Written as a novel, Cents of Mission follows Luis as he struggles with the problems of many people and organizations today: the lack of fiscal resources. Watch him as he seeks practical advice and learns how to attack these problems with practical, military style command and control. See how learning, cost informed decision making, creativity, and continuous improvement become powerful forces for improving cost effectiveness and achieving life and professional goals.

Professor Emeritus; Cal State University

Cast of Characters ..................................................................................xi Introduction ........................................................................................xiii Chapter 1 Luis Struggles with Personal Finances, Talks to Father- in-Law for Advice .............................................................1 Chapter 2 Luis Analyzes Tax Effects of a Raise, Meets with Emily, Defines Mission ................................................................5 Chapter 3 Luis Calls Colonel, Gets Explanation of Basic Command and Control ....................................................9 Chapter 4 Luis Develops His Cost Intelligence and Attack Plan, Discusses with Emily ......................................................15 Chapter 5 President Nelson Holds Budget Review ..........................23 Chapter 6 Luis Calls Staff Meeting to Find Cost Reductions ...........27 Chapter 7 Chairman Stewart Leads the Saturday Cost Reduction Meeting ..........................................................................35 Chapter 8 Al Educates Luis and Marty on How Command and Control Drives Mission Success ...............................41 Chapter 9 Luis and Marty Work Up Brief for Chairman Stewart ....47 Chapter 10 Researching Activity Based Costing and Performance Metrics .......................................................51 Chapter 11 Luis Talks with Colonel About Intelligence Gathering .......................................................................57 Chapter 12 Luis Reengages Chairman Stewart on Cost Accounting and Metrics Issues ...........................................................61 Chapter 13 Struggling to Specify the Right Intelligence, Writing the Mission Statement ..........................................................67 Chapter 14 Meeting with Chairman Stewart to Prep for Pilot Reviews .............................................................71 Chapter 15 The Pilot Cost After Action Review with Maintenance and Marketing ................................................................77 Chapter 16 Figuring Out Facilities Cost Allocation ...........................83 Chapter 17 Luis Revisits Personal Finance Problems over the Weekend ...................................................................93 Chapter 18 Prebrief to Chairman Stewart Before First Full Cost Review Including Facilities ...................................101 Chapter 19 The First Companywide Cost After Action Review .......107 Chapter 20 Three Months Later: The First Good Ideas Meeting ......111 Chapter 21 Epilogue: Five Years Later .............................................117 Index .................................................................................................119