Essentials of Balanced Scorecard (Essentials Series) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a widely recognized and accepted performance measurement tool that is currently used in thousands of organizations around the world. This book will help to implement the organizations' BSC 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.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471569739
• ISBN-13: 978-0471569732
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 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.com Sales Rank: #1,089,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The Essentials Series.

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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

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

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	A Customer - See all my reviews

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.