RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2015
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B O O K R E V I E W
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o compete with today's increasing globalization and rapidly
evolving technologies, individuals and organizations must take
their ability to learn—the foundation for continuous improvement,
operational excellence, and innovation—to a much higher level.
In Learn or Die, Edward D. Hess combines recent advances in
neuroscience, psychology, behavioral economics, and education with
key research on high-performance businesses to create an actionable
blueprint for becoming a leading-edge learning organization.
Learn or Die examines the process of learning from an individual
and an organizational standpoint. From an individual perspective, the
book discusses the cognitive, emotional, motivational, attitudinal, and
behavioral factors that promote better learning. Organizationally, Learn
or Die focuses on the kinds of structures, culture, leadership,
employee learning behaviors, and human resource policies that are
necessary to create an environment that enables critical and
innovative thinking, learning conversations, and collaboration. The
volume also provides strategies to mitigate the reality that humans
can be reflexive, lazy thinkers who seek confirmation of what they
believe to be true and affirmation of their self-image.
Exemplar learning organizations discussed include the secretive
Bridgewater Associates, LP; Intuit, Inc.; United Parcel Service (UPS);
W. L. Gore & Associates; and IDEO.
LEARN OR DIE:
Using science to build a
leading-edge learning organization
Author: Edward D. Hess is a professor of business administration
and Batten Executive-in-Residence at the University of Virginia's
Darden School of Business and the author of 11 books, including
Learn or Die: Using Science to Build a Leading-Edge Learning
Organization. Visit www.EDHLTD.com
Publisher: Columbia Business School Publishing
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