http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/12/28/execed.books/index.html
The book of business
Story Highlights
Business schools produce books on a huge range of subjects
Here is a round up of some interesting titles this year
Subjects range from the complex -- hedge funds -- to the far more general
By Peter Walker for CNN
LONDON, England (CNN) -- As well as turning out a conveyor belt line of future chief executives, business schools also produce a great deal of research, not only academic papers but also dozens of full-length books.
Some of this can be fairly arcane and technical, but many of the books are of great interest to the wider public. So, what better way to mark the festive season than a round up of some of the more interesting books produced by business schools this, year, both those featured in Executive Education and other offerings?
One of the more specialized ones featured relatively recently on the site, looked at the puzzling world of hedge funds of funds.
However much of a mouthful this seems, as made clear in a guide by Dr Chris Jones, a fellow at Cambridge University's Judge Business School as well as chief investment officer at a leading hedge fund, the idea is relatively straightforward.
A hedge fund of funds is a collective fund which invests across a range of hedge funds, letting the more casual investor taste some of the high returns available in the area without necessarily having to have in-depth, expert knowledge.
While it demystifies a tricky subject the book is still, perhaps, unlikely to be on the Christmas lists of many general readers.
So what about an examination of the first African American sports star to be celebrated across racial divides -- a precursor, the author argues, for dozens of modern "brand name" celebrities like Tiger Woods or David Beckham.
"Being Sugar Ray: The Life of Sugar Ray Robinson, America's Greatest Boxer and First Celebrity Athlete" by Kenneth Shropshire of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School examines the story of the famous middleweight of the 1940s and 50s.
Also for the sports fan is a work by François Leccia and Loïck Roche from the Grenoble school in France, who teamed up with Jacques Delmas, coach of the leading Biarritz rugby team, for a book taking lessons from sport and business.
It claims to "explain how team spirit, reacting to victories and defeats, making the right pass at the right time etc, can be used in the business world."
Another business book likely to find favor covers a subject close to many hearts at Christmas -- a good bottle of wine.
"To Cork or Not to Cork: The Wine Industry's Battle over the Bottleneck" by George Taber covers the history of what goes at the end of a wine bottle; for centuries only cork but now just as likely to be an artificial variant, a screw top or even -- soon to come -- the glass stopper.
The book should be suitable for both general and business readers, Taber stresses.
"I wrote it for a more general audience," he says. "(But) I was a business journalist for most of my career and you know you can take the boy out of journalism but you can't take journalism out of the boy. So I think it probably reflects a little more of a business tone, because I think in a lot of ways, this is a business story."
Another recently-released book covers the fascinating subject of how corporations are perceived and how their essential public identity forms over time.
"The Soul of the Corporation: Managing Your Company's Identity" is the work of professors at two leading schools, Hamid Bouchikhi from ESSEC in France and John Kimberly of Wharton.
One stark example used in the book is that of how McDonald's is perceived in France, where it is simultaneously very popular and a regular focus for anti-globalization protests.
"It's problem in the context of France is: Who is it? Is it an American company that is doing business in France, or is it a French company that is doing business in France?," Kimberly says.
"And McDonald's has struggled with this because at one level, if you look at who they hire, they hire French employees. If you look at the structure at the top of the company in France, it is all French. They do all of their sourcing for products in France. So at one level, it is a very French company, but at another level, the identity is ambiguous because of its roots and origins in United States."
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Soul of The Corporation at CNN.com
The book of business
Story Highlights
Business schools produce books on a huge range of subjects
Here is a round up of some interesting titles this year
Subjects range from the complex -- hedge funds -- to the far more general
By Peter Walker for CNN
LONDON, England (CNN) -- As well as turning out a conveyor belt line of future chief executives, business schools also produce a great deal of research, not only academic papers but also dozens of full-length books.
Some of this can be fairly arcane and technical, but many of the books are of great interest to the wider public. So, what better way to mark the festive season than a round up of some of the more interesting books produced by business schools this, year, both those featured in Executive Education and other offerings?
One of the more specialized ones featured relatively recently on the site, looked at the puzzling world of hedge funds of funds.
However much of a mouthful this seems, as made clear in a guide by Dr Chris Jones, a fellow at Cambridge University's Judge Business School as well as chief investment officer at a leading hedge fund, the idea is relatively straightforward.
A hedge fund of funds is a collective fund which invests across a range of hedge funds, letting the more casual investor taste some of the high returns available in the area without necessarily having to have in-depth, expert knowledge.
While it demystifies a tricky subject the book is still, perhaps, unlikely to be on the Christmas lists of many general readers.
So what about an examination of the first African American sports star to be celebrated across racial divides -- a precursor, the author argues, for dozens of modern "brand name" celebrities like Tiger Woods or David Beckham.
"Being Sugar Ray: The Life of Sugar Ray Robinson, America's Greatest Boxer and First Celebrity Athlete" by Kenneth Shropshire of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School examines the story of the famous middleweight of the 1940s and 50s.
Also for the sports fan is a work by François Leccia and Loïck Roche from the Grenoble school in France, who teamed up with Jacques Delmas, coach of the leading Biarritz rugby team, for a book taking lessons from sport and business.
It claims to "explain how team spirit, reacting to victories and defeats, making the right pass at the right time etc, can be used in the business world."
Another business book likely to find favor covers a subject close to many hearts at Christmas -- a good bottle of wine.
