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Simply Brilliant: How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways
Cofounder of Fast Company magazine and bestselling author of Mavericks at Work and Practically Radical shows how true business innovation can spring from the unlikeliest places.
Far away from Silicon Valley, in familiar, traditional, even unglamorous fields, ordinary people are unleashing extraordinary advances that amaze customers, energize employees, and create huge economic value. Their secret? They understand that the work of inventing the future doesn't just belong to geeks designing mobile apps and virtual-reality headsets, or to social-media entrepreneurs hoping to launch the next Facebook. Some of today's most compelling organizations are doing brilliant things in simple settings such as retail banks, office cleaning companies, department stores, small hospitals, and auto dealerships.
William C. Taylor, cofounder of Fast Company and best-selling author of Practically Radical , traveled thousands of miles to visit these hotbeds of simple brilliance and unearth the principles and practices behind their success. He offers fascinating case studies and powerful lessons that you can apply to do ordinary things in extraordinary ways, regardless of your industry or profession. Consider, for instance, how...
·Miami Beach's dazzling 1111 Lincoln Road reimagined the humble parking garage as a high-profile public space that hosts weddings, yoga classes, and celebrity gatherings.
·USAA, the financial-services giant that provides soldiers and their families with insurance and banking products, inspires frontline employees to deliver legendary service by immersing them in military culture.
·Pal's Sudden Service, a fast-food chain with a cult following, serves up burgers and fries with such speed and accuracy that companies from other industries pay to learn from its astonishing discipline.
·Lincoln Electric, a manufacturer based in Euclid, Ohio, dominates its ultracompetitive markets with a fierce devotion to quality and productivity. But the key to its prosperity is a share-the-wealth model that gives everybody a sense of security and a piece of the action. It has maintained a strict no-layoff pledge since 1958.
As Taylor “The story of this book, its message for leaders who aim to do something important and build something great, is both simple and In a time of wrenching disruptions and exhilarating advances, of unrelenting turmoil and unlimited promise, the future is open to everybody. The thrill of breakthrough creativity and breakaway performance . . . can be summoned in all sorts of industries and all walks of life, if leaders can reimagine what’s possible in their fields.” Simply Brilliant shows you how.
Far away from Silicon Valley, in familiar, traditional, even unglamorous fields, ordinary people are unleashing extraordinary advances that amaze customers, energize employees, and create huge economic value. Their secret? They understand that the work of inventing the future doesn't just belong to geeks designing mobile apps and virtual-reality headsets, or to social-media entrepreneurs hoping to launch the next Facebook. Some of today's most compelling organizations are doing brilliant things in simple settings such as retail banks, office cleaning companies, department stores, small hospitals, and auto dealerships.
William C. Taylor, cofounder of Fast Company and best-selling author of Practically Radical , traveled thousands of miles to visit these hotbeds of simple brilliance and unearth the principles and practices behind their success. He offers fascinating case studies and powerful lessons that you can apply to do ordinary things in extraordinary ways, regardless of your industry or profession. Consider, for instance, how...
·Miami Beach's dazzling 1111 Lincoln Road reimagined the humble parking garage as a high-profile public space that hosts weddings, yoga classes, and celebrity gatherings.
·USAA, the financial-services giant that provides soldiers and their families with insurance and banking products, inspires frontline employees to deliver legendary service by immersing them in military culture.
·Pal's Sudden Service, a fast-food chain with a cult following, serves up burgers and fries with such speed and accuracy that companies from other industries pay to learn from its astonishing discipline.
·Lincoln Electric, a manufacturer based in Euclid, Ohio, dominates its ultracompetitive markets with a fierce devotion to quality and productivity. But the key to its prosperity is a share-the-wealth model that gives everybody a sense of security and a piece of the action. It has maintained a strict no-layoff pledge since 1958.
As Taylor “The story of this book, its message for leaders who aim to do something important and build something great, is both simple and In a time of wrenching disruptions and exhilarating advances, of unrelenting turmoil and unlimited promise, the future is open to everybody. The thrill of breakthrough creativity and breakaway performance . . . can be summoned in all sorts of industries and all walks of life, if leaders can reimagine what’s possible in their fields.” Simply Brilliant shows you how.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 20, 2016
80 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
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October 14, 2021
If I write what I think with this book, will it be simply brilliant??? Come'on I just simply read the blurb and mark it finished... Just joking 😃🤣✌️
I'll just say, it may help some but it can't benefit all. It can be good to some but just a crap to others. Sometimes, it is easy to move on than to continue with a content that simply unrelatable... I rest my case ✌️😊
I'll just say, it may help some but it can't benefit all. It can be good to some but just a crap to others. Sometimes, it is easy to move on than to continue with a content that simply unrelatable... I rest my case ✌️😊
May 8, 2019
หนังสือ How-to สัญชาติอเมริกัน ที่ออกไปในแนว how-to สำหรับผู้นำ และผู้ประกอบการ ที่มีความหนาระดับปานกลาง
แน่นอนว่าหนังสือแนว how-to จะมีแก่น หรือใจความหลักของหนังสือที่สรุปออกมาได้ไม่กี่หลักการ ส่วนสิ่งที่ประกอบเข้ามา ก็จะเป็นการยกตัวอย่างผ่านเรื่องเล่า
อ่านแล้วจับได้ว่า "อย่าปล่อยให้ความธรรมดาฆ่าคุณ" อยากให้คุณทำสิ่งที่เรียกว่า excellent routine ผลักดันให้งานที่ทำอยู่ทุกเมื่อเชื่อวัน วิ่งเข้าสู่ความเป็นเสิศ ที่มีแค่คุณทำได้
ชอบคำว่า 'อัตลักษณ์ประภาคาร (lighthouse identity)'...
