Ten Rules for Strategic Innovators: From Idea to Execution

by Vijay Govindarajan, Chris Trimble

Even world-class companies, with powerful and proven business models, eventually discover limits to growth. That's what makes emerging high-growth industries so attractive. With no proven formula for making a profit, these industries represent huge opportunities for the companies that are fast enough and smart enough to capture them first. But building tomorrow's businesses while simultaneously sustaining excellence in today's demands a delicate balance. It is a mandatory quest, but one that is fraught with contradiction and paradox. Until now, there has been little practical guidance. Based on an in-depth, multiyear research study of innovative initiatives at ten large corporations, Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble identify three central forgetting yesterday's successful processes and practices; borrowing selected resources from the core business; and learning how the new business can succeed.The authors make recommendations regarding staffing, leadership roles, reporting relationships, process design, planning, performance assessment, incentives, cultural norms, and much more. Breakthrough growth opportunities can make or break companies and careers. "Forget, Borrow, Learn" is every leader's guide to execution in unexplored territory.

Genres: Business, Management, Nonfiction, Business Leadership

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Vijay Govinadrajan is the Earl C. Daum 1924 Professor of International Business at the Tuck School at Dartmouth's Center for Global Leadership.

Reviews

[Joan]

Really insightful. I've been thinking similarly but it was great to see my intuition has some rationale and science behind it. Forgetting, borrowing and learning strategies all have its gain with a price to pay. Holding people accountable is common in management. But accountable to what is critical. Pure outcome/number based accountability is only a piece of the puzzle but shouldn't be the whole story. This book provided a framework to measure the actual important stuff people should be accountable for. Good read!

[Alexandra]

This is a wonderful book with exciting new approaches to growth and very helpful in providing new ideas to my existing clients. There are examples here of successful strategic innovators (OnStar, IBM) and various non successful innovators (Corning) as well as why they either succeeded or failed. Authors are both highly placed educators at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

[Seb]

(+) Libro semplice e scorrevole

[Rex Jones]

The book definitely made me think. I would recommend it for people who are trying to break onto a more innovative plane.

[David Dalka]

A serious editor on this book in a second edition would be a benefit to all.

[Lori Grant]

A should-read book on innovation for knowledge workers and entrepreneurs.