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Procrastination is the focus of mega-selling One Minute Manager Ken Blanchard's latest business fable. Blanchard, and co-author Steve Gottry, tell the tale of "Manager Bob," the uber procrastinator, whose lateness, missed deadlines, and lack of priorities have put his job in jeopardy. And Bob is not alone. "If you study the personal and corporate crash and burns of this world, you'll discover that procrastinators move to the head of the class."
The authors create a dialogue between Bob and a fictional chief effectiveness officer who introduces a three-step strategy to work "on-time and on-target." The first technique "create priority," is explained in terms of triage, a battlefield term for assigning an order of medical treatment on the basis of urgency. Next, Bob encounters the intriguing notion of "Propriety" expressed in the format of a succinct "Bill of Rights": Am I doing the right thing, for the right person, at the right time, with the right reasons? Finally, Manager Bob learns to distinguish between interest and commitment and the deeper meaning of yes and no.
Each of the three strategies underline the premise of procrastination as a failure to define what is important. Occasionally, their message is sidetracked by cuteness, (nicknames for Bob) confusion, (calling the approach a "3-P strategy" ignores the C in commitment) and a contrived ending where Bob becomes the chief effectiveness officer. Still, the center holds with practical techniques, explained with brevity and clarity. Blanchard and Gottry know how to make a long story short. --Barbara Mackoff
From AudioFile
Nonperformers, late performers, and the stress connected to both in complex organizations are targeted in Ken Blanchard's latest writing collaboration. The audio lesson is cleverly framed as an opportunity to be one's best--and the story used to unfold the lesson is both charming and current. Performance oversights and delays ripple through every person and every level of an organization by forcing people to work under pressure, worry about mistakes, and become accustomed to problems that diminish the company. Not a step-by-step manual, the program offers broad principles on the emotional changes that have to take place before any behavioral steps can take hold. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Book Description
Ken Blanchard's phenomenal bestsellers, such as The One Minute Manager and Raving Fans, have made him a globally recognized business legend. Millions look to Blanchard for innovative approaches to management, leadership, customer service, and much more. Now, he has joined with noted business author Steve Gottry to explore one of the most common and insidious problems plaguing the workplace -- procrastination.
The On-Time, On-Target Manager is the story of Bob, a typical middle manager who puts things off to the last minute. As a result, he misses deadlines because his lack of focus causes him to accomplish meaningless tasks before getting to the important things. Like many professionals, Bob rationalizes, justifies, and tries to explain. Luckily, Bob is sent to his company's CEO -- which stands for "Chief Effectiveness Officer" -- who helps him deal with the three negative side effects of procrastination: lateness, poor work quality, and stress to himself and others. Bob learns how to transform himself from a crisis-prone Last-Minute manager into a productive On-Time, On-Target manager.
With this engaging parable, Blanchard and Gottry offer practical strategies any professional can put into practice to improve his or her performance.
Book Info
Pocket-size text tells the story of Bob, a typical middle manager who puts things off to the last minute. Using this engaging parable, the authors offer practical strategies any professional can put into practice to improve his or her performance. DLC: Time management.
About the Author
Ken Blanchard, Ph.D., is a prominent, gregarious, sought-after author, speaker, and business consultant. He is usually characterized by friends, colleagues, and clients as one of the most insightful, powerful, and passionate men in business today. Blanchard's impact as a writer is far reaching. His perennial bestsellers include Raving Fans and Whale Done! He is the Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, a full-service global management training and consulting company that he and his wife, Dr. Marjorie Blanchard, founded in 1979 in San Diego. He is also cofounder of The Center for FaithWalk Leadership, a nonprofit ministry committed to challenging and equipping people to Lead Like Jesus.
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