Most leaders are desperately seeking ways to get greater results\nfrom their organizations. While they are quick to acknowledge the\nvalue and power of informal networks for getting work done, far too\noften leaders apply flawed approaches to generating business\nresults from networks. What they need is a proven method for\nassessing and managing networks for strategic purposes.

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Driving Results Through Social Networks shows executives and\nmanagers how to obtain substantial performance and innovation\nimpact by better leveraging these traditionally invisible assets.\nFor the past decade, Rob Cross and Robert J. Thomas have worked\nclosely with executives from over a hundred top-level companies and\ngovernment agencies. In this groundbreaking book, they describe\nin-depth how these leaders are using network thinking to increase\nrevenues, lower costs, and accelerate innovation.

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Throughout the book, the authors offer clear principles and\npractical tools to drive collaborations that deliver the greatest\nperformance impact. By using the network analysis techniques\noutlined in this book, leaders will be able to address such\nquestions as: Does information flow smoothly across formal\nstructure and thus allow an organization to leverage scale and\nexpertise in product or service offerings? Is innovation spurred at\nkey points by effective networks bringing together functions,\nofferings, or technical capabilities? Is the organization overly\nfocused on a few decision-makers, roles, or experts that are\ninvisibly but dramatically slowing the work and efficiency of many\nothers? Once social networks become visible, leaders can address\nthese and other questions in ways that have an immediate impact on\nperformance.

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Driving Results Through Social Networks is filled with\nillustrative examples from such successful companies as Procter\n&Gamble, Microsoft, United Technologies, Novartis, and Mars\nthat have used network analysis to yield actionable insights and\nmeasureable business impact.

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