ABC analysis is an important tool, for identifying the categories of the problems or the objectives. In any
organization,
problems are always there & the resources are limited & if these are used for tackling all the problems, probably they may not get all resolved. But if we can identify three to five major problems, which we must solve & win at any cost, then our resources & efforts will get focused on them & then these problems can be resolved. This book having nine Chapters contained in three sections & three appendices, along with several examples, is based on the experiences of several persons. It appears that the managers had to fight many battles in their business in a routine manner, & there were no focused & prioritized actions. Hence after proper analysis, we have to identify the appropriate battle(s) for taking up, form right team at top level with organizational support, so that they can focus their efforts & capabilities on the chosen battle. Strategy should also be decided along with this. All these must be combined together for getting success, & thereby to the transformation of the organizations.
In the last Chapter, the authors have drawn the lessons, summarized the meanings of success & failure & the factors for each of them. Of course financial result, is one important indication of success, but there are others also e.g. working of the top team really like a team in future also, R & D giving right new products leading to successes in the market. Winning the battles is possible with leadership,team work & strategies. The authors have discussed the case studies of ten most successful & three least successful battles, & arrived at five & three lessons respectively therefrom. Firstly, the starting point of any such main battle is not so important, but the actions that are required for implementation,pose a tough problem, but by persistence &
commitment we can achieve higher levels of success. Secondly the major battle that creates excitement, leads to commitment & then to performance. Such battles are generally externally focused, & involve many departments of the
organization. Thirdly effective leadership resorts to the policy of judiciousrewards & punishments. This makes changes in the behaviour of the people especially for thosewho generally resist changes in any way. Fourthly if the team base is made broader by involving more developed persons, the commitment becomes wider & probability of quicker success is substantially more. Fifthly persistence, discipline & higher efforts when required, give more chances of success. If required earlier decisions may be modified or amended. The team members have to have trust in themselves, as the success may not come quickly. Next three lessons are from those battles which were not successful, due to lack of commitment, non-involvement of the broader organization, inadequate preparation for data etc., unwillingness to involve in the battleor just passage of time. Sixthly battles should be carefully chosen, not allowing encouraging personal agendas. Seventhly we must not lose the initial momentum generated, by postponing the actions to be taken. Eighthly initial successes must not make us over-confident. We must not lose touch with the organization, we must listen to everybody & rejuvenate the team periodically.It is an easy-to-read book, & is a good contribution in the management field, giving clear guide lines for focusing on the major points & directing the coordinated organizational efforts in the required direction without frittering away the energies on minor issues. This book is meant for all executives & managers of business, for study & implementation for eventual higher performances.