The Magna Carta of Exponentiality

by Vusi Thembekwayo

Management and leadership are facing serious headwinds. These headwinds are driven by the sea of change that is facing organisations today. This change, driven predominantly but not exclusively, by the rapid rate of technological advancement has resulted in major shifts in how organisations configure themselves. The world has also become increasingly polarised. Whilst the nouveau-rich and the upper-middle classes of Tasha’s meetings continue blissfully to enjoy their lot, just fifteen minutes away, two of the fastest growing townships, Alexandra and Diepsloot have weekly service delivery protests, alarming crime rates and unsustainable social infrastructure backlogs. The social problems of South Africa are manifesting at an exponential rate, yet leaders continue to think, plan, manage, coordinate and deliver at a linear rate. These leaders, and many others like them, don’t have the skills or framework to work differently. For business leaders in pursuit of generating results better than their competitors and their market average, working through the quagmire of strategy, culture, context, leadership and many other latter-day management concepts seems to be their default. All this in the hope that they can discover the scripture that teaches them how they can generate better returns than their competition. How they can generate exponential results in linear markets. In the book, we look at teams, leaders and organisations that have managed to deliver phenomenal market-beating results in the face of extreme uncertainty, severe resource constraints and socio-political instability. We study the foresight of managers who turned entrepreneurs who seized opportunities and built businesses to rival their old employers, seasoned managers who looked through the fog of marketplace war to see opportunity. We answer the how did they do it, what did they do and what can you learn from their ingenuity, luck and guts. Over the past decade, my team and I have spent copious periods of time, effort and resources seeking to answer the ultimate management question of the new age, “how do we drive exponential results in linear markets?” The old way is dead. Linear is the past. Leaders, managers and entrepreneurs today need to learn how to work differently. They need a new bible - The Magna Carta of Exponentiality.

Genres: Business, Finance

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2017

Reviews

[Weziwe Duma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. I like the examples and the insight into the big players in business in South Africa and the world, especially the one about the contrasts between the two biggest grocery retailers in South Africa. I also like the frankness. I think that tone is needed in order to show people that the real world of business is tough. I also like the personal touch especially when discussing how when you are still a small business you are very agile, responsive and available and you soon grow and you loose a lot of that and end up in the same trap that big players fall into when they have to stay competitive. All round a great read. We can't make money for money's sake, it has to contribute to the general good of all people otherwise those who feel the harshness of the system the most will rise and topple it - as it so often happens.

[Dayne Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight with thought provoking questions. The one thing that was a bit disappointing is that there where some basic grammatical errors and missing words in some sentences.

[Monwabisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Since the dawn of time, human beings can be differentiated from other species on earth by understanding a single word, conquest. You won't hear lions roar overt their share of the Bush, or devise strategies to conquer other prides and take them as colonies. Sharks don't worry about sharing the ocean. Ants don't worry about their share in your kitchen or stars over their share of the night skies. What has made human beings different since the dawn of time is this idea of conquest. Our singular untamed pursuit to be number one, to be the best,to be revered, to conquer and leave a trail where previously none had dated to venture. Conquest is the differentiator in the human DNA."--VT

I like how vusi can point out something that you overlook on a daily basis, break it down and succinctly explain it's intricacies in a way that makes you go wow, I can't believe this has been happening right and I didn't even care to know....like how he explained the basic business model of a retailer and likened it to a cash and investment institution which has the inconvenience of dealing with customers...

-I also love that he writes the way he speaks, which gives the reader a genuine VT experience... It's not some phoney, half-assed attempt at a book for the sake of writing a book because you ought to write a book like other successful business leaders...its authentic

-I also love how he doesn't beat around the bush, he gets to the meat, makes his points, keeps them succinct and clear and moves...this book could've easily been a 300-400 pager if VT fell into the trap of over eleborating and ultimately leaving the reader unsatisfied by giving us 80% background and 20% of actual content...

And yes I'm contradicting myself but I rated this book 4 and not 5 stars because it's too short...we needed more bra Vusi😅... But also there's some misplaced punctuation, letters missing or inappropriately spaced from the rest of the word... Ur editors did u a disservice there...

But as a young professional at the beginning of his career, and as someone who looks upto VT.... I really loved this book👌

[Michelle Frankson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book 4 years ago but I’ve only read it now and I am glad I did. I wasn’t ready for it then. It has challenged my thinking and gotten me very excited to get back to work after my end of year break.
Most informative sections for me were “purpose vs context” and “cannibalising the core”. The section on product was also very useful for me.
Note that there are a few spelling and grammatical errors here and there but they in no way detract from the value that the book offers.

[Melcome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kicks Ass

[Puffs Phafogang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for aspiring entrepreneurs or even aspiring employees who want to be great at what they do and achieve the perceived as impossible... I love it!!!

[Otsile Boikanyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspirational book. suitable for young black entrepreneurs

[Kiwanuka Anna]

Great read!

[Brendon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Could have been better.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book just so much to absorb. Thanks Vusi

[Brian Keana]

Fuck you I want to read

[Frédéric Augustyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a great deal of valuable remarks regarding general business principles, and makes a compelling case for pursuing Alpha plus x results.

[Wilffred Magotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Holy Grail

A book every entrepreneur and business person should indulge as you try and find your Mantra and build your zest in business and want to achieve greater returns above market average.

[Siyabonga Masemola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional

It is a book I would recommend to business leaders across the world. His persistence to drive businesses to greatness is exceptional

[Tanni Awa]

I got to understand the basic intricacies that help businesses in linear environments perform at and exponential or alpha plus level. Also i go to fully understand what leadership is all about and the main difference between leadership and management.

[Mlungisi Ngalo]

Good