December 30, 2009

Engineering in Emergencies

This is a practical handbook for relief workers who provide humanitarian assistance in times of disaster. It offers practical guidance on how to ensure the personal safety and effectiveness of relief workers while assessing the disaster situation and determining how to help. Chapters specifically address concerns about health and sanitation, and water sources, treatment, and distribution. They also discuss restoring electricity, ensuring mecanical equipment functions properly, that vehicles are available and running, and that roads and other transportation infrastructure is available. Finally, they address providing shelter for those affected by the disaster and establishing temporary settlements if homes are uninhabitable.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Engineering in Emergencies: A Practical Guide for Relief Workers
2nd ed.
Jan Davis and Robert Lambert
HV 553 .D39 2002

Presidential Powers


Originally established in Article II of the Constitution, presidential powers today are determined by judicial decisions as well as by historical precedents. Kent explores how the president expresses and uses power, as well as how this power is kept balanced by the legislative and judicial branches. He explores three overlapping needs for presidential power that are expressed in the Constitution--providing leadership on foreign policy, maintaining congressional control over policymaking, and ensuring that the president is accountable to the public. He considers presidential ability to appoint federal officials, make treaties, conduct war, pardon criminals, and the interaction of the president with congressional and judicial requests for information. Kent's subject material is wide-sweeping, drawing on historical as well as contemporary examples to illustrate his points.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Presidential Powers
Harold J. Krent
JK 516 .K73 2005

December 29, 2009

Making Innovation Work

Innovation does not just happen. It must be managed and measured. This book provides a start-to-finish process for creating business growth from innovation. Drawing on both research and experience, the authors demonstrate what works, what doesn't, and how to use management tools to maximize the value that your company gets from its investment into innovation. They describe strategies that foster innovative thinking and organizational structures that make innovation possible and sustainable. They also describe how to manage innovation, including how to measure throughout every phase of the innovation process. This book takes the mystery out of innovation by showing how to lead it, track it, and encourage it.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Making Innovation Work: How to Manage It, Measure It, and Profit from It
Tony Davila, Marc J. Epstein, and Robert Shelton
HD 58.8 .D37 2006

December 28, 2009

Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Iraq

Hashim attempts to explain the complicated insurgency in Iraq against the United States and other Coalition partners in the Iraq War. Rather than a single group with a common leader and ideology, as many people believe, Hashim explains that the Iraqi insurgents are a disparate group--former regime loyalists, Iraqis who resent foreign occupation, Islamic extremists, and criminal organizations--who loosely cooperate and coordinate attacks because they share a common enemy. However, this alliance has fractured considerably throughout the war, particularly as more "mainstream" insurgents trade their cooperation for political guarantees in the new Iraq. Hashim provides historical context for his explanations, but also provides sufficient religious and political analysis to portray each of the insurgent groups, their origins, goals, methods, successes, and failures. He looks into the future, hypothesizing about political and sectarian groups that may shift from being allies to being antagonists as each claims something for themself in the new Iraq. This book helps to explain the complications in Iraq today and suggests that these will not all be settled by a removal of coalition troops.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Iraq
Ahmed S. Hashim
DS 79.76 .H3758 2006

December 24, 2009

A World Without Ice

This book explains why ice matters to our climate and how humans are dramatically changing this component of our environment. Pollack explains the delicate balance between the earth and its ice--how it has shaped our planet, defined the limits of human settlement, regulates temperatures and affects ocean currents. He demonstrates that during the last three centuries, rapid population growth, the rise of industrial economies, and accelerated pollution rates have shifted the balance between the earth and the ice to a tipping point. Soon, he asserts, we may be living on a planet without ice. To avert this crisis, he lays out actions that we must take to avoid this irreversible change in our planet.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

A World Without Ice
Henry Pollack
GB 2405 .P55 2009

December 23, 2009

Physics for Nonphysicists

Written by an environmental scientist, this book explains the essential concepts and jargon in the field of physics for those who are nonspeacilists. By providing both students and working professionals and clear, concise overview of important topics, Spellman hopes to improve their abilities to solve problems. Written similar to a textbook, each chapter ends with problems that can be used to test the reader's understanding of the topics presented and their ability to apply the mathematical equasions that are explained.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Physics for Nonphysicists
Frank R. Spellman
QC 24.5 .S64 2009