"To Cork or Not to Cork: The Wine Industry's Battle over the Bottleneck" by George Taber covers the history of what goes at the end of a wine bottle; for centuries only cork but now just as likely to be an artificial variant, a screw top or even -- soon to come -- the glass stopper.
The book should be suitable for both general and business readers, Taber stresses.
"I wrote it for a more general audience," he says. "(But) I was a business journalist for most of my career and you know you can take the boy out of journalism but you can't take journalism out of the boy. So I think it probably reflects a little more of a business tone, because I think in a lot of ways, this is a business story."
Another recently-released book covers the fascinating subject of how corporations are perceived and how their essential public identity forms over time.
"The Soul of the Corporation: Managing Your Company's Identity" is the work of professors at two leading schools, Hamid Bouchikhi from ESSEC in France and John Kimberly of Wharton.
One stark example used in the book is that of how McDonald's is perceived in France, where it is simultaneously very popular and a regular focus for anti-globalization protests.
"It's problem in the context of France is: Who is it? Is it an American company that is doing business in France, or is it a French company that is doing business in France?," Kimberly says.
"And McDonald's has struggled with this because at one level, if you look at who they hire, they hire French employees. If you look at the structure at the top of the company in France, it is all French. They do all of their sourcing for products in France. So at one level, it is a very French company, but at another level, the identity is ambiguous because of its roots and origins in United States."
Story Highlights
Business schools produce books on a huge range of subjects
Here is a round up of some interesting titles this year
Subjects range from the complex -- hedge funds -- to the far more general
By Peter Walker for CNN
LONDON, England (CNN) -- As well as turning out a conveyor belt line of future chief executives, business schools also produce a great deal of research, not only academic papers but also dozens of full-length books.
Some of this can be fairly arcane and technical, but many of the books are of great interest to the wider public. So, what better way to mark the festive season than a round up of some of the more interesting books produced by business schools this, year, both those featured in Executive Education and other offerings?
One of the more specialized ones featured relatively recently on the site, looked at the puzzling world of hedge funds of funds.
However much of a mouthful this seems, as made clear in a guide by Dr Chris Jones, a fellow at Cambridge University's Judge Business School as well as chief investment officer at a leading hedge fund, the idea is relatively straightforward.
A hedge fund of funds is a collective fund which invests across a range of hedge funds, letting the more casual investor taste some of the high returns available in the area without necessarily having to have in-depth, expert knowledge.
While it demystifies a tricky subject the book is still, perhaps, unlikely to be on the Christmas lists of many general readers.
So what about an examination of the first African American sports star to be celebrated across racial divides -- a precursor, the author argues, for dozens of modern "brand name" celebrities like Tiger Woods or David Beckham.
"Being Sugar Ray: The Life of Sugar Ray Robinson, America's Greatest Boxer and First Celebrity Athlete" by Kenneth Shropshire of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School examines the story of the famous middleweight of the 1940s and 50s.
Also for the sports fan is a work by François Leccia and Loïck Roche from the Grenoble school in France, who teamed up with Jacques Delmas, coach of the leading Biarritz rugby team, for a book taking lessons from sport and business.
It claims to "explain how team spirit, reacting to victories and defeats, making the right pass at the right time etc, can be used in the business world."
Another business book likely to find favor covers a subject close to many hearts at Christmas -- a good bottle of wine.
"To Cork or Not to Cork: The Wine Industry's Battle over the Bottleneck" by George Taber covers the history of what goes at the end of a wine bottle; for centuries only cork but now just as likely to be an artificial variant, a screw top or even -- soon to come -- the glass stopper.
The book should be suitable for both general and business readers, Taber stresses.
"I wrote it for a more general audience," he says. "(But) I was a business journalist for most of my career and you know you can take the boy out of journalism but you can't take journalism out of the boy. So I think it probably reflects a little more of a business tone, because I think in a lot of ways, this is a business story."
Another recently-released book covers the fascinating subject of how corporations are perceived and how their essential public identity forms over time.
"The Soul of the Corporation: Managing Your Company's Identity" is the work of professors at two leading schools, Hamid Bouchikhi from ESSEC in France and John Kimberly of Wharton.
One stark example used in the book is that of how McDonald's is perceived in France, where it is simultaneously very popular and a regular focus for anti-globalization protests.
"It's problem in the context of France is: Who is it? Is it an American company that is doing business in France, or is it a French company that is doing business in France?," Kimberly says.
"And McDonald's has struggled with this because at one level, if you look at who they hire, they hire French employees. If you look at the structure at the top of the company in France, it is all French. They do all of their sourcing for products in France. So at one level, it is a very French company, but at another level, the identity is ambiguous because of its roots and origins in United States."
The Soul of the Corporation at CNN.com
The book of business
Story Highlights
Business schools produce books on a huge range of subjects
Here is a round up of some interesting titles this year
Subjects range from the complex -- hedge funds -- to the far more general
By Peter Walker for CNN
LONDON, England (CNN) -- As well as turning out a conveyor belt line of future chief executives, business schools also produce a great deal of research, not only academic papers but also dozens of full-length books.
Some of this can be fairly arcane and technical, but many of the books are of great interest to the wider public. So, what better way to mark the festive season than a round up of some of the more interesting books produced by business schools this, year, both those featured in Executive Education and other offerings?
