"A lively and informative compilation of methods used by savvy,
recognized CEOs to survive and thrive in a crisis. Silva and McGann
recount contemporary corporate war stories that illustrate the
impracticality of planning for a crisis-common or
catastrophic-and the necessity of exercising vision,
creativity, and flexibility to avoid or endure a
crisis."-David H. Murdock, Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, Dole Food Company
"This book is an indispensable asset for any corporate executive
facing the inevitability of crisis control."-Craig L. Fuller,
Senior Vice President, Philip Morris Companies Inc.
" Whether dealing with a sudden crisis of unimaginable size or
the daily press of issues, each has the potential to explode into a
major catastrophe. Overdrive gives specific answers to questions
that you hoped you'd never have to ask. Silva and McGann offer
practical, proven solutions that every executive needs in order to
lead in our crisis filled times."-Bruce L. Christensen, Dean
of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Brigham Young
University, Former President and Chief Executive Officer of PBS
It used to be that crisis was something that only happened to
companies in trouble. But in today's turbulent, hotly competitive
global marketplace, crisis is a permanent fact of life in every
business organization, and the new name of the management game is
"crisis management." Now in this groundbreaking book, Michael Silva
(Creating Excellence) and Terry McGann tell you exactly what the
new rules of the game are, and, more importantly, how to play to
win!
Teaches you practical lessons in how to strategically manage
crisis to forge stronger, more competitive companies
Provides a rational, innovative framework for thinking about
and responding to crisis
Shows you how to leverage the opportunities that crises present
for changing the rules of the game and making strategic
breakthroughs
Brings abstract concepts to vivid life with scores of vignettes
and case studies from a wide range of industries and dozens of
businesses, both large and small
Based on the authors' years of experience as crisis management
consultants to top Fortune 500 companies
Crisis happens only to companies in trouble, it is always
somebody's fault, it is always destructive, and a lot of it in an
organization indicates an inability to manage crisis effectively .
. .right? Wrong! Despite the fact that most executives surveyed
claim to spend at least seventy-five percent of their time putting
out fires, most businesspeople continue to cling to these and other
dangerously outdated myths about crisis. The truth is, in today's
ever more chaotic, fiercely competitive global marketplace, crisis
is an inescapable fact of life for every business
organization-especially the ambitious ones. In fact, many top
business thinkers now view crisis as an indispensable catalyst for
strategic growth and competitive strength.
Now, in this groundbreaking new book, Michael Silva-author
of the bestselling, Creating Excellence-and Terry McGann, arm
you with a blueprint for success in these crisis-ridden times.
Offering important practical lessons in strategic crisis
management, they school managers in all the cutting-edge leadership
and management skills they need not only to survive crisis, but to
use it to forge stronger, more competitive companies. Drawing on
their years of experience as crisis management consultants to the
Fortune 500, as well as the experiences of dozens of companies
whose stories they vividly tell, Silva and McGann:
Separate crisis management myth from reality and provide a
rational and innovative framework for thinking about and responding
to crisis
Help you to recognize and leverage the opportunities that
crises present for changing the rules of the game and making
strategic breakthroughs
Help you to forge a new organizational vision founded upon the
three crucial factors of crisis prevention, crisis identification,
and crisis solution
Offer crisis management guidelines based on the golden rules of
Vision (see it all, see it fast), Values (say it all, say it fast),
and Versatility (change it all, change it fast)
Bring abstract concepts to vivid life with scores of vignettes
and examples from a wide range of industries and scores of
businesses.
Crisis has become a permanent player in the management game for
all companies-corporate high-rollers and "mom and pop"
retailers alike. Read Overdrive, and find out what the new rules of
the game are, and, more importantly, learn how to play to win!
Author Biography
MICHAEL SILVA is recognized internationally as a cutting-edgethinker in the management of crisis. In the last twenty years, hehas worked with executives of over half of the Fortune 500 andscores of international companies, dealing specifically with theapplication of crisis leadership principles under extremelyturbulent conditions. He is the author of Europe 1992 and the WorldPower Game and the coauthor of the international bestsellerCreating Excellence: Managing Corporate Culture, Strategy andChange in the New Age.
TERRY McGANN is chairman of Sacramento Advocates, a consulting firmspecializing in assisting private sector companies whose strategiesinvolve significant relationships with federal government agencies.Sacramento Advocates' clients include Apple Computer, Kraft, Cigna,PepsiCo, and SmithKline Beecham.
