Filed under: Books in General, Economics, Strategic Management | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Chaotics, Economics, Geoff Colvin, Strategic Management
Philip Kotler and John A. Caslione, authors of one of our more popular summaries of 2009 Chaotics, must be nodding with grim recognition that we continue to operate in, as they described it, “The Era of Turbulence.” I get the distinct impression that their book will be one of the summaries that continues to attract reader interest well into 2010.
This Reuters article notes President Barack Obama’s warning of the possibility of a “double-dip” recession. The United States is faced with a difficult road if it hopes to both use the power of government to spur economic recovery while also limiting the debt that the government takes on in the process. Obama’s upcoming forum on ways to lower the unemployment rate should give some indication of how feasible it will be to create job growth without increased debt.
The notion of this “double-dip” into recession is something that makes me glad we decided to summarize Geoff Colvin’s The Upside of the Downturn in our December 2009 edition. During our vetting process, we often debate a book’s shelf life because we want to ensure that our readers receive summaries to which they can return again and again. The shelf life of The Upside of the Downturn is a bit of a “good news/bad news” situation. The bad news will be if the U.S. economy does, in fact, take a second dip. The good news is Colvin’s book is an excellent resource for understanding how to navigate the unruly waters of the economic situation and prosper in the end. When we selected this book, I would argue that we chose it because it addressed an immediate need of our subscriber base. Much like Chaotics, our summary of Colvin’s book may prove to be one that sticks around beyond even our own expectations.
You can check out The Upside of the Downturn as well as our other December summaries by visiting us at Summary.com
Filed under: Accountability, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Strategic Management | Tags: books, Business, business book, career skills, Leadership, management, military, Strategic Management, strategies
… And so it was settled. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the combatants entered into armistice and the curtain fell on the “War to End All Wars.”
Of course, we realize that such hopes were not to be. Were that truly the end of the story, the mere mention of places such as Normandy, Guadalcanal, Incheon, Khe Sanh, Baghdad and Kabul would not invoke solemn reflection on the part of Americans. Whether in field or forest, dense jungle or cloudy sky, churning sea or burning sand, American men and women have sweated and sacrificed, with many paying the ultimate price in their tireless defense of liberty and the principles of democracy. Today is a day to remember and give heartfelt thanks, but it should not stand alone on the calendar. As they are ever vigilant in their duty, so should we be fervent in our gratitude.
The fact that veterans populate so many of the boardrooms of American corporations means there is an interesting link between the military and the world of business. While critics debate the validity and tastefulness of comparing dollars and cents to life and death on the battlefield, many authors are willing to undertake the examination. One cannot argue with the military’s track record as it applies to leadership, execution of strategy and inspiring individuals to the highest levels of personal performance.
I receive a fair number of these books as they hit the market and I’m generally impressed with them. Leadership, in particular, is a topic which most executives would do well to look to the military for advice. In addition, I’ve found that the military is a key resource on the subject of accountability. One branch of the Armed Forces in particular seems to draw a large percentage of attention for the effectiveness of its training and strategy execution. If you’re looking for a unique insight from experts in efficiency, any of the above titles is highly recommended.
On this Veterans Day, one which is especially solemn in light of recent events, take a moment and give thanks to the men and women who served. I know I will.
Filed under: Books in General, From the Editor, General Business, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Strategic Management | Tags: books, Business, business books, Hands-On Management, Leadership, management, Strategic Management
Whether your candidate won or lost yesterday, I think there’s one thing on which we can all agree: it’s nice to know that the political attack ads are over for a little while. I was getting a little tired of hearing two people give me reason after reason why their respective opponent is quite possibly the cause of every major disaster, both man-made and natural.
However, there may have been a few of you out there who got a little extra enjoyment yesterday from pulling a lever, checking a check-box or pushing a button (for as many candidates as there are, there’s also as many ways to vote for them). With that in mind, I’d like to run a little poll of my own. Our November summaries have been with our subscribers for a little while now, and I hope that all non-subscribers at least gave them a look and considered joining us. What I’d like to know is which of the three titles we featured is the one you deem most beneficial to you and your business?
Was it How Did That Happen? Roger Connors and Tom Smith’s look at creating a workable accountability system? Was it Emmanuel Gobillot’s Leadershift, a new look at the changing methods of leadership? Or was it Keith Ferrazzi’s Who’s Got Your Back? an in-depth look at building three key lifeline relationships?
Reply to this post and let me know which was your favorite and why. One thing is for certain, this is one race that I’m glad is too close to call.
