The Innovation Premium: How Next Generation Companies Are Achieving Peak Performance And Profitability

by Ronald S. Jonash, Tom Sommerlatte

In today's constantly shifting marketplace, innovation has become the mantra of companies large and small. In The Innovation Premium, Ron Jonash and Tom Sommerlatte draw on years of research and experience on the front lines to demonstrate -- for the first time -- that those companies that consistently achieve innovation leadership enjoy measurable advantages, including a 15 percent increase in shareholder returns. But innovation must be nurtured and channeled in a disciplined fashion, with the full support of top leadership and a culture that rewards it at every level. Bridging the gap between the technological and organizational aspects of innovation, Jonash and Sommerlatte show managers at all levels how to move beyond continuous improvement to create the "Next Generation Enterprise," an organization that thrives on innovation and knows how to harness it to create and capture value, spark and speed growth, and achieve the highest standards of performance.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[MammaDi3Gatti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just shy of 3 stars

I've read several books by this author (she is quite prolific), and I tend to have mixed feelings. A few books I've truly loved and others not so much. This one is just okay.

Win is the fifth and final Second Son to unexpectedly inherit a title. I'm not entirely sure if I read any of the previous books. I thought I had, but it turns out I was confusing this series with another of this author's series about five misunderstood school chums (Dukes Done Wrong). Anyway, here, Win meets Sera, twin sister of another Second Son's wife. He's a duke and needs a duchess. In spite of being attracted to Sera, he decides that she's too shy to fill the role. He's determined not to marry for love anyway, unlike how his four friends did, although I was never fully sure why he was so determined to avoid it.

His opinion changes on a dime, though he never bothers to tell Sera. Meanwhile, she's become an ad hoc governess for his two unruly nephews, who themselves are immediately charmed by her. That was another piece of the story that was a little strange for me. Sera is a young, unmarried woman about to have her first season, and going off to Win's house alone in a carriage to be a servant seemed out of the blue; it was an act that was surprisingly uncontested by Sera's sister and BIL.

Not much happens once they arrive back at Win's estate. The unruly boys are never again unruly, Sera continues to fret about how she'll have to watch Win meet and marry another woman, and Win smugly and inexplicably continues to keep his plans to marry Sera under wraps.

Win comes across as a bit of a jerk, though I didn't precisely dislike him. Sera is much more in interesting with her facility with children, her domestic talents (baking), and her genius with the violin (which is a big thing for about three pages and then is more or less never mentioned again).

Overall, there's nothing wrong with this tale. It just never really got past meh level for me.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm voluntarily writing this review, which reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed the Second Sons series, but unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. I don't know what the deal was, but this one felt like the inspiration for the series was gone and the book was written phoning it in. There was never really a plot, good dialogue development (some lines felt like they could have been cut and pasted from other books in the series or earlier in the book). It also lacked continuity from previous books in some parts, like there wasn't any thought towards the plot or actually continuing the story of the Second Sons.

I liked Sera, the heroine at the beginning, but towards the middle I started strongly disliking her. I never really gave any care to the hero, Win. The chemistry between the characters just wasn't there. It felt like they spent no time connecting, but then a lot of time connecting? And then their conflict and separation was too brief and unconvincingly fixed. Sadly, this book wasn't a good addition to Alexa Aston's series.

[Texastwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colonel Winston Cutler has become a Duke.. he is slowly getting used to the position when he finds out he has nephews, that were never cared for.
Seraphina Nicholls has just recently returned to England and agrees to become the boys' governess.
This is an engaging continuation of the series. I am glad the she involves the previous couples as it makes it more interesting. It also makes me curious to back and read the first in the series. You don't need to but it help to know who the people are.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

An other amazing story from Alexa Aston . This time is Sera's story and Win . Sera is shy and wish to stay away from the season . Her twin Minta asks her to come and live with her and her husband until she gives birth and she agree . Win is taken by surprise from the first moment he met Sera . She is not shy when they are together , she is passionate and lively . I loved how she made him realised his wrong ways with his nephews . They make a lovely family the four of them .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cari Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Alexa Aston. I really enjoy most of her books. This book, Sera and Win's story, is good, but not one of her best. Parts of it feel forced and unrealistic. The plot and writing style is good like always, but the character and relationships in this book just moved unbelievably fast. Overall, it is still a book I would recommend.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about love. Between the hero and the heroine but also about the love for the nephews. They are the opposites of each other, echoed in the nephews’ personalities, but they complete each other, like the yin and the yang forms the whole. Very enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

[Synne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an adorable love story and story about family. Win our hero is so far my favourite of the series. I loved reading about him falling for the heroine, but also starting to love his nephews. The nephews storyline had me crying several times throughout the book and I’m so glad that they were happy with their uncle. I also loved the relationship between Sera and the boys