In Search of Excellence Summary

Summary of In Search of Excellence Book by Thomas J. Peters, Robert H. Waterman

Name: In Search of Excellence
Rating: 4.5 (615 reviews)
Author: Thomas J. Peters, Robert H. Waterman

4.5 . 615 reviews

Short summary

Great businesses have many things in common that others barely pay attention to. Through extensive research, the authors Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman have carefully selected some of the best principles that are synonymous with successful businesses. Thomas J. Peters is the author of many best-selling books all over the world, like A Passion for Excellence and Thriving on Chaos. He is called “the father of the postmodern corporation” in the Los Angeles Times, and he is the CEO of Tom Peters Company and lives in Vermont. Robert H. Waterman is a director and a professional author specializing in business management. “The art of creative leadership is the art of institution building, the reworking of human and technological materials to fashion an organism that embodies new and enduring values.” ~ Thomas J. Peters

16 min

10 key points

9 insights

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Table of content

Summary of In Search of Excellence
About the author
What is In Search of Excellence about?
Who should read In Search of Excellence
Topics in In Search of Excellence

first key point

Organizations that want to be successful must borrow well-proven business principles

Listen the first key point

00:00

Anyone who plans to build a successful organization should arm themselves with the knowledge of business operations and strategies. The problem, however, lies in the fact that many theories promise good results even though they are barely tested. As such, it’s easy to get confused and frustrated when things fail to go the way we expect. Many business owners struggle to find or implement the right business techniques, so this summary is essential.

The findings of a study project done by writers Tom Peters and Robert Waterman, where they investigated characteristics shared by the most successful companies in the United States between 1979 and 1980, are presented in this summary.

A good leader should combine different opposing concepts for a successful project.

Following the selection of a sample of 43 corporations from six different sectors, the researchers conducted in-depth research on the procedures of the companies. Although they undertook this research more than two decades ago, their findings serve as a model for the fundamental principles of excellence still relevant for businesses today. These eight principles may seem common knowledge, but many organizations overlook them. These principles are:
• A Bias for Action
• Close to the Customer
• Autonomy and Entrepreneurship
• Productivity Through People
• Hands-On, Value-Driven
• Stick to the Knitting
• Simple Form, Lean Staff
• Simultaneous loose-tight properties

Each of these principles will be addressed in detail throughout this summary, with several examples to support them, making this synopsis an excellent resource for corporate executives and managers who want to make a lasting difference in their businesses. It's also an incredible guide for prospective leaders and workers who have difficulty working as part of a cohesive group.

second key point

The inability to run a company effectively is one of the most common problems with business organizations

There has been a lot of debate and concern about management theory for a long time. When Chester Barnard, an American business executive, worked at Harvard in the 1930s, he disagreed with the organization's ideas about managerial activities put forward by people like German Sociologist Max Weber. Weber came up with the bureaucratic management theory, which opined that in order to run an organization efficiently, individuals must have a clear line of authority, with rules, procedures, and regulations for each business operation. Barnard's work sparked a debate about whether management was an impersonal objective or art that relied on international competition.

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third key point

To get things done right, excellent firms encourage action through discovery

fourth key point

Customer service is essential to the sustainability of any organization

fifth key point

Internal competition allows healthy rivalry inside the firm, stimulating innovation and preventing complacency

sixth key point

The most successful businesses are those that genuinely care about their workers

seventh key point

Ideals that are both inspirational and motivating drive successful firms

eighth key point

Businesses should build on their core strengths so that they can branch out and succeed

ninth key point

Having a simple, lean organizational structure is the best way to run a big company well

tenth key point

Conclusion

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What is In Search of Excellence about?

"In Search of Excellence" offers valuable insights into the practices and strategies employed by some of America's most successful companies. Written by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, this book delves into the secrets behind the exceptional performance of these organizations. Through extensive research and case studies, the authors identify key principles that contribute to excellence, providing readers with practical lessons and inspiration to apply in their own business ventures.

Who should read In Search of Excellence

Business leaders and managers seeking insights into successful company practices.
Entrepreneurs looking for inspiration and strategies to improve their businesses.
Students and academics studying organizational management and leadership.

Topics in In Search of Excellence

Business Management Leadership Company Culture Success Innovation Entrepreneurship Management Strategic Thinking Business Strategy Finance CEO Business Acumen Management Leadership for Women

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