Beyond good intentions.
9/4/2001
Good intentions don't suffice in business, of course, and results are always what matter. To help identify which managerial habits matter most for best results, the authors—both are professors of management, Longenecker at the University of Toledo and Simonetti at the University of Michigan—surveyed 1,600 managers and conducted interviews with another 400. The five "absolutes" that sprang from that process sound simple enough, from "focus on the purpose of your organization" through "keep the piano in tune: practice continuous renewal." The trick, is to practice all five absolutes in tandem. The book is valuable for its down-to-earth approach, as well as its short case studies, self-assessment exercises, and smart advice.