"บริษัทที่มี 'อัตลักษณ์ประภาคาร (lighthouse identity)' นำเสนอ 'ตัวตน' ในกิจกรรมที่ทำอย่างชัดเจน"
เรียกได้ว่ามองเห็นมาแต่ไกล ว่านี่แหละองค์กรของเรา
เสมือนประภาคารที่ตั้งตระหง่าน สว่าง และมองเห็นได้จากทุกมุม 360 องศา
ความเป็นเลิศนั้นต้องมาจากทั้งผู้นำ และความร่วมมือร่วมใจของคนในองค์กร
ผู้นำต้องตั้ง 'อัตลักษณ์ประภาคาร (lighthouse identity)' ขององค์กรขึ้นมาให้ได้
และต้องสร้างให้เป็นคุณค่าร่วมของทุกคนในองค์กร
สไตล์หนังสือจะเต็มไปด้วยเรื่องเล่า การยกตัวอย่างความสำเร็จทางธุรกิจหลากหลายรูปแบบ แถมมาด้วยวิธีคิดที่นำไปสู่ความสำเร็จนั้น ซึ่งทุกๆ ความสำเร็จจะมีแก่นบางอย่างร่วมกัน...
และนี่เป็นแก่นที่หนังสืออยากจะนำเสนอ
- เลิกพยายามที่จะเป็นที่สุด จงมุ่งที่จะเป็นเพียงหนึ่ง
- อย่าปล่อยให้ความรู้มาจำกัดจินตนาการ
- ความเกื้อกูลสำคัญพอๆ กับความฉลาด
- การหาพันธมิตรสำคัญกว่าการใช้อำนาจ
ตามสไตล์หนังสือ how-to นิสัยดียุคใหม่ ที่มักจะสรุปเนื้อหาสำคัญไว้ที่สารบัญ
เรียกได้ว่าไม่มีกั๊ก สามารถใช้พลิกดูหลักอย่างรวดเร็วได้ไม่ต้องมาคั่นหน้าเอาไว้
หนังสือเล่มนี้บอกเลยว่าใครที่ชอบอ่านเรื่องราวความสำเร็จ โดยที่มีโทนเสียงการเล่าไม่หวือหวา ก็เหมาะเลย
มีความสำเร็จจากธุรกิจหลากแนว ตั้งแต่ ธนาคาร, ที่จอดรถ, ร้านแฮมเบอร์เกอร์, บริษัทรถบัสขนส่ง และอีกมากมาย
แต่ถ้าออกแนวชอบเนื้อๆ เน้นๆ แบบกระชับล่ะก็ต้องเผื่อใจหน่อย กับตัวอย่างที่มีมากมายจนอ่านเหนื่อย เรียกได้ว่าเป็น how-to สไตล์อเมริกันโดยแท้
แน่นอนว่าหนังสือแนว how-to จะมีแก่น หรือใจความหลักของหนังสือที่สรุปออกมาได้ไม่กี่หลักการ ส่วนสิ่งที่ประกอบเข้ามา ก็จะเป็นการยกตัวอย่างผ่านเรื่องเล่า
อ่านแล้วจับได้ว่า "อย่าปล่อยให้ความธรรมดาฆ่าคุณ" อยากให้คุณทำสิ่งที่เรียกว่า excellent routine ผลักดันให้งานที่ทำอยู่ทุกเมื่อเชื่อวัน วิ่งเข้าสู่ความเป็นเสิศ ที่มีแค่คุณทำได้
ชอบคำว่า 'อัตลักษณ์ประภาคาร (lighthouse identity)'...
"บริษัทที่มี 'อัตลักษณ์ประภาคาร (lighthouse identity)' นำเสนอ 'ตัวตน' ในกิจกรรมที่ทำอย่างชัดเจน"
เรียกได้ว่ามองเห็นมาแต่ไกล ว่านี่แหละองค์กรของเรา
เสมือนประภาคารที่ตั้งตระหง่าน สว่าง และมองเห็นได้จากทุกมุม 360 องศา
ความเป็นเลิศนั้นต้องมาจากทั้งผู้นำ และความร่วมมือร่วมใจของคนในองค์กร
ผู้นำต้องตั้ง 'อัตลักษณ์ประภาคาร (lighthouse identity)' ขององค์กรขึ้นมาให้ได้
และต้องสร้างให้เป็นคุณค่าร่วมของทุกคนในองค์กร
สไตล์หนังสือจะเต็มไปด้วยเรื่องเล่า การยกตัวอย่างความสำเร็จทางธุรกิจหลากหลายรูปแบบ แถมมาด้วยวิธีคิดที่นำไปสู่ความสำเร็จนั้น ซึ่งทุกๆ ความสำเร็จจะมีแก่นบางอย่างร่วมกัน...
