Welcome to the last Network World on Management Strategies newsletter. Starting Oct. 2, this newsletter will have a new name - Network World on IT Leadership - and a new author. If you missed the details, check out last week’s Management Strategies newsletter at http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/manage/2003/0922manage1.html

One of the more popular questions I was asked while writing this was, “What are the best management books?” I read a lot during the three years of this newsletter, so allow me to pass along my favorite titles. They’re all worth your valuable time.

* "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. Any of Covey’s books are excellent, and if you haven’t read any of them, this is a good place to start. What I like most about “7 Habits” is the fact that they can improve all aspects of your life, not just your time spent in the office. To whatever degree you implement his theories, they will yield fruit.

* "To Do, Doing, Done" by G. Lynne Snead and Joyce Wycoff. This is a great title on project management and organization. This book actually got me excited about organizing my files. If you can’t remember the color of the top of your desk, consider this book.

* "Love 'Em or Lose 'Em" by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans. Worried your employees will bolt when the job market picks up? Check out this book, a very engaging, fun read on how to keep your superstars from leaving your orbit.

* "Turn it Off" by Gil Gordon. If you have issues with work creeping into your personal life, this would be a good read for you. Gordon offers you many suggestions on how to “unplug” from work without hamstringing your career. He also includes an excellent chapter on how managers can encourage workaholic employees to “turn it off.”

* Any of Bob Nelson's other books, "1001 Ways to Energize Employees" - "1001 Ways to Reward Employees" - etc. I like Nelson’s work because they’re nearly all real-life examples of programs or ways managers, well, manage. You can get some great ideas that could be implemented in your department from his works.

I really enjoyed my time at the helm of this newsletter and I appreciate all the feedback you sent. I know how much e-mail you receive and to know that you took the time to not only read this newsletter, but respond, was incredibly gratifying.

The archive of Management Strategies stories will continue to be available for you at http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/manage/index.html