Customer Reviews

The System: A Story Of Intrigue And Market Domination

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I don't think it's a dud as one reviewer stated, but it's really quite thin. As a novel I do not like it although Terry would probably do a passable job as screenwriter for "The Bold and the Beautiful" or some other daytime drama/soap opera. The characters of the book are like that, sort of two-dimensional, too-perfect characters constantly plotting against each other and I could not make myself believe in them and their actions.

Anyway, the meat of the book is in the presentation of a business strategy built on three pillars; focus, fortify and foster futurity. I like that part, but it could have been condensed into a five-page (or so) article for some economic magazine instead of creating what I'd like to call a use case with complications. As a strategy I think it is common sense, but then a lot of things are, and economic/business/strategic works are often needed to explain the obvious. I do not consider it as innovative as Ken Blanchard tries to make it sound (in particular "focus" has been a staple of business strategy on and off for ages). What is very good is the way he presents a cyclic way of thinking about strategy. There is no one thing a manager needs to do and then everything will be fine, it is instead a cyclic series of steps including recurring evaluation of business opportunities and competitors to make sure that your company makes money. Those who lead must not be afraid to change what the company does when it is needed to stay ahead of the pack, even if it means changing the core business!

Discussion and arguments are a bit lacking. In the book, the two main characters discuss the strategy, but Terry basically skips any fact-based argumentation and just states that "David was now all fired up" (or somesuch) to show that the ideas are absolutely fabulous. If there's a proper article on this somewhere (preferably publicly accessible on the Internet) I'd really like to read it. For instance I do not believe that all companies can change as quickly as is needed without incurring prohibitive costs.

In conclusion: do read the book for the business value of the ideas but ignore the story, which actually detracts from the value of the book.

A powerfully written story filled with intrigue, insight and ingenuity. Terry Waghorn presents a business mind of brilliance and forethought that is invaluable. An attentive reader can derive business genius while enjoying the mystery and intrigue of an exciing story.

I read the book in two sittings. Imagaine a top notch thriller that simultaneously teaches you valuable lessons you can apply immediately to your buisness! What a great combination! The author then conveniently summarizes his lessons in a 5 page section at the end of the book. In a nutshell, Waghorn advises you to follow a four step procedure to beat the competition: 1 Focus on one business you can excel at: 2 Find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition 3 Fortify your position by making your competitors irrelevant: 4 Foster
futurity by planning your next moves while your competitors are playing catch up to your previous innovations. I particularly like his point on competencies. Waghorn advises you to discern the market opportunity and then acquire the competencies required, rather than building on core competencies that may have little value in the marketplace.

Waghorn has developed a new genre of business writing, fantastic!!! I learned a lot for my own market approach for my business Pure Wellness Programs. I cannot be beat. I look forward to Waghorns next business novel. He's got a fan.
Renee Schnitzler

The System: A Story Of Intrigue And Market Domination by Terry Waghorn and Ken Blanchard joins the genre of business novels with a new twist, adding intrigue and plotting to the cauldron. Tim Hunt and David Atkins must come up with a plan to save an old-economy business due for a hostile takeover. It soon becomes apparent someone will literally kill for this opportunity; for the business could unleash a powerful Web service which will revolutionize the Internet, and many out there would murder to stop it. Intriguing, gripping, and packed with business reality.

An interesting book mixing fiction with strategy. Provides a good insight on business and is a must read for the modern corporation executives.

On recommendation from a freind, I read The System. I am in the process of starting a new company and we were scheduled to have a marketing strategy session. Using the principles set forth in the book I was able to have my new team understand the process which is straight forward but challenging to decide on what name to own, what channels to target,how to focus within a broad category of products and come out of the session with a workable plan to execute. I really enjoyed the book and it is a quick read with great results and impact.

That is how enthused I was about the content of the book. Oh, by the way the fictional part of this book is great too! It is fast paced with a well weaved story of intrigue that anyone in a executive leadership position can understand on how the world can close in on you and you find the inner strength to circle the wagons of your close freinds and advisors who will help you make decisions to lead your company into a new and winning direction. You realize that you have to have your head out of the foxhole enough to recognize that you must change direction and move or die.

A powerfully written story filled with intrigue, insight and ingenuity. Terry Waghorn presents a business mind of brilliance and forethought that is invaluable. An attentive reader can derive business genius while enjoying the mystery and intrigue of an exciing story.

This is an excellent book and a must read for board of directors, senior management, and all managers. The three strategic components that Terry touches on in the book are the keys to a successful business strategy. This book is being circulated internally at our corporation. One final note, this book reads like a novel. No doubt that there should be a movie to follow. If you enjoyed Barbarians at the Gate both book and movie, you will love this one as well. Well done Terry and Ken.

Wow, this was a horrific book.
Someone gave it to me -someone who didn't like me too much I guess - as an Xmas gift, and all I can say is Wow! How momumentally bad.

When consultants and other biz folk think that, yes, they too can write a thriller, watch out.

Save your money, better yet, save your time, this is a flimsy, easily solved horror story masquerading as a biz book.