One of the more specialized ones featured relatively recently on the site, looked at the puzzling world of hedge funds of funds.
However much of a mouthful this seems, as made clear in a guide by Dr Chris Jones, a fellow at Cambridge University's Judge Business School as well as chief investment officer at a leading hedge fund, the idea is relatively straightforward.
A hedge fund of funds is a collective fund which invests across a range of hedge funds, letting the more casual investor taste some of the high returns available in the area without necessarily having to have in-depth, expert knowledge.
While it demystifies a tricky subject the book is still, perhaps, unlikely to be on the Christmas lists of many general readers.
So what about an examination of the first African American sports star to be celebrated across racial divides -- a precursor, the author argues, for dozens of modern "brand name" celebrities like Tiger Woods or David Beckham.
"Being Sugar Ray: The Life of Sugar Ray Robinson, America's Greatest Boxer and First Celebrity Athlete" by Kenneth Shropshire of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School examines the story of the famous middleweight of the 1940s and 50s.
Also for the sports fan is a work by François Leccia and Loïck Roche from the Grenoble school in France, who teamed up with Jacques Delmas, coach of the leading Biarritz rugby team, for a book taking lessons from sport and business.
It claims to "explain how team spirit, reacting to victories and defeats, making the right pass at the right time etc, can be used in the business world."
Another business book likely to find favor covers a subject close to many hearts at Christmas -- a good bottle of wine.
"To Cork or Not to Cork: The Wine Industry's Battle over the Bottleneck" by George Taber covers the history of what goes at the end of a wine bottle; for centuries only cork but now just as likely to be an artificial variant, a screw top or even -- soon to come -- the glass stopper.
The book should be suitable for both general and business readers, Taber stresses.
"I wrote it for a more general audience," he says. "(But) I was a business journalist for most of my career and you know you can take the boy out of journalism but you can't take journalism out of the boy. So I think it probably reflects a little more of a business tone, because I think in a lot of ways, this is a business story."
Another recently-released book covers the fascinating subject of how corporations are perceived and how their essential public identity forms over time.
"The Soul of the Corporation: Managing Your Company's Identity" is the work of professors at two leading schools, Hamid Bouchikhi from ESSEC in France and John Kimberly of Wharton.
One stark example used in the book is that of how McDonald's is perceived in France, where it is simultaneously very popular and a regular focus for anti-globalization protests.
"It's problem in the context of France is: Who is it? Is it an American company that is doing business in France, or is it a French company that is doing business in France?," Kimberly says.
"And McDonald's has struggled with this because at one level, if you look at who they hire, they hire French employees. If you look at the structure at the top of the company in France, it is all French. They do all of their sourcing for products in France. So at one level, it is a very French company, but at another level, the identity is ambiguous because of its roots and origins in United States."
Story Highlights
Business schools produce books on a huge range of subjects
Here is a round up of some interesting titles this year
Subjects range from the complex -- hedge funds -- to the far more general
By Peter Walker for CNN
LONDON, England (CNN) -- As well as turning out a conveyor belt line of future chief executives, business schools also produce a great deal of research, not only academic papers but also dozens of full-length books.
Some of this can be fairly arcane and technical, but many of the books are of great interest to the wider public. So, what better way to mark the festive season than a round up of some of the more interesting books produced by business schools this, year, both those featured in Executive Education and other offerings?
One of the more specialized ones featured relatively recently on the site, looked at the puzzling world of hedge funds of funds.
However much of a mouthful this seems, as made clear in a guide by Dr Chris Jones, a fellow at Cambridge University's Judge Business School as well as chief investment officer at a leading hedge fund, the idea is relatively straightforward.
A hedge fund of funds is a collective fund which invests across a range of hedge funds, letting the more casual investor taste some of the high returns available in the area without necessarily having to have in-depth, expert knowledge.
While it demystifies a tricky subject the book is still, perhaps, unlikely to be on the Christmas lists of many general readers.
So what about an examination of the first African American sports star to be celebrated across racial divides -- a precursor, the author argues, for dozens of modern "brand name" celebrities like Tiger Woods or David Beckham.
"Being Sugar Ray: The Life of Sugar Ray Robinson, America's Greatest Boxer and First Celebrity Athlete" by Kenneth Shropshire of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School examines the story of the famous middleweight of the 1940s and 50s.
Also for the sports fan is a work by François Leccia and Loïck Roche from the Grenoble school in France, who teamed up with Jacques Delmas, coach of the leading Biarritz rugby team, for a book taking lessons from sport and business.
It claims to "explain how team spirit, reacting to victories and defeats, making the right pass at the right time etc, can be used in the business world."
Another business book likely to find favor covers a subject close to many hearts at Christmas -- a good bottle of wine.
"To Cork or Not to Cork: The Wine Industry's Battle over the Bottleneck" by George Taber covers the history of what goes at the end of a wine bottle; for centuries only cork but now just as likely to be an artificial variant, a screw top or even -- soon to come -- the glass stopper.
The book should be suitable for both general and business readers, Taber stresses.
"I wrote it for a more general audience," he says. "(But) I was a business journalist for most of my career and you know you can take the boy out of journalism but you can't take journalism out of the boy. So I think it probably reflects a little more of a business tone, because I think in a lot of ways, this is a business story."
Another recently-released book covers the fascinating subject of how corporations are perceived and how their essential public identity forms over time.
