The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation - Hardcover

Too often, companies that cling to previous successes and fail to reinvent are the ones that end up becoming dislodged by external forces, which can be competitors, market conditions, even customer fickleness. As leaders, we must embrace the responsibility of reinvention as a continuous process to ensure sustainable growth and success. If not, we run the risk of falling victim to the creativity and innovation of competitors.

The worst time is in response to a negative event, such as a major client loss, stock market decline, or new competitive attack. In fact, once companies embark on turnaround efforts—which are largely characterized by survival tactics such as cutting R&D and marketing—they are only able to regain a leadership position 10% of the time. The ideal time to reinvent is from a position of strength, at the height of success. It is much easier to use momentum and resources to reimagine what’s next than it is to react to problems or setbacks.

In the book, I cover a variety of ways to reinvent, test, and adapt. Great reinventions are not a bet-the-farm-at-once type risk. A systematic, disciplined approach to the necessary process of continuous reinvention helps prevent false starts and flameouts.

Detroit was once a beacon of entrepreneurship and innovation in the U.S., but ultimately we let ourselves succumb to bureaucracy and entitlement. Our decline highlights the negative results of failing to reinvent. At the same time, right now we are in the midst of massive transformation, connecting back to our entrepreneurial roots. I firmly believe that the next five years will be studied for decades as the greatest urban reinvention in American history. New industries, people, and ideas are taking root. It's an exciting time, and I share both the challenges and opportunities extensively in this book.

Make sure you are bringing something to market that is disruptive and truly unique as opposed to a “me too” solution. Also, build an ongoing process of reinvention deep into the DNA of your organization to ensure you adapt to the dizzying rate of change that exits today. Bottom line: disrupt or be disrupted.

Praise for The Road to Reinvention

"Continuous reinvention has become a critical strategy to win in these challenging times. In The Road to Reinvention, Josh Linkner lays out a powerful and cohesive path to help you drive your own creative disruption."
—Steve Case, cofounder, AOL

"Josh Linkner is a truly special entrepreneur, part of a rare breed that understands that the most important lesson on how to win in business, and in life, is to never give up. The Road to Reinvention is filled with practical tidbits for those fighting every day to become successful."
—Eric Lefkofsky, CEO, Groupon

"In this compelling book, Josh Linkner reminds us that no business can afford to pause in the headlong drive to meet new challenges to the status quo, that to reinvent the workplace, we have to reinvent ourselves continually as leaders. The Road to Reinvention is a must-read."
—Deborah Hopkins, chief innovation officer, Citibank

"Reinvention can be both exciting and challenging, but successfully reinventing one's self, a business, an industry, or a community can also be truly rewarding. We are in the midst of a positive reinvention in Detroit and throughout Michigan, and I encourage you to head down Josh Linkner's road to reinvention."
— Rick Snyder, governor, State of Michigan

"The Road to Reinvention shows why great people and companies go stale—and how to stay fresh. Josh Linkner reveals what it takes to reboot your products, reshape your services, reengineer your operations, rethink your brand, and restart your career. This bold, uplifting book will reinvent the way that leaders and entrepreneurs do business."
—Adam Grant, professor, the Wharton School, and author, Give and Take

"Josh Linkner has laid out a comprehensive framework for reinvention and operational innovation, which is a must-read for all leaders. With numerous inspirational examples and straight talk on what you can do to reinvent your company, The Road to Reinvention should be mandatory reading for your entire team."
—Tom LaSorda, former CEO, Chrysler