Reinvent best practices that have become bad habits

Without meaning to, and often with the best of intentions, most organizations continually waste precious time and money on processes and activities that don't create value and no longer make sense in today's business environment. Until now, the relatively slow speed of marketplace evolution has allowed wasteful habits to continue without consequence. This reality is ending.

Detonate explains how organizations built up bad habits, identifies which ones masquerade as "best practices," and suggests alternatives that can contribute to winning in the marketplace. With a focus on optimism and empowerment, it focuses on an approach and mindset which are critical to successfully compete in an era characterized by profound technological advances and uncertainty.

    Core themes challenge how you think about and approach problems

    Case studies illustrate the challenges you face and how to overcome them

    Recommendations are pragmatic and steer clear of suggesting a brand-new, complicated wiring diagram

    Actionable advice provides the first steps down an evolutionary path

If you want to compete differently in todays marketplace and to challenge the things your company does which you have a nagging feeling are actually just a waste of time and maybe value-destroying Detonategives you what you need to ignite change.

GEOFF TUFF is a Principal with Deloitte. He is a senior leader of the firms Innovation and Applied Design practices.

STEVEN GOLDBACH is a Principal with Deloitte. He is the Chief Strategy Officer of Deloitte US and a member of the firms Executive Leadership Team.

Preface xi

Part I Light the Fuse 1

Chapter 1 Tinderbox: Hazardous Unwritten Rules 3

Chapter 2 Spark: Acceleration of the Vicious Cycle 19

Chapter 3 Coordinates: Targeting the Blast 39

Part II Blow Up Your Playbooks 59

Chapter 4 Dismantle Your P&L: Why Revenue Should Be the Last Thing You Worry About 61

Chapter 5 Trash the Calendar: A Strategic Planning Schedule Is Largely a Waste of Time 77

Chapter 6 Defy Expertise: Syndicated Data Create Zero Advantage 89

Chapter 7 Upend Insight: Customers Cant Tell You What They Believe 103

Chapter 8 Lose Control: Discard Opportunity Management Systems 119

Chapter 9 Stomp Out Platitudes: Celebrating Failure Is an Excuse for Mediocrity 135

Chapter 10 Embrace Impermanence: Org Charts and Career Paths Are Past Their Sell-By Date 149

Part III Build Something Better 159

Chapter 11 Where to Start: Pick Your Site to Apply the Detonate Mindset 161

Chapter 12 Implications for Leadership: Accelerate by Asking Better Questions 175

Chapter 13 Minimally Viable Thoughts 185

Notes 197

Acknowledgments 203

About the Authors 205

Index 207