Most businesses rely on talent to succeed, but none so much as professional service firms. Within this rapidly expanding, trillion-dollar industry, professionals--and how they're managed--are the primary source of competitive advantage. In fact, success in this sector is determined more by the people you pay than the people who pay you. This path-breaking book provides readers with a practical and integrated perspective on how to win in the unique and tumultuous world of professional services. From strategy to organization to culture, it offers customized insights for businesses in which professionals drive bottom-line results and long-term company success. Respected academic Jay W. Lorsch and accomplished practitioner Thomas J. Tierney apply their broad experience to the realities of "Monday morning" decision making. Their work reflects decades of personal experience, combined with a rigorous study of outstanding professional service firms in industries that include law, information technology, accounting, advertising, investment banking, executive search, and consulting. Aligning the Stars explains what differentiates the "best of the best" within professional services. By describing how to attract, retain, motivate, organize, and lead the stars that shape a company's destiny, this book provides valuable lessons for the current and future leaders of every talent-driven business.

On the surface, Cosimo Garibaldi is young, handsome, charming, and somewhat naïve, considering he's a member of a royal family. Given his looks and his pedigree, he is rarely at a loss for admirers. Then he meets Megan Walker, an American humanities professor vacationing in Paris who seems both unaware of his status and immune to his charms. Cosimo finds her aloofness refreshing as well as challenging, so he does his best to win her over. A week later Megan returns home to Boston believing their romance was nothing more than a brief suspension from reality. Meanwhile, Cosimo can't seem to forget her and begins to formulate a plan for their reunion. Unfortunately, his mother, Princess Maria-Carmella, has other plans for him. When Cosimo resurfaces in Boston several months later, Megan fears that her simple, carefully choreographed life will be upended. As for Cosimo, he's afraid that the secrets he's been keeping from her will scare her away. And they just might, as one by one Megan discovers the truth about him. Megan's life gets even more complicated when she finds herself keeping a secret of her own. A secret that will have her come face to face with Princess Maria-Carmella, a powerful and devious woman who will go to any lengths to protect the family name. When Stars Align is about the serendipitous nature of life and love. It is a tale that is both tragic and comic. And all the more so because it is inspired by the true story of the last prince of Italy.

How to make your stars align so you wake up every morning feeling like you've won the lottery.The phrase "when the stars align" means that things have come together just right. Is it chance? Luck? An accident? Divine intervention?None of the above. Les M. Goldberg says we can make the stars align for ourselves, and in this book, he explains how.Goldberg has distilled decades of experience and accumulated wisdom in this uplifting guide. Easy to read and packed with practical advice, When All the Stars Align delivers step-by-step instructions on how to turn the rich, fulfilling life of your dreams into reality.

Oklahoma has long been recognized for its premier career-tech education system. The difference between Oklahoma’s system and those in other states is its unique form of governance and funding not found anywhere else in the country. To make this visionary system possible an amendment to the Oklahoma constitution was required. Amending Oklahoma’s constitution was not an easy task and required support from both republicans and democrats, the governor, both houses of the legislature, the public and private sectors as well as the media. Such bipartisan cooperation seems unrealistic in today’s polarized political climate, but it happened in 1966 because of the courageous and unselfish leadership of a few outstanding Oklahomans who had a vision of how their state could accomplish something in education that would be the envy of the nation. All the stars had to align themselves in just the right way to make it possible. This is how it happened.

Be swept away by this powerful New Adult novel set amongst the sandy beaches and sparkling stars of Puerto Rico. Perfect for fans of Jessica Clare, Kristen Proby and Monica Murphy. Their passion burned hotter than the stars... Nothing's been easy for Jo Kramer. But when she earns a coveted spot on a prestigious science internship in Puerto Rico, she won't let anything distract her. Not the past she's trying to escape, not the difficult professors, and definitely not her hot, chiselled research partner. For Adam McCay, physics is simple - it's women who are complicated. Especially brilliant, beautiful ones like Jo. He can feel the heat smouldering beneath Jo's icy exterior, and he's determined to be the one to make her melt... Jo and Adam indulge in every desire under the endless stars of a tropical sky. But their summer together is coming to an end. Will their passion survive beyond this island paradise? Don't miss Jeanette Grey's spellbindingly sexy and addictive novel Seven Nights To Surrender, coming soon.

In this thrilling fantasy novel, four troubled girls are chosen to perform in an upcoming band. After recovering from mysteriously related accidents, they all accept the offer and are swept away to the foreboding Lotus Tower. As the story continues, these girls discover that this magical place is not what they expected. Chaos and drama ensue, unfolding a riveting world of friendships and rivalries. Readers will experience moments of heartbreaking truths and intriguing backstories guaranteed to satisfy their hunger for adventure.

Celestia is no ordinary princess . . . In the land of Duwazo, Princess Celestia lives with her overbearing mother, spending her days training to become queen. Sick of the confines of royal life, she runs away. It doesn't take long for her to discover she's the key to an ancient prophecy, with a destiny she's not sure she can live up to. Her world is turned upside down by a chance meeting with a handsome stranger. With the help of a couple other companions they meet along the way, she reaches The Oracle, learning exactly what she was destined to do. But will she be able to fulfill the prophecy before the stars align? Or will it be too late?