Overdrive : Managing in Crisis-Filled Times

"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! 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percent of their time putting out fires, most businesspeople continue to cling to these and other dangerously outdated myths about crisis.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