A plain-English guide to managing IT from the customer's perspective Practical guidance on delivering and managing IT so that it meets the multiple needs and demands of a company and its customers and end-users–both inside and outside the organization–is hard to come by; this accessible book takes a common-sense approach that explains exactly what IT services are and how to fit them most effectively into a business Topics include setting a framework, keeping costs down, improving efficiency, and maintaining standards and best practices This concept of how IT should be wired specifically into the goals and need of the company and its customers is part of a broader picture that includes ITIL, BPM, SOA, and Six Sigma

Score your highest in Operations Management Operations management is an important skill for current and aspiring business leaders to develop and master. It deals with the design and management of products, processes, services, and supply chains. Operations management is a growing field and a required course for most undergraduate business majors and MBA candidates. Now, Operations Management For Dummies serves as an extremely resourceful aid for this difficult subject. Tracks to a typical course in operations management or operations strategy, and covers topics such as evaluating and measuring existing systems' performance and efficiency, materials management and product development, using tools like Six Sigma and Lean production, designing new, improved processes, and defining, planning, and controlling costs of projects. Clearly organizes and explains complex topics Serves as an supplement to your Operations Management textbooks Helps you score your highest in your Operations Management course Whether your aim is to earn an undergraduate degree in business or an MBA, Operations Management For Dummies is indispensable supplemental reading for your operations management course.

SOA is the most important initiative facing IT and is difficult to grasp. This book demystifies the topic of SOA and makes it accessible to those people who hear the term but aren't really sure what it means. It covers what SOA is, why it matters, how it can impact businesses, and how to take steps to implement SOA in a corporate environment.

ITIL For Dummies provides an easy-to-understand introduction to using best practice guidance within IT service management. It breaks down the 5 stages of the service lifecycle into digestible chunks, helping you to ensure that customers receive the best possible IT experience. Whether readers need to identify their customers' needs, design and implement a new IT service, or monitor and improve an existing service, this official guide provides a support framework for IT-related activities and the interactions of IT technical personnel with business customers and users. Understanding how ITIL can help you Getting to grips with ITIL processes and the service lifecycle Implementing ITIL into your day to day work Learn key skills in planning and carrying out design and implementation projects

Make your mark in the world of management Good management is vital to the success of every business but being a good manager isn't always easy. This book offers you expert advice on hiring the right staff, building effective teams, resolving office politics and maintaining your own work/life balance. Inside you'll find examples and guidance to help you identify the styles of management you need to succeed and to deal with the challenges of being a manager today. Be the best – learn great techniques for coaching, mentoring and inspiring your employees to perform at their best Get to the point – set goals and targets, and discover how to manage people and projects Connect with others – use effective communication skills and discover the best ways to convey your messages Get political – assess a wide range of management risks and learn key techniques for dealing with office politics Become a 21st-century manager – harness the power of technology and use it to help with budgeting and accounting Open the book and find: How to take the first steps into management Advice on being a truly great interviewer Techniques on developing and mentoring employees Guidance on juggling priorities Why understanding your stakeholders is vital A guide to 21st-century functions of management Learn to: Use the latest management techniques, tools and technology Develop leadership skills and integrate them into your management style Manage a business and team through difficult times Become a great global manager

Customer Service For Dummies, Third Edition integrates the unbeatable information from Customer Service For Dummies and Online Customer Service For Dummies to form an all-in-one guide to customer loyalty for large and small businesses alike. The book covers the fundamentals of service selling and presents up-to-date advice on such fundamentals as help desks, call centers, and IT departments. Plus, it shows readers how to take stock of their customer service strengths and weaknesses, create useful customer surveys, and learn from the successes and failures of businesses just like theirs. Karen Leland and Keith Bailey (Sausalito, CA) are cofounders of Sterling Consulting Group, an international consulting firm specializing in quality service consulting and training for such clients as Oracle, IBM, Avis, and Lucent.