Managing the Professional Service Firm (David H. Maister, 1993)

ISBN 0-02-919782-1

Reviewing Maister feels a bit like giving away state secrets; half of me would prefer that I was the only person in the world – well, my business circles anyway! – who knew about him. He’s that good.

I first stumbled across this book at a time when the management group at my firm were debating our company mission statement. Years later, we still haven’t agreed upon one but now I know it doesn’t matter because here’s what I read on the first page of Managing the Professional Services Firm:

"With varying refinements of language, the mission of most professional firms is:

"To deliver outstanding client service; to provide fulfilling careers and professional satisfaction for our people; and to achieve financial success so that we can reward ourselves and grow." – p. 3

I was sold. I not only bought myself a copy, but I bought copies for several of my colleagues as well. Within days, my copy sprouted a bristling array of scraps of paper, book-marking key passages. Whole chapters got plagiarised into a business plan I was developing.

Sensible, practical, convincing. What are you waiting for?

Recommendation: Highly recommended.

Look and Feel: My edition is the usual matt-finish hardback.

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