What Really Works: The 4+2 Formula for Sustained Business Success

by William Joyce, Nitin Nohria, Bruce Roberson

Based on a groundbreaking study, analysing data on 200 management practices gathered over a 10 year period. Reveals the effectiveness of the 4+2 practices (4 primary and 2 of 4 possible secondary) practices that really matter –– the ones that, if followed rigorously, ensure sustained business success. With a new introduction by the authors.

With hundreds of well–known management practices and prescriptions promoted by consultants and available to business, which are really effective and contribute to the growth and continued success of a company? Which do little or nothing? Based on the "Evergreen Project," a massive, 5 year study involving the business school faculties of ten universities, the authors set out to find the management practices that truly promote long–term growth and success. Their findings will revolutionize the art and practice of business management.The book shows that there are essentially six management practices that all successful companies must master simultaneously. They range from focusing on a strategy of growth to maintaining the depth and quality of human talent in the organization.

Genres: Business, Management

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Evan McB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is recommended for instructors of college-level business courses, communication courses, and business communication courses. Those instructors should feel free to assign it as a course reading for students, who won't read it. Which is too bad, because this is the kind of book that we in the game like to call an "investment" - an investment in your future, so that you and your business don't become the next K-Mart.

How can you and your business avoid becoming the next K-Mart? By following the 4+2 formula for success that REALLY WORKS: Strategize, Execute, Cultivate, and Structure, plus (maybe) nurture talent, (maybe) get some leaders, (maybe) innovate, and (maybe) form partnerships (any two of the maybes are sufficiently adequate for REALLY WORKING). There is a lot to learn from this book, but if you learn nothing else, you will definitely learn the word "eleemosynary," which pops up on the second to last page out of freaking nowhere, and means, "relating to or dependent on charity; charitable." (As in, it would be very eleemosynary of you to still read the book even though I have already taught you the word eleemosynary).

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is this aphorism that dissuades us from judging a book by its cover, and if this phrase was meant to be figurative, I might as well have taken it in its literal sense. My inclination towards this book was stemmed from nothing but its title. I should have known better! After reading two memoirs and a fiction in quick succession, I needed something to balance my ground - thus my decision for a short business class which turned out to be completely underwhelming. Perhaps, my expectation of the three authors was just too high, but the truth is, after the final page, I was barely more informed than I was before. Actually, if you have read, generally any book by Jim Collins, but particularly Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, then there is no need for you to read this book. They will be preaching to the converted.

What I have come to note is that the old truism that two is better than one and that three is not even comparable to one, is not so true when it comes to writing, and What Really Works: The 4+2 Formula for Sustained Business Success is perfect case in point. One author would have done this book more justice.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mere business book if you are working as an executive of a company. You won't receive much from this book if you are not specifically working at a profit-making company. It uses the statistic result from the Evergreen project- which analyses the companies time to time and classifies them into 4 groups: Winners- who always thrive, Losers- who always lose in their business, Tumblers- who initially face some falling down but are turning back to attain the increment, and Climbers- who went well at first but start descending recently.
The book is heavy in numbers and mostly depends on them. From that, William Joyce indicates the lessons either from successes and failures of companies. The 4+2, as described in the title of the book, is quite general that you can find in other business books.
And if you are looking for a book that teaches you techniques for a start-up, I don't think this book can help you.
Just an ordinary business book like other business books you can find on shelves, with nothing new.

[Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great road map

Valuable for every manager to rise his company to a great level. Make a plan with the rules and go for them.

[Ahmed Korayem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing impressive about this book. Same information as in most basic business literature but sorted as findings of a huge research effort. The findings of the evergreen project might be insightful, but they are undervalued in this book.

[diddier gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Phuong Thanh Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are stuffs to learn from here. Not a silver bullet, but a limitless gunpowder stash.

Quite a lengthy read though.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting; but after reading the very complicated and fragile 4+2 Formula for Sustained Business Success, one realizes the authors' model is, in reality, "unsustainable" over time.

[Lori Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A should-read book on execution for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.

[Madhujith Venkatakrishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very articulate and nicely written. Insightful.