และนี่เป็นแก่นที่หนังสืออยากจะนำเสนอ
- เลิกพยายามที่จะเป็นที่สุด จงมุ่งที่จะเป็นเพียงหนึ่ง
- อย่าปล่อยให้ความรู้มาจำกัดจินตนาการ
- ความเกื้อกูลสำคัญพอๆ กับความฉลาด
- การหาพันธมิตรสำคัญกว่าการใช้อำนาจ
ตามสไตล์หนังสือ how-to นิสัยดียุคใหม่ ที่มักจะสรุปเนื้อหาสำคัญไว้ที่สารบัญ
เรียกได้ว่าไม่มีกั๊ก สามารถใช้พลิกดูหลักอย่างรวดเร็วได้ไม่ต้องมาคั่นหน้าเอาไว้
หนังสือเล่มนี้บอกเลยว่าใครที่ชอบอ่านเรื่องราวความสำเร็จ โดยที่มีโทนเสียงการเล่าไม่หวือหวา ก็เหมาะเลย
มีความสำเร็จจากธุรกิจหลากแนว ตั้งแต่ ธนาคาร, ที่จอดรถ, ร้านแฮมเบอร์เกอร์, บริษัทรถบัสขนส่ง และอีกมากมาย
แต่ถ้าออกแนวชอบเนื้อๆ เน้นๆ แบบกระชับล่ะก็ต้องเผื่อใจหน่อย กับตัวอย่างที่มีมากมายจนอ่านเหนื่อย เรียกได้ว่าเป็น how-to สไตล์อเมริกันโดยแท้
February 18, 2020
(The English review is placed beneath Russian one)
Сборник историй о различных компаниях призванный показать формулу успеха в XXI веке. Сборник, честно сказать, очень поверхностный, не предлагающий чёткую теорию и стройные факты. Ну, я понимаю, что в бизнесе это трудно сделать и что эти истории как две капли воды похожи на те, что печатаются в профессиональных журналах, а оттуда, иногда, попадают в учебники MBA в качестве примеров. Но всё же я не нахожу это невозможным предложить меньший вариант компаний, но зато с более глубоким объяснением их успеха. Тут же я ничего не получил ни в качестве теории ни в качестве того, что можно применить на практике. Конечно, мне могут возразить, что автор как раз наоборот всё чётко показывает, что он объясняет не такую и уж сложную теорию. Возможно, это верно для кого-то, кто не сильно знаком с маркетинговой литературой, но если читатель прочитал много книг, то он часто ожидает более глубокого анализа, так как менее глубокий - такой как в книге - мы можем получить практически от любого журналиста пишущего для профессиональных СМИ. Другими словами, это расширенная версия журнальной статьи или статей. Да, это развлекает, но не учит.
Начнём с главных идей – выделяйся, заботься о сотрудниках и будь истинно клиентоориентированным – которые мы встречаем чуть ли не в каждой второй книге по маркетингу, что делает каждую последующую всё скучнее и скучнее. Автор предлагает нам компании, которые чем-то выделяются среди конкурентов, а также с уважением относятся как к своим сотрудникам, так и к клиентам. Это может иметь место, но может и не иметь. Мы точно не знаем, т.к. автор даёт крайне поверхностные сведения. Может все так, как пишет автор, а может, фактором успеха было что-то другое. Увы, но это частая проблема подобной литературы. Поэтому я уже не удивляюсь, когда компания, о которой так много писали, становится банкротом. Эффект ореола часто светит нам прямо в глаза, из-за чего мы не видим истинных причин успеха. Поэтому книга скорее для любителей бизнес-литературы, но никак не для узких специалистов по маркетингу или менеджменту.
Так же стоит отметить, что в книге речь идёт о совершенно не известных фирмах, а это значит, что мы не можем оценить их услуги, сравнить наши ощущения с тем, что пишет автор книги, что делает книгу ещё менее ценной.
В принципе, уже на середине мне стало скучно. Возможно, я уже тогда понял, что я ничего ценного не найду, а может она сама по себе скучная. В любом случаи, я думаю, на неё стоит обратить внимания скорее тем, кто любит книги подобного жанра. Для других же она станет довольно скучной.
This is a collection of stories about different companies designed to show the formula for success in the XXI century. The collection, frankly speaking, is very superficial, not offering a clear theory and facts. I understand that it is difficult to do this in business and that all these stories are like two drops of water, like those published in professional magazines, and from there, sometimes, they get into MBA textbooks as examples. Still, I don't find it impossible to offer fewer stories, but with a deeper explanation of their success. Alas, the book did not offer anything in terms of theory or practice. They may object to me that the author on the contrary clearly shows that he explains not such a complicated theory. This may be true for someone who is not familiar with marketing literature, but if the reader has read a lot of books, he or she often expects a more in-depth analysis, because we can get a less in-depth analysis - as in this book - from almost any journalist writing for professional media. In other words, it is an extended version of a journal article or articles. Yes, it is entertaining, but it does not teach.
Let's start with the main ideas - stand out, take care of your employees and be truly client-oriented - that we see in almost every second marketing book, which makes every subsequent one more boring and boring. The author offers us companies that stand out among the competitors and treat both their employees and customers with respect. This may or may not be the case. We don't know for sure because the author gives very superficial information. Maybe it is, as the author writes, or maybe it was something else that was a factor of success. Alas, but this is a frequent problem of such literature. That's why I'm not surprised anymore when a company, which was written about so much, becomes bankrupt. The halo effect often shines directly into our eyes, which is why we do not see the true reasons for success. Therefore, the book is more for business literature fans, but not for narrow specialists in marketing or management.
It is also worth noting that the book is about completely unknown companies, which means that we cannot assess their services, compare our feelings with what the author of the book writes, which makes the book even less valuable.
Actually, I got bored in the middle of the book. Perhaps I realized then that I would not find anything valuable, or maybe it is boring in itself. In any case, I think this book is worth paying attention rather only to those readers who love books of this style. For other readers, it will be quite boring.
