Execution Unbound – Import Author: | Language: English | ISBN:
1400046173 | Format: EPUB
Execution Unbound – Import Description
- Unbound
- Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY) (June 2002)
- ISBN-10: 1400046173
- ISBN-13: 978-1400046171
- Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
My dogged desire to get through this book ruined the first half of a windsurfing vacation in Aruba.
It's very, very dry going, and at the end one wonders what, if anything the authors really had to say.
It sounds on the surface like cutting edge management practice. For instance Bossidy and Charan introduce the concept of "the social software of execution" as a key element for creating the framework for cultural change in the organization. They go on to elaborate, "A key component of software is what we call Social Operating Mechanisms". At this point I was on the edge of my chair, ready to absorb what was being teed up as an idea of potentially transformational impact. So what are Social Operating Mechanisms? The authors go on to explain, "These are formal or informal meetings, presentations, even memos or e-mail exchanges - anywhere that dialogue takes place".
Wow - this is really deep stuff...
One wonders why the authors don't simply refer to communication rather than Social Operating Mechanisms. And, as a separate matter, the lack of literacy is surprising. Since when, for example, are memos and e-mail exchanges places?
Stripped of all of this, what the authors have to say is simple common sense that can be summarized as follows:
* Successful companies have the important ability to get things done (or execute).
* Good leadership (knowing people, setting clear goals, following through, etc.) is a prerequisite of execution.
* Reward systems, communications, and feedback processes need to foster action and provide incentives for getting things done.
* Some people are more capable than others are to get things done.
What's left to say about this book on execution? With 130 online reviews many issues are covered already. One point's missing, though. Look at the reviews; they are divided into two camps. The reviewers either think this is a mediocre book with very basic ideas (management 101) or they see the light. The latter realize that there's no need for new acronyms or faddy words in the management-speak. "Execution" is about getting things done, being persistent and realistic, as well as managing the 3 core processes; strategy (why? and what?), operations (how?) and people (who?).
Building a performance culture is never as easy as it sounds. Looking back a few years, try to recall a few of those companies with great media attention and grand strategic visions. Many of them failed. And many of them will fail again and again, because the heroes are strategic visionaries that never bothered to deal with the issue of execution; continually and personally making sure that things were actually done. You know, when all is said and done, usually more is said than done...
If you found this book fascinating, you'll probably have some of the execution traits hidden in your personality preferences. If you want to check it out, you might visit some of free Internet sites for a test (e.g. keirsey.com). For a business, I believe it's paramount to make sure that you have a well-balanced team on all levels in the hierarchy. This also includes having enough executives with execution traits. Advice: Don't assume you have it; test it!
Conclusively, this is a great book. I liked it so much that I even also bought the audio version! The reason for the audio version is that these execution ideas simply are needed to be absorbed over several readings (or listenings).
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