The Next Level

Through in-depth examples of such unusual and diverse companies as Group Publishing of Loveland, Colorado; Main Street Muffins of Akron, Ohio; and Discovery Toys of Livermore, California, Wood demonstrates that every organization reaches critical transition points that require fundamental changes, in systems and processes, capabilities and resources, philosophies and goals, and even management structures and leadership. Those who are willing to look forward to new challenges - not backward to past successes - are poised to take a leadership position in the marketplace.
The Next Level shows managers how to make these creative and strategic leaps. Wood presents a wide variety of strategic and tactical tools, including the Growth Strategy Analysis, a powerful, field-tested diagnostic assessment that allows you to identify your organization's relative strengths and weaknesses and determine whether you're "behind the pack," "getting by," or "one step ahead," along five key variables - market intelligence, strategic leadership, clarity of purpose, planning, and internal infrastructure - and offers a wealth of practical guidance for mastering these critical elements.

James B. Wood is Currently with Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Services Group.