Business strategy Books

Book SynopsisLaying out her winning traits and abilities, this book chronicles Saina Nehwal''s journey from entering the badminton court to winning the coveted Olympic medal. Saina is not the flamboyant kind, but considering her a dove will be a mistake. Always a silent hawk, she has notet success get to her mind and continues to be devoted to badminton. Driven partly by her parents and partly by Pullela Gopichand''s coaching, she has managed to establish herself as a woman with a good head on her shoulders. Commanding a substantial brand value in a sport other than cricket in a countryike India is something very few can achieve and Saina has managed to do that successfully. Based on the first-ever badminton queen of India, Winningike Saina: Think and Succeedike Nehwal focuses on an authentic portrayal of Saina and analyses her qualities that make her an ideal role model for every professional.

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Book SynopsisShort cases at the end of each Chapter are updated and build on what students have learned in the Chapter.

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Book SynopsisThis book acts as a valuable quick-access resource on the challenges and opportunities that the digital age presents to organizational leadership. Balanced, comprehensive, and thought-provoking, the book will be useful to professionals and practitioners. The book broadly follows a macro, meso, and micro approach to argumentation and is best read from beginning to end. The book synopsizes the historical context of technological revolutions and reflects on first-order results from enhanced use of information and communication technology in organizations; considers second-level impacts from information and communication technology on economy, society, work, and the very act of organizing; maps out core concepts of agility and principles that leaders should honor to exploit agility in newfound workforce ecosystems; showcases emerging leadership behaviors and mindsets; and specifies the good practice needed to plan and lead digital strategies. The book invites reference to the author's popular Knowledge Solutions: Tools, Methods, and Approaches to Drive Organizational Performance (2017) and the more recent Leading Solutions: Essays in Business Psychology (2021), which it both rests on and extends.Table of Contents1.Information and Communication Technology in Organizations: An Evolutionary Perspective.- 2.Information and Communication Technology in Organizations: Impacts and Implications.- 3.Information and Communication Technology in Organizations: Powering Agile-Friendly Leadership.- 4.Leading in the Digital Age.- 5.Planning and Driving a Digital Strategy.

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Book SynopsisChange or Die. What if you were given that choice? If you didn''t, your time would end soon—a lot sooner than it had to. Could you change when change matters most?This is the question Alan Deutschman poses in Change or Die, which began as a sensational cover story by the same title for Fast Company. Deutschman concludes that although we all have the ability to change our behavior, we rarely ever do. From patients suffering from heart disease to repeat offenders in the criminal justice system to companies trapped in the mold of unsuccessful business practices, many of us could prevent ominous outcomes by simply changing our mindset.A powerful book with universal appeal, Change or Die deconstructs and debunks age-old myths about change and empowers us with three critical keys—relate, repeat, and reframe—to help us make important positive changes in our lives. Explaining breakthrough research and progre

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Book SynopsisThe founders of a respected Silicon Valley advisory firm study legendary category-creating companies and reveal a groundbreaking discipline called category design.Winning today isn’t about beating the competition at the old game. It’s about inventing a whole new game—defining a new market category, developing it, and dominating it over time. You can’t build a legendary company without building a legendary category. If you think that having the best product is all it takes to win, you’re going to lose.In this farsighted, pioneering guide, the founders of Silicon Valley advisory firm Play Bigger rely on data analysis and interviews to understand the inner workings of “category kings”— companies such as Amazon, Salesforce, Uber, and IKEA—that give us new ways of living, thinking or doing business, often solving problems we didn’t know we had.In Play Bigger, the authors assemble their findings to i

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Book SynopsisInternational bestselling author of The First 90 Days Michael D. Watkins presents an actionable new framework to help aspiring leaders learn to think strategically?a set of skills more necessary than ever in a world of constant change. Pattern recognition. Systems perspective. Mental agility. Structured problem-solving. Visioning. Political savvy. For every good leader who has mastered of one of these disciplines is a great leader who knows and has mastered all of them.Michael D. Watkins, an expert on leadership transitions and organizational success, returns to the page with a new how-to guide for the modern leader. Here, he presents the six disciplines that separate the great from the good. Developed over the course of his storied career, Watkins? approach to strategic thinking?a set of mental disciplines leaders use to recognize potential threats and opportunities, establish priorities, and mobilize themselves and their organizations to envision and enact promising paths forward??is the model followed by some of today?s most successful first-time CEOs and new business leaders.The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking is a comprehensive and practical guide to strategic thinking, offering a wealth of insights and tools for leaders at all levels.

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Book SynopsisThis work provides an analysis of the inner workings of Japan's keiretsu - the corporate alliances that have been the cause of much debate. The text aims to reveal what the keiretsu really are and how they work, covering topics such as how foreign firms can circumvent the keiretsu.Table of ContentsBehind the mask; keiretsu as a government tool; fortress keiretsu; stranglehold on business?; life beneath the keiretsu; how foreign firms can circumvent the keiretsu in Japan; turning the tables; keiretsu as fair play?; invincible or over the hill?; the keiretsu tomorrow.

