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

Written by Josh Linkner

Narrated by Josh Linkner

Sustained growth is the result of a continuous reinvention process, and successful companies, brands, and individuals refuse to sit still. Yet most organizations languish until its too late, shielding previous success rather than inventing new business models, and then scrambling for a turnaround strategy when they have a near-death experience. But research shows that only 10% of organizations that have stumbled enough to necessitate a turnaround effort ever regain their market leadership. How can any organization make reinvention a permanent part of their business plan to ensure they stay ahead of the competition? The Road to Reinvention lays out a systematic approach to help readers reinvent themselves and their businesses. The book guides readers through the process of reinvention by studying the inspired stories of well-known brands from UPS and Ford, to Method and Whirlpool.  It also tells the surprising stories of lesser-known brands (ranging from mortgage giants to startups to hospital chains) that collectively detail a step-by-step game plan for reinvention. Reinvention is the critical ingredient in communities as well as companies.  The City of Detroit, which rose to greatness as the result of breathtaking innovation, succumbed to apathy and protectionism over the last several decades.  Today, however, the city is rising from the ashes and driving sustainable success through an intense focus on reinvention. Detroit serves as a central theme throughout The Road to Reinvention. Linkner brings an insiders view from the front lines of this incredible story of grit, determination, and creativity, finding in his hometowns successes and setbacks a profound metaphor for organizational and personal transformation. Reinvention sounds nice in principle, but most people have no idea how to actually pursue it.  Few have the courage to begin the process, and even fewer are able to overcome the many pitfalls and challenges associated with radical changes to existing models. The Road to Reinvention will help readers overcome those challenges and build the companiesand communitiesof the future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ascent Audio
• Release date: Jun 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663703019

Josh Linkner

Josh Linkner is founder and chairman of ePrize, a dominant player in the promotions industry serving 74 of the top 100 brands. He is a four-time entrepreneur, venture capitalist, accomplished jazz musician, and highly sought-after keynote speaker. He has won several business, technology, and design awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Crain's 40 under 40, Automation Alley's CEO of the Year, and the Detroit Executive of the Year.

Reviews for The Road to Reinvention

[tobinelliott · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was pushed down to many of us in a certain department who's flavour of the month is now "innovation"...yes, the sarcastic quotes are intentional.

Anyway, this isn't a bad book, but it's one that will leave you feeling hungry an hour or so later. There's lots of fun stories of those who have innovated and succeeded...and very few about those who innovated and failed.

There's lots of passages designed to build you up and stoke your fires, and there's a lot of high level--and I mean edge of the atmosphere high level--information on what to consider.

But if you want something that goes into specifics? Or something that gives you more than a flash card plan or sound byte wisdom? Look elsewhere.

[1greenprof · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Disruption and Reinvention

I heard Linkner speak at a conference several weeks ago, and decided to pick up this book. As I was reading it I enjoyed his suggestions...his "method," on how to positively disrupt your business. As a management consultant I found myself agreeing with many of his ideas, and recommended this book to several of my clients. It's worth a read for that.

I really have no complaints about the book, but found myself a little less interested in the last portion of the book where he transitions to personal change. Yes, I agree with him that this is a logical discussion, and is at the core of all change...it only takes a spark, eh? But this sort of stuff is covered...everywhere...and has the book ending a little weak for me.

Also, the method of the book...a Detroit example at the end of every chapter becomes a little worn and repetitive after the first few chapters...same story over and over.

Regardless, the book can be useful for those interested in the topic of disruption and acceleration.