"The Soul of the Corporation: Managing Your Company's Identity" is the work of professors at two leading schools, Hamid Bouchikhi from ESSEC in France and John Kimberly of Wharton.
One stark example used in the book is that of how McDonald's is perceived in France, where it is simultaneously very popular and a regular focus for anti-globalization protests.
"It's problem in the context of France is: Who is it? Is it an American company that is doing business in France, or is it a French company that is doing business in France?," Kimberly says.
"And McDonald's has struggled with this because at one level, if you look at who they hire, they hire French employees. If you look at the structure at the top of the company in France, it is all French. They do all of their sourcing for products in France. So at one level, it is a very French company, but at another level, the identity is ambiguous because of its roots and origins in United States."
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
http://blog.blitztheladder.com/2007/12/07/managing-your-idimension.aspx
Posted by Todd Rhoad at 12/7/2007 9:31 AM and is filed under careers
John Kimberly, professor at the Wharton School of Business has released the new book "The Soul of the Corporation: How to manage the identity of your company." In this book, John, along with co-author Hamid Bouchikhi, discuss the power of identity and how it must be managed to ensure success. This is one of the main principles behind the "Blitz Approach" to career success.
To put the problem of identity into perspective, the book looks at McDonald's, an old American favorite, and it's market share in France. McDonald's is the largest franchise in France. It is run by French people, serving French people with supplies that are purchased from French companies. Yet, the French still insist that America is degrading French society. How can this be? They run McDonald's.
In order to understand why the French feel this way, it's pertinent to understand what McDonald's identity is based on. The identity of the company can be based on their brand, mission, components, content, audience, means, or a combination of all of them. At the lowest level, McDonald's in France is definitely French. However, the brand of McDonald's is driven by its origin and original audience; that is, the United States. So, if McDonald's plans to overturn this identity issue in France, they must present the image of McDonald's at its lowest level, which is to say that it serves the French with food prepared by the French purchased from the French.
Now, consider your company and career. What is your identity? What do managers see when they look at you? What do your peers see? What would someone who doesn't even know you see? These are tough questions to answer if you are tackling your career all by yourself. Would a manager really tell you that you don't conduct yourself in a professional manner, dress appropriately for a higher level position, and so on. Most likely, getting real feedback about yourself directly from others won't happen. This is one huge benefit of using the Blitz Approach to your career.
Your Blitz team will help you understand your individual I-Dimension, or Performance Concept (PC) in the Blitz Approach. The members of your team will help you form this concept of yourself as others see it. Remember, to get where you want to go, you first need to know where you are! Your team members will help define you from several perspectives:
1. Top-Down View - this is what those above you see.
2. Plane View - this is what your peers see.
3. Isometric View - this is what someone on the outside would see.
The team gathers information in a strategic manner through social interaction with managers, peers, outsiders and those in the key position of the trust, advice and communication networks. Each view provides vital information that defines who you are. This information is combined to create an image of you. This is your clay to mold in the form you need to be more successful. Don't worry if you aren't an artist. Your team will help you create the proper image.
If you want to move up, you must sell yourself. You are not selling what you see because that may not be what others want. You must sell what people are willing to buy. You and your team will use this Performance Concept to always ensure you are performing at the top of the game (or that others always perceive you are). It's a way of making sure you are always marketable and something that management will want to have.
As with any identity, it must be managed. Your PC map developed by your team will bedocumented and written down so you always have a reference, rather than a vague idea of what people think of you. This image will change as the organization changes and new people come on board. If you want to be a big star, you'll need an image consultant. This is not a problem since you'll have a team of image consultants looking out for you.
John Kimberly, professor at the Wharton School of Business has released the new book "The Soul of the Corporation: How to manage the identity of your company." In this book, John, along with co-author Hamid Bouchikhi, discuss the power of identity and how it must be managed to ensure success. This is one of the main principles behind the "Blitz Approach" to career success.
To put the problem of identity into perspective, the book looks at McDonald's, an old American favorite, and it's market share in France. McDonald's is the largest franchise in France. It is run by French people, serving French people with supplies that are purchased from French companies. Yet, the French still insist that America is degrading French society. How can this be? They run McDonald's.
In order to understand why the French feel this way, it's pertinent to understand what McDonald's identity is based on. The identity of the company can be based on their brand, mission, components, content, audience, means, or a combination of all of them. At the lowest level, McDonald's in France is definitely French. However, the brand of McDonald's is driven by its origin and original audience; that is, the United States. So, if McDonald's plans to overturn this identity issue in France, they must present the image of McDonald's at its lowest level, which is to say that it serves the French with food prepared by the French purchased from the French.
Now, consider your company and career. What is your identity? What do managers see when they look at you? What do your peers see? What would someone who doesn't even know you see? These are tough questions to answer if you are tackling your career all by yourself. Would a manager really tell you that you don't conduct yourself in a professional manner, dress appropriately for a higher level position, and so on. Most likely, getting real feedback about yourself directly from others won't happen. This is one huge benefit of using the Blitz Approach to your career.
Your Blitz team will help you understand your individual I-Dimension, or Performance Concept (PC) in the Blitz Approach. The members of your team will help you form this concept of yourself as others see it. Remember, to get where you want to go, you first need to know where you are! Your team members will help define you from several perspectives:
1. Top-Down View - this is what those above you see.
2. Plane View - this is what your peers see.
3. Isometric View - this is what someone on the outside would see.
The team gathers information in a strategic manner through social interaction with managers, peers, outsiders and those in the key position of the trust, advice and communication networks. Each view provides vital information that defines who you are. This information is combined to create an image of you. This is your clay to mold in the form you need to be more successful. Don't worry if you aren't an artist. Your team will help you create the proper image.