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Book SynopsisJ.C. Larreche is Professor at INSEAD, the famous international business school, where he holds the Alfred H. Heineken Chair. It was as a student at Stanford that he was first nicknamed J.C. by his friends. It was also there, in the midst of Silicon Valley, that he developed an interest in the way some firms achieve exceptional growth while others don't. Since then, his research, teaching, and consulting activities have focused on the discovery of systematic and practical ways to help businesses achieve quality growth that is not only exceptional but also sustainable.   J.C. has always combined his academic life with a business career, and is particularly sensitive to the practical day-to-day realities which executives have to deal with. He is a renowned consultant with leading global corporations, most of them listed in the global Fortune 500. Aged just 36, J.C. was appointed a nonexecutive director of tTable of Contents Preface xxi PART I Discovering Momentum 1 Chapter 1The Power of Momentum 3 Where’s the Impetus? 3 What’s Holding Us Back? 4 Pushers, Plodders, and Pioneers 5 Momentum-Powered Firms 9 The Power of Momentum in Action 11 Wal-Mart 11 Toyota 12 Join the Momentum League 14 Chapter 2 The Source of Momentum 15 The Day Gary Kildall Went Flying 15 The Source of Microsoft’s Momentum 16 How Value Is Created 17 Where Is the Unlimited Potential? 19 Drivers of Momentum Strategy 21 Exploring the Customer’s Space 21 Crafting “Power” Offers 22 Mobilizing for Growth 23 Momentum Strategy at Work: The iPod 24 How Momentum Growth Opens a New Efficiency Frontier 25 Moving from Compensating to Momentum Strategy 26 Less Is More, More for Less 27 Unlock Your Unlimited Potential 28 Chapter 3 The Road to Momentum 29 Vasella’s Eureka Moment 29 The Momentum-Powered Firm in Action 30 The Results Momentum Can Deliver 31 The Twin Engines of Momentum 32 Momentum Design 34 Momentum Execution 36 Momentum Design at Skype 38 Momentum Execution at Skype 41 Making Momentum Systematic 44 PART II Designing Momentum 47 Chapter 4 Compelling Insights 49 IBM Is Listening Again 49 The Value-Origination Blind Spot 50 Virgin Atlantic 51 Customer Insights 52 3M: Post-it Notes 53 Alcoa Packaging: Fridge Pack 53 Dassault: The Falcon 7X Aircraft 54 The Systematic Discovery of Compelling Insights 54 The Knowing-Doing Discovery Path 57 The Listening Discovery Path 58 The Learning Discovery Path 58 The White Discovery Path 59 The Exploration Process 60 Guiding Exploration 60 Enabling Exploration 63 Explore the World for Insights 65 Chapter 5 Compelling Value 69 What Women Want 69 What Does a Customer Value? That Depends 70 Customer Myopia 72 The Customer Value Map 73 Delighting Customers 74 Abusing Customers 76 What’s It Worth? How Customers See Value 77 The Customer Value Wedge 78 Financial Customer Value 80 Functional Customer Value 81 Intangible Customer Value 82 Emotional Customer Value 82 Let the Customer See Better Value 84 The Golden Pathway to Increased Customer Value 85 Go Deep, Be Compelling 87 Chapter 6 Compelling Equity 89 The Man Who Taught an Old Dog New Tricks 89 The Concept of Compelling Equity 90 Transaction Myopia 92 Lifetime Value: The First Step in Correcting Transaction Myopia 94 The Customer Equity Wedge 96 Financial Customer Equity 97 Functional Customer Equity 98 Intangible Customer Equity 99 Emotional Customer Equity 100 The Customer Equity Map 102 Optimizing Customer Equity 104 The Three Paths of Customer-Equity Optimization 104 Zero-in on Customers Who Drive Momentum 106 Chapter 7 Power Offer Design 109 A Bank That Doesn’t Like Banking 109 What Is a Power Offer? 110 Exploring for Customer Traction 112 From Exploration to Design of a Power Offer 114 The Compelling Value Path to the Power Offer 115 The Compelling Equity Path to the Power Offer 118 The Pillars of a Power Offer 120 Compelling Proposition 123 Compelling Target 124 Power Crafting 125 The Virtuous Circle of Power Offer Design 127 Design for Traction 129 PART III Executing Momentum Chapter 8 Power Offer Execution 133 A Tape Recorder That Didn’t Record 133 The Execution of the Power Offer 134 From Product Focus to Value Focus 135 Momentum as a New Business Model 135 The Dynamic Evolution of Power Offers 137 The Business Value of Momentum 140 The Chain Reaction of the Power Offer 143 The Virtuous Circle of Momentum 143 Breaking the Vicious Circles 146 Building and Sustaining Momentum 147 Understand the Emotional Drivers of Momentum 147 Implement a Systematic Action Roadmap to Momentum 148 Turn Traction into Momentum 150 Chapter 9 Vibrant Satisfaction 153 Moments of Truth 153 Why Vibrant? 154 The Emotions Beneath Satisfaction 155 “Dissatisfaction Inside” 155 Why Intensity Matters 156 Champions and Desperados 158 Satisfaction Metrics 159 Top Box Ambition 160 The Impact of Vibrant Satisfaction 162 Aiming for Vibrant Satisfaction 163 Strategies for Vibrant Satisfaction 164 Mobilize for Vibrant Satisfaction 165 Detect Sources of Dissatisfaction 166 Convert Unsatisfied Customers 168 Nothing Less Than Vibrant 172 Chapter 10 Vibrant Retention 175 For Want of a Key 175 Loyals and Runaways 176 The Emotions Beneath Retention 177 “Freedom Inside” 177 “Temptation Outside” 178 Retention Metrics 179 The Business Impact of Retention 180 Vibrant Retention 182 Passive Retention Forced Retention 185 Vibrant Retention 187 Strategies for Vibrant Retention 188 Mobilize for Vibrant Retention 188 Detect Sources of Defection 189 Convert Defecting Customers 190 Nothing Less Than Vibrant 192 Chapter 11 Vibrant Engagement 195 Harry Potter and the Exceptionally Engaged Readers 195 Advocates and Detractors 196 Why “Vibrant” Engagement? 197 The Human Nature of Engagement 197 “Belonging Inside” 197 “Broadcasting Outside” 199 Ambitious Engagement Metrics 200 The Business Value of Engagement 201 Accelerator I: Boosted Compelling Value 201 Accelerator II: Boosted Compelling Equity 202 Accelerator III: Boosted Customer Acquisition 203 The Richness of Vibrant Engagement 204 Paid-For Value and Ambient Value 205 The Customer Engagement Portfolio 206 Strategies for Vibrant Engagement 208 Mobilize for Vibrant Engagement 208 Detecting Sources of Engagement 209 Converting for Vibrant Engagement 210 Competing in the Momentum-Powered League 212 Nothing Less Than Vibrant 214 PART IV Total Momentum 217 Chapter 12 Internal Momentum 219 Give Me a Squiggly! 219 Mobilizing the Energy Within 220 Building Internal Momentum 221 Compelling Employee Insights 221 Compelling Employee Value 223 Compelling Employee Equity 224 Employee Power Offers 224 Vibrant Employee Satisfaction 225 Vibrant Employee Retention 226 Vibrant Employee Engagement 227 The Momentum Culture 228 The Customer Spirit: “The Real Battlefield Is Outside” 230 The Competitive Spirit: “Outsmarting Your Opponent” 231 Internal Momentum in Crises 231 Wal-Mart’s German Fiasco 232 Johnson & Johnson and the Tylenol Crisis 232 The Best of Human Nature 235 Harness Your People Power 236 Chapter 13 Momentum Leadership 239 Can You Ski the Face? 239 Generating and Directing Momentum 240 The Momentum-Leadership Ladder 241 Momentum Leadership 243 Momentum Leadership 245 Momentum Leadership 248 Tips for Aspiring Momentum Leaders 252 Commit to Value Origination 253 Practice Momentum Concepts Continuously with Your Contacts 254 Have Respect for People 255 Spend Quality Time with Customers, Employees, and Stakeholders 256 Be Momentum Consistent 257 It Starts with You 258 Chapter 14 Epilogue 261 Seizing the Unlimited Potential 262 The Momentum Journey 262 Our Momentum Future 264 Bibliography 267 Endnotes 281 Index 313

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Book SynopsisApplies modern economic theories to guide managers in creating successful corporate strategies.This is a book on corporate strategy that uses of the most modern theories in economics to show managers how to succeed in the markets in which they compete. The author takes the position that firms have unique strengths that they must understand and exploit. These strengths will be in four general areas: 1) Their reputation, 2) how well they create innovative new products or services, 3) what special strategic assets, or market position, they may have, and 4) how they are organized and how they operate, or what architecture they may have. The book has an international focus in that strategies are applied to firms doing business in different countries. The author''s UK book,Foundations of Corporate Success was very successful, and this book is derived from it. For the U.S. edition the author has substituted many American examples, such as Disney, Caterpillar, Walmart, and the Boston Celtics.Trade Review"Rich with corporate and industry examples, ...this well-written book is highly recommended not only for US managers involved in strategic management, but also for business and economics academicians."--Choice "A powerfully argued book, which casts a fresh light on a range of practical business challenges."--The Financial Times for the UK edition "The best management theorist in Britain, bar none....An important book for the future of British management....Explains in blindingly simple terms how business strategies add value. Kay is the ultimate numbers man, but with a feel for operations."--Business Age for the UK edition "Impressive and readable....The scope and quality of this book put it in the same league as Michael Porter's celebrated volumes on competitive strategy and signal a certain coming of age of business education in Britain."--The Observer for the UK edition "A fresh and insightful approach...to the links between corporate culture, strategy, and success."--Sir Geoffrey Owen, Director of Business Policy Program, London School of Economics for the UK edition "In 1993 [Kay] wrote Foundations of Corporate Success, in which he argued that success could be measured as added value or as the difference between the value of a firm's output and the cost of its input....His book was the subject of spirited debate in the British business press....He now offers this slightly revised, shortened, and 'Americanized' version of his earlier book. Such American businesses as WalMart, Caterpillar, and the Boston Celtics (!) have been added as examples, and a consideration of the way business is transacted internationally is included."--Booklist "Mr. Kay is well on the way to turning himself into a European Michael Porter, Harvard's top showman."--The Economist

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Book SynopsisIf the defining goal of modern-day business can be isolated to just one item, it would be the search for competitive advantage. And, as everyone in business knows, it''s a lot harder than it used to be. On the one hand, competition is more intense than ever--technological innovation, consumer expectations, government deregulation, all combine to create more opportunities for new competitors to change the basic rules of the game. On the other hand, most of the old reliable sources of competitive advantage are drying up: the hallowed strategies employed by GM, IBM, and AT&T to maintain their seemingly unassailable positions of dominance in the 1960s and 70s are as obsolete as the calvary charge. So in this volatile, unstable environment, where can competitive advantage be found? As David Nadler and Michael Tushman show, the last remaining source of truly sustainable competitive advantage lies in `organizational capabilities'': the unique ways each organization structures its work and motTrade Review"Nadler and Tushman's central argument, that 'Competing by Design' is now the most reliable source of corporate advantage, is totally persuasive. They proceed to offer, by example as well as precept, the most comprehensive and sensible guide available on the art and science of organization design. This book is grounded on careful research and should be essential reading for all general managers."--Paul Lawrence, Donham Professor, Emeritus, Harvard Business School "In this fast-moving marketplace, change is not only required for continued prosperity; it's also very hard work. This book offers both thoughtful insights and explicit ideas about how to go about making constructive changes. It's easy to read, packed with information and filled with useful examples. It's a must read.--Henry Schacht, Chairman and Chief Executive officer, Lucent Technologies, Inc. "Working with David Nadler for 17 years, I've learned that there is a systematic way to look at our problems and a way to organize structure, people and culture to implement competitive strategies for success. Those principles are concisely described in this book, complete with real world examples."--William F. Buehler, Executive Vice President, Xerox Corp. "Your only sustainable advantage today may be your organizational capabilities: the ways you organize work and motivate your work force to meet strategic objectives. Competing by Design shows you how to maximize these competitive strengths by redesigning your firm."--Soundveiw Executive Book Summaries

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Book SynopsisThe authors of this book argue that firms succeed or fail in their industries according to the degree that they are able to change what they do to meet changing market decisions. The authors present a framework for managing the process of organizational transformation, and the tools that are necessary to manage that change.Trade Review"In our dynamic world, every organization has to face the reality that it is either going to change the game or be changed by the game. Eric Flamholtz and Yvonne Randle have helped PowerBar do the former and I'm excited to see their tools available to everyone through this book."--Brian Maxwell, CEO, PowerBar Inc. "A clear, crisp guide to achieving the level of transformation necessary to become or remain a market leader. Flamholtz combines the need for strategic focus, alignment, discipline and entrepreneurial energy at the enterprise level in a very special way. I believe that he is on to something very powerful. Dealing with change will be with us forever."--J.M. Nugent, Worldwide President and CEO, Neutrogena Corporation "Changing the Game is a clear, crisp guide to achieving the level of transformation necessary to become or remain a market leader. Flamholtz combines the need for strategic focus, alignment, discipline and entrepreneurial energy at the enterprise level in a very special way...he is on to something very powerful."--Jeffrey M. Nugent, CEO of Neutrogena Corporation "Timely and well executed change process is critical to sustaining long-term success in any venture. Many businesses fall prey to their own growth when they fail to transform themselves to accomadate their success. In today's dynamic business climate, managers should pay attention to Changing the Game"--Brian Maxwell, CEO, Powerbar Inc.

