Best Practices: Evaluating Performance

May 15, 2007
In its new "Best Practices" series, currently made up of eight titles by five different authors, Collins has succeeded on two levels, for these slim and tall (4 by 8") paperbacks function well not only as stand-alone titles but also as part of the larger series devoted to better business management and communication. Management and human resources personnel are the target audience (althoughCommunicating Effectively andTime Management would be useful for all professionals). Each book contains four or five quick chapters (e.g., Achieving Goals outlines "Goal-Setting Basics," "Developing Goals That Work," "The Manager's Role in Setting Goals," "Managing Goals," and "Evaluating Goal Achievement"), followed by an "Off and Running" summary, a comprehensive list of recommended readings (primarily HarperCollins business titles), and an index. Each book is attractively designed and offers a variety of sidebars, including "Self-Assessment Quizzes," "Case Files," "Power Points" (specific tips), "Quotes" (many from well-known business people), "Do's & Don'ts," and "Red Flags." The authors are mainly business journalists: Silverstein is a business writer and management consultant, Shwiff a business editor at the New JerseyDaily Record, Hoover the author or coauthor of 12 previous management books, Schienle a principal with Greer Marketing Communications, and Kranz a freelance journalist and speaker. These books could work well as introductory or refresher texts and are designed to fit into suit pockets and carry-ons. Unfortunately, this size raises challenges for libraries, from labeling and shelving to their staying in the collection. Nonetheless, the practical information and valuable recommended reads make these volumes a worthy purchase for both public and academic libraries.Sarah Statz Cords, Madison P.L., WI

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