December 22, 2009

Trade Off

In this time of economic crisis, many people are looking toward businesses to lead us out of it and to develop good leaders for the future. Sobel Lojeski asserts, however, that most people believe that we are in a leadership crisis as well as an economic crisis and that business executives are unprepared to be the leaders that we need to move into the future. She argues that the digital age has brought with it new expectations about performance, behavior, innovation, and other factors that impact the bottom line of corporations as well as the popularity and success of political administrations. Building on her earlier work defining the concept of Virtual Distance, she proposes that leadership models and characteristics must also be adjusted to better prepare companies for competition in the digital marketplace and for leaders of increasingly virtual workplaces. This is a thought provoking and timely study that challenges most current thought on leadership development.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Leading the Virtual Workforce: How Great Leaders Transfor Organizations in the 21st Century
Karen Sobel Lojeski
HD 57.7 .S6925 2010

December 21, 2009

The Sibley Guide to Trees

This colorfully illustrated book provides an easy to use way to identify and learn about trees throughout North America. Organized in families, the author first describes the family, discussing common traits, providing a general description, and mentioning common or notable species. Subsequent pages focus on species or cultivars, giving more specific descriptions along with illustrations, native habitat, and describing its flowering or reproductive cycle. Latin identification names as well as common names are provided for each species. Introductory pages provide an overview of tree growth patterns, leaf shapes, flowering and fruiting patterns, and examples of bark, buds, and other interesting tree characteristics. This book will be a useful guide for gardeners, bird watchers, and those who simply want to be able to identify the nature that they are observing.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Sibley Guide to Trees
David Allen Sibley
QK 475 .S497 2009

December 18, 2009

The Box

The first container ship was a a refitted oil tanker carrying 58 shipping containers on a voyage from Newark to Houston. Modern container shipping has come a long way since 1956, creating new deep water ports, giving birth to the trailer trucking industry, and making it possible to ship millions of tons of goods around the world in days, whether by ship or transport plane. This book tells the history of container shipping, focusing on how the practical idea of one man transformed not only the transportation industry, but also revolutionized global trade.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
Marc Levinson
TA 1215 .L47 2008

December 17, 2009

The New Human Capital Strategy

Hall argues that in today's services and knowledge-based economy, most companies have no methods in place for measuring the productivity of their largest investment--people. He compares this to manufacturing, where companies spend considerable effort measuring productivity, improving processes, and managing and growing financial resources. Human resources departments, where many companies delegate responsibility for managing people, are not currently organized to consider human productivity in terms of customer or stakeholder value. Instead, he suggests that these companies incorporate human capital management programs, which measure customer service and knowledge-based activities and make the connection between these and the financial growth of the company. He asserts that by doing this, the investment that the company makes in its people--hiring smart, creative employees and developing them over time--is an investment that will be managed to demonstrate a return over time.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The New Human Capital Strategy: Improving the Value of Your Most Important Investment--Year After Year
Bradley W. Hall
HD 4904.7 .H285 2008

December 16, 2009

Drought Management and Planning for Water Resources

While droughts are most common in warm, arid regions, there frequency in more temperate, fertile areas is increasing. While scientists offer many explanations for the shift in rainfall patterns from El Nino to global warming, the unpredictability of these changes makes managing droughts and their effects on water resources quite a challenge. This book is a collection of essays that provide strategies and techniques for mitigating the effects of droughts and effectively managing water resources. These strategies emphasize the need to use potable water sources wisely, minimizing wasted water, reusing water when possible, and maximizing treatment of conventional and marginal sources. They also encourage desalination and the extraction of groundwater. In addition to providing tools for water management during drought conditions, this book discusses ideas that can also be applied to regions where water resources are becoming insufficient to serve the population, specifically the American west, Middle East, and other areas within the developing world. Essays explore legal and administrative requirements of water distribution networks, drought alert systems, and proactive ways to reduce drought effects.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Drought Management and Planning for Water Resources
ed. by Joaquin Andreu, Guiseppe Rossi, Federico Vagliasindi, and Alicia Vela
TD 345 .D76 2006

December 15, 2009

Power without Persuasion

For a long time, Presidential scholars have asserted that the power of the president rested on the ability to persuade. Without this ability to convince other political actors, specifically Congress, they believed little could be accomplished. Howell argues quite the opposite. He sites numerous occasions from the Louisiana Purchase through present day when presidents have made unilateral policy decisions without support for their position, and often even over the vocal objections of Congress, agencies, or other political interest groups. Beyond his historical study, however, Howell examines the political conditions in which presidents are able to change policies without congressional or judicial support or consent. This is an important shift in interpretation that will certainly change how the office of the president is seen.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Power Without Persuasion: The Politics of Direct Presidential Action
William G. Howell
KF 5053 .H68 2003

