Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty: Managing in a Downturn

“There is no better person than Ram Charan to provide advice on managing in a downturn.” –Larry Bossidy, former Chairman & CEO Honeywell International Inc.

"This is all classic guru writing, stressing the extremity of the situation. But from Charan - who has already brought us bestsellers such as Execution and What the CEO Wants You to Know - it seems plausible. His forte is bold advice, delivered with convincing rhetoric. And he has completed his new text just at the right time."--Financial Times

As a business leader today, you face an unprecedented challenge: the worldwide economic downturn. Cash and credit are dwindling, sales forecasts are dismal, and morale is sinking. This is not a time to reflect. It is a time to act, decide, and energize your people—with urgency.

This is your moment. Are you up to the task?

In Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty, Ram Charan helps you steer your business through the minefield of contracting markets, cash shortages, and ongoing uncertainty. No matter what your leadership role, Charan’s insight will help ensure that your business emerges leaner, stronger, and well in front of the competition.

“We will not know when we have turned the corner, and we cannot envision the shape and scope of the world that will emerge,” Charan writes. “What we can be sure of is that this is a time of tumultuous change, and with change come both danger and opportunity.”

In this concise and highly accessible guide, the author provides practical actions you can execute immediately to

• Protect cash flow vigilantly, even daily, and use cash more efficiently

• Use ground intelligence to survive the storm and position your business to thrive in the aftermath

• Develop a better understanding of your customers

• Reevaluate your pricing strategy and capital expenditures

• Use cost cutting strategically

Using examples and case studies, Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty illustrates how leaders at DuPont, Hanesbrands, Wipro, and other companies used Charan’s techniques to get results.

The chaos of global economic meltdown has imposed an urgency you have never before experienced. It’s a scary thing, but it can also be exciting—if you’re prepared.

“You’ve never experienced so much change and uncertainty or faced such a deep downturn. Yet others are looking to you for strength and guidance. Are you up to the challenge? Whether you lead a company, business unit, or small group of people, Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty will be an invaluable tool for navigating today’s troubled economic waters.” —from the Foreword by Larry Bossidy

Inside, business advisor Ram Charan describes steps you can take right now to steer your organization away from the pitfalls and position it for a new future. You’ll find practical techniques that will help you cope with:

• CASH AND CREDIT CRUNCHES

• SHRINKING BUDGETS

• COLLAPSING MARKETS

• SINKING WORKFORCE MORALE

• DISAPPEARING SUPPLIERS

• NERVOUS STAKEHOLDERS

Great business thinkers like Ram Charan see opportunity in chaos. His innovative, commonsense way of approaching problems has made him one of the world’s most sought-after consultants. Here, he provides help to leaders at every level, from the CEO and country managers to department heads in finance, marketing, sales, and manufacturing.

Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty offers clear guidelines for seizing opportunity and persevering in today’s global economy. Fight your fear and anxiety— and take your leadership to the next level, now.