Outstanding!: 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional

by John G. Miller

Book Overview

"Outstanding hits the nail on the head in every way: Practical content, terrific stories, and an easy read. Miller has provided a road map for organizations to become exceptional--just follow the path... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399156402
• ISBN13: 9780399156403
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Book

I've been a student of all John Miller's books and they all have exceeded my expectations. I read Outstanding when it first came out and turned around and read it again. A simple read with a powerful message! Everyone should read this book, if they want to improve and grow both professionally and personally. The ideas shared are easily identified, exist in most organizations and are so simple to fix. You only have one question to ask yourself. Do you want to be Outstanding? If you answer that with a yes, buy this book, you won't be disappointed!

Easy to read with helpful advice

What scope does an ordinary employee have to make a difference within a workplace? Quite a bit, according to John Miller in this book. Chapter 1 advises you to "Be Fast", something that has become an increasingly critical competitive factor for businesses, and more good advice follows in subsequent chapters, including "Be Humble", "Forgive Mistakes", "Do What You Promise", "Be Coachable", and "Seek No Culprits". The longest chapter, and the one which reveals the author's greatest expertise, is entitled simply "Train". Outstanding organisations use formal training processes to help their employees grow. If people are to stay competent and confident in a continually changing world, they need continuous learning. The author uses the acrostic PROCESS to describe the seven key characteristics of effective training: Practical content, Repetition, Ownership by management, Consistent message, Easily customised, Support tools and Specific plan. The short chapters and interesting anecdotes contained within each chapter made this an easy and enjoyable book to read. I normally prefer reading a book which deals in depth with a single topic, but I found it a refreshing change to read a book which deals succinctly with a large number of different topics. This is a helpful book for leaders, but also for all who want to see their organisations become more outstanding.

Truly "Outstanding"

John Miller is an accomplished author and consultant in the business world. His previous book "QBQ" was an exceptional work on identifying empowerment thinking. He continues the linage of thought provoking and insightful works in this text. The book identifies the 47 ways to make an organization better. This book is packed with helpful information. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on the ever increasing literature in the business culture, one can buy this book for the best of the latest ideas. The book also highlights some of the latest and trendy "foolish" ideas that would never work. The author shows these ideas to be lacking. Instead of having to read all of the material out there searching for the best practices, the author has done this for you. This book will provide a framework for any church, club, or business. There is not a single wasted page. For a journey in the best ideas for an organization, pick up this title.

Another Home Run By John Miller!

I've conducted management training sessions for 9+ years now and have made John Miller's previous books, QBQ! and Flipping The Switch, recommended reading and training material. You can now add Outstanding! to that list. John has a way of writing that encourages people who typically aren't too fond of business-type books to find the time to read his books. He's an expert at using real life experiences and stories to illustrate his various points and topics. For those who've been involved with personnel training, you'll appreciate that John uses humor and makes his content entertaining without losing substance. Outstanding!, just like his other books, is an easy read but is filled with excellent educational material that benefits all levels of management- from executives to front-line supervisors. It has 47 short chapters that quickly get to the point and make you think. I found myself saying throughout the book, "I've had to deal with that" or, "I can relate to this" or, "I wish I would have done that!" John's also not afraid to tell it like it really is. How many other business books have you read with a chapter titled, "Fire Customers (If Necessary)!". Any of your associates who've ever had to deal with the "customer from hell" will appreciate it. But it makes sense. As John writes, "...standing up for your people in the face of mistreatment by customers makes our staff feel truly valued." This is a book that you will want everyone on your team to read and absorb. Every chapter could easily become a mini-training class that creates meaningful discussion.

You're going to want to get this one!

I really liked this book. I'd even say it was outstanding! :-) And it seems like the author hangs out where I work! We do so many of the things he talks about, like waste time on too many meetings, promote people for the wrong reasons, dwell on past mistakes. (Been there?) Anyway, great book! This is one I think everyone's going to want to get and pass around.