December 11, 2009

Trust Agents

This book will show you how to tap into the web as a marketing and influencing tool. The authors explain that the world of the web is defined by its transparency. Becoming a trust agent--someone trusted by others--is not an easy task, but it is a powerful position once established. This book explains how to establish social networks and to use them to build company reputation and influence. This marketing technique is built upon a new currency--not money, but trust. Once established, it can be shared with others and, the authors assert, is a more powerful tool for your company than traditional marketing or public relations techniques. This book is a must-read for any organization who wants to learn how to shape their reputation in the internet world.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust
Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
HF 5415.1265 .B75 2009

December 10, 2009

Just Good Business

In the aftermath of Enron and other corporate scandals, this book on social responsibility within corporations is most welcome. McElhaney asserts that the need for social organizations, for-profit businesses, and government to work together for the well being and profit of everyone involved makes sense and is just good business. She lays out seven "rules of the road" that will help organizations demonstrate their responsibility, while at the same time making their customers, partners, and other stakeholders aware of their claims. These efforts which McElhaney calls branding might equally be considered organizational transparency. Her message is simple. Be honest about who you are. Be simple and consistent about what you do. And, tell your story so that you are held accountable.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Just Good Business: The Strategic Guide to Aligning Corporate Responsibility and Brand
Kellie A. McElhaney
HD 60 .M378 2008

December 9, 2009

Urban Stormwater Management Tools

Urban areas are increasingly covered with pavement, making the management of stormwater and runoff particularly challenging This book provides designs of stormwater inlets, sewers, and holding basins. It discusses concerns about wetlands and other ground surfaces and the effects that stormwater has on them. It provides methods for learning about methods for designing wastewater management strategies and for integrating operations and management concerns into designs

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Urban Stormwater Management Tools
Larry W. Mays
TD 657 .U7693 2004

December 8, 2009

Design for Environment

This book offers a business-driven rationale for developing sustainable products and manufacturing processes. The author argues that innovation and environmentalism generate value for businesses as well as helping communities to meet local and global energy and clean environment challenges. It offers a toolkit to manage an entire product life-cycle. For example, examples suggest integrating development of new products with engineering. It provides a suite of environmental strategies and provided analysis for selecting those that are appropriate for use in your company or organization. Finally, it offers metrics that can help measure the effectiveness of product and process life-cycle management.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Design for Environment: A Guide to Sustainable Product Development
2nd ed.
Joseph Fiksel
TS 171 .D478 2009

December 7, 2009

Occupational Safety and Health Simplified for the Construction Industry

This book attempts to simplify the task of complying with the regulations in 29 CFR 1926. These safety regulations will be presented in a non-technical way. Explanations will include the requirements of each regulation and recommend ways to fill them. Each thematic safety area--for example construction hazards, injury prevention, and understanding the Occupational Safety and Health Act--will also include training standards and recommendations for construction managers. The book will highlight the most frequent causes of construction workplace injuries and accidents and answer questions about which laws and regulations you are required to follow at your construction site.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Occupational Safety and Health Simplified for the Construction Industry
Government Institutes Research Group
TH 443 .G68 2007

December 4, 2009

A. D.: New Orleans After the Deluge

Cartoonist Josh Neufeld portrays the real-life story of seven people leading up to and following Hurricane Katrina. In developing these characters, Neufeld helps readers to understand the critical question that all residents faced--whether to stay in New Orleans or to flee. In telling these stories, Neufeld presents the wide spectrum of lives that were disrupted by the hurricane. At the same time, he shows some of the extraordinary ways that residents banded together and the heroic acts that took place to help neighbors.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge
Josh Neufeld
F 379 .N553 A26 2009

November 23, 2009

2009 State of the World

Scientists have predicted that we have only a few years to reverse the rise of greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid a catastrophic global warming. 2009 is a momentus year because nations throughout the world have finally agreed to negotiate a new climate agreement in Copenhagen late in the year. This book is intended to energize the national and international discussions by conveying the profound long-term consequences, both for people and for our planet, of our current behavior. The book includes six chapters that discuss the policies surrounding the global warming debate and 22 "Climate Connections" focus stories that show how many of the issues discussed are related to greenhouse gas emissions.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

2009 State of the World: Into a Warming World
The Worldwatch Institute
HC 59 .S734 2009

November 20, 2009

The Leadership Challenge

This book asserts that it is a "personal coach in a book." Based on extensive interviews with leaders at all levels in organizations from around the world, the authors emphasize that the fundamentals of leadership are not a fad. However, the context in which leaders must operate has changed tremendously. This book focuses around the concept that leadership at its most basic is a relationship. Once that relationship is established, they begin to demonstrate leadership practices:
  • Serve as a model to others
  • Inspire a vision for others to share
  • Take risks, seize opportunities, challenge established ways of doing things
  • Enable others to act
  • Recognize contributions and celebrate shared victories
Kouzes and Posner do not focus on CEOs, but rather study leaders at all levels. For this reason, their message is all the more relevant to leaders, regardless of where they sit in their organization.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Leadership Challenge
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z Posner
4th Ed.
HD 57.7 .K68 2007

