How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything...in Business (and in Life) - Hardcover

Seidman, Dov

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471751227 ISBN 13: 9780471751229

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2007

Synopsis

The flood of information and unprecedented transparency reshaping today’s business world has dramatically changed the rules of the game. It’s no longer what you do that sets you apart from others, but how you do what you do. Whats are commodities, easily duplicated or reverse–engineered. Sustainable advantage and enduring success—for both companies and the people who work for them—now lie in the realm of how , the new frontier of conduct. For more than a decade, Dov Seidman’s pioneering organization, LRN, has helped some of the world’s most respected companies build "do it right," winning cultures. Seidman’s distinct vision of the world, business, and human endeavor has enabled more than ten million people doing business in over 100 countries to outbehave the competition. In HOW: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything . . . in Business (and in Life) , Dov Seidman shares his unique approach with you. Through entertaining anecdotes, surprising case studies, cutting–edge research in a wide range of fields, and revealing interviews with a diverse group of business leaders, experts, and everyday people on the front lines, this book explores how we think, how we behave, and how we govern ourselves to uncover the values–driven "hows" of 21st–century success. Divided into four comprehensive parts, this insightful guide: Exposes the forces and factors that have fundamentally changed the world in which business operates, placing a new focus on the hows with which we conduct ourselves Provides frameworks to help you understand these hows and implement them in powerful and productive ways Helps you channel your actions and decisions to thrive uniquely within today’s new business realities Sheds light on the systems of how —the dynamics between people that shape organizational culture—and introduces a bold new vision for winning through self–governance The qualities that many once thought of as "soft"—trust, integrity, values, and reputation—are now the hard currency of business success and the ultimate drivers of efficiency, productivity, and profitability. With in–depth insights and practical advice, HOW will help you bring excellence and significance to your business endeavors—and your life—and refocus your efforts in powerful new ways. If you want to stand out, to thrive in our fast changing, hyperconnected, and hypertransparent world, open this book and discover HOW . Dov Seidman’s professional career has focused on how companies and their people can operate in both a principled and profitable way. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of LRN. Leading companies such as Disney, Dow Chemical, eBay, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Raytheon, and 3M turn to LRN to help management govern more effectively and workers do the right things the right way, even in the most challenging of situations. Dov is a Harvard Law School graduate who also earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy from UCLA, and a BA with honors in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University. For more on this book, visit www.HowsMatter.com.

