Oliver's Spot

Book excerpt: Every year, businesses invest millions, if not billions of dollars to generate sales, launch new products, improve customer service, increase employee effectiveness, and reduce inefficiencies, all in an effort to ultimately deliver maximum return to their shareholders. Process improvement initiatives, computer systems sporting acronym-laden names, and continual reorganization efforts often lead the pack. At times, desired results are achieved and the investment is validated. However, all too often initiatives die on the vine due to leadership changes and lack of continued funding, or the muffled conversation that the effort should have never started in the first place eventually wins the day. This story discuses how one group of leaders in one company worked to get it right. The story is a work of fiction, and the characters exist only in the author's mind. However, the five Ps outlined in this book are grounded in reality and represent how leaders and their teams can work together to accomplish remarkable results.