Description

Book Synopsis
Expert insights on what sets the great professional firms apart from all the rest

Having devoted a career that spans fifty years to consulting with and studying professional firms in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, author Charles Ellis learned firsthand how difficult it is for an organization to go beyond very good and attain, as well as sustain, excellence. Now, he shares his hard-won insights with you and reveals what it takes to be best-in-class in any industry.

Enlightening and entertaining, What It Takes explores firms that are leaders in their particular field and the superior people who create and maintain them. Along the way, it identifies the secrets of their long-term success and reveals exactly how they can put your organization in a better position to excel when properly executed.

  • Contains many stories of achieving excellence, and addresses the obstacles that top-ranking organizations face in sustaining it
  • Includes insights on

    Table of Contents
    Foreword ix

    Introduction xi

    I. Achieving Excellence

    Chapter 1: Mission 3

    An Inspiring Long-Term Purpose

    Chapter 2: Culture 25

    How We Do Things around Here

    Chapter 3: Recruiting 47

    Getting the Right People

    Chapter 4: Developing People 65

    Training, Educating, and Organizing for Excellence

    Chapter 5: Client Relationships 97

    Developing Ties That Last

    Chapter 6: Innovation 111

    Changing How the Game Is Played

    Chapter 7: Macro Innovation 133

    Changing the Game

    Chapter 8: Leadership 151

    Bringing the Secrets Together

    Chapter 9: . . . and Luck 173

    Sometimes It Really Matters

    II. Sustaining Excellence

    Chapter 10: Trouble 181

    Excellence Challenged

    Chapter 11: Arthur Andersen 211

    Excellence Lost

    Afterword 245

    Thanks 249

    Notes 251

    About the Author 285

    Index 287

What It Takes

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    A Hardback by Charles D. Ellis

    £28.80

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    RRP £36.00 – you save £7.20 (20%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 20 Oct 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc
      Published 22 March 2013
      ISBN-13 9781118517727
      978-1118517727
      ISBN-10 1118517725

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Expert insights on what sets the great professional firms apart from all the rest

      Having devoted a career that spans fifty years to consulting with and studying professional firms in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, author Charles Ellis learned firsthand how difficult it is for an organization to go beyond very good and attain, as well as sustain, excellence. Now, he shares his hard-won insights with you and reveals what it takes to be best-in-class in any industry.

      Enlightening and entertaining, What It Takes explores firms that are leaders in their particular field and the superior people who create and maintain them. Along the way, it identifies the secrets of their long-term success and reveals exactly how they can put your organization in a better position to excel when properly executed.

      • Contains many stories of achieving excellence, and addresses the obstacles that top-ranking organizations face in sustaining it
      • Includes insights on

        Table of Contents
        Foreword ix

        Introduction xi

        I. Achieving Excellence

        Chapter 1: Mission 3

        An Inspiring Long-Term Purpose

        Chapter 2: Culture 25

        How We Do Things around Here

        Chapter 3: Recruiting 47

        Getting the Right People

        Chapter 4: Developing People 65

        Training, Educating, and Organizing for Excellence

        Chapter 5: Client Relationships 97

        Developing Ties That Last

        Chapter 6: Innovation 111

        Changing How the Game Is Played

        Chapter 7: Macro Innovation 133

        Changing the Game

        Chapter 8: Leadership 151

        Bringing the Secrets Together

        Chapter 9: . . . and Luck 173

        Sometimes It Really Matters

        II. Sustaining Excellence

        Chapter 10: Trouble 181

        Excellence Challenged

        Chapter 11: Arthur Andersen 211

        Excellence Lost

        Afterword 245

        Thanks 249

        Notes 251

        About the Author 285

        Index 287

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