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Book SynopsisAnalyses the history of management in Japan in conceptual terms based on the work of Alfred Chandler. The book demonstrates the difference between family-owned firms and professionally managed firms. The author uses this framework to explore the development of managerial capability and the evolution of managerial systems in Japan. The book was first published in Japanese in 1996.Trade ReviewThe book is a 'must-read' book for both academics and practitioners who are interested in learning the contexts behind the rise and fall of the family enterprises and the managerial enterprises in Japan. * Asia Pacific Journal of Management *Rich and detailed examples of the Japanese enterprises as well as the author's unique insights and analyses will surely draw prospective readers' interest. * Asia Pacific Journal of Management *... very well written and easy to read. * Asia Pacific Journal of Management *Table of ContentsList of Tables Translator's Note 1: Theoretical Problems Regarding Managerial Enterprises and Family Enterprises 2: The Transition from a Family Enterprise to a Managerial Enterprise 3: Development of Managerial Enterprises in Japan 4: Family Enterprises in Japan Today 5: The Conquest of the Managerial Enterprise Notes Index

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Book SynopsisHow did BMW recover from the edge of bankruptcy to become on of Europe''s strongest companies? Why did Saatchi and Saatchi''s global strategy bring the company to its knees? Why has Philips''s outstanding record in innovation not been translated into success in the market? What can be learnt from the marriage contract about the conduct of commercial negotiations? These are some of the questions addressed as John Kay asks `What makes a business successful?'' Drawing on his own business experience and on concepts in economics, legal theory, and sociology, the author presents a fresh approach to questions of business strategy. He rejects the military analogy which underpins much strategic thinking, in which success depends on size and share, on vision and leadership, on shifting patterns of mergers and alliances. John Kay argues that outstanding businesses derive their strength from a distinctive structure of relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers, and explains why continuTrade Reviewone of the most important 'strategic thinking" books in years...I can think of no better way of preparing for an examination in business strategy * The Director *You must read ... Foundations of Corporate Success. Kay is the currently the best management theorist in Britain, bar none. * Business Age *Table of ContentsPART I: CORPORATE SUCCESS ; PART II: BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS ; PART III: DISTINCTIVE CAPABILITIES ; PART IV: FROM DISTINCTIVE CAPBILITIES TO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE ; PART V: COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES ; PART VI: THE STRATEGIC AUDIT ; PART VII: THE FUTURE OF STRATEGY

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Book SynopsisThe main aim of this book is to consider how the sales function informs business strategy. The book considers how sales organisations are responding to increasing competition, more demanding customers and more complex selling environment, and offers discussions of some of the possible solutions to these challenges.Table of ContentsSECTION 1: EXPLORING THE POSITIONING OF THE SALES FUNCTION; SECTION 2: SALES RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CUSTOMER; SECTION 3: SALES MANAGEMENT; SECTION 4: NEW FORMS OF SELLING

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Book SynopsisWhen should organizations contract out services traditionally produced in-house? Is outsourcing another ephemeral management fad, or is it an efficient and effective means of delivering sevices and of adding value? What are the characteristics of strategically sound contracting decisions, and how can organizations prosper from the outsourcing revolution? These questions are among those tackled by Simon Domberger. Based on over a decade of research and consulting experience, its conclusions have many practical implications. The book develops an analytical decision-making framework for the assessment of contracting options, and has relevance in both the private and public sectors. Containing a wealth of illustrations and over 25 case studies, the coverage is fully international. Over 50 companies and public sector organizations are discussed, including well-known names such as Microsoft, BP, Marks & Spencer, and Samsung. This book will be valuable to all those seeking a better understandTrade ReviewDomberger's systematic analysis of contracting is a very welcome contribution to students of public administration and management, as well as to policy makers and public sector managers straying to the jungle of New Public Management texts. * Anita Niemi-Iilahti, New Institutionalism and Organizational Theory, 2000. *an interesting list of questions concerning important elements of the contracting strategies. The questions increase the value of the book as course literature. Another valuable contribution in this sense is the thematic guides to further reading for students or organizational change and reform. * Anita Niemi-Iilahti, New Institutionalism and Organizational Theory, 2000. *Domberger's book provides a structured, systematic approach to contracting decisions and outsourcing strategies. * Anita Niemi-Iilahti, New Institutionalism and Organizational Theory, 2000. *"...Simon Domberger, an international authority on contracting out (outsourcing) has written THE book on this subject. ...In Short, This book should be found in the library of every firm and public organization that is already contracting out and wishes to improve its operations. Furthermore, it is a "Must Read" for decision-makers who are contemplating contracting out for the first time." Jonas Prager, New York University. Amazon review, January 12, 2000."...well presented analytical decision-making framework for assessing the contracting options which are relevant to both private and public sectors" Long Range Planning, October 1999, Vol 32Table of ContentsPART I: ORGANIZATIONS AND MARKETS ; 1. Why make when you can buy? ; 2. The shifting boundaries of organizations ; PART II: BENEFITS AND COSTS ; 3. The benefits of contracting ; 4. The costs of contracting ; PART III: CONTRACTING STRATEGIES ; 5. Specialization ; 6. Value capture ; 7. Control and flexibility ; 8. Organizational change ; PART IV: STRUCTURAL CHANGE ; 9. Public sector contracting ; 10. Contracting and the service economy ; 11. The future of contracting ; 12. Conclusions ; Glossary ; 100 key business concepts associated with contracting, outsourcing, and strategy

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Book SynopsisKnowledge integration - the purposeful combination of specialized and complementary knowledge to achieve specific tasks - is becoming increasingly important for organizations facing rapidly changing institutional environments, globalized markets, and fast-paced technological developments. The need for knowledge integration is driven by knowledge specialization and its geographic and organizational distribution in the global economy. The increasing complexity and relevance of the knowledge integration problem is apparent in emerging new fields of research, such as open innovation, or the merging of existing ones, e.g. organizational learning and strategy. In global competition, the successful management of knowledge integration underpins firms'' ability to innovate, generate profit, grow and, ultimately, survive. This book provides conceptual contributions as well as empirical studies that examine knowledge integration essentially as a ''boundary'' problem. Knowledge integration becomes a problem when boundaries between knowledge fields, and the institutions that preside over those fields, are not clear, or become fluid and contestable. This fluidity, and the competitive pressures this fluidity generates, are persistent and permanent features of the world we live in. This book puts forward a consistent set of ideas, methods and tools useful to interpret, analyze and act upon the processes of knowledge integration across boundaries.Trade ReviewWhile it is popular to say that we live in an increasingly 'boundary-less' world, in reality, people in organizations face numerous boundaries in their everyday workgeographic, functional, divisional, cultural, intellectual, etc. This book offers both theoretical and practical insights into how people can manage across or through these boundaries in order to integrate knowledge. * Sarah Kaplan, Professor of Strategic Management Rotman School, University of Toronto *In the age of open innovation, it is clearer than ever that no firm is an 'island'. However, that important truth does not negate another fundamental property that boundarieswhether between firms, work groups, or national bordershave consequences for the flow of knowledge. This volume by Tell, Berggren, Brusoni, and Van de Ven provide a conceptually sophisticated and empirically rich account of these tensions and challenges. * Daniel Levinthal, Reginald H. Jones Professor of Corporate Strategy, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania *Knowledge may be power, but fragmented knowledge can be disempowering. Finding ways to integrate increasingly specialized, distributed and incomplete knowledge across boundaries is one of the most pressing issues in late modern societieshardly any social or economic problem is effectively addressed unless diverse streams of knowledge are systematically shared and integrated. This is the best book I have seen on this important topic. There is much to admire in it: the diversity of perspectives, the empirical richness, and the theoretical robustness are all evident. It breaks new ground in how we understand knowledge integration. * Haridimos Tsoukas, The Columbia Ship Management Professor of Strategic Management, University of Cyprus and Distinguished Research Environment Professor of Organization Studies, University of Warwick *Table of ContentsPART I: CONCEPTUAL UNDERPINNINGS; PART II: BOUNDARY CROSSING KNOWLEDGE INTEGRATION IN CONTEXT

