• Provides a practical way to diagnose existing organizational issues that may lead to catastrophic failures
• Presents specific ways to improve performance, reduce risk, and improve the probability of long-term organizational success
• Links theory related to uncertainty and flexibility in decision making with practice
• Reflects information from a variety of industries, including life sciences, energy, hi-tech, financial services, and manufacturing

We are in an era of high volatility and uncertain outcomes, driven by accelerating technologies, shortened product cycles, fast-changing information, an increasingly mobile workforce, more demanding customers, complex financial markets, ad-hoc public policies, and many other factors that add layers of uncertainty to all future possibilities. While most believe that good management requires better prediction of the future and better planning, Gill Eapen instead contends that the best way to manage effectively in an uncertain world is through the conscious application of flexibility — an ability to absorb constantly shifting variables and adapt quickly.

Flexibility: Flexible Companies for the Uncertain World explores ways in which organizations can systematically enhance their ability to survive and succeed without the guarantees that come with certainty. In these pages, Eapen details:

• Specific attributes of status-quo organizations that hinder their capacity for flexibility in their three primary components: structure, systems, and strategies
• A tool and process for diagnosing flexibility-related problems within an organization
• Specific actions companies can take to improve flexibility, regardless of their size or age
• A case study of a technology company progressively losing flexibility due to management actions, as well as a detailed project plan for remedial actions

Based on the author’s years of experience working with a variety of industries, including life sciences, energy, technology, financial services, and manufacturing, and his expertise in decision options, Flexibility offers a holistic alternative approach for managing risk and making the best decisions possible in these especially uncertain times.

1. Uncertainty and Flexibility
2. The Evolution of Organizations and the Environment
3. Components of an Organization
Structure: Human Resources
Structure: Information
Structure: Infrastructure
Systems: Technology
Systems: Process
Systems: Content
Strategy
4. Structure
Human Resource Structure
Information Structure
Infrastructure
5. System
Technology Systems
Process Systems
Content Systems
6. Strategy
Internal Strategies
Boundary Strategies
External Strategies
7. Flexibility Metrics
Brief History of a Technology Company Losing FLEX
Measuring Flexibility
Metrics for Human Structure Flexibility
Metrics for Information Structure Flexibility
Metrics of Infrastructure Flexibility
Metrics for Technology Systems Flexibility
Metrics for Process Systems Flexibility
Metrics for Content Systems Flexibility
Metrics for Strategy Flexibility
8. Diagnostic Kit and Tactics
9. Creating a Flexible Company
10. Flexible Countries and the World
Bibliography
Index

With Flexibility, Gill Eapen masters the application of smart business strategy to a world of unknown circumstances. For your company or your career, Flexibility is a worthwhile guide to problem solving and decisiveness amid the uncertainty.
     —Martin Mackay, President, PharmaTherapeutics Research and Development

In chess, control of the centerboard gains flexibility and advantage. Like the grandmaster chess player, Gill Eapen takes an instinctive notion and develops it logically and for purpose.
     —Ronald W. Sellers, Chairman and CEO, Atlantic Asset Management, LLC

Gill has found a way to give everyone better decision-making insights to solve complex business and social challenges.
     — George Bickerstaff, Chairman and CEO, GWB Capital LLC