The Business of Winning: Insights in Transformation from F1 to the Boardroom

by Mark Gallagher

Have you ever wondered what has made Mercedes the undisputed kings of Formula One? Do you want to know how Lewis Hamilton has managed to exceed legendary driver Michael Schumacher's record of winning races? And most of all, do you want to find out how to inject that winning streak to your business strategy?

In this riveting insider's account of nearly 40 years in the Formula One industry, Mark Gallagher explains what it takes to succeed in a competitive business with high technology, high finance and immensely high stakes. Like any global business, Formula One demands the best from its people. To thrive within it requires impeccable leadership and communications skills. You also need to bring in the ability to design, manufacture, develop and launch a constantly improving high-technology product, constantly working to immoveable deadlines with an immense supply chain and tight regulations.

The Business of Winning sets out a one-stop management guide for business leaders keen to emulate this high-speed, high-impact approach to business. This entirely revised new edition unveils how Formula One is using new technologies to finesse the most minute of details, whilst reaching new audiences, playing its part in sustainability with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2030 and showing the way to diversity and inclusion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2014

Reviews

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a similar book by Ross Brawn I was keen to read this book on how F1 can translate into action in normal business life. It’s a good read, I particularly liked the section on climate change and how F1 is responding to that challenge. 3.5 star review from me.

[Bianca Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Business of Winning by Mark Gallagher is probably the business book I need to defend reviewing the most. It was also the most fun to read. Little known fact, I used to be a massive Formula 1 fan. Even beating the boys in a F1 tipping contest. Unfortunately Australian timezones aren’t conducive to watching races at midnight and holding down a day job. A move to the States didn’t really help either.

Back to The Business of Winning. I pounced on this when it came on NetGalley. Mark Gallagher started off as a reporter covering Formula 1 before moving into PR and comms, before executive management. His 30 year career means he worked with the greats of Ayrton Senna, Murray Walker, Damon Hill, and a fanboy of Michael Schumacher. Shush, I still have a little bit of a crush on Jacques Villeneuve. Schumi favoritism sticks out.

I’m getting off track. Hey, I did warn it was a fun read. This book is actually a hard one to review as a business book. Yes, it’s filled with real examples of the need for communications, and branding and innovation, however it’s much much more than that. It’s probably about 80% memoir and 20% business book. That mix will, unfortunately, be a hindrance to mainstream success. It will definitely limit the audience.

Each chapter has a different focus: leadership, brand, performance management. It’s a chapter of themed memoirs, with bullet points at the end linking the memoirs back to lessons learned. Sometimes I had a little trouble recalling the focus for the chapter, but I did read an unedited proof (thus messy formatting) and was spasmodically reading in between school for the semester and starting a new main gig.

The memoirs and examples are brilliant. Really, I would read this just as a memoir. I loved hearing the behind the scenes of races I watched, and hearing the paddock gossip. It is naturally very Jordan heavy; that’s where Mark spent most of his career. This was also the racing era when I was following, so I loved it for that.

Who is The Business of Winning for?
It’s for F1 fans in business. I’m not sure there’s enough business for anyone else. It’ll be more useful and successful in Europe where there is a decent F1 following. I accept that Seattle won’t get a signing. Darn.

Buy it, read The Business of Winning and tell me if you agree.

And Mark, if you write a book about the time Eddie Irvine was renting your room, I’m buying multiple copies.

Originally published on Tap Dancing Spiders: http://tapdancingspiders.com/2014/10/...

[Chel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on his experience with Formula One, Gallagher tackles some of the business issues faced today - competition, technology, impact, supply chains and many other issues. This is an entertaining and informative read.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Tommy Stark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good book from F1 world and history. Also, gave perspective for many things. I learned a lot, BUT i have hard time understanding, what the book have to do with other business world? Maby i just missed the point.

Yet, excellent book from F1 but not a book about business.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive a free copy of this book from Goodreads. I loved reading The Business of Winning! Such an enjoyable way of learning how to improve leadership, communication, and teamwork. I enjoyed getting an insider's view into the world of Formula 1 racing. Gallagher's background is impressive. He is a team owner and has worked with the greatest F1 racers of all time.