Product Description

Business guru Verne Harnish's firm Gazelles has brought hundreds of businesses to fast-growth profitability. Now he shares entrepreneurial secrets in this must-read business primer. Harnish has discovered John D. Rockefeller's underlying strategy. Further study uncovered three winning habits:

*Priorities: A few rules remain consistent with a firm's core values and long-term goal. Others change regularly -- what Harnish calls the Top 5 and Top 1 of 5.

*Data: Key metrics should be measured over time (Smart Numbers); short-term metrics provide a tighter focus on an aspect of the business (Critical Numbers).

*Rhythm: A well-organized set of meetings keep everyone aligned and accountable.

In addition to case studies, a bonus chapter co-authored by Rich Russakoff reveals winning tactics to get banks in competition to finance your business venture. MASTERING THE ROCKEFELLER HABITS provides necessary tools for making strategically smart decisions and for keeping everyone aligned and accountable to those decisions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6039 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Ted Leonsis, Vice Chair, AOL Owner, Washington Capitals
"The undisputed expert in helping entrepreneurs grow their firms [has] now brought you his powerful ideas in book form."

From the Publisher
Says SelectBooks President Kenzi Sugihara, "Verne has a proven track record and a stellar reputation with top executives across this country. His new book offers the same rock solid guidance to a wider audience."

From the Inside Flap
Is your firm ready for dynamic growth?

"Everyone talks about the 'entrepreneurial glass ceiling' and advises you to 'let go,' 'delegate more,' 'concentrate on alignment,' 'be unique,' 'remain nimble as your company grows,' etc., but no one, until now, ever gives you a practical guide on HOW to achieve all of that and keep your sanity. This practical guide is all about breaking that entrepreneurial glass ceiling and moving to a professionally managed company while retaining the entrepreneurial spirit." Alan Rudy, CEO, Express-Med

Alan Rudy and thousands of other business owners like you have benefited directly from the simple and practical "tools" outlined in Mastering the Rockefeller Habits.

What are the underlying handful of fundamentals that haven't changed for over a hundred years? For tycoon John D. Rockefeller it was the consistent application of a set of habits that are as critical today as they were when the oil industry entered it's "disciplined" phase following the wildcatters.

How do you know these tools work?

Over one hundred business leaders have provided testimonials to the power of these tools - see this book's first dozen pages. The tools in this book come from almost two decades of Verne Harnish's work with the CEOs and executive teams of fast growth firms.

As founder and program chair of the world-renowned MIT/Inc./YEO "Birthing of Giants" executive program, Verne has learned how to teach these tools to CEOs who have no patience for anything accept that which they can put to work immediately to solve the challenges that come with building a company. And they want these tools taught simply and quickly.

From Verne's famous "Mastering a One Page Strategic Plan" process that has been a best-selling article on the web to his concise outline of eight practical actions you can take to strengthen your culture, this book is a compilation of best practices adapted from some of the best-run firms on the planet.

Included is an instructive chapter co-authored by Rich Russakoff, revealing winning tactics to get banks to finance your business. Lastly, there are case studies demonstrating the validity of Harnish's practical approaches.

Verne Harnish has a gift for turning complex problems into simple solutions. MASTERING THE ROCKEFELLER HABITS provides easy-to-use tools for making strategically smart decisions and for keeping everyone aligned and accountable to those decisions.

Verne Harnish has a long, influential track record with entrepreneurial and emerging business. After co-founding the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE) and establishing chapters in universities worldwide, he founded the internationally recognized Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO). As the founder of prestigious MIT/Inc./YEO Executive Program, founder of Gazelles, Inc. and creator of the Master of Business Dynamics program, Verne's mission is to help entrepreneurs of emerging, fast-growth companies increase the value of their firms. Verne Harnish has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Wichita State University. He lives in Virginia with his wife Julie and two sons, Cameron and Cole.

Customer Reviews

Most important book around for going from $1million to $50million
Bring organization to your organization. Hold people accountable for their work. These are some of the biggest problems I hear over and over from entrepreneurs who have emerged from the start-up phase and are trying to grow their business into a profitable machine. This book is an easy read and gives you all the tools you need. A must have for anyone looking to take their business beyond their garages.

Quick read -- good for fundamentals
I must say that the simpler management frameworks are the ones that stick with me. This book puts forth a few key management principles that are helpful for most companies.

Best business book I have ever read...period.
This is by far the best business book I have ever read, and I have read many. This book is full of "roll up your sleeves" "get er done" practical tools and techniques. All referenced forms are available on Harnishe's website as well. The book is so readable, succinct and full of "Well Duh!" techniques and procedures that I found myself amazed that these basic techniques are not being used in more businesses.

This could be the only "how to" manual any consultant would ever need to initiate transformational changes within client organizations.