Flip : how to turn everything you know on its head--and succeed beyond your wildest imaginings

Placing emphasis on flexible, counter-intuitive decision-making, a pioneering young management guru calls for a brand new way of doing business in the current sticky economic conditions, where conventional wisdom fails. Why is Microsoft turning a blind eye to software piracy in China? Why has Toyota capped production of the best-selling Scion? Why did Rupert Murdoch risk $580 million on MySpace? "Business today requires new perspectives," argues Peter Sheahan, one of the youngest and fastest-rising international business consultants. In Flip he shows that to succeed in turbulent financial times, companies must distinguish themselves by finding a new way of doing business, one that systematically re-examines every single aspect of running a company. Flip reveals what the superstars of modern business have in common: an ability to "flip" - to think counter-intuitively and then act boldly, with no regard for business-as-usual conventions. The only rule: there are no rules. Those who heed Sheahan's proven advice will be well placed to join other "flipstars" including entrepreneurs Richard Branson and Rupert Murdoch, and such visionary companies as Google, Toyota and Apple. By learning to "flip" you can future-proof your organisation and your career while those who run with the pack and stick to the business school curriculum will find themselves perilously left behind. Presenting perennial wisdom in a fresh new way, Sheahan shows today's decision makers how to embrace change and successfully operate in a challenging economy that runs on new ideas. Flip! (2008)......Page 1 contents......Page 8 introduction: GETTING FLIPPED!......Page 9 01: THE FOUR FORCES OF CHANGE......Page 14 Compression of time......Page 16 Compression of space......Page 19 2. INCREASING COMPLEXITY......Page 21 Rapidly interconnecting networks of ideas and people......Page 22 Disruptive technology......Page 24 Explosion of choice......Page 25 Increased sophistication of technology, systems, and processes......Page 26 Legislation......Page 27 3. INCREASING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY......Page 28 4. RISING EXPECTATIONS......Page 31 FIVE THINGS TO DO NOW......Page 34 02: ACTION CREATES CLARITY......Page 35 STRATEGY ON THE GO!......Page 39 DECISION MAKING ON THE MOVE......Page 48 BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT!......Page 51 AVOIDING REGRET......Page 56 CONFUSION MANAGEMENT......Page 60 EXPERIMENTATION......Page 61 GUERRILLA TACTICS......Page 62 DECIDE ON A TRAJECTORY......Page 64 CONNECT WITH THE FUNDAMENTALS......Page 67 LOOK. LISTEN. AND UNLEARN......Page 68 MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND......Page 71 GO NUTS!......Page 73 RAPIDLY DEVISE SHORT-TERM PLANS......Page 75 CHANGE AND ADAPT......Page 76 03: FAST, GOOD, CHEAP: PICK THREE-THEN ADD SOMETHING EXTRA......Page 79 GREAT YESTERDAY, GOOD TODAY, BAD TOMORROW......Page 84 FAST IS NOT FAST ENOUGH......Page 91 GOOD IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH......Page 95 CHEAP IS NOT CHEAP ENOUGH......Page 98 FAST, GOOD, CHEAP, AND MORE!......Page 103 FIVE THINGS TO DO NOW......Page 104 FAST, GOOD, CHEAP, X-FACTOR: PICK FOUR......Page 105 Fast, good, cheap + green......Page 108 Fast, good, cheap + responsible......Page 114 Fast, good, cheap + beautiful......Page 119 Fast, good, cheap + easy......Page 121 Fast, good, cheap + healthy......Page 127 THE TOTAL OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE......Page 129 THE STORY......Page 138 Detail......Page 141 Characterization......Page 143 Language......Page 146 FUNCTION......Page 147 FORM......Page 151 SERVICE......Page 154 DESIGNING THE TOTAL OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE......Page 157 EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE MUST BUILD THE STORY......Page 160 WHAT'S YOUR STORY?......Page 163 FIVE THINGS TO DO NOW......Page 164 FROM THE INFORMATION AGE TO THE RELATIONSHIP ERA......Page 165 STAFF AND CUSTOMERS: CO-NUMBER ONES......Page 171 GETTING HIT IN THE HEAD WITH A BRIC, OR,GETTING OUTSOURCING RIGHT......Page 174 HIGH-TECH CAN BE HIGHLY PERSONAL: MINING THE POTENTIAL OF NEWCOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES......Page 183 In case you are still not convinced......Page 190 THE REBIRTH OF THE MIDDLEMAN......Page 195 TALENT WANTS TO BE "PERSONALLY" CONNECTED TO THE COMPANIES THEY WORK FOR AND THE PEOPLE THEY WORK WITH......Page 199 RELATIONSHIPS ARE SIMPLE, BUT NOT EASY......Page 200 FIVE THINGS TO DO NOW......Page 203 06: MASS-MARKET SUCCESS: FIND IT ON THE FRINGE......Page 