Planning the Future (Prepared for Challenge Public Leaderships) - Softcover

John Luthy

9781936408078: Planning the Future (Prepared for Challenge Public Leaderships)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1936408074 ISBN 13: 9781936408078

Publisher: Borderline Publishing, 2010

Elected officials and public administrators are facing the most challenging and transformative period in American history. The number of variables converging on state and local government is enormous, diverse, and growing. Insufficient infrastructure, a struggling economy, an evolving climate, increasing public expectations, and complex service demands are driving the critical questions, 'Where are we going?' and... How are we going to get there? This book is about change, challenge, and opportunity. It is about planning for an uncertain future while meeting current social, economic, and environmental demands. In this first book in the Prepared for Challenge™ Public Leadership Series, noted public sector futurist John Luthy raises profound questions about predictability, probability, and the inevitability of events that will reshape America. More importantly, he presents a proven, simple strategic thinking and planning process that was developed specifically for public agencies to promote efficiency, productivity, and measured performance. This book is a 'must read' for every elected official, public administrator, and community leader who is committed to dynamic, creative, and productive government.

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About the Author:

John Luthy was trained by the RAND Corporation in strategic thinking and planning and has 35 plus years working in and for public agencies. He has been studying this subject since 1974 and is an expert. The strategic thinking and planning approach presented in this book has been proven at the city, county and state level. It has been presented in seminars for over 25 years. Dr. Luthy speaks nationally on this subject and is considered one of the nation s foremost authorities on state and local government organization development and planning. This planning approach has elements that could streamline and revolutionize public agency planning...and save billions.

Review:

Strategic planning...boring? John Luthy brings the topic to life, makes it exciting and creates a path for municipal leaders to follow. John's ability to guide municipal leaders to think long-term and big picture in unsurpassed. He doesn't just create strategic plans, he guides and teaches his audience to understand how to do it and then how to use it. His plans won't sit on a shelf and gather dust! --Edmund M. Henschel, Executive Director for Wisconsin City/County Management Association

Contrary to today s populist rage against the very idea of government, John Luthy reminds us that public servants do serve the public, after all. His prescriptions for how such leaders can and should actually lead are as urgent now as they are overdue. As he says, the mounting challenges we face as a society care not a whit about the next election cycle. So John s strategy for finally dealing with difficult issues that can no longer be avoided is itself a public service. --Rob McManamy, former Editor for Public Works magazine

As we struggle with shrinking budgets and rising public expectations, we need to look for new ways to deliver exceptional public programs and services. John Luthy has opened our eyes to the possibility that solutions to these challenges are within our reach through strategic planning. John has made the complex seem simple and the hidden seem obvious with his Tai-Chi approach to a planning process that builds teams, ownership, and, most importantly, identifies solutions. His affable style, experience in the public sector, quick wit, and humor makes this an entertaining, informative, and applicable read on strategic thinking and planning. --Kent Cash, Director for Department of Public Works, Cowlitz County, Washington

Contrary to today s populist rage against the very idea of government, John Luthy reminds us that public servants do serve the public, after all. His prescriptions for how such leaders can and should actually lead are as urgent now as they are overdue. As he says, the mounting challenges we face as a society care not a whit about the next election cycle. So John s strategy for finally dealing with difficult issues that can no longer be avoided is itself a public service. --Rob McManamy, former Editor for Public Works magazine

As we struggle with shrinking budgets and rising public expectations, we need to look for new ways to deliver exceptional public programs and services. John Luthy has opened our eyes to the possibility that solutions to these challenges are within our reach through strategic planning. John has made the complex seem simple and the hidden seem obvious with his Tai-Chi approach to a planning process that builds teams, ownership, and, most importantly, identifies solutions. His affable style, experience in the public sector, quick wit, and humor makes this an entertaining, informative, and applicable read on strategic thinking and planning. --Kent Cash, Director for Department of Public Works, Cowlitz County, Washington

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