Powerhouse: Insider Accounts into the World's Top High-performance Organizations - Softcover

MacNeice, Brian; Bowen, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0749478314 ISBN 13: 9780749478315

Publisher: Kogan Page, 2016

Synopsis

Why are the New Zealand All Blacks the best rugby team in the world? How does the Kirov Ballet produce generation after generation of exceptional ballerinas? How did Southwest Airlines evolve from being an idiosyncratic Texan airline to become one of the most successful businesses internationally? How does the Finnish School Education System deliver great results by breaking conventions? Powerhouse uncovers the performance secrets of some of the most impressive organizations around the world and reveals the key principles they have in common to enable any business to raise their own bar.

To understand what makes these organizations great, MacNeice and Bowen have conducted immersive and personal research; investigating their culture, interviewing their leaders and observing their everyday practice. Despite this diverse range of seemingly contrasting industries - business, sport, technology, finance, the arts - each of these successful institutions share a common bond: they are world-class industry leaders and have repeatedly outperformed their competition. Powerhouse explores what lessons can be learnt from these organizations to provide a unique and in-depth analysis of how enduring high performance can be developed.

About this title

Review

"A fascinating study into some of the world's most awe-inspiring organizations. From insightful interviews and research, MacNeice and Bowen have distilled the essential qualities that lead to high performance down into an actionable and enjoyable read for all business leaders" (Sir Clive Woodward, English 2003 World Cup Winning Head Coach and Team GB Director of Sport, London 2012)

"Powerhouse challenges our thinking about high performance by examining essential qualities in a wide range of leading institutions. The Powerhouse model - emphasizing Plan, Priorities, People, and Process - is a highly useful way to think about the alignment of key elements for any institution. Practical and sure to be of great value for managers from all fields" (Phil Rosenzweig, Professor of Strategy and International Business, IMD Switzerland)

"Thomas Edison once said, 'If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.' This could be the credo of Powerhouse written by Brian MacNeice and James Bowen. Using twelve remarkable case studies of world-renowned organizations, they make quite clear that 'high performance is by definition a collective endeavour.' In illustrating what differentiates these captivating organizations from the more humdrum ones, they make the reader familiar with the "powerhouse approach to performance transformation." Anybody interested in the DNA of what makes for sustainable high performance would do well to carefully study this book" (Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change, INSEAD)

"The stories of a dozen great organizations from around the world - and what we can learn from their decency and vision, as well as their success. Recommended reading for any business leader" (Hamish McRae, Chief Economics Commentator, The Independent)

"The best analysis of successful organizations since Good to Great and Built to Last. Powerhouse offers amazing insights into the world's best organizations and the 12 principles that drive organizational performance. This is a must read for any executive who wants to create lasting success" (Kevin Kruse, New York Times bestselling author of ‘Employee Engagement 2.0’)

"It's hard to read a book when you are constantly stopping to take notes. The introduction and first chapter alone provoked my thinking about the ambitions of my own company and the strategies needed for success. I love this book. Each chapter is a true story about an organization and the practices and differentiators that led to its success. The organizations are highly diverse and while each is unique - most of us don't instruct our customers to build and use pit latrines - there are commonalities that can be practiced by all of us. Read this book. You will be inspired and compelled to take action" (Susan Scott, founder, Fierce, Inc.)

"Twelve very diverse institutions and yet a common thread on what it takes to succeed, brilliantly captured by the authors. A must read for those who are passionate about succeeding" (Ajit Shriram, Joint Managing Director, DCM Shriram)

"Powerhouse is a compelling and provocative compendium of how some of the world's leading organizations have reached the pinnacle in their respective fields. This book is well researched and clearly written; a must read for leaders who aspire to transform their organization into a world-class, high performing institution that is built to last" (Tom Massey, author of ‘The ABC’s of Effective Leadership’ and ‘Ten Commitments for Building High Performance Teams’)

"Every now and again a new book comes along which really does add something new to our understanding of high performance organisations. This is one of those books. A highly readable book offering real insight into how organisations become leaders in their respective fields" (Jeff Grout, business consultant, coach, speaker and author)

Book Description

Focuses on an impressive line-up of well-known organizations from around the world: Barcelona FC, the All Blacks Rugby team, the Finnish State School System, the Curtis Institute of Music, the US marines, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Toyota, the St Louis Cardinals, the Kirov Ballet, the Mayo Clinic, Grameen Bank and South West Airlines

Includes immersive research, and detailed interviews with organization leaders, to provide a unique and exclusive inside look into how they really work

Provides a model of how the world's most successful institutions operate and highlights the key capabilities they all share, giving leaders the tools and understanding to transform their own organizations and supercharge their team's performance

About this edition

• Publisher: Kogan Page
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0749478314
• ISBN 13: 9780749478315
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 280