Business at the Speed of Now

Fire Up Your People, Thrill Your Customers, and Crush Your Competitors

By: John M Bernard

Narrated by: Don Hagen

At the start of the twenty-first century, we've witnessed a shift to a mass customization-driven economy, leaving behind a century focused on mass production. Customers have come to expect immediate and tailor-made responses to their needs, and the businesses that fail to deliver quickly fall behind. How fast does your business move? Are you doing business at the speed of NOW or trailing the pack at the speed of THEN?

Business at the Speed of Now outlines principles and practices that forward-thinking managers can use to enhance customer experience, reduce costs, and drive growth. Three major game changers have accelerated business today. Social media creates vast powerful communities by instantly connecting people inside and outside an organization. Cloud computing provides workers access to the resources they need to resolve issues the moment they arise. And the Millennial mindset demands that it all happens now. Business at the Speed of Now presents systematic advice on how to build an integrated, engaging, and transparent management system, enabled by cloud computing and internal social networks. Use this comprehensive guide to create a NOW organization where everyone boldly pursues every opportunity every time. Set your organization free from the old THEN management ways that no longer get the results you need. Adopt the new NOW management thinking and the state-of-the-art tools that will get your organization doing business at the speed of now.

©2011 John M. Bernard (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"Practical. Useful. Inspiring. Managers and leaders who want to engage the heartsand minds of every employee will find all the tools they need in Business at the Speed of Now." (Marshall Goldsmith, author of the New York Times bestsellers Mojo and What Got You Here Won't Get You There)

A savvy management primer with a timely twist

If you could sum up Business at the Speed of Now in three words, what would they be?

Bernard collects some of the best of the last half century of management wisdom and stitches it together in a memorable way, backed by personal experience.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Business at the Speed of Now?

I appreciated the many times Bernard credits the work of prominent management thinkers. As a listener, it gives you a sense of the thought leadership landscape.

Any additional comments?

While I personally would have preferred less emphasis on the proprietary management and training system Bernard pitches throughout the book, I can't fault him for trying to sell something he believes in—and he doesn't really hold back any of the goods. The "business at the speed of now" concept is a memorable paradigm shift that all managers should wrap their heads around.

Excellent Practical Advice for a New Era of Busine

Would you listen to Business at the Speed of Now again? Why?

Business at the Speed of Now is a well thought out, practical, applicable, and proven system of things you can do in your business right now to make your business more relevant, practical, valuable and meaningful to both your customers and your employees. Must read!

Holistic and practical

A fine balance of relatable stories, evaluative guides and specific actions. A 4*workbook for responsive excellence!

Very good listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Business at the Speed of Now to be better than the print version?

I don't have the print edition, but I found this audio version to be a very easy read

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the performers version, and his energy for what could be otherwise dry material. I think he did a great job

Which scene was your favorite?

N/A

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoyed the references to reacting to social media and making sure that you are nimble enough, as a business to stay out front

Any additional comments?

Overall, exactly the type of content I expected, delivered well