The People Factor: Strengthening America by Investing in Public Service [Paperback]

Linda J. Bilmes (Author), W. Scott Gould (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0815701411 | ISBN-13: 978-0815701415 | Publication Date: February 1, 2009 | Edition: 1

Successful businesses have spent the past two decades retooling and rethinking how to manage their people better. Most big companies that have survived and prospered in the 21st century view employees as a vital strategic asset. In comparison, the U.S. federal government is a Stone Age relic, with its top-down bureaucracy, stovepiping of labor and responsibilities, and lack of training and investment in its own public servants. The inevitable result is a government not keeping up with the complex demands placed on it. In The People Factor, Linda Bilmes and Scott Gould present a blueprint for reinvigorating the public sector in order to deliver results for America. Their premise is that the federal government can achieve the same gainsas the best private sector and military organizations by managing its people better. Their new vision for public service is based on The People Factor, a set of management tools drawn from best practices in successful companies, the military, and high-performing government agencies. Part One of The People Factor book shows why the U.S. personnel system needs reform, revealing the high price of inaction. Part Two lays out the specific steps that must be taken to achieve the necessary gains. Part Three focuses on how to implement the People Factor and make the authors vision a reality. They argue that the next president needs to turn this issue into a top priority and use political capital to push reform. Highlights of the book include: Extensive original survey research Case studies from government and the military Interviews with leading thinkers on strategic human capital A number of specific proposed innovations A detailed proposal for a nationwide effort to train and revitalize the public service

Editorial Reviews

Review

"4 out of 4 stars. Highly recommended reading, especially for policy makers." — OhMyGov!

About the Author

Linda Bilmes is a lecturer in public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She has served as CFO and assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce and as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group. Her work on the costs of the Iraq War (with Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz) and on veterans issues have received widespread national coverage. W. Scott Gould is vice president, public sector strategy and growth, at IBM Global Business Services. He has also served as CFO and assistant secretary for administration at the Department of Commerce. Gould is also a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve (Ret.) and a former White House fellow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Brookings Institution Press; 1 edition (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815701411
• ISBN-13: 978-0815701415
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, May 26, 2009

By 

Finance Guru - See all my reviews

This review is from: The People Factor: Strengthening America by Investing in Public Service (Paperback)

Despite the most significant economic crash of our time, we are still managing to reward bankers and investors more lucratively than those individuals who keep our country - and each one of us, in some form or another - moving ahead. It is time to begin thinking about new ways to value public service, and this book provides the pathway to that end. This is a must read for anyone interested in sustainable solutions to today's economic and societal challenges.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important and timely message, May 26, 2009

By 

Brian (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The People Factor: Strengthening America by Investing in Public Service (Paperback)

A great addition to any collection of books on management and strategy, and particularly timely given the increasing role of government employees in all facets of society these days (banking, insurance, the auto sector, etc.). Should be required reading for any public sector manager, but there are plenty of lessons applicable to the private sector as well. Despite the academic nature of the work, it still makes for a light and enjoyable read. With the recent "call to service" issued by the Obama administration, we will all benefit if the ideas in this book are put to good use in recruiting, motivating and managing the leaders of the future.

5.0 out of 5 stars federal workers and veterans: read this, May 28, 2009

By 

JB Kemble (Sacramento CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The People Factor: Strengthening America by Investing in Public Service (Paperback)

This is the single most important book to read if you work for the federal or state government or you want to. The author Scott Gould is now Deputy Secretary of the VA -- read this to get some insight on what he's thinking.