Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management

Peter F. Drucker is known as the "management guru's management guru". The articles in this book explain the reason. Each article is a landmark in the field of management.In the preface Drucker shows why he has become so famous. He shows his strength of recognising trends and how these trends will affect business, people, and society. This preface is followed by a short introduction from the editor.The book consists of two Parts, The Manager's Responsibilities and The Executive's World, with each consisting of 6 Harvard Business Review-articles (out of 32 articles and growing). The book also includes an interesting preface, an introduction by Harvard Business Review-editor Nan Stone, and an interview with Peter Drucker.In Part I - The Manager's Responsibilities, the articles discuss the managerial responsibilities of the manager, although Drucker prefers the term "executive". The articles discuss general management such as the decision-making process, effective management, strategic management, and innovation.Part II - The Executive's World, Drucker discusses the history of management, the transformation from the traditional command-and-control model to knowledge-based organizations, information technology, and non-profit management.The book concludes with an interview with Peter Drucker, which is based on his 1995-book 'Post-Capitalist Society'.The book deserves the five-star rating since each article is fantastic. Perhaps some of them overlap, but it is amazing that some of the articles written in the 1960s are still very valid today. Drucker's writing style is simple US-English.

This is a collection of articles written, over a period of many years, for the Harvard Business Review and now published by the Harvard Business School Press. They were selected and organized by Nan Stone. Each is a classic.Other business books three times greater in length offer about a third of what this anthology does in terms of substance. In Part I, Drucker examines "The Manager's Responsibilities" and in Part II, "The Executive's World." When nearing his 90th birthday, Drucker observes that he is "not comfortable with the word manager any more, because it implies subordinates." This is a revealing comment in light of what the word profession literally means: "to make a public declaration or vow." For Drucker, professionals are those who have crystal clear, non-negotiable values and make a total commitment to them. Drucker may have doubts about the word "manager" but certainly has no doubts about the absolute importance of having impeccable integrity. He reaffirms his conviction that the "fundamental task of management remains the same: to make people capable of joint performance by giving them common goals, common values, the right structure, and the ongoing training and development they need to perform and to respond to change." Are there any predictions in Peter Drucker on the Profession of Management? No. Rather, Drucker examines the implications of a future "that has already happened." Only time will tell who prove equal to the challenges he has so eloquently identified. Authentic professionals are those who combine talent and skill with character. The challenges which await them will surely test their talent and skill but must never be allowed to compromise their character.

This book is yet another outstanding of Mr. Drucker's genius for both seasoned and intermediate managers. Regardless of one's academic background the insight and wealth of each Chapter is overwhelming. The format and ideas are presented in an exceptional fashion and certainly represent a rich and complete compendium of issues that are confronted on a daily basis by managers around the world.

If you want to make a difference then you need to read this book! In this Internet/computer connected world we live in today we need tools. I also recommend "Life and Death on the Internet" by Keith A. Schroeder. It is the world we live in.

Drucker's writing style makes it easy to understand, grasp, and put to work the pearls he has gathered over his 90+ years. No matter where you are in management, whether seasoned professional or new entrepreneur, if you read this compilation of Drucker's timeless articles (originally printed in the Harvard Business Review), you will come away with greater respect and understanding of the simple truths of business wisdom. He gives you the 10% of the knowledge that provides 90% of the benefit in all the major management skill sets. Our business is providing economically focused innovation, and I have to say that Drucker's analysis of what is innovation, how to go about it, what the important elements are, and how to make it pay, is the best I've ever read. If you only have time for one management book, let this it the one.