Creating the Innovation Culture : Leveraging Visionaries, Dissenters & Other Useful Troublemakers

Book Description

Why dissenters can be an organization's most valuable asset and how to transform dissent into innovation

Innovation is essential to competitive survival in today's global marketplace. But in the majority of traditional organizations, innovators are perceived as counter-productive dissenters, single-minded troublemakers who are difficult to manage and politically naive. Written by a leading international expert on change management, this groundbreaking book explores the vital link between the need for innovation in the e-business world and the new role of dissenters as agents for constructive change. With the help of numerous case examples and anecdotes, Frances Horibe helps managers appreciate the value that dissent can bring to an organization, and she provides proven strategies and hands-on advice on how to encourage innovation and manage creative dissent, while avoiding paralyzing conflicts. Readers learn about the new role of managers as political handlers who help develop and support new ideas and sell them to senior management, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Many Minds Are Better Than One !.......2006-03-14

This is a great book for the times as it exposes bare the efficiency/innovation dichotomy as the necessary yin/yang of organizational life. Innovators are often viewed derogatorily as dissenters. These 'dissenters' are culled from a larger group of 'complainers'. They are in fact quite valuable to the company if handled right. Corporte cultures rife with their emphasis mainly on 'best methods' have supressed the innovators of tomorrow's ideas. Unfortunately this suppression drives the innovator 'underground'. Underground dissension causes many problems in the corporate culture, the worst of these being whistle-blowing.

This book covers in detail the innovation killers. The types and characteristics of dissenters. How to be a 'political handler' of dissenters. How to coach dissenters. How to actively foster dissent and innovation. New concepts that enable this movement. How to surface existing dissent. How to manage the dissenter.

Remember that 7 out of 10 employees surveyed said they would not correct their boss even when they new he/she was wrong.

Five Stars

Managing creative dissenters.......2003-02-19

This is another example of the material for an excellent article expanded into a book that is best skimmed rather than read in depth. The thesis is simple - good innovation relies on people who are not committed to the status quo. The advice on how to handle dissenters from the status quo who have original minds is sound but sometimes a bit tedious and obvious. However, we need to remember Tom Peters dictum 'Obviously, the obvious is not so obvious', as Horibe demonstrates how often corporations shoot themselves in the foot.

The author's starting point is the vital necessity of innovation to the health and survival of corporations and the fact that innovation - good ideas carried through to market success - is typically disruptive to existing business and typically driven by people who are not wedded to the corporate status quo. Senior executives and the corporate structure itself on the other hand, tend consciously or unconsciously to make life difficult for these dissenting innovators. The book is about relationships between the dissenters and the corporate 'establishment' and how these relationships can be managed productively.

She points out the critical difference between continuous improvement and true innovation, which is frequently disruptive. Neither the drive for efficiency nor the trend to team working contribute directly to innovation in the wider sense and both may in fact work against it. She builds the case that it is dissenting individuals who have the vision and the passion to carry genuinely new ideas through to market success, but that typically in a large corporation they do not have the power to do so.

The core of the book is devoted to an analysis of the nature of dissent, how it is typically suppressed and what is needed for the management of an organization to recognize, support and encourage potentially productive dissent, while also maintaining sensible boundaries of authority.

Each chapter ends with a summary and statement of key points. My advice is to start with these and, if they are not obvious to you or you want further explanation, go back to the main text. The points made are well set out and logically developed, but I found the explanations and illustrations unnecessarily long-winded.

Managing dissenters is, of course, only one aspect - an important one - of the complex question of how to build and maintain a successful strategy of continuous innovation, supported by culture of innovation. A listing of books on the subject can be found on my site.

Book Description

Improve communication, resolve conflicts, and avoid the most common conversational disasters through simple, easily remembered strategies that deflect and redirect negative behaviour.

Verbal Judo is the martial art of the mind and mouth that can show you how to be better prepared in every verbal encounter. Listen and speak more effectively, engage people through empathy (the most powerful word in the English language), avoid the most common conversational disasters, and use proven strategies that allow you to successfully communicate your point of view and take the upper hand in most disputes.

