Managing The Professional Service Firm PDF Download

Author: David H. Maister
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1471109658
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 479

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Book Description
Professional service firms differ from other business enterprises in two distinct ways: first they provide highly customised services thus cannot apply many of the management principles developed for product-based industries. Second, professional services are highly personalised, involving the skills of individuals. Such firms must therefore compete not only for clients but also for talented professionals. Drawing on more than ten years of research and consulting to these unique and creative companies, David Maister explores issues ranging from marketing and business development to multinational strategies, human resources policies to profit improvement, strategic planning to effective leadership. While these issues can be complex, Maister simplifies them by recognising that 'every professional service firm in the world, regardless of size, specific profession, or country of operation, has the same mission statement: outstanding service to clients, satisfying careers for its people and financial success for its owners.'

Author: David H. Maister
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1471108511
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 290

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Book Description
Are some technically competent professionals who work hard and long hours 'true professionals' or are they just cruisers? In this deeply illuminating call to arms, David Maister, the world's premier consultant to professional service firms, vigorously challenges individuals to examine closely the meaning of their work and reach beyond their grasp. The pursuit of the highest standards, Maister argues, is the primary road to commercial success. He presents a visionary reconception of professionalism that encompasses a lifelong dedication to self-improvement, a personal commitment to excellence, and a true spirit of service to clients. Looking first at the individual professional, Maister dares those good corporate citizens who 'do their duty' to discover what they truly love to do. Turning to the institution, Maister focuses on what he calls the 'instability' of professional service firms today, and offers advice on how to invest in skill building. David Maister's message is a recipe for success and for professional satisfaction making TRUE PROFESSIONALISM a worthy successor to his previous writings.

Author: David H. Maister
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1471105687
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
In today's highly competitive realm of professional service firms, the quest for individual stardom is at an all-time high. The temptation to rack up the most billable hours and out-perform one's fellow advisers is often irresistible. But it is also shortsighted and terribly counterproductive, according to world-renowned authority and acclaimed author David Maister. In this groundbreaking book, Maister issues a much-needed wake-up call to today's professional service firms. Arguing that a far greater contribution to a firm's success can come from those who find fulfilment in seeing other's succeed rather than those who assume the role of "most valuable player". The author outlines and discusses in detail the nine key "people" issues upon which successfully managed and profitable organisations rely. Supporting his findings with a range of compelling data, Maister demonstrates how and why firms that emphasise the highest standards of employee professionalism are invariably more financially successful than those that don't.

Author: David H. Maister
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 147110964X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
Beside talent and a sterling portfolio, what can world-class consultants like Deloitte & Touche, Societe General and Towers Perrin boast has helped them achieve success in our entrepreneurial economy? They all have the inside track on the indispensable "Trusted Advisor" model for client relationships, created by renowned experts Charles Green and Robert Galford. Now Green and Galford have teamed up with the acclaimed David Maister in order to help their latest high-profile, fast-forward client: you. In this straightforward guide, Maister, Green and Galford show readers that the key to professional success goes well beyond technical mastery or expertise. Today, it's all about the vital ability to earn the client's trust and thereby win the ability to influence them. In these high risk times, trust is more valuable than gold. With this critical, highly detailed and accessible resource, readers will learn the five crucial steps for developing, managing and improving client confidence. For both emerging and established entrepreneurs and consultants, THE TRUSTED ADVISOR is the first truly indispensable business book of the decade.

Author: Jay W. Lorsch
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
ISBN: 1422163180
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 251

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Book Description
Most businesses rely on talent to succeed, but none so much as professional service firms. Within this rapidly expanding, trillion-dollar industry, professionals--and how they're managed--are the primary source of competitive advantage. In fact, success in this sector is determined more by the people you pay than the people who pay you. This path-breaking book provides readers with a practical and integrated perspective on how to win in the unique and tumultuous world of professional services. From strategy to organization to culture, it offers customized insights for businesses in which professionals drive bottom-line results and long-term company success. Respected academic Jay W. Lorsch and accomplished practitioner Thomas J. Tierney apply their broad experience to the realities of "Monday morning" decision making. Their work reflects decades of personal experience, combined with a rigorous study of outstanding professional service firms in industries that include law, information technology, accounting, advertising, investment banking, executive search, and consulting. Aligning the Stars explains what differentiates the "best of the best" within professional services. By describing how to attract, retain, motivate, organize, and lead the stars that shape a company's destiny, this book provides valuable lessons for the current and future leaders of every talent-driven business.

