Essential Drucker

Peter F. Drucker (1909–2005) was born in Vienna and educated in Australia and England. From 1929 he was a newspaper correspondent abroad and an economist for an international bank in London. From 1937 he was based in the United States, first as an economist for a group of British banks and insurance companies, and later as a management consultant to several of the country’s largest companies, as well as leading companies abroad. Drucker had a distinguished career as a teacher, first as a Professor of Politics and Philosophy at Bennington College, then for more than twenty years as Professor of Management at the Graduate Business School of New York University. From 1971 to 2002 he was Clarke Professor of Social Science at Claremont Graduate School in California. Drucker was regarded as the founding father of the study of management and in 2002 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

"...required reading for management students and practitioners alike ... a highly readable single volume survey of concepts that would otherwise involve reading nearly 30 separate books ...this is an extremely useful and thought-provoking compendium. Read 'The Essential Drucker' and become an instant expert on this most durable of management writers." People Management "This is effectively a whole business library and refresher MBA course in one readable volume that wears its enormous wisdom lightly enough to make good holiday reading. It is stuffed with practical & inspirational advice, as useful to owner-managers of small businesses as to blue-chip board directors or administrators of non-profitmaking organisations" Carol Kennedy, Director

• Part One - Management - Management as social function and liberal art; the dimensions of management; the purpose and objectives of a business; what the non-profits are teaching business; social impacts and social problems; management's new paradigm; information executives need today; management by objectives and self control; picking people - the basic rules; the entrepreneurial business; the new venture; entrepreneurial strategies. Part Two - the Individual - effectiveness must be learned; focus on contribution; know your strengths and values; know your time; effective decisions; functioning communication; leadership as a work; principles of innovation; the second half of your life; the educated person. Part Three - Society - a century of social transformation; the coming of entrepreneurial society; citizenship through the social sector; from analysis to perception.