Fast Rules

Parliamentary procedure, as outlined in that famous reference Robert's Rules of Order as well as several other procedural rulebooks, is the system that keeps public meetings moving along while allowing everyone to have their fair input. Unfortunately, Robert's is a complex and intimidating reference that new and casual meeting leaders and participants can find overwhelming. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Parliamentary Procedure Fast Track lets readers bypass the arcane language, sort out the complicated system of motions, and get to what they really want to do: preside over and participate in smoothly-run meetings. In this slim volume, readers get: - A quick guide to the different sets of parliamentary procedure and which is most appropriate for the organization - Advice on setting and managing an agenda - The essence of what readers need to know about the most common types of motions - Rules for debates and voting - Forming and working on effective committees - Troubleshooting for meetings gone awry - Quick guidance for writing and submitting minutes

From The Rules of Business Rule #1 The first rule of business is the same as the first rule of life: Adapt or die. “What gets measured, gets done.” —Peter Drucker Rule #8 Nothing is more overrated than a new idea. Ideas by themselves are worthless. It’s what you do with them that matters. “Bet on the jockey, not on the horse.” —Malcolm Forbes “Best practices usually aren’t.” —Christopher Locke, co-author, The Cluetrain Manifesto Rule #49 If it is not right, don’t do it; if it is not true, don’t say it. “If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.” —Dame Anita Roddick, founder, The Body Shop In THE RULES OF BUSINESS, Fast Company’s renowned editor in chief, John Byrne and the writers and editors of Fast Company, distill the major ideas and principles of the world of business into fifty-five essential rules. These rules are elaborated on and enhanced by quotes and insights from over 200 business leaders, practitioners, and thinkers into what is sure to be an essential desk reference for managers, professionals, and executives-to-be. Published on the tenth anniversary of the magazine, FAST COMPANY’S THE RULES OF BUSINESS features the essential principles behind today’s most important business topics, from customer service to innovation, from strategic thinking to leadership and management. The book introduces each category with a two-page commentary, and weaves two to four essential rules throughout every chapter. At the end of each chapter a boxed, bulleted “Fast Take” section gives readers specific takeaways they can use in their day-to-day work. The heart of each chapter, however, is the quotes and insights on the subject culled from the great minds in business, both living and historical—leaders and thinkers such as Machiavelli and Jack Welch, Adam Smith and his invisible hand and Tom Peters on marketing Me, Inc., Michael Porter on (what else?) strategy and A.G. Lafley, Jeff Bezos on the perils of hiring the wrong person and Bill Gates on the value of information technology, Anne Mulcahy and Warren Buffett, and many more. FAST COMPANY’S THE RULES OF BUSINESS is the ultimate desk reference.

This third edition of Jon Ericson’s Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules updates all references and page numbers to the tenth edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, published in 2000. Ericson’s guide to the authoritative parliamentary resource clarifies many of the concepts and rules that intimidate or confuse the members of organizations who use it, stressing that they have a choice in—and may, in fact, modify—the rules by which they are bound. Ericson begins with the Order of Precedence, which he defines as the key concept in understanding and utilizing parliamentary procedure. He then uses a question-and-answer format in which a logical progression of essential parliamentary questions is explicitly answered, with a rationale for each rule. Throughout, he provides specific page references to Robert’s Rules. Through these three elements, he makes classic doctrine intelligible and workable, leading the reader step-by-step through the rules and their applications and, in the process, encouraging people to feel more positive about parliamentary procedure and their ability to use it. “Far too many members, armed—or more accurately disarmed—with a misconception of parliamentary procedure, choose to spend a lifetime wondering what is going on and lamenting or blaming others when things fail to go their way,” writes Ericson in the Introduction. “Understanding parliamentary procedure also allows a person to have more fun—not just the fun of socializing outside the business meeting—but the fun of performing in the public arena.” A popular, concise, and clear handbook, Notes and Comments on Robert’s Rules emphasizes the simple machinery of the system, relates its concepts to the procedures most commonly used in meetings and conventions, and encourages members to obtain and study, rather than shy away from Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. This new edition also expands the number of question-and-answer sections and surveys the research in and commentary on the field since 1991. A laminated, removable card featuring simplified charts of parliamentary motions serves as an additional resource and is included with the volume.

A Study Guide and a Teacher’s Manual Gospel Principles was written both as a personal study guide and as a teacher’s manual. As you study it, seeking the Spirit of the Lord, you can grow in your understanding and testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christand His Atonement, and the Restoration of the gospel. You can find answers to life’s questions, gain an assurance of your purpose and self-worth, and face personal and family challenges with faith.

One of the most accessible and simple wargame rulesets for World War II miniatures. Get playing fast and when one has hidden set-up and movement (ideally with a judge or at least the defender notes unit positions on a sketch map), then the game can be more exciting and realistic than typically complicated games that micro-manage too many details.

Forget the 10,000 hour rule— what if it’s possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less? Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. What’s on your list? What’s holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skills—time you don’t have and effort you can’t spare? Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy? To make matters worse, the early hours of prac­ticing something new are always the most frustrating. That’s why it’s difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. It’s so much easier to watch TV or surf the web . . . In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition— how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct com­plex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By complet­ing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice you’ll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well. Kaufman personally field-tested the meth­ods in this book. You’ll have a front row seat as he develops a personal yoga practice, writes his own web-based computer programs, teaches himself to touch type on a nonstandard key­board, explores the oldest and most complex board game in history, picks up the ukulele, and learns how to windsurf. Here are a few of the sim­ple techniques he teaches: Define your target performance level: Fig­ure out what your desired level of skill looks like, what you’re trying to achieve, and what you’ll be able to do when you’re done. The more specific, the better. Deconstruct the skill: Most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller subskills. If you break down the subcompo­nents, it’s easier to figure out which ones are most important and practice those first. Eliminate barriers to practice: Removing common distractions and unnecessary effort makes it much easier to sit down and focus on deliberate practice. Create fast feedback loops: Getting accu­rate, real-time information about how well you’re performing during practice makes it much easier to improve. Whether you want to paint a portrait, launch a start-up, fly an airplane, or juggle flaming chain­saws, The First 20 Hours will help you pick up the basics of any skill in record time . . . and have more fun along the way.