City Management

The Second City has launched the careers of celebrated comic performers such as Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert and produced award-winning content. But it's the actual improvisational process developed and honed over the years by The Second City that has become its legacy. Players master an ability to cocreate in ensembles using philosophies that celebrate a "yes, and" approach.

Imagine a system in which a private company offers you protection of life, liberty, and property as a "government service provider". This service includes internal and external security, a legal and regulatory framework, and independent dispute resolution. You pay a contractually fixed fee for these services per year. The government service provider, as the operator of the community, cannot unilaterally change this "citizens' contract" with you later on.

How do families build and maintain their wealth? This question has challenged families for generations. In business, any wise entrepreneur would develop a plan to guide the venture. Though most people don't have a strategy in mind for their families, it is precisely what they need. This book applies business concepts to invest in our families with as much focus and discipline as we do our financial assets.

Building on the success of their previous title, The Oz Principle, Connors and Smith explore the direct link between a company's culture and the results it produces. Journey to the Emerald City details a clear road map for accelerating the move to a culture of accountability in which people focus on achieving the results critical to a company's future.

Liquid Church tells the fascinating story of a New Jersey church that began "on accident" and grew into one of America's 100 fastest-growing churches, with over 5,000 in weekly attendance and more than 2,400 baptisms to date. Their secret? They harnessed the power of six powerful ministry currents sweeping across North America including: special needs, creative communication, ministry mergers, compassionate cause, radical generosity, and leadership development.

A 21st century warrior returns to a Bronze Age city to lead female warriors in a fight of liberation from an invading barbarian force. Can his 21st century skills help him? Will he successfully navigate the treacherous labyrinths of love and his human heart? Charles Shelby, called Icarus by the people he rescues, faces not just brutal opponents, but he also faces the tremendous pull of sexy and dangerous companions.

Resisting Garbage presents a new approach to understanding practices of waste removal and recycling in American cities, one that is grounded in the close observation of case studies while being broadly applicable to many American cities today.

Adam Torres is here to help you move forward. In this latest edition of Mission Matters (Best of Edition Volume 1), Torres features 17 top professionals who share their lessons on leadership. This book is also available as an audiobook, in which each author reads their chapter.

Jesus told us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. We love the idea of it, but many of us are so busy it can be hard to live out. The past few years our culture has become more polarized with division and disrespect. As tragedies and social issues fill the headlines, the church seems to be nearly absent in the conversation. Love Our City presents our problem, how we can overcome it, and solid ways to fulfill our God-given mission.

The Little Book of Sleep is a practical guide to achieving deep, natural, clean sleep. Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains why a good night's sleep is essential in today's demanding, 24/7, technology-driven world, introduces us to the science of sleep and teaches us that the secret of good sleep is to get out of our head and back into our body. Using a unique combination of Eastern and Western practices, Dr Nerina guides the listener on their personal journey back to sleep.

Red Shoes Living offers a higher standard by which you can live, work, and thrive. In a world that is increasingly noisy and negative, the Red Shoes philosophy has become a symbol for making a positive impact. As an authentic authority in this growing movement, Lonnie Mayne shares his expertise on standing out in the way you live, the way you interact with people, and the way you can make a difference - whether in business or your personal life. 

After raising five children, Rowley sat down and, helped by his wife, JoAnn, does a wonderful job communicating some very simple yet extremely important ideas for raising a family. As a result, his thoughts, intuition, and experiences unfold in a way that feels like a conversation around the kitchen table.