Synopses & Reviews
In his latest work, Robert-Baldock continues in his visionary vein to tackle the problems, challenges and opportunities that the year 2000 onwards will bring for the old-style 'giants' of the last century. Robert Baldock's focus is on the problems facing big business, especially if they stand still instead of moving with, and even ahead of, the times. The greatest threats to the so-called 'giants' can come from the most unexpected quarters. Suddenly a small, independent company from the other side of the world can, without warning, take large chunks of your market share. They can do this because they are quicker of thought, more flexible in attitude and more closely attuned to the real needs of their customers than you are. Indeed, the very definition of what it means to be big is rapidly changing. So what, if anything, can you do about it? Robert Baldock calmly looks at the ways in which you can change the nature of your business so that you can begin the 21st century on at least an equal footing with your hungry, determined competitors. This includes looking at the nature of what you offer to your customers, the relationship you have with your customers, and the level to which you should continue trying to do everything internally against the option of outsourcing. The author gives us the mental model of a three-dimensional cube to visualise when thinking about the kinds of things we should be doing. The book can be read from either perspective, whether you are 'large' or 'small'. The 21st century will be characterised by more questions than there are answers, but through gripping narrative, superb examples and visionary insight, this book will set your synapses sparking about the way to survive and flourish in the 21st century.
Review
"Book of the week, "The author's blueprint deserves serious study."" - The Independent
"Baldock's framework is a simple, easy to follow three-step process. This book is ideal for managers who are ready to absorb some very compelling concepts..." - E Business
"Last Day's of the Giants is an easy read, short and easy to follow. It would make an excellent purchase for a long flight. It is topical. Buy it to read in the next six months....." - Strategy
"An insightful new book designed to be a blueprint for succeeding in the 21st century. With an innovative new organisational model and superb examples." - EuroBusiness
Synopsis
An international visionary shows big companies how to think "small" in a global marketplace.
Synopsis
Geht man von der neuesten Welle von Fusionen, Akquisitionen und strategischen Allianzen aus, k nnte man meinen, da die Zukunft den Riesen-Unternehmen geh rt. Nach Unternehmensvision r Robert Baldock mu das nicht notwendigerweise der Fall sein. In diesem provozierenden und zum Nachdenken anregenden Buch erkl rt er, warum die Riesen in den kommenden Jahren lernen m ssen, wie ihre kleinen, schnelleren und flexibleren Konkurrenten zu agieren, wenn sie nicht ganz schnell f r immer von der Bildfl che verschwinden wollen. Aber Baldock theoretisiert nicht nur ber die Herausforderungen des neuen Jahrtausends, er bereitet Manager mit einem detaillierten Aktionsplan auf diese neuen Wettbewerbssituationen vor. Er entwickelt ein neues Unternehmensmodell und beschreibt die einzelnen Schritte f r die erfolgreiche Umwandlung eines schwerf lligen, umsatzorientierten Riesen in ein wendiges, kundenorientiertes Unternehmen, das sich im Nu an ver nderte Marktbedingungen anpassen kann.
Synopsis
The Last Days of the Giants? A Route Map for Big Business Survival "Somewhere out there is a bullet with your company's name on it. Somewhere out there is a competitor, unborn and unknown, that will render your business model obsolete. Bill Gates knows that. When he says that Microsoft is always two years away from failure, he's not just blowing smoke. The hottest and most dangerous new business models out there are on the Web". Gary Hamel, Fortune Magazine. 1998 If you can positively identify with any of the following statements:
* Current mergers and acquisitions activity will continue unabated well into the 21st century
* Flashy internet start-ups cannot threaten our core activities built up over years of careful planning, research, branding and marketing
* Our sheer size will protect us from the unpredictability of the next few years
* We will manage our customers; they will not manage us
* The government will always have the best interests of big business at heart
* A long-term focus is the key to success
* We do not see the value of outsourcing
* Just because we are big, it doesn't mean we cannot move quickly
then you and your company may be in very serious trouble. Read Robert Baldock's survival guide for giants, before it's too late. "An intriguling perspective on the 'current future' of global business that few of today's giant corporations can afford to ignore". Dr Paul Taffinder, author of the acclaimed Big Change; winner of the 1999 MCA Business Management book of the year.
Synopsis
then you and your company may be in very serious trouble. Read Robert Baldock's survival guide for giants, before it's too late. An intriguling perspective on the 'current future' of global business that few of today's giant corporations can afford to ignore. Dr Paul Taffinder, author of the acclaimed Big Change; winner of the 1999 MCA Business Management book of the year.
Synopsis
Robert Baldock started this book as a global managing partner with Andersen Consulting, responsible for leading Andersen's efforts in eCommerce, Customer Relationship Management and Mergers and Acquisitions within the Financial Services Industry - a $900m global business. By the time this book is written, Robert Baldock will be Group Chief Executive of a set of ventures branded under 'time2', concerned with helping people save time and improve their quality of life. At Andersen, Robert Baldock built up a reputation for being a thought leader and innovator. He was responsible for leading a group of partners in Andersen's global financial services practice in developing a set of scenarios for the future of the financial services industry. Robert also led another initiative to look at the future shape of the consumer serving industries. This initiative led him to produce his first book - Destination Z: The History of the Future (Wiley). This (second) book was born out of another piece of work that the author initiated, to explore what the giant corporations of the world have to do if they are to survive and prosper in the 21st century. Robert is a regular speaker at conferences, and has written many papers and articles for national and international papers and publications. He is married with two children and in his spare time his main passion is Formula 1 motor racing and cars in general. He is Chairman of the UK Motorsport Industry Association, the trade body representing British Motorsport.
Table of Contents
Giants Rule, OK?
The Threat to the Giants.
The Cube Route to Survival.
Dimension One -
Changing Offerings.
Dimension Two -
The Customer as Dictator.
Dimension Three -
Stop Doing Everything.
The Journeys Ahead.
Conclusion.
Index.