Rating: 
Summary: Business in layman's language
Review: Ram Charan has explained the complexities of running a multinational business from the view point of a street vendor. Both a street vendor and a CEO has the same problems and both tackle them in similar ways. Anticipating customers needs, generating cash, profits, return on your capital are all explained very simply, without complications. I learnt how to analyze a company from the results it declares, especially how fast is it growing, is it profitable, how to interpret the P/E ratio. It is must read for any engineer, manager or business owner.
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Summary: A Simple No Nonsense Handbook
Review: Ram Charan's books have always interested me. It is a departure from the traditional authors who like to complicate simple material. The greatest asset that Ram has in his writings is his ability to simplify seemingly complex concepts to easy reading. Make no mistake ...this is a very powerful book that has profound concepts and it is targeted to the average employee in the organization... I just love Ram's work... Thanks Ram and hope you continue writing in ways that seks to inspire and provide understanding to millions.
Rating: 
Summary: An insightful, simple read on many company issues
Review: Ram Charan, the author, clearly and simply states the financial factors that influence a company's success. He emphasizes a person's ability to take the chaotic mess of financial data and break it into digestible, relevant chunks of knowledge through which a "leader" can make precise and informed financial decisions.He dedicates a small, but captivating, portion of the book on creating sychrnocity between people within a team, which I feel is a strong driving force behind a company's success. Overall, I was quite pleased with this book. It address many issues for an individual who isn't financially-oriented. I suggest reading "Douglas McGregor: Revisited" for further analysis on how to work with people in a team environment.
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Summary: A quick summary of business fundamentals but incomplete
Review: The book can serve a quick summary of basics of business. However, to really understand a business from inside one also has to undertand core processes such as 1. How is supply chain managed 2. How is Information technology Leveraged 3. What is the "core" strength of the business - economies of scale/eco. of scope/unique products etc. Venkat
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Summary: A good afternoon read
Review: The book is a definite buy for all. It builds a framework for
those just starting out in any business and it reminds those with experience that it all still comes down to the basics. I'll be reading it again soon.
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Summary: Revival of Business Fundamentalism in Globalization
Review: The problems of globalization have surfaced eventually. With the China ¡§world factory¡¨ in operation, prices and wages are cut. The concept of ¡§value-added¡¨ is boosted every now and then. People are looking for directions in this globally competitive environment. Perhaps the answer is: to know what the CEO wants you to know, but which he never speaks out. This little book by Ram Charan, aptly subtitled ¡§how your company really works¡¨ offers you the chance to get to know your boss¡¦ mind. Ram, a business fundamentalist from Harvard Business School, says every business is just the same as a street vendor business. He cuts the business complexities down to just TWO principles: 1.) Cashflow is of utmost importance. Without it, you won¡¦t survive into tomorrow. 2.) Is customer focused. The cashflow problem is a basic financial formula: Return on Asset (R) = Margin (M) * Velocity (V). All companies are trying to increase the margin and the velocity. In turn, shareholder value is increased when return on asset is increased and is able to cover the cost of capital. Basic finance stuff in every finance textbooks? Ram recalls you to re-focus on this issue. With prices dropping, it appears that cutting operational costs might be the answer. But the concept of Growth must come in. That is, to grow the business with faster turnover to customer. How? Increase customer satisfaction. Mr. Charan calls for companies to have direct, unfiltered, close contact with customers. Customers are now paying premium for trust- worthiness. You want them to come to make business again with you without worrying that you may suddenly disappear, i.e. that you are out of business. And that¡¦s what we call quality counts. As it claims, such formula generates a cash generation cycle. As productivity increases because of better quality, margin increases, leading to increased cashflow to cater for better customer service and thus satisfaction and in turn, expands the company¡¦s market share. Well, you name the next one¡K Business leaders are to set business priorities, balancing the cash generation with prices cut versus keeping the inventory so that customers are happy. Business acumen is required (and that is what CEOs are priced for). Mr. Charan also urges you to grow company¡¦s employees, making a decisive team with zero information distortion, zero delay and zero distrust ¡V a ¡§synchronized¡¦ company. This 140-pages little page-turner is crammed full with lots of ideas. Read it fast and most important of all, to act on it. There is no excessive word and you feel motivated to get your own hands wet and dirty. A good book especially for the finance professionals. For the general public at large, you might be better to get some financial background knowledge first.
