Managing by Values : How to Put Your Values into Action for Extraordinary Results

Today's business world is characterized by increasing change - technological, cultural, social, economic, and personal - the net effect of which is increasing anxiety, insecurity, and more pressure than perhaps ever before on today's employees, managers, and business owners. "Managing by values" describes a new measure and level of organizational success - beyond that of "Fortune 500" organizations. Those organizations committed to discovering a realistic path that enables all stakeholders to win based on their commitment to a common purpose and a set of values that applies to everyone - owners/shareholders, employees, and customers alike - can join the ranks of the "Fortunate 500". This list is defined, not by size or volume or profits, but by the quality of service available to customers and the quality of life accessible to employees. Numerous books written over the last decade have stated both the need for, and power of, an organizational culture whose strategies, processes, and people are managed by a common vision, purpose, and set of values. "Managing by values" goes beyond merely lobbying for such a management approach. Blanchard and O'Connor provide readers with a practical game plan that clarifies, communicates, and aligns the organization's practices at all levels and in all areas, with a defined, functional set of guiding values adopted throughout the organization. Many previous books have addressed the importance of values, but "Managing by values" provides a clear methodology for defining and implementing such values to achieve organizational, group, team, and individual objectives. This groundbreaking book addresses the void created by and the challenge inherent in the process of becoming one of the "fortunate" few in today's business world - a new breed of organizations, owners, managers, and employees dramatically reshaping their own futures by becoming "Fortunate 500" champion performers. Written in the simple, direct story format that has become a trademark of Ken Blanchard's previous books, "Managing by values" builds on the mass of diverse research, experiences, and literature on organizational, group, and individual performance and satisfaction.