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• About the Authors ix Preface: Why, and How, This Book Was Written xii Introduction: What Education Is About xiii
• Part 1: Where Today's Educational System Fails 1
• Chapter 1: Learning and Teaching 3
• Chapter 2: The Classroom Environment 23
• Chapter 3: Subjects and Disciplines 39
• Chapter 4: The New World 49
• Chapter 5: Antidemocratic Schooling 65
• Chapter 6: Factors That Resist Change 71
• Part 2: Factors That Contribute to Education 77
• Chapter 7: The Environment a Developed Society Provides for Individual Realization 79
• Chapter 8: The Special Demands the Environment of a Liberal Democracy Places on Individual Realization 91
• Chapter 9: What Individuals Contribute to Their Own Education 99
• Chapter 10: The Place of Arts 107
• Part 3: Envisioning Ideal Lifelong Education 119
• Chapter 11: Why, and How, We Should Be Envisioning an Ideal Educational Environment 121
• Chapter 12: The Preschool Years 125
• Chapter 13: A New Look at Schools K-12 135
• Chapter 14: The College and University Experience 139
• Chapter 15: Education and the Working Life 147
• Chapter 16: Taking "Retire" Out of Retirement 151
• Part 4: Excursus: Funding Ideal Schools 153 Appendix: Sudbury Valley School 159 Postscript 173 Endnotes 175 Index 187.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

In the age of the Internet, we educate people much as we did during the Industrial Revolution. We educate them for a world that no longer exists, instilling values antithetical to those of a free, 21st century democracy. Worst of all, too many schools extinguish the very creativity and joy they ought to nourish. In Turning Learning Right Side Up, legendary systems scientist Dr. Russell Ackoff and "in-the-trenches" education innovator Daniel Greenberg offer a radically new path forward. In the year's most provocative conversation, they take on the very deepest questions about education: What should be its true purpose? Do classrooms make sense anymore? What should individuals contribute to their own education? Are yesterday's distinctions between subjects--and between the arts and sciences--still meaningful? What would the ideal lifelong education look like--at K-12, in universities, in the workplace, and beyond? Ackoff and Greenberg each have experience making radical change work--successfully. Here, they combine deep idealism with a relentless focus on the real world--and arrive at solutions that are profoundly sensible and powerfully compelling. Why today's educational system fails--and why superficial reforms won't help The questions politicians won't ask--and the answers they don't want to hear How do people learn--and why do they choose to learn? Creating schools that reflect what we know about learning In a 21st century democracy, what values must we nurture? ...and why aren't we nurturing them? How can tomorrow's "ideal schools" be operated and funded? A plan that cuts through political gridlock and can actually work Beyond schools: building a society of passionate lifelong learners Learning from childhood to college to workplace through retirement Reinventing Learning for the Next Century: How We Can, and Why We Must An extraordinary conversation about the very deepest questions...Today, what is education for? Where should it take place? How? When? What is the ideal school? The ideal lifelong learning experience? Who should be in charge of education? And who pays for it all? Over the past 150 years, virtually everything has changed...except education. Schools were designed as factories, to train factory workers. The factories are gone, but the schools haven't changed. It's time for us to return to first principles...or formulate new first principles...and reimagine education from the ground up. In Turning Learning Right Side Up, two of this generation's most provocative thinkers--and practical doers--have done just that. They draw on the latest scientific research, the most enduring human wisdom, and their unique lifelong personal experiences transforming institutions that resist change. And, along the way, they offer a powerful blueprint for a thriving society of passionate lifelong learners.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Foreword by Ray Stata xxiii Preface xxix Introduction: The Birth of an Idea xxxiii Part I: Idealized Design: The Basics
• 1
• Chapter 1: The Stages of Idealized Design
• 3
• Chapter 2: Organizing the Process
• 27
• Chapter 3: Preparing for an Idealized Design Process
• 43 Part II: Idealized Design: Applications-The Process in Action
• 59
• Chapter 4: Business Enterprises
• 61
• Chapter 5: Not-for-Profit and Government Organizations
• 87
• Chapter 6: Process Improvement
• 103
• Chapter 7: Problem Dissolving
• 117
• Chapter 8: Facilities and Sites Design
• 129
• Chapter 9: Take the Plunge
• 137 Part III: Idealized Design: No Limit-Applications to World Challenges
• 145
• Chapter 10: The Urban Challenge
• 147 An Urban Car A Redesign of Paris and Beyond
• Chapter 11: The Health-Care Challenge
• 159 A National Health-Care System A Health-Care Mall
• Chapter 12: The Challenge to Government
• 171 A National Elections System A New United Nations A Response to Terrorism Part IV: Complete Idealized Designs
• 187
• Chapter 13: Energetics (Business Enterprise)
• 189
• Chapter 14: Academy of Vocal Arts (Not-for-Profit)
• 219
• Chapter 15: White House Communications Agency (Government)
• 235 Endnotes
• 265 Annotated Bibliography
• 267 Index 277.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