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Book SynopsisSocial Capital, the advantage created by location in social structure, is a critical element in business strategy. Who has it, how it works, and how to develop it have become key questions as markets, organizations, and careers become more and more dependent on informal, discretionary relationships. The formal organization deals with accountability; Everything else flows through the informal: advice, coordination, cooperation friendship, gossip, knowledge, trust. Informal relations have always been with us, they have always mattered. What is new is the range of activities in which they now matter, and the emerging clarity we have about how they create advantage for certain people at the expense of others. This is done by brokerage and closure. Ronald S. Burt builds upon his celebrated work in this area to explore the nature of brokerage and closure. Brokerage is the activity of people who live at the intersection of social worlds, who have a vision advantage of seeing and developing goTrade ReviewReview from previous edition Burt is among the best social network writers in articulating ideas from a research tradition that is notoriously difficult to put into words. Brokerage and Closure is the next step in research on social capital. * AMR, Management Rreview *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The Social Capital of Structural Holes ; 2. Creativity and Learning ; 3. Closure, Trust, and Reputation ; 4. Closure, Echo, and Rigidity ; 5. Images of Equilibrium

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Book SynopsisThe ''Resource-Based View of the Firm'' has emerged over the last fifteen years as one of the dominant perspectives used in strategic management. It addresses the fundamental research question of strategic management: Why it is that some firms persistently outperform others?Resource-Based Theory provides a considered overview of this theory, including the latest developments, from one of the key thinkers in its development. In broad terms it offers an alternative to Michael Porter''s approach, focusing more on the competences and capabilities of the firm, rather than its positioning in its chosen markets.Jay B. Barney has long been recognised as one of the leading contributor to the resource-based theory literature. In this book he has collaborated with Delwyn N. Clark to produce the first book to examine the theory in a holistic and in-depth manner. The authors explore not only the applications of the theory in research, teaching, and practice, but also its early roots in traditional Trade Review'This book is a tour de force by Barney and Clark, demonstrating the incredible impact of this work on the development of resource-based theory. It presents resource-based thoery as a vibrant area of research, with far-reaching implications, applicability, and an ever-expanding frontier.' * Margaret Peteraf, professor of Strategic Management and Organization, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College *'In this important book, Jay Barney and Delwyn Clark show how resources and markets interact to yield superior firm performance. Students, scholars and practitioners who seek to understand current resource-based thinking will find this essential reading.' * Anita M. McGahan, Everett W. Lord Distinguished Faculty Scholar and Professor of Strategy & Policy, Boston University School of Management *Table of ContentsPART I: RESOURCE-BASED THEORY ; 1. The strategic management question and the emergence of resource-based theory ; 2. Strategic factor markets and competitive advantage ; 3. Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage ; PART II: RBT AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES ; 4. Culture as a source of sustained competitive advantage ; 5. Trust as a source of sustained competitive advantage ; 6. Trust as a source of sustained competitive advantage ; 7. Information technology as a source of sustained competitive advantage ; PART III: RBT AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES ; 8. Resource-based theory and vertical integration ; 9. Resource-based theory and corporate diversification ; 10. Resource-based theory and mergers and acquisitions ; PART IV: RBT: THE RESEARCH FRONTIER ; 11. Resource-based theory: empirical research ; 12. The future of resource-based theory

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Book SynopsisToday's firms are increasingly embedded in networks of alliances that influence their behavior and performance. Ranjay Gulati examines the 'network resources' that arise from these ties, how successful firms manage these, and how they influence strategy, access to resources, and perceptions of a firm's legitimacy.Trade Review'This is a book I have eager to see. Gulati has done a service to his colleagues in bringing together in one convenient reference so many of his influential papers. More than is possible in journal articles, this book provides an integrated view, in broader perspective, of Gulati's productive study of alliances as a network phenomenon.' * Ronald S. Burt, Hobart W. Williams Professor of Sociology and Strategy, University of Chicago *'Ranjay Gulati assembles, integrates and refines ten years of pathbreaking research by extending the "resource-based" view to include "network resources" residing not in the firm but in its social networks to the outside. An important and fascinating must-read for theorists and practioners alike.' * Mark Granovetter, Joan Butler Ford Professor, Stanford University *'The past two decades have seen an enormous expansion of strategic alliances among firms, as globalization and information technology have enabled and encouraged boundary-breaching forms of organization. Through a dozen years' worth of research on the causes and consequences of alliance networks, Gulati has demonstrated the value of a network perspective for the contemporary corporation, and this book provides a comprehensive introduction to this perspective.' * Gerald F. Davis, Professor of Management and Organizations, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan *Table of Contents1. Conceptual Overview of the Book ; PART I: NETWORK RESOURCES AND THE FORMATION OF NEW TIES ; 2. Network Resources and the Proclivity of Firms to Enter Into Alliances ; 3. Network Resources and the Choice of Partners in Alliances ; 4. The Contingent Role of Network Resources Emanating from Board Interlocks in Alliance Formation ; PART II: NETWORK RESOURCES AND THE GOVERNANCE STURCTURE OF TIES ; 5. Network Resources and the Choice of Governance Structure in Alliances ; 6. The Architecture of Cooperation: The Role of Network Resources in Managing Coordination Costs and Appropriation Concerns in Strategic Alliances ; PART III: NETWORK RESOURCES AND PERFORMANCE ; 7. Network Resources and the Performance of Firms ; 8. The Multi-faceted Nature of Network Resources ; PART IV: NETWORK RESOURCES IN ENTREPRENEURIAL SETTINGS ; 9. The Effects of Network Resources arising from Upper Echelon Affiliations on Underwriter Prestige ; 10. The Contingent Effects of Network Resources ; 11. Future Directions for Research on Network Resources

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Book SynopsisHarvard professor, Michael Porter has been one of the most influential figures in strategic management research over the last three decades. He infused a rigorous theoretical framework of industrial organization economics with the then still embryonic field of strategic management and elevated it to its current status as an academic discipline. Porter''s outstanding career is also characterized by its cross-disciplinary nature. Following his most important work on strategic management, he then made a leap to the policy side and dealt with a completely different set of analytical units. More recently he has made a foray into inner city development, environmental regulations, and health care services. Throughout these explorations Porter has maintained his integrative approach, seeking a road that links management case studies and the general model building of mainstream economics.With expert contributors from a range of disciplines including strategic management, economic development, eTable of Contents1. Introduction ; PART I ; 2. Establishing Strategic Management as an Academic Discipline ; 3. Why Competitive Strategy succeeds - and with whom ; 4. Eclecticism and the Evolution of Strategy Research ; 5. Antecedents and Precedents to Porter's Competitive Strategy ; 6. The Strategic Management Framework: a Methodological and Epistemological Examination ; PART II ; 7. National Economic Development and the Competitive Advantage of Nations ; 8. Domestic Demand, Learning, and the Competitive Advantage of Nations: an Empirical Analysis ; 9. The Growth and Competitiveness of Nations: the Contribution of Michael Porter ; PART III ; 10. Clusters and Competitiveness: Porter's Contribution ; 11. On Diamonds, Clusters, and Regional Development ; 12. Clusters, Evolutionary Economics, and Policymaking ; 13. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisHow do institutions influence and shape cognition and action in individuals and organizations, and how are they in turn shaped by them? Various social science disciplines have offered a range of theories and perspectives to provide answers to this question. Within organization studies in recent years, several scholars have developed the institutional logics perspective. An institutional logic is the set of material practices and symbolic systems including assumptions, values, and beliefs by which individuals and organizations provide meaning to their daily activity, organize time and space, and reproduce their lives and experiences. This approach affords significant insights, methodologies, and research tools, to analyze the multiple combinations of factors that may determine cognition, behaviour, and rationalities.In tracing the development of the institutional logics perspective from earlier institutional theory, the book analyzes seminal research, illustrating how and why influentiaTrade ReviewIn The Institutional Logics Perspective, Thornton, Ocasio, and Lounsbury have crafted a foundational treatise that will be a touchstone for future inquiry on logics. As an explanation for how actors, actions, and context come together in organizational and institutional settings, the institutional logics perspective has found a broad and diverse audience; this book will only widen its appeal. The authors break fresh theoretical ground and offer a solid conceptual footing for the study of logics; as such, the book has much to recommend it. * Mary Ann Glynn, Administrative Sciences Quarterly (forthcoming 2013) *This book is a must-read. Thornton, Ocasio and Lounsbury take stock, in a poised and systematic manner, of what has been achieved so far by the Institutional Logics perspective. They also point to what remains to be done. Building on a rich heritage, the Institutional Logics perspective threads the path to new and exciting frontiers a multi-levels theory of institutions, the stabilization of solid micro-foundations, a refreshing return to history and the exploration of the dynamics of identities. The agenda is attractive and this book develops a highly useful road map. * Marie-Laure Djelic, ESSEC Business School *Over the past generation, neoinstitutional theory has become perhaps the dominant perspective in the sociology of organizations. The institutional logics perspective has became an intriguing alternative that seeks to encompass and extend the insights of neoinstitutionalism to both lower and higher units of analysis. This book goes farther than any prior work in advancing the institutional logics perspective. * Gerald F. Davis, University of Michigan *The Institutional Logics Perspective is an essential road map to and program for the future development of theories of institutional logic. Thornton, Ocasio, and Lounsbury offer a host of uncharted, under-theorized, unthought, and unexplored causal mechanisms linking the macro and the micro, practice and interaction, value and identity. The authors lay out the inter-institutional system, the doubleness of rationality, the cultural contingency of interest, the ideality of material practice, and the ways in which we have mistakenly assumed that institution effaces agency and hence politics. We are going to have to think and work this text for a while. * Roger O. Friedland, University College Santa Barbara *No concept in the field of organization studies has been more promising than that of institutional logics and no concept has been more elusive, at times to the point of evanescence. The authors bring institutional logics down to earth, unpacking the concept, tracing its history and exploring its ambiguities, identifying its component parts, and giving each the close attention it deserves. This much-needed and well-conceived volume provides an invaluable service to students of institutions and organizational fields. * Paul DiMaggio, Princeton University *Table of Contents1. Introduction to the Institutional Logics Perspective ; 2. Precursors to the Institutional Logics Perspective ; 3. Defining the Inter-institutional System ; 4. The Emergence, Stability and Change of the Inter-institutional System ; 5. Micro-Foundations of Institutional Logics ; 6. The Dynamics of Organizational Practices and Identities ; 7. The Emergence and Evolution of Field-Level Logics ; 8. Implications for Future Research