Сборник историй о различных компаниях призванный показать формулу успеха в XXI веке. Сборник, честно сказать, очень поверхностный, не предлагающий чёткую теорию и стройные факты. Ну, я понимаю, что в бизнесе это трудно сделать и что эти истории как две капли воды похожи на те, что печатаются в профессиональных журналах, а оттуда, иногда, попадают в учебники MBA в качестве примеров. Но всё же я не нахожу это невозможным предложить меньший вариант компаний, но зато с более глубоким объяснением их успеха. Тут же я ничего не получил ни в качестве теории ни в качестве того, что можно применить на практике. Конечно, мне могут возразить, что автор как раз наоборот всё чётко показывает, что он объясняет не такую и уж сложную теорию. Возможно, это верно для кого-то, кто не сильно знаком с маркетинговой литературой, но если читатель прочитал много книг, то он часто ожидает более глубокого анализа, так как менее глубокий - такой как в книге - мы можем получить практически от любого журналиста пишущего для профессиональных СМИ. Другими словами, это расширенная версия журнальной статьи или статей. Да, это развлекает, но не учит.
Начнём с главных идей – выделяйся, заботься о сотрудниках и будь истинно клиентоориентированным – которые мы встречаем чуть ли не в каждой второй книге по маркетингу, что делает каждую последующую всё скучнее и скучнее. Автор предлагает нам компании, которые чем-то выделяются среди конкурентов, а также с уважением относятся как к своим сотрудникам, так и к клиентам. Это может иметь место, но может и не иметь. Мы точно не знаем, т.к. автор даёт крайне поверхностные сведения. Может все так, как пишет автор, а может, фактором успеха было что-то другое. Увы, но это частая проблема подобной литературы. Поэтому я уже не удивляюсь, когда компания, о которой так много писали, становится банкротом. Эффект ореола часто светит нам прямо в глаза, из-за чего мы не видим истинных причин успеха. Поэтому книга скорее для любителей бизнес-литературы, но никак не для узких специалистов по маркетингу или менеджменту.
Так же стоит отметить, что в книге речь идёт о совершенно не известных фирмах, а это значит, что мы не можем оценить их услуги, сравнить наши ощущения с тем, что пишет автор книги, что делает книгу ещё менее ценной.
В принципе, уже на середине мне стало скучно. Возможно, я уже тогда понял, что я ничего ценного не найду, а может она сама по себе скучная. В любом случаи, я думаю, на неё стоит обратить внимания скорее тем, кто любит книги подобного жанра. Для других же она станет довольно скучной.
This is a collection of stories about different companies designed to show the formula for success in the XXI century. The collection, frankly speaking, is very superficial, not offering a clear theory and facts. I understand that it is difficult to do this in business and that all these stories are like two drops of water, like those published in professional magazines, and from there, sometimes, they get into MBA textbooks as examples. Still, I don't find it impossible to offer fewer stories, but with a deeper explanation of their success. Alas, the book did not offer anything in terms of theory or practice. They may object to me that the author on the contrary clearly shows that he explains not such a complicated theory. This may be true for someone who is not familiar with marketing literature, but if the reader has read a lot of books, he or she often expects a more in-depth analysis, because we can get a less in-depth analysis - as in this book - from almost any journalist writing for professional media. In other words, it is an extended version of a journal article or articles. Yes, it is entertaining, but it does not teach.
Let's start with the main ideas - stand out, take care of your employees and be truly client-oriented - that we see in almost every second marketing book, which makes every subsequent one more boring and boring. The author offers us companies that stand out among the competitors and treat both their employees and customers with respect. This may or may not be the case. We don't know for sure because the author gives very superficial information. Maybe it is, as the author writes, or maybe it was something else that was a factor of success. Alas, but this is a frequent problem of such literature. That's why I'm not surprised anymore when a company, which was written about so much, becomes bankrupt. The halo effect often shines directly into our eyes, which is why we do not see the true reasons for success. Therefore, the book is more for business literature fans, but not for narrow specialists in marketing or management.
It is also worth noting that the book is about completely unknown companies, which means that we cannot assess their services, compare our feelings with what the author of the book writes, which makes the book even less valuable.
Actually, I got bored in the middle of the book. Perhaps I realized then that I would not find anything valuable, or maybe it is boring in itself. In any case, I think this book is worth paying attention rather only to those readers who love books of this style. For other readers, it will be quite boring.
June 1, 2017
Just like the book name suggests, the book is simply brilliant too. To specifically quote a few lines which I totally love:
"Kill routine before it kills you"
"A mystery is an attempt to define ambiguities."
"No good deed goes unpunished. No good idea goes uncopied".
"Kill routine before it kills you"
"A mystery is an attempt to define ambiguities."
"No good deed goes unpunished. No good idea goes uncopied".
December 22, 2023
A work worth doing.
1. Can you develop a definition of success that allows you to stand apart from the competition and allows you to stand with others who are with you? A sense of purpose, missionaries not just mercenaries. Success and significance.
2. Can you explain clearly and compellingly why what you do matters and how you expect to win? X leads to Y. No fuzzy acronyms. Precise language telling what you do
3. Are you prepared to rethink the conventions of success in your field and the logic of your success is a leader? The paradox of expertise verses creative be ideas. How do you make sure that what you know does not limit what you can imagine? Insatiable desire to learn. Productive confidence. Think about you career and future by realizing the mindset that got you here will not get you where you want to go. Distributive
4. Are you as determined to stay interested as you are to be interesting. Stay relative and effective.
5. Do you pay as much attention to psychology and emotion as you do to technology and efficiency? Put humanity in to the effectiveness. Small things with great love. Are you trying to move products or are you trying to move people?
