BY BILL CANADY ‧ RELEASE DATE: FEB. 27, 2024
A brisk, enjoyable management manual to help CEOs develop “a bias for action.”
Canady offers a guide to perfecting a profitable business through better management.
In this nonfiction debut, the author, who’s the CEO of OTC Industrial Technologies and Arrowhead Engineered Products, breaks down the philosophy and practical elements of a solid “profitable growth operating system,” or PGOS. He writes that he learned the basics of leadership in the U.S. Navy; began his post-military career in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) field; earned an MBA at the University of Chicago in the early 2000s;and joined an unnamed “global tech company” with the aim of rising to its upper echelons: “The fact that the company had urgent problems gave me a greater opportunity to climb faster and establish myself sooner,” he notes, quipping that “you can’t fall out of a basement.” He moved into private equity, where he repeatedly observed the wisdom of the Pareto principle, from which he takes the title of his book: “Just 20 percent of what you do or spend generates 80 percent of your revenue.” (He sardonically adds, “Don’t get too happy, though, because the other 80 percent of what you spend generates just 20 percent of your revenue.”) In a series of chapters liberally broken up with bullet points, key takeaways, and colored insets, Canady lays out the workings of the Pareto principle as it applies to everything from meetings to workflow. At every stage, he employs a pitch-perfect combination of common sense and wit, clearly informed by long experience. When discussing the essential need to simplify in business procedures, for instance, he notes that his own candidate for the greatest authority in that area would be the great naturalist writer Henry David Thoreau, although he admits that “you probably wouldn’t want him as a customer.” (“In fact,” he adds, “you probably couldn’t get him as a customer because he bought almost nothing from anybody.”) Canady not only effectively demonstrates that the 80/20 principle is “the single most important assumption” in management;
he also entertains his readers at every step along the way.
A brisk, enjoyable management manual to help CEOs develop “a bias for action.”The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business | KIRKUS REVIEW The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days by Bill Canady is a practical and insightful guide for aspiring CEOs, department heads, and leaders across various sectors.
Canady’s book is methodically structured into three sections, each addressing key aspects of business and leadership.
The first section lays a foundation, posing and answering pertinent questions that often challenge business leaders. This part emphasizes understanding your business, strategizing effectively, meticulous planning, and execution. The subsequent section dives into growth and expansion, enlightening readers on setting goals, developing strategies, structuring the organization, and formulating action plans. Particularly noteworthy is the practical guidance for navigating the initial 100 days in a leadership role. The third part of the book seamlessly extends this discussion, offering strategies for sustaining and advancing business operations beyond the first 100 days. Canady’s work is distinguished by its depth and comprehensiveness in covering leadership and management topics. His experience and extensive research are evident throughout the book, making it an indispensable resource for current and aspiring business leaders.
Canady provides an array of tips, industry insights, and advice beneficial for both novices and seasoned professionals. His approachable writing style, engaging anecdotes, and thorough explanations of unfamiliar concepts and phrases make the book accessible and enjoyable. Canady’s authenticity and reliance on facts, research, and established statistics set his work apart. The inclusion of tables and figures interspersed within the text enhances understanding of complex topics such as customer engagement, growth, investment, and business framework development. The author’s concise and direct writing ensures that key points are conveyed effectively and efficiently.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days by Bill Canady stands out as a valuable resource for anyone aiming to gain control and excel in a business leadership role within a short timeframe. It’s not just a book about leadership—it’s a comprehensive guide for transforming theoretical knowledge into practical, actionable strategies for business success.
The 80/20 CEO: Take Command of Your Business in 100 Days | LITERARY TITAN