Customer Reviews:

A must for anyone who deals with difficult people.......2007-08-15

I am an acoustical and systems design consultant, and prior to that have held jobs in sound contracting and public assembly facility technical operations for a total of approximately 25 years. As anybody who has worked in the entertainment, performing arts, hospitality, or religious world can attest, I come into contact with more than my fair share of difficult people and tense situations.

This book and the courses authorized or taught by its author were highly recommended to me approximately 15 years ago by a police lieutenant who gave a guest lecture in a criminology class I was taking in college. This same officer also mentioned the book at an in-house training event at the university sports/concert arena where I worked at the time. It is with no small amount of embarrassment that I must report that it took me until last year to "get around to" buying and reading this book. I certainly could have used its advice, even years before it was written!

Suffice it to say that Verbal Judo is the type of book that is enlightening upon the initial read-through, but whose true value only comes from steady effort to change one's behaviors from long-held bad habits. I believe learning would be far more effective with ongoing practice and coaching, just as with a physical martial art. However, until such a dojo opens its doors in my fair city, I shall have to make do with re-reading the book and discussing its application with others who have been similarly blessed by its wisdom.

Outstanding book and program.......2007-07-16

We are taught Verbal Judo in my line of work. It's an outstanding program. The book goes into how the program originated and explains it in detail. If you're into law enforcement, security or EMS this book should be mandatory reading.

A must read for all Law Enforcement........2007-06-19

I have heard the term "verbal judo" tossed around at work since first becoming a Deputy Sheriff with a metro Atlanta Sheriff's Office almost a year ago. For a few years verbal judo was taught to all new deputies but apparently our department let our certification lapse and as such when I joined it had ceased to be taught.

Well I want to be the best deputy that I can be and thus I went and ordered this book. I couldn't put it down! I carried it with me while I worked at the jail and read it in my office on my down time. In two days I finished the book and felt like I had a new weapon to add to my arsenal when dealing with people.

I liked the book so much, I actually loaned it to another deputy on my shift and like wise he couldn't put it down. Another deputy saw him reading the book, asked him where he got and she then proceed to track me down and ask if she could borrow the book next.

The books made me rethink all the altercations I have had at the jail and even in life. How I could have handle things better. As I prepare to go to academy in September and then shortly afterwards, the road, I feel that by taking the time to educate myself on this vital concept, I have greatly helped prepare myself for not only the road but for life itself.

THIS BOOK REALLY,REALLY, SUCKS!!!.......2007-06-06

THIS BOOK TITLE IS VERY MISLEADING..IT DOESN'T GIVE THE TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE IT IMPLIES..IF YOU WANT ANY TYPE OF SKILL, IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATION OR OTHERWISE, THE 48 LAWS OF POWER HAS IT! AS DOES ALL OF ROBERT GREENES OTHER BOOKS..THAT IS AN AUTHOR THAT DOESN'T FALSE ADVERTISE! HE TEACHES EXACTLY WHAT HE CLAIMS AND MUCH MORE!CHECK HIM OUT.THE ART OF SEDUCTION BY GREENE IS ALSO MUCH MORE HELPFUL IN VERBAL SITUATIONS, THOUGH NOT AS MUCH AS HIS OTHER TWO BOOKS.BUYING HIS THREE DEFINITELY WON'T DISAPPOINT

The 48 Laws of Power

Very good book.......2007-05-24

I found this book very interesting and useful.
I wish only not to forget to refresh verbal judo guidelines - I tend
to return to my old , not sophisticated ways of dealing with difficult people..
The idea of "Verbal Judo" makes all the ideas in this book memorable
and significant . Good attitude and wise form of presentation.
I really thank the author for this remarkable book

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion

Average customer rating:

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion
George Thompson
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OES6BW

Book Description

If you dream of starting a business, but fear that without an MBA you'll get lost in the maze of government red tape, here's the handbook you need.

Step-by-step, The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California outlines how to set up a small business in the Golden State quickly and easily, pointing out the hurdles, fees and forms along the way.

In language that is clear, readable and straight to the point, the book explains how to:

* choose the best business structure
* write an effective business plan
* file the right forms in the right place
* be prepared for, and file, the required taxes
* acquire good bookkeeping and accounting habits

The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California comes with all the forms you need as tear-outs and on CD-ROM.

