Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success [Hardcover]

Kevin P. Kearns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0787941891 | ISBN-13: 978-0787941895 | Edition: 1

This practical guide offers a realistic approach to strategic management, while borrowing from the most helpful and relevant business ideas, allows the public or nonprofit organization to achieve success without compromising its unique mission or constituency. Executives, managers, and policymakers will find key principles for everyday application, including how to: identify trends that will most affect programs and services; assess the organization's core strengths and competencies; select strategies that advance the mission while building operational success; explore opportunities for collaborations with other organizations; and encourage a culture of strategic thought and action.

Throughout this innovative guide, there are numerous illustrations and examples of how to apply the most appropriate technique to a particular need or goal. At last, public and nonprofit organizations have a real-world guide to finding lasting success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kevin Kearns provides a well-structured overview of fundamental strategic options that leaders need to consider in shaping the destiny of their organizations and of individual programs and services. He offers busy nonprofit executives a practical, readable, and useful framework for strategic thinking." (Margaret Tyndall, chief executive officer, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh)

"Kearns has demystified strategic planning in the private sector and made its best attributes useful to public and nonprofit organizations. Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success will help public and nonprofit officials better serve citizens and clients in the increasingly competitive marketplace." (William Dodge, executive director, National Association of Regional Councils, and author of Regional Excellence)

"This is a first-rate book, a truly useful guide. Kearns presents a comprehensive, highly readable, and practical approach to thinking and acting strategically about critical issues facing public and nonprofit organizations." (Thomas J. Pavlak, associate director, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia)

"The National Alliance for Nonprofit Management has presented the 2001 Terry McAdam Book Award for the best book about nonprofit organizations published in 2000-01 to Kevin Kearns for Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success." (Chronicle of Philanthropy, May 2, 2002)

From the Inside Flap

Today, perhaps more than ever before, public and nonprofit organizations are using strategic management methods to ensure their survival in a volatile and competitive environment. In addition to being committed to mission and values, they are paying greater attention to customers, portfolio analysis, profit margins, and return on investment. Until recently, business concepts were not part of the public and nonprofit vocabulary. Now, they have become standard practices for many public agencies and nonprofit organizations.This practical guide offers a realistic approach to strategic management, while borrowing from the most helpful and relevant business ideas, allows the public or nonprofit organization to achieve success without compromising its unique mission or constituency. Executives, managers, and policymakers will find key principles for everyday application, including how to:

• Identify trAnds that will most affect programs and services
• Assess the organization's core strengths and competencies
• Select strategies that advance the mission while building operational success
• Explore opportunities for collaborations with other organizations
• Encourage a culture of strategic thought and action

Throughout this innovative guide, there are numerous illustrations and examples of how to apply the most appropriate technique to a particular need or goal. At last, public and nonprofit organizations have a real-world guide to finding lasting success. [BACK JACKET] "Kevin Kearns provides a well-structured overview of fundamental strategic options that leaders need to consider in shaping the destiny of their organizations and of individual programs and services. He offers busy nonprofit executives a practical, readable, and useful framework for strategic thinking."—Margaret Tyndall, chief executive officer, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh" Kearns has demystified strategic planning in the private sector and made its best attributes useful to public a

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (May 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787941891
• ISBN-13: 978-0787941895
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,959 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Grad Student, January 9, 2012

By 

Crystal Ochwat "Crystal O" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success (Hardcover)

This was a good textbook. Each chapter had several case studies which helped me understand the concepts better. Author was also my professor. Very knowledgable and engaging.

5.0 out of 5 stars What Public and non-profit sectors can learn from the private sector about strategic planning, January 9, 2011

By 

Sean Smith - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success (Hardcover)

Kevin Kearns examines what aspects of strategy used in the private sector can be applied to the public and non-profit sectors. The book is a combination of a introduction to strategy and a tool kit for developing a strategic plan.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section covers preparing for strategic planning, environment scanning, and provides an introduction to the three different types of strategy formulation (analytical, visionary and incremental). The second section covers choosing the right strategy. It divides strategies into four categories (growth, retrenchment, stability and collaborative) and examines the various permutations in detail. The third section deals with putting strategy into practice. It covers implementating strategic decisions, and balancing politics and strategy.

The book is full of illuminating examples and analogies. Many times I found myself drawing parallels between the descriptions in the book and where I currently work.

The book draws on a large body of research in both private and public sectors and is well referenced. Consequently, it provides an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to examine this topic in more detail

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in strategy formulation in the public and
non-profit sectors.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A best buy for strategic thinking, February 19, 2007

By 

bartwin (Lafayette Hill, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success (Hardcover)

This is one of the most useful guides,if not the most useful, I've seen on how to think strategically about business ideas that are relevant to the nonprofit world. Kearns makes sensible distinctions between the two sectors. He presents in clear language and analsyis the for profit concepts and applications that are relevant to nonprofit organizations. It's a great resource!