Giant Steps in Management: Innovations That Change the Way You Work

Supply Management,  Jan 31, 2008  by Stewart, Nigel

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[Book] Giant Steps in Management: Innovations That Change the Way You Work Julian Birkinshaw, Michael MoI, Financial Times/ Prentice Hall £22.99

**

I wanted to dislike this book. It claims it will keep you on the "right side of innovation". Eeeww.

But inside, it's not so alarming - 50 innovations that transformed business are split across seven headings: process; money; people; internal structures; customer/partner interfaces; innovation/strategy and information efficiency.

Any business person could find things to relate to and the usual suspects are discussed: Jack Welch; Deming; FW Taylor; Ohno; Albert Fink. I'd guess most people could also easily list the companies that repeatedly crop up, making it a handy checkpoint and inspiration source for PowerPoint pitches. There are surprises too, such as the frequent references to military strategy and practice as an influence on corporate thinking.

The content about process, strategy and systems will not be new to purchasers since so much of it forms part of our training and routine. But the bad news is that none of the "big things" in this book has come from our profession. It doesn't list any procurement gurus and it seems that we have not taken any "giant steps". Perhaps that is a good reason for purchasers to read the book? Likewise, retail hasn't contributed anything to the roster of ideas - I'm now concerned that I'm in the wrong profession and sector!

The book is a good bluffer's guide to the basics and it usefully places innovation on a timeline. But I don't see it as life-changing or life-affirming in the way that it boasts on the cover.

CIPS bookshop stocks a wide range of supply management titles (01780 756777, bookshop.cips.org)

Nigel Stewart

Procurement controller

Focus DIY

Copyright Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply Jan 31, 2008
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