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Expert insights on what sets the great professional firms apart from all the restHaving devoted a career that spans fifty years to consulting with and studying professional firms in the Americas, Asia, and Europe, author Charles Ellis learned firsthand how difficult it is for an organization to go beyond very good and attain, as well as sustain, excellence. Now, he shares his hard-won insights with you and reveals "what it takes" to be best-in-class in any industry.Enlightening and entertaining, What It Takes explores firms that are leaders in their particular field and the superior people who create and maintain them. Along the way, it identifies the secrets of their long-term success and reveals exactly how they can put your organization in a better position to excel when properly executed.* Contains many stories of achieving excellence, and addresses the obstacles that top-ranking organizations face in sustaining it* Includes insights on leaders in their particular field--from McKinsey & Company in consulting and Cravath, Swaine & Moore in law to the Mayo Clinic in healthcare* Written by one of the most experienced and respected business consultants/advisors of our timeWhat It Takes skillfully shows you how innovation and a commitment to excellence can drive success, while also revealing how easy it is to fall behind. With it, you'll discover what separates the great firms from the good ones and learn how to attain, and maintain, organizational success throughout the years.

What It Takes: Seven Secrets of Success from the World's Greatest Professional Firms

Foreword ixIntroduction xiI. Achieving ExcellenceChapter 1: Mission 3An Inspiring Long-Term PurposeChapter 2: Culture 25How We Do Things around HereChapter 3: Recruiting 47Getting the Right PeopleChapter 4: Developing People 65Training, Educating, and Organizing for ExcellenceChapter 5: Client Relationships 97Developing Ties That LastChapter 6: Innovation 111Changing How the Game Is PlayedChapter 7: Macro Innovation 133Changing the GameChapter 8: Leadership 151Bringing the Secrets TogetherChapter 9: . . . and Luck 173Sometimes It Really MattersII. Sustaining ExcellenceChapter 10: Trouble 181Excellence ChallengedChapter 11: Arthur Andersen 211Excellence LostAfterword 245Thanks 249Notes 251About the Author 285Index 287