A Conversation With Jane Treber Macken Author Of The Art Of Managing: How To Build A Better Workplace And Relationships

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of http://www.Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Jane Treber Macken author of The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships

Good day Jane and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm: Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

Jane: I am a business consultant. During my thirty-six-year career, I have served as manager with companies in the energy and mortgage brokerage fields. In addition, I have served on the faculty at John F. Kennedy University. I received a MBA in management from Golden Gate University and a MA in organizational psychology from John F. Kennedy University.

During my many years of managing and supervising, I found that successful people possess three key attributes. These attributes are responsible for building successful businesses, lasting relationships and a more balanced life. My latest book, "The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships" clearly defines these attributes and teaches how to be successful in business and relationships. My husband and I live in California.

Norm: Could you tell us a little about The Art of Managing?

Jane: We have all worked with people we admire. Why do we respond favorably to them? What is it that makes these people successful in both their work lives and their personal lives? How did their environment and relationships impact who they are?

"The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships" references the history of management theory, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. It provides insights on how you can develop the characteristics of those who successfully manage both their workplace and their personal lives. It offers tools for forming effective teams and motivating people.

Norm: As there are tons of books on managing, what makes your book different from others and why would someone want to purchase your book?

Jane: "The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships" is different from others because it bridges the worlds of business and psychology. Managing the workplace is really about managing relationships. Basically, people are still the most important asset. The book provides insights on how to develop the three (3) key attributes that make leaders successful in managing the workplace and their personal lives. The three (3) key attributes are caring and compassion for people, serving others and the community, and working on Self (mind, body and spirit).

Testimonials from educators and business executives state that this book is an excellent book for managers and students of management who want exposure to the spectrum of theory and practice that can make a difference in management effectiveness. My focus is on what managers need to know and understand about self and others which is the key to effectively managing relationships in organizations.

Norm: As a follow up, there does not seem to be any authoritative standards that exist for business authors or publishers, how do you know that a business book is up to par? How do you check out the authorial competence?

Jane: When the author has references at the back of the book and comments, such as testimonials and/or book reviews in or about the book, you can usually tell if the book is up to par. The authorial competence can be demonstrated by the credentials and experience of the author.

Having managed and worked in both a large organization and a small business and having taught at the undergraduate and graduate level at the university, I believe that what I am writing is credible.

Part of the curriculum for attaining the MBA required an organizational intervention of a company which is how I learned to do it in an organization as well as teach students and faculty at the university.

Part of the curriculum for attaining the MA-Organizational Psychology required reading over 80 management books which is what I used to develop the history of management theory. Again, the references tell you the research was good, the testimonials describe how the book was put together, and the credentials and experience of the author make that book credible.

Norm: How do you define success and what do you believe are the necessary ingredients to attain personal and business success?

Jane: Webster's dictionary defines success as having a favorable outcome; achieving something desired, planned or intended.

I believe the necessary ingredients to attain personal and business success are the three (3) key attributes that "The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships" talks about - caring and compassion for people; serving others and the community; and, working on Self (mind, body and spirit). I developed these common attributes from interviews with successful leaders for my dissertation on "Personal Mastery in Organizational Leadership" for the MA - Organizational Psychology.

Norm: Why do you think this is an important book at this time? Whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why? How has the feedback been so far?

Jane: As the needs of society and the environment change, history reflects the changing leadership and organizational needs of society. In the last generation or two, companies are taking a more "holistic" or "organic" approach to management theory. The next generation has emerged with better education and skills, including being raised to excel and achieve. This generation will come into the information age significantly contributing to the knowledge-value/based economy.

Progressive companies are embracing transformation, examining their businesses in the areas of operations, policy and strategy, project management, accounting and finance, and sales and marketing.

Transformation embodies change management, performance improvement and reengineering. There is a deep fundamental assessment of every process and every organization. The culture is focused on teamwork and attempting to eliminate the silos that occurred in the 1980s. Some of the pressing issues are customer satisfaction and employee dissatisfaction. Customers expect more for less. Employees are disillusioned with management. Transformation has led to not only looking at processes, but also valuing the employee.

I believe the book is important at this time because in the 2000s, employees' values and beliefs are now a focus after years of neglect. Employees provide a product and/or service. Managing the workplace is really about managing these relationships. Bridging business and psychology will assist managers and leaders in managing both their personal lives and their workplace. They will learn how to effectively and successfully manage their relationships, have lasting relationships and a more balanced life.

I expect the book to benefit both new managers who are seeking to understand a discipline that is different than their education prepared them for and experienced managers looking for new ways to analyze and improve their effectiveness.

I also expect the book to benefit students. As Nancy L. Southern, Ed.D, Saybrook Graduate School, stated, "This is an excellent book for managers and students of management who want exposure to the spectrum of theory and practice that can make a difference in management effectiveness. Jane Macken introduces the reader to an amazing number of concepts in a way that is interesting and practical. Her focus on what managers need to know and understand about self and others is key to effectively managing relationships in organizations."

