Essentials of Balanced Scorecard (Essentials Series) [Paperback]

Mohan Nair (Author)

Book Description

Series: Essentials Series | Publication Date: April 26, 2004

Balanced scorecard is a widely recognised and accepted performance measurement tool that is currently used in thousands of organisations around the world. This book will help to implement the organisations' balanced scorecard strategies into action by defining performance objectives, measures, and targets in four linked and balanced perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Employee Learning and Growth.
* Explains what balanced scorecard is and addresses the challenges and solutions for its implementation.
* Addresses the concerns of the mid to small corporation as well as the emerging business
* Each chapter provides tips and techniques as well as real world examples

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I wrote this book to share practical examples of implementing BSC.  I found that the secret sauce is in the implementation art form and less in the theory.  After experiencing many implementations, a philosophy emerges and that is what I placed in the book.

From the Back Cover

Full of valuable tips, techniques, illustrative real—world examples, exhibits, and best practices, this handy and concise paperback will help you stay up to date on the newest thinking, strategies, developments, and technologies in balanced scorecard.

"This book provides the executive with a balanced view of the motivation, leadership, process, and technology required to enable Balanced Scorecard. Filled with examples and insights, it is a must—read."
–John V. Harker
Chairman and CEO, InFocus Corporation

"Balanced Scorecard can be a challenge to implement, especially in small companies. This book has mastered the art of communicating how to do it successfully in both small and large businesses as well as in government. Rich with content–yet simple to read, understand, and, most importantly, implement–this book makes Balanced Scorecard understandable and relevant to creating success."
–Patrick M. Cox
Chairman and CEO, Qsent, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471569739
• ISBN-13: 978-0471569732
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mohan Nair brings a broad experience to business transformation as a hightech entrepreneur, educator, strategy consultant and healthcare innovator. He has been in C-level roles in successful emerging businesses as well as the large multi-billion dollar revenue companies. Born and raised in Singapore, he also brings knowledge of how nations transform and has come to learn that lasting business transformation is less about being fast and decisive but more about every employee personally finding "true north" through their own transformation. His most recent book, Strategic Business Transformation, takes 20 years of research and introspection into focus. It brings together personal transformation, cause-driven servant leadership with the business and market aspects of business transformation. It is unique.

Mohan continues to speak to interested audiences. He has written extensively in the Journal of Corporate Finance and Accounting, the Journal of International Servant Leadership and Strategy and Business.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cuts to the chase - practical approach, June 22, 2004

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Balanced Scorecard (Essentials Series) (Paperback)

I've read a number of BSC books, from Kaplan & Norton's original classic, to later works, and this is one of the very few that goes into practical implementation and management of a balanced scorecard.

What makes this book better than the others I've read is the way the author points out the pitfalls as well as the advantages of implementing and using this tool. He is objective and, more importantly, experienced, which is evidenced by how he places the BSC in context. This context is shown in the gap he uncovers between strategic themes, mission/vision/values, competencies, and purpose, and initiatives, objectives, measures and targets. The BSC fills that gap - if properly done and all of the key factors are understood.

I liked the way this book uncovers subtle key factors, such as the differences between strategy and operational effectiveness (often mistakenly viewed as the same thing), and what you should and should not be measuring. I also liked the way strategic themes were defined as a concept, as well as the use of tool called a paradox map to verify the alignment of tasks to strategy.

The bulk (and value) of this book is the implementation plan, which is governed by six critical success factors necessary to implement a BSC. It is here that the book shines because the implementation is laid out as a project (in fact, one of the six CSFs is to treat the implementation as a project), and is achievable with no non-value added steps.

If you want to gain an objective view of balanced scorecards and their value, and a pragmatic approach to implementing one, this book is the one I recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not so good for novice, March 21, 2006

By 

Kingbo (China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of Balanced Scorecard (Essentials Series) (Paperback)

Probably the book is good for the experienced, but not so good for beginners like me. Although it addresses the questions like "what BSC is", I failed to get a clear picture of the art, and I'm waiting for some other books on the topic from Amazon.

Anyway, "essentials" are not introduction. To the title of this book, it's especially true.

5.0 out of 5 stars For all who want to approach this in a practical manner, August 7, 2007

By 

Ashok Vadgama - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Balanced Scorecard (Essentials Series) (Paperback)

I found this book to be one of the best step by step guide for application to focus organization.
It takes technical approach and merges it with organizational thoughts to guide actionable results.
For anyone doing Balanced Scorecard, this is one of the best step by step guide that addresses strategy from the holistic and bottoms up approach.
A must read for senior management.