Filed under: Books in General, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Strategic Management | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Strategic Management
Here at Soundview, as we watch the steady flow of business books pour across our desk, there is a recurring trend that doesn’t speak well for bosses. It seems that many people aren’t happy with the way their boss does his or her job, and they’re looking for ways to either work around their boss or “manage” him or her.
The most recent title in this vein is Lead the Boss: The Subtle Art of Managing Up by John Baldoni. In the acknowledgment portion of his book, Baldoni says his urge to write the book began with the needs of the men and women executives who he has coached, many of whom were “excelling in their jobs but found it sometimes difficult to get the attention of, interact with, or persuade senior leaders.” “Leading your boss,” he tells us in the prologue, “is really a metaphor for leading from the middle,” which actually encompasses leading your boss, your peers and your team for the ultimate good of the organization.
Other similar books published in recent years include The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell, Leading Up by Michael Useem and Managing Up by Rosanne Badowski and Roger Gittines. Maxwell even ventures to say that “the reality is that 99 percent of all leadership occurs not from the top but from the middle of an organization.” In the final Special Section of The 360 Degree Leader he mentions, “More than two-thirds of the people who leave their jobs do so because of an ineffective or incompetent leader. People don’t leave their company — they leave their leader.”
Clearly, good leaders are needed throughout an organization, not just at the top. But issues around trust, lack of transparency, ineffective communication and unclear direction — plus a few poor interpersonal skills — can easily undermine the effectiveness of any leader at any level. If you or your boss could use some perspective on effective leadership or management strategies, visit Soundview Executive Book Summaries for access to some helpful book titles.
Filed under: Books in General, Innovation, Internet, Leadership, Strategic Management, Technology | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Innovation, Leadership, Strategic Management, Technology
Receiving an inside look at one of the most powerful companies on the planet is something for which business book readers clamor. What if the deal were sweetened and the book were to be authored not by a third-party observer or a mid-level manager but instead by one of the top executives for the company?
In a matter of months, we’ll get the opportunity described above! This post from a blog on CNET confirms rumors that we’ve heard for some time. Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft’s Windows Division, is collaborating with the Harvard Business School to craft a book on creating and implementing innovative strategies. As the article indicates, Sinofsky has been contributing posts to Microsoft’s Engineering Windows 7 blog, many of which offer insights into the inner workings of the intensely private software giant.
I for one was intrigued by the suggestion that Sinofsky’s book will delve into the strategic changes made by Microsoft after its Windows Vista release. I’m curious to know the level of detail to which he will discuss this subject. As fascinating as the creation of a new product will be to readers, it may be more helpful to executives to gain insight on how to recover when a product that took millions of dollars and an equal amount of man hours to produce is underwhelming upon its release. It takes a certain amount of bravery on the part of any executive to publicly acknowledge and address a product that has received its fair share of criticism.
Part of what makes Microsoft an object of admiration to many observers is its ability to stay ahead of fluctuations in its industry. Innovation is at the heart of what has separated Microsoft from its competitors. Sinofsky’s revelations could prove to be quite useful, particularly when combined with co-author Marco Iansiti’s research at Harvard. A collaboration between Microsoft and Harvard sounds like a winner. I’ll keep you posted when we get a sneak peek at the book as it nears publication.
Filed under: Economics, From the Editor, General Business, Marketing, Sales, Small Business, Strategic Management, ethics | Tags: Business, Economics, Marketing, Small Business, Soundview, Strategic Management
Part of producing each month’s edition of Soundview Executive Book Summaries involves recording and editing the audio version. While conversing with a colleague at a studio with whom we work, the subject of malls came up. My friend mentioned that he’s seen more than a few empty storefronts as he walked through one local mall.
By coincidence, I came across this interesting photo study from Time magazine today. It’s important to note that at least one of the photos included in this collection is of a set of stores that were abandoned decades ago. However, the remaining stores are all fairly recent closings.
I found the photo study while reading an article about hard times at clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F). If you have children, or attended college between 1996 and 2006, you’re probably intimately familiar with this company. As an editor, I love the way Time used the classic tactic of posing a question in its headline. Is A&F really the worst recession brand? We might want to cast a critical eye over other business sectors before we do too much picking on people who sell hooded sweatshirts and, as the Time article notes, $90 jeans.
Still, the central issue in the article that is most worthy of discussion is how companies that are perceived as luxury brands should handle tough times. I found the concept of price cutting to be of particular interest in this article. Theoretically, a luxury brand that cuts its price runs the risk of losing its status, but does this assumption apply during times of economic hardship? I agree with the marketing professor in the article who notes that if you keep your prices low for a period of time, you create an expectation among customers that they’ll stay that way.