November 19, 2009

Geology for Nongeologists

This book introduces basic concepts in geology. It explains how rocks, minerals, and fossils are classified, how water, ice, and wind have shaped the ice, how mountains are formed, and how volcanoes, earthquakes, groundwater, and other underground processes work to change the physical structure of our planet. This book is designed as a broad overview for readers who have little science background. However, it hopes to show geology's broad impact on other fields of study, as well as its complexity as a field of study that includes many distinct subfields. This book is a great starting point for scientists to explain their professional work to non-scientists, or to help interest middle or high school age students in studying science.

Geology for Nongeologists
Frank R. Spellman
QE 31 .S64 2009

November 17, 2009

Honor & Respect

Although e-mail has replaced hand-writing personal letters for many occasions, formal events and professional relationships often call for the resurrection of time-honored forms of communication. Written by the Protocol School of Washington, this book provides specific examples of what to do, and what not to do, when speaking to federal, state, and municipal officials, military personnel, and international dignitaries. It provides guidance on how to address envelopes and write invitations for formal events such as weddings or balls. It can help you to select the best phrases when making introductions, as well as when referring to titled officials in conversations. This book is an essential to anyone who works with government or military personnel.

Honor & Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, & Forms of Address
Robert Hickey
CR 3515 .H63 2008

November 16, 2009

Wetlands

This book explains what wetlands are and how they fit into our environmental systems. It provides a scientific definition of wetlands and describes their functions and values. It also provides recent court cases and regulations concerning the permitting, jurisdiction, and enforcement of wetlands use. New to this second edition is a section on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administrative appeals process. The authors use an easy-to-understand style to guide readers through the permit process, helping them to understand which wetland uses require permits and which are exempt.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Wetlands: An Introduction to Ecology, the Law, and Permitting
Theda Braddock with contributions from Lisa Berntsen
2nd ed.
KF 5624 .B73 2007

November 13, 2009

Crash Proof 2.0

In the first edition of Crash Proof, Schiff warned of a theoretical economic and market diaster. The market crash is no longer theoretical. In fact, many market analysts think that it has only just begun. Schiff continues to observe the economy, asserting that market conditions in the United States will only get worse as the government refuses to allow the free market economy to re-normalize itself. This second edition picks up where the first left off--with the bursting of the real estate bubble and the insolvency of lenders such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac--providing up to date analysis an advice intended to help readers protect their investments and even profit from the market downturn. He offers specific investment advice for long-term financial stability as well as shorter-term survival during this economic instability.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Crash Proof 2.0: How to Profit from the Economic Collapse
Peter D. Schiff with John Downes
HC 106.83 .S35 2009

November 12, 2009

A Paradise Built in Hell

The mental images that most people conjure and what actually happens after a disaster are often two very different things. Solnit writes that after nearly every disaster, people show themselves to be brave, altruistic, compassionate, and creative. Lives are saved, communities are created, and the experiences of the survivors, both those who help and those who are helped, are changed in the process. What Solnit emphasizes is that many of those who rise to the support of others during and after disasters do so willingly, enthusiastically, and happily. These spontaneous acts of kindness suggest that many of the utopian ideas of the past are not only still possible, but alive and well in our own societies. This book suggests ways that disasters can be used to harness these good forces in our society and shows us her vision of how our society can become less punitive and authoritarian and more collaborative and focused on local communities.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster
Rebecca Solnit
HV 553 .S59 2009

November 10, 2009

Highway Engineering Handbook

The infrastructure of roads, bridges, dams, and levees throughout the United States is aging. Maintaining and improving these structures is one of the biggest and most expensive challenges facing our nation. This handbook provides broad background information about our nation's infrastructure, including the standards and techniques required for effective and cost-conscious design, maintenance, repair, and rebuilding. It also highlights new engineering developments and materials that may be involved in evolving transportation engineering processes. This handbook is filled with images, schematics, tables, charts, designs, equations, and other useful references for highway engineers or advanced students.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Highway Engineering Handbook
Roger L. Brockenbrough
3rd ed.
TE 23 .H484 2009

November 9, 2009

Green Building Trends

Yudelson approaches this book by asking why European builders have long been considered "more green" than their American counterparts. After more than a decade of searching and learning, this book proposes to answer this question. Yudelson argues that it is not because there are more examples of green building in Europe than in North America, it is because European approaches have been more daring. He asserts that American builders should begin with zero environmental impact as their goal, relying on the design, construction, energy production and conservation aspects of the building all to work synergistically to offset one another. With that as the target, the resulting buildings would be designed with multi-purpose uses, be sensitive to changes that might be necessary over time, and still maintain comfort, health, and productivity of their occupants. Additional considerations may also be included in green building so that urban planning, culture, and lifestyles of the building inhabitants were also included in the architectural design and construction processes. This well researched and thought provoking book will change the way you think about the idea of "being green."

