Synopses & Reviews
On the one hand we aren’t surprised by the uncertainty of everyday life, but on the other we believe that success can be analyzed and planned for. It is a revealing paradox. The implications are explosive and they obliterate every common-sense notion we have about strategy and planning. The Click Moment is about two very simple but highly provocative ideas. The first is that success is random—far more random than we would like to believe. The second is that there are a number of specific actions that we, as individuals and organizations, can take to capture this randomness and focus it in our favor. According to Johansson, strategy, planning, and careful analysis can no longer guarantee strong performance; today’s business environments are far too random and complicated. But when you dig deep into the actions of successful people and organizations, you’ll find one common theme. A turning point occurs—a major client signs on, a new competitor redefines the market, an unlikely idea surfaces—and they take advantage of that serendipity to change their fate. Consider how . . .
- Diane von Furstenberg saw Julie Nixon Eisenhower on TV wearing a matching skirt and top, and the timeless, elegant wrap-dress was born.
- Microsoft Windows was on the brink of being shut down until two individuals met unexpectedly at a party and altered the fate of the world’s dominant computer operating system.
- Starbucks sold high-end brewing equipment and coffee by the pound until Howard Schultz experienced his first latte in a café in Milan.
- Nike was stumped on how to invent a spikeless trainer when a legendary running coach poured latex on a waffle iron.
Each of these individuals experienced a “click moment”—a rare point of opportunity that was completely unexpected. But they capitalized on their luck in ways that paid off significantly and altered their organizations’ strategies and the course of their lives. Johansson uses stories of successful people and companies throughout history to illustrate the specific actions we can take to create more click moments, place lots of high-potential bets, open ourselves up to chance encounters, and harness the complex forces of success that follow.
Review
“With his characteristic clarity, insight, and style, Frans Johansson presents an absorbing account of how randomness, serendipity, and ‘luck can be used to enhance success in business and in your own life.”
—Sir Ken Robinson, author of The Element
Review
“In a world where random events increasingly rule our destinies, forget logic. Invite chance, then maximize it. With highly engaging and entertaining style, Frans Johansson shows us how.”—Peter Sims, author of Little Bets “Johansson wonderfully captures the strategy of any startup . . . maximizing click moments and, through them, ideas that change the world forever.”—Eric Klinker, CEO of BitTorrent “Frans Johansson is both a master storyteller and one of the most innovative thinkers I know. The Click Moment begins as a shocker, showing that we can’t really predict much in a world that is becoming increasingly complex. Then, after shattering our illusions of control, Johansson gives us powerful tools for placing good bets in business, in everyday life, and even in love.”—Teresa Amabile, Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School, and coauthor of The Progress Principle “With his characteristic clarity, insight, and style, Frans Johansson presents an absorbing account of how randomness, serendipity, and “luck” can be used to enhance success in business and in your own life. A fascinating plunge into the rip tides and cross currents of chance and opportunity that so often affect the course of human achievement.”—Sir Ken Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of The Element “There are very few moments that change the direction of our lives, organizations, and even entire nations. Frans Johansson has created another amazingly practical book that shows us, in a natural, fast-paced, and enjoyable way, how to not only create more of these moments but also how to harness them.”—Dr. Jamil Mahuad, former mayor of Quito and president of Ecuador, cofounder of the Harvard International Negotiation Program “We live in a world where we always want to stay connected and in control, and The Click Moment reveals how this mind-set is stifling innovation. Frans Johansson shows the reader not only how to capture inspiration but to change the world.”—Marcus Samuelsson, chef; owner of Red Rooster; author of Yes, Chef; and cofounder of FoodRepublic.com
Synopsis
In the story of every great company and career, there is one defining moment when luck and skill collide. This book is about making that moment happen.
According to Frans Johanssons research, successful people and organizations show a common theme. A lucky moment occurs and they take advantage of it to change their fate. Consider how Diane von Furstenberg saw Julie Nixon Eisenhower on TV wearing a matching skirt and top, and created the timeless, elegant wrap-dress.
That was a click moment” of unexpected opportunity. Johansson uses stories from throughout history to illustrate the specific actions we can take to create more click moments, place lots of high-potential bets, open ourselves up to chance encounters, and harness the complex forces of success that follow.
About the Author
Frans Johansson is the bestselling author of The Medici Effect. Raised in Sweden by his African American/Cherokee mother and Swedish father, he now speaks to audiences worldwide, from the boardrooms of America’s largest corporations to villages in developing countries. He has founded a software start-up, a health-care firm, a hedge fund, and the innovation firm the Medici Group. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Visit www.themedicigroup.com