Includes bibliographical references and index.

Missions, visions, and other expensive pastimes -- Strategy and other confusing stuff -- Gurus, consultants, and other snake oil salesmen -- Forget success, focus on failure -- Budgeting : a modern vision of hell (well, purgatory at least) -- The futility of forecasting -- Total quality, Six Sigma, process re-engineering and other management fads -- New risks for a new world -- Pay for performance? Failure pays very well these days -- Lies, damn lies, and performance metrics -- Leveraging technology for competitive advantage -- Why accountants rule the world -- The synergies will be massive! -- Talent matters -- Ask the dumb questions -- The business of spin.