The Agility Factor

A research-based approach to achieving long-term profitability in business What does it take to guarantee success and profitability over time? Authors Christopher G. Worley, a senior research scientist, Thomas D. Williams, an executive advisor, and Edward E. Lawler III, one of the country's leading management experts, set out to find the answer. In The Agility Factor: Building Adaptable Organizations for Superior Performance the authors reveal the factors that drive long-term profitability based on the practices of successful companies that have consistently outperformed their peers. Of the 234 large companies across 18 industries that were studied, there were few companies that delivered sustained performance across the board. The authors found that across industries, the most successful companies were not the "e;usual suspects"e; found in the media, but companies who possessed a quiet agility that allowed them to quickly perceive and respond to changes so that they could continue to grow. Agility gives organizations the ability to adapt to fluctuations in the environment, test possible responses, and implement changes quickly. This book offers specific, research-based case studies to help organizational leaders use agility to achieve sustained profitability and performance while also becoming more adaptable to a changing marketplace. For executives, leaders, consultants, board members and all those responsible for the long-term health of organizations, this insightful guide outlines: The components of agility for business organizations How to successfully build agility within an organization How agility has its foundation in good management practices How to use agility to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace

A research-based approach to achieving long-term profitabilityin businessWhat does it take to guarantee success and profitability overtime? Authors Christopher G. Worley, a senior research scientistThomas D. Williams, an executive advisor, and Edward E. Lawler IIIone of the country's leading management experts, set out to findthe answer. In The Agility Factor: Building AdaptableOrganizations for Superior Performance the authors reveal thefactors that drive long-term profitability based on the practicesof successful companies that have consistently outperformed theirpeers. Of the 234 large companies across 18 industries that werestudied, there were few companies that delivered sustainedperformance across the board. The authors found that acrossindustries, the most successful companies were not the "usualsuspects" found in the media, but companies who possessed a quietagility that allowed them to quickly perceive and respond tochanges so that they could continue to grow. Agility givesorganizations the ability to adapt to fluctuations in theenvironment, test possible responses, and implement changesquickly. This book offers specific, research-based case studies tohelp organizational leaders use agility to achieve sustainedprofitability and performance while also becoming more adaptable toa changing marketplace.For executives, leaders, consultants, board members and allthose responsible for the long-term health of organizations, thisinsightful guide outlines:* The components of agility for business organizations* How to successfully build agility within an organization* How agility has its foundation in good managementpractices* How to use agility to gain a competitive advantage in themarketplace

Foreword by James O'Toole ixPreface xiiiChapter 1 Searching for Sustained Performance 1Chapter 2 Organizing for Agility 25Chapter 3 Strategizing and Perceiving 53Chapter 4 Testing and Implementing 83Chapter 5 Transforming to Agility 111Afterword: Some Reflections on Agility 139Notes 147About the Authors 157Acknowledgments 159Index 161