205 FROM THE FRINGE TO THE CENTER......Page 208 OUT ON A LIMB......Page 219 KEEP EXPLORING......Page 225 UNIQUE......Page 228 Ten things to do when you finish this chapter......Page 233 07: TO GET CONTROL, GIVE IT UP......Page 235 Winning through losing......Page 237 FREE MUSIC ANYONE?......Page 243 PROFITS THROUGH PARTICIPATION AND PERSONALIZATION......Page 250 LET THE CUSTOMER PLAY......Page 258 CUSTOMERS WANT WHAT THEY WANT......Page 262 THE TRUE WISDOM OF CROWDS......Page 265 SOME THINGS ARE (STILL) WORTH PAYING FOR......Page 273 INVISIBLE PROFITS: SUCCESS THROUGH CO·OPETITION AND PARTNERSHIP......Page 279 THE ULTIMATE POWER TRIP: LEVERAGING POWER BY SHARING IT......Page 282 Technology can help......Page 283 START HERE......Page 290 FIVE THINGS TO DO NOW......Page 292 conclusion: GET MOVING!......Page 293 acknowledgments......Page 296 notes......Page 298 index......Page 304 Emphasizing flexible, counterintuitive decision making, Flip calls for a new way of doing business in an economy where conventional wisdom won't get you anywhere"Business today requires new perspectives"—this is how Peter Sheahan, one of the youngest and fastest-rising stars on the international consulting and speaking circuit, begins this essential guidebook for succeeding in the twenty-first century. Sheahan reveals how the world's most effective organizations and individuals distinguish themselves from the competition, instead of running with the pack.In Flip he uncovers what the superstars of modern business have in common: an ability to "flip"—to think counterintuitively and then act boldly, with no regard for "business as usual" conventions. Sheahan explores six major flips: Action Creates Clarity—to move forward you must act in spite of ambiguity. Your action will create the clarity you're looking for.To keep pace with rising expectations, you can't just be fast, good, or cheap. Instead you must recognize that Fast, Good, Cheap: Pick Three–Then Add Something Extra has become the new standard in every industry.To develop competitive advantage, you must Absolutely, Positively Sweat the Small Stuff.To satisfy customers' needs for engagement and contact—spiritual, emotional, physical—remember that it's not just business, Business Is Personal.To win mass-market success, Find It on the Fringe. The way to separate yourself from the competitive herd is to be courageous and create new market space.To Get Control, Give It Up. You cannot command and control customers or the talented staff needed to reach them. Instead you must empower others to create, dream, and believe for you.Sheahan teaches today's decision makers how to embrace change and successfully operate in an economy that runs on new ideas. Those who take on these lessons will be in position to join other "flipstars" such as Richard Branson, Google, Toyota, Rupert Murdoch, and Apple.Stick to what you learned in business school at your peril... The small-world economy calls for a new way of doing business. It calls for Flip. Emphasizing flexible, counterintuitive decision making, Flip calls for a new way of doing business in an economy where conventional wisdom won't get you anywhere "Business today requires new perspectives"this is how Peter Sheahan, one of the youngest and fastest-rising stars on the international consulting and speaking circuit, begins this essential guidebook for succeeding in the twenty-first century. Sheahan reveals how the world's most effective organizations and individuals distinguish themselves from the competition, instead of running with the pack. In Flip he uncovers what the superstars of modern business have in an ability to "flip"to think counterintuitively and then act boldly, with no regard for "business as usual" conventions. Sheahan explores six major Sheahan teaches today's decision makers how to embrace change and successfully operate in an economy that runs on new ideas. Those who take on these lessons will be in position to join other "flipstars" such as Richard Branson, Google, Toyota, Rupert Murdoch, and Apple. Stick to what you learned in business school at your peril. . . . The small-world economy calls for a new way of doing business. It calls for Flip . The four forces of change Fast, good, cheap: pick three then add something extra Absolutely, positively sweat the small stuff Business is personal Mass market success: find it on the fringe To get control, give it up Action creates clarity. Offers suggestions on how to incorporate flexible, counterintuitive decision-making practices in order to become profitable in a global economy, citing the examples of such corporations as Google, Toyota, and Apple