Smart Contracting for Local Government Services: Processes and Experience (Privatizing Government: An Interdisciplinary Series)

Book Description

"Privatization" of local government is making headlines throughout the world. Scottsdale, Arizona, contracts for fire protection; Baltimore, to run nine city schools; and Chicago and Philadelphia for a range of services from janitors to recreational facilities. The United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia have arguably gone further than the United States. But much of the debate on contracting has been high on politics, philosophy, and emotion with little attention to practical issues of how to do contracting well. The book shifts the debate away from the politics and rhetoric to the practicalities and realities of contracting. The book is concerned with four issues--the role of contracting in government, the appropriateness of different contracting strategies, the process of contracting, and who does the contracting. Drawing on examples in the United States and the United Kingdom, the author considers the historical and cultural context of contracting, where contracting works and where it doesn't, the features of smart contracting, and the conditions that are conducive to smart contracting. The book provides an invaluable guide to those concerned with the practicalities of contracting.

Book Description

In recent years, research on the control of agricultural pests through the use of semiochemicals has increased considerably because of the many advantages of products developed from natural sources, including the perceptions of these compounds as environmentally desirable as well as the real need for new pesticides with novel modes of action. This symposium series book describes various aspects of recent research and developments related to the study of natural products and semiochemicals in the control of important insect pests including the Formosan termite. These studies detail the isolation, identification, synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and mode of action of semiochemicals and of other natural products as well as biocontrol agents, as they apply to the control of agricultural pests such as the Formosan termite. The book also covers the use of biological agents in conjunction with semiochemicals for pest and weed control. Formulations play a key role in the development of usable pest control products especially products based on unconventional chemical and biological agents. Successful product development begins with understanding chemical and biological agents. Successful product development begins with understanding the application environment and continues through formulation, efficacy, data analysis, and finally marketing. Part of this book will use the development of formulations to protect a biological agent, baculovirus, from degradation by exposure to sunlight as a backdrop to address the range of work required to develop a successful product for agriculture. What sets this book apart from other symposium series volumes on pest or weed control is that the entire research and development pathway is presented in an orderly sequence: starting from the observation of pest or weed problem, to the demonstration of a possible solution, synthesis of semiochemicals, to formulation and field-testing. The reader can grasp the details of how to do his or her discipline as well as the big overall picture. The book should be especially valuable to those individuals involved in writing research grant proposals.

Book Description

Want to turn your passion for fitness into a lucrative career? Each year, more than 5 million Americans use personal trainers to take their workouts to the next level—and this plain-English guide shows you how to get in on the action. Whether you want a part-time job at the gym or a full-time personal training business, you’ll find the practical, proven advice you need in this indispensable resource.

Becoming a Personal Trainer For Dummies is for you if you want to become a certified personal trainer and start your own business—or if you’re a certified trainer looking to improve upon your existing practice. You get a thorough overview of what it takes to get certified and run a successful business, complete with expert tips that help you:

Find your training niche
Study for and pass certification exams

Attract, keep, and motivate clients
Interview, hire, and manage employees
Update your training skills
Expand your services

This user-friendly guide offers unique coverage of personal trainer certification programs, including tips on selecting the right program and meeting the requirements. You’ll see how to develop your training identity as well as practice invaluable skills that will make you a great personal trainer. You also receive savvy guidance in:

Choosing the best fitness equipment
Creating a business plan, a record-keeping system, and a marketing campaign
Performing fitness assessments
Developing individualized exercise programs
Advancing your clients to the next fitness level

Managing legal issues and tax planning

Offering additional services such as massage and nutrition consultation
Training clients with special needs

Complete with ten great starter exercises and a valuable list of professional organizations and resources, Becoming a Personal Trainer For Dummies gives you the tools you need to get the most out of this fun, fabulous career!

Customer Reviews:

Good book!.......2007-08-23

Not really what I was looking for, but I started reading and its a great book, I really recomended to all beginners and experience, it has all the information you'll ever need, trully a well written and great referance book to have.

