The Agility Factor

A research-based approach to achieving long-term profitability in business

What does it take to guarantee success and profitability over time? Authors Christopher G. Worley, a senior research scientist, Thomas D. Williams, an executive advisor, and Edward E. Lawler III, one of the country's leading management experts, set out to find the answer. In The Agility Factor: Building Adaptable Organizations for Superior Performance the authors reveal the factors that drive long-term profitability based on the practices of successful companies that have consistently outperformed their peers. Of the 234 large companies across 18 industries that were studied, there were few companies that delivered sustained performance across the board. The authors found that across industries, the most successful companies were not the "usual suspects" found in the media, but companies who possessed a quiet agility that allowed them to quickly perceive and respond to changes so that they could continue to grow. Agility gives organizations the ability to adapt to fluctuations in the environment, test possible responses, and implement changes quickly. This book offers specific, research-based case studies to help organizational leaders use agility to achieve sustained profitability and performance while also becoming more adaptable to a changing marketplace.

For executives, leaders, consultants, board members and all those responsible for the long-term health of organizations, this insightful guide outlines:

• The components of agility for business organizations
• How to successfully build agility within an organization
• How agility has its foundation in good management practices
• How to use agility to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace

Christopher G. Worley is Senior Research Scientist at the University of Southern California’s Center for Effective Organizations. He is also professor of management at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Thomas Williams is a Senior Executive Advisor at Strategy& (formerly Booz & Company) where he consults to large global companies on issues of strategy, organization, and management systems.

Edward E. Lawler III is Director of the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California and Distinguished Professor of Management and Organization in the USC Marshall School of Business.

PRAISE FOR THE AGILITY FACTOR "This is a breakthrough book. The authors have linked together long-term financial performance with strategy and organizational capabilities in a unique but very solidly supported way. The idea of organizational agility and the four components of agility provide a sophisticated but very pragmatic and actionable approach. They carefully smash some of the myths and fads of management that have been around for years. Rarely have I seen a book that brings research, theory, and practice together in such an interesting and meaningful way. CEOs and senior managers will need to read this book." -- David A. Nadler, Nadler Advisory Services; retired Vice Chairman, Marsh & McLennan Companies " The Agility Factor demonstrates the critical difference between strategy and agility. Strategy is taking confident action based on assumptions about key factors that are nearly impossible for mere mortals to predict. Agility begins with the assumption that, as mere mortals, we cannot often make confident predictions about key factors and therefore must act accordingly. Agility is strategy, without the ego." -- Ian Ziskin, President, EXec EXcel Group LLC; former CHRO, Northrop Grumman Corporations "To thrive over the long haul, companies must adapt to market disruptions. No capability delivers value forever. The Agility Factor delivers the next step in the execution of strategy, and is a practical way to change reliably and efficiently and stay ahead of the curve." -- Eric Spiegel, President and CEO, Siemens Corporation "Agility is the lifeblood of today's organizational success stories. Leading researchers and guides Worley, Williams, and Lawler aptly illustrate both the need and the journey we all strive to follow. Tomorrow's winners will heed these lessons." -- Paul S. Viviano, Chief Executive Officer, UCSD Health System; Associate Vice Chancellor, UCSD Health Sciences "Worley, Williams, and Lawler have answered the question of how to set up organizations to 'pivot', 'adapt', and 'flex' their way to success. Driven by compelling research, grounded in clear frameworks and presented with practical application, this is a must-read for CEOs and the organization development consultants that advise them." -- Elaine Mason, former VP, Planning and Education, Viacom/MTV Networks

PRAISE FOR THE AGILITY FACTOR This is a breakthrough book. The authors have linked together long-term financial performance with strategy and organizational capabilities in a unique but very solidly supported way. The idea of organizational agility and the four components of agility provide a sophisticated but very pragmatic and actionable approach. They carefully smash some of the myths and fads of management that have been around for years. Rarely have I seen a book that brings research, theory, and practice together in such an interesting and meaningful way. CEOs and senior managers will need to read this book. David A. Nadler, Nadler Advisory Services; retired Vice Chairman, Marsh & McLennan Companies The Agility Factor demonstrates the critical difference between strategy and agility. Strategy is taking confident action based on assumptions about key factors that are nearly impossible for mere mortals to predict. Agility begins with the assumption that, as mere mortals, we cannot often make confident predictions about key factors and therefore must act accordingly. Agility is strategy, without the ego. Ian Ziskin, President, EXec EXcel Group LLC; former CHRO, Northrop Grumman Corporations To thrive over the long haul, companies must adapt to market disruptions. No capability delivers value forever. The Agility Factor delivers the next step in the execution of strategy, and is a practical way to change reliably and efficiently and stay ahead of the curve. Eric Spiegel, President and CEO, Siemens Corporation Agility is the lifeblood of today s organizational success stories. Leading researchers and guides Worley, Williams, and Lawler aptly illustrate both the need and the journey we all strive to follow. Tomorrow s winners will heed these lessons. Paul S. Viviano, Chief Executive Officer, UCSD Health System; Associate Vice Chancellor, UCSD Health Sciences Worley, Williams, and Lawler have answered the question of how to set up organizations to pivot , adapt , and flex their way to success. Driven by compelling research, grounded in clear frameworks and presented with practical application, this is a must-read for CEOs and the organization development consultants that advise them. Elaine Mason, former VP, Planning and Education, Viacom/MTV Networks

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