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Green Building Trends: Europe
Jerry Yudelson
TH 880 .Y636 2009

November 6, 2009

A Manager's Guide to Coaching

In today's competitive world, it is necessary to constantly improve your skills in order to stay relevant in the workplace and to improve your performance. As a manager, you may be under pressure to grow not only your own skills, but also those of your staff. This book is a concise guide which provides managers the tools to coach your employees and yourself. It helps you to clarify what you want, define action, assist with problem solving, and develop accountability. It offers sample questions, example conversations, and possible responses to every-day work issues such as time management, interpersonal conflict, lack of resources, and delegating responsibility. This book is a must for every supervisor.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

A Manager's Guide to Coaching: Simple and Effective Ways to Get the Best Out of Your Employees
Brian Emerson and Anne Loehr
HF 5549.5 .C53 E44 2008

November 3, 2009

Firefly Effect

Douglas explores what it takes to build teams that collaborate and work together creatively. She explains how business leaders can identify and capitalize on creative "fireflies" and use them as the center of productive, energetic, and innovative teams. Douglas asserts that the "firefly effect" leads to more than just great business results. It also develops employees who are invested in their jobs and working toward a higher goal than putting in hours or earning a paycheck. It helps employees identify and use their creative talents, and focuses these on the areas where they can be best used for benefiting the organization. Each chapter contains inspiring success stories as well as tools and exercises to begin putting this idea to work in your organization.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Firefly Effect: Build Teams that Capture Creativity and Catapult Results
Kimberly Douglas
HD 66 .D675 2009

November 2, 2009

The HR Value Proposition

Ulrich and Brockbank argue that the time is ideal for HR professionals to expand their strategic role in organzations. To do this, they assert that HR personnel must evaluate their value to company customers and stakeholders as well as to employees and managers. They need to focus on the value that they contribute rather than on the actions that they perform. By doing so, they can focus on value-added activities that help them align HR practices and the competencies of HR professionals with the strategic goals of the organization. This book provides a blueprint of actions that HR departments and front-line managers can take to have the greatest impact on their organization. They specifically address role and competencies of HR professionals and how these skills can be developed and upgraded.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The HR Value Proposition
Dave Ulrich and Wayne Brockbank
HF 5549 .U38 2005

October 30, 2009

Atlas of the Middle East

This full-color atlas provides more than topographic maps of the Middle Eastern states. Each country profile provides population demographics as well as data about the economy and religion. It also overlays each nation state on an image of the 48 contiguous United States so that American readers will better understand their relative size. There are focus maps of major cities such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Jerusalem which highlight major streets, political buildings, museums, universities, and gardens. A section on regional themes looks at the entire Middle East region, providing data and images on population, climate, religion, ethnicity, linguistic group, oil production, water resources, and other developmental factors. Additional maps and timelines provide historical information about the region, emphasizing the 20th century.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Atlas of the Middle East
National Geographic
G 2205 .N34 2003

Profile of the Water Transportation Industry

This notebook provides straight-forward environmental compliance information for the water transportation sector. It contains information about industrial processes, techniques to prevent pollution, pollutant release data and regulatory requirements, It also includes historical information about environmental compliance and enforcement, government and industry partnerships, innovative programs, and ongoing research in the water transportation industry. This notebook is designed to be used to develop solutions to environmental problems, understand and comply with environmental regulations, and research and develop training specific to the water transportation industry.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Profile of the Water Transportation Industry
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Compliance
TD 196 .T7 E63 2001

October 27, 2009

Morning Sunshine

CNN news anchor Robin Meade shares her personal experiences with anxienty attacks and low self-esteem in this book. She reveals what made her question her abilities and her purpose in life, as well as how she changed her perspective. The book is written conversationally, as if you are talking with Meade over coffee. Throughout her stories, he shares lessons learned in each chapter as well as helpful "confidence booster" tips. This personal story is an inspiration to others to find the passion which will fuel their confidence.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Morning Sunshine! How to Radiate Confidence and Feel it Too
Robin Meade
BF 327 .M43 2009

