How to Be a Fierce Competitor: What Winning Companies and Great Managers Do in Tough Times

by Jeffrey J. Fox

From best-selling author Jeffrey J. Fox, how the savvy see opportunity -- and capitalize on it Economic downturns separate the winning companies from the struggling. And as best-selling author Jeffrey J. Fox shows, tough times also give solid companies, strong managers, and potential rainmakers the opportunity to seize market share. In this eminently readable, practical resource for business leaders and managers, Fox explains exactly how the savvy few who rise to the top stay focused and alert, get new market share, hire good recently fired talent, increase investments into customer service, speed innovation, train all customer facing people, make acquisitions, get rid of underperformers, build brand names, pay for measurable performance, and lots more.Potential rainmakers, CEOS, marketing superstars, and great bosses have long turned to Jeffrey J. Fox for advice. Now he shows exactly what to do to weather any climate.

Genres: Business, Management, Leadership

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Josh Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by and from the perspective of a sales guy this book heavily flatters the sales people in an organization. This book would also work nicely as one of those daily affirmation calendars, i.e. good quick advice not a huge amount of substance.
This writer appears to be a traditional Jack Welch devotee, hyper focused on results, and eliminating any "side work" that detracts from an employee's top focus. With a heavy emphasis on the importance of face to face sales, and strong statements about continually growing market share without ever sacrificing quality, this writer would be fun to play checkers with.
He has several great insights, my favorite being get rid of the monthly report if it is more than one page. He attacks waste in all area's and with a little more development this book could be used for folks working on a lean transformation. Other high lights are "pay for knockouts not punches" used when describing how to set goals for employee's and he provides great examples of what bureaucracy is with the intent of helping people eliminate it. If you are in a selling business, this book is worth the time.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was told to read this book for a school that I’m currently attended. Even though this is geared more towards businesses, this can be translated well to those that are leaders (such as those in the military).

[Michael G Roseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it's gut check time. This book acts as an outline for an action plan. Used the general thesis and have increased my productivity and sales.

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that could very well just be utilized for its reference value. It covers all aspects of business competition in a way that resembles a bulleted list with short explanations. It is fast and to the point. If you want to cover all aspects of business competitiveness in an efficient format, then this is your book.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the section "Manage as you would invest". It says "If, as an investor, you had the choice to invest your personal money in the stock of a growing, high-potential company or in a stodgy, low-performing company, where would you put your money?"

" Most of the time, if not all the time, you would invest your money in the company that is the high performer. Yet every single day CEOs and the managers CEOs oversee, knowingly violate the "invest in performance" rule. CEOs allow managers to spend more time with low-performing, problem employees than they do with their best people."

This book was full of things that are common sence, yet we usually do the opposite.

[Jonathon Hagger · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife flicked through the book as it sat on the coffee table and said "this book should be called - how to be an asshole". Do I agree? A little. This is definitely a book written by a marketer with a sales focus. There are some good points and one liners and there are lots of things that I disagree with as well. But it's always good to have a fierce attitude when it is channeled correctly. This is an okay book if you want something to sit on your desk and you read once a day as a pick me up or thinking challenge.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very relevant book to read in a time of economic recession, but its also a book I would recommend reading even during a time of economic boom. The author spells out in clear cut terms what activities and behaviors work to make a business a fierce competitor and more importantly a successful business. I like the use of stories, but I also like the author's bluntness. The book is easy to read and to the point, but you will learn a lot in each chapter you read.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. My two word summation of the book: work hard.

[Maximo]

This is a very good tool for people managing a company of difficult times. Gives you very good pointers on changes to make the company better. A should read for management and sales team.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas for my small business project for my business law course!