Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Philosophy of Money or Health Fitness Management

The Philosophy of Money

Author: Georg Simmel

'I have lost interest ... in all that I have written prior to The Philosophy of Money. This one is really my book, the others appear to me colourless and seem as if they could have been written by anyone else.' - Georg Simmel to Heinrich Rickert (1904)
'We should
all be grateful for this translation. It must have been extremely hard work, but it shows no trace of it. Indeed, it positively sparkles.' - Alan Ryan, The Guardian

In The Philosophy of Money, Simmel provides us with a remarkably wide-ranging discussion of the social, psychological and philosophical aspects of the money economy, full of brilliant insights into the forms that social relationships take. He analyzes the relationships of money to exchange, the human personality, the position of women, individual freedom and many other areas of human existence. Later he provides us with an account of the consequences of the modern money economy and the division of labor, which examines the processes of alienation and reification inwork, urban life and elsewhere. Perhaps, more than any of his other sociological works, The Philosophy of Money gives us an example of his comprehensive analysis of the interrelationships between the most diverse and seemingly connected social phenomena.

This revised edition of the translation by Tom Bottomore and David Frisby, includes a new Preface by David Frisby.



Look this: Organization Development and Transformation or Communicating in Small Groups

Health Fitness Management: A Comprehensive Resource for Managing and Operating Programs and Facilities, 2nd Edition

Author: Mike Bates

Health Fitness Management, Second Edition, provides an in-depth picture of the varied and rewarding role of the health and fitness club manager. With contributions from leading experts in the fitness industry, several new chapters, a more practical emphasis, enhanced features, and the addition of instructor resources, this second edition is the most authoritative and field-tested guide to management success.

Whether soothing disgruntled members, ensuring club safety and profitability, or motivating staff to perform at their best, health and fitness club managers require the right mix of skills and flexibility to support the success and continued growth of their clubs. Both aspiring and practicing club managers can rely on Health Fitness Management to help them acquire and improve their management skills across all areas:

•Human resources: Understand the importance of organizational development and the payoffs of thoughtful staff recruitment, training, development, retention, and compensation.
•Sales and marketing: Discover new ways to attract and retain members and increase profitability with the right mix of products and services.
•Financial management: Learn how to read financial statements and understand and control the risks associated with running a fitness club.
•Facility maintenance: Implement systems to ensure the upkeep and safety of the facility and its equipment.
•Program evaluation: Determine the "fitness level" of the club and its programs, capitalize on strengths, and find solutions to improve weak areas.
•Industry perspective: Understand the history of health and fitness management,its present status, and future trends.

Health Fitness Management, Second Edition, has been fully updated and organized for maximum retention and easy reference. Each chapter begins with "Tales From the Trenches," a real-life example that clearly illustrates the chapter's theoretical focus. Special "The Bottom Line" segments sum up the key points of the chapters in an applied context so readers can see exactly how the information is applied on the job. Learning objectives, key terms, and a list of references and recommended reading round out each chapter to make the material even more comprehensive to students, and a new instructor guide and test package make the text ideal for instructors teaching a course. Practitioners will find the added bonus of many time-saving reproducible forms, including a sample membership agreement, an equipment maintenance form, and a guest registration and exercise waiver.

Written by industry experts with more than 300 combined years of experience, Health Fitness Management, Second Edition, is the fundamental resource for the management and operation of health and fitness facilities and programs. Enhanced with practical scenarios and applied knowledge, it provides a solid foundation for students preparing for a management career in the health and fitness industry and serves as an essential reference for professionals already enjoying the challenges and opportunities of club management.



Table of Contents:
Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments

Introduction. An Overview of the Health and Fitness Industry
Mike Bates

Part I. Human Resources

Chapter 1. Recognizing the Importance of Leaders and Managers
Jane Riddell

Chapter 2. Understanding Organizational Design
Scott Lewandowski

Chapter 3. Recruiting the Best Staff for Your Facility
Kevin Hood

Chapter 4. Training and Developing Staff
Brenda Abdilla

Chapter 5. Managing Staff Performance
Bud Rockhill

Chapter 6. Developing a Compensation Program
Mike Bates

Part II. Member Recruitment, Retention, and Profitability

Chapter 7. Marketing Your Facility
Casey Conrad

Chapter 8. Increasing Sales
Karen Woodard

Chapter 9. Focusing on Customer Service
Terry Eckman

Chapter 10. Retaining Members Through Program Management
Sandy Coffman

Chapter 11. Generating Revenue Through Profit Centers
Cheryl Jones

Part III. Operations and Facility Management

Chapter 12. Understanding Financial Management
Mike Bates

Chapter 13. Addressing Health and Safety Issues
Mike Greenwood and Anthony Abbott

Chapter 14. Maintaining Your Facility
Anthony Abbott and Mike Greenwood

Chapter 15. Choosing the Right Equipment
Mike Bates

Chapter 16. Understanding Legal and Insurance Issues
John Wolohan

Chapter 17. Evaluating Your Operation
Dave Hardy

Conclusion. Looking Toward the Future
Index
About the Editor

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