This book demonstrates how Action Learning can quickly and effectively be introduced, implemented, and sustained in any type or size of organization. Today's rapidly changing and globally competitive business environment mandates that 2 st century leaders develop new models and innovative learning processes of organizational leadership. To meet these shifting needs, Action Learning has emerged as a key training and problem-solving tool for companies as diverse as Nokia, Samsung, Boeing, GE, Motorola, Marriott, General Motors, Deutsche Bank, and British Airways. These and hundreds of other companies around the world now employ Action Learning for strategic planning to develop managers, identify competitive advantages, reduce operating costs, and create high-performing teams. What exactly is Action Learning? Simply described, it is a dynamic process that involves a small group of people solving real organizational problems, while focusing on how their learning can benefit individuals, groups, and the larger organization. The emphasis on learning is what makes this process strategic rather than tactical in equipping leaders to more effectively respond to change. This book demonstrates how Action Learning can quickly and effectively be introduced, implemented, and sustained in any type or size of organization using six key components: a diverse group of 4 to 8 members an urgent task or problem a question-driven communication process implementation of action strategies a commitment to learning and an Action Learning team coach. The book features useful business case examples that illustrate the power of Action Learning in successfully developing leaders, solving problems, building teams, and transforming organizations. Recent developments that include skilled coaching and question-based dialogue make it an even more powerful tool in leadership and organizational development.
This is a study of the intellectual history and religious culture of German-speaking Europe in the late Middle Ages. Its focus is the bilingual oeuvre of the Franciscan friar Marquard von Lindau (d. 1392), arguably the most widely-read author in the German language before the Reformation. His most successful works were those in which he considered pragmatic issues of Christian life, aimed at a broad reading public that stretched from monks and nuns living the contemplative life in enclosed convents; to his confreres, novices and students in the mendicant orders; and the literate citizens of the burgeoning mercantile centres. It is three of these pragmatic issues, central to late medieval religious life, around which this book is structured: the Passion of Christ, the sacrament of the Eucharist, and the devotion to the Virgin Mary. The dominant approaches taken towards each of these in the fourteenth-century church represented problematic challenges to Marquard; challenges which he met in a distinctive and influential manner, by no means in accordance with the affectively-charged devotional practices encouraged by many within and without his order, and so often considered normative for late medieval religious culture. The original voice with which Marquard spoke is made clear through the location of his oeuvre within the pan-European context of the debates in which his works participate. The ethos his works projected redetermined the trajectory of intellectual life in Germany into the fifteenth century and beyond.
Rube Marquard's life was touched by success and scandal at nearly every turn. In 1906, the teenage pitcher defied his father and became a ballplayer. Two years later, the Giants purchased his contract for the then record $11,000. He soon became the best left-handed pitcher in the game; over the course of his career he won 201 games, threw a no-hitter and pitched in five World Series. Off the field, Marquard was a master at marketing himself, recreating his story as it suited him. He wrote his own newspaper column, starred in movies, delighted crowds by catching balls thrown off high buildings, and even appeared as a female impersonator. But it was his affair and brief marriage with vaudeville sensation Blossom Seeley that caused the most uproar. Along with Seeley, Marquard became the toast of Broadway to the chagrin of his baseball fans. Throughout his life, the pitcher re-created his story as it suited him; his largely fanciful account of his career in Lawrence Ritter's Glory of Their Times (1966) was largely responsible for his election to the Hall of Fame in 1971. This book gives for the first time the true story of one of the most colorful and controversial baseball players of the century.
January 2025 updated and revised edition featuring corrections, epilogue, endnotes and a person index. The Marquard family built thousands of homes throughout Greater Cleveland and were pioneer developers of the west side and suburbs. Dating back to 1869, they were known as builders of "Homes Beautiful" and as Cleveland's oldest home builder. Phil H. Marquard was the entrepreneur behind this vast undertaking. Along with with his family, he created a lasting business, architectural and philanthropic legacy. That legacy is embodied in the West Park mansion he built for his large family. Known as "The Big House," its roots go back to the Civil War era and it was home to many hundreds of Clevelanders throughout its storied history. The book also details the author's campaign to preserve this stately relic from the wrecking ball. This is the story of the man, his family, the eponymous businesses and that big old house against a historic backdrop of some of the best and worst times in the country's history. The book includes over 350 historic photos and images. The author may be contacted at [email protected]
An explanation of the philosophy called Intequinism. Bertrand Russell came to the conclusion that Truth and Love are the two most important ideas to respect. Intequinism rationalises Russell's conclusion, independently of his thought, in the context of intequity (capital of ideas), which is important for sustainable creative economies. Teaching and spreading entrepreneurship is, in a sense, propaganda, without other necessary information, needed to take informed decisions. Religions and Philosophy are closely interconnected with World economics. The book explains the connections, and shows the negative influence religions and utilitarian philosophy have on creativity. A new economic system, in which the two ideas, Truth and Love, are respected, is promoted.
