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Rating: 
Summary: Best management book this century
Review: Takes Reinventing Government to the next level. Very readable yet provides specific directions on how to apply total quality management and performance management to create public organizations that function efficiently and develop public budgets that lead to results valued by citizens.The best management book I have read this century. Recipes for successful public management.
Rating:
Summary: Should be mandatory reading for government decision-makers
Review: The authors of this book clearly describe the current atmosphere of permanent fiscal crisis at every level of government. They describe certain trends that are scary, such as the ever-growing cost of healthcare/Medicare.
Then they lay out a practical approach that is different from the normal budgeting process. What's great is that they speak as practitioners, having done actual consulting and having seen the fruits of this approach. This is very different from the ultimately empty rhetoric of most books on "fixing government" which might sound great but are usually completely theoretical, since the books are usually written with a "this ought to work" mindset, as opposed to "this is what has worked."
Rating:
Summary: Highly Valuable, Depth, Practical
Review: There is no question today that governments-at all levels-are in dire fiscal straits. Years of political maneuvering, wasteful spending, mismanagement, and an economic roller-coaster have taken their toll. While wonderful innovation has been seen in a number of government agencies at the federal, state, and local level, most have a very long way to go. The resistance to change must be overcome if we are to avoid widespread bankruptcy of the very organizations that we, as taxpayers and citizens, rely on for shared services and support. Change is a community effort, not just something to be delegated to a few elected or appointed officials. But the work to be done is akin to hugging a hippopotamus...especially if the animal doesn't want to be hugged! The authors are consultants-which could be considered good news or bad news. In this case, it's good news. They are founder and senior partner of Public Strategies Group, a firm specializing in the field of improving government. Osborne is author of the best-seller, "Reinventing Government." These authors have the credentials that cry out how valuable their book might be. The five sections of the book organize their huge volume of information, commentary, and advice: Smarter Budgeting, Smarter Sizing, Smarter Spending, Smarter Management, and Smarter Leadership. Through fifteen chapters the authors describe what's been happening, the impact, what changes could-or should-be made, and what benefits will result. There are no illustrations in this book-a few charts; it's straight text in page after intriguing page. Tremendous content that can be absorbed in a straight-through read or studied in a reference book fashion. Community leaders will find an incredible amount of material to work with in these pages. The question is how many communities will have sufficiently strong and committed leadership-political and apolitical-to overcome the resistance of tradition and self-serving turf protection in order to bring about critically needed change. If you can build the community resources to make the needed improvements, this book will be a real treasure for exploring opportunities and finding wise solutions.
Rating:
Summary: A blueprint for better government
Review: This book is about our future--the one we can have if we choose the difficult path of dramatic change. The authors present a convincing argument that we don't have to choose between higher taxes or service cuts. There are great opportunities for getting more from government services with the taxes we are willing to pay. The authors lay out a blueprint for pursuing those opportunities starting by radically changing the way governments do budgeting. The success stories are compelling. This is stimulating reading to anyone interested in getting better results for the dollar. I loved the chapter on politics and the argument for leading from the radical center.
Rating:
Summary: A blueprint for better government
Review: This book is about our future--the one we can have if we choose the difficult path of dramatic change. The authors present a convincing argument that we don't have to choose between higher taxes or service cuts. There are great opportunities for getting more from government services with the taxes we are willing to pay. The authors lay out a blueprint for pursuing those opportunities starting by radically changing the way governments do budgeting. The success stories are compelling. This is stimulating reading to anyone interested in getting better results for the dollar. I loved the chapter on politics and the argument for leading from the radical center.
Rating:
Summary: THE PRICE OF GOVERNMENT
Review: This book is the best information guide, to anyone who is a part
of their CITY,COUNTY,OR STATE budget system faceing a crisis in
this trying era of our country,It's detail spells out the planning on how to best help the budget,system.It is easily
read and to understand.Very well thought out,and will be very
benificial if followed.
R.H."BOB" PUNG SR
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