What Does it Take to Get Ahead Now--And Stay There?
High performance has always required shrewd strategy and superb
execution. These factors remain critical, especially given today's
unprecedented business climate. But Rich Karlgaard--Forbes publisher,
entrepreneur, investor, and board director--takes a surprising turn and
argues that there is now a third element that's required for competitive
advantage. It fosters innovation, it accelerates strategy and execution,
and it cannot be copied or bought. It is found in a perhaps surprising
place--your company's values.
Karlgaard examined a variety of enduring companies and found that they
have one thing in common; all have leveraged their deepest values
alongside strategy and execution, allowing them to fuel growth as well
as weather hard times. Karlgaard shares these stories and identifies the
five key variables that make up every organization's "soft edge: "
- Trust Northwestern Mutual has built a $25 million dollar revenue
juggernaut on trust, the foundation of lasting success. Learn how to
create an environment that engenders trust and propels high
performance.
- Smarts In most technical fields your formal education quickly
becomes out of date. How do you keep up? Learn how the Mayo Clinic,
Stanford University women's basketball team, and others stay on top by
relentlessly pursuing an advantage through smarts.
- Teamwork Since collaboration and innovation are a must in the
global economy, effective teamwork is vital. Learn how global giant
FedEx stays focused and how nimble Nest Labs relies on lean teams with
cognitive diversity.
- Taste Clever product design and integration are proxies for
intelligence because they make customers feel smart. But taste goes
further into deep emotional engagement. Specialized Bicycles calls it
"the elusive spot between data truth and human truth." How can you
consistently make products or services that trigger these emotional
touch points?
- Story Companies that achieve lasting success have an enduring and
emotionally appealing story. What's your company's story? How do you
tell it your way? Gain the ability to create a powerful narrative in a
world where outsiders often exercise the louder voice.
