Two high-profile HR authors combine efforts to provide an accessible, simple-to-use playbook full of practical actions for assessing and developing talent The authors point out that companies are similar to sports teams: The head coach is the CEO; position coaches are functional leaders; staff supports the direction and objectives set by the coaching staff; and employees are the players that make it happen on the court or field. This metaphor is applied throughout the book, teaching HR professionals how to choose, assess, and develop 'players' for the team and stressing the importance of understanding individual functions, common goals, and rewards for winning/consequences of losing on the 'field of play.' The book grew out of the SHRM 2013 conference, where there was major demand among HR professionals for an easy-to-use "toolkit" for addressing what they consider today's top HR issue: talent Gives HR leaders the knowledge and tools to create systems that are clearly aligned with the organization's strategy-and avoid the common trap of being ignored by other managers The authors will promote the book at each of their many speaking engagements and webinars, as well as through their mailing list of over 15,000 HR professionals and senior leaders Bruce has been a featured speaker at the White House, Harvard, Coca Cola, Ben & Jerry's, Southwest Airlines, GEICO, Sprint, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and many other large and influential organizations