The Challenge Culture

July 9, 2018
Travis, chairman and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands, shares his management philosophy in this entertaining and informative business manual. In the course of discussing how to foster a healthy corporate culture, he relates both personal successes and failures from his career at Dunkin’ and other companies. In the latter category, the book covers his earlier experiences heading Blockbuster, when the video rental giant struggled but ultimately failed to respond effectively to such competitors as Netflix and Redbox. The key to Dunkin’ Donuts’ recent success, Travis states, has been its ability to respond to competitor challenges by becoming more flexible and willing to embrace challenges rather than avoid them. To do that, business leaders must cultivate a “challenge culture” that allows employees to question long-held assumptions and normal operating procedures without fear of punishment. Something as simple as an informal coffee chat, Travis avers, can provide workers with a forum in which to be heard. Smart and insightful, this work offers an insider’s account of the leadership approach behind a successful global brand that executives in any industry can emulate.

September 1, 2018

Travis, CEO and chairman of Dunkin' Brands, discusses the importance of pushback within an organization by using his experiences at Blockbuster, Papa John's Pizza, and Dunkin' Brands to address the dangers in not allowing employees and franchise owners to challenge upper management. Several case studies, including Travis's work with the Leyton Orient Football Club, demonstrate how successful managers encourage employees to speak up. While the book at times reads like a memoir, each chapter outlines the author's core principles on strengthening feedback systems within a company. His stories about the globalization of Dunkin' Donuts provide a real case of a business listening to franchise owners. VERDICT Readers of Simon Sinek (Leaders Eat Last) will be interested in this recommended firsthand account of employee pushback.--John Rodzvilla, Emerson Coll., Boston

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