What's the best way to drive fundamental, transformative change within your organization? Envision your ideal solution: then, work backwards to where you are. It's called idealized design, and -- as executives in hundreds of organizations will testify -- it's one of the most powerful techniques you'll ever use. Authored by its legendary creator, Wharton Professor Emeritus Russell Ackoff, and leading practitioner Jason Magidson, Idealized Design covers every facet of this breakthrough methodology. You'll learn the fundamental differences between idealized design and traditional process re-engineering, and understand how idealized design eliminates many conventional obstacles to change. Start-to-finish techniques and examples drawn from hundreds of companies, non-profits, and government organizations will show you how to use idealized design to solve your own crisis of tomorrow...today.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Society and its design
• Governance
• The city, housing, and transport
• Health care
• Education
• Welfare
• Crime and punishment
• Leading development.

Health care, education, welfare, law - the perceived success or failure of these social institutions is constantly being debated in the public arena. In this book, Ackoff and Rovin join the discussion, using systems theory to develop new approaches to governance, the structure and function of our cities, and civic leadership in general. Each chapter tackles a different, important and timely issue. The authors develop and present specific solutions, with the intention of starting a national dialogue about the structure and organization of American society. Their redesign, radical in its scope and ambition, draws upon existing technology and social constructs, but provides innovative ways to apply them. As the authors contend, "it is only through creative thought and innovation that our society will be transformed into one that provides a more equitable distribution of wealth, quality of life, and opportunities for development".
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• SYSTEMS. Our Changing Concept of the World. Reflections on Systems and Their Models. Growth versus Development. Toward a System of Systems Concepts. Beating the System. PLANNING. The Nature of Planning. Alternative Types of Planning. Problem Treatments. Mess Management. Ends Planning.@aMission Statements. Creativity and Constraints. APPLICATIONS. Consumer Design. Education.@aNever Let Your Schooling Interfere with Your Education. Crime. The Effect of Advertising on Sales: A Study of Relations. On Pairs and Trios: The Smallest Social Systems. Why People Drink: Toward Understanding Objectives. Corporate Perestroika: The Internal Market Economy. Design of Management Systems. SCIENCE. The Nature of Science and Methodology. Objectivity. Rationality. The Future of Operational Research Is Past. Epilogue: The Role of Business in a Democratic Society. Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Russell Ackoff is a very special management thinker. As an architect, city planner, doctor of philosophy, behavioral scientist, trailblazer in the fields of organizational, operations, and systems theory, bestselling author, distinguished Wharton School professor, and head of his own management education and consulting firm, he qualifies, as do few others in this century, for the title of "Renaissance Man." Fortunately, he makes up for this grievous shortcoming by also being an outrageously funny observer of homo commercium. Now, Ackoff's Best offers you an opportunity to become acquainted with this irreverent genius who, over the past forty years, has done so much to shape our understanding of the modern business organization. Compiled by the author, Ackoff's Best encapsulates the author's most controversial, influential, and wittiest work to appear since the 1970s. Ackoff's groundbreaking exploration of systems theory and its effect on business provides the backbone of this collection. Also included are his most lasting and thought-provoking writings on an array of topics in business, society, and human behavior that well reflect the sweeping scope of Ackoff's intellect and expertise. From managing teams, maximizing the effectiveness of information systems, and problem solving, to creativity, crime, and the role of the corporation in a democratic society, these writings are a cornucopia of insights, observations, and powerful lessons that will help you maximize your personal development and the effectiveness of your organization. An excellent introduction for newcomers to Russell Ackoff, and a welcome compendium of Ackoff's pithiest writings for those already familiar with his ideas from such classic works as Creating the Corporate Future and The Art of Problem Solving, Ackoff's Best is required reading for every intelligent businessperson. "The range, depth, and perspectives of these essays on management illustrate, once again, Russ Ackoff's unique genius."-Warren Bennis, University Professor, University of Southern California, and Co-author, Co-Leaders "Russ Ackoff uses words that cut through the familiar and open doors in one's brain."-Arie P. de Geus, Author, The Living Company "Ackoff's Best captures the lucid and compelling explorations of one of the most profound and influential thinkers of our time. "-Ray Stata, Chairman of the Board, Analog Devices "This collection reminds me that I have learned my most valuable lessons from Russ Ackoff."-Vince Barabba, General Manager, Corporate Strategy and Knowledge Development, General Motors Corporation.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Preface; Part I: Background; Part II: Process: Planning, Design, Implementation, and Learning; Part III: Designs: Democracy, Economy, and Flexibility; Part IV: Change: Reformations and Transformations; Appendix A.A Short Bibliography on Systems; Appendix B. An Application of Interactive Planning; References and Sources; Index.

