Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done

I love business books that give you practical advice from real life experience, not just theory based, and this is one of the few. It was written for Top-Level managers, but it's very easy read nonetheless.

I've read a lot of business books and have found they all fall into one of three categories; 1) useful, 2) interesting, 3) interesting and useful. What's unusual about Execution is that it's not only interesting and useful, but it falls into that category despite being written by people whose business experience is on an entirely different level than my own in that they...more

I've read a lot of business books and have found they all fall into one of three categories; 1) useful, 2) interesting, 3) interesting and useful. What's unusual about Execution is that it's not only interesting and useful, but it falls into that category despite being written by people whose business experience is on an entirely different level than my own in that they are "big business" guys and I'm a small business entrepreneur. However, the book contains many principles in it that are applicable to any business, no matter the size or model, and in fact the book is highly applicable outside the business realm. What I especially liked about the book is that it gives you the fly-on-the-wall perspective of what it's like to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 business. If you've ever wondered what it's like to run a huge company this gives you a great perspective. If I ever end up running a large company or the department of one, this is going to be the first book I'll re-read.   hide

The book that shows how to get the job done and deliver results, whether you're running an entire company or in your first management job. Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan togethere they've pooled their knowledge and experience into the one book on how to close the gap between results promised and results delivered that people in business need today. They resulted from the consistent...more

The book that shows how to get the job done and deliver results, whether you're running an entire company or in your first management job. Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan togethere they've pooled their knowledge and experience into the one book on how to close the gap between results promised and results delivered that people in business need today. They resulted from the consistent practice of the discipline of execution; understanding how to link together people, strategy, and operations, the 3 core processes of every business. Leading these processes is the real job of running a business, not formulating a "vision" and leaving the work of carrying it out to others. This book show the inportance of being deeply and passionately engaged in an organization and why robust dialogues about people, strategy and operation result in a business based on intellectual honesty and realism. The leader most important job - selecting and appraising people - is one that should never be delegated. As CEO personally makes the calls to check references for key hires. Why? With the right people in the right jobs, there's a leadership gene pool that conceives and selects strategies that can be executed. People then work together to create a strategy building block by building block, a strategy in sync with the realities of the marketplace, the economy, and the competition. Once the right people and strategy are in place, they are then linked to an operating process that results in the implementation of specific programs and actions and that assigns accountability. This kind of effective operating process goes way beyond the typical budget exercise that looks into a rear view mirror to set its goals. It puts reality behind the numbers and is where the rubber meets the road.   hide

Sound,practical, advice on how to make things happen in business, must read for any CEO, manager, business owner.

Good framework for thinking about how to run a large organization

This is a book for senior management or those aspiring to senior management. How to organize and mobilize large groups of people to create nerw things and to improve operations. Focus on three core areas: Strategy (including budget to fund goals), People (including significant effort in meaningful evaluation resulting in accountability) and operations (including measurement...more

This is a book for senior management or those aspiring to senior management. How to organize and mobilize large groups of people to create nerw things and to improve operations. Focus on three core areas: Strategy (including budget to fund goals), People (including significant effort in meaningful evaluation resulting in accountability) and operations (including measurement and tie back to the stratgeic goals and evaluation). Highly recommended as an overview and reminder of what is important.   hide

Yeah, you know, I think it was a pretty good read. The organization of the book felt a little off, but it offered some pretty good ideas.

Must for managers and business leaders

Great book for whatever business your in. Talks about the importance of goals, prioritization, process and the monitoring of milestones within the process so you'll be on track to hit your goals. If you run a program at work or own your own business, you must have this book. Breaking ideas and goals down into tangible and attainable objectives is a failing in many businesses.