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 jo...
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reviews
Oct 20, 2010
David
rated it: 
A former manager of mine once told me to read this book. That was back in 2007. It took me until now to read it, but now I understand why he had such high praise for the book.
Execution in it's simplest sense is to: get things done. Period. But it's more complex than those 3 words might suggest. It's about getting the right people in place, building a strategy around the resources available, and finally implementing the strategy, linking the strategy with people.
As with many More...
Execution in it's simplest sense is to: get things done. Period. But it's more complex than those 3 words might suggest. It's about getting the right people in place, building a strategy around the resources available, and finally implementing the strategy, linking the strategy with people.
As with many More...
Jan 18, 2012
Lowell
rated it:
A very solid, important book in understanding the difference between "wanting" to do something and actually "doing" it. So many of us talk a good game about what we want to do, and then fail terribly at accomplishing our goal, while trying to rationalize our failure so that we feel good. And as somebody wisely said: "Rationalization is logic through self-deception." I've read this book twice, and it has provided great motivation to me over the past few years.
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Mar 08, 2010
Tim
rated it: 
There were some good things to think about as far as open and honest feedback from reviews and assessment. There were also some good points on when to take coaching opportunities. Most of the book was about setting expectations and following through by holding people accountable. There is a lot of emphasis on scrutinizing the business plans of underlings and driving out the specific actions to see if they have actually thought about it or just made up numbers to meet their performance objecti
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May 16, 2011
Dharwiyanti
rated it:
A bit lengthy written with two main messages:
1. As a CEO or a leader at the top level management, it is wrong to only focus on the planning or big pictures. The 'modern'
style of managing is to also make sure how to get the things done. Do not blame the staffs if execution goes wrong.
2. To do point 1 above, make sure you hire good people that are entitled to get things done. To do so, you have to use all channels of reference checking, contact people that know your More...
1. As a CEO or a leader at the top level management, it is wrong to only focus on the planning or big pictures. The 'modern'
style of managing is to also make sure how to get the things done. Do not blame the staffs if execution goes wrong.
2. To do point 1 above, make sure you hire good people that are entitled to get things done. To do so, you have to use all channels of reference checking, contact people that know your More...
Dec 23, 2010
Nirav
rated it: 
this is a good book for all management people.
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May 31, 2011
Thomas
rated it: 
I might have missed the point of this book, but what I came away with was:
- This is a book based in a different time and while execution is as fundamental to business success the "incarnation" in this book and its implementation is obsolete.
- It's hard to take it too seriously when statements that are key to the message of the book are based upon bad data.
- Most of what's usable in this book is just "re-branded" common sense. While they are good reminders they More...
- This is a book based in a different time and while execution is as fundamental to business success the "incarnation" in this book and its implementation is obsolete.
- It's hard to take it too seriously when statements that are key to the message of the book are based upon bad data.
- Most of what's usable in this book is just "re-branded" common sense. While they are good reminders they More...
Jan 01, 2012
Lumpenprole
rated it:
A rambling mess that seemed to have never crossed an editor's desk, this book read as though it was literally spoken into a tape recorder, transcribed and then published. As to its subject matter: I cannot think of one bromide the "authors" managed to leave out, particularly of the tautological sort. You hire good people by....hiring good people, you build good products by....building good products. Wow.
I finally tossed this sucker aside after about the 84,000th mention of More...
I finally tossed this sucker aside after about the 84,000th mention of More...
Nov 28, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
This book is valuable to individuals and is even more value to senior leadership in organizations. I enjoyed considering the key difference between what behaviors successful companies exude. Also, I strongly agree that a culture of execution normally separates industry leaders from other companies. Here is my personal review of this book.
“Execution is a systematic process of rigorously discussing hows and whats, questioning, tenaciously following through, and ensuring accountabi More...
“Execution is a systematic process of rigorously discussing hows and whats, questioning, tenaciously following through, and ensuring accountabi More...
Feb 10, 2011
Nathan
rated it: 
I thought this read was refreshing in comparison with all of the other business books I've read. My only complaint is that corporate executives or very senior management are the intended audience. Insightful information regarding managing large groups of people, resources, and funds in a realistic way... that's not to say that it's unvaluable. Plenty of useful and applicable points. At a minimum, you can liken this book to the "energy" music people listen to while they're working o
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Apr 07, 2009
Curt
rated it:
You know what? Despite all the hoopla I thought this book was average. It could be summarized like this: "Have goals. Check up on people. Git-R-Done!"
And that's all fine, as far as it goes. But like most business books it's just a bunch of stories and isn't really scientific or actionable.
And that's all fine, as far as it goes. But like most business books it's just a bunch of stories and isn't really scientific or actionable.
Jan 03, 2009
Mark
rated it:
I generally dislike "business books," and regularly counsel the businesspeople I work with to read just about anything *but* business books. However, EXECUTION is one business book I do like. It's direct and relevant, not overly jargon-laden, and offers useful ideas on how to engage people and organizations to define and execute plans. The fact that the book was co-written by an academic and a (former) practicing CEO may be a key to the book's success.
