Fast/Forward: Make Your Company Fit for the Future
Apr 2017 · Stanford University Press
Ebook
240
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About this ebook
A guide to the adhocracy form of business management and how it can foster a company’s success.
The leading companies of the past twenty years have all harnessed the power of information to gain competitive advantage. But as access to big data becomes ubiquitous, it can no longer guarantee a leg up. Fast/Forward makes the case that we are entering a new era in which firms that understand the limits of 1s and 0s will take the lead.
Whereas the industrial age saw the rise of bureaucracy, and the information age has been described as a meritocracy, we are witnessing the rise of adhocracy. In uncertain, rapidly-changing times, adhocracic organizations scan the horizon for winning opportunities. Then, instead of questing after more analysis, they respond with agility by making smart, intuitive decisions. Combining decisive action with emotional conviction, future-facing firms seize the day.
Fast/Forward paints the big picture of a new approach to strategy and provides the necessary playbook to make your company fit for the future.
Praise for Fast/Forward
“Fast/Forward makes a compelling case for spontaneity, speed, and a willingness to lead with intuition. More importantly, it speaks to the leadership qualities required to implement its suggestions—providing practical ways to cultivate to those qualities.” —Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stanford University, author of Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t
“[Birkinshaw and Ridderstråle] are on the right track: In an ever-faster, globalized world, companies not only need a compelling strategy, but also an adaptive and caring performance culture. To unleash their full ingenuity, we have to empower our colleagues to act like owners.” —Joe Kaeser, President and CEO, Siemens AG
“Big data is oversold as the most important facet of competitive advantage. Rather, breakthrough leaps of faith are necessary to achieve extraordinary results. Fast-Forward is full of practical advice about how to capitalize on this simple idea in order to forge your corporate future.” —Anita McGahan, Rotman School of Management, author of How Industries Evolve
The leading companies of the past twenty years have all harnessed the power of information to gain competitive advantage. But as access to big data becomes ubiquitous, it can no longer guarantee a leg up. Fast/Forward makes the case that we are entering a new era in which firms that understand the limits of 1s and 0s will take the lead.
Whereas the industrial age saw the rise of bureaucracy, and the information age has been described as a meritocracy, we are witnessing the rise of adhocracy. In uncertain, rapidly-changing times, adhocracic organizations scan the horizon for winning opportunities. Then, instead of questing after more analysis, they respond with agility by making smart, intuitive decisions. Combining decisive action with emotional conviction, future-facing firms seize the day.
Fast/Forward paints the big picture of a new approach to strategy and provides the necessary playbook to make your company fit for the future.
Praise for Fast/Forward
“Fast/Forward makes a compelling case for spontaneity, speed, and a willingness to lead with intuition. More importantly, it speaks to the leadership qualities required to implement its suggestions—providing practical ways to cultivate to those qualities.” —Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stanford University, author of Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t
“[Birkinshaw and Ridderstråle] are on the right track: In an ever-faster, globalized world, companies not only need a compelling strategy, but also an adaptive and caring performance culture. To unleash their full ingenuity, we have to empower our colleagues to act like owners.” —Joe Kaeser, President and CEO, Siemens AG
“Big data is oversold as the most important facet of competitive advantage. Rather, breakthrough leaps of faith are necessary to achieve extraordinary results. Fast-Forward is full of practical advice about how to capitalize on this simple idea in order to forge your corporate future.” —Anita McGahan, Rotman School of Management, author of How Industries Evolve
About the author
Julian Birkinshaw is Professor and Chair of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School. An acclaimed expert on innovation, entrepreneurship, and renewal in large corporations, he is the author of twelve books. His research and commentary have been featured in The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and Bloomberg Businessweek. Jonas Ridderstråle is a renowned business thinker and speaker. Jonas' diverse client list includes Fortune 500 companies, major government bodies, sports teams, and trade unions. A Visiting Professor at Ashridge Business School, he is the author of four books: Funky Business (2000), Karaoke Capitalism (2004), Funky Business Forever (2007), and Re-energizing the Corporation (2008).
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