Title says it all........2007-01-01

This is a very easy to read primer for those considering a career or hobby in personal fitness. It gives a nice overview of what the career is like and what it will take to gain a certificate and proceed to line up those all important clients. I also learned a few things that can be incorprated into my own liftness lifestyle.

Awesome book!!!.......2006-07-29

This book is really good! It's funny and extremly informative. The only pitfall I think this book has is that it seems more geared towards people who are already certified. On the flip side though, it does have extremly good advice on becoming certified, taking exams, finding you niche etc...I would recommend this book to amatuers who are still in school (like me) and certified veteran personnal trainers alike :)

Useful.......2006-03-15

It is a useful book, especially for someone new to the industry. The online link is especially nice.

Crash Course in Basic Business.......2005-09-30

The basic steps for starting a business as a personal trainer presented in a concise and easy to follow format. Good business advice to avoid costly mistakes.

Average customer rating:

Great book, but needs to be updated
The Best Business Book for Personal Trainers in the USA
very little information in this book
My OWN Business
Rags to Riches!!

The Personal Trainer Business Handbook
Ed Gaut
Manufacturer: Pierpoint-Martin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0964094533

Customer Reviews:

Great book, but needs to be updated.......2005-01-27

I am a "club personal trainer" for six years and bought this book to help me make the transition to "independent trainer". I found 90% of the information very helpful. My one criticism is that the book needs to be updated with current information regarding service fees (like accounting and postage), and more in-depth explanations for better use of technology, i.e. cell phones, computers and the internet. Still, the book is very good and the forms, letters, and flyers offer starting-point reference. Plus, how could you not like a guy like Ed Gaut? He's a passionate man that genuinely wants you to succeed. I would reccommend this book, especially if it is to be updated.

The Best Business Book for Personal Trainers in the USA.......2004-02-24

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. That is the best thing I can say to the author...This book made me focus on what was important in advanceing my business and allowing me to be a success. I now charge $70.00 per hour and avearage 5 sessions a day - 6 days a week ... and I just got started. This book is everything you need to know. Yes, it is simple to read and understand this book and unlike the lady from China (earlier review) I found it full of great advice for operating a PT business in the US. I've read the other 'newer books' and they do not compare...This guy obviously is a trainer talking to trainers. Thanks again Mr. Gaut!

very little information in this book.......2004-02-20

I am a PT manager.I do not have too much to say about this book. I bought it reading the other reviews, but I was disapointed. The information offered is very superficial. Any personal trainer using his/her basic common sense can think of even more solutions for "making money and own your personal training business" then what you could find reading this book.Maybe priced under 10 $ I could go over its scarcity of information. The good thing about the book is that some of the offered forms can be used; or you can search and download from the web for free.It can be red in just a few hours.
Definetely is not a 4 stars book.

My OWN Business.......2003-02-12

I started out doing some training while I was in college. It was sort of nice break from the old college classes and boring campus jobs. However, the more I trained, the more I liked it. It soon came to the point where I needed to either start a REAL business, or stop taking clients! I was getting too busy, and too overwhelmed with payments, and all those types of things.

I then came across the book that saved my life, and my business! Ed Gaut's, The Personal Trainer Business Handbook helped me to set up a business that can not fail! Each chapter helped me get one step closer to running a successful personal training business! Included in the chapters is how to get MORE clients, and how to get into gyms and health clubs. Important notes on advertising and publicity really helped me SAVE money rather than throw it away by advertising improperly.

I now own four studios, and manage over 45 personal trainers. Each of my trainers is required to read The Personal Trainer Business Handbook, and use the 30+ forms included in the book.

I really wish I could thank the author, Ed Gaut, for how successful he has helped me become. I owe it all to The Personal Trainer Business Handbook! THANKS

Rags to Riches!!.......2003-01-21

This book changed my life! As a personal trainer just starting out, I only had a few clients. As my clientele grew I began to get in over my head. The Personal Trainer Business Handbook by Ed Gaut helped me get a real business going! Step by step, the author taught me everything I needed to do to keep my business in line. The forms included in the book really helped me get a great idea of what I needed from my clients. Now, I have a large business in which I manage trainers that work for me! This is the best book I ever read! Thank you Ed!

