If you read Cultural Offering on even a semi-regular basis, you will know what a fan I am of business consultant Nicholas Bate.  I consider his website and essential daily visit (see listing to your left) and I have now purchased his second book, Instant MBA.  I am 116 pages in, thanks in part to a very comfortable fire this evening.  The book is pretty well marked-up already - proof of how damn good it is. 

I don't have an MBA and have no plans to pursue one.  Hey, now I don't need one now thanks to this incredibly readable book.  So many great ideas in a single package.  And ideas that can be used instantly - how clever.

An excerpt from "Good is simply no longer good enough:"

• If your organization is dire, you'll be out, bankrupt, no more, and that will happen pretty well immediately.  There is no long term if dire is the operating standard.
  
• If the organization works at poor, it may take a little longer for people to catch up with you, but you'll be out of business once they realize what you are up to and the way they are being treated.  Once again there is no long term for you, if your operating standard is poor.
  
• If you choose to be OK, then you're fine for the short term, and if you are willing to raise your standards you have a long-term future. . .
  
• If you are good, then people will be interested in buying from you both in the short term and long term.  You should be able to hang on to some customers, but will you be able to keep them and develop them?  They may start going to an organization who is better; you see, good is no longer good enough.  Certainly not in the long term.  But hopeful if you are good you are also good enough to recognize the need to raise your standards.
  
• How about if you are really good?  Now you're talking.  People are much more interested in you.  There are more possibilities open to you.  Customers are keen to work with you.  It is easier to defend your prices.
  What about if you are excellent?  Fantastic.  There are never, ever enough excellent companies about the place.  You'll be in demand, you'll always be doing well.
  
• Could your business step up to outstanding?  Of course it could.  Because you've got a message, haven't you?  Every one of these steps is a choice.  And if you were outstanding, think of what would happen to your organization.
  
• If you were awe-inspiring there would be absolutely no stopping your business.  How about it?  Make the decision today and simply decide to be awe-inspiring.  They'll be after you; you can name your price.