If you want to move up, you must sell yourself. You are not selling what you see because that may not be what others want. You must sell what people are willing to buy. You and your team will use this Performance Concept to always ensure you are performing at the top of the game (or that others always perceive you are). It's a way of making sure you are always marketable and something that management will want to have.
As with any identity, it must be managed. Your PC map developed by your team will bedocumented and written down so you always have a reference, rather than a vague idea of what people think of you. This image will change as the organization changes and new people come on board. If you want to be a big star, you'll need an image consultant. This is not a problem since you'll have a team of image consultants looking out for you.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
NAMERS - YOU NEED THIS BOOK - BY Tate Linden
October 29, 2007 Tate Linden
I've been sent perhaps a dozen free books on branding and marketing in the year and change I've been blogging. I've never written about them - mostly because there's rarely anything about naming or verbal branding in them. This book doesn't have that disconnect... The Soul of the Corporation by Hamid Bouchikhi and John R. Kimberly is an impressive book. And it is almost entirely related to what I do for a living. I'd suggest that it's one of the more advanced books on the concept of corporate identity, and it is backed by a slew of research (and the Wharton School.) While I didn't read it cover to cover yet, I did read the chapters that discuss the role of identity in situations that matter to naming - such as mergers, acquisitions, the beginning of new brands, and such. All of 'em were spot on - or a least headed in the right direction. As an example - the book identifies the ingredients of Successful identity Change as:
Vision
Effective Communication
Consistency
Leadership Continuity
Luck and Positive Signals While Stokefire's number one ingredient is missing (leadership involvement!) the list is one that is worth spending time to understand. It is clear that without any one of the five items a project will likely fail. They've at least provided a good starting point to work with. Other interesting tidbits:
An analysis of evolutionary vs. revolutionary change
The difference between organizational and brand identity
The downside(s) of branding (narcissism, id conflict, drift, & fragmentation)
How to handle mergers, spin-offs, joint ventures, and more.
Four leaders who've managed identity well, and four who haven't.
Transitioning from a single brand to a portfolio... If these topics don't get you motivated to read the book then chances are excellent you're not in the naming field. Or, as a former SecDef might say, "you don't know what you don't know." Perhaps most refreshing was the near total lack of talking-heads from major branding firms that typically populate books like these. We get to see things through the eyes of employees, stakeholders, and customers - not the guys that developed (and are defending) the brand. Who cares what we, the creators of the identity, think. If the people who live the brand don't say it then it ain't real. Bravo! Many thanks to Wharton School Publishing for the comp. I've dog-eared so many pages that it's beginning to look like there's been trouble at the printer (since most of the upper-outside corners appear to be missing.)
I've been sent perhaps a dozen free books on branding and marketing in the year and change I've been blogging. I've never written about them - mostly because there's rarely anything about naming or verbal branding in them. This book doesn't have that disconnect... The Soul of the Corporation by Hamid Bouchikhi and John R. Kimberly is an impressive book. And it is almost entirely related to what I do for a living. I'd suggest that it's one of the more advanced books on the concept of corporate identity, and it is backed by a slew of research (and the Wharton School.) While I didn't read it cover to cover yet, I did read the chapters that discuss the role of identity in situations that matter to naming - such as mergers, acquisitions, the beginning of new brands, and such. All of 'em were spot on - or a least headed in the right direction. As an example - the book identifies the ingredients of Successful identity Change as:
Vision
Effective Communication
Consistency
Leadership Continuity
Luck and Positive Signals While Stokefire's number one ingredient is missing (leadership involvement!) the list is one that is worth spending time to understand. It is clear that without any one of the five items a project will likely fail. They've at least provided a good starting point to work with. Other interesting tidbits:
An analysis of evolutionary vs. revolutionary change
The difference between organizational and brand identity
The downside(s) of branding (narcissism, id conflict, drift, & fragmentation)
How to handle mergers, spin-offs, joint ventures, and more.
Four leaders who've managed identity well, and four who haven't.
Transitioning from a single brand to a portfolio... If these topics don't get you motivated to read the book then chances are excellent you're not in the naming field. Or, as a former SecDef might say, "you don't know what you don't know." Perhaps most refreshing was the near total lack of talking-heads from major branding firms that typically populate books like these. We get to see things through the eyes of employees, stakeholders, and customers - not the guys that developed (and are defending) the brand. Who cares what we, the creators of the identity, think. If the people who live the brand don't say it then it ain't real. Bravo! Many thanks to Wharton School Publishing for the comp. I've dog-eared so many pages that it's beginning to look like there's been trouble at the printer (since most of the upper-outside corners appear to be missing.)
Friday, December 7, 2007
From TheStreet.com
10 Books to Improve Your Competitive EdgeBy Marc KramerSpecial to TheStreet.com10/25/2007 12:24 PM EDTURL: http://www.thestreet.com/newsanalysis/sbmanagement/10386391.html
Over the next month, I will be attending a variety of banking, private-equity and technology investor conferences. Because I will be in contact with so many smart, well-educated and experienced people, I want to make sure that I am knowledgeable about the newest trends in sales, marketing, leadership and improving my relationship with my employees.
