An Exciting New Book by Oren Harari

My new book is Break From the Pack: How to Compete in a Copycat Economy. It's published by FT Press, a division of Prentice Hall. This book lays out the realities of today's Copycat Economy, where any organization's products and services quickly become imitated by rivals, so much so that even products and services that were once breakthrough become low margin commodities at a much faster clip than they ever have in the past. This book then tells leaders how to help their organizations (or divisions, or work teams) grow, prosper, and "break from the pack" with a disciplined dose of strategic audacity and "lunatic fringe" leadership. The pages are chock full of provocative analysis, data, humor, corporate and leader examples, and advice on "what to do Monday morning." To give you a little flavor, here are the chapter titles:

Part I: Resisting the Pull of the Pack

Part II: How to Break From the Pack

Part III: How You Can Lead the Pack

Managers today find themselves in the grip of a Copycat Economy. Competitors worldwide quickly imitate each other, and their products, services, and technologies become undifferentiated lower-margin “commodities.” To customers and investors, organizations often become part of an indistinguishable “pack.” To fight commoditization and imitation in our global economy, companies must break from the pack with compelling, unconventional innovations in strategic directions, products, customer care, cost efficiencies, business models and leadership. Breaking from the pack is the most important strategic priority facing business leaders today. But, in a world market where products and services in every industry are becoming “me-too” commodities, what can leaders do to help their organizations grow and prosper in a healthy, sustained way?

BREAK FROM THE PACK: HOW TO COMPETE IN A COPYCAT ECONOMY (FT Press, $25.99, Hardcover, ISBN 131888633) by management expert and bestselling author Oren Harari tells leaders how to achieve sustained competitive advantage and create the strategic audacity, organizational lunacy, and disciplined leadership vital to success in today’s Copycat Economy. It shows readers at all ranks and positions how to win higher profit margins, revenues, stock value, customer loyalty, market buzz, employee excitement, investor confidence, and real --(i.e. no ethical shenanigans)-- growth.

According to Harari, “Now more than ever, the “Perfect Storm” of globalization, deregulation, and technological advance is ripping up the status quo in every business. Leaders know that relying on conventional, “me-too” and “we’ve always done it this way” approaches is deadly. They know they must do something very different and compelling if their organizations are to prosper in the face of relentless imitation and commoditization—the twin scourges of the Copycat Economy.”

His examples, illustrations, case studies, and anecdotes include:

Readers will be intrigued by lessons from unorthodox types like Willie Nelson, Madonna, Howard Stern, Michael Bloomberg, Colin Powell, University of Florida football coach Urban Meyer, former Washington Post CEO Katharine Graham, Prussian general Claus von Clausewitz, and Bob the cabbie, who has built an empire that pays him a comfortable six-figure annual salary.

Finally, the reader will enjoy the last comprehensive chapter, which describes a personal 12-Step “recovery” program for leaders who want to take action on the book’s recommendations right away. This chapter will also show leaders how they personally can break from the pack of other managers—and create great opportunity and value for their careers as well as for their organizations.

“You either get eaten by the Copycat Economy or you break from it and thrive. Every manager instantly recognizes what I’m talking about. Remember the thrill we got when we first went from 56K modem to high speed Internet? Now, this once totally cool product has become much more of a commodity: we expect it at work, in our hotel room, at home, at a steadily lower price, and we have lots of choices from competing vendors as to how we get it,” adds Harari.

Makers of every product and service face that challenge. Everything from credit cards to designer coffee to cable news to dishwashers to telecom services faces the same challenges—more “me-too” products, more imitators, more choices for customers, and it’s harder than ever for vendors to differentiate themselves and charge the prices they want while growing their customer base. Breaking from the pack and differentiating your organization from competitors is the most important strategic and leadership challenge for leaders of today’s organizations, and BREAK FROM THE PACK will show the reader how to make it happen.

Other Books by Oren Harari

The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell takes us inside the man Newsweek calls "...the most respected figure in American public life." Whether revealing Powell's ability to make individuals perform, or demonstrating his uncanny knack to articulate vivid goals and values, this one-of-a-kind book reveals the man's techniques in a voice that is crisp, clear, and unmistakable in its resolve.

Change before you are forced to...Put people over plans....The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell provides no-nonsense, proven leadership solutions. It examines the principles that motivate Colin Powell - nobility in purpose, credibility of leadership, integrity in organization, and victory in performance--and shows how they can help to guide you through virtually any situation. Just as important, it paints a portrait of leadership that is vintage Colin Powell--short on talk, long on action, and guaranteed to succeed when failure is not an option.