May 18, 2009
Travis
rated it:
It failed to execute. I could not finish the book. I could not listen to more than one CD. I got so tired of hearing execution is about getting this done. They seemed to refuse to want to tell you how to get things done. They could not execute on their point.
Dec 11, 2008
Christine
rated it:
Charan's book includes a myrid of stories and examples of failures and trumphs of American companies. The content is very dry with a simple message. Hire strong qualified people and a formulate a clear vision and your company/organization will suceed.
May 25, 2011
Mark
rated it:
This book was recommended to me by a director at work.
It presents ideas and provides examples of the ideas being implemented and examples of the ideas having failed execution. I look forward to finishing this book and using the ideas at work.
It presents ideas and provides examples of the ideas being implemented and examples of the ideas having failed execution. I look forward to finishing this book and using the ideas at work.
Apr 18, 2010
sima
rated it:
It's a good skim. Feels like a business school course with case studies. Some themes stuck more than others. I think it's best read with experience that that can frame the studies presented. Def a read that will provide more as time goes on.
Mar 21, 2009
Karl
rated it:
This was a fine read but is mostly meant to target either fledgling leaders just entering a corporate executive position or one who is currently serving in such a capacity.
It has quite a lot of insightful information regarding management of large sets of people, resources, and funds in an efficient and realistic way. The information is, however, really only applicable if you are in a management position at a fairly high level in the organization.
It has quite a lot of insightful information regarding management of large sets of people, resources, and funds in an efficient and realistic way. The information is, however, really only applicable if you are in a management position at a fairly high level in the organization.
Dec 11, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Loved this book. Again, had to read it for a class but man do all business leaders need to read it. Turn your goals into results people! Stop sitting around and waiting for someone under you to do it for you!
Jul 19, 2009
Vaseem
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This book teaches a Manager to have realistic expectations from his peers. It is also filled with real life examples making it an interesting book to read in your pastime if you are a Manager.
Aug 24, 2011
Naomi
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I loved this book. It was simply fantastic and laid out a number of important points in regards to follow through. I have recommended this book to a number of clients I have worked with.
Jul 16, 2009
John
rated it:
Very good. This book is about getting things done. The authors punctuate their concepts with real world examples from actual businesses. I highly recommend the audio as a companion.
Oct 18, 2009
Good book about how to plan and implement a program for successfully getting things done. Good for every day business things and long term projects and programs.
Apr 19, 2009
Christian
rated it:
The knowledge in this book is pure gold. I loved everything that was said. Unfortunately it is not a fun read. The voices for the audio book are not engaging.
Mar 08, 2009
Mohasin
rated it:
Its nice book with lot of insights from Larry Bossidy's experience (yes, one the important guys in Jack Welch's team when in GE) and Ram Charan.
I bought this book primarily due to its authors. I cannot really judge on this book yet. But until now, my experience in neutral.
I bought this book primarily due to its authors. I cannot really judge on this book yet. But until now, my experience in neutral.
Nov 07, 2011
Jacob
rated it:
The premise of the book is incredibly strong. It came as a surprise at first to consider that the missing link in the chain of growth for many companies is the ability to execute. Anyone in any type of leadership or management role should read this book. It outlines the exact practices and principles using real life examples of companies we can relate to.
Sep 08, 2009
Michael
rated it:
Useful theories, but these guys really have a hard-on for Six Sigma without ever demonstrating why one should use that methodology over another.
Sep 16, 2009
Robert
rated it:
This was an interesting book to slog through (am I giving it away with that phrase)? I was expecting some insights on discipline, execution, personal motivation and what I really got was a bunch of industry buzzwords that distill down to the following:
1) Have to execute to be successful
2) Leadership is the difference in execution
3) Leaders should use strategy to help underlings execute
4) GE & Honeywell leadership had the Midas touch, everyone else has the 'bat guano' t More...
1) Have to execute to be successful
2) Leadership is the difference in execution
3) Leaders should use strategy to help underlings execute
4) GE & Honeywell leadership had the Midas touch, everyone else has the 'bat guano' t More...
Oct 23, 2007
Mike
rated it:
I usually don't care for business books because they tend to sound like an old medicine show. Each one is trying to point out why their novel idea will be the secret to your success. Many prize strategic thinking as the highest order of leadership. Getting the work done should be left to the peons. This book takes a different tack. It's all about making a plan to achieve your goals and how to stick to it. The authors stress that great leaders don't just have good ideas, they make sure thos
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Dec 17, 2009
Given that I haven't had a lot of experience with business books, I can't rate the quality of this book. What I can say is that the first half or two-thirds had a lot more information in it that was useful to me. It also contained a nice balance of theory and practice, which is something I look for in academic writing. The theory was backed up by specific examples and didn't get too dense. There were moments where it lacked a personal touch, but in some ways, I think that's what these two au
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Sep 09, 2011
Bjorn
rated it:
Always good reading about leadership and getting things done, but then you need to stop reading and start doing!
