The ‘business’ of Running a Business

Build that business! Take chances! Run. But run slowly! In an increasingly volatile business environment, managers must balance the need for speedy response to market opportunities with the need for a cool head and a steady hand. Not an easy task. Running a business is fraught with danger and expensive pitfalls, especially when operating in the full glare of social media. Today’s – and tomorrow’s – talented employees are adopting much more of a consumer mindset when targeting potential employers. The game has changed. Now, it is companies that must qualify to meet the needs of their employees, who expect the workplace to be a life-enhancing ‘experience’ rather than just the place they go to do a job. No doubt about it: the war for talent is about to ramp up to a fierce level. Are you ready to fight for your very survival? In light of the acceleration of change brought about by economic imperatives, populist-fueled expectations and the rise of the robots, there is an increasing need for those heading businesses to demonstrate clear leadership, develop a worthwhile purpose, communicate corporate strategy clearly and deploy resources fairly and appropriately to inspire - and challenge - employees. And they must do all this while steering the organization towards success. This book offers invaluable guidance on how to make this happen. In a clear and straightforward manner, it provides structure and direction to help managers achieve success in running an organization. The author shares his global experience in a highly visual manner, using well-crafted summaries and anecdotes to help managers navigate the increasingly choppy waters of running a business. Chock-full of good advice, it is full of wisdom and practical recommendations for anyone in a management position, to create focus and alignment within the team and most importantly, to foster engagement. It gets to the point quickly, with concrete suggestions to create a safety net and to accelerate successful execution. Overall, it takes the reader on a journey through all the vital areas of a typical organization and shares well-proven ways to handle many of the key situations managers will likely encounter along the way. It is particularly relevant today, when more and more people are starting their own businesses and have very little margin for error. With more than 30 years of experience as CEO in global companies across cultures, as well as an owner of SMEs, the author is direct and frank, although distinctly empathetic. Why make the same mistakes others have already made for you? Buy the book. Read it! And set yourself apart from the crowd.