October 26, 2009

1000 CEOs

This fascinating book is a collection of short biographies of 1000 Chief Executive Officers from companies around the world. Each biography shares major career decisions made by the CEO and why they have been considered a success. Each leader also offers lessons that they learned through their experience in business. The biographies are organized into chapters based on leadership strength. For example, some are notable because they are innovators or leaders of start-up companies, while others are known for being strategists, visionaries, or globalists. An extensive index allows leaders to be found by name or by the companies that they represent.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

1000 CEOs: Proven Strategies for Success from the World's Smartest Executives
Andrew Davidson, editor-in-chief
HD 38.2 .A124 2009

October 23, 2009

Construction Industry Digest and All About OSHA

In order to provide a safe construction environment, construction engineers and employers must understand the safety requirements of the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA). This handbook provides a brief introduction to health and safety information and standards for employers, supervisors, and safety managers. This book highlights the safety standards that are most frequently overlooked by employers and the standards that apply to hazardous situations, especially those that would be found in construction environments. Overviews of each standard are presented alphabetically. A brief discussion is also given to the essential components of an organizational health and safety program, including key points to remember when planning employee training.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Construction Industry Digest and All About OSHA
National Safety and Health Administration
KF 3574 .C65 C65 2008

October 22, 2009

How Did That Happen?

Connors and Smith assert that economic crashes, business failures, and even people who let us down all come as surprises to us because we don't hold people accountable. This book asks the question, "How Did That Happen," and offers an approach to developing personal accountability so that it does not happen again. The first step is establishing expectations and communicating what those expectations mean to everyone involved. The next step shows how to manage situations where expectations are not met. They offer strategies to communicate that people failed to deliver and work to provide training, motivation and other support to correct those actions. Connors and Smith provide models, case studies and exercises so that accountability can be incorporated into any organization.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

How Did That Happen: Holding People Accountable for Results the Positive, Principled Way
Roger Connors and Tom Smith
HD 70 .U5 C588 20009

October 20, 2009

Water Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security

This book discusses the security and vunerabilities of our nation's water resources. Written after 9/11 in response to engineers, plant managers, and others involved with managing water resources, this book addresses the need to incorporate security updates into existing facilities and to plan for them in new sites. Chapters offer professional advice on designing, operating, and maintaining water distribution and wastewater treatment systems. They discuss assessing vulnerabilities in the system, monitoring the plants from remote locations, and considering environmental impacts of water systems. This practical guide will be useful to anyone responsible for designing or securing a water source.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Water Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security
Frank R. Spellman
TD 485 .S665 2007

October 19, 2009

Hope for Animals and Their World

Animal scientist Jane Goodall brings us good news about the world's endangered species. Thanks to the work being done by zoos and conservation biologists, some endangered species are surviving, recovering, and even being reintroduced to their native environments. From birds to horse to insects, Goodall brings to light the tremendous work accomplished by those dedicated to saving animals. At the same time, she stresses that there is still a very critical need to protect and restore the habitats that are being destroyed by humans, and shows what effect this has on the earth's wildlife. This book is at once a celebration of animals, an environmental call to action, and an uplifting and motivating message about the relationship between humans and animals.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink
Jane Goodall with Thane Maynard and Gail Hudson
QH 75 .G636 2009

October 16, 2009

Catastrophe in the Making

This book takes an interesting perspective on the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina--that it was really a result of humans striking nature. The authors blame the destruction of New Orleans on the "growth machine," engineers, developers, speculators, and politicians, who ignored the warnings of nature and instead built on New Orleans as a way of making profits for themselves. The authors assert that many members of this "growth machine" took shortcuts, were incompetent, or even willfully ignorant of the damage that they were causing to nature by developing the Mississippi delta so heavily and leaving New Orleans vulnerable to the kind of disaster that struck in the form of Hurricane Katrina. The authors use this disaster as a lesson for the entire country. They assert that the same "growth machine" and greed for profit at the expense of nature is happening all across the country in the form of housing developments, strip malls, and industrial parks. They ask readers, if watching one of the nation's most cherished cities drown did not prompt us to change our relationship with our environment, what will?