Over the last three decades the average life expectancy of a corporation in North America has dipped well below 20 years. In fact, by 1983 a full third of the 1970 Fortune 500 companies had been acquired, merged, or broken apart. In this landmark book, one of the business world's foremost pioneers, Russell L. Ackoff, delivers this indispensable guide for those hoping to beat these odds-and to better navigate the corporate challenges of the next millennium. While most business and management schools continue to teach the functions of a corporation separately-production, marketing, finance, personnel-the reality is that for a corporation to endure each division must work with the others to create an effective system. Re-Creating the Corporation is Ackoff's masterful blueprint for understanding and creating these model corporate systems. In four comprehensive sections-Background, Process, Designs, and Change-Ackoff lays out in clear concise prose the five organizational goals of successful corporate systems: plan effectively, learn and adapt rapidly, democratize, introduce internal market economies, and employ a flexible structure that will minimize the need for future restructuring. And through a deft mix of practical and theoretical examples drawn from a wide range of applications in a wide range of firms, this book ultimately guides executives to the system best suited to meet their organizational goals. Re-Creating the Corporation, which is the culmination of a lifetime of innovative and insightful business thought from one of the business world's premier thinkers, is essential reading for those attempting to navigate the rapidly changing economic environment of the next millennium.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Over the last three decades the average life expectancy of a corporation in North America has dipped well below 20 years. In fact, by 1983 a full third of the 1970 Fortune 500 companies had been acquired, merged, or broken apart. In this landmark book, one of the business world's foremost pioneers, Russell L. Ackoff, delivers this indispensable guide for those hoping to beat these odds-and to better navigate the corporate challenges of the next millennium. While most business and management schools continue to teach the functions of a corporation separately-production, marketing, finance, personnel-the reality is that for a corporation to endure each division must work with the others to create an effective system. Re-Creating the Corporation is Ackoff's masterful blueprint for understanding and creating these model corporate systems. In four comprehensive sections-Background, Process, Designs, and Change-Ackoff lays out in clear concise prose the five organizational goals of successful corporate systems: plan effectively, learn and adapt rapidly, democratize, introduce internal market economies, and employ a flexible structure that will minimize the need for future restructuring. And through a deft mix of practical and theoretical examples drawn from a wide range of applications in a wide range of firms, this book ultimately guides executives to the system best suited to meet their organizational goals. Re-Creating the Corporation, which is the culmination of a lifetime of innovative and insightful business thought from one of the business world's premier thinkers, is essential reading for those attempting to navigate the rapidly changing economic environment of the next millennium.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Over the last three decades the average life expectancy of a corporation in North America has dipped well below 20 years. In fact, by 1983 a full third of the 1970 Fortune 500 companies had been acquired, merged, or broken apart. In this landmark book, one of the business world's foremost pioneers, Russell L. Ackoff, delivers this indispensable guide for those hoping to beat these odds-and to better navigate the corporate challenges of the next millennium. While most business and management schools continue to teach the functions of a corporation separately-production, marketing, finance, personnel-the reality is that for a corporation to endure each division must work with the others to create an effective system. Re-Creating the Corporation is Ackoff's masterful blueprint for understanding and creating these model corporate systems. In four comprehensive sections-Background, Process, Designs, and Change-Ackoff lays out in clear concise prose the five organizational goals of successful corporate systems: plan effectively, learn and adapt rapidly, democratize, introduce internal market economies, and employ a flexible structure that will minimize the need for future restructuring. And through a deft mix of practical and theoretical examples drawn from a wide range of applications in a wide range of firms, this book ultimately guides executives to the system best suited to meet their organizational goals. Re-Creating the Corporation, which is the culmination of a lifetime of innovative and insightful business thought from one of the business world's premier thinkers, is essential reading for those attempting to navigate the rapidly changing economic environment of the next millennium.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