The Everything Guide to Being a Personal Trainer: All You Need to Get Started on a Career in Fitness (Everything: School and Careers)

Average customer rating:

The Everything Guide to Being a Personal Trainer: All You Need to Get Started on a Career in Fitness (Everything: School and Careers)
Kate Kenworthy , and Stephen A. Rodrigues
Manufacturer: Adams Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598692275

Book Description

If you love fitness and you're looking for an alternative to the typical 9-5 office job, The Everything Guide to Being a Personal Trainer will help you turn your passion into a career. Opportunities for professional fitness trainers are everywhere--fitness clubs, college athletic programs, even professional sports teams. The Everything Guide to Being a Personal Trainer is a step-by-step guide that will take you from gym rat to fitness guru in no time.

This easy-to-follow book progresses from training to certification with tips to help you:

Choose a work environment
Set up a business plan
Find, motivate, and keep clients
Learn about marketing and networking

Written by two personal-training professionals, The Everything Guide to Being a Personal Trainer is all you need to get started in the exciting, growing field of fitness.

Average customer rating:

Best Book Ever

Thanks for writing this book, Ms. O'Brien

Terrific Resource for the Beginner or the Pro

Outdated information and poorly presented reference material

A must for those starting in the business

The Personal Trainer's Handbook
Teri S. O'Brien
Manufacturer: Human Kinetics Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Becoming a Personal Trainer for Dummies

The Complete Book of Personal Training

The Personal Trainer Business Handbook

It's More Than Just Making Them Sweat: A Career Training Guide for Personal Fitness Trainers

Start Your Own Personal Training Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up)

Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0880115939

Book Description

Starting your own personal training business or wanting to improve your existing practice? With the updated and expanded second edition of the popular The Personal Trainer's Handbook, you'll have all the advice and tools you'll need to succeed.

Like the popular first edition, this easy-to-use reference is written in everyday language and covers everything from designing safe and effective fitness programs to handling even the most difficult clients. You will learn how to achieve personal and financial success as a personal trainer, how to attract and keep clientele, and how to manage taxes and other business issues that are crucial to a personal training business.

With the new edition, you'll also get a succinct but comprehensive review of exercise physiology that's directly applicable to your business. This text includes a valuable new CD-ROM with the following features:

· 10 reproducible forms you can use and modify to manage the commercial, practical, and legal requirements of your business
· Forms for data collection and record keeping
· Charts and tables for writing the most beneficial exercise program for each client
· 3 case studies to help you hone your skills
· Excerpts from other Human Kinetics publications designed to help you improve your practice in everything from individualizing exercise prescription to applying principles of periodization to your clients' programs

The Personal Trainer's Handbook, Second Edition, also features an improved resistance workout guide. The guide contains
· instructions and illustrations for 74 exercises and 17 stretches,
· important reminders to give your clients to ensure ongoing correct form, and
· tips on how to handle or avoid common problems that you or your clients may experience with each exercise.

In addition, the resistance workout guide now contains a handy box on the outer edge of each page that has listings of the primary and secondary muscles and the area of the body worked by each exercise. This will help you quickly locate appropriate exercises for each client.

The author, Teri O'Brien, is a well-known consultant on starting and growing personal training businesses and a former lawyer and personal trainer. She uses a clear, friendly, and entertaining writing style to share a wealth of practical guidance. With The Personal Trainer's Handbook, Second Edition, you will become a more effective self-marketer, businessperson, motivator, and teacher for your clients.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book Ever.......2005-02-16

It's just head and shoulders above any Personal Trainers resource I've ever used. I absolutely emphatically recommend that anyone pursuing a career in training read this book.

Thanks for writing this book, Ms. O'Brien.......2004-07-13

As an aspiring personal training entrepreneur, I bought your book after it was recommended by the chairman of the Exercise Physiology Department at a major university. I give your book an enthusiastic thumbs up to ANYONE who wants to make fitness their life, or even their hobby The legal forms are priceless, the section on handling difficult clients is indispensible and the resistance training form guide is great! I have told all my colleagues to buy it, and the chairman I referred to adopting it as the textbook for my alma mater's 'personal training business' instruction class. Thanks for writing this book, Ms. O'Brien.

