Managing Without Profit: The Art of Managing Third Sector Organisations

by Mike Hudson Pub: Penguin, 2nd edition 1999 £12.99

This is a rarity - a book on voluntary sector management in which arts organisations are clearly visible and included.

It is valuable as a "how to" guide and also gives a philosophical overview of the sector. It is ideal for either the experienced manager who has learnt by doing and now is intrigued enough by management to want to put some framework or theory around their practice, or the newcomer from another sector who needs induction into our strange ways of structuring organisations and behaving within them.

It is particularly suited to the larger arts organisation. New sections in this second edition (1999) are on the management of change, the learning organisation, the role of the Chair and building a strong senior management team. There appear to be more diagrams and mini case studies than before.

The book starts with a historical perspective, giving a fascinating description of the development of the sector up to and including the current trend of shifting boundaries between it and the public and private sectors. Once in the "how to" chapters, there is excellent advice on choosing structures, creating Boards that govern, relationships between Boards and Chief Executives, managing and inspiring people and teams, developing mission and purpose, planning, and strategic management. The book ends with further reading lists, allowing you to select other management texts from both the business and the third sector, in the UK and the States.

Review by Madeline Hutchins, Arts Management Trainer and Consultant / SAM's Books
Issue 35, 27 August 1999

SAM's Books compiles the Bookshop section of Arts Professional magazine, and used to compile Bookshop in its predecessor, Arts Business.

This review has appeared in Arts Professional or Arts Business. It gives a longer and more personal description of the book than appears in the booklists.