6. Do the values that define how your organization works reflect the values proposition around which it competes? They care more about people, empathy. Culture.
7. Are you as humble as you are hungry? Exceptional performance begins with exceptional insights. My job is to set the stage not perform on it. Can you limit your ego to expand the horizon everyone contributes to? Bias to collaborate?
8. Are you prepared to share the rewards of success with all those who had a hand in to achievement? Do you give everybody a seat at the table in decision making and receiving the value of achievement? Building capability.
1. Can you develop a definition of success that allows you to stand apart from the competition and allows you to stand with others who are with you? A sense of purpose, missionaries not just mercenaries. Success and significance.
2. Can you explain clearly and compellingly why what you do matters and how you expect to win? X leads to Y. No fuzzy acronyms. Precise language telling what you do
3. Are you prepared to rethink the conventions of success in your field and the logic of your success is a leader? The paradox of expertise verses creative be ideas. How do you make sure that what you know does not limit what you can imagine? Insatiable desire to learn. Productive confidence. Think about you career and future by realizing the mindset that got you here will not get you where you want to go. Distributive
4. Are you as determined to stay interested as you are to be interesting. Stay relative and effective.
5. Do you pay as much attention to psychology and emotion as you do to technology and efficiency? Put humanity in to the effectiveness. Small things with great love. Are you trying to move products or are you trying to move people?
6. Do the values that define how your organization works reflect the values proposition around which it competes? They care more about people, empathy. Culture.
7. Are you as humble as you are hungry? Exceptional performance begins with exceptional insights. My job is to set the stage not perform on it. Can you limit your ego to expand the horizon everyone contributes to? Bias to collaborate?
8. Are you prepared to share the rewards of success with all those who had a hand in to achievement? Do you give everybody a seat at the table in decision making and receiving the value of achievement? Building capability.
January 31, 2022
The sub-title says it all. A good study of how companies make it work in their own way.
March 16, 2020
I had put off reading this book prioritizing a few others, until I realized that its author is William Taylor, the founder of Fast Company! I promptly put it back at the top of my reading-list, as I a devout reader of the innovation-centric reporting at the Fast Company. The book, without much surprise, thus read like a set of long, discrete stories with a connected theme. Although the examples given tell many a tales, the overall theme is undoubtedly the titular one - of being Simply Brilliant.
The book is not about our regular usual suspects, although, the moment I read its tagline - "How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things In Extraordinary Ways", I knew Zappos had to be there, and it was. But what was interesting was there were tons of Zappos-like cultural and strategic stories from companies I had never heard of, making me add so many things to my "to-Google" list! As a true believer in the s-type ('s' for strategies) innovation as categorized by Safu Bahcall in his famous work Loonshots, as opposed to just the p-type (p for product), I enjoyed the stories of little innovative strategies and ideas improvised and implemented in various firms of a diverse set of industries and size.
The incredible "no-layoff" policy established and maintained by Lincoln Electric, to the marvelous customer-first strategy of USAA serving its active and retired military customers, to extreme importance given to employee understanding of mission in the form of pop-quizzes and trainings at Pal's Sudden Service, to the ever joyous Drive-thru bank at Metro Bank that throws happy vibes at its customers unlike any ambiance you'd have seen at most banks, to the astonishing turnaround story of Megabus through a series of innovative strategies - the book is brimming with impressive stories of positive changes in a company, owing to their unique policies and/or approaches.
While programs like DaSH by Mercedes to improve their eNPS score, Holacracy concept by Zappos, USAA's topping Forgiveness Index forever and a day, Pret A Manger's unique way of giving out free sandwiches to customers at employees' discretion, Fastenel's slow-and-steady yet unmatched growth to become the best stock traded since the crash of 87 - are sure stories that are wildly striking, the two most stimulating examples of the book, in my personal opinion, were the radical shift on looking at the healthcare system at the Nuka Care System in Anchorage, which changed the concept of "going to the doctor" as something one would do when sick to something that's integrated into part of one's life, and of the Goldcorp Challenge, where the CEO of Goldcorp, a Canadian gold exploration firm, Rob McEwen opened the proprietary information of gold deposits and asked the nerds from all over the world to help them optimize the drilling activity! These two were exceptionally unique and mind-blowing, and could easily become the next set of case-studies of HBR :-).
Overall, this is a splendidly enjoyable book for anyone that's a fan of new ideas, innovation, and of unique strategies that drive growth! Not very different from reading Fast Magazine itself though.
The book is not about our regular usual suspects, although, the moment I read its tagline - "How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things In Extraordinary Ways", I knew Zappos had to be there, and it was. But what was interesting was there were tons of Zappos-like cultural and strategic stories from companies I had never heard of, making me add so many things to my "to-Google" list! As a true believer in the s-type ('s' for strategies) innovation as categorized by Safu Bahcall in his famous work Loonshots, as opposed to just the p-type (p for product), I enjoyed the stories of little innovative strategies and ideas improvised and implemented in various firms of a diverse set of industries and size.