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Catastrophe in the Making: The Engineering of Katrina and the Disasters of Tomorrow
William R. Freudenburg, Robert Grambling, Shirley Laska, and Kai T. Erikson
HV 636 .N4 C38 2009

October 14, 2009

Creating Magic

Cockerell, a decade-long manager of Walt Disney World resort operations, shares simple leadership principles that guided his success and have become the framework of the Disney culture. Lessons like, "everyone is important," are built on bringing quality, character, courage, integrity, and enthusiasm to our work. He also shares strategies for ensuring the right person is in the right job, remaining open to change when the status quo no longer seems to be working effectively, and how to identify and grow future leaders within the organization. This book will delight you with simple and common sense strategies that yield tremendous results.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from Life at Disney
Lee Cockerell
HD 57.7 .C62 2008

October 13, 2009

Investing in People

Increasingly, Human Resources departments must show a link between their hiring practices and the overall performance of the organization. This book provides a framework which connects human resources policies and practices to demonstrated financial and business outcomes. Cascio and Boudreau describe the LAMP (Logic, Analytics, Measures, and Processes) methodology that can be applied to demonstrate the strategic value of human resources decisions. For each topic--such as absenteeism, employee engagement, health and wellness, and turnover rates--the authors describe the variables that affect the value, and offer best practices and techniques to develop and analyze metrics in these areas. This book may be of interest to anyone developing measures on organizational effectiveness.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Investing in People: Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives
Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau
HF 5681 .H8 C37 2008

October 12, 2009

Squawk!

This humorous story illustrates how one seagull manager learned to effectively take care of his flock. With the help of some new friends from around the animal park, Charlie the seagull learns three virtues of great leadership. First, have full-fledged expectations of your employees, making sure that their efforts are spent doing the right things the right way. Second, make sure your communication clicks and that everyone has the same understanding at the end of a conversation. Third, paws on performance, praising successes while steering employees toward success with constructive feedback. This clever book will have you asking yourself about what seagull management tendencies you have.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Squawk! How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results: A Little Fable About How One Seagull Manager Learned Three Virtues of Great Leadership
Travis Bradberry
HD 30.3 .B686 2008

October 8, 2009

Safety Made Easy

This book provides a clear and well organized approach to ensuring that your organization is in complaince with federal safety regulations. Designed around Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this book takes a topic by topic approach to safety. Each section provides definitions of terms as well as legal references. Checklists are provided for safety officers, using clear and understandable language to determine that the safety protocols specified in the law are being followed. Tips are included where additional tracking or access to safety equipment is required.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Safety Made Easy: A Checklist Approach to OSHA Compliance
3rd Ed.
John R. Grubbs and Sean M. Nelson
KF 3570 .Z9 D38 2006

October 7, 2009

The Secrets of Economic Indicators

This book discusses key economic indicators and statistics that evaluate the financial markets. Unlike other books of this type, it focuses on explaining how these indicators, if read correctly, can indicate the direction that the market is headed, and how that can influence the value of stocks, bonds, and currencies. This second edition revises the list of most important economic indicators, but also explains their significance in a way that makes their analytical value much more understandable and relevant.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities
2nd ed
Bernard Baumohl
HB 3730 .B38 2008

October 6, 2009

Chaotics

Kotler and Caslione assert that the troubled times that we are experiencing now are not an aberration, but rather a new kind of normal. This book is full of examples of companies that are successfully navigating the current economic turbulence. It provides strategies for surviving economic downturn as well as insights and techniques for anticipating financial bumps in the future. It shows how to minimize vulnerabilities and exploit opportunities, and rethink old management techniques, particularly those used in turbulent times.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Chaotics: The Business of Managing and Marketing in the Age of Turbulence
Philip Kotler and John A. Caslione
HF 5415 .K6244 2009

October 5, 2009

Transnational Leadership Development

Fisher-Yoshida and Geller observe that business is increasingly becoming more global. However, they assert that global business does not mean that the world is becoming a melting pot. Quite the opposite, they content, that instead, increasing global business makes awareness of different customs, cultures, and communication practices all the more important for success. Fisher-Yoshida and Geller define "transnational leadership" as a set of qualities that allows for successful business relationships in multiple nations and cultures while respecting, embracing, and leveraging local cultures to maximize business performance, teamwork, and employee satisfaction. They differentiate this type of leader from "international leadership," which looks for universal traits and relationships across national boundaries, and from "multinational leadership," which applies different leadership practices in each geographic location. In order for this concept to be effective, they assert that the most important shift is from right-wrong thinking to a mindset and culture where opinions are valued and individuals learn to communicate their perspectives to others.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Transnational Leadership Development: Preparing the Next Generation for the Borderless Business World
Beth Fisher-Yoshida and Kathy D. Geller
HD 57.7 .F5837 2009

October 4, 2009

Ecological Indicators for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Assessment

