Managing your way out of the recession

The recession has created a toxic environment for business, with most UK managers still feeling insecure about the future and businesses struggling to regain a competitive footing, according to a new report from Lord John Eatwell, published by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).  CMI’s Economic Outlook report, which tracks business confidence amongst the UK’s senior executives, reveals that the recession is still negatively impacting on 82 per cent of businesses and shows that job insecurity is at record levels.  Despite signs of fledgling economic recovery, 41 per cent of managers maintain that their business operations remain severely hampered by the effects of the recession. The result is a fragile and frugal business environment, which has the potential to delay the UK’s recovery still further.

Therefore understanding the current economic recession and developing a strategy to help your business emerge from it remain key activities for managers.  Here are some recent books from our management library to help you.

These books are available for loan to CMI members.  Email us with your membership details and your postal address.

The upside of the downturn: ten management strategies to prevail in the recession and thrive in the aftermath

 Geoff Colvin

2009

ISBN: 9781857885286

What’s it about? The nature of the current economic recession are explored and the author assesses how it will change the world and the cultural shifts which will emerge from it. He contends that, despite the length and severity of the downturn, it does present opportunities for individuals and businesses, which may easily be missed but can lead to growth and success. Ten strategies for survival are outlined including: resetting priorities, protecting valuable assets, re-examining business models and strategies, managing for value, understanding risk and focusing on personal development. Pricing and operational issues are also covered.

The upside of turbulence: seizing opportunities in an uncertain world

Donald Sull

2009

ISBN: 9780061771156

What’s it about? The author, who is a professor at the London Business School, makes a case for building an organisation agile enough to exploit opportunities rapidly, and one that can absorb the inevitable setbacks that face every organisation. The author argues that managers need to become prepared to manage in a time of turbulence which is defined as rapid and unpredictable changes in the environment that influence a firm's ability to create value. To the author, turbulence undermines strategic plans, the ability of management to see and respond to change, as well as the ability to see situations from the outside in. The book seeks to shake up managers and the way they are thinking about leading in turbulent times. It includes many case studies and examples, and will be of interest to general managers, and to any manager involved in strategy, innovation, or development.

Chasing the rabbit: how market leaders outdistance the competition and how great companies can catch up and win

Stephen J Spear

2009

ISBN: 9780071499880

What’s it about? The author describes what sets high-performing, market-leading organisations apart from others even though they face similar challenges and operate in the same markets as their competitors. The fundamentally different approach taken by the front runners is described including how they find where they need to improve and what they need to learn to outrun the field. The main message of the book is that more can be accomplished with less cost, effort, and risk than is currently taken for granted. The internal operations of high-performing organisations are examined to demonstrate how skillful management of complex internal systems can generate constant, almost automatic self-improvement at rates faster, durations longer, and breadths wider than others can muster.

Companies in difficulty: a guide for directors

David Bridge

2009

ISBN: 9781860724275

What’s it about? Advice is dispensed for company directors whose own company may be floundering, or who are dealing with customers and suppliers who have gone bust. The book is in three parts, the first focusing upon insolvency procedures, including administration, receivership and liquidation. Part two examines issues relating to the duties of company directors such as: misfeasance and breach of fiduciary duties; fraudulent trading; and disqualification of directors. The final section looks at tracking the financial position of a counterparty and covers the renegotiation of contracts, and dealing with insolvent customers and suppliers. Various example forms are included in appendices.