The incredible "no-layoff" policy established and maintained by Lincoln Electric, to the marvelous customer-first strategy of USAA serving its active and retired military customers, to extreme importance given to employee understanding of mission in the form of pop-quizzes and trainings at Pal's Sudden Service, to the ever joyous Drive-thru bank at Metro Bank that throws happy vibes at its customers unlike any ambiance you'd have seen at most banks, to the astonishing turnaround story of Megabus through a series of innovative strategies - the book is brimming with impressive stories of positive changes in a company, owing to their unique policies and/or approaches.
While programs like DaSH by Mercedes to improve their eNPS score, Holacracy concept by Zappos, USAA's topping Forgiveness Index forever and a day, Pret A Manger's unique way of giving out free sandwiches to customers at employees' discretion, Fastenel's slow-and-steady yet unmatched growth to become the best stock traded since the crash of 87 - are sure stories that are wildly striking, the two most stimulating examples of the book, in my personal opinion, were the radical shift on looking at the healthcare system at the Nuka Care System in Anchorage, which changed the concept of "going to the doctor" as something one would do when sick to something that's integrated into part of one's life, and of the Goldcorp Challenge, where the CEO of Goldcorp, a Canadian gold exploration firm, Rob McEwen opened the proprietary information of gold deposits and asked the nerds from all over the world to help them optimize the drilling activity! These two were exceptionally unique and mind-blowing, and could easily become the next set of case-studies of HBR :-).
Overall, this is a splendidly enjoyable book for anyone that's a fan of new ideas, innovation, and of unique strategies that drive growth! Not very different from reading Fast Magazine itself though.
January 22, 2017
This book is written for people who work in marketing or leader positions. To me this book's just rambling about company image/brand/customer experience with loads of dazzling buzzwords - which is useful for some who may need those fashionable words to cover some dull and substance-absented statements.
The whole idea is treating your customer like god (which I agree) and making yourself look zesty ( which I agree too), and you will succeed (sorry what?).
If you're just a normal person, This book may lead you to a state of self-doubting - is it just me or is it just me?
The whole idea is treating your customer like god (which I agree) and making yourself look zesty ( which I agree too), and you will succeed (sorry what?).
If you're just a normal person, This book may lead you to a state of self-doubting - is it just me or is it just me?
October 28, 2023
Pretty good general audience primer on the subject of how to build a stand-out best in class business.
Key takeaways:
- Be missionaries, not mercenaries - be driven by a big mission in the world and your actions will align with that. Be out to make a quick buck and your actions will align with that. Only one of these way leads to amazing businesses.
- Businesses differentiate by doing things differently, not by attempting to do the same things as everyone else better. This can be applied to any industry. The example used in the book was cross-country bus routes, which was a stagnant/ dying industry. Megabus is certainly not a dying company.
- Align incentives by actually giving incentives - one company made itself wholly owned by employees in order to properly incentivize productivity. Encouraging an ownership mentality in even the lowest paid employee is simple if you just make them an owner and give them a reason to give a crap.
- Offer outrageous value - so many businesses in the book had outcomes that were not only better than standard for their industry but were exponentially better, to the extent that their results would be thought impossible if they weren't getting them actively and consistently.
- Give employees decision power - one of the businesses listed employed a truly democratic process throughout the company, down to electing employees as representatives. This sort of structure being deployed inside of a business is novel and a very interesting way of not only distributing power but also supercharging incentives to properly build information and influence distribution networks within a company.
- It's not just about the money - This is in the same vein as being mission-driven but distinct. Several of the businesses outlined here had policies that were exactly the opposite of those optimized to make money, including giving cashiers not only the ability to arbitrarily give discounts (up to 100%) but mandating that they do so a certain percentage of the time each month. Giving out completely free stuff to people and somehow succeeding in business not despite it but because of it because you choose to prioritize customer experience and customer happiness.
- Create a custom culture - these businesses that operate with radically new ideas also create new language to describe what they are about and ensure that this language and the culture they create is embedded in the employee population as a way of ensuring alignment towards the vision. This isn't execu-speak but rather framing ideas in a particular way so that the mind is oriented towards the right idea. For example, calling homeless people being served by an organization seeking to house them "community owners" as the entire point of the organization is to have them become owners of their own place to live shifts the perspective of the people serving this population, how they think about the people they serve and how they feel that they can best serve them.
- Be unique - each business that breaks away from the pack is unique not only in its offering but also in its style and approach. It's not just about coming out with the great new thing. It's about doing things the way that you want to and getting the results you're after. Sometimes that doesn't mean doing anything new at all but you arrive at new results anyway.
In the course of writing this review, I changed my rating from 4 stars to 5. This is actually a pretty good coverage of this subject. Do recommend.
Key takeaways:
- Be missionaries, not mercenaries - be driven by a big mission in the world and your actions will align with that. Be out to make a quick buck and your actions will align with that. Only one of these way leads to amazing businesses.
- Businesses differentiate by doing things differently, not by attempting to do the same things as everyone else better. This can be applied to any industry. The example used in the book was cross-country bus routes, which was a stagnant/ dying industry. Megabus is certainly not a dying company.
- Align incentives by actually giving incentives - one company made itself wholly owned by employees in order to properly incentivize productivity. Encouraging an ownership mentality in even the lowest paid employee is simple if you just make them an owner and give them a reason to give a crap.
- Offer outrageous value - so many businesses in the book had outcomes that were not only better than standard for their industry but were exponentially better, to the extent that their results would be thought impossible if they weren't getting them actively and consistently.
- Give employees decision power - one of the businesses listed employed a truly democratic process throughout the company, down to electing employees as representatives. This sort of structure being deployed inside of a business is novel and a very interesting way of not only distributing power but also supercharging incentives to properly build information and influence distribution networks within a company.
