Powered by Change

Book excerpt: When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills. In a hectic business environment where it is estimated that half of the decisions that CEOs make turn out to be wrong, the stark reality is that it has never been harder to see what's happening around us, interpret information efficiently, and develop strategies that are executed in a successful way. This is partly down to the speed of change and also down to the mindset about change that is common amongst large and small companies. To them, change is seen as the enemy. This book proposes a role reversal and gives people a brand new methodology as a practical guide in how to use change as a fuelling mechanism to generate outstanding business success. We all accept that change is the only constant, yet the author believes there is a significant lack of insight into how to think and act in a way that capitalizes on a constantly changing environment. Powered by Change requires leaders to adopt a more radical view about the way business is done. The Windmill is constructed using four blades: Purpose, People, Product and Process. Getting these four blades to work in harmony with one another leads to an empowered business that can use the winds of change to fuel business success. Powered by Change is filled with examples and stories from around the world, including global corporates and start-up ventures, alongside colorful insights and above all, actionable steps to take to achieve competitive advantage. Key topics include change, innovation, leadership, strategy and futureproofing. "Test your thinking about how you would disrupt your own business - because somebody out there is already doing it." - Jesper Brodin, Chief Executive, IKEA