Corporate Tides: The Inescapble Laws of Organizational Structure

Rating:
Summary: Fritz's work is foundational to any other business info
Review: A quote from the late W Edwards Deming reads: "94% of all problems in business and organizations are problems with structure and system, only 6% are problems with people." Who in your organization is the authority on these subjects? Unfortunately, at the age of 93 W. Edwards Deming passed away on Dec. 20th of 1993. Robert Fritz is today's authority and leading thinker about structure and system which will be critical to understand for success during this next century. Why are school children told what to think before being taught how to think? K-12 and university, collge teachers must incorporate Fritz's work if our children are to have a real competitive chance at a decent future. Corporate Tides is written very clearly using step by step logic, Quick Reviews, Laws and Axioms which makes the information easy to digest and incorporate. No matter what your current occupation, the work of Robert Fritz will greatly enhacnce your creative ability by providing knowledge of how to develop dynamic, resolving structures that lead to sucess. Sincerely, Russell W. Kukla PS: Why are school children told WHAT to memorize before being taught HOW to memorize? The basic structure used for building a powerful memory ability is the same basic structure that Robert Fritz teaches. Structure is everwhere?

Rating:
Summary: An article's worth of good ideas, stretched into a big book
Review: Fritz makes some excellent points here about identifying and resolving structural conflicts in organizations. As a 30 or 40 page article, with numerous real-life examples, it would have been an excellent "primer". As a full length read, though, you walk away feeling somewhat cheated: *There's no discussion of how to actually diagnose structure conflicts (which you need to make use of these concepts). *No mention of how to address more complex structural conflicts, where the resolution would have to occur over time. *And the discussion of "structural tension" provided here is just one piece of what you need to design an effective organization. Two other concerns: (1) The book is decidedly skimpy on real company examples. (2) The numerous pitches for Fritz's consulting and training practice become downright grating. Good ideas here, but not well presented.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and revolutionary thinking
Review: This is the textbook for building successful organizations and gaining control of unruly ones. A book for smart business people who will not be deceived by its apparent simplicity