Trajectory Management: Leading a Business Over Time

Citation

(2004), "Trajectory Management: Leading a Business Over Time", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 53 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2004.07953bae.001

Trajectory Management: Leading a Business Over Time

Trajectory Management: Leading a Business Over Time

Paul StrebelWileyEuropeISBN: 0-470-86290-4£19.99

Turbulent times need “special” management. Special in that it must change and develop as the environment changes. There cannot be a unified theory of management – certainly no “silver bullet” – since what would be right for one situation is unlikely to still be right when the situation changes.

Strebel is keen to distance himself from the “one true way” approach put forward by many business gurus arguing that the search for best practice, best change management, etc. obscures real situations in business. There is no “right way”, only actions that are right for the situation. All businesses continually evolve (or they die): the “trick” is to evolve at the same pace (or slightly ahead of) the environment and the competition. There is a need to anticipate and respond to external drivers, but also a need to manage internal drivers. In Strebel’s terms this process is the process of planning and managing the business trajectory.

This book provides a practical framework which enables diagnosis of where a business trajectory is, and how to sustain or switch trajectories.

Those who find the ideas interesting and want further support are directed to www.trajectorymanagment.com