The feedback has been outstanding.

Norm: What kind of research did you do to write The Art of Managing?

Jane: "The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships" is the result of research from reading over 80 reference books, periodicals, case studies, internet; interviews of twelve successful companies and seven CEOs, Senior Vice Presidents and General Managers and Vice Presidents; and, skills that I learned and applied from:

MBA-Management (Completed an analysis on my company using an organizational effectiveness intervention methodology. I found that this methodology could be used for any business.)

MA-Organizational Psychology (Completed a dissertation on "Personal Mastery in Organizational Leadership." I learned that successful leaders possessed three key attributes that not only help in managing the workplace, but also in managing personal relationships.)

As Faculty, I taught undergraduate and graduate students at the university how to manage organizations. I integrated business and psychology concepts that included motivating methodology and forming teams using stages of group development. I introduced students to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator-Personality Preferences (administered and interpreted the instrument).

Managed and supervised for both large and small businesses.

Norm: Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Jane: I self-authored and published with Infinity because I did not want my work altered. It is the first book that bridges the worlds of business and psychology.

The beginning of the book is a bit academic, sharing a lot about the history of management theory, and an overview of various management models and techniques used in the last 150 or so years.

However, once past this clinical introduction in the opening chapter, the book gets going by adding a lot of interesting tools and engaging examples that make the book a very good read.

There are some great set of tools to assess the effectiveness and alignment of an organization, as methods to address any weaknesses or misalignment you may discover. In addition, a testimonial from Jeanne Sheldon, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Corporation, states, "Macken's slim little volume is a wonderful melding of management theory and psychology.

I expect it to benefit both new managers who are seeking to understand a discipline that is often quite different than their education prepared them for and experienced managers looking for new ways to analyze and improve their effectiveness."

Norm: What has been your overall experience as a published author? How do you intend to promote your book? Will you be using the Internet?

Jane: My overall experience as a published author has been outstanding. I am reaching more people than I would have been able to reach either in the classroom or as a consultant. I have been promoting my book on the Internet (Red Hot Publicity Tour with http://AMarketingExpert.com), live radio interviews, written interviews, lectures, and consulting.

Norm: Where can we find out more about yourself as well as The Art of Managing?

Jane: You can find out more about me and the "The Art of Managing..." by visiting my web site: http://www.janemacken.com. The book can also be ordered from AMAZON

Norm: Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered and what is next for Jane Treber Macken?

Jane: "The Art of Managing...How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships" bridges the worlds of business and psychology.

Managing the workplace is really about managing relationships because people are still the most important asset. The book provides insights on how to develop the three (3) key attributes that make leaders successful in managing the workplace and their personal lives - caring and compassion for others, serving others and the community, and working on Self (mind, body and spirit).

I am currently gathering information for a second book that begins with the logo: "The Art of Managing..." I tape record and write thoughts and feedback on a daily basis. I have drafted a chapter on Diversity in the Workplace (by popular demand from folks who read the book and wanted more of what I touched on in the book). I expect this book to be ready within one and a half or two years.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

Thank you for the opportunity!

By: Jane Macken

Article Source: http://www.directorys.uniquearticles.info

Jane Treber Macken, MBA-Management, MA-Organizational Behavior, is the author of The Art of Managing, which teaches how to be successful in business and relationships. Read more at The Art of Managing

Please Rate this Article  Not yet Rated

More Unique Articles From - Home | Business Management
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Articles RSS
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Popular Articles
Unique Videos
Unique Search
Unique Articles
   

Copyright © 2007-2008 Unique Article Directories -- All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Sitemap

Accounting | Acne | Adsense | Advertising | Aerobics | Affiliate | Aging | Alternative | Articles | Attraction | Automotive | Beauty | Break-up | Business | Business-Management | Cancer-Survival | Career | Cars-and-Trucks | Cheating | Computers | Computers-and-Technology | Cooking | Culture-and-Society | Ebay | Environment | Etiquette | Family | Family-Concerns | Finance | Finances | Fitness | Food-and-Drink | Free-Tools-and-Resources | Health | Hobbies | Home | Home-Management | Humor | Inspirational/Motivational | Internet | Internet-Marketing | Jobs | Legal | Marketing | Medical-Business | Medicines-and-Remedies | Music | Opinions | Personal-Development | Pets-and-Animals | Politics | Psychology | Publishing | Recreation-and-Leisure | Relationships | Religion | Religion-and-Spirituality | Science | Self-Help | Short-Stories | Speaking | Technology | Wellness-Fitness-and-Diet | Womens-Interest | Writing |

 

Top Directorys Articles Galore Topsites List Free Web Directory List Affiliate Marketing and Article Directories Topsites Bylamo Topsites List Top Article Directory Sites Top 100 Internet Marketing Sites Article Earth | Top 100 Websites - Blogs And Marketing Sites Article Directory Toplist The Article Directory Elite presented by ReadEZArchive.com Entertainment blogs

Powered by Article Dashboard