"Even before the events of last fall, Powell was well regarded by the military and civilians around the world. Now, as secretary of state during the war against terrorism, Powell's intelligence and skills as manager, negotiator and leader are even more visible...The author has used Powell's own words, from his autobiography and presentations, to create a primer of Powell's leadership secrets....Harari has done an admirable job of distilling the essence of Powell's leadership style...This solid...book about leadership should interest a wide range of readers." --Publisher's Weekly

"Born in Harlem, raised in the Bronx, the son of immigrant parents, a Vietnam veteran, the recipient of many military and civilian awards, and one of our highest-ranking government officials, Colin Powell epitomizes the American ideal of the self-made individual. Several years ago, Oren Harari used his monthly column in Management Review to distill Powell's many speeches and ideas into 18 leadership principles that could enable any person, no matter how large or small their role in life, to further their quest for success. Passed from reader to reader, disseminated over the Internet, and eventually covered by The Wall Street Journal in a front-page story, Harari's article was an undisputed success -- and led to the creation of this engaging and informative book. While Harari was completing his manuscript, the devastating attacks of September 11th occurred, prompting him, after a period of grief, to revise his principles so that they could accommodate everything he learned while watching Powell assemble a diverse international coalition. The resulting book, therefore, contains a detailed expansion of the original journal article, as well as much new material gleaned from Powell's senior role in the global struggle to eliminate terrorism. If you're looking for leadership advice, you will appreciate the many sound and sometimes counterintuitive insights that Harari presents throughout this book." --Barnes and Noble

Think these characters are only a cartoon? In today's radically changing business world, one of them is you. This book shows you how to be the one who leaves rivals in the dust. Learn to be smarter, more flexible, and faster than your competition -- and get your organization running today.

"Very powerful and entertaining...describes how companies need to rethink their structure, culture and information ownership."--Michael S. Dell, founder and CEO, Dell Computer Corporation

"Beep! Beep! captures perfectly both the spirit and the lessons we all need to have a running start at competing and succeeding in the future." --Alan Webber, founding editor, Fast Company

"A wild ride that brings leaders practical wisdom and cutting-edge insights in a very entertaining way. Bell and Harari will turn you and your organization into a Road Runner!"--Rich Teerlink, former CEO, Harley-Davidson Motor Co.

"From the first page to the last...filled with provocative ideas and sound advice for business success in the new century." --Thomas Donahue, president and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

"A Refreshing guide to working on the edge."--Eunice Azzani, managing director, Korn/Ferry International

"Regardless of the business you're in, this book is a gem..."--Ed Sellers, CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina

"A must read for any leader..." --Rob Robins, executive vice president, Visa USA

Today's business world is in a state of constant upheaval. Deregulation, globalization, and new technologies are fragmenting markets and tearing down barriers. New businesses are sprouting up in arenas that didn't even exist a few years ago. Today, with global alliances and speed-of-light advances in technology, anyone--from established behemoth to tiny startup--can become a significant player in virtually any market. But how can a company maintain its competitive advantage in this new, unpredictable environment?

In Leapfrogging the Competition, business management expert and popular speaker Dr. Oren Harari shows you how any organization can vault over today's competition and lead the market--not merely respond to it. Inside you'll discover the five cutting-edge, giant steps that savvy business leaders around the world are using to propel their companies to new heights. You'll learn not only how to survive in today's marketplace, but how to win.

"Terrific reading for anyone who wants to lead from the front!"--General Colin Powel1

"A masterpiece...withsound theoretical underpinnings and a wealth of to-do's for today." --Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence

"This book is the essential guide to the future of business."--Bob Ulrich, CEO, Target

"Shows how organizations can use the power of information technology to create strong partnerships." --Michael Dell, CEO, Dell Computer

"A refreshingly blunt and no-nonsense book...with practical advice and relevant examples..." --Jinny Goldstein, CEO, PBS The Business Channel

"Fabulous! If you can read only one book to help you lead your company into the 21st century, this is the book.."--Peter Van Nort, Senior V.P., Raytheon

Internationally known management consultants Nicholas Imparato and Oren Harari connect the big picture of our changing civilization with the specific practical actions today's successful managers are taking to produce results. All organizations are faces with the same challenge: the need to "jump the curve" - to make significant, discontinuous leaps in their thinking, whether about product, technology, or management style. The alternative - to follow current practices all the way to their inevitable decline - is no longer acceptable. The authors show it is also unnecessary.

Drawing on numerous personal interviews with innovative leaders around the world, as well as on research and firsthand observation, Imparato and Harari identify the four strategic imperatives - innovation, intelligence, coherence, and responsibility - that will enable companies to successfully jump the curve and thrive in the emerging era. They demonstrate how cutting-edge companies and leaders are already translating these imperatives in to action.

"If I were to recommend that my managers read just one business book this year, this book would be it."--Charles Schwab, CEO, The Charles Schwab Corp.

"Read this book slowly. Read it quickly. Read it more than once. Enjoy! (I did)." --Tom Peters

"A must read. Captures the guiding principles that drive business success." --Paul Orfalea, chairman, Kinko's Copy Centers

"A great guidebook for those who have discovered that the world has changed overnight." --Paul Saffo, director, Institute for the Future.