I have found that leaders and investors are readers. When they meet other leaders, the conversations will at some point turn toward what the other person has read and if they saw any value in the books. Over the past few months, I have read the following books, which have improved my knowledge in a variety of areas.
Competing in a Flat World, by Victor and William Fung and Jerry Wind. This book focuses on how Li & Fung, a garments manufacturing giant, developed a worldwide network of best-of-breed partners in each part of the supply chain to build a successful company. Along with examples of their own company, they provide examples such as Nike (NKE) and Apple (AAPL) working together to develop a running shoe that incorporates the iPod.
Strategic Risk Taking, by Aswath Damodoran. The best companies are smart risk-takers. They perform qualitative and quantitative analysis. This book provides business leaders with a process and methodology for evaluating risk and hedging against the failure of a venture that doesn't meet expectations. The only downside of this book is the lack of case studies usually found in books written by someone of Damodran's stature.
The Soul of the Corporation: How to Manage the Identity of Your Company, by Hamid Bouchikhi and John Kimberly. So many corporate leaders focus on building "the brand," but brands are built through being identified as a leader in a particular field. I like this book a lot because it focuses on how a variety of elements impact a company's long-term success and viability. The elements range from culture to brand-building to mergers to managing alliances. The book includes interesting case studies and interviews with well-respected corporate leaders. It's a quick, but substantive read.
Secrets of Special Ops Leadership, by General William Cohen. As soon as you hear or read the words "special ops," you think of men in dark clothing accomplishing amazing feats of bravery. The book walks the reader through how one of the most professional and well-run organizations prepares and execute its missions. The way these commandos train and how their leadership skills are developed is useful for any organization whose mission is to maximize its potential.
Spiral Up: And Other Management Secrets Behind Wildly Successful Initiatives, by Jane Linder. The author interviewed almost 150 managers and asked them how they successfully launched initiatives that had a positive impact on their companies. I like the examples given, but what I like the most is that the reader can take away useful proven concepts for improving a business' performance.
Selling with Emotional Intelligence, by Mitch Anthony. Emotional intelligence is using your intuition and experience to develop positive relationships with potential clients, employees and strategic partners. Anthony, a sales trainer, writes about being more aware of our own strengths and weaknesses and being a good observer of what others say, don't say and how they carry themselves physically.
The Leadership Advantage, by Robert Fulmer and Jared Bleak. One of the most important things a company can do is develop internal talent. Companies like General Electric (GE) , AT&T (T) , Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) , Citigroup (C) and Pepsico (PEP) are known worldwide for their superior training programs and continuous process for developing managers.
Black Belt Negotiating, by Michael Lee. The author is a martial artist and professional negotiator. He has taken the principles and language of karate to provide insights and advice on how to be a better negotiator.
The Long Tail, by Chris Anderson. This is a very interesting book for an aspiring product innovator and manufacturer. Prior to the Internet, innovators had to fight for limited shelf space in retail stores regionally, nationally and even internationally. The cost of procuring shelf space was a show stopper for the majority of new innovations. Today, the Internet has leveled the playing field by reducing the cost and increasing the reach.
Save Now or Die Trying, by Mark Bruno. Bruno is a veteran financial writer who writes about the need for young professionals under the age of 30 to begin thinking about financial planning. The reason I mention this book is because I hear young employees saying they don't need to begin saving until they are in their late 30s or early 40s when they are married with children. It is important for corporate leaders to educate their younger employees and encourage them to become savers, because we can't count on Social Security being available to everyone in the future.
Busy people are usually on trains and planes and have time between waiting and riding to read. Take the opportunity to sharpen your mind and improve your skill set.
Over the next month, I will be attending a variety of banking, private-equity and technology investor conferences. Because I will be in contact with so many smart, well-educated and experienced people, I want to make sure that I am knowledgeable about the newest trends in sales, marketing, leadership and improving my relationship with my employees.
I have found that leaders and investors are readers. When they meet other leaders, the conversations will at some point turn toward what the other person has read and if they saw any value in the books. Over the past few months, I have read the following books, which have improved my knowledge in a variety of areas.
Competing in a Flat World, by Victor and William Fung and Jerry Wind. This book focuses on how Li & Fung, a garments manufacturing giant, developed a worldwide network of best-of-breed partners in each part of the supply chain to build a successful company. Along with examples of their own company, they provide examples such as Nike (NKE) and Apple (AAPL) working together to develop a running shoe that incorporates the iPod.
Strategic Risk Taking, by Aswath Damodoran. The best companies are smart risk-takers. They perform qualitative and quantitative analysis. This book provides business leaders with a process and methodology for evaluating risk and hedging against the failure of a venture that doesn't meet expectations. The only downside of this book is the lack of case studies usually found in books written by someone of Damodran's stature.
The Soul of the Corporation: How to Manage the Identity of Your Company, by Hamid Bouchikhi and John Kimberly. So many corporate leaders focus on building "the brand," but brands are built through being identified as a leader in a particular field. I like this book a lot because it focuses on how a variety of elements impact a company's long-term success and viability. The elements range from culture to brand-building to mergers to managing alliances. The book includes interesting case studies and interviews with well-respected corporate leaders. It's a quick, but substantive read.