Rating:
Summary: Revival of Business Fundamentalism in Globalization
Review: The problems of globalization have surfaced eventually. With the China ¡§world factory¡¨ in operation, prices and wages are cut. The concept of ¡§value-added¡¨ is boosted every now and then. People are looking for directions in this globally competitive environment. Perhaps the answer is: to know what the CEO wants you to know, but which he never speaks out. This little book by Ram Charan, aptly subtitled ¡§how your company really works¡¨ offers you the chance to get to know your boss¡¦ mind. Ram, a business fundamentalist from Harvard Business School, says every business is just the same as a street vendor business. He cuts the business complexities down to just TWO principles: 1.) Cashflow is of utmost importance. Without it, you won¡¦t survive into tomorrow. 2.) Is customer focused. The cashflow problem is a basic financial formula: Return on Asset (R) = Margin (M) * Velocity (V). All companies are trying to increase the margin and the velocity. In turn, shareholder value is increased when return on asset is increased and is able to cover the cost of capital. Basic finance stuff in every finance textbooks? Ram recalls you to re-focus on this issue. With prices dropping, it appears that cutting operational costs might be the answer. But the concept of Growth must come in. That is, to grow the business with faster turnover to customer. How? Increase customer satisfaction. Mr. Charan calls for companies to have direct, unfiltered, close contact with customers. Customers are now paying premium for trust- worthiness. You want them to come to make business again with you without worrying that you may suddenly disappear, i.e. that you are out of business. And that¡¦s what we call quality counts. As it claims, such formula generates a cash generation cycle. As productivity increases because of better quality, margin increases, leading to increased cashflow to cater for better customer service and thus satisfaction and in turn, expands the company¡¦s market share. Well, you name the next one¡K Business leaders are to set business priorities, balancing the cash generation with prices cut versus keeping the inventory so that customers are happy. Business acumen is required (and that is what CEOs are priced for). Mr. Charan also urges you to grow company¡¦s employees, making a decisive team with zero information distortion, zero delay and zero distrust ¡V a ¡§synchronized¡¦ company. This 140-pages little page-turner is crammed full with lots of ideas. Read it fast and most important of all, to act on it. There is no excessive word and you feel motivated to get your own hands wet and dirty. A good book especially for the finance professionals. For the general public at large, you might be better to get some financial background knowledge first.
Rating:
Summary: It All Comes Down To Fundamentals
Review: There are waaay too many MBAs and CEOs who want to make business a lot more complicated than it really is. Part of my job is conducting business seminars for builders, contractors and remodelers - an industry with a very high attrition rate. Most of the people I get to meet and talk to are very good craftsmen; but who have little knowledge of the business side of what they do. The reason I think this book is so wonderful is that it truly is simplistic. I have tried in my sessions to break seemingly complex ideas into easy-to-understand concepts. After five years, we get many nice compliments and testimonials about results. If more business people (and I don't mean Jack Welch and others of his estimable caliber) read this book, we would have fewer business failures and more success stories. Mr. Charon is to be commended for writing such a readable and enlightening book. Also for resisting the temptation to "show off" his obviously more advanced skills. There are tons of small business people who absolutely need a book such as this. My intent is for my entire B2B sales staff to read it so that they understand how to better serve and service their customers by understanding how they make money. If you're not Jack Welch, Peter Drucker or Larry Bossidy, buy this book. All will become clear.
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Summary: Simple and Right to the Point
Review: This book explains that business success is not based on complicated science but understanding of fundamentals and basics. This is very true when you compare it to real business examples -- people just don't realize that! The author used very simple examples to illustrate key business concepts and how to put them all together into action. It helps readers quickly grab key points (as building blocks) in analyzing business issues: cash position, return (margin x inventory turn), growth and customers. This is also a great book to refresh learnings from business school.
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Summary: This should be given to all new hires!
Review: This book is a great little introduction to REAL economics- not the useless junk most often taught in schools- but the real economics that makes the world go-round. This book briefly tries to explain why it is important that everyone in a company understand this, but falls a little short. For more detail on this aspect, I strongly recommend the classic "Open-Book Management" By John Case. This book will also help you understand financial statements, particularly income statements. This comes in handy when looking at your company's public competitors or for analyzing investments.
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