cover image Driving Change: How the Best Companies Are Preparing for the 21st Century

Driving Change: How the Best Companies Are Preparing for the 21st Century

Jerry Wind, Yoram J. Wind. Free Press, $27.5 (368pp) ISBN 978-0-684-82744-5

Managers trying to cope with an endlessly changing marketplace will find comfort in this study by University of Pennsylvania Business School professor Wind and freelancer Main, who point out how technology and information are forcing the world to move ever faster, which, they underscore, has always been the case. In today's environment, companies are still learning how to adapt to the steadily shifting landscape dictated by tiny market niches, instantaneous communications and more demanding customers, they stress. Instead of offering a ""silver bullet"" solution, the authors of this often entertaining book present snapshots from the business evolution, focusing on the strategies of such companies as VISA, Hi-Bred, Xerox and AT&T. Pioneer, they show, has created a global net linking its 35,000 consultants; General Electric has instituted the ""work out"" that brings together the staff closest to a particular job to search for a ""better way"" of accomplishing their tasks. The book's approach, which allows readers to find ideas that are likely to work for them and their companies, is useful. (Jan.)