Visions are a dime a dozen. What separates great companies from mediocre companies is the ability to not only have a vision but to clearly communicate the mission, set a viable strategy and execute to plan. This collection shows you how some of the world’s best business leaders have mastered these skills.
Vision
If You’re Going To Lead, Trust Your Judgment – Howard Lester, Williams-Sonoma
Engage, Empower And Excite Your People – William Johnson, H.J. Heinz Company
Thinking About The Interests Of The Whole Company – Mark Gerzon, Mediators Foundation
Collaborating With Partners To Scale – Manoj Kohli, Bharti Airtel Limited
Having A Long-Term Vision – Lord Karan Bilimoria, Cobra Beer
You Can’t Delegate Vision And Values To A Committee – Paul Anderson, Spectra Energy
Articulating An Environmental Vision – Ray Anderson, Interface Inc.
Delivering On A Bold Vision – Dame Barbara Stocking, Oxfam GB
Partnership Fatigue In The Public Sector – Ann Limb, Ufi
Mission
Mission And Vision – Lord Karan Bilimoria, Cobra Beer
The Creation Of Unipart University – John Neill, Unipart
If You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Worse – David Brandon, Domino's Pizza
Teach Managers How To Think, Not What To Think – Clayton Christensen, Harvard Business School
A Principled Approach To Competition Can Win In The Long Run – Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia, Wikia Foundation
Creating A Business That Is Embedded In The Environment – Alex Smith, Alara
Aligning A Sales Organization – Charles Brewer, DHL
Seek Affirmation From Your Clients Not Your Peers – Karen Kerrigan, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Starting A New Business Within Your Company – Matt Ferguson, CareerBuilder.com
Strategy
Aligning Strategy Across Multiple Business Units – Stuart Grief, Textron
Never Forget The Importance Of Details – JW Marriott, Jr, Marriott International, Inc.
The Value Of Setting A Long-Term Strategy – Anders Dahlvig, Ikea Services
Communicate Your Strategy Clearly – Sanjiv Ahuja, Augere
Watch Your Competitors And Challenge Your Strategy – Philip Kotler, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
The Timing Of Strategic Decisions – Robert Johnson, Black Entertainment Television
Finding The Flowers Amongst The Weeds – Lynda Gratton, London Business School
Profiting From Evidence-Based Management – Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
Find A Clarity Of Purpose And Strategy – Andrew Robertson, BBDO Worldwide
The Counter-Intuitive Strategy – William Johnson, H.J. Heinz Company
Always Have A Game Plan – Leonard Wheeler, Wheeler Enterprises Inc.
How Strategy Evolves In A Large Organization – Michael Dell, Dell, Inc.
Matching People To Strategy – Domenico De Sole, Gucci Group
Execution
You Need Clarity And Commitment To Execute – Liam McGee, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Execution – Domenico De Sole, Gucci Group
Strategy Doesn’t Compensate For Poor Execution – Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon
Seek Simplicity And You’ll Get It – Sir Gerry Robinson, Allied Domecq
Bridging The Knowing-Doing Gap – Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
Setting Clear And Achievable Goals – Roger Parry, Clear Channel International
You Don’t Need A Formal Position To Make Things Happen – Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business School
Managing Projects – John Stewart, McKinsey & Company
Reduce Complexity, Don’t Analyze It – Stuart Grief, Textron
Stick To Business Principles – John Whybrow, Wolseley
Concentrating On The Core Aspects Of Your Business – Sir Nick Scheele, Ford Motor Company
