The Perfect Way to Win Us Over
This book is hot off the press and is steadily moving to the top of bestseller charts in the US and here in Asia.
No surprise given the tough range of subjects it addresses. It's no-holds-barred as Jack Welch once dubbed "America's toughest boss" takes on subjects in this part self-help, part leadership and part management manual.
It's an interesting mix and will have you move from page to page with its conversational style and the clarity with which the messages get delivered.
'Winning' is all about empowering others, getting the right leaders to create great companies and choosing integrity and candor over charts, graphs and politics. Why candor you may ask?
And just when that question crosses your mind, you get the answer from the author: "I have been a huge proponent of candor.... Lack of candor blocks smart ideas, fast action and good people contributing all the stuff they've got. It's a killer."
The ideas and material for this book has come from Welch's interactions with an estimated 250,000 people at every level and in organisations big and small. That's something that clearly shows in the book.
There is a passion for people that's evident in all the writing. Whether its issues of leadership, hiring or firing or striking a balance between life and work, the crux is successful businesses and their people are the foundation of a healthy and free society.
No issue is too big or too insignificant and it sure gets addressed. Even tough subjects like Six Sigma, Mergers and Acquisitions are simplified in this engaging book.
So in the 372 pages you get lots of tips on dealing with just about every issue in the work place: tough competition, tough bosses and tough employees. But things don't quite end there.
Welch makes a clear call for action to make every day at work a winning one. As he explains: "If you really want to find a great job, choose something you love to do, make sure you are with people you like and then give it your all. If you do that, you'll never really work another day in your life."
With advice like that flowing right through the book, 'Winning' is already being dubbed the 'bible for business' for generations to come. And if I had the luxury of giving stars to this book, it would be a full five.
ABOUT JACK AND SUZY WELCH:
Jack Welch began his career with the General Electric Company in 1960, and in 1981 became the company's eighth Chairman and CEO.
During his 21 years as Chief Executive of GE, market capitalization of the company increased by US $40 billion which made it the world's most valuable corporation. He retired in 2001 and published "Jack: Straight from the Gut."
His wife, Suzy, is the former editor of the Harvard Business Review. She has written extensively about leadership, creativity, change and organisational behaviour.
The couple is donating the US $4 million advance for this book to charity.
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:
"It's difficult to think of anyone in business who wouldn't benefit from reading this savvy, engaging cubicle-to-boardroom guide to success." - Publishers Weekly
"They've co-authored Winning, a 372-page management book that's everything Welch's first book wasn't: smart, practical and not afraid to address tough subjects." - Newsweek |
Deepika Shetty is a Producer with Prime Time Morning and takes care of the book segment 'Off The Shelf' as well. | 
