveness and contribution to the success of a project and is also a good ...