We all know that American business needs fixing, and there is no shortage of prescriptions: imitate the Japanese, or follow the example of successful firms, or practice right-sizing. But these approaches do not work very well, says Russell Ackoff, because they only attack the problem piecemeal-and it is the entire system of American business that is flawed. In this revolutionary new book by a widely respected business thinker and pioneer in the fields of operations research and systems thinking, Ackoff underscores the urgent need to overhaul the kinds of systems found in America, from our business schools to our boardrooms. And he shows how firms can break out of the mold-and leapfrog the competition in today's volatile economy. To give managers insight into the concept of organizations, Ackoff shows how they have been viewed since the Renaissance: first as machines, later as organisms, and today as social systems. As social systems, companies produce and distribute wealth and raise our standard of living. They are also responsible for facilitating and encouraging the development of the larger systems that contain them and all their stakeholders.; The quality of worklife within an organization is key. Work has to be challenging and enjoyable if workers are to give it their full commitment, and Ackoff outlines major ways to achieve this goal. Along the way, Ackoff explodes a number of fashionable business notions. He asserts that firms that try to imitate successful competitors are doomed to play catch-up forever. He attacks the idea of continuous improvement, showing that it has failed to make quantum leaps in quality, and he demonstrates how to re-orient the pursuit of quality. After revealing the weakness in many current practices, Ackoff describes three organizational schemes that will lead to success. In the Circular Organization, a democratic hierarchy, everyone participates directly or indirectly in decisions that affect their work. In the Internal Market Economy, organizations treat their different parts like a collection of firms doing business with each other-which promotes cooperation and eliminates wasteful internal competition. And with the Multidimensional Organization, a company becomes so powerful and flexible that continuous adaptation can happen without reorganization.; Ackoff caps off the book with an incisive critique of business schools, describing how they must be transformed to turn out the leaders we need for the competitive American organization of the 21st century. Enabling managers to understand the profound interrelationships in the American economy and to tap into them for success, The Democratic Corporation is a major work by an innovative thinker that is certain to cause ripples throughout the business community.

We all know that American business needs fixing, and there is no shortage of prescriptions: imitate the Japanese, or follow the example of successful firms, or practice right-sizing. But these approaches do not work very well, says Russell Ackoff, because they only attack the problem piecemeal-and it is the entire system of American business that is flawed. In this revolutionary new book by a widely respected business thinker and pioneer in the fields of operations research and systems thinking, Ackoff underscores the urgent need to overhaul the kinds of systems found in America, from our business schools to our boardrooms. And he shows how firms can break out of the mold-and leapfrog the competition in today's volatile economy. To give managers insight into the concept of organizations, Ackoff shows how they have been viewed since the Renaissance: first as machines, later as organisms, and today as social systems. As social systems, companies produce and distribute wealth and raise our standard of living. They are also responsible for facilitating and encouraging the development of the larger systems that contain them and all their stakeholders. The quality of worklife within an organization is key. Work has to be challenging and enjoyable if workers are to give it their full commitment, and Ackoff outlines major ways to achieve this goal. Along the way, Ackoff explodes a number of fashionable business notions. He asserts that firms that try to imitate successful competitors are doomed to play catch-up forever. He attacks the idea of continuous improvement, showing that it has failed to make quantum leaps in quality, and he demonstrates how to re-orient the pursuit of quality. After revealing the weakness in many current practices, Ackoff describes three organizational schemes that will lead to success. In the Circular Organization, a democratic hierarchy, everyone participates directly or indirectly in decisions that affect their work. In the Internal Market Economy, organizations treat their different parts like a collection of firms doing business with each other-which promotes cooperation and eliminates wasteful internal competition. And with the Multidimensional Organization, a company becomes so powerful and flexible that continuous adaptation can happen without reorganization. Ackoff caps off the book with an incisive critique of business schools, describing how they must be transformed to turn out the leaders we need for the competitive American organization of the 21st century. Enabling managers to understand the profound interrelationships in the American economy and to tap into them for success, The Democratic Corporation is a major work by an innovative thinker that is certain to cause ripples throughout the business community.