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The critical path method (CPM), one of a variety of quantitative tools for business decision-making, is a simple technique for analyzing, planning, and scheduling large complex projects and for completing them at minimum cost. Analysis by CPM may be applied to a host of projects that have three common characteristics essential for that analysis: the project consists of a well-defined collection of jobs; the jobs may be started or stopped independently of each other, within a given sequence; and the jobs must be performed in technological sequence. A step by step analysis demonstrates critical path scheduling and the process of constructing a graph.

The experiences of a number of companies demonstrate appropriate and inappropriate corporate strategies. Six criteria provide a basis for determining whether a strategy is right for a company. These are: internal consistency, consistency with the environment, appropriateness in the light of available resources, satisfactory degree of risk, appropriate time horizon, and workability.

Productive business managers are those who obtain optimum economic results from the prevailing resources. A series of primary steps, which have proven to be highly effective for managers in actual business situations, include: 1) analyzing the facts in terms of opportunities and costs of products, as well as the contributions of staff, and the "cost streams"; 2) allocating resources, according to projected results, by analyzing present and future resource allocations; and 3) prioritizing decisions with respect to area of greatest potential for opportunity and results.

Public expectations with regard to big-business enterprise are rising sharply, and business leaders must prepare themselves to meet this challenge. Big companies are no longer private affairs, but community assets, and are expected to promote the country's competitiveness in world markets and innovate policies in new areas such as semi-free markets. They must also develop a code of conduct that reflects the double role of executives as businessmen and professionals.

An analysis of the art and science of selling reveals the importance of certain personality traits, effective training, and close supervision. A good sales personality has good persuasion techniques, energy, self-confidence, desire for money, a habit of industry, and a state of mind which regards rejection as a challenge. Minimum effective training for creative sales work must cover: orientation; the product or service; procedures for booking orders, making necessary reports, etc.; time management; and sales techniques. An aggressive, imaginative, even ruthless, sales manager is necessary to provide the kind of strong and dynamic leadership found at the top of productive sales organizations.

Managers may most effectively approach the complex problems of individual differences by first assuming that the differences are neither good nor bad, and that no one right solution exists. Diagnostic questions the manager must ask concern: the nature of the difference; the underlying factors; and the stage to which the interpersonal difference has evolved. Available courses of action include: avoidance, repression, conflict, and problem solving. A systematic approach to the problem, which will result in a solution that will preserve corporate harmony and individual initiative, is the goal.

Variables in foreign behavior and national customs complicate American companies' efforts to conduct international business. A U.S. executive's ignorance of the peculiarities of the languages of time, space, things, friendships, and agreements, may find that this lack of knowledge adversely affects business deals. Written agreements have different meanings resulting in various levels of obligation. U.S. executives must learn the rules for contract negotiations in each country.

An information technology, involving the computer processing of information, mathematical programming for decision making, and simulation of higher order thinking through computer programs, will have far-reaching impact on managerial organization. Fewer people will be able to do more work and management will be able to deal with engineering, logistic, and marketing problems more effectively. Psychological problems may arise from the depersonalization of relationships within management, and education will more often take place outside of the organization.

Tests show that individuals retain only half of what they have heard immediately after hearing it, and only one third of it within eight hours. Methods to improve listening should build an awareness of the factors that affect listening ability and should construct aural experiences that will produce good listening habits. Fourteen suggestions provide the basis for building an awareness of the importance of listening skills.