9 Resources to Help You Excel as a Business Office Leader

9 Resources to Help You Excel as a Business Office Leader
9 Resources to Help You Excel as a Business Office Leader

Business and Operations//

June 5, 2022

Are you looking to take your skills as a Business Office leader to the next level this summer? We’ve compiled a resource list to help you!

Serving as a business professional in a school setting can differ greatly from the corporate world. The good news is there is a broad variety of management books, articles, and podcasts that easily apply to the education setting!

Here are nine resources that CFOs, HR managers, finance professionals, and facilities management staff members might find quite helpful in their work at your school.

The Enrollment Spectrum hosted by Peter Baron and Hans Mundahl

Baron and Mundahl discuss relevant and timely topics that independent schools face. They have interviewed school leaders, authors, and other experts on ways to navigate school marketing and enrollment management.

No Rules Rules, Netflix and Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer

What does the corporate culture of a video streaming company have to do with a school environment? The unconventional management principles contributing to the success of Netflix can be applied in any leadership role.

This book guides managers in building trusting relationships with colleagues to foster a culture of innovation and growth. You might want to buy a copy for everyone in the Business Office.

Story Dash by David Hutchens

An experienced Admission Director once said, “A major part of a school’s Admission Department is to share the story of the school … and everyone who works here is a part of the admission department.”

They do not mean literally that, for example, the Facilities Manager is in the admission department, but by the nature of our work in a school, we all contribute to the admission and recruitment efforts of the school. This book teaches the reader to craft their story and be more prepared to share the story of their school.

Harvard Business Review (HBR)

This is worth the subscription price! This periodical contains many quick-read, research-based articles that highlight current issues in workplace culture.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

This is a helpful book for any employee who complains about interrupted work. That might be everyone in the Business Office. Newport’s advice guides the reader in ways to manage workflow despite the constant barrage of phone calls, emails, pop-ins, and meetings.


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Follow Joan Garry on LinkedIn

This recommendation is a bit different from the rest—this is a recommendation to follow someone on LinkedIn. Joan Garry is a consultant and author who writes about the messiness of nonprofit organizations. Garry’s posts are informative and inspirational for leaders in a nonprofit setting.

Good to Great by Jim Collins

This is another “general management” book recommended for school employees. Collins’s three areas of focus for an organization to go from good to great are Disciplined People, Disciplined Thought, and Disciplined Action. Collins says, “Great organizations have leaders who make exceptional people's decisions.” Humility is key in managing employees to give the organization the support and expertise needed to go from good to great.

Who: The A Method for Hiring by Geoff Smart and Randy Street

What makes a school great? The people. This book is highly recommended for HR professionals and other leaders who make hiring decisions. The author offers the reader researched-based methods that help organizations attract the right candidates, interview effectively, and make the best decision among the candidates.

Coaching for Leaders podcast with Dave Stachowiak

No recommendation list for people management resources is complete without mentioning the importance of coaching. A coaching approach in management has numerous benefits for your employees, managers, and the organization as a whole. This podcast features various insightful conversations with coaching experts, business leaders, as well as answers to questions submitted by listeners.

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Why Choose an ISM Strategic Performance Analysis Consultation?

With an ISM Strategic Performance Analysis, the Consultant examines every aspect of school operation—managerial and Board design, Board effectiveness, parent satisfaction, the student experience, the strength of the faculty culture, constituent relations, business affairs, development, personnel matters, and more. The ISM Consultant then provides your school with recommended goals and objectives, based on your current position. This consultation is prescriptive in nature, designed to provide you with a path forward. 

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