The Last Minute Manager

This book presents a series of windows (or mirrors) through which we can observe those defensive and often annoying traits that form the cornerstone of contemporary bureaucracy. Thus, what initially appears to be an instruction manual for a management style, which virtually everyone will recognize as undesirable, is really the exposure of techniques, which detract from our effectiveness as managers.

Focusing on these techniques should help us to spot similarities to our own style, provide us with insight into our own behavior, and help us to recognize methods, which we may be developing by default. The simple observations from Parkinson’s Law, Murphy’s Law and The Peter Principle have had a very significant impact in improving our understanding of management and human nature, using the same approach.

To accomplish this objective, the approach was to make the book entertaining enough to be read, simple enough to be understood, and relevant enough to be remembered. Thus, just as the brewers of light beer have attempted to create a product which is full bodied and at the same time less filling, this book will attempt to be light, smooth, and satisfying. It is also hoped that this approach will make the medicine easier to swallow, especially for those who need heavy doses.

There has also been an attempt to keep the material brief and concise, since those toward whom the book is aimed have the least time to waste. Toward this end, each technique has been compressed into a short narrative so that the reader does not have to sift through a large volume of material to extract and summarize the major points.

It is hoped that this approach will also contribute to the readability of the book, and avoid the peril of those books that are so long and complex that they don’t get finished. Moreover, the intent has been to make The Last Minute Manager valuable, enjoyable, and user friendly.