Books that might be worth reading

Although summer is winding down, I’m adding these two to my reading list:

The Power of Momentum: Companies That Build Their Wave and Ride It

Published: August 20, 2008 in Knowledge@Wharton

How can a company deliver continuous, exceptional growth, year after year? J. C. Larreche, a professor of marketing at INSEAD, answers that question in his book, The Momentum Effect: How to Ignite Exceptional Growth. According to the author's research, momentum-powered firms delivered 80% more shareholder value than their slower rivals. "Momentum leaders are not lucky -- they are smart," he writes in the following excerpt. "They have discovered the source of momentum and, with it, the beginnings of a smarter way to exceptional growth. Managers often talk about 'riding the wave.' Momentum leaders aren't that passive. They live by this motto: First build your wave, then ride it."

Momentum. Most businesses get it at some point -- the impression that everything they undertake succeeds effortlessly, as if they're being carried along by a tailwind that increases their efficiency and propels them on to exceptional growth.

Some hold on to it. Most don't. Slowly, imperceptibly, the tailwind turns around and the momentum disappears, without anyone quite realizing what has happened. The company is still growing, but not as strongly as before, not as efficiently. Everyone's maxing out, but it seems like there's molasses in the works. Sound familiar?

The Power of Momentum: Companies That Build Their Wave and Ride It - Knowledge@Wharton

'The Objective of Education Is Learning, Not Teaching'

Published: August 20, 2008 in Knowledge@Wharton

In their book, Turning Learning Right Side Up: Putting Education Back on Track, authors Russell L. Ackhoff and Daniel Greenberg point out that today's education system is seriously flawed -- it focuses on teaching rather than learning. "Why should children -- or adults -- be asked to do something computers and related equipment can do much better than they can?" the authors ask in the following excerpt from the book. "Why doesn't education focus on what humans can do better than the machines and instruments they create?"

"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught."
   -- Oscar Wilde

Traditional education focuses on teaching, not learning. It incorrectly assumes that for every ounce of teaching there is an ounce of learning by those who are taught. However, most of what we learn before, during, and after attending schools is learned without its being taught to us. A child learns such fundamental things as how to walk, talk, eat, dress, and so on without being taught these things. Adults learn most of what they use at work or at leisure while at work or leisure. Most of what is taught in classroom settings is forgotten, and much or what is remembered is irrelevant.

'The Objective of Education Is Learning, Not Teaching' - Knowledge@Wharton

Comments

[arifin hussain pasha]

I have just read a book of J.C. Larreche today.Realy great.

[Virginia Yonkers]

I have to take exception to your comment about children not being taught to walk, talk, dress themselves, etc...While they are not lectured to on how to do these things, it is vital for parental/sibling/child interact to learn this. In fact, many day cares do the "teaching" of these skills. There is still "teaching", it just takes a different form. (I'm glad you did not bring up potty training---the hardest skill by far to teach tottlers!)

[Stephen Partridge]

Hi - what did you think of The Momentum Effect when you read it? Personally I think it's one of the best business books I've ever read.