- It's not just about the money - This is in the same vein as being mission-driven but distinct. Several of the businesses outlined here had policies that were exactly the opposite of those optimized to make money, including giving cashiers not only the ability to arbitrarily give discounts (up to 100%) but mandating that they do so a certain percentage of the time each month. Giving out completely free stuff to people and somehow succeeding in business not despite it but because of it because you choose to prioritize customer experience and customer happiness.
- Create a custom culture - these businesses that operate with radically new ideas also create new language to describe what they are about and ensure that this language and the culture they create is embedded in the employee population as a way of ensuring alignment towards the vision. This isn't execu-speak but rather framing ideas in a particular way so that the mind is oriented towards the right idea. For example, calling homeless people being served by an organization seeking to house them "community owners" as the entire point of the organization is to have them become owners of their own place to live shifts the perspective of the people serving this population, how they think about the people they serve and how they feel that they can best serve them.
- Be unique - each business that breaks away from the pack is unique not only in its offering but also in its style and approach. It's not just about coming out with the great new thing. It's about doing things the way that you want to and getting the results you're after. Sometimes that doesn't mean doing anything new at all but you arrive at new results anyway.
In the course of writing this review, I changed my rating from 4 stars to 5. This is actually a pretty good coverage of this subject. Do recommend.
December 30, 2017
The author, who is the founder of Fast Company does a great job of cataloging unique businesses. There are some fantastic business lessons to be learned from this book. While the limelight is dominated by companies in 'hot' sectors (like Blockchain and AI right now), Taylor makes the case that even companies which operate in comparatively 'boring' sectors can be extraordinary.
Metro Bank, a bank that people love for its standout customer service, is also bold and fun as opposed to the drab and traditional old banks. This case tells us how to create an unmatched competitive advantage that others cannot replicate even when they know exactly what it is. Another company, SOL, an industrial cleaning services company has managed a staggering growth for the past 2 decades by radically re-imagining how cleaning companies operate.
"Stop trying to be the best, strive to be the only"
There are plenty more amazing companies discussed throughout the book.
Along with performance, companies need to ensure humility and this comes directly from the leaders. Employees take their cues from the leaders and they need to set the example. The case studies do a great job in educating the reader on the kind of success possible across various domains and how this was achieved.
There are also a few one liner gems, I'm going to list a few below...
An entrepreneur is someone who does more than anyone thinks possible with less than anyone thinks possible
If we chase perfection, we catch excellence
Too often pride in your most recent idea becomes a barrier to seeing the next idea
Your only as young as the new things you do. The number of 'firsts' in your days and weeks
"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa
The book is a bit boring at times and feels like one case study after another, but each one will teach you something new.
Definitely recommend this to anyone in a leadership position who is looking for ways to make their company extraordinary.
Metro Bank, a bank that people love for its standout customer service, is also bold and fun as opposed to the drab and traditional old banks. This case tells us how to create an unmatched competitive advantage that others cannot replicate even when they know exactly what it is. Another company, SOL, an industrial cleaning services company has managed a staggering growth for the past 2 decades by radically re-imagining how cleaning companies operate.
"Stop trying to be the best, strive to be the only"
There are plenty more amazing companies discussed throughout the book.
Along with performance, companies need to ensure humility and this comes directly from the leaders. Employees take their cues from the leaders and they need to set the example. The case studies do a great job in educating the reader on the kind of success possible across various domains and how this was achieved.
There are also a few one liner gems, I'm going to list a few below...
An entrepreneur is someone who does more than anyone thinks possible with less than anyone thinks possible
If we chase perfection, we catch excellence
Too often pride in your most recent idea becomes a barrier to seeing the next idea
Your only as young as the new things you do. The number of 'firsts' in your days and weeks
"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love" - Mother Teresa
The book is a bit boring at times and feels like one case study after another, but each one will teach you something new.
Definitely recommend this to anyone in a leadership position who is looking for ways to make their company extraordinary.
June 12, 2017
This books talks about the things which is used to produce a successful business. Every organisation must have a sense of purpose on why we are building this product and how it will improve the customers business and life. Leadership is very important to run a successful business. They should generate good ideas and they should transform the ideas into action.
Rethink on new business ideas or company culture or in anything. Reevaluating possible ideas is very important. Build a company culture on learning while working. That will improve the employees as well as that will improve the organisation also.
Don't worry about doing bigger things. Just do small things either it is a support job or web designing or marketing. Do it with great love. Care customers more. That will help us to build good customer focused product.
Set the stage for upcoming employees and product. So that it will improve their performance. Give share to employees on company profit. That will boost employees to work very harder.
Rethink on new business ideas or company culture or in anything. Reevaluating possible ideas is very important. Build a company culture on learning while working. That will improve the employees as well as that will improve the organisation also.
Don't worry about doing bigger things. Just do small things either it is a support job or web designing or marketing. Do it with great love. Care customers more. That will help us to build good customer focused product.
Set the stage for upcoming employees and product. So that it will improve their performance. Give share to employees on company profit. That will boost employees to work very harder.
August 30, 2023
A nice book on the principles on which organizations should work. The sense of purpose that employees exude and how that sense of purpose motivated colleagues and customers. The form of leadership that champions an extraordinary set of ideas and think differently as well. It says that the boldest thinkers are the most insatiable learners.