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Book SynopsisThrough detailed case studies of Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, this book investigates how and why welfare services, active labour market institutions, and public policies were re-combined to stimulate innovation and growth in the Nordic countries, and signals the lessons that can be learned by others.Trade ReviewThis is an interesting book that presents very comprehensive research on developments in business systems and firm and employee behaviour in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden). It will be an important book for many researchers in international and comparative employment relations. * Erling Rasmussen (Auckland Uiversity of Technology, New Zealand) Journal of Industrial Relations *a marvelous collection of case studies showing how welfare policies in Nordic countries are co-evolving with increasingly open-ended, networked and continuously self-recomposing relations in the social economy. * Gary Herrigel, Socio-Economic Review *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. The Co-evolution of Experimentalist Business Systems and Enabling Welfare States: Nordic Countries in Transition ; 2. Finland: Innovating the Global Positioning of Flagship Companies and Foreign Owned Subsidiaries ; 3. Denmark: Tailoring Flexicurity for Changing Roles in Global Games ; 4. Norway: Consolidating the Core of Raw Material Refinement and Integrating Peripheral Companies in Innovative Global Dynamics ; 5. Sweden: From Large Corporations towards Knowledge Intensive Economy ; 6. Developing Comprehensive, Enabling Welfare States for Offensive Experimentalist Business Practices

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Book SynopsisHarvard professor, Michael Porter has been one of the most influential figures in strategic management research over the last three decades. He infused a rigorous theoretical framework of industrial organization economics with the then still embryonic field of strategic management and elevated it to its current status as an academic discipline. Porter''s outstanding career is also characterized by its cross-disciplinary nature. Following his most important work on strategic management, he then made a leap to the policy side and dealt with a completely different set of analytical units. More recently he has made a foray into inner city development, environmental regulations, and health care services. Throughout these explorations Porter has maintained his integrative approach, seeking a road that links management case studies and the general model building of mainstream economics. With expert contributors from a range of disciplines including strategic management, economic development, Table of Contents1. Introduction ; PART I ; 2. Establishing Strategic Management as an Academic Discipline ; 3. Why Competitive Strategy succeeds - and with whom ; 4. Eclecticism and the Evolution of Strategy Research ; 5. Antecedents and Precedents to Porter's Competitive Strategy ; 6. The Strategic Management Framework: a Methodological and Epistemological Examination ; PART II ; 7. National Economic Development and the Competitive Advantage of Nations ; 8. Domestic Demand, Learning, and the Competitive Advantage of Nations: an Empirical Analysis ; 9. The Growth and Competitiveness of Nations: the Contribution of Michael Porter ; PART III ; 10. Clusters and Competitiveness: Porter's Contribution ; 11. On Diamonds, Clusters, and Regional Development ; 12. Clusters, Evolutionary Economics, and Policymaking ; 13. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisChanges in technology, customer demands, competition, and the social character challenge organizations to innovate and change. How they change depends on their leaders, and their knowledge, and philosophy. To create a better future for organizations and to improve the wellbeing of customers, collaborators and communities, leaders need to be strategic thinkers. This book describes the qualities of strategic intelligence and provides the conceptual tools that equip leaders to improve and transform organizations in the age of knowledge work. These qualities include foresight, visioning, partnering both within and outside the organization, and engaging and motivating collaborators. To develop these qualities, it is necessary to articulate a leadership philosophy and to gain knowledge of systems, variation, personality psychology, and the theory of knowledge. This book uniquely integrates leadership, personality and organization. Michael Maccoby has almost unparalleled experience of workingTrade ReviewBeautifully written, rich in ideas, and thought-provoking. * Judith Spitz, CIO, Verizon *I think this book is great! It is well-written with emphasis on the importance of companies and their employees being open to learning. * Salvatore R. Maddi, Professor of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California *This book is a nice summary of Maccobys work over several decades but also an additional value added where he adds concepts and tools. * Berth Jönsson, Former HR VP of Volvo *This integrates Maccobys personal experiences with the general/teachable lessons he derived from them. The two levels play off each other well and keep the book moving along briskly. The whole builds a multi - layered picture of organizations that fully use human capacity. * Charles Heckscher, Professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Rutgers University *We live in a repeating context of unexpected happenings where the practice of strategic intelligence is always under constant demand. The next time I am invited to teach undergraduates or graduate students at the universities in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, I will plan to have Strategic Intelligence as one of the significant texts to enhance my course on "Leadership Ethics in a global society. * Carnegie Samuel Calian, President Emeritus, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary *Table of Contents1. Introduction: Learning from Practice ; 2. Strategic Intelligence ; 3. Leadership for Change ; 4. Leadership Philosophy- An Essential Tool for Change ; 5. Visioning Change ; 6. Understanding the Personalities of Leaders, Followers, and Collaborators ; 7. Smart Motivation for Change ; 8. Dialogues with Deming ; 9. Building on the Work of Ackoff, Deming and Fromm ; Appendix: Developing Strategic Intelligence for Leading Change

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Book SynopsisThere is a moral to this book, a bit of Confucian wisdom often ignored in social network analysis: Worry not that no one knows you, seek to be worth knowing. This advice is contrary to the usual social network emphasis on securing relations with well-connected people. Neighbor Networks examines the cases of analysts, bankers, and managers, and finds that rewards, in fact, do go to people with well-connected colleagues. Look around your organization. The individuals doing well tend to be affiliated with well-connected colleagues. However, the advantage obvious to the naked eye is misleading. It disappears when an individual''s own characteristics are held constant. Well-connected people do not have to affiliate with people who have nothing to offer. This book shows that affiliation with well-connected people adds stability but no advantage to a person''s own connections. Advantage is concentrated in people who are themselves well connected. This book is a trail of argument and evidence Trade ReviewWinner of the 2011 Academy of Management's George R. Terry Book Award 'for outstanding contribution to the advancement of management knowledge.'Scholars interested in rigorous analytical approaches to social capital, social dynamics, or network phenomena will greatly enjoy Neighbor Networks. * Brian Rubineau, Industrial and Labor Relations Review *The core contribution of Neighbor Networks is the rich detail devoted to explaining when it matters to be connected to well-connected others. Theoretically, the book explains how the social capital benefits accruing to individuals are largely the result of their immediate networks. Empirically, the book offers a bevy of evidence in support of these claims. The contribution also delineates the cases of closure in neighbour networks (and the effects of such closure on reputation and relationship development) and the benefits of having a strategic partner inside a neighbor network. This is a fine book of interest to graduate students and researchers across the social sciences. * Martin Kilduff and Blaine Landis, Administrative Science Quarterly *Burt ... has an impressive ability to establish connections between "classical" theories and to show how they relate to network concepts. Would you expect a book about social networks to rely on references as varied as Weber, Veblen, Durkheim, Von Hayek, McClelland, and many others? Burt is not merely theorizing on brokerage across social groups; he is one of the brokers that are described in the book. A broker who spans structural holes across disciplines, questions theories and levels of analysis, and who combines all this in a theory of his own. * Barthélémy Chollet, M@n@gement *Table of ContentsPART I: ESTABLISHING SECONDHAND BROKERAGE; PART II: TESTING THE PERIMETER; PART III: EXPLORING IMPLICATIONS

