Back to Books THE ROAD TO ORGANIC GROWTH: How Great Companies Consistently Grow Market Share from Within Edward D. Hess (McGraw Hill, 2007) Buy This Book A two-year study of more than 800 companies found that the successful ones had a passion for measurement, customer service, and an employee-centric organization. The Road to Organic Growth shows you how to develop this kind of company at both the managerial and executive level, implementing key value-driving behaviors necessary to achieve sustainable growth from within-without mergers, acquisitions, or takeovers. Edward Hess demonstrates that the real keys to organic growth are an intense focus on measurement and performance, consistently exceeding customer expectations, maintaining a strict attention to detail, and building an employee-centric organization. He goes on to show how to link these elements into a proven formula for long-term growth and competitive advantage. Featuring compelling real-world examples from leading companies such as Best Buy, SYSCO, Stryker Corporation, Outback Steakhouse, and American Eagle, readers will learn: • The DNA of organic growth • The elevator-pitch business model • How to instill a "small-company soul" into a "big company body" • Why to measure everything • How to build a people pipeline • The effectiveness of a humble, passionate and focused leader • How to be a executive and technology champion Basing his recommendations on original research, interviews, and in-depth corporate studies, Hess backs up his conclusions with solid statistical data. The Road to Organic Growth offers fresh, new, and often-surprising perspectives from the field on what it really takes to foster organic growth.   REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS: Click here for Amazon Reviews "Ed Hess has created a brilliant book. It is a must read for anyone interested in how organizations succeed. He provides compelling evidence that popular prescriptions for business success are frequently misguided. This book will be a classic and may cause business management to rethink its fundamental assumptions". - Professor Kim Cameron Ross School of Business, University of Michigan "Professor Hess provides actionable take-aways for businesses looking to grow organically. He clearly sees the future of American business and the workplace". - Patrick S. Flood Chairman & CEO, HomeBanc Mortgage Corp. "The Road to Organic Growth illuminates the keys that separate the best performers. One of the best reads of the year". - Gary Bouch Senior Vice President-Operations, FedEx Freight "Professor Hess has done a wonderful job of teaching us to look beyond the numbers to the character and soul of great enterprises". - Darren Jackson Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Best Buy Co., Inc.