Anatomy of a Business: What It Is, What It Does, and How It Works

(Hardback)

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From the birth of international trade along such exotic trails as the Silk Road to the economics of running a lemonade stand to a day in the life of a CEO, Anatomy of a Business traces the evolution of modern business practices and how they are applied today, in enterprises of all shapes and sizes. Through dozens of examples and illustrations, Anatomy of a Business defines the major types of business (including corporation, partnership, privately-held company, and non-profit) and then metaphorically takes the roof off an office building to peer inside, explaining how each business function, department, and unitfrom marketing to finance, executive to human resource managementworks. Clearly explaining popular theories and approaches to management; highlighting contemporary issues (such as executive pay and corporate ethics); and featuring such elements as charts and diagrams, interviews, sidebars, illustrations, a glossary, references, career resources, and index, Anatomy of a Business is a colorful introduction to business life for anyone researching or considering a career in business. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary contains no less than a dozen definitions for business, including commercial or mercantile activity, dealings and transactions, and an immediate task or objective. Anatomy of a Business considers these and many other dimensions of business as it takes the reader on a tour of the corporate world. From the birth of international trade along such exotic trails as the Silk Road to the economics of running a lemonade stand to a day in the life of a CEO, Anatomy of a Business traces the evolution of modern business practices and how they are applied today, in enterprises of every shape and size, from the one-person garage operation to the multi-national conglomerate. Through dozens of examples and illustrations, Anatomy of a Business first defines the major types of business (including corporation, partnership, privately-held company, and non-profit) and then metaphorically takes the roof off an office building to peer inside, explaining how each business function, department, and unitfrom marketing to finance, executive to human resource managementworks, asking such questions as: What does this department do Why is it vital to the business What positions and roles do people play What type of education, knowledge, or experience do they need to succeed Clearly explaining popular theories and approaches to management; highlighting contemporary issues (such as executive pay and corporate ethics); and featuring such elements as charts and diagrams, interviews, sidebars, illustrations, a glossary, references, career resources, and index, Anatomy of a Business is a colorful introduction to business life for anyone researching or considering a career in business.

Reviews

Galbraith, a management consultant whose has taught seminars for executives, set an ambitious goal to produce a basic reference on business that covers the principles of management in an entertaining way.Recommended. Business administration students and general readers with an interest in business. * Choice *
Written in an informal and engaging style, the book is likely to appeal to a younger audience at the upper high school or undergradute level with little or no knowledge of business.Galbraith offers an engaging bird's eye view of the field.Galbraith should be commended for successfully completing the challenging task of reducing the complex and expansive field of business into a readable and instructive one-volume work. Her ability to translate complex concepts into accessible and understandable language is in itself admireable. Moreover, the fact that she covers so many diverse subjects equally is even more extraordinary. * Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship *
This book focuses on the basics of business for high school and undergraduate students and serves as an introduction to the principles behind strategy, leadership, finance and accounting, marketing, sales, management of information systems, human resources, the supply chain, research and development, and other staff functions, such as the legal department and investor relations. Throughout the book, sections on the everyday experiences of executives are provided. The bibliography is annotated. * Reference & Research Book News *

Author Bio

Sasha Galbraith is a Partner in Jay R. Galbraith Management Consultants, Ltd., managing a variety of functions, including marketing, information technology, contract negotiations, human resources, and accounting, and with research specialties in joint venture management and women in business. She has served as an Adjunct Research Associate at IMD, the International Institute for Management Development, conducting educational seminars for senior executives, and in management positions at Karsten Realty Advisors and Wells Fargo Bank.