Browse Summaries

In Manager Redefined, Tom Davenport and Stephen Harding explains that managers must build human capital and create employee engagement by managing them almost not at all. The authors view supervisors and managers as centers of insight and influence, underappreciated in many organizations, but endowed nevertheless with the potential to make dramatic contributions to enterprise success. They urge companies to think of their managers as potential sources of competitive advantage.

The era of easy money and easy jobs is officially over. Today, we're all entrepreneurs, and the tides of change threaten to capsize anyone who plays it safe. Taking risks is the name of the game — but how can you tell a smart bet from a stupid gamble? In this summary, Andy Kessler explains how the world's greatest entrepreneurs don't just start successful companies — they overturn entire industries, and he offers twelve surprising and controversial rules for these radical...

Why do managers at all levels sacrifice corporate success by shying away from making the tough decisions? This executive book summary of What's Holding You Back? explores exactly why managers often hesitate to confront difficult issues and reveals the ten core principles of confident leadership, outlining proven tactics by which managers can confront their inner wimp and highlight their inner courage.

We live in an era when business cycles are measured in months, not years. The only way to sustain long term innovation and growth is through creativity — at all levels of an organization. This executive book summary of Disciplined Dreaming shows you how to create profitable new ideas, empower all your employees to be creative, and sustain your competitive advantage over the long term. Josh Linkner distills his years of experience into a 5-step process that will make creativity...

While providing a thorough case study of the success of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kazanjian also gives an in-depth look to the strategic management practices that have boosted the company to the top of its industry.

Innovation is what keeps companies at the top of their fields, and Seybold shows that the best way for companies to do this is to involve passionate customers in every aspect of their product and service design.

To effectively obtain the power of communication, you must learn that it’s not always what you say, but how you say it. Luntz offers sound advice on how to tactically use words and phrases to get what you want in life.

From the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People comes this bestselling guide to sanity and satisfaction in today’s too-fast world. Covey and his associates spell out six steps to achieving your principle-centered goals. Along the way you’ll learn to overcome the tyranny of urgency, connect with your mission, identify your roles, exercise integrity and, in the end, become the person you know you can be.

No need to fear balance sheets, income statements, or cash-flow statements. Bandler de­mystifies these and explains how to value assets and use financial ratios.