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Book SynopsisThomas Schelling won the Nobel Prize in economics for having enhanced our understanding of conflict and cooperation through game-theory analysis. This came after he had taught a course in game theory and rational choice to advanced students and government officials for 45 years. In this book, Robert Dodge provides in language for a broad audience, the concepts that Schelling taught. Armed with Schelling''s understanding of game theory methods and his approaches to problems, the general reader can improve daily decision making. Mathematics often make game theory challenging but was not a major part of Schelling''s course and is even less of a factor in this book. Along with a summary of the material Schelling presented, included are problems from the course and similar less challenging questions. While considerable analysis is done with the basic game theory tool -- the two-by-two matrix -- much of the book is descriptive and rational decision-making is explained with stories. Chapter sTrade ReviewPraise for Schelling's Game Theory: How to Make Decisions Gives readers an excellent Harvard game theory course by a renowned Nobel Prize winner through the eyes of his Boswell. This book is a must read for political scientists, economists, and anyone who has to make decisions of import. * New York Journal of Books *Table of ContentsForeword by Thomas C. Schelling ; Chapter I Thomas Schelling and His Signature Course on Strategic Thinking ; Part One: The Schelling Approach to Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making ; Chapter 2 Introduction to Strategic Thought ; Chapter 3 Vicarious Thinking ; Chapter 4 Game Theory ; Chapter 5 The Two-By-Two Matrix ; Part Two: Strategies and Tactics ; Chapter 6 Strategies Defined and Illustrated ; Chapter 7 Tactics ; Chapter 8 Self-Command ; Part Three: Models as Metaphors For What Decisions Do ; Chapter 9 Interaction Models ; Chapter 10 The Dollar Auction ; Chapter 11 Musical Chairs and Inescapable Mathematics ; Part Four: The Prisoner's Dilemma, Competition and Cooperation ; Chapter 12 The Prisoner's Dilemma ; Chapter 13 Cooperation ; Chapter 14 Coordination ; Part Five: Individual Decisions and Group Agreement ; Chapter 15 Collective Choice and Voting ; Chapter 16 The Commons and Fair Division ; Chapter 17 Case Study, Overcoming Professional Basketball's Commons Dilemma: ; The Phil Jackson Story ; Part Six: Decisions that Mix and Sort Populations, Decisions Based on ; Randomization ; Chapter 18 Critical Mass and Tipping ; Chapter 19 Individual Decisions and Group Outcomes ; Chapter 20 Randomization in Decision-Making ; Part Seven: Case Study and Review ; Chapter 21 Case Study, The Cuban Missile Crisis: Analysis and Review

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Book SynopsisLeading the Charge is a visionary leadership book that examines the trends that have reshaped our world and the ways in which visionary leaders and organizations can effectively respond. Tomorrows successful leaders will have to manage rapidly changing technology and flows of information and create faster and more far-reaching spans of control.Trade Review'Gen. Anthony Zinni (Ret.) in drawing upon a lifetime of competition on the battlefield and in corporate boardrooms has issued a call to action to restore American leadership and greatness. This is a must read for anyone who is concerned about what has happened to our country.' - William Cohen, former Secretary of Defense 'From one of America's most respected and experienced military leaders and strategic thinkers comes a real, unvarnished, thorough examination of leadership. General Zinni lays out not only lessons of leadership but the leadership that will be required for America's future. This book should be high on the list of important reading for our citizens, educators, leaders in every sphere of our society...and especially our next generation of leaders.' - Senator Chuck Hagel 'As only a true leader can, Tony Zinni goes straight to the root of our challenges today. For too long, leadership and its attendant qualities have been undervalued. Tony's clear-eyed observations and advice on this topic come at a time when they are sorely needed and certainly from a person who well understands the necessary elements of leadership - vision, execution, and accountability.' - Richard L. Armitage, former Deputy Secretary of State 'Leading the Charge is a thoughtful and evocative lesson plan on leadership which is equally applicable to business leaders as well as military and political leaders. In today's 'briar patch' complex environment where borders do not exist and politics, economics, and military and social issues intertwine, he has artfully detailed the strategy, tactics and logistics that are required for leaders to be successful. From 'knowing the sea you swim in' to the importance of balance to building a good organization, General Zinni methodically takes today's and tomorrow's leaders through a self reflective, inspiring exercise.' - Thomas J. Campbell, President, DC Capital Partners 'General Zinni lays out a comprehensive approach to leadership which is insightful and forward looking. He highlights key lessons which should be invaluable for professionals in all walks of life. He is a powerful role model and his philosophy reminds us of the critical difference that great leadership can make.' - Robert Kaplan, Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School, USA and former Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs 'Leading the Charge is an insightful, highly useful guide to meeting the challenges in today's world. We highly recommend that readers put Leading the Charge on their 'must read-must buy' list and add it to their personal libraries. This former 4-star Marine general's outstanding book is a '5-star' guide to leadership - we rate this book '5 STARS,' our highest rating.' - Col. Jerry D. Morelock (ret.), Armchair General 'Dispenses practical guidelines with particular relevance and resonance.' - Publishers Weekly 'This book makes it clear that General Zinni not only has absorbed good leadership traits from his multifaceted life, but also has studied it deeply. He has tried to share that deep understanding with others, in the Marines, in business and in academic settings. This may be the best of all examples of true leadership.' - Semper Fi, the Magazine of the Marine Corps League Praise for The Battle for Peace: 'A warning that deserves serious consideration.' - The New York Times '[Zinni] is a distinctly non-ideological man in an era when ideology is running rampant both home and abroad.' - Michael Abramowitz, The Washington Post 'Zinni is one of the more interesting men produced by the American military, with a supple mind that quickly adjusted to the new realities brought about by the collapse of the Soviet empire.' - Philip Caputo, New York Times Book Review 'The intellectual complement to Zinni and Clancy's bestselling Battle Ready...This volume provides the former Central Command chief's analysis of America's current global position...Zinni's pragmatic, low key approach merits serious consideration.' - Publishers Weekly 'Refreshingly contrarian, and perfectly commonsensical.' - Kirkus Reviews '[Zinni and Koltz] provide a clear analysis and plan for the future of America that challenges all - policy wonks, soldiers, and citizens alike - to rethink how we use our power to influence the global community.' - Library Journal 'Provocative, insightful, and straight-from-the-shoulder blunt.' - William S. Cohen, U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1997-2001 'Tony Zinni's writing is straightforward and to the point...a primer to guide us in the 21st century. Well done.' - Richard L. Armitage, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, 2001-2005 'Sensible and deserve[s] wide support.' - James Fallows, national correspondent of The Atlantic Monthly, author of National DefenseTable of ContentsPrologue The Crisis in Leadership The Failure to Adapt The New Leader Self-Knowledge Ethics The Led Environment The Enterprise Speed Knowledge Communication Decision Crisis Vision

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Book SynopsisIn Building a Successful Family Business Board, the authors show why private firms need the in-depth expertise and objective feedback that a well-chosen board, including qualified independent directors, can provide, and demonstrates how owners and directors can work together to ensure a long and profitable life for the firm.Trade Review"This book is an outstanding collection of "best practices" as well as many new concepts. It both validated existing methods and introduced fresh ideas for the Advisory Board of my 102 year-old family business." - Ron Saslow, President & CEO of Hu-Friedy Manufacturing Company "Several years ago, as Welch Allyn struggled to transition from the 3rd to the 4th generation of family ownership, John Ward visited our company, and personally advised us through the next phase in our evolution as a family business. Now, John has collaborated with Jennifer Pendergast and Stephanie Brun de Pontet to produce a book detailing the benefits of evolving the family business in both ownership and governance structure, to ensure that the family business can not just survive, but thrive, for many generations beyond the founder. Their first hand experience can provide valuable insights to any family business concerned with smooth and successful transitions between generations. As my company celebrates our 95th of family ownership, we are grateful for the lessons shared by John, Jennifer, and Stephanie in this book." - Eric R. Allyn, Welch Allyn, Inc. "An active independent board is the single greatest resource for the modern family business and have become essential to the success of family businesses in our globally competitive world. This guide shows how to blend committed family members with talented non-family directors to produce an effective, independent board and flourishing family business. Great boards sustain great companies." - Lanse Crane, Chairman and CEO of Crane & Co. "One of the significant weaknesses in a family business is the lack of the type of honest, objective feedback which is provided by a thoughtfully constructed Board of Directors. These authors have provided an extremely valuable resource for family business owners which not only provides the rational for utilizing boards but the equally important "how to" implement this process." - Lee Hausner, Managing Director First Foundation AdvisorsTable of ContentsIndependent Boards of Directors and Family Business: Introduction to a Powerful Alliance Truth and Myths About Boards Meeting the Challenge The Role of the Board in the Family Business The Special Value of Independent Directors to the Family Business The Vital Role of the Board in Family Business Continuity Planning Designing the Board Finding and Selecting Directors Managing the Board Making The Most of Your Board Linking Family and Business Governance in Later Generations How You Can Contribute As a Director Close: Our Call to Action Appendices