Author: Thomas J. DeLong
Publisher: Harvard Business Press
ISBN: 1422131068
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
For too long, professional services firms have relied on the “producer-manager” model, which works well in uncomplicated business environments. However, today’s managing directors must balance often conflicting roles, more demanding clients, tougher competitors, and associates with higher expectations of partners at all levels. When Professionals Have to Lead presents an overarching framework better suited to such complexity. It identifies the four critical activities for effective PSF leadership: setting strategic direction, securing commitment to this direction, facilitating execution, and setting a personal example. Through examples from consulting practices, accounting firms, investment banks, and other professional service organizations, industry veterans DeLong, Gabarro, and Lees show how this model works to: • Align your firm’s culture and key organizational components. • Satisfy your clients’ needs without sacrificing essential managerial responsibilities. • Address matters of size, scale, and complexity while maintaining the qualities that make professional services firms unique. A valuable new resource, this book redefines the role of leadership in professional services firms.

Author: Mike Schultz
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118604342
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 373

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Book Description
A proven approach to revenue-generating marketing and client development Professional Services Marketing is a fully field-tested and research-based approach to marketing and client development for professional services firms. The book, now in its Second Edition, covers five key areas that are critical for firms that want to grow and become more profitable: creating a marketing and growth strategy; establishing a brand and reputation; implementing a marketing communications program; executing lead generation strategies; and developing business by winning new clients. You will also read real-world case studies that illustrate major points, as well as quotes and stories from well-respected professionals in the industry. The Second Edition features new research and updates throughout, including new chapters on social media and online marketing, as well as new case studies and interviews Authors Mike Schultz and John E. Doerr are the coauthors of the Wall Street Journal and Inc. Magazine bestseller Rainmaking Conversations and Professional Services Marketing; Lee W. Frederiksen is coauthor of Online Marketing for Professional Services Will be widely promoted via multiple online routes and direct mail marketing Firms of any size can use this proven approach to marketing and client development to attract new clients and grow their professional service businesses.

Author: Thomas Lah
Publisher: Prentice Hall
ISBN: 9780132762106
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
Coverage includes: chartering, organizing, and establishing metrics for professional services; addressing the unique challenges faced by professional services in traditional product companies; and managing a professional services business at every stage of its lifecycle.

Author: Everest Media,
Publisher: Everest Media LLC
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description
Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The mission of every professional service firm is to deliver outstanding client service, provide fulfilling careers and professional satisfaction for their employees, and achieve financial success so that they can reward themselves and grow. #2 The required shape of the organization is primarily determined by the skill requirements of its work. For Brains projects, which involve highly skilled and highly paid professionals, the opportunities to leverage the top professionals with juniors are limited. #3 The three categories of project types are those that involve the highest proportion of junior time, those that involve the highest proportion of senior time, and those that involve both junior and senior time. The choice of project types is one of the most important variables available to balance the firm. #4 The archetypal structure of the professional service firm is an organization containing three professional levels. In a consulting organization, these levels might be labeled junior consultant, manager, and vice president. In a CPA firm, they might be referred to as staff, manager, and partner.

Author: David H. Maister
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780979845710
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
We often (or even usually) know what we should be doing in both personal and professional life. We also know why we should be doing it and (often) how to do it. Figuring all that out is not too difficult. What is very hard is actually doing what you know to be good for you in the long-run, in spite of short-run temptations. The same is true for organizations. What is noteworthy is how similar (if not identical) most firms' strategies really are: provide outstanding client service, act like team players, provide a good place to work, invest in your future. No sensible firm (or person) would enunciate a strategy that advocated anything else. However, just because something is obvious does not make it easy. Real strategy lies not in figuring out what to do, but in devising ways to ensure that, compared to others, we actually do more of what everybody knows they should do. This simple insight, if accepted, has profound implications for How organizations should think about strategy How they should think about clients, marketing and selling and How they should think about management. In 18 chapters, Maister explores the fat smoker syndrome and how individuals, managers and organizations can overcome the temptations of the short-term and actually do what they already know is good for them.