The World's Best Book Summaries
What was samurai culture like? What aspects of it should be applied to organizational culture? Ben Horowitz believes business leaders should follow the samurai’s example of intentionally defining foundational beliefs coupled with instructions for everyday behavior. We’ll explore Horowitz’s four lessons from the samurai honor code as well as examples from the business world. Keep reading for details on these actionable values from samurai culture.
What does genchi genbutsu mean? How does Toyota use this concept to fix problems during manufacturing? Genchi genbutsu is the Japanese concept of going to the site of the problem to figure out how to fix it. At Toyota, genchi genbutsu is an important principle to follow. Learn more about how Toyota encourages the genchi genbutsu principle, according to Jeffrey Liker’s book The Toyota Way.
Are small teams more or less effective than larger teams? What are the benefits of working in small teams? Management expert and creator of the Scrum method, Jeff Sutherland, says that working in small teams is more efficient than in large teams—he says that the ideal team size is five to nine people. Small teams promote communication, expand roles, and increase efficiency. Here’s a look at the benefits of small teams.
What do successful cultures have in common? What should you make sure is built into your organization’s culture? Businessman and author Ben Horowitz argues that you must cultivate two core elements of organizational culture if you want to succeed. All intentional cultures encompass the strengths of the leader and they undergird the organization’s strategy. Read more to learn about these two elements.
What is Toyota’s “Respect for People” principle? How does Toyota treat its employees and supply chain partners? Toyota’s principle, “Respect for People,” is one of the two pillars of the Toyota Way. Jeffrey Liker, in his book The Toyota Way, illustrates how Toyota encourages this principle to build a better company. Read more on Toyota’s respect for people, most importantly its employees and supply chain partners.
Are you worried that your business could suffer from talent shortages in the future? What precautions can you take to prepare for potential staffing shortages? Talent shortages are sometimes unavoidable—especially in today’s world. If you’re not prepared, then losing employees could leave your business vulnerable. Here’s a look at the risks that come with talent shortages and how to mitigate them.
How much does your organization’s culture matter? Can it actually determine whether you succeed or fail? Ben Horowitz argues that organizational culture is paramount to success. He believes that the right culture will boost your business in three ways: by serving the vision, by providing a common purpose, and by combining with a product or service in a way that creates a huge impact. Keep reading to learn why organizational culture is important.
Are you in charge of hiring new employees at work? How do you know you’re hiring the right person for the job? In their book Execution, business leaders Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan provide three steps for choosing the right employee. They also explain how to retain your employees after hiring them by supporting their development. Keep reading to learn how to choose and retain good employees.
What does organizational culture mean? It is something the employees say or something they do? The title of the book, What You Do Is Who You Are, stresses that actions define a culture. Author Ben Horowitz explains how leaders shape organizational culture, and he offers insights into what culture is not. Keep reading to understand Horowitz’s definition of organizational culture.
What are the Scrum roles and responsibilities? How do the three roles work together to make an efficient team? In his book Scrum, Jeff Sutherland details the three roles within a Scrum team. The roles are product manager, Scrum coach, and developer. Here’s how the roles work together to create an efficient and flexible team.