Japan's Business Renaissance: How the World's Greatest Economy Revived, Renewed, and Reinvented Itself [Hardcover]

Mark Fuller (Author), John C. Beck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2005

RENEWAL. REINVENTION. REGROWTH.

These are just a few of the timeless success strategies that companies around the world can learn from the Japanese.

The world is changing--fast. If you want to succeed in today's global market, you need to reexamine your old strategies and face the new competition head on. But how? How can you rethink your management style, reorganize your company, and redefine your corporate goals for continued success and growth? The answer: Look at Japan.

Why Japan? In spite of several economic downfalls and countless challenges, Japan is on the verge of a major economic revival. Time and again, the Japanese have managed to reinvent themselves and reestablish their role as world business leaders. Inspired by the ancient ways of the Samurai, they have altered their strategies and corporate cultures, set higher goals--and achieved bigger wins.

Managers at all levels can take a lesson from Japan's leading companies. Japan's Business Renaissance details a powerful new approach to business that combines Japan's oldest traditions with today's newest management innovations. In the book, the authors reveal how fundamental Japanese philosophies can be applied to modern management situations and plan a clear course of action to spark unprecedented growth in any organization. You'll discover time-tested ways to harness positive change, develop effective renewal strategies, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset--the hallmarks of the way of the Samurai and the reason behind Japan's current success. The book will detail the key principles that have guided Japan through the ages, and are now being used to reinvigorate Japanes business:

• The Samurai spirit of renewal and resourcefulness
• The warrior's tactics to defeat your opponents
• The philosopher's way to out-think your competition
• The life-changing lessons of Ronin

Packed with real-life stories and examples, Japan's Business Renaissance is an essential and useful guide to business renewal that transcends culture, restores leadership, and inspires success. It will truly show you "The Way" to your organization's regrowth.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Japan is poised on the brink of a major economic revival.

Are you prepared to meet the challenge?

For centuries, the country of Japan has distinguished itself by constantly reinventing its strategies and goals to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. How do they do it? Believe it or not, Japan's unique ability to embrace new challenges can be traced back to the ancient code of the Samurai--a timeless tradition that balances a warrior's strength with a philosopher's mindset, combining hard-fought wisdom, intense courage, and unlimited flexibility. Corporations can learn a great deal about business renewal from the Japanese. This insightful new book examines the most successful companies in Japan today--and reveals the powerful strategies based on oncient Japanese philosophy that have reinvigorated their businesses time and time again. You'll learn how to:

• Master the samurai secrets of corporate success
• Think like a winner and fight like a warrior
• Break old patterns and engage new game plans
• Build trust, inspire change, and stimulate profits

These are the principles that have propelled Japan toward a global, economic renaissance--key strategies can be applied to every company in any challenged economy.

About the Author

Mark Fuller is the cofounder, Chairman, and CEO of the Monitor Group.

John C. Beck is the co-author of two critically acclaimed books, The Attention Economy and Got Game, president of North Star Leadership Group, and former Director of International Research for Accenture.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (October 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071455078
• ISBN-13: 978-0071455077
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,281,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight into what businesses must do to suceed, January 3, 2006

By 

Jonathan (Anywhere, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japan's Business Renaissance: How the World's Greatest Economy Revived, Renewed, and Reinvented Itself (Hardcover)

I picked up this book because I was curious how Japan could possibly recover from their 10+ year slump. What I wound up with is a book that has profound implications for the company I work for and the companies that I deal with. The book makes for an interesting read on many counts: Business - how companies can use renewal cycles to reinvent themselves for continued success; History - how Japan has evolved into the country it is today; Sociology - how Japanese people think and how that compares to how US managers view the world.

All of this is tied together into an engrossing book that covers critical material all managers must understand and embrace given the pace of change in business and technology.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to thrive with Japan's Lessons of Renewal, July 14, 2006

By 

Garen L. Corbett (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Japan's Business Renaissance: How the World's Greatest Economy Revived, Renewed, and Reinvented Itself (Hardcover)

This book is about Japan's renewal - and so much more. John Beck and Mark Fuller provide eye-opening narrative about Japanese culture and history. Countless examples of remarkable transformations are drawn from Japanese businesses in a very approachable manner, while analysis is drawn from rich historical and contemporary sources. The reader is given countless opportunities to reflect - and a surprising number of biases and opinions may be thrown overboard as you read this compelling book.

There are many chapters that will offer truly useful insights. One example is a Chapter called "Youthful." It offers some fascinating examples (and lessons) of how some Japanese companies are harnessing the talents of younger workers and managers - to enormous benefit. Japan has constantly shown that it has the ability to be nimble- and renew itself throughout its history. How? The authors describe how the country has periodically opened itself to the ideas and influences of others (China, the U.S. and others), while retaining its identity. Today's "modern samurai" are again showing a great willingness to try new ideas and approaches- and appear to be helping drive another dramatic Japanese renewal.

A great variety of readers- executives, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, general professionals and those simply curious about the world will find great value in this book. You may find yourself looking at renewal and change in a very different way.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Structure for Surviving and Prospering During Change, January 1, 2006

By 

Scott (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japan's Business Renaissance: How the World's Greatest Economy Revived, Renewed, and Reinvented Itself (Hardcover)

Big ideas in a research-based book, that illuminate the story of Japan as a structure for how countries, companies and people change. The book is instructive, predictive, fascinating and fun with a big take-away:

"We present our Renewal Cycle to help companies thrive on crisis instead of avoid it. Our work shows how companies can take control when a catalytic event occurs, understand the options available to them and implement those options through a logical cycle of measures."

Every manager should read this book. Five Stars.