The Breakthrough Company

December 15, 2007
McFarland, consultant and columnist, sets out to explore the characteristics that enable small companies to break through the entrepreneurial stage and become big; hequotes Charles DuBois: The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. McFarlands tips for building breakthrough capabilities include expanding the strategic-development team to involve key middle managers, top salespeople, and others with potential; holding frequent and flexible strategy sessions; and executing action plans structured from initiatives that are drawn from specific, measurable goals. If a company is not continually seeking new and improved ways to serve its customer base, contain costs, and increase speed, its competitors are. The author suggests, Maybe the key job of a leader is to be an amplifier: to magnify those entrepreneurial qualities of risk-taking, character, commitment, unselfishness, and collaboration, and make sure theyre not drowned out by the increasing noise associated with scale and scope. A thoughtful perspectivefor current and aspiring entrepreneurs.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)