Corporate Agility

About the Author

Charles E. Grantham, James P. Ware, and Cory Williamson are distinguished figures in the study of corporate agility and the evolving nature of work. Grantham and Ware co-founded the Work Design Collaborative and the Future of Work program, which includes influential members such as Boeing, Accenture, and Intel. Cory Williamson, an author and talent agent, has significantly contributed to discussions on talent management and organizational strategy.

Main Idea

The central premise of Corporate Agility is the urgent need for businesses to adapt to the rapidly changing global economy by adopting collaborative strategic management (CSM). This approach integrates human resources (HR), information technology (IT), and corporate real estate (CRE) to enhance agility and competitiveness. The book emphasizes reducing fixed operational costs, attracting and retaining talent, and institutionalizing innovation to maintain sustainability and profitability.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Dinosaurs and Jaguars
3. More Corporate Agility, Less Corporate Real Estate
4. The Three Major Business Challenges
5. Reducing Fixed Operating Costs
6. Attracting and Retaining Human Talent
7. Innovation and Survival
8. The Virtual Workforce
9. Offices Without Walls
10. Workplace Strategy
11. The Well-Designed Workplace
12. Collaborative Strategic Management
13. Achieving Corporate Agility
14. Disposing of Unneeded Real Estate Assets

Introduction

The book begins by detailing the Future of Work project, which revealed that many businesses were failing to adapt to new technological advancements and globalization. This inability to evolve resulted in a loss of competitiveness and a disconnect with an increasingly dynamic workforce. To thrive in this new environment, businesses need to transform from slow-moving "dinosaurs" into agile "jaguars" by embracing collaborative strategic management.

Dinosaurs and Jaguars

The metaphor of "dinosaurs" and "jaguars" illustrates the need for businesses to evolve from being slow and cumbersome to becoming nimble and adaptive. This transformation involves aligning HR, IT, and CRE with broader strategic goals. Successful companies leverage this interdependence to achieve corporate agility, which allows them to respond swiftly to market changes and emerging opportunities.

More Corporate Agility, Less Corporate Real Estate

The growing mobility of the workforce necessitates a reevaluation of corporate real estate. For instance, Hewlett-Packard's Workplace Transformation program aimed to support its mobile workforce and reduce its real estate footprint. Similarly, Jones Lang LaSalle restructured its office space to foster collaboration and innovation, demonstrating the importance of aligning physical space with corporate strategy.

The Three Major Business Challenges

Businesses today face three primary challenges: reducing fixed operating costs, confronting a talent shortage, and institutionalizing innovation. Addressing these challenges through collaborative strategic management is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and agility in a volatile global economy.

Reducing Fixed Operating Costs

To increase agility, businesses must transition from a fixed-cost to a variable-cost model. This involves: