By James Caplin
The aim of this book is to help the reader become better at preparing and doing presentations. There is a secondary aim. This is to be part of the process of ridding the world of poor presentations, so that we all have to suffer through fewer of them in future. I Hate Presentations is a practical book, containing no academic arguments, footnotes or extensive reading lists. 

The importance of human capital for growth and social inclusion is set out in this paper from theTreasury. It was written jointly with the Finance Ministries of Sweden and Germany.
The paper focuses on the issue of human capital for promoting employability and social cohesion. The knowledge-based economy favours workers with higher skills which need to be updated through the lifecycle. 

By Adrian Gostick & Scott Christopher.
The book uses serious science to reveal the remarkable power of humour and fun in work, and demonstrates that leaders who are light-hearted earn more on average than their peers. Entertaining workplaces have more loyal employees. Employees who are considered humorous are vastly more likely to get promoted. 

By Gary L Sturgess, Briony Smith, Peter May and Alexis Sotiropoulos
The key to value for money in public services lies at the competitive edge. This is the conclusion of a study from the Serco Institute which reviews the financial savings achieved when monopoly services in five sectors -defence, prisons, local government, waste management and health - were exposed to competition, or the prospect of competition. 

By Duncan Scott
This report, commissioned by the Charities Aid Foundation, has revealed the extent to which Social Enterprises are hard-pressed to achieve financial sustainability. Whilst some Social Enterprises will depend on generating a measure of economic return from their activities, the report finds that there must be consensus within the organisation about the desired balance between economic and social return.
This comprehensive study tracked five organisations over a five year period. 

By Alex Bowerman
National road pricing has effectively been parked in the layby to await a climate change in public opinion, but a number of councils are considering local implementation as an effective response to traffic congestion. This paper critically examines the case for road pricing and discusses the optimal scale of charging systems. It examines a number of charging systems, including the M6 Toll, the London Congestion Charge and road pricing in Singapore. 

The Home Office evaluation of the impact of piloting and early national implementation of Neighbourhood policing shows results broadly consistent with the international evidence. Adoption overseas has generally resulted in reducing crime and improving public perceptions.
The pilot neighbourhood policing projects have had a significant positive impact on a wide range of outcome measures, including criminal victimisation, perceptions of anti-social behaviour, and public confidence in the police. 

By Glenn M. Parker
This new edition of Team Players and Teamwork incorporates 16 more years of research and major changes in technology and team styles since the first edition was published. Glenn Parker has included a new introduction on the “state of teams” today, a multitude of current-day examples, and new exercises and information on validation. The book contains team-player surveys and assessments that have become the dominant tools for team building.
Glenn M. 

Demographic changes, skills shortages and recent UK legislation on age are having an effect on employment. Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development highlights the importance for employers to address the challenges presented by an ageing workforce to recruit, retain and engage talent. 

Charging for local services makes a significant contribution to council finances. In 2006/07 councils received around 8 per cent of their total income from charges and this is about half as much as they raised in council tax. This report from the Audit Commission looks at ways that councils can maximise the benefits of local public service charges.