Managing in the Next Society

In this book, Peter F. Drucker provided his assessment of social, economic, and organizational developments of the near future. It might be tempting to discount this important work as just another set of predictions. Yet, coming from Drucker, the insights contained in this book are realities rather than possibilities. The book is about our future, as it is clearly seen by a brilliant visionary-the future, which is described to us with the patience and repetition of a great teacher, so we can internalize and begin to act on its implications even before the rest of us are able to distinguish its features.

Peter Drucker integrates modern information technology with thebusiness and organizational dynamics of the present and future.For instance, he explains how E-Commerce is to informationservices as the rails were to the Industrial Revolution.For sure, we are in the throes of a modern information revolutionaccording to Drucker. People can purchase autos by E-mailthrough CarDirect and commerce is growing exponentially onE-bay. According to Drucker, the new economy is not here yet; however, it is approaching like a speeding train. The authorcautions us not to reject the unexpected success because it may not be an outgrowth of your earlier planning. Druckerencourages companies to develop and reward the entrepreneurialspirit. He indicates the importance of preserving autonomyin institutions. In addition, he cites strategies for dealingwith fragmentation in organizations. The present and futurework force will consist of knowledge workers having vastly different perspectives than employees of the past. This bookis perfect for anyone daring to peer into the future of organizational dynamics.

This is my first book by Peter Drucker and I regret not reading him earlier! This man thinks differently and offers tremendously enlightening perspective about the past, the present, and the future of business. He is now 90 years old and has been a notable intellectual figure for almost 70 yrs. His advice and outlook, therefore, is unique and invaluable because it is based on at least 70 years of top notch analysis. It is also somewhat amusing when he reminiesces about his old days (like the 1930s) when the widespread usage of the telephone in the office was considered a productivity breakthrough.I am now convinced that if you really want to understand business, then you must read Peter Drucker. This man is THE guru among the business thinkers for a reason.

Well, He is the biggest name in clasical management guru, and he has contributed so much for the management. I don't think he will write a real-whole-book again. So we will savour his thoughts in any way we can. This is the past writings on many places colected into a book. It is still very concise, clear and have great insight as usual. There is nothing breakthrough here, but the vast Drucker's fans still can find a lot of insights to think about.

Dr. F. R. Bosch an apologist, researcher, and lecturer who integrates [Biblical] faith and knowledge, is a full-time university professor in Southern California, U.S.A."Managing in the Next Society" should be a challenging and thought-provoking book for both novices and management pros alike. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to take a hold of and manage their lives (personal as well as corporate). It is not a quick fix, how to, fad type book. The format resembles sitting in a comfortable place and having a conversation with one who draws from a vast experiential and knowledge reservoir. The book invites the reader to take a peak outside their world. It calls one to look around the corner, where the yesterdays and today may be leading. Prof. Drucker marshals from his rich experience and knowledge the critical factors that will affect and bring about radical changes to the way we manage our individual and corporate lives in the future. He successfully accomplishes this by using brief historical cyclical analogies to show how their fundamental causes have brought about similar results at different times. Although Prof. Drucker speaks of "change agent," "organized abandonment," and "organized and continuous improvement," these are not to be understood as radical paradigm shifts where the fundamentals are lost. Instead, they are best understood in the context of two earlier books, which help to understand and further appreciate what he is saying. Namely, that the "Fundamentals do not change. But the specifics to manage them do change greatly with changes in internal and external conditions," and that "there is a need for continuity in respect to the fundamentals...because change is a constant...the foundations have to be extra strong" (Managing in Turbulent Times, p. 9; Management Challenges for the 21st Century, p. 92). Chapters three and four are especially beneficial as we undergo the Information Revolution. They describe the need to differentiate between "data" and "information." This seems pertinent since we often lump together and take their meanings for granted. The chapters suggest how to use information effectively and efficiently with their far-reaching implications. The book addresses the new economy, offers accurate accounting practices that facilitate effective management and decision making. It also portrays the new working environment of the future. Drucker extensively goes into the knowledge environment, staffing, continuing education, and the notion of second careers for the over fifty, as well as addressing other aspects of the next society.