That sentence is the entire text of Chapter 19 in Gordon MacKenzie's 1998 Orbiting the Giant Hairball, still the best book on what it takes to be creative in a big company -- or really -- in any company. If you haven't read it, and are interested in innovation or creativity, skip the newer stuff and start with the hairball. I was reminded of this one sentence chapter when I was reading an advanced copy of Jack Covert and Todd Sattersten's The 100 Best Business Books of All Time, which comes out in February. I will be posting more on the 100 Best in the coming months.
P.S. Speaking of short, here is the entire first sentence of the 100 Best: 11,000. As Jack and Todd tell us (based on ISBN numbers issued) that is how many business books were published in 2007. Staggering, isn't it?
Thanks for reminding folks again about MacKenzie's book. I have given it to colleagues to read. They were generally thoughtful types constrained by the corporate culture. It meant something to them. Yet, there are some individuals, usually in the uppermost leadership ranks, who just would not get it. Gordon MacKenzie died too soon, but what a fantastic legacy he left behind in Orbiting the Giant Hairball. Thanks again for widely publicizing this gem.
Posted by: Bruce | December 18, 2008 at 09:00 AM
11,000 business books published. But very few worth reading.
The problem isn't too many books being published, the problem is that there aren't enough that are worth reading.
11,000 business books worth reading would be one of those "good problems" I keep hearing about. ;^)
Posted by: Nivi | December 18, 2008 at 09:00 AM
11,000 business books just this year? I guess narrowing down the 100 best was a more daunting task than I ever imagined.
By the way, I got my latest of the books that come with the order of the 100 Best book. It's called Growing a Company by Paul Hawken.
Posted by: Kevin Rutkowski | December 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Awesome quote--love it!
Posted by: Michael Plishka | December 17, 2008 at 08:59 AM