The World's Best Book Summaries
Why do the traditional business ways no longer work? Is top-down management good for a company? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that changes in the business landscape mean that many of the old ways of managing and leading a company no longer work. He explores three traditional business practices and explains why they’re obsolete. Let’s look at these three disadvantages of traditional business in more detail.
Are business projections always accurate? How often does the market change? Business projections are a way for companies to predict future income and performance based on current data. However, Stephen Denning’s book The Age of Agile says that using these predictions won’t give you an accurate reading. Keep reading to learn why you need to be careful with your company’s projections.
What does it take for a successful businesswoman to maintain authenticity while navigating corporate America? How can someone build genuine worth beyond professional achievements? In Worthy, former Microsoft executive Jane Boulware shares her journey of overcoming personal and professional obstacles while staying true to herself. This successful businesswoman’s story reveals how she battled an eating disorder, faced workplace challenges, and found where true worth comes from. Continue reading to explore powerful insights about resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of building meaningful relationships along the path to success.
Do you want a competitive advantage in business? Why is focusing on your competition actually bad for your company? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning targets companies’s focus on competition and creating long-term competitive advantages. He claims that such attention on other businesses in this way doesn’t work for two reasons: rapid change and high customer expectations. Check out why competition isn’t the sole thing you need to pay attention to.
Have you noticed a spike in rising customer expectations? How does focusing on competition distract you from your customers? A focus on competitors distracts companies from their customers. In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that customers should be a company’s priority because customers have higher expectations than ever. Discover why customers expect more from companies now.
What’s the top-down management style? Why is this management practice considered outdated? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning discusses the traditional business practice of top-down bureaucratic management. This long-standing practice consolidates decision-making in a few hands through a strict hierarchy of authority. Continue reading to learn the two reasons why top-down management has become obsolete.
What’s an agile business strategy? What are the correct priorities of companies? According to The Age of Agile by Stephen Denning, companies can only thrive if they set the correct priorities and goals in response to economic challenges, which allows them to make swift changes as necessary. He covers three things companies should prioritize with an agile strategy: customers, the future, and continued innovation. Below we’ll break down the agile business strategy with three principles.
Why is it important to prioritize customer needs? What information is required to satisfy customers? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that the customer should be the company’s highest priority, not shareholders. Additionally, firms should focus on delivering value that excites their users. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of putting the customer first.
Is research and development important for every business? How much should you spend on these ventures? To create products and services that fulfill future demand, companies must continuously innovate. Therefore, Stephen Denning argues in The Age of Agile, companies must invest heavily in building capacity for research, development, and production. Here’s more on why every company should invest in research and development that’s beneficial to their strategy.
How can you apply agile management to your business plan? How can managers encourage a collaborative work environment? In The Age of Agile, Stephen Denning argues that to thrive, companies must ensure their management is as agile as their strategy. Denning highlights three important principles of agile management: small, self-managing, multi-disciplinary teams; networked coordination between these teams; and guidance from upper management. Let’s explore each of these practices below.