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Book SynopsisThrough an engaging and humorous narrative, Peter Coughter presents the tools he designed to help advertising and marketing professionals develop persuasive presentations that deliver business. Readers will learn how to develop skills to create the perfect presentation.Trade ReviewPraise for Peter's Seminar Presentation Skills Workshops: 'Peter has been a tremendous asset in coaching our guys on every aspect of Presentation. He's helped build up their experience, and most importantly, their confidence.' - Tony Granger, Global Chief Creative Officer, Y&R 'We have had over 100 of our senior and mid-level people go through Coughter's workshops. The results have been impressive. Rarely do we now prepare for a presentation without someone saying, 'Have we Coughter'd it?' That is the best endorsement of all in terms of the impact he has had with our company.' - Peter G. Krivkovich, President & CEO, Cramer-Krasselt 'Peter is a teacher, leader and a Zen master.' -John Adams, Chairman The Martin AgencyTable of ContentsForeword White Spaces How we Connect The Power of Emotion How to Be The Thin Line Thoughtfulness The Way we Say Things It's More Important to be Passionate About the Work You Gotta be You Before You Do Anything Death by Deck Organizing the Presentation Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse Own It Getting Started What They See is What You Get Humor Vs. Jokes Punctuation You Never Know Standing Up

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Book SynopsisAs globalization creates the need for leaders who transcend national borders, this book provides an insider's view of what makes them special. This is the first book to present a framework for understanding this fast-growing and influential group and it provides tools for readers to discover their own inner competitive edge.Trade Review'This is a must read book for anyone interested in globalization or, more precisely, how we can develop the 'global mind.' This book should be required reading for every MBA and anyone who would claim to be a "world citizen'. - Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business and author of the recently published Still Surprised - A Memoir of a Life in Leadership 'This book presents a whole new concept of careers and, thereby, becomes one of the most important career development books published in the last decade. If we believe in a growing globalism, then it becomes essential to understand Global Cosmopolitans. This book is a clear and powerful presentation of the many young men and women who make up this new population. This is a must read for managers and human resource professionals.' - Ed Schein, Professor Emeritus, MIT Sloan School of Management 'Global Cosmopolitans is a ground-breaking book that puts the spotlight on a very unique and important segment of the population, namely business leaders who embody multiple cultures and are uniquely qualified to lead in a multi-cultural global world. The book is a terrific blend of solid academic empirical and conceptual work, along with a handbook for helping global cosmopolitans reach their full potential.' - Noel Tichy, Professor, University of Michigan and co-author with Warren Bennis of Judgement - How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls 'Linda Brimm offers a novel and insightful investigation of the developmental experiences of people in the corporate world whose life histories cross cultures and national borders. Written in lucid and highly readable prose, this book is filled with carefully-observed stories of the people she has studied. It also considers practical means to maximize and make use of the strengths such people bring to their workplaces.' - Ruthellen Josselson, Ph.D., author of Playing Pygmalion: How People Create One Another 'It is important for today's organizations that face change and diversity at their center of management challenges to understand and maximize the value that Global Cosmopolitans can contribute. Linda Brimm's book, Global Cosmopolitans, provides the compelling frameworks and stories to address this key issue. The book is provocative and insightful. It is a must-read.' - W.Chan Kim, Professor of INSEAD and Co-director of the INSEAD Blue Ocean Strategy Institute 'Crossing cultures to communicate or do business with people whose identities are different from your own is now commonplace. If you have not yet met someone who could be identified as a Global Cosmopolitans, you will in due time. Linda Brimm smartly explores the complexity that exists among people whose identities and skills have been shaped by their global experiences, making this book interesting and relevant for anyone engaged in a multicultural business environment.' - Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Renault-Nissan Alliance ' an insightful investigation of the developmental experiences of people in the corporate world whose life histories cross cultures and national borders.' - Business ExecutiveTable of ContentsPreface Outline Part I - Global Cosmopolitans: Meeting The Masters Of Complexity Introducing Global Cosmopolitans Inside The New Global Cosmopolitan Generation Learning From A Global Life: Developing The Creative Edge Of Difference Part II - The Invisible Journey: The Roots Of Strength And Resilience Life Challenges And The Road To Identity Relationship Challenges: Invisible Rules, Silent Voices Relationship Challenges: Connection And Disconnection Part III– The Invisible Journey: New Pathways to Growth Paradoxical Needs: Finding The Roots Of Challenges Two-Edged Swords: When Strengths Create New Challenges Part IV – Moving Forward: Bringing the Invisible Journey out of the Dark Moving Forward: A Portrait Of Two Crucial Decades Global Cosmopolitans: Unlocking The Power Of Stories Appendix I - Workbook Endnotes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisMeticulously researched with fresh insights into the entrepreneurial process, Jeffrey Harris brings the in-depth perceptions from his nearly thirty years of venture capital experience to provide a thorough understanding of the transformative ideas and leadership abilities that separate the winners and losers.Trade Review"If you have any interest at all about how great companies are envisioned, launched, and developed, this book is an extraordinary chronicle of how some determined individuals have produced superb results and created millions of jobs for the American economy. The story of each of the incredible entrepreneurs portrayed in the book is as dramatic as the history of America" - William H. Draper, III, author of The Startup Game "Ideas are cheap, execution is dear. Jeff Harris' book deals with the execution side of innovation and shows us that innovation is found in all kinds of settings - from public TV children's shows to the iPhone in your pocket. Drawing from his 28-year career of funding innovation, Jeff's book is not theory but real practice. It is an appreciation of those who innovate - and it arrives just in time for an economy crying out to understand innovation and its job-creating effects." - Felda Hardymon, General Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners, MBA Class of 1975 Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School, & Recipient of the NVCA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2009 "What's common to the Cirque du Soleil and Playboy, CNN and Starbucks, Federal Express and the Grameen bank? An idea, yes, but then fulfillment in elaboration and execution. Jeff Harris' book is valuable because its case-by-case studies illustrate how some acorns grow into oaks. Daily discourse is filled with enough hot air about innovation to float a balloon for every man, woman, and child. Transformative Entrepreneurs is different. It is grounded and it is lucid and entirely comprehensible, honed as it is by a teacher who excites enthusiasm in his courses at Columbia Business School." - Sir Harold Evans, author of They Made America, From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine, Two Centuries of Innovators "Jeffrey Harris provides us a magisterial tour of the entrepreneur's difficult journey. Drawing from decades of investing and observation, he illuminates the many dimensions in which a successful venture must operate. What makes this book especially helpful is the way in which it examines the experiences of well-known people and companies. Jeffrey portrays a sharp distinction between an entrepreneur and innovator, the latter has an interesting idea, but the former implements that idea through leadership, marshaling scarce resources, persuasive selling and efficient operations. He has put his finger on the key differences between the winners and losers in the entrepreneurial world." - Paul Ricci Chairman and CEO of Nuance Communications "Transformative Entrepreneurs puts in perspective just how rare a successful entrepreneur is and how high the hurdles are to attaining the status of a 'transformative entrepreneur'. At the same time, the book shows that entrepreneurs know no geographic, ethnic , age, or sexual boundaries, so stake a claim and be a part of the entrepreneurial world!" - Mark Heesen, President, National Venture Capital AssociationTable of ContentsIntroduction Changing The Landscape True Grit New Horses For Old Courses Holistic Models Venturesome Capital Failure Is An Option Bad Boys The Big Whiff The Epitome of Innovation Noble Endeavors Land Of The Free, Home Of The Brave Government Matters

