Execution Revolution

Due to my prior coverage of Gary Harpst's "Six Disciplines for Excellence," I was fortunate enough to get on the pre-release book review list for his latest book "Execution Revolution."

This is a book designed to get your business to the next level. I loved this book, and I think the subtitle sums it up quite well: "Solving the one business problem that makes solving all other problems easier." What's the "one problem?" Execution.

Voice of experience

If you're unfamiliar with Gary, he was the founder of Solomon Accounting (very popular software back in the 80's and early 90's when the PC industry was very young). He grew his business form startup to achieve great success, finally selling the company to Great Plains Software (since purchased by Microsoft) for a hefty sum.

One of the things I love about Gary's methods and style is that he incorporates his own lessons learned, successes, and experiences into his books - and that makes his guidance seem much more actionable and achievable.

More than a memoir

Don't worry, though - this book is not about hyping up Gary's past. Instead, he presents stories we can learn from (like when he had to layoff half his company) and provides structure and techniques so other small-to-medium businesses (SMB's) can avoid some of the problems he encountered. The other thing I noticed very early in the book is that Gary uses tons of data to support his ideas (but I guess that makes sense from a guy who started an accounting software company).

The stories Harpst relates (his own and specially selected vignettes from other companies) rang true for me - whether he was talking about the problem with communication as an organization grows, the tendency to refrain from action even when you know the right thing to do, or problems that occur when you don't factor human nature into the difficulty of making business changes.

A book of action

This book is centered on a methodology designed to guide you through actionable steps to become better at execution within the business, with the goal of taking your business to the next level. Just as his first book focused on Six Disciplines, Harpst has focused Execution Revolution on a 6-phase system to address problems with execution:

1. Decide what's important (Strategy)
2. Set goals that lead (Plan)
3. Align systems (Organize)
4. Work the plan (Execute)
5. Innovate purposefully (Innovate)
6. Step back (Learn)

And the whole thing repeats.

Knowing vs. doing

Now, at a glance, you might think "OK - that all sounds obvious or familiar..." but I encourage you to see what Harpst has to say. After all, how many business have a pretty good idea what they should be doing, but are falling short on delivery and execution? Harpst has obviously been there along with the rest of us, and has devoted his attention to helping organizations break through this obstacle to become high performers.

Harpst's book goes beyond platitudes, and his recommendations are meaty and actionable.

This is not a 'getting started' business book. It's a 'getting better' or 'getting results' book that is well-suited for established SMB's who are in the midst of (or in fear of) a plateau or decline in performance. If you want to jump the curve and get better results in leading an SMB, this book is one you should read.

Comments

[Scot Herrick]

Far and away, my experience has been that execution is the thing that brings down progress. It's great to have perfect strategy, enthusiasm for the change and then slogging along while the execution falls apart.

Thanks for reviewing this book; it's on my list to get.

[@Stephen]

This is a very useful review of what looks to be a great book. It mirrors some of my own philosophy toward execution. It's going on the list.

[MrAchievement - Stanley Bronstein]

All high achievers must have VISION - they see things others do not see, ATTRACTION - they attract things others do not attract, READINESS - they are ready to act when opportunity comes their way, and THEN, THEY ACTUALLY ACT.

As you indicated above and your description of the book seems to suggest, it is in the execution where things do indeed fall apart.

I work hard with my clients to help teach them how to be ready to act and to actually take action when opportunities come their way.

MrAchievement
Stanley Bronstein
Attorney, CPA, Author, Blogger & Professional Motivational Speaker

[Dwayne Melancon]

Thanks for the encouragement, Scott, Steven, and Mr. Achievement!

As you all mention, some of this will be familiar territory for many of us. I got a lot out of it because a) it's all in one place, b) Harpst's framework seems solid to me, and c) it focus on practical steps for smaller/medium businesses, which is where the lion's share of economic prosperity,new growth, and hope for folks like me are driven from.

(and Mr. Achievement - why don't you have an RSS feed?)

[Ed Adkins (MyStrategicPlan)]

Now I totally want to check the book out. I've found their blog to be really practical and to-the-point.

BTW, I checked and Mr. Achievement has a feed on his main site (stanleybronstein.com)