Secrets of Special Ops Leadership, by General William Cohen. As soon as you hear or read the words "special ops," you think of men in dark clothing accomplishing amazing feats of bravery. The book walks the reader through how one of the most professional and well-run organizations prepares and execute its missions. The way these commandos train and how their leadership skills are developed is useful for any organization whose mission is to maximize its potential.
Spiral Up: And Other Management Secrets Behind Wildly Successful Initiatives, by Jane Linder. The author interviewed almost 150 managers and asked them how they successfully launched initiatives that had a positive impact on their companies. I like the examples given, but what I like the most is that the reader can take away useful proven concepts for improving a business' performance.
Selling with Emotional Intelligence, by Mitch Anthony. Emotional intelligence is using your intuition and experience to develop positive relationships with potential clients, employees and strategic partners. Anthony, a sales trainer, writes about being more aware of our own strengths and weaknesses and being a good observer of what others say, don't say and how they carry themselves physically.
The Leadership Advantage, by Robert Fulmer and Jared Bleak. One of the most important things a company can do is develop internal talent. Companies like General Electric (GE) , AT&T (T) , Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) , Citigroup (C) and Pepsico (PEP) are known worldwide for their superior training programs and continuous process for developing managers.
Black Belt Negotiating, by Michael Lee. The author is a martial artist and professional negotiator. He has taken the principles and language of karate to provide insights and advice on how to be a better negotiator.
The Long Tail, by Chris Anderson. This is a very interesting book for an aspiring product innovator and manufacturer. Prior to the Internet, innovators had to fight for limited shelf space in retail stores regionally, nationally and even internationally. The cost of procuring shelf space was a show stopper for the majority of new innovations. Today, the Internet has leveled the playing field by reducing the cost and increasing the reach.
Save Now or Die Trying, by Mark Bruno. Bruno is a veteran financial writer who writes about the need for young professionals under the age of 30 to begin thinking about financial planning. The reason I mention this book is because I hear young employees saying they don't need to begin saving until they are in their late 30s or early 40s when they are married with children. It is important for corporate leaders to educate their younger employees and encourage them to become savers, because we can't count on Social Security being available to everyone in the future.
Busy people are usually on trains and planes and have time between waiting and riding to read. Take the opportunity to sharpen your mind and improve your skill set.
From TheStreet.com
10 Books to Improve Your Competitive EdgeBy Marc KramerSpecial to TheStreet.com10/25/2007 12:24 PM EDTURL:
Over the next month, I will be attending a variety of banking, private-equity and technology investor conferences. Because I will be in contact with so many smart, well-educated and experienced people, I want to make sure that I am knowledgeable about the newest trends in sales, marketing, leadership and improving my relationship with my employees.
I have found that leaders and investors are readers. When they meet other leaders, the conversations will at some point turn toward what the other person has read and if they saw any value in the books. Over the past few months, I have read the following books, which have improved my knowledge in a variety of areas.
Competing in a Flat World, by Victor and William Fung and Jerry Wind. This book focuses on how Li & Fung, a garments manufacturing giant, developed a worldwide network of best-of-breed partners in each part of the supply chain to build a successful company. Along with examples of their own company, they provide examples such as Nike (NKE) and Apple (AAPL) working together to develop a running shoe that incorporates the iPod.
Strategic Risk Taking, by Aswath Damodoran. The best companies are smart risk-takers. They perform qualitative and quantitative analysis. This book provides business leaders with a process and methodology for evaluating risk and hedging against the failure of a venture that doesn't meet expectations. The only downside of this book is the lack of case studies usually found in books written by someone of Damodran's stature.
The Soul of the Corporation: How to Manage the Identity of Your Company, by Hamid Bouchikhi and John Kimberly. So many corporate leaders focus on building "the brand," but brands are built through being identified as a leader in a particular field. I like this book a lot because it focuses on how a variety of elements impact a company's long-term success and viability. The elements range from culture to brand-building to mergers to managing alliances. The book includes interesting case studies and interviews with well-respected corporate leaders. It's a quick, but substantive read.
Secrets of Special Ops Leadership, by General William Cohen. As soon as you hear or read the words "special ops," you think of men in dark clothing accomplishing amazing feats of bravery. The book walks the reader through how one of the most professional and well-run organizations prepares and execute its missions. The way these commandos train and how their leadership skills are developed is useful for any organization whose mission is to maximize its potential.
Spiral Up: And Other Management Secrets Behind Wildly Successful Initiatives, by Jane Linder. The author interviewed almost 150 managers and asked them how they successfully launched initiatives that had a positive impact on their companies. I like the examples given, but what I like the most is that the reader can take away useful proven concepts for improving a business' performance.
Selling with Emotional Intelligence, by Mitch Anthony. Emotional intelligence is using your intuition and experience to develop positive relationships with potential clients, employees and strategic partners. Anthony, a sales trainer, writes about being more aware of our own strengths and weaknesses and being a good observer of what others say, don't say and how they carry themselves physically.
The Leadership Advantage, by Robert Fulmer and Jared Bleak. One of the most important things a company can do is develop internal talent. Companies like General Electric (GE) , AT&T (T) , Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) , Citigroup (C) and Pepsico (PEP) are known worldwide for their superior training programs and continuous process for developing managers.
Black Belt Negotiating, by Michael Lee. The author is a martial artist and professional negotiator. He has taken the principles and language of karate to provide insights and advice on how to be a better negotiator.