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Book SynopsisAlmost every company creates a marketing plan each year, and many spend hundreds of employee hours researching, preparing and presenting their tomes to senior executives. Breakthrough Marketing Plans is an essential tool for people who create marketing plans and people who review them.Trade Review"Tim Calkins tells what really goes on, and what should go on to on to prepare a winning marketing plan. I highly recommend this book to marketing and brand managers to help them create really pointed and impactful marketing plans." - Philip Kotler, S.C. Johnson & Son Professor of International Marketing, Kellogg School of Management "Tim Calkins provides the practical guidance that marketers are longing for. This book lays out a clear path to creating marketing plans that will get supported, and more importantly, drive results." - Ed Buckley, VP Marketing, UPS "For new marketers and experienced practitioners, Breakthrough Marketing Plans, provides a practical roadmap for developing effective marketing plans that actually serve as daily action guides rather than dusty shelf ornaments." - M. Carl Johnson III, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Campbell Soup Company "Tim Calkins is an award-winning professor and marketer. He knows why most plans fails and what needs to be done to make them useful: set measurable goals, choose a strategy and support it, develop key tactics, and keep it short. Breakthrough Marketing Plans is a wonderfully useful book that will change the way marketers and marketing students operate. Read it: it will make you a better marketer!" - Pierre Chandon, Associate Professor of Marketing, INSEAD "A simple, powerful roadmap to creating a simple, powerful marketing plan." - Professor John Quelch, Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School "Stunningly simple. A great guide for anyone who strives to have clarity and impact from their marketing strategies - from the CEO to an entry level marketer. Tim Calkins is an academic with a real world view." - Randy Gier, Chief Consumer Officer, Dr Pepper Snapple Group "Tim demystifies and simplifies the critical exercise of driving out world class marketing strategies and executional plans . . .a must-read for any marketer needing help in articulating a strategy that is about both words and actions, and a must read for any CEO or CMO looking to establish a consistent marketing dialog throughout their organization." - Scott M. Davis, Senior Partner, Prophet "Tim Calkins offers an invaluable resource in the time-starved lives of today's marketing professionals." - Jeffrey Cohen, Global Vice President of Marketing, CIBA VISION "Tim Calkins has successfully distilled all the marketing theory behind powerful marketing plans into a very pragmatic approach that will not only help guide novice marketers but also will remind experienced marketing leaders of the core fundamentals to driving business growth." - Paul Groundwater, Vice President, Global Brand Leader, Trane, Inc. "Practical, action-oriented, to the point. Breakthrough Marketing Plans is a valuable tool for marketing professionals and business leaders alike." - Pete Georgiadis, President & CEO, Synetro GroupTable of ContentsIntroduction Who Needs a Marketing Plan, Anyway Why So Many Marketing Plans Are a Waste of Time What Really Matters: The One Page Summary The Best of the Best The Road Map: Step by Step Writing the Plan The Big Show Marketing Plan Template Example Twenty Strategic Initiatives Common Questions Sources Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisNigel Hollis draws on his experience at Millward Brown to present a simple formula for determining brand strength to illustrate the market value and performance of brands. Hollis emphasizes human nature as a set of constant core values that all brands should appeal to, and analyzes the future of brand-building as a profitable investment.Trade Review'In this direct and detailed book, branding expert Hollis examines how successful enterprises balance the challenges of expanding globally while creating effective local appeal...marketing pros are sure to find it insightful, informative and a tremendous resource.' - Publisher's Weekly 'Although creating a truly global brand is - and should be - the goal of many marketers, it also presents some formidable challenges. Nigel Hollis, one of the most experienced and astute branding experts, provides clear and insightful advice as to how to build a strong global brand. Based in part on thorough, up-to-date research from one of the best data bases around, The Global Brand provides a detailed roadmap for global branding success.' - Kevin Lane Keller, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth University, USA 'This book is a must-read for anyone involved in the world of marketing as it does a thorough job at examining the challenges and opportunities involved in marketing brands on the global stage. Hollis and the Millward Brown team is spot on in recognizing thatlocal culture has enormous influence on success and advocatingthat marketers must win locally before the brand can benefit globally.' - Tony Palmer, Chief Marketing Officer for Kimberly-Clark Corporation 'This focus on brands at the global level is a welcome addition to the literature and is full of relevant examples.' - Donald R. Lehmann, George E. Warren Professor of Business, Columbia University Graduate School of Business, USA "In the Global Brand, Nigel Hollis not only correctssome of the misconceptions of the past but offers a glimpse of the future that is both perceptive and grounded in good business sense. Those who take the time to properly digest this book willsave their companiesa lot of money.' - Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive Officer, WPP 'If you're involved in building brands across markets, you will want to get hold of this book. Part manual, part guiding principles, part 'best practice' case histories - it's an instructive and rewarding read.' - Richard Swaab, Executive Vice-Chairman for AMV BBDO 'In the current global market, in which many western companies have been attempting to extend their reach through mergers and a great number of eastern firms continue to anticipate regional and international growth, insight like Hollis' proves invaluable in putting the massive and delicate undertaking of making a brand international into perspective.' - John Murn, Brand BuildingTable of ContentsWhat is a Brand? So What is a Global Brand? Five Steps to a Strong Brand: The BrandDynamics Pyramid How Strong Brands Create Value Strong Brand Relationships are Local Successful Global Brands The Understanding of Brands Evolves Over Time The Balancing Act The BRICs and Beyond

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Book Synopsis From the bestselling author of The Bomber Mafia: discover Malcolm Gladwell's breakthrough debut and explore the science behind viral trends in business, marketing, and human behavior.   The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed bestseller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas.“A wonderful page-turner about a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person looks at the world.” —Michael Lewis

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Book SynopsisFamily business planning has traditionally centered on two issues - estate planning and succession. These goals are far too limited for today's family firm. Business families want to turn the business into not only a tool for profit, but for self-expression, innovation and legacy. The authors introduce the new concept of the Parallel Planning Process, explaining how to integrate the needs and expectations of the family and business systems in order to create an organic and entrepreneurial unit. Planning and decision making templates are included as well as studies of well-known family businesses.Trade Review'Strategic Planning for the Family Business is a very thoughtful and valuable book. It offers a superb kaleidoscope of the dynamics of the family business. Professors Carlock and Ward's notion of the Parallel Planning Process turns out to be a highly original and extremely effective way of diagnosing and intervening in such complex organizations. If I would find myself on a desert island with a family business (I agree that is quite a surrealistic thought), and was asked to help the various stakeholders, and could only resort to one book for guidance, this book would be my first choice.' - Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, Raoul de Vitry d'Avaucourt Professor of Human Resource Management, Clinical Professor of Leadership Development INSEAD, France & Singapore 'The leaders of business families and family businesses will find this book a precious tool as they confront the many challenges of planning for the family and the business. Carlock and Ward draw from their many years of experience as educators, consultants and board members to make the text stimulating, relevant and of practical utility. I forecast that Strategic Planning for the Family Business will remain a benchmark of best practice for many years to come.' - Alden G. Lank, President, Family Business Network and Stephan Schmidheiny, Professor of Family Enterprises Emeritus, IMD, Switzerland 'The authors draw on their extensive experience and carefully illustrate how their innovative Parallel Planning Process works to establish the personal, financial and strategic priorities of both family and business. Moreover, they offer a useful method to forge a workable continuity plan. This book is a must read for anyone interested in planning for the continuity of the family business.' - Ivan Lansberg, Founding Partner, Lansberg Gerswick & Associates, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 'Of great use to family businesses that, rather than conforming to the corporate world, want to evolve, grow and pass from generation to generation without losing their family character.' - Miguel A. Gallo, Family Business Chairholder, IESE, International Business School, Universidad de Navarra, Spain This is a book that family business owners, advisers and researchers have been waiting for. Too often business families have been told to separate family interests from business interests because traditional models did not take account of the emotional dimension in the rational business planning process. Finally, we have in this book adefinitive guide that incorporates and balances the family's aspirations for their enterprise, their expectations of returns as investors, their involvement in the governance of the business and the formulation of a viable business strategy for the family's enterprise. Ward and Carlock's new book integrates the key theories underpinning the body of knowledge in the field of family business, and in so doing, marks the coming of age of the field. This book comes highly recommended to all students of family enterprise, be they business families, advisers or academics.' - Barbara Murray, Ph.D., Lansberg Gersick Associates 'The Carlock and Ward book is a must for everybody working in and with family businesses. The emphasis on the planning process addresses the key deficiency of far too many family businesses.' - Joachim Schwass, Professor of Family Business, IMD, Switzerland 'Help for business families who strive for improved strategic performance and family harmony.' - Stanford BusinessTable of ContentsPART 1: UNDERSTANDING FAMILY BUSINESS PLANNING The Importance of Planning for Business Families The Parallel Planning Process PART 2: PLANNING FOR THE FAMILY Securing Family Commitment Encouraging Family Participation Preparing the Next Generation of Family Managers and Leaders Developing Effective Ownership PART 3: PLANNING FOR THE BUSINESS Assessing the Firm's Strategic Potential Exploring Possible Business Strategies Finalizing Strategy and Investment Decisions PART 4: INTEGRATING THE FAMILY AND BUSINESS PLANS The role of the board in family business planning

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Book SynopsisBeing in the business of generation and dissemination of knowledge, R&D organizations have to attain a balance between revenue generation and creation of knowledge advantage for clients.Table of ContentsOrigins of Research and Technology Organisations, Different Models that have Developed WAITRO Study, Main Focus, Methodology, Limitations Achievements of an Industrial Research Organisation in Terms of its Effectiveness Types and Nature of Practices Adopted by RTO's for Accessing and Developing Human Resources Two Exercises in Benchmarking of RTO's Comparing an Effective RTO with Characteristics of a Learning Organisation

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe author heads a company that specializes in trend forecasting. In this guide, he identifies today's hidden, influential trends and reveals how they'll shape the events of the coming century.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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