Why Flat Wins by Nilofer Merchant

Ignite Sebastopol 2009

Why Flat Wins

- Nilofer Merchant

Flat collaborative organizations will own the future. The latest recession has sent a big signal: size does not help. Instead, hierarchical big organizations fail faster. Collaboration can change that outcome by creating real differences in personal ownership, incentives to win, and the ultimate results. It is true: what WE can achieve when we THINK together is better than: I Decide, You All Do. We must shift from a world of few thinkers and many doers, to a world where people co-create a winning future. The organizations, whether for-profit, governmental or not-for-profit, which successfully grow into this powerful new model can win. This talks shares 3 key changes to harness this collaborative shift to go from big to better.

Bio:

Bringing to bear nearly 20 years in key leadership positions at Apple, Autodesk, and Adobe, Nilofer has honed her collaborative strategy approach to design winning go-to-market programs for some of the most successful corporate brands. Her keynotes attract SRO crowds at business leadership events, technology expos, women’s conferences and universities — ranging from Red Herring to CTIA and PBWC to Stanford. Having won multiple awards for her insights on applying strategic thinking and innovation, she’s been quoted in major business publications such as BusinessWeek, Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. Nilofer earned her MBA from Santa Clara University, a BS in Economics from University of San Francisco and is a certified Instructor of Facilitative Leadership from Interaction Associates.

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