The Long Tail, by Chris Anderson. This is a very interesting book for an aspiring product innovator and manufacturer. Prior to the Internet, innovators had to fight for limited shelf space in retail stores regionally, nationally and even internationally. The cost of procuring shelf space was a show stopper for the majority of new innovations. Today, the Internet has leveled the playing field by reducing the cost and increasing the reach.
Save Now or Die Trying, by Mark Bruno. Bruno is a veteran financial writer who writes about the need for young professionals under the age of 30 to begin thinking about financial planning. The reason I mention this book is because I hear young employees saying they don't need to begin saving until they are in their late 30s or early 40s when they are married with children. It is important for corporate leaders to educate their younger employees and encourage them to become savers, because we can't count on Social Security being available to everyone in the future.
Busy people are usually on trains and planes and have time between waiting and riding to read. Take the opportunity to sharpen your mind and improve your skill set.
The Soul of The Corporation in Leadersummaries.com
http://www.leadersummaries.com/book_info_af.php?id=215
Síntesis del contenido del resumen:
La sociedad occidental ha pasado de una época en la que el sentido de la identidad de los individuos y grupos que la componen (la conciencia de quiénes son y cómo los ven los demás) estaba claro, era estable y coherente, a otra en la que esa identidad es cuestionada y, a la vez, está más valorada que nunca a todos los niveles. Las empresas no han sido inmunes a este cambio y las cuestiones identitarias adquieren para sus empleados, clientes y accionistas una importancia creciente. Más que nunca, esa identidad puede repercutir en los resultados que las empresas aspiran a alcanzar.Los autores de este libro llaman la atención sobre este nuevo fenómeno y muestran cómo controlarlo y sacar provecho de él. Parten de la convicción de que la identidad de una empresa (lo que ésta es, lo que quiere ser y lo que puede ser), según se gestione adecuadamente o no, se convertirá en su activo más valioso o, por el contrario, en un considerable obstáculo para su desarrollo y prosperidad. Para ejercer hoy en día un liderazgo eficaz hay que determinar si la identidad de una organización está relacionada con su cultura corporativa, su posicionamiento de marca y reputación o, en cambio, permanece alejada de todo ello. Son muy numerosos los elementos que, en mayor o menor medida, están ligados a la identidad de las empresas: los desafíos que presentan la globalización, las fusiones y adquisiciones, las escisiones corporativas, la innovación disruptiva, la desregulación, la reputación y la responsabilidad corporativa, unos consumidores más exigentes y la omnipresencia de las marcas. En ese sentido, es imprescindible disponer de los conocimientos suficientes para gestionar dicha identidad, de manera que nos asegure disponer de una ventaja competitiva, eliminar las tensiones que produce, superar sus aspectos disfuncionales y mantener aquellos que merecen preservarse.
The Soul of The Corporation in Leader Summaries
Síntesis del contenido del resumen:
La sociedad occidental ha pasado de una época en la que el sentido de la identidad de los individuos y grupos que la componen (la conciencia de quiénes son y cómo los ven los demás) estaba claro, era estable y coherente, a otra en la que esa identidad es cuestionada y, a la vez, está más valorada que nunca a todos los niveles. Las empresas no han sido inmunes a este cambio y las cuestiones identitarias adquieren para sus empleados, clientes y accionistas una importancia creciente. Más que nunca, esa identidad puede repercutir en los resultados que las empresas aspiran a alcanzar.Los autores de este libro llaman la atención sobre este nuevo fenómeno y muestran cómo controlarlo y sacar provecho de él. Parten de la convicción de que la identidad de una empresa (lo que ésta es, lo que quiere ser y lo que puede ser), según se gestione adecuadamente o no, se convertirá en su activo más valioso o, por el contrario, en un considerable obstáculo para su desarrollo y prosperidad. Para ejercer hoy en día un liderazgo eficaz hay que determinar si la identidad de una organización está relacionada con su cultura corporativa, su posicionamiento de marca y reputación o, en cambio, permanece alejada de todo ello. Son muy numerosos los elementos que, en mayor o menor medida, están ligados a la identidad de las empresas: los desafíos que presentan la globalización, las fusiones y adquisiciones, las escisiones corporativas, la innovación disruptiva, la desregulación, la reputación y la responsabilidad corporativa, unos consumidores más exigentes y la omnipresencia de las marcas. En ese sentido, es imprescindible disponer de los conocimientos suficientes para gestionar dicha identidad, de manera que nos asegure disponer de una ventaja competitiva, eliminar las tensiones que produce, superar sus aspectos disfuncionales y mantener aquellos que merecen preservarse.
The Soul of The Corporation in Knowledge@Wharton
The Soul of the Corporation: Managing Your Company's Identity(Podcast with Transcript)McDonald's operates the biggest restaurant chain in France. The company's franchisees are French, as are their employees, and they also source their supplies from France. And yet, most people in that country regard McDonald's as an American firm that is undermining the French way of life. That is a good example of how the question of corporate identity has become complex and confused today because of globalization, according to Hamid Bouchikhi, professor of management and entrepreneurship at ESSEC, and Wharton management professor John Kimberly. The two are authors of a new book titled, The Soul of the Corporation: How to Manage the Identity of Your Company (Wharton School Publishing). How can a company cut through this confusion and use the notion of identity as a source of competitive advantage? Kimberly answers that question and others in an interview with Knowledge@Wharton. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/1858.cfm
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