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Loy Machedo's Book Review -- How by Dov Seidman

205 views · Published 6 March 2013 · 6:26 · Indexed 30 October 2026

Channel: Loy Machedo · 2013 · Education

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Out of the many positive reviews given to the book 'HOW', I want to share only 3 with you.

First by Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc. Jeff Kindler
"HOW is a radically different and compelling approach to competing in business today. What Seidman has done is crystallize how we now need to think and act to win in this new world."

Second by Jim Skinner, CEO, McDonald's Corporation
"Dov Seidman captures the power that Ray Kroc instilled in us at McDonald's from the day he opened his first restaurant in 1955. HOW is required reading for anyone seeking enduring success in business or life."

Third by Fortune Magazine
"The hottest adviser on corporate virtue to Fortune 500 companies."

And when you have the Foreword by President Bill Clinton, do you have any doubt that this book is indeed going to be not just thought-provoking but a landmark juggernaut?

Without a doubt, this book turned out to be definitive must-read of the ages!

But here I must warn you -- This is one rare book that isn't a fast and easy read. It contains many examples, concepts and the hard hitting truths we have forgotten many years ago.

Consider these questions:
- How can I best delight my client?
- How can I bring the company greater repute?
- How can I make the meeting more successful?

And then consider these questions:
- What does the manual say to do?
- What is my job description?
- What is on the agenda?

Which questions do you think hit a home run with the values and practices of Value-Based, Principle-Run Companies?

Unlike other business books, How isn't a step-by-step instructions booklet or a 7 secrets to 15 rules or 13 processes to achieve success. Rather, it is a deep insightful Bible of thoughts which brings forth the reality to the reader.

One of my favorite examples which Seidman states is when he quotes Jack Welch: "There's no secret to the what. The secret is in the how. They can know our model, but they cannot do it. They cannot copy our hows."

In other words, In today's transparent, inter-connected, information flooded, highly competitive and free flow world competitors can copy your products, offer similar services, steal your employees and duplicate your technology. They can cut prices, offer discounts, compile tempting gifts and shocking deals. However, what they can't copy is the way you do business, the manner in which you have build relationships with people and the slow painstaking steps you have taken to build trust will all those connected to your business. Those are your "hows."

He speaks on intangible and invaluable traits like Trust, Culture, Transparency, Leadership, Relationships -- everything that cannot be measured but is felt and experienced. What I loved most was the use of the example of GE Aircraft Engine Assembly Plant in Durham, NC where some 200 highly qualified professionals work under one (the plant manager) and at times no boss -- where the philosophy is everyone is a boss and everyone reports to everyone else. Everyone knows what is to be done and they do it without being told -- be it keeping the place clean, not stealing tools, to even not having a fixed compulsory time to report to work. And that in turn has resulted in reduction in costs, increase in profits, higher productivity and absolute loyalty to the values of the organization.

It is more like the anecdote he gave - Instead of being like the bakery that won't cut bread when you request them to do so (because of a so called 'company rule), become the bakery that goes the extra mile to cut bread AND add a surprise cookie.

Personally, the last chapter was the icing on the cake where he clearly speaks about 'The Leadership Framework' and he states "I can't give you rules." Simply because Dov Seidman strongly believes Rules, Systems and Process never work -- Values do. I was really stuck with the profoundness and depth of this book.

This is an amazing masterpiece that will take time, patience and thought to read as it focuses on HOW we think, HOW we behave, and HOW we govern. For anyone looking forward to move into the deeper waters of learning, growing, and evolving -- this is truly a manuscript for the ages. The wisdom in its pages is timeless and priceless. And by far, a book that I will rate as among the Best Business Books of the Ages.

Overall Rating
A Very Intense book, A deep well of wisdom and A Well-Crafted Masterpiece in the making.
Perfect Score -- 10 out of 10.

Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com | loymachedo.tv

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