The health and function of an ecological area is often determined by indicator values. These quantitative representations reveal conditions and trends about that ecosystem that help in development planning and decision making concerning the area. Ecological indicators often combine numerous environmental factors into a single value. In doing so, this creates a powerful numerical figure, but one which must be used in the proper context in order for it to make sense. This book explains several indicator values, showing how they are calculated from collected environmental data, and how they might be used.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Ecological Indicators for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Assessment: A Users Guide
J.C. Marques, F. Salas, J. Patricio, H. Teixeira, and J.M. Neto
QH 541.15 .I5 E26 2009

October 2, 2009

Wiki Government

Noveck argues that connecting government with people using technology enables connecting the expertise of the many to the power of the few. She describes Peer-to-Patent, the government's first social networking initiative. Launched in 2007, Peer-to-Patent connects patent examiners to volunteer scientists and technology experts through the web. These citizens help to channel knowledge and enthusiasm for new ideas that helps patent examiners focus their time on approving the patents that experts believe will have the most promise in the market. Noveck shows how this model can be applied to other government settings, and asks readers to rethink the notions of effective governance and democracy in the 21st century.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Wiki Government: How Technology Can Make Government Better, Democracy Stronger, and Citizens More Powerful
Beth Simone Noveck
JK 1764 .N68 2009

October 1, 2009

Strategic Customer Service

Goodman explains why customer service is a good business strategy and an investment, not just a necessary cost. Drawing on long-term research of major corporations, Goodman demonstrates how customer service has been used to change businesses. It can build a loyal customer base, maximize relationships between internal sales, service, and marketing departments, and use every business move to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, thereby building revenue and profits. He encourages organizations to find ways to let the customer speak for them, arguing that word of mouth is the most powerful customer-building technique. This book should be of interest to anyone in a customer service relationship, whether you see yourself as the customer or the service provider.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Strategic Customer Service: Managing the Customer Experience to Increase Positive Word of Mouth, Build Loyalty, and Maximize Profits
John A. Goodman
HF 5415.5 .G672 2009

September 30, 2009

Architect and Engineer

This book examines the relationships between architects and engineers throughout history. Beginning with the Renaissance, this book focuses on the relationships among builders in Western Europe. Looking at specific projects ranging from bridges to sky scrapers as well as well-known architects and engineers, Saint looks at what happens when these rivals collaborate and when they lock horns with one another. Among the issues raised are credit for design work, the role of art in construction, and the often conflicting emphasis on technology or efficiency. The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs, etchings, and architectural drawings.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Architect and Engineer: A Study in Sibling Rivalry
Andrew Saint
NA 2543 .E54 S25 2007

September 29, 2009

Beyond HR

Boudreau and Ramstad describe a new describe a new decision science, which they call talentship, which is intended to help organizations hire and retain talent rather than just planning and budgeting for new personnel. It asks questions about where existing talent is within the organization, how that talent is rewarded, and whether changing the strategic goals of the organization would require the addition of new talent. Using examples from major companies, the authors demonstrate how human resource managers can extend their influence by thinking strategically about hiring decisions. They bring these examples together with research on organizational strategy and economics to propose a new role for human resources departments in organizations as they look toward the future.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

Beyond HR: The New Science of Human Capital
John W. Boudreau and Peter M. Ramstad
HD 53 .B646 2007

September 28, 2009

High Altitude Leadership

Warner and Schmincke describe leadership as a lonely job, an emotionally and intellectually draining roller coaster, and role that requires constantly pushing past what has already been done in order to succeed at new challenges. Seeing the parallel between this description and mountain climbing, they call leaders who are able to succeed in this environment "high altitude leaders." Schmincke, a scientist and engineer, approaches leadership from a biological background, asserting that many of the modern management theories fail due to biological factors. Warner is a climbing expedition leader, learning his skills on the mountainside through experience. The leadership traits discussed in this book were discovered in the field through numerous climbing expeditions leading groups and teams, some of which succeeded and others of which fell apart. The lessons presented here offer tips for success, regardless of whether you lead in an office or in another environment.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

High Altitude Leadership: What the World's Most Forbidding Peaks Teach Us About Success
Chris Warner and Don Schmincke
HD 57.7 .W3585 2009

September 25, 2009

The Black Swan

Taleb defines a black swan as an event that was unpredictable, has a high impact, and after the fact, is explained in a way that makes it appear less random. The events of 9/11 are a good example. Taleb asserts that our lives are made up of these black swan events and wonders why we do not acknowledge them. He says that instead of focusing on what we do not know, enabling us to evaluate opportunities and perhaps even predict black swans, we repeatedly focus on what we already know. In this book, Taleb discusses what we do. His writing is filled with humor and irrevrance, and will appeal to those who enjoy thinking about complex problems.

This book can be found in HECSA Library:

The Black Swan: The Impack of the Highly Improbable
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Q 375 .T35 2007