Behind the Scenes at Global-Roam

As noted a while ago, I picked up this book and  found it a very engaging read.

The Book	What we thought
“Who says elephants can’t dance?” by Louis V Gerstner Jr	An enjoyable read - some great lessons too

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)…

.

What struck me, time and again in reading this, was how the IBM situation Lou describes shows so many similarities to the situation we found ourselves in a couple years ago, when we started our own turnaround project (albeit on a much smaller scale).

I’ve titled this post in a similar way to the one I made 2 years ago following a Google talk as a similar challenge to us to ensure that we learn the lessons from IBM that Lou outlines in his book.

read more »

Let’s get one thing out-of-the-way straight away, for those who are easily distracted – yes, it is an unfortunate choice of acronym.  Back in 1988, when the book was written, political debate was not as lightweight and sound-bite-sized as at present.

---

I can’t recall who it was who first suggested I read the book, but it was some time ago and (since that time) I have read the book several times.

The Book	What we thought
“Spin Selling” by Neil Rackham	It’s certainly worth it, for us, given the nature of our business

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)… .

With this book in particular, I’d strongly recommend you pick up a copy in order to gain the value – what follows is my attempt to just hit the highlights.

The book describes the SPIN technique, which evolved based on some fairly extensive studies of sales effectiveness completed by the author during the time he was founding the Huthwaite business.

Here’s a brief 5-minute video in which Neil outlines what SPIN selling is all about.

read more »

Started reading “Who says elephants can’t dance?” this weekend [later reviewed here] – Louis Gerstner’s account of the turnaround he helped create at IBM from 1993 to 2002.

Though we’re a massively different size of business, I am intrigued by his recount of the position the company was in at the time, and the steps taken to rectify.

I’m particularly intrigued to read on, to find out more about what he did to ensure that the company focus returned to the customer – as this has been one of our central challenges in the changes we’ve been making in the past year or two.

We’ve certainly made some good progress, though I know that there is much more we can do.  The week before last was not one of our better ones – but it won’t be wasted, if we can learn from it.

Back around November 2009 read an article by Roger Martin promoting his new book, and posted about it here.

The book arrived and I read it some time ago, but some developments more recently prompted me to pick it up again.  Given the reliance our company has on product innovation, it was worth reading (even a 2nd time).

The Book	What we thought
“The Design of Business – Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage” by Roger Martin	Not a large book, but packs a punch

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)…

read more »

Picked this book up off the shelf this weekend and read it straight through (to the consternation of my wife – what will they write about next, she says).

The Book	What we thought
“Getting Naked – a Business Fable” by Patrick Lencioni	Easy read, and worthwhile

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)…

As the title implies, it’s written in fictional story form, about the cultural difference between a large downtown “up or out” management consulting firm and a smaller close-knit entrepreneurial one.

It was an quick and easy read – both because of the way in which it was written, and also because it parallels with some of what I’m keen on embedding deep within our own culture as part of our Core Value of Openness.

At a deeper level, my view is that it’s also predicated on a primary value of “Customers First”.

read more »

In some ways, I believe that it is.

I’ll spoil the punch-line -  eighteen months ago I posted about how 10,000 hours of “dedicated practice” are required to reach true mastery of any discipline.

This book is one of several that take up this theme, and which were referenced in the news articles linked in the post above.  Other books include “Outliers”, plus many others we have not read.

The Book	What we thought
“Talent is Overrated” by Geoff Colvin	Well worth reading for greater depth than the articles quoted in the post above

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)…

read more »

Had almost reached the end of this book and was thinking that (whilst it did contain some worthwhile information), it did not totally do it for me….

The Book	What we thought
“Know-How: the 8 skills that separate people who perform from those who don’t” by Ram Charan	Solid, not stellar – but the letter’s worth reading!

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)…

.

…and then I reached his “Letter to a Future Leader”, included at the end of the book (p265) …

read more »

Someone suggested I read this book a long time ago.  Apologies that I can’t remember who, or I would note your name here.

The Book	What we thought
“Chasing the Rabbit” by Steven J Spear	An detailed, challenging read, but well worthwhile

I’ve posted separately about why we read, and review, so many books (and about the links above)…

.

Because of the extensive and valuable discussion provided by the author, the following teaser does not do justice to the book – you have to read it to gain a real context.

PS - I’ve been told that there’s a newer version of the book available (now titled “High Velocity Edge“) that has a new preface and epilogue to reflect on Toyota’s recent issues.

read more »