About this title

Review

“The simple thesis of HOW is that in today’s totally wired world, you are set apart by “how” you conduct yourself. Everyone is so much more transparent and connected than ever before. As a result, so many more people can now see more deeply into what you do and into you company’s operations and tell so many more other people about it via the Internet – without any editor or any filter. Therefore “how” you live your life, “how” you conduct your business, and “how” you say you’re sorry (or don’t’) matter now more than ever. “...And we will not get out of [the global economic crisis] without going back to some basics, which is why I find myself re–reading a valuable book that I wrote about once before, called, “How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything in Business (and in Life).” Its author, Dov Seidman, is the C.E.O. of LRN, which helps companies build ethical corporate cultures...We need to get back to collaborating the old–fashioned way. That is, people making decisions based on business judgment, experience, prudence, clarity of communications and thinking about how — not just how much.”– Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and author Thomas L. Friedman “In his book How, published last year, Mr Seidman explained why he feels behaviour (as opposed to the more fashionable management notions of engagement or motivation) is the key to organisational success....Thought leadership, and big ideas, are rare. But here is a challenging thought for you. Outbehave, outperform, outgreen – or out you go.” –The Financial Times Business Life columnist Stefan Stern “The book has understandably received a second wind, propelled by the global economic turmoil. Books like Seidman’s on the importance of trust and building and strengthening corporate reputation are being heralded as the voices of sanity.” –Economic Times journalist Arati Menon Carroll “Seidman, an erudite intellectual and practical philosopher, shows that in today’s transparent commercial environment, operating openly and morally is both honorable and economically necessary.” –Syndicated Get Abstract book reviewer Rolf Dobelli “One of the more interesting and ambitious books to cross my desk lately is How by Dov Seidman. The appeal of Seidman’s work is that he’s taken such a sweeping view of the business world in his explanation of how we think, behave and govern — as individuals and organizations — influences our achievements in the marketplace.” – Chief Learning Officer Magazine editor Brian Summerfield “...Behaving as if everyone is armed with your personal information is a very good idea, according to author Seidman, because they are. He also discusses the ethical and moral implications of all this openness. Seidman is an experienced and worldly observer, so he is not unrealistic about the baser instincts that motivate many of us. Nonetheless he also presents a hopeful and positive future where lying and obfuscation are less possible and ultimately unacceptable because there are fewer places to hide.” – The Miami Herald reviewer Richard Pachtert “In his superb book on corporate behaviour, HOW: Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything ... in Business (and in Life), Dov Seidman tells the story of the New York City doughnut seller who taught him a valuable lesson in business trust...Doing the right thing has always been good for business. What Seidman′s book makes clear is that regardless of whether it is in Sydney or in Auckland, being open about the manner in which a corporation operates, trusting customers and insisting on maintaining standards which enhance reputations, is now of global significance. Investors everywhere are looking at issues relevant to integrity.” – The New Zealand Herald reporter Stephen Loosley "...Companies with a should–do culture can outperform those with a can–do culture because they value intellectual capital, not just human capital, and forward–think about the impact of "What’s next"...An integral component of Mr. Seidman’s should–do advocacy also involves connecting outside knowledge to the organization. The nature of should–do firms involves asking questions, change and accuracy of communication. Being inquisitive makes them aggressively search for "what they don’t know". Miscommunication is the Achilles heel of any firm; when a mouse click can send information around the globe, a company’s reputation can be damaged by an errant email. Mr. Seidman’s personal anecdotes illustrate how should–do firms deal with their thirst for knowledge and communicate effectively.” – Syndicated columnist Jim Pawlak “HOW is a radically different and compelling approach to competing in business today. Dov Seidman connects the dots in an original way, focusing on transparency, trust, and reputation as important drivers of success. We′re all aware of the implications of operating in a transparent, wired, global marketplace. What Seidman has done is crystallize how we now need to think and act to win in this new world.” – Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc. Jeff Kindler “Dov Seidman’s intellect and passion—brilliantly displayed in HOW’s well–written and entertaining case studies, anecdotes—show us a new way to think about enduring success in times of change. Seidman’s penetrating insights into what really matters in a wired world challenge the very best in each of us to see what is right and wrong in everyday decision making.” –U.S. Senator Bill Bradley “In HOW, Dov Seidman takes the idea of ′success′ even further, redefining it as a quest for significance. Isn′t that what we all really want? To have a positive impact, to make a difference, to excel? To do that you have to achieve significance, and Seidman brilliantly shows you HOW. This book will change your life in profound ways.” –Author Marcus Buckingham “Dov Seidman ’s book introduces you to the world of how in a way that will revolutionize the way you think about, assess, and experience success.” – Former Chief Learning Officer, Goldman Sachs and former head of leadership development at GE, Steve Kerr “HOW is a trip through the lens of a first–class observer. Dov Seidman captures the life lessons that impact how we should think and respond in today’s world. HOW’s clarity and common sense make it a must read for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.” – Chairman, Equity Group Investments, Sam Zell “This book is the ultimate guidebook for successful living. Its truths are simple but stunningly powerful.” – Author Marianne Williamson “We do business on every continent. Everywhere we go, Dov Seidman′s message rings equally true. HOW provides valuable insight for anyone who believes their company culture and core values can determine their ultimate success.” – Massimo Ferragamo, Chairman, FERRAGAMO USA “Dov Seidman captures the power that Ray Kroc instilled in us at McDonald’s from the day he opened his first restaurant in 1955—a culture based on values puts the customer first. In today’s world, focusing on the ‘how’ is critical to accelerating momentum. HOW is required reading for anyone seeking enduring success in business or life.” – Jim Skinner, CEO, McDonald’s Corporation "The hottest adviser on corporate virtue to Fortune 500 companies." — Fortune magazine

From the Back Cover

Praise for HOW "In HOW, Dov Seidman takes the idea of ′success′ even further, redefining it as a quest for significance. Isn′t that what we all really want? To have a positive impact, to make a difference, to excel? To do that you have to achieve significance, and Seidman brilliantly shows you HOW. This book will change your life in profound ways." Marcus Buckingham, author, Go Put Your Strengths to Work "Dov Seidman′s intellect and passion brilliantly displayed in HOW′s well–written and entertaining case studies, anecdotes, and research show us a new way to think about enduring success in times of change. Seidman′s penetrating insights into what really matters in a wired world challenge the very best in each of us to see what is right and wrong in everyday decision making." Senator Bill Bradley "Dov Seidman′s book introduces you to the world of HOW in a way that will revolutionize the way you think about, assess, and experience success." Steve Kerr, Chief Learning Officer, Goldman Sachs, and former head of leadership development, GE "HOW is a trip through the lens of a first–class observer. Dov Seidman captures the life lessons that impact how we should think and respond in today′s world. HOW′s clarity and common sense make it a must read for aspiring entrepreneurs everwhere." Sam Zell, Chairman, Equity Group Investments "This is the ultimate guidebook for successful living. Its truths are simple but stunningly powerful." Marianne Williamson, author, Everyday Grace "We do business on every continent. Everywhere we go, Dov Seidman′s message rings equally true. HOW provides valuable insight for anyone who believes their company culture and core values can determine their ultimate success." Massimo Ferragamo, Chairman, Ferragamo USA "Dov Seidman captures the power that Ray Kroc instilled in us at McDonald′s from the day he opened his first restaurant in 1955 a culture based on values puts the customer first. In today′s world, focusing on the ′how′ is critical to accelerating momentum. HOW is required reading for anyone seeking enduring success in business or life." Jim Skinner, CEO, McDonald′s Corporation

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0471751227
• ISBN 13: 9780471751229
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 352