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Beating the System: Notes from an Antibureaucrat. Rubbish Heaps Grow, but They Don't Develop: Understanding the Differences Between Growth and Development. Never Let Your Schooling Interfere with Your Education: Becoming an Antibureaucrat. A Great Many People Think They Are Thinking When They Are Merely Rearranging Their Prejudices: The Costs of Discrimination. Wisdom Is the Power to Put Our Time and Our Knowledge to the Proper Use: People, Practice and Professions. Ask for Anything You Like Except Time: Culture, Language, and Customs. Notes. Bibliography.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

The author summarizes his experience as a management consultant in a series of fables designed to expose narrow thinking, muddle-headedness and complacency in business. He has previously written Management in Small Doses and The Art of Problem Solving.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Partial table of contents: Profit. The Corporation Reconceived. Mess Management. Growth Versus Development. Incentives. The Resurrection of Ap Alcoholism and Stress. Too Much Communication? Computer-Controlled Managers. Types of Problems. Problem Treatments. Defending Against New Ideas. Advertising: A Wonder or a Waste? Concensus. Management Education. Town and Gown. The Fallacy of Forecasting. Planning Backward. The Clark-Volvo Joint Venture. Comprehensive, Coordinated, and Participative Planning.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Written by a renowned teacher, consultant and writer, here are 52 vignettes that deal with topics relating to day-to-day situations that every senior and middle manager will recognize. Provocative, often controversial, the book targets familiar conflicts and fallacies of managerial life. It looks at benefits and drawbacks of advertising, corruption in the corporation, the work environment, information systems and more.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Background. Organization of the Planning Effort. Formulating the Mess. Ends Planning. Means Planning. Resource Planning. Implementation and Control. Reference Scenarios. Mission Statements. Specification of Desired Properties. Idealized Designs. References. Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Praise for Russell Ackoff's previous book: Creating the Corporate Future &146; Russell Ackoff is a compelling and thoughtful writer...His ability to think in historical terms about the development of work and work organizations and to put in perspective the short-term dilemmas today's manager must face puts him in a class of explainer populated by the likes of Harry Levinson and Lewis Thomas.... Creating the Corporate Future [is] compelling, challenging and perhaps even a little disturbing." --Training Magazine "Ackoff is best described as a pragmatic philosopher. His latest book on corporate planning is full of practical advice and examples. Yet it takes an extraordinarily broad view of the planning process and sets it in the context of a whole changing concept of the world, which is moving from preoccupation with discrete elements to new methodologies for dealing with interdependent systems." --Choice "What he calls 'formulating the mess' involves describing the present business situation, including present obstructions to corporate development, and projecting future performance. He discusses how to formulate goals, objectives and ideals, and offers advice for identifying and acquiring the necessary resources." --Harvard Business Review ..".Stimulating thought for the senior executive who is considering--or should be considering--the future of his or her organization." --Industry Week.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Here's why thousands of readers in business and management turn to Russell Ackoff for innovative and effective ideas: "Russell Ackoff has probably influenced more managers than any other living person. Two of his books, Scientific Method (1962) and Redesigning the Future (1974), are the cornerstones of much of the theory and methods for systematic analysis of problems in management and planning." - APA Journal "Russell Ackoff is undoubtedly one of the great masters of this art " [of storytelling as a means of conveying information]. - Omega, The International Journal of Management Science The Art of Problem Solving is "A witty, literate, and most of all convincing reflection . He shines an often bright light into corners where problems hide, showing the manager how to understand the consequences of his own behavior; identify real, rather than supposed, elements of problems; perceive another's aims; determine what is controllable; and deal with other nettlesome factors." - INC.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)