Download Description

"If you dream of starting a business, but fear that without an MBA you'll get lost in the maze of government red tape, here's the handbook you need. Step-by-step, The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California outlines how to set up your enterprise in the Golden State quickly and easily, pointing out the hurdles, fees and forms along the way. Clear and straight to the point, the book explains how to: choose the best business structure write an effective business plan file the right forms in the right place be prepared for, and file, the required taxes acquire good bookkeeping and accounting habits The 5th edition reflects the latest legal and tax changes. It also provides a completely revised chapter on risk management and insurance, plus a new chapter on pricing, bidding and billing. "

Customer Reviews:

It had all you needs.......2007-01-10

simple and clean, rather go through all of the sites to search what you actually need to register your company, this book guide you through that. also, book v.s. web sites, the book gives you more insight to cross comparison on all the legal structures that you need to choose, pros and cons, to make you select what fits you, instead of reading laws on the web only tell you what is LLC and etc. I will keep it although I formed my company after reading this book.

Recommended by small business coach...........2006-12-12

If you are thinking of starting your own business in California, especially if you have never done it before, you will find that this book is worth its weight in gold.

This resource takes the complication out of starting a business, contacting the right agencies and doing things legally. It cuts through a lot of confusion, has an encouraging tone and presents what you need to know in a very logical and easy to understand format.

I often recommend this book to my small business clients and find it to be a useful general reference. It also points to many other good resources and is a good value for such a comprehensive book.

Small Business Start-up Kit.......2006-08-25

It is well written and easy to understand. Not a lot of legal jargon that you have to wade through, but legal nevertheless. I will continue to use it for a reference.
Thank you for such a easy to read and understand book!

Great book.......2005-02-06

This book saved me a lot of money by allowing me to form my own one-owner California corporation. I liked the fact that it explained why it wasn't recommending certain things so that you could decide whether it was worth it to you or not.

The only area that I felt it could have explained things more thoroughly was that while it explained how to issue initial shares, it didn't explain at all how to issue any subsequent shares (e.g., in case your corporation was about to run out of money and you (the owner) wanted to buy more shares to inject more capital). It just said to consult a lawyer. So I had to inject more capital via a loan instead. If it's that complicated, then perhaps the author should warn people to slightly overcapitalize the corporation initially.

excellent for starters.......2002-12-17

This book is easy to read and follow. It has a complete list of things you need to do to set up your own business and some good advices. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:
Start Now. Succeed Later: Making College Count for Career Search Success
Pat O'Brien
Manufacturer: South-Western Educational Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Job Hunting | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0324015402

Book Description

This highly approachable, graphics-intensive book helps students understand what they need to do throughout their college experience to build the skills necessary to ultimately achieve success in the job interview process. Key skills are defined that students should begin building now, through academics, extracurricular activities, and relevant work experience, to maximize their career opportunities. Combining clear and immediate directions on developing these skills with examples and interviews with recruiting executives, this texts gives students the tools to use their college experiences for job success in the future.

Start Now. Succeed Later: Making College Count for Career Search Success

Average customer rating:

Start Now. Succeed Later: Making College Count for Career Search Success
Pat O'Brien
Manufacturer: South-Western Educational Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OU8SDW

Book Description

Requiring only a background in high school algebra, Kaminsky's Financial Literacy: Introduction to the Mathematics of Interest, Annuities, and Insurance uses an innovative approach in order to make today's college student literate in such financial matters as loans, pensions and insurance. Included are hundreds of examples and solved problems, as well as several hundred exercises backed up by a solutions manual.

Solutions Manual for Financial Literacy: Introduction to the Mathematics of Interest, Annuities, and Insurance

Average customer rating:

Solutions Manual for Financial Literacy: Introduction to the Mathematics of Interest, Annuities, and Insurance
Kenneth Kaminsky
Manufacturer: University Press of America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0761826238

Book Description

This manual is to be used in accompaniment with Financial Literacy by Kenneth Kaminsky. Included in Financial Literacy are hundreds of examples and solved problems, as well as several hundred exercises. Solutions Manual for Financial Literacy includes the answers to these exercises.

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