The Alchemy of Growth Practical Insights for Building the Enduring Enterprise

by Baghai, Mehrdad; Coley, Steve; White, David

• ISBN13: 9780738203096
• ISBN10: 0738203092
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-30
• Publisher: Basic Books

Summary

Growth unleashes benefits beyond the economic. It revitalizes organizations and invigorates the people in them, creating energy, a sense of purpose, and the glow of being on a winning team. Like the alchemy of old, it seeks to transform the everyday into the exalted by means that seem little short of magical. Yet growth is often elusive, achieved at unacceptable costs, or managed in fits and starts. Based on over three years of research and application at high-performing companies around the world,The Alchemy of Growthis a comprehensive, practical approach to initiating, achieving, and sustaining profitable growthtodayandtomorrow. As the book shows, the secret is to manage business opportunities across three time horizons at once: extending and defending core businesses, building new businesses, and seeding options for the future.The Alchemy of Growthoffers managers at all levels the tools and concepts for investing in the right initiatives, capabilities, and talent to propel their companies into the future.

Author Biography

Mehrdad Baghai is a Principal in the Sydney and Toronto offices of McKinsey & Company, and co-leader of the firm’s world-wide growth practice. Stephen Coley is a Director in McKinsey’s Chicago office, and leads the firm’s corporate strategy practice group. David White is a Director of McKinsey’s Sydney office. Mehrdad Baghai is a Principal in the Sydney and Toronto offices of McKinsey & Company, and co-leader of the firm’s world-wide growth practice. Stephen Coley is a Director in McKinsey’s Chicago office, and leads the firm’s corporate strategy practice group. David White is a Director of McKinsey’s Sydney office. Mehrdad Baghai is a Principal in the Sydney and Toronto offices of McKinsey & Company, and co-leader of the firm’s world-wide growth practice. Stephen Coley is a Director in McKinsey’s Chicago office, and leads the firm’s corporate strategy practice group. David White is a Director of McKinsey’s Sydney office.

Table of Contents

Preface to the paperback edition	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Special thanks	xix
Part I Understanding growth	1	(32)
The three horizons	3	(16)
Looking in the mirror	19	(14)
Part II Overcoming inertia	33	(36)
Laying the foundation	35	(16)
Searching for opportunities	51	(18)
Part III Building momentum	69	(52)
Staircases to growth	71	(18)
Securing advantage	89	(16)
Winning through execution	105	(16)
Part IV Sustaining growth	121	(36)
Managing by horizon	123	(18)
Organizing for growth	141	(16)
Appendix: Research base and case studies	157	(78)
Bibliography	235	(10)
Index	245