Harnish is a man with a mission: to help entrepreneurs of emerging, fast-growth companies increase the value of their firms. He has spent nearly two decades working with the CEOs and executive teams of fast growth firms.
Says former client Alan Rudy, CEO of Columbus, Ohio's Express Med, "Everyone talks about the 'entrepreneurial glass ceiling' and advises you to 'let go,' 'delegate more,' 'concentrate on alignment,' 'be unique,' 'remain nimble as your company grows,' etc., but no one, until now, ever gives you a practical guide on how to achieve all of that and keep your sanity." Complex problems may have simple solutions. Harnish says the secret is strategically smart decisions coupled with a team closely aligned and accountable to those decisions. Alan Rudy and thousands of other business owners have benefited directly from the simple and practical "tools" outlined in Mastering the Rockefeller Habits.
"Today's execs have little patience for anything except that which they can put to work immediately, " says Harnish. "My program brings solid solutions to the challenges that come with building a company." Harnish's now-famous "Mastering a One Page Strategic Plan" process has been a best-selling article on the web. Now his new book from SelectBooks is a compilation of best practices adapted from some of the best-run firms on the planet. Included is an instructive chapter co-authored by Rich Russakoff revealing winning tactics to get financial backing from banks.
Pay special attention to the planning pyramid; it's helped me share the big vision and get the organization into alignment. By putting stakes in the ground, it also quickly helps to identify any holes there may be in the overall strategy.
All in all, this is a must read.