Customer Reviews

Corporate Lifecycles: How and Why Corporations Grow and Die and What to Do About It

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Adizes really does explain how and why corporations (indeed all organizations) grow and die...and what to do about it. He has identified a series of specific "lifecycles. His analysis of each (within a sequence) is especially valuable because, as he explains each with meticulous care, each lifecycle is best understood within a broad as well as deep frame of reference. A careful reader of Corporate Lifecycles can thus determine (a) where his or her organization is now within the sequence, (b) what will be required to reach or return to Prime or Stable (the two most desirable locations within the sequence), and (c) what to expect in terms of obstacles, perils, etc. en route.

Because the ideal combination, the ideal balance, of four critical "factors" (ie performance, administration, entrepreneurship, and integration) will always be a "moving target" under constant "attack" by internal as well as external forces, each organization must constantly be aware of what that ideal combination is for it at any given time, what that ideal balance should be. Change is the only constant.

There really isn't another book quite like Corporate Lifecycles. My brief comments can only begin to suggest Adizes' knowledge, wisdom, and experience which enable his reader to understand how and why organizations grow and die...and what to do about it.

If you are a person who desires to create change in your organization, improve profitability, manage the implementation of Strategic or Succession plans, or build a management development process, This book is for you! Most of my clients cannot put the book down as they read about their organization and how predictable companies grow and die.

I insist my clients read this book in order for me to help them build strategic or succession plans, as well as implement them. I do not have a CEO or Senior Exec, who has read the book and found it usesless or meaningless. This book helps me communicate with executives, as to what they see and experience within the company, in order for me to help them.

This is a "MUST READ" before you begin a "Change or Strategic Implementation Process." This is not a "touchy-feely" book. It is right to the point, and has good examples of each element. My favorite part is the Insultant vs Consultant discussion.

This is one of the best business books of all time. A must-read for business owners and top management. An updated version is available, now titled Managing Corporate Lifecycles. Be sure to mark this review as helpful before jumping to the new version.

I read this book as part of an assignment for an MBA class on leadership. The book provides meaningful insight into the various cycles of a company from birth to death. It outlines strengths and weaknesses of a company during these cycles. There also is a valuable piece on types of leadership required during each cycle. After reading this book, I now have a better understanding of why some companies fail and others succeed. Very valuable reading.

If you are thinking about setting up your own business, or have actually started up yours, you better read this book. It could really save you many a headache.

I did not quite understood why companies would behave in given ways. Even worse, I had not realized how to cope with common entrepreneurial problems until I came accross Dr. Adizes' work.

"Lifecycles" is written in an enjoyable style. Once you start reading it you will not put it down. Dr. Adizes book deserves all praise.

The book has a value for about 100 pages. Then the author ran out of viable insights.

GREAT BOOK! This book was instrumental in the development of my advertising agency back in the 80s, 90s, 2000s. We went from 300K in 1985 to 3.8 million in 2002 - a 17 year span - growth from 4 employees to 23 employees; and three buildings. Today, when I re-read this book, I see our path as clear as day. And I see the rough transitional times causing us to adjust, stretch, and evolve to Prime. It is really exciting to build to a Prime organization. This book will not impart "experience," you have to gain or earn that by application, but it is truthful on the symptoms - good and bad - that when you see "the signs," you can know for a fact that your plans and path must change and a new reality must be adopted and reestablished. The sooner the better.

Great management book from a Drucker standpoint. I respect Mr. Adizes work. This is a very good book. Just really goes into the cancers that bring down organizations. He helps you identify when this happens. Really explains the Cycle of companies. You will be able to identify the weakness's and strength of your company very quickly.This book speaks tremendous wisdom and experience. If you would like to change your corporate culture, this book is for you. Flows very well.

While this book was written in the 1980's, I believe it is timeless. I consider Corporate Lifecyclesto be one of my top 10 all-time favorite business books and recommend it to all of my business clients. In my book and audio book , Managing Thought: How Do Your Thoughts Rule Your World?, I talk about the power of self-awareness, seeing what is, seeking first to understand vs. being understood, asking questions without blame, judgment or being a victim, and establishing purpose and vision. Corporate Lifecycles does a superb job of showing how to implement these practices in a business environment and how being of highest and best service brings about significant results. He offers proactive measures for maintaining focus and vision, nurturing a climate of mutual trust and respect and avoiding the onset of aging in corporate structures. With Dr. Adizes' strategies to anticipate and ease the normal, predictable problems of growth, every organization can reach Prime -- and stay there.

I found this book so interesting that I incorporated many of the concepts described in a business course I taught. I believe that "Corporate life cycles" should be a must read text book in every business school and a recommended reading to entrepreneurs managing startups and managers of large corporations as well.