Summary
This is a book about some of the best ideas used in business. Some are simple—sometimes almost embarrassingly so—while others are based on detailed research and brilliant intellect. Most are perennial, as their logic, simplicity, or value will help them endure; while others are, to be honest, rather faddy. What unites these business ideas is their proven power and potency. They are not only insightful and useful, they have worked: often in a brilliant way or despite great adversity. The ability of the people who conceived and applied these ideas should be applauded.
One word of warning: while these ideas have worked for the companies mentioned at the time they applied them, it is not to say that these businesses will always get everything else right, forever more. They produced a result at the time, but if this book has any general lessons it is that new ideas and energy are needed constantly— in many ways and at varying times—to ensure success.
20 of the ideas:
1Building customer trust and loyalty
2Scenario planning
3Making your employees proud
4Using customer information
5The rule of 150
6Information orientation
7Franchising
8Eliminating waste (muda)
9Customer bonding
10Psychographic profiling
11Understanding demography
12Mass customization
13Leading “top-down” innovation
14Social networking and transmitting company values
15Achieving breakthrough growth
16Deep-dive prototyping
17Market testing
18Empowering your customers
19Cannibalizing
20Increasing competitiveness