New Material
- Management – Leaders, Chapter 1
Since writing the first edition of The ABZs, there have been hundreds of books and extensive research on managers and leaders. This chapter is intended to report on some of this research and help you visualize your role as both manager and leader.
- Boards and Commissions, Chapter 11
We may not like all your boards and commissions, but planners need to learn how to work with them.
- Building Permits, Chapter 18
Cities and counties used to want me to review their planning program. However, today the desire is to reform the entire permitting process, so planners need to know more about the building permit, engineering and other related functions.
- Stress, Chapter 13
Many planners were stressed out in 1997, and I find many are today – a needed topic.
- Budgeting, Chapter 21
In my classes, I always ask which departments need more staff. Invariably it is: all of them. Yet, in my consulting practice, I find few departments that know how to make the case in their budget. This chapter will show you how to do it.
- Technology, Chapter 22
I was hesitant to write this chapter since technology is changing so rapidly. Hopefully these ideas can help you keep up the pace. It was written by my firm’s technology expert, with lots of input from our head planner.
- Office Space, Chapter 24
Managers have the responsibility to see that staff has a workable and invigorating environment.
- Measurement, Chapter 27
The need for using measurement as a management tool has taken on increased importance since the 1990’s.
- Consultant Selection, Chapter 28
Outsourcing has hit the private sector, and it is on its way to the public sector. This chapter will help you get prepared.
- Other Office Management Issues, Chapter 29
Lots of new ideas here to help you run a better shop.
- Benchmarking, Chapter 33
We can learn from each other and this chapter will tell you how
