We are all beginning to recognize that the twenty-first century is very different from the past. The Internet and e-commerce are changing the face of business; mergers and acquisitions are an indication of widespread business recession; our own automation business is subject to major layoffs while manufacturing and engineering jobs go overseas; and the global business scene remains unstable amidst threats of terrorism and possible conflict in the Middle East. How does one manage under these unstable conditions?
Peter Drucker is 93, born in 1909. Since his first book (The End of Economic Man, 1939), he became known as the world's foremost management guru. Many of the 30 or so books he has written on management, economics, and trends in society are still best-sellers in their umpteenth printings.
In Managing in the Next Society, perhaps his last book ever, Peter Drucker covers technology and society trends, emerging industries, management, and sociological changes. He tracks U.S. business movement away from manufacturing to service and distribution, with new discussions on emerging biotechnology and knowledge management. Drucker provides valuable insights into a fast-changing society, and his depth and wisdom shine through.
The book is a collection of interviews and essays, all of which have appeared within the past few years in well-known journals and magazines. It's an easy read—like talking personally with the guru himself. Read it to gain a broad perspective on the changes that are flooding over this new century.
Drucker's other recent book (Managing in the 21st Century, 2000) includes new and revolutionary ideas and perspectives on the central management issues of the new century. In that book he offers incisive, challenging, and mind-stretching forward looking and forward thinking. This book is for those who wish to prepare themselves for today's tough challenges, to be the new leaders of tomorrow. If you are in management of any kind, you must read this book.
You might also like to listen to the audiocassettes based on these books. I listened to Drucker's Managing in the 21st Century tapes repeating in my car for a month, which helped me give some of my best speeches on the subject.
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Jim Pinto is an industry commentator and founder of San Diego-based Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com, or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com.