What’s your take on how luxury brands should navigate a recession? Send me a comment and let me know your thoughts.
Filed under: Books in General, Collection, From the Editor, General Business, Leadership, Strategic Management, Success | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, career skills, Collection, Leadership, Strategic Management, strategies
When was the last time you were lost? Take a minute and think about it. When was the last time that you were unable to find your way from point A to point B? Now that we live under the constant glare of the electric eye known as GPS, we don’t spend too much time worrying about where we’re going. The wilderness (what little of it remains) is probably the last place where there are no guarantees that if we veer off the clearly marked path, we’ll find our way home again.
The fear generated by being lost is something both films and novels have used to great effect over the years. One way to up the tension level is to have the character make what seems to be a life-saving turn only to discover that he or she has been walking in a complete circle. According to a recent study on a German TV show, discussed in this Science magazine blog , walking in circles may not be a plot-device invented by writers.
The fear of getting lost evaporates when we take the time to prepare the course we plan to travel. The same rule applies in business as it does in exploration. A well-planned strategy is a business’s map to its eventual destination. When we don’t take the time to look ahead to the potential barriers that may stand in our way, we inevitably seem to go around in circles attempting to solve these issues.
If you’re preparing to set your course for success, Soundview has something that may help you with your plotting. The brand new Soundview Strategy in Business Collection presents summaries from 25 books that cover every angle of designing and executing a successful strategy. Order your copy by clicking on this link. Consider it a GPS for CEOs.
Filed under: Books in General, From the Editor, Hands-On Management, Leadership, Strategic Management | Tags: books, Business, business book, business books, Leadership, Strategic Management, strategies
Have you delved into your August edition of Soundview Executive Book Summaries yet? If not, what are you waiting for, huh? It’s a cool alternative to the “dog days” of August, putting all modesty aside, of course.
If you’re not a subscriber, take a look at what you’re missing.
We’ve got top business consultant Amit S. Mukherjee with his latest release The Spider’s Strategy. Mukherjee provides four “design principles” that are essential for understanding and navigating one’s way through unexpected events.
The August edition also includes another of our popular Bonus Summaries. This time, it’s The Leadership Pipeline. I was a little nervous that we weren’t going to be able to cover this book due to the flood of great releases we received while putting the August edition together. However, we felt it was essential to give our subscribers a key leadership title due to overwhelming demand for more summaries on this subject. This collaboration between Ram Charan, James Noel and Stephen Drotter is one of the best leadership books we’ve covered in recent months.
But the true gem of our August edition is J. Barry Griswelland Bob Jenning’s The Adversity Paradox. We were quite impressed with this book, particularly the authors’ insistence on the importance of adversity in the journey to success. Subscribers should also check their online library for an exclusive interview with the authors. They’ve got quite a story to tell!
For additional information or to order individual copies of any of our August summaries, visit us at Summary.com.
Filed under: Books in General, Strategic Management | Tags: Being Strategic, books, Business, business book, business books, erika andersen, Strategic Management, strategies
Here’s a book that recently crossed my desk with little fanfare. After taking a look through its contents, I’m surprised that more hasn’t been made of Erika Andersen’s new release Being Strategic: Plan for Success, Out-think Your Competitors, Stay Ahead of Change.
Andersen, who also authors her own blog, is known for her work as a coach and advisor to senior executives. Many of the companies with whom she’s worked are in the mass media business. In fact, her resume reads like the on-screen listings guide from my cable TV service: NBC, CBS, MTV, etc.
In Being Strategic, Andersen provides a breakdown of the skills involved in strategy. As she admits in her introduction, the word “strategic” shows up nearly every day, yet how many different definitions of “strategy” have you heard over the length of your career? To draw a parallel with a bit of Asian philosophy, “strategy” is like water, it takes the shape of whatever container currently holds it. Of course somewhere along the line, the container gets tipped over and its contents spill out all over the place!
Fortunately, Andersen turns liquid to solid through her use of the metaphor of building a castle. Considering that the goals most of us are asked to accomplish are as lofty and labor-intensive as constructing a medieval castle, Andersen chose wisely when coming up with this comparison. Her book is filled with excellent examples from Andersen’s travels, and she has the writing skills to help carry her readers from the valley to the hilltop without losing them along the path.
Of course, Andersen isn’t a stranger to Soundview. We were quite fond of her previous book Growing Great Employees. Check out her newest release and start your path to your castle. Just watch out for trolls along the way!
