The definition and measurement of productivity in services raises important conceptual, methodological and strategic problems. This book aims to provide a critical review of the main debates on productivity in the domain of services. The first part examines the theoretical consequences of services specificities on the concept of productivity and reviews the attempts to measure it. The second part is devoted to the main determinants of productivity growth and the strategies to increase productivity in service firms and organisations. Read more...

In Investing from the Top Down, Anthony Crescenzi, esteemed financial author and chief bond strategist for Miller Tabak and Co., explains how to develop new, highly effective investment strategies by taking a macro view of the factors shaping industries and markets. Emphasizing the importance of economic and market cycles (as opposed to a bottom-up approach, which places valuation ahead of the big picture) top-down investing is better suited for today's global economy and will likely become the dominant strategy in the future. Crescenzi provides more than fifty tools for analyzing domestic and international trends and indicators, such as GDP growth rates, inflation, interest and exchange rates, and energy prices. He then explains how to narrow your search down to region, total sales, price levels, competition, and entry/exit from market to make astute buying and selling decisions. Crescenzi explains why “thematic” investing is the ideal approach for: Taking full advantage of exchange traded funds (ETFs) Using the policies of central banks to steer your investments Designing diversification best suited for the long term Using sector selection to insulate your portfolio from risk Maximizing profits when market sentiment spikes or plummets Investing from the Top Down covers every major financial instrument and investment choice, from bonds, treasuries, and currencies to real estate, private equity, and emerging markets. Crescenzi concludes with an extensive list of Read more...

Step-by-Step, Full-Color Graphics! Get your eBay business started right away--the QuickSteps way. Color screenshots and clear instructions show you how to establish and run a profitable eBay business in no time. Follow along and learn how to create a business plan, build inventory, set up processing centers, create appealing listings, set up an eBay store, and market your business. YouAnd#39;ll also find out how to become an eBay Trading Assistant, use eBay sales outlets, and even raise money for your nonprofit on eBay. Use these handy guideposts: Shortcuts for accomplishing common tasks Need-to-know facts in concise narrative Helpful reminders or alternate ways of doing things Bonus information related to the topic being covered Errors and pitfalls to avoid Read more...

In The Certifiable Salesperson, bestselling author and sales guru Tom Hopkins and leading sales consultant Laura Laaman help readers master the art of selling. Through the sales journey of a character named " Steve, " readers will learn the secret to a successful sales career. Containing simple strategies that have proven successful in today’ s economy, this book can help any salesperson in any industry improve th numbers within no time. Tom Hopkins (Scottsdale, AZ) carries the standard as a master sales trainer and is recognized as the world’ s leading authority on selling techniques and salesmanship. Laura Laaman (Rochester, NY) was one of the top salespeople in America. She founded Executive Training Consultants in 1989 to help progressive salespeople and companies succeed. "If you are a salesperson, you will find yourself in this book. Treat it like your road map to success and you will be a professional salesperson." – Willis Turner, CSE President, Sales and Marketing Executives International, Inc. "This action–oriented book covers the best practices of top sales performers in all critical areas. The lessons are easy to learn and they will help you forge more rewarding customer relationships, a higher income, and a richer career satisfaction. A must–read for any salesperson who wants to improve and reach the next level of success." – Gerhard Gschwandtner, founder and Publisher, Selling Power magazine "As a professor teaching MBA students for twenty years, Read more...

This guide helps to create an army of advocates for you and your business. Word-of-mouth, person-to-person connections matter more to your success than all the hard-sell strategies in the world. This ingenious self-marketing guide by America’s number 1 “Referral Guru” reveals surefire secrets that will help you to identify, and successfully meet, hundreds of high-quality referrals. Without spending a dime, you can shorten your sales cycle, increase your profits, and expand your network of friends and contacts - by giving them something to talk about. In this book you’ll discover: -The 7 Deadly Referral Mistakes and How to Avoid Them -12 Ways to Get Great Prospects Calling You -10 Social Prospecting Ideas That Generate Referrals -6 Tactics for Stronger Introductions -How to Ask for Referrals Without Begging or Pushing -plus the 4-Point VIPS method[trademark] for asking for referrals Whether you’re a small business owner, self-employed worker, or company salesperson, referrals are the most inexpensive and effective way to drum up business. With Cates’ techniques, you can establish a real name for yourself by making more connections, and more money, than you ever thought possible. ‘I dare you to read this book and not come away with a dozen or more ideas you can put to use immediately’ - Gerhard Gschwandtner, publisher, “Selling Power” magazine. Read more...

Sales An Effective New Sales Program for Finding New Prospects, Uncovering Their Needs, and Writing Their Orders You are a professional salesperson. And to improve your closing ratio, you must gain access to the right people, at the time they want to hear you, with the message they want to hear--every day. "Sales Techniques "is filled with insightful, proven concepts, tools, and techniques for delivering superior numbers to your company by first delivering compelling value to your customers. Whatever your product or service, this newest addition to McGraw-Hill's hands-on, results-focused Briefcase Books series will arm you with: Step-by-step strategies for successfully implementing the all-new IMPACT Selling SystemTM Powerful qualifying questions to determine whether someone is a buyer or a tire-kicker 10 ways to position yourself more effectively, and 6 common but fatal mistakes While breakthrough success in sales is extraordinarily difficult to achieve, the rules can be remarkably straightforward. Let "Sales Techniques "introduce you to those rules, and provide you with distinctive, up-to-date ideas and strategies for using them to consistently turn prospects into buyers. Briefcase Books are written "specifically "for today's busy professional. Each book features eye-catching icons, checklists, and sidebars to guide professionals step-by-step through everyday workplace situations. Look for these innovative design features to help you navigate through eac Read more...

Guide to finding out if the sales industry is right for you. Explains the industry and the many types of jobs in it; and shows how to assess your skills, traits, and personal characteristics and how they would fit with a career in sales. Analyzes what sales jobs pay; including salary, bonus, commission, and other compensation structures. Read more...

The key challenges facing China in the next two decades derive from the ongoing process of urbanization. China`s urbanization rate in 2005 was about 43%. Over the next 10-15 years, China s urbanization rate is expected to rise to well over 50% adding an additional 200 million mainly rural migrants to the current urban population of 560 million. How China copes with such a large migration flow will strongly influence rural-urban inequality, the pace at which urban centers expand their economic performance, and the urban environment. The growing population will necessitate a big push strategy to maintain high rate of investment in housing and the urban physical infrastructure and urban services. To finance such expansion will require a significant strengthening and diversification of China s financial system. Growing cities will greatly increase consumption of energy and water. Containing this without at the same time constraining the economic performance of cities or the improvement in the standards of living will call for enlightened policies, strategies, careful urban planning, and significant technological advances. China Urbanizes: Consequences, Strategies, and Policies identifies the key developments to watch and discusses the policies that would affect the course as well as the fruitfulness of change. Read more...

The average student loan debt has reached almost $20,000. Credit card debt continues to rise at staggering levels. Please Send Money provides young adults with the tools they need to navigate the tumultuous world of personal finance with smart advice from leading expert Dara Duguay, Director of Citigroup's Office of Financial Education. Dozens of eye-opening, real-life stories chronicle the financial mistakes commonly made by young people and present an array of solutions. Duguay covers topics including: --Avoiding the traps of easy credit --How to manage car payments --The dangers of using student loans for personal needs and wants --Dealing with bankruptcy --Overcoming material temptations Please Send Money contains useful financial tools for determining budget, net worth, cost of credit, and safe debt levels. It's a book that no young adult should be without. Read more...