Beating the Global Odds - by Paul A Laudicina (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Answer to Global Overload

Contending with the 24/7 news cycle and an endless barrage of choices and information has stymied leadership and decision-making strategies among those at the top. But we all know, this is not a just a problem for the elite. The broad-based reaction to this chaotic, unmanageable assault has been to retrench, and to focus on immediate, controllable decisions. In the process, we lose sight of the horizon. More dangerous still, is the shift we've seen from value creation to wealth creation, where information technology 1.0 has enabled a transaction-based society in which the "deal" is more important than the value it drives or the relationships it is based on. On our current path, the odds of a better future are slim.

What we need is a new value proposition.

Beating the Global Odds is the answer to the dangers of too much of a good thing. There's no going back, but there is the opportunity to set things right. In this book, Paul A. Laudicina, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of global consulting firm A.T. Kearney, provides a fast-paced and engaging tour of how we got to this point and what we can do about it.

Drawing on examples from everything from world history and current media to anecdotes from his vast network of CEOs and the world's most innovative thinkers, Laudicina helps bring our world of seemingly fuzzy and disconnected pixels into sharp focus.

The result is a compelling case for change and call to action--not only for global leaders but also for everyone who struggles with the question of how we can inspire and seize a better future... how we can beat the global odds.

From the Back Cover

More than any other time in human history, it's possible--even necessary--to be plugged in to what's going on 24/7. But while the widespread proliferation of information can yield great benefits, the overall result has been a drastic decrease in original thinking, fresh innovation, and much-needed leadership, and a move towards a more fragmented society. This book is here to help, showing you how to cut through the clutter and regain your focus as you confront the challenges of the future.

The ultimate road map to building a better, more cohesive, and more coherent tomorrow, for your business, your world, and yourself, Beating the Global Odds: Successful Decision-Making in a Confused and Troubled World is designed to help business leaders and readers overcome the confusion of the twenty-first century and start working together with clear purpose.

Change is essential, and in this book, A.T. Kearney CEO Paul Laudicina takes a behind-the-scenes look at the people and institutions that are thinking big to repair the international social fabric and help pave the way for a better future so that you can follow in their footsteps. Showing you where to look for new insights and ideas, how to widen your lens, and why you need to master scenario planning in order to make sense of today's world, Laudicina presents a comprehensive and insightful look into the information overload threatening businesses everywhere and how you can fight back.

Emphasizing the importance of staying true to your core values as you work to build a more focused life for yourself and your company, Beating the Global Odds shows how the future is yours for the making.

About the Author

PAUL A. LAUDICINA is the CEO, chairman of the board, and managing partner at global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, and the founder and chairman of the firm's Global Business Policy Council. With over forty years of professional experience in government, research, business, and at the United Nations, he has worked with leaders from all backgrounds across a broad range of strategic, corporate, and public policy issues. The author of World Out of Balance, one of the top business books of 2005, Laudicina was named to Consulting magazine's annual ranking of the "Top 25 Most Influential Consultants" in 2005 and 2007.