Product Description

For the first time in paperback, international expert and consultant David Maister offers a brilliant and accessible guide to every management issue at play in professional firms.

Professional firms differ from other business enterprises in two distinct ways: first, they provide highly customized services and thus cannot apply many of the management principles developed for product-based industries. Second, professional services are highly personalized, involving the skills of individuals. Such firms must therefore compete not only for clients but also for talented professionals.

Drawing on more than ten years of research and consulting to these unique and creative companies, David Maister explores issues ranging from marketing and business development to multinational strategies, human resources policies to profit improvement, strategic planning to effective leadership. While these issues can be complex. Maister simplifies them by recognizing that "every professional service firm in the world, regardless of size, specific profession, or country of operation, has the same mission statement: outstanding service to clients, satisfying careers for its people, and financial success for its owners."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7473 in Books
• Published on: 1997-06-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review
Frederic W. Gluckformer managing director, McKinsey & CompanyImportant reading -- not just for managing partners, but for new associates.

Tom Petersauthor/co-author of In Search of Excellence, Thriving on Chaos, and Liberation ManagementThe professional service firm is the best model for tomorrow's organization in any industry. When it comes to understanding these firms, David Maister has no peers.

James L. HeskettProfessor, Harvard Business School; co-author of Service BreakthroughsDavid Maister's name is synonymous with the latest thinking in professional service firm management. This book suggests why.

Review
James L. Heskett Professor, Harvard Business School; co-author of Service Breakthroughs David Maister's name is synonymous with the latest thinking in professional service firm management. This book suggests why.

About the Author
David Maister, formerly a Harvard Business School professor, consults to professional service firms worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Great reading for beginners and experienced managers
I have 10 years experience in managing consulting company. When I red just first chapters of this book I immediatelly have started to implement some ideas described there and it gave greate results!
No matter if you plan to start new business or you are mature partner with many years of experiane in professional services business - this book is a must and greate reading. Enjoy!

A Great Resource
I have used this book to implement many new processes into my business. This sits in my bag or on my desk all the time. It's a great resource.

A classic
This book is worth its weight in gold. Well written, great ideas, very helpful for anyone involved in or starting a consulting firm.