Terrific Resource for the Beginner or the Pro.......2004-07-13

I think Teri O'Brien's "Personal Trainer's Handbook" is the most valuable resource I have ever owned. The 2nd Edition is thoroughly updated, augmented with a CD rom, and even better than the one I cut my teeth on, the original edition. I am particularly impressed by the section on legal forms and liability issues. Since the author is a lawyer as well as a exercise physiologist, the book contains a wealth of information you simply can't get anywhere else. I prefer O'Brien's writing style to that of Galt or Brooks or any of the other popular fitness authors. I think her writing is more accessible to the beginner and very enjoyable to read for the pro, such as I. I simply can't imagine not having this book in my fitness resource library.

Outdated information and poorly presented reference material.......2004-05-13

New trainers looking for a reference handbook will not benfit from spending money on this handbook. Douglas Brooks' "Going Solo" and "Program Design for Personal Trainers" has more high quality information for new trainers. This handbook just contains the same generic fitness guidelines of most fitness books that can be gotten for free through various websites. For basic reference with a higher quality publication, ACE's "Personal Trainer Manual" covers everything you need with more easy to find quick reference tools and high quality demonstrations, where this handbook is crammed text with a poor layout making it difficult to quickly find basic information since you have to sort through the author's excess commentary. For non-professionals, Ian King's "Book of Muscle" will give a wealth of easy and solid information for the beginner looking for a hardcover manual. This is definitely not for anyone looking for cutting edge info or how to really develop effective exercise programs. The many free resources at ACE, ACSM and NSCA's websites give you the same information without wasting your money.

A must for those starting in the business.......2002-07-05

The first part of the book is pretty simple in its concept. Mostly it gives you ideas on interaction with clients. Even with issues I already knew it was nice to have the reassurance. The best part of the book from was the EXERCISE section. It gives concise and easy to follow instructions on many exercises and they are broken down by body parts. What makes this especially valuable is that she give you reminders to tell your client plus things to watch out for as a trainer for each exercise. I only wish she had added more of this in the book. I practically scanned this whole section and uploaded it into my Palm Pilot for quick access at the gym ***That may be an idea for you Teri for future products**Also in the back are several standard forms such as a medical release.

Personal Trainer's Handbook, The: Manage Your Business Know Your Clients

Average customer rating:

Personal Trainer's Handbook, The: Manage Your Business Know Your Clients
Rebbecca Weissbort
Manufacturer: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0713675578

Start Your Own Personal Training Business

Average customer rating:

Good advice---great insight
a book for novices

Start Your Own Personal Training Business
Entrepreneur Press
Manufacturer: Entrepreneur Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1599181487

Book Description

Earn a Healthy Living Helping Others Win the Battle of the Bulge

Personal trainers aren't just for athletes and the rich and famous anymore. As people become more aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, personal trainers are in high demand. You'll learn the nuts and bolts of starting a personal training business, including everything from establishing a business plan to getting certified to finding a profitable niche. Tips from successful trainers provide inspiration and advice along the way. They offer insights about:

Requirements and startup costs
What to expect during day-to-day operations
Making yourself stand out from the competition
Marketing strategies
Building solid relationships with clients
How to track and manage finances
The most popular services trainers are offering

You'll also find out about the latest trends in health and wellness so you can keep your business at the cutting edge in this rapidly expanding market. Whether you want to run a solo-operation or an exercise studio employing other trainers - you'll have the tools to succeed.

Customer Reviews:

Good advice---great insight.......2007-01-01

We enjoyed this book as it provided up with information that helped us make a decision on whether to pursure a career in the fitness industry. I would recommend it.

a book for novices.......2005-07-01

I was looking for a book that would provide detailed, in-depth information. I did not find what I was looking for here.

It has helpful information if you are completely new to the industry. If you have ANY experience couples with some common sense, then this is not what you're looking for.

It did have a resources guide in the back that I found helpful, but that's about it.

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