A leader appreciates what we prize are gestures of concern and compassion. Examples of such organizations are Pret. A. Manger , Britain and The Mercedes Benz, USA. The most successful companies think differently from everybody else. A perception of leadersship is that exceptional performance begins with extraordinary insights. Humility and ambition need not be at odds.
A reward system that gives a bonus to exceptional performance. It talks of how employees perform better when they have ownership in the company through shares. They must be given a fair share of the value they create.
A leader appreciates what we prize are gestures of concern and compassion. Examples of such organizations are Pret. A. Manger , Britain and The Mercedes Benz, USA. The most successful companies think differently from everybody else. A perception of leadersship is that exceptional performance begins with extraordinary insights. Humility and ambition need not be at odds.
A reward system that gives a bonus to exceptional performance. It talks of how employees perform better when they have ownership in the company through shares. They must be given a fair share of the value they create.
March 10, 2017
This book has some great stories of innovative and effective business practices. That was the best part of the book. I study the cutting edge of business and learned new things about new companies (that's not common for me).
But there wasn't much in the way of insights beyond the examples. He made an attempt, but it didn't add anything to the book. In between the stories, totally worth skipping. The stories, totally worth reading.
But there wasn't much in the way of insights beyond the examples. He made an attempt, but it didn't add anything to the book. In between the stories, totally worth skipping. The stories, totally worth reading.
May 31, 2017
What Malcolm Gladwell is to Behavioral Economics and Social Psychology and Atul Gawande is to healthcare writing, William Taylor seems to be to leadership and business writing. Very easy to read and very to the point on what it takes to be a successful company and organization in a business climate that moves (slowly) toward social justice and emotional work.
September 7, 2017
A conversational book leading you through different businesses who have used interesting practices to engage their markets and their workforce. Could sometimes be a bit too meandering and would often loop back to previous case studies in a confusing way but this is the first time I've read a business book so maybe I'm just thick.
February 3, 2018
One of the most insightful books on creative thinking and strategic leadership that I’ve ever read. I recently met William Taylor at an executive conference and he impressed me as one of the brightest stars in the sky. Not only does the content of this book reflect the title, but so does the author. Highly recommend.
December 15, 2019
เป็นหนังสือที่เล่าเรื่องร่าวของธุรกิจต่างๆ โดยเฉพาะร่ายเล็กที่ประสบความสำเร็จ มีที่ยืนในสังคม โดยอาศัย Customer centric (ขอใช้เป็น user centric ดีกว่า) ก็คือการเอา User เป็นศูนย์กลางของการนำเสนอคุณค่าที่ user ต้องการ โดยที่จะต้องใช้ความเข้าใจมูลเหตุของ user โดยที่จะต้องไม่ลืมถึงพนักงาน ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการเพิ่ม experience ให้พนักงาน หรือเพิ่ม engagement ของพนักงานก็ตาม
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
Great insights and inspiring stories from brands that are doing what they say isn’t possible. It may be 8 years old, but it’s never been more relevant.
Not every concept will work for everyone, but if you can’t find at least a few to take away, then you need to reevaluate your management philosophy.
Not every concept will work for everyone, but if you can’t find at least a few to take away, then you need to reevaluate your management philosophy.
July 14, 2017
An insightful read that delves into what makes a company or organization stand apart from everyone else. Taylor looks into common traits of company cultures that instill brand pride and colleague satisfaction that help make an organization rise above.
January 23, 2018
Good insight into successful businesses
Helpful to get an inside perspective on various businesses and what has contributed to their success.
Great examples that provide a variety of means to success
Helpful to get an inside perspective on various businesses and what has contributed to their success.
Great examples that provide a variety of means to success
March 22, 2020
كتاب جميل عن مالذي تفعله الشركات العادية (=غير المشهورة، البعيدة عن وادي سيلكون) لتصبح مؤسسات غير عادية، وكيف تحول الأعمال الروتينية لأعمال استثنائية.
لا أستطيع القول أنه من أفضل الكتب في هذا المجال، لكن بالتأكيد قراءة خفيفة له لن تضر.
لا أستطيع القول أنه من أفضل الكتب في هذا المجال، لكن بالتأكيد قراءة خفيفة له لن تضر.
March 5, 2022
Great business storytelling, greater lessons for businesses
This easy to read book offers stories of strategy, innovation, humanity and success. From manufacturing to healthcare, banking and nonprofit, the profiles put a different and valuable spin on success and how to get there.
This easy to read book offers stories of strategy, innovation, humanity and success. From manufacturing to healthcare, banking and nonprofit, the profiles put a different and valuable spin on success and how to get there.
December 31, 2024
This book started just okay, but had some quotes that were worth keeping, so I felt positive about it. By about halfway through though, my interest fizzled. I finished the book. My level of interest did not change though.
January 17, 2017
I stayed folding the corner of pages that had great lines I wanted to get back to but I stopped when I noticed that every page was founded
May 20, 2017
I really loved the examples, many of which I hadn't come across before used in this book. That said, it could have been a tad shorter and sharper.
May 30, 2017
Really enjoyed the first half of the book, but then it just got boring...
June 26, 2017
This is a great, provocative book about leadership that gives practical guidelines for leaders in any industry who want to excel and build strong organizations.
February 12, 2018
Solidly executed case studies, lots of follow-up reading material, and no easy path (just as it should be).
September 8, 2018
Cool stuff. The book was eye-opening in how businesses can do great things in society. Although towards the end it did get a bit repetitive.
March 10, 2019
Read in one day. Very interesting and provide useful insights how other organisations gain success. Can't wait to use new information.
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