Articles
Enter The Entrepreneur
Among the many definitions of an “entrepreneur,” two words--business and risk—often are found. Traditionally, an entrepreneur was a gutsy visionary who gambled everything in the hope of a big payoff.
Strike An (Optic) Nerve
From the beginning, the intent of this column has been to help managers think about and explain agency issues from a ТvisualУ perspective. In the spirit of empowerment, this monthХs column follows the
"List"ing The Essentials
In life, there are “to-do” lists, bucket lists, holiday gift lists, and the ever-popular “honey-do” list, to note a few well-known examples. As the working environment of a manager sometimes becomes
Industry Insight
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”--Abraham Maslow Just as conceptual tools presented in university textbooks and classrooms sometimes are not integrated
"Model" Behavior
Transforming concepts into reality is very much like combining music and words: one method of communication helps get the idea across. So, although the ТtoolboxingУ technique featured in this column i
The People We Serve
Names, or Тlabels,У affect past, present and future relationships, sometimes profoundly. As stated in ТLeisure programming: A service-centered and benefits approach,У ТThe use of one particular label
Industry Insight
ТIf the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.У--Abraham Maslow Just as conceptual tools presented in university textbooks and classrooms sometimes are not integrated
Reaching (Un)Conscious Decisions
Recently, a proposed athletic complex expansion experienced significant delays as a dispute over the removal of a grove of trees on the site produced pickets, lawsuits, environmental activists and
Make It Real
At some point, every agency has to make a case for something it wants to do, or keep doing. Managers are well-acquainted with the traditional cost-benefit analysis, which is more easily calculated
Stand And Deliver
In the January 2008 issue of PRB, the force-field concept (see Figure 1) suggested that the best way to move toward achieving change is to convert what seems like a threat into an opportunity, rather
Balancing Passion And Reason
Few occasions bring out the worst in folks than a public meeting. At any moment, an agenda item brought before a city council, school board or other public forum can suddenly erupt into a debate, a
A "Leisure" Study
In January, President Barack Obama delivered his inaugural address to America and to the world. Within his speech, he made reference to two concepts basic to the parks and recreation field--happiness
In The Name Of Justice
Although we strive to make working environments welcoming and supportive, circumstances and personalities occasionally combine in ways that result in misunderstandings, conflict, grievances and, at
Moving Up (Or Moving Out)
WeХre all familiar with the typical single-elimination tournament bracket: 16 becomes eight, which becomes four and then two until only one remains standing--the champion. Now letХs turn the bracket 9
Giving GPS A Different Spin
One of the most important obligations of a manager is to determine how well agency staff members actually do their jobs. Decisions about continued employment are hanging in the balance, not to
When To Hold On
Among the most important and rewarding responsibilities that parks and recreation managers deal with is mentoring the staff. Nurturing a new hire from the first day to leading an agency is both a
The Well-Developed Facility
Recreation and leisure facilities are created with the hope that participants will find fulfillment and happiness. ItХs safe to say that almost all experiences are influenced--good or bad--by the surr
Solid To (And From) The Core
In bodybuilding, trainers and coaches emphasize the importance of a solid core, centered within the abdominal region. Program-building is no different. Successful agencies first create and nurture a